Orana’s newest Lutheran Chaplain wants everyone to know they are loved and special.

Jordan Bennett was ordained and installed as a Chaplain at Orana Aged Care & Retirement Living in August, witnessed by family, friends and Orana residents.

Jordan has filled the shoes of retiring Chaplain Michael Braunberger.

“I am very much looking forward to embedding myself further into the Orana community,” Jordan said.

“I can’t wait to make it my ‘home’ for many years. I am also looking forward to getting to know the residents even better and deeper, and figuring out new ways to love and serve them.”

Jordan has a message of love and service to share.

“There is no one spare in this world, we all have incredible value and are worthy of love, respect and loyalty,” he said.

“That is my goal as the chaplain here: that everyone would know that you are well and truly loved and wonderfully special.”

Jordan joins a team of Chaplains at Lutheran Services.

Lutheran Services provides chaplaincy services at all Lutheran Services 11 residential aged care services.

Chaplaincy services are available to all residents and their loved ones, of all religious affiliations or world views.

Our chaplains are a mix of ordained Lutheran pastors and lay people, men and women.

Jordan said he was honoured to hold the role.

“I honestly believe that anyone who wants to get into pastoral ministry needs to spend some time as a chaplain, in any industry,” he said.

“Because as a chaplain you get people from every walk of life imaginable and every kind of issue that goes with it. You learn very quickly that a) no one really cares what denomination you’re from and what your theology is, b) no one really wants to hear what you have to say, but they will watch you every minute to see if you live the values you claim, and c) being a pastor, or chaplain, or whatever, the title means nothing if you’re not willing to sit down in the gutter with someone and meet them where they are.”

Lutheran Services Director of Chaplaincy & Ministry Development Rev Dr Russell Briese has written a tribute to Audrey Larsen, a unflagging fundraiser and early supporter of Zion Aged Care.

Zion Aged Care resident and founding committee member Audrey Larsen passed away peacefully on Tuesday 30 May, aged 88. Wife of the late Pastor David Larsen, Audrey was a tireless fundraiser and supporter of Zion and her church. Pastor David passed away in 2018. Audrey had lived at Zion since that time.

Audrey was one of Zion’s early pioneers and leading supporters. Her name is proudly displayed on the Zion Honour Board. But perhaps most proudly displayed of all is a 1980s photo of Audrey shaking hands with Prime Minister Bob Hawke. As the head of the Zion fundraising committee, Audrey had lobbied both State and Commonwealth Governments to develop what would become the Zion hostel and nursing home. The Prime Minister attended a ceremony to announce the funding at the site of the future Zion in Union Street Nundah.

Audrey was born in Toowoomba. Her family – the Wuerschings – were prominent members of the Trinity Toowoomba congregation. Audrey and David lived and worked in Queensland (including Brisbane) for many years before retiring to Toowoomba. Audrey was an active member of the St Paul’s Women’s Guild of Toowoomba. David served the LCAQD as Vice-President/Assistant Bishop and was a leader in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). I had the pleasure of meeting Audrey and David on several occasions, including undertaking a semester of CPE under David’s leadership. As it happens, CPE is a base training that most of our chaplains would have undertaken. We all benefited from the wisdom and leadership of Audrey and David.

Pastor Ed Szabo, our newly appointed Chaplain at Trinder Park, had known Audrey since the 1980s, when he served as Vicar (pastor in training) under Pastor David at St Paul’s Nundah. Ed remembers Audrey as the archetypal pastor’s wife – humble and unassuming yet a tower of strength and support, devotion and dedication. Not to mention a sensational cook!

Gillian Reid, current Zion Chaplain, remembers Audrey in her latter days at Zion fondly – a kind and gentle lady who was loved by Zion staff and residents alike. Above all, Gillian remembers Audrey as a woman devoted to her Lord, who worked hard to fundraise and build Zion to serve the Nundah community. Gillian says Audrey will be dearly missed by all at Zion.

May she rest in peace and rise with Christ in glory.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday 17 June, St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Nundah, 10:30am.
A morning tea will follow the memorial service in the St Paul’s Lutheran Church Hall.

When Dell Sippel packed for her stay in hospital, she never expected a nine month stay. 

So when the friendly face of Lutheran Hospital Chaplain Graeme Huf appeared at her hospital door, the visit was more than welcome. 

“I left the farm and within two days I was admitted into the Mater Private. I had to adjust so quickly,” she said. 

The year was 2005 and Dell was delivered a shock diagnosis of non-Hodgkins lymphoma . Dell and husband Wayne are members at Peace Lutheran Church, Gatton. 

“It is worth noting that it was such a sudden diagnoses. We were at the end of a 10-year drought, we were struggling. We owned an irrigation farm and within a few days we had to organise workers to keep what was left, growing on our Lockyer Valley farm,” she said.  

