Central Queensland Zone Annual Rally/ Retreat

Praise God!  The ladies of LWQ CQ were released from the constraints (at least the onerous ones) of COVID-19 and permitted to gather around the Word of God and to fellowship at Calvary Lutheran Church in North Rockhampton for the Annual Rally/Retreat hosted by Calvary/Living Waters Ladies Fellowship on the weekend of 27 – 28 March 2021.  It was wonderful to have a carload from Mackay, another from Brisbane South Gold Coast, and other attendees from places in between.

Under the theme Apron Strings and Other Things 32 ladies were literally taken back in time to when some of us and many of our mothers/grandmothers regularly wore aprons.  Aprons adorned the worship centre walls and were tied to the inside ends of pews – so many different styles to admire and ….. those memories.

The Zone meeting was conducted by Dianne Krenske.

Heather Behrendorff relayed communications of thanks from recipients of donations from 2020 Gladstone Rally – Sandy Prizeman who was Chaplain at Gladstone Trinity College, ALWS – advised of difficulty with COVID-19 providing water and sanitation to assist needy, and Redeemer Lutheran College Biloela – assisted a family in which the father had three months in hospital in Brisbane following an accident.

Dianne spoke of the year that had been since the 2020 Gladstone Rally with the fortuitous theme FROG (Fully Rely on God) from which APRON (Apply Prayer Regularly On Needs) continues on.  There were no meetings or get-togethers for several months, worship services etc. on-line, and very little fundraising.

Zone Projects are School Chaplaincy in Rockhampton and Yeppoon, and Religious Instruction programme in Rockhampton.  The LWQ Project is PNG Lutheran Health Services Solar Panels.

It was decided to continue donating to Redeemer Lutheran College with the College Principal to decide on the recipient student/family most in need of assistance.

Rally 2022 will be held in Biloela.

The memorial hymn 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) was in memory of Gloria Hoad (Gladstone), and Joyce Goos and Rosa Pfeiffer (both Biloela).

Felicity Bradford, a former Vice President of LWQ Executive, and Naomi Marks reported on meeting of LWQ Executive a fortnight before, and Felicity reminded of the LWA Convention to be held in Horsham 24 – 26 September 2021.

Bible Study led by Pastor Peter Noble introduced the Lutheran Doctrine of Vocation and Martin Luther’s thoughts on secular work.  In being so intent on serving God, we can cease to serve others.

God does not need our good works – our neighbour does.  “What you do to the least of these you do unto me.”

Pastor Peter referred to the “Apron” being a visible symbol of service by the wearer.

God calls us to serve others.

Yvonne Strauss shared her story – she wanted to be a teacher – circumstances changed with the death of her father when she was 15 years old.  She married and had six children, worked in schools with primary and secondary students teaching religious education etc.  She got to do that desired job in a different way.

Here I am Lord was a very fitting song to follow Pastor Peter’s sharing.

Ute Graz spoke on her vocation as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist and related the Rally theme of Aprons as putting on the full armour of God … An apron is used in Ute’s workday for communication with some of the young people seeking her assistance.  It contains a velcro strip with pictures able to be pulled off to help share messages. Ute spoke of the many forms of communication used to help with understanding by young ones with autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and other conditions.  All of those she assists can perceive situations differently, with differing reactions. Her work involves assessing a young person’s situation and deciding how to best communicate and support the child to manage difficult situations.

Samantha Whittington is a Scripture Union Chaplain at Allenstown, The Hall, and Stanwell State Schools. Samantha spoke about speaking hope into young people’s lives with positive behaviour learning and a reward system being used, and with intervention programmes such as anti-bullying. Samantha encourages students to believe that what happens now can affect their futures.

Raelene Robinson is Co-ordinator for the Religious Instructions Gift Fund and a Guidance Officer.  About 3,000 children per week are hearing the Word in the Rockhampton region through RI. The RI programme is provided to students by volunteers and paid instructors.  We viewed a video about the RI programme with volunteer Mrs Blakeley and puppets. Raelene advised more funding is required to provide the RI programme and encouraged tax deductible donations to the RI Gift Fund.

Closing devotion by Pastor Peter was on the Gift of Prayer for blessing of others/neighbours and confirmed there are many biblical verses referring to praying.

We are called to a vocation of prayer – pray for family and all in our circles.  The references are not to IF you pray but WHEN you pray as in Matthew 6:5.  ….. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect – James 5:16.

Shirley Hardke advised of a misnaming attached to a photograph in the latest Lutheran Women magazine wherein her Grandmother should be shown as Mrs H E (Wilhemina) Badke.

The installation of Office Bearers was conducted by Pastor Peter and Dianne Krenske thanked her team for assistance in organising Rally, and the Zone Committee.

Following dinner Lyn Patterson and Don McCall (Rockhampton-Yeppoon SMP) conducted a (very competitive) Trivia Night – no-one was able to twist Lyn’s arm on trivia questions though we tried.

We were very blessed with great company, great food, hearing the Word, and interesting guest speakers.  Our bag of goodies included an apron-adorned water bottle – sewing ladies must have had some late nights.

Many attended Sunday morning worship with communion led by Pastor Peter, followed by a sharing from Jeff Greene, Everyman’s Soldiers Welfare Ministry.

Sue Hebel

Reporter