Navigating the teenage years is tough. The Salvation Army and the Noosa School District partner through the Sunshine Coast Individualised Learning and Support (SCILS) program to make a unique difference in the lives of youth in Noosa, Queensland. Captain Matthew Gluyas (Corps officer Noosa/Coolum) says, “It is critical to make young people our priority now, to see the trajectory of young lives shift from potential hopelessness to one of thriving.”

Renewal is key right now, says Commissioner Miriam Gluyas. By COMMISSIONER MIRIAM GLUYAS I was in Adelaide recently, and I loved a message that Peter Rigley shared. Peter is the Corps Sergeant Major at Golden Grove Corps in Adelaide’s north-east. I asked that Peter be filmed to share with all who are part of The Salvation Army – officers, soldiers, staff and volunteers. Renewal is so key right now. The mission/priesthood of all believers is key right now. Our message is key right now – Jesus-centred, Spirit-led, hope revealed. Every Salvo playing our part. We can see this! Let’s go! And, bless you as you do. Watch this video and be inspired by what Peter has to say.

Prison chaplain Marty Robinson will be the guest speaker at the ARISE men’s conference.  Registrations are about to close for next month’s NSW/ACT Divisional Men’s Camp ‘ARISE – breaking ground’, with Salvation Army prison chaplain Marty Robinson as guest speaker.   The conference will be held at the Collaroy Conference Centre on Sydney’s northern beaches from Friday-Sunday 18-20 October.   Marty will be speaking about his personal testimony and how God is continuing to break ground in his own life and those around him.   “Up until a few years ago, I realised I was asking the whole question my whole life,” he says. “It’s not a question of, ‘What can I do, God?’; it’s a question of what God can do and how can I receive it?”   Men at the conference will be inspired, challenged, and given space to allow God to make breakthroughs in their lives. A number of electives will be offered with speakers including Major Darren Kingston (Fathering), Major Steve Haworth (Photography), Aux-Lieut Russell Brown (Holy Spirit), Lieut Keven Williams and Jonathan Browning (Men’s Mental Health) and Captain Paul Farthing (Worship).   To register for what will sure to be a powerful few days of fun, togetherness and deep conversations, head to:  https://salvationarmy.typeform.com/AriseMensCon24?typeform-source=qrcode-button

(From left) Parramatta Corps leaders Lieut. Sarah Walker and Major Kylie Collinson, NSW/ACT Divisional Commander Major Kim Haworth and special guests Majors Sandra and Brendan Nottle. Photos: Steve Haworth BY LAUREN MARTIN   From its first gatherings beneath an old, wooden railway bridge in 1884 to a city building providing a range of services to meet practical, emotional and spiritual needs in 2024, Parramatta Corps has come a long way.   Members and friends of the corps in Sydney’s Greater West gathered last weekend (21-22 September) to celebrate its 140th anniversary and God’s unwavering faithfulness during its vibrant history.   About 170 people attended the 140th anniversary dinner at Parramatta Corps on Saturday night. According to the corps’ history website, the Parramatta Salvation Army began in September 1884 beneath the train bridge at the corner of Church and Argyle Streets amidst fierce opposition and ridicule. Three young men – John Dean, George Walker and Matthew Thompson – led these early meetings, and their enthusiasm raised curiosity and attracted large crowds.   However, within two months, Matthew Thompson was viciously attacked and died days later, aged only 21. The assailants apologised, and no charges were made. The tragedy failed to deter early members, and the fledgling corps’ numbers increased, with many finding Jesus in various places wherever meetings were held until the first citadel was built on George Street in 1919.   A history booklet produced for the anniversary shows how Salvos in Parramatta have been building community connections for God’s kingdom for decades.   In 1934, after having a long association with the Parramatta Gaol, the corps officer, Major Walter Ward, became a regular chaplain at the prison.   Parramatta also has a history of pioneering Salvation Army expressions. In 1920, a horse and sulky were purchased for the corps officers at the time, Adjutant and Mrs Hayman, before they eventually progressed to bicycles.   In 1922, it was reported that Parramatta Corps was holding meetings at Northmead once a month and that additional meetings had begun in Carlingford.   In the 1940s, Sunday schools commenced in Westmead and Rydalmere, and, in the 1950s, a ‘gutter Sunday school’ in Dundas, where lessons were held in the corps bus in inclement weather!   Majors Brendan and Sandra Nottle were the special guest speakers for the anniversary weekend. Special anniversary guests The 140th anniversary celebration began with a Saturday night dinner attended by 170 people.   The special guests were Melbourne Project 614 Corps Officers Majors Brendan and Sandra Nottle, who spoke from their experiences of ministering in an inner-city context.   “Brendan spoke a lot about the roots of The Salvation Army and what we are called to do,” said Corps Officer Major Kylie Collinson. “We are called to serve the marginalised in our community.”   The theme of the weekend was ‘Ordinary People, Extraordinary God’, and stories of God’s great faithfulness in using Parramatta Corps members to further his Kingdom on earth were shared and celebrated. Donna Davis, State Member for Parramatta, presented awards to (clockwise from top left) Dorothy Griffin, Vispi Irani, Anthony Eden and Bing Bing Tan during the Saturday night anniversary dinner. Corps awards On Saturday night, the corps awarded four people with awards corresponding to The Salvation Army’s four mission pillars.   Anthony Eden, the corps’ Audiovisual Team Leader, was awarded the Building Healthy Communities award for his work building the corps’ online ministry. This was necessary when COVID-19 hit and Sunday meetings went online, but it has grown into a thriving community!   The head of the corps’ pastoral care team, Dorothy Griffin, was presented with the Caring for People award for the way that she cares for people in the Parramatta Corps community through visits, phone calls, cards, meals and other ways.   The Working for Justice award was presented to Parramatta Moneycare Financial Counsellor Vispi Irani, who works closely with the wider corps, Doorways and ministry teams to provide holistic support to people in need.   And the Faith Pathways award went to Bing Bing Tan who assists with the corps’ English Conversation Classes and runs a Chinese discipleship group.   Parramatta Corps Officer Major Kylie Collinson speaks at the Saturday night anniversary dinner. On Sunday, 180 people gathered for the meeting, including former corps officers and corps members who had returned to Parramatta Corps to attend the celebration.   Major Kylie said there have been many changes over the past few years, with the construction of a new building and the COVID-19 lockdown interruptions, but the corps is healthy and flourishing and moving forward.   “We want to acknowledge the past, but we are so aware that God has positioned us now in a new space for new things to happen, with different ministries and ways to connect with our Parramatta City community.”

