Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
OBJECTION TO THE PENDING CLOSURE OF MONTPELIER CITADEL CORP,
DURBAN, MID KWAZULU-NATAL DIVISION
On Sunday, 26/04/2015, at a meeting chaired by Divisional Commander Major Mhlongo, Montpelier Corps was informed that they would be closed and sold. They would then merge with Durban Central as all members, available resources and funds would be transferred to Durban Central.
We very strongly object to the closure of Montpelier Corps.
Even though their Commanding Officers were taken from them at the end of last year, they are being lead successfully by their CSM Paul Kidgell and our CCS Susan Kidgell. They are truly children of God, being lead by the Spirit of God, and therefore doing an excellent job at keeping the Corp going.
Unfortunately Major Mhlongo, failed to give the members an opportunity to speak out after informing of the pending closure. It was only when Commissioner Roy Olckers stood up to comment on this, that they were given an opportunity to voice their opinions.
When the current premises that Montpelier resides on was bought 36 years ago, it was not bought through any funding from the Army. The people of Montpelier raised the money and bought the current premises so therefore the people of Montpelier should be included in the discussion and decision making related to the property.
Currently the following indispensable activities take place at Montpelier on a weekly and monthly basis.
· Monday to Sunday people who come to their gates looking for food are fed.
· Thursday morning – main soup kitchen
· Sunday Morning Meetings (weekly);
· Sunday School (weekly);
· Bible Study at Thembela Eventide Home (on a Tuesday);
· Home Lleague Fellowship (on a Thursday);
· Collection and distribution of Food Parcels from Woolworths (on a Thursday);
· Informal Traders meeting group (weekly on a Friday);
· A Prayer Breakfast (on the 1st Saturday of the month);
· A Men's Fellowship (on the 3rd Sunday of the month);
· A Ladies Fellowship (on the 3rd Sunday of the month);
· Cameo Club (Over 60s) (on the 2nd Thursday of the month);
· Community Care Group (volunteers who regularly assist in the Community)
Montpelier has been through a number of Officers, Local Officers, Senior Soldiers, Junior Soldiers and Adherents. All of them have fond memories of their time spent at Montpelier. What most remember of their time spent at Montpelier is that Gods love and Holy Spirit resides within the hearts of all its people. Every person that enters this Corps, is seen as a soul for Christ. God is their number one priority.
PLEASE GET THE INFORMATION OUT - Montpelier Corps needs your help.
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Updates
May 12, 2015
The lack of transparency regarding the future of our premises remains a point of deep concern for everyone involved. I am currently gathering documents related to the original purchase of this building to ensure our history is properly represented in future discussions. This process has reminded me that our strength lies in the continuity of our local community.
May 12, 2015
The groundswell of support for Montpelier Corps has reached a level that speaks volumes about the value of this community. This momentum confirms that our insistence on being heard is both necessary and justified. We are considering how to best present these signatures to the leadership to ensure they honor the history of this place.
24 Comments
Montpelier Corps always made visitors feel so welcome. A few years ago our band and songsters from Pretoria took a road trip for a weekend and had such a Blessed time while sharing God's word in music and song. We still talk about it. Take a moment and read all the good work they still doing while sharing God's word and Love. WHY is MONEY More Important to THQ South Africtha than all the good Montpellier Corps is doing. Doesn't the ground work William Booth started mean anything to the top brass at Headquarters. PLEASE DON'T SELL AND CLOSE MONTPELIER!!
This is our home Corps. So much being done for the Corps folk and community. Thembela Old Age Home is across the road ...within walking distance....where will they go now. Petrol is too expensive to drive them down to Durban Central. Do NOT close or sell OUR Corps OUR Spiritual Home
Totally against the closure of this centre. Those who followed Boundless 2015, will tell you that our Army in South Africa lacks creativity and not is not working. Why selling Montpelier? There are so many things that can be done to attract more soldiers to come to Christ, using Montpelier than to sell it. I SAY NO TO THE SELLING OF MONTPELIER!
