iPhone App

For the tech savvy, we now have our own iPhone App. Well, sort of. It is part of the Holdfast Bay iPhone App. This will allow us to advertise ourselves, and any particular activities to the public as part of the promotion of the city in general.

For smartphone users, download the app from the app store by looking up "Connect Holdfast Bay and Glenelg". Then once it's on your phone (it is a free app) search "The Salvation Army". We will be able to post ads for events and activities via this medium which will go to the City, the shops, tourists and other residents that download the app. The first one we will probably advertise is the Red Shield Appeal.

Kathleen is managing our app at the moment. It will develop over time.

Rededication

Last night was a great opportunity to rededicate ourselves as much as rededicating our centre at Glenelg. The building looks great, and will look even better when the final works are completed (e.g. the kitchen appliances, the solar panels and the new tables and chairs).

We are indebted to DHQ for funding the works from legacies and other funds. This is a sign of their support to our combined Corps efforts in both of our centres.

If you were unable to join us, we made a few important announcments.

As part of our combining of the two Corps into one Marion Corps with two campuses, we are able to include more people in leadership and spread the load. Significantly, our bandmaster Neil Stokoe has been released to just look after the band after also carrying the responsibilities of being our Corps Sergeant Major. We are grateful to Wendy Sudron who has accepted the role as our new CSM. Neil will continue to assist her.

We have picked up the keys to our new shop in Ascot Park. This will be a rented shop that can open as often as possible and will mean that our operations at Glenelg are no longer in deficit. We will be looking to fit the shop out over the next few weeks.

Most of our activities that have previously operated from the Glenelg centre will return there over the next few weeks, starting with Playgroup. There will not be worship services conducted in the centre in the short term, but we hope to plant a new congregation there later in the year. This will be a Sunday evening congregation, but the format is yet to be finalised.

General Eva Burrows

As we continue to pray for General Linda Bond, one of her predecessors, General Eva Burrows could also do with our prayers.

General Burrows was admitted to Cabrini Hospital in Melbourne on Good Friday. She is in good spirits, but will have heart bypass surgery next week. The retired General is 81 years old.

Last Weekend

No one would know this - but I type this post in frustration - because I had it all typed out and the computer lost it! So I've had to start again. This is the second time that this has happened to me today - the first was while I was doing net banking! ARGHH!

Having said that, this is an important post, becuase I want to say thank you to everyone from our Corps that contributed so much last weekend.

Our worship services were well received, especially Kathleen's vulnerable and powerful preaching on Sunday morning. We have had great feedback regarding the band's involvement at the ecumenical dawn service on Sunday also.

Saturday was great with Camberwell band visiting us. Thanks to everyone that came down to Moseley Square and helped create atmostphere and contact our neighbours. Quite a few flyers were handed out, reminding the people of Glenelg that we're in the neighbourhood.

Monday was a big morning. Thanks to Laurie for his support of the dawn service at Gilles Plains. Thanks to the band for their support of the dawn service at Brighton. Thanks to the emergency services team for feeding the crowds at Glenelg.

I had a great time in the city and appreciated the opportunity to be a part of the dawn service there.

Join us again this weekend when we do it again - well, the worship and fellowship part anyway.

PS Pray for Kathleen this weekend. She is in Melbourne for a friends wedding tomorrow, and will stay on in Melbourne for the memorial service for Lt Jonathon Dent being held on Monday.

Angela on Radio

Angela has had an incredible opportunity, arranged by Samuel Israel, to share the Easter meesage on Indian Radio. Her audience will be primarily Hindu. In a short five minute explanation of Easter and the cross, Angela had the opportunity to explain our faith in a way that Samuel helped craft for this particular audience. The interview broadcasts early on Easter Saturday morning on Radio EBI 103.1 FM.

