Little things
can make a
big difference
Immeasurably more
– or less?
In his time . . .
Perfectly me!
Nothing but the truth
A mother’s wisdom
J u n e
|
2 0 1 3
|
V O L U M E
1 4
|
I S S UE
march
The Salvation Army
WILLIAM BOOTH, Founder
International Headquarters
101 Queen Victoria Street
London EC4P 4EP
Linda Bond, General
Australia Eastern Territory
140 Elizabeth Street
Sydney NSW 2000
team talk
From the desk of the Women’s Ministries Department
What difference are you making?
I
n recent months I have had cause to think about my own life
and consider what impact my life has had over the years. I
am sure we all want to make a difference in the lives of others
with whom we come in contact.
What are you doing today to invest in the lives of other
women and make a difference for God and for good?
What seeds are you planting today that will reap a harvest for
good in the future?
I read the story of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who was
soon to retire and who devised an unusual method to appoint
his successor. He decided to give each of his executives a special
SEED and asked them to take it home and plant it, water it and
tend it and bring it back in a year’s time.
Each executive did that and everyone, except for old Jim,
returned with healthy looking plants in their pots. Of course,
when Jim saw the other plants, he began to think that he had
received a bad deal and had failed.
However, when the CEO called them all together he said,
“One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told
you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me
today.”
He went on to say that he had placed all the seeds in boiling
water before he handed them out – they were dead and it was
impossible to grow anything from the dead seeds.
The CEO said: “Everyone except Jim has brought me trees
and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not
grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was
the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with
my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief
Executive Officer!”
Of course, all the executives were greatly shocked and
surprised – but you reap what you sow.
James Condon, Commissioner
Territorial Commander
Bruce Harmer: Major,
Communications and Public Relations
Secretary
Editor: Simone Worthing
Graphic design: Kem Pobjie
COVER Photo: Shairon Paterson
Editorial and correspondence:
P0 Box A435
Sydney South NSW 1235
Phone: (02) 9266 9690
Email: eastern.editorial@aue.
salvationarmy.org
Published for:
The Salvation Army
Australia Eastern Territory
by Commissioner James Condon
Printed at:
SOS Print + Media Group
65 Burrows Rd, Alexandria
NSW 2015, Australia
Member of the Australasian
Religious Press Association
Unless otherwise stated,
all Scripture is taken
from the Holy Bible,
New International Version®
Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984,
by International Bible Society
Used by permission
of Zondervan Publishers
No part of this publication may
be reproduced whatsoever
without written permission
from the publisher
contents
features
13
In his time…
It’s often easy to become discouraged when
our efforts don’t seem to be bearing fruit,
but God works to bring everything together in his time
14
Everyone has a story
Captain Jo Chant shares her journey as a
Christian, an officer, and a servant of God
seeking authenticity
22
New team members for
Women’s Ministries
Introducing our new Secretary for
Women’s Ministries, Colonel Janet Munn, and Family
Resource Officer, Lieutanant-Colonel Simone Robertson
Commissioner Jan Condon
Territorial President of Women’s Ministries
Photos: Shairon Paterson
Women from around the territory, and the globe, share stories of
how the seemingly insignificant has made a deep impact in their
own, and other people’s lives
from the editor’s desk
T
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
If you plant hard work, you will reap success
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
What an important lesson for us all to remember. What we
plant into our own life and the lives of others now is so important
because that determines what we will reap later on.
It does not always have to be great things we do or say; even
the smallest of things can make a huge difference to someone’s life.
I have found people absolutely amazed and appreciative when
I have remembered their name, or when I have taken time to talk
with them, or enquired about their children or prayed with them.
Small things – yes – but they make a difference.
What difference are you making? Look for “healthy seeds” to
plant each day and you will enjoy the harvest.
4
Small is beautiful
about this issue
You have probably heard these wise words:
•
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•
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cover
regulars
8
16
20
24
Perspective
Reviews, reflections, resources
and recipes
Young Women in Touch
Stories, ideas and articles for our
young women
Women In Ministry
eports from around the Territory
R
and beyond
Heart Songs
he internationally renowned priest and author Henri Nouwen said:
“Sometimes we are called to do great acts of kindness or make great
sacrifices. But this is seldom normal. Usually we have the opportunity
for many small acts of love and service and are called to make many small
sacrifices. The significance and power of these cannot be underestimated.”
Little things indeed, do make a huge difference in our lives. As a receiver they
can change our mood, give us a fresh perspective on a particular issue or incident,
encourage us, give us hope, and even lead us to life changing decisions.
As a giver, they can also do all of the above, as well as develop in us a way of
thinking, responding and being that is focused on caring, loving and sensitivity to
the needs of others. If we are faithful in these “little” areas, God can teach us to be
faithful in the “larger” issues and circumstances of life.
In this issue we feature short stories from around Australia, and beyond, from
people who have been impacted by the seemingly small. Through simple acts of
love and kindness, people’s lives have been touched and impacted in a variety of
ways.
We continue this theme of “small things” with Anne Halliday’s story on
Fairtrade, Major Jo-Anne Brown’s feature on how God uses the seemingly
insignificant to transform lives and relationships, and Lieutenant Vanessa Kohler’s
reflection on simple ways to change the life of a child.
In her refreshingly open testimony, Captain Jo Chant shares her life journey
with us, focusing on how God has given her peace with her past and the strength
and courage to follow him now and into the future.
For our younger readers we follow the story of Brittany Klee, review a couple
of blogs and also take a look at the United Nation’s Millennium Development
Goals.
Learn more about two new leaders in the Women’s Ministries department in
our news section, and see what has been happening in Women’s Ministries events
around the territory.
From the team at Women in Touch, we hope you enjoy this issue and find a
message of practical help, hope and encouragement within its pages!
Simone Worthing
Editor
Feature | Small things
Small things | Feature
Little things make
a big difference
Women (and men!) from around the world share
ways in which a seemingly small word or act has
made a lasting impact in their lives.
Lighting the darkness
Timely reminders
Small miracles
F
A
T
or the past year Len Matthews
and Major John Hindle, both
prison chaplains, have spent one day a
week together visiting a men’s prison,
including the locked units that house
high profile prisoners and a number of
sex offenders.
“One of the most powerful
moments of my time in this role was last
Christmas,” says Len, who also manages
Salvos Care Line Brisbane.
“The Salvation Army has a little
gift pack they give every prisoner – a
hanky, pair of socks, a bag of lollies, a
few envelopes, a little notepad, a diary
and a little bit of a literature about what
The Salvation Army hopes to achieve in
prisons.
“We visited a secure unit … which
houses about 50 men. We walk in with
all these boxes of goodies and each
prisoner comes up, you hand it to them
and it gets marked off the roll.
“Their response really moved me.”
“People were excited and going
through their goodies – this minimal
meagre pack – and they shouted almost
as one man ‘Thank you, God bless you’
as we were leaving.
“Fifty guys yelling that out resonates
with you and humbles you. They were
genuinely, deeply, appreciative for what
they had received. Small things can
change the course of a life.”
Queensland
4
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
fter reading Sacred Chaos by Tricia
Rhodes, I was challenged about how
I could observe God more in the every
day.
One suggestion in the book was
to leave “post it” notes around with
encouraging scriptures written on them.
However, I opted for a more modern
approach. I have set a reminder alarm at
10am, 2pm and 8pm each day that asks
me to:
This has become something I look
forward to. As a manager of a crisis
accommodation service, we are often
dealing with difficult and traumatic
situations. Knowing that the presence
of God is always with me brings great
comfort and increases my faith.
This one small daily ritual has
certainly made a big impact in my
spiritual life.
he free dental scheme, organised by
The Salvation Army in the ACT,
has had remarkable spin-offs in the lives
of many people, including one young
woman we shall call Dee.
Dee and her husband were both
known to me as addicts.
Dee had only two or three teeth, like
pegs, and a couple of stumps. She was
very self-conscious of her appearance and
held her hand in front of her face when
she spoke.
I have seen her recently and she is
clean, well presented and looking very
fit. Dee is quite obviously drug free, is
self-confident and no longer holds her
hand in front of her face when speaking.
Her husband too is clean, looking fit,
and they both are often dressed in gym
gear.
I have also seen their young children
who are well dressed and sparkling.
