Contact October November 2011 -...

st john’s northbridgest john’s northbridge

ccontactontactlutheran church of australia

celebrating and sharing the love of god

October - November 2011Volume 44 No 5

Promises, Promoses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Longest Lutheran Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Friendship Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Memorial Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Confirmation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Friendship Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Graeme Lienert in New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Friday Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Light of the Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4People of St John’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Youth Camp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Church Picnic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 -8Just a Thought . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Alpha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Rosters for October - November Worship Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Ministry Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Printed and Published on behalf of St. John’s Lutheran Church Perth WA Print Post Approved PP602669/00269

PROMISES, PROMISES…

cHANGING our minds: sadly, it’s something that we do often.

When we commit to something and make our promises – at the altar, at work, or as a congregation, who are we accountable to for seeing them through? Apart from those we make promises to; ultimately we are accountable to our Lord and God, aren’t we? When we commit say, to a vision and a building project (albeit a few years ago) and raising money for it, where does it leave us if we do not follow through and play our part in the present? Was God wrong to inspire us and give us His vision of blessing years ago or have some simply changed their minds about the nature of their commitment to Him in this regard? Where then is our ‘mission heart’ today as God’s people? How do we discern where God is leading us to focus our time and energy in His Kingdom work where He has placed us in Northbridge? They are all indeed big questions for every St Johns member to consider as we share the responsibility and blessed task of mission and ministry in our world.

With all the fickle reasons we change our minds on matters (ie. broken relationships or not getting what we want etc.) it’s good to know that God doesn’t change His mind about us. If He did we would surely be lost for good! Hear God’s powerful words in the Old Testament: “I the LORD do not change…” (Mal. 3:6). Contrary to what God’s people of the day were thinking, God reminds them that He remains faithful to His covenant promises that He makes with them – always; even if they don’t see it presently then and there.

Ultimately it meant that God our Father would send into the world His dear Son to pay for humanity’s sin by offering up His very best gift as a sacrifice to demonstrate the strength of His commitment to the promises He made. Because of Jesus Christ and what He has done all of God’s promises He makes in His Word to His people (us!), are “Yes and Amen!” (2 Cor. 1:20). Now that is good news we can celebrate and share with others! Therefore, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23). The question remains: How will we express our thankfulness to God for keeping His promises to us? Pastor André.

tHE Edwards family would like to thank all members of their St John’s family for their amazing love, prayers and encouragement at this time of Bill's untimely accident. He is making an unbelievable recovery at home

after being discharged from RPH Spinal Unit only 2 days after surgery of an anterior cervical fusion of C6 and the fractured C7. Blessings Jennie. 'God is our refuge and strength, an ever- present help in trouble.. Therefore we will not fear...' Psalm 46:1,2

STOP PRESS

St John’s Contact October - November 2011

MEMORIAL SUNDAY:

mEMORIAL Sunday will be celebrated this year on 6 November. If you wish to have a loved one

remembered by the lighting of a memorial candle during either of the Sunday Worship services, please contact Pam at the church office, 92278072 or by email. Please give Pam your name and the name of the one to be remembered.

CONFIRMATION

sINCE February 2010, a group of St Johns young people have been getting together for Confirmation

lessons in the church hall beforeYouth (every second Friday evening during the school terms). Pastors Greg and André have been using a wonderful resource called Faith Inkubators to teach them about the Bible and Luther’s Catechism. On Sunday the 23 October, at the 10.10 service, 19 young people, supported by their families and godparents will confirm their baptismal faith.Please pray for the following Confirmees as they prepare for this very special day in their lives:Simone Brandsch, Lowenna Clemence’ Hannah Davidson, Derek Denby, Amy (You Mu) Ge, Socrates Ge, Ruth Hunduma, Kate Kleidon, Arne Kuehn, Phoebe Lawes, Luke Nickolai, Steven Pocock, Ben Schuler, Carolin Scriba, Will Siebert, Yeva Tamba, Grace Theodorsen, Charlene Thomas and Jack Wilson.

FRIENDSHIP GROUP

the Friendship Group continues to meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at 11.00am. We

have enjoyed singing, devotions and guest speakers, caught up with friends and celebrated special birthdays over delicious lunches. We’ve enjoyed having lovely soup during the cold weather. A big thank you to everyone who supplied the soup. Future dates – everyone is welcome:12 October26 October – Reformation Day. Communion service in the church9 November 23 November14 December – Our Anniversary Lunch (Christmas)A special invitation: Sunday the 30 October – The Longest Lutheran Lunch.Come and enjoy German sausages, salads and cakes from twelve different countries.See the article on left for more information.We look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesdays at 11.00am Shirley Kahlfeld

