Commissioner Shelley Hill (World Secretary of Women’s Ministries) and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham (World President) launch the ‘Reflections on Justice’ devotionals for November 2024. Reflections on Justice launched at IHQ The International Women’s Ministries team is delighted to share Reflections on Justice , a daily devotional written by Salvation Army women from across the world for this month of November 2024. Each daily devotional provides Scripture, reflective reading, prayer, and a challenge to do something for others. From 1 November to 1 December, International Women’s Ministries invites everyone to take part in a global reading event by sharing the collection with friends, families, teams, and corps.   The month of November is of great importance to justice-seekers as it marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November), followed by the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, also known as the #OrangetheWorld campaign.   “We pray that this reading plan, and our united participation in it, will prepare our hearts and minds so that we can positively impact the world around us,” shares the team.   For all resources, click here .   Reflections on Justice is available to read alone or in a group on the Bible app by YouVersion. To start a plan, click here . (Also available in French, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili). Ukraine: Building faith in the future   In Ukraine, Salvation Army corps are working to create safe spaces and day programs for children (and adults) where their mental, physical, social, spiritual and aesthetic development can be nurtured.   According to statistics, around 61 per cent of children are experiencing symptoms of stress due to Russia’s war in the country and multiple related traumas. Providing fun and educational classes for children helps protect them from the traumas of war. Corps and their teams are working to ensure children feel safe in their programs, and to provide psychological care, assistance with after-school homework, English classes and craft workshops.   “Doing homework under the supervision of professional teachers is an interesting and joyful process through the selection of interesting exercises and tasks, game techniques, use of non-standard class formats, balanced regulation of students’ mental and physical activity, rest time, nutrition and outdoor activities,” they explain.   Excursions are also taking place, with more planned, for those students attending the extended day programs.   The teams believe that, by assisting young people now in the dark days of war, they will be better equipped to build happy lives in a just and better world.   Bikies give UK garden complete makeover A group of bikies from the Unsanctioned Motorcycle Group in the Welsh town of Merthyr Tydfil recently gave a local Salvos corps’ garden a much-needed makeover. Members of the motorcycle club roared up at the church in Glebeland Place earlier this year, clad from head-to-toe in black leather with an unusual request: “How can we help?” The bikies gave the Salvos' garden a complete makeover to help serve the community. The group spent weekends cutting back the overgrown gardens to the front and sides of the church, as well as planting flowers, to transform the wild patch into a beautiful area.   A member of the group, Addy, says the way motorbike gangs are portrayed in films and on TV can give people the wrong impression of their club: “There’s a lot of motorbike clubs out there who want that hard, outlaw image. But that’s not us. We want to give back to community and help people in the same way The Salvation Army does. They have been wonderful in our community. It’s brilliant that they are celebrating 150 years in Wales and it’s good we can help them.”   To read the full story, click here . Typhoon assistance in the Philippines Following severe tropical storm Trami, The Salvation Army in the Philippines, with assistance from the Barangay local government unit, has distributed meals to 790 individuals, including 310 children, at three evacuation sites in Barangay San Roque, Legazpi, Albay. Providing nutritious food to impacted families is a key role for Salvation Army teams. The storm, also known as Typhoon Kristine, made landfall in the province of Isabela in northern Luzon on 24 October.   The Legazpi Corps was severely affected in southern Luzon. Corps Officer Lieutenant Aristotle Casumpang, reports on how some regions in the Philippines experienced the “calamitous effects” of Typhoon Kristine. “The storm caused widespread devastation across the Bicol region, central Luzon and northern Luzon,” he said. “Its destruction has been significant in the Bicol region, impacting 119,257 families, including members of our local church community in Legazpi, Albay.”   Salvation Army teams continue to work with those impacted by this disaster. To read the full story, click here .

