Salvation Army teams are responding to the needs of those impacted by Hurricane Beryl that swept through the Caribbean and into Mexico last week. Salvation Army staff in the Caribbean Territory, along with cadets, officers and soldiers, are busy responding to the needs of those impacted by Hurricane Beryl – the category four storm that left a trail of destruction across the region late last week, killing at least 10 people, before being downgraded to a tropical storm and smashing into Mexico last Friday. Hundreds of thousands of homes in Jamaica were left without power, and almost every home was destroyed on two small islands in St Vincent and the Grenadines.   The Salvation Army Mountainside Corps and an outpost in Great Bay suffered major damage and assessments have begun to facilitate a timely Salvation Army response. Teams have been preparing grocery hampers for distribution in Jamaica.   In St. Vincent, teams have distributed hot meals to people in and out of hurricane shelters.

Staff and volunteers of Butler Salvos Stores, north of Perth (WA), after chaplain Richard Wilshire (wearing lanyard) presented the Christmas reflection. Major Mark Kop leads the Christmas Reflection at Tempe Salvos Store in Sydney on Tuesday. The photo above was a typical scene in Salvos Stores across Australia on Tuesday as staff, volunteers and customers stopped at 10am for a 10-minute Christmas Reflection. Salvos Online journalist LAUREN MARTIN reports on a significant occasion Staff, volunteers and customers at Salvos Stores across the country paused at 10am on Tuesday 10 December, for a moving Christmas reflection.  The 10-minute reflection, conducted by store team members, leaders or volunteers of nearby corps, focused on Jesus’ centrality to Christmas. It included a prayer and scripture reading from the Gospel of Luke.   A powerful moment was a minute of silence, during which it was recognised that people within the store and the shopping community have experienced good times but also difficult times throughout the year.   During the silence, those present were asked to remember those friends or family members who were not with them this Christmas. “This Christmas Reflection provides an opportunity for us to communicate the love, joy, peace and hope that the birth of Christ represents; and which is at the heart of The Salvation Army’s identity, mission and values,” said Major David Collinson, Salvos Stores Executive Officer for Mission. Shire Salvos Engadine Mission Leader Chez Wilson conducts the Christmas reflection at the Engadine store in Sydney’s south. Lieutenant-Colonel Lyn Edge, Corps Officer at Wollongong (NSW), said it was wonderful to be invited into her local store to lead the Christmas reflection. “A group of staff, volunteers and shoppers gathered to hear the message, which I was able to share over the store PA,” she said. “As I was leaving, two separate shoppers came to tell me that they’d been listening from elsewhere in the store and how much they appreciated the message.” Salvos Stores Regional Manager Jeff McCartney said of the Tempe event in Sydney: “It is really great for not only the team, but customers as well to understand the ‘bigger picture’ of The Salvation Army as well as the meaning of Christmas. Let’s look for bigger and better at Easter!” A middle-aged couple in Queensland said they were on a “busy shopping spree” on Tuesday morning when they stopped by their local Salvos Store. “We walked in just as they were starting the little church devotion and we experienced something, I’m not sure what, but it was a very moving time. We’ve been invited to the Salvos Christmas church service so we might go along.” The Salvos Stores Christmas campaign for 2024 is Gifts that mean more . Click through the slideshow below to view more photos of Christmas Reflections in Salvos Stores across the nation:

Chris Congoo says the key to reconciliation is communicating respectfully. The Salvation Army’s Territorial Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Coordinator, Chris Congoo, spoke to NAOMI SINGLEHURST about NAIDOC Week 2024 and why he believes it is an important opportunity for connection, reflection and education for all. What is your understanding of the historical and current importance of NAIDOC Week?     NAIDOC began as a day of mourning in 1938. At that time, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were experiencing terrible injustices. Our leaders of the time wanted to bring the plight of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the attention of the wider Australian community.   This continued until about the 1967 Referendum, when 90.77 per cent of Australians voted ‘yes’ to change the Constitution, formally acknowledging Indigenous Australians as part of our nation’s population — although we still didn’t get the ability to vote at that time. In 1975, it was decided to celebrate a whole week rather than just one day, and NAIDOC Week was born. Then, in 1991, NAIDOC Week was expanded to recognise the Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture.   NAIDOC is a special week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and for the wider Australians Society to celebrate our shared culture and the achievements and the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities. It is increasingly celebrated not just in Indigenous Australian communities, but also in government agencies, schools, local councils, churches and workplaces.   How does The Salvation Army in your area celebrate NAIDOC Week?   In Townsville (Qld), where I’m based, our Salvation Army corps (church) holds a range of activities, encouraging community participation. For example, we invite local Elders in from the wider community to come to our church and teach about rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. This includes yarning circles, which give people a safe place to talk and engage in a spirit of reconciliation.   