Coordinator Rick Mierisch with gardener TK in the Riverside Salvos community space. BY ANTHONY CASTLE   Riverside Salvos is collaborating with community foster carers and Aboriginal educators to host the Minya Windas bush school in Gawler, South Australia.   Minya Windas is a program that connects Aboriginal children to Aboriginal cultural experiences through bush play, traditional house building, and arts and crafts.   Children in the program are now connecting to Country by exploring the new bush tucker garden, established in the Salvos community garden.   “We asked for people who were interested in helping and experiencing community together while looking to grow vegetables and herbs for our commercial kitchen,” explains Rick Mierisch, coordinator for the Riverside Salvos community garden. “The kitchen feeds those doing it tough, and the garden helps supply the kitchen.”   The community garden project at Riverside Salvos is coordinated by Rick and Mandy Mierisch, particularly made possible by grants awarded last year. The garden builds an intergenerational community, involving those aged five to 80 from different parts of the Gawler area.   “Minya Windas were meeting on a Thursday, and when they saw what we were creating, wondered if they could have some space,” says Rick. “We created some raised garden beds for them. They started to plant bush tucker foods and harvest them as part of their cultural learning.”   The name chosen for the community garden is Purruna, meaning wellbeing and life-giving in the Kaurna language. The name has been engraved onto a beautiful Blue Gum slab, with a new mural made by the children at the bush school placed to form an arched entrance leading into the garden. This project was coordinated by Minya Windas program creator Violet Buckskin. The mural was recently unveiled at a ceremony with over 100 people in attendance, including friends and family, council members and the local mayor.   “We asked if we could call the garden Purruna, and Violet and Jess were happy with that,” Rick says. “The mural is complimentary to the Purruna sign. Minya Windas wanted to put some of their Aboriginal culture there as well, and together, they blend beautifully.”   “Knowledge of Aboriginal culture and their history is a really important part of breaking down barriers, and out of that comes love and compassion.” The Minya Windas bush school, which means Little Owls, provides storytelling from Elders and ongoing carer support for Aboriginal children in foster care. The bush school first came about because foster families wanted to ensure that the Aboriginal children in their care could maintain a connection to their culture. Led by coordinator and Cultural Educator Jess Karpany and a team of Aboriginal educators, and Kaurna Elder Claudine Buckskin, the children participate in yarning circles, cooking and games.   “We have two patches in the community garden,” explains Jess. “We are growing pigface and chocolate lily, native guava, native raspberries and finger limes. Most of those have been donated by our partnership with Bunnings. We explain to the children that before there were shops to buy food, Aboriginal people moved from place to place to access bush food, and that’s what we’re doing here, to show them a snippet of sustainability.”   The bush tucker foods will be harvested and support the work of the community garden, with produce being used for the Salvos cafe. Minya Windas have also submitted a grant application to fund a yarning circle that will continue to build an inclusive space for community-building. This will benefit the community through its accessibility to other community groups and members.   “Having the native plants in there allows them to experience what native foods there are,” Jess explains. “It’s looking at the diversity, foods you wouldn’t normally eat. We have bush school, go for a walk, we talk about the trees, water the plants, weed if we need. It’s land care and sustainability. It’s about sharing and learning.”   With more foods being planted and plans to establish a yarning circle, Minya Windas looks set to continue sharing and learning. The collaboration at Riverside Salvos has seen people harvesting more than food and finding understanding and compassion as well.   “They’re planting the seeds; we’re just providing the space,” Rick says. “It has the potential to increase awareness and break down barriers formed through ignorance. All of us, to a degree, are ignorant of their culture. We’ve learned so much in the last 12 months since we’ve been involved together. Knowledge of Aboriginal culture and their history is a really important part of breaking down barriers, and out of that comes love and compassion.”

