Having a ball by The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory October 2011 Volume 15 Issue 10

Also inside

g n i v Ha a ball

STREETLEVEL SUCCESS Minh’s nightmare over TRANSFORMED BY ACCIDENT Laura’s life turned upside down MAKE A DIFFERENCE Gifts That Keep Giving catalogue

Aged Care Plus makes growing old easy

ARTICLES BY Commissioner James Condon | Major Alan Harley | Captain Mavis Salt | Robyn Evans | Major Cecil Woodward

Sunday 27th November 2011 10.00am Ordination and Commissioning - Friends of Christ 2.30pm

Sent out to Serve

6.00pm

The Movement - God through us

(Celebrating Young People involved in Mission)

Venue

Sydney Convention Centre

Contents COVER

STORY

8-13 HAVING A BALL

Aged Care Plus makes growing old easy, writes Victoria Hollick

8 F E AT U R E S 16-17 SIMPLE WAY TO STOP THE CLUTTER

Make a world of difference through the Gifts That Keep On Giving catalogue. By Jakki Pollock 20-23 STREETLEVEL ENDS MINH’S NIGHTMARE

Lauren Martin meets a Vietnamese refugee who with the help of the Salvos is rebuilding his life

28-29 TRANSFORMED BY ACCIDENT

Laura Hopewell was happily cruising through life until the day God brought about an abrupt change of perspective

REGULARS THE SALVATION ARMY AUSTRALIA EASTERN TERRITORY OCTOBER 2011 | VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 4

3 EDITORIAL 5 TC@PIPELINE 6-7 INTEGRITY 18 HOW TO DO JUSTICE 24 HOLY HABITS 27 UNLOCKING ARMY’S ARCHIVES 30-31 WHAT WOULD JESUS VIEW? 36-45 COALFACE NEWS

Music makes Damien’s world go around

46-47 PROMOTED TO GLORY

ALSO INSIDE: The piano man - Ben Ward’s passion for music | Jesus Folk and Spirit! - John Larsson’s new CD

IN THIS MONTH’S CREATIVE MINISTRY Hitting the high notes

The Salvation Army WILLIAM BOOTH, Founder

Pipeline is a publication of the Communications Team

International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria street London EC4P 4EP

Editorial and correspondence: Address: PO Box A435 Sydney South NSW 1235 Phone: (02) 9266 9690 www.salvos.org.au Email: eastern.editorial @aue.salvationarmy.org

Linda Bond, General Australia Eastern Territory 140 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000 James Condon, Commissioner Territorial Commander Glenn Whittaker, Major Communications and Public Relations Secretary Managing Editor Scott Simpson Graphic design James Gardner, Kem Pobjie

Published for: The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory by Commissioner James Condon. Printed by: SOS Print + Media Group 65 Burrows Rd, Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia Print Post Approved PP236902/00023

Editorial Find ‘voice’ to fulfil God’s promise

“Y

ou’re the voice, try and understand it; make a noise and make it clear …” sang John Farnham in his 1980s hit song, You’re The Voice, which relaunched the career of the Australian music legend. The song is telling the listener that no matter how insignificant they may feel, they have it within them to speak out and make a difference. Last month, I was at the Australasian Religious Press Association annual conference in Adelaide which, this year, had adopted the theme “Telling The Story”. One of the speakers, Steve Taylor, presented a clever and insightful talk which he had titled, “Finding Your Voice”. As Steve spoke – and as engaging as he was – I found my thoughts drifting to the Church and its voice in the world. We live in a world of changing spirituality where a culture of tolerance encourages people to adopt a “lolly shop” mentality to faith. It’s an attitude of sifting through the variety of “flavours” available and coming up with a little bag of goodies that best suits your particular tastes. The Church must stand in opposition to this. We have a message – the gospel – which has remained unchanged for more than 2000 years, and God has given us a voice with which to proclaim it. He asks us to faithfully tell his story. Best of all, the Bible encourages us that God will give us the words to speak (Luke 21:15, John 14:26), and that the message will have an impact (Isaiah 55:11). Do you believe that God actually means that? Do you believe that he means what he says in his Word? These are promises made to us by almighty God, and last time I checked God wasn’t in the habit of breaking his promises. You see, the power isn’t in the ingenuity of the messenger or a clever presentation. The power is found in speaking God’s truth. It’s this truth that changes people’s lives, it’s this truth that sets people free (John 8:32), and it’s this truth that God is committed to supporting. Do you feel inadequate for the job? The Bible is littered with stories of people who felt the same way, Moses being one of the first to come to mind. His response when God told him to go to Pharoah and ask for the release of the Israelites, was to plead that he was not eloquent enough (Exodus 4-10). He told God that he should find someone else. Eventually, he trusted in God’s promises and found his voice. We all have a voice and a message that the world desperately needs to hear. This proclamation happens when we talk to our kids about God; it happens at work or over the back fence with your neighbour when you share the gospel; it happens in your small group when you open the Bible and recommit to hearing and doing what it says. Find your voice, because when God’s Word is your message, God promises there will be power in your proclamation. Scott Simpson Managing Editor pipeline 10/2011 3

Letters Salvos saved my life

Mixing faiths offends God

volunteer at the Boolaroo Salvos Store (Newcastle) and I am constantly reminded that I am here today because of the Salvos. Last year, in August, my house burned down. We were all at home and we left the house with nothing but the clothes on our backs. We lost our house, we lost pets; we lost everything we owned. My sister was more than eight months pregnant and she needed emergency medical attention. For three days I wore only a dressing gown over a pair of charred underpants – that’s all I owned in the world. Then people from our street knocked on the door of our emergency accommodation. They had gathered together and donated necessities, food, blankets and pillows for us – things that most people take for granted. I was given a welfare voucher for a Salvos Store. So I went to the Salvos Store at Boolaroo and I was greeted at the door. I was touched at how lovely the staff were to me. The manager introduced herself and personally helped me to select things that I needed. I quit my job and went back to Boolaroo Salvos Store that week and asked if I could volunteer. I was welcomed into a family atmosphere and I have felt so loved and appreciated. In unfortunate circumstances, when you lose everything, you really change your priorities and realise what is important in life. I found out that the first emergency service to attend the scene that night was from Boolaroo and every day I wake up and I feel I have a purpose; to give back to those who saved my life. Lynda Mullington, Boolaroo Salvos Store volunteer.

Mission field on our doorstep

aptain Adam Couchman in his letter (September Pipeline) has an honest look at the Sunday service of our organisation. On a personal basis, I agree with him, having felt the aloneness of a frosty reception when, as a stranger, one enters the gate of the morning meetings. So much is left to so few. It is a fact that the world population has over a period of time gone down the road of non-communication – it is easier to send an email or use a mobile phone than (communicate) face-to-face. Some use the new-age excuse of being “time poor” (whatever that is). Many corps no longer deliver what the average person remembers The Salvation Army for: a band playing on street corners, meeting people on the world playing field. Once again the bland excuse is the aforementioned “time poor”. The mission field is possibly a short walk from many of our halls. It’s called a railway station and people who love the work our organisation does, gather there every day. A caring “good morning” from someone wearing a uniform which they recognise and love, can be a reminder that The Salvation Army cares, God cares and loves – a solid reminder in a world of non-communication. Let’s meet people on their patch. In bibical times it was the highways and by-ways. Today it’s the station, hotel bars, shopping centres etc. Denis Mitchell, Auburn.

Have something to say? 4

read the How To Do Justice article in the August edition of Pipeline, entitled “People of other religions can be our friends too” (page 22), and it really challenged me to see what God’s word says on this subject. While reading this article, I had difficulty reconciling my understanding of God’s Word with the content. I want to first explain where I am coming from on this. I was born into a mixed (Hindu/Christian) family. I used to go to the temple and also have been involved in Hindu “Bajans” which is like a prayer meeting. I have many Hindu, Buddhist and a couple of Muslim friends. My mother, who lives with me, is also from a Hindu background. I love them and, according to God’s Word, respect them and will try to go out of my way to help when they need it. However, I have come out from their “faith” since having a conversion experience with Jesus. I have provided some Scripture passages which I hope explain the point I am trying to make. – I believe that our God is a jealous God who requires that we only worship him. He is saddened when we make covenants with those of other faiths (Exodus 34:14-16, 1 Cor 10:20-22). – He does not want us who have come into the light to be unequally yoked to unbelievers. He wants us to come out from them and be separate so that he can live and walk among us (2 Cor 6:14-16). – Jesus said: “I am the way. the truth and life. No-one comes to the Father ...” (John 14:6). If we work with other faiths, it could be misinterpreted that all roads lead to the one true God. – Conversion is not by good works but by God’s mighty power that works in people’s heart (1 Cor 3:6). Anyone who is seeking God with all their heart, mind and soul will find him (Jer 29:12, Deut 4:29). When we preach/witness a seed is sown but it is God through his Holy Spirit who works in people’s hearts. Then why good works? – We are the light of the world. We do good works so that others will see this and praise our Father in Heaven. If we partner with people of other faiths the glory will go to other gods (Matthew 5:14-16, Col 3:17). – We do not do good works according to our way, but we do the work that God has already prepared for us in advance (Ephesians 2:10). This is only possible if we are in relationship with God, filled with his Holy Spirit and led by this Holy Spirit to do the works that he has planned for us (Rom 8:12-16). Other religions approach this from a reverse angle, that is, good works will get you to God or earn merit. I wonder if we are replacing God’s power with good works? I will end with the words of General William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army: “I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God and heaven without hell.” Shantini Karu.

Send your letters to eastern.editorial@aue.salvationarmy.org Letters should be no more than 250 words in length.

Keeping the dream alive Commissioner JAMES CONDON urges Christians to be patient in prayer in order to realise the wondrous harvest God has in store

n Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a dream” speech, he says: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’ “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. “I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. “I have a dream today.” We have our own territorial Vision Statement which really is our Dream: “I see a Spirit-filled Army of the 21st century; Convinced of its calling; Moving forward together; Into the world; Of the hurting, broken, lonely, dispossessed and lost; Reaching them by all means; With the transforming message of Jesus; Bringing freedom, hope and life.” I encourage everyone to dream this Dream and to be actively involved in making it happen – for it to become a reality in our territory for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the people who need Jesus. This is the dream that we must keep alive. It is not always easy to have the patience required to see dreams become reality. In Galatians 6:9 we read: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” There is something to be said for those who do not give up easily on things and prevail in persistence with prayer, faith, and hope. You may be someone who perseveres or you know someone who has this gift to keep going no matter what. In Daniel 10, we read that Daniel was waiting on an answer from God to a certain prayer, but it was delayed for three

weeks due to resistance in the spirit world. But because of his persistence in prayer, and not letting that dream die, an answer was loosed and came to him. This experience of Daniel encourages us to be diligent to water and fertilise our dream; to pray for it, to work towards it and not give up. Sometimes it takes great effort to make things become a reality, but we don’t just sit there – we must do something!

Moving forward

We are often tempted to give up before we see the results we desire in our lives. The bamboo farmers of Malaysia could teach us a lesson. To cultivate a particular type of a very valuable bamboo, they have to exercise great wisdom and patience. How do they do it? In the first year, they plant the seed, water, and fertilise it. Nothing visible happens. In the second year, they continue to water and fertilise. Nothing visible happens in the second year either. In the third year, water and fertiliser are even more necessary, yet nothing happens. There is absolutely no visible growth. In the fourth year, they do it all again and again, nothing happens. Then, in the fifth year, they diligently water and fertilise, and the bamboo grows 90 feet in 30 days. Not 9 inches, but 90 feet! This plant grows from nothing to the height of a nine-story building in a month. This is a great lesson for us: Don’t grow weary in well-doing, for in the end there will be a harvest. In the end, it will come to pass. So let’s keep moving forward together, keeping the dream alive.

Commissioner James Condon is Territorial Commander of the Australia Eastern Territory

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Cutting through In the first instalment of a two-part article, Major ALAN HARLEY contends that it doesn’t matter how a Christian comes to Christ, as long as they are aware that the truth has set them free

he Malaysian landscape through

which my colleagues and I drove was tropical and luxuriant. We were on our way to minister to a tiny congregation located deep in the dense growth off in the distance. Our driver slowed down to find his bearings, then eased to a stop by a service station. It was the only building as far as they eye could see. From there we were to travel on foot. Like Alice entering wonderland through a rabbit hole we stepped into an opening in the high wooden fence and entered another world. In it plant life grew undisciplined and unchecked and the climate was humid, overcast and oppressive. We made our away along a narrow path flanked by rubber trees and various other forms of tropical foliage. We were conscious that it was now late afternoon and that it soon would be dark. It was indeed nightfall by the time we reached our destination. The village was a scattered cluster of modest dwellings. As we walked past them the mood was ominous and eerie. From the shadows unfriendly eyes watched us. Within each of the dwellings the red lamp which spoke of the religion of the occupants shone in the gloom. There was to be no welcome from the locals for this group of Christians. We were on alien territory. Then we came to the end of the village and the mood changed. Little children, dressed as if for a birthday party, ran to meet us. Adults followed them to welcome

us. There was no red lamp burning in their modest hut, but instead there was a shine on their faces. These people had met Jesus! They greeted us with “Welcome! Welcome!” Before that encounter with Jesus the members of the family had been trapped in the same gloom and emptiness as their neighbours. Their despair increased when one of their babies took ill and was pronounced clinically dead. Then into that dark scene stepped one of my co-workers, a godly missionary, who made his way to the grief-stricken home and asked if he could pray for the family and the baby. As he prayed, the impossible happened and the baby began to cry. He made a complete recovery and was one of those lovely children who had come to meet us upon our arrival. The result of this divine intervention was that the entire family made a conscious decision to follow Jesus. He came into their lives, and their home, filling both with light, life and joy. We entered their dwelling to share in a feast of rice and chicken – a costly undertaking for a family living in poverty. We laughed, shared experiences, and were conscious that those things which divided such as language and culture faded because of our common bond in Christ. Then we worshipped. We prayed and sang hymns and choruses in our respective languages accompanied by simple musical instruments. As I preached I was borne along not only

Integrity

Growing Saints

the jungle of sin by God’s strength but also by the Spiritgiven enthusiasm and commitment of these wonderful people. Tomorrow they would return to their long hours of back-breaking work on the rubber plantation which began at dawn with the arduous process of tapping the trees. There they would be surrounded by those who were either indifferent or hostile to Christ and his followers. But that evening they were enjoying God and rejoicing in their

“The important issue is not how we came to Christ, it’s that we actually did come to him.” salvation. It is now many years since I shared that evening with those lovely believers, but the fragrance of their lives and their worship remains with me. They are living proof of the reality and power of salvation. Of course not all experiences of salvation are of that order. Some people come to faith in Christ almost imperceptibly. For them conversion was more like a bud slowly coming to full bloom than a Damascus Road moment. This is particularly true of those who have grown up in a Christian family. The important issue is not how we came to

Christ, it’s that we actually did come to him. Those who have come, says Paul, are “in Christ”. And those experiences enjoyed by that little house church in Malaysia are ours. The sense of forgiveness and cleansing; The Spirit’s assurance of salvation; The consciousness of belonging to God; The peace, the joy, the hope resulting from new life in Christ; The consciousness of Christ’s presence ... All are known as a result of conversion. And all of these blessings are experienced by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Born of his Spirit

When Jesus told Nicodemus of his need to be “born again”, or “born from above”, he made it clear that there was nothing “natural” about it. To be born again, he said, is to be born of the Spirit (John 3:5-8). So thrilled are they by the wonder of their salvation that many Christians speak of salvation as resulting from God’s irresistible grace. In a sense I understand why they say this. Getting saved is a bit like falling in love. Falling in love is not something you plan to do. You might be a confirmed bachelor or a woman with career plans which don’t have room for marriage. The “fall” into love just happens. Perhaps it’s love at first sight. And after this magic moment the object of the each other’s affection becomes “irresistible”. They feel drawn to each other. They can’t wait to be together. And many who have felt drawn to Christ by the Spirit describe their

conversion in terminology not unlike the language of the lovers. Many have sat in a gospel meeting, heard the sermon, and in the appeal which followed found themselves leaving their seats and making their way to the place of prayer and counsel. They often are known to testify,“ I was halfway down to the front of the hall before I realised what I was doing!” This did not mean that they had no say in the matter. But it did mean that the love and power of God’s Holy Spirit were prior to any human response. Sidney Cox, the Salvationist songwriter, discovered this truth and made it so simple in a song with the chorus: “He sought me, he sought me, when I was wandering far away; He found me, he found me, O what a wonderful day.” Part two of this article will appear in the November issue of Pipeline.

