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1986 accelerated their plan.
“I worked as a business manager back then and my wife began working for the church,” Jaster says. “In late 1987 we packed up and moved to Toronto, Ont., to attend the Salvation Army College for Officer Training." After that they were assigned to congregations in Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, Prince Albert, Grande Cache and Edmonton.
In 2010, the Jasters arrived back in Medicine Hat. Murray says he and Annetta have always felt they belonged in the Gas City.
“This is exactly where we wanted to be, where we will stay and where we will finish out our career with the Army,” he says.
Although ministry might seem an easy job it is not, regardless of religious denomination. A Salvation Army Major, regardless of posting, is working long before the 9 a.m. commute begins and is still supporting the community long after most are sitting around their dinner tables.
“Well, I don’t spend much time at my desk,” says Murray. “As core officers my wife and I are in charge of
overseeing the church — which is our primary duty — our staff, the thrift store, the shelter and coordinating all of our volunteers. We are fortunate to have fantastic staff and managers who support us in the work we do.”
He admits to deriving joy and satisfaction from leading his congregation through a spiritual life but also from numerous works within the community. Both Murray and Annetta are heavily involved in every facet of the Salvation Army’s local efforts. The pair are serving Medicine Hat’s most needy individuals by overseeing operations at the local homeless shelter, a casualty of budget cuts.
“
or mothers with children.”
This is exactly where we wanted to be, where we will stay and where we will finish out our career with the army.
Those not served by the shelter are housed in temporary accommodations, then referred as a priority to the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society’s Housing First program. The Army’s relationship with MHCHS is strong and benefits hundreds of locals each year. Another significant relationship ensures those without go to bed on a full stomach.
“It is a 30-bed family shelter — a nice place,” he says. “We take men, women and intoxicated individuals in from the elements — everyone except families
a lot of people most nights — it is a community partnership we really enjoy,” Murray says. “We use their building and pay them a bit of rent. We supply the food and they cook it for the Hot Meal program we offer Monday through Friday between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. We also provide for a similar program at the shelter.”
”
“Together the Salvation Army and the CORE Association feed
CORE volunteers serve dozens five nights a week because the need is both obvious and consistent.
“Sometimes we have as few as 40 show up but most of the time we are feeding between 50 and 60,” says Jaster. “We feed families with children and individuals who are really down and out — living in poverty. The reality is there are people out there who are working very hard but their living wage isn’t high enough to cover the costs of the necessities.”
Under the red shield, in the city’s downtown, exists a great place to find a fantastic bargain when you need one but the Third Avenue Thrift Store has two faces. The store is integral to helping fund the services the SA provides and is home to SA Family Services.
“We have a staff of two. They don’t have a lot of space to work in but demand for what they do is steadily increasing. There are an awful lot of clothing vouchers, bus tickets and emergency loans issued there. Our employees get their ears talked off and are always hopping.”
OUR COMMUNITIES ■ OUR REGION ■ OUR PEOPLE | 71
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