Families connecting with rally cry through mealtime conversation cards

Mealtime Conversation Cards are a novel way for families to participate in the rally cry campaign.

BY LAUREN MARTIN

Salvationists are enthusiastically digging into new resources designed to help people live out the Australia Territory’s rally cry – Jesus-centred, Spirit-led and Hope Revealed.

The Mission Support Department released the resource pack in early July, which included a sermon series and other materials for faith communities, as well as small group Bible study materials and social media tiles.

This week, separate youth and adult devotional podcasts were added to the suite of resources.

Mission Resource Manager Claire Hill said many parts of The Salvation Army – from children and youth representatives to aged care chaplains – contributed to creating the materials.

“Cheryl Kinder from the Aged Care chaplaincy mission space spoke to us about how valuable it is in an aged care setting to be able to play audio for residents to listen to because they are not always up to reading as some have poor eyesight.”

There are 21 episodes in each podcast series, with Youth and Young Adults Secretaries Lincoln Proellocks and Claire Castley presenting the youth devotionals and Secretary for Spiritual Life Development, Auxiliary-Lieutenant Rosy Keane presenting the adults’ devotions. Each of them shares personal experiences about following Jesus, being spirit-filled and how hope makes such a difference in their lives and those around them.

Claire said the response to the new resources has been encouraging. “Lots of views and downloads on [the mySalvos toolkit] and a number of people writing to us saying, ‘Thank you so much, resources like this are really helpful.’”

A number of corps have already started running the series, which includes sermons, interactive congregational activities and small group studies. 

An example of one of the conversation cards.

One novel resource that Salvationists love is the family mealtime conversation cards centred around each aspect of the rally cry: Jesus-centred, Spirit-led and hope-revealed. They can be printed out and are a “fun way for young families to connect with each other and with the ideas we are exploring,” said Claire.

Many cards would also be suitable for use in the various Community Tables that Salvos facilitate in cafes, Salvos Stores and other locations across Australia. Let’s bring Jesus, Spirit and Hope to the nation!

To download the resources or listen to the podcasts, click here: Jesus-centred Toolkit