Japan update - support from Hollywood to Hong Kong

A CONCERT broadcast live on television in Hong Kong raised more than HK$26 million (US$3.3 million) for The Salvation Army's earthquake and tsunami response programme in Japan. The event was organised by internationally famous film star Jackie Chan and featured artists well known in Hong Kong and around the world.The three-hour concert, called 'Artiste 311 Love Beyond Borders', took place at Hong Kong's Victoria Park. Stars taking part included actor and singer Andy Lau, actor Donnie Yen and singers from Hong Kong, Japan. South Korea and China. American singer Lionel Richie performed from Australia via satellite link, singing 'Say You, Say Me'.Hong Kong-born Jackie Chan told entertainment website Hollywood Reporter why he decided to arrange the concert: 'For years my Japanese fans have made a great effort to raise money for my charity, to build schools in China and to help the victims of the [2008] Sichuan earthquake. It’s time for me to return the favour and do what we can to help.' He personally paid for the plane tickets and accommodation for all the overseas performers. All profits from the concert will be passed on to The Salvation Army. More than 300 Salvationists and Salvation Army staff from its Hong Kong and Macau Command took telephone donations during the event.The exact use of the funds is still being decided but it is likely that much of the money will be used to supply emergency relief packs – including a 15-day supply of food and water, personal care and hygiene products and blankets – to people in areas affected by the earthquake, tsunami and by problems at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station.

New Zealand Update

THE Salvation Army in New Zealand is taking the next steps in its reaction to the Christchurch earthquake, having concluded the concentrated visitation programme that formed a major part of its initial response. The focus now is on helping people become more independent, meeting medium and long-term needs in the city.Unemployment in the city is rising and likely to increase once Government support for local businesses ends at the end of May. The Salvation Army recognises that its recovery work needs to be long-term and sustainable.Southern Division Commander Major Clive Nicolson says that, while residents needing material and emotional support will continue to receive help from The Salvation Army, those who are able will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own day-to-day needs.Major Daryl Crowden is an Australian International Emergency Services officer working alongside Major Nicolson. He says a significant number of residents are still 'hunkered down', rarely leaving their homes. He points out that apart from making people more self-reliant, encouraging them to take greater responsibility for themselves is beneficial to their mental health. 'We're trying to get them to see beyond their four walls and put their situation in context,' says Major Crowden.Some residents are exhibiting significant degrees of frustration and anger as they await answers about the future of their properties. Major Crowden says that while these emotions are an expected part of the recovery process, Salvation Army workers are often the ones faced with the difficult task of providing emotional support and helping people put their bureaucratic problems into context.As from this week, the number of psychosocial workers providing emotional and practical support to quake-affected residents in the city has reduced from around 100 to 25. For the first time The Salvation Army has permission to send a team of eight psychosocial workers into the orange zone of the central business district (CBD) to check on residents allowed to move back into their homes. The orange zone has been off limits since the quake and it will be the first time that many of these residents have received comprehensive support.Demand on Salvation Army Community Ministries is gradually diminishing, with food parcel distribution down to around 200 a day, compared to 800 in the days following the quake. Salvation Army Emergency Services were serving up to 970 meals a day until the end of last week but are now only feeding those engaged in The Salvation Army's earthquake response. Most of the content of food parcels is provided directly by corporate donations. Salvation Army Public Relations Secretary Major Robbie Ross says companies looking to support the Army's work in Christchurch continue to make contact. Some are also showing interest in supporting The Salvation Army's wider community work.The New Zealand Food and Grocery Council has canvassed its members on behalf of The Salvation Army with astounding results, says Major Ross. Kellogg's, for instance, has been providing weekly shipments of breakfast cereals since the February earthquake. In addition, NZ$160,000-worth of grocery vouchers has been purchased from Progressive Enterprises at discount. The company is also providing expertise in organising The Salvation Army's recently acquired storage facility. Where possible The Salvation Army is providing vouchers rather than food parcels or other items. This is to stimulate the fragile local economy. Companies such as Chevron and Mitre 10 have donated funds for vouchers. Some other assistance is coming through partnership projects, such as clothing vouchers with Postie Plus and NZ$500 Care Cards developed in conjunction with Westpac Bank.The Salvation Amy has distributed more than 1,250 Care Cards and provided around 300 Care Breaks to individuals and families to help them get respite away from Christchurch.The Army is currently having three purpose-built shower units manufactured in China. The showers will be capable of providing up to 400 people with showers each day. With colder weather and continuing problems with water and waste-water infrastructure in Christchurch, the arrival of the shower units is expected to be welcomed by residents.A community care van donated by Westpac Bank and fitted out as a mobile office is being used in areas where there is no Salvation Army presence. The van goes to neighbourhoods or other locations where residents congregate so that Salvation Army personnel can provide advice and material or psychosocial support. This service is followed up with more intensive help if needed. Two four-wheel-drive vehicles donated by Isuzu New Zealand are being used to ferry food and other items to residents in areas where the roads are still severely damaged.The Salvation Army is pleased with the response to its Earthquake Appeal and is working with other major appeals to ensure that donated monies are targeted to the areas of greatest need.Major Nicolson says the morale of Salvation Army officers, staff and volunteers remains high – even among locals who have damaged or destroyed properties. 'In these difficult times,' he says, 'I feel very privileged to be part of an organisation that cares for people and endeavours to make a difference.'

