Marion Celebrates. This is the name of the biannual multicutural festival held in our City.
This year we were again part of the celebrations as Deb Strapp coordinated a team that presented our Corps through a stand at the festival. Information and advertising were on hand so that people could hear about our activities. More importantly, some of our Corps members were there - the best advertising we have - to witness and to speak to the community.
Thanks for your efforts everyone.
Monday, 25 March 2013
ACOSS Calling on Parliament to make changes to Newstart
Australia’s community welfare sector gathering in Adelaide today will make a united call for a $50 increase in the single Newstart Allowance payment in this year’s federal Budget.
ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie will tell the peak body’s National Conference that the much needed increase is urgent and must be funded in this last Budget before the federal election if we are serious about dealing with the worsening level of poverty in our country.
Dr Goldie will tell the gathering that, "One in eight people are living in poverty in Australia, including one in six children - this is an indictment on our nation.”
"People who are out of paid work and on the lowest payments are among those at highest risk. The Newstart payment continues to fall further behind pensions because it's indexed only to the Consumer Price Index instead of wages.
"In last week's indexation increases people on the Aged Pension received an $18 a week increase whereas people on Newstart only received a $2 a week increase. The single rate of Newstart remains $35 a day.
"The difference between the payments is now $150. Newstart hasn't been increased in nearly 20 years. Now is the time to correct this record.
"In recent years we've seen changes to tighten eligibility for the Disability Support Pension force as many as 70,000 more people with disability onto the low Newstart payment. And recently more than 80,000 single parents and their children were dropped to the same payment and lose between $60-$100 a week.
"This get tough approach to the vulnerable members of our community has simply got to stop.
"The parliament has the most compelling responsibility to act now and urgently - business, unions, economics and tax experts, employment experts as well three parliamentary committees, the OECD and UN monitors all agree."
ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie will tell the peak body’s National Conference that the much needed increase is urgent and must be funded in this last Budget before the federal election if we are serious about dealing with the worsening level of poverty in our country.
Dr Goldie will tell the gathering that, "One in eight people are living in poverty in Australia, including one in six children - this is an indictment on our nation.”
"People who are out of paid work and on the lowest payments are among those at highest risk. The Newstart payment continues to fall further behind pensions because it's indexed only to the Consumer Price Index instead of wages.
"In last week's indexation increases people on the Aged Pension received an $18 a week increase whereas people on Newstart only received a $2 a week increase. The single rate of Newstart remains $35 a day.
"The difference between the payments is now $150. Newstart hasn't been increased in nearly 20 years. Now is the time to correct this record.
"In recent years we've seen changes to tighten eligibility for the Disability Support Pension force as many as 70,000 more people with disability onto the low Newstart payment. And recently more than 80,000 single parents and their children were dropped to the same payment and lose between $60-$100 a week.
"This get tough approach to the vulnerable members of our community has simply got to stop.
"The parliament has the most compelling responsibility to act now and urgently - business, unions, economics and tax experts, employment experts as well three parliamentary committees, the OECD and UN monitors all agree."
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Welcome to the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury
GENERAL Linda Bond, international leader of The Salvation Army, has sent messages of welcome to Pope Francis I and to the Rt Hon and Most Rev Justin Welby, who will be enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England, on 21 March.
To Archbishop Welby she wrote: ‘The Church universal faces great challenges as we seek to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ and so I want to assure you that Salvationists stand with their Anglican sisters and brothers in the cause of Christ. God bless and keep you and grant you wisdom, courage and strength.’
In her message to His Holiness Pope Francis she said: ‘My prayer is that God will give you physical and spiritual strength, as well as holy courage, so that you might stand firm as a true soldier of Jesus Christ. God bless and keep you always and grant you his peace.’
This release is available through the news section of www.salvationist.org
To Archbishop Welby she wrote: ‘The Church universal faces great challenges as we seek to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ and so I want to assure you that Salvationists stand with their Anglican sisters and brothers in the cause of Christ. God bless and keep you and grant you wisdom, courage and strength.’
In her message to His Holiness Pope Francis she said: ‘My prayer is that God will give you physical and spiritual strength, as well as holy courage, so that you might stand firm as a true soldier of Jesus Christ. God bless and keep you always and grant you his peace.’
This release is available through the news section of www.salvationist.org
Ross & Doris show the Spirit of the Founder
Great news to share today.
At the seniors rally currently being held at Tea Tree Gully Corps, Majors Ross and Doris Lewis have been presented the "Spirit of the Founder" Award for their joint contribution to seniors ministries through our Corps.
Their award notes not only their long term leadership of the Pioneer Companion Club, but also their pastoral ministry, their Bible Study leadership and the launch of a worship service (Hymns of Praise) targeting seniors. All of this beyond retirement and into their octagenarian years.