Major Dr Alan Harley is a lecturer on the Territorial Spiritual Life Development Team, and member of the International Doctrine Council.

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“Our residents are unique people ... we are privileged to take care of them.” – Aged Care Plus CEO Sharon Callister

Aged Care Plus makes growing old

easy

A unique ability to blend a Christian vision and mission, with an uncompromising commitment to its residents, sets The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus apart from the crowd. VICTORIA HOLLICK reports

t has 17 residential centres dotted, primarily, along the east coast of Australia, from Rockhampton in Queensland to Bass Hill in Sydney. A handful are located in rural centres like Parkes and Canowindra in central NSW and Mountain View in the ACT. There are also plans for a much-needed facility in the Far North Queensland town of Mossman. This is the world of The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus which operates under the leadership of Sharon Callister, its Chief Executive Officer. Ms Callister has built up a career in health care which has spanned more than two decades. A specialist in aged care, she came to Aged Care Plus three years ago. She says The Salvation Army more than any other organisation she has worked with, knows how to blend its Christian vision with the services it provides. >>>

pipeline 10/2011 9

Recipe for friendship

aud and Barbara have only just recently met. But they have already formed a strong bond. Their friendship started when both women moved into The Salvation Army Cairns Centre in Chapel Hill, Brisbane, and found themselves spending time together at the recreational activities offered to the residents. Among these activities are cooking classes. Barbara (pictured, left, with Maud) says it was something she loved

“I think the aged care provided by The Salvation Army Eastern Territory is unique,” Ms Callister says. “Central to all that we do and how we operate, are our missional responsibilities and our desire to acknowledge the unique needs of our residents and staff. “We invest in our mission, and it underpins all our decisions and we absolutely have an uncompromising commitment to all our residents and their families. “Combine that with our cutting-edge technology, major building renovations and developments, and an exciting group of Christian leaders and I think we have a very, very unique formula.”

when she owned her own kitchen. “I enjoyed cooking when I was younger,” she says. “Even if the cakes and biscuits I made didn’t always turn out like the recipe,” she adds with a laugh. Maud agrees. “I remember being taught how to cook at school and by my mother. It’s fun having the opportunity to cook here and it’s like riding a bike, you never forget and you still love doing it.”

Despite this, Aged Care Plus is on a journey of intentional change. This year, Aged Care Plus officially opened its purpose-built facility, the Cairns Aged Care Centre in Chapel Hill, Brisbane. The development of the Cairns Aged Care Centre was a major shift in position for The Salvation Army and its provision of aged care services. The centre has became a benchmark project for a metamorphosing division of the Army. It is a modern, tranquil facility surrounded by beautiful gardens and resort-style outdoor areas. It was innovatively designed, specifically to

give a sensation of light and space to all its accommodation levels including a memory support unit, low care, high care, and respite accommodation. Operationally, the centre has installed the cutting-edge technology, like the iCare Electronic Medication Management tool and Vocera personal communication device. It has an internet cafe for residents, holds regular recreational activities and welcomes one and all to its Sunday chapel service. Recognising the benefits of companion animals it has an on-site farm where residents and their families can participate in goat feeding.

Aged Care Plus makes growing old

easy

Tool time in Queensland

The facts •

One in six people in Australia are over 65.

•

By 2050 that figure is predicted to jump to one in four.

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The Salvation Aged Care Plus centres currently have 1478 residents.

The centre also has an aviary which is full of golden canaries and blue budgies. Major Steven O’Neill, the Cairns Aged Care Centre Manager, admits he was a little sceptical initially about the benefits of these facilities, but almost a year later has no doubts. “I often see residents and their families, grandkids and children feeding the goats,” he says. “It’s very difficult to walk past the pen without wanting to pat or feed them. “Not many people have goats in their backyards so it’s exciting for the kids who are visiting and something for them to look forward to when they come back to see their grandparents.” With the likelihood of an increased

here is no question that most men love to tinker in their garages so at Riverview Gardens, The Salvation Army’s aged care centre in Ipswich, Queensland, volunteer Frank Gregory has set up “tool time”. It’s a place where the male residents of the centre can come and share their stories and their carpentry skills. The “tool time” initiative has become so popular, it now has more than 20 residents who regularly attend

demand for units specifically for elderly residents living with dementia, the centre includes a purpose-built memory support unit with staff specifically trained for caring for those living with dementia. “Whatever their need we want to ensure that our residents live fulfilling active lives,” says Major O’Neill.

Centre redesign

There is a similar unit at Macquarie Lodge in Arncliffe, Sydney. This centre underwent a major overhaul with the opening of a new building on the site and plans for refurbishment of the existing heritage building formally used as the residence.

the Thursday morning work sessions, including 73-year-old Kevin Ward. Kevin (pictured, right, with Frank) has been participating in the workshops since they started four years ago. He says it has been a great opportunity for the blokes to chat over the sandpaper, a drill or a hammer. This year, several of the residents entered their finely crafted toys and other wooden items in the Ipswich Show. A toddler train made by Kevin won first prize.

Later this month, there will be a “turning of the sod” ceremony for a new centre on Sydney’s northern beaches. Plans for Elizabeth Jenkins Place at Collaroy had been on the table for a few years, but Aged Care Plus took the bold step of shelving its original designs and starting again. “We believed the initial plans would not bring the best results for our residents and their families or the local community,” says Ms Callister. “So we invited various stakeholder groups to participate in the redesign.” The resulting peer-viewed design is a novel approach to aged-care centre planning. The village-like design which features a chapel as the centrepiece >>>

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Computer skills at Dee Why

inety-three-year-old Marjorie Anderson is living proof that you are never too old to learn. The elegant senior, currently residing at The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus centre in Dee Why, says she had a passionate desire to learn how to use a computer but the opportunity had never come up. That was until she came to her new Pacific Lodge home earlier this year. Not everyone was convinced Marjorie would be able to learn this

to the complex, has been applauded by the potential residents, aged-care providers, academics and staff who gave feedback during the design process on whether they would like to live there. The new Elizabeth Jenkins Place, which is scheduled for opening in 2013, has a homely kind of living environment, but still retains all the necessary medical and spiritual support for its residents. Aged Care Plus also has a flagship centre on the NSW Central Coast. The Woodport Retirement Village in Erina marked its 20th anniversary this year with a fair day that was attended by hundreds of people from the local community. Designed in the 1990s, the village remains an icon, highly regarded by health

care professionals in the area. It was also one of the first to implement the concept of “ageing in place” resident on the NSW Central Coast.

Lobby for change

The Salvation Army has been caring for Australia’s elderly for more than a century and Aged Care Plus is keen to share the knowledge it has gained over these years. Earlier this year, Aged Care Plus joined health care researchers at the Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of Technology Queensland, in a study aimed at improving the quality of care for people with dementia and their care givers. The study, funded by the

modern skill. Her family and friends suggested that perhaps she might be too old. But she has recently started computer classes at the centre as part of the Community Broadband for Seniors program which is run by the centre’s recreation officer Rita Flynn. Marjorie (pictured, seated, with Rita) says her family is thrilled by her new skills. Her goal now is to keep in touch via email with a lifelong friend who lives in Paris.

Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, “Improving communication about end of life issues for people with dementia”, aims to significantly improve the quality of care provided to people with dementia-specific Alzheimer’s, by developing and implementing new systems, skills and resources for volunteer carers, care workers and health professionals. “As a provider of aged-care facilities, we viewed this as an important and exciting project for The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus,” says Ms Callister. “This was the first of its kind in Australia. Very little work had been done in this area and any additional information we assist in collecting for future family

Aged Care Plus makes growing old

easy

Bowled over

ucy Biggs has been volunteering at aged care centres since she retired from work a few years ago. Twice a week, she visits the memory support unit at The Salvation Army’s Cairns Centre in Brisbane, to assist with the residents’ recreational program. A few months ago, Lucy took a chance and tried something new. She introduced indoor bowling to the group. Each week as many as a dozen residents participate in the bowling sessions. Lucy says she really enjoys her time with group and the residents love the bowling. “Just because you are old doesn’t mean you have to give up,” she says. “For me this about helping the residents to keep active and healthy.” Lucy (pictured with a resident at the Cairns Centre) says the indoor bowls is not as easy as it looks and since starting the activity with the residents a few months ago, she has noticed a big improvement in their strike rate not to mention their upper body strength.

care givers of people with dementia brings benefits to everyone.” The year-long research project was being conducted at a number of key agedcare residential facilities in Queensland and NSW, including the Cairns Aged Care Centre and Woodport Retirement Village. As Aged Care Plus seeks to reinvent itself, Ms Callister says part of her job is to engage with government and lobby for change. She says Aged Care Plus was happy to provide feedback to government on the sector via the recent Productivity Commission’s report “Caring for Older Australians”. But she says change is long overdue. The last major overhaul of the aged-care sector was in 1997 with the

implementation of the Aged Care Act. “As a not-for-profit Christian-based provider of aged-care services it was important that we advised the commission of the limitations in the current system, particularly in regard to lack of choice, access and sustainability,” she says. Aged Care Plus is also working to address the economic, social, technological, and environmental issues that face the industry. It has succeeded in making considerable change in a number of key areas, while at the same time retaining the core values of the organisation – embracing the needs of its residents through the provision of personcentred care in a Christian environment. Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the Lord

with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” These verses of scripture remain an inspiration to the Aged Care Plus team in all it does. Ms Callister is emphatic: “Our residents are unique people and come to us with a unique history and we are privileged to take care of them.” 

Victoria Hollick is Communications Manager for Aged Care Plus

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Pastoral care and the elderly In the first instalment of a two-part article, Salvation Army chaplain and mission director in the aged care sector, Captain MAVIS SALT, examines the Church’s responsibility to care for older adults and how it fulfils this role in an ageing society

he world’s population is ageing and there is a multicultural mix of diverse backgrounds in most countries. There is now the potential for people to live many years following retirement from work. But without clarity of purpose and adequate relationship and practical support, older people will not enjoy these years. The church has an important role in validating older people, providing pastoral support, spiritual guidance and equipping their leaders in this specialised field. In looking at the church’s role in care of older adults in an ageing society, we need to consider the concepts of ageing, spiritual support, education, advocacy, outreach to the wider community, older people at risk and the relevance of ritual and symbolism. In part one of this article, we will look at the first four of these concepts. Defining age is challenging. As people live longer, new classifications and benchmarking are needed. Government policy within Australia and cultural assumptions tend to have 65 as a benchmark for the old-age pension and cessation of full-time work. Also, an Ageing Policy Statement from the Federation of Ethnic Communities of Australia (2007) has shown that, as of 2011, 23 per cent of Australia’s population over the age of 65 come from diverse cultural backgrounds. In addition, society will continue to be shaped by the multiplication of economic, social, cultural, psychological and spiritual needs. Within this framework there are several complexities. People are now living longer with varying levels of capabilities and capacities for quality of life within different age groups. Along with this there are ethnic challenges for those with English as their second language. From this, newer classifications have now emerged where older people still able to live independently are referred to as “third age” and frail older people unable to live independently referred to as “fourth age”. Elizabeth MacKinlay finds that “this

classification is based on function rather than chronological age: functional capacity does become more important than medical diagnosis in the later stages of the life span. ‘Old’ may continually need to be redefined as society ages” (MacKinlay, 2001). Science and medical skill have enabled people to live longer, but they do not provide meaning or purpose to more years of life. A negative outcome from the current technological age has been the depersonalising of humanity and the subsequent loss of meaning and fulfilment (Kimble, as cited in Frankl, 1978). Added to this has been a gradual decline in Australian society of respect for older people, with a loss of appreciation for their gift of history and life experience. The anti-ageing market promotes youth and youthfulness as the ideal. To counter this involves a generational re-education and a sociology which acknowledges a responsibility to value the richness and depth that older people bring to the culture. This would help to alleviate older people’s own negativity to ageing and provide fresh hope that they still have something to offer (Stafford, J, 1998). Also, many people find their self-worth or value in their working role and what they are able to contribute to others. This is a huge adjustment on leaving the working role. From this quest for meaning there has come an understanding of a spiritual dimension for humanity and the necessity of a holistic approach to personhood (Kimble, 2000).

Spiritual Support

What should be the church’s response not only to older people but also to their spiritual quest for meaning in the longer years given them? The church has, as part of its mandate from God, the care of all people. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus talks of the acts of pastoral care; feeding the hungry, drink to the thirsty and similar forms of support (chapter 25:37-50). The challenge comes in understanding that spirituality is

worked out in different ways. As a person ages, there is great potential for spiritual development and growth. Later life is also an opportunity for taking time to reflect, acknowledging the positive and negative aspects of the life lived and unifying important relationships (MacKinlay, 2001). The Bible talks of God’s attitude to ageing and that wisdom which is generally associated with becoming older. It is helpful to clarify that there are different understandings and perceptions between spirituality and religious practice. However, the two cannot be separated. Koenig, McCullough and Larson (2001, p18) state: “Religion is an organised system of beliefs, practices, rituals and symbols designed to foster closeness to the sacred or transcendent and foster an understanding of one’s relationship and responsibility to others in living together as a community. Spirituality is the personal quest for understanding answers to ultimate questions about life, meaning and relationship to the sacred, transcendent which may or may not lead to or arise from the development of religious rituals and the formation of community” (MacKinlay, 2006). This definition of spirituality clarifies that it is part of all humanity, whereas not all people practice religion.

