Still a long way from home by The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory July 2010 Volume 14 Issue 7

Still a

long

way from home

The worsening crisis of our homeless youth

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Editoria l

Going the extra mile for the Lord

ommitment. Wow! Every month, we read in Pipeline of people whose commitment is an inspiration. Issue after issue, we are elevated by articles about individuals who step up for God, The Salvation Army and others. In this edition, we meet 92-year-old Jo Evans, who drives around her Cairns aged-care centre in an electric scooter collecting for the Red Shield Appeal (P15). The annual appeal is awash every year with stories of inspiring commitment. One of my Salvation Army roles is to assist the Communications and Public Relations Department in local organisation of the appeal. Part of the organisation is a small committee of business people who work for several months to plan the official appeal launch in a local area – in my case, the Illawarra. Our business committee chairman is the chief executive officer of a national health insurance company. The Illawarra launch was a lunch for 150 prominent business and commerce leaders in the area. Our launch was held on a Thursday. It was a busy week for our business committee chairman. On the Tuesday of that week, he flew to Canberra to attend a day of meetings based around the Federal Budget. That night, he flew from Canberra to Melbourne to participate in a week of work conferences He left his Melbourne accommodation at 5 am on the Thursday to catch a 7 am flight to Sydney. After arriving in Sydney, he drove to Wollongong, where he

assisted in setting up a function room for the Red Shield Appeal lunch, which he hosted for the following 90 minutes. After the lunch, he helped clean up before driving back to Sydney to catch a flight back to Melbourne to resume his work conference. That’s commitment! Giving to the business appeal increased by 25 per cent. A national hardware store offered The Salvation Army the opportunity to place collectors at its stores as part of the doorknock. A senior Corps Officer in our area made “about 15 calls” trying to contact the appropriate person at his local store. His commitment paid off. His corps collected $3711.95 in three days at the store. That’s commitment! As a manager of a welfare centre, I can tell you that I – and many like me – are just so grateful for that kind of commitment. It makes it possible for us to do what we do. Where would we be if Jesus had not been committed to us; if He walked away when the pressure was applied? He says: “I will be with you, always”. That’s commitment! He doesn’t give up on us. Where would we be if God gave up on us after just one “call”? Commitment! What does it mean for you? That’s a conversation we need to have with the One who is committed to us. And, after having that conversation, to act according to the response. Bill Simpson Pipeline writer

Contents COV E R

The Salvation Army WILLIAM BOOTH, Founder

8-13 COLD COMFORT Pipeline writer Julia Hosking takes a look at the ongoing plight of Australia’s homeless youth two years after the ABC’s confronting documentary on The Salvation Army’s Oasis Centre

International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria street London EC4P 4EP Shaw Clifton, General Australia Eastern Territory 140 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000 Linda Bond, Commissioner Territorial Commander

FEATU R ES

6-7 INTEGRITY Major Dean Smith of Booth College brings the sacraments to the table in a theological reflection on the subject

Peter Sutcliffe, Major Communications Director

14-15 RED SHIELD HAS APPEAL The Australian public once again dug deep for the Salvos’ annual fundraiser thanks to an army of volunteer collectors

Scott Simpson Managing Editor Graphic design: James Gardner, Kem Pobjie

16-18 INVESTING IN A BRIGHTER FUTURE A Salvation Army-run, Federal Government-funded program for children is changing a south-east Queensland community for the better

Cover photo: Shairon Paterson Pipeline is a publication of the Communications Team

20-21 ENTERTAINMENT UNLIMITED Julia Hosking reports from the Unlimited Conference in Townsville

Editorial and correspondence: Address: PO Box A435 Sydney South NSW 1235 Phone: (02) 9266 9639 www.salvos.org.au Email: eastern.editorial @aue.salvationarmy.org Published for: The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory by Commissioner Linda Bond. Printed by: SOS Print + Media Group 65 Burrows Rd, Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia Print Post Approved PP236902/00023

STORY

THE SALVATION ARMY AUSTRALIA EASTERN TERRITORY JULY 2010 | VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 3

R EGULA RS 3 EDITORIAL 5 TC@PIPELINE 19 BOOK REVIEW 23-36 FROM THE COALFACE

Jamie Rule

HiptoHthoe p

top

Justice Crew’s got talent

IN THIS MONTH’S

CREATIVE MINISTRY

Salvos play a role as Justice Crew dance their way to the top

pipeline 07/2010 3

MISSION PRIORITIES UPDATE

Illawarra models way for integration By BILL SIMPSON

ot long after the seven mission priorities were unveiled, the Illawarra region of the NSW South Coast was selected as an experiment for integrating all forms of Salvation Army expression in one area. The Illawarra was seen as an ideal location because it was contained within a slim coastal strip between mountain and sea – from Helensburgh, immediately on the northern border with Sydney, to Kiama, 70kms to the south. Compressed within the strip are four corps (Woonona, Tarrawanna, Wollongong and Shellharbour), a developing community work which was once Berkeley Corps, a divisional welfare centre, domestic violence complex, Salvos Stores Illawarra administration office and eight shops, Employment Plus and the Illawarra Communications and Public Relations Office. The project involved bringing together the corps officers and lay leadership of the other operations. There was initial uncertainty. Some were reluctant to embrace yet another program with its promise of even more meetings. In addition, the non-corps outlets believed they had been integrating successfully for years. Corps relationships were open to improvement. Even so, we pressed on. There were early meetings in 2009. Facilitator Kingsley Nowell patiently and proficiently steered the group toward a position where it was determined that the exercise shouldn’t be all that difficult. In the end, the Illawarra group agreed that integration would mean “working

together to further the work of The Salvation Army”. Not too difficult, as long as we got the “working together” bit right. Supporting the Illawarra personnel were Sydney East and Illawarra mission director Major Diane Maxwell (corps) and Major Jeanette Stoltenberg (social). The team has been meeting every two to three months for the past 18 months. Understanding of what each other has to offer, how one can assist the other and tap into its resources, appreciating each other’s difficulties and how one can help the other has improved. The process has been patient, but, at least, forward-moving. While corps to corps and corps to centre relationships are improving, the first major event has now occurred. On Sunday, 2 May, all expressions of The Salvation Army in the area got together on the banks of Lake Illawarra for a four-hour event titled Salvos Out There. The idea was to remind the public of what The Salvation Army had to offer. Corps provided traditional and contemporary bands, children’s activities, prayer areas and food. The others exhibited their services. Hundreds of people were involved, including community. Divisional leaders Majors John and Narelle Rees spent the time mingling with an inquisitive public and “the flock”. Other divisional representatives, including Major Maxwell and Major Stoltenberg, also involved themselves. For the divisional and local leaders, it was very much an experimental mission that could be built upon.

There are plans for at least three such events in the first 12 months. Others are planned for Wollongong and the Woonona area. Major John Rees saw the 2 May effort as: “… an attitude of heart and mind that says no to disease and dysfunction (a cloister mentality) and yes to effective mission and single hearted devotion to Christ”. “Salvos Out There was born in the hearts and minds of the local expression of the Army in the Illawarra region. It was an outcome of unity and mutual trust. The great news is that this is only the beginning. The body of Christ was engaging – inclusive, joyful and energetic.” For Major Maxwell, Salvos out There was a good day for many reasons. The community was able to see all the aspects of Salvationism in the one vicinity. The Salvos who attend Sunday service and those providing frontline services were able to see that they are part of a wider and varied Salvation Army. Wisely, she recommends the Illawarra experiment be allowed to proceed at a pace suitable to the local leadership and not pressured into being held up as the only model of integration. Other areas of the territory will make their own contribution, from which others, including the Illawarra, can learn.

Bill Simpson is The Salvation Army Illawarra Community Welfare Manager

Getting “out there” for Christ The production and provision of ministry resources often seems endless but, as COMMISSIONER LINDA BOND discovered, they can sometimes hit the mark to save lives and souls

t was a lunch hour. I was the Candidates’ Secretary at the time and decided to take the opportunity to do my personal banking. Clad in my uniform, of course, I hurried down Yonge Street in Toronto. Needless to say, this main thoroughfare was traffic-ridden. Just as I was to cross the street, I noticed a very dishevelled old woman teetering on the curb with her back to the traffic. So as not to embarrass her, I got up real close and whispered, “Can I help you?” Her response – “Go to h–!” Wow, what a shock! I was glad she didn’t shout it out but kept her rebuke between ourselves. When I went back to the office to report the story, didn’t they laugh! Here was the good captain, trying to be Miss Salvation Army. I had to take the ridicule on board simply because it struck me funny as well. My motive was pure but the lady perhaps saw me as a meddling do-gooder. There may be occasions when we are rebuffed but in the main the response to The Salvation Army’s practical ministry is humbling in the best sense of the word. On Thursday, 20 November, 2008, our territory launched a major initiative to help deal with depression in rural Australia. Statistics tell us that depression affects one million adults and costs more than $600 million annually. It is estimated one in five Australians will experience depression at some point in their lifetime. Depression was, and is, no small challenge. In an effort to respond to this urgent need with a resource that was practical and personal, our territory released a DVD on how to manage and tackle depression. Anna Rudd, a soldier, who had the vision for Braver, Stronger, Wiser, produced it, and Lt-Colonel Lyn Green helped the territory embrace the vision. Half-a-million copies were distributed across Australia free of charge. But are giveaways potential throwaways? Do we create resources assuming this is just what people need only to find that we totally missed the mark? Sometimes.

But in this case, a year and a half later, I received an update on the powerful impact of this DVD. Major Ron Anderson, chaplain of the Rural Fire Service, gives proof positive that the message of Braver, Stronger, Wiser connected. He writes: “The distribution was so powerful. We share one story with you of a family living on the border of southern NSW. Mother and daughter decided to have medical checks done together, the result being cancer within both of them. The husband being distraught spoke with one of the Rural Fire Service critical incident team members who, following wise counsel, handed him a copy of Braver, Stronger, Wiser along with the handout book we included with every DVD. This chap came back some months later saying ‘that Salvo DVD saved our family’”. This past weekend I was in Townsville for the Unlimited Conference. On the Saturday afternoon I dedicated a helicopter and a bus. Now that was a first! Babies? Yes. Instruments, corps buildings, aged care homes? For sure. But this was, (to use an upto-date expression) “out there”. And the truth is, the whole purpose of the helicopter is to be out there for those in the lonely places in the Outback and to be out there, to reach children and youth with the computerequipped Oasis Youth bus. Maybe one day, a rancher will write “that Salvo helicopter saved my life”. Maybe an on-fire-for-Jesus young adult will recall: “that Salvo bus saved my life.” But we won’t bask in the glory of such compliments, will we? Not a DVD, a helicopter, a bus or even a Salvo is the Saviour. But they all are dedicated to the ministry of pointing to One!

Commissioner Linda Bond is Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory.

pipeline 07/2010 5

Breaking open the Many Salvationsists are unclear about the status of the sacraments in the church. Major DEAN SMITH brings the topic to the table in a theological reflection on the subject

s it any wonder that we Salvationists are at times confused about our stance on the sacraments? On the one hand it is claimed that we are non-sacramental in our observance yet on the other that we are a sacramental community. What are we to make of such a seeming contradiction? Perhaps the problem lies in our use of the terms. The word sacrament can be used to refer to historical rites or practices of the church like baptism and the Lord’s Supper. In this sense it is acknowledged that we are non-sacramental because we do not observe these rites or practices. The word sacrament may also refer to a theological principle. In this sense we are indeed sacramental because we do embrace a sacramental theology. Or, to put it in the language of our doctrine book, we are a sacramental people because we are in communion with Jesus Christ the one true sacrament. As I will argue, not observing particular sacraments is perfectly compatible with being a sacramental people. Now the debates within Salvation Army circles over the sacraments have traditionally centred not on the use of the term sacrament as a theological principle, but rather on the use of sacrament as it refers to the historical rites or practices of the Church. More specifically I am referring to the practice that has come to be known as the Lord’s Supper or Communion. Much heat has been generated over the years as Salvationists worldwide have sought to understand their position on ‘non-sacramental’ observance as a legitimate response to the Biblical revelation. More often than not the justification for non-sacramental

observance has focused on the Scriptural warrant for such a stance. The problem here is that the great majority of Christians throughout the world believe there is strong Scriptural warrant for that same sacramental observance. If history has taught us anything it is that there are no winners in a debate that is dependent on Scriptural proof-texting to settle a matter. Combatants in such a debate simply end up talking past each other and there is nothing gained on either side. I don’t think in any case that arguing over different church practices really gets us to the heart of the matter.