“(After about a week in hospital) Mr Huf knocked on the door and asked if I’d like a visit. It was really welcome! 

“Thereafter every Thursday he would pop in and we would chat and he would do a bible reading for me. He was never intrusive, the chat was great. If I ever needed to talk something over, something serious, he was there to listen.” 

Lutheran hospital chaplaincy ministry is run by Lutheran Services for the LCAQD. Unlike some other states, chaplaincy in hospitals receive no financial support from Queensland Health.

The important work is supported by Lenten Appeal donations.

Donations go towards the ongoing training and support of chaplains in any Queensland hospital where we have Lutheran volunteers. 

There are ten volunteer Lutheran Hospital Chaplains in service in various south-east Queensland hospitals. 

Because of Dell’s chemotherapy treatment, it was often difficult to have visitors. 

“It’s like you’re on a merry go-round away from family, friends and support networks,” she said. 

“The rigid schedule of the chemo meant visitors had to be limited, it was very restrictive. Often, the only person who could visit was Mr Huf. I don’t think I would have made it through those nine months without those Chaplain visits.” 

With her ill health firmly in the rear-view mirror, Dell has some thoughts on the reassuring Hospital Chaplain visits.  

“I think what made the Chaplain’s approach so successful is that he stood for my church, as a representative of God, a friend and community. The conversations we had were never intrusive, they were just comforting.  

“It was unknown how long I was going to stay there. Imagine if I’d said ‘no thanks’ to that first visit, or if someone wasn’t available, I would never have had that support and comfort. For me it was perfect, the perfect person to come and see me and it proved crucial to my spiritual and psychological wellbeing. 

“Great is thy faithfulness Lord unto me!” (Lamentations 3: 22-23) 

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the forty days of Lent leading up to Easter. This is a religious ritual observed by many Christians today.

You are invited to pause, remember and get ready. There are many ways you can mark this season; the key is finding one that is meaningful to you.

The most common theme of lent is fasting. While very few people do a ‘literal’ fast, it’s quite common to use this time to reflect on what we could ‘give up’ for a period of time. Perhaps it’s sugar, alcohol or putting a limit on your screentime?

You might like to take this as an opportunity to reset and refocus on what is important in your life. This could be your family, spirituality or community. What could you ‘give up’ for the forty days that will help you to refocus and improve in this area?

Lent can be used to cut down or go without things we do not need. We could even consider donating some of the money we save to someone who needs it more than we do.

Not only does this make us feel good to give back and refocus on what is important to us, but we are doing our physical body some good also.

Whilst this is a Christian ritual, I am intrigued that events like the Febfast (www.febfast.org.au) in a way acknowledge what religious seasons have been promoting for centuries.

Best wishes as we begin the journey to Easter.

Anzac Day is a time to reflect on the sacrifices of war, from the loss of loved ones to the wider losses experienced in a community affected by war.

Here, some of our aged care residents speak about their own experiences – and what today means to them. Lest we forget.

The Easter Bunny paid a special visit to Salem Aged Care on Sunday, delighting residents and staff. Lots of laughter (and chocolate) had by all!

Between COVID lockdowns and the floods that devastated South East Queensland, it’s been a very challenging time for all of us.

Our staff have gone above and beyond to ensure our clients and residents have felt safe, supported and comfortable during the last few months.

We celebrate our staff and the commitment they’ve shown.

Every staff member will receive a special gift pack full of goodies, including some lovely baked treats made and packed by Lutheran Youth Queensland.

Thank you to all our wonderful staff! We couldn’t do it without you.

Retiring after 38 years with the Lutheran Church and 16 years as Lead Chaplain at Immanuel Gardens Aged Care, Adrian Muller will be heartily missed by all who have been lucky enough to benefit from his spiritual care.

Pastor Adrian was given a rite of farewell, including a prayer of blessing, by First Assistant Bishop Ben Hentschke and now becomes a Pastor Emeritus.

Long-time colleague Arlene Henry quipped that his dad jokes would be missed by all!

Thoughtful presents were gifted to Adrian at a ceremony in early March – catnip because he leaves behind beloved site cats Sugar and Spice and a potted protea plant so he can remember his days ministering to the lovely residents in Protea.

As the season of Lent begins, so does our annual LCAQD Lenten appeal.

This year’s appeal will support three life-affirming projects by Lutheran Services. Read more or donate here.

Who doesn’t love a soft and fluffy pancake, preferably doused in syrup? On Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent) residents at Trinder Park Aged Care enjoyed feasting on stacks of pancakes.

Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday pancakes were designed to use up the remainder of the butter, cream and eggs before the abstinence of Lent. Residents certainly give the celebration the thumbs up!