THE LONGEST LUTHERAN LUNCH

oN Sunday the 30 October (Reformation Sunday) after the

second service, St John’s will join together with Lutheran Churches from the rest of WA and along a line stretching across Australia and over the Tasman Sea to New Zealand to celebrate God’s gift of grace with a food and fellowship festival.St John’s will celebrate the event by sharing our spirit, our fellowship and our church facilities with others who are part of the Northbridge community.We will feast on German sausages and salads and share our heritage with tastes of cakes from the many nationalities that have come to know Jesus through the Lutheran Church.We will share cakes and pastries from Finland, Austria, Poland, Indonesia, America, South Africa, Germany, Russia, Hungary.Lunch will be set up outdoors, so we have put out a request for gazebos to be borrowed for the day.Volunteers are required to erect and dismantle on the day – gazebos, decorations, tables. Please let the office know if you would like to help in any way.The cost for the meal is $10 per adult – children under 14 are free. Please BYO drinks.We look forward to seeing everyone there.

REFORMATION “He who through faith is righteous, SHALL LIVE!” Martin Luther felt he had been ‘Born Again’ when by meditating on Romans 1 God revealed to him that Salvation is a free gift TO ALL, by the Grace of God. That gift is yours and mine. It is a gift to be celebrated.At St John’s on Reformation Sunday 30 October we can thank God with hearts and hands and voices for He is our Refuge and a Mighty Fortress. Martin Luther stood up for God – Alone. Why not come and stand TOGETHER

with family, friends and St John’s members to celebrate God’s

Amazing Grace. An emotive Drama will enhance the worship and the Longest Lutheran Lunch is another feature of this very significant day. Kay Robinson.

“Artwork by Maija-Liisa Schneider”


ST. JOHN’S PERTH PARISHIONER CYCLES IN NEW YORK CITY

gRAEME Lienert, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (retired), was one of 24 West Australian Police who

travelled to New York to compete in the 2011 World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) from 25 August - to 6 September. Graeme, a parishioner at at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Perth was successful in winning a Bronze medal for the street cycle race around Central Park. He was beaten by a French cyclist and a Canadian, but was very pleased to gain 3rd place in the Grand Masters Division. The other cycle event Graeme registered in, the Criterium around Grant’s Tomb, was cancelled due to Hurricane Irene. The Games which attracted nearly 16,000 competitors from more than 60 countries. allowed participants to compete in a range of 80 different sports. Officials say that the WPFG are second only to the Summer Olympics as the world’s largest multi sport event (New York Times, 3 September, 2011). Graeme had planned to take his late wife Shirley with him, but sadly this was not to be. He was fortunate enough that his daughter Suzanne and son Stephen were able to join him in New York.

It Is About The Bike - Graeme Lienert, Times Square New York, September 2011.

Following the grand opening parade, the games were marred with the threat of Hurricane cyclone Irene bearing down on New York which led to the City being closed down for more than 36 hours. It was the first time that the City’s underground rail and public transport system had been closed in over 100 years. This disruption and flooding from heavy rain caused havoc with sports re-scheduling and in some instances cancellation of a number of events. However, when mother nature strikes there is little one can do other than absorb the experience. The central city area and Times Square in particular were practically deserted for the entire weekend. It was quite surreal to see the normally busy streets, with wall to wall people, so empty. However these empty streets were soon

buzzing and back to its hectic self as people clambered back into this bustling metropolis with 24/7 shopping.

The potential of a further terrorist attack upon the City was in the minds of many, but with the police and other safety authorities out in force it was noticeable that the city looked clean and felt safe.

The World Police and Fire Games, run biennially, was held in New York to coincide with the Tenth Anniversary of the destruction of the Twin Towers to commemorate the loss of 2809 lives. Among the dead were 343 Fireman and 65 Police officers.

Graeme was able to meet with the NYPD Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and was provided with an update on policing and counter terrorism strategies used in New York since that fateful day of 11 September, 2001, a day ‘the World has changed forever’.

Devising a strategy titled ‘smarter policing’ NYPD have made significant inroads to combat terrorism and crime since lessons learnt from 11 September 2001. Crime has been reduced significantly, by nearly 40%, and 13 potential terrorist attempts have been averted. Key strategies included instant response, embracing technology, engaging with minorities and high visible policing. However, history shows that some people will not give up a cause and the community has to be forever vigilant.

