Our Corps continues to grow! Congratulations to Colin & Marion Sampson on the birth of Eden Phoebe, a beautiful baby girl born last night at Flinders Private. Mum and bubs are doing well, according to Angela who spoke to them just a little while ago.
But we're not just growing biologically. Today two more people asked to join our ranks as volunteers, one in the shop and one in the office. For many of our current worshippers, this is the first step toward their inclusion in our faith community and their acceptance of Christ for themselves.
Good things are happening!
Monday, 14 December 2009
Thursday, 10 December 2009
Volunteers
I am always grateful for the people that volunteer their time to support the mission and ministry of our Corps.
Tonight we are having our annual event where we thank all of our staff and volunteers for their efforts and contributions.
Of course, some of the most significant volunteer hours are given by soldiers and adherents of our Corps that seek no appreciation except to glorify God and reach our community with the gospel. To those good people, I still want to say thank you for your contribution to God's Kingdom. It is noticed and valued.
I also appreciate the extra mile given by everyone at this time of year. Just today, apart from those helping Angela organise tonight's event, there are people leading Bible studies, organising shop sales, collecting at Westfield, running our counting house and banking, acting as couriers, collecting food from supermarkets and radio promotions, playing carols, sorting donations and all sorts of other things. I'm even aware of soldiers of our Corps running friends to hospital today.
God is in everything you do for him. Thank you.
PS Please keep in mind Majors Doris and Ross Lewis and pray for their family. Doris' mother, Mrs McKeand died this morning aged 99.
Tonight we are having our annual event where we thank all of our staff and volunteers for their efforts and contributions.
Of course, some of the most significant volunteer hours are given by soldiers and adherents of our Corps that seek no appreciation except to glorify God and reach our community with the gospel. To those good people, I still want to say thank you for your contribution to God's Kingdom. It is noticed and valued.
I also appreciate the extra mile given by everyone at this time of year. Just today, apart from those helping Angela organise tonight's event, there are people leading Bible studies, organising shop sales, collecting at Westfield, running our counting house and banking, acting as couriers, collecting food from supermarkets and radio promotions, playing carols, sorting donations and all sorts of other things. I'm even aware of soldiers of our Corps running friends to hospital today.
God is in everything you do for him. Thank you.
PS Please keep in mind Majors Doris and Ross Lewis and pray for their family. Doris' mother, Mrs McKeand died this morning aged 99.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Cheryl McIntyre
Today I was going to share great news... like a shout out to the Pioneer Companion Club for giving over $1000 to the Fred Hollows Foundation. (Well done team).
But sometimes there's breaking news that's more important.
Just a few hours ago we were saddened to hear that Cheryl McIntyre has died. Cheryl was a much loved staff member at Marion Salvos, serving in our Community Support Team over the last 3-4 years, first as a volunteer receptionist and then as an employed support worker.
Cheryl had a deep, incredible and informed faith. She loved God and loved people. Cheryl cared for everyone that came to our centre and demonstrated the love and care of God to all she encountered. She was a strong, genuine and compassionate person. She would be the first to bring something from the paper or the news we may need or be interested in.
God made a one-of-a-kind when Cheryl was born and we were among the privileged that shared the journey with her. Lynette, Angela, Kerryn, Margaret and I were extra-privileged to get to see her this morning and spend some time with her husband, Geoff. It was another demonstration of their generous spirit, allowing us in to their private and sad time as they did.
Many of us have shed many tears today.
Thank you God for Cheryl. Thank you that we knew her. Thank you that she knew you and showed it.
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
A big day or two!
A big day or two at the Corps.
Yesterday the playgroup celebrated Christmas in style, including crafts, songs, gifts and the seemingly obligatory visit by Santa. Then the final pieces for the playground area arrived and were assembled by some of the youth team. A bit of rearranging and it will be ready for use.
Westminster School had six students at the Corps doing their annual community service day. They helped in our shop, with the furniture, with some of the Christmas toys and with the playgroup party. We enjoy hosting students from our local schools and exposing them to some of that which The Salvation Army is about.
Last night was the basketball grand finals. Two of our teams, the mens A team and the under 14s made it to the final. While neither team won, they had great seasons. Congratulations to Danielle Nunns who was best and fairest for the Women's B Grade competition.
Today, early on, we joined members of the Myer Marion social club who are assisting us this Christmas. From there it was over to the main hall to celebrate Christmas with the Pioneer Companion Club who put on a great show. Congratulations to Ross, Doris and their team. This evening the band provided carols for the Bucklands and Pines nursing homes. Both centres appreciated the visits.
In the meantime, much of the everyday continues. Community Support services again filled their appointments, Judith and Lynette worked in the office looking after the pastoral matters and the office goings-on and the garage sale was in full swing, albeit with a damp start.
Pray for each other during this busy time. There are opportunities a plenty for our Corps as we remind our community that this Christmas season is not our birthday, but a celebration of Christ.
