Pastoral Care

In leadership we are not immune from criticism, in fact it goes with the territory. Sadly, over time Angela and I have been heavily criticised for our handling of congregational care. I believe that this is due to a clash of unspoken expectations on one hand, and an inability for us to share how we are handling private situations on the other.

Observing confidentiality like this does open us up for criticism, as invariably people in the congregation will only hear one side of any given story, depending on who they relate to themselves.

Each week Judith and I sit down for around an hour to discuss congregational care. We identify those that we are aware of that should be on the prayer newsletter that is circulated each Tuesday to our prayer warriors. We read through each newcomer card and a letter is sent to each visitor from our area. We then look at who has been absent from worship for a few weeks and find out if they are on holiday, unwell or simply absent.

From this we list we allocate contact requests to each of the Corps team leaders to follow up. The prayer and care team, including Bronwyn McDonald and Mary Shute are also given some names to send cards to, or phone. We generally allocate three contact points for each person that we believe needs a caring contact - one that is general from the Corps, one that is generationally appropriate, and one that is related to a small group or activity the person is involved with.

I am aware that at the moment one or two are not happy with how we've handled specific, quite complex issues within the Corps. In our care we follow some pretty basic principles: everyone needs care, everyone needs grace, everyone is welcome. At the same time we are not scared of discipline where appropriate, but choose to handle this privately and discretely so that people are not embarassed or shamed within our community of God's people. Quite often with the bigger issues we consult with our CSM Neil, or our Corps Secretary Lynette, for extra input and a secondary perspective. In some cases we also consult with our Senior Pastoral Care Council, who, by the way, meet again in mid April.

If anyone is concerned, please speak directly to Angela or I rather than speaking around the Corps. I promise you that there is a bigger perspective and that we are not only aware of most things, but are taking appropriate steps to pastorally care for all concerned. While I won't discuss people's private affairs I am happy to discuss the way in which we have contacted people or offered support.

In all of this, please remember the Scriptural directive that we are all priests and all ministers of the gospel. We each have a responsibility to care, pray and encourage. The buck actually stops with all of us.

Finances

I promised in previous editions to keep people posted about the state of the Corps finances. So, this I will do.

Yesterday, in consultation with Iris and Angela, we drew down an amount from our offset investment because we didn't have enough in the Corps bank account to pay wages and direct debits this week. Thus we have staved off trouble, for at least this month.

We are consulting with Divisional headquarters about a way forward from here. We will have a clearer picture upon completion of budgets for 2010-2011, which should be done by the end of this week.

Your prayers over this situation are appreciated.

Training

This week is a big week for our Community Support Services. Many of the team are at Emergency Relief training for the next two days. This training is designed to help them conduct initial assessments with clients so that they are best positioned to help them. It also encourages a broad view of personal circumstances to assist our team in providing help without discrimination. This training is important in maintaing our accreditation and quality assurance before funding bodies. The team will be back on Wednesday.

Property matters

There's always something happening with our hall. It's the nature of the beast when you have two old buildings and such a large property holding.

Since the rains a few weeks ago we've had some work done on the roof to hold off any further trouble. We are seeking the assistance of our divisional headquarters in funding a longer term solution.

In the meantime we've had a visit from the Department of Natural Resource Mangement and Marion City Council. A concerned resident had notified them of some proscribed weeds growing on our property. We are in a position where we are liable for the eradication of those weeds. This week we hope to have them sprayed and start the process of the clean up.

Our Hallett Cove proposal is back to council this week. The hold up at the moment is that we have not enough parking for the size of the retail space in our facility. We've ammended our plans and also offered through our builder for another area that is a possibility for parking. Hopefully this time the proposal is accepted and we get our usage permission.

Self Denial Appeal

Thank you everyone for your participation in this year's Self Denial appeal. I always find it moving as people come forward to the altar with their gifts. I know that some of those gifts are quite sacrificial. I've also been privileged to see them impact the world, firsthand.

As soon as we know any figures from this year's giving, I'll let you know. In the meantime: thank you.

Major Brad Jenkins

Many of you would by now be aware that Major Brad Jenkins was promoted to glory early yesterday morning from Hobart, following a long battle with cancer.

Brad has served as a Salvation Army officer for around 23 years, mostly in Corps such as Burnie and Hobart Citadel (Tas) and Delacombe (Vic).

He was a vibrant, humerous, lively, honest, friendly, colourful, resiliant and exciting man that brought a lot of fun and life to his ministry. He was a brilliant partner for his wife Heather.

This week please pray for Heather and their children Luke (18), Paul (16) and Alyce (13). Please pray for his parents Wally and Blanche and his parents-in-law, our own Clive and June Steer. Please pray for his extended family, including his aunt and uncle - Stan & Thelma Brook. Please also pray for his friends and colleagues, especially Major Kaye Seccomb who will shoulder much of the responsibility of leading Hobart Corps during this period.

