Colin

A call to prayer for our friend Colin Wood.

Colin is in intensive care at Flinders Medical Centre after the toxicity from an infection that started behind his knee has spread.

He is being stabilised and it is believed he will make a full recovery. However at this time that he is in an induced sleep and receiving breathing support it is quite scary, especially for Mavis.

I have visited him this morning and I am grateful to God for the good care he is receiving and the positive spirit of his nurse.

Please pray for the Woods.

High Council update

Over the weekend the High Council continued to meet at Sunbury Court, UK.

The 109 delegates listened to the questions and answers from the 9 candidates for General, and where appropriate, from their spouses also. There were intense worship times, led by the new Council Chaplain, Commissioner Vic Poke.

From this morning, the President of the Council, Commissioner Jim Knaggs, will be calling on the delegates to commence the voting process. The voting works simply.

Each delegate is called forward by the President or Vice President (Colonel Birgitte Brekke) and handed a ballot paper. They then retire to the voting room, tick their choice for General and place their paper in the ballot box. When the vote counters then tally the votes the following happens:

The candidate with the least number of votes is automatically eliminated from eligibility.
On the first three ballots, if one candidate recieves more than 2/3 of the vote, they are declared the General-elect.
On any subsequent ballot, any candidate with more that 1/2 of the vote is declared General-elect.
This voting and counting can continue until such point as there are only two remaining candidates, at which point it is assumed (as there are an odd number of delegates) that one will receive more than 50% of the vote.

Each ballot can take over an hour, and is conducted in silence as the delegates pray for each other, the candidates and the process at hand. We should, as we can, also support them in prayer as they elect our new General. A notice will be sent around the world about a live webcast for the announcement of the new General-elect. I would assume that this would happen sometime tomorrow, UK time (perhaps late into the night Australian time).

Egypt

I'm sure many of you have been disturbed by the events that are taking place in Egypt at the moment. The civil hostility is directed toward the incumbent president, but of course is having an impact on the whole nation. There are reports of riots, looting, and even anecdotal claims that the police are firing weapons in the streets just to get people to go home. Of course, not everyone can. One family with Australian connections is trapped in Cairo and can't get to their home town of Alexandria. This uncertainty and insecurity is adding to the general lacking of safety. There is high anxiety for families around the world.

Keep in mind, also, that Cairo is a big city... the population of Australia living in one city! That's a lot of people on the streets and hard for any government, or police force, to maintain order.

Pray for this nation.

Army work

I hear that yesterday our worship time at Marion Corps was exceptional. Thank you to everyone who pitched in to help Ange and Kathleen.

I was at the Hampstead Barracks mandatory training weekend. You can gather by the term 'mandatory' that I didn't have much choice! This weekend is a lot about corporate governance and each soldier in the Army has this annual induction. It covers off on a lot of topics from heat managment, safety, technical regulatory frameworks, mental health, suicide prevention, physical training, envoironmental impact, equity and diversity and so on.

It makes me grateful for the way we do corporate governance in The Salvation Army!

What also stood out to me was the number of personnel issues that arose. Over just two days, I had 11 people seeking assistance from the chaplain, and two sub-units at the barracks seeking support for their courses. Of course I won't be able to do all of the things that are asked of me, but it is good that the people of the Australian Army are seeking out their chaplains.

A new thing this year is also the presence of the Military Christian Fellowship at Hampstead. They have been around the ADF for a long time, but not on every base. Having a presence at the barracks to specifically support the Christians and provide evanglical opportunities, while I get on with the more general work of providing care to the whole unit is a great bonus. Pray for their representative leader, Major Geoff Robertson.

High Council 2011

There have been developments overnight at the High Council in Sunbury Court, UK.