Ukrainian children who fled to Australia due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict have experienced hope after they received computers from The Salvation Army in a statewide collaborative effort to support 1500 Ukrainian refugees who now call Victoria home. Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash. BY JESSICA MORRIS The smiles on the faces of Ukrainian children as they sit comfortably in living rooms across suburban Melbourne don’t reveal the tragedy of the Russia-Ukraine war they fled with their families. But now settled in Victoria, the gift of a computer was enough to give them a little hope for the future. So far, the Salvos have delivered 11 computers to Ukrainian refugees, and that’s just the start of a collaborative statewide response by The Salvation Army to help an estimated 1500 arrivals on the state’s doorstep – half of the 3000 taken in by the Australian Government. The response started when two community leaders approached The Salvation Army’s Intercultural and All Abilities Team requesting support. Calling on Salvation Army mission expressions from across the state, they leapt into action to assess their newest residents’ short- and long-term needs. “During the initial meeting, area officers from places where Ukrainian refugees have settled, as well as personnel from other mission expressions, decided to meet the two community leaders face to face,” shares Major Claire Emerton, Area Officer for Victorian Metro Central. The most urgent requests were for food, clothing and shelter – immediate necessities destroyed when fleeing for their lives. “Immediate needs will assist the community in finding its feet in Australia, while long-term needs will assist refugees in effectively integrating into Australian society,” Claire said. It was the start of a coordinated response in Victoria that has already yielded results. With help from The Salvation Army’s IT department, 11 computers were given out in the first week, enabling families to look for employment, children to complete schoolwork and households to connect with the outside world. A database of relief services and community groups in the state was also put together, which was passed to the community leaders for translation, so every new arrival could access what they needed. Utilising resources The Salvation Army already has, people will be assisted in building resumes and seeking employment. Salvos Stores are working to find volunteer positions for them in the interim – an experience that will not only build their resume in Australia but help them set up a new life here. Plans are also in the works to create or find an English course they can attend. The Doorways team in Brunswick was the first port of call for one woman displaced by the Russia-Ukraine war. A Doorways worker took the community member to the Brunswick Salvos Community Centre to meet a women’s group while she waited for her appointment. That’s where she met Salvation Army chaplain Captain Melanie Cop, and all of a sudden, possibilities for her future employment emerged. “Mel engaged with the new community member and identified her professional work skills, then connected her with a HR manager from a company in the Melbourne city centre. She had two job interviews that matched her professional skills perfectly, and we have been informed that she got the IT job in Melbourne!” shares Claire. The courage and tenacity of the Ukrainian refugees the Salvos have already encountered is a cause for celebration. And with support from Salvation Army mission expressions across Victoria, their journey to healing and hope is in motion.

Canberra City Salvos are “doing life together”, journeying with people through healing and recovery for the long term, says captains Mitchell and Sally Stevens. It is the daily reminder from Jesus to “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31) that drives their passion to serve those whom god has brought into their community.

Major Darren Elkington updates the congregation at Camberwell Corps on the state of the ‘Together In Renewal’ project, detailing the plans for the upcoming building renovation and the corps’ temporary relocation to Eva Burrows College. (Top right) Render of the new worship hall. (Bottom right) Current corps building. BY JESSICA MORRIS There is nothing quite like walking into a newly renovated Salvation Army hall. The walls are crisply painted, history has been refurbished, and there is a sense of excitement in the air. Camberwell Corps in Melbourne’s east is eagerly looking forward to that day in early 2023. But, in the meantime, the Bowen Street premises will be out of action for at least the next six months. The $4.5 million project to renovate Camberwell Salvation Army will include a spacious, modern worship hall. (The conceptual render is pictured here, designed by Gray Puksand.) It’s a good thing they know how to adapt because, more than ever, they have found church isn’t about the location; it’s about the people. “We have been in these facilities since 1981, and it has served us well, but 40-plus years on, the building is looking tired, and it’s not meeting current compliance standards,” said Corps Officer Major Darren Elkington. “The renovation will enable us to engage and serve our community better and provide a welcoming space for us to enjoy fellowship and worship.” The renovation will cost $4.5 million, with the final sign-off still to take place. Funding is coming from several sources including corps reserves and grants from Divisional and Territorial Headquarters. The original plan was to rebuild, but the cost would have been three times higher. In addition, a local community grant of $17,500 will go towards the kitchen renovation, which will benefit the corps’ Community Lunch Program on Friday and Sundays. The new entryway to Camberwell Corps will include room for coffee facilities and fellowship with plenty of green space. (Conceptual render by Gray Puksand). Thanks to the project management team at Turner & Turner, the renovated building will have a new entrance/foyer with coffee facilities, a spacious worship hall, revamped office spaces with breakout rooms, modern bathrooms and plenty of green space. These are exciting developments, to be sure. But the real story lies in the corps’ name for the project – ‘Together in Renewal’. Partnership and collaboration will be key to corps life during this season. From 24 July, Sunday services will be held at Eva Burrows College – a 25-minute drive away. And to make sure everyone can get there, a mini-bus will operate between the two premises. This will also be the location of Explorers Kid’s Church, Corps Cadets and other children’s programs. The band will