2019: Time for reconciliation
Hi everyone,
Thank you to those who volunteered, participated or contributed during the Red Shield Appeal. The many hours of preparation, steps walked, money collected and stories shared, will help our many mission expressions to bring hope where it's needed most.
Blackburn, Redfern and Glen Waverley THQs were abuzz with everything red, including scarves, socks, ties, and food, at a morning tea to raise awareness and funds. It was also a joy to share the experience with both Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd as well as our incoming Territorial Leaders, Commissioners Janine and Robert Donaldson, who were in Australia as part of a two week orientation, which included spending time in both Melbourne and Sydney. The Donaldsons were warmly received and enjoyed hearing more about our journey, as they prepare to move to Australia in a few weeks’ time.
The time for Commissioners Floyd and Tracey to return to Canada is fast approaching, and we want to acknowledge and express our appreciation for their visionary and courageous leadership. If you are in Melbourne, please join us at Melbourne 614, 69 Bourke Street Melbourne on Sunday 16 June from 3-5pm. Light refreshments will be served and Salvos Big Band, Luke Inglis, Waverley Timbrels and a Just Brass Ensemble will provide music between 3:00-4:00pm.
Our national commitment to reconciliation
In May, we celebrated National Reconciliation Week, and Julie and I, along with Commissioners Floyd and Tracey and Divisional Leaders, prepared daily prayers. They’re available on the MySalvos Toolkit and I invite you to use them and reflect on their messages of hope, understanding and harmony.
Reconciliation starts with acknowledging the painful history with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and a commitment to equality and equity. As a Christian movement, we take seriously the ‘God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.’ (2 Corinthians 5:18) Our approach to reconciliation also includes a strategic initiative to actively journey and partner in respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-indigenous peoples for our mutual flourishing. We’ve established an Advisory Council, who will provide independent advice to the Executive Mission Council and a dedicated ministry team whose role is to help us to better engage and build stronger relationships with indigenous communities.
I’m very proud of our many and very active mission expressions that are already serving communities throughout Australia. This year, we’re also embarking on our first national Reconciliation Action Plan, known as a RAP, which will provide a national framework on how the Army will contribute to reconciliation. It’s a fantastic example of the impact that we can have as a single and united territory to transform Australia, one life at a time, with the love of Jesus.
Next month, from 7-14 July 2019, we’ll celebrate NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week and I would like to encourage you to start thinking about ways to initiate local celebrations. ‘10 Ideas to Celebrate NAIDOC Week’ is a great starting point and can be downloaded from the MySalvos Toolkit.
Continuing to embed Local Mission Delivery
Delivering holistic mission is a key part of our national strategy and a fundamental change to the way that we now operate as the Australia Territory. All mission expressions are developing Local Mission Plans and are now collaborating to provide a holistic and integrated approach to see transformation in their communities – and Australia. Everyone has a role to play and doing well depends on everyone understanding the key roles, including accountability for operational and missional outcomes.
The Mission Support team has developed some fantastic resources to explain Local Mission Delivery, including this new short video that discusses the new ways of working that bring the model to life. I’d encourage everyone, especially Corps Officers and other mission expression leaders to show it to corps or teams and then discuss ways to work alongside others in your area. We want every Salvo to understand and participate in this new way of achieving our mission.
Although Local Mission Delivery is a new way of working, there are many examples of where it’s already happening. I was moved by Monica’s story (not her real name) who lost her teaching job after developing a medical condition that caused her eyesight to deteriorate. She struggled to support herself on Newstart Allowance and became homeless in 6 months. Fortunately she was then housed at Still Waters Women’s Crisis Accommodation Service in Queensland and her life began to be transformed. Six months later she was offered permanent public housing which meant that Vision Australia was able to provide vision aids and Salvos Stores furnished her home; Still Waters continued to offer her support as she transitioned into her new community. She is also now connected and supported by the Gold Coast Temple Corps. Monica says, “I am very grateful for all the fantastic help, encouragement and guidance that you all have given me… Thank you God for all the blessings in my life.”
Renew Culture Conversations
As everyone would already know, across the movement we are undertaking a series of facilitated Culture Conversations to help us all understand the values and behaviors that reflect The Salvation Army.
It’s making a difference for many teams and in particular, Graeme White, National Director of Employment Plus, one of our mission enterprises that had experienced a degree of change and uncertainty. They’re half-way through running the first conversation with all staff in their 93 sites. “EPlus has needed this for some time and the team is hungry for the change to a positive culture. During the sessions, people are fully engaged in the discussion and appreciate how a positive culture will affect staff health and well-being, as well as organisational performance,” he said.
Julie, an EPlus participant said, “Having been with EPlus since 2016, I found the session flowed with the spiritual overtones that I always imagined and prayed for, to be embraced in our organisation. The structure of the vision, mission and values exemplify the love of Jesus, and a reality of choices we make moving forward as staff.”
Materials for the first two conversations, including slides and videos to support the conversations, is available on the former AUE’s intranet at https://intranet.salvos.net Please register for an account if you have not accessed this previously.
National Budgets
June heralds the end of our financial year and we’re currently working on the final touches for next financial year’s national budget. Our focus has been driven by ways to leverage a single movement, reduce duplication and streamline systems so we can redirect resources to the frontline to achieve our mission in a greater way. Although we won’t be able to realise all of the benefits in our first year, we are making some good progress. I acknowledge that there are still frustrations as the budgets are finalised and systems reviewed and replaced. We are grateful for your perseverance, patience and commitment.
Pentecost
Finally this past weekend we've just celebrated Pentecost, when Jesus’ disciples were empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue the mission of Jesus. Acts 2:42 -47 reminds us of how the world was transformed by the disciples’ courage and determination to share the love of Jesus.
They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the Apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily, those who were being saved.
I pray the power of God will help us to continue to live, love and fight together to transform Australia one life at a time with the love of Jesus.
As always, I welcome any feedback or queries you may have. Please feel free to send me an email at AskTheChief@aus.salvationarmy.org
God bless you.
Mark
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