With the city locked down some were able to get to St Luke’s Lutheran Church in Times Square. Due to the cyclone / hurricane threat only seven were able to attend, perhaps their lowest attendance on record, but the Service went ahead. St. Luke’s provide soup and meals twice weekly to 200 people, clothing for the poor, operate a full time choir with four paid professionals and have missionary outreach with Tanzania. Their food and clothing provision for the poor, is worked in conjunction with other central city churches and has helped the City of New York to remove beggars from the streets. Their outreach program in Tanzania focusses on Kibeta English Medium Primary School (KEMPS). The program commenced in the early 2,000‘s when their Synod established an endowment fund of US$1million to support Lutheran teachers to teach English in Bukoba Tanzania.

The experience, the travel and the opportunity to compete in a sporting environment with Police and Fire officers from all over the world made this a wonderful experience. The witness and the way St Luke’s serve humanity through the provision of food and clothing to the poor, through their choir in New York city, through missionary work with people in Tanzania and doors open policy to allow people to meditate and pray gives one hope that the Lord’s work continues to be done. We thank God for the opportunities that are given to us. Graeme Lienert

St John’s Contact October - November 2011 Page4

FRIDAY FORUM DURING OCTOBER & NOVEMBERFriday October 21 : CHOGM and St John’s

wE resume after-holidays Friday Forum with a bang. CHOGM. And it’s the start of CHOGM Week in Perth. Our Hall will be looking like the U.N. Assembly with flags, dossiers and info about the 50 and more Commonwealth

countries involved ; and we’re already working on having reps ( from amongst our own friends, neighbours, and hopefully some celebrity guest speakers ) so that we can have our own Forum and Sharing on Commonwealth and any Life affairs that are interesting and even vital for us..Friday 28 October: “No Reforms please…..we’re Lutheran.”

On the eve of Reformation Weekend, we pay tribute to the great reformers, and especially Martin Luther. Martin Luther faced the hard questions. He didn't want to leave his Church nor his Priesthood, but he did want to change the caste system , the hypocrisy and the financial grubbery within the church. He didn't mince his words. He wasn't really afraid of offending the diehards. He was true to himself.

Reform has to be ongoing as we well know…it’s going on all the time in business, the media, science, sport, medicine, law. We’ll be having a robust discussion on Reformation in our church and world today, including our divided tendencies to clam up, shut up or speak up. As someone said last Friday Forum : Jesus wasn’t a bad sort of Reformer either. It’s a Public Holiday today----and a great opportunity for many to come to….. “talk, share, listen and learn…..” at Friday Forum.

Friday.4 November :It's Memorial Weekend. for many of us.. Remembering those who’ve finished their Journey

It’s Memorial Weekend at the end of November. For many of us and indeed for the whole St John’s and Spirit of the Streets communities, it has been a really big year of Farewells during 2011 . At Church we remember them with prayer and a candle. Today at Friday Forum we talk about them, their lives, their families maybe, their Journey among us. At the going down in the month of November ---we will remember them.

Friday. 11 November : Remembrance Day and War all over our world

A pretty sad topic, but in war there are many things to learn about: conscription, bravery, power, decision-making, defence of one’s homeland, brutality and Love.

Friday.18 November Love Wins.

A great new book and series about what makes the world a happier place. Friday Forum people hope that we talk about this every time we come together, but this is a real Special on what Life is all about , what Jesus is all about and what the rest of us are supposed to be about . Spirit-moving video plus spirit-moving Speakers.

Friday .25 November Who are the 10 Great Leaders we respect and love?

We’ve shared and discussed before about leadership qualities .This time we want to come prepared to talk about why we and others love and respect well-known leaders, including the likes of Jesus, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mandela—aiming to get our wise Muslim friend Abuatika as well.

All very Welcome to our free Friday Forum, where we talk, share, listen, laugh and learn. Coffee & cake from 9.30am, Round –the- Circle Discussion 10am -11.30am. More info anytime ( Harry Mithen 9444-4626 for the Friday .Forum. team ) We’ve been going nearly two years, we love it and think you might too. Harry Mithen

LIGHT OF THE NIGHT

aFTER losing my grandmother,,Gertie,,earlier this year, I felt I needed to do something in her

memory since I was unable to go home to the U.S. during that difficult time. "Light the Night" was held on 21 September on the Esplanade. It was a time for remembering wonderful people lost to a horrible sickness and lending support and hope to those that continue their battle. "Light the Night" is an event sponsored by the Leukaemia Foundation to raise funds towards blood cancer research. I gathered a team of friends (Maya, Exi, Lovena, and Josh) and we created "Grandma Gertie." With only a few weeks to fund raise, our team landed in the top 20 of WA teams. We even raised double what I set our goal to be. We are proud to announce we gathered over $1000 for the Leukaemia Foundation. Thank you to all who helped support our team and this great cause. Alison Bessert


people of st john’s

sARAH and Chris Lienert became proud parents when son Elijah Conrad was born on August 15th. Also

delighted were grandparents Maria and Tim Redman and Graeme Lienert. Many family members and friends will be travelling from the country and interstate for Elijah’s baptism on 23 October.

