Posts at the moment are a little sparse due to events like Officers' Fellowship, Furlough and the upcoming Brengle Institute. It would be amiss, however, if we didn't note the 18th High Council of The Salvation Army underway at the moment in the United Kingdom.
This council has been convened with the sole purpose of electing the 20th international leader of The Salvation Army. It's gathering was necessitated by the sudden retirement of General Linda Bond a few months back.
The High Council must meet in the UK and is comprised by constitution and law of all active Salvation Army Commissioners from around the world and all Territorial Commanders and Territorial Presidents of Women's Ministries regardless of rank. There are over 110 members of whom around 60% are women. About 1/5 are from Africa and 1/5 from southern Asia. The rest are a spread of nationalities with heavy American and British representation.
Australia is represented by Commissioners Jan and James Condon, currently Territorial Leaders in the Australia Eastern Territory, Commissioner Aylene Finger, and Colonels Robyn and Wayne Maxwell, currently Territorial Leaders in the Philippines Territory. Our Territorial leaders, Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd are also present.
The candidates for General have been nominated this week by the Council. They can technically nominate any active officer, meaning that there are around 17,000 potential candidates for the office! However, tradition dictates that they will nominate from among their own membership, and this is reasonable as these are the people with the experience in leadership necessary for the role.
The Council has nominated:
Commissioner Dick Krommenhoek (The Netherlands - currently TC in Norway)
Commissioner James Knaggs (USA - currently TC in USA Western)
Commissioner Andre Cox (Swiss - currently Chief of the Staff, International Headquarters)
Commissioner Barry Swanson (USA - currently TC in USA Eastern)
Commissioner Kenneth Hodder (USA - currently TC in Kenya West)
For profiles on each of the candidates visit: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/highcouncil2013
Today (Friday), UK time, the Candidates will each be required to address the Council and answer a series of questions predetermined by a select committee. Following this time (which may stretch into tomorrow or later) voting will commence. To be elected, one of the candidates must receive 2/3 of the vote on any of the first three ballots. After each ballot, the person with the least votes will be removed from the ballot paper. If the election makes it to a fourth ballot only a simple majority will be required for election.
Friday, 2 August 2013
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Diversity of ministry
I was musing, as you know, last week, about the diversity of ministries that our church is offering to the community. It somewhat flies in the face of being a 'simple church' but it demonstrates our capacity, with God's help, to reach people that he brings across our paths.
To emphasise that we have just today over 100 seniors raising money for water wells in Tanzania while listenting to Scottish music in our hall.
At the same time we have well over 200 people shopping up big at the weekly garage sale.
And... we have over 500 families this week connecting with our Glenelg centre through the Great Jetty Road Treasure Hunt. For more information on that event go to http://www.holdfast.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=1383&c=17390. This is proving to be a great way to showcase our services and open the doors to our local community.
Also - a heads up that on August 4 we will be hosting Rahab ministries at our 10am, Seacombe Gardens congregation. For more information on Rahab, go to: www.rahab.com.au
We are blessed to be able to continue our focus on shining God's light into southern Adelaide so that others join us disciples, so that they can know God, grow in God and then go in God to show God's love themselves.
To emphasise that we have just today over 100 seniors raising money for water wells in Tanzania while listenting to Scottish music in our hall.
At the same time we have well over 200 people shopping up big at the weekly garage sale.
And... we have over 500 families this week connecting with our Glenelg centre through the Great Jetty Road Treasure Hunt. For more information on that event go to http://www.holdfast.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=1383&c=17390. This is proving to be a great way to showcase our services and open the doors to our local community.
Also - a heads up that on August 4 we will be hosting Rahab ministries at our 10am, Seacombe Gardens congregation. For more information on Rahab, go to: www.rahab.com.au
We are blessed to be able to continue our focus on shining God's light into southern Adelaide so that others join us disciples, so that they can know God, grow in God and then go in God to show God's love themselves.
Friday, 12 July 2013
A day in the life...
I am fully aware that so often the great ministries of our Corps are performed in unspoken ways, and quite often people simply aren't aware of the scope or the depth of what God continues to do through Marion Corps.
Today was a day when I had cause to sit back and think for a moment about just how much God continues to use the people connected with this place.
Throughout the day there have been such a variety of interactions. We've had people complaining to us about the brothels in our neighbourhood, and we've been able to make fresh links with Rahab, a ministry to sex workers, to seek assistance. There are women being trafficked and abused in our area and we can do something. We've had further interaction with our court chaplains who are using our doorways workers to support their clients. We've had people planning away, getting ready for the launch of our Celebrate Recovery program in a few weeks time - a programme that specialises in brining recovery to people in addiction.
