The United Charismatic Convention was held in Adelaide from Jan 7-11, 1986. Reinhard Bonnke, Paul Yonggi Cho from South Korea, Winkey Pratney and Barry McGuire were some of the guest speakers. Barry Chant chaired the United Charismatic Conventions in South Australia from 1980 to 1991, a Christian conference that encouraged charismatic renewal in mainline churches.

 

In February, Jireh people were invited to regular weekday morning worship/prayer 7-8am.

 

Kent Truhel spoke at a Jireh Communiy meeting on the 13th February. His topic was “JIREH COMMUNITY - A Brigade of Spiritual Para-medics”.  It was a compare and contrast analogy between the identity and roles of church and para-church groups and hospital and para-medic groups. 

Short summary - As spiritual paramedics we need to: 

- Be healthy ourselves, which means being a member of a local church. 

- To keep up with our skills and training so that we are always ready to administer emergency spiritual aid. 

- Be on-call and available, carrying around a ‘spiritual beeper’ to be summoned by whoever needs us whenever they need us. 

- Maintain our primary loyalty to seeing people saved.

 

Jireh members were encouraged to participate in the Ecumenical Studies “Land of Promise, Visions of Freedom” beginning on the 17th Feb. leading up to Easter.

 

Mal Graetz attended the Bob Dylan concert at Memorial Drive on Sat. 15th February.

 

The Rainbow Club lunchtime programme for children at Norwood Junior Primary School commenced again on the 24th February. Up to 30 Preps to Year 3 students attended the Monday sessions. There was a good support team of volunteers from local churches. Julie Davids appeared as “Rainbow the Clown” and Gerry Holmes assisted with writing and performing songs. Peter King facilitated the Rainbow Club team in the ongoing planning of these weekly activities and the School Seminars. (see photos)

 

The Schools team expressed further interest in expanding the seminars into other schools. Feedback from people attending the earlier seminars stated that “it was a pity that so much work went into producing them and it was only being presented at one school”. It was felt that the administration and the liaison with other churches needed expansion before such a task could be undertaken. A larger broader based team was required.

 

On the 25th February, Josie and Kent Truhel departed Adelaide for YWAM national leadership meetings in Canberra in the first week of March before flying back to the USA. Tom Hallas, the Director of YWAM Australia, adopted them into YWAM Australia, spoke prophetically over them and then commissioned them for missionary work in Brazil.

 

Joanne Winters and her children Rory, Zoe and Rachel stayed in the Graetz’s caravan during February. They were invited to stay for 3 months in the 68 Fisher Street cottage from 26 Feb. 1986 after Kent and Josie Truhel departed.

 

 The USA Christian band “Petra” had a concert at Thebarton Town Hall on 1st March.

 

The video series of Dr. Yonggi Cho on “Prayer” were shown on Thursday nights - his talks were given at the United Charismatic Convention in January 1986.

 

On Monday 24th March, two Rainbow Club Easter Seminars were held for Junior Primary and Upper Primary students at Norwood Primary School. Gerry Holmes and “Rainbow” the clown (Julie Davids) sang some songs and there was the “Professor Grandokker” skit followed by a slide presentation of “The Death and Resurrection of Christ”. Steve Daughtry narrated the Easter Story slide show. Rob George, appearing as a modern day interviewer, questioned Alan Bailey, the captain of the guard (centurion), about the events surrounding the resurrection. Both Rob and Alan were from “Open Air Campaigners” Christian ministry in Adelaide. There were very favourable reports from staff and children. 

A Sunday morning Rainbow Club for years 4 to 7 was promoted at the seminar. The kids club began on Sunday 6th April in the school Demonstration Room after Easter. This incorporated kids from St. Bart’s Church and others from Norwood Primary School.

 

A Judaeo-Christian Passover Meal was held on the King’s lawns on Thursday 27th March in “near perfect weather”. “It was lots of work but worthwhile!” (see brochure handed our to friends, family and neighbours). The Passover meal was held from 6.00-7.45pm and a Christian Celebration from 8.00-9.30pm. The Harris family ‘acted out’ the script for the meal. There was music, song and dance following the meal. Gerry Holmes and Steve Daughtry’s band “Shake It Up” performed on the night.

 

Mal & Jenny Graetz assisted with the St. Bart’s Primary aged kids outing to the “El Carim” Mylor Campsite over the Easter weekend.