BABIES AND BAPTISMS

DI and Mike Lauer are excited at being first time grandparents, and they are proud to announce

the birth of Benjamin John Hugh Swann, son of their daughter Natalie and her husband Chris. Benjamin was born on 18 September weighing a bouncing 8.5 lbs.

AN email from former St John’s members, Kate and Paul

Wittwer told of the baptism of their son Jack at the Warradale Lutheran Church, SA . Kate wrote: “He was such a good boy: he slept through the whole ceremony. It was a lovely day and we had both sides of the family at our place for lunch

iT was a very special day for Steve Wise when he was baptized at St John’s by Pastor André. Steve is a long

time member of the Spirit of the Streets Choir and is happy to now be a member of St John’s family.

gRANDPARENTS and an Aunt travelled from the USA to be present when baby Lily Keane Cummings

was baptized on 21 August. Lily is the daughter of Zoe and Jared who will be welcomed into the St John’s family on 9 October.

JUST sneaking into this edition of the Contact is Kayla Joy Roberts, baptized on 2 October. Parents Berliany

and Paul were married in 2010 by Pastor Greg.

PEOPLE NEWS

a message from Papua New Guinea.The Pusal family writes: “As a former member of St.

John’s, we wish to inform our friends and congregation that we arrived safely back in Papua New Guinea after living in Perth for 2 years. We are gradually adjusting to life back home. It has been great worshipping and sharing the word of God with you all. The Christians here in the village have passed their godly greetings to you all as well. Thank you and may God continue to bless you all.Regards. Simon, Julie & Abigail Pusal”. Julie and Abigail are especially missed by the Coffee- time Mums.

dAISUKE and Sadami Fuj-moto, from Japan, were married by Pastor Geoff Burger at St

John’s five years ago, and they recently called into St John’,s while on holiday in Perth.

WHILE ON THE SUBJECT OF WEDDINGS

SOME special weddings on which to report are:Sadie Millers, St John’s member for many years before

retiring to Augusta and then SA was recently married to Garry Matuschka at Fullerton Lutheran Homes in Adelaide. Many family members, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were present to give their blessing to this elderly couple who say “we appreciate the time we have together whether the Lord grants us 1 hour, 1 day, 1 year ..or longer!” We wish them much happiness in their twilight years

will there be a Christmas Tree decorating the church for the wedding on 1 October of Stephanie

Micke and James Gruzdowski? We think not…..but come Christmas we will probably once again be appreciating the tree Simone and Phillip Micke and daughter Stephanie have provided and decorated for St Johns. Thank you Micke family for the many years of Christmas glory

aNOTHER St John’s member about to enter the state of matrimony is Shane Marshall who will marry

Janet Slomen on 9 October, Pastor Greg being the celebrant on this special day.

IN THE NEWS:

it was the cook-off to end all cook-offs when competition finalists Kay Robinson and Michael Hall

pitted their culinary prowess against one another at the Mundaring Truffle festival. Kay, with her off-sider chef Don Hancey scored the highest points, cooking rustic pork loin cutlets with pumpkin, broccolini, hazelnuts and truffle. Congratulations Kay…. your win was no surprise to your friends at St John’s as we have seen the fruits of your culinary efforts at many St John’s fellowship and Fundraising events.

cLAIRE Robins is another talented member of St John’s who shares her gift of floral artistry by beautifying

the church for worship. Claire represented St John’s at Wesley Church’s floral festival, held on the first weekend of October. The festival featured a carpet of flowers and floral arrangements copying the stained glass windows in the church, and also arrangements depicting the church religious festivals. Claire’s did two pedestal floral arrangemnts, depicting Good Friday and Ordinary Time.

BIRTHDAYSOnce again a number of out friends have celebrated Special Birthdays in the past 2 months. Richard Belke and Lina Graebner were the two who celebrated in August. Jeff Belke, Erika Dahl, Andrew Ge, Maureen Walkemeyer, Michael Buhlmann, and Max Mueller celebrated in September. We hope that you were all able to enjoy wonderful celebrations.


oN the last weekend in August, twenty St John’s Youth and a few not so youth (Stuart Sellner, Pastor Andre,

and our cooks Jen Morick and Ingeburg Dell’Antonio) headed down to Woodman Point recreation camp for two full days of games, activities and discussion all around the theme of happiness.

It started off on Friday night with us getting to know a little bit more about each other and then moving into the small groups we would have for the duration of the camp and playing some more competitive youth games – some dizzying and some unbalancing. After chocolate pudding for supper rather than dessert – thanks to a slow cooking oven – we headed to bed to be ready for the long day Saturday.

