You never know what influence your ministry has.
This morning a man came into our centre for a conversation. He'd been in prison 20 years ago and had been profoundly influenced by a chaplain who had given him a Bible. He still remembers that chaplain, his name and his influence.
At the same time, Angela and I went for coffee down the street. As we walked into the cafe, a man saw us and said "Salvation Army - you're spiritual people"! From there ensued a conversation about God at work in the world and how we participate. (Sounds like a theme we've been looking at).
You never know where things will lead...
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
A great day out
Congratulations to our seniors team for a great day yesterday. All 90+ seniors that went to Mt Barker for the bus trip, meal and movie had a great time. Ross, Doris and their committee have excelled themselves.
There was singing, happiness, peace, joy, safe fun... things of the Kingdom. What a way to encourage community and build relationships with each other.
There was singing, happiness, peace, joy, safe fun... things of the Kingdom. What a way to encourage community and build relationships with each other.
Monday, 19 September 2011
East Africa Appeal
Thank you to everyone that contributed to our extra offering for East Africa during our worship services yesterday. Even with extremely short notice $662.10 was given. Thank you.
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Microwave miracles
Greg said yesterday, "If God can say 'universe' and it happens... why can't he say 'microwave'!"
We have often in recent days said that God is at work all the time around us. We need to identify where, and get on board.
Yesterday a lady in our community was having trouble with her new, quite advanced microwave. It was only weeks old, still with its box, receipt and warranty. She thought it was better for her to get a simpler machine, and felt God say to her "Give it to the Salvos".
She brought it to Greg with the instruction not to sell it (we can't sell electrical anyway, so it was a moot point), but to give it to the right person. Greg brought it up to our office with the same instructions.
Kerryn has been helping a lady in quite a desperate situation that has just moved into a flat. I was aware of this and asked her if she thought that this lady could do with a microwave.
"Are you kidding," came Kerryn's reply. "Just half an hour ago she asked me if I knew where we could help her get a microwave".
God is at work around us.
We have often in recent days said that God is at work all the time around us. We need to identify where, and get on board.
Yesterday a lady in our community was having trouble with her new, quite advanced microwave. It was only weeks old, still with its box, receipt and warranty. She thought it was better for her to get a simpler machine, and felt God say to her "Give it to the Salvos".
She brought it to Greg with the instruction not to sell it (we can't sell electrical anyway, so it was a moot point), but to give it to the right person. Greg brought it up to our office with the same instructions.
Kerryn has been helping a lady in quite a desperate situation that has just moved into a flat. I was aware of this and asked her if she thought that this lady could do with a microwave.
"Are you kidding," came Kerryn's reply. "Just half an hour ago she asked me if I knew where we could help her get a microwave".
God is at work around us.
Seacombe Gardens Car Park
At our Seacombe Gardens centre you will start to see little yellow dots appearing over the coming weeks. No - you are not going mad.
In our rear car park, we have had ongoing trouble with where people choose to park, and mostly how they choose to park. This is limiting our car park capacity, which in turn has impacted some of our activities, especially our Pioneer Companion Club and our Garage Sale. If current trends continue, it will only be a matter of months before it impacts Sunday morning worship as well.
After some good research by Ross Lewis, purchasing work by Lynette Ritter, and some handy work from Kevin Wotton, we are trialling some car park markers in the gravel. They are pretty obvious - bit yellow dots. If they prove their worth over the next few months, we'll purchase some more and complete the exercise.
Oh - and to state the obvious... if you do park in the rear car park, park between the dots!
In our rear car park, we have had ongoing trouble with where people choose to park, and mostly how they choose to park. This is limiting our car park capacity, which in turn has impacted some of our activities, especially our Pioneer Companion Club and our Garage Sale. If current trends continue, it will only be a matter of months before it impacts Sunday morning worship as well.
After some good research by Ross Lewis, purchasing work by Lynette Ritter, and some handy work from Kevin Wotton, we are trialling some car park markers in the gravel. They are pretty obvious - bit yellow dots. If they prove their worth over the next few months, we'll purchase some more and complete the exercise.
Oh - and to state the obvious... if you do park in the rear car park, park between the dots!
Back to Church Sunday
It is a few days ago now, but we are still celebrating the great day we had on Sunday. During this week Kathleen is organising the follow up of our first time visitors from Sunday so that they know how much we appreciated their being with us.
In reality, much of the success of the day happened well before Sunday. We proved, albeit with the prompting of an organised focus day, that we have the capacity to invite people to church. And - that they will respond. The next step, of course, is to make this habitual, a part of our culture. We also need to ensure that the welcome they receive is indicative of 'coming home' or back to church also.
Thank you to those that have taken this initiative on board and invited their friends and family along. 19 people visited for the first time on Sunday morning alone, with others coming Sunday night.
In reality, much of the success of the day happened well before Sunday. We proved, albeit with the prompting of an organised focus day, that we have the capacity to invite people to church. And - that they will respond. The next step, of course, is to make this habitual, a part of our culture. We also need to ensure that the welcome they receive is indicative of 'coming home' or back to church also.
Thank you to those that have taken this initiative on board and invited their friends and family along. 19 people visited for the first time on Sunday morning alone, with others coming Sunday night.
Thursday, 8 September 2011
School Chaplains
I've promised in the past to keep everyone up to date with the School Chaplaincy campaign and any developments in this area. I believe that having chaplains in our schools is a vital service provision that is benefiting so many of our young people.
Yesterday the Federal Minister for Education, Mr Peter Garrett, announced significant changes to the federal schools chaplaincy program. These changes include further funding, which is welcome. They also include a new provision that allows schools to choose whether they would like a chaplain or a secular social worker. While the evidence is that the majority of principals are happy with chaplains, this means that some will choose to secularise their student services.
Other changes include new minimum qualification requirements (e.g. a Cert IV in Youth Work, Pastoral Care or equivilent). New benchmark standards will be introduced in service delivery and a new complaints process will be introduced.
For further details, see the Minister's media release at:
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Garrett/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_110907_102159.aspx
Yesterday the Federal Minister for Education, Mr Peter Garrett, announced significant changes to the federal schools chaplaincy program. These changes include further funding, which is welcome. They also include a new provision that allows schools to choose whether they would like a chaplain or a secular social worker. While the evidence is that the majority of principals are happy with chaplains, this means that some will choose to secularise their student services.
Other changes include new minimum qualification requirements (e.g. a Cert IV in Youth Work, Pastoral Care or equivilent). New benchmark standards will be introduced in service delivery and a new complaints process will be introduced.
For further details, see the Minister's media release at:
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Garrett/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_110907_102159.aspx
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