By MAJOR PETER McGUIGAN Christ was alone. It was midnight as he lay awake in a cell in the bowels of Roman Army headquarters in Jerusalem. Fifteen hours later, he would hang on a cross, dead. He knew this as he contemplated the next day. His life would end painfully, brutally, abandoned. These were the final hours he had known about from childhood. Now, however, it was much more than an intellectual understanding, a learnt knowledge. Scourging his every thought, the Holy Scriptures became his death sentence: “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering … He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter” (see Isaiah 53:1-11). He knew within his whole being, perhaps with more certainty than ever, that this was his destiny – and he faced a long, dark night of the soul. You don’t have to listen too closely to hear the emotional bleeding in Jesus’ thoughts. I ask myself what most played on Christ’s mind that night. Was it fear of death? Was it humiliation? Was it the anticipation of physical pain – the nails being driven through his hands, the whipping he would receive? Was it anger, as he considered his innocence and the irony of God being murdered by a treacherous, shallow, two-faced humanity? Traces of all these emotions may have found their way into Jesus’ mind in those chilling hours. But Jesus’ primary source of pain that night was sorrow. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he had confided to Peter, James and John before being arrested in the still of night in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus’ sorrow I have stopped more than once to think about this phrase Jesus used: “Sorrow to the point of death.” This was intense, unbearable inner pain and abandonment at its core. “My God, my God,” he cried out on the cross while dying, “why have you forsaken me?” Some say this was complete aloneness. But it was more than that. It is one thing suddenly to be alone. It is another to be abandoned. I believe the magnitude of Jesus’ sorrow was because of who he was. This was divine sorrow melded with human sorrow. In the garden and then on the cross, Jesus experienced the extreme juxtaposition of being both human and divine. Heavenly and earthly grief overtook him. “No one’s inner pain is insignificant.” When I think of this, I’m also tempted to think that the sorrow and grief I have experienced in my life are insignificant. But they are not. No one’s inner pain is insignificant. I have known abandonment in my life, and it took a long time for me to awaken to its impact upon me, including my outlook on life. As I look around me now, I can see this sorrow in the lives of others: in the seeming hopelessness of people who live on the street, in the fear in victims of chronic domestic violence, in the betrayal of a person whose partner has been unfaithful, in the grief of the family that has suffered the sudden loss of a loved one. Sometimes I see it just by looking into their faces. Their eyes tell of sorrow and, often, of abandonment. Sometimes we need to talk to people. Gradually they open up – especially if we’re open with them. And they share their stories of sorrow. It helps to talk. Jesus knew this, which is why most of his time was spent mingling with the crowds. But as anyone who has identified sorrow as a barrier to emotional health and growth in their life can tell you, it takes more than talking to work it through. Just where does the answer to overcoming sorrow and abandonment lie? Some say you’ve got to learn to live with it. That’s true to a degree. Our humanity attests to this. Once abandoned, it’s easy to feel abandoned again, even if you’re not. It’s a sensitive thing. Abandonment strikes a very deep chord, one with heavy vibrato written all over it. The kiss of grace But I have found that healing from sorrow and abandonment is available, and it comes through a very intimate encounter, you might say “a meeting in the garden”, with the Christ. That night in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus gave humankind a beautiful and most precious gift. If ever there was a healing kiss for our sorrow, a long kiss goodnight, this was it. “I have come to embrace Jesus’ kiss of grace, to allow its regeneration of my life.” Despite his agony and pleading with God to avoid the cross, Jesus’ gift to us, his kiss of grace and mercy, was: “Not what I will, but what you will.” How different to Judas’s kiss of betrayal that followed almost immediately! I have come to embrace Jesus’ kiss of grace to allow the regeneration of my life. I have travelled with him to the cross and nailed my sorrow and abandonment there. I have risen with Jesus a new person, still with human frailty, but with the power of grace healing me and helping me feel with the goodness of God again. Jesus’ promise of “life in all its fullness” has come to me, leading me beyond sorrow and restoring the inner contentment of my soul. More than that, again and again, God’s Spirit shows me my destiny, God’s plan for my life, and I feel I have no choice but to respond: “What you will.” What do we say to this great love of Jesus for our souls? What do we say to this beautiful nurturer of our spirit? Perhaps the words of songwriter Stuart Townend can best say it for us: “How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure.”