I believe the restoration of Dee’s
teeth through the Salvos free dental
scheme has worked a small miracle with
this family.
It is one of the best outcomes I
have seen in programs operating at the
Dickson Community Centre over the 15
years I have been a volunteer counsellor
there. Well done to all the participants in
this great scheme. I hope it can continue!
Captain Merisa Holland
Manager
Glenhaven Crisis Accommodation
John Wilkinson, Vice President
Mental Health Community Coalition
ACT
• Reflect that God is always present
• Silently acknowledge that God is
always present
• Thank him for his presence
• Ask myself, "What does this mean to
me right now?"
• Ask God, "Where do I need wisdom
right now?"
• Listen.
Simple encouragement
Small and personal
W
C
hen I was a new mum (many
years ago), I was far away from
family support. My baby was very young
and sick and I had no idea how to give
medicine. When I arrived home after
ministering at home league, at my door I
found a special medicine spoon. One of
my soldiers had gone to the chemist and
purchased it for me. I was so grateful for
this kindness.
I always have remembered Corps
Sergeant Major Elwyn Hopper at
Inverell. Every Sunday night after the
meeting, he would pack up my Bible
and other things, place them all in my
briefcase, and carry it and one of my
sleeping children to the car at the end of
another busy Sunday.
Simple actions but long
remembered.
Major Isabel M Beckett
Education Officer
School for Officer Training
Latvia
His eye is on the sparrow
ootamundra, Shoalhaven and
Northside Corps collect and donate
bras to women in Fiji living in rural
and remote areas. These ladies live in
villages, usually without running water
or electricity, and cannot afford “luxury”
items such as bras.
The bras are distributed through
Ellana, an Australian who lives in Suva,
and the “Uplift Fiji” bra appeal. Over
1950 bras have been distributed so far.
“Each and every woman I have
met who has received a bra has been so
grateful for the ‘sisters’ who care enough
to share with them,” Ellana says.
“The oldest lady we have helped is 92,
and she has only ever had four bras in her
life. The youngest girl is 11.
“It has been one of my life’s many
blessings to be involved in a project that
helps fellow women, one that brings
much happiness and one that shows such
compassion. Thank you all so much for
your kind support of Uplift Fiji!
If you are interested in donating
new, or second hand bras in near-new
condition, please contact Lindy Chalmers
at [email protected]
“Never get tired
of doing little
things for others;
sometimes those
little things
occupy the
biggest parts of
their hearts.”
Unknown
ACT & South NSW Division
W
hen I was going into work the
day before I decided to take
stress leave, I was walking past some big
trees loaded with snow. I could hear a
bird singing. I am not into birds but it
sounded so beautiful. I looked for the
bird in the tree and when I saw it I was
so shocked by how teeny tiny it was. It
was surrounded by all that deep snow
– too early for it to be out. I started to
worry about it. And I know it is cheesy
and a cliche, but “His eye is on the
sparrow” just seemed so real to me. I
think this gave me the strength to know
I need to change something in my life
and I can do it – I am not going to fall
through the cracks because He has his
eye on me.
Canada
Everything will be okay
I
was sitting on the train, reading my
Bible. A teenager was sitting opposite
me, talking loudly on her mobile phone
and glancing at me from time to time. As
the train approached her station she got
up to leave, but seemed to linger near my
seat. As she walked away I heard her say
to whoever she was still chatting with,
“This has just made my day! The lady
opposite me was reading a Bible. Wow,
I didn’t think people even believed in
God anymore. How cool is that. Maybe
everything will be okay after all!”
Gold Coast
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
5
Feature | Small things
Small things | Feature
Genuine acknowledgment
A
young girl came to the corps
recently, with her dad. They had
ridden their bikes here to donate $8.35
for “children that are in need” as the little
eight-year-old told me! Unknown to
her parents, she was selling apples from
their tree to the people next door, and to
family members, to raise this money. I
wrote out her very own receipt for her to
take home and show her mum. She was
so stoked!
Major Jo-Anne Brown
Calamvale Corps Officer
Photos: Shairon Paterson
“It is just the only
act of kindness
they get in the
whole year … It
makes me wonder
if their lives have
been so tormented,
that such a small
act of kindness is
so now so greatly
appreciated.”
Len Matthews,
Salvation Army
Prison Chaplain
A Christmas gift
A
s a six-year-old boy, Kevin huddled
with his mother and siblings in
an old meat freezer as Cyclone Tracey
ripped through Darwin on Christmas
Eve, 1974.
The next day Kevin and his
family were evacuated and flown to
Brisbane. He was very upset that all
their Christmas presents had been
lost and there had been no Christmas
celebrations.
When he and his family went to the
nearby Salvation Army warehouse to get
some blankets, a “Salvo man” in uniform
took Kevin’s hand and showed him a
room full of toys.
“He told me that whatever I could
carry out was mine!” Kevin recalls.
“That stuck with me and I have
never forgotten it. Every time I see the
Salvos, like in the pubs, I always make a
donation.”
Kevin, who works for Cutting
Force, one of Australia’s most respected
providers of concrete cutting, coring,
drilling and sawing services, has also
been instrumental in the pro bono
work done by the company at Brisbane
Streetlevel Mission.
“We have also helped one client from
Streetlevel get a job, and would like to
continue to help in the future,” Kevin
says.
“I want to help The Salvation Army
whenever I can.”
Brisbane
Reaching out to the little
ones
T
his term five ladies have started
blessing our local community by
attending Fennell Bay Primary School to
assist the Minilit program. This involves
assisting year one students improve their
reading within one of our higher need
school communities.
While driving to our church, I
passed the school and saw this on the
school signpost: “Thank you ladies from
Salvation Army Church for helping
students in Minilit”.
Looking forward to seeing God
transforming lives through this
endeavour.
Captain Daniel Ross
Westlakes Corps Officer
Laughter, the best medicine
D
uring the Unleashed Youth
Conference on the Gold Coast
late last year, several delegates played
soccer, table tennis and other games
with some of the children whose mums
were living in the Still Waters Crisis
Accommodation facility.
The children thoroughly enjoyed the
time and were laughing, playing and just
having fun.
“I was in shock, it was the first time
I had heard the children laughing like
that for such a long time,” said one of
the mums. “To see their smiles and the
joy on their faces was priceless. You have
given them so much!”
One decision makes global
impact
O
n Freedom Sunday in February, I
spoke at Cessnock Corps about the
issues of human trafficking and fair trade.
As these are issues I have been advocating
about for years, as well as something I
now do as part of my job, I was really
excited to have the opportunity to speak
about something I am so passionate
about. What was most encouraging for
me was that two women came to speak
to me after the service. They had not
realised that slavery is so widespread
and prevalent in today’s world, or that
most tea, coffee and cocoa is harvested
on slave plantations. Upon hearing
this, they had both decided to change
their buying practices to support ethical
trade practices and help fight against
slavery. Even two women changing to
fairtrade tea, coffee and chocolate, and
encouraging others they know to do
the same, is not just a decision that will
impact their lives but it will have a global
impact and change many lives. For me,
their decision was more than I could
have hoped for that Sunday.
Talitha Haggar
Social Justice Project Assistant
THQ Social Justice
A most precious gift
L
ast year was really rough for me. I
went away for a few days to spend
time with God – sort of a retreat. I have
a friend who had gently just been there
for me and was upholding me in prayer
during those days. After I returned
home I went to a nearby Salvation Army
women’s “Coffee & Chat” and my
husband rang me to say I had flowers
delivered but he didn’t know from
whom. They were from my friend and
the little card with them said: “For all
that you have been, I love you. For all
that you are, I love you. For all that you
are becoming, I love you. Go gently my
friend.” Her love and tenderness made
me feel like the most precious person,
and I love her and thank her for that gift.
Queensland
A simple cup of coffee
Just a phone call away
I
W
asked a lady to have coffee with me
who had been coming to our church
for about a year. She seemed lonely and
still fairly disconnected with our church,
and I thought that I would spend some
time with her and hopefully connect her
with some other women in our church.
Towards the end of our time together
she told me she had moved to Sydney
about 12 years ago from a really good
network of friends, but since moving all
that time ago she had not made friends
or developed a social network.
She stopped me and said, “Cheryl, I
have been praying that God would send
a friend, someone who would ask me out
to coffee and just sit and listen to me and
we could do life together.”
