Over the next few weeks, International Headquarters will be asking different people for their thoughts on the upcoming High Council. Below, Australian officer Major Elizabeth Garland, Territorial Development Officer for the Eastern Europe Territory, speaks about praying for the upcoming High Council. For other videos, information and updates, click here .

Cafe Salvo is centrally positioned in the main business district of Box Hill. By CLIFF WORTHING Cafe Salvo at Box Hill Corps in Melbourne is fast becoming ‘that place’ as the first port of call for locals. Having a cafe with an intentional missional focus was an important part of the corps’ strategy when it moved into its new corps building during COVID restrictions in 2020. “Our staff have a real missional heartbeat,” said Captain Karyn Wishart, Box Hill Corps Officer. “At the end of the day, they want patrons to know Jesus, and they see themselves as the hands and feet of Jesus.” The cafe has high visibility at the front of the corps building, which is in a central position in the main business district of Box Hill, a suburb 15km east of Melbourne CBD. Local workers patronise the cafe before work or during their breaks. Many people are ‘walk-ins’ going about their business, and the cafe caters to people who engage with the corps programs and services situated in the corps building. “Our cafe is a safe, welcoming place, with lovely food and great coffee,” said Captain Karen Harrison, the other Box Hill Corps Officer. “It’s a fantastic connection point to our community, and we know faith conversations have occurred.” Cafe Salvo is staffed by part-time, casual and volunteer workers Monday to Friday from 8am to 2pm. Volunteers staff the cafe before, during and after Sunday worship. Customers enjoy the “safe, welcoming space” and the great coffee that the cafe offers. Sometimes community members come for their coffee and stay to watch the church service. As well as weekly fellowship time, the cafe also opens once a month on Sunday night for prayer and worship time. The cafe facilitates a suspended coffee service, whereby paying customers can choose to pay for an extra coffee, which can then be provided free of charge to customers with financial difficulties who come through Doorways (emergency relief and financial counselling) and other corps programs. The corps has partnered with TAFE and a local disability employment agency to teach their customers how to cook and make barista-style coffee. NDIS services have recently approached the corps because they see it as a place of warmth and inclusiveness. They discussed ways the cafe could help people struggling to leave their homes to overcome anxiety and social isolation. “Our corps is really committed to what Cafe Salvo is doing and can do in the future,” Karyn said. “It has certainly come a long way from when we just served a coffee and toastie.”

Larisa Kapur and Tony Welsh on the front desk at the Gold Coast Temple Wills Day. By CLIFF WORTHING The demand for the Salvos’ Community Wills Day was so strong that the Gold Coast Temple requested an additional session this year. It was held on 22 February, but the corps will still host its regular Wills Days in August and November. As usual, bookings started within hours of the day being advertised and sold out quickly. Writing even a basic will can be expensive, so the Salvos and law firm Attwood Marshall teamed up to deliver affordable wills for the Gold Coast community. “It’s a classic win, win for everyone,” said Tony Welsh, Relationships Manager Bequests Queensland. “The community receive a family will at an affordable price, the participating law firm often receive additional work from the contacts, and the Salvos raise significant funds from the wills and bequests to fund our social programs.” Fairhaven, the Salvos Gold Coast Recovery Services, benefited from the November 2022 Wills Day, and the February Wills Day supported the Doorways program on the Gold Coast. The Salvos organise Community Wills Days throughout Australia every year, hosted by local corps. The community pays $100 for a single person and $150 for a couple, with those funds going to the Corps Doorways programs. Lawyers write the wills pro-bono (free of charge), so they can only prepare simple wills on the day. Tony explained that in addition to the wills, about 15 per cent of people nationwide bequest all or part of their estate to The Salvation Army. He said bequests could be a financial donation or goods such as furniture. The Salvos organise Community Wills Days throughout Australia every year, hosted by local corps. For people wishing to prepare a will, or leave a bequest to The Salvation Army, follow the link below to see scheduled Community Wills Days throughout Australia, make a booking, and access information about them. Solicitors who wish to support the preparation of wills through The Salvation Army can also access information on the link. https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/donate/wills-and-bequests/community-wills-days/

Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas leads the Installation Service for Majors Paul and Wendy Hateley at Adelaide City Salvos on Sunday. By ANTHONY CASTLE Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas officially installed Major Paul Hateley as the new South Australia/Northern Territory Divisional Commander at Adelaide City Salvos on Sunday 19 March. Major Paul Hateley, the new Divisional Commander for the South Australia/Northern Territory Division. Miriam also led an Affirmation ceremony for Major Wendy Hateley, who has been appointed Faith Communities Development Secretary for the division. “Paul, we are here today to welcome you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to join with you as you confirm publicly your willingness to undertake these leadership responsibilities,” Miriam said. “May the everlasting arms of God the Father hold and protect you. May the love of Christ compel and inspire you to this sacred service, and may the power of the Holy Spirit strengthen and guide you daily.” Then, directing her attention to Wendy, said: “In the name of God, I now recognise and affirm you [Wendy] as the Faith Communities Development Secretary for South Australia and the Northern Territory.” “Together, they [the Hateleys] are the spiritual leaders of this division, which is such an important task as we want to be led by the Spirit.” – Commissioner Miriam Gluyas Before bringing the message, The new Divisional Commander acknowledged those who had invested in him from a young age and the broader support of The Salvation Army community. “It is my privilege that I’ve been appointed into this role to lead, but also to serve, and both of those should hold hands together always,” said Paul, who has served in officership for over 30 years. “Never stop investing. Never stop encouraging. Never stop pouring yourself into people.” The Installation and Affirmation service can be viewed by clicking here .

The Salvation Army supports an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. The Salvation Army joined leaders of major faith-based charitable organisations in Australia at Parliament House in Canberra today (Thursday 23 March) to urge all parliamentarians to support the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Secretary for Mission Captain Stuart Glover represented The Salvation Army alongside heads of Anglicare Australia, Baptist Care Australia, Catholic Social Services Australia, the St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia and UnitingCare Australia. The group issued a joint open letter to all Federal MPs and senators, urging them to back the Voice to Parliament and meet with politicians from all sides. The letter states: As the leaders of Australia’s major faith-based charitable service networks, we call on all members of the 47th Federal Parliament to support the Voice. Driven by our values, we are deeply committed to a civil society and a world of justice, hope and fairness. We join with the leaders of Australia’s major religious, ethno-religious and community organisations to urge all Parliamentarians to support the Voice, called for by First Nations leaders through the Uluru Statement from the Heart. We believe that the Uluru Statement offers a historic opportunity to create a fuller expression of Australia’s nationhood. And we have an historic opportunity to support justice for First Peoples. Each of our organisations has pledged its support to the three key elements outlined in the Uluru Statement from the Heart: Truth, Treaty and Voice. As part of that pledge, our organisations support the call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution to empower First Nations peoples. We call on all Members and Senators of this Parliament to act with an open heart and listen deeply to the many voices of our First Nations Australians throughout this significant national conversation. From our heart to yours, we urge you to act justly. Yours faithfully, Captain Stuart (Glover Secretary for Mission - The Salvation Army), Kasy Chambers (Executive Director - Anglicare Australia), Nicole Hornsby (Executive Director - Baptist Care Australia), Monique Earsman (Executive Director - Catholic Social Services Australia), Mark Gaetani (National President - St Vincent de Paul Society, National Council of Australia Inc), Claerwen Little (National Director - UnitingCare Australia). Information courtesy of National Indigenous Times Why the Salvos support the Voice to Parliament. See Captain Stuart Glover's article in the Viewpoint section, click here

