Nauru 1

This week I have started the journey to Nauru to join The Salvation Army team that is working with the Asylum Seekers currently held there. I have arrived half way, taking an overnight stop in Nadi before flying on in the morning.

There has been much conjecture and controversy over this government policy. Regardless of polity, there are a group of people being detained on this Island that are in need. They are, by definition, all traumatised. They are struggling with failed expectations about what would happen when they arrived in Australia. They need support, and this is why The Salvation Army, regardless of what our policy or position is or isn't, has become involved.

I am told that from here on in internet will be limited. I will however do what I can to send updates and information as I am able, and as is appropriate. Please pray for our team and for those that are seeking to have their claims for asylum processed.

Doorways

Today we welcomed Pamela Hanney from Territorial Headquarters to Marion. She visited as part of her role in coordinating the Doorways programme across our territory.

Doorways is a Community Support Services based programme that involves interventions and case management aimed at stopping generational, cyclical or entrenched poverty. Typically, at Marion, it allows clients that engage with Emergency Relief but have either complex needs or ongoing needs to be allocated a worker that spends significant time working with them.

We are blessed that or two primary case workers, Julie Davis and Kerryn Morriss are so experienced and bring their faith-based values to their interactions with our visitors. They are shining God's light incredibly and through their care dramatically assisting in the transformation of lives.

Patners In Recovery

The Federal Government has announced an initiative known as "Partners in Recovery". It is aimed at catching those people that experience mental illness before/ as they may otherwise fall through the gaps in service delivery.

Consortiums of service providers, usually led by a group called "Medicare Local" are being formed around Australia to partner with people in their journey, and make sure they access the services that they need.

The Salvation Army, through our vast array of community service programs, has frequent contact with people from many walks of life, including those that suffer mental illness. We are joining consortia where possible, so that we can be part of this partnership in assisting people in the community. Already we are part of the "Central Adelaide and Hills" group, and we are also meeting with the potential players in the southern Adelaide consortium next week.

Greg Varidel, our local Community Services Manager, is going to be at the table with the other service providers. Their task is to see what sort of partnerships will help people in southern Adelaide best. Part of this will be developing a service delivery model that harnesses the opportunities presented by each service.

We want to be part of this because it fits very well within our mission to shine God's light in Adelaide's south. As part of our "Know, Grow, Show & Go" process it will certainly lead to care for people and transformed lives (Show and Knowing God's love).

The work of God

Catherine Booth said,"We believe that the only reason why the work of God does not mightily grow and prevail, is because so few people make it their business to grow it. We believe that if there is anything worth being energetic and enthusiastic about, it is salvation." (Church and State, S.A. Publishing).


I found this quote on the AUS leadership facebook page. Worth a thought. Have we made the business of growing the Kingdom of God and doing his work in our community our primary business.

Global Leadership Summit 2012

Every year we take a team from our church to the Global Leadership Summit.

This Summit is run in Chicago, USA, and then simulcast to an audience of 160,000 leaders in over 90 countries. Adelaide has a simulcast site, which this year was at Clovercrest Baptist Church.

The speakers this year included former US Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice, Bill Hybels from Willow Creek Community Church and others from around the world.

There were speakers that inspired us, such as Pranitha Thomas, an Indian leader who has helped organise the release of over 4000 slaves, and Geoffrey Canada who established schools for the poorest of Harlem, NY.

There were also speakers that taught on leadership skill and capacity. This included some that spoke about receiving feedback on the church's activities and others that spoke on communications and staff management.

I trust that over time the application of the lessons learned will mean greater Kingdom impact in our community.

Having your say

It is important that we take the opportunity to have our say about things in our community that matter.

At the moment there are great opportunities presenting members of our church to be visible and vocal about the way our community is shaped.

I would encourage everyone to get involved in the Making Marion campaign. This is being run by Marion City Council and is a chance to have a say in how our city evolves over the next 30 years.

There is also currently a survey being run by the City Council on the dryzone at Marion Westfield. This zone prohibits alcohol consumption around Westfield and the Domain, outside the restaurants. The concept is to reduce anti-social behaviour resulting from intoxication in the public spaces.

Take a chance to reform society by participating in the conversations that construct our community.