‘Dignity & Care’ fellowship focus
The Upper North Zone Lutheran Women’s Fellowship Day was held on 6 July, hosted by Whyalla St James Lutheran Women’s Fellowship. The theme of the day was ‘With Dignity and Care’, and attendees came from Jamestown, Laura/Appila, Port Pirie, Booleroo, Crystal Brook and Whyalla. The State President of Lutheran Women SA-NT, Josie Hunt, travelled from Keith and a member from the Salisbury fellowship group also attended.
The outside temperature may have been cold and wintery, but inside St James church the air was warm and cosy filled with the joy of friendships. Di Zimmermann opened the proceedings with a big warm welcome. Pastor Lee van Rossen provided the opening devotion, followed by the Lord’s supper.
After the business formalities were conducted and elections held, there was one position that was left vacant, that of treasurer. It was resolved to seek the current treasurer who had already served 10 years to stay on in the interim until it could be filled, with a motion to redefine the role and its responsibilities. This may be a sign of the times with members getting older and wiser, and few new members joining.
In keeping with the theme, the guest speakers included Amy Quist from Heartfelt, a business that gives the gift of photographic memories for the families of stillborn, critically ill or premature babies, and children with a terminal illness. Amy’s passion for this work was clearly evident and she said it was a privilege to help families capture photographs so they could acknowledge their babies and children as real and loved.
Sonja van Rossen read out a statement from Lutherans for Life, a group within the Lutheran Church of Australia established in 1987, providing dignity for every life through joining together in a common desire to promote the sanctity of God’s gift of human life.
State President Josie Hunt lit the memorial candle for friends and family of loved ones who have died, followed with the hymn ‘Nearer my God to thee’.
Delicious hot soup was served by the men in the kitchen and there was a good variety of savoury and sweets to choose to eat. This was followed by the Whyalla Singers singing golden tunes known to bring joy to happy hearts.
The second guest speaker was Ali Zimmermann from the charity Share the Dignity, which addresses period poverty. Dignity Drives are conducted each March and August in certain supermarkets around the state. You can donate a preloved handbag and fill it with seven essential items including shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and period products and any other suitable items and take to collection points. These are then distributed to those in need.
The annual fellowship project saw members collect doonas, rugs, blankets and patchwork quilts to be donated to Lutheran Care, to help disadvantaged folks endure the cold winter months. A beautiful collection of these was on display at the altar.
The collection plate on the day totalled $800, a magnificent achievement which will be shared between Heartfelt and Lutherans for Life charities.
Next year’s the Fellowship Day, our 57th, will be held in Laura, a wonderful opportunity to share with other Lutheran women and visitors in dignity and caring fellowship.
Pictured above: Sue Freund, Ann-Marie Holt and Kayelene Cardona. Photo courtesy Carolyn Ronan.
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