Can we believe the promises of the Bible that there is life after death – and that it lasts forever? Our Daily Bread Ministries considers the evidence that we don’t have to face death with fear and uncertainty. Easter is the foundation of a Christian’s faith; the resurrection of Jesus is the pivotal moment in history when death was conquered once and for all. The apostle Paul emphasised the critical importance of Christ being raised from the dead and, by association, opening the way to eternal life for all those who believe in him when he wrote: “But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith ... If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:12-14; 19). So, can we believe the promises of the Bible that there is life after death – and that it lasts forever? The greatest fears of life are often connected to the unknown, and for many people, the greatest unknown is what happens one second after death. Here, however, we consider the evidence that we don’t have to face death with fear and uncertainty. 1. The injustices of life It would be difficult to believe that life is good if we knew there was nothing beyond the grave to compensate for problems of inequality and unfairness. While some people seem destined for happiness, others are born into terrible relationships and circumstances. If we could be sure there was nothing to offset the unequal distribution of suffering, many would have reason to curse the day of their birth for the way life has treated them (Job 3:1-3). We could agree with King Solomon, who, at a low point in his life, said: “I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed – and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors – and they have no comforter. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 4:1-3). 2. Beauty and balance Much about life doesn’t seem to correspond with personal problems of unfairness and hardship. But there is beauty and balance for all that is hurtful and unequal. For moments of horror and violence, there are times of harmony and peace. As age-worn bodies succumb to pain and weakness, children and young animals play with carefree joy. Human art, in all of its glory, corresponds to birds in playful flight and morning song. Each sunset and dawn answers to nature’s need for rest and renewal. Dark nights and cold winters come with the awareness that “this too shall pass”. If there is nothing beyond the grave, the pattern of nature is stunningly incomplete. 3. Near-death experiences The clinical evidence for life after death is subjective and arguable. It’s often hard to assess the significance of “out-of-body experiences”, encounters with bright lights, long tunnels, or angelic guides. Knowing how to respond to those who speak of temporary near-death visions into heaven or hell is difficult. What we do know is that there are enough of these kinds of experiences to create a sizable library on the subject. Taken as a whole, this body of evidence shows that as people approach death, many sense they are coming not to the end of existence but to the beginning of another journey. 4. A place in the heart The human heart hungers for more than this life offers. Each of us experiences what King Solomon called “eternity in [our] hearts” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). While it is difficult to know what Solomon meant, it is apparent that he was referring to an inescapable longing for something this world cannot satisfy. It was an emptiness of soul that Solomon could not escape. For a while, he tried to fill this inner void with work, alcohol, and laughter. He tried to satisfy his longings with philosophy, music, and sexual relationships. But his disillusionment grew. Only when he returned to his confidence in a final judgment and afterlife could he find something large enough to satisfy his longing for significance (Ecclesiastes 12:14). 5. Universal beliefs While some believe it’s impossible to know whether there is life after death, belief in immortality is timeless. From the pyramids of the Egyptians to the reincarnation of New Age thinking, people of all times and places in history have believed that the human soul survives death. If there is no consciousness, laughter, or regret beyond the grave, then life has fooled almost everyone, from the Pharaohs of Egypt to Jesus of Nazareth. 6. An eternal God The Bible names God as the source of immortality. It describes his nature as eternal. The same Scriptures tell us that God created us in his likeness and that his plan is to welcome his children eventually into his eternal home. The Scriptures also teach that God introduced death into the human experience when our first ancestors trespassed into the darkness of forbidden territory (Genesis 3:1-19). The implication is that if God allowed the human race to live forever in a rebellious condition, we would have an unending opportunity to develop into proud, self-centred creatures. Instead, God began to unfold a plan that would ultimately result in the eternal homecoming of all who chose to be at peace with him (Psalm 90:1; John 14:1-3). 