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The Melbourne Project 614 free cookbook, Meals to make ends meet, has been successful at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. The cookbook, compiled by Project 614 Hospitality Coordinator Adam Thomson, won the major award in the ‘Fundraising – Charity’ category for the Pacific region. “I’m super excited for our humble little book to officially be given the title ‘Best in the World’ at the Gourmand awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this week!” Adam said. “Massive thanks to Pressroom Partners and the entire team at Salvos 614. What a great result for the small army that helped get this book together.” More than 200 countries take part in the annual awards. Meals to make ends meet, launched in March, focuses on recipes based on everyday kitchen supplies but with additional tips to make the food budget go further. It includes suggestions on creating many variants from one basic recipe, basic chopping techniques, growing your own herbs, substituting ingredients if you don’t have something available, and minimising food waste. “It’s really encouraging to know that something we put together to help with a local issue here in Melbourne has initially been so well received on a national level and now has even impacted people on an international level,” Adam said. “We’re really proud of the book and what it stands for and are elated. “I’ve been a chef for over 20 years now, and the book is a small collection of tried and tested recipes I’ve collected along the way ... a great deal of which we serve from our café here at Project 614 in the Melbourne CBD. “I think the cookbook was very timely in regard to the economic climate that we’re currently living in, and as a result, a lot of people are feeling the pinch due to the rising cost of living in all areas.” The initial press run of 50,000 has now been distributed to Salvation Army centres around Australia, but a digital copy of the cookbook can be downloaded by clicking here

For most people, experiencing homelessness is something they will never face. The heartache of losing a home, the stress of the unknown, the feeling of being unsafe, the overwhelming confusion of accessing so many different services and the trauma of re-telling your story to different workers. These are just some of the many and varied experiences. LAUREN MARTIN reports The Salvation Army is one of the largest homelessness service providers in Australia. In years gone by, homelessness services would be located within what was then referred to as a ‘homelessness shelter’, or, if no crisis accommodation was available, in an office somewhere separate from corps and other services. But things are changing. In the NSW Hunter Valley, Salvation Army homelessness support workers can be found at corps, centres and even Employment Plus offices. And the collaboration is enabling more people in crisis to get the support they need – where they’re at and when they need it. Barrier to employment April Raw is the manager of the largest Employment Plus office in the country. Situated in Charlestown, Newcastle, she employs 14 staff members, including a caseworker and two part-time psychologists, to assist participants primarily struggling with long-term unemployment. When the number of people presenting to their office with homelessness as a major barrier to employment started rising dramatically earlier this year, April knew they needed help. “We specialise in employment, but we can’t consider that if people don’t have a stable shelter,” she said. “It’s not our responsibility to fix that problem, but it is our responsibility to refer them to other resources and support, but we were lacking in knowledge.” So, April reached out to Philippa Lewis, team leader of The Salvation Army’s homelessness services in the area. She was able to visit the site, chat with workers about what assistance is available and supply the service with backpack sleeping bags and toiletry items to provide for Employment Plus participants who are experiencing homelessness. Then she asked if it would be helpful if a Salvation Army homelessness caseworker were on-site at Employment Plus one day a week. It was a game-changer. Tracy Iles started working a half day every Wednesday, then quickly realised it wasn’t enough. Now, she’s stationed at Charlestown Employment Plus every Friday for a full day. E-Plus workers make appointments with participants experiencing homelessness on those days. Tracy has been instrumental in assisting them in getting access to emergency accommodation, advocating on their behalf with housing, and ensuring they have essentials like food, toiletries, and medications while transitioning. “We couldn’t live without her now!” April raves about Tracy. “She is super supportive and goes above and beyond.” She says working alongside a Salvation Army social mission expression on-site at Employment Plus has been hugely beneficial for both the staff and participants and would love to see more partnerships occur with corps or social mission to benefit the people that E-Plus walks alongside. Caseworkers make a home in every Salvation Army expression It’s that kind of partnership that the homelessness services team in the Hunter is forging across multiple Salvation Army services and faith expressions. Team Leader Philippa Lewis says team members can be found on various days at Newcastle, Raymond Terrace, Eastlakes and Cessnock Corps. “It’s so good that people in need can go to the corps because they know that it’s a safe place to go. There’s a sense of community and a sense of belonging – a space where they are not going to be judged. “And then a corps officer or a volunteer might say to them: ‘Do you want to have a chat with our homelessness case manager?’ and they think, ‘I’m safe here, so I can talk about my life.’ So, it works really well being co-located.” Eastlakes Corps Officer Auxiliary-Lieutenant Terri Muendel couldn’t agree more. “We’ve had homeless people sleeping in our corps backyard and in the carpark,” she says. “For so long, we desperately wanted to employ a homeless support person on staff, and then one day, the National homelessness team approached us and asked if we could house one of their workers in our centre for one day a week. “It was an answer to prayer!” Eastlakes Corps runs a café on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with a food pantry on Tuesdays and showers, washing machines and tea and coffee facilities available to people in need. “We have a number of people who are living in their cars, and they come here and do their washing and have a cuppa,” says Terri. “It’s so great to have a homelessness support worker to refer them to so that they can get the specialist support they need, whilst our corps staff and volunteers support them with kindness, food, a listening ear and invitations to the different programs that we offer.” One problem remains … Despite the great collaboration, the most glaring problem remains when it comes to homelessness on the Central Coast and Hunter regions of NSW – a severe shortage of housing. “People think that if they see a homelessness support worker, we will be able to get them a home,” says Philippa. “Believe me, I would love to. If I could, I would, for every single person. But it’s just so hard.” One gentleman she saw recently had been living in a tent for the past 12 months. However, despite the difficulties, the team perseveres. The Salvation Army is a faith-based organisation, and the Bible does say that God can move mountains. “Our team moves heaven and high earth to try and find a pathway out,” she says of the homelessness services team’s commitment to their ‘housing first’ approach to case management. “It doesn’t matter what a person’s barriers are – drug or alcohol issues, mental health issues, escaping domestic violence or coming out of prison, it doesn’t matter what their barrier is, we will house them, and then we look at everything else,” says Philippa. Because if a person hasn’t got a home, it’s very difficult for them to think, plan and act. So, the emphasis on ‘housing first’ is a priority. At Oasis Youth Services on the Central Coast, a homelessness case manager was recently able to assist two older teens who were experiencing domestic violence. “We put them into transitional housing, and whilst they work with Oasis case managers, we manage their housing. “One of them is now back at school, and the other has a licence and an apprenticeship, and they keep their home immaculate. It’s been such a great collaboration with the youth workers at Oasis.” There is always hope for housing, and The Salvation Army’s homelessness services team on the Central Coast/Hunter never gives up.

Kyiv Corps lights the candle of hope Despite the ongoing war, the onslaught of winter, constant air raid sirens, grief and weariness, the corps in Ukraine are focusing on the celebration of Christmas. Last Sunday 26 November, Ukraine divisional leaders Majors Irina and Konstantin Shvab, lit the first Advent candle – the candle of hope – at Kyiv’s Lighthouse Corps. Corps around the division are working to raise funds to buy little gifts for children, to provide food and warm clothing, and to hold Christmas services. Their regular ministries also continue, including Bible studies, Sunday school, youth groups, scouting, art therapy, and a range of classes. For Ukrainian officers, ‘regular’ ministries now include supporting people who have lost loved ones in the war, helping traumatised children and adults, and helping provide material needs for internally displaced people. General calls for prayers for Gaza The Salvation Army welcomes the news of the temporary ceasefire and release of some hostages in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Salvation Army prays for peace and the complete cessation of violence, and for the release of all remaining civilians who have been taken captive. General Lyndon Buckingham comments: “Our prayers continue to go out to all those affected by this, and other conflicts throughout our world. Especially, we pray for those who have lost loved ones or who have sustained injury themselves. “The Salvation Army is committed to peace-making and has a long-standing tradition of remaining neutral and non-partisan. As General, I call on