Ten candidates were nominated for the office of general. One of those, Commissioner James Knaggs, declined his nomination. Therefore there are nine candidates standing for election:

Commissioner John Matear (UK)
Commissioner Linda Bond (from Canada, currently the TC in Australia Eastern Territory)
Commissioner Christine MacMillan (from the US, currently the International Social Justice Leader and Salvation Army representative to the United Nations)
Commissioner Dick Krommenhoek (from the Netherlands, currently the TC for Finland and Estonia)
Commissioner William Francis (from the US, currently the TC in Canada)
Commissioner Max Feener (from Canada, currently the TC in USA Southern Territory)
Commissioner Barry Swanson (from the US, currently the 2IC of The Salvation Army - the Chief of the Staff at IHQ)
Commissioner Robert Street (UK, currently Zonal Secretary for Europe)
Commissioner William Roberts (from the US, currently US National Commander)

Because the office bearers for the High Council are all either candidates for General or a spouse of a candidate, new office bearers have been elected to govern proceedings:

High Council President - Commissioner Jim Knaggs, TC USA West
Vice President - Colonel Birgitte Brekke, World Youth Convention Convenor
Chaplain - Commissioner Vic Poke, from Australia, currently TC Sweden and Latvia

Please pray, especially for the candidates for the office for general, and those that are entitled to vote. Over the next day or two they will be questioned by the Council and then later in the week or early next week, the elections will take place.

School Holiday Program

Just a reminder to pray for the school holiday program that is on this week. Paul and the team are looking after 40 young people - 20 of them having their first experience of The Salvation Army. What an opportunity. A report will follow.

Jacob's video

I had the opportunity yesterday to head out to the Factory campus of Arndale Corps to help make a video for our PR department. This is going to be a great tool that can be used in high schools and in general to advertise the work of The Salvation Army. I was involved, because I was the chauffeur and interviewer for a man whose life has been transformed by our Corps.

Jacob came to Australia from the Sudan. For those that don't know the history of this country, the British colonised it, but created rather artificial borders. This meant that people groups that previously had nothing in common had to try and form a country together. The north of the Sudan, where the wealth is, is predominantly Arab Muslim. The south of the country, where the oil is, is predominantly African Christian. The two sides have been at war since 'independance' in the late '50s.

Please pray for this nation. There is currently a referendum underway to approve partition. Pray for the right outcome and for peace for this land.

Back to Jacob... Jacob is from the south. He and his family applied to leave the civil war as refugees. This meant monthly trips to the IOM office (International Office for Migration) in another city to plead their case and "wait" for their turn to be repatriated to a recipient country. This took three years, and Jacob's family had to come out before he could. (Consider 3 years of travelling, danger, sleeping on the streets in the middle of a civil war 'waiting your turn', perhaps to go to Australia, perhaps to be killed, before trying to turn away the next load of boat people).

When he arrived in Australia, his wife had moved on without him. He was left alone in a house that he couldn't afford to rent. He was left alone in a country where his teaching qualifications were not recognised. He was unlicensed and couldn't drive around his new home. He had $75 a fortnight to live on. He was depressed and considered suicide. He wished he had never been accepted by the Australian government.

His friend (the real hero in this story) brought him to our church where the CSS team put him into our doorways program. Over the course of a few months, Julie Davis, one of our soldiers and social workers, managed Jacob's case and provided him with extensive assistance. Then one day he disappeared. Julie chased him up and found out that he had work. Jacob was amazed that someone cared enough to find out where he was, that there were people in his new country that went to extraordinary lengths to make sure he was OK. Remember, he came from a country where the enemy went to extraordinary lengths to make sure you weren't OK!

Jacob was so overwhelmed by the love and ongoing support of our CSS team that he offered to do anything he could to let people know about The Salvation Army (hence the video!). Kudos to Julie, the CSS team and to all that make our place as welcoming as possible.

Glenelg reonvations

It occurred to me that it may seem a while since we gave an update on the renovations at our Glenelg centre.

They are moving along, especially with the help of Kevin Wotton who has been furiously chasing contractors, quotes, tradies and colour schemes for us to look at. It is hoped that by the end of next week we will have many of the fit out costs prepared for a scheme to be submitted to DHQ for approval.

In the meantime, we have been chasing some of the little things. Kathleen has been looking into new fans and a change table for the kiddies. I've been looking at tiles and carpets and colour charts. Angela has been chasing the financial stuff.

Colour wise - have a look at the Dulux website. You'll find a colour called Hog Bristle (for walls and courtyard), a colour called Warm Neutral (for trims) and a colour called Aeronautic (for a proposed rendered feature wall). Let us know what you think.

Keeping on

Last night I was reading in Luke 5. It stood out to me that Jesus sent the fisherman out again.

I know that many have read this story many times. Last night it was verse 5 that caught my attention. They were sent out to try again. They'd been at it all night. They'd not caught anything and now this stranger wanted them to try again.