also hold rehearsals at the college. Camberwell Corps will join with nearby Ringwood Corps a handful of times during the renovation process. But, as we all know, there is more going on at a Salvation Army corps than Sunday activities. The Camberwell office staff, including Doorways, will base themselves out of a portable building, while Camberwell Baptist Church will host the corps’ Community Meals program and weekly exercise classes under the leadership of Norman Gale. And they’re not the only members of the community working with the corps during this period. “Just Brass has decided to be based out of Ashburton Primary School, which will actually be really great for increasing local community interest and participation,” said Ministry Assistant Steph Elkington. “VINE Youth Group, led by Meg Bray, will be running out of Surrey Hills Corps, and Junior Youth Group, which happens twice a term, will be held between Box Hill and Ringwood.” When the Camberwell congregation moves back into their renovated building in 2023, it will include fresh, modernised bathroom facilities, revamped office spaces and breakout rooms for activities. (Conceptual render of the male bathroom by Gray Puksand). In itself, the Junior Youth Group is a testament to the collaboration of local corps, with the renovation amplifying the partnership between Camberwell, Ringwood and Box Hill corps. “We decided to do a combined junior youth group (Grades 3-6) as we believed it was important, but each corps individually did not have enough leaders to run it sustainably. Thus, we decided to do it together as a group, which means we have enough leaders, children and families interacting together from all three corps and numerous location options,” Steph said. When the trio of corps began the junior youth group, a girls group also began. But not to be dissuaded during renovations, they have decided to meet up at participants’ houses, establishing camaraderie through the process. “Running the group out of the girls’ houses has created a really lovely sense of community and comfort that I don’t think would have occurred if we were holding the group at the hall,” said Steph. Church may look a little different for Camberwell Corps in this season of change, but the renewal happening through their collaboration means they will have gained more than just a renovated hall when this is over – they will also see God’s fruit from their faithfulness.

Mark Reeves with his wife Tracy. The couple attend Eastlakes Corps on the NSW Central Coast. BY LAUREN MARTIN   Like most Christians, Mark Reeves had heard about healings but had never witnessed one himself. But at a recent Salvation Army men’s camp in the NSW/ACT Division, God changed everything.   Mark, a Salvo who attends Eastlakes Corps in Lake Macquarie, NSW, has been suffering from Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) for the past 18 months.   The condition impacts people’s nervous systems and can cause a range of symptoms.   For Mark, it started with losing his balance, then progressed to the point where he was experiencing involuntary movements and tics that he described as “looking like I had epilepsy”.   The condition impacted his ability to work and caused a significant amount of stress in his life.   So, when he arrived at the NSW/ACT Arise Men’s Camp at Collaroy last month, he had no idea of what God had in store for him.   The opening night featured a clip from  The Chosen  movie. It showed Jesus healing a man at the pool of Bethesda. Mark said to himself, “That’s what I want.”   Other men in attendance from Eastlakes Corps, including Auxiliary-Lieutenant Bernie Muendel (Corps Officer) and Gordon Toft, were all thinking the same thing for Mark. Healings, prophetic words and people laying down their lives for Christ During the Sunday service, Mark said his tics became “really, really bad”. A man sitting nearby, whom he didn’t know, whispered to him: “What did Jesus do when he went out in the boat and the storm was on? He said, ‘Be at peace, be still, be still.’”   Near the end of the service, there was a call to prayer, and Mark said, “I just knew I wanted to get well and for it to be taken away from me.” So, he walked out to the front and could feel the powerful presence of several people coming to pray for him.  Eastlakes Corps Officer Aux-Lieut Bernie Muendel. One of them was his corps officer, Bernie, who said he was reminded in that moment of the New Testament story where a paralytic man’s friends brought him to Jesus.   The group began praying over Mark. Prayers of wholeness and healing.   When Mark returned to his seat, Gordon, sitting behind him, put his hands on his shoulders, leaned over and asked him how he was feeling. Mark replied, “I’m at peace ... I’m still.”   And then another man, whom he didn’t know, leaned over and touched Mark’s palm.   Gordon, still holding Mark’s shoulders, said he felt a surge of what he described as “electricity” course through Mark’s body.   Mark also described the moment as “like a small electrical charge going up and down my leg and my arm, and then I felt instantly healed. It was just incredible!”  Mark praising God at the men’s camp after his healing. He stood up to worship, and his body was still for the first time in a long time: no involuntary movements or tics.   At that point, Gordon called out to the worship band to stop playing. “I said, ‘Guys, stop, look at this! We’ve got to bear witness to this; there’s been a miracle here today. A real genuine miracle!’” The room erupted with praise.   Mark gave his testimony at Eastlakes Corps the following Sunday. It brought tears of joy as the congregation gave glory to God.    “It is a testimony, isn’t it?” said Bernie. “And that’s what God wants, he wants it to be a testimony to his glory and his power and his forgiveness and his grace.”    Mark has also shared his testimony at his workplace, where, regardless of the level of scepticism, his co-workers cannot deny that he is a changed man.  Mark says he can’t stop praising God. “I can walk straight. I can stand still,” Mark said. “I would say I’m about 95 to 99 per cent cured.”   It’s now been nearly three weeks since the men’s camp. Mark says the next step is an appointment with his medical specialists. He says he can’t wait to show them the results of a healing prayer at a Salvation Army men’s camp. All praise to Jesus! Mark sharing his testimony at Eastlakes with the support of the men’s ministry team, including Gordon Toft (second from left). Mark’s Testimony To view the video of Mark giving his testimony at Eastlakes Corps, click on the Eastlakes Facebook page here and go to the church service livestream on 27 October (about 36 minutes into the service).