Incarnation of Christ

I believe that there is more to be gained, both in our own understanding of our position, and for our contribution to the church universal, if we take as our starting point for reflection on the sacraments the Incarnation of Christ. By beginning here we will find ourselves on ground shared by orthodox Christians everywhere. Here we move away from debating Church practices and instead focus on the theological principles underpinning such practices. If we can find common ground here then we might be surprised to find that we have been arguing against a straw man all along. The traditional definition of a sacrament is ‘an outward and visible sign of inward grace’. Jesus Christ is himself the sacramental reality par excellence. It is in the humanity of Christ that we have the outward and visible sign of inward divine grace. In Christ we have the most profound sacramental reality. As Salvation Story affirms our life centres on Christ ‘the one true sacrament’. Now the Church has always been

careful to protect the real connection between the humanity and the divinity of Christ, between the outward and visible sign and the inner divine reality. The technical term for this connection is the hypostatic union. What this means in the case of Christ is that the outward and visible sign (the humanity of Christ) not only stands for or points beyond itself to another (divine) reality, but it is ‘tied’ to that reality in such a way that it actually is the mediator of grace to the world.

Signs of love

The Catholic theologian Karl Rahner provides a beautiful analogy from everyday experience to explain the importance of a real connection between a sign (the outward manifestation) and that which is signified (the inward reality). Rahner offers the kiss or the handshake as examples of the outward signs of love. It would make very little sense for us to think of love without its physical or ‘outward’ manifestations or signs. We show love (an inner disposition) by way of physical signs (outer manifestation). Psychologists have conclusively shown that without human touch infants simply do not develop properly and may even die. It would be no defence for a parent up on a charge of neglect to say that although they offered no physical signs to their child they nevertheless really loved them. It would also be a most unsatisfactory situation if one of the partners in a marriage were to suggest to their spouse that henceforth the marriage would be conducted on a purely ‘platonic’ or ‘spiritual’ plain without the diversions of physical signs. I am not just referring here either to the sexual union of husband and wife, but rather the entire range of

Integrity

Growing Saints

sacraments physical signs of love and affection. Nobody would seriously consider this as a legitimate course of action, yet it is sometimes imagined that when it comes to divine reality the outward sign or mediation of this reality is somehow unnecessary. It is only when we lose sight of the Incarnation as our model for sacramentality that we can fall into the trap of thinking that a real connection between the outward and visible sign of inward divine grace is not important. To do so, however, is to sever the connection between the human and divine in Christ and to call into question the very act of Incarnation itself.

Sacramental debate

In the debate over the sacraments there are those who do reject the notion of a real connection between the outward and visible sign and the inner grace that is signified in the Lord’s Supper. This in fact was the position of the Reformer Huldrych Zwingli who believed that sacraments were nothing more than memorials and so no real means of grace. The other Reformers, it must be pointed out, rejected this view and retained the more traditional understanding of Christ being in some sense present in the act of communion. We come close to the view of Zwingli whenever we make the claim that outward signs are no more than pointers to grace. Indeed this distinction has sometimes been emphasised to the point where one is encouraged to focus on the purely ‘inward’ experience of grace without the outward sign or symbol being necessary. But Christians of an orthodox stripe simply cannot make such a claim without falling into the not so uncommon dualistic heresy of docetism. Docetism was an early belief that Jesus was purely spiritual in his manifestation and only appeared to be a real human being. Some Christians, and dare I here include Salvationists, come terribly close to this view when they imagine that spirituality is some reality divorced from its historical and

physical instantiation. This has for some become the rationale for not practicing the traditional sacramental rites. We can experience the inner grace, so the logic goes, without the outward sign. Again, to reach such a conclusion is to lose sight of the Incarnation as the basis of our deep sacramental view. If we accept the truth of the Incarnation then we cannot but be a sacramental people in the very deep sense. That is, grace is experienced through its outward manifestations or signs.

God’s grace

The difference between ourselves and other Christians then is not that we reject their signs or sacramental rites, only that like Oliver Twist we dare ask for more, more signs of divine grace in a grace-starved world. We differ not in our deep sacramental theology, but rather in the way in which we have interpreted our practice in light of that theology. In this we are closer in our position to the Catholics and the mainstream Reformers. As Salvationists we believe that our entire reality can be the site or locus of God’s grace. Paul refers to believers as being ‘in Christ’ and Peter speaks of our participation in the divine life. Our life ‘in Christ’ is the sign of God’s grace because of our union with Christ the one true original sacrament. Here we share much with the Quakers. Consider the following profound passage by the pen of Quaker Thomas R Kelly: I believe that the group mysticism of the gathered meeting rests upon the Real Presence of God in our midst. Quakers generally hold to a belief in Real Presence, as firm and solid as the belief of Roman Catholics in the Real Presence in the host, the bread and wine of the Mass. In the host the Roman Catholic is convinced that the literal, substantial Body of Christ is present. For him the Mass is not a mere symbol, a dramatizing of some figurative relationship of man to God. It rests upon the persuasion that an Existence, a Life, the Body of Christ, is really present and entering into the body of man. Here the Quaker is very near the Roman Catholic. For the Real Presence of

the gathered meeting is an existential fact. To use philosophical language, it is an ontological matter, not merely a psychological matter. The bond of union in divine fellowship is existential and real, not figurative. It is the life of God himself, within whose life we live and move and have our being. And the gathered meeting is a special case of holy fellowship of the blessed community. Salvationists everywhere could say amen to this. We would want to add, however, that not just the gathered meeting, but also the sent or scattered community is the Real Presence of Christ in the world. As believers incorporated in spiritual union with Christ the one true sacrament, the body of Christ the Church, is God’s sign of atoning grace in the world. We are the Real Presence of Christ in the world.

Divine reality

This profound sacramental reality could be easily referred to as Life with a capital ‘L’. This is indeed the life of Christ. But let us be clear here, while we might recognise a real (ontological) connection between the divine Christ and his continued embodied existence in the world (the Church) there needs to be an actualising of the divine reality at the psychological level as well. As the Wesleyan scholar Randy Maddox has made clear, our relationship with God is to be thought of in terms of both grace and responsibility. In our ongoing experience of redemption there is God’s part and there is our part. Our part is to consciously actualise the grace that in reality informs our life. Without psychological intention on our part the sacramental remains only a possibility for continued on page 19 >>>

Major Dean Smith PhD is the Dean of Higher Education at Booth College in Sydney

pipeline 07/2010 7

Cold comfort

Documentary success exposes worsening crisis of youth homelessness

The plight of Australia’s homeless youth was largely unknown to the public before an ABC television documentary on The Salvation Army’s Oasis centre opened veiled eyes in April 2008. JULIA HOSKING investigates what has happened in the two years since

t has been difficult to ignore the problem that exists on our nation’s streets. Businesses, the media, members of the public and the government who were once ignorant to the youth homelessness issue now have no excuse. And the Oasis Youth Support Network in Sydney’s Surry Hills – the focus of the documentary called The Oasis – has never been the same since, thanks to Shark Island Productions and the ABC. “We’d expected that our lives would be on TV and our lives would have gone back to normal. But it didn’t go back to normal, it still hasn’t gone back to normal,” shares Captain Paul Moulds, who is the director of the Oasis Youth Support Network. Instead, rather surprisingly, Paul found himself inundated with phone calls,

Photo: Shairon Paterson

emails, letters, donations and offers to help almost from the minute the documentary ran its credits. While the pace of life at Oasis has picked up for Paul, he is incredibly grateful for the platform The Oasis provided. “I think it was always easy for people to dismiss [the kids we work with] as being feral, and out of control. What the documentary gave was an insight into the journey behind where they are today,” he shares. “And I think when people saw that, they were shocked, they were alarmed, they were dismayed that these things could happen in Australia and they wanted to do something … so it’s been an amazing platform I think to educate people and then to call people to action.” And action has been taken on many levels by a variety of groups, organisations and individuals. Almost 80 disadvantaged young people have received jobs since the documentary, simply because businesses wanted to help. Additionally, one organisation provided sufficient funds to open five new beds in the crisis unit at Oasis, companies have run fundraisers, and individuals have donated everything from baby clothing to movie tickets. Even the first volunteer course run after The Oasis aired was the largest ever with 55 people. One of the most significant impacts of The Oasis, however, is the campaign, 32,000 To Go – an initiative of creative agency Host. Host is located in Surry Hills and was shocked to discover their

proximity to so many homeless young people. Consequently, they partnered with Oasis to create the advocacy campaign, completely pro bono. “The idea of the 32,000 campaign is to say, ‘Look, this is the number of kids that in the last census were homeless between 12 and 24; will you join Oasis in helping reduce that number?’” Paul says. The commencement of the campaign saw an eight-page insert in every Daily Telegraph in Sydney and every Courier Mail in Brisbane. The pages depicted lives of young people and showed that the number 32,000 can be reduced in both positive (employment) and negative ways (death/prison). The Oasis and the consequential 32,000 To Go campaign demonstrated to Paul the power and effects of advocacy. “Oasis was already strong in programs, we’ve got some great accommodation programs, great counselling programs, great employment programs, great education programs; what [advocacy through The Oasis has] given us is a capacity to grow those and increase their reach,” he explains. Because Paul has learnt the value of advocacy, he is now committed to being an advocate for homeless youth, as well as working on the frontline. “If you’ve got no vehicle to make [people] aware [of the situation] then you struggle to do what you have, let alone grow what you dream to grow.” Another corporate partnership Paul is excited about is with the Virgin Group. Their charity arm Virgin Unite >>>

The 32,000 To Go website (32000togo.com.au) is a hub for information on the campaign and the issue of youth homelessness. Here are some ways you can get involved to help reduce the number of youth on our streets. •

Become educated and let others know about youth homelessness by becoming a fan of Oasis on Facebook

•

Talk to others about the issue

•

Write to your local Member of Parliament about the issue

•

Volunteer

•

Give a monetary or material donation

pipeline 07/2010 9

WALL BOY AND POLLY AND ME

he Shark Island Productions team were deeply impacted by the creation of The Oasis and wanted to keep youth homelessness high on the social agenda. As a result, they created two short fiction films based on true stories: Wall Boy and Polly and Me. Polly and Me (written, directed and produced by Ian Darling) tells the story of a young girl who grows up in a family where she’s exposed to abuse and neglect. It is based on hundreds of true stories Ian heard that demonstrated that the problems youth experience often stem from their childhood. “Polly and Me is part of our on-

has, because of The Oasis, committed to supporting youth homelessness and has already funded a leadership program at Oasis in Surry Hills called the Champions Program. This program is equipping disadvantaged young people to openly share their journey behind their situation. The issue of homelessness gained momentum on the political agenda following the release of the 2006 National Youth Commission Report. The Oasis followed that in 2008, and in December that year, the government released its White Paper on homelessness titled, The Road Home: A National Approach to Reducing Homelessness. Overall, Paul compliments the government on The Road Home. “[It] was a very well-thought through document. The Salvation Army is welcomed, and I certainly think it’s got a lot of great things that should see us make an impact.” The overarching goal announced in The Road Home is to see homelessness halved by 2020. “The baseline figure they’re using there is the 2006 census and 105,000, so you’re talking about homelessness in 2020 still being 55,000 people,” Paul comments. “So do I think we should achieve that? Absolutely. Do I think that at the present rate of progress, are we going to? No, not unless we put a lot more effort into this issue.” In the two years that have passed since The Oasis was released, despite the increased awareness, many youth still have nowhere to sleep at night and Photo: Shairon Paterson

going strategy to focus attention on, and help deal with, the problems associated with youth homelessness,” Ian writes on the Polly and Me website (pollyandme.com.au). “We are partnering with many organisations in this initiative, and on an individual as well as collective basis, we will be creating a series of responses to present to the Federal and State Governments.” Wall Boy (written and directed by Sascha Ettinger Epstein) is also based on a true story, a tale told by Captain Paul Moulds about a teenage runaway who became trapped in heroin and prostitution. He was allowed to use The Salvation Army’s outreach bus for the computer, but could not speak with anyone as his every move was monitored by a man in a nearby car. Sascha writes on the Wall Boy

Oasis still struggles to move youth into independent housing when they are ready. According to the government, changes are due in the next year or two, so Paul is diplomatic in holding his judgement. He does, however, note that the government has commenced work on long-term housing stock, and has supplied no interim measure of crisis accommodation.