A couple of months later God laid
another woman on my heart who was
a refugee from the Congo. She had an
incredible conversion to Christianity
from Islam not long after she moved to
Australia, and is an incredible woman of
faith who is influencing young people
and other women to a deeper faith in
Jesus.
We were talking and she shared that,
18 months earlier, she had commenced
praying to God about how he could use
her.
God showed her that she could be
the woman to unite all the women from
all the different nations and cultures
within the church and help them
make a difference for God in our local
community. She had been praying for
18 months that God would bring this to
fruition.
Doing something small like taking
someone to coffee, listening to their
story, reading God’s Word and praying
with them can make a huge difference
for God’s Kingdom. Out of these two
small stories, one woman has joined our
brothel ministry; a prayer ministry and
Bible study for women during the week
has commenced; and one woman has
started mentoring other single mothers
in their walk with God and basically
doing life with them.
All this started with two cups of
coffee and three women who share a
common faith in Jesus.
hen I was at university, an elderly
lady in the corps who I had
assumed was very traditional and uptight
rang me. She told me that having seen
me on Sunday she felt she needed to tell
me that I didn’t need to worry because
the corps would support me no matter
what.
I was confused. Had God given her a
vision about some trouble in my future?
So I enquired further, saying, "I’m sorry,
but I’m not sure what you’re talking
about." Her response? "The baby dear,
being so young, it will be hard, but we
are all here to support you.”
I had to tell her that I wasn’t
pregnant, (and of course, she was
horrified at her mistake) but that I
was delighted to know that I would be
supported no matter my circumstances,
even by those that I considered
traditional and who I expected would
have been critical of such an event at my
young age.
This goes to show that you can’t
judge a book by its cover, and to this day
I treasure the knowledge that my corps
family will stand by me, no matter what.
I tell this story often as an example of
Christian love.
I’ve tried to adopt the same attitude,
encouraging others without being asked
and trying hard to support those who
might need it, no matter what situation
they are in. Who am I to judge?
This lady’s faith in God’s master plan
for me and her ability to speak out in
support was a real example. Such a small
gesture, but she showed me that while it
is easy to think things to myself, it takes
courage to support others directly. All it
takes is one small phone call.
Australian Capital Territory
Captain Cheryl Kistan
Auburn Corps Officer
Gold Coast
6
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
7
Perspective
Perspective
Reflection – You have the power!
W
e live in an age when it’s easy to make a difference in our
world.
No, really, I mean it.
Yes, it is true that there is graphic and overwhelming
evidence that global poverty is a daily life struggle for more than a billion
people in the world right now, that there are more human slaves in our
generation than ever before and that injustice seems to be rampant globally.
But that doesn’t mean we are powerless.
Rather, we are the ones who have the power to turn the tables.
And not just the power, but the mandate that doing justice is what it
looks like to follow Jesus (Matthew 25:31-46). And that our resources and
freedom are given, not for our personal benefit, but to use as leverage in
advocacy for the poor and the voiceless.
You can start right where you are, today, to make a difference.
Take Fairtrade for instance. When you make the choice to swap to
Fairtrade labelled tea, coffee and chocolate (now available from your
local Aldi, Woolworths, or Coles) you are joining a collective movement
that is directly changing the lives of 1.2 million farmers in more than 60
countries.
Not only does Fairtrade ensure the local producer is paid a fair price
for his crop, it also includes an additional payment to help the local
community develop basic needs like fresh water, education and health
services.
Womenonline
You can take your advocacy a step further by asking your local
coffee shop to consider offering Fairtrade. The more people who ask, the
greater the collective voice that demands businesses to act ethically, will
grow.
You could even encourage your workplace to make the switch
to Fairtrade. Have a fun tasting day where people can vote on their
favourite brand of coffee or do some blind chocolate tasting to see if
people can actually taste what freedom tastes like for thousands of cocoa
farmers.
You can now also find Fairtrade-labelled sporting equipment,
clothing, shoes, homewares and children’s toys. Jump online (www.fta.
org.au) and check out the Fairtrade Association of Australia and New
Zealand’s listing of businesses and brands that sell products that are
sustainably and ethically made.
Will choosing Fairtrade products cost you a little more? Probably.
Will choosing Fairtrade products take you a little more effort to
find? Maybe.
Will it make a difference? It already has. Join the movement.
Anne Halliday
Editor, Creative Ministry
Movement to end poverty
Centre for Spiritual Life Development
T
he Salvation Army’s international Centre for
Spiritual Life Development in London exists to
facilitate the development of the spiritual lives of
Salvationists around the world through providing
resources, offering conferences and events, and
encouraging opportunities for spiritual growth.
The website offers resources on topics including
prayer, spiritual formation, and justice, as well as
links to other Salvation Army websites. Bible studies,
newsletters, vision plans and much more are also
available for downloading.
You can also read a three-part series on
discipleship and other articles by our new Territorial
Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Colonel Janet
Munn.
For a good browse, go to salvationarmy.org/
csld/
Congratulations
8
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
R
ecommended by The Salvation Army
International Development (SAID) office, the
Movement to End Poverty is a joint petition of
the Make Poverty History and Micah Challenge
coalitions for all Australians who believe we can
end extreme poverty. It involves many Australian
charities, community groups, overseas aid agencies,
and civil society organisations.
By adding your name to the Movement to End
Poverty, your name will appear in the public mosaic
image of signatories. You will join an historic social
movement of people who support an end to extreme
poverty in our lifetime!
For more information, go to
movementtoendpoverty.org.au/
Congratulationsto Rae Howard from Kingborough/Huon Corps, Tasmania,
Australia Southern Territory, who has won last issue’s book One Thousand Gifts.
recommended read
Travelling Light
Releasing the burdens you
were never intended to bear
By Max Lucado
Thomas Nelson, Inc. 2001
S
ome years ago I received a phone call and the
words I heard just broke my heart: “Why has
God forgotten me?”
Later, as I sat over a coffee and my Bible, I read in
Psalm 22 the very same words. I continued reading
through to Psalm 23 but, having read it so many times, there was a temptation to
skim through it.
This is where Max Lucado’s book comes into play. Purchased a decade ago,
I have found myself opening its pages time and time again as it re-introduces us
to a chapter so often overlooked because of our familiarity with it.
Lucado, who is well aware of life’s burdens, reminds us of the need to sit
in God’s presence, lay our burdens down, release them and not pick them up
again. We each carry unnecessary burdens.
I was thinking of how, when I attend a conference, I take more luggage than
I need but I am not prepared to lessen the load just in case the one thing I take
out suddenly becomes vitally important. Of course, I am exaggerating, my life
does not revolve around accessories in my bag, but my difficulty in parting with
unnecessary items is a reflection of how we all carry unnecessary burdens.
In his book Max Lucado breaks down each section of Psalm 23 to help us
understand the value of God’s Word and the burdens we all carry that weigh us
down.
More than a simple “how to” book, Travelling Light is accompanied by a
study guide which, when done as a group or individually, causes us to stop,
reflect and choose how we respond.
We may feel despair, like the author in Psalm 22, but we don’t have to stay
with that emotion. If we keep reading into the next well-known Psalm, simply
known as the twenty third Psalm, we can discover the truths contained in it and
then we can travel light.
Win a copy of this book!
Simply send your name and email address to simone.worthing@
aue.salvationarmy.org for a chance to win our giveaway copy.
Too often we underestimate the
power of a touch, a smile a kind
word, a listening ear, an honest
compliment, or the smallest act
of caring, all of which have the
potential to turn a life around.
Leo Buscaglia
Homemade
• Churros •
Makes approximately 24
¼ cup sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup water
½ milk
½ cup (110 grams) butter
1 cup flour
pinch of salt
3 eggs, lightly beaten
Sunflower or vegetable oil for frying
Combine sugar and cinnamon. Set aside for
coating.
In a medium saucepan combine milk, water,
butter and salt. Bring to boil on high heat.
Using a wooden spoon stir in flour.
Reduce heat to low and stir continuously for
one minute or until mixture forms a smooth
ball. Remove from heat. Slowly pour beaten
eggs into the dough, stirring constantly until
well combined.
Transfer dough into a piping bag with a large
star nozzle.
Fill a large saucepan with up to 2cm of oil
and heat until it reaches 180C. Pipe 2-3
strips of batter the length of your hand into
the saucepan, cutting each one off with a
knife or scissors.
