• 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

An update from the fire ground

11 February 2020

by Jessica Smith

It has often been observed that in times of hardship the true essence of community and humanity is revealed.

In the aftermath of the Cudlee Creek bushfire in the Adelaide Hills, Birdwood Lutheran Church Pastor David Kuss describes life on the fire-ground as full of unexpected blessings.

“People are working together more closely than ever before,” he says.

“People are sharing whatever they have with people they do not know, new neighbours and friends have been discovered, and communities are becoming stronger as each and every person becomes interdependent to survive a collective trauma.”

In an effort to help bring the community together, the Lutheran Shed Men of Birdwood, Springhead and Woodside organised a recent men’s gathering and meal. All of the eighty attendees were men from the fire-ground.

“The idea was to create a space where men could gather and talk,” says Pastor David.

“Our keynote speaker was Mac Hayes, a mental health professional and former shearer, who could connect with the country blokes very well. I sensed, by the depth of questions, that Mac was well received and appreciated.”

Pastor David says the generosity towards those who have been affected by the fires has been keenly felt, with donations of food, goods and feed for stock very gratefully received.

“Two days after the fire, when stock are burned and parched, two semi-trailer loads of hay appeared literally at our doorstep from the people of Freeling. A day or so later truckloads of food and goods arrived from Lutheran Community Care. There are countless stories such as this.”

Pastor David says that people on the fire-ground have welcomed help from the local churches, with thousands of meals donated by South Australians distributed by the Onkaparinga Parish.

Of course, there is still pain and grief to be worked through.

“To stand with a farmer holding a rifle after he has shot all his sheep does take a toll,” says Pastor David.

“The good news is that this fire has brought out those you can trust and receive help from. We suffer together just as we support each other. I believe we have a window of what Jesus went through as he suffers together with his people.”

A special report on the South Australian bushfires will be published in the March Together magazine. Please continue to keep these communities in your prayers.

READ MORE STORIES ABOUT Bushfires, congregations

« Several pastor installations held across the District
Sew Good »

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