“In the two years that have passed since The Oasis was released, despite the increased awareness, many youth still have nowhere to sleep at night ... “ “What I hoped was that the government might have done the longterm plan, which I think is fantastic – building more housing stock – but in the interim period they said while we’re working on that, let’s make a response now. Let’s open a couple more large

website (wallboy.com.au): “We believed funds were raised to assist existing Oasis programs as well as to commence our short stories would make great youth outreach programs (spurred dramatic short films, and also have a by Wall Boy) and young parenting potent social purpose – to keep youth programs (spurred by Polly and Me) at issues in the public eye in the wake of various Salvation Army corps / centres. The Oasis.” Shark Island Wall Boy and Polly Productions’ plan for and Me were officially these films was to released in June this year develop a targeted at a private Salvation strategy to bring Army screening in and awareness to youth Sydney for various nothomelessness and for-profit organisations, generate support for major donors, Oasis youth centres. They are Advisory Board in the process of members, government representatives and key developing a government celebrities. Similar events campaign and are were held in other parts working with the ABC to of the Australia Eastern have a national television Territory. At the launch, release of the films. EMMA PALMER

TERRY SERIO

MADISON DE SOUSA

Polly Me A short film by Shark Island Productions

www.pollyandme.com.au

SHARK ISLAND PRODUCTIONS presents EMMA PALMER, TERRY SERIO and featuring MADISON DE SOUSA “POLLY AND ME” Costume Design JO BRISCO, Production Design NICHOLAS McCALLUM, Sound Design ANNIE BRESLIN, Music FELICITY FOX, Line Producer MARY MACRAE, Edited by SALLY FRYER, Director of Photography PETER HOLLAND, Produced by IAN DARLING and SUSAN MacKINNON, Written and Directed by IAN DARLING.

shelters where we can bring people off the street into,” Paul expresses. “They didn’t do that. They just put all their efforts into the longer-term plan. “And what amazes me, is that we did it for the Olympics. When the Olympics were on and we wanted to take homeless people off the street, we opened three shelters for the three months that the Olympics were on … and I would have hoped that we could have done an interim measure that said look let’s respond immediately and build the stock that we need for the future.” Due to the Global Financial Crisis, Paul believes that if any change has been made in two years, it is in the wrong direction. The City of Sydney, since August 2008, has been counting homelessness in the city every six months. Their first count saw 823 people sleeping rough (on the street, in overnight shelters and in homelessness hostel beds). This dropped to 764 in February 2009, yet rose to 837 in August that year. The most recent count, February 2010, noted, unfortunately, another increase, and the number of rough sleepers stood at 888. Additionally, The Salvation Army’s Australia Eastern Territory has noted significant increases from 2008 to 2009 in clients who access their community welfare services. More than 1000 additional people indicated that they were sleeping in their cars, were homeless, sleeping rough, or living in tents. This is approximately a 45 percent increase across the territory. Further to that, data from

2010 indicates another 5 per cent increase. While crisis housing and housing stock is important, Paul believes that the structural and generational nature of homelessness also needs attention. “They say that about a third of the people who grow up in state care become homeless. Well there’s 35,000 young people in state care throughout Australia. A third of those we know, unless there’s some significant change in the way we deal with them, will go on to become homeless. So there’s an extra you know 15,000 young people who will become homeless if we don’t transition them better into the community.” As a Salvation Army officer, Paul is also passionate about assisting the Army’s other Oasis services, and equipping people in individual corps, to help reduce the number of homeless young people in the community. “We [at Oasis Surry Hills] need to say to Salvation Army corps and social centres all over our territory, ‘Is it your heart to [serve homeless youth]? Because we want to resource you, we want to give you ideas, we want to give you resources to actually go and do that work’,” Paul says. “If we do nothing, these young people will go on to become homeless adults, so we have got a chance to change destinies here. I can’t think of a better space where The Salvation Army can work. That’s our whole message, holistically, changing destinies of people. So we want to resource the wider Salvation Army to go to the dark places of our community.” 

Recognition for years of dedication   C

aptains Paul and Robbin Moulds have been officially recognised for their work among the homeless and disadvantaged youth of Sydney by being made Members in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM).  This award, announced on Monday, 14 June, recognises their commitment to their ministry over a period of more than 27 years. Captain Paul Moulds is the Director of the Oasis Youth Support Network and Captain Robbin Moulds works closely with him as well as working as the Manager of Streetlevel – a community centre in the heart of Sydney that welcomes and cares for homeless and disadvantaged people of all ages. The Moulds’ Captain Robbin Moulds are known for their deep compassion, sacrifice, respect and belief in those they work with, and for the creation of innovative services to assist people who are often forgotten and ignored by the community.  Speaking about the award, Captain Paul Moulds says they are both humbled to receive it and grateful that the importance of their work has been recognised: “Many people are still excluded from enjoying the opportunities Australia provides, and the most important remedy for this situation is having dedicated people working on the front lines of human need. I hope this award inspires other Australians to consider dedicating their lives to this cause.”  Captain Robbin Moulds: “Our motivation for doing this work is the love of God we ourselves have experienced, and Jesus’ call not to live selfishly, but to bring hope and light to those living in despair and darkness.  “Thank you Australia for recognising our work in this way and we commit to keep working and serving with the hope that homelessness, poverty and injustice in our community will be finally overturned.”

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A voice for the homeless youth of our nation Captain PAUL MOULDS often has the opportunity to address business and community leaders at functions. Here is an edited transcript of one of his speeches highlighting his work as director of the Oasis centre

adies and Gentlemen, Thank you for your interest in our work and in making a difference in the lives of young people. It is encouraging to them, to have this opportunity, but also to those of us who work with them every day, who see their potential, who know their tragic stories, and who long for them to find a pathway back into the community. This course is one such pathway, its value is incalculable. It says we believe in you, we want you to succeed, and we will give you the chance to do that. It has been a great honour for Oasis to play a small part in making Australia more aware of the issue of homeless, particularly youth homelessness. Since The Oasis documentary I have sensed Australia is more aware and connected to this issue. My one great regret in the 13 years I have been working at Oasis is that we have been so focused on working on the frontline – finding beds, educating, training, inspiring hope in individuals who have lost their way, that we have neglected crying out to Australia – this should not be! I regret that I have stood before many audiences over those years and asked them to give money and support, but not also asked you to lobby your local

MPs, to write letters, to enlist friends, to harass newspaper editors, to stand with us and say THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH AUSTRALIA. Oh, I regret that we haven’t been a loud and prophetic voice to our nation – calling for justice for young people who are carrying such heavy loads, with deep scars, facing great challenges, needing intensive help. I promise that I will no longer be a silent partner to injustice. We will be a voice for the young people of our nation. So while I applaud the vision and commitment that the Goverment has brought since The Oasis was aired, I have to tell you that nothing has really changed for our most vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens. In fact due to the challenging economic conditions Australia is now facing, I would dare to suggest that the situation is far graver and more serious than ever before. Dare I suggest that while we bail out companies and financial institutions that are in trouble, we give attention to our fellow Australians who are facing eviction and putting new pressures on our homeless person system. Perhaps we need an economic rescue package that can be administered fairly and compassionately by agencies like Oasis.

This is a crisis now for young people. The other concern is our about young homeless people who are longterm unemployed and seeking to find a pathway back into the workforce. Working with homeless youth requires skill, persistence, and huge amounts of faith, hope and love, characteristics that mark our charities and community-based organisations. Please, as we move forward to really tackle homelessness in our country, maybe for the first time in a planned and major way, let’s take forward those who have worked at the coalface when there wasn’t much resources, and when we had little but care and compassion to work with. This is life saving work, there is nothing more important we could do than save young lives. The enormous response we have witnessed since the release of the documentary The Oasis has convinced me that many Australians are ignorant of the fact that 32,000 young people are homeless in our nation, but that if they know they will care, they will act, they will demand that we do better!! Will you add your voice to ours calling for a more just society? Will you give of your excess so that others might simply live? And so that every young person has a chance for hope and a future?

Oasis: A territorial project

he Oasis Youth Support Network in Surry Hills may be receiving all the media attention, but it is only one component of The Salvation Army’s services to homeless young people. In addition to being the Director of the Oasis Youth Support Network in Surry Hills, Captain Paul Moulds is the Territorial Coordinator of the Oasis Youth Network, a part of the Australia Eastern Territory’s Mission and Resource Team – Social. Across the territory, there are various homeless youth sites – all part of the Oasis Youth Network – that are in regular contact and communication with one another. The Oasis Youth Network has five goals: 1. Alleviate the negative impact of homelessness amongst young people; 2. Provide early intervention and crisis support to homeless young people or those at risk of homelessness; 3. Develop supports to help young people to build resilience and develop their potential; 4. Reduce the level of homelessness amongst young people; 5. Improve service responses and develop innovative initiatives. Overall, the network is focused on “partnering, innovation and sharing practice wisdom”. The individual sites are under the territorial network, however they are managed separately within the various divisions. For more information on Oasis, please visit: salvos.org.au/oasis

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Red Shield has

wide appeal By BILL SIMPSON

ommunity support of The Salvation Army’s social welfare work continues at a very high level, according to giving at the annual Red Shield Appeal. More than $31 million had been banked from public and business donations to this year’s appeal in the Australia Eastern Territory when Pipeline went to press in late June. The appeal closes on 30 June. Territorial Communications and Public Relations Secretary Major Glenn Whittaker said he was quite confident the 2010 total would exceed last year’s record giving of $34.9 million. Major Whittaker said donations were still being received, even though a residential doorknock campaign and business community launch had been held throughout the territory (NSW, ACT and Queensland) in May. An extensive mailing campaign had also been held in June. “Follow up is extremely important

to the overall result of the Red Shield Appeal,” Major Whittaker said. “It reminds those who may have, for some reason, missed the initial opportunities to give. “We are hopeful the follow up will bring its usual excellent results. “We in The Salvation Army are people of faith and believe that God has his hand on all that is being done.” There are three components of the Red Shield Appeal – doorknock, business and mail. Territorial Appeal Director Major Jeff Winterburn said all three areas had worked well this year. • The doorknock had raised $5.27m • Business appeal $9m • Mail appeal $16.8m “We are grateful to the public for their extraordinary giving, to thousands of collectors and support staff for their work on doorknock day and the hundreds of business and community people who give their valuable time to help us organise the events that go with a Red Shield Appeal,” Major Winterburn said.

