ALC graduates ‘called to be salt and light’

Thanksgiving dance by Jess Vun

An ethereal thanksgiving dance is not what you would normally expect from an Australian Lutheran College graduation service. But by the end of her performance, Wey Tyng (Jess) Vun had touched the hearts of everyone in attendance, and brought a few to tears. In this beautiful piece, new graduate Jess performed the contemporary Asian-style dance, which she also choreographed herself, to the tune of ‘Whom have I but you’ by Tracie Lin.

During the ceremony, held on Saturday 28 November at the Concordia College Chapel in South Australia, Jess received her Master of Theology. She has now started work as a lecturer in Christian Education at Sabah Theological Seminary. Other graduates included sixteen receiving Graduate Certificates in Education, eleven receiving Graduate Certificates in Religious Education, thirteen receiving Masters of Education and twenty-nine receiving Vocational Certificates. Queensland graduates will be recognised during a Thanksgiving Service on 16 May 2010.

Many of ALC’s new graduates have already found positions in their chosen pathways. Of the pastoral graduates, Richard Fox has accepted the call to Waikerie in South Australia. Carl Thiele and Erik Braunack-Mayer will also be remaining in the SA/NT District. Timothy Ebbs is going to Nhill in Victoria, and Christian Fandrich to Toowoomba Redeemer in Queensland. Eleven of the Vocational Certificate graduates are now employed in Lutheran schools.

Also in attendance were President of the Church Rev’d Dr Michael Semmler, Chair of ALC Board Pastor Tim Jaensch, ALC Board of Directors, ALC teaching and support staff and emeriti teachers of the College. In his speech, Rev Semmler addressed the graduates directly, saying, ‘Every one of you has a place, and you are called to be salt and light.’

ALC Principal Rev John Henderson praised the new graduates, and current students, saying, ‘As the new Principal I have frequently been impressed by the calibre and potential of the ALC student community. Here are women and men who step apart to give of themselves sacrificially, accompanied by partners and families who share what can be a most demanding journey’.

During his welcome and report, Rev Henderson discussed the fall in respect that theological education has suffered, but likened theology to the engine of a car: ‘The practice and development of theology has been the engine room of society for centuries. Without it, our society and our country will quickly lose its way.

‘I pay my respects to the students of ALC, and I encourage you in your journey of faith and the exploration of its meaning in the world today. I also offer my warm congratulations to the graduates of ALC: God bless you in your chosen career and vocation.’

As well as saying goodbye to our current graduates, we also farewelled ALC Dean of Chapel and long-standing staff member Rev Dr John Kleinig. ‘As a relative newcomer to the world of ALC,’ said Rev Henderson, ‘I have now witnessed first hand the remarkable group of academics the church has gathered to teach and form people in the knowledge of the living Word of God. Today I mention just one of them, Dr John Kleinig, who is retiring this year after 41 years of service as an ordained pastor, and theologian extraordinaire of the church.’

Updated: 14/01/2010 [1.00]