Maintenance: Granted
In 2018, the LCA SA-NT District gave $100,000 worth of building maintenance grants to help congregations fund external maintenance work on their church properties.
These are some of the projects which have already been completed – funded by the maintenance grants and brought to action by the hard work of church volunteers.
ST PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, CLARE
Grant: $3204
Congregation Contribution: $6800
Purpose: Signage and Car Park Upgrade
How this maintenance will benefit the congregation: “Upgrading our church yard with ground repairs and new gravel has improved our drainage issues and given our church yard a facelift. The council street signs directing people to our church will help visitors find us more easily.”
Fun Fact: “Since these improvements to our church, we have received many positive comments … from the community, such as: ‘improved the looks of the church,’ and ‘the new street signs – looks like the Lutherans are trying to drum up business’.”
ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, DUTTON
Grant: $2650
Purpose: Bell Tower Repair
A reflection on the process: “We were able to complete this project well under budget due mainly to the extra voluntary labour which meant that we completed the work quicker, and this reduced hire costs.”
How this maintenance will benefit the congregation: “Structure is visually more appealing and stronger and safer to operate repairs, and painting will preserve the original woodwork into the future.”
ST STEPHEN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, GERANIUM PLAIN
Grant: $616
Purpose: Signage
How this maintenance will benefit the congregation: “This sign will be of benefit as it is more visible for our visitors to see and celebrate worship with us. One of our members came up with the phrase ‘Come and Join Us,’ and it is evident as more people are attending our services.”
A reflection on the process: “It has taught us to work together to achieve this result. Our whole congregation are very thankful that God has guided us through this process for worshippers and visitors to enjoy our ‘church in the bush’.”
ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, LAMEROO
Grant: $500
Purpose: Signage
How this maintenance will benefit the congregation: “This sign now shows the people passing through Lameroo where the Lutheran Church is, as the sign can be read easily from both directions of traffic passing through, as we are on the Mallee Highway.”
LYNDOCH LUTHERAN CHURCH
Grant: $4000
Congregation Contribution: $9500
Purpose: Re-roofing the church hall
How this maintenance will benefit the congregation: “The hall is used weekly by our church craft group and for morning tea after our Sunday service each week.”
Fun fact: “Our property manager, Dudley Koch (88 years old), had been regularly patching the old roof – now he doesn’t have to anymore!”
ST STEPHEN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, NILDOTTIE
Grant: $3925
Purpose: Painting
A reflection on the process: “Our project was based on Proverbs 16:9; ‘In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.’ The entire project was also well supported by past and present community members who engaged with the congregation, allowing them to complete the entire project.”
How this maintenance will benefit the congregation: “To have a well-maintained and painted property is a very good witness to all who pass, local or passing through. We are proud of our property because we are proud of what we do: worshipping our Lord, Jesus.”
VICTOR HARBOR LUTHERAN CHURCH
Grant: $3250
Congregation Contribution: $1500
Purpose: Removing and replacing unsafe external pergola from church café area
A reflection on the process: “During the building process, the team involved bonded closely and are justly proud of the improvement that this facility has made to the front of the church and café.”
How this maintenance will benefit the congregation: “The café is extensively used by the congregation and by the numerous community groups who make use of the VHLC facilities.”
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