Vibrant youth ministries are being established around the territory as a result of the Life Labs resources. By ANTHONY CASTLE Life Labs are a new activity-based resource designed by The Salvation Army’s Youth and Young Adults team that supports young people’s development and discipleship. Think of a box of Lego. “We’ve designed Life Labs like a big box of Lego, where you can pick out the pieces that work best for you and design it to fit within your youth ministry program,” explains Adam Purcell, Youth and Young Adults Secretary. Adam Purcell explains the Life Labs program on the Youth and Young Adults website. (Link at end of story). The labs provide a workshop space for groups of young people to process the opportunities and challenges of adolescence while connecting them to the Good News message. They aren’t a small group where young people learn about an idea but a workshop where they share and experience and reflect on what it can mean for their faith and life. “We wanted to create a resource that filled the gap where there wasn’t an experienced employed youth ministry leader or even a volunteer,” says Adam Purcell. “Life Labs put a proven, best-practice program into their hands that answers the questions young people are asking by connecting them to the Good News.” Life Labs are developed from the lives of young people, what they face, and what they need. The weekly programming is written from research undertaken across the territory, listening to lived experiences and voices of young people who can testify to a transformed life with the love of Jesus. “Life Labs is an opportunity for anyone wanting to start a ministry for young people.” “We are seeing corps across the territory establishing youth ministries – how exciting is that? Places where a ministry didn’t exist, and now it does, because of a willing person and the Life Labs resource,” Adam says.   Life Labs come ready-made, free, with material to help leaders run the sessions. Life Labs are created as an ‘off the shelf’ resource. Each week has a step-by-step leader’s guide to minimise the preparation time required to deliver the program. The design and structure of Life Labs mean that, at most, 30 minutes of preparation time each week is necessary. Local corps are seeing the benefit of this program in generating a youth program, building momentum and discipling young people.   “Youth ministries are being established,” Adam says. “They are growing, and young people are being discipled towards a resilient faith.” Find out more about Life Labs here Life Lab testimonials “I have found that the conversations I have had with my group during the lesson are very in-depth and they continue to amaze me with the questions they ask about life, Jesus and God. The material is easy to understand which means it was able to be delivered in the right context. I have been able to let other leaders run the sessions when I am not here. Which means that they gain experience in running sessions.” – Alison Fallaize, Marion Corps (SA/NT)    “Life Labs material is easy to use and navigate and also adapts to our particular setting. The big difference for us is that it has forced us to empathise with young people more about the genuine struggles of adolescence today. Mainly around identity, acceptance, loneliness and self-worth.” – Craig and Ellen Farrell, Delacomb Corps (Vic.) “What has been achieved by using Life Labs? The best thing that Life Labs have done for our youth group is that it leads to questions from our youth. Have been able to have great conversations about faith and Jesus with young people who have never been to church before. It has been a fantastic resource in terms of framing our night at youth. It’s a great base to build the night on.” – Luke Terracini, Carindale Corps (Qld) “Using the Life Labs material has meant we are able to connect often complex real-life issues that young people are facing with clear practical faith responses. Such responses have helped to gain greater trust and rapport with young people, and in addition, help create safe spaces for complex and challenging conversations.” – Youth worker