We cook traditional foods for our church community and for those seeking support/attending our Salvation Army community breakfast and community cafes. Our family/team also helps cook a traditional feast on a Thursday night before the (mid-week) church service.   As well as this, we hold special services on Sunday for NAIDOC Week and invite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ministers to deliver God’s message to our church followed by a traditional Kup-Murri (cooking with coals in the ground) after the service.   Our local Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) recovery service also runs a range of activities for their participants. Again, this year, I will support them to cook a Kup-Murri for their participants. Sharing food together and spending time eating together builds connection and understanding.   What are some other ways you’ve seen NAIDOC Week marked or celebrated well in the past?   In the past, we used to march on the streets in our communities to address some of the social issues that were going on, like inequality, health, child protection, elder abuse, family and domestic violence, homelessness, and a whole range of stuff. I’ve been engaged with this for about 30 years and many changes have happened in that time.   Now our church and services still go out to the community, but we apply to put up Salvos stalls as part of a family day here in Townsville and engage with people. We let them know what the Salvos are doing, connect and also encourage people to think about the way we look at God culturally.   What would you like to see achieved this year?   The Voice to Parliament Referendum caused a big upheaval within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the wider community. I think we’ve got to work and come together. We don’t want it to be ‘us and them’ because it needs to be all of us together.   I think that’s what the Referendum was about, working out how we come to terms with each other and how to sit in the right relationship with each other.   The NAIDOC Week 2024 theme: ‘Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud’ looks to be a response to the Referendum. And while we all need to walk together, we also need to make sure that we are not the forgotten mob in our communities – that we are recognised and supported, including within the wider church community.   “For me, the key is sitting down and having conversations, because having a yarn and connecting with somebody is better than debating.” The Bible says that in the beginning, God created heaven and earth and everything else was established. We’ve been in this country for 60-plus thousand years, and we want to share this country with the rest of Australia. But as custodians, there are protocols. We want to be able to sit down with people and have conversations and sort these things out in the spirit of reconciliation. You know, Aboriginal people are very welcoming people, but we want people to partake in our country in a right and respectful way.   How do you feel about the future? I think due to the Voice Referendum, many of our people felt a bit deflated. You know, the Australian people spoke in 1967, but voted ‘no’ recently. I think we still need a lot of education and communication. We must see the good, even in the bad, because God put us here for a reason, and we aren't going to go away, and we must learn to live together. For me, the key is sitting down and having conversations, because having a yarn and connecting with somebody is better than debating. Where relationships are broken, they need mending. Our people don’t want conflict going on and it’s not God's way. We don’t want to throw barbs and we don’t want to have barbs thrown. We need to communicate respectfully. We’re still putting our hands out in reconciliation. What are you working on in your role this year?   We are working on numerous projects for Salvation Army centres, churches and services. This includes The Salvation Army Cultural Framework around areas such as Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country.   For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it}s a ceremonial process that we’ve been practising for centuries, and we need the Australian people to recognise, acknowledge and respect these protocols.   Because God put us here first and told us to look after this place, we believe we have an ongoing responsibility not just to the land and everything on it, and also to the people in the wider community who now use and live on the land.     How does your faith and culture keep you passionate about your work and service to others?   I’ve got an extraordinarily strong connection to my culture. I understand God through my culture, and I believe that there’s something bigger and mightier than us. “We need to bring God into the room and show his love and mercy on our journey to being reconciled with each other.”  We need to work out what spirituality means to each of us as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-indigenous peoples of Australia. Because it’s in that understanding that we can come together.   The Salvos are a very important part of our community and church and are committed to reconciliation. Back in the 1960s, when all the radical changes were happening, it was the churches there fighting for our people, but now it doesn’t seem like that is happening as much now in parts of the wider church community.   Sometimes pride gets in the way of things for all of us. We need to be able to come together and leave pride outside the door. We need to bring God into the room and show his love and mercy on our journey to being reconciled with each other.