12 May 2015 Office of the Chief Secretary Southern Africa Territory Dear Salvationists and Friends of the Army I have been made aware of information circulating via social media regarding the closure of Montpelier Corps. The facts of the matter is that in 2011, a recommendation was made following a Divisional Review that attempts should be made to consolidate the Army's ministry in the Durban Area (among others). It was recommended that a task team be established to investigate all possibilities of how better the Army can fulfil it's mission in the area with the available resources at our disposal. The matter again picked up momentum recently with a view of deciding on a way forward. There are many factors to be considered. At this stage, the matter has not even been discussed at THQ, let alone a decision made for closure of the Montpelier Corps. There is a documented closure procedure for programmes, should the recommendation come to THQ for closure of any Corps. Please pray that God will give all stakeholders the wisdom to make the right decisions so that 'Mission' wins at the end of the day. God bless you all! Keith Conrad Lt. Colonel Chief Secretary
Hi Graham - speak to the corps folk yourself - they are devastated. Was announced at a meeting after Sunday morning worship. No consultation. Up to 70 in a meeting on Sunday - that puts a lot of our smaller corps at risk! Pretoria Corps is getting about 100 to a meeting - are we at risk as well?
Why close a place if God is present there people are doing what they. Have to to please God and that is what is important.Please don't close another place of God there are a lot of people whom depend on that place B
Why close a place if God is present there people are doing what they. Have to to please God and that is what is important.Please don't close another place of God there are a lot of people whom depend on that place B
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
OBJECTION TO THE PENDING CLOSURE OF MONTPELIER CITADEL CORP,
DURBAN, MID KWAZULU-NATAL DIVISION
On Sunday, 26/04/2015, at a meeting chaired by Divisional Commander Major Mhlongo, Montpelier Corps was informed that they would be closed and sold. They would then merge with Durban Central as all members, available resources and funds would be transferred to Durban Central.
We very strongly object to the closure of Montpelier Corps.
Even though their Commanding Officers were taken from them at the end of last year, they are being lead successfully by their CSM Paul Kidgell and our CCS Susan Kidgell. They are truly children of God, being lead by the Spirit of God, and therefore doing an excellent job at keeping the Corp going.
Unfortunately Major Mhlongo, failed to give the members an opportunity to speak out after informing of the pending closure. It was only when Commissioner Roy Olckers stood up to comment on this, that they were given an opportunity to voice their opinions.
When the current premises that Montpelier resides on was bought 36 years ago, it was not bought through any funding from the Army. The people of Montpelier raised the money and bought the current premises so therefore the people of Montpelier should be included in the discussion and decision making related to the property.
Currently the following indispensable activities take place at Montpelier on a weekly and monthly basis.
· Monday to Sunday people who come to their gates looking for food are fed.
· Thursday morning – main soup kitchen
· Sunday Morning Meetings (weekly);
· Sunday School (weekly);
· Bible Study at Thembela Eventide Home (on a Tuesday);
· Home Lleague Fellowship (on a Thursday);
· Collection and distribution of Food Parcels from Woolworths (on a Thursday);
· Informal Traders meeting group (weekly on a Friday);
· A Prayer Breakfast (on the 1st Saturday of the month);
· A Men's Fellowship (on the 3rd Sunday of the month);
· A Ladies Fellowship (on the 3rd Sunday of the month);
· Cameo Club (Over 60s) (on the 2nd Thursday of the month);
· Community Care Group (volunteers who regularly assist in the Community)
Montpelier has been through a number of Officers, Local Officers, Senior Soldiers, Junior Soldiers and Adherents. All of them have fond memories of their time spent at Montpelier. What most remember of their time spent at Montpelier is that Gods love and Holy Spirit resides within the hearts of all its people. Every person that enters this Corps, is seen as a soul for Christ. God is their number one priority.
PLEASE GET THE INFORMATION OUT - Montpelier Corps needs your help.
