‘Love with skin on’: God’s love in action
by Aaron Glover
Last week, Australia marked Refugee Week – a time to recognise the courage, strength and hopes of people forced to flee their homes.
For our Lutheran Church, it was a reminder that love comes to life in practical ways, near and far: through the service of local churches welcoming refugees in Australia and through our church family taking action to protect vulnerable refugee girls in Somalia.
For the members of St John’s Lutheran Church Unley in suburban Adelaide, love came to life in a very real way last month when Somali refugees Abdale, Madina and their six children arrived in Adelaide. After months of waiting, they were warmly welcomed by a team from the congregation that had been preparing since early 2025.
For 18 months, the faithful team at St John’s Unley had prayed, raised funds, furnished a home and prepared for this moment. There were delays and challenges along the way. But when the family finally came through the airport doors, they were met with smiles, practical care and a ready home.
Arriving from the heat of East Africa into the start of an Adelaide winter, Abdale, Madina and their children were grateful for the practical care of warm clothing and bedding.
Glenice Hartwich, a member of the St John’s Community Refugee Integration Support Program (CRISP) team, says it has been ‘a joy and a privilege to be God’s love with skin on’. ‘We have seen his care in every step – in the people, the gifts, the home, the friendships and the strength he has given for each day,’ she says.
At the same time, our Lutheran family is reaching across the world with love in action to protect refugee girls in Somalia. Through ALWS, our church’s international aid and development agency, we are protecting refugee girls from child marriage by supporting them to stay in school, with special support for girls living with disability. Through practical care, including dignity kits, physical therapy, disability support and school access, we are helping young girls stay safe and thrive.
These are two examples of love in action – near and far – as God works through his people to welcome, support and serve others.
If you would like to support refugee girls in Somalia through ALWS, you can make a tax-time gift before 30 June at alws.org.au/schoolandsafety
If your congregation would like to explore welcoming a refugee family in your community, contact ALWS at alws@alws.org.au
Aaron Glover is the Community Engagement Manager at ALWS.
READ MORE STORIES ABOUT aid, ALWS, children, cross-cultural ministry, fundraising, refugees, SA-NT
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Listen to: Messages of Hope at 10:45-11:00am each Monday, on 5BBBfm - 89.1fm.
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LVLC Worship Services Sunday 28th June
Bethany 10:30am HC Pastor Peter Bean
Grace St John’s 9am Pastor Gus Schutz
Langmeil No Services
Lyndoch 10:30am HC Pastor Graham Jenke
Schoenborn 10:30 am HC Pastor Gus Schutz
Tabor 9am HC Pastor Peter Bean
Tabor 10:30am German Service Gerhard Ruediger
Bible Readings
First Reading a) Genesis 22:1-14 The sacrifice of Isaac: God tests Abraham or
b) Jeremiah 28:5-9 Jeremiah and the false prophet Hananiah
Psalm 13 or Psalm 89:1-4,
The Second Reading: Romans 6:12-23 You have become slaves to righteousness
The Gospel Reading: Matthew 10:40-42 Whoever welcomes you welcomes me
Click here to download this Sunday’s readings
TANUNDA LUTHERAN WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP LUNCH
Date: Thursday 9th July at 12noon
Where: The Langmeil Centre hosted by all Ladies.
Project Donations: Lutheran Aged Care & Lutheran Study Centre - Indonesia
Bring your husband, bring a friend. All welcome.
Please RSVP to Rae Materne 8563 2461 or Raelene Mattner 0407 602 540 (leave a message)
LIVING VINE CONFIRMATION GROUP 2026
Are you currently in Year 7 or 8 in 2026?
We invite you to express your interest in joining the Living Vine Confirmation Group.
This is a wonderful opportunity to explore your faith, connect with other young people, and prepare for Confirmation in a supportive and engaging environment.
To register your interest, simply followthis link or scan the QR code. Further details about the program will be shared in the coming weeks.
If you have any questions, please contact
Travis Schiller on 0414 829 507.
UNLOCKING THE ENNEAGRAM
Transforming How You See Yourself and Others
Join our Tabor ASCEND Workshop on: Friday 24 July 2026, 9:00am - 4:00pm
ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
Want to learn more about yourself and find practical strategies for personal, spiritual and relational growth?
The Enneagram is a powerful tool for self-awareness, personal growth, and understanding others. In this full-day workshop, participants will explore personality through the lens of core motivations, diving deep into the Enneagram’s types, wings, levels, paths, triads, and tritypes to gain practical insights for personal and relational growth.
Through interactive activities, reflection, and discussion, attendees will gain practical insights into their own motivations, emotional patterns, and relational styles. They will also learn how to recognise and appreciate the perspectives of others, improving communication, empathy, and collaboration in both professional and personal contexts.
By the end of the day, participants will have a deeper understanding of themselves and those they interact with, equipping them to lead, teach, and relate with greater clarity, compassion, and effectiveness.
REGISTER HERE
THERE’S A POINT TO IT: A History of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Point Pass
Speaker: Samuel Doering Thursday 25 June at 7.30pm, at Immanuel Lutheran Church,
139 Archer St, North Adelaide SA 5006
LIVESTREAM on FoLA YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@friendsoflutheranarchives9644/live
For 150 years, Immanuel Church has stood as a landmark of faith, learning, and community in South Australia. From its role as the home congregation of the first Neuendettelsau-trained pastor in Australia to its central place in Georg Leidig’s bold vision for Immanuel College, the church has been at the heart of the Lutheran story. Drawing on rich material from Lutheran Archives - and the research behind his new book There’s a Point to It (launched April 2026) - historian Samuel Doering tells the compelling story of one of Australia’s most influential Lutheran centres. The book will be available for purchase at the meeting.
All welcome, $5 donation, supper included.
See attached poster
27th June 2026
9am - 11am
Contact 0466 039 463 or tiffanyvoigt@younglife.org.au for mor information or to book a pick up.
TANUNDA LUTHERAN WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP LUNCH
Thursday, 9th July at 12noon. The Langmeil Centre hosted by all the Ladies.
Project Donations to Lutheran Aged Care & Lutheran Study Centre, Indonesia.
Bring your husband/partner or friend along. All welcome.