“It is overwhelming that the business and general community provides so much support to The Salvation Army. “We thank all Australians who have contributed so generously to the Red Shield Appeal this year. It has been another encouraging result. “But we do not take that support for granted. Without it, we would not be able to continue with our wide range of social program and community services, assisting those who are disadvantaged and marginalised in our community. “Despite continuing economic pressures on many households, it is evident the community is still strongly committed to assisting people in need through The Salvation Army.” The Salvation Army spends more than $500 million per year on its social welfare program in Australia. Australia Southern Territory Red Shield Appeal figures are similar to those of the Eastern Territory, which means more than $60 million has been raised throughout Australia, to date.

Salvation Army soldiers Michelle and Peter Hutchinson (above), of Wollongong Corps, had a brush with fame while out collecting for the Red Shield Appeal when they came across St George Illawarra Dragons and NSW Blues star Michael Weyman. (Right) Commissioner Linda Bond at the appeal launch in Sydney.

92-year-old scooters for the Salvos! By Lauren Martin

o Evans doesn’t let her age get in the way of her determination to support the Salvos. The 92-year-old Cairns agedcare facility resident spent both Saturday and Sunday of The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal weekend collecting donations from fellow residents in the 70unit facility. “I’ve been doing it six years now,” Jo said. “In the first year I collected $180 but in the last few years I’ve received well over $400 in donations.” When Jo got too frail to walk, The Salvation Army gave her an electric scooter which had been donated. It’s her main method of transportation these days and during the Red Shield Appeal weekend she can’t be missed in her Salvation Army uniform scootering through the village to collect. Jo says: “I just love The Salvation Army devotedly and volunteering each year is my way of giving something back for all the help and love they’ve given me.”

Photo: Jake Nowakowski

Jo Evans (left) on her scooter ready to collect for The Salvation Army over the Red Shield Appeal weekend.

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ron Paterson

Photos: Shai

Investing in a H

e was pretty much your average-looking four-yearold boy. There was nothing obvious in his demeanour to indicate the dark thoughts of his mind. But the attitudes already forming in someone so young were cause for concern – and urgent remedial action. He used a string of expletives to describe women. But the boy wasn’t really to blame, according to program manager Geraldine Harris. His response was an example of how he had been socialised. He was speaking about life as he had experienced it in his first four years. And, while not condoning the infant’s attitude, his comments were extremely helpful for planners in deciding directions for their programs. From comments like his, the Communities for Children Family Support Program evolved under the direction of The Salvation Army’s Life Community

A Salvation Army-run, Federal Government-funded program for children is, as BILL SIMPSON finds out, changing a south Queensland community for the better Church in Logan City, south of Brisbane. The Communities for Children program is possibly the most extensive family support project in The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory. Thousands of children and parents are involved. It’s a community-wide project, basically with The Salvation Army at the centre as the catalyst or facilitator and dozens of groups like child-care centres, neighbourhood centres, playgroups, etc, at the grassroots level, spread across the suburbs providing vital public services. Some programs run out of the Life Community Church at Slacks Creek.

The services range from healthy eating sessions to massage for mothers and babies, playgroups, literacy classes, parenting , story-reading and telling for both parents and children, behaviour management, music and a return to “old schoolyard” games like hopscotch and marbles. There’s even classes to encourage babies to dump their dummy and bottle. The Federal Government is so impressed, it recently renewed $2.4 million in funding for the next three years. Geraldine Harris is invited to lecture at university and TAFE classes, speak at seminars and provide advice at the top

brighter future level of family support. The starting point for Communities for Children was a 2005 Federal Government study that revealed children in disadvantaged areas were more likely to contract chronic diseases and get caught up in the cycle of school truancy, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, unemployment and welfare dependence. Logan City fitted the picture perfectly. It had the highest level of multiculturalism in the world – something like 87 different cultures speaking 176 different languages. Cultural differences made it difficult for families to access the support they needed.

Negative traits

The government study discovered negative traits were already appearing in children as young as nought to five. It decided to see what could be done to arrest the issues, offering funds to any organisation willing to work to reverse attitudes in preschoolers.

Life Community Church put up its hand and received $3 million in initial funding three years ago. Enormous amounts of community consultation followed until the program reached its current standing. The consultation goes on, with new groups and ideas being formed. Geraldine sees the program as a whole-of-community approach to early intervention and prevention that includes the very young children, their families and people who work with them. She calls these people “practitioners”. The program, she says, is simply bringing together available services in the community under one umbrella – in this case The Salvation Army. So, there is one reference point for a family seeking help. Streamlining the process also helps identify gaps in services. To initially identify the needs, children in the 0-5 age group were interviewed and asked, through taking their own

photographs, painting pictures and talking, how they saw things. What they said was precisely what their parents were saying. It was in one such session that the fouryear-old boy mentioned at the start of this article made his disclosures. Some parts of the program have developed so positively that groups initially instructed by The Salvation Army are now advising the Army on where to next. “It’s a basic community regeneration model. You start off by providing support to the community and that community then takes over and supports itself,” Geraldine says. “Instead of us telling them what they need, they now call us to tell us what they need.” That’s what the funding is for. A Salvation Army management group consisting of territorial, divisional and local corps representatives distributes the finding to each project. >>>

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Children are the priority at The Salvation Army’s Life Community Church in Logan City, where Geraldine Harris (right) is the manager of the Communities for Children program which is overseen by Majors Colin and Sue Hopper.

A management committee of stakeholders – government, nongovernment, indigenous and education – oversights the program. Geraldine is the hands-on manager, working out of the Life Community Church with six staff. She has a background in psychiatric and general nursing, child care, teaching and community programs. Her personal philosophy on why she is involved is simple: “Those who have the ability have the responsibility.”

Taking the lead

Corps Officer Major Colin Hopper says his corps could not ignore the facts as revealed in the studies. “Well, I suppose we could ignore it –

Photos: Shairon Paterson

or we could take the lead. We chose to take the lead. “The strength of the program has been in partnering with the organisations already in the community and facilitating new groups. What we see, as a result, is an exciting change in young families, ensuring children receive what they need to develop a healthy lifestyle. “I see it much the same as [Salvation Army founder] William Booth providing shelter for the homeless, the prostitutes, etc. “It’s the influence of Godly people standing by others to bring hope – maybe not always with the words of the Gospel, but with acts of love. “Yes, we want to see our corps grow as a result of this. But we also want to

see our community change for the better. There is evidence the change is beginning to happen.” The program is now being extended to include children from six to 12. In addition to some of the programs mentioned above, planning is underway on subjects like “drug proofing your kids”, “life skillz”, “girl’s self esteem”, “boyz only” and “antibullying”.

Bill Simpson is a staff writer for Pipeline and supplements

Book Reviews

Handbook highly readable and user-friendly Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover, as retired officer ALAN HARLEY found out when he delved into the revised edition of The Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine

andbooks of Doctrine have come a long way since the first in 1881. While the doctrines have remained unaltered, each new Handbook has reflected the thoughtforms of the era in which it was written. Salvation Story, which appeared in 1998, represented a significant departure from its predecessors and, with its work book, proved to be an excellent resource. Following the warm reception given Salvation Story and its creative approach to the teaching of our theology, some were disappointed to learn that it was to be succeeded by a new Handbook of Doctrine. Thus it was good to discover that the best of Salvation Story and its study guide is to be found in the new work, plus a lot more. It is written in a style both scholarly and readable. It represents a middle-ofthe-road theological position – evangelical without being fundamentalist and respectful of contemporary scholarship without embracing liberalism. It is clearly committed to the spirit of Wesleyan teaching “in which Salvation Army doctrine has its roots” (page 140), with that tradition’s emphasis on a free, sure, and full salvation and “Wesley’s distinctively optimistic understanding of the working’s of God’s grace” (page 123). It sets out the positions of those with whom we do not agree in a spirit of Christian courtesy. For example, in a fine discussion regarding the teachings of classic Calvinism and that of the Army (the Arminian-Wesleyan position) it says, “it is important to remember that both Calvinism and Arminianism are systems

of theology which were developed by godly, scholarly, biblically focused Christians. Both trace their roots to the Bible and contain elements of truth. The Calvinist emphasis on the absolute sovereignty of God can be traced in Scripture, as can the Arminian insistence on the free will of humanity” (page 188). Such rancour-free language is a mark of mature writing and a mature movement. Many will welcome the inclusion of the International Spiritual Life Commission Report, as well as a fine chapter on the doctrine of the Church. The Handbook contains a lectionary of major Church and Salvationist Festivals and special days, each of which is linked to an appropriate section of the work’s doctrinal study. This will be of major importance to the creative corps officer and worship leader. It contains a brief but useful description of many of the major figures in church history, and glossaries of theological terms and English usage. The work provides a solid exposition of Salvationist theology while at the same time introducing the reader to wider world of theological scholarship. It does this in such a way as to not overwhelm the reader. Every topic is presented in bite-sized chunks and is accompanied by built-in study resources. These are all practically focused, relating the respective doctrines to the mission of God’s people, their personal witness and their spiritual life. Throughout there are suggested group activities, as well as Bible studies, and

useful tools for preaching and teaching the Doctrines. This is a unique book amongst theological textbooks, combining as it does, solid theology with practical resources. The new Handbook is an impressive volume, larger than its predecessors. It is a hard-cover work with a dust jacket, and an attractive, user-friendly format and typeface. Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover. This one is visually attractive, instructive to the mind, resource-filled for ministry and mission, and a potential means of grace to its readers. Highly recommended. The Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine is available from Salvationist Supplies for $20.50

Breaking open the sacraments From page 7

us and we live life with a small ‘l’. It is intention that is the key to living the truly sacramental Life. And it is discipline that helps us to train our vision so that we can learn to ‘see’ the reality before us as God’s redeemed people. Our Life, our activities our multifarious being in the world can be truly sacramental but only to the degree that we learn to ‘see’ things in a sacramental way. The sharing of a meal at the family table can be a true sacrament, a true ‘breaking of bread’ or it can be simply individuals meeting their basest needs.

Our work can be a sacrament if it is seen in the right way or it can simply be an encumbrance. It is important to realise that there is nothing automatic about living a sacramental life. Without intention there can only be for us an unrealised or impoverished existence. Let us then not squabble over why we don’t observe the traditional sacraments of the Church. Rather, let us train our vision so that we will ourselves become the sign of divine grace in the world. Then we will not be focused on two or seven sacramental rites but rather on our entire being in the world. As Salvation Story puts it:

We observe the sacraments, not by limiting them to two or three or seven, but by inviting Christ to suppers, love feasts, birth celebrations, parties, dedications, sick beds, weddings, anniversaries, commissionings, ordinations retirements and a host of other significant events – and where he is truly received, watching him give a grace beyond our understanding. We can see, smell, touch and taste it. We joyfully affirm that in our presence is the one, true, original Sacrament. And we know that what we have experienced is reality.

Major Dean Smith PhD is the Dean of Higher Education at Booth College in Sydney

Unlimited potential in By JULIA HOSKING

Townsville

he mercy seat at Townsville Riverway Corps was a poignant location for many people at the recent Unlimited Conference. Tears were shed, prayers were offered, promises were made, and lives were changed due to the Holy Spirit’s movement in North Queensland. Salvationists across the Central and North Queensland Division were inspired by four keynote sessions, an evening of prayer and praise, a youth event, Love That, and electives over the Queen’s birthday long-weekend of 11-13 June. At the conclusion of the conference, Divisional Commander Major Rodney Walters said he believed that because of the weekend, souls would be saved across the division. This was the second Unlimited Conference to be held in the division, the first being in Rockhampton last November. Due to the success, many delegates returned from places such as Blackwater, Emerald, Ayr, Mount Isa, Cairns and Longreach.