Salvationists throughout the world to continue to pray for peace, to conscientiously pursue peace, and to equip themselves to become effective peacemakers.” A Tanzanian shopping experience with a difference From an unused strip of land to a thriving hub of commerce, The Salvation Army's Shukrani shops are changing lives in Mbeya, Tanzania. The vision behind the shops aimed not only to uplift the local community but also to make their training school more accessible to a low-income population. Residents in the local community were using the vacant land for informal roadside vending. They sold various items like cooking oil, flour, rice, and other groceries; offered services, and eked out a living amidst the unpredictable elements. The Salvation Army harnessed the potential of their training school students who embarked on a journey of community engagement and market research. They canvassed the area, spoke to the sellers about their needs and aspirations and discovered that these entrepreneurs craved legitimacy, security, and a proper selling space. However, they couldn’t afford new construction. This grassroots market research formed the foundation of the project, identifying a waiting list of sellers eager to have legitimate shops. With The Salvation Army World Service Office’s (SAWSO) funding, 10 shops with storage and bathrooms were constructed, exceeding initial expectations. The newly constructed shops were 100 per cent occupied from day one, and the local community rejoiced. The city even paved the street, signalling the dawn of legitimate business in the Shukrani shops precinct in Tanzania. The rent generated from these shops is expected to recover the initial investment in less than five years, all of which will support The Salvation Army training school. Plans are underway to replicate this success. The local government regulations now prohibit street vending, increasing the demand for rented shops. SAWSO is entering a second phase of the project, constructing six more shops to meet the growing demand for selling spaces. The Shukrani shops stand as a testament to the power of community engagement, innovative thinking, and The Salvation Army's commitment to making a difference. This venture has not only empowered local entrepreneurs but also created a sustainable source of income to support The Salvation Army’s mission in Tanzania, illuminating a path toward economic empowerment for years to come. A soccer field unites and empowers a community In the heart of Ecuador’s Guayaquil, unity prevails as community cooperatives come together to change their lives. A soccer field brings them together and powers their self-sufficiency. The city of Guayaquil in Ecuador's western region has witnessed The Salvation Army's unwavering presence for nearly four decades. It’s a difficult area where local communities have to grapple with issues such as gang activity, violence and drug-related problems. Many of them build houses wherever they can find land, even if it’s on an extreme slope of a hill. The concrete box homes are stacked on top of each other, with no formal streets, limited access to water and electricity, and little to no space for play. To address these concerns, a group of community cooperatives emerged, providing mutual support and advocating for change. Despite their persistent efforts, they remained largely unrecognised by formal authorities. Their surroundings resembled a concrete jungle, with no safe or suitable gathering place for the community. The Guayaquil Central Corps, located at the base of one of these informal settlements, began partnering with The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) to find ways to increase mission space and generate local income to support their community mission. The identified solution involved funding the clearing and levelling of a field at the base of the hill, addressing water runoff issues, and thus creating a soccer field that could be rented by the hour for games or activities, generating income that would fund their local programs and community assistance. Construction took months, and once completed, local Salvation Army officers reached out to the community to promote the soccer field. That’s when an unexpected impact took place: the various cooperatives asked permission to use the space simply to have group meetings where they could unite their efforts rather than compete for resources. By the mere change of having sufficient level space within walking distance for 30+ people to meet, they began to pool resources, invest in improvements, and take charge of their environment. They saw the field as their own and strived to enhance it. The impact was profound. The field had been operational for a year, becoming a hub for both sports and fellowship. It attracted a diverse crowd, including police, lawyers, transit officials, and government employees who came to play soccer. This provided community members with an opportunity to engage with these officials, fostering valuable partnerships and networking opportunities. One community member emphasised, “The Salvation Army invested in us and gave us the space we needed to become a community.”

