On June 13, shortly after her time with us in St. Louis, General Linda Bond, following a period of personal reflection and prayer, decided that she should relinquish the Office of the General. The office of General is the most senior in The Salvation Army, and it oversees the global work of the Army.

To replace the General, a High Council has been called. A record 118 members from Salvation Army posts around the world will convene in the United Kingdom on July 29th, 2013 to elect the 20th General in the history of The Salvation Army. This will be the largest High Council in history.

You can follow the process at the High Council’s website, re-tweet @highcouncil2013, or like and share with Facebook.

On the one hand, it’s exciting to think about the fun that summer camp offers like bunk beds in a cabin, indoor swimming pool, and outdoor adventures. On the other, it’s terrifying to think of being away from the comfort of home for so long.

Two days ago Lt. Sharyn and a Salvation Army church member witnessed these conflicting emotions when they took a group of children down to Hidden Falls Camp. As the children congregated at the Salvation Army’s Community Center you could feel the electric excitement in the air, including one girl with perfectly combed hair. Once all the children arrived at the Bloomington Corps, they loaded their luggage in the van and noisily headed to Lawrence County.

After a 40 minute van ride and arriving at Hidden Falls the children rushed out of the van into the sunshine. But the girl with the pretty hair was no longer excited. She timidly turned to Lt. Sharyn as asked if she could go home.

Of course, this has happened to all of us. But by the time the van turned around to return to Bloomington, the girl with the pretty hair had run off with new friends to explore the opportunities the rolling hills of Camp Hidden Falls had to offer.

The Salvation Army’s Hidden Falls camp began Monday and weekly sessions run through July.

What?! You haven’t registered yet? It’s not too late for youth camps or family camp! Call us today to learn more about the spacious cabins, indoor swimming pool, and canoe and spelunking trips for teens!

This photo and others of similar deliciousness are the rights of Square Donuts, Inc and may be found at http://www.squaredonuts.com/Photo-Gallery.html

Since among the first donuts were fried in a soldier’s helmet in 1917, so much has changed!

What’s new

The first change that has happened is social media. Have you been following #NationalDonutDay on Twitter? It’s pretty sweet! Or have you noticed how many Salvation Army Corps around the country are promoting their Donut Days on Facebook? We think you should just share ours because it’s the only one on the B-Line!

The other thing that changed is that today we have Donut Companies! Whether it’s Square Donuts in Bloomington or Entermann’s Bakery in other areas, PHEW! is it a blessing to not have to fry 30 dozen donuts in our canteens!

But wait…Tradition is important

Do not fret; we still hold fast to tradition. This Saturday you’ll still have donuts (albeit square) and coffee. There will also be a brass band. And remember that in Bloomington, Donut Day is not a fundraiser. We are giving from the heart, because we are so thankful for everything the citizens of Monroe County have done for those who rely on The Salvation Army.

Are you gonna be there? Be kind and share.

Donut Day 2013

May 08th

8-11am

Corner of 6th and the B-Line

By 1917 ensigns Helen Purviance and Margaret Sheldon had been appointed to the First Division, at Montiers-sur-Saulx. After 36 days of steady rain, with a blanket of depression hanging over the whole area, they agreed that “we ought to be able to give them some real home cooking, “but supplies had run out and were difficult to buy locally. The only things they could purchase were flour, sugar, lard, baking powder, cinnamon, and canned milk. “What about pancakes?” “No good cold, or without syrup.” “Doughnuts?”

These two women made the first donuts and distributed them to the men. They with the other volutneers were known as “lassies” and were respected for trudging through the sticky mud to the chow line to get in line with their “boys.”

The memory of the Lassie’s selfless love compels the Bloomington Corps to host Doughnut Day in order to thank all those who give of their time to The Salvation Army today. You can find out more about the local event by clicking here, or read Thursday’s post for even more.

Donut Day 2013

May 08th

8-11

Corner of 6th and the B-Line

Some rights reserved by net_efekt on flickr

Underemployent feels horrible.

You still have the pay the bills, support your family and keep your head up high, but you can’t find meaningful employment that compensates you at the level you have earned. Debts start rising, relationships become strained and it feels like you’re drowning.

That’s when a Pathway to Hope is needed and The Salvation Army is here to help. We don’t solve problems, but we help find and use the tools necessary to reach sufficiency.

Pathway to Hope is designed to be a high-impact approach to assistance by focusing on finding the root causes keeping families from self-sufficiency. The program will target households who are working at least part-time or going to class, have at least one child under the age of 18, and willing to work hard to give your children a better chance. The program began  in Monroe County, Indiana June 01, 2013, but was piloted in Green Bay, WI and found success in Kansas City, MO.