“It is difficult to see thousands of needy people who simply do not know where they can find a piece of bread for today, where they can find housing, how they can organise their lives, especially those families with children , who require some special care.” These are the words of Major Irina Shvab, Ukraine Divisional Leader. In the video below, Irina shares some of her struggles, her joys and her strong faith and reliance on God. The Vinnytsia Corps runs an active women’s club for local and internally displaced women. One popular activity is the exercise class. “We are teaching and helping the women to care for their health,” the leaders shared. “Taking care of your own health during war, including physical activity, helps combat stress and assists your body to cope with the psychological load ... negative thoughts are turned off during exercises, and we have so many such thoughts during this time of war. We all need a lot of strength to win and beyond, so self-care is not a luxury but a necessity.” Each Saturday, the Kiev Lighthouse Corps opens its doors to children and young people for an afternoon of games, delicious snacks and the opportunity to make new friends. Corps leaders and volunteers are working to help the young people have some sense of normality and fun in often dark and challenging times. Corps around the Division of Ukraine are providing meals to people, many of whom have seen their homes destroyed. Corps around the Ukraine Division are helping to feed people, many of whom have seen their homes destroyed. “The Bible tells us to love one another as Jesus loves us, so we are trying to do this as Ukraine faces this difficult time of war. This is our ministry in the new reality we face,” said the leaders. Ukraine Divisional Leaders, Majors Irina and Kostiantyn Shvab, regularly visit corps to encourage and support officers, soldiers and volunteers. Major Kostiantyn Shvab even made fairy floss for the children during a recent corps visit. Millions of families are still displaced in Ukraine and need life-saving humanitarian assistance. There is also a rise in trauma among children and adults. Together with international charity HOPE Worldwide, Salvationists are providing Ukrainian children and families in need with hot meals, food baskets, vouchers and other daily essential supplies. This partnership will also explore the best methods for providing psychosocial support, and then provide that support in a way that enriches the community in which they live. “The city of Mykolaiv welcomes strong and effective partnerships with HOPE worldwide and The Salvation Army,” said Oleksandr Sinkevych, mayor of Mykolaiv. “Thanks to this, we have helped save the lives of people who are suffering from hunger in the south of Ukraine. Our city thanks HOPE Worldwide and The Salvation Army for their cooperation and looks forward to the implementation of future projects.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Sonja Southwell was peacefully promoted to glory on Friday evening 17 February 2023, aged 83, having served as a Salvation Army officer for more than 55 years. Sonja Ingrid van Kralingen was born to Dutch Salvation Army officers Ryer and Johanna on 4 November 1939 in Jogiakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. In 1953, Sonja’s family migrated to Australia, where her parents were appointed to provide ministry to Dutch migrants in inner Melbourne. On a visit to Fairfield Corps in 1966, Sonja met Ian Southwell. On 4 February 1967, they married, and one month later, they entered the Officer Training College, Australia (Southern Territory) as cadets in the Messengers of Faith session. Following their commissioning in January 1969, Ian and Sonja were appointed to Little Bourke Street Corps. In July of that year, their first daughter Sharon was born. Sonja and Ian were blessed with two more daughters, Jenni (1971) and Cathy (1973). After a brief appointment leading Melbourne City Temple, they received their first international appointment – Chikankata Mission in Zambia (1970–1975). Here they worked as part of a multidisciplinary, international team staffing a hospital and secondary school, Sonja taking on the responsibility of clinic sister at the school. From 1973 to 1975, Sonja and Ian were appointed training officers at the Officer Training College in Lusaka, Zambia Territory. Their second international appointment was in the Philippines, based in Manila. They were initially responsible for the Army’s youth work across the archipelago (1975–1977), along with literature and post-commissioning studies. In 1978, they were appointed to the School for Officer Training in Manila, with Sonja as Training Officer and Ian as the College Principal. At the end of 1979, the Southwell family returned to Australia after Sonja miraculously recovered from a grave illness. Two corps appointments followed, Hawthorn (1980) and Hobart (1982). In 1985, they were appointed to the Officer Training College in Melbourne, where Sonja taught church and Salvation Army history. Sonja, a registered nurse and qualified midwife and theatre sister, also worked on building and reconstituting The Salvation Army Medical Fellowship. At their next appointment (1989) in the Melbourne Central Division, Sonja continued as Territorial Medical Fellowship Secretary, also assuming the League of Mercy Secretary role. In 1992, Sonja and Ian found themselves in Western Australia as the Divisional Leaders. Two years later, they were back in Melbourne, where Sonja was appointed to administer the International Child Sponsorship Program as Territorial Sponsorship Secretary. Together, in 1996, they coordinated residential programs and courses