BY CAPTAIN SANDRA PAWAR Violence against women and girls is something straight from the pit of hell. I don’t usually speak so strongly or use the word hell very often at all, but violence against females tries to destroy women’s self-esteem, sense of value, sense of safety, relationship with God and their very lives. I don’t know the stories you are carrying with you as you read this. I do know, though, that if you have experienced violence committed against you, it has affected the very core of who you are – how you have felt about yourself, how you perceived how others felt about you, and how you related to God. It left scars – some visible and some naked to the human eye, but painful just the same. To you today, I say I am sorry this happened to you; I am sorry you had to experience something so painful. As a victim-survivor of domestic violence, I want to say – I see you today, God sees you today. For those of you who may not have experienced the horror of violence committed against you, I say thank you God. I am glad that is not your story. Sadly, though, it is the story for so many women and girls around the world: • Gender-based violence is a global pandemic that affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime. • Globally, around 736 million women are subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence from a non-partner. • Intimate partner violence is the most common form suffered by women, with around 641 million affected globally. • Younger women remain particularly at risk of violence, with 1 in 4 women aged 15 to 24 suffering violence at the hands of an intimate partner by the time they reach their mid-twenties. • Globally, as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner. • In Australia, 1 in 6 women or 1.7 million women, have experienced physical violence at the hands of their partner. • In Australia, from 2021-2023, 3 in 10 assault hospitalisations were due to family and domestic violence. Each horrific statistic represents our sisters, daughters, aunts, grandmothers, mothers – they represent women with names, with families and friends and stories to tell. Women who are deeply valued and loved by God. Let’s just take some time to lament over what we just read. To lament is to acknowledge and respond to the pain happening around the world, in our nation, in our communities and in our families. Those statistics represent some deeply sad things, and I believe we must take time to mourn and grieve over them, to lament and bring them all before God. To cry out to God with our grief while also acknowledging his faithfulness. Pray with me as you read this prayer of lament: Hear us, Lord Jesus. We cry out just now for all your daughters around the world who have been victims of partner and family violence – Lord, bring healing and freedom. Hear us, Lord Jesus. We cry out for all your daughters who have been raped and abused – Lord, bring justice. Hear us, Lord Jesus. We cry out for your daughters who have been murdered and for those who grieve them – Lord, bring comfort. Hear us, Lord Jesus. We cry out just now for all your daughters around the world who have experienced deep shame, humiliation and thoughts of suicide because of what has happened to them – Lord, bring hope and peace. Bring healing. Bring freedom. Bring peace. Bring justice. Bring comfort. Bring hope. Amen. *Captain Sandra Pawar is an Australian Salvation Army officer (pastor) serving in the United States. For more information and resources, go to the MySalvos toolkit by clicking here If you or someone you know needs help, call 000 in case of emergency, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

BY LERISSE SMITH The ordination and commissioning of cadets is always a high point and much-anticipated event in the yearly calendar of The Salvation Army. But there’s one special and sacred event that few have the opportunity to witness before the public events that holds a deep and special meaning for cadets – Covenant Day. It’s the sacred step that precedes ordination and commissioning in the process of becoming a commissioned officer in The Salvation Army. “Covenant Day is a sacred occasion when each cadet signs their Officers Covenant before God,” said Kylie Herring, Leader of Officer Formation at Eva Burrows College. “In this moment, cadets are making a sacred agreement with God – they are accepting God’s call on their life, they are accepting a life of sacred service as a minister of the gospel in The Salvation Army.” Kylie further explained what happened in the week leading into Covenant Day. On the Tuesday, the Territorial Commander (TC) meets with the cadets being commissioned and talks through the Officer Undertakings so they are fully aware of what they are agreeing to and the spiritual nature of the relationship between them and The Salvation Army. The Officer Undertakings must be signed by each cadet prior to Covenant Day. On the Wednesday, the cadets and OFS team have a retreat day, where the significance of call and covenant is prayerfully considered. Covenant Day then takes place on the Thursday. All the cadets being commissioned gather with ongoing cadets, the officer formation staff and senior leaders in The Salvation Army. “It’s a very intimate, sacred and reflective space,” Kylie said. “The cadets make their covenant declarations and are invited to sign their covenant, which the TC and the Leader of Officer Formation sign in witness. Following the service, we share a meal together, then depart to prepare for the commissioning and ordination events.” After ordination, the newly commissioned officers participate in a five-year development program. They gather with their fellow officers for peer support and to reflect on their journey at the end of their first, third and fifth years. There are certain professional development requirements to complete within the five years, and at that point, if those requirements have been completed, they will receive a promotion from Lieutenant to Captain. Ongoing professional pastoral supervision is a requirement for officers and provides important support to new officers, providing a regular opportunity to de-brief, discuss challenges and joys, and review how they are integrating their learning with their ministry practice. When asked to describe a main challenge for the newly commissioned ministers, Kylie remarked it was getting their heads around all the systems of the Army, the procedures, processes and responsibilities. “Corps officership is challenging because of the multiple accountabilities that come with the role,” she said. “You are responsible for leading and developing a faith community, for equipping leaders and mentoring emerging leaders, for assisting community members needing emergency relief, for oversighting community programs, for developing relationships and partnerships in the local community, for line managing staff, oversighting volunteers, for keeping buildings and premises in good shape and managing all the risk and compliance landscape. “There are more things that could be added to the list - but you can see in that list the scope of responsibility and accountability. It can feel overwhelming to new officers commencing their first appointments because of the complexity of holding all those pieces and learning how all those pieces are in the flow of a week, month, or year in that location.” And one of the great joys? “The affirmation they receive on their commissioning,” Kylie said. “That The Salvation Army is saying to each of them - we believe in you! We recognise you as a minister of the gospel. We believe you can do this and that you are ready to step into your appointment.”