 

Regular Thursday night Community meals in the shed at 55 Sydenham Road continued after Easter.  The large gathering alternated with House Groups. The children (about 30 in total) were divided into 4 different age groups to manage better at the whole community event.

 

Group 1: 0-6 months age. Jonathan Graetz - to be looked after by parents.

 

Group 2: 6 months - 4 year olds. Debbie and Tom Ryan facilitated this group. The children at the time were Rachel Winters, Sarah Davids?, Keith ?, Kalera Wainigolo, Jack McNicol, Conor Ryan, Jessica?, Debbie King, Leah & Mark Fellowes.

 

Group 3: 5-8 year olds. Peter and Liz King facilitated this group. The children were Annabel Hogg, Janet Wainigolo, Randy & Sarah Graetz, Matthew Harris, Joshua King and Cathy Byerley.

 

Group 4: Jenny and Mal Graetz facilitated this group. The children were Michelle Bobrowski, Rory & Zoe Winters, Amanda Hogg, Rebecca & Sharon Harris, Michelle King, Amy Fellowes, Trevor, Mark & Michael Byerley.

 

8/4/1986 Aims of Jireh House Groups spelt out:

- To promote personal sharing of Christian life. Develop good relationships - love and care in practical ways. Everyone should be seen as important, essential and contributing to the life of the cell (both young and old).

- To promote Christian ministry. A testing ground for gifts - natural and spiritual. Mistakes can be afforded with the people you know and they know you. 

- Let the group develop its own “flavour” but sensitive to its place under the community oversight and local church. 

- Encourage local identity in the street and neighbourhood. Seek out local Christians and encourage local witness. Let the “cell” be a light - this will affect how you pray. Your main responsibility is loving your neighbours!

- Encourage close sharing that guards against party spirit and forming cliques. Meals are good to share together. Meet in different houses if possible and keep the group hospitable. First impressions count with strangers and visitors.

 

Four House Groups were established beginning on the 10th April. The Stepney group was lead by Jim Burrow, the Edsall St. group lead by Peter King, the Fisher St. group lead by Peter Brown and the Gray St. group lead by Tom Ryan.

 

Daily weekday prayer held from 7-8am.

 

Josie and Kent Truhel were back in the USA awaiting their child’s birth before heading off to Brazil. They were participating in YWAM’s Applied Cross-Cultural Training Programme which included anthropology, ethnography, phonetics, linguistics and church planting strategies. Cherie was making known their financial needs for buying a river boat and other supplies for their Amazon River ministry.

 

The Jireh Vs Shiloh Community cricket match which was held at St. Peter’s College oval on Saturday 12th April, started with a BBQ lunch.

 

Don Francisco and Band performed at Apollo Stadium on 18th April. He was heralded as “Christian Music’s Greatest Communicator”.

 

A small group assisted Mal & Jenny Graetz run “Rainbow Club” style teaching sessions for kids at a Uniting Church Camp at Echunga over the Anzac weekend (25-26th April 1986).

 

The Graetz’s and Brown’s together purchased a VHS video recorder which was used for video nights and Rainbow Club ministry. Mal & Jenny had also purchased a portable TV which was available for ministry with children. The video recorder was stolen from the Brown’s house at one stage so a replacement was found so it could be used in ongoing ministry.

 

A video night was held at the Scout Hall on 9th May attended by 12 adults and 18 children. The kids watched “Mary Poppins” movie while the older kids and adults stayed on to watch Amy Grant and “The Lord of the Rings” movie. A group of 17 slept over in front of the log fire.

 

There was a good turn up of 40 kids to the Rainbow Club/St. Bart’s Family night held at the end of Term 1 at the Norwood Primary School hall. About 20 parents attended the night of singing, games and activities showcasing what had been presented to the kids during the term. 

 

 A general meeting of the Rainbow Club Team was held at the Graetz’s on Monday 15th May. There was feedback on the exisiting Bible Clubs, planning for future seminars and a financial report was given.

 

In the school holidays in May, the Harris and Blaney families travelled to Queensland and the Graetz’s went to Moonta Bay.

 

Two weekday morning payer groups were meeting as well as the regular St. Bart’s prayer each Wed. morning.

 

Emma Fellowes was born in May 1986.