Saturday morning kicked off with a cooked breakfast, some singing (with greater enthusiasm from the boys rather than the girls), and some sports games led by Tom. That led to the discovery that Jordan seemed best suited to throwing and catching balls while having elbows on the ground. We then entered into our first activities and discussion on happiness – where we found out the advantage of delaying our gratification (and that Jon was unable to) and that it truly was better to give than to receive (as well as how to play Scissors – Paper – Rock – Lizard – Spock).

Saturday afternoon was spent climbing up to great heights as well as throwing ourselves off the same – though in a safe, supervised, and safety harnessed environment. With Spring come early, there was then the time and the conditions for some predominantly dry fun at the beach.

Saturday evening we delved into how relationships with other people affect our happiness and how worry can eat

away at it. Perhaps less clear was how the water balloon volleyball and dodge ball linked in. It was then time for a choice of movie - the winner was Ratatouie - before a camp fire and flexible (to a certain degree) bedtime. At some stage there was a strange discussion regarding Robin Hood, modern life, jet skis and golf clubs, but that may have been the result of the consumption of too many marshmallows.

Everyone was a little slower rising on Sunday, but we still finished breakfast nearly on time and the singing that followed completed the job of waking us all up. Sunday morning’s activities involved throwing paper balls into baskets and running relays carrying increasing numbers of balloons. From this we learnt about how the goals we set ourselves influence our happiness and how God wants our lives to not just be joyful, but overflowing. We also learnt that the best way to carry multiple balloons quickly was to stuff them inside your loose shirt – though that may have less application to our futures.

Sunday and Happy Happy Fun Camp finished off with stuffed potatoes for lunch and a closing service led by Pastor Andre. It may have been short, but the camp was greatly enjoyed by all and certainly lived up to its name.

Thanks to all those who organised

bits – Zach, Josh, David, Jon, Tom and Pastor Andre – a big thanks to the cooks – Jen and Ingeburg – and we also give thanks for the guys at Sport and Rec for the location and for running our Saturday afternoon activity.

Thanks also for those who helped with food donations or by buying (or selling) our fundraising chocolates.For those who came, you may have to wait a little while for the next St John’s youth camp, but don’t forget Jan Camp run by LYWA is only a few months away. Stuart Sellner

HAPPY HAPPY FUN CAMP

At the ChurchPicnic.


OBITUARY

KIRSTEN WIBBEKE-KHOO

kIRSTEN has been a much-loved wife, mother, daughter,sister and friend of so many people. She leaves us with memories of a cheerful, energetic, wise and may we almost use the word legendary person associated with St

John’s community,and we have been dreadfully saddened at having to say Goodbye. She came across to us as a person wonderfully human, colourful , sensible and an inspiring friend. We welcomed her parents and family who travelled from Germany to join for her Farewell, and they shared with us some of Kirsten’s early life.Kirsten was born on the 18 September 1970, elder child of Ursula and Karl-Heinz and sister to younger brother Jorg. She was born in the little town of Soest in Northern Westfalia, Germany about 50 km from the Ruhr area. She was a happy child with many friends, especially cousin Sandra who lived close by. Kirsten loved school , she loved to paint and be involved in various crafts. She played the flute, also learnt ballet and in the summer spent many happy hours in diving gear, snorkelling in local lakes. This was a popular sport and many of Kirsten’s friends loved being in snorkelling competitions.A defining moment in her life was, at age 10 when all of a sudden she became aware of handicapped people . Residents of the Soest Home were all handicapped in various ways and the heart of young Kirsten was moved. For the next 10 years she visited the home weekly, happily helping with the care of these people. This experience surely led Kirsten to her studies after leaving school. After High School she spent a year in the Patrokli Community working with children. A highlight of her year was organising and preparing children for the celebration of Epiphany (6 January) when they dressed up in appropriate ‘ 3 wise men’ costumes and visited homes collecting coins for charity. Kirsten introduced this tradition to some of us in Australia and we were delighted to welcome her with her children Hanna and Noah, dressed as Kings.She spent time at Pederborn College where she studied to be a church worker in the Catholic church. During this time she came to Melbourne, Australia for 3 months as part of gaining practical experience . This led to her wishing to see more of the Aussie scene so……..there came a trip to Tasmania in 1995, meeting a certain backpacker named Jeremy Khoo and the rest is history. Jeremy has spoken of Kirsten’s early days in Perth - teaching degree, teaching in the country and then the position of Church worker and Office administrator at St John’s in Northbridge. The St Johns Files and Archives will have a fair bit to show. A good Catholic, she was employed to work with holy Lutherans and Lutheran Pastors – in spreading the Good News And how brilliantly she did it.She had a finger (and often a big hand) in initiating , promoting and throwing herself into a hundred and one new ventures at and around St John’s —teamwork, ministry teams, hospital chaplaincy, Alpha, communication channels among church workers, ecumenical activities, marriage preparation, fun and friendship. Kirsten Wibbeke-Khoo is a St John’s legend---and that’s not saying anything about her life as wife, Mum and friend to so many. Kirsten, rest in peace !

