Community & Business
8 April, 2025
New Pastor for Goombungee-Maclagan Lutheran Parish
There was no shortage of pastoral care on Sunday March 23rd at St. Matthews Lutheran Church Goombungee as twelve Lutheran ministers visited to install new graduate Sean Hotinski as Pastor of the Goombungee-Maclagan parish.
The service itself was led by Pastor Joel Pukallus of St. Marks Dalby and Western Downs parish, a former minister at the Goombungee-Maclagan parish.
Local organists Lyn Kuhl and Heidi Kanowski played several hymns during the course of the service including: “O Father My Father”, “What Love My God” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.
During his address, Bishop Mark Vainikka of the Lutheran Church of Australia - Queensland District praised the work of the church elders, in moving quickly following the departure of previous minister Simon McKenzie, to secure Australian Lutheran College’s only graduate pastor for 2024.
“Never before has one parish had 100 per cent of the graduates” he joked.
“I didn’t expect us to be here so soon. It’s a testament to the organisation of this parish that things have moved so quickly.”
Bishop Vainikka preached on Psalm 137 using the well known first verse, “By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion” and the fourth verse “How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?"
“The church’s once central place has receded into the periphery,” he said.
“We must now learn how to sing in a foreign land.”
The Bishop said the Goombungee parish had previously looked after new pastors well, having seen three consecutive new graduates in the 1990s.
“It’s distinct ministry of this parish and I hope you continue it,” he said.
Following the service parish executive members Jeff Ballon, Margaret Kucks and Lloyd Janetzki officially welcomed Pastor Hotinski, along with former elder
Ron Rosenberger, now with St. Paul’s Oakey.
Pastor Hotinski, originally from Western Australia, was a keen blogger on theological matters before heading to Australian Lutheran College to discover his calling.
Along the way, he met now wife Olya from Europe who will be joining him in the manse at Goombungee.
Pastor Hotinski completed his vicarage at St. Paul Church Blair Athol, in suburban Adelaide, before being ordained late last year.
In his spare time, he enjoys reading and Bible study, looking into Christian apologetics, game design, and going on walks.