Nicoragua

As announced yesterday morning, two officers have been appointed as the first Salvation Army church leaders in Nicoragua. This is the 120th country in which The Salvation Army is officially recognised and operating as a Christian denomination. Please pray for the officers from the Latin American North Territory that are pioneering this work.

Corps Finances

We continue to monitor the Corps Finances closely. It has not been a good period for us financially, and we are continuing to cut costs wherever we can. You will notice, for example, that the Coke Machine will leave the foyer this week. That won't save us heaps of money (only on electricity), but every little bit helps. If you would like to buy a soft drink after it goes, speak to Mark or the youth team - they are selling cans cheaper, anyway.

We are looking to also increase income. Next week when I speak to the Division and we formulate our budgets for the 2010-2011 year, part of the discussions will include renegotiating the cost sharing deals with Community Services, perhaps refinancing our building loan, drawing down on our investments and looking at grants for our building maintenance and programs.

I will keep everyone posted on how we resolve these issues.

Security

Sadly, even within the church, some things happen that aren't what we'd expect.

Last week, someone went through some of our offices and some cash, dinner tickets and vouchers were stolen. We believe the loss to be worth about $345. Not a lot, but certainly our trust has been hurt. The matter has been handed over to Sturt Police who have taken statements and are investigating.

You will understand our need to be careful with security around the office wing especially. Please respect the receptionists as they take care in who wanders in and out of the offices, and also understand the reasons behind our security consciousness - particularly where there may be finances or vouchers kept.

10 & 11 year review

Well it has been almost a fortnight since my last post. Some people will be wondering what has happened.

Angela and I were privileged to attend The Salvation Army's 10 & 11 year officer service review last week in Geelong. This is a week apart for officers who have served over 10 years in The Salvation Army. During the week there were worship times, interviews with the Personnel department, sessions on the latest ministry ideas, prayer times and times to network and socialise with our colleagues.

An important part of the week was the opportunity for each of the delegates to share their story of ministry. It is amazing to note the diversity of experiences that ministry brings to people. Most of all, it was important to note the way that God uses people that make themselves available... so here's to the next 10 years.

News from the weekend

Well, what a long weekend. In more ways than one.

Firstly, a report on Sunday - it was a great day. We are really enjoying the testimony times at the start of Sundays @4, and while I know that there were some raised eyebrows after the message on Sunday morning, I'm sure the point about valuing all of the Scriptures was well made.

The building continues to be in a slight state of disrepair. The 'Marion Room' is still unusable, mostly because of the damp and the smell. We are waiting for word from the Division about a possible assessor coming to help look at our problems and advise on the best approach for repairs. In the meantime we need to be careful around electrical use in the foyer and the Marion area.

The picnic was a great time for those who joined us at our wet weather venue (i.e. the hall!). Some new families joined us and those that were there had a great social time together.

Hallett Cove

This afternoon is a pivotal time in our hopes for an outreach at Hallett Cove. Our request for re-zoning of our proposed location is before Marion Council and is in the hands of the developer and builder. After a mad scramble this morning to get drawings and letters to them, they are now on their way to present our case (along with a number of others).

Please pray and let's see what God has to say today in this regard.

An excerpt from another blog

I am a member of the Assets-Based Community Development Network of South Pacific and Australasia. That's a mouthful that says I keep in touch with the latest ideas in community development and connect with people from around the region that have worked in the field.

One such guy in Melbourne has a great blog that I subscribe to. I thought I'd share one of his entries with you:

Good neighbourhood building relies on good relationship building. As simple - even simplistic - as that might sound, its amazing how many community building initiatives rely on “programs to fix what is broken” rather than growing knowledge amongst residents of what capacity already exists in their neighbourhood, mining the wisdom of neighbours about what is possible and growing our “trust of each other” as neighbours.

The Christian notion of Holy Trinity (though corrupted over time to be seen as a personified god-hierarchy) originally captured the dream of this type of relational neighbourhood. The earliest exponents of the concept labelled it “perichoresis” which is nothing to do with hierarchy at all. In fact the word means “circle dance.” Involved in the dance were the source of all possibilities (“father”, in the language of the day), the transmitter of what is possible (“spirit” in traditional language) and the one who knows the part he has to play in using that possibility (“son” in the old language). In this circle dance, the three dancers wind tightly together into an amazing unity of relationship and interconnection. Knowledge of and trust in what is possible comes about in the dance.