at the Geelong Conference Centre before returning to international service In Korea (1997–1999), with Ian as Chief Secretary and Sonja, Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and also Secretary to the Korean Medical Fellowship. From 1999 to 2003, they were appointed leaders of the Hong Kong and Macau Command, and from 2003 to 2007, Ian became Secretary and Sonja Associate Secretary for International Training and Leader Development. Sonja officially retired in December 2005 but continued her ministry at IHQ until Ian’s retirement in 2007. Sonja’s last 15 years of retirement overflowed with ministry and service for the Lord. She travelled internationally to support leadership development and supported a monthly cluster group of Chinese-speaking corps officers in Eastern Victoria. Longstanding support to The Salvation Army’s World Mission Fellowship and various ecumenical initiatives, including the Maroondah Fellowship of Churches and especially organising the World Day of Prayer in Ringwood from 2009–2019, was also on Sonja’s extensive ‘to-do’ list. An active member of the Ringwood Corps, she served as chaplain to the Craft Group in 2008, supporting the Byways community meal program, being an active member of the pastoral care team, and regularly helping with Christmas Kettle and Red Shield appeal collections. She also co-led and hosted a weekly home Bible study group. Amidst the business of her wide range of ministries, she found time to research, write and publish the memoir of the lives of her parents, Johanna and Ryer van Kralingen. A Safe Arrival tells the story of her parents’ remarkable faith, bravery, and compassion for others, especially during their internment by the Japanese during World War Two. Celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 2017, Ian’s and Sonja’s joint biography, Safely Led to Serve , was released. On 4 February, Sonja’s immediate family gathered at Park Lane Residential Aged Care, Croydon, for the 56th anniversary of her marriage to Ian, celebrating an extraordinary life of love and service together. Less than two weeks later, she was peacefully promoted to glory at Maroondah Hospital following the onset of an acute inoperable condition five days earlier. Our love and prayers and heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Lieut-Colonel Ian; Sharon, Greg Restall and his son Zac; Jenni, and Sue Coleman; Cathy and Major Darren Elkington; Stephanie and Nathan; extended family and friends. “Her master said to her, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful ... Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:23) A Funeral Service of Thanksgiving & Celebration of Lieut-Colonel Sonja Southwell’s life was held on Thursday 23 February 2023 at 2pm at Ringwood Corps in Melbourne. The Live Streaming Link for the service: https://lifetimestories.com.au/sonja-southwell

Project 614 Chinese Congregation Corps Officers Majors Pearson and Nancy Chuang. BY LAUREN MARTIN   Majors Nancy and Pearson Chuang have been the Corps Officers at Melbourne’s Project 614 Chinese congregation for only two years, but in that time, they have seen miracle after miracle.   Pearson equates the congregation’s growth to good old-fashioned prayer.   “We train the people how to pray. Not just to listen to the message or read the Bible, but we need to actually do the action. So, we emphasise to the people [that] come here, they have to learn how to pray. This is why the miracles are happening here.”   He says one example of the Holy Spirit’s work amongst his people is the healing of a woman whose doctors told her that she only had two weeks to live.   “We, all together, prayed for this lady, and gradually, she has been healed,” he said. “She is very active in worship and meetings now ... it is amazing!”  Fun-loving Major Pearson Chuang juggles at the entrance to Melbourne’s Project 614 Corps before Sunday morning worship. In early September, the world leaders of The Salvation Army, General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, visited Project 614 to worship on a Sunday morning. During the ‘caring and sharing’ time, a woman from the Chinese Congregation stood up and gave her testimony. “I was a Buddhist,” she told those gathered. “I worshipped very seriously ... I spent a lot of money to do what the master asked me to do, but I couldn’t have peace. After I believe in Jesus and put my trust in Jesus, I experienced his faithfulness and peace through reading the Bible, worship and praying. I would like to tell everyone here that Jesus is the true and the living God and those who believe in him are blessed!”   Such stories of the life-changing work of the Holy Spirit abound amongst the Project 614 Chinese Congregation, and it spurs them on to even greater prayer and joyful worship!   In September, 10 new soldiers were enrolled at the corps. See the story here .   Please keep the Project 614 Chinese Congregation in your prayers.   World leaders of The Salvation Army, General and Commissioner Buckingham, with the newly enrolled soldiers of the Project 614 Chinese Congregation.

