“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1

This verse from Ecclesiastes and the passage that follows it fills me with a deep sense of thankfulness. It reminds me that God Himself invented the concept of time. Even more amazingly, He has carefully planned out the seasons of our lives!

In my role, I spend a lot of time talking to our amazing SU QLD supporters. They are inspirational people, many of whom have walked through many seasons of life, and now want to make a lasting difference for future generations through a gift in their will to SU QLD.

I love hearing the stories behind why people want to leave a gift like this, to hear about the journey they’ve been on, and the impact that God has had on their life through the ministry of SU QLD.

To me, these beautiful supporters are the living embodiment of selflessness. They know they have the power to help others beyond the span of their own time here on earth – and so they do.

It reminds me of the heart behind the work of SU QLD.

This movement has a rich history of planting seeds in the lives of children and young people, and watching the buds grow and blossom over the seasons.

It is my prayer that we continue to journey alongside children, young people and their families through our ministry arms well into the future — whether that be chaplaincy, camps, or our dedicated support for at-risk youth.

Whatever the vehicle, will you please join me in praying that we continue to ensure that Jesus is in the driver’s seat? I know you share my heart in this matter.

While we may not know how long we have on this earth, there are things that we can be sure of – that we serve a loving God who cares deeply for us, that He has a special place in his heart for our young people, and together we can work towards a better future for these precious ones.

If you are considering leaving a gift in your will to invest in the lives of future generations, please email bequests@suqld.org.au or get in contact with me on 0427 006 390.

Hidden in the bush between Esk and Somerset Dam stands a little white church. Built in 1905 by the local community, this church was founded with a purpose – it is ‘undenominational’ (sic) and the doors are open to all.

This concept was revolutionary in the early 20th century, however, it perfectly aligns with the heart of our school chaplains.

Since 2004, Caboonbah Undenominational has made a yearly donation to Chaplaincy, a gift that both honours the legacy of the church founders, and blesses the local chaplains – and the children and families they serve.

The great-granddaughter of Church founder Henry Somerset, recalls the stories her mother told her when she was a little girl, “[My great-grandfather] always said that Caboonbah was built on compassion and grace, and I’m really proud to have him as an ancestor.

The church reminds me of the story of the Prodigal Son. Everyone is welcome in God’s house in the same way the doors are open to all at Caboonbah.”

This message has a beautiful link to the work of school chaplains, who are there to listen to and include everyone who crosses their path.

The community of Caboonbah is a close-knit one, with many members having been involved for over 50 years.

One such member says, “The church has a very special feel about it. I think it’s the peaceful surroundings, with the mountains in the distance and the Brisbane river running not far away.”

While the church no longer runs a weekly service, the idyllic venue is often booked for weddings, christenings and funerals, and the annual service which is held in early November.

The simple history of Caboonbah carries a rich encouragement that we can take with us today. What was founded long ago by a group of believers in the bush, is the same message of non-judgmental love and compassion that is carried forth by our school chaplains.

You can support SU QLD’s school chaplaincy ministry, by heading to suqld.org.au/donate.

BY YVETTE ATKINS

It’s often said, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. But it’s only recently that this adage really sunk in for me.

I’d just finished speaking with a very dear supporter whose husband had recently passed away. She’d called to let me know she was leaving a gift in her will to SU QLD.

She wasn’t seeking recognition or wanting anyone to make a fuss over her. In fact, she had no intention of letting me know until she was prompted by something she’d read.

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As a young girl growing up in Wales in the 1940s, SU QLD supporter Billie Patrick, made footprints in the sand at the very same Llandudno beach Scripture Union founder, Josiah Spiers, first crafted his simple, yet inspirational message of God’s love.

It was the same beach Billie’s great grandfather, a contemporary of Josiah Spiers, is believed to have shared God’s love as he preached among the sand dunes.

It’s this same message that Billie has carried in her heart since becoming a Christian in London at 21 years of age in 1957.

“I remember asking my friend June, who’d been praying for me to come to Christ, ‘what do I do now?’ (more…)

A chain is only as strong as its individual links.

For 150 years Scripture Union has been blessed with so many vital links – pioneers, financial supporters, volunteers, prayer partners and more.

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As a young girl growing up in Wales in the 1940s, SU QLD supporter Billie Patrick, made footprints in the sand at the very same Llandudno beach Scripture Union founder, Josiah Spiers, first crafted his simple, yet inspirational message of God’s love.

It was the same beach Billie’s great grandfather, a contemporary of Josiah Spiers, is believed to have shared God’s love as he preached among the sand dunes.

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The Bible tells the story of a ‘vertically-challenged’ chief tax collector named Zacchaeus, who climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus.

Upon seeing Zacchaeus, Jesus calls him by name and asks to visit his home. The encounter prompts the once-reviled man to renounce his worldly wealth and vow to help the poor.

The oft-forgotten, but critical figure in this story is the humble sycamore tree. If someone had not planted that tree in that place years before the events of this story, Zacchaeus may never have pledged to change his life from cheating to charity. (more…)

By Terry Williams, Scripture Union International

He was just a young man telling children about God’s love while on holidays at the beach. She was just a young girl teaching a Sunday School class, when her passion for helping children read the Bible for themselves led her to create the first Bible reading card.

These two young people, Josiah Spiers in 1867 and Annie Marsden in 1879, were formative pioneers in shaping the movement we know today as Scripture Union – a movement that now spans 120 countries worldwide.

In Queensland, it has been friends like you carrying this movement forward.

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A desire to bring God’s love, hope and good news to children and young people led Josiah Spiers to write ‘God is love’ on a Welsh beach 150 years ago.

His simple act drew a small group of children that day, but it also birthed an organisation that now, through your persistent prayers and ongoing financial support, spans more than 130 countries worldwide.

It is that same mission, 150 years later that helped save the life of Caboolture’s Trent Cooper, who is now paying it forward to the next generation…

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by Wendy Ferguson, Relationship Manager – Bequests

Next year, Scripture Union International will celebrate 150 years of service to children and young people. From humble beginnings in England in the 1860’s, SU now operates in approximately 120 countries worldwide.

In 1880, the seeds of Scripture Union in Australia were sown. Generations of people have been part of this story. The thousands of children and young people whose lives have been transformed through camps and beach missions – or who have been positively impacted by the care of a chaplain – are testament to the legacy of that original vision all those years ago.

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