Changes in territorial leadership

Hi all. Please pray for our senior Salvation Army leaders as the following changes of appointment have been announced this morning:

EFFECTIVE 1 JULY 2010
COMMISSIONERS JAMES AND CAROLYN KNAGGS , officers of the USA Eastern Territory, currently serving as territorial leaders of the Australia Southern Territory, are appointed as territorial leaders of the USA Western Territory. Commissioner James Knaggs is appointed as Territorial Commander, USA Western Territory, and Commissioner Carolyn Knaggs as Territorial President of Women’s Ministries. They will succeed Commissioners Philip and Patricia Swyers who will be retiring from active service.

COLONELS RAYMOND AND AYLENE FINGER , officers of the Australia Southern Territory currently serving respectively as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries in that territory, are appointed as territorial leaders of the Australia Southern Territory. Colonel Raymond Finger is appointed as Territorial Commander, Australia Southern Territory, and Colonel Aylene Finger as Territorial President of Women’s Ministries. They are promoted to the rank of commissioner on 1 and 2 July respectively.

LT. COLONELS PETER AND JENNIFER WALKER, officers of the Australia Southern Territory currently serving respectively as Secretary for Business Administration and Assistant Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries in that territory, are appointed respectively as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Australia Southern Territory. They will take up their new appointments with the rank of colonel.

Chile Earthquake

Following a devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile during the early hours of Saturday morning (27 February), affecting around two million people, Salvation Army emergency services were immediately mobilised to provide support and comfort. International financial assistance is already on the way from The Salvation Army international headquarters in London. The earthquake epicentre was approximately 90 miles (150 kilometres) north west of the city of Concepción in Southern Chile which is approximately 350 miles (approximately 600 kilometres) from the capital of Santiago, 'nevertheless, the quake was of a 7.0 magnitude in the Santiago metropolitan region', says the Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army South America West Territory, Lieut-Colonel F. Bradford Bailey .The area most affected by the earthquake was between the cities Os Temuco and Chillan, with Concepcion hardest hit, reports the South America West Territory Secretary for Business Administration Lieut-Colonel Maria Alarcon. She adds, 'I have never seen such destruction here before, though I have worked in many disaster situations - they don't compare with this'. The Lieut-Colonel says the immediate need is still food, water and medicine. Lieut-Colonel Alarcon also reports that tents to house 60 displaced families have been set up on the patio of the Hualpencillo Corps near Concepcion and that Salvation Army officers are travelling from Puerto Montt and Osorno, in Southern Chile, to Concepcion to join The Salvation Army emergency relief response team. 'Our officers are all fine, but a lot of Salvation Army properties are damaged especially the older ones made of adobe bricks. The worst damage in Santiago has occurred at Quinta Normal and Lo Vial Corps, and El Faro Men's Residence,' adds the Lieut-Colonel.Territorial Commander for the South American West Territory, Commissioner Jorge A. Ferreira (currently in Ecuador) reports that The Salvation Army is also carrying out emergency relief work in the city of Os Valparaiso on the west coast of Chile. The Commissioner adds that it had been planned to dedicate a recently arrived mobile Salvation Army emergency services canteen (a donation from USA Southern Territory) on 4 March, 'however, this is now already being used to serve those in need'. In the early hours following the earthquake Lieut-Colonel Bailey said that the immediate Salvation Army response included providing food, water, first aid kits, emergency packets, blankets, candles and other urgently required supplies. He added that people had flocked to the streets 'as numerous aftershocks continue to pummel' the country, severely affecting older buildings in the more historical areas of the larger cities.Water, gas and electricity were immediately cut off in areas affected by the earthquake and will stay disconnected until relevant emergency crews can assess the damage and prioritise immediate needs. Lieut-Colonel Bailey said that it has been extremely difficult to communicate with Salvation Army centres throughout the country as all phone lines (mobile and land) have been disrupted. 'Some computer based communication, especially Skype, has been providing an alternative way for those in other countries to communicate with people in Chile.'The emergency services coordinator for The Salvation Army International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, Lieut-Colonel Mike Caffull, reports that IHQ has already agreed to provide financial assistance for the Chilean Salvationists relief response. He says assistance coordinated by the IHQ emergency team will also be provided regarding ongoing relief in the medium and long term.Please pray for the people of Chile.

The Salvation Army has been active in Chile for many years. This is a clip from the video, "A Life Saving Army". It gives an insight into the work of The Salvation Army in Chile. The original video also featured Salvation Army programs in Bolivia, Equador and Peru. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciiqsVwV6fM

Safety

This is a subject of much derision these days. Mostly because of the bureaucracy associated with it. While talking to volunteers and staff, one of my obligations is that we continue to consult and raise the matter of safety.

Our church has a rigorous safety program. It includes police checking of volunteers that work with minors or vulnerable people, OHS committees, regulatory compliance schedules for maintainence of safety equipment, audits, medical forms for people in our youth and children's programs, emergency information for staff and volunteers - a huge undertaking.

We take very seriously our task to look after those attending our corps programs and continue to seek everyone's support in this regard.