Several guests from last year also returned – Michelle Kay-Browning (worship leader), Reverend Colin Stoodley (Director of Training at The Pines Training Centre – elective and keynote speaker), Greig Whittaker (prayer team coordinator) and Craig Stephens (Macquarie Park Mission Leader – elective and Love That speaker). A new guest and keynote speaker at Queensland’s Unlimited was the Australia Eastern Territorial Commander, Commissioner Linda Bond. Friday night 11 June set the precedent for the weekend with an inspirational prayer and praise night led by Michelle Kay-Browning. The session included a sermon by Major Walters. He passionately challenged the church, and the division, to take hold of God’s power and listen to his direction. The Agents of T.R.U.T.H. also participated in the evening by making their divisional debut through a short introductory show. For the rest of the weekend, the Agents spent time in Unlimited Kids, which was

held during each adult session. Saturday commenced with Commissioner Bond preaching on Ephesians chapter six, and proclaiming the need to wage war on sin, on shallowness and on social injustice. Following morning tea, Reverend Stoodley spoke on Luke 13:1-9, explaining that Jesus asks us to lead a fruitful life and win souls for the Kingdom. An expo (see sidebar) and the dedication of the Outback Flying Service helicopter and Townsville Faithworks Oasis Youth Connection + bus occurred over lunchtime (see story page 23). This was followed by two electives. One option was an evangelism-themed elective led by Greig Whittaker, “My salvation story”, which helped delegates understand the beauty of their story. The other choice was about growing healthy corps and was led by Craig Stephens, “The beautiful bride – being ‘that church’”. On Saturday evening, Reverend Stoodley offered the elective “Moving in

Taking it to the limit – (from top) Major Rodney Walters makes a point during one of his talks; Oasis worker Jason Poutawa shares his amazing testimony of God’s transforming love; a congregation members gets into the Bible; and (below) a selection of the many young people who took part in the Unlimited Kids program.

Expo unveils true heart of Salvos

embers of the Townsville community were invited to The Salvation Army Expo held on Saturday, 12 June as part of the Unlimited Conference. Information stalls showed the community that The Salvation Army was not just a church, or simply a charity, but rather a conglomeration of ministries motivated by a love for Jesus. Salvationist Supplies, Agents of T.R.U.T.H. and a social justice stall had items available for purchase, while Employment Plus, Moneycare, The Salvation Army International Development Office and Salvos Stores had information to share and representatives available. Townsville Recovery Services and the Court and Prison Chaplaincy had artwork on display; Rural Chaplains Captains Mervyn and Maryann Dovey opened their caravan for viewing; The Red Shield Defence Services served refreshments from their “Sallyman trucks”; and the Emergency Services trailers from both Townsville Faithworks and Townsville Riverway Corps’ provided lunch. Of particular interest to the public, the Townsville City Councillor (Jenny Lane) and the Channel 7 news crew were the Townsville Faithworks Oasis Youth Connection + bus and the Outback Flying Services helicopter (see report page 23).

Photos: Shairon Paterson

the Spirit” to encourage people to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in their life. Meantime, on Saturday evening, the youth participated in Love That where Jason Poutawa – who works at Oasis in Sydney – shared how Jesus’ radical love transformed his life. With the theme “it was love that changed me”, Stephens spoke from 1 John 3:16. “When you meet Jesus, you meet love,” said Stephens. “And when you meet love, your life is transformed.” The powerful teaching and responses to God’s message seen on Friday and Saturday continued on Sunday. Commissioner Bond linked her Saturday Ephesians message to her Sunday morning talk from Revelation 2:1-7. She said The Salvation Army needs to uplift the name of Jesus; repent because our mission has shifted; return to the things we did at first; prepare the troops; and pray. Reverend Stoodley concluded the weekend on Sunday afternoon. Upon the Holy Spirit’s prompting, he shared a message from last year’s conference regarding the pain of parents whose children are not following Jesus. The time of reflection and prayer was concluded with fiery songs and a benediction from Major Walters. He encouraged the delegates to take what they have heard, and use it out in the world.

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Unlimited conference Townsville 11-13 June

All photos: Shairon Paterson

Fr o m t h e c o a l f a c e L O CA L A N D I N T E R N AT ION A L N E W S

Helicopter and bus dedicated T

he Australia Eastern Territorial Commander, Commissioner Linda Bond, dedicated the new Outback Flying Service helicopter and Townsville Faithworks Oasis Youth Connection + bus on Saturday, 12 June at Townsville Riverway Corps. At the afternoon ceremony that was part of the Central and North Queensland Divisional Unlimited Conference, Commissioner Bond said she had never before conducted a service for either transportation device, and the helicopter dedication is the first in The Salvation Army world. The Commissioner (pictured below with helicopter

pilot) also noted that neither the bus nor the helicopter is holy until it is dedicated to the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holy purpose. Consequently, she blessed and prayed over the two items obtained to enhance ministry opportunities. Divisional Envoys Simon and Natalie Steele (Outback Flying Service) and Captains Lincoln and Leanne Stevens (Townsville Faithworks) said that every part of their ministry with the helicopter and bus, respectively, is for the glory of God. Townsville City Councillor, Jenny Lane, was also in attendance at the dedication.

Photos: Shairon Paterson

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Fr o m t h e c o a l f a c e L O CA L A N D I N T E R N AT ION A L N E W S

Tuggeranong snaps up date with Ken Duncan

ans of Ken Duncan’s photography should make plans to be in Canberra for the last weekend of July. Thanks to Tuggeranong Corps – in particular the Prime Time over 50’s group – Duncan will be in Canberra on Saturday, 31 July for a dinner, and Sunday 1 August for a worship service. Both events are to be held at Vikings Football Club Auditorium in Erindale, with corps from around the ACT and South NSW Division attending, along with members of the public. The inspiration to invite the Christian photographer to Tuggeranong came from two stories about Duncan contained within the compilation book Australian Stories for the Heart and Soul.

At the Saturday evening dinner, Duncan will show and talk through some of his pictures included in his coffee table book Reflections. On Sunday morning at the worship service, led by Captain Mark Everitt, Duncan will use his panoramic pictures included in his recent book Life’s an Adventure: The First 25 Years to emphasise Christian milestones. Tuggeranong Corps band and songsters will also take part in the service, as will soloist Rachael Cunningham from Opera Australia. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please contact Tuggeranong Corps on 02 6293 3262.

Woden team keeps Anzac parade on the move (Lieutenant Bronwyn Williams)

fter a rainy night and drizzly early morning, ANZAC Day 2010 turned out to be a beautiful day in Canberra. Woden Valley Corps was thankful for this as about a dozen people, SAES and volunteers from the Corps, with the aid of 15 different cooks ranging in age from 25 to 84, both male and female, had baked 1500 ANZAC biscuits to give away at the ANZAC March in the city. Along with the biscuits more than 600 cups of tea, coffee and milo were made. It was a joy to be able to give back to people who so generously support the Army financially. Many people did leave a donation but those who couldn’t found it a unique experience to get something for free. The looks of delight on the children’s faces when they were offered a biscuit and knew they could come back for more was precious. I know Woden Valley will be back there again next year.

The ANZAC Day March refreshment station which was enthusiastically manned by the Woden Valley corps.

Fr o m t h e c o a l f a c e L O CA L A N D I N T E R N AT ION A L N E W S

Canberra comes clean to share the warmth T

he Salvation Army and Bell’s Dry Cleaners have combined to combat the Canberra winter chill by launching the “Sharing The Warmth” appeal. ACT Government Chief Minister Jon Stanhope recently launched the appeal in Canberra, acknowledging that close to 30,000 people in the ACT were living on or below the poverty line. “We Canberrans are a privileged people, this is a prosperous city by any measure,” he said. “But there are a significant number of Canberrans doing it incredibly tough. About eight percent of our community, our neighbours, members of our families, live on or beneath the poverty line.” Captain Dale Murray, Divisional Communications and

Public Relations Secretary, said the concept behind the appeal was quite simple: “People take their donated blankets and warm clothing to Bell’s Drycleaners, where they are drycleaned and prepared for delivery to Canberra Community Services who upon receipt of the items, distribute them to individuals and families in need.” Master of Ceremonies of the launch was ABC television news presenter Virginia Haussegger, with ACT Brumbies and Wallabies star Ben Alexander and Canberra Raiders star Marc Herbert making special appearances. During the launch, Nick Moufarge, General Manager of Bell’s Drycleaners, presented a $5000 cheque to The Salvation Army. The ACT Government later donated $2000.

e ufarg k Mo ic N m ert ue fro Herb cheq Marc 0 0 r t 0 e 5 y e gu s ts a $ s pla a. ecial p aider ccep s R a nberr g a y r a r a in C nbe Murr makin h a r c le C e n a d h u wit l la xan ain D ppea n Ale aners Capt er Be rycle mth a y r D a la ’s p W ll s of Be g The umbie harin CT Br the S t a and A s e aranc appe

KPMG volunteers support the Red Shield Appeal

uring National Volunteer Week (10-16 May), four accountants (right) from one of the world’s largest professional services firms, KPMG, spent the day at the ACT & South NSW Divisional Headquarters putting together more than 1000 collectors kits for the Red Shield Appeal doorknock. Captain Dale Murray (Divisional Communications and Public Relations Secretary) said KPMG had contacted The Salvation Army earlier in the year wanting to know what their staff could do during Volunteer Week. The volunteers worked enthusiastically throughout the day, and really enjoyed themselves, said Captain Murray. At the end of the day, Major Leonie Ainsworth (Divisional Director Women’s Ministries) thanked the volunteers and presented them each with a certificate of appreciation.

ACT Gove rnment C hief Minis launches ter Jon St the Sharin anhope g The Warm Canberra th appea . l in

Fr o m t h e c o a l f a c e L O CA L A N D I N T E R N AT ION A L N E W S

(Majors Peter and Jean Ridley)

Booth College student graduation

Big things happening in little Gwabegar wabegar, a small community 140km south-west of Narrabri, has responded to Jesus in a big way with the month of May being a special time in the town. Majors Peter and Jean Ridley, the North NSW Division Rural Mission Officers, had the opportunity to spend time with the people in the village to teach the foundational principles of the Christianity Explained course. In December last year, 18 people gave their lives to Jesus at the Gwabegar Christmas party. Some had grown up in the church and had some idea about what being a child of God was all about, but many were uncertain. Of these folk, 35 per cent were youths with a couple of children. Classes were held with 23 people in the Gwabegar Community Centre on Tuesday and Thursday nights, finishing about 7.30pm. Most people then stayed on for a cuppa and a chat. On Sunday 23 May, 35 people joined Majors Peter and Jean for a celebration service in the village’s Anzac Park where certificates of completion and attendance were handed out to all who participated. Among the group were 17 people who had made recommitments to Christ. The vicar from the Anglican Church in nearby Baradine also attended the celebration service and talked to the villagers about starting a service in Gwabegar on the third Sunday of each month. “What an answer to our prayers this is,” said Major Peter Ridley. “We have been praying about the ongoing discipleship of our new friends, and God answered our prayers in a great way. “How awesome it has been to have been a part of this venture in faith. We had no idea how many, if any, would attend the classes nor what the response would be. “One of the townsfolk said to us: ‘You don’t know how much it means to the people of Gwabegar that you have put so much time and effort in for the good of the town.’ “We are continuing to pray that God will make a breakthrough to the rest of the people in town and in the surrounding area. This venture of faith has encouraged us to launch out in other areas sharing the Gospel of our Lord Jesus and ‘bring hope to the bush’.”