Fry the churros, turning once until they
become golden brown. Transfer the ready
made churros on to paper towels to drain.
When slightly cooled coat with the cinnamon
sugar mixture.
Serve with melted chocolate, or your
favourite dipping sauce!
Recipe and photo courtesy Lena Pobjie.
Feature | Small things
Immeasurably
more–
“
Small things | Feature
It is truly the small things
that make a difference –
a difference far beyond
anything that we can see or
even imagine.
”
or less?
We all want to see God working in our lives in a big way. Major Joanne Brown looks at how God does richly and deeply transform
our lives, usually in ways that can seem small or insignificant
I
love the grand gesture, the great
sacrifice, the glorious deed! There
have been times in my life when
I have waited with longing for
God to do something magnificent and
glorious in and with my life. I have
yearned to see the “immeasurably more”
that Paul talks about in his letter to the
Ephesians (3:20) bursting forth into
my everyday world and bringing with it
amazing transformation. And so, I have
often been blind to the “immeasurably
more” that God has done in and through
me in small, less obvious ways.
Expectations and priorities
I remember a comment made at
my farewell when I left my first
appointment. A lady from the corps
said that she would probably never
remember any of my sermons, but she
would never forget the time I came
to the hospital early one morning to
pray with her before she had surgery. I
remember thinking of all the hours I had
spent researching and putting together
sermons, comparing the Greek text with
various English translations, and working
tirelessly on presentation in order to
make a difference in people’s lives. I
could barely remember that hospital visit
that remained so strong in her memory.
Her comment struck me powerfully then
(it was also a bit of a blow to my pride in
my preaching!) but has come back many
times over the years to challenge me
about my expectations and priorities.
And yet the longing for the grand
and glorious persists!
During our time in Germany I
became impatient, waiting for God to
10
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
do something magnificent among us.
The churches were praying and praising
together, there were prayers for healing
and renewal, there was the stirring of
God’s Spirit – and yet, there still seemed
to be so little to see for it, especially in
our own corps.
People were leaving the church
and some of those who remained were
growing discouraged. We tried new
ventures with great excitement and
energy – all without apparent success.
Still, I persisted in believing for
great things and was sometimes totally
unaware of the hidden ways God was at
work in touching people’s lives. I once
expressed to a wise colleague my earnest
faith in a God of the impossible, and my
expectation of seeing immeasurably more
happen. I no longer remember his exact
words, but I was chastened by the reply.
His focus was on simple, moment-bymoment obedience, rather than looking
for grandeur and glory. He only wanted
to do what God required of him each
moment and allow God to do what he
wants to do, whether it is great or small.
The seemingly small
As time has gone by we have seen how
very often the “immeasurably more” does
occur in those insignificant moments
of obedience and in small incidents
that we can so easily overlook. We have
planned events and programs and seen
nothing come of them, yet a dying
child has brought a corps together and
strengthened a community in its faith.
We have prayed with other churches
for an outpouring of renewal, and
almost didn’t notice the sheer wonder
of seeing so many pastors from many
backgrounds, cultures and doctrines
actually standing together in unity with
one focus.
I have talked with a grieving parent,
and walked away feeling that I have been
of no help. Years later the mother still
talks of how much my understanding
encouraged her.
Sometimes I am entranced by a
magnificent sunset, basking in the
glorious colours of twilight, and I miss
the incredibly beautiful and intricately
painted butterfly delicately perched on
the flower beside me. In God’s eyes, is
one more splendid or glorious than the
other?
It is truly the small things that
make a difference – a difference far
beyond anything that we can see or even
imagine. And perhaps it is not always
ours to imagine or comprehend. Perhaps
this is God’s way of reminding us that his
is the work of transformation, of glory
and splendour. Our responsibility is
simple moment-by-moment obedience.
He truly does immeasurably more than
we can ask or imagine, even though it
may be in ways beyond our seeing or
perceiving.
God’s gentle touch
I have experienced conversations, almost
mundane in subject, where suddenly the
other person is in tears and I wonder
what’s going on. God’s gentle Spirit was
doing a work of healing, I almost didn’t
notice it and I don’t have a clue how it
happened.
So, I am learning to notice. God
moments, when God breaks through and
Photo: Shairon Paterson
touches people powerfully, sometimes
happen so quietly and invisibly that we
barely realise anything has happened, yet
we are left feeling slightly breathless and
wondering what just went on.
There are many ways I am
beginning to notice the “immeasurably
more” found in small and seemingly
insignificant things:
• A broken shell on the beach – that
reminds me of my own brokenness
and the great ocean of the Father’s
love that continues to embrace and
enfold me.
• A tiny green shoot growing out of
a dead tree stump – and I am awed
at the tenacious power of life to
take hold and endure in the most
inhospitable situations.
• A bird with an injured wing – and
God is reminding me that I am
called to hold and nurture those who
are vulnerable.
• An email in the middle of a busy and
stressful day – suddenly I know again
how I am loved and that someone is
praying for me right now.
• A Bible passage stands out for me –
and later proves to be God’s promise
in a difficult time that I didn’t yet
know was coming, but he did.
• A bunch of flowers comes
unexpectedly – which is often also a
message that says I have noticed your
pain, your struggle, I am glad you
are here and I know that you will get
through this.
We know all this. We have likely
been the recipients many times of the
small gift or the seemingly insignificant
gesture that has touched our hearts in
ways difficult to explain. We may have
been brought to tears by the kind word
of a stranger who probably had no idea
of how we were really feeling. Yet there
is still something in us that yearns for
something bigger, greater and grander.
Some 1500 years ago St Benedict,
founder of the monastic order named
after him, spoke about “living an
ordinary life extraordinarily well”. This
reflects the idea of how significant
and powerful the small and seemingly
insignificant can be. I don’t need to yearn
for the glorious or grand because, put
quite simply, walking with the Creator
of the heavens and earth, the risen and
glorified Jesus Christ, and experiencing
the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit
is indeed grand and glorious, and he
is always at work doing immeasurably
more than we can ask or imagine, even
in ways that may seem small, silent or
insignificant.
Major Jo-anne Brown
Corps Officer, Calamvale
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
11
Feature | Wisdom
Timing | Feature
Often too we can become discouraged
about whether the programs we prepare
are having any impact, especially when
numbers can fluctuate or are small. They
do make a difference and God makes all
things beautiful in his time.
um
M
y
m
s
g
Thin
me
d
l
o
t
s
y
alwa
Major Beth
Twivey shares
some of the
lessons her mother
taught her –
lessons that made
a big impact on
her, and continue
to be passed on to
others today
Remember who you are
and who you represent
Love the Word of God
and share it faithfully
Bloom where you’re planted
Everyone has a story
to tell – they just might
need you to listen
As I was walking out the door or getting out of the car,
these words would be said. Mum wanted me to have
a strong sense of self, of belonging to a family whose
identity was part of my character and that young or
old, this counted for something.
There are times in our lives when we find ourselves in
certain places and think that God has made a mistake.
We spend a lot of time seeking the “greener pastures”.
Mum instilled in me a sense that in every season of our
lives, when trusting in God, we can produce fruit – the
fruit of our character and outcomes for the Kingdom.
Mum was a wonderful story teller and she gleaned
much from the lives of others. On buses, trains, in car
parks, in queues, Mum would strike up a conversation,
listen to a person’s story, and make a friend.
A diamond in the rough is a
diamond sure enough
If God gives you a gift, then
use it to give him glory
Be sure your sins
will find you out
You will always be able to find
something to be grateful for
Mum had come to appreciate and accept the myriad
of people who came across her path. The lesson was to
look beyond the exterior and see the precious child of
God they really were.
My mum was teaching me to have a sense that it
mattered if I chose to do the wrong thing. I grew up
with a healthy dose of guilt about my wrong choices.
However, there was always the reminder that I could go
to a loving God for forgiveness.
Wherever God places you;
people need to be loved
As an officer, my mum had learnt that people
ultimately long to be loved. Her principle was that she
was God’s representative wherever she went to love
people. Her desire was that I understood that I could
have many gifts and be clever at lots of things, but if I
didn’t love people, it was all for nothing.