Violet Buckskin, founder of Winda Creations, with an artwork entitled ‘Meadow’s Children’.   BY ANTHONY CASTLE   A new community program has been connecting Aboriginal children to language and culture in the suburbs north of Adelaide. Owned and operated by Winda Creations, the initiative came about due to a foster mother’s concern, and a space was made available at Riverside Salvos in Gawler.   “Sam Sands is a foster carer of an Indigenous young person and has been part of the parents’ groups that meet at Riverside Salvos,” explains Darren Dwyer, Riverside Corps Officer. “We have families with children that have Indigenous backgrounds. Sam saw the need, and that’s how it came about; a mum desperate to make sure her adopted son understood his background and heritage in more than a token way.”   Engaging with culture The program connects Aboriginal children to experiences of bush play, house building, arts and crafts, and bush cooking. The bush school also provides storytelling from elders and ongoing carer support. The program is called Minya Windas, which means Little Owls in Narungga, and crosses over to Kaurna.  Major Darren Dwyer says Riverside Corps is called to be a part of reconciliation. “We’ve just allowed them to use the grounds and buildings,” Darren explains. “We want to sponsor and partner and be available, share our resources with them. Scripture says God is reconciling the world, and we’re called to be a part of that reconciliation.”   Minya Windas is now in its second term, offered to families and carers of Aboriginal children in the wider Gawler area. The program builds up knowledge of Aboriginal culture but also offers a program for younger Aboriginal children in care.   “I am a non-Aboriginal foster carer with an Aboriginal child in my care,” explains Sam Sands. “Knowing the desperate need to keep him connected to culture, I was looking for something to attend that wasn’t just a one-off event. I found Violet Buckskin, who runs Winda creations. I nagged her, and finally she agreed to meet with me. The program went from there.”   Violet, the founder of Winda Creations, is an Indigenous artist who works at the highest level of state engagement to recognise, preserve, and celebrate Indigenous culture. Minya Creations is her organisation of cultural consultants, working with others to create fit-for-purpose programs, workshops and projects. The Winda Creations logo. “When Sam approached my business, I was a bit reluctant,” says Violet. “She chased me for six months, but when I heard her, I said, ‘Let’s do this’. I wrote the program. The Salvos has been a big player in giving us space, to make it our own, and we work together on projects.”   Risks to children in care An inquiry into the South Australian Government’s removal of Aboriginal children launched last year delivered its preliminary report recently, comparing the predicted level of removal of Aboriginal children now to that of the Stolen Generation.   Indigenous children are 10.5 times more likely to be removed by the state and in out-of-home care than their non-Indigenous peers, putting their connection to their own culture at risk.   “It means a lifelong impact getting to kids this early,” Violet says. “We’re embedding multiple languages, so they don’t lose tongue while being brought up by white people. They get to immerse in culture, take it home and implement it. They’re doing homework for the next session, understanding art, kinship systems. We’ve made ourselves a little community.”   As of last year, there were over 22,000 Indigenous children in care. Research shows that disconnection from people and place can be significant risk factors for Aboriginal young people, increasing likelihood of future incarceration, even suicide.   “Sam didn’t want to see her kids dead at 15,” Violet says. “This is the only program I’ve seen that’s helping. It comes from our heart, not from money. This is the best form of reconciliation, carers and Aboriginal knowledge holders coming together. We need to work together.”   The Minya Windas program is looking to expand, now with funding from the Department for Child Protection. The program has established a Bucker Tucker garden at the Riverside Gawler Salvos site, where children can learn to plant and grow.   “I know those statistics,” Sam says. “I know the risks for Aboriginal children in care, and that is not going to happen to my child. I am going to make sure I am giving him every opportunity to know his culture. It made my day when Darren said ‘yes’. It’s not just about this group, but how something like this can affect all of the children in care. Let’s stop the incarceration, let’s stop the suicide. We can work together.” Embrace NAIDOC Week and its theme, ‘Keep the fire burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’, with leaders’ notes, devotional messages and social media images. Together, let’s honour the history and achievements. Download the official NAIDOC Week 2024 resources here >> Riverside Corps provides spaces for the parents’ group to run the Minya Windas program.

