• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • LCA Portal
  • Login to LAMP
  • LCA Online Donations
  • Contact

SA/NT District

137 Archer Street
North Adelaide SA 5006
Phone 08 8267 5211

  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • About Lutherans
    • Our Mission
    • District Staff
    • Congregations and Pastors
    • Job Opportunities
    • Child Safety Commitment
  • DEPARTMENTS
    • Mission
      • Aboriginal Ministry
      • Mission Grants
    • Administration
    • Communications
    • Professional Standards
    • Chaplaincy
    • Child, Family, Youth, Young Adults
    • Ministry Partners
    • Other Ministries
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Together Magazine
    • eNews
    • Call Information
  • EVENTS
    • Convention of Synod
    • Conferences and Other Events
    • Training and Workshops
  • RESOURCES
    • LCA Worship Resources
    • Policies and Procedures
  • LoginPress

New parish formed in the Mallee

27 November 2018

by Amelia Dawkins

There is confidence the newly formed Mallee Lutheran Parish will strengthen the mission of local congregations and open up new opportunities to show God’s love in the region.

After two years of conversations between 10 congregations, the new parish held its first worship service at St John’s Lutheran Church, Lameroo, in October. The congregations that have been brought together are Tintinara, Coonalpyn, Meningie, Tailem Bend, Karoonda, Buccleuch, Lameroo, Pinnaroo, Murrayville and Walpeup.

At its inaugural meeting, Ken Schutz was elected as the new parish chairperson. He said he realised how much the formation meant to people when he attended the celebratory service in October.

“I was sitting in one of the side pews, and as I watched the church fill up, it really struck me how big this amalgamation really is,” Ken said.

“There has been challenges to form the Mallee parish, but God has guided us through them and will continue to guide us.

“The main aim is to have a stable ministry for the communities within the Mallee parish, and from 1 January 2019, I believe this will happen.”

Conversations to form the new parish began when resources began to decline across the churches in the region. Many wanted to explore how they could continue to minister God’s word in the Mallee and keep as many doors open. A steering committee was established and this received support from the SA-NT District Office.

Tracey Woidt was part of the steering committee and has been elected as the new parish secretary. She said congregations will be able to support each other more closely now.

“We will be able to share the gifts and talents of our members to all congregations,” Tracey said. “We will be able to fellowship regularly with other people in our parish. I am looking forward to the new ideas that come with a group of people with one heart and one vision for Christ.”

Pastors Dan Rooney and Peter Heintze are currently serving the Mallee parish, which has also called a third pastor. Pastor Dan said that while conversations were largely positive throughout the process, as with any change, there were some challenges.

“What we have endeavoured to do is create a sustainable parish model, so that Christ can remain in the centre of our lives, both for us and our communities,” Pastor Dan said.

“This means that some people are going to be challenged in its acceptance, but with that comes new opportunities and possibilities in our going out and growing. We believe that we are in a stronger position with all our shared resources to encourage one another, enliven our mission and show Christ’s light into our communities.”

READ MORE STORIES ABOUT congregations

« New Executive Director for LCC
Maintenance angels visit Broken Hill »

Primary Sidebar

Archives for all Posts

  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • Tags

    Aged Care ALWS Australian Lutheran World Service Award Bishop Blueprint Ministries Blueprint Ministries Youth Bushfires Camps Central Australia Chaplaincy Christmas community events conference congregations Convention of Synod COVID disasters Easter Education events German language congregations Grant history little town productions lutheran care Lutheran Community Care Lutheran Disability Services lutheran nurses Lutheran Women of SA-NT LWSA-NT mission nurses outreach pastors Prayers Professional Standards schools Staff visual arts volunteering wellbeing WHS worship youth

    Footer

    Contact Us

    137 Archer Street North Adelaide SA 5006
    Phone 08 8267 5211
    Email us

    © 2023 Lutheran Church of Australia

    Privacy Policy • Disclaimer

    Designed by LCA Communications