Education and advocacy

It is relevant to point out that within Western society, congregations in mainstream churches are ageing. However, older people are not included in decision making or provided with ministries geared to meet their needs (Kimble & McFadden 2003, as cited in Olson 2001). It thus would seem crucial that church leadership, in order to care for its own older people and also reach out to those not a regular part of their congregation, need to be educated in gerontology. This would be especially helpful as a full subject in theological colleges. The church also needs to provide specialist training for its pastoral care workers and chaplains to minister to older

Aged Care Plus makes growing old

people. The church could also support and provide research in this specialist field, particularly in understanding spiritual needs of ageing people (MacKinlay, 2001). This greater understanding and knowledge base would help in specific planning in how to classify the great variations among older people, and particularly how to provide pastoral care for them. There is a great range of experiences in older people due to different levels of education, income, health, interest, ability and particularly attitude which means that one ministry focus will not meet the needs of the whole group (Kimble & McFadden 2003, as cited in Seeber, 1990). There is now the new “young-old” category made up of the Baby Boomer era which has quite different needs from the previous generation. Stafford (1998) puts it well when he says, “New forms and methods, more consonant with the needs and spiritual aspirations of older people, need to be sought: new pastoral plans rooted in the defence of life, of its meaning and destiny, need to be formulated. These are essential conditions for encouraging older people to make their own contribution to the mission

of the church and helping them derive particular spiritual enrichment from their participation in the life of the ecclesial community” (The Vatican, 1998). An important point is raised by Lois Knutson when she says that “if senior-adult ministry is not planned and scheduled, in all likelihood it will receive only left-over time” (Kimble & McFadden 2003, as cited in Knutson 1999). The challenge within church congregations is to confirm the value to the church and God of its senior adults. This can be achieved by consistent caring which doesn’t diminish as they age, treating them respectfully and with no less honour because of age, bringing comfort and the gift of time spent with them in prayer and sacrament. Of great value and worth is the gift of helping older people and their families to gain understanding of their spirituality and meaning in their life (Kimble & McFadden 2003, as cited in Knutson 1999). It is helpful to reflect on ageing as part of a life journey, rather than something to be avoided and which culminates in death. The church has a valid role in helping create a way of life and attitude which embraces each experience as one

easy

of learning and enriching within an ageing process. Older people have much life experience and wisdom to offer and church leadership needs to overcome more recent thinking which appears to only validate and promote younger people (Stafford 1998). There are also helpful tools for the church to use when it is intentional about its care of older people. A Spiritual Assessment Tool (Knutson 1999) asks a variety of questions covering spiritual, psychological, family, socioeconomic and medical aspects. More importantly, once the assessment is completed there is accountability because a plan and process for following through with the support needed is formulated and recorded. Such tools can be used within the church community, the wider community with visitation to people still living independently, or within aged care residential settings.  Part two of this article will appear in the November issue of Pipeline. Captain Mavis Salt is The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory Pacific Lodge Chaplain and Mission Director.

pipeline 10/2011 15

A Simple way to stop the clutter

The needs of our international community continue to grow, and so does the clutter within my home, writes jakki pollock

hen is enough, enough? How many trinkets, ceramic bowls, scarves or photo frames can one obtain? How many candle holders, handbags or soap dishes can one store within their home? These days I am completely out of ideas for Christmas and birthday presents. All that I need, I have no problem purchasing myself and all that I want, I already have. How many more bracelets can I wear on my wrist or books can I squeeze into my bookcase? Seriously, how much more do I really need? After the news of an exciting move to a new home on the water at Abbotsford, Sydney, I found myself needing to take inventory of all my “stuff”. My new space wasn’t going to house all that I had accumulated and the thought of storing it in a box with the “one day

Chicken $10

I might need this” had become old. It was time my excess found a new home wherever that might be. Through living in a much more confined space I have come to the knowledge that I really don’t need all the little things that I have accumulated. The dust collected only brings on the asthma, anyway! I have come to an appreciation of living a little simpler; it now matters more to spend my money on things that make a difference in both my and other lives. So, rather than receiving gifts that have a very short life expectancy within my home or giving gifts that add to the clutter of my family’s or friend’s homes, I now want to see money spent on gifts that bring lasting change. Since commencing my new role within The Salvation Army International

Wheelchair $100

Water Tank $600

Development Office (SAID) I have been overwhelmed with excitement at the possibilities that are at hand to make a difference outside of my immediate world, through a simple thing like giving or receiving a gift.

“I now want to see money spent on gifts that bring lasting change”. I have discovered the SAID “Gifts That Keep On Giving” catalogue is an affordable and effective way of making a big difference for an individual, family or a community in a developing country. Now this is exciting stuff! Did you know that for just $10 you can purchase a chicken that will produce eggs providing protein, manure for vegetable

Goat $50

shop online: salvos.org.au/said

gardens and offspring so that a family can generate an income? Now that goes a whole lot further than your $10 chickenand-chips dinner pack! How about a MobilityAid for the multiple number of children waiting to become mobile? For only $60 you can help provide crutches, calipers or orthopaedic boots – changing a child’s life forever. Now that beats a soap dish any day. The items chosen for the gift catalogue were specially selected because they help to address one (or more) of the development issues being targeted by the Millennium Development Goals. These are seven goals set out by the United Nations and supporting partners and charities that have the aim of halving global poverty by 2015. One of these goals is “Combat HIV/

SCHOOL DESK $25

AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases” (goal No. 6). The gift of a mosquito net for $25 will prevent a possible death caused by malaria. The way it works is for you or a person making a gift in your name, to donate to a project.

“The catalogue is an affordable and effective way of making a big difference.” The donation is sent to the SAID office in Sydney, which then passes it on to the appropriate Salvation Army territory overseas. The project country then distributes the donations to the local corps or centre that is overseeing the project. You will receive a greeting card with a

SEWING MACHINE $150

GARDENING KIT $65

picture of the item purchased to keep for yourself or to give to your gift recipient. So as you approach Christmas, a birthday or Easter next year, do an inventory of the clutter within your home and rather than receiving or purchasing a less-than-needed gift, consider purchasing a “gift that keeps on giving”. See the treasure within another’s life and buy a gift that will make a world of difference. 

Jakki Pollock is Information and Resources Officer for The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory International Development Office.

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pipeline 10/2011 17

How to Justice Take a stand against social injustice By ROBYN EVANS

Ways

Justice

ne of the best ways to get involved in social justice is to get involved in social action. If you are passionate about an issue of social injustice, find out which organisations are involved in dealing with that issue. When you contact one group, or look on the web, you may find there are a number of agencies working on the same issue, sometimes together and sometimes separately. Find out if there is a coalition group you could join that represents a number of organisations on the one issue. For example, Stop the Traffik is a coalition of organisations as well as individuals working towards eradicating human trafficking. Once you have made contact with a group, find out how you can get involved and if you can attend any events. You may find that as your confidence, knowledge and passion for the issue grows, you will want to start doing more to help bring about change for the people you are fighting for. It is possible to hold your own public event, demonstration or action, but there

Volume 1

are a number of things that you need to consider. We recommend that you first work with a larger group. Sometimes you may want to organise an action as an individual in the group and invite others who are similarly passionate. If you are thinking of holding a public event, demonstration or action, make sure you get an action kit from the organisation you are working with, as this should tell you what you need to consider when in public. Most importantly, action and demonstrations should not promote violence or fuel any type of violent

response. They should be carried out in the same love and grace that you would extend to those who are experiencing the injustice. Often just standing out the front of an unjust corporation with a sign telling everyone what they are doing wrong will send a message. Make sure that whatever action you choose, you take photos and network them around so people can be educated and inspired by the action that is being taken. We have learnt that change is a collective action which needs a multifaceted approach. Social action is one of those facets and definitely important, but don’t be disheartened if the systems you are trying to change don’t alter after one event or demonstration. Know that you are making a difference; every little bit chips away at the injustice. .. Robyn Evans is Social Justice Community Development Coordinator for The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory.

This article is taken from the book 50 Ways To Do Justice (Carpenter Media) and available from Salvationist Supplies in Sydney (www.salvosuppliessyd.com) or The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory’s Justice Unit (www.justiceunit.com.au) for $7.50.

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Refuge to victims of abuse

pipeline 10/2011 19

Minh Nguyen is rebuilding his life again, 35 years after arriving in Australia as a refugee from Vietnam. Photo: Shairon Paterson

Streetlevel ends Minh’s

nightmare A refugee of the Vietnam conflict in the 1970s, Minh Nguyen rebuilt his life in Australia on the back of business success. But when his ‘security’ collapsed after a property deal went bad, Minh found himself on the streets and contemplating suicide. That’s when, as LAUREN MARTIN reports, The Salvation Army stepped in to help

n 1976, on one of the first Hercules evacuation flights out of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War, nine-yearold orphan Minh Nguyen thought he was coming to Australia for a better life. Just two years ago, he would have told you he’d attained that better life. He was holding down a comfortable government sector job, his small business as a DJ in Sydney nightclubs was taking off and he’d just entered into a property investment to capitalise on the booming market. Now he’s out of work and homeless – the only money to his name locked up in his superannuation fund. How did it come to this? It’s a heartbreaking story of loss and abandonment. Orphaned at birth, Minh thought he had found a home when a couple from Central West NSW fostered him after his arrival in Australia from Vietnam. “I got attached,” he remembers. “I felt like I had a family.” But, four years later, when the couple fell pregnant with their fourth child, Minh was sent back to an orphanage in Sydney. “I remember the day when I came home from school there was a case worker with my bag packed and everything. I will never forget that day. I was crying and

wanting to know what was going on.” Minh says to this day he doesn’t know the reason for this traumatic rejection. He spent the rest of his childhood in various orphanages in Sydney. Despite his hurt, Minh kept in contact with his foster family, “for the sake of having some kind of family connection”. He became close to his foster sister and describes her as the only friend in his life. “It’s really hard for me to get attached to people,” Minh says. “Being rejected so many times as a child really stuffed me up mentally so I don’t have many close friends. But Sara [his foster sister] and I had a connection ... we were best friends.” However, life got busy for Minh and contact waned. In 2003 came another blow. During a phone call Minh’s foster mother broke down in tears and revealed that Sara had suicided. But the biggest shock for Minh was that she had been dead for two years and the family had not told him. “That hurt me so much,” Minh says. “I missed saying goodbye to her and her funeral and because of that I chose to disconnect myself from them [the family]. “I strongly believe that if I knew what was going on Sara would still be alive today.” >>>

pipeline 10/2011 21

“It was crazy,” he says. “It was such a crazy, stressful time. I just didn’t know where to go, I didn’t know what to do.” Minh made the dangerous decision to sleep at his workplace, a secure court complex in the heart of Sydney. “I had 24-hour access [to the complex],” he says. “I would come into work at 7.30 in the morning then try and stay back late. I’d then pretend that I was going home but I just roamed around the CBD until 9 o’clock at night. “Then I’d come back into the building and go to sleep. I would set the alarm for 3am, before the cleaners came, and I would use the magistrate’s chambers showers and get ready. I’d leave the complex before the cleaners arrived and then come back to the office at 7.30am. I did that for about two or three months and it was mentally and physically tiring.”

“It was such a crazy, stressful time ... it was like I was living in a nightmare.”

Minh Nguyen shared his story at the The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal launch in Sydney this year. All photos: Shairon Paterson

Minh got on with life as best he could. He’d never excelled at school but, in 1990, he managed to secure a good job at the Attorney-General’s Department – a position he held for 21 years. In 2008, with a secure job and a side business as a DJ in the Sydney nightclub scene, Minh was in a comfortable position. The property market was booming and he decided to invest. “It was the first time in my life I’d ever wanted to have something to show for myself and so I got myself into a property investment with a friend,” he said. A year later, his friend decided to pull out of the deal, leaving Minh with a choice: borrow extra to keep the

investment, or sell out and lose money. He borrowed extra. In 2009, as the global financial crisis hit, Minh’s DJ business suffered and he was struggling financially. Not having any close friends or family, he didn’t have anyone to turn to for help.

Bad to worse

When he could no longer pay his mortgage his bank account became subject to a garnishee notice – whatever money went in was taken directly out to pay his creditors. Minh found himself in a unique position. Despite holding down a wellpaid job, he was homeless with not a cent to his name.

When he accidentally responded to a colleague’s email in the early hours of the morning, he knew he would be found out. He confessed the next day. An internal investigation followed, which lasted more than a year. During this time, Minh continued to work in his position and moved from homeless shelter to homeless shelter – many nights sleeping rough or on overnight trains to Lithgow or Newcastle. “It was really weird,” he remembers. “It was like I was living in a nightmare.” By day, his work in the Central Local Court involved the administration for the posting of people’s bail. At night, he found himself in hostels where many of those same people would also be staying. “It was really hard. The staff [of the hostels] had to keep their eyes on me for my own safety. At one place they had to isolate me because a group of guys recognised me for refusing their release.” Finally, Minh was summoned to a meeting with the Attorney-General. “At the time I thought he was very compassionate and very understanding and he had seen the internal report that they did that proved where my money went and that kind of stuff. I just thought that the department was going to help me to get back on track.” It wasn’t to be. A few months later, in January

Minh with Australian rock legend Iva Davies and Salvation Army officer Major Robin Pullen at the Red Shield Appeal launch.

this year, Minh was informed by the department that if he didn’t resign, he would be sacked. The shock sent him to the edge. “I was suicidal,” he says. Minh has only hazy memories of that day. He intended to throw himself in front of a train and remembers standing on the platform at Sydney’s Town Hall Station. However, his disability (Minh suffered polio as a child and walks with a limp) meant he was unable to move fast enough and a woman grabbed his shirt and pulled him back, saving his life.

Enter Streetlevel

After spending time at St Vincent’s Hospital psychiatric unit, Minh was referred to The Salvation Army’s Streetlevel Mission – a community centre that works in inner-city Sydney. Streetlevel provides a variety of programs and services which aim to bring hope, healing and restoration to some of the poorest, most disadvantaged and marginalised people of Sydney. When Minh arrived, he says it felt “different” to other services he’d encountered. “They [Streetlevel workers] treat everybody individually ... whether your issue is mental, financial, alcohol or drug problems, they don’t just look at you and treat you all the same.”

With the help of a Salvation Army case worker, Minh has been able to secure longer-term accommodation and is now working with an agency to retrain and find work. He is also receiving counselling and now has hope for the future. “Sometimes I still can’t believe how my life has turned out,” he says. “I sit there and think: ‘How did I get myself into this situation and what’s the world coming to?’ Because at one time I was so-called ‘normal’ – I was a professional and had everything: money, a job, everything and all of a sudden because of one bad decision it was all taken away from me. All you have to do is make one wrong decision and it could turn your life upside down.” Minh, now 45, says he’s so thankful for the help he’s received through The Salvation Army’s Streetlevel Mission. “It might sound a bit strange but in some ways I’m sort of glad that I get to see the other side of the fence. For me, it’s a reality check. It’s made me become a different person, a better person.” 

