Issue # 44| February 2013

In this issue… Rocking the Church Page 2 Enthuse 2013 Page 3

Upcoming Events Page 4 Positions Vacant Page 8 PSU Workshops Page 9

The theme of ‘Connect the Dots’ was lived and breathed at The Gathering earlier this month as over 50 young adults were captivated by our guest speaker Sam Clear’s inspirational testimony of his 15 600km walk for Christian unity. In the spirit of unity, they made the most of every opportunity throughout the weekend to build community and relationships with others from various backgrounds and congregations.

One participant summed up the weekend by saying,

‘I loved having a relaxing weekend with time to reconnect with God and spend time with old and new friends, while at the same time being empowered during the sessions to go out and live the life God has called us to.’

We’d love to thank our wonderful cooks for the beautiful food they prepared for us, Sam Clear for giving up his birthday weekend to motivate us to act and pray, and all the amazing young adults who came along and created such a magnificent community.

Connecting the Dots

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A fabulous bunch of leaders from Kids Camp 2013 made the trip out to the night service at Green

Pastures Lockrose late last month to help them ROCK the church, as Pastor Reid had encouraged campers

and leaders to do at Kids Camp this year.

Christine Matthias, Pastor Reid’s wife and Kids Camp Parent, explains, ‘LYQ has a great bunch of leaders

and we are so blessed by their continued ministry for our kids - we had 4 campers - 3 of which usually

attend our night services and one who came because she knew the leaders were going to be there and

they (with the leaders) led a huge

portion of the service doing all the

theme verses from the 5 days of

Kids Camp, singing some of the

camp theme songs and telling the

congregation what they learned at

camp. It was a great night.’

It’s so amazing to see these

dedicated leaders continuing to

build relationships with the

campers outside of camp,

encouraging and walking with them

in their faith journey.

Kids Camp leaders rock the Church!

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Equipping Lutheran College Leaders at Enthuse

On 21 February, 56 young people from Lutheran Colleges across Queensland embarked on a week-long leadership development camp designed for key student leaders entering year 12. Enthuse kicked off with a bang in 2013 as we welcomed a significantly larger program developed and facilitated by our Lutheran Youth of Queensland and Luther Heights staff and volunteers.

Students were introduced to key principles of leadership including team work, servant leadership, leadership skills, overcoming fear, developing and maintaining a healthy self-concept, communication skills and conflict management skills. To help grasp the practical application

of these skills and principals of leadership in their school communities, students were invited to engage in experiential and relational based activities throughout the week. As one of this year’s participants describes,

"I think I can speak on behalf of all the participants that we had the best week, we have formed new relationships, we have gained information to guide us and we have accepted that we are the Captains of our school for 2013!"

It was a pleasure to see young people grow and develop both personally and in community with each other. We wish Enthuse participants all the best as they confront the year ahead with courage and vitality.

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Getting Messy with Messy Church Come and meet Lucy Moore, founder of Messy Church UK, as she presents “Messy Church Explained” workshops in 4 centres across Queensland in 2013 “God’s the wave under the surfboard and most of the time we’re just hanging on for dear life wondering where he’s going to hurl us next!” comments Lucy Moore about God’s part in the UK-founded, Messy Church phenomenon she leads. Lucy began exploring the idea of making a deliberate mess of church in 2004. The ‘mess’ was an attempt to engage children and their families, together, in church services. “When we started Messy Church, it was obvious that not only was this going to be messy with glue and paint - it was reaching the messy edges of our community

and to people whose lives are in a mess,” Lucy reflects. Lucy is returning to Australia in February 2013 as part of a national tour sponsored by the Uniting Church in WA, SA & Qld and in partnership with the Qld Children’s Ministry Network. Messy Church, in essence, is a multi-age congregational planting strategy that focuses on connecting with 'unchurched' children and their families. With over 1,400 registered Messy Church expressions around the world this ministry strategy is making genuine and lasting connections with local communities. The 70+ registered Messy Church expressions in Australia are expected to grow rapidly as a consequence of Lucy's visits in 2012 and 2013. A typical Messy Church takes place monthly at a time and place chosen intentionally to encourage local community participation. All are welcome: single, widowed, childless, divorced. Church is inclusive, not exclusive. Messy Church invites people into an experience of Christian community, helping people of all ages to feel that they belong in church and to each other and introducing them to Jesus through hospitality, friendship, stories and worship. A Messy Church expression could be a great way for your community to engage with the children and their families in your local community. Come and meet Lucy, be warmed by her enthusiasm and passion and benefit from her down to earth wealth of knowledge about the church & families. ‘Messy Church Explained’ workshops will take place in the regional centres below. Each participating church will receive a FREE copy of Lucy’s book ‘Messy Church’. Cost: $20 pp or $15pp with a booking of 3 or more from the same church (dinner provided)

Register online at: www.event.goregister.com.au/messychurchqld2013 TOOWOOMBA: Tuesday Feb 26th, 5:30-9:00pm @ LifeWorks Uniting Church, 202 Russell St MARYBOROUGH: Wednesday Feb 27th, 5:30-9:00pm @ Maryborough Baptist Church, 168 Fort St GLADSTONE: Thursday Feb 28th, 5:30-9:00pm @ Gladstone Baptist Church, 4 Archer St BRISBANE: Lucy will present ‘Messy Church Explained’ as a Master Class at the IGNITE Children’s Ministry Conference & EXPO on Saturday March 2nd. Information and registration at

www.igniteexpo.org.au Planning Team: Tim Griggs | Youth & Families’ Minister, Uniting Church | tim_griggs7@yahoo.com | 0417 706 304 Paul Clark | Senior Pastor, Redcliffe Uniting Church | paul_bec@dovenetq.net.au | 0404 856 778 Terry Williams | Children’s Ministry Specialist, SU Queensland | terryw@su.org.au | 0403 187 070

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Position Vacant!

Attending a Professional Standards Workshop (formerly known as Childsafe Training) is a key requirement for leaders in the Lutheran Church who minister to children and young people. It is also mandatory for volunteers who want to lead on a Lutheran Youth of Queensland event. Regular workshops are facilitated by the LCAQD’s Professional Standards Unit (PSU). Below is an explanation of what these workshops involve as well as details about upcoming training opportunities.

Explaining the PSU Workshops (taken from the LCAQD’s PSU Department website)

The Professional Standards Workshops cover two key training areas. The first revolves around the Safe Place Policy of the church introduced in 1997. This deals with the important issue of sexual abuse and harassment within the church. The second – Child Safe - grows out of the special needs of children and young people (those below 18) in our care. State legislation also requires congregations to comply with special risk management strategies. What congregations need to do is explained by the Commission for Children, Young People and Child Guardian. The workshop explains what our church has done to make this task easier for congregations.

Training runs from 9am - 4pm and costs $35* per person

(*includes booklet, course materials, certificate and morning tea).

13 April - Bethseda Lutheran Church, Beenleigh

11 May - Pacific Lutheran College, Caloundra

13 July - Good News Lutheran Church, Middle Park

20 July—Good Shepherd, Noosaville

Places are limited, and registration before the date is essential.

For more information or to register, visit www.qld.lca.org.au and click on ‘Professional Standards’

HEAD OFFICE 24 McDougall St (PO Box 1535) Milton QLD 4064 Ph. 3511 4080 Fax. 3511 4011

ADMIN OFFICE 32 Roderick St Ipswich QLD 4305 Ph. 3281 6298 Fax. 3812 8639

Queensland District

A department of...

office@lyq.org.au

www.lyq.org.au

Lutheran Church Of Australia

Professional Standards Workshops

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