 

Seminars were hosted in Adelaide with David and Dale Garrett, the New Zealand couple who released the “Scripture in Song” albums and songbooks in the early 1970’s.

 

Amy Grant and Band was in Adelaide for concerts on the 27th & 28th June at Apollo Stadium.

 

Mal and Jenny Graetz hosted a second viewing of Alan Alder’s “Four Seasons” movie on Sat. 14th June after a video viewing in late May. There was discussion on relationships within marriage and in divorce situations. It was proposed that there would be some ongoing gatherings to support marriage relationships.

 

Dianne and Bram Manusama stayed with the Fellowes family as they were performing at various churches in Adelaide from the 6-9th June. They had won an Australian singing television competition and had been sought after to share their duo talents. They also had a lunchtime performance at Adelaide University on Tuesday 10th June.

 

Jireh was encouraged to make use of the Scout Hall after the cubs and scouts relocated to Rose Park at the end of May. It was decided not to take out a formal lease but negotiate for use of hall as needed.

 

The Junior Primary Monday lunchtime Rainbow Club group continued to meet after the May holiday break focussing on Old Testament heroes. 

 

The Upper Primary group met in the Norwood Primary School each Sunday morning. On Saturday the 28th of June the group had an afternoon visiting the St. Kilda Lion’s Club Adventure Park. This was followed by a tea and videos in the Norwood Scout Hall.

 

Several people in Jireh Community purchased a Brother AX-10 ‘daisy wheel’ typewriter in June after the IBM one came to the end of its life. Mal would now stop producing his ‘hand written Jireh’ updates.

 

Trevor Harris’s 40th birthday was celebrated in the Scout Hall at the end of July. Trevor’s past and present friends turned out to cheer him on complete with the ‘old fashioned’ slide show presentation.

 

A Jireh Housekeeping meeting was held on the 5th July at Anne Daughtry’s place. The time was set aside for personal sharing relating to the joys and pains of community life. This was followed by prayer and breaking bread together.

 

Mal Graetz colour coded the tools in Jireh. The yellow coded tools belonged to Bazalel Workshop and were made available for community use. The red coded tools belonged to “Firm Foundation Enterprise”, Mal’s business, and were available for use with his permission. A tool inventory was printed and circulated.

 

Josie and Kent Truhel announced the arrival of their daughter Sacha Bethany early August. They were making plans to leave Los Angeles for Brazil on the 22nd September 1986.

 

The “Fisherfolk” musicians came to Adelaide in the last week of August 1986. A group of 8 were accommodated in the Graetz and King’s homes. Jenny and the 4 children lived with the Harris family so the Fisherfolk could have access to the 55 Sydenham Road house. Mal Graetz was in Canberra during that time. The Fisherfolk had a concert at The Crusade Centre at 27 Sturt St., Adelaide on Thursday evening, 28th August. A Christian Worship Conference called “To Be Transformed” was held on Friday night and all day Saturday at St. Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School at Glenelg. This conference was particular relevant for musicians and worship leaders. The Fisherfolk held a Eucharist at St. Luke’s Anglican Church on Sunday morning, 31st August.

 

The Fisherfolk team comprised the Rev. Graham and Betty Pulkingham, Kevin Hackett, Wiley Beveridge, David Stayner, James Von Minder, Sandy Handyman and Martha Pulkingham. The Adelaide Tour was hosted by the Rev. David Binns from St. Lukes and assisted by Michael and Robyne Guinness and Sandra Siers. Jireh Community had close links with Michael and Robyne as they were involved with St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church in Norwood.

 

The “Fisher Folk” were a group of people who loved the Lord and were gifted with great musical and artistic talents. They were members of the “Community of Celebration”. Graham and Betty Pulkingham, who led the international outreach team had an anointed ministry to the body of Christ. The ministry had its beginnings in the 1960’s in Houston, Texas USA at the “Church of the Redeemer” Episcopal Church. The Kings and Graetz’s has had the opportunity to visit this church in 1977 while in the United States. The church became the centre of a vibrant worshipping community from which developed the “Communities of Celebration”.

 

1986 was declared the “International Year of Peace” by the United Nations. There was another Christian gathering in Canberra following the 1985 outreach and prayer for the nation. “Peace Unearthed” was the focus of this gathering facilitated by Fusion Australia. A White Paper was released in August called “Bringing Peace to our Past”.