Apparently, despite their unique contribution they were unaware that Major Jennifer Cloke was talking about them while she was reading the citation!
A very special moment for very special people. Congratulations Doris and Ross.
At the seniors rally currently being held at Tea Tree Gully Corps, Majors Ross and Doris Lewis have been presented the "Spirit of the Founder" Award for their joint contribution to seniors ministries through our Corps.
Their award notes not only their long term leadership of the Pioneer Companion Club, but also their pastoral ministry, their Bible Study leadership and the launch of a worship service (Hymns of Praise) targeting seniors. All of this beyond retirement and into their octagenarian years.
Apparently, despite their unique contribution they were unaware that Major Jennifer Cloke was talking about them while she was reading the citation!
A very special moment for very special people. Congratulations Doris and Ross.
Opinion
Most people have them. What's humbling is when people seek your opinion.
We need to congratulate so many of our team who fall into this category. In recent days Angela has been part of a Disability action group for The Salvation Army's South Australia Division. Greg has been asked to review policies for the territory. Brad has been contributing the Divisional planting strategy. Kerryn and Julie attend a doorways round table. Catherine has been asked to help while some school chaplains are away.
We don't take any of these opportunities lightly. They are part of our building of the Kingdom as we are able to shine God's light into situations, as we are able to express our values and weave them into policies and action plans.
We need to congratulate so many of our team who fall into this category. In recent days Angela has been part of a Disability action group for The Salvation Army's South Australia Division. Greg has been asked to review policies for the territory. Brad has been contributing the Divisional planting strategy. Kerryn and Julie attend a doorways round table. Catherine has been asked to help while some school chaplains are away.
We don't take any of these opportunities lightly. They are part of our building of the Kingdom as we are able to shine God's light into situations, as we are able to express our values and weave them into policies and action plans.
Friday, 8 March 2013
Margaret and Gwen
It was with sadness, but joy, we had the privilege of celebrating the life of Margaret Williams yesterday. Margaret had been a part of our church since 1989 when she moved to Adelaide from Melbourne.
Margaret was known to us all for her smile, her love of children and her faith. She had worked in children's ministries for many years, and pioneered the SAGALA movement at Seacombe Gardens. She had been a member of the Four Fold Fellowship - a group dedicated to Salvation Army scouting movements and using them to reach young families.
It is also with sadness and joy that today we remember Gwen Kilpatrick. Gwen was promoted to glory this morning aged 101! Gwen had been a member of our church since its inception. In Salvation Army terms she was one of the original soldiers placed on the Corps roll.
Gwen had a great sense of humour, and even of late her family mention that she would be joking around with the great-granchildren. What great memories to have.
This week we are praying for the Williams and Kilpatrick families. We rejoice that we knew two great women of faith. We celebrate their promotion to glory.
Margaret was known to us all for her smile, her love of children and her faith. She had worked in children's ministries for many years, and pioneered the SAGALA movement at Seacombe Gardens. She had been a member of the Four Fold Fellowship - a group dedicated to Salvation Army scouting movements and using them to reach young families.
It is also with sadness and joy that today we remember Gwen Kilpatrick. Gwen was promoted to glory this morning aged 101! Gwen had been a member of our church since its inception. In Salvation Army terms she was one of the original soldiers placed on the Corps roll.
Gwen had a great sense of humour, and even of late her family mention that she would be joking around with the great-granchildren. What great memories to have.
This week we are praying for the Williams and Kilpatrick families. We rejoice that we knew two great women of faith. We celebrate their promotion to glory.
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Meeting the press
There's been further great opportunity for us to stand up for people in our community this week, through the press.
Next week the Messenger will be running an article, in preparation for the upcoming federal election, about the concerns identified in the electorate. Primary among these (at 70% of respondants across our two local electorates) is the increased cost of living.
A number of factors have contributed to this. We all know that things cost more - but then again, our wages have gone up. So what's making the difference. In our area we know that people are unable to get affordable housing, that changes to the single parenting payment and the increase cost of utilities are among the biggest issues.
To be able to articulate these for the community, using the voice that our church has, allows us to contribute to the reformation of society and is a key part of our advocacy and care for people.
Next week the Messenger will be running an article, in preparation for the upcoming federal election, about the concerns identified in the electorate. Primary among these (at 70% of respondants across our two local electorates) is the increased cost of living.
A number of factors have contributed to this. We all know that things cost more - but then again, our wages have gone up. So what's making the difference. In our area we know that people are unable to get affordable housing, that changes to the single parenting payment and the increase cost of utilities are among the biggest issues.
To be able to articulate these for the community, using the voice that our church has, allows us to contribute to the reformation of society and is a key part of our advocacy and care for people.
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