Yummy Porridge and Thanksgiving

Warm bowls of hearty porridge and even warmer smiles greeted staff and local supporters of ALWS as they gathered in Albury for a special Thanksgiving Service to mark 75 years since the Lutheran Church’s ministry to refugees in Australia began.

Celebrations began with a porridge breakfast, cooked according to the same recipe used by ALWS’ international partners to feed children threatened by famine in Somalia. In lieu of payment, staff and guests donated to ALWS’ 18:1 Matching Grant, with every $10 funding a year’s education (including a daily meal of porridge) for a child threatened by famine in Somalia.

In welcoming everyone to the Thanksgiving Service, Michael Stolz, ALWS Executive Director celebrated the early efforts of the Lutheran Church’s ministry to displaced people and gave thanks for

the continued generosity of Australian Lutherans who supported over 340,000 children and adults in 2022.

The Thanksgiving service was led by Assistant Bishop Neville Otto, Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand, with special guest speaker Rev. Tim Costello, Executive Director of Micah Australia, delivering a stirring message.

Rev. Tim reflected on Jeremiah 29 and ALWS’ commitment to global justice, encouraging all in attendance to be God’s hands and feet regardless of where we are placed.

The Thanksgiving Service was held at ALWS’ head office in Albury, NSW, only 30mins drive from the Bonegilla Resettlement Centre where thousands of European Lutheran refugees were received and temporarily housed after World War 2. It was the pastoral support provided to these Lutheran refugees 75 years ago by local Lutheran Pastor, Rev. Bruno Muetzelfeldt, that started the Lutheran Church’s ministry to refugees.