Sometimes it's hard to see where the progress is in what we are doing. Perhaps the message here is to just try again. Perhaps throw the net over the other side this time. Try it at sunset instead of sunrise. Take a stranger with you and try and build a new relationship. It worked for the fishing crew - they caught so much their nets almost broke.

In applying this to our church, I just heard God saying - keep at it, try again, don't lose faith. There's great things happening, so perhaps our risk isn't giving up, but complacency. Either way, let's push out this year, throw the nets in again and believe for a catch that bursts the nets.

2011 High Council

The 17th High Council of The Salvation Army convened on Friday in Sunbury Court, just outside London, UK.

The High Council convenes for one purpose - to elect the international leader, the General of The Salvation Army. This High Council will elect the 19th General.

I watched via the internet tonight the welcome service for the High Council. Two things stood out to me. Firstly, the current General reminded the members that they have no reason to gather, except that of Christ. Whether it is a High Council or a small group activity at Marion, we really have no reason to exist as a church or a movement - except that of Christ. The second thing that stood out to me was the way that context changes meaning. We can sing "The World For God" and other such songs in Adelaide, and be moved to think of God at work in our world. When you see the representatives of The Salvation Army's 123 countries (in which we have evangelical work) and they sing such a song - you see God at work.

Please pray for the deliberations of the council. It may take a few days before we hear who the General-elect is. Nominations are yet to be announced. At this stage, however, please also pray for the office bearers that have been elected to carry the proceedings of the council. They are:

President of the Council - Commissioner Willliam Francis (USA, currently serving in Canada)

Vice President of the Council - Commissioner Betty Matear (UK)

Chaplain to the Council - Commissioner Max Feener (Canadian, currently serving in the USA)

Ministry audits

Many of you would have heard whispers of things called "Ministry Audits".

These aren't anything sinister. They are a periodic review of our activities to ensure that they are contributing to our overall mission - to shine God's light in Adelaide's south so that others join us as disciples of Jesus Christ. If we can't demonstrate people joining us as disciples, we need to ask whether an activity needs to improve its methods or if, perhaps, it should cease.

Some activities have closed over this period. Due to staffing issues, our boxing and wrestling clubs have closed. Our companion club at Glenelg has finished in its current form and will become another Corps small group bible study. Our basketbal club has sharpened its focus and will be much more explicit in its relationship with our church and its mission intentions. Our seniors have decided to have prayer boxes and strengthen links with the broader Corps.

These audits will be used every second or third year just to keep us focussed. The measures are the same for every ministry, because we are all part of the one mission. The end result should be that mulri-cultural, multi-congregational, multi-campus church serving all generations in our area of Adelaide.

Thank you to each of the ministry leaders for their cooperation in this process.

Flood Appeal Update

On the television you will see a range of ads for different appeals related to the floods. If people ask, you can let them know that we are collecting donations through The Salvation Army for both Queensland and Victoria. They can also donate at a range of retailers - and if they go to Woolworths stores, Woolies will match dollar for dollar. If you're into music, Sony Foundation have announced the release of the 3CD flood relief album. All royalties are being donated by the artists to the appeal.

Ministry impact

I was again reminded this week that we never really know the impact that our minsitry has. A family this week requested that The Salvation Army officer conduct the funeral of a family member. I went to visit them and talk though the service.

I discovered that the family had requested The Salvation Army becuase Major Harry Webb had left a wonderful impression on them. He had conducted their parents funerals in 1989. Twenty-one years later, with no contact with The Salvation Army in between, they remembered Harry and came back to our church.

Be encouraged. Some days what you do may seem to have little impact. By being there, doing things faithfully, serving God honorably you are changing lives and they will remember.

The Salvation Army at Work

BRAZIL:

Brazilian Government’s Civil Defense Authority (CDA) has asked The Salvation Army to provide emergency relief to the victims of the floods and mudslides that have killed more than 500 people in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Salvationists and volunteer helpers will be providing physical, emotional and spiritual relief in areas designated by the CDA. Access to the three affected towns, between 60 kilometres and 130 kilometres from the city of Rio de Janeiro, is difficult with a number of roads destroyed by the mudslides. Collection points where food and other necessary supplies can be donated are being established in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The Salvation Army’s Territorial Communications Director for Brazil, Major Teofilo Chagas, is coordinating the Army’s response. Volunteers from the community service organisation Rotary are assisting The Salvation Army in its relief effort.

