Just what is integrated mission?

Today was another of our 'Salvos in the 'ville' lunches!  Thirteen different people from five different 'branches' of the Salvos gathered for lunch in the dining room of our local pub ;).  People came from Employment Plus, EastCare, Bushfire Recovery, Care 'n' Wear Shop, and the Corps.  And there were a few apologies too - so we really are gathering a crowd out here!

With so much talk of 'integrated mission', and recently Healesville was noted as an 'integrated' site, I have to ask, just what is integrated mission?  How does it look?

Now, I don't have the answers for this at all.  In fact, I'd argue that we don't really have an integrated site here in Healesville - rather we have several different programs that run independently without any real strategic thoughts of how we can support each other or 'integrate'.  There's limited talk of working together, each offering our own strengths.  There was an opportunity, but that didn't eventuate, and it's a whole different story!

Integration (as defined by trusty dictionary.com) is 'an act or instance of combining into an integral whole'.

Today was a time for all of us to gather as 'one'.  We all get phonecalls for each other's sites (don't even start me on why we can't get phone systems that allow us to connect calls easily!).  As far as the public are concerned, we all work for the one organisation!  Sometimes we are way too quick to distinguish our 'separatness', rather than our unity. 

Co-location isn't integration either, its just a smart way to use resources.

Can you imagine a day where no matter where our desk was located, we saw each other as all being colleagues, where we supported each other as one team - having a greater understanding of what each other actually does!  Imagine an unemployed person recording some music one afternoon, then helping serve a community lunch the next week, and provided a suit from the shop for a job interview! 

What would it be like if we pooled our intellectual property?  Working in such different fields gives the whole team quite a wide breadth of understanding of the local community.

Is integration about talking to each other more?  Meeting formally together to achieve a common goal?

Is integration about focusing on an individual (or group of individuals) and working together to support the whole person - not just one component of their life?

Just thinking aloud here really.

So what was the end result of today?  Well, we had a nice lunch together, some of the new staff got to meet others who work in the same town.  In fact - some staff got to talk to fellow Salvo workers who share the same building but have never spoken to each other!  Was it integration - well, no, it was lunch!  But it did foster relationships, and from these relationships we are continuing dialogue about working together on a few projects.  I guess we are on the pathway to integration...

Initiative

"The frontiers of the Kingdom of God were never advanced by men and women of caution." (J Oswald Sanders, p. 128, Spiritual Leadership)
 
Love it!

Two and a half years in...almost!

Two and a half years ago seems like only yesterday. It been (almost) that long since I started here at Healesville Salvos. This week has been ‘manic’, as soon as I finish one phone call, the phone rings again! It’s an exciting place to be!


This morning we fed over 90 students and staff breakfast at Healesville High School. It’s been two years since we started this project at the school.

While breakfast was occurring this morning, another agency was using our halls to run a ‘girls with attitude’ group. This afternoon the Youth & Music Project has live thrash metal playing the main hall, and the small meeting room is being used for hip hop on the Mac! I can hear the drums and guitars as I write this!

Tomorrow it’s mainly music time. We’ve been privileged to be able to employ a worker to help coordinate our early childhood ministries. We now connect with families whose only contact with the church is through us. I chuckle, because instead of the hall only being used for church on Sunday’s, we have to ‘negotiate’ between ours and external groups! I guess it’s a good problem to have.

I’m sitting in the house next door, which is now our office. We have four offices now, all at least twice as large as the old office in the hall. We have another agency co-locating with us, and the opportunities for partnerships are stronger than ever.

We’ve had different primary school groups come up to do community service for us – after we provide them with lunch of course! On Friday I’m sharing at the high school with a year ten class. Later in the term the year nine’s will visit the Salvos at 69 Bourke Street, another new initiative that commenced two years ago. Last year I got to travel around (and around, and around) Tasmania with year ten’s.

On Saturday will be our sixth or seventh women’s breakfast (I’ve lost count!). We’ve run four children’s school holiday programs. I remember setting a goal to meet 113 people in the community, and to have 113 people ‘connected’ to Healesville Salvos. Remember, it was 113 because the sign on the wall says ‘max number of people 112’ – I wanted to do better! Well, there would be more than 113 people ‘connected’ to us in some way, either through mainly music, school holiday programs, high school activities, women’s breakfasts, shop volunteers...the list goes on!