7. Old Testament predictions Some have argued that immortality is a New Testament idea. But the Old Testament prophet Daniel spoke of a day when those who sleep in the dust of the earth will be resurrected, some to life and some to everlasting shame (Daniel 12:1-3). An author of the Psalms also spoke of the afterlife. In the 73rd Psalm, a man named Asaph described how he almost lost faith in God when he considered how evil people prospered, and the godly suffered. But then he said he went into the sanctuary of God. From the perspective of worship, he suddenly saw evil men standing on the slippery ground of their mortality. With new insight, he confessed: “You guide me with your counsel, and afterwards, you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:24-26). 8. Quotes of Christ Few would accuse Jesus of being an evil man or a false teacher. Even atheists and people belonging to non-Christian religions usually refer to Jesus with deference and respect. But Jesus wasn’t vague or indefinite about the reality of a continuing personal existence after death. He said: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Jesus promised Paradise to the repentant thief who was dying at his side, but he also used the Valley of Hinnom – a foul garbage dump outside of Jerusalem – as a symbol of what awaits those who insist on risking the judgment of God. According to Jesus, facing the reality of life after death is the most significant issue of life. He said, for example, that if an eye keeps you from God, you have reason to get rid of that eye. “It is better for you to enter the Kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell” (Mark 9:47). 9. The resurrection of Christ There is no greater evidence for the existence of life after death than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament predicted a Messiah who would overcome sin and death for his people (Isaiah 53; Daniel 9:26). The testimony of Jesus’ followers is that he did just that. He voluntarily died at the hands of executioners, was buried in a borrowed tomb, and then left that tomb empty three days later. Witnesses said that they had seen not only an empty tomb but a resurrected Christ who appeared to hundreds of people over a period of 40 days before ascending to heaven (Acts 1:1-11; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8). 10. Practical effects Belief in life after death is a source of personal security, optimism, and spiritual betterment (1 John 3:2). Nothing offers more courage than the confidence that there is a better life for those who use the present to prepare for eternity. Belief in the unlimited opportunities of eternity has enabled many to make the ultimate sacrifice of their own life on behalf of those they love. It was his belief in life after death that enabled Jesus to say: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Matthew 16:26). It is the same truth that prompted Christian martyr Jim Elliot, who was killed in 1956 by the Auca Indians, to say: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” Article reproduced with permission from Our Daily Bread Ministries. For more information, please go to ourdailybread.org

Lieutenant Star Conliffe explores a commonly held view that God is male. When you think about ‘God’, what image comes to mind? Maybe, like many of us, you imagine God to be an old man, sitting on a throne in the clouds. Maybe he’s even got a beard. You’ve probably seen God depicted like this a lot in pop-culture, such as in the film Bruce Almighty or The Simpsons (God has lots of cameos in that show!). But is God in fact male, or is this idea just myth, one that even a lot of Christians believe? The ’Father’ metaphor There’s no doubt that Jesus, who was both God and human was a man, so he was male. And most people understand that the Holy Spirit is neither female nor male. It’s the person we call God the Father who we confuse as being male. There is good reason for this confusion, starting with the fact that we commonly use the metaphor of ‘Father’ for God. But when Jesus calls God our Father, it helps us understand God’s character as a loving provider and protector. It had nothing to do with God being male. In fact, sometimes in the Bible God even talks about Godself using motherly images. For example, in Isaiah (49:15) God says, ‘Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!’ Some people argue that God must be male because of the masculine pronouns (he/him) used for God in their English bibles. But what you may not know is that the original languages of the Bible don’t always use male pronouns. Sometimes they use a gender-neutral word like ‘they’ or even the feminine pronoun ‘she’ for the Holy Spirit. Helpfully, not all modern languages are as limited as English. For example, since 1930 Chinese language bibles have used a gender-neutral pronoun instead of ‘he’ for God, which is neither female nor masculine, but divine. It’s a special character that looks like this 祂. [1] Most theologians would agree that God is spirit and therefore cannot have not have a biological sex God is not limited Most theologians would agree that God is spirit and therefore cannot have a biological sex (male or female) and that God has both masculine and feminine characteristics. However, many people still talk about God in ways that support the myth that God is male. Sadly, this myth has led to some other very narrow ideas about God which have caused real harm to people. Like, if God is a man, then men are more like God. Or that God has put men in charge. I’ve even heard people say that because God is our ‘Father’ then in a family, the father should make all the decisions. This myth has therefore created gender inequality and excluded women in many churches and families, which God never intended. Our language and our imagination are limited by gender, but God is not. While I don’t think everyone needs to change the pronouns they use to talk about God, it’s good to remind ourselves often that God isn’t a man, and that God is bigger than our ideas of gender. Maybe then we can start to understand God better. Lieutenant Star Conliffe is a Salvation Army officer (pastor) in Victoria. [1] https://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiansingeneral/2020/02/is-god-male-the-divine-chinese-pronoun/

The Salvation Army will continue to operate out of the Wonthaggi Corps building despite not running Sunday services. The final Sunday service at Wonthaggi Corps in Victoria’s southern Gippsland was held last weekend with departing corps officer Captain Amy Jones leading the local congregation for the final time. Amy will be reappointed elsewhere and Captain Amanda Hart, Corps Officer at nearby Leongatha Corps, will oversee ongoing ministry in Wonthaggi. Amanda said new forms of worship being considered would occur throughout the week rather than on Sundays. “We’d be looking at different ways of worship, whether that be small groups, Bible study-type arrangements around the table, but places where the community can connect,” Amanda said. The Doorways Emergency Relief program will continue to run at Wonthaggi. This includes emergency food relief support, with people able to visit on Mondays and Thursdays between 9.30am and noon. The Wonthaggi Salvation Army thrift store and the local Salvation Army Employment Plus will both continue to operate. Sunday services in Leongatha and Warragul will remain. Asked about Wonthaggi congregation members who are unable to travel to those locations but want to attend services there, Amanda said it is early days, but the possibility of providing transport will be explored.

Sydney Kings players Angus Glover and Jaylin Galloway present gift-wrapped sneakers for youth at The Salvation Army’s Oasis services in Sydney at Christmas. By ANTHONY CASTLE Homeless and disadvantaged young people at The Salvation Army’s Oasis services were gifted new sneakers by the Sydney Kings basketball team and JD Sports last Christmas. The youth were also invited to attend a special Christmas night game, the result of a new partnership with the Sydney Kings that raises funds for the Army’s Christmas appeal. “The Sydney Kings reached out,” says Will Mataka, Program Manager at Oasis Sydney Youth Accommodation Services. “We got to talking about what young people go through and what we could do for Christmas. They invited some of the young people to the game and also donated some shoes.” Oasis is part of The Salvation Army’s response to youth homelessness, with 20 staff supporting young people in crisis accommodation in Surry Hills and transition accommodation in Darlinghurst. Will has overseen the service’s operations and practice since March last year. Oasis Sydney Youth Accommodation Services Program Manager Will Mataka. “Each gift had their name on it,” Will says. “Christmas can be a triggering time for the young people we work with. They can come from broken families, disconnected from social networks. When they get a personalised gift, it’s like ‘wow’. Some were emotional, having that value placed upon them.” ‘Sneaker heads’ While many may think of sneakers as simple footwear, sports shoes have become an important symbol of identity and status in youth culture, with enthusiasts known as ‘sneaker heads’. “I’m a bit of a sneaker head,” explains Will. “I’ve got a few pairs of shoes and maybe have two or three that remain in a reserved rotation. When our young people opened the gifts for Christmas, they were so overwhelmed and grateful.” The global sneaker market is predicted to reach US$120 billion by 2026, with luxury fashion brands like Gucci to Balenciaga releasing their own items, but for young people, a pair of sneakers can be an expression of identity and a way to relate to others. After receiving their first pair of Nike Dunks on Christmas Day, one young person was emotional, and it just so happened to be sneakers they had always wanted. “When I was young, my cousins and I would compare shoes, see who’s got the newest pair. Will says, “It goes back to childhood really. If any of our young people or I have a fresh pair