SRI LANKA:

HUNDREDS of thousands of people have been displaced by flooding in eastern and central Sri Lanka. Water levels in some areas are two metres higher than usual – and still rising. Crocodiles and snakes are a threat to anyone walking through the floodwaters. Salvation Army personnel are working with government officials to determine specific needs. Salvationists are already providing meals at some of the relocation camps and offering basic assistance to people in the affected areas near Salvation Army centres. The Salvation Army International Headquarters (IHQ) has launched an appeal for funds to assist the relief efforts. IHQ has sent an initial US$20,000 to The Salvation Army in Sri Lanka. A member of the International Emergency Services team is travelling to Sri Lanka to provide assessment and planning support. The United Nations Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported that more than a million people have been affected. At least 27 people have died with many more injured. More than 325,000 people have been forced to leave their homes. They are accommodated at 493 temporary relocation centres in eight districts. On the eastern side of Sri Lanka the district of Batticaloa, with 122,047 internally displaced persons, remains one of the most affected areas. The number of displaced people may increase as there are some areas where access has not been gained because of flooded roads and mudslides. Many areas are only accessible by boat and military helicopters.Preceded by more than a week of intense wet weather, four days of non-stop heavy rain from 9 January have turned a portion of Sri Lanka into an ever-deepening lake. Some reservoirs have burst their banks destroying rice paddy fields. More heavy rain is expected in these areas during the next 36 hours.

FLOOD RELIEF CONTINUES IN AUSTRALIASALVATION Army emergency relief volunteers in the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales (NSW) are working around the clock providing assistance to the tens of thousands of people who have been affected by the current flood crisis. There have been 19 confirmed deaths with at least 61 people still missing.In most areas this is the worst flooding for 36 years. A number of Salvation Army properties have been affected. Around 12,000 homes and 2,500 businesses have been flooded in the Brisbane area alone with 118,000 buildings without electricity.More than 75 percent of Queensland is under flood and adjacent northern areas of NSW are also affected. Rivers have now peaked in many parts of Queensland and residents and emergency workers have begun the massive cleanup operations. Plans are now being put into place for the long-term re-building phase. The Salvation Army will have direct input into the long-term recovery plans. Major Rick Hoffmann, Divisional Secretary for the South Queensland Division, has been appointed to the Queensland Flood Recovery Task Force. The major’s appointment was made in response to a letter from Queensland Premier Anna Bligh to Australia Eastern Territorial Commander Commissioner Linda Bond, asking her to nominate a representative to this task force. The Salvation Army emergency services teams continue to work tirelessly to feed flood victims, volunteers and State Emergency Service workers as well as providing comfort to the grieving. In the Brisbane area the Army is ministering at five major evacuation centres – caring daily for more than 2,000 people. More than 200 residents of a Salvation Army aged care facility on the outskirts of Brisbane are among the many thousands of people who have been evacuated.Salvation Army captain, Mark Bulow, was in the country city of Toowoomba when a (up to eight-metre high, kilometre wide) devastating wall of water hit on 10 January. ‘Toowoomba is at the top of the mountain range, we never flood,’ he said. ‘Nobody had ever previously witnessed what we saw on that day. You could hear the wall of water before you could see it. Some kids were playing in the water on the side of the road and people were just yelling at them to get out of the way. Within seconds, cars, industrial containers and other huge objects were being swept down by this torrent of water.‘People were in shock. We couldn’t believe it and everyone just went quiet. I just thought, “Is this really happening?” It was one of those things you never, ever want to see again. I felt so helpless.’Now Captains Mark and Jo-Anne (his wife), together with their emergency services teams, are involved in the relief and clean up effort. ‘We are also spending time with a man whose wife and two of his children lost their lives when the flood waters swept away the car in which they were travelling.’Salvation Army emergency services teams from Toowoomba have been providing relief in a number of smaller country towns up to four hours drive away. ‘Everyone is pulling together and we are inundated with community people offering help. These include physiotherapists and counsellors,’ said Captain Bulow. Meanwhile at Ipswich, Majors Bruce and Margaret Dobbie returned home after 11 days of relief work in flood-stricken Rockhampton (600 kilometres north) just in time to be involved in the flood relief at one of the four evacuation centres in their own city. Salvation Army emergency service teams from non-flood affected areas of Australia are now arriving in Queensland to assist the relief effort. The emergency relief will be required for many days until houses are habitable enough for residents to return home.