BY LERISSE SMITH Inspiring testimonies of lives radically transformed and amazing miracles birthed in prayer were key highlights of the Ordination, Commissioning and Sending Out of the Defenders of Justice and Reflectors of Holiness on the weekend. Cadets Edward and Beola Conteh (Defenders of Justice), David Delany (Reflectors of Holiness) and Vikki Song (Reflectors of Holiness) were all commissioned on Sunday at Auburn Corps with a special and moving service befitting such an occasion interspersed with powerful messages of support and encouragement. Cadet Leeanne Pattison (Defenders of Justice) was commissioned at Adelaide City Salvos last Friday. “This is such an exciting day for you,” Captain Kylie Herring, Leader of Officer Formation, told the cadets on Sunday. “It’s been our privilege to walk alongside you. We are delighted you were able to experience this event in person surrounded by people that have loved you, encouraged you and supported you along the way.” Several other Salvationists spoke at the service, including Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett, Secretary for Personnel Lieut-Colonel Chris Reid and Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, who led the declaration of faith and doctrines, ordination and commissioning. Worship music by the Hurstville Songsters and Auburn Music Team also formed part of the event. A special feature of the Commissioning was a video compilation showcasing the cadets’ training during the past few years. For Lieutenant Vikki Song, who was commissioned on Sunday and introduced the video to the service attendees, the training was a transformative journey for her personal spiritual growth and theological competency. It also sharpened her tools for the ministry role. “It’s not only for the sake of shaping me into a minister but also for reshaping me from the very deep of knowing into a holistically healthy new self and being equipped into a capable servant leader of God,” Vikki said. “The formation allowed me to develop my leadership skills based on who I am, my gifts and strengths, as well as my weaknesses. I have been able to integrate my learning in many practical ways, such as how to maintain an ongoing relationship with God, how to reflect spiritually and theologically in both personal life and ministry matters, the theologies of what we do as The Salvation Army, why we do them, and how I can apply them into practice. “I have also been integrating the learnt skills into practice, such as preaching, pastoral care, healthy boundary settings, and relationship building.” Vikki also thanked and acknowledged the officer formation team of Kylie, Heather, Andrew and Sharon and how their love, dedication and commitment to the cadets’ training had blessed their journey so abundantly and created a nurturing environment for their growth. Kylie shared how, in the current training model, placement officers and supervising staff became training partners with the Officer Formation Stream at Eva Burrows College. The local placement officers provide cadets with a diverse range of learning opportunities and “act as our eyes and ears on the ground” she said. “They give us feedback on how they have experienced cadets, observing their maturity, their God, self, and others awareness, their ministry skills and capacities, and their openness to learning and growing.” Kylie added the cadets commissioned this year carried two sessional names – Reflectors of Holiness and Defenders of Justice. “Each of these names speaks to the experience of transformation and the development of Christ-like character, which, as they have discovered in their studies and practice, is neither easy nor quick!” Kylie spoke to the notion of justice as one of the meta themes of the Bible – as an attribute of God, its connection to righteousness, and how it is a mandate for the people of God to live by. “In exploring how Jesus approached justice, we discover that to love is to be just; to be just is to love. We also discover that to love sacrificially is costly,” she said. “Practising genuine justice requires us to enter directly into the darkness that exists in our world, and to be the light – and as the light in that darkness, to seek to bring healing and transformation, which pushes back the darkness. “That is a much more costly experience than the experience of someone only willing to advocate from afar ... to be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ requires courage. Our prayer for our newly commissioned officers is that they would be people of great love and people of great courage.” Miriam reflected on the incredible life journeys of the cadets at the service and some members of the Auburn congregation. “Talk to all these guys, and I believe in miracles, amazing stories,” she told the congregation. “I think there are about 44 nations represented in this church today, and a whole lot of good Aussies who loved people beautifully – that’s hope, isn’t it? That is hope. “It is exciting when hope is revealed. I love the two names – Reflectors of Holiness and Defenders of Justice. You have got to love Jesus and be filled with the Holy Spirit to go out into the world and be those defenders of justice. And so, we have this beautiful alliance, don’t we? People of God, we need you, whoever you are, whatever you are doing, to be a Jesus-centred, spirit-led, hope-revealed person.”

