Issue # 43| January 2013

In this issue… Elevation Training 2013 Page 2 The Gathering Page 4

Messy Church Page 5 Positions Vacant Page 6 PSU Workshops Page 7

Over 60 young campers enjoyed an amazing adventure on Kids Camp – Uncharted earlier this month as they discovered more about the journey of life, God and how He will help them when the seas of life get a little rough. It’s wonderful to know that these children left camp knowing that ‘when you’re feeling scared, you can count on God and He will give you courage’! Even after an exciting week of adventure, the energy in the hall during the final worship was utterly contagious! Everyone got involved in learning the day’s theme verse song and actions, then erupted into fits of laughter as ‘widdle weed’ (the childhood character of Pastor Reid) told some hilarious stories. A massive thank you to our wonderful team of leaders who made Kids Camp 2013 such a fantastic experience for everyone involved!

Hidden Treasures and Rough Seas

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8-10 February 2013|18-30yrs Camp Somerset, Somerset Dam Register now! www.lyq.org.au/gathering

Upcoming Events Registrations for The Gathering are now open!

Guest Speaker—Sam Clear Between 2006 & 2008, Sam Clear walked 15,600km around the world. Literally. Beginning on the 16th December 2006, Sam walked from the eastern most point of Brazil, through South, Central and North America, across Siberia on the Trans-Siberian Railway and on foot again from Moscow to the western most point of Spain, all for the sake of Christian unity. The journey encompassed 20 countries & 10 languages, thrusting Sam onto the front page of numerous over-seas news services as he continued onwards despite major obstacles. Having to find food and water every day and relying on the hospitality of complete strangers, he nearly lost his life no less than 11 times, yet through it all what stood tall was God’s love in action under the most incredible circumstances.

Come and hear Sam share stories from his 568 day adventure — stories that will inspire and challenge you to place your trust in God and put love into action.

The Gathering is here to equip and encourage you in your faith and see you go into your community ready to live out a life with Jesus at the centre.

The Gathering 2013 is a weekend conference for young adults designed by young adults. It’s a chance for you to get away for a weekend, enjoy time with friends, share some great food and hear from our inspiring guest speaker. Conference Theme Jesus’ final prayer before his arrest was for unity — John 17:20-21a “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one...” Come on the journey as we connect the dots and look at our life, our church & our faith & how they inter-twine to create the most marvellous picture.

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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 $30* per person (*includes booklet, course materials, certificate and morning tea).

13 April - Bethseda Lutheran Church, Beenleigh

13 July - Good News Lutheran Church, Middle Park

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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