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1. What is your current appointment and what do you find most satisfying about it? I am currently serving at Richmond Corps in Victoria. I love building relationships with people and sharing faith together. I also love visiting people and getting to know them more deeply. I’ve recently started a walking prayer group where we also share our stories and recall God’s grace. 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? I enjoy bushwalking, sewing and baking. 3. What’s a favourite Christian song, and why do you like it? I like Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me because the words show God’s incomparable love for us. The song reminds me that my life is tightly connected with God, who leads me to overcome everything in life. It reminds me Jesus is my hope and that everything belongs to God including my whole life. One day he will take me back to the home he has prepared for me. 4. If you could have a good talk with a biblical character apart from Jesus, who would it be and what would you talk about? Peter. Because why did he – who was brave, strong and loyal to Jesus – cut off his relationship and deny him in the blink of an eye? What made him undergo such a big change? I want to pray a prayer of repentance and confession with Peter. 5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say? Officership is a great way to share the gospel and bring good news to so many different people. You can grow further with God and follow Jesus closely. You can bring so much love, hope and joy to people. You really can be part of building God’s kingdom and building community. Interview by Major Mal Davies

BY LAUREN MARTIN Sydney Kings players Angus Glover and Makuach Maluach visited Macquarie Fields Salvos in south-west Sydney recently, to shoot hoops with students from a nearby high school. Organiser, Major Darren Kingston, says it’s the second time players from the Sydney Kings basketball team have engaged with Macquarie Fields Salvos in community work, since sponsoring the building of a basketball ring within the mission’s carpark. “It was great for the Sydney Kings to come out and help build community in the local area,” he said. “They did a skills session with students from James Meehan High School, and played one-on-one with them.” This year, Macquarie Fields Mission is investing more in local young people, with the employment of a part-time youth-worker who will start in February.

BY MARTIN DONEGAN There was a canine cacophony, not to mention a feline furore when Granton Salvation Army in Edinburgh, Scotland, hosted its first ‘pet blessing’ ceremony leading up to Christmas. The ceremony followed on from The Salvation Army’s Paws Pantry pet foodbank, which takes place every fortnight at the Granton Corps, serving a large community in the north of the city. Owners can also relax, pets permitting, in the community cafe - a warm and friendly space where people can meet for a chat, plus free tea, coffee and cake before taking advantage of the foodbank and the optional pet blessing afterwards. “The Paws Pantry pet foodbank has been a huge success since it was launched in 2021,” said Lorraine Duncan, community program manager who runs the Granton Centre. “When times are tough it ensures people are not forced to give up their pets as costs increase. For many locals who attend, their animal is a friend, companion or much-loved family pet – the thought of giving that up is stressful and heartbreaking. If we can prevent that happening, then we have succeeded. “Our wellness cafe and digital hub also provide a comprehensive range of support including digital skills, employability, mental health support, financial inclusion, and diet and nutrition. “We deliver support in seven other locations in Edinburgh to ensure the support is accessible city wide; and via our partnerships, debt advice, advocacy for benefits, food and fuel aid are all available.” Andrew Howe, chaplain at Granton Corps, delivered the blessing. “This ceremony is a way of acknowledging the blessing that a pet can be for someone who is lonely or isolated, the happiness and learning animals bring to children or simply the selfless joy of looking after one of God’s creatures,” he said. The Granton Corps is a centre for The Salvations Army’s digital skills and employability services. Funded by the Good Things Foundation, the digital skills team provide a range of support, either one-to-one, or in group workshops, in person or remotely. This article first appeared on The Salvation Army's UK and Ireland Territory website.

The northern town of Rochester, on the Campaspe River in Victoria, received more than 150mm of rain and the town was ordered to evacuate on Monday 8 January. Although the river is now at minor flood level and receding, there is still water over the roads and it’s not yet safe for residents to return. The Rochester Corps, which was inundated by flood waters in the 2022 floods and had only recently re-opened, had water up to the driveway but was not damaged. Over the past few days, Rochester Corps Officers, Captains Cameron and Maryanne Lovering, and their team, have been supporting State Emergency Service (SES) teams and locals impacted by the floods. “We supplied a fish and chip lunch to SES workers, served 46 for dinner at the corps, provided breakfast and coffee for Australian Defence Force (ADF) workers and made the corps available for them to take a break from their sandbagging,” said Cameron. “We also ordered 66 pizzas for dinner for the impacted community and emergency services, including the ADF. “We have been handing out cold cans of drink and chocolate bars to the volunteers on the sand-bagging lines and are also funding a pizza meal from Rochy Pizza for the local football and netball club players who were a part of that work. “Around 300 burgers for the community for dinner was also provided at Bowser Bean (BP servo). “We know that building relationships and camaraderie is one of the best ways to help people recover from disasters, so we get behind these events.” Many people in the Rochester community are still recovering from the catastrophic flood event in October 2022, with many still living in sheds, caravans and damaged homes. Others have only recently moved back into repaired homes. “This has been an emotionally triggering event for many and there is a general angst in the community,” said Cameron. “We are doing all we can to provide food, fellowship, friendship and pastoral care and to help facilitate community recovery. “The Salvation Army has been in the community supporting people for almost 135 years, and we will continue to live, love and fight alongside them.”

