Words from Yirara College Chapel
In the Yirara College Chapel you can see four words: WHAT’S
ONE FAMILY, GOD’S FAMILY.
Everyone at Yirara College is a family together. It doesn’t matter where you come from, or what language you speak.
At Yirara we are held together as One. We are held together by God.
But what do we know about families?
Sometimes families have fun.
And sometimes families have trouble. Sometimes families get broken up.
Sometimes mothers and fathers don’t talk anymore. Sometimes families argue and fght.
JUST LIKE THE BIBLE FAMILIES.
Sometimes we are God’s arguing family.
Sometimes we are God’s broken family.
Sometimes we are God’s trouble family.
But always, in God, we are still One Family.
Even when we have trouble or are broken.
Because God’s love binds us together, Even when our own love cannot.
And then, in Christ, these things are true:
One Broken Family, God’s Broken Family.
One Trouble Family, God’s Trouble Family.
One Healing Family, God’s Healing Family.
One Caring Family, God’s Caring Family.
Pastor Basil Schild works as Chaplain to Yirara College.
PAGE 2
KIWIRRKURA BIBLE COURSE
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KOREAN COMMUNITY VISITS TI TREE STATION
PAGE 4
‘WE ARE IN THE LORD’S SERVICE’
PAGE 6
BAPTISMS THROUGH THE YEAR - THE CHURCH IS GROWING
PAGE 8
IN MEMORIAM: PASTOR M WHEELER
PAGE 9 IN MEMORIAM: DAPHNE PUNTJINA
PAGE 10
ALICE SPRINGS LUTHERAN CHURCH CELEBRATES FIRST COMMUNIONS
PAGE 11
A TRIP TO THE ARCHIVES UNCOVERS LOST TREASURES
PRAYER POINTS
PAGE 12 PERRY’S STORY
Kiwirrkura Bible course
by PAUL TRAEGER
A recent Finke River Mission (FRM) bush course was held from 6-10 July, near the small, remote settlement of Kiwirrkura. Kiwirrkura, with a population of only about 150 people, lies 700km west of Alice Springs, across the border into Western Australia, and operates on a different time zone to every other FRM community. This bush course involved a bit more planning than usual, as it was dark before 5pm!
The spot chosen for the teaching course was a campsite in Ngami, 10km south of the community. It was this place, chosen by Pastor John West, that some of the last traditional Pintupi families were visited by anthropologist Jeremy Long in 1962. It holds a lot of memories for the local people. It is partly surrounded by interesting rock formations, and so is somewhat sheltered.
The teaching course was on the Book of Revelation. We had not taught this topic since 2001, nor had we held a course at Kirwirrkura since 2004. It was high time on both counts.
Rev Dr Noel Due ran the class. His summary of the book was excellent, oftentimes exceptional. His own grasp of the content is unusually good, and he was able to convey that well to all listeners,
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike. He is an experienced teacher, and expounded material clearly important to him. This is now his third bush course.
Much of Pastor Noel’s teaching is more like a guided reading than a detailed analysis. He began with a careful unpacking of chapter 1, outlying the Book of Revelation as ‘picture language’. The account of the seven seals, the seven trumpets and seven bowls were all depictions of God’s action in the world, albeit from different perspectives. He contrasted the two women of chapter 12 and 17, linking them to the wise and foolish women in Proverbs. The great prostitute (Rev 17) can speak through the words of a male, and she is in league with the wanampi (the dragon) and supported by the tjikipaka or ‘cheeky bugger’ (the beast).
Perhaps Pastor Noel’s most memorable moment was his depiction of a person being tempted to give in to the whore of Babylon. His words spoke to all present. He fnished with a discussion of verses 16 and 17, closing with a declaration to stand strong in faith, and wait for God to allow evil to destroy itself. Attendance numbers were good, despite the remoteness. The nearest community is almost
200km away. And still, new participants, who had never been to a bush course, came.
The bush course led to some very worthwhile discussions. All this was aided by Pastor Noel’s pastoral example, particularly evident in his interactions with attendees during the breaks.
The people of Kiwirrkura themselves were encouraged in the Christian faith. Even those who did not attend the teaching sessions were introduced to the teachings during the evening singalongs. One local man, who thought he had been cursed, felt free to come to the Lord’s Supper after he came to understand that Christ’s blessing is more powerful than any dark power.
Even though it was midwinter, the weather was not bitterly cold, despite the mornings being rather brisk. But the course did involve a lot of work, especially for the ‘cookies’, who nonetheless did a fne, uncomplaining and patient job.
Overall, it was a very good teaching course, and thoroughly worthwhile.
