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:

susan.petterson@aue.salvationarmy.

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.

mailto:susan.petterson@aue.salvationarmy.orgmailto:susan.petterson@aue.salvationarmy.org

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: carol@hunterprayerconnection.org.au

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:carol@hunterprayerconnection.org.au

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 enquiries@boothcollege.edu.au Visit our website for more detailed information about the courses.

mailto:enquiries@boothcollege.edu.auhttp://boothcollege.edu.au/courses/sfcs/winter-school-intensives-2014-bmin-bth/