Better to err on
the side of mercy
This was a lesson Mum shared with me in the final
years of her life. She had learnt the lesson that, as God
had extended mercy to her through Jesus’ death and
resurrection, so she too must be merciful to others. So
much in our world is about condemning and pulling
down. Mum’s principle was that if you have a choice –
choose to show mercy.
12
Mum loved her Bible and I observed her living out
what she read. She remained faithful in her obedience
to the Word of God in her life, leaving me an example
to follow.
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
This principle was a constant reminder that every child
of God has been gifted for service. My gifts were not
just to make my life better but were to be used by God
to influence others and to bring glory to him.
In every situation, if you really look, you will find
things to be grateful for and reminders of a God who
is good.
The calendar tells me that it’s 18 years since I’ve
actually heard my mother’s voice teaching me these
lessons. My heart and mind tell me, as I recount them,
that in reality her voice resounds over and over again
in and through my life. It’s not as a substitute for
the voice of my Saviour, but as a reminder of a godly
mother who knew well the ways of the Kingdom.
Thanks Mum!
PS: And Lord, please help me to be faithful to continue
to teach these lessons and others to those I have
influence over.
Left to right: Major Beth Twivey,
with her Mum, Major Ruth Stoodley,
Dad Major Gordon Stoodley, and
husband Major David Twivey on
their wedding day.
In his time ...
“I
f it hadn’t have been for a Salvation Army man
and his wife who picked me and my sister up
every Sunday for Sunday school, I wouldn’t
have found Jesus,” said Natalie*.
"I knelt and asked Jesus into my heart in that little
Salvation Army hall with wooden floorboards. I don’t
think the man and his wife knew of the extent of things
happening at home.”
Last year Natalie shared her story with Christine
Martin, then Family Support & Pastoral Care Coordinator for the Oasis Hunter Youth Network.
She spoke of her very difficult upbringing, and of
living in the most difficult of circumstances.
“The abuse and everything continued for years,
but I don’t know what I would have done during those
years if I hadn’t found Jesus," Natalie shared.
Natalie is now married to a Christian man and they
have two sons, one with a severe disability. Through
her job, Natalie works with many families who have
children with disabilities and gives them support and
hope.
Natalie explained that, through The Salvation
Army Sunday school and then youth group, she learnt
simple, but pure and true things from the Bible, even
when group numbers were small.
“Sometimes it was just me in attendance, but it
was always well prepared and I now feel that it was a
blessing from God to have the personalised mentoring
and teaching that became a solid core and anchor for
the rest of my life, no matter what the circumstances,
and it is this that I can share with others,” she said.
When Christine, now Mission and Resource
Director – Social, Newcastle and Central NSW
Division, heard this story, she was quite moved.
“Later that evening I thought about the hundreds
of times over twenty years of my ministry as a Salvation
Army officer where we had picked up children for
weeks and years at a time, including dropping kids
home late on Friday nights after youth group, she said.
“Sometimes it was so tiring and often we just felt
like a taxi service. I can remember praying through
those moments of tiredness that God would bless those
we served, but sometimes my prayers weren’t filled with
passion.
“Often too we can become discouraged about
whether the programs we prepare are having any
impact, especially when numbers can fluctuate or are
small.
“It does make a difference and God makes all
things beautiful in his time.”
* Names have been changed. Printed with permission.
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
13
Feature | Testimony
Testimony | Feature
“Holiness is lovely and important,
but to minister in this world I
have to be real, genuine, honest
and approachable.”
Perfectly me!
Everyone has a story...
Captain Jo Chant shares the challenges and changes she has experienced since a born again
experience 23 years ago, and the new realisations that are, once again, transforming her life, her
ministry and her relationship with God
C
aptain Jo, now Director of Mission
and Chaplain at the Cairns Aged Care
Centre in Brisbane, was raised in a
Christian family, but as a young adult chose to
walk away from that family, and her heritage.
“From there I walked the downhill path into
the world of the occult,” she explains. “For the
first five years I just dabbled in it, but it ruled
my life for the next five.
That led to broken relationships and, as I
was just about to have my third child, a broken
household.”
Salvos won’t judge
During this upheaval, Captain Jo felt that her
children weren’t being raised properly and
needed to go to Sunday school.
She investigated several churches in the area
before making her final decision. “I chose the
Salvos because I knew they wouldn’t judge me,”
she says.
The children, Michaela 7, and Emma
6, started just before Christmas (Emma is
now Captain Emma Moore, corps officer at
Tarrawanna with her husband Matthew).
Captain Jo, feeling accepted and part of the
Salvos, then went to a night meeting. The envoy
at the time, Carolyn Kerr (now Major Carolyn),
took down her details, made contact with her
just after James was born in the March, and
invited her to Bible Study.
“It was around this time that I really started
turning towards the Lord,” Captain Jo shares.
“I went along to Bible study, really seeking
to know the Lord, but at the same time, was
still drinking and smoking, so it was definitely
seeking him on my terms.”
14
Born again
Captain Jo’s life was beginning to fall into
place. She loved her Bible study, childcare was
provided, and she felt accepted and at peace.
“The Gold Coast Temple Corps nurtured
our family over the years, and the saints there
are more like family to me than our biological
family,” she says.
Captain Jo then heard that a new Bible
study on the Holy Spirit was going to start and,
although scared about studying that subject, she
kept going back. It was during this time that she
had an experience that changed her life forever.
“It was August 1990 and it was cold, so we
were all inside,” she recalls. “The kids wanted
me to read to them, so I grabbed the big
children’s Bible and opened it to the death and
resurrection of Jesus.
“As I was reading I became overwhelmed
with what I read, and was just hit with Jesus
telling me that I didn’t have to suffer, he had
already suffered for me.
“It was like my life flashed before my eyes,
I saw the blood of Jesus covering all that was
bad and ugly and it was, in the true sense of the
word, awesome. It was as if Jesus had appeared
to us in that room.
“I was crying, the children were crying; even
baby James in my arms. We were all born again.”
Captain Jo’s life changed instantly.
“I wanted to be a vessel of the Holy Spirit,
I didn’t want to smoke or drink anymore – my
life had been de-cluttered and all my junk taken
to the tip!”
Officership
Over the years, several officers had encouraged
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
Captain Jo to consider officership.
“I was happy doing ministry and felt that
the word of God was alive in me and I couldn’t
formally study Theology,” she explains.
“But a burning within me started and
kept going, it was so much like the born again
experience that I had to apply.”
Captain Jo, then in her middle 40s, didn’t
think her application would be accepted, and
she was quite content to leave the process to the
Lord.
Captain Jo was accepted. She and her son
James, then aged 10, left for the School for
Officer Training in January 2002 – The Believers
session of cadets.
Authenticity
Over the past six years, Captain Jo has been reevaluating her life as a servant of God and what
it means to minister in his name.
“Holiness is lovely and important, but to
minister in this world I have to be real, genuine,
honest and approachable,” she explains.
“I minister in the grey, not in what is black
and white, and I minister to broken people. To
do that I have had to learn to be myself, to be
authentic and real, and to come back into this
world.
“I sit in fecal matter but don’t smell it, that’s
how Jesus was and how he ministered.”
This process of living authentically has not
been an easy one for Captain Jo.
“I struggle with being authentic with others
because it often gets me into trouble,” she
laughs. “I can live with my authentic self and
God knows me for who I am, but so many of us,
including me, have been so busy trying to hide
our authentic self from each other, that it’s hard
to be real.
“In the past I have tried to perform like
an officer, look like an officer and really fit the
mould. Now though, I just fit the mould that
God made me into.
“I minister now as a chaplain in Aged Care
and here, people don’t want people who aren’t
real. They want people to sit with them and not
be shocked by what they’re saying; they want
help with making sense of their lives; and they
want people who are the same in ministry as
they are at home.”
At peace with the past
Captain Jo hopes to be the best chaplain the
Salvation Army has and, when asked what that
looks like, she answers, “Me!”
To reach this goal, Captain Jo is studying
for a Master of Arts degree, specialising in
chaplaincy and pastoral care, through the Sydney
College of Divinity.
She already holds a certificate four in
chaplaincy and pastoral care, and a Clinical
Pastoral Education 1, 2 and 3.
In order to continue her journey, Captain
Jo had to make peace with her past, and she
believes strongly that God has enabled her to do
just that.
