Deutsch

New Parish Worker Introduces Herself
Hi,
My name is Maxie Kaerger and I am 25 years old.
For a long time it has been my dream to work in an English speaking country, and now I am lucky to be able to come to Springvale for 2 years to work in your congregation.
In the summer of 2007 I have obtained my degree in Social Studies and in February my Diploma in Congregational Pedagogic.
In November 2008 I will be ordained as a Deaconess.
During my student years I dod not only work with children and youth in a congregation, but I also worked for several years in the team of "Church during Holidays". There I worked with people from all age groups and denominations, praying, playing, laughing and doing craft work with the participants. I was also involved in training volunteers for their work with disabled people.
I am looking forward to meeting you and working with you.

See you soon. Maxie Kaerger

Kommt, ihr Töchter, helft mir klagen…
Moving Experience

A special evening was had by members of the congregation when Andrew Koll, director of the "Real Bach Society" , Canberra presented his multimedia showof the St. Matthew's Passion by J.S. Bach.
In his presentation he had included all the texts in German and in English and drawings depicting the passion of Christ. The show made the listeners aware again of the suffering of Christ and the magnificent way in which Bach had woven his music to add weight to the words.
Andrew Koll received praise and thanks for his work, and it was also mentioned that Hans Schroeder deserved our thanks as he had organised the coming of Andrew Koll.

Travel Log of the Witzlebs Part 1
Dear Friends,
It is now Good Friday and we are having a quiet day at home... It has stopped snowing. Yes, you read correctly, snowing!
We flew out of Melbourne on Saturday night, and arrived in Dubai on Sunday morning. An amazing place, they are building everywhere, aiming for the tallest, biggest etc. in the world... including the Mall of the Emirates where they have built a ski slope. In the evening we travelled along the 'Dubai Creek' (a 42 kilometre inlet of the Arabian Gulf) in a traditional dhow (wooden boat), then visited one of the markets (souk).
The next day, Monday, we went on a tour to Hatta, an old heritage village (originally 2-3000 years old), situated 115 Km southeast of Dubai city. ... We stopped along the way to pat some camels, including a three day old baby. Our guide took us to a fresh-water spring in the mountains, a popular spot with the locals, but spoiled by graffiti and rubbish. ...
The weather in Dubai was around 30 - 35 degrees. It only rains once or twice a year, and then for not more than 10 minutes! All their fresh water is won from the sea (desalination plants) and yet water usage is unrestricted.
Our flight, which left in the afternoon, was very pleasant, since the plane was half empty. We had been quite anxious about our baggage because when we checked in at Tullamarine, we were told that the 105 kilos (between the 3 of us) would likely incur an extra charge in Dubai, where they were strict. After some reorganising from suitcase to hand luggage, our 102 kilos was accepted with a friendly smile! We attribute this to Mutti's prayers and the empty plane.
We arrived in Zurich at 8:45 p.m. ... The temperature was 3 degrees! The drive to Engen took about one hour.
On Wednesday morning it started to snow, but it wasn't cold enough to remain. That afternoon I ventured outdoors to join Christine and some friends in their bi-weekly Nordic walking (I did normal walking, as I didn't have any stocks - this situation has now been rectified thanks to the timing of Aldi's specials!) It is very difficult to know how to dress for this temperature, especially after the hot weather we had just experienced. It was coooold! Fortunately the sun came out and saved the day (and me).
Thursday morning we awoke to an icing sugared landscape. That night Dietmar & I went to a gospel choir concert in Singen, where we met up with Sandra, who was our au-pair in 1991.
Overnight more snow. Dietmar built a snowman in front of the house and cleared the snow from the footpath (Schneeschippen). Today it has continued to snow on and off.
I hope you have enjoyed the first instalment of my travelogue. More in a few days.
Love to you all, Rajele (& Dietmar)

AGM 2008
After church on Sunday 13th April members of the congregation gathered for their Annual General Meeting.
Eric Christoph volunteered to be the minute secretary.
Elections were held. The following members were eleceted (or re-elected) into the church council: Karin Bauer, Hans-Jürgen Esser, Renate Pausenberger, Roberta Raguse, Nils Versemann, Bernd Waluga.
Gisela Rankin was confirmed as the auditor.
We then heard the reports. Most of them were accepted without discussion. When our former treasurer, Harald Ziemer's, report was tabled he received a long lasting applause for his hard work during the past years.
His report showed that the congregation ended the financial year with a minus of $ 6200. Yet there is no reason for panic yet, as our savings covered th loss. Nevertheless church council and congregation will have to see to it that they stay in their financial boundary in future.
The reports showed that the work in our congregation had progressed well. Yet it was stated a few times that more people would be welcome to join the groups. It is hoped that the new parish worker will bring new ideas and energy to our work amongst younger people.
The participante were encouraged to remain faithful to their congregation and support it through prayer and constructive criticism. All were thanked for their faithful support of the congregation. Wilhelm Stern

Go into the world…
Lutheran Congregation in Vladivostok
We heard about the existance of this congregation for the first time, when Heidi and Helmut Janssen returned from their Transsiberian journey. In the meantime a "partnership" has developed between our congregations thanks to the work of Hans Schroeder.
He was responsible for the visit of the pastor of the congregation in Vladivostok,Pastor Brockmann to Australia and to the three German congregations here. Many members of the church donated money for the purchase of an organ for the Russian congregation.
Hans Schroeder visited the congregation last October when they had three jubilees to celebrate. He will tell us all about his trip and life in Far East Russia on Thursday, 15th May at 7.30 pm. Surely it will be a most interesting evening and perhaps we'll be able to taste some Russian fire water. Wilhelm Stern

Praise God...
Special Worship Services

During the coming weeks we will celebrate :
* a Devotion on Ascencion Day, Thursday 1st of May at 7 pm;
* a Sermon held by Pastor Thomas Böhmert,Chaplain at Luther College, Croydon on Sunday 4th of May at 10 am;
* an Ecumenical Service on Pentecost with sisters and brothers in Christ: Sunday, 11th of May at 7 pm in the Uniting Church, Springvale, Albert Avenue;
* a pulpit swap. On Sunday, 25th of May Pastor Joachim von Mitzlaff will preach in St. John's.
You are codially invited to these special services.
Wilhelm Stern

If one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 1.Cor.12:26
Good Sportsperson
At a recent award's ceremony Andrew Christoph received the all-rounder award in his team, the Vermont South under 14 Cs side.
Congratulations, Andrew, and keep up the good work. Wilhelm Stern

3 Albert Avenue
PO Box 9
Springvale Victoria 3171
Australia
Phone: (03) 9546 6005


stern@bigpond.com

Interested?

Please ring
Pastor Wilhelm
9546 6005