The worship night at North Brisbane Salvos was a vibrant and energetic event on the United Youth calendar. BY ANTHONY CASTLE   The Salvation Army’s United Youth events continue to go from strength to strength at gatherings across the country.   About 100 young people participated in a United Youth and Young Adults Worship Night at North Brisbane Salvos on Friday 24 May. The evening was the largest of its kind in Queensland yet.   “Our youth and young adult leaders across Brisbane are intentional about creating opportunities for our young people to meet together,” explains Leisa Humbley, Youth and Young Adults Secretary.   “This combined event is a great opportunity for our youth and young adults to have some fun and fellowship together, making meaningful connections with each other and with Jesus.” National Youth and Young Adult Secretary Team Leader Adam Purcell (centre) was the guest speaker at the Queensland event. The guest speaker was Adam Purcell, National Youth and Young Adult Secretary Team Leader. Young people could respond by sharing in prayer, praying with a leader, or by writing on a prayer card that they could take with them to remind them of God’s peace, as promised in Philippians 4:6.   These events also significantly impact social media, with the promotional reel for the event reaching 2605 accounts and being viewed more than 4200 times.   “Online connections are an integral part of our young people’s lives,” Leisa says. “We intentionally use this platform to connect and invite young people to experience stronger, deeper connections by coming along to events like United.”   Canberra event Meanwhile, the first United Youth and Young Adult event was launched in Canberra recently to gather young people from a number of corps.   “There is amazing unity being created organically through expressions partnering together for young people down there,” says Lauren Lukier, Youth and Young Adults Secretary.   “Holding an event like United was a way to acknowledge what is already happening, but also build towards a preferred future.”   Twenty-five people gathered at Gungahlin Salvos, where Woden, Tuggeranong and Canberra City joined in for a night of food, glow games and a devotion time, with a small team from Sydney facilitating the night.

Celebration time! Runners, mentors and supporters of the Hope and a Future program with their medals after the Gold Coast Marathon. Photos: Supplied   BY SIMONE WORTHING   It’s just been the most amazing day for all of us, and God’s given us the strength to get through,” said Envoy Bill Hunter, head coach to the nine young people from corps across Papua New Guinea who had just completed the Gold Coast Marathon. “Today is about each one of us – you, the runners – and the mentors and support crew.”   The 42.2km run, part of the Hope and a Future program, took place on Queensland’s Gold Coast on Sunday 7 July. Now in its 10th year, the program is modelled on four key pillars – faith, fitness, education and leadership. It aims to give young PNG nationals – most of whom are already serving in their corps – the opportunity to develop into future leaders in their churches, families, communities, workplaces, and nation. Mentor Michelle Watts and several of the PNG male runners enjoying the race. Encouraging debrief After the marathon, a recovery rest and a barbecue, the runners, their mentors, and the support team gathered for a time of debriefing, prayer and worship. Each of the young participants shared their stories of running the marathon and lessons learned, their personal journeys, and the deeply challenging and emotional experiences that had brought them to this point.   Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, one of the program founders who supports the marathon team each year, shared at the debriefing. “Some times, when we come to these nights, you tell us all these amazing stories and say how much we have blessed you,” she said. “The three best years of my ministry were in PNG – the people changed my life and have blessed me forever. Your footprints are left on my heart. You are amazing!   “When God gave Sharon (Sharon Callister, former CEO of The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus, who continues to be a mentor in Hope and a Future each year) and I the idea for this program, we dreamed of your futures. Now it’s your turn to dream about what could be. All the marathoners over the years are getting an education, most are getting work and are shining in their corps. We want you to dream and believe.   Mentor Sharon Callister and some of the female PNG runners during the race. “The Gold Coast Marathon is one of the most inspiring weekends of my year. We have just heard the stories of each of the young people. Such hardship, such faith, such joy. It brings me to tears every time. Every young person completed the marathon; all will get an education, our IT department provided each of them with a reconditioned laptop, all will be developed as leaders, and their spirituality is just beautiful. I couldn't be prouder!”   