“I had to make peace with all that has
happened, with my God, and so with myself,”
she shares. “This has allowed me to allow others
to find peace with their past, with God, and
with themselves.
“I want to be perfect – perfectly me – and
God in his graciousness is with me every step
of the way. I need though, like Joshua, to be
reminded of that, and to remind others as well:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be
afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD
your God will be with you wherever you go”
(Joshua 1:9).
The journey continues …
Simone Worthing
Editor
Top: Captain Jo Chant reflects on the peace she
has found with God, with her past, and with herself.
Above: Captain Jo (right) with Murleen Surch, a
close friend from the Gold Coast Temple Corps who
has walked with her in some of her darkest days.
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
15
Young | Feature
Testimony | Young
Through the
strength of God
Everyone has a story...
B
Simple acts
change lives
T
here was a little eight-year-old girl whose Mum dropped
her off at church every Sunday. She stayed there on her
own, with various adults looking after her while she was
there.
One morning before the meeting she was sitting alone on
the end of a row of chairs. I was in the row behind her, also
on my own. I leant forward and said, “Hey Sarah (not her real
name), is anyone sitting with you?” She slowly shook her head
and said “no”, so I invited her to come and be my friend and sit
next to me. She smiled, got her stuff, and came around.
Sarah stuck to me like glue for the rest of that morning at
church. Perhaps it was because I took the time to show her a bit
of care and interest not long after she arrived. Sarah struggled to
interact with the other kids at church and so after the meeting
we grabbed morning tea and then Sarah asked me if I would
play a game of balloon volleyball with her.
So that’s what we did for a good 20 minutes. We laughed
and squealed as we hit this balloon around the hall. When we
sat down to take a break I asked Sarah a bit about herself and
her family. She told me she had older siblings, one of whom
had just had her baby taken by Child Safety (Department
of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services). Her
Mum had kicked another sibling out of home because she was
pregnant, and she had a brother who lived in foster care.
Breaking free
Here is Sarah, a precious eight-year-old girl who I hope and
pray will have a different future to her sisters – a life where her
potential is realised and she can break free from the cycle of
poverty and dysfunction.
Sarah then told me about a lady from church who told
Sarah that she could call her ‘Grandma’. “I don’t have a
Grandma, so I like calling her Grandma!” Sarah said.
I told her that was really cool, and that there are lots of
people at this church that care about her and love her. She
replied, “I know”! I then told her that when I was a kid, I too
used to get dropped off at church and there I had people who
were like my family, too. It was a precious moment.
16
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
Fruit for the Kingdom
I was a child just like Sarah when I came
to The Salvation Army. I was eightyears-old, my parents had just divorced
and my Mum had heard about Sunday
school and sent my sister and I along. As
a teenager I would go back to a family’s
house for lunch every Sunday where I
saw what a loving Christian family was
like. The smallest acts of love made the
biggest difference in my life. The way
they took me in and the way I felt I
belonged is one of the main reasons I
stayed around the church. Because of
the way they invested in me I discovered
God, I had the opportunity to grow in
my faith and now I’m an officer! What
amazing fruit for the Kingdom from
such a simple act!
Simple acts of love
It’s not hard to make a difference in the
lives of kids like Sarah. If you have kids
in your neighbourhood you can chat to
their parents and offer to take the kids
along to church with you and then have
some lunch and take them to the park
afterwards.
Older women can be grandmas to
children who don’t have an extended
family around them. If you’re having a
family picnic, perhaps you can take one
of these kids along and help them to see
how a healthy family has fun together.
The Salvation Army exists for
kids like Sarah. You can make a huge
difference by showing love in simple
ways. These simple acts can change the
course of life for a child – it certainly did
for me and I hope and pray it does for
Sarah.
Lieutenant Vanessa
Kohler
Mission Director
Oasis Youth Service,
Wyong
rittany Klee believes that
the secret to living a full
and abundant life is hard
work, a positive attitude and, most
importantly, a relationship with
God.
“Living in a relationship with
God, doing everything through
his strength and believing he is in
control of my life is what keeps me
going, enables me to put others
before myself, and brings fulfilment
to all I do,” she says.
Brittany, who grew up in
The Salvation Army and attends
Carindale Corps in south Brisbane,
is a pharmacist who works at the
Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in
Brisbane.
She is active in her corps,
teaching kids at SAGALA and Kids’
Church, playing in the timbrels
brigade and mentoring youth.
“I love seeing kids develop in
their Christian lives, and seeing
their smiles and enthusiasm is
energising for me too,” she says.
Brittany is also enjoying married
life, having recently celebrated
her first wedding anniversary with
husband Chris, from Tuggeranong
Corps. Chris works as an
Information Technology service and
project coordinator for IBM.
Brittany has faced several
battles in her young life, one of
those being acute lymphoblastic
leukaemia as a young child. The
treatment for this life-threatening
illness involved 2 ½ years of
gruelling chemotherapy and
numerous medical interventions.
Brittany also suffered many
debilitating side effects including
induced diabetes, blood clots,
ulcers, infections and muscle pain.
Thankfully, she was cured and
today is healthy and cancer free!
“At first I questioned why me,
and sometimes I felt like giving
up,” explains Brittany, who was 11
when she was diagnosed.
“Everyone was so positive and
encouraging and towards the end
of my treatment I realised that God
could use my experience and my
faith is much stronger now.”
In her role as a pharmacist at
RCH which includes work on the
wards with sick children and their
families, Brittany believes that
she is more compassionate and
can relate more, because of her
experience.
“I focus on leaving my life in
God’s hands,” she says. “It will all
work according to his plan if I do
that.”
Brittany also has a word of
encouragement for those who are
going through tough times.
“Never give up, just keep going,
no matter how hard, it is worth it in
the end. Stay positive and happy,
and know that in all things God
works for the good of those who
trust in him.”
Brittany, a
pharmacist at
Royal Children’s
Hospital,
Brisbane, is
focused on her
relationship
with God,
working hard,
and serving
others.
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
17
Young | Social Justice
Social
Justice
Snapshot
Impossible goals
made possible
H
ave you ever heard of the United Nations
(UN) Millennium Development Goals?
Maybe you haven’t, or maybe you’ve heard
these words been tossed around in conversation
but never paid much attention to what they’re
all about.
The UN is on a mission to meet the needs
of the world’s poorest by 2015. This includes
removing extreme poverty and hunger, reducing
child mortality and achieving universal primary
education (see complete list of Millennium
Development Goals below).
It’s easy to look at the Millennium
Development Goals and think they are
unachievable. As Christians we need to have
faith for the impossible: “What is impossible
with men is possible with God,” Luke 18:27.
Since the goals were developed in 2000,
positive progress has been made in certain
areas, while others lack momentum. The UN
is currently looking at ways it can fast track
progress over the next few years to achieve its
final targets. For progress reports visit www.
un.org/millenniumgoals and find out what
needs to be done between now and 2015.
Millennium Development Goals
Reviews | Young
Reviews
From little things…
I
’ve never been one for routine. I like
change and I get frustrated when things
stay the same for too long. As a result
my list of passions, hopes and dreams have
been known to change on a daily, weekly and
monthly basis.
Since recommitting my life to Christ
seven years ago one thing has remained the
same, my attendance at church. And boy oh
boy have I learnt some lessons that only come
from sticking around! While inconsistency
was definitely evident in my outer life, it was
also raging in my inner life. I struggled with
regular quiet times with God, with prayer and
with reading the Word. This meant I was up
and down in my faith, passion and conviction
for Jesus.
In my own strength I could never seem
to get it together. But God is in the business
of transformation and he has been working
overtime on me! Now, instead of not noticing
I haven’t spent time with God, I LOVE
going to the breakfast table with my Bible
and journal in hand and I miss it when I
don’t. Instead of praying once a week, I pray
throughout the day; my faith and passion is
steady and I have more confidence to share the
love of God with others.
We all want to make a difference, do
something big, stand up and be counted.
But unless we get back to the basics, we are
going nowhere fast in our own strength. We
need integrity (sound moral character) and
consistency in our lives in order for God to
build something lasting and impacting.
“If you are faithful in little things, you will
be faithful in large ones,” Luke 16:10, New
Living Translation).
Seek and cling to Him daughters. He’s got
you!
Love, Amy. xo
Editor’s note
Check out Amy’s blog review on page 19.