The 2023 High Council will be held at Sunbury Court Conference Centre when it convenes next month. A vital step in the preparations for the High Council next month is for each of the 112 eligible Salvation Army officers to have been sent an individual summons to attend. International Headquarters’ Chief Secretary Colonel Peter Forrest said, “This is a significant milestone in our preparations, and we are delighted that all of the members of the High Council requiring a visa have had these issued. We look forward to welcoming them to London.” The list of officers summoned to attend the High Council may be seen here: 2023 High Council Members Guide to a High Council, click here

The Salvos Brisbane Sleepout, raising funds for homelessness, provided a fun and dynamic evening to learn, network and fundraise. BY SIMONE WORTHING More than 80 people slept out at the Brisbane Showgrounds recently to raise awareness and vital funds for women experiencing homelessness in the local community.   Now in its fourth year, the Salvos Sleepout invites participants to spend the night away from the comfort of their home, connect with like-minded individuals, hear from professionals in the field and those with lived experience, network and raise funds for vital and increasingly needed services.   Held on on Friday 6 September, sleepout participants heard a powerful testimony from Jodi, a woman with lived experience who shared part of her journey and how she has found a safe place to call home. Sally-Anne Clark, Regional Manager of Homelessness, presented on how the money raised will support those in need.   The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) food truck provided a hot dinner, and there were limitless hot drinks from the Streetlevel coffee van – a venture that provides experience and creates work for community members who have been assisted by The Salvation Army’s Streetlevel Mission. Nodo Donuts’ dessert creations were also popular. This year’s official media partner was 96.5FM Family Radio.   More than $55,000 has been raised so far, making 2024 the Salvos Sleepout’s biggest event to date. The financial goal for the event is $60,000.   If you’d like to donate, click here .  To view more photos from the night, click through the slideshow below:

Major Jason R. Swain giving his keynote address at the History Symposium. Image: Garth Hentzschel    BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE  The largest number of international speakers to ever present and the first use of AI in the event’s history were just two of the many highlights of The Salvation Army History Symposium in Ipswich (Qld) earlier this month.  The biennial event brought speakers from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the United States and across Australia to discuss important figures from the movement’s past, Salvation Army buildings across the decades and the work of corps in their historical contexts around the world.  Event organiser Garth Hentzschel said the food, fellowship and content were incredible, and it was exciting to feature so many published authors. He said in a first for the symposium, each speaker was introduced by their AI avatar to remind the crowd to keep the past in perspective of the future while listening to presentations. In another first, he jokingly said every presentation ran on time.  “I think [AI] was one of the reasons why we all kept to time because we didn’t need somebody else coming up and introducing us,” he joked.   Garth said looking ahead to the 2026 Symposium, he knew many Salvationists were becoming interested in what he called the ‘commencement narratives’ of The Salvation Army.  “When we come of age, we want to know where we’ve come from and are we true to that,” he said. “I think more and more people are looking at that even on a movement basis too. They’re understanding that history in the past has been written under the guise of great people, but more and more we’re finding that history was made by individual people [who] traditionally haven’t been discussed.”   Garth told how the symposium featured a presentation by Margaret Dean and Hazel Parker on Ernest James Allen, a son of British immigrants who, rather than following the example of his father Mark who, deserting his family in Adelaide, established a new family in Perth, instead joined The Salvation Army, married a fellow Christian and “established a home where there was stability, much love, laughter and a strong commitment to the cause of Christ”.  Ernest James Allen's children, left to right: Ern, Alf, Bill, Dorothy, Marie, George. Image: Supplied “You see that pivotal moment when Christ made a change in the family and then generations on have gone on to serve him rather than themselves,” Garth said.   To find out more about Salvation Army history, contact Garth at ajsahistory@gmail.com .