Copies of the other tributes that were given at Kirsten’s funeral are available on line, or as paper copy. The tributes are from Jeremy, Pastor Geoff and Pastor Julian. Contact the church offi ce if you would like copies.Heather Mithen.


OBITUARIES

HORST FRANKOWIAK

hORST was born in Germany in 1935 and his childhood years were difficult because of the loss and

trauma of war and the subsequent loss of his father. His working life as a ship’s electrician brought him, his wife and 3 young children to Australia in 1959, but his restless nature saw him and his wife Elli return to Germany in 1972.However when Horst retired they returned to Australia to be close to children Kim, Morna and Mark and the 4 grandchildren. Horst loved his family dearly and provided for them well. He and his dear wife Elli enjoyed 52 wonderful years together before Horst came to the end of his earthly journey on 5 August 2011. Heather Mithen

JOZEF CUPKA:

jOZEF was born on the 25 February 1952 in Central Slovakia and because of the ill health of his mother,

was adopted into a family whom he loved, but he always felt he did not quite fit in with the other children in the village.

HARVEY TARVYDAS (1946 – 2011)

iN the Eulogy to her brother, Ruth Tarvydas started off: “Harvey Tarvydas: he went where angels feared to

tread….” And interspersed in Ruth’s tribute to her brother were stories and phrases which made up a kaleidoscope of an incredibly colourful, fun-filled and brilliant life. Born in Germany, the family escaped war, having to leave everything they owned in Lithuania, arriving as a baby in Fremantle with measles, mumps and chicken pox. PMH nurses handed him back to his Mum so he could die in her arms. The baby survived. As a young nipper, scholarship and study were a joy, fascination with this wonderful world and mankind, won a National Science Competition aged 15, built a Science Lab in his own backyard, written up in Science journals aged 17. Then Medicine University study and life, driving an e-type jaguar, flash flairs, long hair. He developed a love for life that always stayed with him. And later, as a G.P. despite patients becoming impatient after very long stints in his surgery waiting-room, people kept forever coming back: “He seems to know what’s wrong with me when I walk through the door…..” He liked---or was it loved—all of his patients. Later in life he did research, spent years working on big- building and corporate air-conditioners to help fight Legionnaires’ Disease and then in more recent times the fight against Alzheimer’s. Many of us - and many experts believed he was 20 years ahead of his time, in medical matters. He knew how the body worked, and he knew how we men, women and children worked.And people were still saying those things at his funeral in Northbridge last month. St John’s was his and his family’s church, and at his Farewell I met people (patients and friends of his) who lived long healthy lives after ovarian cancer, postnatal depression, alcoholism. People talked about him rushing off from his surgery in a cloud of dust on his motor-bike to deliver a baby. My wife Heather’s family had implicit trust in him as doctor as well as family friend to 3 generations of Graebners, Belkes and Mithens (and Heather’s Mum, a devoted Harvey patient) lived to be 100 . He even worked a minor miracle for me, inspiring me to give up cigarettes (after 30 years) without saying a word about smoking. Can you believe it?Harvey died suddenly in Sydney in August after living most of his life with a malformed aortic valve in his heart. Thank you to Harvey’s dear sisters, Ruth and Hilde Gray for helping us celebrate the wonderful life of a wonderful man. Rest in peace, friend. Harry Mithen

After training and working as a carpenter for some years, in 1980 he emigrated to Australia and immediately found his church home at St John’s. Jozef had a passion for the pipe-organ and as a self taught organist he gave wonderful service to the Slovakian Lutheran church community by providing organ music for worship services..Jozef also played for Mass in the Slovakian Catholic Church. Organ music was his God-given gift and passion which he was happy to share.

He experienced great happiness when, through the help of the International Red Cross , he discovered and made contact with a younger brother, Eddy, who also had been adopted. Jozef and Eddy met for the first time just 2 years ago when Jozef was 57 and Eddy 36.

Jozef suffered a massive heart attack on 28 July and breathed his last two days later, with a pastor and two friends by his side. Heather Mithen

NEWS FROM NORWAY

jUST simply --very cordial greetings from the Belkes, and hope to be seeing you guys again in your

Summer. We are all well, and have had a wonderful few years in this brilliant country. Ben and Amy have had some amazing experiences, and told me to say that they are missing Children's Church ( even though they like making pancakes at our local church ).