Amy Hefferan,
Centenary Corps
18
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
Kings and Queens – Audio Adrenaline
K
ing of the Comebacks seems a
fitting song to be part of Audio
Adrenaline’s new ten-track album
Kings and Queens.
After Audio Adrenaline’s lead singer,
Mark Stuart lost his voice back in 2007, the
band was thought to be finished. Much to
the surprise of fans, Audio Adrenaline is now
making a comeback with the recent release of
their new album.
Mark Stuart has now hung up the
microphone and taken a more executive
position as songwriter and producer on the
new album. Audio Adrenaline has fresh new
faces all around including Kevin Max (former
DC Talk lead singer) as the front vocalist.
Kings and Queens enters its new decade
with a new sound, opening with pop track,
He Moves You Move, steering away from Audio
Adrenaline’s Christian-rock sound prominent
in their earlier albums.
Titled-track and current single, Kings
and Queens brings to the forefront the band’s
personal missional focus of helping orphaned
children. Audio Adrenaline serves as a voice
for The Hands and Feet Project, a Haitian
orphanage founded in 2004 by the band.
Audio Adrenaline’s rock sound hasn’t
completely disappeared, however, with
Change My Name and they even throw a cover
into the mix with a rocky version of Martin
Smith’s (former lead singer of Delirious?) Fire
Never Sleeps.
Win a
c
of th opy
i
s
CD!
Simply
send y
name
our
and em
ail add
to sim
res
o
aue.sa ne.worthing s
@
lvation
a
for a c
hance rmy.org
to win
giveaw
our
ay co
Adrena py of Audio
line’s K
ings
and Q
ueens
.
You can purchase a copy of Kings and Queens
from iTunes for $16.90.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Katrina Hindle from Calamvale Corps, Queensland who
has won our giveaway copy of Chris Tomlin’s Burning Lights.
Blog reviews
YoungWIT
Get involved
You might be asking, “What can I do?” While
eradicating poverty and ensuring environmental
sustainability can be seen as daunting tasks,
there are practical and simple things you can
do to help. You can donate to the cause, write a
song against poverty, create awareness and sign
a petition. Visit
www.un.org/millenniumgoals/getinvolved
to make your contribution or go to Young UN
Women Australia Sydney’s Facebook page for
more advocacy opportunities.
Music Review
YoungWIT You were chosen to be free … Live this free life
by loving and helping others, Galations 5:13 New Life Version
#Freedom #RenewedInChrist #LoveOthers
Deeper
Nothing But The Truth
A
S
fter addressing
the absence
of a Young
Adults ministry
at Carindale
Corps in 2012,
Lincoln Proellocks,
Carindale Corps
Youth Pastor,
established a blog
called Deeper at
the end of last year
as an extension of
their Deeper Young Adults church service held once every six weeks.
“The blog was started last year as a chance to continue on the
conversation from our Young Adults church, where people can ask or
respond to questions that they may have thought about afterwards,”
explains Lincoln.
“But it’s also a place where people can write about what they
have been thinking or been challenged about recently.”
While the blog will often link up with topics that are discussed at
their Young Adults church service, the blog is still relevant for young
adults who don’t attend Carindale Corps.
Using a number of writers from Carindale’s young adults, the
blog addresses a variety of topics including acting justly, a sense of
belonging and being aware of how your words affect others.
If you’re looking to be inspired, visit deeper-young-adults.
blogspot.com.au
alvationist and blogger extraordinaire, Amy Hefferan from
Centenary Corps in the South Queensland Division has a way with
words.
Blogging on and off for a few years, Amy’s blog Nothing But The
Truth is filled with honest reflections about her life.
Amy has an ability to connect with her audience and knows how
to draw them in with an anecdote. However, more importantly, Amy’s
blog entries challenge the reader about their own spiritual walks with
God. In all of her blog entries, Amy uses Bible passages to support her
point of view.
Updating about once a month, Amy’s March entry, “Pied Piper” is
one of her best entries yet. Leading off with an interesting hook, Amy
offers wisdom about leadership from a psychologist, supports it with
a Bible verse, offers her own personal reflections and finishes off with
resource suggestions.
Visually, Nothing
But The Truth is
clean and simple,
making it easy for
readers to navigate.
Amy also adds a
personal touch to
her blog by posting
photos of herself and
her life.
To check out
Amy’s blog visit
amyhefferan.com
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
19
Women In Ministry
Women In Ministry
Women share blessings and challenges at rally
Serving the Cowra community
ACT & South NSW Division
Act & South NSW Division
W
omen from around the division recently gathered in Wagga Wagga
and Canberra for “coffee, cake and celebration” – a special time of
worshipping God and sharing how God has blessed them through their
ministry to women.
Different ladies spoke about the various ways they have been able to
connect with women in both their corps and local communities.
“We were all encouraged as we heard how women are stepping up and
taking on leadership roles that they never thought they were able to do,”
said Captain Darlene Murray, Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary.
“In stepping out of their comfort zones, God is using them to bless
others while also blessing them.”
Lieutenant Bindy Lupis, Wagga Wagga Corps Officer, wrote and
performed a drama for the celebration there. Major Sue Hale, Chaplain,
Mountain View Aged Care Services, performed this same drama in
Canberra.
Guest speaker Lieutenant-Colonel Pamela Hodge (ret.), shared
with the women from her time of overseas service and the work that is
happening through The Salvation Army International Development office.
“This challenged the women about the abundant opportunities that
they have to support this work and change the lives of those who are not as
privileged as we are,” said Captain Darlene.
“These were two great mornings full of reminders of how blessed we are
by our Heavenly Father, and challenges of how we can share his love to our
neighbours both near and far.”
“W
e’re here to share in the tragedies and struggles that go
unheard of in Cowra, backed by a team of dedicated
volunteers and churchgoers,” said Captain Louise Beamish, the new
corps officer in Cowra, who was recently interviewed by local media.
“I’ve always seen the Salvation Army as a church for the whole
community,” she explained.
“We would like to continue to build relationships within the
community.
“The Salvos focus on ‘heart to God and hand to man’, and that’s what
we’d like to continue to practice – to be there to help people in need.”
The next chapter
Captain Louise and Brother Sean Beamish are warmly
welcomed to Cowra. Photo courtesy the Cowra Guardian
Women from around the division celebrate at the rally in Canberra.
After a four-year break from officer duties, Captain Louise, who has
been a part of The Salvation Army all her life, has moved to Cowra from
Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
As well as serving as the corps officer, Captain Louise is also chaplain
at Cowra’s Returned and Services League Club.
Her husband, Sean, has recently retired from the construction
industry. Sean overcame an addiction through The Salvation Army’s
Bridge program and became a volunteer and a soldier seven years ago.
“I decided to give something back to God and The Salvation Army,
and put on a uniform,” he said. “I’m a walking testimony of what The
Salvation Army can do.”
Captain Louise and Sean plan to connect with locals at Cowra events
and be an integral part of the community.
“The scriptures say that we are to love our neighbour as ourselves –
this is what we want to practice within the community of Cowra,”
she said.
Rally puts spotlight on joy
Greater West Division
L
adies from all over the division, including Lithgow, Bathurst, Forbes/
Parkes, Upper Blue Mountains and Rosedurnate recently travelled to
join the women from Orange for the Refresh women’s rally.
Captain Rebecca Inglis, Divisional Youth & Candidates Secretary, was
guest speaker for the rally. Kym Briggs, Divisional Women’s Ministries
Coordinator, interviewed Captain Rebecca who, in January, with her
husband Captain Phil, took 11 young people to the Philippines on a
mission trip to serve primarily at The Salvation Army’s Joyville Children’s
Home.
Captain Rebecca shared their experiences there, with a focus on
the pure and contagious joy of the children in the home, despite their
Celebrations focus
on grace and mercy
challenging circumstances, and the lessons the mission team learned from
that joy.
Joy was also the theme of Captain Rebecca’s message.
“As Jesus’ disciples, we need to be full of joy that overflows to those
around us,” she said. “God loves us and when we really get that, we will
experience joy. If we’re struggling with not experiencing joy, we can receive
the gift of joy by remaining in God’s love. It’s a choice to accept the joy of
the Lord every day!
Cadets Helen and Brad Whittle challenged the ladies with a drama
presentation, and Captain Helen led worship for the rally.