Helping vulnerable young people love and support each other is one of the main goals of Salvation Army youth services. Photo: Melissa Askew BY LERISSE SMITH   It was a headline that captured the world’s attention.   In January 2018, Great Britain made political history by appointing the world’s first Minister of Loneliness, a move described by then-Prime Minister Theresa May as reflecting the “sad reality of modern life.”   Loneliness has since become a prominent topic in the news, with the World Health Organisation declaring it a pressing global health threat, equating its mortality effects to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.   And it’s significantly impacting our young people.   The young people of today are becoming lonelier, according to the latest Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey that reported Australians aged 15 to 24 are the loneliest age group in the country.   “Young people don’t really talk about loneliness, but you see it and hear it in other ways,” said Rachel Munro, Youth Participation Worker with The Salvation Army’s Youth Services.   “What did you do on the weekend?” and they will reply, “Nothing really. Just watched some movies, went on TikTok.” “Who else have you talked to about this?” Their reply “No one. Who would I tell?”   For many young people, loneliness exists even when they are in a room full of people. Recent research conducted by the Melbourne Youth Services program, utilising the DeJong Loneliness Scale, revealed that young people often feel they lack someone trustworthy to confide in or talk with about everyday issues, even with friends and acquaintances in their lives.   Post-COVID, the team has noticed a real change in the social skills of the young people coming through its refuge.   “In communal spaces, they are more likely to be glued to their phones than ever before and often talk more to the workers than other young people,” Rachel explained.   “For many, the critical years for social development, where they would have been with peers in classrooms, sporting teams or enjoying other hobbies with friends, was spent online.” Claire Edmanson says its important to value youth in society. Youth Services Program Manager Claire Edmanson said a change in lifestyle and lockdowns had limited young people’s interactions, resulting in lost opportunities for social connection and increased loneliness and social anxiety. She emphasised the importance of valuing youth in society and ensuring they had a voice and role in addressing their community needs.   A key component of the youth services work was also centred on relationships and social supports for young people, especially when family support was lacking.   While feeling rejected and lonely is an experience all teenagers occasionally have, the Youth Services team based in Upton Road, St Kilda, has found they often don’t have families to fall back on.   When the young people using its service have friendship conflicts, they often don’t have someone to help them workshop a solution or to explain what a healthy relationship looks like for them.   Another presentation of loneliness the workers often see is young people cycling through friendships, never keeping a friend for more than a few weeks or a month at a time.   With the youth services program operating as a PIE (Psychologically Informed Environment), the focus is on building trusting, responsive and supportive relationships within safe environments.   “What we have seen in our program that has improved these experiences is creating a space for young people to socialise in a safe and supported environment,” Rachel explained.   “Through activities such as Laser Tag, group walks and our weekly gardening program, which are led by staff, they can interact with one another without the focus being solely on ‘making friends.’ I believe the main way to prevent loneliness is to help young people create the community they want for themselves.” Captain Brad McIver says young people face unprecedented levels of uncertainty today. Encouraging young people to engage in community life and be in relationship with each other is also a priority for The Salvation Army’s Head of Social Mission, Brad McIver, and his team.   He said The Salvation Army, as a Christian organisation, holds the belief that God created people to be in relationship with each other and to the environment, including young individuals, and it continually reached out to support and ascertain the wellbeing of the community.   This year’s annual Salvation Army Red Shield Research project exploring people’s experiences of hardship found 60 per cent of respondents aged over 18 cited loneliness and social isolation as a great challenge during the past year. The feelings of loneliness often coincided with poorer mental health outcomes. Many respondents also highlighted how their financial situation greatly increased their social isolation and loneliness.   Brad said from his personal and professional experience, young people were suffering great loneliness.   “It probably comes from the fact that I’m a father and a grandfather,” he said.   “I’ve journeyed a little bit of life. It also comes from my professional experience as well. We live in a world that, in many ways, is more connected than ever, and because of technology and social media, you can be anywhere in the world anytime and experience all kinds of things far earlier in life’s journey and development than ever before on this planet. This also affects the maturing of young people.”   Young people also face unprecedented levels of uncertainty in a rapidly changing and often confusing world, Brad remarked. Additionally, the expectations surrounding how they journey through life were somewhat unreasonable.   “When does a child have time to be a child? When does a teenager have time to be a teenager?” he said.   “When I was growing up, I had no mobile phone and very rarely had access to the home phone without asking for permission. The thing I was most concerned about was getting to school to see my mates, whether I was actually engaged in academic activity or not, and what we were doing after school. I’d be roaming around on the bike and visiting mates. There was no noise to the level that young people have these days. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a stable family environment. Many young people are not that fortunate.”   Adding to the stressors of everyday life was also the rapid pace of living and the allure of social media – plus the challenges of switching off.   Brad recently recalled talking with his 22-year-old daughter who commented that she found herself continuously scrolling and scrolling through social media and not even looking at anything in particular.   “I have been guilty of that myself, too,” he reflected.   “So, for our young people, who have technology, they are being constantly bombarded. For me, that is isolating, and that creates loneliness because the relationships that we might have through an online connection, or the expectations of what relationships should look like for young people that are imposed on them by a whole range of media vehicles, is what they’re trying to attain in their reality – and let’s face it, it’s not attainable.   “I think there are societal level impactors on our level of connectedness, and probably the greatest lie is that technology and social media connect us. They really don’t in any meaningful way. There is certainly evidence to prove that the sense of self that we might post on Facebook or Instagram is very rarely a positive impact on our sense of self.”   Providing stability for young people through youth services programs is a key component of tackling the issue for The Salvation Army Social Mission team, plus providing a place of safety and accommodation where it is required. Supporting and encouraging young people to recognise their value for who they are in society is also an integral part of their work. In his role as Head of Social Mission, Brad is passionate about young people knowing they were made and created in the image of God and did not have to earn favour, value, or appreciation to have value, worth, and a place in this world.   Furthermore, he wants young people to know The Salvation Army can support them in their pursuits and help develop life skills, something the organisation does regularly with young people with great results.   “Immediately, we see an increasing level of confidence,” he commented.    “There’s a young fellow at Upton Road who was isolating in his room but then became involved in their garden, where he got to meet chickens and do other things. Now, there’s a life transformed. A young man who was very isolated for a whole range of reasons and now is connected. He’s got a plan. He’s heading in the right direction, but most importantly, he has self-worth and value.   “The Salvation Army sees each person as having inherent value in the world, and as an organisation, that’s what we champion and being a positive connector with others.” * Graphic stats supplied by State of the Nation Report Social Connection in Australia 2023

With the near-coinciding release of the Disney Plus series Ms. Marvel and the film Thor: Love and Thunder, we see Marvel Studios recognising the importance of new, more relatable heroes in 2022. (Left) Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan in Marvel Studios’ MS. MARVEL. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved. (R) Chris Hemsworth as Thor in Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved. REVIEW BY JESSICA MORRIS BOOM! POW! CRACK! When it comes to the latest instalment of the Thor franchise, Marvel pulls out one of their most camp and comedic releases to date. Pushing back on the trauma and tragedy of years past, Chris Hemsworth returns as the God of Thunder to reclaim his throne as the superhero the universe needs. But does the world really need another bedazzled, aged, male Anglo-Saxon superhero? If the nuance of Love and Thunder is anything to go by, maybe – so long as there is an equally powered female hero by his side. And with the return of Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) as Lady Thor, we see Marvel remedy the gender inequality of their early days. But if you dare to take a superhuman-sized leap back from the screen, we see something larger at play. Superheroes of the world, make way for MS. MARVEL. A series released on streaming service Disney Plus a month before Thor: Love and Thunder hit theatres, this everyday hero is a trailblazer. Why? For one, the character of Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) – her alter ego being a 16-year-old girl from Jersey City in North America. A first-generation Pakistani-American, she is Muslim and, according to comic book canon, queer. In her own words, “it’s not really the brown girls from Jersey City who save the world.” A god and an immigrant Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan and Matt Lintz as Bruno in Marvel Studios’ MS. MARVEL. Photo by Daniel McFadden. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved. The fact is, Ms. Marvel hasn’t been blessed with a genetic mutation from a spider or technology, and she certainly wasn’t born on another planet like Thor. Her power comes from her heritage – and as we find out, events intrinsically linked to the Indian Partition, when millions of Muslim refugees fled a now-Independent India in 1947 and formed the nation of Pakistan. Today, this is known as one of the largest refugee crises in history, with an estimated 10-20 million people displaced and one million people killed. Comparing Thor to Ms. Marvel is like comparing apples to oranges. You can’t discredit the trauma and grief experienced by Thor – he has lost everyone he loves, watched his planet Asgard destroyed, seen half the remaining survivors decimated and struggled with deep depression and addiction. The complexity of this pain is well played out on screen, giving depth to an otherwise egotistical and brawny character. But while we see a shadow of real-world events in the life of the Norsk God, they don’t hold a candle to the reality of a 16-year-old American-Pakistani immigrant who still lives with the generational trauma of colonisation and Islamophobia that haunts her people to this day. Sure, Thor can kill bad guys with a hammer. But Ms. Marvel can protect her community, albeit awkwardly, with a strength and dignity that comes from within. She is the picture of a young Generation Z [people born between 1996-2009], who are more technologically inclined and culturally aware than ever. Her enemies are not power-hungry aliens – they are corrupt law enforcement officials who identify her as a threat due to her ethnicity. Her friends are diverse, articulate and strong – a feminist devoted to the Muslim faith and restoring gender equality to her local Mosque, and an orphaned tech wiz who happily partakes in her family’s Indian feasts and religious events upon invitation. A new age of heroes Historically, superheroes were created during World War Two to give people hope. Superman and Captain America were icons of nationalism and represented the brave men fighting for freedom. Post 9/11, we returned to this preference and relied on billionaires like Tony Stark’s Iron Man and ex-Communist spies like Black Widow to save us from unknown evils. But in 2022, in a world where gun violence, racism, inequality, the loss of human rights and environmental disasters are happening by humanity’s own hand, Generation Z have become the superheroes we so often persecute or misunderstand. They are what we would deem misfits – diverse in background, gender, sexuality, skills and interests. Yet they are the ones who give us the most hope. And if you stay to the end of Thor: Love and Thunder , you learn that Thor has realised the same truth. In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul asserts, “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young.” It is a verse we lobby as teenagers, and Spirit-filled, we stepped into adulthood on a mission to save the world. Now we are the adults who have to make may for the young. Their ways may be unusual, new and sometimes imperfect – but their passion for doing good is the very thing God will use to build his church post-COVID-19. How’s that for a thunderbolt? Thor: Love and Thunder is rated M for fantasy themes and action violence. It is out now at cinemas. Ms. Marvel is rated M for language and action sequences. It is streaming on Disney Plus.

REVIEWED BY DOUG DAVIS Wesleyan Perspectives on Human Flourishing is the engaging title of 12 essays by theological academics associated with the Australian Centre for Wesleyan Research. The editors – Dean G. Smith and Rob A. Fringer – are faculty members of the Nazarene Theological College, Queensland. Of particular interest to Salvationists is Smith’s essay, ‘The Salvation Army and the Challenge of Higher Education in the New Millennium’. Major Smith, a retired Salvation Army officer, served for over 30 years in various Australian appointments. Also pertinent is ‘Exploring Salvationist Understandings of Holiness in the Anthropocene’, by Matthew D. Seaman. The essays explore a range of contemporary issues such as calling, creation care, healthcare, education, technological enhancements, death and dying. The book is a theological smorgasbord that offers solid food for thought but might prove hard for some readers to digest. However, this rigorous work should reward committed readers and is recommended by Commissioner Robert Donaldson. Available online at wipfandstock.com .