Not everything has worked. Fresh Friday Munch has been in ‘recess’ for over fifteen months now. The UFO craft morning crashed into a planet out there somewhere I think!

The last two and a half years have been an amazing journey. Naturally the events of February 2009 have shaped the community and the Corps in a way that will never be forgotten. The last twelve months have seen some of the biggest changes here, with the purchase of the property next to our hall. I’ll be the first to say things haven’t always gone smoothly! However, I am reminded today to stop and reflect, giving thanks to God for what He has done, and what He is yet to do!

God isn’t finished with Healesville yet! In the coming months there are further school holiday programs, formal recognition of the Wurundjeri at our facilities (the flags in our hall were a first step) and cultural awareness training for all our volunteers, the Youth & Music Project hope to have a youth space operating weekly (our pool table and table tennis table have been earmarked for use again!), a sole-parent families camp in partnership with other agencies and churches, a children’s clothing parade, Christmas Day Community Lunch (anyone want to volunteer?), and many more ideas running through my and the team’s heads.

In everything, may God be glorified – may we be a community of faith, hope and love, living for God’s Kingdom here on earth – in HEALESVILLE!!!

Primary school gets back to nature

Chum Creek Primary School is now expanding garden beds and constructing a memorial to friends and family lost in the February fires, thanks to the generosity of fellow Victorian school students and community groups.

Students from 20 schools located across suburban Melbourne participated in the 2009 Canstruction Melbourne event. Although the event’s focus was on science and maths education, part of the day also included a component to raise money for bushfire-affected families and communities. Students selected the Chum Creek Primary School community garden project as the recipient of a $6000 grant.

The gathering, facilitated with the assistance of Planet Give and The Salvation Army, gave students a voice to decide where they thought the money raised would be of most benefit. When students decided on a garden in a bushfire-affected area, where people could relax with nature and friends, was the best use of funds, Salvation Army Envoy Graeme Mawson, based at Healesville, knew just the school to put forward.

The Salvation Army’s Bushfire Relief Fund and Planet Give’s online community of donors also contributed to the final donation.

Michael Corr, Chum Creek Primary School principal, and students received the donation on behalf of the school, saying it would be of great assistance for the school’s vegie gardens. An automatic watering system, to help sustain the garden over school holidays, is at the top of the list for the grant money. A community memorial garden for friends and family members who perished will also be constructed at the school.

Taken from: The Salvation Army Victorian Bushfire Recovery

Healesville circa 1930

Check out this photo of Healesville from around 1930.  You can see the Salvos' hall on the far right hand side, half-way down.

Kidzone school holiday program

During the second week of the school holidays, twenty-four children participated in Healesville's Kidzone School Holiday Program. Over the three mornings the children explored how to be a good neighbour, learning from Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan. Some of the activities included painting tiles portraying the story of the Good Samaritan, which will become a permanent fixture of the Healesville Labyrinth to be constructed next year. On the final day the children learnt how to throw a boomerang, throw a spear using a woomera, and enjoyed listening to one of the locals play a didgeridoo!

The leaders came from Ringwood Youth Ministries, and the afternoons were spent in leadership development activities, including personality profiling with Captain David Collinson, and some great ice chocolates!

The likes and challenges of living in the Yarra Valley

Today I listened to a group of young people share about their likes of living in the Yarra Valley, and the challenges of living in the Yarra Valley. I thought I'd share them here for you, to help others get a picture of real life here.

Likes:

• Peaceful
• Not overcrowded - room to move around
• Privacy
• Less traffic
• Nice views
• Get to know everyone (which can be a challenge too!)
• Less busy

Challenges:

• Offensive graffiti (example of graffiti on livestock bridge over Warburton Highway that reads "scum lives here")
• Limited public transport - hourly services: if you miss a bus you have to wait for 1 hour
• Cost of public transport - paying the extra country fare
• Lack of jobs (having to travel to Chirnside for work isn't great - especially if you miss the bus!)
• Lack of entertainment.  There is little to do, so young people turn to drugs.  The local cinemas aren't great, and the movies are shown at least one month after their main release
• No clothing shops
• No local petrol stations

I am sure these are just the tip of the iceberg.  Life here is great, and challenging all at the same time.

Run road to recovery...news from Healesville!