Four members of the Western Australia Emergency Services team – John Eade (volunteer), William (Bill) Mitchell, Dee Nufeild (staff) and Yvonne Duperouzel (volunteer) – have flown to Darwin to assist at the Howard Springs Evacuation Centre. The Salvation Army has sent a team of emergency services personnel to Darwin to assist evacuees as Cyclone Ilsa approaches the Pilbara Coast in northern Western Australia. Many people from communities both inland and along the Pilbara Coast have been evacuating the area over the past few days or preparing to face the impact of the expected 275km/hr winds expected to hit tonight. The cyclone has been rated a Category 3 but could intensify as it reaches landfall. Evacuees are currently residing in the Howard Springs Evacuation Centre, approximately 27km from Darwin. Salvation Army workers flew to Darwin on Sunday to begin preparations for the week. They are now providing meals, along with spiritual and emotional care. Hundreds of people remain stranded due to flooding in the area, and the Salvos’ emergency services team will be assisting daily as the potential for more evacuees arriving increases. Major Zane Haupt, State Coordinator for the Western Australia Emergency Services, is heading The Salvation Army’s response.

The scouting groups in Ukraine prayed for good weather, no missiles and God’s blessing as they made their pledges, received their certificates and enjoyed time outside. Scout groups spring into action As spring begins in Ukraine, several corps are taking their scout groups outside into the fresh air for exercise, activities and presentations. The children have been preparing for their certificates for months and praying that there will be no missiles and no rain to spoil their activities. Prayer is a major focus point of the Salvos' scouting groups in Ukraine. Many of the children, aged from four to 12, and their families are internally displaced. They have fled from the most dangerous areas in Ukraine and are staying temporarily near Salvation Army centres or are continually on the move. Corps throughout the country continue to provide food and clothing, basic hygiene packs and other essentials to those who need them, as well as Bible studies, worship, crafts, games, classes and a range of activities for children and youth. The emotional and spiritual support they provide is relied upon by many in local communities, including those experiencing shelling and missile attacks. Please continue to pray for The Salvation Army in Ukraine. Canadian shelter helps prevent homelessness To help families that are having trouble finding stable housing, The Salvation Army’s Bayside Mission Centre in Barrie, Ontario, is running a 24/7 Family Emergency Shelter program. The main purpose of the program is to help clients who have individuals under the age of 18 in their care, to prevent homelessness and work together to find proper housing for them. Ayesha Karim is a family shelter caseworker and runs a program that helps prevent homelessness for families with children. Ayesha Karim, who is a family shelter caseworker and in charge of the program, explained that the reasons why families seek assistance are varied, but that the root problem seems to be a lack of affordable housing. “It is becoming a chronic problem; we have seen so many people reach out to us, and they are people like me and you. It could only take a couple of weeks for anyone to be in this situation,” Ayesha said. The idea of the Family Emergency Shelter is to offer shelter to clients for 30 days. During this period, a housing access worker collaborates with the guests by creating a plan according to the needs that will help them address the obstacles that may be preventing them from finding a place to live. Clients can receive extensions after the 30 days are up, but they are highly encouraged to use this time to address their needs. “We do require guests to actively participate and make sure they are addressing their barriers along with us because that initial step has to be taken by them,” Ayesha said. This includes not just tackling the financial challenges, but also addressing other issues such as mental health, addiction, education and employment. When families find permanent housing The Salvation Army’s service doesn’t end there. Ayesha keeps in contact with former clients and offers additional help such as food hampers if they need them. Last year, the Family Emergency Shelter program housed 20 families. Currently, the families they help are housed in a hotel. However, this is a temporary measure until an ongoing development project in partnership with Redwood Park Communities in Barrie is completed. The new building will serve as the family shelter, and it will have enough units to house 12 families simultaneously. According to a recent Salvation Army survey, one in seven Canadians faced housing security challenges in the past year. Salvation Army schools educate half a million students Internationally, The Salvation Army provides schooling to more than half a million students in over 50 countries, through 3000 schools. Salvation Army education seeks to develop compassionate people of integrity and character with the relevant skills, knowledge and under­standing to achieve their full God-given potential in the community. Salvation Army schools in Nigeria focus on safe, inclusive, relevant and equitable education for their students. Salvation Army schools and education programs aim to holistically equip students; intellectually, socially, emotionally and spiritually, and nurture the development of foundational academic and life skills that enable them to adapt successfully in the 21st century and to be resilient contributors to the life of their communities. These schools endeavour to provide an environment that is safe, protects the physical, emotional, psycho-social, and spiritual well-being of children and youth, is inclusive and equitable, and is relevant to the learners’ needs. The Salvation Army is committed to breaking down barriers to girls’ access to quality education. Some of the ways Salvation Army schools aim to do this include providing access to clean water and sanitation, facilitating a safe journey to school, and ensuring school staff treat students with respect. Family involvement through community parenting classes, economic empowerment offered by the presence of the school, and community engagement also contributes to breaking down traditional barriers to girls’ access to quality education. The schools’ impact is not only measured by students’ exam results but also by attendance and dropout rates, teacher turnover, event participation, community engagement, and evidence of personal and community transformation. For more information, click here .

