Introducing Tania

Here’s a little about myself so that you can start to get to know me. Please introduce yourself to me so that I can get to know you too. I’m so looking forward to meeting you!

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

Pastor Chris Mann preached on that verse (one of my favourites) for my installation. Why do I resonate with that verse? I like the threefold simplicity of the command – act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God. And yet I fail to do those things time and again. It’s an impossible requirement to live up to, and I’m sure it’s not meant to be merely aspirational. Thank God that I’m forgiven, and loved as God’s child, despite my stuff ups.

Thank you for welcoming me into your community. I was quite moved by the wonderful installation service and feel that God has put me in the right place. I am so excited to be beginning ministry alongside you. I can assure you that I’ll make mistakes in my new role (likely plenty of them!). I won’t always act justly. I may not act mercifully at times, and as far as walking humbly is concerned, I’m not really sure what that looks like. (Thank you, Pastor Chris, for describing walking humbly with God by using the analogy of a joy-filled family walk where we listen to each other.)  However, I know that you’ll be gracious and accepting of me and I am confident that, with God’s help, we will shine God’s light into the Mawson Lakes community.

I grew up in the Barossa, so a fine Shiraz is in my blood. I was born in Tanunda and completed my initial educaiton at Tanunda Lutheran and then Nuri High, before heading to the big smoke to study junior primary teaching. While at uni, I met David and the rest is history. We’ve been married now for 40 years and have three children and two grandchildren.

From my early years, I’ve felt the call to the ordained ministry and my job choices have kept me close to the church, since the ordained ministry was then not an option in the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA). I’ve taught in Lutheran schools in Mt Gambier and Golden Grove, worked at Australian Lutheran College (the LCA’s tertiary education provider), and then in the Lutheran Church’s churchwide office, and lastly with Lutheran Media. I am delighted to now be on a pathway towards ordination as a pastor. I’ve a lot to learn, and I’m looking forward to where God is working with and through us, and joining in.

Blessings to you as you shine God’s light where God has placed you,

Tania Nelson

Ministry Lead (Specific Ministry Pastor candidate)