In this next installment of 'God Defining Moments', Colonel Wendy Walters talks about trusting God in difficult circumstances and remembering that his timing is always perfect. Wendy encourages us to look to God's faithfulness both past and present, and to cling to the assurance of salvation.

BY LERISSE SMITH A harsh reality for many women who have experienced family violence is that securing a long-term private rental is all but impossible. However, an innovative and pioneering Salvation Army pilot program, Heading H.O.M.E. (Holistic Outcomes Through Meaningful Engagement), is helping to transform the impossible into the possible, imbuing women with great hope their lives can indeed change for the better through supporting women and children into long-term private rental. A mother of two, *Sarah is one example of a woman whose life has positively changed through the program’s support in achieving her goal. “I came from a situation where I had no savings, no money to even buy food for the kids at times,” Sarah said. “Being a part of this program has helped me save for the future. I want to save and be able to buy a home for me and my children.” Breathing space Heading H.O.M.E has run since March this year. The Salvation Army Family Violence Programs and Salvation Army Housing Victoria have been funded through Family Safety Victoria to implement a pilot project to support exit pathways from refuge and crisis accommodation for victim-survivors of family violence in Victoria, along with five other organisations across the state. The aim of the pilot program is for the victim-survivors to take over a lease at the end of the 12 to 16-month supported tenancy. It headleases properties with women repaying the rent in a tapering model that helps give participants financial breathing space while they get various matters sorted such as Child Support, Centrelink and financial settlements from separation/divorce. The program also allows women to return to work once they are settled in a home. “Many clients face huge challenges when it comes to securing long-term housing due to the ongoing effects of family violence,” said Bessie Campbell, Senior Family Violence Project Coordinator. “The greatest benefit of the program is that it supports victim-survivors of family violence to access long-term, sustainable housing options, a crucial factor in their recovery journey from their experiences of family violence.” “In supporting victim survivors with accessing sustainable housing options as an exit option from refuge and crisis accommodation, Heading H.O.M.E is assisting to free up refuge and crisis accommodation for other victim-survivors who need it. By reducing barriers to accessing private rental properties, the project empowers victim-survivors and supports their journey towards a life free from violence.” Bessie said the program was currently funded until the end of the 2024-25 financial year, but the team was hopeful the success of the Heading H.O.M.E would result in the program becoming an ongoing one for The Salvation Army. It is currently funded to secure and provide tenancy management support for 35 properties (Brimbank Melton, Barwon, Inner Gippsland, Northeast Metro Melbourne, and Bayside Peninsula Area) and five properties in Ballarat. Demanding rental market Sarah and her children, Sam and Annie, lived in short-term and long-term refuges for several months before joining the Heading H.O.M.E program. Many of their immediate and long-term needs had been met, and the family violence risk had been mitigated, so the family was in the recovery phase of their journey and ready to move into suitable long-term accommodation. It was then that their practitioner at the refuge assessed Sarah would be suitable to sustain private rental long-term and completed a referral to Heading H.O.M.E. Although Sarah had independently applied for rentals while in long-term refuge, she had no savings or income, which had impacted her ability to compete in the demanding Melbourne rental market. She felt hopeless after receiving many rejections from real estate agents on her housing applications, and she was also caring full-time for her children while at the refuge and unable to look for employment. With the guarantee of 16 months’ rent in advance and the reassurance that Sarah would be supported with her tenancy for that period, Sarah was accepted for a private rental through Heading H.O.M.E. “After trying so hard for a long time, I felt really lucky when I was finally approved for a rental property,” she said. Sarah and her children had initially left their home with only one bag of clothes, so they had no furniture, whitegoods or other household essentials. She also did not have the savings to purchase these items. Welcoming home Through Heading H.O.M.E, an application was completed to a partner philanthropic organisation that could completely furnish the property for Sarah and her children. Sarah stated that it was just a normal, empty house when she first inspected it properly. “When I signed the papers, received the key and walked inside, it was so beautifully furnished. There was even a vase with beautiful flowers on the table, and it made me incredibly happy,” Sarah said. “I have always only had used furniture or things that someone gave me. This is the first time I’ve had new furniture in the house. It felt like a five-star hotel; I’ve never had this before.” “I feel confident I now have the skills to continue managing my tenancy independently.” Now living in a stable home, Sarah was ready to start working. Heading H.O.M.E. was able to complete a referral to another partner organisation that employs women in the construction industry. Sarah was able to complete the relevant certificate in construction and was placed in a position that was flexible around her children’s school and understanding of her situation and the challenges that might arise in maintaining employment. Annie and Sam are now settled well into their new school, with Sarah stating her children are very happy that they now have a place to call home and didn’t have to move anymore. At the end of her supported tenancy period with Heading H.O.M.E, Sarah plans to take over the lease, having been supported by the Heading H.O.M.E Specialist Housing Worker and Recovery Support Practitioner. “I feel confident I now have the skills to continue managing my tenancy independently,” she said. (*names have been changed to protect the identity of the family)