Lindsay Cox and Major Brett Gallagher at the launch of 'Still Serving' on 7 November. Image: Dave Coleman Photography BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Defence Services (RSDS) celebrated 125 years of service to military personnel with a dinner, book launch and Last Post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The events, held on 7 November to coincide with this year’s Remembrance Day commemoration, brought together Defence Force personnel, Salvation Army leaders and family members of RSDS servicemen and women. Colonel Rodney Walters, Major Brett Gallagher and Major Brad Watson laying wreathes at the Last Post ceremony. Image: Cheryl Tinker Robert Adams, Senior Last Post Ceremony Project Officer, opened the Last Post ceremony held in the Commemorative Courtyard. He spoke of how the ‘Sallyman’ and ‘Sallyma’am’ roles, as they came to be affectionately known, were first filled in 1899 during the Second Boer War, when Salvation Army co-founder William Booth directed Adjutant Mary Murray, Assistant Secretary of the Naval and Military League, to provide soldiers from both sides of the conflict with whatever support they could – often cups of tea, biscuits and a listening ear. Attendees gathered around the Pool of Reflection for the Last Post ceremony. Image: Cheryl Tinker “125 years ago … it became apparent to Salvation Army founder William Booth that there was a need to offer welfare to all servicemen,” Robert said. “The Boer War – a conflict between Britain and the South African Republic, had Salvationists serving on both sides to provide comfort and practical aid to men of both armies, British and Boer alike. This began a tradition of The Salvation Army coming alongside the military in times of peace and conflict.” Robert explained that the Australian RSDS began its work in 1914, at the outbreak of the First World War. “Since the First World War, the Red Shield Defence Services have been present at every major conflict, and today continue to be a positive presence in Australian military life, proudly serving those who serve,” Robert said. The Last Post ceremony included a wreath-laying, and Chaplain Flight Lieutenant Ali McKeand, who is also the RSDS Defence Veterans Ministries Co-ordinator, told the story of Adjutant William Bramwell Tibbs , a New South Wales-born Sallyman and the only RSDS serviceman to die during active service. After surviving the siege of Tobruk in 1941, ‘Big-hearted Bill’ as he was known, was killed at the age of 34 in a plane crash north of Rockhampton in 1943. William Tibbs' granddaughters with Brett Gallagher at the Last Post ceremony. Image: Cheryl Tinker “The Red Shield House in Tobruk was described as an oasis in a desert of wreckage and ruin,” Ali said. William’s granddaughters, Kathryn, Jeanette and Vivienne, also attended the event and laid a wreath for their grandfather. The dinner later that evening featured an interview with Lindsay Cox, author of Cuppa Tea, Digger? to launch his new book, a prequel titled Still Serving , which details both the origins and present-day work of the Sallyman and Sallyma’am. Major Brett Gallagher, RSDS Chief Commissioner, presented current Sallyman Jason Lilley with the William Tibbs Award for Exceptional Service. Brett said Jason had served over 10 years as a Sallyman and, in that time, had demonstrated an innovative and committed spirit to serving Defence personnel in the same manner that it had been described of William ‘Big-hearted Bill’ Tibbs. Lindsay Cox and Colonel Rodney Walters at the book launch. Image: Dave Coleman Photography “This Sallyman has always shown a willingness to be involved at a number of levels on the team, representing the team on working groups, helping with policy and just being a great team member,” Brett said. “He is a deep thinker, and loves to develop himself by studying, but mostly he is committed to living out his faith through serving those in Defence.” Brett said the essence of the RSDS mission was the same today as in 1899. “[We] go and find ways that we can serve serving men and women,” he said. “We provide physical comfort at some level, whether that be drinks or [food], but then that often will lead to us being able to provide emotional support for people [who] are struggling. “That’s a very big part of what we do.” Brett said the RSDS Sallyman and Sallyma’am also help build morale and, when asked, pastoral care and spiritual support. “Although that’s probably what we would call in modern-day [terms] our model of care, it's been something that we've just done organically from when Mary Murray and other officers went to the Boer War. “It’s what we’ve continued to do throughout our history.” Images courtesy Dave Coleman Photography

Session: Champions of the Mission  From: Albany Corps, Western Australia Appointed to: Corps Officer – Albany Corps, Western Australia Academic award: Certificate of Salvation Army Officer Training, Undergraduate Certificate in Divinity, Diploma in Theology– in progress I was lucky enough to know the peace and serenity of God’s love even as a child because of my family’s love for God. I call on the strength of God and ask others to pray for me to be able to reflect him in all I do. I pray to foster a relationship with Christ in others so they, too, come to know the risen Saviour as Lord. I felt the call into a life of service and ministry from about age 17. I allowed the needs of the world to dictate my earlier career paths. I had faith in God, but now I wonder at the limits I placed on what I believed God would do in and through my life. I know now that every step has led me back to this. As Psalm 85:8 says, “I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants – but let them not turn to folly.” Bible verse: “ Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure” (Philippians 2:13, The Message).   Watch the Commissioning service at Camberwell live here