Tuning in

This week is 24/7 prayer week. Thanks to everyone who is joining and and taking up the challenge of covering the week in prayer.

As we do, I'm sure God will give us guidance.

It seemed everything I read last night affirmed servanthood, and I was asked in one of my readings what I thought a servant was. I figured it was putting another's interest ahead of our own. As we serve God, he comes first. As we serve our community, we put their interests ahead of our own.

In Isaiah 49 I read the call to be a servant. This is the call on the prophet, on his people and on the coming Christ. In verse 6 he also says that it is not enough just to serve his own people, the people of Israel. Instead he is to be a light to the world so that they may be saved.

Our mission at Marion Salvation Army is to shine God's light in Adelaide's south so that others join us as disciples of Jesus Christ. Perhaps Isaiah 49:6 is our theme verse? Check it out.

Basketball

In late news, it is worth noting that out of our basketball teams we have had some individual success late last year. We have already reported the premiership to the U14s and the R/Up B grade mens team.

Travis won the association best and fairest in the Men's A Grade.
Phil won the r/up association B&F in the men's B Grade.
Jodie Padget won the r/up association B&F in the women's B Grade.

Congratulations guys. For everyone else, the new season starts in early February. If you are at a loose end one Monday night, head to the Dome on Crittendon Road and see the teams play. Make that connection between our youth and our greater church.

Welcome Greg

It is with great pleasure and relief that we can announce that Greg Varidel is joining our staff as our new Thrift Shop Manager, starting Monday January 17.

Greg has been working in retail since relocating to South Australia following his recent marriage to Sally. He is a Salvationist from Sydney and has worked for The Salvation Army's rehabilitation services at Foster House. He has a keen sense of mission, a heart for the lost and strong leadership skills.

Come in next week (if you don't see Greg and Sally on Sunday) and say hello - give him some encouragement.

Personal Prayer Requests

As we head into our week of 24/7 prayer, I want to encourage you to pray for our nation and community.

As we do that we are very conscious of floods in NSW and Qld, and aware of the flood danger in Victoria and South Australia, especially as the rains have now hit us and the Murray is picking up a lot of the Qld water. We also pray for the folk in southern WA battling bushfires.

Amid this, many of you will have personal prayer requests. Come in and put them up in the Sheidow Chapel where people can support you in prayer. Send them through to Angela to be included in the newsletter that goes out to our faithful warrior intercessors.

And, if I may be so bold, please pray for our family. Angela's sister Belinda has just moved house and changed appointment after the traumatic time last Christmas with the death of her children's step-sister Mikalya.

Please also pray for my brother Damian. Damian has a house in Toowoomba that he should have moved back into today. He doesn't even know if it's OK. He has been stranded in Townsville, not able to get through to his home. Also, he is a Black Hawk pilot for the Army, and many of his team are involved in the search and rescue effort.

Thanks.

Qld Flood Appeal

The Salvation Army has officially launched its flood appeal to aid the thousands of people affected by the unprecedented floods in many parts of QLD and Northern NSW. Salvation Army volunteers and Chaplains across the state continue to help those in need, providing food, water and much needed moral support as the crisis worsens. Those wishing to donate to the appeal can do so online at www.salvationarmy.org.au, by phoning 13 SALVOS (137258) or in person at any Woolworths or Big W store across the country. Donations are tax deductible.

We are not accepting in-kind or material donations at this time.

Welcome to Kathleen

Yesterday afternoon we welcomed Kathleen to our team.

Lt Kathleen Pearce was born in Adelaide but has spent most of her life in Perth. She was recently ordained as a minister and commissioned as a Salvation Army officer in Melbourne.

You will meet her over the next few weeks.

Due to a delay in having the Diagonal Rd quarters available, for the next six months Kathleen will have a quarters in Fullarton. We thank DHQ for making this quarters available to our Corps for Kathleen.

She will start work in the Corps on January 19 and will be installed on January 23 during the 10am service.

Christmas Fundraising

Just a brief note to let you know that over Christmas we raised:

$450 for the Christmas Bowl appeal (this was the open plate offering on Christmas Day)
A little over $600 for Haiti to sponsor a school teacher in a Salvation Army school
and $34244.60 through our Christmas collecting and carolling at places like Westfield.