Major Lynne Medland, Programme Secretary, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory , who travelled with the team, told the runners that they could be so proud of what they did in the marathon. Major Lynne Medland (left) with the PNG Salvos Striders. “It’s incredible to think of what you’ve achieved,” she said. “In your training, you have gone through pain, hard work, leaving families, getting up 3am to run. You have supported each other and been a team. You’ve represented our country and our territory. You are all leaders in our territory, and we will continue investing in you and seeing you grow.   “Take the next step, not just in running, but in life. What is your next step? We want to encourage you in that.”   This year’s team of runners, proudly wearing their PNG Salvos Striders singlets, all completed the marathon within a five-hour and nine-minute timeframe. Mentor Adrian Kistan with Michael, who became the fastest PNG runner ever. “The fastest group so far,” confirmed Bill. “And Michael (one of the participants) is our fastest PNG runner ever, coming in at just three hours and 30 minutes.” Bill also presented the ‘Most Valuable Player of the Match’ award to Kari, a young participant whose father had recently passed away, but who applied for the program as her dad had encouraged her to do, trained hard and completed the race.   Beautiful singing, worship and prayer concluded the meeting.   To read the personal stories from Michael and Kari, keep an eye on salvosonline.org.au in the coming week.   Leadership and outreach This week, the PNG team will spend time at the Gold Coast Temple Corps for leadership training and hands-on ministry experience.   “It’s a good mix of leadership development, education, learning and ministry – as well as a rest day and some local sightseeing,” said Major Earle Ivers, Gold Coast Temple Corps Officer.   “The corps has really supported the team, from making meals and goodies, assisting with transport, prayer and encouragement. The Patchwork group also made toiletry bags for each participant and filled them with essentials.”   Gold Coast Temple quilters made toiletry bags for the PNG runners and filled them. As well as the leadership development, the PNG team will be involved with an outreach group and Bible study at the nearby Tweed Heads Corps, will participate in Home League and learn about the funding of a feeding program in PNG schools, be part of the open rehearsal for the brass band, learn about territorial strategy, and share their testimonies and lead worship.   On Friday 12 July, the group will travel to Caloundra Corps on the Sunshine Coast, where Bill Hunter will meet them. They will visit Salvos Stores, join a park run on Saturday and on Sunday will participate in music and testimonies at Caloundra Salvos and God’s Sports Arena, plus a youth night at North Brisbane Salvos. Envoy Bill Hunter with two of the PNG team – Michael (centre) and Tau. The team will visit Brisbane Streetlevel Mission on Monday before returning to PNG on Tuesday 16 July. The impact of the Hope and a Future program goes far beyond completing a marathon – as significant as that impact is. It helps take participants’ growth and development spiritually, personally and educationally to a level that transforms their lives, the lives of those around them, and beyond. To learn more about some of the program participants, check out salvosonline.org.au in the coming week. Mentors and runners enjoying a relaxing dinner after their big day. Team Hope and a Future Project Sponsor: Commissioner Miriam Gluyas  Head Coach: Envoy Bill Hunter Project Manager: Kim Sweeten  Australian marathon mentors: Captain Brad McIver, Adrian Kistan, Michelle Watts, Stuart Watts, Sharon Callister   Project support staff: Majors Heather and Kevin Unicomb  Catering: Captains Joycelyn McIver  The Salvation Army PNG: Captains John and Rose Raga     Program participants: Omis Diruza, Michael Gari, Jessica Kakpet, Tau Kila, Kari Maino, Greg Mave, Rawal Naba, Essau Nickolas, Parker Savi    PNG marathon mentors: Sonya, Talu  PNG Support Crew: Aika  Click through the slideshow to view more photos:

