It s Harvest Time! TGW Weekly Newsletter 22nd October 2014

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1 It s Harvest Time! TGW Weekly Newsletter 22nd October 2014 The Fields are Ripe So let s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up or quit. (John 4:35, Gal 6:9 MSG) Greetings Friends, Last Sunday Denise and I attended the Macquarie Park Meeting and it was a delight to be there. It was a beautiful day and to be out in the open to share worship and fellowship was something special. There was a real community feel about the gathering and many of the people who came contributed to the worship and sharing time in some way. There were a couple of themes that came through to me as we sat and listened together one was the issue of faith and what does our faith bring us and the other was the things that we accept into our life. Of course having faith in Christ is essential if we are to have a relationship with Him. And because of that faith we are brought into a new way of living and being. But it also made me thing of how life would be without that faith. The wonderful encouragement came to me from those folk at Macquarie Park a simple faith brings so much encouragement, love, acceptance, warmth, stability, friendship, wholeness, care, community, and the list goes on and on. Captain Michelle White (Director Young Hope) gave this practical message and really captured that understanding in a very helpful way by getting the congregation to choose which labels they wanted to take on themselves or as Paul in Colossians 3 puts it what we want to put on or wear daily. It was a simple, but profound illustration and one that helped so much for people to not only see, but also to take on for themselves. There was a harvest of acceptance that morning. I know in many places around the Division as well that God was glorified and many came to accept Him and step out in a new way as a follower of Jesus. Praise His name! Warren Parkinson (Major)

2 MEET Elizabeth Captain Elizabeth Garland has joined our DHQ Team! Elizabeth has recently returned to Australia from her appointment as Social Program Development Officer, Southern Africa Territory. Our Division welcomes her as the new Divisional Mission & Resource Director (Social) and Second in Command. Q&A What was the best holiday you ever had? I have had a few great holidays but the best one was travelling to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe seeing the falls some of the other tourist sites and then travelling to game reserve and playing with lion cubs (they were small and very cute!!) What is the craziest thing you have ever done? I do not think that I have really every done anything that crazy - although my nephews think that I was crazy living in Africa!! What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten? Mopane worms (Caterpillars) - a delicacy in Zimbabwe but I did not like them. Name one thing that not many people know about you. I was born in Canberra. What do you think the greatest invention is in your lifetime? For Someone who lived in Africa I think the greatest invention was mobile phone which enabled me to ring home even though I did not have a land line phone. I was literally in the middle of nowhere but still had contact with Australia which still amazes me!! What do you think the secret to a good life is? That true contentment comes from God and being in the Centre of God's will and this is the secret of a good life. If you were suddenly the Prime Minister of Australia what would you do first? I could get on my soap box here but in a nut shell, care for the poor and vulnerable in our society, and ensure that people come first and not big business. CAPTAIN ELIZABETH GARLAND S NEW MOBILE NUMBER IS

3 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED PARKES ELVIS FESTIVAL Forbes/Parkes Corps has an exciting opportunity to be involved in the Parkes Elvis festival which is being held on 7th to the 11th of Jan The Festival is held every year on the second week in January, coinciding with Elvis Presley s birthday. The organizers of the festival anticipate over visitors over the weekend. Forbes / Parkes Corps are looking for help over the three days from any Salvationists who would like to engage in ministry at this event. Would your Corps like to send a support team for one day of the event? Could you help in areas such as face painting, family friendly zone, catering, being a salvo version of Elvis? Maybe even some Brass Elvis? The Corps will be able to help with accommodation (limited) for those who travel to support this opportunity. To learn more about the festival you can visit parkeselvisfestival.com.au UPCOMING DATES FOR DIVISIONAL LEADERS OCTOBER WOW 31st - TGW Divisional Review NOVEMBER 6th - Penrith Corps Appraisal 10th - Auburn Corps Appraisal 11th - Fairfield Corps Appraisal 30th - Commissioning NOVEMBER 17th - DHQ Staff Christmas Party 24th (12pm) - 5th January DHQ Closed for Christmas / New Years period. For more information or to volunteer please contact Lt s Troy & Donna Munro. SAFE SALVOS REFRESHER COURSE Parramatta Salvation Army Sunday 16 November from 12:30-3:30pm BYO lunch Cost $10 RSVP: nicole.viles@aue.salvationarmy.org no later than 10 November Places are limited SAFE SALVOS AWARENESS TRAINING Katoomba Salvation Army Wednesday 12 November from 9:30am - 3:30pm BYO lunch; light refreshments provided Cost $10 RSVP: nicole.viles@aue.salvationarmy.org no later than 5 November Places are limited

