Profile—Fiona Weckert
Fiona Weckert is Bethlehem’s new Youth & Young Adults Worker. She was installed at the 11am service on Sunday the 28th of June and began work here the following Friday. Find out more about Fiona and her work at Bethlehem.
A little bit about me
In December last year I returned to SA from Queensland, after living there for nearly 9 years. In February I began work, 4 days a week, with the Schools Ministry Group (SMG) as their Community Support Manager linking with community service groups in South Australia and writing program materials for Christian Pastoral Support Workers (CPSW’s) to use with students in their schools. It was great to have a day off during that transition time, and such a blessing that around the time I was starting to look for something more to do on my day off, the Bethlehem position opened up.
My background
I grew up on a farm near Brinkworth (where all good Weckerts are from), regularly attending the local Lutheran Church, and moved to Adelaide at 18 to attend uni. Over the next few years completed a BA, 2 years of media skills studies, 1 year as an intern with the LCA/SA district office and spent 11 months in the USA working with various Lutheran Churches and groups.
In 2000 I moved to Redcliffe, Queensland to be the first youth worker in a Lutheran school at Grace Lutheran College. For 5 years I worked with both the school and Grace Lutheran church and in 2005 I became full time at the college (years 7/8-12 and 1300 students).
I really enjoyed my job; no 2 days were the same and I learnt and grew a great deal, both professionally and personally. In 2008 I went back to part-time at GLC to become a part-time coordinator of the Year in the Son program run by the LCA/QLD mission department, working with young adults. Great fun!
Due to lack of funding, the program wasn’t continued at the end of the year, and I felt that it was the right time to make the move back home. I am loving being around my family more and coping (mostly) with the shock of an actual cold winter!
My job at Bethlehem
‘to work with pastors and other members of Bethlehem in leading a ministry to youth and young adults:
- To Bethlehem members,
- Young adults from the country,
- Overseas students and workers,
to keep them in the fellowship of the church, and grow them as disciples of Jesus Christ, and help them reach out to draw others to Christ and the church.’
Introducing young people to ways they can be more aware and involved in their local community and wider church community, and seeing them grow in enthusiasm and ownership, has been a highlight of my ministry so far. I’m really excited about being involved in the ministry here at Bethlehem, and am passionate about young people experiencing and owning their faith as they grow into mature adults for Christ. I have a heart for social justice and I love to integrate art and music into the many ways we worship God.
Thank you for the warm and friendly welcome into my new church family. I look forward to meeting you during my time here and appreciate your prayers and support.
If you have any questions, a burning desire to volunteer to run a youth event, or simply want to catch up please don’t hesitate to contact me. My day in at Bethlehem House is usually Friday (Phone: 8223 6662), but I am available via email: yayouthbeth@adam.com.au.
Blessings!
Fiona Weckert