Life News

June 2025

Volume 40, Issue 1

Welcome

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord, Jesus Christ! My name is Carl Richter and I have recently become the Chairperson of Lutherans for Life. I’d like to extend thanks to my predecessor Pastor Joseph Theodorsen for all the work that he did during his time in leadership of Lutherans for Life. I’d also like to extend thanks to Meg Pearce for her many years of involvement with Lutherans for Life as she steps down from the committee.

In this issue we will hear; a report from attendees of the National Life Summit in Sydney, a book review of John Pless’ ‘A Small Catechism on Human Life’ and a report from Lutheran for Life members who made a presentation to the children attending the Creative Word Fellowship Family Camp in Tandara.

About the New Chairperson

I am a Lutheran Pastor and I am currently serving in the Cummins Parish on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia. I am married to Sarah and we have been blessed with 4 living children; Emilie, (Kyrie), Hanna, Jeremiah and Micah. I became interested in what God reveals through his word regarding issues of life and death during my seminary studies where I had opportunity to research the ethics and pastoral implications of IVF and Dementia.

EDITOR:

I am passionate about promoting a greater understanding amongst Christians of the sanctity of life. In a culture that often fails to support those who are most vulnerable, I believe that the Church has an important role in giving them a voice.

Life Ethics is built upon a humility before the authority of God’s Word and trusting not what we perceive with our own senses but wholly trusting in what God says to be true. Unfortunately, several members of the Lutherans for Life committee feel that they are no longer able to serve due to issues of conscience arising from recent decisions made by our church. Therefore, we are currently stretched quite thin and are in need of the assistance and help of people willing to volunteer their time and skills to keep this important work going (In particular, someone to be editor of this publication). Please continue to pray for the work of Lutherans for Life and encourage those who might like to be involved.

Yours in Christ

Pastor Carl Richter carl.richter@lca.org.au

Report National Life Summit

30th November 2024

Report by Melanie Wittwer and Rose Vonow

I was fortunate to join Rose and 300 other attendees from across Australian at the sold-out event. Dr Joanna Howe, a University of Adelaide Professor of Law and mother of five, hosted the event with the purpose to encourage and equip young adults and health professionals to lead the charge against abortion up to birth. We heard inspiring talks from a range of advocates, politicians and community leaders. Rose and I then had the opportunity to split out into breakout sessions: I attended the session for general attendees and Rose joined a session for health professionals presented by Pro Life Health Professionals Australia (PLHP).

As a medical research scientist, I’ve attended many medical conferences over the years where like-minded healthcare professionals, researchers and advocates come together to advance knowledge about specific diseases and discuss new methods of improving outcomes. I still find it difficult to believe that this Summit, which was focussed on advancing the human rights of children in-utero and support for their mothers, does not align with mainstream beliefs or practice.

Here’s the sobering facts:

The inaugural National Life Summit was held in Sydney on the 30th November 2024.

According to the World Health Organisation there are 73 million abortions each year worldwide.

In Australia abortion is legal until 22 weeks of gestation and full-term abortion may be practiced under specific circumstances.

Up to one in three Australian women will undergo an abortion in their lifetime.

“Surely we are better than the ancient culture of leaving unwanted babies born alive outside the city gates?” - Nick Goiran, Member of the Western Australian Legislative Council during his plenary address at the National Life Summit.

Lutherans for Life Branches

New Zealand: Est. June 1991

Contact: Dr Petrus Simons 04 476 9398

Sunshine Coast: Est. August 1992

ServingtheSunshineCoastareaof Queensland

Up to one in three Australian women will undergo an abortion in their lifetime.’

One couple shared their story of falling pregnant in their late teens prior to being married, and the social pressures that they felt to abort their baby; they did abort, and it rocked their entire life, both at the time and now also years later. They know their forgiveness is in Christ, but the hurt that followed has shaped the rest of their lives.

Contact: Mr Norm Auricht 07 5443 6849

Fortunately, for every piece of sombre evidence presented throughout the day there was a story of hope and light to encourage and inspire. One couple shared their story of having been recommended to terminate their pregnancy for medical reasons. As Christians, they knew they could not terminate the pregnancy even though the child would die soon after birth... I have heard of people using compassion as an argument for abortion because it is better to relieve the current and future suffering of mother and child. However, a key message reiterated by this couple was that “the true meaning of compassion is to suffer alongside someone, not just to end or ignore the suffering”.

Darling Downs: Est. October 2005

ServingtheDarlingDownsareaof Queensland

Contact: Mrs Joy Wurst 07 4613 4189

Check out our website www.lutheransforlife.lca.org.au

Life News Editor (email) LN.editor@gmail.com

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Consider making a financial gift to continue the promotion and protection of human dignity in our culture and community (see back page for details).

Some of us are called to make a loud and firm stand with evidencebased arguments designed to compel and convince. Others of us are called, not to provide effective arguments, but to provide compassionate care.

I was particularly heartened to hear from speakers who acknowledged the complexities around abortion and approached the issue with sensitivity and kindness. Some of us are called to make a loud and firm stand with evidence -based arguments designed to compel and convince. Others of us are called, not to provide effective arguments, but to provide compassionate care. All of us need to be equipped.