We've had a man from our Munchiez van in today because of the relationships he has built; he has just lost his wife and it was through our doorways team, with the help of a shop volunteer, that we've been able to set him up today with emails and other aids that will help him during his time of grief. We've had the opportunity to minister through a funeral service for a man in his sixties who lost his life in a car accident, and whose wife is still under hospital care since the tragedy occured.
We've had people seeking emergency assistance and others coming in to volunteer. We've had people in today preparing the prayer newsletters and others that are helping organise kids to go to a youth camp, starting on Monday.
We have a great church that continues to shine God's light in Adelaide's south through numerous means - every day!
Today was a day when I had cause to sit back and think for a moment about just how much God continues to use the people connected with this place.
Throughout the day there have been such a variety of interactions. We've had people complaining to us about the brothels in our neighbourhood, and we've been able to make fresh links with Rahab, a ministry to sex workers, to seek assistance. There are women being trafficked and abused in our area and we can do something. We've had further interaction with our court chaplains who are using our doorways workers to support their clients. We've had people planning away, getting ready for the launch of our Celebrate Recovery program in a few weeks time - a programme that specialises in brining recovery to people in addiction.
We've had a man from our Munchiez van in today because of the relationships he has built; he has just lost his wife and it was through our doorways team, with the help of a shop volunteer, that we've been able to set him up today with emails and other aids that will help him during his time of grief. We've had the opportunity to minister through a funeral service for a man in his sixties who lost his life in a car accident, and whose wife is still under hospital care since the tragedy occured.
We've had people seeking emergency assistance and others coming in to volunteer. We've had people in today preparing the prayer newsletters and others that are helping organise kids to go to a youth camp, starting on Monday.
We have a great church that continues to shine God's light in Adelaide's south through numerous means - every day!
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Coming home
It's fitting that this is post 601 - starting a 'new hundred' now that I start another period back at Marion Corps.
Many people have been asking me about coming home. How am I travelling? Has it taken much adjustment? In some ways it has been quite a shock - not least of which has been experiencing the Adelaide cold after a few months of African heat.
In other ways, nothing has changed. The mission we undertook in Mali is the same that we undertake here in Australia. The call that is on our lives to save souls, grow saints and serve humanity is the same here as it is in Africa. The need to know God, grow in God, show God's love and go in God to change the world is ever present.
Perhaps the symptoms of the needs of people are different. Perhaps the scale or the severity is different. The resources for the mission are certainly different. But the mission itself is the same. We are always in the business of shining God's light so that others may see what we do and give him glory - and, we pray, join us as disciples.
Many people have been asking me about coming home. How am I travelling? Has it taken much adjustment? In some ways it has been quite a shock - not least of which has been experiencing the Adelaide cold after a few months of African heat.
In other ways, nothing has changed. The mission we undertook in Mali is the same that we undertake here in Australia. The call that is on our lives to save souls, grow saints and serve humanity is the same here as it is in Africa. The need to know God, grow in God, show God's love and go in God to change the world is ever present.
Perhaps the symptoms of the needs of people are different. Perhaps the scale or the severity is different. The resources for the mission are certainly different. But the mission itself is the same. We are always in the business of shining God's light so that others may see what we do and give him glory - and, we pray, join us as disciples.
Saturday, 22 June 2013
Mali 21
Yesterday we completed our mission... almost. It was the final distribution day at Sogoniko, where we assisted another 90 households with items to help them during their displacement. The 265 households that we have worked with in this way represent thousands of individuals (just yesterday, one household had 40 members, one 35, another 34 and another 29!).
We were ably assisted by seven great assistants from Sogoniko Corps, including the Corps Officers, Lts Joall and Ella (who incidentally complete five years service today and are promoted to |Captain).
It was hot (so what's new) and there were a few obstacles to overcome (not least of which was a lack of power at the Corps), but we got there in the end. I think the hardest part was recognising the number of displaced people that we haven't been able to help. In Bamako alone there are 9000 households that are looking after displaced people, totaly between 75,000 and 77, 000 individuals that need help either to stay, or eventually return home to the north.
From now until Thursday when I start the long journey home (I don't actually arrive in Adelaide until late Sunday night - via Paris, London and Dubai) we still have much work to do. There is some remaining stock that we need to sort, there are reports to write and there is the never ending bookkeeping to finalise.
We were ably assisted by seven great assistants from Sogoniko Corps, including the Corps Officers, Lts Joall and Ella (who incidentally complete five years service today and are promoted to |Captain).
It was hot (so what's new) and there were a few obstacles to overcome (not least of which was a lack of power at the Corps), but we got there in the end. I think the hardest part was recognising the number of displaced people that we haven't been able to help. In Bamako alone there are 9000 households that are looking after displaced people, totaly between 75,000 and 77, 000 individuals that need help either to stay, or eventually return home to the north.