Minh as a nine-y ear-old prior to fleeing V ietnam.

Lauren Martin is a writer with The Salvation Army’s Communications Department.

pipeline 10/2011 23

with Major Barbara Sampson

Matthew 6:5-15 “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (v. 6, NIV).

s far as we know, Jesus led no prayer seminars, set up no prayer rooms, attended no prayer concerts. Yet there is no doubt he was a man of prayer. He showed how to “do” prayer simply by being caught in the act. He prayed in front of his disciples, as he faced a demanding crowd, or on his own in the quiet early morning. He prayed in such a way that others wanted to know how to do it too, wanted the kind of intimacy he had with the One he called “Abba”, Father God. In

its essence this is what prayer is – the expression of the relationship between God and oneself. Just as conversation in any healthy relationship has a back-and-forth flow, so prayer has a gentle two-way rhythm. We speak … God listens. God pauses ... we wait. We focus ... God clarifies. God reveals ... we ask. We thank ... God blesses. God leads ... we follow. Before we know it, we are praying! Innumerable books have been written about prayer – how to do it, what to pray about, why and when and where. Prayer may seem complex but really it is very simple. As a spiritual discipline, all we need to get under way is a time and a place. Even five minutes set aside for prayer and regularly kept each day begins a habit, a pattern for prayer. As

circumstances change and the thirst for prayer grows, the minutes increase. If possible a place for prayer away from distractions is good, but, in the wideness of God’s mercy, even distractions can become part of our prayer. I recall encouraging a group of people at a prayer seminar to tune out the sounds from the kitchen next door. But when the aroma of freshly baked muffins invaded our prayer space we surrendered and gave joyful thanks for the cook! Prayer is as simple as breathing “the Christian’s vital breath”. Prayer is both petition and praise, both thanksgiving and lament, both confession and worship. To reflect on ... Prayer changes things. It changes others. Most of all prayer changes the pray-er.

Words of Life has new author By JULIA HOSKING

ajor Beverly Ivany woke at midnight, strongly sensing God was speaking to her. She soon realised why: she needed to change her perspective on Priscilla and Aquila, a married couple involved in New Testament ministry (see Acts 18). “That night, God reminded me that Priscilla is a married woman and the Apostle Paul often placed her name in front of Aquila’s when writing about them,” says Major Ivany, (pictured), the new author of Words of Life, a book of daily devotional readings produced by The Salvation Army internationally. “I felt God telling me to adjust what I had written to emphasise the significance of the married team and the importance of women to him. I don’t think I would have noticed these aspects on my own. It is at times like this when I feel it’s the Lord guiding me and we’re in this together.” A new issue of Words of Life is published every four months. Each daily reading includes a portion of scripture and

a short devotional thought, such as the one on Priscilla and Aquila. Over the next three years, every book of the Bible will be covered under the overarching themes of faith, hope and love. “The purpose of Words of Life is to inspire and encourage Christians through scripture,” says Major Ivany, an officer of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory.

“The readings are not cumbersome. They’re simply an opportunity for people to get into the habit of starting their day with God. “The benefit of it being an international publication is that on any given day, you know that other Salvationists and Christians are reading the same words as you and sharing in that intimate way with God. That connects and unifies us.” Major Ivany comes to her appointment having written more than 100 articles for Salvation Army publications and three books. “I’ve always enjoyed writing but have never done it as a full-time appointment,” she says. “It is an extension of my thought life and spiritual life - it’s important for me to put down in words what is going on in my head and heart. I rely on the Lord for my writing, which has deepened my relationship with him.” Words of Life is available from Salvationist Supplies in Sydney (www. salvosuppliessyd.com).

God’s glory breaks through Gwen’s pain barrier In August, Gwen Norman became the first Senior Soldier to be enrolled at The Salvation Army’s Bega Corps in 16 years. The significance of the occasion ran deep. Not only was Gwen enrolled on her birthday, but it was also the anniversary of the death of her young son many years ago. The testimony she gave, which she has allowed Pipeline to reproduce, was both emotional and powerful

ixty-eight years ago, I was delivered into this world. I have never known my biological family because I was adopted. So, I have never really felt that I belonged. My life has been an arduous journey. At a very young age I contracted rheumatic fever, which limited my schooling and playtime activities. Over the years I have endured 44 major operations – some life-saving – and I have the battle scars to remind me. The biggest blow of all was the death of my only son, Gerald, who died at 12 years of age. That was 35 years ago, in the most horrific of accidents. Gerald was all that really ever was mine, and for such a short time. With all this going on I suffered untold emotional and psychological distress. Although I had always prayed to God I felt that he didn’t really care. So I have had many questions for God as to why. During my lifetime I have searched

Gwen, proudly holding her Soldier’s Covenant, with Captain Kathy Crombie and Assistant Corps Officer Lieutenant Karen Harrison.

for these answers by taking many spiritual directions. The promises I made often dissolved into complacency in my everyday life. I now believe that the problem was that there was something missing – my head and my heart were not talking to one another. I have gone from church to church searching most of my life. Although it helped me become stronger, still there was something missing.

Journey of faith

I moved to Bega in June 2009 and found, after several months, that I needed help. I was advised to go to The Salvation Army, which was what I did. It was there that I met Captain Kathy Crombie, and while she was taking particulars from me, she said: “Oh, I see that you only live two doors away from our church.” I said: “Yes, that is true.” Captain Kathy then said: “Good, I will look forward to you coming on Sunday at 10.30am.”

So here I am some two years later. Because of the support that I received from Kathy, and the new friendships I made, I knew that – albeit there were still some not so good times because of Gwen being Gwen and bucking the system – that this was where God had planned for me to be. It has been the beginning of an amazing journey and enlightenment along the way for me. Here I stand today, to celebrate the next leg of my journey, doing whatever God has planned for me to do. I have seen God on the march in my life. He has been gradually transforming the pain into something I can endure. He doesn’t cause the pain, but I believe that he uses what pain I go through today, to display his splendour through me tomorrow. Today I celebrate the true beginning of the journey that God has set out before me. My lamp of faith is now burning very bright. - Gwen Norman

pipeline 10/2011 25

Hope

without

disappointment

By Major CECIL WOODWARD

lthough hope is often regarded as little more than wishful thinking, maybe even very positive wishful thinking, nothing could be further from the true meaning of this eternal value. St Paul told us that faith, hope and love are the three eternal values. This gives hope a status which far outstrips any others which we may hold dearly. It is the strength inherent in hope which enables us to act in expectation that what we hope for will be realised. Hope is always forward looking and is expressed in attitudes and actions which anticipate that end result. Every reference to hope throughout the Scriptures enshrines those elements. It inspired the prophets who heard and wrote of God’s

promise of a coming Messiah. Today, it continues to inspire faithful ministry to see the culmination of the prayer, “May your kingdom come”. I was taught the depth and strength of hope by my daughter, Melinda. When I moved from Queensland to Sydney, one of the new things I wanted was to have spring daffodils in my garden. That first winter and spring produced healthy looking plants but not one bloom. Not being one to readily concede defeat, I made plans for a repeat effort in winter number two. Melinda also embraced the idea of spring blooms. So next March when I planted daffodil bulbs, she planted jonquil bulbs in her garden. We talked with anticipation of the beauty that would eventuate and in August our hopeful

deeds were rewarded. Both groups of bulbs produced the bright golden blooms of spring. Beautiful! However, for Melinda, this act of hope was much more than anticipation that the bulbs would bloom. She had a terminal cancer and the act of planting, the anticipation of the blooms, were also statements of hope that she would see the outcome. She did not see her jonquils in bloom, just as the prophets of old didn’t see the arrival of the one whose coming they foretold. But for them, as for Melinda, the hope was strong and it was very real. Hope provides a source of strength to commit to the future which is not yet in our reach, but which we work for and eagerly look forward to in anticipation that it will be. For each of us, it is that sort of hope which is needed to drive the prayer penned by John Gowans: “To be like Jesus! This hope possesses me.” There is no disappointment with a hope like that. *(Article headline based on Romans 5:5.)

Major Cecil Woodward is Assistant Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory.

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Unlocking the Army’s archives with Major Frank Duracher

Poet wins battle of life over death

any of us can probably relate to William Cowper (1731-1800), a lonely and depressed soul who struggled for many years over his salvation. He wanted with all of his heart to believe; but a melancholia with which he struggled kept his faith at bay for a long, long time. Cowper’s story is very sad, early on. But during the latter part of his life, he found Christ and a penchant for poetry, making an inroad to our Salvation Army Song Book — and a host of other hymnals, in many languages. What Cowper endured before he got to that milestone in his life ... well, that’s a story from the Army’s archives. Cowper didn’t live up to his father’s expectations. He attended law school at his father’s insistence, even excelling in his studies, but when the day came for his bar examination, Cowper simply didn’t show up. In fact, he never took that test. Cowper became so despondent in his young adult years that he tried to commit suicide, numerous times! First he tried drinking poison, but God led someone to find him and get him to a hospital. His stomach was pumped, and he survived. Next he hired a coachman to taxi him to the River Thames, where he intended to plunge himself into the dark, swirling water. But the driver, once he realised Cowper’s intent, would have none of it, and drove him back home. With mounting frustration, Cowper found a knife and attempted to fall upon it. The blade of the knife broke. Finally, Cowper rigged a hangman’s noose in his basement. He slipped the rope around his neck and jumped off a makeshift gallows. A friend happened by who revived him. It seems he couldn’t even kill himself! By now he was committed to an insane asylum where he stayed for 18 months.

Fountain penned

In the depths of his sorrow, Cowper drove himself to reading the New Testament. Absolute light came to his darkened spirit as he read Romans 3:25 – declaring Jesus Christ as the “propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God”. “In a moment,” Cowper later wrote of this epiphany, “I believed and I received the gospel!” Further reading and Bible study took Cowper to the Old Testament, where he read in Zechariah 13:1: “In that day there

William Cowper penned the words to many much-loved songs found in The Salvation Army Song Book.

shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness.” Cowper’s love of writing poetry immediately inspired him to expound that verse of scripture, originally titling his composition, Peace For The Fountain Opened. Of all the hymns in The Salvation Army Song Book Cowper wrote in his lifetime, that one was among his favourites. And ours, too. Because Cowper, survivor of at least four suicide attempts – battling his innerdemons of depression and self-loathing – was a troubled soul wanting to believe but desperately needing a revelation from God. Cowper found that life-changing truth, causing him to write: “There is a

fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel’s veins; And sinners plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains!” The next time you are in a Salvation Army meeting and Cowper’s masterpiece hymn is sung, singing it may be perhaps more meaningful for you. Plunge ‘neath that same fountain, now that you’ve had the opportunity to unlock the Army’s archives.

Major Frank Duracher is the editor of Warcry in Australia.

pipeline 10/2011 27

life transformed by accident A

Laura Hopewell was happily cruising through life until the day God brought about an abrupt change of perspective. During a recent service at her Salvation Army corps in Gosford, Laura told her story

arlier this year, as a corps we signed little slips of paper that were a promise. It said: “With all my heart and soul, I desire to love Jesus more, to serve Jesus more, and to share Jesus more.” As soon as I signed that piece of paper, I got that awful feeling where the pit of your stomach feels absolutely bottomless. I knew it was God, that he had something for me. So I prayed and said: “Lord, what do you need me to do?” His message was as clear as day: “Laura, you have a story and you haven’t told it.” So here I am this morning and, true to my promise, I’m here to share. I live an incredibly blessed life. I have a beautiful Christian family, a fantastic man of God who will soon be

my husband, great uni friends and an amazing best friend. I get to freely come to church where I help lead a gorgeous group of youth and help teach a fabulous bunch of Sunday school kids. I have a good job and I’m currently studying to be a teacher. I have so much to be thankful for and everything to praise God for, which I do and always have. But around this time last year, I had an experience which would forever make me more grateful for the life I have.

Out of control

Saturday 27 March, 2010, started as a great day. I got to have a sleep-in, I started work at midday and only had to work until 3pm, then had plans to go and pick up Shayne (my fiancé) to go ice-skating with

Camilla (my best friend) and a few other friends from Newcastle. So after work I jumped in my car and started driving to Shayne’s, a two-hour journey up the freeway to Swan Bay. After turning off the freeway, you drive about 20 minutes out into the bush and turn down a windy, dirt road. As I turned onto the road, I noticed the speed limit sign said 80km/h, but I stuck to 50km/h just to be safe. I made it about halfway down the road when I noticed that my car was starting to slide through the dirt. Trying not to panic, I corrected my steering but before I knew it my car was out of control and picking up speed. I did the only thing I knew; I closed my eyes and cried for God, and a beautiful calm voice said: “Let go, you’ll be okay.”

A car accident has helped Laura Hopewell (right) refocus on God. Laura’s car was badly damaged in the accident (left).

So I did what I was told, even though it seemed like a laughable idea. I put my hands over my face, took my feet off the pedals and waited for impact. I took a quick glance at my speedo as my hands went to my face – I was doing about 60km/h. In my life I’ve heard a lot of loud things – screaming children, fireworks – but I promise you, nothing is as loud as running into a tree. It felt like ages before I opened my eyes, but it would have only been seconds. Looking around I had three thoughts. One: “O my goodness, I’m actually okay.” Two: “Look at the car! My parents are going to kill me!” And three: “What do I do now?” My phone was in the bag on the passenger seat so I scrambled for it and dialled Shayne’s number. I knew it wouldn’t be long before he came because the GPS said I was only 50m from his house. He answered, but all I could say was, “Shayne, I’m in trouble” before the reception cut out. Thinking I should get out of the car, I prayed: “God, help me. What do I do?” I started to swing my legs out of the door and I heard a sound. It was Shayne’s neighbours coming to check on their cows in the paddock opposite where I was. A man named Scott jumped out of the car and ran over to me. He urged me not to get up. It was then that I realised the lever which adjusts the steering wheel had gone straight through my knee. Scott grabbed my phone to call an ambulance, just as Shayne came driving up the road. When he got out of the car and ran to my side, all I could do was cry. I sat in my seat trying to be calm until the

ambulance came. Shayne rang my parents and assured them I was all right, but told them to meet us at the hospital. Another car stopped and a man got out. “I’ve just moved in down the road,” he said. “Is everything okay? I’m a doctor.” I actually laughed. The ambulance came and I was loaded onto a stretcher for the drive to hospital where I was surrounded by family. After they all left I found myself sitting on my own, so I prayed. I praised God

Where is Your Fire? by Brooke Fraser. The message of how I need to live my life is so clear, yet I’d missed it so many times. The words say, “So I stand, handing out torches, speaking words that are lamps to their feet, till the time when you come and I’m whole and we are one and the fire in me is complete. Some tell me to be moderate but lukewarm will never do. Because I, I want to blaze with you, so I’m holding my heart out to you.” After surgery the next day and 13

“Father’s Day can be a very sensitive time for people, depending on their experiences with their father and as a father.” that I had come away with my life, and it was here that God laid some truths on me. I have a great life. I am so fortunate to have this life and the question he gave me said: “What are you going to do with it?” It was now that I realised I so often called out to God when I needed him, that I rarely seemed to talk to him outside of my own needs. Guilt washed over me as God told me it was time to walk away from my stagnant mediocrity and be on fire again, and be on fire permanently.