The team and their trainers warm up at Ela Beach, Port Moresby. A team of young people from the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory are again preparing to run the annual Gold Coast Marathon this year as part of The Salvation Army Hope and a Future program. The team (Team Feiva) are “hard at their weekly trainings”, said mentor and former program participant Greg Vali. Their current goal is to run 12-15km three times a week. Captains John and Rose Raga from the territory’s Youth and Children’s department have also joined the team. The program is modelled on four key pillars – faith, fitness, education and leadership. It aims to give young nationals identified as future leaders in their countries the opportunity to be mentored to help develop them into those future leaders in their corps, family, community and workplaces. The young people train for and run the marathon with mentors from Australia along with PNG nationals who are former participants in the Hope and a Future program. The program has been life-changing for all participants, with many reaching educational goals that would not have been possible otherwise and all growing spiritually in their leadership potential and ability to engage in the community and local church. Families, corps and local communities are benefitting as a result as well.

The official opening of Albury railway station, completing the rail link between Sydney and Melbourne, on 14 June 1883. (Photograph, courtesy of the State Records Office NSW). The Salvation Army quickly utilised the link as a means of spreading the Gospel. By MAJOR DAVID WOODBURY When two English immigrants, John Gore and Edward Saunders, held the first unofficial Salvation Army meeting on 5 September 1880 in the Botanic Park in Adelaide, they were probably unaware of how God was working to shape the destiny of The Salvation Army in the emerging nation of Australia. During the latter part of the 19th century, as The Salvation Army made its appearance in Australia, there were great social, economic and infrastructure changes and development. A painting depicting the occasion when John Gore and Edward Saunders led the first official Salvation Army meeting in Australia from the back of a greengrocer’s cart in Adelaide’s Botanic Park on 5 September 1880.   There was little doubt that Australia was ready for change. There was a move to throw off colonial shackles and move toward freedom and independence. Events like the uprising at the Eureka Stockade in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1854 pointed to a rising tide of nationalism, disenchantment with British rule and a desire for democracy. While it could well have been a time of revolution and bloodshed, the noted historian Dr Rob Nicol was to comment that Australia “didn’t need a Civil War, or a War of Independence or any form of violence, it was all developed by the will of the people, by peaceful means.” In hindsight, we can trace the hand of God moving to establish and build his Salvation Army at an opportune moment in the nation’s development. There are striking parallels between the spread and development of the gospel in the first century and the spread and development of The Salvation Army in Australia. God does not work impervious of human history; he participates within it to fulfil his purposes. Perfect timing The rapid development of the Christian Church in the first century was not just some accidental occurrence. God chose to establish his church at a precise moment in the world’s history. Paul alludes to the significance of God’s timing when he writes: “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son ...” (Galatians 4:4). During the first century, the spread of the Gospel and the development of the Christian Church were greatly facilitated by three factors: • The Pax Romana (Roman peace) that enabled a secure environment; • The system of Roman roads facilitated faster and more direct travel; • The Greek language, giving the then-known world a common language of communication. In the late 19th century, similar factors facilitated the commencement and development of The Salvation Army in Australia: • The Pax Britannica (British peace) enabled a secure environment for The Salvation Army, a British-based mission to establish itself. In 1880, when The Salvation Army made its first appearance in Australia, the British Empire under Queen Victoria was at its peak, and British rule facilitated a secure environment. • New methods of travel, such as the steamship and railways, were being developed to allow the rapid movement of people. • Communication reached new heights, with English being the common language of trade throughout much of the world. The telegraph became an accepted means of communication, and a new invention known as the telephone became operational. An early Gaumont projector used by The Salvation Army Limelight Department (Image courtesy of the Alexander Turnbull Library.) Photography and the advent of moving pictures enabled those in Australia to catch visual glimpses of what was happening around the world. The invention of the movie camera, or cinematograph as it was known, in the 1890s was particularly important to the fledgling Salvation Army as it began to use film to present the Gospel message. Moving with the times When The Salvation Army burst onto the scene, the stage was set for the Army to significantly impact this part of the world. Salvation Army leadership in those early years was bold, innovative and forward-thinking, creating an organisation that was highly mobile and appealing, especially to those of the working class. The Army quickly utilised much of the new technology available to proclaim and spread its message of God’s love and salvation for all. As Australia moved towards Federation and nationhood, The Salvation Army, through its evangelical and social initiatives, was to weave itself into the fabric of the community and secure a unique place in the nation’s psyche. This article is adapted from In The Fullness of Time . The complete text can be read in Hallelujah! magazine, titled: The story of The Salvation Army in the Western South Pacific, Volume 1, Issue 1. Available from Salvationist Supplies, Sydney.