And may I just say to your Contact readers a belated word about how sad Jodie and I were on hearing of the death of Harvey Tarvydas. We knew him really well: I worked with him on some of his research projects for a long time. I always thought that Harvey found the world that we live in a bit too easy. When faced with a decision that might make his own life easier or harder, he seemed to go for the harder route. He was always looking out for the other guy. Harvey, we can say, has been an enormous influence in our lives. Words cannot express how grateful I am for what he has done over many years for me and my family. Jeff Belke (Oslo )..


JUST A THOUGHT because she knew what it was like the last two times. And we talked about houses around her neighbourhood on the way back to her house. I wish I can list everything about our conversation that day.

I also remember she said it was good to see me. We gave each other a hug before we parted and we said we would see each other again the following Friday at the hospital. My husband and I saw her on Sunday instead.Looking back at the conversation that I had with Kirsten I know her passing was her path and I find peace in that she is not in pain any more. And today she would have said to all of us ‘good to see you’.Once upon a time, a man said whoever believed in Him would do the works He had done and would do even greater things than He did. Kirsten believed, she did the greater things and I see evidence of her work every time I hear about how she helped others. As He went to prepare a place for her in his father’s house a long time ago, and may she be where He is now, I hope that she is preparing a place for all of us. And that you and I will say ‘it is so good to see you again’. Jin Bettermann

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT... ALPHA?Q: What do you get when you put nine people, a DVD player, amazing food anda pastor into the church hall on a Thursday night?A: Alpha.And that's exactly how we were all introduced to idea of the Alpha course. Thanks to Jin Bettermann and the editors of the bulletin, St John's has managed to get a great group of individuals together, all with diverse backgrounds & their own special qualities. This group is slowly getting to know one another better through fellowship over pot-luck dinners (insert Jamie Oliver-esque one-liner here) and then a screening of the latest episode of the Alpha Course DVD, enigmatically presented by Nicky Gumbel.We're thrown into scenarios presented to us by Nicky (which come in the form of a mixture of anecdotes & scripture readings) before being asked questions as a group. Then, together, we explore the answers to those questions and sometimes come up with our own questions in return. We're not even halfway through the course yet and we're already building onour own understanding of Christianity and our relationships with God. (Not to mention picking up new recipes from the cooks in the group!) The people in this particular Alpha Course are friendly, willing to learn, willing to share and - best of all - each of us are open to a myriad of questions & their possible answers; We've had some brilliant conversations so far. And so with Pastor André's facilitation, and more good food & fellowship to come, I'm excited to share with you all that this course will be a memorable experience and we've only hit the tip of the iceberg in our developing relationships with God, one another and ourselves. Blessings. Maya Kraj-Krajewski

wHEN my son came to my room and told me that he cried over Kirsten’s death, we cried together.

All morning, I imagined myself having Hanna or Noah or any of my children coming up to me, asking me to tell them about Kirsten. I know this is Jeremy’s job, but if for some reason they ask me, this is what I would tell them:

She was a beautiful mother who cleaned their bottom, fed them, bathed them, comforted them, helped them with homework, told them off when they misbehaved and loved them endlessly. She missed them when she was not with them. And I would tell them that they will become a beautiful mother or father just like her when the time comes. And when that time comes, they will know the kind of love she had for them.

And then I would have to tell them what she meant to me:

Well kids, she was non-judgemental. That means she didn’t say how silly I was to be thinking about the things I wanted to do. And I know I can be very silly sometimes. She was very patient. I think that, most of the time, I talked about my problems and she listened. She was honest. She told me what she would do if she was me. She was kind. She helped me anyway she could, however she could. She was gentle. I don’t remember her ever saying I was wrong in what I was doing. She was a good Christian. This means that she knew Jesus and did what Jesus taught us to do. She was smart. I always felt that she understood me and she knew how to make me understand things I didn’t understand. She was a cool lady. And I would talk to myself:

To me she was like Jesus to his disciples. What Jesus would have done with his disciples - she did with me. She talked with me; laughed with me; worried with me; shared knowledge with me at so many different levels; ate with me; drank with me; and lived in this world with me. And I dare to say that she was more than Jesus to me because she was tangible and flesh and blood. She was my friend and still love her now as much as I loved her then.