PILS

Many of you would have heard of PILS. If not, PILS is the Positive Impact Loan Scheme. This is a scheme devised in partnership between the Savings and Loan Credit Union and The Salvation Army. It offers no-interest loans to people through our Community Support Services at four locations in Adelaide (Marion CSS included) and Mount Gambier. The loans have helped people go to TAFE, fix whitegoods, pay-off loan sharks and pay-day lenders and get back on their feet again. To date over $200,000 in loans have been approved, and repayment rates are incredible high. This is just another way our church is able to impact our community for good. Congratulations to the CSS team for their work.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Danielle (Nunns) and Nathan Gillard on their wedding on Saturday. All reports have said that it was a great ceremony, worship time and reception. Blessings on the couple.

Dorothy's story

Dorothy was telling me during the week of a great opportunity to be a part of community life. The people that live around the Marion suburb had a lantern procession to Light Square on Saturday evening for a community party. I'm aware of a few from our Corps that were there. This is the best way to get to know your neighbours. Dorothy was telling me that there were people there that she had known for 50 years. I'm sure that they know her well, too, and aware of her witness and faith over that period. Keep an eye out for these sort of activities in your area. It's great to know our neighbours and be there for them. Angela found our elderly neighbour recently, lost and confused down the street and was able to help get him home. Something small, but something that makes a huge difference to our corner of the world.

Suicide

Not a pleasant topic, but I (Brad) feel led to write to our community about this issue. It is prevelant and affects so many people. For each person that completes suicide there are 8 or more that are directly impacted. These people are also at risk of future suicide attempts. In the last week Angela and I have both spent time ministering to people that have been affected either by suicide or suicidal ideation. Maybe this is occupational hazard, but it is indicative of the need for awareness about mental health, service provision and the ways that we can keep an eye out for family, friends and neighbours. It's also a great opportunity to highlight the many training opportunities that are available for people that want to do something about suicide. Courses such as ASIST and Hope for Life are available to teach about intervention and postvention. If this interests you, get on line and look for where the next course may be running. Hope for Life can often be done as an online course through The Salvation Army.

Engineers Memorial

Brad was privileged on Sunday to participate in the dedication of a memorial to Engineers that had died on service or in training with the Australian Army. The Corps of the Royal Australian Engineers is a proud corps of soldiers that have served Australia in both construction and demolition tasks supporting the rest of the troops. It was another opportunity to be a part of our community, also. Spending the time with the leaders at Warradale Barracks and our Mayor further entrenched our church as part of the fabric of the Marion community.