The flower of remembrance – the red poppy is a symbol of those who have died or suffered in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Tim Costello reflects on his experience at Gallipoli and remembers soldiers past and present while we hope for peace. On the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918, the guns fell silent. After 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded, it was declared the war to end all wars. Never again.   To that end, the League of Nations was created, but it failed. Twenty-one years after that first Remembrance Day, World War Two claimed 70-85 million lives. After it finished in 1945, the United Nations was created to prevent wars.   But this Remembrance Day almost 80 years later, the bombs and guns are blazing again. How do we end wars and honour the purpose of Remembrance Day?   Last year, my wife and I were leading a Christian tour group to Türkiye and had a day at Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli. We stood reverently in the shade of the lone pine tree that stands there as a sentinel, surrounded by the graves of young Australian men.    “Blessed are the peacemakers – they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9 The Voice Translation).    Members of our group shared about the intergenerational family trauma that was the legacy of grandparents who had fought in these hills and valleys.   There were tears and hugs and then we sang together the chant, “O Lord, remember them when you enter into your Kingdom.” That is remembrance.   As are the ceremonies at shrines and war memorials around the nation where we honour the “mighty dead”, listen to the Last Post, and hear proclaimed: “At the going down of the sun, we will remember them.”   But this Remembrance Day, I will pray for the families of the more than 44,000 Palestinians – 40 per cent children – and the more than 1700 Israelis now killed. And the more than 200 UN officials killed in Gaza: the highest UN loss in a single conflict.*   War never achieves what we think it will. Jesus was right. Blessed are the peacemakers.   *There are more than 56 conflicts around the world today.   Tim Costello, a Baptist minister, is the Director of Ethical Voice, Executive Director of Micah Australia and a Senior Fellow at Centre for Public Christianity.   This article first appeared at the Centre for Public Christianity ( publicchristianity.org )

In this month's soul space devotional, commissioner janine donaldson focuses our attention on jesus the life giver and encourages us, as we approach the national prayer focus 2022, to be jesus-centred in all we do.

Kelvin on the home stretch to the Gold Coast. BY FAY FOSTER There are many ways to celebrate a 70th birthday. For most of us, the celebration involves family, friends, cake and a meal or party. Not so for retired Salvation Army officer Colonel Kelvin Alley, who marked his 70th birthday in September on day 17 of a 20-day Adelaide to Gold Coast Solo Cycle Classic, raising money for the charity Wandering Warriors.   Wandering Warriors is a not-for-profit ex-service organisation and registered charity that supports veterans of Australia’s Special Operations Command and their families transitioning from military to civilian life. The organisation provides support through education, employment, mentoring, and respite programs in partnership with a network of higher-education institutions, corporate sponsors, and private donors. As time and resources allow, assistance is also extended to the wider veteran community. Kelvin’s interest in supporting Wandering Warriors is an extension of his ongoing relationship with the Australian Armed Forces. Since 2006, he has been part of the ‘Pollie Pedal’, an annual bike ride of 1000km over eight days, that started as a means of getting politicians out and doing something active to benefit the community. For the five years to 2022, the Pollie Pedal supported the charity Soldier On, which supports veterans and their families. This changed in 2023 to support Wandering Warriors. Since their retirement in 2020, Kelvin and his wife Julie have taken on the role of chaplains to the Runaway Bay RSL Sub-Branch on the Gold Coast. Their son is a triple veteran of the Australian Defence Force service in Afghanistan. Colonels Julie and Kelvin Alley at a Remembrance Day service two years ago. Sixty memorials During this year’s ride – his third solo trip to raise money for defence force-related organisations – Kelvin crossed the Mallee, the Hay Plains, the Liverpool Plains and the high country over the top of the Great Divide, conquering Cunningham’s Gap along the way. He called by more than 60 military memorials, some very remote and unique, including the silo art at Walpeup, created as a tribute to the Australian Light Horse. Kelvin says the ride’s highlights were the beautiful scenery with long stretches of open road, the numerous tiny towns steeped in history, and the careful, considerate behaviour of drivers who gave the bike a wide berth when overtaking.   “What started as an idea to celebrate my 70th birthday became so much more.” Kelvin had to plan each day’s ride, considering the types of roads he’d be riding on and the distance between towns. He tried to limit each day’s ride to 130 kilometres, but there were a few days of more than 150 kilometres. The bike also carried 25 kilograms of clothing, equipment, medical supplies, power packs for the lights and GPS, and snacks. Deep appreciation On the final day of the trip, Kelvin was joined at 5am by Quentin Mason, CEO of Wandering Warriors, who kept him company for the last (110 km) leg of the ride, terminating at the Soldiers Memorial at Upper Coomera. A welcoming party, including State Member Mark Boothman and the head office team of Wandering Warriors, showed their appreciation for Kelvin’s achievement and gratitude for the funds raised. Kelvin was joined by Wandering Warriors CEO Quentin Mason for the last leg of the ride. At the end of his epic ride, which raised $10,555 for Wandering Warriors, Kelvin said, “I am grateful to the 110 people who sponsored, and to those who still have the intention to support a most worthy cause … The great ride is over – apart from a broken spoke, which I nursed for 2300km … with 13,000m of climbing, and 60 memorials visited, there wasn’t so much as a flat tyre! “What started as an idea to celebrate my 70th birthday became so much more – an amazing adventure – a journey through history – a deepened love of my country, its people, my faith and some well-deserved attention and support for Wandering Warriors who support veterans and families of our Special Forces!” Kelvin made sure he stopped off at war memorials in most towns he passed through (clockwise from top right) Gunnedah, Boonah, Upper Coomera, Walpeup and Adelaide.