AUSTRALIA

On November 4, 1838, two Lutheran missionaries from Germany held worship services in a Congregational chapel in Adelaide. November 1998 marks the 160th anniversary of that first worship service held by Lutherans in Australia.

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Parish Nursing, a new form of ministry in Australia held its first seminar on October 18, 1998. Parish nursing is intended to provide holistic care for members of a congregation and it's community, by training "Parish Nurses" to serve as health educators, health counselor, volunteer coordinator, liaison and role model. There are presently 28 parish nurses serving in six different denominations.
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In his summary of the Communio Consultation, 'Living in Fellowship Today', which took place in Adelaide, South Australia from 26-30 October, Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) president, Dr Lance Steicke said, "We saw this Consultation as a step along the way. While we did not have any preconceived conclusions or outcomes, it was certainly our hope that the way would eventually be clear for us to seek full membership in Lutheran World Federation (LWF). It hurts that we aren't or can't be at the moment. We have felt the pain of this separation and isolation."\par The week-long Consultation was attended by some forty LCA church leaders. Overseas participants were Bishop (emeritus) David Preus (USA), Professor Dr Gunther Gassmann (Germany), Professor James Nestingen (USA), Dr Akio Hashimoto (Japan), Dr Sam Nafzger (USA), and Dr Ed Kettner (Canada).

Dr Gunther Gassmann said, "There is probably no other Lutheran church which has dedicated . . . so much theological energy to an investigation of its own identity and position on specific issues and their foundation in Holy Scripture and the Confessions." He argued the case that becoming an integral part of the fellowship of the Lutheran churches by contributing to and receiving from it would not limit or compromise the clear confessional commitment of the LCA.
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On the first day of October 1998 the LCA was formally received into membership of the National Council of Churches in Australia, at the third national forum of the (NCCA) held in Sydney.

In the opening session of the forum, NCCA general secretary the Rev David Gill introduced the executive recommendation for the admission of the LCA to the council. The LCA had not taken its decision lightly, he said. In fact, its careful approach towards membership had been a salutary example to all member churches. The NCCA would be enriched by the full presence and participation of the LCA, Rev Gill continued, and it was with joy that he would move the admission of the LCA as a full member of the council.

The gathering approved the recommendation with enthusiastic applause.

Responding to the welcome on behalf of the LCA, Dr Steicke acknowledged that the occasion was one of great rejoicing for the church. We take our membership in the NCCA seriously, he said, believing that while we do have much to offer, we also have much to learn. We look forward to being able to contribute fully and supportively in the life and task of the council, taking a servant role to the glory of God.

HONG KONG

The Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong has connected to the Internet. Their E-mail address is : ttmhk@netvigator.com

Feel free to send along any news or information which might interest them.

Rev. Dr. Edison Munthe M. Th., Abdi Sabda Principal installing Hamonangan Sinaga, a graduating student.

INDONESIA

On November 7, 1998 the Abdi Sabda Theological High School held its 11th graduation ceremony with 75 students from six denominations graduating with Bachelor of Divinity degrees, 76 in Christian Education and 6 in Church Member Education.

KOREA

LCK 28th annual General Assembly

Seoul, Korea - Gathered under the theme "The Church-Standing on Hope," 45 pastoral and lay delegates, and representatives of the LCK men's, women's and youth organizations, attended the 28th annual General Assembly of the Lutheran Church in Korea (LCK) on October 8-9 at Nambu Lutheran Church in Seoul.

A special election for vice-president of the LCK took place on October 9. Missionary Hilbert "George" Riemer resigned from that position to which he had been elected last year. The new vice-president of the LCK is Rev. In-Bong IM, pastor of Daejodong Lutheran Church in Seoul. Pastor Im, age 64, was ordained in 1971.

The convention acknowledged the recent economic difficulties in Korea. With estimates of up to 10% unemployment in Korea and the devaluation of the currency, economic problems concern everyone. The church is affected through its members and in the planning and financing of its mission and ministry. Only one new congregation was started in the last year and mass media programming via radio and TV was curtailed due to the financial situation.

In keeping with the theme of the convention LCK President Song HUH mentioned in his opening sermon and his report that in the midst of economic hard times there is hope. In the last year three young men were ordained as pastors. The 28 congregations of the LCK reported 128 baptisms and 66 confirmations. Individual congregations continue to find innovative ways to help their neighbors especially in this climate of financial difficulty. Two LCK congregations have started a free medical clinic, and two are actively involved in feeding the unemployed and homeless in their areas.

Dae-Bum CHOO, a deacon from Joongang Lutheran church and president of the men's group, Korea Lutheran Men United, reported that they would take a more active role in the financial support of the Korea Lutheran Hour so that radio programming could continue. The Korea Lutheran Hour began radio broadcasts in 1959.

For more information about the LCK visit the home page at:
http://members.xoom.com/lckorea

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

The Immanuel Lutheran Hospital Receives Aid. The Immanuel Lutheran Hospital in Wapenamanda, Enga Province received assistance on various fronts from the High Commission of New Zealand and the Japanese Embassy in Port Moresby this past November.

The New Zealand Government delivered an ambulance to this Gutnuis Lutheran Church hospital in early November this year and on November 24, the Second Secretary to the Japanese Embassy in Port Moresby officially handed over 120 mattresses to be used in the hospital and in its sub-health center at Yaibos. Ms Yoshiko Inoue of the Japanese Embassy said that the government of Japan is happy to be associated in such grassroots projects which will directly benefit the community.
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Gutnuis Lutheran Church Celebrates its Silver Jubilee. Over 20,000 church members and fellow Christians gathered as the PNG Gutnuis Lutheran Church marked 50 years of ministry this past month in week-long festivities held at Irelya, Wabag. The Celebration was attended by State Ministers, Church Leaders, and Provincial Authorities, with pioneer missionaries, Dr. Willart Bruce and Dr. Otto Hinz also returning to PNG to participate. Jeffers Kapiki, chairman of the event, said, "I must say that we are proud to celebrate the 50 years of our existence in Enga and Papua New Guinea."

Bishop David Piso, head of the Gutnuis Lutheran Church spoke at the last day of the gathering saying that it was about time that Christians in Papua New Guinea go forth and help Christianize the world in preparation for the Second Coming. He mentioned that he will try to work with the PNG Council of Churches to propose more involvement of local churches in taking up pastoral assignments in Asia and other parts of the world. He added that he will look into possibilities of teaming up with partner churches in America and Europe in their mission; given the present economic situation of PNG, his church is unable to pursue this mission alone.

THAILAND

Home Pages started. The Si Khiu Lutheran Church, a Lutheran congregation of the ELCT (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand) in North-East Thailand has begun to develop its own Home Pages at:
http://lox1.loxinfo.co.th/~pekpirk/SiKhiu.html

Bible Competition. The Lutheran Institute of Theological Education, LITE, organized a Bible Competition for church members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand on November 14. The local congregations sent three-member teams for the competition. Altogether 25 persons from nine congregations participated.

The competition was divided into two parts. The first part was an individual written test. Based on the results of the written test, the four most successful teams were selected to take part in the oral team competition.

The competition was part of the Discipleship Training Program initiated by the Lutheran Institute of Theological Education to assist the congregations to train their members. This was the first time and it is hoped that it will become an annual event. This time the competition dealt with Paul's letter to the Ephesians.