Euthenasia

The euthenasia debate continues in South Australia. Our Divisional Commander was sent this update recently: Major Winsome Mason SA Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army PO Box 300 FULLARTON SA 5063 Dear Major Mason, Re: Criminal Law Consolidation (Medical Defences-End of Life Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2011 I write with some urgency to draw attention to a bill introduced by Hon Stephanie Key, and I invite you to please consider raising concern with MPs, and among your people, since the bill, if it passes both houses of Parliament, would radically change the law on murder in South Australia. It would allow a doctor to be exonerated for murder if he or she could convince a court on the balance of probabilities that he murdered his or her patient at the patient's request and because the patient found life intolerable. Unlike the earlier attempts to legalise euthanasia in South Australia, this Bill imposes no requirements for expert medical opinions, for agreement from a second doctor, or for properly witnessed statutory forms. The Bill would also undermine the sterling efforts by government and other agencies to reduce the incidence of suicide in South Australia - since it would provide a defence for a doctor who aids, abets or counsels a person to commit suicide. The defence is not limited to suicide by drug overdose. It could apply even if a doctor encouraged a person to hang or shoot himself. The defences in the Bill would also apply to the offences of soliciting murder or conspiracy to commit murder. This could place vulnerable patients at risk from greedy relatives who hired an unscrupulous doctor to commit murder by lethal injection. The attachment analyses the Bill in detail, and shows it to be the most reckless proposal we have seen in any Australian parliament on end of life questions. If Dr Harold Shipman - the notorious English doctor who killed over 200 of his patients - had the advantage of the bill's defences, he probably would never have been sentenced to life imprisonment. I also attach a copy of the bill. I would be most grateful if you would please consider contacting MPs and raising concern about this matter with them, and with your people. Yours sincerely, David d'Lima South Australia State Officer FamilyVoice Australia If you are interested in the bill summary, send Brad an email and he will forward it to you. If you believe this is something that you would like to act upon, please do so.

Beyond the Classroom

On Thursday 24 students from 4 high schools were at our centre for the Beyond the Classroom workshop. This program teaches students about poverty in Australia, The Salvation Army and active citizenship. It makes the connection between reality and what a student can do to help. It is a well developed day that includes DVD presentations, simulation games and direct teaching and discussions. At the end of the day each student commits to doing something to help. For some this will include participation in volunteering or helping with the Red Shield Appeal. All of the students have been introduced to the idea that The Salvation Army is a church, we are motivated by our love for God and there's opportunity for them to join in.

Youth Update

Last week the youth group cooked biscuits which they then delivered to a number of shut-in and unwell people connected with the Corps. The only sad part was that we couldn't touch base with more people. When the kids came back they took it in turns to speak about their experiences. It was good for them to be able to do something for someone else. I know, too, that many of our elderly received blessings from this. Congratulations to Catherine and her team for this initiative. Catherine has also made great ground in her connections with the schools in the area. One such connection has been with a school that is interested in having a fundraising concert with our band. Another connection has enabled her to help with lunchtime programs.

Julie's Story

Every now and then it is great to hear an individual story of mission. Julie Davis supervises students from Flinders University while they complete their social work placements. At the moment she is supervising two students who are on placement with Hallett Cove youth services. Hallett Cove youth services (acutally based in O'Halloran Hill) is a service that has some pretty rough and ready customers. Many of them are quite removed from any form of normal societal influences, solid family structures or any kind of healthy community. Certainly they are removed from church environments. Julie is finding that she has been able to make some connections with these kids. Because she is often in her Salvation Army T Shirt, she has been indentifiable and has had a couple of chances to speak to the kids about The Salvation Army, church and mention God. What a great start in bringing these kids on a journey toward wholeness. Their needs are immense, and always this is a social work role, not an evangelical position. But by being the best social worker she can be in that environment and not betraying her faith, Julie is also being incarnational.