Major Jean Ridley brings a Bible reading during the celebration service at Gwabegar.

hirty-four students from Booth College graduated last month from the Sydney College of Divinity at the University of Sydney with various qualifications. Twenty attended the Sydney-based ceremony. The Sydney Staff Songsters sang, and Captain Anthony Rees – Miranda Corps Officer and Booth College Adjunct Lecturer – played the trumpet at the graduation ceremony on Saturday, 1 May. The list of graduates appears on page 36. For information on Booth College courses please visit: salvos. org.au/boothcollege

Colonel James Condon with the Booth College students who graduated from the Sydney College of Divinity.

Maryborough set for 125th anniversary weekend (Majors Keith and Lyn Cook)

n 1885, The Salvation Army, under the leadership of Captain David Buckingham, opened fire in Maryborough, Queensland. Since that day The Salvation Army has served the city of Maryborough and the surrounding communities. In the late 70s an outpost was established in the Hervey Bay district and in the early 90s the outpost became a corps in its own right. On the 20–22 August this year the Maryborough corps will be celebrating its 125th anniversary. The leaders for the weekend are Chief Secretary Colonel James Condon and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministry Colonel Jan Condon. The weekend commences with a dinner at the Westside Tavern at 5.30pm on Friday, 20 August. Cost is $15 per head and bookings are essential. On the Saturday will be a Celebration Concert in the Citadel at 3.30pm, followed by fellowship dinner. Cost will be $5. Sunday, 22 August will commence with a Band Concert in Queens Park at 9am. The Celebration Service at 10.45am will be held in the Citadel followed by a fellowship luncheon. For more information please contact the Corps Secretary Deanne Stewart by writing to PO Box 118, Maryborough, Qld 4650. Alternatively e-mail Major Keith Cook, keith.cook@aue. salvationarmy.org

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Awards for Campsie guards (Majors Bruce and Glenys Domrow) number of young people were presented with SAGALA awards during a recent service at the Campsie Corps. Laurina Luxford received the General’s Guard Award from Sydney East and Illawarra Divisional Youth Secretary Major Tracy Briggs and Territorial Mission Coordinator for SAGALA Heather Brodrick. Laurina has worked hard to achieve this award. Thanks was

given to former Guard Leader at Campsie, Colleen Morton, and her successor, Natalie McCready, for their input into Laurina’s guarding. Rachel Sutton was also presented with awards for completing her guarding. This has been done despite the fact that Rachel in confined to a wheelchair. Joshua Ning and Joel Perry were presented with Commissioner’s Challenge awards and Daniel Drury with his Mega Star.

Laurina Luxford (left) is congratulated on her General’s Guard Award by Heather Brodrick.

Rachel Sutton is presented with her award for completing her guarding by Major Tracy Briggs at Campsie Corps.

McLarens lead special weekend at Narrabri (Envoy John Mallows)

arrabri Corps was blessed with a visit on Mother’s Day weekend from the North NSW divisional leaders Majors Phil and Nancy McLaren. Major Nancy McLaren led the worship meeting and the theme was taken from 1 Samuel 1:9-20 – Hannah’s faith with the Lord. During the meeting the DC presented five members of the corps with certificates for completing six weeks Christianity Explained Studies of Mark’s Gospel. One corps member, Wendy Eddington, was also enrolled as an Adherent. Wendy testified how she stopped drinking the Sunday of the first study day and told how Jesus had come into her life that day. Major Phil McLaren encouraged Wendy to keep up with studies and prayer. Fellow recovery member Ron Lynsay and the corps officer prayed for Wendy, asking God for strength through her recovery. At the end of the meeting Major Nancy McLaren had an altar call for the congregation and members came to the front and placed prayers for their loved ones on the cross, also with flowers with memory to their mothers. Major Phil McLaren then prayed for all the prayer requests and concluded the meeting with the song Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus. The Divisional Leaders enjoyed corps fellowship at a Mother’s Day lunch afterwards.

North NSW di visional lead ers Majors Ph new adhere il and Nancy nt Wendy Ed McLaren flank di ngton and N John Mallow ar rabri Corps O s. fficer Envoy

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Murries on the Move Candidate steps up in Central Queensland at busy Cooma corps

he Salvation Army has collaborated with other community and government services to offer training and employment opportunities for 12 Indigenous people across Central Queensland. Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan, said five people from Boulia, one in Barcaldine and two each in Longreach, Emerald and Woorabinda would be recruited to complete paid work placements while learning to operate earth-moving machinery. “The Salvation Army Canaan School for Training and Development are organising the ‘Murries on the Move’ project with the State Government committing $194,170 through its Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative for the project,” Kiernan said.

Boulia participants on the Murries on the Move project (from left), Desmond Bedourie, Lymon Dunne, Robert Wilde, Agnes Rosser and Jamon Spain.

“The first group have started their training in Boulia and a second intake was recruited in Emerald in April.” The training that Murries on the Move provides, along with the support of local employers, means that participants of the program are highly likely to succeed in long-term employment. The Salvation Army Canaan School for Training and Development Manager Bradley Strong said the group would learn to operate front-end loaders, backhoes, dozers, rollers and graders. “Each participant will complete a job preparation and personal development course and earn the General Safety Induction White Card for the construction industry before they start on the machinery,” Strong said. “The wide support Murries on the Move has received is funding the training and job preparation course, accommodation, meals, use of the machinery, supervision and mentoring and purchasing personal protective equipment.” Alongside The Salvation Army Employment Plus and The Salvation Army Outback Flying Service, the project has received support from the four local councils, the Australian Agricultural Colleges in Emerald and Longreach, the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, RoadTek and the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Health and local Job Services Australia agencies.

(Major Sandra Lesar)

od Parsons was commissioned as Cooma Corps Sergeant Major on 9 May, although his time in this role will be shortlived. As a hard-working and dedicated Family Store Manager and member of the music/worship and ministry teams for several years Rod has proved himself a strong, capable and understanding leader. The corps is pleased and excited that Rod has taken on the extra responsibility of the role as CSM, even if it may only be until the end of this year. The day after receiving his commission, Rod and his wife Deb received word that they had been accepted as Candidates for the “Proclaimers of the Resurrection” session and are working through the studies that will prepare them to enter Booth College in the new year. Cooma Corps may be a small group but big things are happening. The Family Store continues to welcome new volunteers and build its very successful business. Volunteers there are proud to share a prayer group with members of the corps twice a week. The corps offers a weekly coffee morning for preschoolers and their families, Home League, exercise group, a Welfare/ Emergency Relief Office staffed by volunteers, as well as a biweekly Mini Muzos program and in-home groups such as Bible Study and Cottage meetings. The corps also shares its resources with other community groups, a monthly men’s breakfast, cancer workshops, Gamblers Anonymous and others. Rod’s contribution to the corps as its Sergeant Major will be greatly enjoyed and appreciated and although pleased that Rod and his wife Deb have answered God’s call to officership, the corps will be sad to see them go.

Major Sandra Lesar congratulates Rod Parsons on his commissioning as Corps Sergeant Major in Cooma.

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ENROLMENTS

Ranks bolstered at Wynnum (Majors Kevin and Glenda Hentzschel)

ynnum Corps welcomed three new soldiers and one adherent into the corps family on 9 May. Major Glenda Hentzschel presented the adherent badge and Major Kevin Hentzschel enrolled and welcomed the new members and presented them with their signed Articles of War and Adherent Certificate, then added short message of challenge and encouragement before praying for them and their future in service for the Lord. In her testimony, Merle Schumann told how she was raised in The Salvation Army, but circumstances eventually led her to worship with another church family. Her thoughts were never far from the Army and after many years God led her back to Wynnum Corps where she was happy to be enrolled as a soldier again. Sandra Collins-Dunster testified that although she had moved away from God and The Salvation Army, during those years away while working as a nurse, God kept reminding her of her earlier commitment. There were a few rough times along the way, but Sandra eventually found peace when she decided to again take her place as a soldier of The Salvation Army. Although not new to The Salvation Army, Rossalind HunterBrittain spoke of the joy and encouragement she received from the soldiership classes and how the friendship and sincerity of the other participants and their leader, further enforced her decision to serve God as a soldier of The Salvation Army. Pam Sterling began attending Wynnum Corps in recent months and was quick to offer her assistance wherever and

(From left) Lyla Grech, Major Glenda Hentzschel, Pam Stirling, Merle Schumann, Sandra Collins-Dunster, Rossalind Hunter-Brittain and Major Kevin Hentzschel.

whenever she could. Pam made a decision to become an adherent and is making good progress in her walk with the Lord. Being Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day made the service a special time, as additional family members and friends come to worship with the new members and to witness their enrolment.

Woden Valley welcomes new junior soldiers (Lieutenant Bronwyn Williams)

hree new Junior Soldiers were enrolled at Woden Valley. Sierra Dodds (prayer pal Ayly Girling), Emily Warren (prayer pal Cathy Le Mesurier) and Ashleigh Le Mesurier (prayer pal Donna Boyle) were enrolled. The Junior Soldiers officer at the corps is Karen McPherson. Connor Anderson, who was enrolled last year, received his prayer pal card from Kev Shaw. All the young people were very proud of their new Junior Soldier polo shirts and it was a wonderful and very proud day for Woden Valley.

Junior soldiers for the Lord â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sierra Dodds, Ashleigh Le Mesurier, Emily Warren and Connor Anderson.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

First soldiers enrolled in Sierra Leone O

nly four months after The Salvation Army officially began work in Sierra Leone its first 25 soldiers were enrolled in a meeting featured live on national radio. Captains John and Rosaline Bundu left Liberia in December 2009 to begin Salvation Army ministry in their home country of Sierra Leone. The work was officially recognised on 1 January this year. In parallel with establishing the Army’s credentials and mission among government, civic and ecumenical representatives, the pioneering officers have wasted little opportunity in outreach and evangelistic initiatives, gathering together a dynamic and purposeful nucleus of fledgling Salvationists. Despite shortages of materials, resources and facilities, a creative weekly itinerary has been undertaken, including a home league (women’s group) and a visitation programme. The enrolment ceremony was held on the first Sunday in May. The new soldiers – each of whom had completed recruits’ lessons – testified before a congregation of 100 people of their joy in making this commitment and finding a spiritual home. Yeama Vandi, one of the new soldiers, shared: “I was already a Christian when I came to The Salvation Army, but this has brought tremendous changes in my life. There has been improvement in my commitment to church activities, also a great improvement in my studies and daily life. The Army has

also given me the opportunity to realise my talent in singing. Now a soldier of The Salvation Army, I’m so grateful to God Almighty.” Francis Kargbo, another new soldier, testified: “I was only a Christian by birth and not in practice, but the coming of this great Army of God has created the thirst for the Word of God in my life.” Francis concluded his testimony by adding: “By the grace of God I will always be a true Salvationist.” Yeama and Francis, together with Captain John Bundu, are preparing to be delegates at The Salvation Army’s World Youth Convention in Sweden this month. Captain Bundu said: “I am so grateful for the God-given opportunity afforded my wife and me to pioneer the work of The Salvation Army in Sierra Leone, our home country. “Starting the work from grassroots is a task that requires every effort and going the extra mile. However, the Lord has enhanced and is enhancing all our efforts so much that today we can be proud of these first 25 enrolled soldiers. “This gives us much more courage, confidence and enthusiasm in the discharge of our responsibilities. I see this as continuation of fulfilment in my calling to ministry. “Thanks to God for the opportunity to contribute towards the building of his Kingdom on earth in this historic way.”

Captains John and Rosaline Bundu with the new soldiers.

Two of the new soldiers sign their Articles of War.