of shoes on, we make a fuss about it. It definitely sparks a conversation and breaks the ice.” Oasis for youth The Oasis Youth Services provides emergency accommodation, education and case management for young people between 16 and 24. Many have experienced severe, prolonged and repeated trauma and may have mental health issues or battling substance abuse. “Homelessness doesn’t discriminate,” Will explains. “Young people can end up here due to domestic violence. Rejection due to sexual orientation. It can be drug and alcohol abuse or neglect. Some have no relationship with their parents. We get the occasional call about a young person couch surfing, sleeping rough on the streets.” Some young people who came into the Oasis youth services have been referred from other services, hospitals, the juvenile justice system, and even rehabilitation centres. It’s a crucial point for those most at risk. “It’s a pivotal chapter of life, at the youth stage,” Will says. “They’re on this trajectory of where their life will go. As opposed to someone who’s vulnerable and not supported, early intervention can make all the difference for them. We encourage and promote capacity building with living skills, paying bills, cooking, cleaning and healthy social interactions. We are supporting them in how to take on adult responsibilities, but we get to change it up for Christmas and spark that inner youth spirit.” Journey to independence The majority of the young people were gifted sneakers, with 10 in transition accommodation receiving the shoes as well and eight attending the Christmas game. The gifts might seem small but offer some much-needed support given the challenges the year will bring. “The shoes are something to take on their journey to independence,” Will explains. “They can look back at the year and think, ‘I’ve been able to get a housing app, some identification, maybe get into a course, get my driver’s licence’.” While a pair of Nikes might be a standard item to a sneaker head, the experience will help these young people sneak ahead on their journey out of homelessness. “The sneakers won’t solve their problems, but they can restore some of what has been taken,” Will says. “The shoes add to their journey, the value the gift places on them.”

Terrence Whyte works with Kelso State School in Townsville in his role as the Salvos’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Co-ordinator and Youth Specialist. (Below) Terrence working with the boys during the program. By CLIFF WORTHING “You don’t need a title to be a leader” – this is one of the philosophies behind the Sports Leadership Impact Program (SLIP), facilitated by Terrence Whyte, The Salvation Army’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Co-ordinator and Youth Specialist in Townsville. Each school term, Terrence works with Year 5 boys at Kelso State School on the outskirts of the North Queensland city. The program aims to tap into students’ leadership potential through activities and yarning about lessons learned. Common themes include team-building, social norms, respect and communication. “I'm just happy to see our young people learn the tools of life,” Terrence said. “It’s great to see that lightbulb moment when they realise, ‘I’ve got this!’” Sport is a useful tool for leadership training, according to Terrence, because students learn about teamwork, rules, perseverance and resilience when things don’t always work out as planned. Those skills are easily transferrable to other situations, such as at home or in the classroom. “I encourage the student to try things but not stress out if they don’t get it straight away,” Terrence said. “It is so encouraging to see a shy, young student come out of his shell, grow in confidence, take on leadership responsibility and gain the support of his peers.” Each year, the school invites students who have leadership potential or need encouragement to participate in SLIP. The school provides a staff member to work with Terrence each session. Growing in confidence “Kelso State School values this program and the way it contributes to our school community,” said Stacey Burrows, Kelso SS Early Years Coach. “We have seen our Year 5 boys that complete the program grow in confidence and develop their leadership skills, with many achieving leadership positions within the school in Year 6.” The school this year handed leadership positions to five of the 12 participants from last year’s SLIP cohort. The collaboration with Kelso State School has spanned five years and includes the school supporting the Salvos in Townsville with the Red Shield Appeal and Christmas gifts. Even though not all participants in SLIP are Indigenous, Terrence, as a Goemulaig man from Mabuyaag Island in the Torres Strait, feels he has a cultural responsibility to pass on what he knows. “In my culture, leadership is always a shared role, and you don’t need a title to have influence,” Terrence said. “The motto of the program supports this approach, ‘Be a good follower when others lead, and be a good leader for others to follow.’”