Madison Clutterbuck says moving to Alice Springs “felt like another country” but has found her place working at the local Thrift Shop. By ANTHONY CASTLE Madison Clutterbuck is the warehouse assistant for Alice Springs Corps Thrift Shop, the largest second-hand store in the Central Australian town. The 21-year-old found herself connecting with her new community after COVID brought unlikely opportunity and a rewarding path. What do you do with the Salvos? What is your role? My paid job with The Salvation Army is at our Thrift Shop as a warehouse assistant here in Alice Springs. I do pick-ups and deliveries and sort everything that comes through. I am in charge of telling volunteers what to hang in the shop. This is my fourth year here after moving over from Tamworth. My parents have been officers, and I’ve been going on the journey with them. I never thought I’d work with the Salvos. I also volunteer many more hours assisting my corps officers. Why did you first get involved with the Thrift Shop? I graduated in 2019, and then we drove across to the NT at the beginning of 2020. It was a big move ... it felt like another country with people from different cultures and backgrounds. There are the local Indigenous communities obviously but also lots of Americans who work here. I started helping after everything changed when COVID hit. The shop manager went back to New Zealand, and so I volunteered then started working there. I thought I was going to work in disability support, but the work here was great. The Salvation Army Thrift Shop in Alice Springs. What impact does the shop have on the community? Our shop is the biggest op shop in town. The impact is big. People love coming in and shopping, and we have conversations with people. One particular lady comes in with two grandkids, and we know everything about that family. The regulars who come in are also often the same people in our church services. Everyone comes to us, and we can help direct them, connect with people and tell them which services to use. You can also tell when things are tight for people and find ways to help them. What impact does this work have on you? Why is it valuable? I got involved due to wanting to be a person who showed the love of Jesus by helping and serving others in a safe environment. Every day I’m on the counter, I say “Hi” and ask them what they’re doing. It’s about communication, not just asking people for them for their money. It’s about talking. I’m a chatterbox. I’ll talk to anyone that listens. I feel like a hairdresser sometimes! People in the street know me through the op shop and say hello. It’s about making sure everyone feels safe and feels welcomed to come in. It’s making sure everyone feels valued by getting to know people.

(Back row) Tradies General Manager Jason McMaster, Miranda Mission Leader Lieut-Colonel David Godkin and Hopefield’s Matthew Cottam. (Front row): Tradies volunteers Meg and Anna with Shire Salvos Miranda Community Coordinator Moira Guthrie. By LAUREN MARTIN In March this year, the shelves at the Salvos’ food relief and assistance centre in Miranda, Sydney, were almost empty. So, the team prayed. “The shelves were looking really bare,” said Miranda Mission Leader Lieut-Colonel David Godkin. “We had started the year full of food donations, thanks to the generosity of our community during the Christmas period, but with the cost of living hurting so many people, we have been called upon to assist more and more families and individuals in need. So, stock was very, very low.” The team at the Community Co-op Sutherland Shire didn’t despair. Having supported the local community with food relief and other assistance for so many years, they knew that God always provided whenever there was a need. “Oh, it happens all the time,” said David. “God is incredible! One moment we are worried about a lack of meals in our freezer, and then a whole team of amazing home chefs from our nearby St Stylianos Greek Orthodox Church will arrive with 100 individual meals! We are so blessed.” Volunteer Meg from local club The Tradies assists at the Community Co-Op Sutherland Shire. A similar occurrence happened after Easter. One of the staff members from a partner organisation, The Trades, who support the Community Co-Op Sutherland Shire, of which Shire Salvos is a founding member, saw a photo of the co-op on social media and noticed that the shelves looked empty. So, the Tradies decided to run an Easter food drive, and their staff and club members responded generously. The result was two carloads of grocery items to fill the shelves at the co-op: “We thank God for our amazing partners at The Tradies,” said David. “Not only do staff members generously donate their time at the Community Co-Op Sutherland Shire, but they also support in other ways, such as the food drive. It’s great to know that there are so many people in our community who want to help others.” Shire Salvos Miranda supports hundreds of families and individuals weekly through its food relief and assistance centre. Offering not only food but support through case management, alcohol and other drugs counsellors, Moneycare financial counselling, Drive for Life and journeying with people through The Salvation Army’s Positive Lifestyle Program. Its participation and hosting of the Community Co-Op Sutherland Shire allow Shire Salvos to partner with other charities in the local area in the fight against food poverty.