Army responds to Czech floods T

he Salvation Army in the Czech Republic has reached the end of its emergency response to flooding in the north of the country but it remains available to provide whatever longerterm help is needed. The bulk of the emergency work was centred on the village of Troubky, one of the worst-hit communities. Lieutenant Petr Janousek, who coordinated The Salvation Army’s response, will stay in contact with the village’s mayor

and vice-mayor who will let him know how the Army can be of assistance. Plans are in place to hold an event in the village later in the year, just to let the people know that The Salvation Army hasn’t forgotten them. The exact nature of the meeting is still to be decided but ideas include a barbecue or garden party featuring music by a Salvation Army group from Prerov.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

World youth being ‘raised up’ in Sweden A

bout 1000 young Salvationists will gather this month at Sweden’s Stockholm University for The Salvation Army’s World Youth Convention, “Raised Up”. Held at Aula Magna, part of Stockholm University, the delegates will be led by General Shaw Clifton and Commissioner Helen Clifton from 15 to 18 July. Representing Australia Eastern Territory as a speaker will be Moree Corps Team Leader Adrian Kistan. Other international teachers include Lieutenant-Colonels Richard and Janet Munn (International Headquarters) and Major Sandra Ryan (Canada and Bermuda Territory). Delegates from the Australia Eastern Territory attending the conference include Major Neil Clanfield, Major Kevin Unicomb, Major Heather Unicomb, Jarrod Newton, Kieran Bedwell, Elise Phillips, Matt Gluyas, Nicola Poore, Amy McPherson, Cameron Pethybridge, Jesse Caufield, Sean Everitt, Cadet Alana Reid, Bradley Clarke and Cadet Rachael McMurray. Rachael is already in London at “Time To Be Holy 458” (21 June to 5 July) receiving holiness and theological teaching. Following this, from 6 to 14 July she will be evangelising on the streets of the Danish capital Copenhagen as part of Time To Serve 24-7. To find out more about the World Youth Convention visit the website www.raisedup.org and refer to the September issue of Pipeline.

Army responds to double disaster in Guatemala S

alvation Army response teams in Guatemala are continuing to provide assistance after the Central American country was hit by two major disasters within 10 days. A state of emergency was declared after the eruption of the Pacaya Volcano – about 20km south of the capital, Guatemala City. A television journalist was killed in the eruption and the international airport had to be closed. Some 1600 people were evacuated from the slopes of the volcano and ash built up on streets in some southern parts of the capital.  While the country was struggling to deal with the aftermath of the eruption, Tropical Storm Agatha moved across Central America, bringing devastation on a huge scale. Of the 150 people known to have been killed in the region, more than 120 were from Guatemala. These numbers may rise.  Some communities were cut off by floods and mudslides, and the ash clean-up operation was badly affected. At one point a Salvation Army team was stranded after a landslide blocked the roads to a community where it was providing assistance. Almost 112,000 people were evacuated from their homes across Guatemala and around 30,000 had to seek temporary accommodation in emergency shelters.  The local authorities set up a campaign to provide support and The Salvation Army played its part, delivering coffee and warm meals. Salvation Army officers coordinated the response and other Salvationists worked as volunteers. The first assistance provided by The Salvation Army was at San Vicente, in response to the volcanic eruption. The number of people seeking help increased because of the storm and support is being given at shelters in Tierra Nueva.

24-7 Prayer Roster 28 June–4 July: Chatswood Corps; Rockdale Corps; Campsie Corps 5–11 July: Tarrawanna Corps; Dee Why Corps; Burwood Corps 12 July: Sydney East and Illawarra DHQ 12–18 July: Salvation Army Independent Living Lifestyle Service (SAILLS)

16–18 August: Inala Corps 16–22 August: Tweed Heads Corps 20 August: Brisbane Streetlevel 20–22 August: Forest Lake Corps 22–29 August: Bayside Corps; Toowoomba Corps 23–29 August: Maryborough Corps

18–24 July: North Brisbane Corps

25 August: Redcliffe Corps

23–25 July: Bundamba Corps

28 August: Redcliffe Corps

26 July–1 August: Carina/Mt Gravatt Corps

20 August: Brisbane Streetlevel

1–8 August: Hervey Bay Corps 2 August: Horton Village 8 August: Horton Village 8–15 August: Palm Beach/Elanora Corps; Warwick Corps 13 August: Brisbane Streetlevel

Allocated time each day Captain Steve and Major Kay Nelson (7–8am) Rural Chaplain (5–6am) Prison Chaplains (4–4:30pm) pipeline 07/2010 33

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promoted to glory

Dedicated in service to God

es Grigg was promoted to glory on 11 March, aged 91. A thanksgiving service was held on 17 March at Carina Mt Gravatt Corps, conducted by Major David Terracini, Corps Officer. Daughters in law, Major Raewyn Grigg read Psalm 121, and Cheryl Grigg prayed. Les’ three children Daphne Featherstonhaugh, Major Elwyn and Ralph Grigg spoke of a patient and loving father who loved music. They were encouraged in their Christian faith and service as well as a desire for lifelong learning. His grandchildren shared their fondest memories of their Grandpa and presented a tribute of his life in photos accompanied by a favourite tune Finlandia played by Allan Holman. Major David Terracini brought a challenging message based on the Scripture from Romans 8:1-4. The Carina Mt Gravatt Band also participated and played their tribute to Les including a selection of his favourite hymns. Ray Simpson, a former bandmaster, in his tribute described Les as being very meticulous to detail – organising music and band/songster engagements. In their tribute, retired Majors Alf and Berynice Ford spoke of knowing Les for over 60 years and his faithfulness, commitment, integrity and devotion to God through the corps. Les was a good vocalist and often sang solos in meetings and music festivals. For more than 50 years the floral arrangement on Sundays came from Les and his wife Ailsa’s garden as they endeavoured to make God’s house a place of beauty. Les held a number of positions in the corps he attended. These included company guard, legion leader, male voice party leader, corps treasurer, and band and songster secretary. Since his retirement, he was involved in the commencement of the Seniors Indoor Bowls Club at Carina Corps. He began the ministry of videoing the meetings and visiting those unable to attend so they could share in the previous Sunday’s service. He was a practical man who for many years cleaned the corps buildings at Coorparoo and Carina. Leslie James Grigg was born to Charles and Alice Grigg on 11 September 1918 in Bundaberg, Queensland. He was the youngest of nine siblings: Charles, Florence, Jack, Alice, Elsie, Nellie, Violet and Mildred. As a child, Les came to know Jesus in a personal way through the godly influence

of his family and The Salvation Army Corps in Bundaberg. He learnt to play a brass instrument and this began a passion for soul-saving music which lasted his entire life. He was enrolled as a senior soldier in Bundaberg. Les later moved to Nambour and worked as a baker with his brother Charles. In 1944 he moved to West End Corps and married his life-long love, Ailsa Clarke. They transferred to Woolloongabba Corps in 1946, and then to Coorparoo/Carina Corps in 1948 where he had been actively involved until recently. Les and Ailsa established their family home in Camp Hill, and later welcomed Daphne, Elwyn and Ralph into their loving family. Les was known as a man of hard work and great integrity. Some of his jobs included tram conductor, storeman, door-to-door salesman, machinist, regional credit manager and prior to retirement, orderly at various repatriation hospitals. Ailsa was promoted to glory in 2001. Despite his deep loss, Les continued serving God in active ministry until age 88. In the last 18 months, due to failing health, he relocated to the Prins Willem Alexander Village. The staff recalled a quiet gentleman reading his Bible each day and having an active prayer life. Les leaves a wonderful example of a faithful, loyal and devoted man of God to his three children, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. We honour Les for his love for his wife and family, and his life of dedicated commitment and service to God and The Salvation Army.

A bandsman for the Lord

homas Norman Smith was promoted to glory on 30 January, aged 95. A Thanksgiving Service was conducted on 3 February at Bundamba Salvation Army Corps. The officiating officers were Major Rodney Walters (message) and Majors Russell and Betty Adams. Colonel Robert Newman shared a tribute, bandsman David Wilson spoke on behalf of the corps, and Ray Smith delivered a family tribute. Lola Smith read a poem, Safely Home, and grandson Craig Smith read Psalm 23. David Wilson, Neville Smith, Barry Rule and Warren Rule performed Lean on Me (arrangement by Paul Smith, the pianist for the service). Songs during the service included In Heavenly Love Abiding, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus and Loved with Everlasting Love. Thomas Norman Smith was born

on 7 January 1915, son of coal miner Thomas and home-maker Annie Smith (nee Johnson) and lived at Lindsay Street Bundamba. He was one of six children. All of the family attended The Salvation Army at Bundamba. As a youngster of seven Tom began to play the cornet, and from the age of nine he helped in the senior band. Tom’s father was killed in a coal mining accident in 1928 and soon after, Tom commenced work to help support the family. He first worked in the boot-making trade and after doing relief work during the depression years Tom worked at the woollen mills at East Ipswich. In August 1938, Tom married Valma Hoepner and the couple had two sons – Neville, born in 1942 and Ray in 1949. Tom built up a boot and shoe business, and was well-known in the district for his excellent work that included surgical shoe making. Tom was a fine cornet player, practising daily – even on holidays. He was Deputy Bandmaster at Ipswich Corps for several years and was the principal solo cornet player. Tom had a fine tenor voice, and was often a soloist in Army meetings and concerts. He also participated in songsters and male voice groups. Tom spent several years working in the coal industry, mainly as a haulage driver. After the mine closed in 1962, Tom and Val purchased a corner store at Milton and the family transferred to the West End Corps. Val passed away suddenly in June 1963 and the family returned to Ipswich in 1964. Tom then worked at the woollen mills but with the industry in decline, returned to the tarpaulin shop of the Ipswich Railway Workshops until he retired in 1979. Tom, and his brother-in-law mate Charles Green, maintained their links with the West End Corps in the late 1960s. It was there that Tom met his future partner Ena Hudson who had settled in Sydney after a working holiday in England. Their friendship continued to grow as Tom made regular visits to Sydney. Ena and Tom married in May 1976 and spent many happy years together. They built a new home in Bundamba and in 1985 moved to Redcliffe. There they worked in the Redcliffe Corps and Tom became Bandmaster, a position he enjoyed and carried out with great enthusiasm, often remarking, “Only the best for the Lord”. Under his leadership, the band brought much enjoyment to not only the corps, but also the wider Redcliffe community, especially at Christmas time. Tom also enjoyed playing his cornet in “Ye Olde Brass” which entertained residents of many aged care facilities in the region around

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promoted to glory Redcliffe. Tom and Ena moved back to Ipswich in 1998 to be near family and as the years progressed, they moved into their unit in Riverview Gardens where they enjoyed the fellowship of their many friends. Tom loved his family deeply and will be sadly missed by Ena, Neville and Lola, Ray and Lorelle, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tom was a gentle and kind man who loved his Lord and served a lifetime in The Salvation Army as an active bandsman for more than 80 years. He had an unwavering faith in Christ; and will be sadly missed by all. Well done thou good and faithful servant.

