IN BRIEF - Snapshots from around the territory
IN BRIEF - Snapshots from around the territory
30 September 2022
Auxiliary-Lieut Joshua Vince on the coffee van at the Greater West Salvos Community Hub Day. Joshua and his wife Aux-Lieut Lorelle oversee the Lethbridge Park ministry of Greater West Salvos.
Finding freedom at Greater West hub day
Some of the community service representatives speaking to members of the public at the Greater West Community Hub Day.
Greater West Salvos’ inaugural Community Hub Day was hailed a “huge success” by Corps Officer Major Marilyn Smith. The Sydney corps recently invited the public to its Freedom Centre, where several community service representatives set up stalls.
The Salvos’ Moneycare and Pathways services were also available, with a sausage sizzle and a coffee van providing refreshments.
“We had representatives from Centrelink, Service NSW, Department of Housing, NDIS, Hearing Australia, a legal firm, an electricity broker and of course, our in-house services,” Marilyn said. “It was a huge success, and we are going to now hold it once a month as well as try and replicate it at our Lethbridge Park Community Centre.”
Greater West Salvos comprises three former corps that merged – Penrith, St Marys and Lethbridge Park. Marilyn said this part of Sydney was a “huge area with huge needs”.
“There are a lot of people out there who need us and need our partner services but don’t know how to use our services,” Marilyn said. “Our Community Hub Days are designed to break down those barriers. We have been contacted by some other services who would also like to be included in our next Hub Day.”
Marilyn added that feedback from the community members who came to the hub day was extremely positive. “They left with full tummies, and hopefully, some of their immediate needs were met. Emotional support was also provided to some of our community members that just needed to sit and offload. We praise God for a successful day and look forward to the next one.”
Lismore marks six months of recovery
The Salvation Army provided catering for the community fun day to celebrate six months of progress from the floods that hit Northern NSW earlier this year.
Northern Rivers Corps partnered with three other churches in the city of Lismore recently to provide a Community Recovery Barbeque and Fun Day six months on from the devastating floods that hit the region.
Corps Officer Captain Philip Sutcliffe said about 150 people turned up on Saturday 27 August for the event at Nesbitt Park, which saw the Salvos partner with Crossroads Church, Arise Church and Generation Go.
“It was a day to remember and reflect on the floods and to celebrate how far we have come in this time,” he said. “We [the Salvos] provided catering for the event, and many people from the South Lismore community enjoyed the day in between some rain showers.
Captains Philip and Donna Sutcliffe (right) at the fun day with Tony Meston (Pastor, Generation Go) Stephen Cooper (Pastor, Crossroads Church) and Alan Kirchen (Pastor, Arise Church).
“As the combined churches, we have made a commitment to continue to be visible in our support to the community in the rebuild phase as this is a long road to recovery. This was our chance to bring a little hope and joy when we are surrounded by lots of despair and heartache.”
Philip said The Salvation Army was still working every day to support some 1500 people living in motel rooms or other similar accommodation.
A few days after the barbeque and fun day, Northern Rivers Corps celebrated the reopening of their Family Store in Carrington St, which has been rebranded under the Salvos Stores brand.
New enrolments at Swan View
From left: Major Jennifer Armstrong, adherent Anne Tonner, flagbearer Eric Smith, new soldier James Brennan, adherent Alice Go and Major Naava Brooks celebrate at Swan View Corps in September.
It was a momentous day at Swan View Corps in Perth when two adherents and one soldier were enrolled earlier this month.
Adherent Alice Go began her relationship with the corps five years ago, volunteering to sort food at Market Days, where the local community are provided with fresh produce. Over the years, she has also become the go-to creative for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gifts. She was excited to take this step in her faith journey as an adherent, alongside Anne Tonner, who encountered the corps after joining their Blessings Craft Group earlier this year.
New soldier James Brennan proudly signed the Soldier’s Covenant at the Sunday service under the leadership of Swan View team members Major Jennifer Armstrong and Major Navva Brooks. After moving to the region, he met Swan View soldier Fred who was caring for the corps garden, eventually leading him to make this significant decision.
Flying padres take Emu Point by storm
Students at Nganambala School in Emu Point learn about Jesus calming the storm from flying padres Majors Michelle and Niall Gibson, the Army’s Rural and Remote Chaplains in the Northern Territory.
The story of Jesus calming the storm is prolific in any language, just ask flying padres Majors Michelle and Niall Gibson, Rural and Remote Chaplains in the Northern Territory. On a recent journey to the remote community of Emu Point, 200km south-east of Darwin, they taught two classes at Nganambala School about the story from Mark 4.
A Booth family sing-along in Carindale
Since our early days, Salvationists have loved to sing a rousing chorus. And it’s no wonder, as the Booth family were ardent lovers of music. So to celebrate our musical heritage, The Brisbane Chapter of the Historical Society is hosting ‘The Songs of the Booth Family of The Salvation Army’ on Saturday 12 November.
Held at Carindale Corps from 2pm, Major Cec Woodward will host an interactive presentation. And there may even be some singing involved!
For more details, visit the Facebook event here.
Parramatta kicks off Anti-Poverty Week
Anti-Poverty Week in Australia will be held from 16-22 October, and Parramatta Salvos are playing their part by hosting a Community Day on Monday 17 October.
Anti-Poverty Week was established in 2002 to raise awareness around the causes and consequences of poverty in Australia. The week is supported by a wide range of Australian charities, including The Salvation Army. The Salvos are heavily involved in promoting the week through its corps, centres and services, including Moneycare financial counselling.
The Parramatta event is just one of many being held around the Australia Territory. Up to 200 stakeholders, community members, local MPs and the Parramatta Mayor are expected to attend the event at Parramatta Corps, which will include lunch and entertainment.
“The Salvation Army is committed to helping people who are struggling to overcome their financial stress and find hope for the future,” said National Moneycare Manager Kristen Hartnett. “We believe that taking preventative action around money problems early can help avoid deeper poverty and flow-on issues, including homelessness. If you are struggling, it is important to have conversations – ‘money talks’ – with your support group, loved ones, or a financial professional counsellor.”
Learn more or find resources below from the Moneycare team: salvationarmy.org.au/about-us/our-services/moneycare/
Comments
No comments yet - be the first.