Monday, 7 December 2009
Christmas Party for the Community
A massive "THANK YOU" to everyone involved in yesterday's Christmas Gift to the Community. 223 people (give or take) attended and enjoyed a Sunday morning with a difference. The number of visitors made the effort worth while, and over the next week we will be inviting them back to our Christmas Carol service on December 20th.
We recognise the risk this was for our 10am congregation, and we understand that such a change from a normal Sunday could be confronting, even disturbing.
Thank you for your willingness to go with the flow and embrace the idea of what we were endeavouring to do in engaging with our community.
We recognise the risk this was for our 10am congregation, and we understand that such a change from a normal Sunday could be confronting, even disturbing.
Thank you for your willingness to go with the flow and embrace the idea of what we were endeavouring to do in engaging with our community.
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Schools
They're almost finished for the year. Last night Stella Maris had their end of year assembly and mass... one week to go to holidays.
Last night was also the end of year concert at Brighton Primary. For the fourth year running they invited our church to be there, not only as representative of the churches and services in the area, but to participate. Paul McDonald represented us well and the Community Support team will benefit from the schools tin drive.
Today the schools fun continues. Pray, as we head to Warradale Primary School for their celebrations, and also as our own Kidzone have their Christmas party and break-up this afternoon, that we shine God's light in Adelaide's south through these activities.
Last night was also the end of year concert at Brighton Primary. For the fourth year running they invited our church to be there, not only as representative of the churches and services in the area, but to participate. Paul McDonald represented us well and the Community Support team will benefit from the schools tin drive.
Today the schools fun continues. Pray, as we head to Warradale Primary School for their celebrations, and also as our own Kidzone have their Christmas party and break-up this afternoon, that we shine God's light in Adelaide's south through these activities.
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Marion Primary School
Our Christmas ministry took a fun turn last night with the band participating in a carols night at Marion Primary School. Congratulations to Vanda Shulver and her team for their work in bringing this night together.
We were also given a 30 second spot to advertise the Christmas Gift to the Community/ Street Party this Sunday morning. Hopefully a number of parents would be interested in coming along and bringing the kids for some fun. We took the chance in this 'ad spot' to emphasise the commonality we had with the school in both being critical parts of our community.
A good night had by all - even our own Santa's helper with the uniquely Yorkshire accent.
We were also given a 30 second spot to advertise the Christmas Gift to the Community/ Street Party this Sunday morning. Hopefully a number of parents would be interested in coming along and bringing the kids for some fun. We took the chance in this 'ad spot' to emphasise the commonality we had with the school in both being critical parts of our community.
A good night had by all - even our own Santa's helper with the uniquely Yorkshire accent.
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Consultation
It's a funny word that means different things to different people. This week we are undertaking a consultancy with our shop staff.
Around 40-50 people work in our shop each week. They contribute immensly to our public image, our capacity to help people, our material donation processing, the appearance and maintenance of our centre and our finances. They are good people who need to be heard.
This week (and into next if needed) they each have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with me about marketing and sales, donor care, customer care, volunteer care, displays, waste management, supervision of the shop, OHSW and any new ideas they have.
Please pray that this process is a positive one and that Lucy and I are able to discover the best way forward for the shop in 2010.
Around 40-50 people work in our shop each week. They contribute immensly to our public image, our capacity to help people, our material donation processing, the appearance and maintenance of our centre and our finances. They are good people who need to be heard.
This week (and into next if needed) they each have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with me about marketing and sales, donor care, customer care, volunteer care, displays, waste management, supervision of the shop, OHSW and any new ideas they have.
Please pray that this process is a positive one and that Lucy and I are able to discover the best way forward for the shop in 2010.
Commissioning
I hope that as many of you as possible were able to view the webcasts on the weekend. We had a good time at the hall watching the Sunday afternoon celebration on the big screen. Karyn's testimony was touching to hear, and I'm sure we were all appreciative of the positive reference to her time at Marion. Please pray for her, and Mark, as she assumes her appointment at Craigeburn in the new year.
(For those unaware of Melbourne geography, Craigeburn is a new suburb in Melbourne's far north; quite a big housing development).
These times of celebration remind us about how God is moving in The Salvation Army still. He is still saving people and calling people into ministry - and there are still people responding.
You may like to pray for the other South Australians commissioned on the weekend. Peter and Dianne Hobbs from Unley Corps have been appointed to start a new Corps on the Bellarine Peninsula (near Geelong) in Victoria, and Nathan and Jenny Rowe from ACH have been appointed as the Corps Officers in Shepparton (northern Victoria).
(For those unaware of Melbourne geography, Craigeburn is a new suburb in Melbourne's far north; quite a big housing development).
These times of celebration remind us about how God is moving in The Salvation Army still. He is still saving people and calling people into ministry - and there are still people responding.
You may like to pray for the other South Australians commissioned on the weekend. Peter and Dianne Hobbs from Unley Corps have been appointed to start a new Corps on the Bellarine Peninsula (near Geelong) in Victoria, and Nathan and Jenny Rowe from ACH have been appointed as the Corps Officers in Shepparton (northern Victoria).
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