Junie Bartolome (centre) with Garry and Linda Todd at Waverley Corps, Victoria. Image supplied. BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE Imagine being a young child, anticipating your birthday the next day. The food, the presents, the excitement. With multiple siblings to share the attention with, it’s your one day a year to feel extra special. Then, you wake up. Instead of a cake and meal of your choice, there is nothing. No food and no money to buy any. Heartbroken, you and your siblings go to bed that evening, stomachs rumbling. That was the moment Junie Bartolome realised he wanted to work towards a different life. “I started to tell myself that I don’t like this,” Junie says. “I don’t want this to happen every birthday.” And it wasn’t just his own wellbeing that worried him. Junie was determined that his mother, a single parent, would have a better life. Junie grew up in the Philippines as one of seven children who were still alive and living with their mother. One of the total of nine siblings had died in infancy, and another had been adopted. Junie’s father had abandoned his family when Junie was very young. Joyville Children’s Home Junie’s mother, short on options, learned of The Salvation Army’s Joyville Children’s Home through a social worker. Joyville is a centre that typically caters to children abandoned on the streets or those who have been neglected or abused. It provides a holistic program that includes food, housing, and education for children between the ages of seven and 21. A short time later, Junie and two of his siblings left their home and four younger siblings to live at Joyville. At the time, Junie’s mother felt there was no other way to give her children a chance at an education. Junie, his brother and his sister all cried for two weeks. “As a child, we didn’t understand what poverty was,” Junie says. “We just wanted to be with our mother. "As I grew up, I came to understand how hard it was for my mother to put three of us there." Junie began second grade at Joyville, sponsored by Garry and Linda Todd, soldiers at Waverley Corps in Victoria. The Todd family would go on to support Junie throughout his education journey. This year, Junie visited Waverley Corps and thanked the Todd family in person. “I [was] so happy to [be able to] personally thank them, hug them and for them to see that I’m like this now,” Junie says. The Serojales family There was another very important family Junie wanted to see in Australia. Major Debbie Serojales, now serving at Sunraysia Corps in Victoria, served at Joyville when Junie arrived. She remained at the centre for six years. In that time, she met her husband, Rod, and they started their family. “It wasn’t just an appointment,” Debbie says. “The kids became our kids.” When Junie had only been at Joyville a short time, Debbie tells how she instructed the children to draw their goals for the future on large sheets of paper. She says the children’s goals for themselves were usually small, as they had come from such deeply ingrained poverty. “Every single one of them had a house because they all wanted stability,” she says. “[They also] had their families painted in stick figures. “And then Junie did his. He was seven or eight at the time, and he’s [drawn] himself as a computer engineer.” Young Junie with his dreams for the future. Image supplied. Dreams come true This childhood dream is now Junie’s reality. Now 27, Junie works in cybersecurity as a network security analyst. This career has helped him visit Debbie, Rod and the Todd family in Australia, has set him on track to fulfil the dream hidden inside the hungry young boy who wanted birthdays to be special, and perhaps most crucial of all – is helping support his family financially. Junie’s siblings, who also attended Joyville, also work professional jobs; his brother is in IT, and his sister is a teacher. Together, they support their mother and fund their younger siblings’ education. Junie gets emotional when talking about his mother. “I don’t want her to leave this earth in that same situation,” he says. “I want her to just relax.” “Everything he does is to be able to help his family and help his mother,” Debbie says. Debbie says she and Rod are very proud of Junie and the person he has become. She says he saved for the trip to Australia and paid for it himself, fulfilling another of his goals. “He’s doing really well,” she says. “He’s really quite successful in what he does and tries really hard.” Junie’s hopes for the future While Junie is deeply grateful for the support he received at Joyville, he wants a different life for his younger siblings. “[We’ve] been having conversations within my family and my siblings,” he says. “We don’t want our siblings to experience [being] separate from family just to have a good education.” As Junie makes big decisions for his family and finances, he says he is so grateful for the ongoing support of Debbie and Rod, who he says are like an extra set of parents. Junie with the Serojales - his second family. Image supplied. “I always pray that if God [makes] me really successful, [I will] help others because I experienced that, and it’s changed my life now. “I’m really grateful for what I experienced, and I don’t want to change anything because I’ve learned a lot from it, and it [has] made me who I am today.” Junie has a message for readers who are experiencing hardship. “It means God is preparing [you] for something bigger,” he says. “All [you] need to do is trust God and don’t lose faith.” Debbie smiles at Junie. Watching them interact is like watching a proud mother with her adult son who finds all the attention just a bit awkward. “He’s such a preacher,” she says, nudging him. They both can’t help but laugh.

