Newcastle & Central NSW Division
Now to the God who can do so many awe-inspiring
things, immeasurable things, things greater than we
ever could ask or imagine through the power at work in
us. Ephesians 3:20 (The Voice)
Greater Things!
DHQ Newsletter: Issue 13 30 April 2014
GREATER CHANGE!
Is a seed dead or alive?
Believe it or not, there are a few
different thoughts on this. These
thoughts are:
1: There is no cellular activity,
therefore the seed is dead.
2: Certain enzymes are still
present, therefore the seed is alive.
3: The seed is neither dead nor
alive; it is literally lying in a
dormant state.
The one thing that everyone agrees
on is that unless a seed is in the right
conditions then it will never really
come alive.
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he
is a new creation. The old has
passed away; behold, the new has
come.
Paul acknowledges that Christ has
changed his people’s lives, and he’s
not talking super spiritually either.
He is referring to a new way of life
that is obtained through Christ which
includes discarding their old worldly
ways.
Just as a seed needs the right
conditions; soil, water and sunlight
etc, we also need the right conditions
to grow. Firstly we need to be
planted in Christ, we need to be
watered everyday by reading the
word and praying, we need to be
weeded by removing the things in
our lives that strangle us, and at
times we will be pruned by testing
times where we only have Christ to
turn to.
Once a seed
bursts to life as
a seedling it
doesn’t mean
there will be
no challenges.
Lack of water,
weeds and bugs are all potential
hazards for growth. As Christians it
is our challenge not only to position
ourselves in a place to grow, but also
be an example and help others along
their growth journey.
2 Corinthians 5:20
We are therefore Christ’s
ambassadors, as though God were
making his appeal through us. We
implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be
reconciled to God.
As a follow on from the great news
of the resurrection, may you have a
burning desire to see those whom lay
dormant in the world come to life
through Jesus Christ!
Lucas Cairns
Inside this issue:
Message 1
_________________________
News 2
_________________________
More News 3
_________________________
Personnel 4
_________________________
Prayer Page 5
_________________________
Events 6
Page 2
MAITLAND CITY CORPS
Easter at Maitland
began on the
Thursday evening
with a Passover
Dinner focussing
on Jesus as the
Paschal Lamb.
The Good Friday service was a sort
of 'Stations of the Cross', crossed
with a song and reading service. The
readings were presented as dramatic
readings whilst symbols representing
each part of the story were brought
forth: a garden representing
Gethsemane; a throne, scroll and
basin representing the arrest and
trial; a cross and crown of thorns.
Jesus was represented by a white
cloth which was moved between
symbols.
The congregation were offered the
opportunity to take a wooden cross
and write a word on it that indicated
something they had received from
the cross, for example acceptance,
forgiveness, freedom.
Sunday's sunrise service at 6.00am
was a quietly joyous occasion, which
was heightened during the morning
service as we thought about how the
resurrection releases us from the
burden of sin.
- Major Ian Channell
PORT STEPHENS
We had a blessed Easter at Port
Stephens.
Major Pauline Mackintosh was our
guest for Good Friday, speaking of
guilt-free living through Jesus’
sacrifice.
Our annual sunrise service and
breakfast at Boat Harbour was
majestic, a real highlight for us. The
cross with the backdrop of the beach
and sunrise was a powerful sight and
declaration of the wonderful news
that He is alive, and risen from the
dead. We were able to relax with
local residents and church family
over a fish breakfast on the beach.
Our 10am meeting was a great time
of celebration and response to Jesus
as our personal Saviour.
- Envoys Howard & Sandra Koutnik
BONNELLS BAY CORPS Our Easter was pretty special!
We had some special guests for the
weekend, Majors Chris and Stuart
Reid. They were the corps officers at
Bonnells Bay for 10 years in the
1990s and this was the first time they
had been invited back.
On the Thursday night we gathered
together for dinner and to reflect on
Jesus’ washing of the disciple’s feet.
We were encouraged to ponder on
what it would look like for us today
to wash someone's feet - what is the
modern day equivalent of that?
There was some lively discussion on
this from those that regularly attend
the corps and also from the visitors
who came just for Thursday night.
On Good Friday we looked at the
gift of the Kingdom of God and
being obedient to God's purposes.
The prayer stations made available
were particularly helpful for many.