New life springs from the blackened devastation only months after a bushfire has gone through a forest. BY MELANIE-ANNE HOLLAND*    The Australian landscape has an incredible relationship with fire. Have you ever driven through a eucalyptus forest after a bushfire, witnessing the blackened remains and empty spaces, only to return a few months later and the area burgeoning with life? In fact, many Australian ecosystems depend on fire, as the heat and smoke release new seeds for another generation of plants to grow.   In the aftermath of the Black Summer fires (2019-20), I was one of the thousands who made the pilgrimage to the Blue Mountains in NSW. There, a year after fierce blazes, tiny delicate pink flannel flowers carpeted the ground, spurred on by gentle healing rain. Their appearance is rare, requiring the smoke from bushfires and specific weather patterns for 12 months to nurture their emergence. It was spectacular. “First Nations people have so much to teach us.”  But not all fires are equal: too hot and intense, the treasured reserves of life in seeds, trunks and roots are destroyed; too fast, fauna cannot escape; too frequent, the system cannot return to flourishing and fruitfulness; out of season, and ecosystems do not have the same capacity to regenerate. There is no seed for the next generation of plants and animals. Ecosystem depletion and species extinction follow.    Caring for country   First Nations people have so much to teach us. From time immemorial, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived in and cared for this country, tending to fire regimes that have brought life to the landscape. Depending on the habitat, fire has been managed in different ways to ensure that plants and animals flourish, communities are safe, and there is plenty for everyone. “‘Keep the fire burning’ … isn’t so much an environmental summons, as it is a social and spiritual one.”    ‘Cool burning’ is one example of Indigenous land management practices, using evenings and early mornings when the winds are gentle and dew helps control the fire. Low, small fires are lit and tended so that the underbrush is burnt, clearing debris, protecting the nutrients and seeds in the soil, and controlling the density of higher plants with higher fire risk ( Watarrkafoundation.org.au ).   Indigenous management   This NAIDOC Week, we acknowledge the generous contribution of Indigenous rangers, who share wisdom, practical knowledge, and cultural practices to manage land, river, and sea. They bless our nation, bringing environmental, cultural, social and economic outcomes that help us all to a better quality of life.   ‘Keep the fire burning’ – the NAIDOC Week theme – isn’t so much an environmental summons as it is a social and spiritual one.   This NAIDOC Week, we are called alongside Indigenous Australians to honour culture and listen deeply to the traditions and wisdom that are woven into this land and its people. We think of this aspect of renewal as we consider our Indigenous culture, history and language.    To ‘keep the fire burning’ is to keep this culture alive. If we fan the flames, creating space for our First Nations peoples to be ‘blak, loud and proud’, we will see a wonderful regeneration in our land.  *Major Melanie-Anne Holland is a Salvation Army officer (pastor) with a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Hons) and a degree in theology. Melanie-Anne is The Salvation Army’s representative on the Australian Churches Ecological Taskforce, as part of the National Council of Churches, Australia.

Prayers for Ukraine are requested as bombing, deaths, injuries and destruction of vital infrastructure continues, and people are traumatised, grieving and exhausted. Pray for Ukraine “It has been a difficult time in Ukraine,” said Colonel Richard Borrett, Eastern Europe Territorial Commander. “Seven large cities of Ukraine have been actively bombed for several days. This has affected the infrastructure in Ukraine; often, all cities have no power for hours at a time, impacting the work carried out at DHQ and the corps. We have contacted all officers; they are all safe, as are all soldiers, workers, and volunteers.  “The work continues under difficult circumstances, and your ongoing support and prayers are appreciated.” To hear prayer requests from Ukrainian officers from February this year on the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, click here or on the arrow below. Conversations with the General “Be strong and courageous!” say General Lyndon Buckingham. “We’re going to continue to be responsive to the needs of people and look for those opportunities to give the reason for the hope that is within us.   “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” ( 1 Peter 3:15 New International Version ).   To learn more, check out the regular series ‘Conversations with the General’. Click here for more information and to view the videos. Salvation Army on the Bible App The Salvation Army International has partnered with YouVersion to bring Bible-based reading plans from within our international movement to you on the Bible App.   New to the Bible App?   With a mission to encourage and challenge people to seek intimacy with God every day, the team behind the Bible App provide free access to over 2400 versions of the Bible in over 1600 languages, as well as reading plans to help you explore Scripture.   You can read the Bible, highlight and make notes. Discover daily readings, read alone or with others. Hear from well-known voices and be led in prayer.   Take God’s Word with you wherever you go. Visit sar.my/bible  to get started.   Download the Bible App here .

