Divisional Newsletter - 1212 DecemberDecember 20122012

Dear friends,

We take this opportunity to thank you for all the extra time and effort you and your people are giving to MAJORS NORM AND ISABEL BECKETT share the true meaning of Christmas. As you proclaim Training Principal and Education Officer, the Christmas message through music, carols and and Latvia Territory preaching, and share the joy of giving hampers, toys WOODPORT RETIREMENT VILLAGE, NSW and meals, we pray that you will take time to sit in Alison Scott, Captain Jo-Anne Chant, Major wonder at the indescribable love of Christ our Christine Mayes and team Saviour. BURWOOD CORPS, NSW Captain Rhombus Ning and Lieutenants We share with you the words of the following song Marcus and Ji-Sook Wunderlich used at Fairhaven Carols last Sunday night. CAMPBELLTOWN CORPS, NSW When Christ was born the angel voices thundered Majors Garry and Susanne Cox

Glory to God and peace to men on earth NAMBUCCA RIVER CORPS, NSW And shepherds in the fields looked on and wondered Captains John and Nicole Viles

The marvel of the Saviour’s lowly birth. OASIS YOUTH CENTRE WYONG, NSW

When men of wisdom saw a star before them They knew the sign foretold the Saviours birth DECEMBER From lands afar they came in awe to wonder 14 End Queensland School term That God Himself should come to men on earth. 16 Divisional Candidates Farewell 21 End NSW School term

25 Christmas Day That God should come to men, born in a manger 26 Boxing Day I can but ponder such humility JANUARY That He now reigns in glory and in splendour 1 New Years Day I can but wonder of His love for me. 10 Field Change 16 Divisional Picnic

23 New SQLD Officer Orientation Day Chorus 26 Australia Day Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee 28 Australia Day holiday How great Thou art, how great Thou art

(copyright – David Woodbury – 1989 – Verses) Tune: How Great Thou Art

God bless you, DHQ will be closed from close of business Mark & Julie 21 December, Divisional Leaders re-opening on 2 January 2013. General

GENERAL John Gowans was promoted to Glory from a nursing home in South London on 8 December 2012, at the age of 78, after a long period of declining health.

General John Gowans, ’s international leader from 1999 to 2002, will be remembered for the unique, colourful and larger- than-life personality that he was. ‘When God made John Gowans he threw away the mould,’ writes General (Ret.) in his foreword to General Gowans’ autobiography. ‘Into the gift-mix of this original he poured the potential of an unconventional thinker, an arresting speaker and a charismatic leader. He added the dynamism of a man of action and the creativity of a poet, the ruggedness of an Elijah and the spiritual sensitivity of a John the Beloved. And he topped it all with a large dollop of humanity!’ from Paris, and they married in 1957. John and These qualities marked his term of office as Gisèle became parents of two sons, John-Marc General. He was passionate about the Army’s and Christophe, and there are now four fundamental mission, memorably defining it as grandchildren. ‘saving souls, growing saints and serving suffering humanity.’ He boldly reformed the conditions of John and Gisèle Gowans served as corps officers in service for officers, in the process surveying every the then British Territory for 16 years, held officer in the world. He markedly widened the administrative appointments in their home territory advisory circle to the General by creating the and also in the USA Western Territory, and were General’s Consultative Council. He unfailingly divisional leaders in both of these territories. They challenged his hearers around the world through served for eleven years in France, in time messages that were vivid, pointed and prophetic. becoming the territorial leaders. This was followed No one present at the International Millennial by territorial leadership of the Australia Eastern and Congress 2000 held in Atlanta, USA, will ever forget United Kingdom territories. the impact of his inspired preaching on that occasion. The funeral and thanksgiving service for the life and ministry of General John Gowans will be held A priceless legacy General John Gowans leaves us in the assembly hall of the College, are the more than 200 songs he wrote, many of Denmark Hill, London on Friday 14 December at them originating in the ten musicals he co- 12.30 pm. authored with General John Larsson. These songs continue to speak to hearts and minds wherever The committal service will follow at Hither Green they are sung around the Army world. His ministry Crematorium at 2.30 pm. will also live on through the three books of prayer poems he wrote under the title O Lord, which so Both services will be led by General John Larsson clearly reveal his gifts of insight, warmth and (Retired) with General Linda Bond participating. humour. In retirement, General Gowans reached and influenced thousands by authoring Words of We thank God for giving the Army the gift of John Life for several years. Gowans. Our thoughts and prayers are now with Gisèle and the other members of the family. John Gowans was born in Blantyre, Scotland on 13 November 1934, of officer parents. He entered the Commissioner Barry C. Swanson International Training College, London, in 1954 as a Chief of the Staff cadet of the ‘Soul Winners’ session. There he met Cadet Gisèle Bonhotal, who had entered training