I remember when I went to see her a week before the Friday she was due to be admitted to the hospital. We talked about her family in Germany; we talked about our kids and husbands and their worries; we walked down to the park near her house with Noah; we talked about our church; we talked about sour-grasses that her kids liked eating and hoped that no animals had done their business on them; she pushed Noah on the swing a bit; we talked about kids at school – one boy in particular whom she felt powerless in helping to improve his reading; we talked about old friends we haven’t seen for a while; I told her how my TV suddenly stopped working and that, amazingly, Yogi put out his old TV in the church hall for anyone who wanted it and I told her that I was tempted to take it but left it there for someone else who really needed it. We also talked about how afraid she was of going back to the hospital and facing the treatment,

Saturday 1 October 6:00 pm Greg Pfeiffer Holy Communion

Sunday 2 Octobert 8:30 am Greg Pfeiffer Pentecost 16 Band Holy Communion

10:10 am Greg Pfeiffer Organ Worship

Saturday 8 October 6:00 pm André Meyer Worship

Sunday 9 Octobert 8:30 am André Meyer Pentecost 17 Organ Worship

10:10 am André Meyer Band Holy Communion

Saturday 15 October 6:00 pm André Meyer Holy Communion

Sunday 16 October 8:30 am André Meyer Pentecost 18 Organ Holy Communion

10:10 am André Meyer Band Worship

Saturday 22 October 6:00 pm Greg Pfeiffer Worship

Sunday 23 October 8:30 am Greg Pfeiffer Pentecost 19 Band Worship

10:10 am Greg Pfeiffer Organ Holy Communion

Saturday 29 October 6:00 pm André Meyer Taize

Sunday 30 October 8:30 am André Meyer Reformation Band Holy Communion

10:10 am André Meyer Organ Holy Communion

Saturday 5 November 6:00 pm Greg Pfeiffer Holy Communion

Sunday 6 November 8:30 am Greg Pfeiffer Memorial Sunday Organ Holy Communion

10:10 am Greg Pfeiffer Band Worship

Saturday 12 November 6:00 pm André Meyer Worship

Sunday 13 November 8:30 am André Meyer Pentecost 22 Organ Worship

10:10 am André Meyer Band Holy Communion

Saturday 19 Novemberr 6:00 pm Greg Pfeiffer Holy Communion

Sunday 20 November 8:30 am Greg Pfeiffer Last Sunday of Church Year Family Service

Band Holy Communion

10:10 am Greg Pfeiffer Instrumen-talists

Worship

Saturday 26 November 6:00 pm Greg Pfeiffer Taize

Sunday 27 November 8:30 am Greg Pfeiffer Advent 1 Band Worship

10:10 am Greg Pfeiffer Organ Holy Communion

Saturday 3 December 6:00 pm André Meyer Holy Communion

Sunday 4 December 8:30 am André Meyer Advent 2 Organ Holy Communion

10:10 am André Meyer Band Worship

worship roster october - november 2011 Communion services are held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 8:30 am and on the 2nd and 4th Sunday at 10:10 am. Also on the 1st and 3rd Saturday evenings. Sometimes the Organ service is at 8:30 am, some-times at 10:10 am. The general pattern of services is two Band services in a row at each time, followed by two Organ services.

Chinese language services are held each Sunday at 11:30 am.German services are held on the third Sunday of the month at 2:00 pm.Slovak services are held on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays at 4:00 pm.


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DONATIONS to cover costs for the production of the CONTACT are always welcome. They can be made at the Church Office or posted to the below address.

Please find enclosed the sum of $...................:........ , being my donation to help defray the costs of the St John’s Contact.

Name: ..................................................................................................

Address: ..................................................................................................

.............................................................................. Postcode: .................................St John’s Lutheran Church

16 Aberdeen St {Perth WA 6000Thank you very much.

Please advise us of your change of address to save us costs. Australia Post charges us for postage twice if your CONTACT cannot be delivered, and is returned to sender.

Name: .................................................................................................

New Address: ..................................................................................................

............................................................................ Postcode: ..................................

Telephone No: ..................................................................................................

Please return this to:St John’s Lutheran Church

16 Aberdeen St {Perth WA 6000

Chairman: Jon OffszankaVice Chairman:: Noel ReidSecretary: Exilema MisamaTreasurer: Bill TrenearMembers: Di Lauer Stuart Morick, Hermann Scriba

Guardians: Mark Altus Eva Vlahov Jennie EdwardsPrayer Chain Contacts: Church Office (08) 9227 8072

Pastors: Greg Pfeiffer (08) 9204 1052 [email protected] André Meyer (08) 9444 9484 [email protected]

ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CONTACT Published by St John’s Lutheran Church 16 Aberdeen Street PerthWestern Australia 6000.

Circulation: 650 copies bi-monthly

ST JOHN’S OFFICE SCHEDULE: Monday to Thursday: 9.00 am - 4.00 pmFriday: 9.00 am - 1.00 pmTel (08) 9227 8072 www.stjohnsperth.org.au e-mail: [email protected]

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