On fire for Christ

So often when we hear messages like this from God, we need confirmation. I need God to spell things out for me. He gave me this confirmation through one of my favourite songs, which is called Love,

stitches later, my knee was put back together and I could go home. Not only did I go home being repaired physically, but I felt like through all of this, I had been repaired spiritually as well. So now here I am, sharing my story with you, fully healed. I walked away with a knee that still clicks when I change gears and a huge scar – which I was upset about at first, wanting to cover it and wondering if I’d be able to wear shorts or a skirt again. But when I see it now, I am reminded of how fortunate I am to be here, and of the job I have as a girl on fire for Christ. I pray that having heard my story, you would keep me in your prayers and keep me accountable. God has lit this fire, let’s keep it ablaze. 

pipeline 10/2011 29

In Time RATING: M RELEASE DATE: 27 October

lot of growing old seems to involve looking back and wishing you’d understood then what you do now about the advantages of being young. Healthy knees, for example. So imagine a world where everyone stops ageing at 25. Utopia? Now add in the qualifying factor that unless you do something about it, you die at 26. This is the bomb ticking away at the heart of the new science-fiction thriller In Time. Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) is a man fighting against his own mortality, living in a future where science has managed to switch off the ageing gene. People now live their entire lives in 25-year-old bodies, but in order to avoid overpopulation those bodies shut down at 26 – unless you earn enough to extend your existence. Time has become the new currency and while the rich make decades at a time, the poor struggle to beg, borrow or steal every minute they’ll need for the next day. However, Salas’ life takes an unexpected turn when a wealthy man gifts him a hundred years so that he will finally be able to embrace death. The police suspect foul play, but in avoiding capture Salas uncovers the truth: the world’s system is deliberately geared to sacrifice the many for the sake of a few. In Time is a classic chess-game plot. Can Salas work out how to bring the whole system crashing down before he literally runs out of time? Writer/director Andrew Niccol’s skill lies in taking a recognisable element of society – in this case our Western obsession with working to secure our future – and extrapolating it to a plausible conclusion. What would human beings do to avoid death? The answer is the same as it has always been: anything. In Time has a strong social conscience that seems to reflect a growing concern with how developed societies like ours relate to the developing world. Recently I was working on a documentary for World Vision in northern Uganda where I met

Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried star in the action-packed science fiction thriller In Time.

cattle tribes who’d lost their traditional pastures so that a wildlife preserve could be established for tourists. It was my first clear insight into how the pleasures of the West are built on the backs of the Third World. Salas discovers a similar inequity when his mysterious benefactor, Henry Hamilton, explains the facts of life: Henry: “The poor are meant to die. That’s how the system works.” Will: “What the hell’s that supposed to mean?” Henry: “You really don’t know, do you? The truth is there’s more than enough time for everyone. There are men with a million years while most live from day to day. For a few to be immortal many must die.” I don’t doubt that Niccol wants us to question where we would sit in such an equation. It’s certainly true that the chocolate bar which represents such a minor purchase for us could have been produced by the slavery of African

children. However, if there’s a weakness to In Time it has to be the attitude it takes to death. On the surface, Salas and his supporters seem to stand for a world where everyone has the right to live, but this is more about our attitude to our demise. We don’t “waste time” because there is only a limited quantity of it and the grave waits for everyone. In fact, death is a natural part of life that has to be embraced rather than defeated. Death in this light is no tragedy, but the natural end of all things. And that’s the real tragedy of the movie. In Time has such a low view of life that only a villain would aim to extend it forever. Will’s conclusion is that, “No-one should be immortal if even one person has to die”. In his world no-one considers the question, “What if one person died so that everyone could be immortal?” But then that’s not science fiction.

What would Jesus view?

Good Game/Good Game SP RATING: PG/G DISTRIBUTOR: ABC2 TIME: Tuesdays, 8.30pm

know that there will be a wide variation of opinions on video games amongst our readership. Everyone from the rabid MMORPG fan to the sideline observer who puts that acronym in the same category as a designer drug. But the joy of video games is their ability to test our physical, mental, even spiritual limits by taking us outside of ourselves. And it’s such an expanding industry that parents can be thankful for programs like Good Game. Now Good Game and its spin-off Good Game Spawn Point are not aimed at the parent. Hosts Steven “Bajo” O’Donnell and Stephanie “Hex” Bendixsen have players squarely in their sights as they run through a list of the latest releases, cataloguing innovative features and poor performance before they finally end up rating the game out of 10 rubber chickens. It’s cheeky and full of quirky sideline segments including “Name the Game” (seeing if viewers recognise something from the dusty arcade days) and “Backwards Compatible” (where hosts trace the history of a genre of games from its origins to the present day). My favourite from the current series is “Fanboys vs Haters” where audience members are invited to contribute to a poll on the merits of a game, and submit video opinions. There’s just enough debate to show that one man’s chalk is another man’s cheese. As you weigh up the merits, it’s worth remembering that there’s a world of difference between Good Game and Good Game Spawn Point. The latter reviews G and PG rated games and is aimed at an under 12 audience. The humour of the hosts is also adjusted accordingly. The original Good Game is later in the evening for a much larger audience spanning teens to adult players. The content can include a lot that would rightly concern parents, including Zombie-killer Dead Island where players

hack their way through a virus-infected resort. And the hosts are not above recommending games because they allow characters to engage in a “slaughterfest”. But like The Movie Show, Good Game can tell you as much about what not to encourage in your home as well as what’s good to look out for, regardless of the hosts’ opinions. Good Game’s surface value to parents lies in the initiation it can provide to a pastime that is consuming much of our children’s afternoons and weekends. It’s light-hearted, easy to watch and strangely informative. Parents wondering whether they should submit to the pressure to purchase Red Faction can combine it with

Focus On The Family’s Plugged-In site (http://www.pluggedin.com/games) for valuable insights. Past programs have also included sensitive segments on cyberbullying within the gaming community and girls in games. But possibly the best advantage is the provision of another opportunity to connect. Good Game Spawn Point in particular, is a show my kids and I can watch together. I personally intend on continuing to play games with my boys so long as they let me and the muscles in my thumbs hold out. And I can’t be part of the conversation if I don’t know what they’re talking about.

Steven O’Donnell and Stephanie Bendixsen are the hosts of Good Game and its spin-off Good Game Spawn Point.

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MISSION PRIORITY 6 – YOUTH TRAINED AND SENT OUT TO FRONTLINE MISSION 

Encourage our youth as they launch their dreams By Lieutenant-CoLoneL MiriaM GLuyas

“S

he’ll never make it!” “What is wrong with those parents?” “Who, in their right mind, would allow their child to do that?” “It’s just ridiculous.” “See, she hit a boat. She can’t even overcome the first obstacle. As if she can take on the world.” “Give her a go!” Those words, and many more, rang out around Australia, as 16-year-old Jessica Watson (pictured above) and her family last year declared that she would sail, alone, around the world in a small yacht. She did it, becoming the youngest person to sail non-stop and unassisted around the globe. And when she entered Sydney Harbour at the end of her epic journey, how the tide had turned! Boats lined up to welcome her home and sail beside her. The event was televised live. People cheered and waved. Jessica was our newest hero. “Good on you, Jessica, we knew you could do it,” we said. In January, Jessica was named Young Australian of the Year. There are timely reminders in Jessica’s remarkable story for us in The Salvation Army.

We were founded as a movement of people like Jessica Watson – young, adventurous people who believed that they could see the world won for Jesus; people who would pull up their nets and go follow Jesus. They took England and

“I want us to discover what they are passionate about, to talk to them about it and move mountains to see their dreams become reality.” then went and took the world ... for him! Even in my generation, we were given many opportunities to serve. I went to officer training college young. But before I went, I had the opportunity to be the Young People’s Sergeant Major, Corps Treasurer, Guard Leader, to do the pubs, to be involved in frontline ministry. My officers believed in me and gave me so many opportunities. I am so grateful to them and for them. Our young people are brilliant. I applaud them. I want us to discover what

they are passionate about, to talk to them about it and move mountains to see their dreams become reality. They love Jesus, they are into his Word, they dream of changing the world, they are gifted, and they are not ashamed to stand up for Jesus and his cause. They are looking for frontline mission. Who will listen to them? Who will discover their dreams? Who will move the mountains to see those dreams become reality? Stand with them, pray for them, believe in them, train them, educate them, motivate them, and liberate them. We need them! Many of these young people are my heroes. I say that with conviction. I want to be the one standing with them, investing in them, believing in their God-given potential, and seeing it realised. Many of you have already joined me in that. Start cheering as they take the world ... for him! Lieutenant-Colonel Miriam Gluyas is the Australia Eastern Territory’s Secretary for Program.

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MISSION PRIORITY 6 – YOUTH TRAINED AND SENT OUT TO FRONTLINE MISSION 

Our young people

out there...

ast month, I heard a powerful address from Nobel Peace Prize nominee Mama Maggie Gobran. Maggie was a wealthy, intelligent young woman. She worked as a university lecturer, teaching Cairo’s brightest and best. But 20 years ago, she felt God call her to work with the poorest of the poor. She obeyed. Thousands of lives have been transformed because she said “yes” to God’s call. As she spoke, it was plain that this lady walked very closely with Jesus. She shared with us gems of wisdom like: “We don’t choose where to be born, but we do choose either to be sinners or saints … to be nobody or to be heroes.” “If you want to be a hero, do what God wants you to do.” “I grew up affluent. I liked to be elegant. Now I know that elegance comes from the inside, to love.” “When I touch a poor child, I’m touching Jesus. When I listen to a poor child, I am listening to God’s heartbeat for humanity.” What God can do with a fully surrendered heart is incredible. In recent weeks, I have been inspired again. I have met a number of young Salvos who are making bold, unselfish choices about what to do during school holidays, what career path to take, how to spend their money and the way they interact with the people in their community. Praise God. For more inspiring stories like those on these pages, head to Claire Hill is the Territorial salvos.org.au/more. Youth Ministries Co-ordinator

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES: Red Frogs Chaplaincy: November 2011 Redfrogs.com.au Youth Mission Teams (Fiji & Kenya): January 2012 salvos.org.au/more/get-involved EDIFY Internship: February 2012 salvos.org.au/edify For more information, head to the URL provided or contact the MORE team at moreteam@aue.salvationarmy.org

STORY 1 Name: Tamika Pashley Corps: Bundaberg

t the end of last year, I felt God say that he wanted me to throw all plans into the wind and head to the School for Youth Leadership. Halfway through our life-altering experience, I was sent to Camp Gifford in the United States, where I stayed for 11 weeks. There were two weeks of vigorous training, seven weeks of being a female counsellor to a group of kids (for one week I was the lead female counsellor), and two weeks volunteering in the kitchen. It was my job to make sure that the kids who came had fun, but most importantly I was there to help them get to know Christ. Lots of the kids came from disadvantaged homes. Many of them found it mind-boggling to discover how Christ is with us all the time, every second of the day. Giving them this chance to be able to learn to speak and grow with him was just amazing.

STORY 2 Revolution Youth

his year at Revolution Youth (Ryde Salvos), we have been doing a lot more things to help us serve the local community better. We’ve visited the local police station, hospital and council chambers, delivered Easter gift baskets and cooked meals for needy families. This picture (below) is of a street party we organised for the residents of the Macquarie Park community in August. We had a free barbecue, coffees, hot chocolates, internet access and some fun games and activities. It was awesome being used by God to bless our local community and the people who came really enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with their neighbours. Up next, we are serving at the local mental health hospital and also holding a working bee at the home of a local family.

STORY 3 Name: Matthew Miller Corps: Coffs Harbour

’m the supervisor of The Salvation Army Family Store in Woolgoolga, on the NSW North Coast. While retail isn’t where I want to spend the rest of my life, I truly believe that every centre is a mission field. I love to share life with my customers and occasionally I get the opportunity to explore faith with them, too. My volunteers are wonderful and I enjoy working with the young people sent to us as part of a work for the dole program. They don’t always like the work, but I enjoy the opportunity to lead them to a place in Christ’s Kingdom. Not long after I started in Woolgoolga, the local police shut down the skate park for a day because young people were water-bombing passing cars. I remember God telling me: “That’s not enough. Someone needs to work with these children or nothing is going to change.” I approached my officers who were only too eager to work with the youth of Woolgoolga and ever since my wife and I have been providing a free barbecue at the skate park on a Saturday afternoon. Like so many other ministries in the Army, food once again has provided the opportunity to share life with a whole bunch of people who we may never have come across in the course of our regular ministry. My wife and I have been truly blessed to experience the ups and downs in these guys’ lives over the past year. Once a month, we all jump in the corps bus and go to a skate park in a neighbouring town. Sometimes the trips can be a bit noisy, but to see kids having fun in a skate park that they may never have got to skate otherwise makes it all worth it. As a Salvation Army soldier, I intend to fight for souls right to the very end.

STORY 5 Name: Krystal Walters Corps: Sydney Streetlevel

or the past five years, I worked as a hairdresser in Brisbane. But I always knew it would only be a temporary thing. I knew that God had a much bigger plan for my life. I was unsatisfied with my life and wanted to do more, be more and learn more. From that, I decided to go on a mission trip to Zambia. The trip was last year in August. It was only a short trip of a few weeks. When I got back home, I decided the time had come for change. I’m now doing a social justice internship. A “normal” week for me consists of work experience at The Salvation Army’s safe house for trafficked victims, working in the Justice Unit at Territorial Headquarters, running a hair salon at Streetlevel once a week, serving in our local community, discipleship training, plus everything else in between such as brothel outreach, serving in the op shop etc. No two days are ever the same! Only God knows what’s in store for me next year and I am very excited for that plan to be revealed to me.

STORY 6 Name: Princess Dawo Corps: Auburn

STORY 4 Name: Charlotte James Corps: Sydney Streetlevel Mission

am blessed to be living in a house with seven young men who challenge and inspire me every day. These guys have come from backgrounds filled with the darkness of the world; facing neglect, abuse, family breakdown and homelessness. They have come to a home filled with God’s light. I wouldn’t say that what I’m doing is mission for me. It’s just life, living with and journeying alongside these guys. They challenge my faith every day, calling me to account, questioning me on my beliefs and ultimately keeping me true to myself, them and God. 1 Corinthians 10:24: “Let no-one seek his own will, but each one the other’s well-being.” My prayer is that this will become the centre of my life-giving from the abundance I receive from God onto others.

grew up in Africa. We were poor and experienced many hardships. I never imagined I’d be where I am today – in Australia – being used by God to serve others. Last year, I was invited to go to Moree as part of a team to serve young people there. I love helping people, so I made sure I could be part of it. We prepared meals, cleaned, played soccer and danced with the kids. Every day we talked to them about God. I loved serving the children and meeting people from different backgrounds, being able to understand their different point of view. Early this year, some of the young adults at church decided to spend a week serving our own community. We held barbecues, ran programs for children in the local park, etc. It was such a good experience. I am now training to be a nurse. When I’m qualified, I want to do voluntary work to help poor countries where they do not have access to medication or good medical care.

