Lutheran Services and Mercy Community celebrated the launch of social enterprise café, Cookery Nook, which provides new career pathways in the hospitality industry for people with an intellectual disability.

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.”

A hunt for sunflowers amongst the cane fields at Jacobs Well turned into a serendipitous outing for Trinder Park Aged Care residents recently.

Volunteer Lyn spoke to some of the farm workers who were so chuffed to be visited by a bus load of older people, they cut each person a giant flower to take home.

And with smiles as big sunflowers, they headed back home!

Chris and Tom Graham nurture their marriage like you would cultivate a garden.

And after 64 years strong, Chris – who lives at Trinder Park Retirement Living with Tom – says commitment, compassion and compromise are their watchwords.

Happy Valentine’s Day love birds.

The cute wee faces of these 135 toys – all stitched and stuffed lovingly by residents of Lutheran Service’s Nundah Retirement Village – Alondra Residences – have found their new forever homes.

The crafty types at Alondra’s craft club donated the toys to charities across south-east Queensland.

It’s sweet to know the toys live on in someone else’s cuddles.

The crafty types at Alondra’s craft club donated the toys to charities across south-east Queensland. It’s sweet to know the toys live on in someone else’s cuddles.

Lutheran Services’ design agency is behind these posters you’re seeing everywhere at the moment – produced on behalf of Reconciliation Australia.

We are so lucky to have a creative agency so actively engaged on social issues that aligns so closely with Lutheran Services’ values. Carbon Creative is 100% Indigenous owned and operated.

The theme this year for National Reconciliation Week is “Be brave. Make change”.

This theme inspires us to make a difference with our meaningful actions, as we explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia through impactful action. #NRW2022 #BeBraveMakeChange

This Mother’s Day we salute the mothers and mother figures out there! Happy Mother’s Day.

Zion Aged Care resident Bev Blackwell remembers her mum as a gentle and kind woman, ‘always the first to do something for others’.

The gorgeous photo of Bev’s mum Daphne taken in was taken in 1923 – at 23 years of age. Daphne styled her hair a-la Judy Garland and posed for a photo that now sits proudly on Bev’s wall at her home in Zion Aged Care.

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!