Updates
May 12, 2015
The lack of transparency regarding the future of our premises remains a point of deep concern for everyone involved. I am currently gathering documents related to the original purchase of this building to ensure our history is properly represented in future discussions. This process has reminded me that our strength lies in the continuity of our local community.
May 12, 2015
The groundswell of support for Montpelier Corps has reached a level that speaks volumes about the value of this community. This momentum confirms that our insistence on being heard is both necessary and justified. We are considering how to best present these signatures to the leadership to ensure they honor the history of this place.
24 Comments
I am puzzled by this. Why would the DC wish to close corps in his division? What is the motivation behind the seemingly hasty and non-consultative decision to close this corps? The concept of selling might be the motivation. Is the corps a drain on divisional funds or has it being paying its way. A corps with 70 attendees on a Sunday and no officers' salaries should really be contributing to its savings in a big way ... paying for maintenance and improvements of both fixed and moveable assets. There seems to be plenty of ministry going on at the corps.
Montpelier Corps always made visitors feel so welcome. A few years ago our band and songsters from Pretoria took a road trip for a weekend and had such a Blessed time while sharing God's word in music and song. We still talk about it. Take a moment and read all the good work they still doing while sharing God's word and Love. WHY is MONEY More Important to THQ South Africtha than all the good Montpellier Corps is doing. Doesn't the ground work William Booth started mean anything to the top brass at Headquarters. PLEASE DON'T SELL AND CLOSE MONTPELIER!!
This is our home Corps. So much being done for the Corps folk and community. Thembela Old Age Home is across the road ...within walking distance....where will they go now. Petrol is too expensive to drive them down to Durban Central. Do NOT close or sell OUR Corps OUR Spiritual Home
Totally against the closure of this centre. Those who followed Boundless 2015, will tell you that our Army in South Africa lacks creativity and not is not working. Why selling Montpelier? There are so many things that can be done to attract more soldiers to come to Christ, using Montpelier than to sell it. I SAY NO TO THE SELLING OF MONTPELIER!
12 May 2015 Office of the Chief Secretary Southern Africa Territory Dear Salvationists and Friends of the Army I have been made aware of information circulating via social media regarding the closure of Montpelier Corps. The facts of the matter is that in 2011, a recommendation was made following a Divisional Review that attempts should be made to consolidate the Army's ministry in the Durban Area (among others). It was recommended that a task team be established to investigate all possibilities of how better the Army can fulfil it's mission in the area with the available resources at our disposal. The matter again picked up momentum recently with a view of deciding on a way forward. There are many factors to be considered. At this stage, the matter has not even been discussed at THQ, let alone a decision made for closure of the Montpelier Corps. There is a documented closure procedure for programmes, should the recommendation come to THQ for closure of any Corps. Please pray that God will give all stakeholders the wisdom to make the right decisions so that 'Mission' wins at the end of the day. God bless you all! Keith Conrad Lt. Colonel Chief Secretary
Hi Graham - speak to the corps folk yourself - they are devastated. Was announced at a meeting after Sunday morning worship. No consultation. Up to 70 in a meeting on Sunday - that puts a lot of our smaller corps at risk! Pretoria Corps is getting about 100 to a meeting - are we at risk as well?
Why close a place if God is present there people are doing what they. Have to to please God and that is what is important.Please don't close another place of God there are a lot of people whom depend on that place B
Why close a place if God is present there people are doing what they. Have to to please God and that is what is important.Please don't close another place of God there are a lot of people whom depend on that place B
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I am puzzled by this. Why would the DC wish to close corps in his division? What is the motivation behind the seemingly hasty and non-consultative decision to close this corps? The concept of selling might be the motivation. Is the corps a drain on divisional funds or has it being paying its way. A corps with 70 attendees on a Sunday and no officers' salaries should really be contributing to its savings in a big way ... paying for maintenance and improvements of both fixed and moveable assets. There seems to be plenty of ministry going on at the corps.