Grandparents can play a significant role in the faith of future generations, a Salvation Army leader says. BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE   The Salvation Army will host a training program in Victoria to provide practical wisdom to grandparents looking to disciple their grandchildren. The event, set to be held at Ringwood Salvation Army on 18 July, will be run as a collaboration between the Children’s Ministry Network and The Salvation Army. The Children’s Ministry Network in Victoria has over 20 member organisations, including The Salvation Army, the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, the Uniting Church, the Lutheran Church and the Baptist Union of Victoria. It provides opportunities for leaders in denominational and organisational roles in children’s and families ministry to hear about each other’s ministries, work together on projects, offer local conferences and training, support one another, pray together and share resources. Victorian Children’s Secretary Naty Keung said she wanted grandparents to leave feeling like they could be part of the bigger picture of their grandchildren’s lives through nurturing their faith journeys. She said that grandparents, especially if they were retired and providing childcare, may have more quality time than parents to spark faith conversations. “They can actually [have] a big impact,” Naty said. “Hopefully, they feel encouraged by the workshop [to] make a big difference to the faith of their grandchildren.” Terry Williams, a former schoolteacher and children’s ministry specialist with Scripture Union will lead training at the event. To book, see here .

Members of the Gaire Corps in Papua New Guinea with some of the donated timbrels from the Australia Territory. BY DEAN SIMPSON Girls at Gaire Corps in Papua New Guinea can now make a new ‘joyful noise unto the Lord’ thanks to an Australia Territory donation of more than 30 timbrels.   Earlier this year, the Mission Support Department issued a request to Salvos across the country for spare timbrels. These would be sent to the Gaire Corps, 50km south-east of the capital Port Moresby, for use in music classes and worship at the corps.   “ The girls at the Gaire Corps were absolutely thrilled when they received this wonderful gift,” said Major Dianne Jarvey, Faith Communities Development Secretary . “A big thank-you to everyone who helped make this happen – it truly was a fantastic team effort!  Faith Communities Development Secretary Major Dianne Jarvey. “I see it as a magnificent gift meant to motivate and elevate those who are looking to connect with God through the use of this instrument.”    Dianne said the project stemmed from the relationship Commissioner Miriam Gluyas formed with the Gaire Corps while serving as Chief Secretary in Papua New Guinea.   “The Commissioner asked the Faith Communities Development Department to provide assistance with this project,” Dianne said.   “So, I partnered with Adrian Kistan (General Manager of Ministry Resourcing and Support) to facilitate the collection of the timbrels at Sydney THQ. We coordinated with Elaine Emraz (Mission Program Development Support) for the pickup and made arrangements for someone travelling to PNG to take the items as luggage due to the exorbitant cost of postage.   “The collaborative efforts of everyone involved deserve sincere appreciation. It truly exemplifies the strength of our organisation when we unite in our mission endeavours. Together, we bring blessings to others and witness the glorification of God through our collective work.”

Each week throughout this year, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for a particular territory or region of The Salvation Army.   Prayer requests are shared by the focus territory/region to help us pray with precision and power for one another.    This week (15-21 July) we are praying for the India Northern Territory. Please pray for: ·       The new officer training session which commenced on 1July for eight cadets. ·       The officers’ councils and Brengle Institute, which will be held in September with the support of USA Southern Territory – that all officers will be further equipped in their ministry. ·       The divisional review that will take place in August. ·       All the institutions and corps programs, especially children’s homes. ·       The financial sustainability of the territory. ·       Our retired and active officers. ·       Our people’s spiritual growth. To find out more about the India Northern Territory, click here . For more information on the International Prayer Focus 2024, and to download the calendar, click here .