BY IHQ COMMUNICATIONS The Salvation Army stands against gender-based violence. At International Headquarters, we are observing the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence. Around the world, people will wear orange clothing, ribbons or badges to raise awareness of this social injustice. Today, we join our voices with the cries of many who call for the elimination of violence against women and girls. Globally, almost one in three women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime. That is 30 per cent of women aged 15 and older. Committed to gender equity, we believe men and women, girls and boys are created in the image of God and should be valued equally. No one should be discriminated against because of their gender.

BY ANTHONY CASTLE Callum Greenaway is a new coordinator with the Worship Arts team, based in Queensland. Callum has been in the role for just over a month, supporting local Salvo mission expressions and working with the national team on projects and events. Callum’s songwriting first caught people’s attention during the COVID pandemic, when an opportunity to have fun on YouTube kickstarted a musical career. “My wife Lara and I started making these cheesy YouTube videos during COVID,” Callum explains. “We’d write songs and make home videos for them. The videos got some people’s attention. We started some work with the local council, and someone from the Worship Arts teams saw it and reached out. We were invited to write the song for The Salvation Army’s Self-Denial Appeal.” Callum, who attends Bundamba Salvos in Brisbane’s west, co-wrote the song Hands Could Change a Life. The song was used during the six-week Self Denial Appeal campaign in 2021. “Lara and I weren’t married at the time we wrote that song,” Callum says. “We were writing as a duo. I’d play guitar, we’d both sing and do harmonies. We had also played live music for Salvation Army events, Red Shield Appeal breakfasts, and camps.” Worship Arts seeks to support and resource artistic expressions, including music teams, brass bands, choirs, songwriting and composition, dance, timbrels, drama, spoken word, worship tech, graphic design, photography, visual art, multimedia and more. Callum’s new role will support the needs of local Salvo communities while helping to facilitate national events and assist with projects and resourcing. “I’d say the primary job of our role is to work out how best The Salvation Army can spread the love of Jesus through the arts.” “A big part of my job is coming alongside the division to help with events or whatever comes my way,” Callum says. “I’m meeting with corps officers, area officers, advocating for people’s needs and asking how we can support them. I’d say the primary job of our role is to work out how best The Salvation Army can spread the love of Jesus through the arts. A facet of that is developing musicians from a technical, and more importantly, character perspective, so they better reflect Jesus.” Worship Arts runs events, camps for kids, podcasts and training days to help support that creativity in artists across The Salvation Army in Australia. While the team assists with event coordination and resource releases, the heart of the team is to show and grow creativity in The Salvation Army. “The team organises other creators, finding talented people with stories to share and connecting them so they can be meaningfully used,” Callum explains. “It can help create a sense of identity, to have your own music. That’s a big part of what we do on the Worship Arts team, to involve others as well to write The Salvation Army’s story into song.” Worship Arts seeks to ‘encourage, support, challenge and develop’ individuals and faith communities in their use of creative arts. The team, and Callum’s role, reaches out to that same creative process that started it all on YouTube and seeks to grow that in others. “My process is messy,” Callum says. “Sometimes I sit down at the piano, play with some chords, chart out what I like, then leave it and come back to it later. It’s a refinement process. Then, other times, you sit down on the guitar and just write a song in one go. “If we are creatives and we have a message, it’s on us to write that. Songwriters have a role to play, everywhere. It’s a beautiful thing to share.”