4 HARVEST News BANKSTOWN CORPS Last Sunday we celebrated 96th Anniversary for Bankstown Corps and enrolled 5 Adherents (all new to TSA). One of the man enrolled is now a committed volunteer in Courtyard Cafe on Wednesday and Friday. Last week we conclude our 10 days of Prayer and fasting. Every day at 5pm, we met to pray and worship at the Corps. PRAYER SUPPORT Our Women of Worth weekend is on this coming weekend at Collaroy. We would really value prayer support for this event. The weekend commences at 6.30 pm on Friday Night and ends after lunch on Sunday. We are believing for Womens' lives to be changed for the better through the Power of Jesus, and for them to have a greater understanding of God's purpose for them, no matter what season of life they are in. Thanks you in anticipation for your prayer support. Denise Parkinson DDWM

5 Have you seen the Boundless logo? The congress logo is comprised of interwoven doves, which symbolise the Holy Spirit. The use of yellow, red and blue reflects the colours found on the Army's flag representing the three parts of the Godhead but also the diversity of its members. The doves come together to form the shape of a star, which is the center of the flag and represents the fire of the Holy Spirit. Lastly, the overall shape of a circle represents the world redeemed by Jesus Christ. The circle has no beginning or ending a reminder of the eternal and boundless nature of God. ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO BE INVOLVED IN MISSION. Max Lucado tells a story of four boys who went on a camping and fishing trip. The weather was rotten and they were confined to the tent for days. They started off fine, but after not too long it was easy to get on each other s nerves. His moral: fisherman who don t fish, fight. The same things goes with a Corps. When Christians get on with using their gifts in mission they thrive. And the Corps is healthy. But when we neglect mission and just sit around it is easy to get on each other s nerves. Remember fishermen who don t fish, fight. 50 WAYS TO GROW A HEALTHY CORPS I have in my office 20 copies of the book 50 ways to grow a healthy Corps, that were printed by the Territory in If you would like a copy(s) please let me know and I ll send them out to you. They are full of ideas that have worked here in Australia (some in country settings, some in city settings). Denise Parkinson

6 TWO MONTH EXTENSIONS FOR DSS GRANTS DSS is offering two month funding extensions to the majority of existing grant agreements due to expire on 31 December 2014 to ensure continuity of important community services over the Christmas/New Year period. The Department will contact existing providers over the next several days to arrange extensions. DSS received an overwhelming response to the recent selection process which closed on 24 July The Department is currently assessing more than 5,500 applications for grants worth more than $3.9 billion, with approximately $800 million in grants funding available. In light of the unforeseen and significant volume, complexity and high quality nature of applications, the assessment process has been extended to allow additional time to ensure funding is allocated to maximize service delivery outcomes for individuals, families and the community. Extensions of two months will be offered under the same arrangements as the extension process earlier this year, in line with current agreements. A list of extensions is available on the DSS Website. Outcomes of the funding rounds will be known by the end of December to provide time for negotiation of grant agreements before new funding commences on 1 March For any enquiries about this announcement please contact Major Jeanette Stoltenberg RETIREMENT SERVICE Major Cheryl Hall (Campbelltown Courts) commences retirement on 1 st November We thank God for Cheryl and for her faithful ministry which is greatly appreciated and blessed by God. Everyone is welcome to attend the 10am Morning Service at Hurstville Corps on Sunday 2 nd November Cheryl will be presented with her Retirement Certificate by Major Reta Brown (Heritage Centre Booth College). Morning tea will follow the service. We thank God for Cheryl s committed and faithful service for 33½ years ministry in corps, social services and court and prison chaplaincy services. Messages can be ed to Reta Brown or posted to Kerrie Egan c/- PO Box 49, Roselands NSW 2196.

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8 DO YOU LOVE TO SERVE Others? City NSW: Saturday 8th November Loving and serving OTHERS has been in the DNA of The Salvation Army since it began in Over the years countless dedicated volunteers have served the elderly and the vulnerable in communities all over Australia (and the world!) through the Community Care Ministries. This same spirit of service and caring runs through every expression of The Salvation Army. Start: 10am 2pm Morning Tea and Lunch will be provided Hosted by Blacktown Corps Country NSW: If you answered YES to the question above, you may be interested in an event being held by The Greater West Division which will be honouring our wonderful Community Care Ministries volunteers and introducing The Salvation Army s new initiative Salvos Caring! Saturday 22th November Start: 10am 2pm Morning Tea and Lunch will be provided Hosted by Orange Corps Lt-Col. Simone Robertson will be sharing the vision of Salvos Caring and presenting some training for those interested in loving and serving OTHERS. If you are interested in attending this event, please register with your Corps Officer before 22nd October.