(This last amount is split between both our centres and also Aberfoyle Park Corps).

Thank you to everyone for your help. It is already making a difference in the lives of people in our community - and across the world.

Tuning in

Continuing with the theme of tuning in to God, I came across this verse this morning:

We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen. The things which are seen are temporal and the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

In one of those grand paradoxes of the Christian faith (I've borrowed that term from Rick Warren!) Jesus asks us to tune in to his way and look beyond the current reality.

It doesn't deny the current reality - it just reminds us that there's a better way and a better future that are possible with God.

Jesus would often speak about this. When people approached Jesus to tell him about their circumstances, he’d often say something like, “You’re looking for a drink of water, but look past your circumstances because I’m the living water. I can quench your thirst for eternity, not just in this moment. Can you see it?”

Or, “You want to see bread right now, but I want you to see that I am the living bread. I can feed you for this one meal, but—Look!—I can feed you for all eternity. Can you see it?”

If we only focus on the immediate we can become a prisoner to that perception. If we look at what God has in store for us, his reality, his eternity, his hope... well... everything changes really.

This week try to tune in to God and see with faith the unseen. Apply this thought to your life, your family, your community and your church.

Coming Back

Well we never left. And in fact a lot of people worked very hard last week.

But today everything is back to 'normal'. CSS is open, the office is open, the shop is open and many of our hall hirers are back from Christmas break.

Certainly there's a mixed feeling. It's like we didn't stop for a break, except that everyone is both refreshed, and frantic while finding their feet.

Please pray especially for our CSS team over these next few days. All agencies in our area have been closed for a fortnight now, and that means that there is a client backlog in some areas - and that our emergency relief programme will be crazy for at least a few days.

Please also continue to pray for our shop and in particular our volunteers. While they wade their way through the Christmas clean up, we hope and trust that we are only days away from announcing the new manager.

Shop Volunteers

It is worth a note to thank our shop volunteers for the way that they have continued to serve during this period of New Year's rest.

While others are taking a break, many of the shop team have come in each day to ensure that donations are safe and our neighbours are cared for. They are keeping our church property clean and also starting the long process of sorting through the donations.

I would like to especially thank Mark Kovac. Mark has been to the centre twice a day for the last few weeks, cleaning up the yard and bringing everything inside. He has also been supervising the garage sales while others are on leave.

Thanks guys.

Qld floods

A report from the Eastern Territory:

SALVATION ARMY emergency services personnel from the Australia Eastern Territory have been working around the clock for a number of days in their relief effort to help tens of thousands of people impacted by an ‘unprecedented’ flood crisis in central and south-east Queensland.

Expectations are that the worst is yet to come for many areas. Dozens of cities and towns have been affected by the floods - the deluge continuing largely unabated since Christmas Eve – with some areas recording more than four times their average monthly rainfall for December. A number of rivers have burst their banks, inundating town centres and leaving many smaller communities completely cut off.

The floods already encompass an area larger than the combined size of France and Germany.

‘The level of rainfall has been phenomenal,’ said Central and North Queensland Divisional Commander Major Rodney Walters who has been helping to coordinate The Salvation Army’s relief effort from Divisional Headquarters in Rockhampton where residents are bracing for the worst floods in 20 years. ‘It’s been raining virtually non-stop for days on end and with many rivers still to reach their predicted peak the worst is yet to come in terms of flooding,’ he added.

More than 200,000 properties across Queensland are still without power – most of them in the Bundaberg region - with thousands of people being forced to evacuate their homes. It is expected that it will be at least several days before they will be allowed to return to their homes. Other areas hard hit include Emerald - where up to 80 per cent of the city is inundated – and the communities of Gin Gin, Dalby, Theodore and Chinchilla. Eight areas across southern and central Queensland are the subject of government disaster declarations with Queensland Premier Anna Bligh describing the floods as ‘an unprecedented situation in Queensland’.

In Rockhampton, The Salvation Army has been involved in feeding more than 1200 people at three evacuation centres in the city while also providing meals for dozens of volunteer and support staff.Further west at Emerald - where the Nogoa River is expected to peak at 16.2 metres - and south at Bundaberg, more than 1400 people are being provided with meals by Salvation Army emergency services personnel. The Salvation Army is also feeding more than 350 travellers at Gin Gin who have become stranded after all major roads in the area were cut off by floodwaters. Rail services have also been affected.