Pastor Paul Traeger is an FRM Support Worker.
The sun sets on another successful bush course
Korean community visits Ti Tree Station
by DAVID STRICKLAND
A busload of Korean Presbyterians from Caleb Presbyterian Church in Sydney enjoyed fellowship at Nturiya (Ti Tree Station) Community Lutheran Church in July this year. Their leader, Ki Ok, is a retired pastor and the feld director of Christian Mission and Ministries for Indigenous Australians (CMMIA).
David and Ming Fang Strickland joined the bus tour, providing some commentary during the trip north. They brought Subway rolls, kangaroo tails, many Korean snacks and a few bags of clothes to hand out, which brought many smiles!
At Nturiya, Ambrose Joe was the frst to greet the visitors and introduced the Anmatyerr dictionary, showing how the language had been thoroughly documented. The visitors expressed great appreciation for those who had worked tirelessly to complete it. Many of those involved in the translation
are now with the Lord. Ming Fang showed our visitors the Anmatyerr Bible, which was well-received. Many requested to have their photo taken alongside.
Later, congregational leader Serena Presley told the stories of two paintings displayed at the Nturiya Lutheran Church: the Last Supper, painted by Bently B, and the Meaning of Forgiveness, by Seraphina P.
We brought the paintings onto the bus so people could have a closer look at them. They were amazed by the paintings and loved her sharing.
The group assembled to sing a couple of hymns in English and Korean, which was especially moving.
After returning to Alice Springs, the group visited the Mission Block, where Paul Traeger and David explained the work of FRM and Bible translation in Central Australia. (There wasn’t time to cook the roo tails, unfortunately!)
The group offered David, Ming Fang, Paul and Mei-Li Traeger an invitation to share dinner with them that night. Ming Fang shared with them her Anmatyerr painting booklets. Everyone received two booklets and she even signed a few for them.
That evening, the visitors invited David, Ming Fang, Paul and MeiLi to dinner. Ming Fang shared her Anmatyerr painting booklets, gifting and signing copies.
A few visitors assured us of their prayers after witnessing frsthand the work we achieve. ‘It is not an easy task, so we will pray for you every day!’ one promised.
This is the wonder of people in Christ - that we can unite together in prayer and know that God is listening to our prayers and that he will answer.
David Strickland is an FRM Support Worker in the Anmatyerr language area.
Left: David Strickland addresses the attendees. Top right: David Stickland, Don Presley, Ki Ok Bottom right: David Strickland, Ambrose Joe, Ming Fang Strickland, Serena Presley
‘WE
ARE IN THE LORD’S SERVICE…’
Under a vast desert sky, stories of faith are still being told. Around campfres and under tin-roofed shelters, voices rise in prayer and song - in Arrarnta, Anmatyerr, Alyawarr, Luritja and Pitjantjatjara.
These are the languages of God’s people in the centre, and they carry the good news to the hearts of his children.
Across Central Australia, new believers are being baptised and growing in faith. Dozens have received baptism and confrmation, with many in bush communities. God is clearly at work, calling, gathering and renewing his people.
Stories like these are why Finke River Mission continues to train and support its pastors and support workers.
FRM’s been doing the same for close to 150 years, since humble beginnings in the 1870s.
But we’re up against a growing challenge.
Finke River Mission receives no ongoing government or denominational funding. Everything we do, from training Indigenous pastors and evangelists to visiting remote communities and running bush Bible courses, is sustained by donations and prayer.
Right now, that support is under strain. Expenses are increasing faster than giving, and without an uplift in regular donations, we will need to reduce travel, postpone training visits or slow the translation work that keeps God’s word alive in local languages.
Today, 12 Aboriginal Lutheran pastors serve more than 36 communities in the 5 main central Australian language areas.
We can only continue this good work with your help.
We are deeply thankful for all who already give so faithfully. But the reality is simple: without increased fnancial support, the work of Finke River Mission cannot continue at its current strength.
If you have ever prayed for the people of the Centre, read these stories with joy, or felt moved by the faith of those who serve here, please consider making a donation today.
WILL YOU WALK WITH US?
Finke River Mission exists entirely through donations. We rely on the prayers and generosity of people like you. Without your gifts, the training, travel and support that sustain our remote communities simply can’t continue.
Give today at fnkerivermission.lca.org.au
Or post your gift to FRM, PO Box 2129, Alice Springs NT 0871
CHRISTIAN TEACHING AND TRAINING for Ingkaartas (pastors) and support workers
Your donation supports: Your gif keeps Christ at the centre, in every language and every community.