On Sunday morning we started
bright and early with a sunrise
service at 6am. Although it means
getting up early it is for many the
highlight of the Easter weekend. The
sun rose through a gap in the clouds
part way through the service taking
our breath away.
Then later on Sunday morning we
gathered in an over full hall to
Celebrations
Page 3
celebrate Jesus' resurrection and to
think about how Jesus brought a new
created order. The highlight for the
children and some older people in
our congregation that morning was
an Easter Egg Eating Competition -
Under 10’s versus Over 70’s. The
Over 70’s won!
There is certainly a buzz in the air at
Bonnells Bay. The Holy Spirit
continues to draw people in and
helps them to find Jesus.
We are rejoicing with a family who
have connected with us through
Emergency Relief and have been
receiving some case management
through our volunteer Doorways
worker. They have begun to attend
church and will be beginning a
budgeting course this week called
CAP money. God is so good!
- Captain Laura Gittins
CESSNOCK CORPS On a cold and drizzly Anzac Day, 63
brave souls ventured out in the dark
to the storm ravaged dawn service at
Millfield (a tiny rural town outside
Cessnock). The Salvation Army in
Cessnock conducted the ceremony
and supported the short march from
Millfield Anglican Church to
Millfield Public School.
Cessnock Salvation Army then led
the Community Groups at the
traditional Anzac Day March
through the City of Cessnock. The
march was well attended by the
citizenry of Cessnock even though
attendance was down from past years
because of the inclement weather.
RETIRED OFFICERS’ MEETING Just a reminder that next Monday 5th
May is our next get-together on the
Central Coast.
For those travelling by train from
Newcastle the following may be
helpful:
From Hamilton Station:
Train leaving at: 8.36am
Arrives at Woy Woy: 10.11am
Train leaving at: 9.26am
Arrives at Woy Woy: 10.44am.
When you arrive at Woy Woy head
past the shops about 5 minutes’ walk
to the park on the river and ‘Fish and
Chips’ Shop.
We are anticipating that a few of our
friends from the Sydney Fellowship
will be joining us.
If you are coming by car you might
bring a couple of chairs with you.
You might like to bring your own
morning tea or there are coffee shops
available.
Looking forward to catching up!
Merv Rowland
OFFICER’S FELLOWSHIP
Monday 16th – Thursday 19th June 2014 It is assumed all officers will be
attending Officer’s Fellowship,
where you will have time to relax
and enjoy some physical and
spiritual refreshment.
Your response to:
org
in regard to special dietary needs and
child minding would be appreciated
no later than Monday 12th
May
2014. Please note only pre-school
children may be brought to
fellowship and child minding will be
provided, as needed, during the
sessions.
Please also note that each Corps /
Centre contributes a levy towards the
cost of this Fellowship. Should
circumstances prevent your
attendance; costs will still be drawn
from your appointment.
If for any reason you are unable to
attend you are asked to advise Major
Gavin Watts.
Page 4
‘Annual Lord Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast’
When: Thursday 20th June
Time: Please arrive by 6.45am for a
7am start - the breakfast will
conclude at 8.50am.
Location: Starlight Room – Western
Suburbs Leagues Club, 88 Hobart
Rd, New Lambton 2305.
Tickets: $50 per head.
See website for further information.
PERSONNEL REPORT HEALTH UPDATE
Lt-Colonel Philip Cairns (Learning
& Development, Office of The Chief
Secretary) is responding well to
treatment and is now in St Vincent’s
Rehabilitation Hospital. Thank you
to all those friends who are praying
for him – your prayers are greatly
appreciated by Phil, Jan and the
family.
Prayer is requested for Colin
Cowling who has been in ICU in
Nepean Hospital since Sunday 13th
April. Colin is suffering from
Guillain-Barre Syndrome and is
currently paralysed from the neck
down and breathing with the aid of a
ventilator. Please pray for God’s
peace, strength and wisdom for
Colin’s wife Carolyn, Jason and
Karen Cowling (Personnel
Administration), Colin’s son and
daughter-in-law and the other
members of their family. Colin is
also a cousin of Major Alison
Cowling (Canada & Bermuda
Territory).