Shoalhaven Corps Officer Captain Matthew Sutcliffe (centre) with Steelers Club General Manager Sharon Arrow (right) at the playground with some enthusiastic youngsters. The Steelers rugby league club in Wollongong (NSW) has donated its indoor playground to the Shoalhaven Salvation Army Centre in Nowra. Shoalhaven Corps Officer Captain Matthew Sutcliffe, the Shoalhaven Centre manager, said he was thrilled about the donation and appreciated the generosity of the Steelers Club, which included reconstructing the playground onsite. “One of the bonuses of the playground is that it creates a safe space for kids to play allowing parents/caregivers space to sit and talk and receive support,” he said. The Shoalhaven Centre aims to build a strong and healthy community by developing and providing programs, activities and services that respond to the needs of the most disadvantaged and isolated people within the local community. These programs include Pathways Alcohol and Other Drugs services, Doorways (welfare assistance), First Floor Program, a workshop/veggie garden for youth, the playgroup and church. Sharon Arrow, Steelers Club General Manager, said it was an easy decision to donate the playground when the club decided to undergo renovations, which included removing the playground. “The Salvation Army do incredible work within the region, and I know how much the organisation appreciates the playground and the benefits to the community, such as having a safe space for families to meet up and connect,” Sharon said. “It’s great to know that it is a useful asset to the Shoalhaven Salvation Army Centre.”

The singing from the India South Eastern Territory Jubilee celebrations blended into the surrounding tapestry of Indian nightlife. General Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, world leaders of The Salvation Army, recently joined the India South Eastern Territory for its Jubilee celebrations, followed by a visit to the India Central Territory. In the South Eastern Territory, the celebrations took place at the Booth Tucker Memorial Church Campus, an outdoor setting where the singing blended into the tapestry of Indian nightlife. General Peddle awarded the Order of the Founder to Major (Dr) Ruby Samuel during the service. The leaders also spent time with officers and expressed their pride in the men and women who lead the mission of The Salvation Army in the territory. “Meeting our youth was (also) inspirational as we witnessed talent, an openness to God’s call and security of the Army’s future in this territory,” shared the General. The leaders also opened new prayer halls in the Gnaniahpuram Corps and Kannanoor Corps. A visit to Catherine Booth Hospital was part of the leaders’ itinerary. “We witnessed an ongoing service of medical care while having opportunity to meet men and women who can only be referred to as heroes,” said General Peddle. “Our hospital engages in training with 300 young men and women in full-time studies. They are destined to serve in communities in India and beyond. God bless the India South Eastern Territory and all those who give leadership.” The General and Commissioner moved on to the India Central Territory for a week of meetings. “The first thing that comes to mind is the large crowds gathered that exceeded all expectations and planning,” said General Peddle. “Every meeting – the Youth Rally, Officers’ Councils, Women’s Congress, public meetings – prompted the need for a ‘standing audience’ in addition to those seated. It was impossible to greet everyone, so we resorted to the Army salute and many shouts of hallelujahs! “Equally encouraging was the response to the Word as the challenge was given – kneeling areas as well as aisles filled with praying people. The future of the Army in this part of India is very promising as its witness and impact finds its place in countless communities. “I suggest that we think we know the story of a nation, but when you encounter the people, you find another story – often a better one. By the way, a word of advice, if you travel to India, you will have to surrender your diet plan – the food is amazing! “God bless India and its people. God bless the Salvation Army in the India Central Territory.”