Devotions with Deb builds global connection
Devotions with Deb builds global connection
17 November 2022
Major Deborah Robinson gathers with women from across the globe for her regular ‘Devotions with Deb’ ministry, held over Zoom.
Every Wednesday morning, Major Deborah Robinson logs on to Zoom and opens her Bible. She’s here to host ‘Devotions with Deb’ (DwD), a virtual community that gathers over the Scriptures. And while it began as a personal effort to stay connected with her community through Western Australia’s lockdown in 2020, the routine has stuck.
“Unlike other states, WA has not faced significant lockdowns, so our face-to-face ministries resumed fairly quickly. I asked those at DwD if they wanted to continue meeting online, and they did,” shares Deb. “They love the accessibility, not having to drive anywhere or having to host or having to bother with a cuppa. They can simply jump online as they are.”
Keeping people connected ... Perth Fortress Corps Officer Major Deborah Robinson.
Over the past two years, the DwD community has grown from Perth-based locals, friends and family to Salvos in other divisions and countries. There is even an attendee who tunes in from Perth Corps in Scotland, which is somewhat ironic considering Deb is the Perth Fortress Corps Officer in WA!
“It really has been an excellent vehicle for the inclusion of others,” Deb reflects. “DwD has organically become a gathering of a core group of women who read [the] Scriptures and pray together, and in so doing has unified them and created a loving community all of its own – simply from one small idea to help people keep connected.”
What is great about DwD is that, as Deb puts it, “It’s not rocket science!” Anyone with a Wi-Fi connection and a Zoom or Teams link can join in. And the model can also be replicated across other corps or mission expressions because there is flexibility with the structure. DwD will often follow the daily lectionary, encouraging them to delve into encouraging and obscure scriptures. Deb also finds other prayer-based resources online and creates a weekly post listing the community’s prayers and readings.
“It has been an excellent discipline in reading from the Scriptures and wrestling with passages we would normally ignore or avoid,” she says. “I think what matters most is that we regularly take the time to connect to God – to give pause and attention to The Divine in us and around us. This practice was evident in the life of Jesus, and as those who claim to follow him, it makes sense that we too would take the time to connect to God.”
Knowing that not everyone naturally engages in a devotional time, Deb encourages people to find their own rhythm. While she thrives using a liturgical and ordered structure, other communities will benefit from something more fluid. The most important step is choosing to connect with God – from there, everything else will follow. And for women who want to join a virtual community, DwD has an open door.
“Start by simply reciting a prayer written by someone else – one that resonates with you, that can settle you into a new day,” encourages Deb.
Devotions with Deb runs every Wednesday at 10am (AWST). For more information and a Zoom link to the session, email perthfortress@salvationarmy.org.au
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