BABY NEWS
On Wednesday evening, 23rd
April
2014, Nathan Ellicott and his wife
Julie welcomed their third baby, a
little girl Charlee who weighed 7lb
11ozs or 3487 grams. Majors Bruce
and Helen Ellicott (Caboolture
Corps), the proud grandparents, are
more than a little excited and thrilled
for them all. We congratulate them
all and thank God for his goodness in the safe arrival of his beautiful gift
of a precious life.
Correction:
PROMOTED TO GLORY
Lieutenant Lisa Collings (Levin
Corps, New Zealand), the niece of
Majors David and Joan Tong, was
Promoted to Glory following a
protracted illness with cancer. Lisa
leaves her husband Chris and three
young children. Lisa and Chris were the corps officers at Levin Corps just north of Wellington. Our
love and prayers are with Chris and
his three young children, David and
Joan and their family and we pray
that they will know God’s love and
comfort and the strength of His
embrace during these days.
OFFICER’S
KIDS
BIRTHDAYS
May Jasiah Everitt 8
th (1)
Sebastian Clutterbuck13th
(17)
Erin Pethybridge 14th
(3)
Luka-Angel Cairns 18th
(11)
Levi Ross 20th
(5)
Maddy Allen 20th
(17)
Bethany Gittins 21st (7)
Julian Clutterbuck 23rd
(1)
Shannon Prigg 26th
(15)
Josh Gittins 30th
(13)
DATES TO REMEMBER
May
2-4 Divisional Men Officer’s
Retreat - Collaroy
3 Hunter Walk for Freedom
fundraising for Salvos
Safe House @ Speers
Point Park – register 11am
9 Central Coast RSA
Launch
16 Newcastle RSA Launch
17 Div. Pulse Youth Church
24/25 Red Shield Appeal
Doorknock
29 Historical Society Public
Meeting – Sydney
31 Emergency Services
Training – Tuggerah.
Page 5
PRAYER
PARTNER DIARY
May 4 - 10, 2014
“In a world of prayer, we are all
equal in the sense that each of us
is a unique person, with a
unique perspective on the world,
a member of a class of one.”
W.H. Auden
- Glen Haven - Sally-Anne Clark,
Major Nancy McLaren and Team
- Glenn Innes Corps – George
Dobbie
- God’s Sports Arena, Qld – Bill
Hunter
- Gold Coast Recovery Services
Centre (Fairhaven) Qld – Majors
Robin and David Pullen, Envoys
Leanne and Richard Hardaker and
Team
- Gold Coast Temple Corps – Majors
Andrew and Heather McKeown
- Gosford Corps – Captains Adam
and Megan Couchman
- Goulburn Corps – Majors Kaye and
Peter Townsend
++++++
‘Going Deeper With God’ Prayer Seminar
Aimed at Pastors, Christian
Leaders and Prayer Warriors!
Guest Speaker, Brian Pickering’s
insights and sound biblical principles
are both refreshing and empowering!
Brian is the Coordinator of the
Australian Prayer Network.
Friday 16th
May, 7pm Session 1 - How prayer works
Session 2 - Intercession - a lifestyle
that changes your world
Saturday 17th
May, 9am - 4.30pm Session 3 - Understanding the
spiritual DNA of your community
Session 4 - Spiritual Authority, the
key to spiritual breakthrough
Session 5 - Principles of small group
leadership and participation
Session 6 - How to hear God’s voice,
and a practical prayer experience.
Venue: New Vine Baptist Church –
340 Maryland Dr, Maryland 2287.
Cost: FREE
A love offering will also be
received to bless the work of Brian
and the APN.
Morning & Afternoon Tea is
provided. BYO Lunch or there are
shops nearby. RSVP by 12 May: [email protected]
Psalm 46:10 (NASB)
“Cease striving and know
that I am God; I will be
exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the
earth.”
mailto:[email protected]
Page 6
Booth College runs a series of Intensive courses during our Winter School period in June and July at our Bexley North Campus. These courses run from 9am – 5pm (Monday – Friday). Who can attend? Anyone! You can choose to study for credit towards a Diploma, Bachelor or Post Graduate degree or you can study just for personal interest (with no assessment tasks or essays).
I don’t live in Sydney? We do have some accommodation options available to those who live outside of Sydney. Contact us to find out more.
I have more questions? Call us on 02 9502 0432 or email [email protected] Visit our website for more detailed information about the courses.
mailto:[email protected]://boothcollege.edu.au/courses/sfcs/winter-school-intensives-2014-bmin-bth/