Finally here’s a few tips of what we can do:

• Follow Dr Joanna Howe on social media

• Build a relationship with your local and federal MP

• Actively support or sponsor pregnancy support centres

• Get educated by reading or listening to Dr Emma Wood’s short e-book.

• Put the 2025 Life Summit Dates in your diarySaturday November 29th in BRISBANE CBD.

At last year’s conference they noted that after such a full turn out in 2024, they are hoping the 2025 conference will double in size! Being the only 2 Lutherans there (well that we were aware of), we would definitely encourage trying to get along. It’s certainly interesting to note that both at this event & other Life events, that the highest proportion of participants seem to be from either Catholic or Orthodox traditions. Everyone has a circle of concern. Everyone has a smaller circle of influence. We can all use that circle to become the generation that makes abortion unthinkable.

IN PICTURE: Rose Graham, Mel Wittwer & Bethany Fiedler. Bethany was the MC for the day, & also works in the LCA head office in Archer Street - we are very grateful for all the work she does in advocating for life both in her home contexts but also nationally!

Book Review

A Small Catechism on Human Life

John T. Pless By Thomas Krahling

I recently watched a video of a Christian presenter responding to some criticism from a transgender person. His response was a clear and firm confession of the Church’s doctrine, but one which left the transgender person asking, “But what does that have to do with the love of God?”

It’s an important question, one which the presenter was able to answer aptly (with the help of his wife). When we think about life issues, it can be easy to get stuck on the Ten Commandments, without going any further. This can reduce our engagement with life issues down to political flag-waving, without actually knowing how to approach these issues when they arise in our own families or

communities. Without an understanding of how these issues fit into the wider framework of the Christian faith, it can be easy to get lost, overwhelmed and tempted to avoid these important topics altogether. In A Small Catechism on Human Life, Pless helps you find your feet and think about life issues like a Lutheran.

Pless gets the Catechism. It’s an organism, a living body of doctrine, with each of its seven parts interacting and feeding into each other, like the various parts of the human body. Using the catechism as an itinerary, Pless shows how the love of God reaches into human life in all kinds of ways. In fourteen brief chapters, he shows how the building blocks you played with in confirmation class fit together intuitively to form a holistic approach to life issues.

At the end of each chapter, a list of discussion questions invites readers to think about these issues for themselves and have important conversations which might otherwise seem too daunting. Pless also has an appendix addressed to pastors, helping them think about how these ethical issues can be addressed in the pulpit. Pless has a clear and practical goal in mind with this book – to help the Church start thinking about how we can share God’s love for human life with each other and with the world. For any family or small group seeking to grow their Lutheran and pro-life identity, this resource is a perfect place to start

Family Retreat Presentation

Creative Word Fellowship

By Rose Graham

Members from Lutherans for Life; Hayley, Rose & Ps Carl were able to attend the 2025 Creative Word Fellowship Young Adult/ Young Families Bible Study Retreat at Tandara (Victoria) January 16-19; this was both for individual edification, & also for Lutherans for Life to present to those at camp. The last time that LFL presented at the CWF Young Adult Retreat, the presentation was directed to the adults, with a particular focus on abortion. Though this time, the presentation was directed to the children, with a particular focus on the value of life & the different stages of foetal development.

It was such a great session with the children; their high interest & intriguing questions were particularly encouraging. These kids just plain out knew it: there is life in the womb, & that life is something to be protected. Many books & resources were also able to be shared with those at camp. Overall a very encouraging & worthwhile time for the team.

Life Thoughts Devotion

From https://lutheransforlife.org/resources/life-thoughts/

READ: Luke 15:21-32

The prodigal’s father kept watching every day for his wayward son’s return. He had to have done so in order to spot him “while he was still a long way off” (Luke 15:20). Our Gracious God (Psalm 103:10-13) never gives up on a human life, no matter what size, skills, circumstances, or sins it involves. We need not let surprise pregnancies, chronic conditions, or terminal diagnoses steal our hope or anyone else’s!

PRAY: Lord Gracious Father, May you give the heart of the prodigal Father so that we may never give up hope for life no matter how unlikely a situation may appear to be. Amen

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Pray with us: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing...” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

• For parents experiencing pressure from medical professionals to terminate the life of children with possible birth abnormalities.

• For women whose bodies and minds have been damaged by abortion, that they receive healing and comfort.

• For good politicians in our land, that our country may be governed well.

• For all States and Territories considering life related laws.

• For medical students and professionals not wishing to participate in ending the lives of unborn babies or the elderly.

• For workers and families supporting the elderly.

• For those with disabilities, that they would know that they are loved and precious.

• For LCA pastors in their various contexts shepherding their flock and teaching of the incredible value of life.

• For pro-life Christians everywhere who meet to encourage each other and discuss and honour the good gift of life.

• For those who protest peacefully, that they may be seen and heard.

• For the blessing of pro life walks, marches, and rallies around the nation and those who organise them.

• For the LFL bible study resources project, that writers and editors may be found who would be inspired to commit to working with LFL to refine and improve the online material.

• For the incoming LFL committee as they seek to continue the work of promoting the sanctity of life in our country as our laws become more and more against it.

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