 

Mal Graetz and Steve Daughtry made their way to Canberra to participate in the “Week of Festivals” from 24-29th August. The activities included exhibitions, street theatre and festivals, music and releasing “white papers”. Training sessions and studies were also held at Narrabundah College for Christians gathered for this outreach. (see photos maze)

 

Josie, Amanda and Annabel Hogg, Chris Pope (St. Bart’s Youth Leader), Chu He and Michael Byerley also made the trip to the Canberra Gathering for the 29-31 weekend of August. This included a rally and concert at Parliament House at 10.30am. Speakers included Peter Garrett from “Midnight Oil”, Neville Bonner (an Aboriginal and former Senator) and Dr. Richard Smith. After the rally there was a march to the War Memorial for a vigil of prayer and meditation. Prayer vigils were also held at various embassies around Canberra. There was a “Dawn-to-Dusk Celebration” on Saturday evening at the National Exhibition Centre featuring bands and speakers. This culminated in a Sunday morning Dawn Service with the Rev. John Mallison leading the group in a worship celebration, communion, challenge and commissioning.

​

Mal Graetz’s comments from Jireh Update 10/9/1986:

The most significant thing for me was to catch a vision on a national level of reaching Australia for Christ. Fusion has developed a strategy in which they believe that the nation of Australia can be saved from the moral, political and economic crisis which we are experiencing. I believe Jireh should be catching this ‘vision’ and making significant steps to see our country saved. The Fisher Folk visit and Canberra events have highlighted that Jireh needs to be seeking God to clarify our direction and to know clearly where we are going as a community.

 

On the 11th September, Peter and Jeanette Woods addressed our Thursday evening group and showed slides of their missionary work in Indonesia. They were back on furlough being hosted by St. Bart’s Church.

 

On the 18th September, Glen and Judy Heidenreich from Manoah Christian Community spoke to the Jireh group. They had some insights to share on the “Principles of Community Living”. Topics included Shepherding, Relationships, Shattering Ideals, Rebellion, Affirmation and Unity. Glen and Judy had recently returned from an overseas trip where they had visited various Christian groups.

 

The Minister’s Fraternal of Norwood supported moves by Rainbow Club to take a Christian seminar into about 8 primary schools in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide. Contact was made with principals and school councils in the first few weeks of Term 3. Prayer was encouraged for Steve Daughtry as he prepared to write the script for the Christmas presentation.

 

St. Bart’s Anglican Church held a parish camp at “El Shaddhai” campsite at Wellington on the River Murray from 26-28 September. Quite a few from Jireh Community participated in the weekend camp. The Rev. Jo Hogarth was the speaker. There were lots of activities for families including boating, BMX track, archery and hiking. There was a special family concert on the Saturday night with all ages singing and performing.  (see photos)

 

Mal and Jenny Graetz circulated a newsletter to indicate the Graetz family’s intention to spend up to a year in Chicago, with Jesus People USA in 1987. “We are also praying that it would be possible for a single person (without children) to accompany us.”

 

“Operation Yabbie Hunt” was a Jireh Men’s camping trip to Barmera and Berri on the October long weekend (11-13th). The promotional brochure stated “GOD (not Uncle Sam) NEEDS YOU!”. The 8 participants included our organiser Des Fellowes, Peter King, Chris McNicol, Peter Brown, Tom Ryan, Grant Davids, Trevor Harris and Mal Graetz. The group divided into two teams and had competitions over the three days. Boating, yabbying, yarns around the campfire - “a time to regroup in fellowship and attack in prayer”.

 

On Wed.15th October, Geoffrey Bingham gave a talk to a combined gathering of Manoah and Jireh communities. “A great time of singing/worship and refreshing teaching”. A cassette tape was made available.

A few comments from Geoff: 

We must be outward looking. We are not “a church” but what we are is “The Church”. We live in an imperfect world. The early church was a community born of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit came he led them in worship…

Don’t patch up community - keep going back to the basics. A healthy community is one that is through the Cross. Do not turn in on yourselves. We are to reflect God’s glory in all things…

Notes taken by Trevor Harris on "Intentional Community" talk given by Geoff Bingham 15/1//1986

 

Rainbow Club team members attended a meeting at the Graetz home on the 26th October where Steve Daughtry outlined the Christmas presentation to be taken to a number of Eastern Suburbs Junior and Primary Schools in the first week of December.

