Staff Songsters help Kempsey celebrate 125 years
Kempsey soldier, Vivian Baker, Captain Karen Keddie and Kempsey solider, Betty Bowen celebrate 125 years of ministering to the local Kempsey communit (Credit: Photo courtesy of Captain Karen Keddie).
Kempsey Corps celebrated 125 years of ministering to their community over the weekend of 14–15 June.
“I was so proud to be an officer of The Salvation Army in this community, and to see what they’ve achieved in 125 years,” said Kempsey Corps Officer, Captain Karen Keddie.
“We’re still strongly connected in this community and we’re still seeing lives won for Jesus. It’s a privilege to be an officer and to be part of that.”
The three celebration meetings were jam packed, with about 500 people attending over the weekend. The mixture of Salvos and community members came from Kempsey, Port Macquarie and even Nambucca. A few former Kempsey soldiers also made the trip to be part of the celebration.
A lively Saturday night concert at the local Anglican Church in Kempsey featured the Sydney Staff Songsters with an uplifting rendition of Come Together Now.
Local Kempsey council member, Betty Green, spoke at the concert on The Salvation Army’s history in Kempsey. And Tony, a local fire brigade officer, described his experience of working the Salvo Fire Chaplains who have been serving them for the past 25 years. Vivian Baker, a 40-year corps veteran, spoke about the history of the Kempsey corps community.
The Territorial Commander, Commissioner James Condon, attended the Sunday morning meeting, applauding Kempsey Corps’ rich history and empowering them to look ahead to the future.
That same morning, the corps’ newest solider, Julie Linton, who was enrolled last year, was commissioned by Commissioner Condon as a local ministry worker. A powerpoint presentation of photos dating back to 1901 was also shown at the celebration.
The Sydney Staff Songsters performed again on the Sunday Pleasant afternoon meeting, closing with Till We Meet Again.
Greg, Kempsey Police Aboriginal Liaison Officer spoke about collaborating with Kempsey Salvos. Together, the two teams work to engage with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and bring healing through relationship, sporting programs and provided meals.
“It’s good to celebrate the past and acknowledge it. But for me, it’s more exciting to look at our future and where we are heading,” says Captain Keddie. “There’s a huge future here in Kempsey. That’s the exciting part for me.”
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