Gail Iskov

Yesterday we farwelled Gail from our Community Services team. Gail has served as one of our financial counsellors and has been a welcome member of our team. We wish her well as she enters retirement, and ask everyone to pray for her potential replacement.

Carbon Tax

Obviously the carbon tax is the big issue of the moment. Many of you would be interested to know the official Salvation Army position, which is as follows (quoted from a media release dated Wed July 13):

The Salvation Army acknowledges the efforts and intentions of the Federal Government to preserve the environment for future generations through the introduction of a carbon tax. For many years The Salvation Army has encouraged environmental responsibility in its operations and also encourages measures that assist our community in reducing our impact in the environment.

“Given the finite resources of the world and its expanding population, together with the impact of industrial and rural activities, development must take account of the need to preserve the earth – an exercise in responsible stewardship,” said Major Bram Cassidy, Media Relations Director for The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army also acknowledges the approach taken by the Government in the introduction of the carbon tax package in seeking a resolution that is equitable to all members of the community, including considering the impact of such measures on Australians who are experiencing severe financial strain.

“We cautiously welcome the assurances of the Government that the members of our community in the most need will be adequately supported as a consequence of the costs of living increases that will result from the flow on of the carbon tax,” said Major Cassidy.

"The Salvation Army appreciates the Government’s intention to ensure that those providers of social services, like aged care, receive compensation for the increased operational costs,” he said.

“We seek to work with Government and other social service providers to ensure that the ability of such organisations will not be negatively impacted by the introduction of the carbon tax,” said Major Cassidy.

Commissioner Helen Clifton

As promised, here is the (truncated) international news release from the memorial service for Commissioner Helen Clifton. Please especially pray for her son John and his finace Naomi who will be commissioned this weekend in London, and married in a fortnight.

The service of thanksgiving for Commissioner Helen Clifton was help in the assembly hall at William Booth College, London, UK. It was a fitting tribute to a woman of God.

Countless examples were given of how she did so much for others throughout her Salvation Army officership, from early days as a corps officer through to her last appointment World President of Women's Ministries, supporting her husband General Shaw Clifton (now retired). The congregation of family, friends and Salvationists filled the newly refurbished assembly hall.

Following a presentation showing snapshots of the commissioner's life, and the entry of The Salvation Army flag adorned with white ribbons, the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Barry Swanson too the lead of the meeting, saying, "We meet to remember the life and influence of Commissioner Helen Clifton. We are not the same for having met her".

The Chief ackonwledged the presence of General John Larsson (R), former WPWMs Commissioner Freda Larsson and Commissioner Gisele Gowans, as well as the former Chief of the Staff Commissioner Robin Dunster. he then led the large congregation in a song before Captain Lynne Clifon (daughter in law) and Cadet Naomi Shakespeare (son's finace) both prayed.

The commissioner's son in law Captain Marcus Collings read from the Bible and each of her children gave their own tribute. Commissioner Sue Swanson read a tribute from The Salvation Army on behalf of General Linda Bond. Bromley Corps Songsters and Enfield Corps Band both participated.

After the Chief of the Staff gave a Bible address, the Clifton's Corps Officer Major Brian Slinn (Bromley CO) prayed and offered a benediction.

The Salvation Army Iraq

The Salvation Army last week signed a memorandum of agreement with the Iraqi Salvation Humanitarian Organisation to continue our relationship with the Iraqi NGO.

The Salvation Army operated extensive services in Iraq following the second gulf war through the International Emergency Services team. In 2006 this work was handed over to ISHO with the intention that The Salvation Army would continue to work in partnership with this organisation. The signing of last week's agreement perpetuates this partnership.

View the international news page of The Salvation Army for further information.

The King Single Bed

There are so many things that happen in our centres that must be God at work.

Earlier this week Greg was telling the story of a lady who felt led by God to deliver to the shop some manchester for a King Single bed. King Singles aren't all that common, and as a previous owner of one - the aren't that easy to get manchester for. This lady insisted that the manchester be saved for that moment when someone needed it and we could give it away.