The following story appeared in the Mountain Views Mail on Tuesday 21 July, page 7. The story is by Monique Ebrington.

HEALESVILLE resident Riley Kennedy proved himself to be leaps and bounds ahead of the competition at the recent Eastern Zone Cross Country Championships recently.

The Healesville High School Year 8 student won the 800 metre and 400 metre events and broke the current record for the 1500 metre race, earning him a place in the state finals this Friday 24 July.

Despite his outstanding effort Riley had no formal athletics training before his Zone efforts.

His mother Leanne Kennedy said the 14-year-old’s only training as been running around Healesville almost every day and some novel running sessions on a recent family vacation.

“We were on holidays in outback New South Wales, after his run at Zones, and we would drop him off on a dirt track and get him to run back to the accommodation,” Mrs Kennedy said.

While there’s still a running debate over whether he got his speed from his mother, a keen runner in her early twenties, or paternal grandfather, who trained and ran with John Landy and Ron Clarke, Riley says all he knows is that he loves the feeling when he runs.

“I like the feeling you get when you’re running,” Riley said.

“I feel like I can do anything.”

Preparing to compete at a state level won’t be the only hurdle Riley has faced in his young life.

In June 2005 Riley made front page in the Mountain Views Mail when he was involved in an accident as he rode his bike home from school.

Despite the accident his mum couldn’t keep him off his bike, the footy field, the tennis court and the mix of different sports he played over the years.

Riley can also be thankful for his new sneakers and skins that were donated by the Salvation Army.

Healesville High School Sports Co-ordinator Chris Dell noticed Riley’s holey running shoes after his Zone race and contacted the organisation.

Riley’s mother Leanne is also a local performer and was going to cancel recording her next album to pay for the shoes, before the donation.

She had been made redundant at her job earlier in the year due to the recent bushfires.

Riley said he felt like he was already running quicker in his new sneakers.

“I felt really happy when I got my new sneakers,” he said.

“When I found out someone had given us money for them I wanted to meet them and say, thanks very much you’re going to help me out heaps. Sport is my life.”

Healesville High School Principal George Perini said the whole school community was proud that both Riley and Year 10 student Jamie Curtis made it into the state finals.

“We want to encourage Riley to further his running. We see him as having huge potential,” Mr Perini said. While Riley says he is a bit nervous about Friday’s race, he is looking forward to the tradition of his mum’s pasta the night before and says the support from his family the school and his mates has been great.

Another way that the Salvos and local community are working together!

The 8 people every youth group needs.

I know its been ages since I have posted, and so much has happenned this year!

However I read this tonight, and I so have to laugh! It is very, very true - but I won't say who I think falls into each category!

#564. The 8 people every youth group needs.

Shared via AddThis

Healesville & the Yarra Valley is open for business...!!!

The bushfire crises is afffecting us all in one way or another. It's been a crazy two weeks - with not as much sleep as usual!

Lots of people have been asking, "how can we help". Well, here's the latest info from the Healesville Chamber of Commerce and Industry:

One direct way for you to help with bushfire relief is to come to the Yarra Valley and stay, eat, visit or buy something. You could also advise your friends and clients to come to the Yarra Valley as well.

You could also temporarily consider a Yarra Valley supplier of goods and services for six months.

Stay tuned to Yarravalleynow.com.au to see who is open and when, and come and support us. We don’t want to lose our remaining businesses as well.

So...you've been saying you'll come up for a coffee - now is the time to do it! Help our local businesses recover.

It has affected us as a Corps too - we closed our shop for a week to set up the material aid centre. Thats 1/52 of our income for the year gone. So, come buy up big in our Care 'n' Wear Shop!

Time keeps on rolling on!

You can almost tell what time of the year it is by looking at the grape vines around the Valley. I mean, if you were a viticulturalist then you could I guess…

Anyway, there is a large amount of white netting starting to cover the vines around the 'ville. Why…to protect the grapes from birds – because it's nearly harvest time!

This has got me thinking about my first twelve months here in Healesville. Firstly, I can't believe they have gone by so fast! But also, I feel as if the first twelve months of my time here in Healesville has been about preparing for a harvest.

I have got to know many people in the community, and I have been surprised just how many have had some connection with the Salvos. We have launched many different mission initiatives, including school holiday programs, mainly music, women's breakfasts, Fresh Friday Munch, Christian Education, high school breakfast program, and more!