Handmade Market Canberra founder Julie Nichols (left) with Dee Fraser, Salvos Doorways Regional Manager South NSW/ACT. Picture by Karleen Minney © The Canberra Times/ACM. BY SIMONE WORTHING   “There’s a whole lot of love out there,” said Dee Fraser, Doorways Regional Manager South NSW/ACT, as she and her team counted 773 new blankets, more than $900 in donations and piles of good-quality warm winter coats, sleeping bags, beanies, gloves and more.   The generous Canberra community donated these items to The Salvation Army at Epic Handmade Market at Exhibition Park on 29-30 June.   “These items are vital in keeping vulnerable, struggling and homeless people warm during Canberra’s cold winter,” said Dee.   “They make a huge difference to people’s lives and help keep them safe and warm. Without Epic Handmade Markets and our generous community, we couldn’t do it. This is one of our major winter drives in Canberra.   “We’re just part of that conduit of grace. We just get it delivered to where those good folk are, who are desperate for that warm clothing.”   All the blankets are generously donated and in good condition, and they are all given away and not sold.   “We only want what you’d give your best friend,” Dee said. “They go to anyone in need across the ACT through Connect sites and homelessness expressions (with sleeping bags and tents). The Oasis Youth Service put some aside for our youth, and corps keep a few on hand for emergencies.”   Trusting relationships The Salvos are well received at the Handmade Market.   “We have a huge reputation of doing it right and doing it quick through all the relationships we have built across the ACT,” explained Dee. “For example, we don’t actively collect at the market, but we had our bucket out and a tap ‘n go just in case, and people freely gave. One stallholder gave us $500.  Major Brett Gallagher (right) with two members of the Handmade Market team with donated items. “And quite a few people came just to chat. Some wanted to talk to us about what’s going on in their life, and we had conversations with people who are lonely. They trust the ethos of The Salvation Army and feel comfortable to disclose.”   One of the small businesses at the markets that weaves alpaca and merino wool donated some high-quality warm gloves and other items. Polly’s Farm makes soaps and candles, and when they heard that the Salvos needed small soaps for hygiene bags, they stayed up overnight to make little soap cakes, each one in its own carry bag.   “These are beautiful souls,” said Dee.   The team also received an additional large donation of travel-size toiletry items, which will be distributed to both those experiencing homelessness and victim-survivors of family and domestic violence.   “Those toiletry packs – for someone who’s homeless to be able to come into our showers and have their own toiletries – that’s priceless,” Dee said.   “And someone in a domestic or violence crisis? They leave with nothing. A toothbrush, a hair comb, a shampoo means a lot.”   None of the donated items remain unused. “When we don’t have a Salvation Army service that can use a particular donation, we give them to St Vincent de Paul or other organisations like Cahma – AOD services and drop-in centre, that we have great contacts with,” shared Dee. “For example, Vinnies has a night soup kitchen, so we give them sleeping bags, heavy coats and toiletry bags. They can give these directly to those who come to the soup kitchen. We all share resources and support each other.”   United team This year, the Handmade Market took place on the same weekend as the annual women’s conference ‘Breathe In, Breathe Out’ on 29 June. Major Kim Haworth, ACT/NSW Divisional Commander, and Major Robyn Black, Area Officer – Sydney Wide, were guest speakers. Many officers, soldiers, and volunteers attended the conference, and the men served at the venue.   Salvos staff from different expressions worked together to collect blankets for the vulnerable. From left: Jennifer Kirkaldy, Liz Dowd and Damian Kelly. “Usually, teams from the corps look after the Handmade Market stall, but this year, they couldn’t do the Saturday,” explained Dee. “So, the Mission Expressions team got together and decided to cover it, including one staff member who had recently resigned but wanted to help.   “Major Brett Gallagher, Chief Commissioner, Red Shield Defence Service, came for the media interview and great photos as our area officer, Major Dean Clarke, was at the conference – although he did make the time to come out and encourage us! The Canberra Times is very supportive in their coverage.   “We had Liz Dowd (Government Relations Coordinator), Damian Kelly (Salvos Home Care), Jennifer Kirkaldy (General Manager Policy and Advocacy), Captain Sally Stevens (Canberra City Corps Officer) and Maggie Qian (Doorways) all working together beautifully.”   On Sunday 30 June, volunteer teams from Canberra City Corps, Gungahlin Corps and Queanbeyan Corps looked after the stall. “Corps expressions and Mission working together – it’s the only way,” said Dee.   “Doorways and other teams will always step in when needed – it’s what we do,” said Dee. Salvos volunteer Kiara Kinnane says the blanket drive is a highlight because she sees the community come together. Picture by Karleen Minney © The Canberra Times/ACM.