Melbourne Staff Band

Welcome to the 2009 website of the Melbourne Staff Band.

The year began with the visit of Professor David King as guest conductor for the MSB’s recital at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl - the concert given at the invitation of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Plans are in hand for interstate visits to Tasmania and Queensland. The energetic support of territorial headquarters events and regular ministry visits of the MSB to Salvation Army and church centres continues.

The mission of the Staff Band involves extending the Kingdom of God. This kingdom or rule of God, demonstrated and made accessible in the person of Jesus Christ, is founded upon love. It is the opposite of kingdoms, systems and ‘isms’ that coerce, devalue and dominate people and the planet.

Jesus saw the presence of this kingdom as good news. “The time has come!” he said. “God’s kingdom is already here. Turn back to God and believe the good news!” (See Mark 1:14 CEV).
This summary statement of Jesus’ message identifies four factors:

• This present moment matters. This moment is infused with the presence of the living God. It’s the only moment we are sure of.
• God is not distant but here with us. 
• Change is possible. We need not be locked into destructive and debilitating patterns of belief and behaviour. Repentance – a change of mind, or direction – is possible.
• Good news (or Gospel) is central to God’s activity in the world. Jesus invites us to believe the good news that we are not orphaned. Bad news doesn’t have the final say. Everyone can investigate, welcome and celebrate this Good News of love.

The Melbourne Staff Band continues to explore the implications of the Gospel with music, choreography, visual presentations and public speaking. This is not done in isolation from the harsh realities of life and the struggles of faith, but with the help of the risen Christ. “Because [Jesus] himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested” (Hebrews 2:18 NRSV).

Grace and Peace be with you throughout 2009.

Robert Paterson
Melbourne Staff Band Executive Officer

Registration Form

July
Saturday 18 Geelong
Sunday 19 Geelong
Friday 31 Future Brass '09

August
Saturday 1 Future Brass ’09
Sunday 2 Future Brass ’09
Sunday 23 New Peninsula Church

MSB Maryborough/Castlemaine

Maryborough is a small country town located centrally between Bendigo & Ballarat and it was here that the MSB was to spend an autumn May Sunday worshipping with the local corps. But it wasn't the only town that was lucky to have the band visit, while half of the band was at Maryborough the other half spent the Sunday morning in Castlemaine leading the service there.

It would have been about 7 years since the MSB's last visit to Castlemaine, whilst more time would have passed since Maryborough was on the MSB calender.

Castlemaine Salvation Army is located directly in front of the local train station and while the locals boarded the 9:50am train, all decked out in their Collingwood and Carlton colours headed for the MCG for the big rivalry AFL game, the Staff Bandsman and Bandsladies arrived at the Corps to set up and prepare for the morning meeting.

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