Reaching out at the Royal Easter Show
Major Hwanki Kim, chaplain detention centres and Korean ministry coordinator, also worked as a chaplain at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. (Credit: Photo courtesy Major Hwanki Kim.)
The Salvation Army chaplaincy teams were again out in force for Australia’s largest annual event, the 2014 Sydney Royal Easter Show.
The chaplains were there for the 850,000 members of the public who attended the show over the two weeks. They also provided support for the show’s many volunteers, hospitality workers, security staff, emergency services workers, stall holders, vendors, entertainers, cleaners, administration staff and exhibitors.
Coordinator Major Glenys Page says chaplaincy support or “presence evangelism” has been a focus for The Salvation Army at the show for many years.
The Salvation Army is now also strongly involved in the organisation of the ecumenical Easter Sunday service at the show, now in its 19th year.
The Easter Sunday service is held for stallholders, ride staff and exhibitors, especially the thousands of people from rural areas, who live onsite at the Sydney Olympic Park grounds during show time.
While members from many churches carry out readings and prayers, Major Page says the contribution of Auburn Corps members every year is invaluable.
“The band came from Auburn Salvos, so they come down early on the Easter Sunday and then go back to their corps to do their service. It is a big effort, but they happily, willingly book it in to their calendar every year and it is really awesome,” Major Page says.
The testimony at the service was presented by David Delaney, who worships and volunteers at Auburn Corps. He was born and raised in Sierra Leone until the civil war forced his family to flee as refugees. He talked about his miraculous entry into Australia and the story of his faith walk.
Throughout all days of the show, chaplaincy teams worked on a 9am to 9pm roster.
The Salvation Army chaplains also kept a dedicated phone number for emergency services at the show to call for support if people came to them who were injured or distressed.
“We walk around with a phone, with our ID and wearing our mauve chaplains vest and it is really ‘presence evangelism,” Major Page says.
“We just chat to the people, see how they are going, and let them know we are there for them if they need anything. We visit the ambulance and fire staff and check in with security staff. Prior to the Sunday Easter service, we distribute pamphlets to let people know the service is on.”
Major Page says the response from those at the show is extremely positive towards the chaplains.
“We are bringing church to them where they are, particularly the service on the Sunday – that special holy day,” he says. “It’s important for them to know we’re interested in them and their wellbeing, and that we are simply there for them.
“It’s lovely building up relationships over the time. There is a whole realm of different types of people you begin to build a really good relationship with – and you just never know where that can lead.”
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