Major Phil Inglis with some minor photo edits done by an anonymous Salvos Online team member (not Dean). Major Phil Inglis believes his calling is to be a ‘man on a mission’ in The Salvation Army. On International Men’s Day, he invites others to join him on this mission. BY MAJOR PHIL INGLIS “Your Mission, should you choose to accept it ...” is how the secretary begins each assignment given to Ethan Hunt in the Mission Impossible franchise. When people hear the word ‘mission,’ they often consider it quite masculine. I’m sure many think of tasks assigned to spies and soldiers, and while this is changing, these roles in pop culture are primarily male. Besides, the traits associated with people on missions are stereotypically masculine. Almost all mission stories involve aggression, suspense, violence, explosions, vehicle chases and often beautiful women. Being on a mission and having a purpose and calling expressed in these masculine ways is key to understanding how our society views manhood.  The reality, however, is that to describe being a man in this way is far too narrow and ultimately fails to take into account the full breadth of the male human experience and expression. A man may be physically strong, but he doesn’t have to be. A man may be a great hunter, a great warrior, a great spy, or a great soldier ... but he doesn’t have to be. Pop culture has done a great disservice to men everywhere by perpetuating the myth that these things somehow define a man.  In The Salvation Army, we also love to talk about mission. We also use a lot of stereotypically masculine symbols and language from the military to describe many aspects of our mission. We, too, can fall into the trap of thinking that these things are what define a man. To better understand a man, perhaps we could look to better understand the mission of a man. Perhaps we should stop and consider the fact that Australian embassies and similar offices around the world are known as missions. Australian missions exist to let people know how amazing Australia is, provide sanctuary and refuge for people fleeing to Australia, support Australians, and do whatever they can to pursue justice.   As a man on a mission in The Salvation Army, I believe this is my calling, and I invite others to join me this International Men’s Day.   First and foremost, we exist to care for people, promote the love-fuelled kingdom of God, provide sanctuary for those who need it, and humbly pursue justice wherever we find ourselves.  *Major Phil Inglis is the Operations Manager for the Mission Support Department

From: Armadale Corps [merging with Gosnells Corps], Western Australia Appointed to: Corps Officer – Dandenong, Victoria Silver Star recipients: Major Pamela Pitt, Major Kevin Pitt Academic award: Certificate of Salvation Army Officer Training, Master of Theological Studies – in progress   I grew up in Nagercoil, India, raised by my grandparents, while my parents worked as nurses in Muscat, Oman. I am the eldest of three siblings. My grandfather, a Lutheran priest, and grandmother raised me and taught me the word of God. Later, I became an occupational therapist and worked in a few countries – India, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where I met my husband. After migrating to Perth, Australia, my plan to work as an occupational therapist faced challenges. Despite this, I found peace in God’s faithfulness, remembering his past provisions. I felt like my career had come to an end, and as I was settling down as a housewife, I had an unexpected, profound encounter with Jesus. This led me to delve deeper into the Bible and pursue theological studies. God opened doors for me one by one. Although each step felt uncertain and like a mystery, I stepped forward in faith, which eventually led to officership training. Looking back, everything makes sense now, and I am forever grateful for this new life with great purpose and work. Bible verse: “ He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armour and protection” ( Psalm 91:4, NLT).     Watch the Commissioning service at Camberwell live here

From: Katherine Corps, Northern Territory Appointed to: Corps Officer - Tuggeranong Corps, ACT Silver Star recipients: Mrs Deanne Higginbottom, Mr Gus Higginbottom Academic award: Certificate of Salvation Army Officer Training, Advanced Diploma in Theology, Certificate of Divinity – in progress Throughout my life, there has always been a significant Christian influence. However, as a young person, I was rather sceptical of God’s existence.   I remained connected to a church community throughout my youth, but it wasn’t until I moved to Western Australia after completing Year 12 that I developed a faith.   While in Western Australia, I was able to engage in many opportunities that greatly increased my interest in exploring faith. I was engaged in youth work for the Salvation Army.   I began to see firsthand the impact and transformation that had resulted because of other young people’s encounters with God. And it was these testimonies that inspired and encouraged me to explore faith for myself properly.   I began a Diploma in Theology, where I was able to critically engage with Scripture and began to explore my own understanding of God.   It was in this study that I not only came to affirm my own faith but also came to the realisation that I wanted to lead and empower others to go on their own faith journey.   Bible verse: “ But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” ( Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV). Watch the Commissioning service at Camberwell live here