Nearly all church services, including in the Army, finish with some sort of benediction – a final blessing before the service concludes. For many corps officers, it’s generally just a short prayer to close the service, while others like to read a verse of Scripture. Some officers have a favourite benediction that they pronounce at the end of every service. As a young man, I served under an officer who used a well-known prayer from Numbers 6 at the end of every service, “The Lord bless thee and keep thee …” and so on. I’ve been thinking about other benedictions we could use to conclude a Sunday meeting, and maybe you could suggest one of the following to your corps officers. The Porky Pig benediction is possibly a little irreverent but seems fitting. Imagine it: you finish singing the closing song, the officer gets up and reminds you of the main challenge or theme of the morning and then says a short prayer before concluding with – “Thee-a-thee-a-thee-a-thee-a-thee-a-thee-that’s all folks!” Another option would be ‘Joliet’ Jake Blues’ closing words as The Blues Brothers concluded their gig at Bob’s Country Bunker: “Well, folks, it’s time to call it a night … You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.” For a real memorable finish, you could then move straight into your final vocal – “Move ‘em on, head ‘em up, head ‘em up, move ‘em on, move ‘em on, head ‘em up, Rawhide!” Perhaps you prefer something from an older, gentler time; maybe the classic farewell from ‘The Sound of Music’. I’m sure you can picture it now: As the Sunday meeting draws to a close, the officer suddenly starts waving to you and singing: “So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodnight,/ I hate to go and leave this pretty sight.” He dances in a little circle and adds some verses until he sits at the foot of the lectern and sings: “The sun has gone to bed and so must I,/ So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye”, and the whole congregation could wave and sing “Goodbye” as the officer exits stage left. Personally, I’m a big Beatles fan, so I’m thinking of finishing with the last line from the last song of the last studio album made by The Beatles. I’d say a little prayer concluding with, “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make”, and I’d add an “amen”. No one particularly knows what that lyric means, but it sure sounds deep and meaningful. Even Paul McCartney, who wrote the lyrics, said he was just trying to write a couplet that sounded Shakespearian. Nevertheless, it sounds like something you could say at the end of a church service. In fact, you’d probably have people asking for the Bible reference for that verse! Perhaps officers could just close with the last words of social theorist and philosopher Karl Marx, who passed away in 1883, saying to those gathered around his bed: “Go on, get out – last words are for fools who have not yet said enough!” I guess as long as you add an ‘amen’, that might work. – Major Mal Davies and his wife Major Tracey are the Corps Officers at Adelaide City Salvos

The Queensland Government has committed more than $1 million to The Salvation Army to continue to deliver its specialist homelessness service in Cairns. With this funding, Centennial Lodge provides 12 places of temporary supported accommodation for women and mobile support services to five external properties for families. This adds to previously funded 23 places of temporary supported accommodation for men. “We welcome the news of increased funding for The Salvation Army to continue supporting vulnerable women and families in the Cairns community,” said Aaron Pimlott, State Manager Homelessness (Qld) Social Mission. “Our partnership with the State Government continues to grow stronger as we work together to see vulnerable Australians housed, supported, and cared for. “Ending homelessness is possible, and when suitable housing and support is made a priority, we will see homelessness as rare, brief, and non-recurring.” Member for Cairns Michael Healy said, “This funding means The Salvation Army will be able to continue helping women and families in the Far North.” Information courtesy of The National Tribune

​ ‌‘Yakila – Walking and Talking Together’ (8-11 February 2024) is a special conference in two halves. The first two days will focus on truth-telling with The Salvation Army’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander personnel, and the final two days are for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous personnel to come together in ‘faith days’. ‌​ As a movement, The Salvation Army remains committed to travel with, listen to, and seek better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yakila will help us to recognise our commitment is more than words and needs to translate into practical realities and efforts. As leaders in our faith settings, we would love to see you at the faith days on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 February. ​ Register your attendance here >>

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The purpose of this campaign is to raise public awareness of violence against women. It is a call to action for us to work together to eliminate violence against women and children. This animation contains family and domestic violence themes. If you or someone you know is affected by any issues raised by this video, please contact the following services: 1800 Respect: 1800 737 732 or Lifeline: 13 11 14 Family violence occurs in all cultures and communities and across all demographics including age, gender, and socio-economic status. This is Yas’* story (*names have been changed). To read the full story click here To read For Our Daughters by Captain Sandra Pawar click here