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 month, we are praying for the territories of Malawi, USA Eastern, Russia and Pakistan. Malawi Territory requests your prayers for: ·       Leadership: That God may guide our leaders as they continue to lead the territory into self-reliance and for soldiery support (10 corps have been earmarked to be self-reliant by 2024). ·       Salvationists: For the spiritual and physical health and well-being of all officers, staff, soldiers in the territory. ·       Youth and Children: 2024 has been declared a year of youth and children in the territory. We request prayers for youth and children ministry to continue to grow and each young salvationist to be an agent of expanding The Salvation Army mission in their community. ·       Men’s Fellowship: Pray for continued growth of men’s ministry in the territory and that men would have a zeal of winning more souls for God. ·       Economic situation in Malawi: The price of commodities has been rising sharply. Pray for people’s resilience and God’s intervention. Special events planned for 2024: o   Territorial women's rally 15-18 August that will be held in Blantyre, Malawi. We request prayers that the women attending this rally will have renewal and spiritual growth through an encounter with God that will transform their lives. o   Annual divisional congresses in September. o   Commissioning of cadets in November. o   Territorial executive conferences in June and December. For more information on the International Prayer Focus 2024, and and to download the calendar, click here.

I love January. For me, as for many others, it’s always been the most relaxed month. It’s the month for playing with new Christmas presents, going swimming, having iced drinks, watching cricket and spontaneously deciding to drive to the beach after dinner just to get an ice cream and go for a walk. Because it’s the holiday season, many Salvo corps are impacted by low numbers and having key people away, so they will sometimes try a different format for Sunday meetings. At my corps, we’re doing café church through January, a more relaxed form of worship with a cuppa and some munchies, and then ‘resuming normal programming’ in February. This makes me wonder about some other variations we could try. They may not work at every corps – in fact, on reflection, they may not work at any corps – but some brave-hearted corps officers might like to give them a try. ‘Swimming Suit Sunday’ is when everyone has to wear their bathers/togs/swimmers/cossies to church. Whether you’re 5 or 50 or 95, whack on your Speedos and head to church. Uncomfortable? Well, on two counts. First: they’re speedos, and sitting in them for an hour or so might start to pinch after a while. Second: old Tom, the trombone player, is still wearing the same Speedos he bought in 1968, and he’s put on 40 kilos since then. Uncomfortable for everyone. The meeting could perhaps focus on the Israelites walking through the middle of the Red Sea, or the work of John the Baptist, or Jonah being thrown overboard during a storm. Even better: Peter trying to walk on water. How about ‘Solo Sunday’? Anyone who wants to is welcome to perform a solo. It might be a vocal solo or an instrumental or a spoken recitation or a tap dance. If someone is brave enough to get up and perform all on their lonesome, then they deserve our encouragement and appreciation. Except my mum. In a flash, she’ll whip out her vintage Hohner 10-button diatonic piano accordion with genuine pearl inlay, and she’ll become a whirling dervish of flaying arms as she cranks out a quick-step rendition of ‘Count Your Blessings’. No one needs that. I know some people who would greatly appreciate ‘Star Wars Sunday’. Dress as your favourite character (I like Chewbacca) and come to church to hear a message on how you should avoid the ‘dark side’ and use the force (of the Holy Spirit) to help good conquer evil in the universe and in your local community. The message could be about fulfilling your destiny or putting on the full armour of God (including the lightsabre of God’s Word) or identifying who your true heavenly father is (hint: it’s not Darth Vader). So have some fun as you worship this January. Try something different. You’re allowed to. I don’t think God’s too fussed by how we worship him as long as we do it with a sincere heart and a desire to know him better. Except for the piano accordion solo. He’d hate that. – Major Mal Davies and his wife Major Tracey are the Corps Officers at Adelaide City Salvos