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From the coalface L O C A L A N D I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E W S

Walkathon raises thousands for children in need By NATHALIA RICKWOOD

he Salvation Army’s third annual Aged Care Plus Walkathon was held on Friday, 16 September in Sydney, focusing on raising funds for children in the African country of Sierra Leone and those affected by the Queensland floods earlier this year. The walkathon has set a goal of raising $30,000, which is an $8000 increase on last year’s total. The day began with a short ceremony before participants set off on the 5.4km walk from the Army’s Australian Eastern Territorial Headquarters, through nearby Hyde Park to Mrs Macquarie’s Point on Sydney Harbour. Auburn Corps Officer, Captain Nesan Kistan, spoke at the ceremony about the specific need for help in Sierra Leone after 10 years of civil unrest. Auburn Corps has recently been involved with mission work in the troubled country. Money raised from the walkathon will go towards building a four-room primary school in Sierra Leone. “We realise that people need hope again,” he said. “They [forces in Sierra Leone] tried to take away children’s freedom by putting guns in their hands and destroying families. We have decided to put a book and a pencil in their hand instead,” said Captain Kistan. Donations from the walkathon will also be used to give children who have been impacted by the Queensland floods, a holiday at The Salvation Army’s Collaroy Centre on Sydney’s northern beaches. Aged Care Plus Chief Executive Officer, Sharon Callister, also spoke of her staff’s desire to see their fundraising efforts this year focused on improving the lives of children.

“They [Aged Care Plus staff] told us very clearly that disadvantaged children, wherever it is, that’s where we want our fundraising to go,” she said. Among those taking part in the walkathon were Territorial Commander Commissioner James Condon, Chief Secretary Colonel Wayne Maxwell, Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries Colonel Robyn Maxwell, and Territorial Secretary for Program Lieutenant-Colonel Miriam Gluyas, as well as other Territorial Headquarters and Aged Care Plus staff, corporate sponsors and volunteers. Colonel Maxwell, the walkathon patron, acknowledged the participation of all who took part in the event. “What a great initiative to reach out beyond where we are to those in need,” he said. Commissioner Condon was encouraged by the support on the day. “I think this is the biggest turnout we’ve ever had in Sydney with people from corporate sponsors and our own people, staff and volunteers out walking,” he said. Participants returned to Territorial Headquarters after the walk to receive their certificates and enjoy a well-deserved sausage sizzle lunch. More walkathon fundraising events were held at a number of locations around the territory towards the end of last month. When Pipeline went to print, almost $30,000 had been raised.

Enjoying the walkathon are (from left) Joy Deas, Victoria Hollick, Colonel Robyn Maxwell and Colonel Wayne Maxwell; (above right) Major Beatrice Kay and Lieut-Colonel Miriam Gluyas drum up fundraising support for the event; (below right) some of the many people who took part in the walkathon. Photos: Matthew Vasilescu

FrFrom o m t the h e ccoalface oalface L O C A L A N D I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E W S

Salvos provide comfort to family of Slacks Creek fire victims By SIMONE WORTHING

n the early hours of Wednesday, 24 August, 11 people from the same family died in a devastating house fire at Slacks Creek in Brisbane’s south. The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) arrived on the scene early that morning and, with other Salvation Army teams, remained on site to support the victims’ family, friends and community members until all the bodies had been removed from the house almost three days later. This waiting period was in accordance with the family’s Samoan and Tongan culture. “The SAES teams were initially called out to support the fire brigades and emergency services teams,” explained Captain Derek Whitehouse. “It very soon became apparent that the need was going to extend to the wider community.” The SAES teams also catered for the family of the fire victims, friends and anyone who just felt the need to be there. Major Rod Strong, Senior Chaplain – Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, was quickly on the scene and spoke with the “firies” and forensic teams who’d been in the house all night. His work with the fire crews will be ongoing. Captains Dennis and Sue McGuigan, Corps Officers at the Life Community Church Mission at Slacks Creek, quickly moved into action. They coordinated the SAES teams from the church, looked after and fed extended family and community members and arranged counselling and press conferences. Doug Taylor, Manager of the Brisbane Counselling Service, was also stationed at the church to offer comfort and counselling. “Over the three days, there were spontaneous outbursts of hymn singing and messages proclaiming God’s love from the Samoan and Tongan communities which kept us all going, gave us hope,” said Captain Dennis McGuigan. Funerals for family members took place on two different days last month. The McGuigans and church members represented The Salvation Army and served refreshments at the wakes which followed. “They [victims’ family] have accepted us as family and wanted us there,” said Captain McGuigan. Support for the family will continue, with a focus on helping them rebuild their lives.

Major Bryce Davies (centre) and his Salvation Army team (above and below)provided valuable emotional support to families involved in the tragic fire in Brisbane.

Streetlevel food market turns five

Major Robbin Moulds (left), Robert Harkin and Larissa Boiko cut the birthday cake.

he Salvation Army’s Streetlevel Mission in Sydney recently celebrated five years of its community food market. The market commenced through a donation from John Landerer in 2007. Since then many community members have been supported through the opportunity of using their welfare dollar to purchase food. Not only does the market provide food, but it also offers opportunities for volunteering. One community member who volunteers at the food market shared how the support he has received over the past five years has helped him stop drinking alcohol. He now has a family that loves and supports him and his relationship with Jesus has grown. “The Salvation Army and the Lord have transformed my life,” he said. Guests at the birthday celebrations included Mr Landerer, Major John Rees (Divisional Commander, Sydney East and Illawarra), Major Paul Kinder, Major Robbin Moulds (Director of Oasis Network), staff of Streetlevel and community members.

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From the coalface L O C A L A N D I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E W S

Oasis puts graduates on pathway to employment By ESTHER PINN

ive young people graduated from The Salvation Army’s Oasis Pathways Program on 23 August after completing a month-long training course that launched them into full-time employment. Hosted at the Oasis Youth Support Network centre in Surry Hills, Sydney, Major Robbin Moulds, Director of the Oasis Youth Support Network, and Rob Lumb, a representative from the Australian Taxation Office, presented each graduate with a certificate in recognition of completing the program. The Oasis Pathways Program began in 2006 and was developed to assist homeless young people who are at risk of long-term unemployment due to lack of education, skills and training. “The Pathways program has helped to realise the dreams and aspirations of five young people by helping them to secure full-time employment in a competitive corporate work environment,” said Caroline Nugent, Coordinator of the Oasis Training Pathways Program. These five graduates have now been placed in full-time administration positions at the Pathway’s program partners: Australand, Mirvac, Lend Lease and the Australian Taxation Office. “Thanks to the partnerships formed with the community and business sector, Oasis’ young people now have the

Wynnum now on the bus route

he Wynnum Corps of The Salvation Army has finally taken delivery of a new bus after many years of fundraising. Corps Officer Major Kevin Hentzschel dedicated the use of the bus to God, praying that passengers would be kept safe and that the corps would see more people attending. The corps raised money by selling ginger and conducting a bring-and-buy stall at “Silver Threads” each month. A generous donation from corps member Meryl Campbell, in memory of her mother, also contributed to the bus purchase.

At the dedication of the bus were (from left to right) Meryl Campbell, Major Kevin Hentzschel and Jim Grech.

opportunity to gain professional training, experience and financial independence,” said Ms Nugent. The Pathways program equipped graduates with a variety of skills including life coaching, budgeting and financial management, communication and interpersonal skills, personal presentation and interview preparation.

Rob Lumb (left), presents Pathways graduate Gareth with his certificate as Major Robbin Moulds watches.

Fairfield prayer night turns up heat T

he Salvation Army’s Fairfield Corps held its first Prayer Furnace night, hosted by a group called Generation Fire, on 2 July. Generation Fire is an international movement which facilitates worship and prayer events to encourage churches to experience the fire of the Holy Spirit. “We really wanted to seek God’s face and for people to experience his presence in a free way,” said Fairfield Corps Officer, Lieutenant Joanne Catalano. “We spent a lot of time in worship and in the presence of God. Some people read Scripture and others prayed out loud. “We also had a table where people could express themselves by doing art if they wanted to. We had a prayer table. We had a space where people could lie down and kneel before the Lord.” Around 60 people attended the Prayer Furnace evening including Salvationists and other church members from Living Grace in Moorebank, The Church of the Living God in Blacktown and AFM Sydney Assembly. Lieut Catalano said she was particularly passionate about inspiring her own corps to draw upon the presence of God. “I wanted to see an increase in the spiritual health of my corps. And many people from my corps said thank you for the night and how beautiful it was and how they came out changed.” Lieut Catalano is keen for Fairfield Corps to host the prayer event every two months.

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Fish, fires and mentoring on Streetlevel camping trip By SIMONE WORTHING

alking fishing, camping and life around the fire at night was one of the highlights of the Brisbane Streetlevel Mission trip to Fraser Island in late July. “We were part of a group of 25 fishermen who headed off for a week of camping and surf fishing,” said Major Bryce Davies, The Salvation Army’s Brisbane Streetlevel Mission Team Leader. “These guys really know their fishing and camping and it was terrific for our guys, many of whom don’t have father figures in their lives, to be around mature and encouraging Christian men.” Four of the nine men who made up the contingent from Streetlevel have been living rough, either on the streets or in boarding houses.

“These guys have never experienced anything like this before, especially the mentoring side,” explained Major Davies. “At the end of the trip Vlad, a young guy who attends Streetlevel, said it was the best week of his life.” Other men on the trip included an engineer and mining executive who came just for the weekend to connect with the group, be a part of the experience and build some relationships. “On the last night of the trip the Streetlevel guys received trophies and prizes of surf rods and gift vouchers, to the cheers and encouragement of the other men,” said Major Davies. “They all talked about how great it was to be among some good blokes for a change.” Hans, who attends Streetlevel, became an Adherent at the Streetlevel chapel following the camp, giving testimony to the love and transforming power of Jesus. “Fraser Island is definitely on the calendar for next year and we hope to get bigger and better every year – both in numbers of people attending and in the size of the fish!” said Major Davies. “Our sincere thanks to Noosa Salvos who sponsored the trophies and the Brisbane High Rise Rotary Club for sponsoring the cost of the trip.”

Vlad (above) from Streetlevel had the “best week of my life” on the Fraser Island fishing trip. The Streetlevel guys (right) show off their catch.

Men encouraged to display ‘strength and honour’

ore than 80 men from across south-east Queensland travelled to Brisbane for The Salvation Army’s South Queensland Divisional Men’s Conference on Saturday, 27 August. The theme of the conference was “Strength and Honour”. The day began with a fellowship breakfast, while those who were travelling from places further afield, including Toowoomba, Gympie, Maroochydore and the Gold Coast, arrived for worship at 9am. Author, lecturer, coach and storyteller Brian Andrew was guest speaker for the conference. During the first session he talked to the men about creating a healthy home with a particular focus on internal attitudes and behaviours. “How to Live Happy Together” was the title of Brian’s second session. He discussed five features of healthy relationships that were applicable to marriage, family, work and church life. He also introduced the Live Happy Together card designed

to help men in their quest of doing life well. For more information go to www.livehappytogether.com.au “The response to the conference was very positive,” said Major Stuart Reid, South Queensland Divisional Mission and Resource Director – Corps. “We plan to do it again next year, as well as hold a ‘Just Men’ conference in Brisbane after the same event at The Collaroy Centre in Sydney,” added Major Reid who is overseeing the development of men’s ministry in the division. “We are trying to build up men’s ministry in this division with the initial focus on developing a leadership team to develop, co-ordinate and drive it. We also need to encourage and expand our networks.” Major Reid would like to see more creativity in men’s ministry activities, as well as the incorporation of a program where men can mentor older teenage boys. “This is a huge mission opportunity and we really want to develop it,” he said.

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From the coalface L O C A L A N D I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E W S

Bridge mission team serves in Blue Mountains embers of The Salvation Army’s Bonnells Bay Corps led a team from the Lake Macquarie Recovery Services Bridge program on a mission trip to the Blue Mountains from 22-24 July. The Reach team stayed at the Army’s Blue Mountains Recovery Services Centre (Hadleigh Lodge). On the Saturday some of the team, bolstered by volunteers from Hadleigh Lodge, helped at The Salvation Army Katoomba Family Store. The rest of the team worked at a small house, recently acquired by the Blue Mountains Accommodation Service, to provide crisis accommodation for families in

need. The Army’s Upper Blue Mountains Corps oversees this accommodation. “The guys did a great job in assisting to clean the place and make it tidy,” said Captain Paul Morrice, Hadleigh Lodge Manager. The team and Hadleigh participants then met Major David Rogerson, Springwood Corps Officer, who took them to visit staff and residents of Buckland’s Nursing Home. After some sightseeing, the team was joined at Hadleigh Lodge by people from the Springwood and Upper Blue Mountains corps for a fellowship tea and live entertainment from Peter Christie and his band. The team led Recovery Church at Katoomba on the Sunday morning with worship, testimonies and short talks from two Reach members. “What a blessing it is to be a part of what God is doing in people’s lives,” said Captain Morrice.

The mission team from the Lake Macquarie Recovery Services Bridge program.

Peter Christie and his band perform on the Saturday night.

Leading economist wins Christian book of the year award

rofessor Ian Harper, of Melbourne Business School and now a partner with Deloitte Access Economics, has won the annual Christian Book of the Year Award. Prof Harper’s book, Economics for Life, was chosen from a record number of 67 entries, the announcement being made at the 31st Australian Christian Literature Awards ceremony in Melbourne on 18 August. Second prize was awarded to John Wilson for Christianity Alongside Islam, while third prize went to historian Paul Collins for Judgement Day: The Struggle For Life on Earth. The 2011 Australian Christian Teen Writer Award was won by Amber Holmes for her composition Sunshine. The awards were determined by an interdenominational panel of judges and presented by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Australia.

Men on mission to help Kenyan children By ESTHER PINN

eventeen men from The Salvation Army’s Australia Eastern Territorial Headquarters gathered for breakfast recently to raise money for Joytown Primary School in Kenya. “It was just a time to get the men together at THQ to talk, but we also raised $160 for a mission trip to Kenya,” explained Malcolm Beeson, Territorial Men’s Ministry Assistant. On 11 September, 12 people from the Army’s Miranda Corps left for a two-week mission trip to complete renovations at Joytown, a Salvation Army-sponsored school for disabled children. “We have been supporting them [the school] financially for the past few years,” said Territorial Youth Missions Coordinator Nathaniel Brown who also attends Miranda Corps. “So we went there to do some renovations – painting, concreting, fixing wheelchairs and things like that. It was a great chance for people to connect, bond and grow in their faith. For our church, it was great for them to connect with a church on the other side of the world – to gain a global heart.” Miranda Corps also raised $20,000 for the mission trip through other fundraising events.