RESOURCING LOCAL LANGUAGES AND TRANSLATIONS for worship and Bible study
EQUIPMENT for bush courses and events
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION for feld workers and pastors
BAPTISMS THROUGH THE YEAR
the church is growing
by BEN PFEIFFER
We have been blessed with a run of baptisms at the Alice Springs Lutheran Church this year, with 20 of them since June and a few more to come.
As a pastor or congregation, we might like to take credit for this, but Martin Luther reminds us who is really to thank. ‘I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctifed and kept me in the true faith’ (Explanation to the Third Article of the Creed).
The Holy Spirit has been at work calling, gathering, enlightening and sanctifying, and we have been blessed to welcome the following people into our church community.
1 JUNE
Edward Bell
15 JUNE
Perry Johnson
6 JULY
Antonio Brokus
20 JULY
Jarryd Kenny, Sharon Rousch, Della Gill and Quanisha Gill
3 AUGUST
Florrie-ann Wells
10 AUGUST
Darnell McDonald, Jennell McDonald and Aalyaih Doolan
17 AUGUST
Hezekiah Young, Kyle Sampson and Gemma Spencer
31 AUGUST
Lemar Braybon
7 SEPTEMBER
Dawn Giles
14 SEPTEMBER
Juleo Clyne and Brendan Clyne
12 OCTOBER
Baydon Fishook and Latrell Peel
This is not to mention the baptisms that take place at Yirara College and remote communities throughout Central Australia.
Of course, we experience the same challenges as other congregations: how to encourage these people and their families in their ongoing life of faith, how to connect with them in meaningful ways and ensure the seed of faith that has been planted is watered and grows. In some ways this
Above images (left to right): The confrmation of Travis and Tahlia, and baptism of Jarryd, Sharon, Della and Quanisha Darnell, Jennell and Aalyaih are baptised
Juleo and Brendan Junior Dawn Giles with her parents and godparents
is even more challenging in Alice Springs with our transient population.
But we trust that God, who has welcomed each of these sons and daughters through baptism, will also remain true to his promise, ‘Surely I am with you always, even until the end of the age’ (Matt 28:20). We thank God for his gift of baptism.
Pastor Ben Pfeiffer is pastor at Alice Springs Lutheran Church
Below images (left to right): Antonio with dad Mishka and godmother Marcia
Hezekiah Young, Kyle and Gemma are received into God’s family Lemar receives his baptism Edward baptism, surrounded by family and friends
Do you have photos or other information relating to the people and life of Hermannsburg and Finke River Mission (FRM)?
For years, I have been scanning photos and slides provided by former mission staff to be preserved in the Old Lutheran Church Alice Springs Living History Space. This is to ensure the history of FRM is not lost, not only to preserve Aboriginal history, but to get this back to the Aboriginal people. This is part of their story, which they are keen to have preserved.
If you or someone you know has visited or worked for FRM or has inherited material and has pictures and information of historical interest, I am keen to see and scan it. I worked at Hermannsburg from 1960 to 1982 and will know many of the people and events in your material.
Colin Jericho
Ph: (08) 8264 9736
Email: colinjer32@gmail.com
In Memoriam: Pastor M Wheeler
by ROBERT BORGAS
Pastor M Wheeler (Panangka) was born on 16 October 1947 at Ntaria/Hermannsburg. He was baptised ten days later at Hermannsburg by Pastor FW Albrecht.
Pastor Wheeler was confirmed on 6 December 1964 by Pastor C Raberaba at Hermannsburg, along with 27 other students who were also confirmed on that day. He was married to Betty Namatjira on 26 December the following year at Hermannsburg by Pastor D J Radke. The witnesses to the marriage were H Leditschke and C Raberaba. He and Betty were blessed with four children: Denise, Martha and two younger children, who are deceased.
Pastor Wheeler was a good communicator, fuent in at least fve languages, including Eastern and Western Arrarnta, Pitjantjatjara/Yankuntjatjara, Pintupi/Luritja, and English. He had the ability to read a Bible
story and give the story some life, and he often engaged with congregation members in this way.
His natural ability at language and his strong involvement in traditional cultural activities meant that he was often chosen to organise and manage major sporting and music activities in his community and beyond. He was coach and manager of the Ntaria football team for many years, helping organise and managing football carnivals at Hermannsburg/Ntaria and other places in Central Australia.
Pastor Wheeler was a good singer and guitar player. He often wrote gospel songs, sometimes with his wife, Betty. He organised and participated in countless gospel singalongs and concerts in his community and others throughout Central Australia.