The Salvation Army is the largest provider of homelessness services across the country. (Stock image) By LAUREN MARTIN The Salvation Army’s support services for women and children affected by family violence and homelessness in the Illawarra have been bolstered, with a redevelopment approved for Carinya Women and Children’s Services. Carinya Women and Children’s Services provides crisis and transitional housing and outreach support for women and children impacted by domestic violence and homelessness in the NSW Illawarra region. The service also operates a weekly meal service, art-therapy program and Driving Forward program to assist women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds and indigenous women gain their driver’s licence. The service was recently successful in gaining government funding to redevelop its crisis housing and service headquarters. “We will be able to provide up to nine families housing support after the redesign which is double the amount that we currently are able to support in crisis accommodation,” said Manager Sonya Button. “Not only that, we will be able to support families in a much more dignified and trauma-informed facility.” The redevelopment is expected to begin this year, with nine purpose-built self-contained two-bedroom units built on site. The units will be designed to be reconfigured to accommodate a larger family through the unlocking of an interlocking door. This will replace the current shared-living crisis accommodation on site, which sees individuals and families sharing kitchen and living facilities. “It gives people dignity and agency to run their household the way they want, in a safe confidential environment,” said Sonya. “With full access to staff Monday to Friday and 24-hour on-call support.” The design also includes a ‘core’ area that will house staff offices, meeting rooms, therapy spaces and play areas and communal outdoor barbecue facilities. Carinya Women and Children’s Services will continue to operate throughout the redevelopment and is currently looking for an alternative place to provide service whilst construction is completed.

Commissioner Robert Donaldson calls Colonel Geoff R. Webb’s latest book, Mark My Words, an “energetic and insightful reflection of Jesus that will deepen faith”. Colonel Geoff R. Webb is the former Territorial Commander of the Pakistan Territory and the current Executive Secretary to the General. He has authored and co-authored various books, including Authentic Holiness for Ordinary Christians, Mark at the Threshold, Holiness incorporated, and Mission Mandates. Mark My Words is a set of reflections on Mark’s Gospel, focusing on particular words or phrases that give insight into Jesus, his mission, and his call for us to be his disciples. Colonel Geoff Webb was originally commissioned and appointed in the Australian Territory before he began a series of overseas appointments. Designed for individual devotions or group discussions, it also has art pieces (illustrated by Michael Wright) that prompt further discussion. One of the unique elements of the book is that it is written in both English and Urdu, with the translation into Urdu provided by Summra Nemat. Michael Wright is a Salvation Army officer in the Australia Territory and is Faith Communities Development Secretary for the Mission Support Department in Victoria. He is the author and illustrator of Bystander . His stunning art brings its own interpretation of the Scripture passage and provides another focus for reflection in meditation. Michael has also added some short comments on his artwork, although everyone will interpret each art piece for themselves. Some may find reflecting on the art and scripture sufficient without written reflections. “ Mark My Words is an energetic and insightful reflection on Jesus that will deepen faith and followership in any reader who engages with and reflects on the content. The book has brought energy and new insight into my living as a follower of Jesus. I am confident it will do the same for you,” said Commissioner Robert Donaldson, former Territorial Commander of the Australia Territory. Mark My Words is available from Salvationist Supplies by emailing trade.sydney@salvationarmy.org.au or trade.melbourne@salvationarmy.org.au or by calling Sydney Salvationist Supplies (1800 634 209) and Melbourne Salvation Army Supplies (1800 100 018). Alternatively, you can email Colonel Geoff Webb (geoff.webb@ salvationarmy.org). All proceeds go to the Pakistan Territory. This review was originally published in The Officer.