An offering and market stalls raised money for the Territorial Women’s
Ministries Project – renovating and equipping childcare centres in Port
Moresby and Kainantu, Papua New Guinea.
Territorial Women’s Ministries Project 2013
Papua New Guinea
To renovate and equip Salvation Army child care centres in
Port Moresby & Kainantu.
Provide the following:
▶
▶
▶
▶
▶
▶
▶
▶
Renovate buildings
Fencing & play area
Play equipment
Furniture
Books/resources for learning
Mattresses and pillows
Kitchen and toilets
Toys
Newcastle & Central NSW Division
W
alk Worthy was the theme for two divisional women’s celebrations,
held recently at the Newcastle Worship & Community Centre.
Over 200 women from corps and centres around the division attended the
events.
Guest speaker Major Sue Cox, who with her husband Major Garry are
corps officers for the Campbelltown Corps in the Greater West Division,
spoke on King David and the grace and mercy God showed him, even as
a flawed human being. Women were encouraged to accept God’s grace in
their walk as worthy women of God.
The offerings raised $770 each for the Territorial Women’s Ministries
Project – childcare centres in Papua New Guinea – and the Divisional
Project – Recovery Bibles for women at Dooralong Transformation Centre.
“The women of the division enjoyed the opportunity to gather together
from far and wide, to worship and fellowship together,” said Captain
Jennifer Stringer, Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary.
Target: $110,000
The Salvation Army
Australia Eastern Territory
Cadets Helen and Brad Whittle present a challenging drama.
20
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
Captain Rebecca teaches during the Refresh rally in Orange.
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
21
Women In Ministry
Women In Ministry
Women’s Ministries leaders 2013
T
he women of the Australia Eastern Division would like to extend
a warm welcome to Colonel Janet Munn, who began her new
appointment as Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries in April.
Colonel Janet’s husband, Colonel Richard Munn, is Chief Secretary.
A warm welcome home to Lieutenant-Colonel Simone Robertson,
who has been appointed to the new role of Family Resource Officer in
the Women’s Ministries department. Her husband, Lieutenant-Colonel
Laurie Robertson, is Secretary for Program.
Colonel Janet Munn – Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries
Colonel Janet Munn, former Secretary for Spiritual Life
Development for The Salvation Army and Associate
Principal of the International College for Officers and
Centre for Spiritual Life Development, is now serving
in the Australia Eastern Territory. Colonel Janet
spoke recently to Women in Touch about her new
appointment:
WIT: You are known in Australia from Captivated 2011, and for your
work in spiritual life development and creative worship. How are you
planning to incorporate your passions in these areas, and other creative
fields, into your ministry here?
Developing the inner life and worshipping our creator creatively, are
intrinsic to my understanding of being a follower of Jesus Christ and as
such will always be part of my life and ministry regardless of location or
appointment. As to specifics in this territory, I’m waiting to sense the
Lord’s direction in this new season of life for me. I am confident he will
give vision and direction. Even though I’m not the best learner, he is
simply the best teacher.
WIT: What will be the areas of focus in your new appointment?
Jesus’ own mission statement from Isaiah 61:1-3 is also my mission and
focus – by the Holy Spirit’s anointing to bring good news to the poor, to
comfort the broken-hearted, to proclaim release for captives, freedom for
prisoners, to give beauty for ashes and joy instead of mourning (New Living
Translation).
What a mission focus Jesus has given to us all!
I am also eager to work in team ministry with Commissioners Jan and
James Condon and others, as together we follow Jesus.
WIT: Besides snakes, spiders and sharks (just kidding!), what are some
of the challenges you think might be ahead for you in Australia?
I love swimming and I LOVE the ocean! But I’ve never tried snorkelling,
surfing or such – perhaps because I’ve always been swimming in the North
Atlantic! Those would be some challenges to enjoy facing.
More seriously, both my young adult children live in New York
City and my extended family – young and old – live in that vicinity as
well. I am trusting the Lord to provide for all their needs and ours, by
supernatural provision – including his divine care for my dearest ones
when we are living so far from each other. Nonetheless, it is a challenge to
remain in a place of faith and trust while feeling the heartache of absence
from family. I would be deeply grateful for your prayer support for my
family in these things.
WIT: As the new TSWM, what message would you like to give to the
women of this territory?
I believe that in these latter days, the Spirit of God is being poured out
upon the women of the world – as most of those on planet Earth who
are poor, broken-hearted, prisoners and mourners, are female. The Lord
promises to be close to such (Psalm 34:18) and his anointing is for them
very specifically – not only to be healed, set free and comforted, but also to
be raised up to then declare this glorious Gospel!
I believe Psalm 68:11 prophesies the days in which we are now living
and is a word for the women of the Australia Eastern Territory:
The Lord gives instructions.The women who announce the good news are
a large army.
(God’s Word ® Translation)
May we see and be a great Army of women, full of the Spirit of God,
redeemed and restored, moving through the world with this lifetransforming Gospel of Jesus Christ.
22
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
Lieutenant-Colonel Simone Robertson
D
o you ever feel as though your heart is in two places at once? I
do! I was born in England and migrated to Australia with my
parents when I was eight. I am a naturalised Australian citizen
and consider myself to be thoroughly Australian.
However, for the past three years I have been living in London and had
the privilege of visiting the house, school, village and area where I spent my
first eight years. I have had amazing experiences, seen beautiful places and
made some very special friends.
So now my heart is also there.
I have a son and daughter-in-law who live in Melbourne and a
daughter, son-in-law and two precious grandchildren in Brisbane. So my
heart is in those places too.
For the past 15 months I have been the editor of Revive, The Salvation
Army’s international magazine for women (produced by International
Headquarters) and I have loved it. Berni, the designer of Revive gave me a
mug that says “Home is where the heart is”.
With all the additional places I now call home I think my heart has
had to grow as all of them are significant for me.
I have now been appointed to my home territory as the Family
Resource Officer which is part of the Women’s Ministries Department and
is closely linked with the Program Department at Territorial Headquarters
where the giving and sharing of ideas for linking families into the life of the
Church is one of the main aims.
I see my appointment as being an opportunity to fulfil three particular
objectives:
Inform – to be a conduit in receiving and giving information to help
women in our territory to minister to other women so they can help each
other and their families to grow in their Christian journey.
Inspire – to be a person who motivates and encourages others in their
ministry, inspiring them to reach their God given potential.
Invest – to give all I can to others in as many ways as I see God leading me.
I am a relational person and so love building friendships with women
as this is one way for us all to grow spiritually.
I am passionate about people coming into a life changing relationship
with God and growing through this.
There are exciting days ahead and I look forward to seeing God at work
in every part of the journey.
Lieutenant-Colonel Simone Robertson has recently arrived home in
Australia from London, and is looking forward to seeing God at work
in her new appointment.
South QLD welcomes Commissioner Jan Condon
South Queensland Division
O
ver 350 women from around the division attended
coffee mornings recently in the Toowoomba, Gympie
and Centenary Corps, joined by staff and residents from the
Moonyah and Fairhaven Recovery Services Centres.
Commissioner Jan Condon, Territorial Director of
Women’s Ministries, spoke at all three events on the
abundance of God and the blessings we receive from him.
Commissioner Jan also spoke about the Women’s
Ministries Territorial Project for 2013 – the renovation of two
pre-school centres in Papua New Guinea.
“A resource session was also part of the day, where
women shared ideas and experiences to help increase the
effectiveness of women’s ministries groups,” said Major Julie
Campbell, Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries.
Anita Moore, Mission Leader at Coomera Mission Centre,
spoke about how she is building relationships with families in
her local area through Mainly Music, picnics, Messy Church
and special nights just for mums.
Megan Halliday, Children’s Ministries Coordinator at
Carindale Corps, shared how the corps is connecting with
families who attend Mainly Music.
Karen Sagala, Senior Mission Leader at Forest Lake
Community Church spoke about a new group that has
recently started at a local school, providing lunch for parents
to give them an opportunity to improve communication with
teachers.
WOMEN IN TOUCH JUNE 2013
23
"I tell you the truth,
if you had faith
even as small as a
mustard seed, you
could say to this
mountain, ‘Move
from here to there,’
and it would move.
Nothing would be
impossible."
Matthew 17:20
New Living Translation
Photo: Shairon Paterson