Pastor Wheeler was ordained as a pastor of the Lutheran Church
of Australia on 25 November 2007 at Hermannsburg, by President Michael Semmler. He would have been ordained much earlier, but he struggled to balance both cultural activities and church responsibilities. Nevertheless, he gave almost 14 years of faithful service as a pastor in his later years, and many years as an evangelist before that.
He retired on Sunday 24 March 2024.
Pastor Wheeler will be lovingly remembered by wife Betty, daughters Denise and Martha, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Pastor Robert Borgas, Angaston, South Australia.
Biographical notes by David Roennfeldt from the original Hermannsburg congregation records
In Memoriam: Daphne Puntjina
by ROBERT BORGAS
Daphne Puntjina was born on Tempe Downs Cattle Station, south-west of Alice Springs, in 1944. Her parents had been living a traditional lifestyle around the Petermann Ranges but decided to move to Areyonga for better health care, food supplies and schooling for the children. While at school, Daphne enjoyed singing and learning Bible stories.
Daphne married in 1958. Tragically, her husband died during a fght, just before their son Rodney was born. She and little Rodney were baptised in 1960 by Pastor Leo Kalleske at Areyonga.
After learning the Christian faith, she began teaching Sunday school and religious instruction at the local school after encouragement from Pastor Kalleske. Later, she began helping adults lead community devotions. When the Kalleskes left in 1986, she led worship regularly at Areyonga, up until 2024.
She grew to know the Kalleske family well, initially working as their cleaner in 1962 and developing a friendship with the family that continued even after the death of Pastor and Mrs Kalleske.
Daphne led the Areyonga Choir since 1966, and in 1971, she travelled with the choir to Darwin to compete in the NT music eisteddfods. The mixed choir performed a number of pieces, and she sang a solo arrangment, winning the competition.
The Areyonga Choir was later invited by Morris Stuart to help form the current Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir (CAAWC). Daphne toured and performed with this choir locally, interstate and overseas. She also helped translate many hymns into her frst language, Pitjantjatjara, and was a major contributor to the Pitjantjatjara hymnals of 1995 and 2010.
She was very knowledgeable of Aboriginal lore and a keen hunter of small game and prized native tobacco. She served her local community council as chairperson for fve years while Areyonga won the 1998 NT Tidy Towns award. As part of the award presentation, they lowered her onto a hill behind the community with a helicopter.
In 2004, she received the NT Citizen of the Year award. When she retired, she still served on various community boards and councils, and continued leading worship and regular tours with the choir until 2024.
For 60+ years of voluntary service to the Lutheran Church of Australia, she was awarded the Australian Lutheran College Servant of Christ Award in 2008.
Pastor Robert Borgas Angaston, South Australia
Daphne sings alongside other members of the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir
Alice Springs Lutheran Church celebrates first communions
by BEN PFEIFFER
Earlier this year we ran a frst communion course at Alice Springs Lutheran Church. The course took place over six Sunday mornings after worship. We had seven students attend and each one brought along a parent or grandparent. This made for fruitful, intergenerational discussion, with one parent even sharing old photos of her own frst communion.
The course concluded with a special service on Palm Sunday. The students took part in the traditional palm procession into the church, before coming forward for the ‘Rite of Admission’ to communion.
It was great to see the joy and reverence on their faces as they joined the congregation to receive the body and blood of our Lord for the frst time.
First communion is not just a rite of passage for young Lutheran Christians (although it is that, too) but it is an introduction to the most holy celebration we share as God’s people. I still remember my own frst communion and the sense that I was ‘growing up’ in my faith, as well as the joy in sharing this gift with the older members of the church.
We thank God for the seven young people who took part in this course: Freya Donaldson,
Larruwa Morton, Tilly and Summer Kimber, Lexi and Gus Goldsworthy and Luke Pfeiffer. It was a privilege to teach and guide them towards this special step in their life of faith.
The congregation enjoyed celebrating over a tea, coffee, Milo and giant slab cake from Ollies’ Cake House here in Alice Springs!
From left to right: Larruwa, Freya, Summer, Tilly, Lexi, Luke, Gus and Pastor Ben
Pastor Ben Pfeiffer is pastor at the Alice Springs Lutheran Church.
FRM’s Alicia Wegener and Bryan Elliott hold Julie Lechleitner’s Honey Ants (Yerrampe), recently discovered at Lutheran Archives
A trip to the Archives uncovers lost treasures
by BETHANY FIEDLER
Not that long ago, Alicia Wegener and Bryan Elliott of FRM attended Lutheran Archives to work with the staff to clear out items that had been in temporary storage for over 10 years.