In week five of Self Denial, we visit Papua New Guinea and the Adult Literacy Program. Martha shares her story of missing out on an education at a young age, and how common this is for girls in her village. The Adult Literacy Program is teaching Martha and others in the community to read and write for the first time and is bringing great hope for the future, especially for the children. The theme for the Self Denial Appeal 2023 is ‘A Gift from the Heart’. It encourages us to consider the blessings we have from God and how we can use those to bless other people. Funds raised will support the work of the international Salvation Army and impact lives with the love of Jesus. To find out more and donate visit selfdenial.info

The Salvation Army’s Panania Mission Leader Natalie Sheehan (left) with Panania Salvos Store assistant, Sabrina. By LAUREN MARTIN A commercial café being purpose-built on the former Panania Corps building site in Sydney is bringing the missional heart back to the area in a reimagined way. Panania Corps ceased Sunday meetings several years ago when a new local mission plan for the area was developed that looked at different ways of being The Salvation Army and engaging with the community. The thriving Family Store became a Salvos Store and relocated to the corps site, which still housed other fruitful ministries like the weekly ‘Music and Play’. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Panania became part of Shire Salvos and a Mission Leader, Salvationist Natalie Sheehan, was appointed to oversee the site and mission in the local area. She says whilst the pandemic slowed things down, she has spent the past few years developing relationships with the Salvos Store staff and management and working on the whole-of-site mission delivery plan for the future. Café to merge store and mission A key component of the plan is the building of a commercial café, which will be located at the front of the building and provide a second access to the store. “From the street, you will be able to see into the store from across the café deck and in through the café,” Natalie says. “When people access the store through the main entrance, they will pass the entrance to the café and a few small tables in the hallway. So, we will be co-located with the store but not directly in the store.” The café, ‘Salvos: The Village’, is expected to be constructed and operational later this year. “We're dreaming of a place inspired by verses like Romans 15:5-7, Philippians 2:1-11 and Ephesians 4:1-7, just to name a few,” says Natalie. Lieutenant-Colonel Sandra Godkin has been appointed as Café Manager and will work alongside Natalie. The pair want to ensure that Salvos: The Village is both professional and missional. “First things first, we want to have great coffee,” says Natalie. “We will be barista trained, and we’re looking at hiring a casual barista as well until we can establish a core group of volunteers. “We want to establish a missional presence here so that people know they can come to our site and feel they are known and belong and valued and loved.” – Natalie Presence in the community The Village was created from a heart to be a presence for all in our community. We dreamed of a place that operates like a town hall. Where all people from the community could come, be heard, be seen and feel welcome. The Village is all about loving people and helping people to realise their full potential.” Apart from coffee and conversation, Natalie’s role as Mission Leader in Panania is integrating Salvation Army services and local mission delivery. An office next door to the entrance of the café will have a glass door panel and separate access to the kids play area on the café deck. That way, people needing a confidential chat or assistance can seamlessly move from the café space into a service delivery space. “And for parents who need to bring their children along, their kids can be playing in the safe play area on the deck while the parent is speaking with a Salvation Army service provider.” As a community worker, Natalie can provide some financial and food assistance to people in need and offer to journey with community members through the Positive Lifestyle Program (PLP). A Moneycare Financial Counsellor will begin services to the Panania community from the site later this year. Natalie says there are plans to integrate other services into the space. “I would love to imagine that we have maybe a Bible study on the deck of the café or small groups; I can be doing PLP in my office, people can come to get services and then connect into community through different groups that we want to have starting organically.” With shops and cafes two of the most frequented services in local communities, Natalie says it makes sense for The Salvation Army to be in those spaces as well, delivering The Salvation Army’s four mission pillars of: Caring for People, Building Healthy Communities, Working for Justice, and Creating Faith Pathways. Panania part of bigger vision Natalie’s role as a Mission Leader connected to a local community where The Salvation Army has a presence is part of a broader Shire Salvos vision to create a Jesus culture in every Salvation Army space in the local area and to employ a mission leader at every Salvation Army location, including stores. Currently, Mission Leaders are employed at Panania, Helensburgh, Menai community and Salvos Store, Menai Corps, Miranda food relief and assistance centre, Engadine community and Salvos Store, and a Mission Leader is currently being sought for Sutherland community and Salvos Store. “We want to make sure there is no wrong door for anyone to come to The Salvation Army and be able to find faith, community and love,” says Shire Salvos Mission Leader Mark Soper. And that’s exactly the vision God gave Natalie for Panania. “We want to reach people, help people, love people and encourage people to live their best life through the hope found in Jesus!

