NEWS

Bethlehem Lutheran Church joyfully marks 100 years of worship, ministry, and community in Wagga Wagga. We honour a legacy shaped by Scripture and service — from humble beginnings to today’s worship and thriving Lutheran school. Whether you’ve worshipped with us, served in leadership, sent children to the school, or simply share in this story, you’re warmly invited to reconnect, rejoice, and give thanks.
Join us as we celebrate “A Century of Grace — a past to cherish, a future to shape.” on Sunday 26 October 2025.
Lutheran worship in Wagga Wagga has stood firm, through every season of change, a living testimony to enduring faith, gracious fellowship, and shared purpose. Guided by Scripture and sustained by grace, God’s people have journeyed together in worship, witness, and community.

The roots were planted in the 1920s, when Pastor W.W. Fritsch of Milbrulong’s UELCA congregation held services in Wagga, forming St Paul’s Lutheran Church in 1925. Pastor M.J George of Henty’s ELCA congregation soon nurtured what became Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in 1945. Though distinct, both communities shared a foundation in Scripture and service — guided by rural pastors who travelled widely to shepherd their flocks.

Photo of Our Redeemer congregation

Wagga later became a hub for Lutheran radio outreach through the local station 2WG — sharing sermons and devotionals reaching many with the voice of faith. Listeners found connection and comfort in weekly broadcasts — a voice of faith echoing through static and silence.

Outside Damschke Hall Dedication 1951

In 1969, following years of growing unity, the two congregations joined under the newly formed LCA to become Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Since then, Bethlehem has embraced change in worship, leadership, and outreach while remaining anchored in grace.

Damschke Hall Dedication

The founding of Lutheran School Wagga Wagga in 1982 deepened our ministry, creating a vibrant K–6 community where students “Learn and Grow in Christ.” More than classrooms, the school became a nurturing ground for faith, character, and lifelong learning
Guided by our mission, “The disciples of God caring for the people of God,” Bethlehem continues to nurture faith through worship, pastoral care, and its enduring partnership with the school.
As we honour the past and embrace the promise ahead, may this centenary stir fresh faith, deepen community, and renew our shared commitment to God’s work — in Wagga Wagga and beyond.

Bethlehem Wagga Wagga today

A special service to celebrate will be held on the Sunday 26 October at 2pm followed by afternoon tea.

Pr David Cherry

In June 2014, I was asked if I would come and help at Warrambui for 3 months. Almost 11 years later, it is now time for me to move on.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have had through my time as Centre Director to serve others, to work with amazing people, and to see God change people’s lives in incredible ways.
I am especially thankful to the Warrambui Board for their support, encouragement and guidance. I would like to particularly thank Chair Neal Mason, Vice-Chair Garry Watson and Member Ward Westphal who have been part of almost the entire journey with me and taught me so much.
I am blessed to have been able to interact with, and get to know, so many people within the NSW & ACT District and the wider LCA throughout this time; people whom I now call friends.
So often during my time as Centre Director, I have been humbled and inspired by the number of people who pray for the Team at Warrambui and our ministry. This has been an incredible blessing to us all, and especially to me and my family – Thank you.
I am very grateful for the continual support I have received from District Leadership and the District Office, and to the District as a whole for the privilege of serving in this role.
I celebrate the achievements God has enabled us to make together, and I ask your forgiveness for the times I have fallen short.
This has been a joint ministry with my family, as we have lived and served here in community. I would particularly like to thank my wife Anna for her unwavering support, her care for our community and its members, and for the times she took on administrative roles at short notice during unexpected staffing vacancies.
Above all, I thank our Heavenly Father for carrying me, nurturing me, guiding me, giving me amazing grace, and allowing me to be part of His ministry through His place, Warrambui.
Whilst we are unsure what the next steps are for our family, we look forward in faith to where God will call us next, just as He called us so clearly to Warrambui 11 years ago.
Yours in Christ, Dean Salzke Centre Director

Welcome to New Centre Director
We are pleased to announce that Bernd Hahnert has been appointed as the new Centre Director for Warrambui.
The handover to Bernd has commenced with him to fully take up the role from mid-June.
We are blessed that Bernd has accepted God’s call to come and serve through Warrambui and its ministry.

You can read Bernd’s Introductory article below! We look forward to working with Bernd in the district and wish him all the best in his role!