 

A report (dated 12/11/1986) to St. Barthlomew’s Pastoral Council from Mal Graetz about the Sunday morning Rainbow/Barts Club summarised:

Topics in Term 1: “God’s Purpose and Plan for People” & “The Covenants of God”

Topics for Term 2: “Bible Heroes”

Topics for Term 3: “Peace-Shalom”, “King Saul and David”, “Prophesies from Isaiah concerning Israel”.

Sunday Club activities included: Bible teaching, quizzes, memory verses, games, artwork, crafts, videos and slides, music and singing, dramas and discussions.

Other activities for 1986 included a family video night with all primary ages, the St. Kilda Adventure Park outing, the Joytime Jubilee Party and a Music Night at the Lathlean’s house.

The leaders and helpers included Anne and Simon Lathlean, Gerry Holmes, Helen McNicol, Jenny and Mal Graetz, Jo Turner, Rowena Dunk, Peter Blaney, Josie Hogg, Jeff Byerley and Steve Daughtry.

Because of behavioural issues with some children and the extra workload Mal Graetz had with the Christmas presentation, the Sunday Club finished up at the end of October. 

Mal’s comments from a coordinator’s role: “Overall, I have enjoyed the year and found the time rewarding for myself as I have sought to teach the Scriptures in a relevant way that encourages a practical faith in God as well as from an historical viewpoint.”

 

A Poem by one of the children was included in the report:

BLACK AND WHITE

Some people are black

Some people are white 

But I don’t see why people fight 

Some people have funny faces

Some people come from different races 

But people are not very smart 

So people make a smart remark

But people tease just one by one 

They tease and say they’re having fun 

They are not nice 

They don’t think twice 

I don’t think they like to tease 

They do it for their friends to please 

Some people think that they are so dumb 

And make them be filled with some glum 

But they have to learn to love each other 

Just like they love their dad and mother

 

Preparation and construction of props for the Christmas presentation “What A Rotten Old Way To Spend Christmas” was underway. Steve Daughtry wrote and directed the Christmas play. Mal Graetz purchased framework and materials for the screen backdrops and Helen McNicol was involved in the set design and artwork. Gerry Holmes provided the music for the songs written by Steve and Gerry. The performers were from Jireh and St. Bart’s Church - Cherie and Des Fellowes, Marilyn Brown, Steve Daughtry, Anne Lathlean, Julie Davids, Josie Hogg, Maureen Harris and Raijieli Wainigolo. The construction of the set and rehearsals were in the Norwood Scout Hall. Mal Graetz negotiated with 10 schools to solicit their support for the Christmas presentation. 

 

A letter to the Minister’s Fraternal said: “The aim would be to present the Christmas message of Christ as ‘Prince of Peace’ - this would coincide with ‘International Year of Peace’”.

 

The Norwood Christmas Pageant was held on Sat. 29th November. The live animals were a crowd attraction with Joseph and Mary on the donkey and the three wise men on camels.

 

The Schools Christmas presentation was performed from Monday 1st to Friday 5th December in Norwood Primary, East Adelaide JP & Primary, Marryatville Primary, St. Morris Primary, Linden Park J. Primary, Magill JP & Primary and Linden Park Primary Schools. A report to the Minister’s Fraternal dated 17/2/1987 stated, “We had a unique opportunity of taking the Christian message to over 2,000 children in nine schools we visited last Christmas. Overall we experienced an enthusiastic response from students and many of the staff.”

The cast was supported by ‘set up’ people and creche helpers for each of the sessions. 

“What A Rotten Old Way To Spend Christmas” was also recorded by Video Tape Ministry (VTM) at Crusade Centre, 33 Sturt St., Adelaide at a live session performed for students from Sunrise Christian School on Thursday afternoon.

 

Plans for an Easter ’87 presentation was underway with a more specific strategy to be formalised in January 1987.

 

In the lead  up to Christmas, Jireh hosted a Fijian themed evening for neighbourhood friends, family and St. Bart’s people. Joshua and Raijieli Wainiquolo gathered some of their Fijian friends to put on a Fijian ‘logo’ (or ‘hangi’). There was Fijian women dancers and a man twirling fire-sticks. Some dressed for the occasion in Pacific Islander outfits. A memorable night for the 70 people attending.