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (centre) launches the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal 2024, with Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, party leaders, members of Parliament and Kmart and Target Chief Executive Officer John Gualtieri. BY SIMONE WORTHING Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas and Secretary for Communications Colonel Rodney Walters represented The Salvation Army at the official launch of the 37th annual Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal at Parliament House in Canberra on 6 November.   Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched the appeal by placing the first unwrapped gift under the dedicated tree. The Salvation Army is Kmart’s founding charity partner for this appeal. (From left) John Gualtieri, Miriam Gluyas, Anthony Albanese, Rodney Walters and Richard Marles. “I love this partnership with Kmart and the Salvos,” said Commissioner Gluyas. “Over the course of 37 years, more than 14 million gifts have been donated for those doing it tough – representing so much hope, so much joy.”   Also in attendance were Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton, Leader of the Greens Adam Bandt and Members of Parliament, alongside Kmart and Target Chief Executive Officer John Gualtieri.   “The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas, bringing joy into the lives of others who are doing it tough these holidays,” said the Prime Minister. Salvation Army musicians played during the launch. “It’s when times are tough that we see the best of the Australian spirit. If you can spare it, please give generously, knowing the presents you leave under your nearest Wishing Tree will be treasured on Christmas morning by those most in need.”   After nearly four decades in operation, The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal has become Australia’s largest and longest-running gift collection drive. To date, it has raised millions of dollars in funding and provided over 14 million gifts to those struggling at Christmas time. This year, Kmart and The Salvation Army are aiming to make Christmas brighter for Aussies facing hardship or crisis through the delivery of gifts to those in need nationwide, including people impacted by the ongoing cost of living challenges. John Gualtieri explained that it’s the immense support and collaboration between Kmart’s nearly 50,000-strong team and their local Salvation Army representatives around Australia that have become key to ensuring local families nationwide have the Christmas they deserve despite their personal circumstances. Gifts are already building up under the tree at Parliament House. “With almost 350 Kmart stores in Australia, we have a unique role that we can play as a large business as we are a part of so many communities. Our teams are focused on actively giving back to these communities in which we operate – and particularly those most vulnerable groups. At this time of year, our teams, our customers and our partners truly embody what it means to make everyday living brighter through this Appeal,” he said. “We are particularly grateful to the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and all members of Parliament who have shown their support to launch this year’s Appeal at Parliament House, which puts an important spotlight on this initiative.” (From left) John Gualtieri, Miriam Gluyas, Bill Shorten (Minister for NDIS) and Rodney Walters. Major Bruce Harmer, Head of External Communications, said, “Christmas is the busiest time of year for The Salvation Army as we support thousands of individuals and families experiencing hardship during the festive season. We have seen the need intensify this year, with the cost-of-living crisis leaving people unsure of how they will afford Christmas. This is why we are so grateful for the support of the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, which for over 37 years has allowed Australians doing it tough the opportunity to provide their children with a special Christmas. “This year, we encourage Australians to again give generously to the Kmart Wishing Tree, helping the Salvos spread hope and joy to people around the country through the power of a gift this Christmas.” Bipartisan support is an important part of the appeal. Salvation Army volunteer Giulia was among those attending the launch. For the past two years, Giulia has relied on the support of the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal to provide gifts for her five children .  She said that the true impact of the appeal was in the power it gave back to its recipients – the incredible dignity behind the gift-choosing process that allows people doing it tough the greatest gift of all – relief.   The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal runs in Kmart stores from 11 November to 24 December. Donations can be made by dropping off an unwrapped gift at any Kmart store, making a financial contribution online or in-store, or through purchasing Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal Christmas products at Kmart. For more information, click here .