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Waterloo centre reopens after renovations By LAUREN HOWES

he Salvation Army Community Centre in Waterloo, Sydney, has reopened its doors after renovations. Volunteers, local government and business representatives, and members of the community joined Salvation Army officials on Friday, 12 August, to celebrate the reopening of the centre which will service the Redfern area. The morning kicked off with markets where community members held stalls selling a variety of goods and products. The markets gave people the opportunity to develop business and

Some of the many items available for purchase at the market.

management skills while earning some money. The smell of a sausage sizzle, the masses of balloons and the smiling faces of volunteers at the centre soon brought many people inside the gates, curious to see what was going on. Inside the centre, newly trained baristas and volunteers served cappuccinos, sandwiches and cake. A brass ensemble from the Army’s Sydney Congress Hall Corps attracted the public with their music which filtered through surrounding apartment blocks. The official proceedings got underway with Major Raewyn Grigg, Director of The Salvation Army Samaritan Services (of which Waterloo is now a part), welcoming members of the community and telling the crowd about the programs that will be offered. These include art classes, computer training, cooking classes, financial counselling, and homework and drama classes. “Waterloo is a place where people can come and share life, explore their faith and be equipped to serve in their local community,” Major Grigg said. “This is an exciting opportunity for The Salvation Army.” Councillor John McInerney welcomed the crowd on behalf of the City of Sydney and Lord Mayor Clover Moore. He let the crowd know that Sydney was proud “to partner with The Salvation Army” and was pleased to see its commitment to the Redfern area. Major John Rees, Sydney East and Illawarra Divisional Commander, told the crowd that The Salvation Army was here to stay. After a prayer, Major Rees cut the ribbon across the door to officially open the new Family Store.

New leaders for youth and chaplaincy ministries

att Gluyas has been installed as the new Divisional Youth Secretary for The Salvation Army in Central and North Queensland. A short installation ceremony, conducted by Australia Eastern territorial leaders Commissioners James and Jan Condon and Central and North Queensland divisional leaders Majors Rodney and Wendy Walters, was held in Rockhampton in late July. The service also included a segment acknowledging the appointment of Envoys Gordon and Lyn Jones as rural chaplains based out of Longreach. Having been installed and prayed for, Matt, Gordon and Lyn each shared their testimony of God’s leading in their lives to service and ministry.

At the installation ceremony were (from left) Commissioner James Condon, Major Rodney Walters, Matt Gluyas, Envoys Gordon and Lyn Jones, Captain Peter McGuigan, Commissioner Jan Condon, and Major Wendy Walters.

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From the coalface L O C A L A N D I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E W S

Curry night adds spice to Capricorn community outreach By Captain PETER McGUIGAN

ore than 250 people packed The Salvation Army’s Capricorn Region Corps Youth Barn for “The Curry Night” on Sunday, 24 July. Special guests were Commissioners James and Jan Condon, leaders of The Salvation Army in Eastern Australia. People were from many different national and cultural origins and the night was themed “Flavours of India”; the warehouse-like venue had been beautifully prepared by the corps staff and its multicultural and catering teams. Attendees enjoyed each other’s company around the tables and a night full of entertainment. Local Indigenous Elder Isabel Corah brought a Welcome to Country and prayed for the occasion. Rockhampton Mayor Brad Carter followed with a welcome to the region and words of encouragement to The Salvation Army for its substantial input into the community. He greeted the Condons and noted the Army’s significant support both to the community and the council during the flood crisis earlier in the year. Angel Christian and Mercy Solanki, soldiers of Capricorn Region Corps from an Indian origin, then presented a traditional garland and shawl to the commissioners as honoured guests. Traditional song and dance from Africa, the Philippines and India punctuated the night and the crowd often joined in, including Commissioner Jan Condon who very quickly learnt the Filipino dance “Growing Rice is Never Easy”. Following a video clip on human trafficking, Lieutenant Tara McGuigan (Corps Officer, Capricorn Region) challenged the crowd to get

involved in fighting this destroyer of human dignity. In his address, Commissioner James Condon spoke of Jesus being a refugee. “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him,” Commissioner Condon quoted from John 1:11-12. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Commissioner Condon said it was vital to health and wholeness of life in today’s multicultural society that people receive and welcome each other, no matter what their backgrounds or differences, and to receive and welcome Jesus Christ into their lives. It was a powerful and appropriate message for the Rockhampton community with its increasing cultural diversity. A long-awaited and delicious dinner was then served, with the crowd enjoying three traditional Indian dishes. Because of the success of The Curry Night and its wide appeal to the community, the corps is changing the name of its inter-cultural ministry to “Culture and Community” and is exploring different ways of bringing people together. It has called together a specially appointed team for the organisation of all future events. Commissioners Condon were supported on the night by Majors Rodney and Wendy Walters, divisional leaders for The Salvation Army in Central and North Queensland. Also present were the region’s Deputy Mayor Rose Swadling, a number of local councillors, and Vice Chancellor of Central Queensland University (CQU) Scott Bowman and Anita Bowman. CQU has many international students studying at its Rockhampton campus.

ian Angel Christ cy and Mer Solanki give rs Commissione d an James a Jan Condon an di In l na traditio e Th to e welcom at ht ig Curry N gion Capricorn Re Corps.

Commissioner Jan Condon

is taught the dance “Growing Rice is Never Easy”, by women from the Central Queensland

FilipinoAustralian Association.

Wallace Quioba and his family present his self-written song Jesus Was a Good Man with a mix of Congolese and English language. Photos: Jason Vanderwolf

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ENROLMENTS

Campsie Corps

Albury Corps

adet Sean Everitt is pictured enrolling Fiona Sun and Vicki Zhao as Junior Soldiers at Campsie on Sunday, 14 August. This was also the corps’ Junior Soldier Renewal Day. The girls were supported by their prayer pals – Eva Zhu for Vicky and Kathleen Pearse for Fiona – as well as Junior Soldier Sergeants Natalie Randall and Laurina Luxford. The corps joined together to celebrate the enrolment, as well as celebrating all the children of the corps.

Orange Corps

Hurstville Corps

here was an air of excitement and celebration as corps members, family and friends gathered at Orange on 17 July for the enrolment of Judy Grant, Heidi Starr and Naomi Dean as Senior Soldiers. In her testimony, Judy, who has been attending the corps for the past 18 months, said she was grateful to God for what he had done in her life in that time and was determined to serve him in whatever way she could. Both Heidi and Naomi spoke of the privilege of being raised in a Christian home, but how they have also had to come to a point of making their own decision to follow Christ. Pictured (left to right) are Captain Karen Saunders, Judy Grant, Heidi Starr, Naomi Dean, and Captain Greg Saunders.

ictured is Lieutenant Bindy Lupis accepting two Adherents, Donna Yale and Anthony Smart, at Albury on 21 August. Donna had grown up in The Salvation Army but had not attended for many years. “She came ‘home’ just over a year ago and has been on a great journey with God ever since,” said Lieut Lupis. Donna’s son-in-law, Anthony, started coming to Albury Corps last year. “After the recent Just Men conference at Collaroy, I realised I was God’s child and it was time to change my life,” he said.

ommissioner James Condon enrolled Maegyn Spencer as a Junior Soldier at Hurstville on Sunday, 14 August. She has only recently started attending Hurstville Corps where her parents, Cadets Steve and Lydia Spencer, who are at The Salvation Army School for Officer Training, have been placed for their out-training. Maegyn says her ambition is to be either the prime minister of Australia or the general of The Salvation Army! Pictured with Maegyn are (from left) Hurstville Corps Officers, Majors Trevor and Sherrie Nicol, her parents Cadets Steve and Lydia Spencer, and her (shy) younger brother, Jackson.

We want to hear about your enrolment news. Send a story of no more than 100 words and a photo at least 1mb in size, to eastern.editorial@aue.salvationarmy.org pipeline 10/2011 43

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Urgent need for help as drought crisis worsens

Warm welcome for General in New York

By DAMARIS FRICK

he Salvation Army in Uganda is responding to drought conditions that have taken hold across much of the Horn of Africa. Children are particularly vulnerable, with malnourishment among those aged under five having increased dramatically. The Red Cross and UNICEF are providing food but children and their families have been sleeping on the ground, there is no water and hygiene is a major problem. Salvation Army teams have stepped in to provide 200 mattresses, 200 jerry cans, 200 wash basins, 500 long bars of soap and 100 jerry cans of liquid soap. Plans are under way to sink a borehole so there is a constant supply of clean water. The staff in these health centres work day and night to look after more than 250 children. The night before The Salvation Army delivered the mattresses a child had died. Another nine were buried only a few days earlier. The problems seen in the health centres are just the tip of the iceberg. There are a large number of malnourished children in the surrounding villages. The local government has started a campaign to encourage villagers to bring their children to the health centres before it is too late. In one of the villages a Salvation Army project officer met a young woman, Nalongo, a mother of twins. She told the officer that her breast milk had run dry, probably because she had not eaten sufficiently. Once a day she tries to feed the babies porridge made of cassava flour, which is not very nutritious, but it’s all she can afford. Mothers like Nalongo are in a very difficult situation. The project officer encouraged her to go to the local health centre with her children. In the meantime she was one of the more than 700 families who benefited from food provided by The Salvation Army. Each family received 15kg of maize and 10kg of beans. More projects are planned and an international Salvation Army team has arrived to assist the Uganda Command. The drought in east Africa is set to last for some time. Donations to The Salvation Army’s Africa Disaster Fund will allow mission teams in Uganda and numerous other east African countries to provide vital assistance, and can be made online at www.salvationarmy.org

The Salvation Army distributes maize and beans to the needy in Uganda.

capacity crowd filled Centennial Memorial Temple in New York City to greet The Salvation Army’s world leader, General Linda Bond. The General was visiting the Army’s USA Eastern Territory to welcome the 39 cadets of the Proclaimers of the Resurrection officer training session. The meeting opened in festive spirit, with upbeat music from the New York Staff Band, Eastern Territorial Songsters and a contemporary worship band. “I appreciate the welcome and the honour you show me as the international leader of The Salvation Army, but please remember, all the glory goes to Jesus,” said General Bond said. “The one thing we really must do tonight is lift up the name of Jesus!” In her Bible message, the General told the congregation: “The Salvation Army has one message: the transforming message of Jesus Christ. We are people of the Resurrection!” The evening before, at a welcome dinner for cadets at the School for Officer Training, she had told the Proclaimers of the Resurrection that their name would define them. The General said that, out of duty, the cadets would want to live up to their name. “But I have to say to you, that will not be enough,” she added. She reminded the cadets of the “burning hearts” of disciples who travelled with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. When they realised that it was the resurrected Jesus who had spoken to them, she said: “They went immediately to Jerusalem to say, ‘Jesus is alive!’’’ Earlier in the day, the General had been the keynote speaker at the American Bible Society in Manhattan. The occasion was the launch of The Freedom Bible, Global Edition.

Weekly meeting saturates world in prayer

eople from more than 80 countries have already signed up to take part in the weekly Worldwide Prayer Meeting launched on 1 September by the world leader of The Salvation Army, General Linda Bond. On the prayer meeting section of The Salvation Army’s international website the General offers a personal invitation to join her and the rest of the world in prayer for 30 minutes every Thursday morning, between 5am and 8am. “Because The Salvation Army serves in so many different time zones it means that for all, or most, of Thursday the Army is at prayer,” she said. Participants from around the world can sign up through a link on the General’s website, www.salvationarmy.org/the general. They are asked to choose a time when they will agree to pray each Thursday. The General will be providing specific prayer topics of an international nature. Everyone who has registered will receive an email with these prayer subjects. Salvation Army territories and commands have responded enthusiastically to the initiative, and the General hopes that soon there will be tens of thousands of people across the world praying together every Thursday. “As we pray together across the Army world, I know the Lord will unite us in a special way as we seek his direction and blessing,” said General Bond. “Thank you for your partnership in prayer.”

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Army celebrates 20 years in Eastern Europe M ore than 700 Salvationists and friends from around the Eastern Europe Territory gathered in Kiev, Ukraine, on the last weekend in May to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the reopening of Salvation Army ministry in the former Soviet Union. Special guests for the occasion were the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Barry Swanson, and Commissioner Sue Swanson, World President of Women’s Ministries. Among those who joined the celebrations were officers and others who served during the early years of the re-establishment of the Army’s work in Eastern Europe. Under the theme “Celebrate the Past ... Claim the Future”, territorial leaders Colonels Kenneth and Paula Johnson called Salvationists to gather and thank God for his blessings in the first 20 years, but also to be forward-thinking in anticipation of what he will be doing in the next 20 years. The Chief of the Staff began the weekend by sharing from God’s Word at officers councils. Saturday morning commenced with a celebration of the past 20 years, with reflections on a ministry that began in Russia in 1991 and has since seen The Salvation Army reopen or begin work in Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and Romania. Each country of the Eastern Europe Territory was represented during a

multimedia presentation about the territory’s development. Commissioner Sue Swanson gave an inspiring message on the faithfulness of God, with the mercy seat lined with people seeking God’s guidance and strength for their lives. Saturday afternoon featured evangelistic outreach, when corps and divisional music ministries were presented in a local park. Many spectators were introduced to the gospel message and the ministry of The Salvation Army. Highlights of the Saturday night “Celebrate the Present” festival were the enrolment of 39 new Senior Soldiers by the Chief of the Staff and the recognition of two new corps. The weekend culminated on Sunday morning when worship was centred on “Claiming the Future”. The future was dynamically represented in the commissioning and ordination of six officers of the Ambassadors of Holiness session. The Swansons ministered in powerful ways as they both shared their testimony and the Chief of the Staff brought his Bible message. People eagerly responded to the Spirit moving in their hearts and the mercy seat was lined with seekers. Candidates Secretary Captain Olesea Gandzii gave a call for full-time ministry to which 30 people responded.

The Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Barry Swanson, with newly enrolled Senior and Junior soldiers in Eastern Europe.

Commissioners Barry and Sue Swanson are welcomed with a traditional Eastern European bread and salt greeting.

Salvos on scene to help natural disaster victims S

alvation Army emergency response teams have had a busy time in the United States and the Caribbean recently, responding to a number of natural disasters. Mobile feeding units have provided around-the-clock assistance to firefighters who battled wildfires in Texas last month. Four people were killed in the fires with more than 1500 homes destroyed. “It’s a very distressing situation and our role is to provide whatever assistance we can, for as long as we can,” said Major Chris Flanagan, The Salvation Army’s Greater Houston Area Commander, at the height of the crisis. Salvation Army teams in the Caribbean and along the east

coast of the US were also on hand to assist people affected by Hurricane Irene, which killed more than 40 people last month. The Army had disaster response teams on the ground from Florida to Maine, serving first responders, assisting during the evacuation of low-lying areas, distributing food at shelters and providing a broad range of support before and after the hurricane struck. Further south, in many of the islands of the Caribbean, The Salvation Army supported homeless, sick and disabled people, and has been involved in the clean-up operation as people affected by the disaster have begun the process of rebuilding their lives.