But then, another concern has really been on my mind. There are so many opportunities in the 'ville, but the problem is that there just aren't enough people to make the most of them!

I am reminded of the words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 9:37, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." Dah, we know that! But Jesus doesn't stop there, there is more!! "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." You see, there is a problem (not enough workers), but Jesus offers a solution (ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers).
This year – 2009 – I believe could be a year of harvesting from the planting for 2008. But workers are needed. Now, I've got a few ideas that I'd like to pursue regarding this, but perhaps there are other options too!
 If you are reading this (and are surprised I have actually posted a new blog entry!!), then I ask you too to pray for workers for the harvest fields of Healesville (not the grape vines, silly…but that could be extra work for you!!). And, if you aren't all ready involved in a faith community, why not consider moving to Healesville and living and working here!!! No, there's no job I can give you (but you could pray about that too!!!), but you can get into Melbourne's CBD in an hour by car!

Anyway, enough rambling for now, it's late, and I need to get some rest before our first Café Church for the year tomorrow. But seriously, please pray for the harvest in the 'ville in 2009!!!

Towing the Line

On Friday I attended 'Towing the Line', an inter/active theatre event exploring mental health and community myths. It was a forum theatre event devised by members of the community living with or caring for someone living with mental health concerns.

It was a very moving and sometimes confronting experience. The stigma associated with mental health issues is still great in the community – including here in Healesville, and even dare I say among Corps members. This event explored a number of scenarios, and the audience was invited to interact with the scenarios, trying to achieve a different, positive intervention.

For example, one scenario involved a call centre worker that was unable to get to work on time because of depression and the effects of her medication. A suggested intervention was the employer allowing the worker to start later in the day, after she had "leveled out" from her medication.

I have much to learn in the area of mental health. It was a great production, and I encourage people to attend any events like this in their local community.

Delegation vs Empowerment

Another blog that caught my attention!

So often we talk about delegation, and also about how to empower people, but then don't know how to empower people! Well, in my blog catch up reading, I cam across this comparison:

I delegate more often then empower, and need to start empowering more.

List from tonymorganlive.com

Catch up

I'm catching up on some blog reading, and thought I'd post a few here that I've found interesting.

First, from tonymorganlive.com
10 Reasons I Don’t Like Most Christians

1. They consistently seem angry and bitter and worried. I thought Christians were supposed to reflect joy and kindness and peace.
2. They don’t dream big dreams. That seems odd given the fact that we’re supposedly worshiping a God who is “able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare ask or hope.”
3. They seem to worship their theology more than Jesus. For whatever reason, this appears to be especially true for folks that come from a reformed theology.
4. They don’t like it when other people or ministries experience success. Think about it. There are Christians who would be overwhelmed with joy if NewSpring experienced fewer salvations, fewer baptisms and our attendance dropped.
5. They use prayer as an excuse for inaction. They’re waiting for God to do his thing, but they aren’t willing to step out in faith and obedience.
6. They’re more concerned with the BMW next door than the lost person who drives it. Christians hate people with money. They’re willing to sacrifice time and money for those without it, but they’re satisfied to let “rich” people go to Hell.
7. They would rather people live life without Jesus than give up their personal preferences. What happens when your preferred teacher doesn’t teach? What happens when your preferred worship leader doesn’t lead? What happens when you don’t like the music?
8. They are fake. They dress up a certain way on Sunday and they live as completely different people the rest of the week.
9. They think they’re better than other people. That’s why they create rules to follow. It helps differentiate why they are holy while others are not.
10. They’re comfortable with mediocrity. Doesn’t matter where. Think Christian music and movies. Think how we invest our time and money. You don’t seriously think God deserves our best do you?

Engaging with the community

I'm a little freaked as I write this update! Today I was asked if I would be the guest speaker at the Grade Six Graduation at Healesville Primary School!

How humbling to be asked to speak on such an important occasion! Need to do some serious thinking about this one.

What would be the message Grade 6's and their families would want to hear?