One of God’s beautiful people

ieutenant-Colonel Olive May Carpenter was promoted to glory on 13 March from Caloundra Private Hospital, aged 94. For the last four years of her life, Olive lived with her daughter Ann and son-inlaw Peter in Montville on the Queensland Sunshine Coast. On 26 March a large crowd gathered to farewell Olive; their comrade and friend at her funeral and committal service. It was Olive’s wish that both services be conducted by Reverend Ingrid Busk, rector of the St Mary’s Anglican Church in Montville. This beautiful little church ‘on the village green’ was significant because Olive worshipped and fellowshipped there for more than 30 years. A composite band from the Nambour Corps accompanied hearty singing during the service; Major Wayne Maxwell, South Queensland Divisional Commander, read the Scriptures; and the corps officer at Nambour Corps, Captain Glenn Price presented the written tributes. Among them included a tribute from General Eva Burrows (R) as well as from Australia Eastern Territorial Commander Commissioner Linda Bond. A very significant tribute came from the members of Olive’s large family who live in the United Kingdom; this was accompanied by a spectacular display of flowers. Parts of Olive’s life were shared by verbal tributes paid by granddaughters, fellow officers and friends. Anecdotes provided by granddaughters told of a grandmother who was totally devoted to the development of strong values and principles in the lives of her five living grandchildren. The girls also told of grandparents who committed themselves to pray for the members of their family, by

name, every day of their lives. Mrs Ellie Anderson – a friend and member of the St Mary’s congregation – spoke of Olive’s commitment to serving the people of the Blackall Range Community and also of her love and devotion to her Lord. Majors Dudley and Val Mortimer, who over the years had been great comrades and friends as well as relatives, gave a combined tribute in which they outlined the strengths and values which brought so much spiritual help, blessing, comfort and love to so many people throughout her life. They spoke of the loving guidance and wise counsel given as needed to people whom she knew and met on a daily basis during her long and devoted life. Olive May Estill was born on 24 May 1915, the daughter of Salvation Army Officers Bramwell and Florence Estill, stationed at that time in the British Territory. Olive had a twin brother George Estill. George passed away in Chorley, Lancashire, United Kingdom, in 2007. Olive Estill was a fifth-generation Salvationist and Salvation Army Officer. Olive’s family line included Commissioners Thomas and Mary Estill, who in the early days of The Salvation Army travelled to appointments in a number of continents around the world, including South Africa, Australia and Japan. Olive’s family also included the King family – great early-day Salvation Army officers. Olive Estill met George Carpenter when he was the second officer at the Clapton Congress Hall in London in the late 1930s. Olive was a keen soldier at the Congress Hall and devoted to her Lord. In later years George loved to tell the story about the day his eye fell upon a beautiful young woman whom he was informed was Olive Estill. During one of the meetings at the Congress Hall, George felt as if there was a light around the peaceful face of Olive as she sat in the songster brigade. Lieutenant George Carpenter had to apply to headquarters for permission to commence a courtship with now Candidate Olive Estill (even before he had spoken to her about his feelings). The wedding took place in the Congress Hall, conducted by George’s father General George Carpenter on 13 January 1940. Two children were born to the young couple during those terrible war years, Ann and George Martin (known as Martin – now deceased). The Captains held appointments at Ware Corps, New Barnett Corps and Letchworth Corps and after the war ended, Olive with her two small children

followed George to Germany in 1947. The little family’s lives were wealth poor but experience rich. Over the next five years Olive supported George in his contribution to the rehabilitation of the German people, first under the auspices of the British Army and then after taking an appointment with the German Salvation Army, working as a German officer, in an organisation which had been almost wiped out in the war. In 1951, once again the family picked up its worldly possessions and crossed wide oceans to take up an appointment in far away Australia. Nothing about the change could have been more different or difficult for Olive. After two years in Hobart at the corps, the Carpenters moved to Sydney. It was here that Olive found the change from her English life most difficult. She accompanied her husband every Sunday on the back of a small motorbike to visit many corps, to perform some of the public duties associated with the role of a Divisional Young Peoples Secretary. Olive, now Mrs Major Carpenter and then promoted to Mrs Brigadier, spent a fulfilling seven years as the wife of the Divisional Commander in Newcastle. Here her work with women from up and down the coast and out into the western areas was inspired. In recent times as Olive became frailer, people have written to her, to remind her of the blessing she had been to them in those days. Olive continued her ministry among women during several other appointments and then in 1976, Lieutenant-Colonel Olive Carpenter retired with her husband to Montville, Queensland. There, Olive lived in her dream home and created an oasis for herself, her husband, her children and grandchildren. Her husband ‘dared all’ for God and this meant that Olive had no intention other than to ‘enable’ him to carry out his vision and dreams for the people and the work of God in the area. Sunday was always a busy day; they went to an early Communion Service at the local church, St. Mary’s and then after a cup of tea with other worshippers, they climbed into an ancient car to drive themselves to The Salvation Army Holiness Meeting in Nambour. George was promoted to glory in 1997. In the words of her grandmother Mary Estill, Olive Carpenter’s life is summed up perfectly: “So live in the present that the future may find us ready for whatever God sends. A fully consecrated life is a happy, God-filled experience”. Olive is survived by a daughter Ann; a daughter-in-law Carol; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

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about people Appointments

Effective 3 June: Majors Bob and Virginia Wilson, Managers, Horton Village, South Queensland Division. Effective 12 July: Major Keith Hampton, Territorial Men’s Fellowship Project, Program Administration (protem); Captain Peter Godkin, Corps Officer, Caboolture Corps, South Queensland Division (protem).

Bereaved

Lieutenant Craig Harlum of his grandmother Phoebe Harlum; Major Isabel Gates of her sister Inez Rosser on 10 May; Captain Jeanne Johnstone of her sister Denise Collins on 12 May; Lieutenant-Colonels Neil and Dorothy Young of their son-in-law, Major Denise Parkinson of her brother-in-law, and Lieutenant Tahlia Grounds of her uncle, Allan Bagnall on 18 May; Captain Neroli Radburn of her aunt Madge Geddes on 22 May; Major Glenys Holley of her husband, and Lieutenant-Colonel Elaine Rowland and Major Robert Holley of their brother, Major Brian Holley on 22 May; Major Peter Davey of his wife Captain Christine Davey on 24 May; Major Robyn Maxwell and Major Kelvin Alley of their mother Betty Alley on 29 May; Lieutenant-Colonel Roy Stiles of his brother, and Major Innes Stiles of his uncle, Innes Stiles on 31 May; Major Gordon Inglis of his wife, and Captain Kaye Barber of her mother, Major Olive Inglis on 31 May; Major Del Higgins of her mother LieutenantColonel Elinore Higgins on 3 June.

Birth

To Lieutenant Richard and Captain Gaye Day a girl Chloe Maree on 17 May.

Order of Australia

Captains Paul and Robbin Moulds have been made Members in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) on 14 June.

Promoted to glory

Mrs Brigadier Mabel Inmon on 21 May; Major Brian Holley on 22 May; Captain Christine Barbara Davey on 24 May; Major Olive Inglis on 31 May; Lieutenant-Colonel Elinore Higgins on 3 June.

Retirement

Commissioner Lyn Pearce on 13 May.

Return from overseas service

Majors Allan and Francina Flemming from Papua New Guinea.

SAGALA

The following person has been awarded a Long Service Award for 20 years of dedicated and faithful service to SAGALA: Owen Burnett, Pine Rivers.

Study success

Major Bruce Stoltenberg has been awarded a Master of Adult Education by the University of Technology Sydney; Captain Gaye Day has been awarded a Masters of Theology; Pamela Freeman has been awarded an Advanced Diploma of Pastoral Counselling by Booth College. The following people have graduated from the Sydney College of Divinity (see report page 27) – Master of Arts: Major Mark Campbell, Brian Evans, Howard Evans, Verlie Perkovic, Matthew Seaman, Ainslie Sercombe, David Sercombe, Adele Williams; Advanced Diploma of Theology: Major Christine Cohen; Diploma of Theology: Captain Lauriee Arthur, Lieutenant Belinda Atherton-Northcott, Captain Phil Cardew, Captain Steven Dorman, Lieutenant Hazel Hunt, Auxiliary-Captain Gillian Lefmann (Australia Southern Territory), Lieutenant Marco Lupis, Louise McLaughlan, Tom McLaughlan, Captain Alana Mills, Lieutenant BJ Moulder, Lieutenant David Northcott, Captain Bronwyn Pretty, Captain Glenn Price, Captain Julia Price, Brendon Robinson; Bachelor of Theology: Claire Hill, Russell Hodges, Major Earle Ivers, Captain Andrew Jarvey (Australia Southern Territory), Sara Lang, Captain Emma Moore, Captain Dale Murray; Graduate Diploma of Arts: Steven Pearse.

time to pray 27 June – 3 July

Bangladesh Command; Maryborough Corps, Qld; Menai Corps, Miranda Corps, Montrose Residential Aged Care, all NSW; Moneycare, THQ; five year review (28-1); Sydney East and Illawarra Division chaplains conference (1); Queensland Performing Arts Camp (3-10); interstate basketball competition (3-11).

4-10 July

Lieutenant-Colonel Geanette Seymour, International Headquarters; Mountain View/Burrangiri Aged Care Services, ACT; Nambucca River Corps, Narellan Corps, Mudgee Corps, all NSW; Mount Isa Corps, Nambour Corps, both Qld; Founder’s Day (5); Newcastle and Central NSW Division kid’s mission (5-9); ‘Prepare’ Conference, Geelong (5-14).

11-17 July

Captains Michelle and Deon Oliver, USA Central Territory; National Secretariat, THQ; Nerang Community Welfare Centre, Qld; Narrabri Corps, Narwee Corps, Newcastle and Central NSW Division Chaplaincy Services, Newcastle and Central NSW Divisional Headquarters; all NSW; South Queensland Division review (15); World Youth Councils, Stockholm, Sweden (15-18).

18-24 July

Captain Christine Gee, Papua New Guinea Territory; Newcastle Community Welfare Centre, Newcastle Worship and Community Centre, Newcastle Youth Crisis and Training Service, The Ark, all NSW; Noosa Corps, Noosa Shire Crisis Housing Programme, North Brisbane Corps, all Qld; Central and North Qld Division Officers Fellowship (1922); Newcastle and Central NSW Division women’s retreat (23-25).

25-31 July

Northside Corps, ACT; North NSW Divisional Headquarters, North NSW Corps Based Recovery Services, Northern Beaches Aged Care Services, Northern Beaches Community Welfare Centre, Northlakes Corps, all NSW; Sydney East and Illawarra Divisional Rally (25); Divisional Youth Secretaries Consultative Forum (29); Sydney East and Illawarra Division Crisis and Support Services Forum (30).

1-7 August

Northside Women’s Services, Oasis Youth Centre Wyong, Oasis Youth Support Network Surry Hills, Orana Women’s and Children’s Services, all NSW; Officer Recruitment Team, Officer Well-Being Team, both THQ; Sydney East and Illawarra Division Youth Rally (1); Officers Brengle, Geelong (3-12); Captivated day conference, Parramatta (7).

engagement calendar Commissioner Linda Bond (Territorial Commander) Kenya West Territory: Sun 4-Sat 10 July – staff conference Newcastle and Central NSW Division: Fri 23-Sun 25 July – women’s retreat, divisional review Sydney: Thu 29 July – National Advisory Board Bexley North: Fri 30 July – School for Officer Training retreat day Carina / Mt Gravatt: Sun 1 Aug – corps visit Geelong: Tue 3 Aug – Inter-territorial Leaders Conference Geelong: Tue 3 Aug evening – National Brengle Parramatta: Sat 7 Aug – Captivated day conference Tuggerah Lakes: Sun 8 Aug – corps visit Gosford: Sat 14-Sun 15 Aug – corps visit

Colonel James (Chief Secretary) and Jan Condon Brisbane: Fri 25-Sun 27 June – rural consultation conference Collaroy: Tue 29 June – five-year review dinner Sydney: Sun 4 July – chapel service Weeroona Village Melbourne: Sun 4 July – installation of Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries – Commissioners Raymond and Aylene Finger Sydney: Thur 8-Fri 9 July – Sydney East and Illawarra divisional review Fairfield: Sun 11 July - corps visit *Brisbane: Wed 14-Thur 15 July – South Queensland divisional review *Ipswich: Thur 15 July – women’s rally Ipswich: Fri 16-Sun 18 July – corps 125th anniversary celebrations *Bexley North: Thur 22 July – women’s ministry seminar, School For Officer Training #Collaroy: Fri 30 July-Sun 1 Aug – men’s Bible convention Geelong: Tue 3 Aug – Inter-territorial Conference *Parramatta: Sat 7 Aug – Captivated day conference Singapore: Sat 14-Tue 17 Aug – Right at the Heart Conference * Colonel Jan Condon only # Colonel James Condon only

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