Many hours of sorting through old paperwork, assorted boxes and tubes later, they had not only signifcantly reduced the excess of documents, but had uncovered an authentic and certifed painting, Honey Ants (Yerrampe), by artist Julie Lechlietner. They also found dozens of wooden artifacts, including boomerangs, wommeras and other instruments.
Julie’s painting, Yerrampe, illustrates honey ants (yerrampe) and the work ants in their nests. The nectar from the honey ant is a valuable food source for the Aboriginal people. The women follow the tracks of the yerrampe to the small holes that reveal the entrance to their nest, represented by the concentric circle in the painting. Using their digging sticks, they dig along the shaft until the honey
ants are found, then drag them out with a little stick. Only the sweet nectar is sucked from the abdomen of the honey ant - the head is discarded.
Julie has been painting in the dot style for a number of years and focuses mainly on the Australian bush foods. Both Julie’s father, an Anmatyerr man from Mt Allan, and sister, Wendy, are known for their artwork.
The painting will be framed and will be on display at Church House (the new location for the LCA Churchwide Offce) along with other items.
FRM is grateful for Pastor Rob Borgas, who kindly came into LCA came into the Churchwide Offce on Archer Street to assist in looking through the boxes and tubes.
Bethany Fiedler is a Communications and Engagement Offcer at the LCANZ.
Biographical info from Josh van Haaren, Mbantua Gallery, Alice Springs
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
• For the Engawala Community, for ongoing commitment to the Christian faith. We pray that Jesus will continue to help them bear witness to him as The Church of the Latter-day Saints missionaries continue to be active in their area.
• For the many people who are on renal dialysis in Alice Springs and on remote communities. We pray for their ongoing care and wellbeing and for those who provide them with care.
• For the Alice Springs hospital staff who face high daily demands and provide a high level of care to a large geographical area. We pray for all who are hospitalised, and for the Lutheran hospital chaplain, Annie Broadway.
• For the Areyonga community as they mourn the loss of Daphne Puntjina, their wise, strong and long serving leader. May there be peaceful transition to new leaders.
• For Pastor Abraham Poulson and the Areyonga church leaders.
• For church worker Janie Campbell in Titjikala, as she cares for her family and supports the Church family in their ffth year without a pastor.
• In thanksgiving for Pastors Michael Japiard (Wilora and Tara) and Pastor Frank Turner (Ampiltwatja) for their faithful service to the Lutheran Church for 25 years.
• For Finke River Mission staff and board members, that they will continue to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit in carrying out the important work in Central Australia and beyond.
Perry’s story
by STEPHEN RADKE
Thirty years ago, on a Sunday morning at Areyonga, Perry experienced a profound vision of Jesus that transformed his life. ‘He sent the Holy Spirit,’ Perry recalls. ‘He changed me, and I became a church cleaner.’
Perry’s journey took him from church cleaner to evangelist, and now he spends his time encouraging people in the faith. His evangelistic work began alongside Pastor Michael Tjapiard from Stirling. ‘I went around with Pastor Michael, telling everyone the good news about Jesus,’ he
explains. They visited Alcoota (Engawala) before the church building existed, and were joined by Pastor Christopher Tjanama to encourage the community. ‘The Holy Spirit teaches me once I am listening to his word.’
Perry is now learning to read the Anmatyerr language. ‘I am learning all about reading the English [Bible] at Nungalinya [College in Darwin],’ he says. ‘Next year, I would like to learn more about the Lord Jesus, because of what he has done in my life. I want to learn about him and [about]
Our Indigenous leaders in Central Australia desire the skills, resources, support and opportunities to serve their growing congregations.
They are asking for more Christian teaching and training, resources in their own language, equipment to run singalongs, and personal support than we have the capacity to give.
We need your help!
Online: fnkerivermission.lca.org.au
Mail Cheque Credit Card details: Visa Mastercard
Name Name on card
Phone Mobile Signed_____________________________Amount $
Send your donations to: FRM, PO Box 2129 Alice Springs NT 0871. For regular donations please phone FRM on 08 8952 4666 (Alice Springs) or send an email to admin@fnkerivermission.org.au
reading language.’ With support from Richard Morton, Perry has been working to improve his reading skills.
‘When I read, when I sing, I feel the presence of the Lord. I feel the Holy Spirit. I am baptised now, because I have been learning from these pastors.’
Today, Perry continues his calling as an evangelist at Wari Wari, Mount Allan.
Pastor Stephen Radke is an FRM Support Worker.
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wayne.b@fnkerivermission.org.au Bethany Fiedler | Editing bethany.fedler@lca.org.au
Heinzel | Design casey.heinzel@gmail.com
Pastor Ben Pfeiffer baptises Perry Johnson, with Pastor Stephen Radke on the right