Update from the ‘ville

Life's been very crazy, but here's a snapshot of a few things I've been up to:

It seems to be a season of finishing. After 6 years, I have completed my Bachelor of Ministry degree at Tabor Victoria. Assuming I pass and my calculations are correct! It will be sad to be finishing Tabor, but you never say that you are not going back! Who knows what the future will bring. I am investigating further study in 2009, but at this stage do not think it will be at Tabor – perhaps in 2010!

We have finished the breakfast program for the year at Healesville High School. This has been an amazing success, with over 50 students, teachers – and the principal! – attending each week. There are plans to come back next year, as well as some additional serving at the high school. More next year when things are finalized! I can announce that a new award will be presented at Healesville High School this year – The Salvation Army Community Service Award. This will be an annual award present to a student/students who have given back to the Healesville community in one way or another. We haven't finalized the name, or what sort of perpetual item we will buy – so any ideas are welcome.

The final Christian Education class for the grade six's was last week, and we used Kidzone to explore the story of Jesus' birth, and to make a reindeer Christmas ornament for our tree! The teachers want me back again next year, but I'm not locking anything in at this stage. There's been some creative suggestions so will have to see how it all fits together. We gave a New Testament biblezine to each of the kids as well – they seemed to like reading them too!!!

Today we had our shop volunteers Christmas lunch. Everyone got a present!!! I got a Christmas tie that lights up and plays music – might have to wear it on Sunday to our next Café Church!

Still a few things to go…mainly music has another few weeks. Lots of Christmas parties to go to! I'm trying to be good…but have only been to one event so far!

I'm enjoying being an uncle, and have had my first stint at babysitting, and learnt how to change nappies and get Zac to sleep. Mum, Zac and dad continue to do well – but naturally wouldn't mind more sleep! A friend took some great photos of Zac – check them out at www.clairbremner.com – go to the blog page and scroll down to Zac. Book Clair for your next family photo shoot!

Anyway, that's enough updating from life in the 'ville for now!

Church marketing

After today and some of the other 'events' we run at Healesville Salvos, I've been doing some thinking about how we present ourselves to the community. Then I read a blog with this video.

This video is definitely worth sitting and watching.



If anyone has some time to chat about effectively 'marketing' church, let me know, I need to discuss!

Christmas has come to Healesville!

The other day Christmas came to Healesville!

Not long now...aaarrrrggghhh, so much to do before Dec 25!

What happens when over 50 women invade Healesville Salvos...?

Pandemonium...that's what happens!!!

Life in the 'ville continues to be full of new things, and this morning we held our first women's breakfast. For a small country church, having over 50 women (double our average Sunday attendance!) attend our first breakfast for the girls has been most exciting!

Our guest speaker this morning was Major Margaret Cochrane, sharing about her work with the Melbourne Children's Court. The morning was a resounding success, with many people who do not attend a church in town coming. I heard the story of one lady who was helped by the Salvos in Darwin during Cyclone Tracey, and then more recently she was helped through Employment Plus. The Salvos played an important part in her life, so she was keen to come to our breakfast! This is just one story from this morning, as we connected with our community.

A few photos from this morning are on the group page on Facebook.

Our high school breakfast program continues to reach over 50 students each week. We only have one left for the year, and plans are underway to continue in the new school year. This initaitive recently featured on the Eastern Victoria Division Community Care DVD.

Please, continue to pray for The Salvation Army Healesville and that the community may be changed by God.

Mirror mirror

Shrek, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were all having lunch together.

Shrek said, 'I have always thought that I'm the strongest man in the world, but how can I be sure?'

Angelina Jolie agreed. 'I'm told I'm the most gorgeous of them all, but sometimes I wonder.'

Brad Pitt said, 'I'm pretty sure I'm the sexiest man alive but I've never had it confirmed.'

They all decided that the best way to find out if their beliefs were true was to ask the famed talking 'mirror, mirror on the wall' to confirm for them whether Shrek was the strongest, Angelina Jolie was the most gorgeous and Brad Pitt was the sexiest.

They agreed to meet again the next day for lunch to discuss their findings.

The next day Shrek walked up with a smile. 'Well, it's true. The mirror told me that I am the strongest man in the world.'

Angelina Jolie perked up and said: 'And I know for sure that I'm the most gorgeous person alive.'

But Brad Pitt lifted his sad, sexy face and said.

'Who the hell is Graeme Mawson???'

(Thanks to Scottie for emailing me this one...of course I had to change that last name...!)