PROMOTED TO GLORY RETIREMENT

Robyn Morrison (nee Flatt), sister of Major Judy Majors Allan and Chris Daly will be retiring from Hutley, was promoted to Glory on 7 December, at active service on 31 December 2012. Their service the age of 62 years, after a four year battle with will be recognised and certificates presented at cancer. The celebration for the life of Robyn will Maitland Corps on 13 January 2013, in the be held at 11.00 am on 13 December at the 10.30 am meeting. We are grateful for their chapel of Gregson and Weight Funeral Directors, dedicated and faithful work and Christian witness 34 National Park Road, Nambour. Prayer support as Salvation Army Officers, and most recently in for the family would be appreciated. the South Queensland Division.

BABY NEWS PRAYER SUPPORT

Les and Noelene Barrass (Chaplaincy Services Major David Hodges will shortly be seeing the ACT & South NSW Division) are grandparents cardiac thoracic surgeon in preparation for open again. James Henry Charlesworth Curry was born heart surgery prior to Christmas. Your prayers on at 8.55 pm on 6 December to their daughter behalf of David and Coral would be appreciated. Sarah and son-in-law Joshua, and is a younger brother to Edward and Catherine. Major Col Robinson (Port Stephens Corps) would value continued prayer support for his health situation. Col is still waiting on doctor's results and PROMOTIONS will be facing major surgery in March next year.

The following Officers are due for promotion to the rank of Major at the dates indicated. We CONGRATULATIONS congratulate them on this milestone and thank them for their commitment and dedicated Congratulations to Major Sue Davies who has service. graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling) degree, and to Major Noela Gail White 7 December, 2012 Fanshawe who has graduated with a Master of Peter White 7 December, 2012 Counselling Degree. Both received a Dean's Wendy-Sue Swann 7 December, 2012 Commendation at Christian Heritage College at Debbie Friend 14 January, 2013 the ceremony last Friday, 7 December. Val Prigg 9 February, 2013 David Prigg 9 February, 2013 We know the Lord will use their knowledge, Heo, Seong-Eun 20 February, 2013 learning and skills in their ministry and in their Lee, Han-Sang 20 February, 2013 personal journey with God.

SALVATIONIST SUPPLIES will be closed on the following days over the Christmas & New Year period.

Thursday 13 December Friday 21 December, 3.00 pm to Tuesday 1 January inclusive. Re-opening on Wednesday 2 January at 9.00 am

Apologies for any inconvenience caused. We have a lot to celebrate in the South Queensland Division and this coming Sunday evening is an occasion worth celebrating. We would like to give our eight candidates a good ‘send off’, so they know they go to College and into full time ministry with the support, encouragement and prayers from their home Division. Please join in the celebration at Carindale, 6.00 pm as we farewell:

Belinda Cassie (North Brisbane) Kaylene and Chris Ford (Calamvale) Kara and Stewart Hartley (Stafford) Nichole and Chris Maxwell (BCT) Nicole Park (Carindale)