Families accepted into the program will work with Monica Clemons who has over 20 years in the fields of social service administration and financial assistance. They will develop a team of support based on their goals and address specific barriers to increased stability.

In 2012, The Salvation Army in Bloomington assisted 4, 771 households with food and paid $26,000 towards helping Monroe County households with utility bills. We want to reduce these numbers by moving people from reliance on an agency toward self-sufficiency.

Sounds like a good idea, huh? It’s just one more way for you to get involved in the fight against poverty! So please contact The Salvation Army in Monroe County and ask how you can get involved.

In the meantime, share with us: How do you think The Salvation Army’s Pathway to Hope program will benefit folks in Monroe County?

Bloomington Corps News

Below is a listing of events for June 2013 at The Salvation Army in Bloomington. Click on any of the links or call us at (812) 336-4310.

You can also find an interactive calendar here, which will let you know times, locations and more details.

• Sundays Sunday School and Holiness Meeting
• Tuesdays Adult Bible Study (3pm)
• Open Gym (7-9pm)

• 01st Pathway of Hope officially begins
• 01st First of the Month Thrift Store Sale (10-6)
• 02nd Church and Coffee 11am
• 02nd Lunch Pitchin 12:30pm
• 02nd Corps Council 1:30pm
• 07th-09th Family Congress and Commissioning in St. Louis
• 08th Donut Day on the B-Line
• 09th Church and Coffee 11am
• 11th Extreme Camp Session 1 (ages 12-17)
• 11th Mini Mites Camp (ages 6-8)
• 12th Advisory Board Meets
• 15th Women’s Circle
• 16th Church and Coffee 11am
• 17th Music Conservatory (by Invitation Only)
• 17th Extreme Camp Session 2 (ages 12-17)
• 17th Service Extension Youth Camp (ages 9-12)
• 22nd Indiana Music Institute (ages 9-17)
• 22nd Bob Childers Annual Golf Outing 8 am
• 23rd Church and Coffee 11am
• 30th Church and Coffee 11am

Some rights reserved by SodanieChea on Flickr

When you donate food in Monroe County it makes a difference.

Imagine if the Hoosier Hills Food Bank and agencies like The Salvation Army didn’t exist. Consider the households earning insufficient income, such as those experiencing an unexpected disability or those trying to live off Social Security income. Now, their dollar needs to be stretched at the grocery store where a $100 grocery outing could mean missing other payments later in the month.

Food pantries like The Salvation Army, give these households financial breathing room. With food and toiletries from our pantry, they can use their funds to pay rent, utilities and medical costs. They have the dignity to live in their homes and feed their families quality, substantive food.

The Salvation Army of Monroe County’s food mostly comes from the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. Our Social Service department staff and volunteers visit once a week and brings food back to our pantry. It makes a huge difference.

The Hoosier Hills Food Bank and The Salvation Army have been partnering since the 1980′s, putting donated food into the homes that need it the most.

So whether you’ve donated to the Food Bank or The Salvation Army, when’s the last time you donated food to the hungry?

Meet Tiffany Macon. She has been promoted into a brand new position to ensure that when you stop by The Salvation Army to donate clothes, furniture, books and more you’ll always be met by a friendly staff member or volunteer who can help you unload your vehicle in a timely manner. Tiffany will additionally transform our pick-up service into a more efficient process. She also ensures that you are buying quality items in our Thrift Store. Tiffany is the front line, ensuring The Salvation Army adheres to recalls and federal regulations on selling safe infant items.

Tiffany will be at The Salvation Army’s Thrift Store Monday-Friday 10am-6pm and two Saturdays a month.

Donations may be made to The Salvation Army’s Thrift Store Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm. Click here for a list of items accepted by The Salvation Army. We politely ask that you make donations only during these hours, so that we can properly utilize your donation in our store. Proceeds from sales help support local employment like Tiffany, and it helps put food in our pantry and provide scholarships for children in our Child Development Center.

All these changes are because we heard from customers how The Salvation Army can improve! What suggestions do you have for changes at The Salvation Army’s Thrift Store in Bloomington?

The study is taught by Lt. Sharyn Tennyson whose experience in and out of ministry makes her an ideal teacher, whose dry wit makes every class fun and surprising. She hosts class every Tuesday afternoon at 3pm at The Salvation Army in Bloomington.

Lt. Sharyn uses the Inductive Bible Study method which is designed for men and women of all ages and is widely used throughout the United States. It uses group discussion to match Biblical text with personal observation.

We invite you to come to The Salvation Army this Tuesday at 3. If you can’t make it, let us know that you’re interested and we’ll work with your busy schedule.