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Promoted to Glory

Faithful servant

illiam Gordon Stewart was promoted to glory on 12 July, aged 94. A thanksgiving service conducted by Captain Ray Lotty was held in Wollongong on 20 July. Among tributes from family members was a tribute from long-time friend Herb Epps, who joined Wollongong Corps band with Gordon (as he was known) on the same day as young boys and remained members until only a few years ago. Gordon was born on 8 December, 1916, in Hobart, where his parents were the corps officers. His mother died when he was two years old. Gordon spent his childhood in the care of family and friends in various places throughout the country. He lived for a time with his half-sister Eva, whose husband used to play a cornet in Broken Hill Town Band. It was here that Gordon learned to play the cornet. In 1927, Gordon’s father rented a house in Wollongong, where they lived for some years. Gordon played cornet in Wollongong band until he moved to Sydney, joining Parramatta Corps. In 1937, Gordon moved back to Wollongong to work at the Port Kembla Steelworks. He joined the Australian Air Force in 1940, as part of a new 451 Squadron RAAF. On 18 March, 1941, he married his sweetheart Jean Larkin, and 14 days later left on the Queen Mary for the Middle East. It was to be three years and seven months until they saw each other again. After the war, Gordon and Jean bought a block of land in Wollongong, built a family home and raised three children – Frances, Phillip and Anne. Gordon became the motor mechanic for Gold Top Cabs until 1966 when they ceased trading. He joined BHP as an instrument fitter until his retirement in 1981. Gordon’s retirement was filled with love and happiness, helping his family with his mechanical expertise and touring in his beloved caravan.

In God’s hands

orothy Grace Leburney (known as Dot or Auntie Dot) was promoted to glory on Wednesday, 22 June, after a long illness, aged 90. Dot gave her life to the Lord when she was a young girl, and through her lifetime friend’s invitation she became a Salvationist and served the Lord in the Wynnum Corps in Brisbane.

For the many years Dot committed her life to God, she loved, trusted and served him. She never gave up, and it hurt when her health restricted her attendance at The Salvation Army. She held many positions in the corps and enjoyed working with young people. Dot was a primary Sunday school leader for 30 years, and many of the congregation at the funeral had been shown love and affection by Auntie Dot. She was also corps cadet guardian for 13 years, and some of her primary children became her corps cadets. Many testified that Auntie Dot taught them in a way that could be understood and comprehended. Her life was always a witness and an example for them to follow. They also enjoyed the fellowship teas that were organised by Auntie Dot prior to the open air meeting. Also the watermelon after Christmas carolling. Thousands of lamingtons were made by her as a fundraiser to build a new citadel at Wynnum. She helped so many people, her door was always open to those in need and she would always be available to scrub the floor of the “old citadel”. She also served for many years in the community working with Meals on Wheels. Other positions she held over her time in the Wynnum Corps were recruiting sergeant, Home League treasurer, Home League secretary and Silver Threads treasurer. She enjoyed her time at Home League camps and praised God for the ladies who found the Lord while under her leadership. On her 90th birthday, the Wynnum Home League crowned her queen of the day and Dot enjoyed wearing the crown. This was her last visit to the Home League and on that day she shared laughter and joy with her many friends.. Major Glen Williams conducted the Service of Thanksgiving in the Wynnum Citadel. The service had been written by Dot and the songs and choruses requested by her. Her favourite chorus summed up Dot’s life: “I’m in his hands, Whate’er the future holds, I’m in his hands.” Major Kevin Hentzschel prayed for all relations and friends gathered in the citadel, and thanked God for the life of Dot. Tributes were given by Recruiting Sergeant Lyla Grech, representing the corps and Errol Hibberd (nephew), representing the family. The Bible reading was given by a grand-niece of Dot’s. In thanking God for the life of Auntie Dot, Major Williams challenged all present to find for themselves the God Dot served.

The committal was held in the citadel, and The Salvation Army flag led the coffin out of the complex. The following Sunday, in the morning meeting, Major Hentzschel led a short remembrance service and a list of the commissions held by Dot were read, following songs selected by Dot, and a prayer of thanksgiving.

Devoted intercessor

essie Cox was promoted to glory on 4 March, 2011, from Riverview Gardens nursing home in Brisbane, aged 95. More than 350 people gathered at Life Community Salvation Army to celebrate her life. The committal service was conducted by Major Gary Cox (nephew) followed by a service of thanksgiving conducted by Major Edwin Cox (son). Prayer was offered by Major Daphne Cox (daughter-in-law) and Scripture reading by Marlene Cox (daughter-inlaw). Moving tributes were given by Ron Cox (son) and Marion Deighton (daughter) and Nessie’s seven grandsons brought laughter and emotion as they shared of their close relationship with their Nan. A tribute on behalf of Nessie’s wide circle of friends was brought by Berniece Schafer. The service was enhanced by the divisional fellowship band and Allan Holman on keyboard. Major Edwin Cox in his message spoke of the call of Jesus for us to be the salt of the earth and how his mother’s life had been lived in obedience to that call. Agnes Burton Cox (Nessie) was born in Belfast, Ireland, on 14 February, 1916, to George and Agnes. She was the third child in a family of six. The family sailed to Australia when Nessie was six years old and settled in West End, Brisbane, where they connected with the West End Corps. Nessie was always actively involved in the corps and held the positions of Sunday school teacher, songster and Home League treasurer (a position she held for many years). Nessie worked in the People’s Palace, then Penny’s (now Coles) and during the war while working there, she made up gift parcels for the troops. She put her name in the parcels, one of which found its way to a Clarence Cox (no relation), a young Englishman who had enlisted from Cairns. Correspondence began and when Clarrie was repatriated home in 1941 he found his way to Brisbane to find Nessie.

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PROMOTED TO GLORY Clarrie was converted at West End and they were married on 23 October, 1943, and had three children – Ronald, Marion and Edwin. Clarrie’s sudden promotion to glory in 1970 was devastating for Nessie and the family. As the family grew Nessie was blessed with seven grandsons (her fabulous seven as she called them) and 16 greatgrandchildren. She was not only a devoted mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and greatgrandmother but embraced her wider family, and was a devoted friend to many. Nessie was also a faithful intercessor and brought blessings to many with notes of encouragement and practical acts of kindness. Although Nessie’s health had deteriorated, her promotion to glory came unexpectedly. However, her family felt blessed she did not have to suffer any more and was ready to meet her Lord. Nessie was a beautiful, godly woman and was dearly loved by all.

Selfless service

nvoy Doris Ruby Woodward was promoted to glory on 1 May, 2011, aged 83. Her funeral service was conducted by Majors Keith and Lyn Cook at Maryborough Citadel. Ruby loved music so it was no surprise, or hardship, to sing several of her favourite songs which included Great is Thy Faithfulness and To God be the Glory. The service concluded with Thine is the Glory, which summed up her purpose in life. The triumphant singing throughout was accompanied by the combined Maryborough and Hervey Bay bands. Spontaneous tributes were given by her seven children – Judy, Ellen, Geoff, Bruce, Mark, Robyn and Stephen – and a family tribute was given by her eldest son, Pastor Geoff Woodward, of Perth. Ruby’s two favourite scriptures from Psalms 37:1-7, 25-28 and Colossians 1:3-6, 9-12 were read by two of her granddaughters. A corps tribute was given by Home League Secretary Julia Bates. Ruby Neale was born on 24 April, 1928, and dedicated in The Salvation Army, but due to distance worshipped with her family in the nearby Congregational church. She gave her heart to the Lord at the age of 14 and believed God had called her to be a missionary to China. On applying

she was rejected owing to her continuing bad health, but God gave her a word from Ezekiel 3:5, “You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and difficult language but to the house of Israel” which gave her comfort as she waited. She was a godly young woman and this was borne out in the story she told of how her workmates wagered money that, on learning that she was a Christian, would “have her swearing and drinking within the month”. They did not succeed. She met and married Roy Woodward in 1950 and their union was to remain God centred for all its 61 years. Roy went to the Queensland Bible Institute in 1953 and they worked with the Australian Tract Mission for one year, living by faith, until they returned to Brisbane to live with her parents. Her mother was the corps secretary at Inala Corps and naturally Ruby was invited along to Home League. It became her great love and passion, and soon Ruby and Roy were attending meetings. Ruby and Roy were enrolled as soldiers and so began 55 years of faithful, happy service in the Army. Following God’s call and confirming his word, they moved to Tara in Queensland’s western Darling Downs. The closest corps was Dalby, so they worshipped at the Methodist church across the road, but it wasn’t long before Ruby began Home League meetings in her lounge room. Soon there were 20 ladies attending weekly, including the Methodist minister’s wife. When they bought their own home, Home League continued amidst massive renovations, at one stage requiring the ladies to walk the plank to the front door. Ruby was moved by the plight of those less fortunate in the small town, and so began the saga of “The Jum”. At first it was held on her front verandah, then in the CWA rooms, then the Anglican hall and lastly in a vacant, rundown old worker’s cottage on the outskirts of town. It wasn’t much, but now at least the stock which was stored at home didn’t need to be loaded into the car, unloaded at the venue, unpacked, repacked and taken back home for one day each month. Ruby continued to operate “The Jum” for 26 years. Ruby loved her Home League and singlehandedly organised the entire programme. She was for many years the birthday sergeant, the speaker, the hostess, the treasurer, the thrift sergeant, the music accompanist and the transport. She visited the ladies often and loved

them. She was also a regular contributor to the Home League Digest. By this time she had seven children, and the Sunday school she and Roy had begun, had 30 children attending, so they needed to hire the Buffalo Hall down the road, which necessitated cleaning it first of bottles and cigarette butts. They also held cottage meetings in their home once a month when the corps officers from Dalby would attend and stay for dinner. Such was Ruby’s devotion to Home League that when she had back surgery in 1983 and was required to be bedridden for three months, she had Roy set up a day bed in the lounge room, and conducted Home League from there. In 1993, due to sickness which damaged her vocal chords, she was forced to give up her beloved Home League she had led for 34 years. After 45 years in Tara, they moved to Maryborough where Ruby relished going to Home League and being part of the fellowship and not its leader. While there she organised and ran the annual Biggest Morning Tea which contributed hundreds of dollars to cancer research. Ruby and Roy moved into Fairhaven Retirement Village just three years ago and Ruby continued her generous spirit, visiting neighbours with homemade jams, cakes and meals and caring for Roy. Her life touched thousands and she has now gained her reward for faithful, selfless service to God and mankind.

Reports Please email Promoted To Glory reports and, if possible, a photograph to Pipeline at eastern.editorial@ aue.salvationarmy.org. Please limit reports to about 400 words.

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about people

Appointment

Effective 2 September: Captain Joy Morgan, Manager in Training, Weeroona Village Aged Care Services, Aged Care Plus.

Bereaved

Major Cliff Randall (R) of his sister Margaret Llewellan; Major Glenys Domrow of her mother Gwen Strowe on 20 August; Captain Stan Pillinger of his granddaughter Sonya Jackson on 21 August; Major Isabel Gates of her sister Clytie Martin on 5 September.

School for Officer Training College

The following people have been accepted for training in 2011 in the Disciples of the Cross Session 2012-2013: Bradley and Joycelyn McIver, Darwin Corps; Matthew and Amanda Pethybridge, Wellington South Corps, New Zealand.

Retirement

Majors Ron and Carol Anderson on 18 September.

SAGALA

Commissioner’s Challenge Award: Chantel Spence, Palm Beach Elanora Corps. time to pray

25 September – 1 October

Salvo Care Line Sydney, Foster House Complex and Waterloo Community Ministries, Samaritan Services, all NSW; Salvos Legal, Salvos Stores, both THQ; Samaritan House Mackay, Qld; Social Justice Working Party – Geelong (26-27); Evangelist Network Conference (1-2).

2-8 October

Bangladesh Command; School for Christian Studies, School for Leadership Training, School for Officer Training, School for Youth Leadership, all THQ; Serenity House, Qld.

9-15 October

India Eastern Territory; Shekinah – Campbelltown, Shellharbour Corps, Shoalhaven Bridge Program, Shoalhaven Corps, all NSW; Canberra Family and Community Day (10); South Queensland Division Healthy Mission Training (14); Booth College Gala Day (15); Newcastle and Central NSW Division Women’s Retreat (1516).

16-22 October

Korea Territory; South Burnett Region Corps, South Queensland Division Chaplaincy Services, South Queensland Divisional Headquarters, Southport Community Welfare Centre, all Qld; Communications and Public Relations Conference (17-21); Appointment Announcement (20).

23-29 October

Spiritual Life Development, THQ; Springwood Corps, St Marys Corps, both NSW; Stafford Corps, Still Waters, both Qld;

The Greater West Division Women’s Camp (WOW), South Queensland Division Sunbeam and Guard Camp (28-30).

30 October – 5 November

Latin American North Territory; Sydney Congress Hall, Sydney East and Illawarra Chaplaincy Services, Sydney East and Illawarra Divisional Headquarters, Sydney Street Level Mission, all NSW.

6-12 November

Tamworth Corps, Taree Corps, Tarrawanna Corps, Temora Corps, Tenterfield Corps, all NSW; Territorial Candidates Department, Territorial Mission and Resource Team – Corps, both THQ; Finance Conference (7-9); First Year Officers Retreat (7-11); South Queensland Division Adventures and Rangers Camp (11-13); School for Youth Leadership Graduation (13).

engagement calendar

Commissioners James Condon (Territorial Commander) and Jan Condon Stanmore: Tues 11 Oct – 3rd Year Officers Residential – School for Leadership Training *Canberra: Wed 12 Oct – Parliamentary event on Human Trafficking at Parliament House Theatre *Canberra: Thu 13 Oct – Canberra ACL Meeting *Canterbury: Sat 15 Oct – Official launch of Salvos Legal Humanitarian with Canterbury City Council Bexley North: Sat 15 Oct – Gala Day *THQ: Mon 17 Oct – SAES Conference Wollongong: Mon 17 Oct – Territorial CPR Conference Tuggeranong: Sun 23 Oct – Corps Visit *Hannam Vale: Tue 25 Oct – Discipleship Practicum Newcastle: Sat 29 Oct – Newcastle and Central NSW Division 2020 Summit #Newcastle: Sat 29 Oct – Men’s Ministries – Newcastle and Central NSW Division South Qld: Sun 30 Oct – South Queensland Divisional Rally South Qld: Mon 31 Oct – Officers Council, Queensland *Commissioner James Condon only #Commissioner Jan Condon only

Colonels Wayne (Chief Secretary) and Robyn Maxwell Collaroy: Sat 1 Oct – Gospel Arts Camp Open Day Sydney: Tues 11 Oct – Government House #Canberra: Wed 12 Oct – Parliamentary event on human trafficking Bexley North: Sat 15 Oct – Gala Day Booth College Canberra: Thu 20 Oct-Fri 21 Oct: Act and South Divisional Review Northside: Sun 23 Oct – Corps Visit # Colonel Robyn Maxwell only