The emergency relief effort is being assisted by The Salvation Army Flying Padre helicopter service through the transportation of supplies to stricken communities over the vast area impacted by the flooding. The newly commissioned helicopter is also being used to rescue people trapped by the floods in dangerous.

‘The Salvation Army emergency services teams are providing care and feeding programmes to flood-evacuated people at a number of designated evacuation centres,’ said Central and North Queensland Divisional Communications and Public Relations Secretary Captain Megan Gallagher. ‘These emergency teams are mostly made up of Salvation Army volunteers who are also in some circumstances, themselves the victims of the floods.’

At Warwick, in south-east Queensland, The Salvation Army is involved in feeding more than 800 motorists who have become stranded in the city with all major roads in the area cut by floodwaters. With river levels in many areas not forecast to peak until early next week, The Salvation Army is bracing for the relief effort to continue well into this new year.

Temple Days

A quick reminder to the Marionites that for the next four days we are having "Temple Days" at our Seacombe Gardens centre.

Thank you to everyone that has already signed up.

This is an opportunity for us to show pride in our church facilities. It is a way for us to prepare to welcome our community in 2011. It is a chance for us to clean up things that have been missed over the previous year. It's a way we can all serve and do so alongside each other.

Please consider coming down during opening hours, checking the list on the board in the foyer and offering your services. If you can't make it during regular opening hours, volunteer for one of the jobs and then make arrangements to come in when you can.

How can you help.... the Queensland floods

At times when we see things that are geographically a little distant, but tragic nonetheless, we want to help. There are many ways that we can help and I would encourage people from our church community to consider what they can do.

Firstly, we can pray. If we believe in a powerful God, then he can do amazing things for the people of Queensland. I recall an interview given by Envoy Bob Poff following the Haitian earthquake. Bob is a PR guy from way back and always ready with a quip, but what he said was profound: "When the earthquake hit it was a natural disaster; what has happened since is an act of God". He was referring to the miracles of survival and healing, the help from around the world and the resiliance of the Haitian people.

The people of Queensland need an act of God. They need our prayers, some miracles and some help.

Apart from prayer, the best way to help from Adelaide is to send money to a reputable appeal through a trustworthy agency. The Salvation Army's eastern territory may be one way you can support.

As a footnote, I might add that, despite people's best intentions, sending in-kind donations is not the way to go. I have extensive disaster experience, and sending goods (e.g. 2nd hand clothes etc) is usually creates a parallel disaster all of its own. In summary, it costs a fortune to ship the goods, to a place where there is no available storage. It takes hours of man power to sort through goods to see if any of it is needed. Often it's not even the gear that people are looking for. Then what to do with anything that's left? Sending cash takes no time, no sorting, and means that people can buy what they need, when they need it. Much simpler and quicker.

How's your neighbour

Many Channel 10 viewers would have been shocked tonight as it was announced that Carrie Bickmore's husband had died after suffering with cancer.

Carrie has read the news on the 7pm project this year, and following her stint on Rove Live has always appeared to the viewer to be a strong, jovial type. But behind the scenes we now discover that the facade hid a personal struggle with a young child to raise and a sick husband. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family at this time.

In the meantime it's a reminder to all of us that our neighbour may be putting up a brave face, but might be struggling all the same. Before we assume all is well, let's extend the hand and ear of friendship.

Tuning in for 2011

Wow, I can't believe it's been a fortnight since I blogged. Good to have the rest and the break over Christmas, though. I hope you and yours have had a great time and so far the New Year is treating you well.

We spoke yesterday about tuning in to God. What has he said to you today? Today I noticed how good he is, as I enjoyed the public holiday with friends playing a game of golf at Ashbourne.

I also read from his word some challenges. If you have a look at Luke 3 you will see that John the Baptist had some pretty harsh words for people. He bluntly told everyone to "bear fruit worthy of repentance". But as he qualified it, you can see that it wasn't so radical a notion.

One guy was told to do his job (tax collector), but show his repentance by doing his job without ripping people off. Another guy was told to offer his spare coat to someone who needed it. You can see that neither were pushed over the limit at first - their fruit was to live their ordinary lives in extraordinary ways so that people could see the change that repentance brought.

What did God say to you today as you tuned in?