Within a day or so, Greg had another lady come in who was helping someone that is struggling in our community. Amongst other things, he discovered that this person needed help to fit out a King Single bed!

Thank you for using us to help, God.

Lynn Wann

Welcome to Lynn Wann who joined our team this week as the Families and Children's Worker. If you see her around, or her husband Mike, please introduce yourself and make them welcome.

Junior Soldiers

We can't not put up a post about Sunday's enrolments!!

Wasn't it great to welcome our three newest Junior Soldiers: Joshua Maikowski, Jessica Edmunds and Zoe Watson. Isn't it great to see the decisions that they are making to follow Jesus, the testimony that they make in declaring their promises and the discipleship that is occuring through the Junior Soldiers program.

Thank you to the prayer pals, David, Kay and Jean for your support of these young people. That, of course, doesn't mean that the rest of us shouldn't also be praying for them!

Thank you also to Marion and Kay for their work during the week with the Junior Soldiers. I'm sure there will be more to come.

Stephanie

Thank you to Greg, Sally, Fay, Dawn, Elizabeth, Tryntje, Iris, Kath and anyone else who baked scones and helped on Sunday morning for our special morning tea.

We were able to make a great finish to our great morning with our Junior Soldiers.

Moreover, this helped to send Stephanie, one of our volunteers to the national disabled netball competition in Waverley, Vic, where she will represent our state.

We raised $215 through a simple, but profound, community exercise. Thanks guys. Well done. Good luck Stephanie.

Laurel Schubert

It was a privilege yesterday to lead the funeral for Mrs Laurel Schubert, a soldier of our Corps that was promoted to glory at the age of 94 years.

What stood out was the incredible way that her legacy continues through the choices of songs and scriptures that gave powerful testimony to her family and friends.

A good crowd gathered at Centennial Park to salute one of God's ladies.

Well done, Laurel.

Basketball Season

Congratulations to the players in our basketball club for excellent results this season. These include:

U14 Premiers - Marion White Knights
Runner up association Best and Fairest, U14, Maegan McDonald
Runner up association Best and Fairest, C Grade Men, Amos Gaskin
Runner up association Best and Fairest, B Grade Women, Rebecca O'Connell
Association Best and Fairest, A Grade Men, Travis Schmidt

Well done everyone!

Weights

I was reading during the week from Hebrews. There's a verse that is often quoted in regards to getting rid of sin in our life: "So throw off the weight and sin that so easily entangles and run with determination the race set before us".

This version of the verse caught my attention. Reason being, it's not only sin that can entangle us, but many good things that could be separate from sin - yet are still weights. While I haven't gone back to the original text to test the veracity of this translation yet, it still bears thinking about... Are there even good things in our lives that are getting in the way of the best things?

Are their things that we carry around with us (thoughts, emotions, hang ups) that get in the way of the best things that God has in store for us?
Are we overworked with things that don't matter, and therefore get in the way?

As a church, do we have a lot of good ministries that are running but are not achieving our mission? Do these services and activities shine God's light so that others join us as disciples of Jesus Christ? Maybe our church has some weights that are preventing us from running with determination the best race that God has laid before us? Maybe the good things are getting in the way of best things - having new disciples on the journey with us.

Promoted to Glory - Laurel Schubert

We are saddened by the news of the death of Laurel Schubert. Laurel was promoted to glory earlier this week from her home at Resthaven Marion.

Laurel was 94 years of age. She first came into contact with the Glenelg corps many years ago, and was enrolled as a soldier around her 80th birthday by Captain Kevin Grant in 1997.

Laurel's funeral will be on Tuesday afternoon at 1:15pm in the Florey Chapel at Centennial Park.

Families and children's ministries

We are pleased to announce that Lynn Wann will be joining the leadership team of our church in the role of Families and Children's Worker. Lynn will start on Monday July 4.

Lynn has a background as a school teacher and has worked for many years in the school system. She has an Anglican heritage and says that 'being in God's grace is the best place to be'. Many of you would know her as she has been part of our community for a while, volunteering in the Seacombe Gardens shop.

Please pray for Lynn as she continues to develop the families and children's ministry team, and works with the families of our community.