By GENEVIEVE GLOBKE LIZ CRUICKSHANK's time with the Salvos has been wide and varied – from worshipping at Warragul Corps (Vic.) to working on Manus Island with people seeking asylum. How many years have you been at The Salvation Army and have you had different roles in this time? I have worked for The Salvation Army for just over 10 years and have held the following roles:​​​​​​ I managed The Salvation Army’s operation on Manus Island, working with Asylum Seekers I was responsible for the development of the Centre for Restoration, following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse My current role – Secretary to the Property Trusts I have also undertaken a few special projects along the way. For those that may not know, what does the Secretary to the Property Trusts spend your time doing? ​​​​​​​Most of my time is spent working with the Chair of the Board, the Chair of each Board Committee and the Chief Secretary to ensure that the Board has the information it requires, to hold management accountable. What was your journey to The Salvation Army? ​​​​​​​I was actually dedicated as a baby at the Sunshine Corps of The Salvation Army many years ago. In 2010, I relocated to Warragul in Gippsland whilst taking a career break and started attending the Warragul Corps. I went from the Warragul Corps to Manus Island. What has been the most memorable experience during your time at The Salvation Army? ​​​​​​​This is a tough one to answer. Probably, the opportunity to work with three different Board Chairs over the development and refining of the Governance Model for the Territory. What has been your greatest achievement during your career? ​​​​​​​In a former life, I had a Bill go through the Victorian Parliament. The Bill was passed and became the Courts Legislation Amendment (Juries and Other Matters) Act 2008 (Vic) (the Act). The Act made changes to the Constitution Act 1975 (Vic), the Juries Act 2000 (Vic) and the Magistrates’ Court Act 1989 (Vic). The changes to the Juries Act 2000 were the most significant amendments. What is your favourite part about serving at The Salvation Army? ​​​​​​​Having the privilege of serving the Board as it works to see the flourishing of the movement into the future. What excites you most about the future of the movement? ​​​​​​​A Jesus-centred focus. What do you like to do in your spare time? ​​​​​​​Read and run. Liz and her famous feline Maggie. You’re happiest when …? I come home and am welcomed by my very gorgeous Instagram star Maggie @_miss_maggie_moo Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you. ​​​​​​​I have lived in a shipping container. What advice would you give to people who are new to working in the Army? ​​​​​​​Take the time to listen and learn.

The first Salvation Army all-girls soccer team in Cambodia, with local and international leaders. Australian officer, Commissioner Robyn Maxwell, is second from left, back row. The Salvation Army in Cambodia now has its first all-girl soccer team. The team is made up of girls linked with The Salvation Army in Cambodia. A thriving ministry, the work in Cambodia shows a Salvation Army that is full of faith, passionate for Jesus and clear in its mission to serve others. On a recent visit, Australian officers, Commissioners Robyn and Wayne Maxwell, Zonal Leaders for South Pacific and East Asia, shared with Korean territorial leadership in a visit to new and vibrant ministries of The Salvation Army in Cambodia. As well as meeting the all-girls soccer team, the international visitors also worshipped with the people of Phnom Penh Corps and visited the Pepper Farm which financially supports the ministry in Cambodia. Leadership continues to pray that the girls will keep on building each other up in Christ as they break down the unfair, unjust and unnecessary societal expectations of this world.