The Seasons of Our Lives
Everything in our world is part of a delicate cycle of life and nurturing, facilitated by our four seasons and the flora and fauna that inhabit our planet. Just as the seasons that govern our climate evolve to accommodate the intricate ecology of nature, so too do the seasons that guide and inspire transformation in our lives.
The winter season can often be perceived as a harsh and formidable time, where we are subjected to trials and tribulations. Life may appear desolate and devoid of hope; however, it is also a period during which we can witness the deepening of roots and a profound connection among those who matter most to us. It is akin to the bare branches of trees in winter, seemingly lifeless, yet beneath the surface, the roots are growing stronger, preparing for the eventual bloom of spring.
As the spring season emerges, it illuminates our cold and challenging experiences with newfound hope. Here, we begin to perceive fresh possibilities and opportunities for growth and expansion in our lives. Just as the flowers bloom after a prolonged winter, we too can blossom and flourish, embracing the renewal and rejuvenation that spring brings.
Summer, the season of warmth, relational flourishing, blessings, and enjoyment, can simultaneously present its own challenges. The intensity of the summer sun may deplete our energy and dampen our enthusiasm for activity and development. However, it is also a time of abundance and joy, where we can bask in the beauty of nature and the company of loved ones, creating memories that sustain us through the colder seasons.
As autumn approaches, the heat of summer gradually recedes, prompting a shift in energy and enthusiasm as we adapt to life’s ever-evolving challenges. It is a time for reflection and preparation for the winter ahead, allowing us to contemplate all that has transpired. The changing colors of the leaves remind us of the transient nature of life, urging us to appreciate the present moment and embrace the changes that accompany each passing season.
Seasons come and seasons go, and through each one, we glean deeper insights into life, relationships, and the
grace and love of God our Father. Just as nature cycles through its seasons, so do we cycle through our own experiences, constantly evolving and growing in harmony with the world around us and the God who guides us.
This leads me to the seasons that God orchestrates in our lives to encourage us to grow and become all we are created to be and do. To facilitate this movement and growth, the Father often closes doors that lead to less fruitful endeavours and opens others that ultimately guide us to where we are meant to be and the blessings our participation is destined to bring.
That is certainly the experience of my life and that of my wife, Fiona. We have experienced firsthand the continual direction and prodding of our Father to trust Him, walk closely with Him, and allow His strength to transcend our weaknesses. Like all of us, I have faltered in this endeavor of trust and surrender, occasionally succumbing to the temptation of placing self upon the throne.
This is certainly true of the events that have led me to be here at Warrambui today. Our Lord possesses a remarkable sense of humour and knows how to act on my behalf when I beseech Him to, or even when I do not! After departing from my last position, I contemplated pursuing a casual occupation that would assist me in gliding into retirement in the next 5-8 years. Did that transpire? In a word, NO! No matter what I attempted and what opportunities I created to advance, nothing materialized. God had other plans.
Out of the blue, without any solicitation, I was headhunted on LinkedIn and inquired if I was interested in a position that could be well suited to me. To be candid, initially, when I discerned the nature of the role and its location, I thought, no way! How could God ask me to undertake something so different and so far removed at this stage of my life? It felt unjust, I confess! However, after some contemplation, discussions with Fiona, and fervent prayer, I recognized that it sounded precisely like something the Father would orchestrate to propel me out of my comfort zone and mold me further into His image, enabling me to be a greater blessing to His kingdom and His people.
After considerable prayer and a detailed process, I am pleased to announce my appointment as the new Centre Director for Warrambui. My wife, Fiona, and I eagerly anticipate all that the Father has in store for us in the coming months and years ahead, and we are excited to be part of this community that will profoundly impact the lives of many with the love of Jesus.
This new season in our lives is one of strengthening, growing, and becoming increasingly dependent on Him, so that we may witness His glory manifest through all that we do and say. It is a journey I have chosen to embrace, and one I encourage you all to embark upon with me.
Finally, let us be encouraged to recognize that all our times, experiences, and indeed the seasons of our lives are hidden and guided by the love of our God and Father. Because of this truth, we can embrace every change and be empowered by every challenge, knowing our lives will ultimately unfold for the glory of God and His people.
Be blessed to be a blessing, Bernd Hahnert

Anne-Marie Bothe has been appointed principal at St John’s Lutheran School in Jindera after serving as interim principal following Brad Moss’ departure last year. She grew up in the Lutheran church, and never questioned her faith, until her mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away almost two years later. This experience stripped away all she was taught to believe but also caused her to rediscover and strengthen her relationship with Jesus as he sits in the messiness of life with us.

In 1993, she started her teaching career at Bethany Lutheran Primary School in Ipswich before marrying her husband Anthony and moving to Immanuel Lutheran College in Maroochydore. Seven years later they moved to Albury to raise their three daughters closer to family.

While her daughters were growing up she dabbled in writing, following in her mother, Grace Simpson’s footsteps, who wrote devotional books, as well as her sister who’s a published novelist. She also gained a Diploma of Counselling, chasing her passion of others’ wellbeing. She returned to full-time teaching and realised God had other plans on how counselling and writing would help her further serve Lutheran Education rather than being the career change she expected!

Principals are important in any school, but Lutheran schools can bring their own challenges. You have to remain true to the theology of grace in sharing God’s love with the school community while also meeting government requirements. Anne-Marie believes it’s an exciting time to be in Lutheran education, with the emphasis on Growing Deep and Free to Flourish dispositions. They bring a lot of understanding to the unique Lutheran approach to contemporary learning. Lutheran schools need to remain relevant in the ever-changing world while being clear about their difference to other schools, which Anne-Marie sees as the way they implement God’s grace.

St John’s Primary in Jindera and St Paul’s Primary in Henty have just created new Values based on Free to Flourish that clearly state the foundation of their Christian and contemporary approach. Lutheran schools are at the forefront in God’s mission with the relationships formed within the school communities. Meaningful connections are built through having shared experiences and the ability to tell our stories. Both schools are loving creating new innovative ways to serve others and genuinely share God’s love in our schools and beyond.

Being a principal is so much more than a job, it means that Anne-Marie can share God’s love to make a difference in people’s lives and the world around all of us. She gets to walk alongside people while empowering them to use their God given gifts to serve others. She receives the most joy from the relationships she’s built with members of the school community, and watching both the staff and students learn and grow.

Isaiah 40:31 has held a special place in both her personal and professional life. It served as her confirmation text and it has continued to serve as a source of encouragement from others throughout her career and she often shares it with others to do the same.

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Anne-Marie Bothe’s installation will be held on Friday 27th June at 930am.