From now until Thursday when I start the long journey home (I don't actually arrive in Adelaide until late Sunday night - via Paris, London and Dubai) we still have much work to do. There is some remaining stock that we need to sort, there are reports to write and there is the never ending bookkeeping to finalise.
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Mali 20
It was a very proud moment for me on Sunday when the Regional Commander of The Salvation Army here in Mali asked to make an announcement during the meeting at ACI Corps. He proceeded to tell them of the intention of the Marion Corps in Australia to buy each Corps in Bamako a generator. There was spontaneous applause from the congregation and a few African-style celebratory hollers as well.
It was also a very nervous moment. I was aware that the money hadn't actually arrived yet - and that one typographical error by myself or the bank could have sent the money anywhere into the ether.
Thankfully, the first deposit of two made it into the Regional account yesterday. Today a member of The Salvation Army here in Mali was out getting the best price on generators and we hope to purchase them tomorrow. I will bring home photos for the Corps newsletter, of course.
It should be noted that Marion have been very generous. We anticipated raising around $1200 USD for the purchase of three basic generators. The Corps gave almost $3000 USD.
Because there is extra we have been able to upgrade the model of generator to a type that automatically cuts in and out according to the available public electricity supply. We have been also able to put aside some money for fuel. AND the Region are going to buy their first LCD projector for regional training events.
Thank you Marion. Your generosity is going to bless the people of West Africa for many years to come.
It was also a very nervous moment. I was aware that the money hadn't actually arrived yet - and that one typographical error by myself or the bank could have sent the money anywhere into the ether.
Thankfully, the first deposit of two made it into the Regional account yesterday. Today a member of The Salvation Army here in Mali was out getting the best price on generators and we hope to purchase them tomorrow. I will bring home photos for the Corps newsletter, of course.
It should be noted that Marion have been very generous. We anticipated raising around $1200 USD for the purchase of three basic generators. The Corps gave almost $3000 USD.
Because there is extra we have been able to upgrade the model of generator to a type that automatically cuts in and out according to the available public electricity supply. We have been also able to put aside some money for fuel. AND the Region are going to buy their first LCD projector for regional training events.
Thank you Marion. Your generosity is going to bless the people of West Africa for many years to come.
Saturday, 15 June 2013
Mali 19
So it's Saturday. Day off? No, unfortunately. Apart from checking the football scores from home (where it is almost Sunday), and noting that the mighty Bombers have won their 9th game for the season going into the bye, it's paperwork day.
I know this is a dry subject, but the reality of deployments is that most spare moments during the day are taken up with some sort of work, and like anywhere else/ anything else in The Salvation Army, there's a lot of paper to go with it.
So since breakfast I've been glued to the laptop. The sort of things we have to produce include weekly reports to IHQ on our activities, team safety and security and the progress against our project goals. We have to perform cash reconciliations weekly, because all of our transactions are in cash. We have to scan all accounts and all receipts to send back to our donor territories. We have to write assessments on new potential projects and reports on the projects that are already approved and funded. We have registration forms for beneficiaries and wage/ HR forms and contracts for each of our staff and our casual helpers. There are agenda and minutes from meetings to be read or contributed to. All pretty much the same as in any other part of the world (except sometimes handwritten and in different languages - in this case, almost all in French).
So that's my day. I only mention it so that it's a little clearer as to the realities of life on the job. We aren't always out and about saving the world or seeing the sights. Some days were stuck in the office (or at the kitchen table) trying to provide an account for how we're doing it all. And by blogging about it, I get a break from writing this week's IHQ report!!
I know this is a dry subject, but the reality of deployments is that most spare moments during the day are taken up with some sort of work, and like anywhere else/ anything else in The Salvation Army, there's a lot of paper to go with it.
So since breakfast I've been glued to the laptop. The sort of things we have to produce include weekly reports to IHQ on our activities, team safety and security and the progress against our project goals. We have to perform cash reconciliations weekly, because all of our transactions are in cash. We have to scan all accounts and all receipts to send back to our donor territories. We have to write assessments on new potential projects and reports on the projects that are already approved and funded. We have registration forms for beneficiaries and wage/ HR forms and contracts for each of our staff and our casual helpers. There are agenda and minutes from meetings to be read or contributed to. All pretty much the same as in any other part of the world (except sometimes handwritten and in different languages - in this case, almost all in French).
So that's my day. I only mention it so that it's a little clearer as to the realities of life on the job. We aren't always out and about saving the world or seeing the sights. Some days were stuck in the office (or at the kitchen table) trying to provide an account for how we're doing it all. And by blogging about it, I get a break from writing this week's IHQ report!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)