Bishop

If we have learnt anything from the past year it is how fragile our lives on earth really are. We have also learnt much about our humanity, both good and bad. If we are honest that includes ourselves.

What are you hoping for this year? ‘Hope’ is the theme of our upcoming Synodical Convention in May, carried over from last year’s planned event which could not take place face-to-face due to the pandemic.

Distancing and being kept apart from people we know and love has been hard during 2020. We have learnt to value each other’s presence anew through being kept apart, unable to be close and present with and for each other for a time.

We have learnt to value the ‘presence’ of other people in an unexpected way this year. We have learnt to value each other’s presence by not being able to be present with each other for a time in many workplaces, at significant family gatherings and in our church buildings.

We are always learning to trust God. There is always something new to test and challenge our faith in him every day. This year we are learning to trust God, individually and together as church, in ways we never anticipated. The truth is we are not “all in this together” in the same way during 2020.

I have found it encouraging and inspiring that in a time of crisis you as God’s people have stepped up in all sorts of ways.

Transcript from SA-NT Bishop David Altus’ Convention of Synod message at St Michael’s Lutheran Church, Hahndorf, on 17 May 2020.

As you will have heard, the Federal Government has relaxed some restrictions regarding places of worship. Here is the latest advice for South Australia.

A few weeks ago so many things seemed unthinkable. So much has happened in such a short time. Our world has been turned upside down by a virus, something so small we can’t even see it, but we have seen its effects overseas and now here too.

Holding our recently born grandson in my arms last week reminded me how fragile life is, and how vulnerable and dependent we all are. He lay peacefully in my arms, oblivious to the world that awaits him.