By Simone Worthing As the South East Queensland community cleans up from the Christmas night and New Year severe storms and rainfall event, The Salvation Army’s Gold Coast Temple teams have been busy doing what they can to assist those most impacted. After the intense rain had eased, corps members Michelle and John led the Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) response at the Nerang Evacuation Centre, providing meals to those impacted by the flash flooding in that area. Volunteers came from Tweed Heads (Northern NSW), and Warwick (178km west of the Gold Coast). Their service included one very late-night operation, preparing to serve a busload of teenagers who had been evacuated from a camp. Volunteers from the corps’ SAES team also supported Adam Cole (SAES Response Coordinator – Southern Qld), providing meals at the Upper Coomera Recovery Hub. “In consultation with the Department of Communities, it was determined that this expression of care might boost the spirits of those waiting for assessments,” said Major Earle Ivers, Gold Coast Temple Corps Officer. Response to Council “Our teams have also responded to a request from the Gold Coast City Council in the preparation and distribution of food hampers to residents experiencing significant hardship in the days following the storms,” said Earle. “Council representatives had been doorknocking in impacted areas and had identified the elevated need. The first hampers were prepared and distributed to residents in Coombabah earlier this week. “Yesterday, teams packed 100 hampers in response to a request from the council for distribution in the Lower Beechmont area, 25km west of the Gold Coast. Council representatives will take responsibility for that task given the accessibility issues that are currently involved.” For hamper supplies, the corps engaged with a Coles supermarket that had supported volunteers collecting for The Salvation Army Christmas Appeal during the festive season. “The supermarket had also initiated a collection of non-perishable goods just before Christmas, and much of this was used in preparing the first round of hampers,” Earle explained. “Then two of our volunteers, Sue and Karen, literally stripped many of the supermarket’s shelves to gather [the remaining] necessary supplies. “There have been considerable challenges to overcome in an exercise of this scope, and the collaboration has been a true blessing. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who have made this expression of community service possible.” To read more about The Salvation Army's response in South East Queensland, including a visit by Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Territorial Commander, click here.

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it? I’m a corps officer at Tweed Heads/South Gold Coast and one of the things I love most is having the opportunity to love people within our church and in the community. 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? If it’s not possible it’s a sin – just saying! To unwind, I love walking by the beach, paddle-boarding, reading, playing with our dog, binge-watching a good series, going to the gym and so many other things! 3. What’s a favourite Christian song, and why do you like it? Fresh Wind (Hillsong) is one of many favourite Christian songs I have. I am desperate for an ongoing overflowing infilling of the Holy Spirit’s presence in my life and family, church and community and in our world. The prophecy in it is also a prophetic word God gave me for a personal situation. This song helps me cry out for the Spirit’s presence and helps build my faith to believe in this fulfilment of God’s word. 4. If you could have a good talk with a biblical character apart from Jesus, who would it be and what would you talk about? I think I’d talk with Jesus’ mum, Mary. I’d ask her to tell me about what it was like being a mum to Jesus. I’d love to hear it through her eyes and learn from her pain and her ‘Let it be as you have said it’ spirit. Interview by Major Mal Davies

To read the tribute for Joyce, click here

BY JAMES BURNS* I hope it’s not too late to ask if your Christmas went as planned ... or did real life crash in, in a good or bad way? Perhaps you said to yourself, “I wasn’t expecting that!” If so, you are in good company with many characters from the first Christmas. As a young woman engaged to be married, I doubt that it was in Mary’s five-year plan to get pregnant. Imagine her explaining to her fiancée Joseph that she had been visited by an angel (Oh, really? Yes, really!) who told her that she was going to have God’s son. How difficult it must have been for her to tell her parents and then Joseph to tell his, especially the angel bit. And that’s before all the gossip would start about whom people thought was really the father. Remember, times were very different then for unmarried mothers. Both could reasonably say, “I wasn't expecting that!” Nor was it in either of their plans to travel over 140km from Nazareth to Bethlehem because of orders from the occupying Roman Emperor Augustus. That couldn’t have been easy for Mary when she was due to have the baby. “If that wasn’t enough of a shock, there was then this Sister Act-type choir of even more angels belting out the first Christmas carol.” And then shortly after she had delivered Jesus, this group of shepherds arrived with an equally unbelievable story. It had been a normal night at work for them out in the fields looking after their sheep when another angel (Oh really? Yes, really!) told them the good news about a baby being born, their Saviour. If that wasn’t enough of a shock, there was then this Sister Act-type choir of even more angels belting out the first Christmas carol. Now we can be sure that they weren’t expecting anything like that when they clocked on for work that night, no more than Mary was expecting a crowd to appear so soon after she had given birth. So, as you go to work or about your usual life this year, you may not be visited by an angel, but then again ... But that’s not to say that God won’t break in with special instructions or good news for you, too. Then you’ll be able to say, “I wasn’t expecting that!” * James Burns is a Salvationist freelance writer from Dunstable Corps in the UK