From: Katherine Corps, Northern Territory  Appointed to: Corps Officer – Tuggeranong Corps, ACT Silver Star recipients: Major Erica Jones, Major Peter Jones Academic award: Certificate of Salvation Army Officer Training, Bachelor of Ministry –in progress Somebody recently asked me what my ‘life verse’ was, and it was not a difficult decision.  Matthew 4:19 instantly came to mind, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” This passage was a turning point in my journey to ministry and learning who I was meant to be in God’s story.   The call to full-time ministry came into my life at a very early age, and even though I was surrounded by people who encouraged and empowered me, I was full of doubt.   I tried to follow other paths and satisfy my calling in different ways because I did not feel capable of fulfilling what God had asked of me.   When the opportunity to serve in the Northern Territory arose, I could not escape this verse. Choosing to follow despite my fears, I embarked on this journey.   It has been both challenging and rewarding, teaching me how God uses our doubts and flaws for his glory. A call I will continue to follow every day to show others that God desires to empower them in the same way.   Bible verse: “ But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” ( 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10, NIV).   Watch the Commissioning service at Camberwell live here

This week, on Tuesday 19 November, the Ukraine Division of The Salvation Army’s Eastern Europe Territory marked the grim milestone of 1000 days of war. Russia invaded the country on 24 February 2022, and since that painful day, Ukraine and its people have endured bombings, drone and missile attacks, freezing winters without regular electricity, death, destruction, trauma, loss and grief. Their suffering is ongoing. However, the nation continues to do all that it can to resist the invasion, and The Salvation Army there – officers, soldiers, friends and volunteers – play an important and integral part as it provides humanitarian, spiritual, emotional and psychological aid and support to local communities and internally displaced people.   “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) is an often-quoted scripture verse across the nation.   Outside Ukraine, Salvation Army teams around the world, particularly in Europe, continue to work with Ukrainian refugees as they adjust to life in a new country, often having been traumatised by the war and leaving behind loved ones, homes and communities. SNAPSHOT OF UKRAINE A senior soldier is enrolled in Kharkiv Corps. Worship and enrolments Despite the daily dangers of life in a warzone, Ukrainian corps continue to meet each Sunday, and offer a range of Bible studies, youth groups, prayer groups and activities throughout the week.   Kharkiv, a city in north-eastern Ukraine, has faced intense bombardment, destruction and loss given its proximity to the Russian border (30km). The corps has recently enrolled new soldiers and continues to run programs for both children and adults, focusing on providing material and spiritual support to unite and encourage people and to help keep life as normal as possible. Soldiership preparation classes. Partnerships In many parts of the country, The Salvation Army works in partnerships with local governments and organisations – often at their invitation – to help provide humanitarian assistance and programs for children in their communities. The Army also contributes its knowledge, experience insights and assistance into areas including community needs analyses, building a civil society, developing volunteers and strengthening spiritual values. Local governments are looking increasingly to The Salvation Army for their involvement and are grateful for their participation in the development of Ukraine and making the world a better and safer place. Captain Daria Bessmolnaja (sixth from right) represented The Salvation Army in a Kirovograd regional state meeting. Recently, in Kropyvnytskyi (Kirovograd Region), The Salvation Army was part of the city’s second forum for Civil Society Development, with the theme ‘Strong Together’. The forum was part of the National Strategy to promote the development of civil society. The Salvation Army was thanked for its value-focused and community-based contributions.   Ukrainians know that to further develop their war-torn country, the government, churches, charities and volunteer organisations must work together and combine their strengths. Children enjoy a recent excursion to a science museum. Children’s programs It has been estimated that approximately 61 per cent of Ukrainian children are suffering from trauma and stress due to the war. Corps around the country are working hard to give children a safe, warm and inviting space where they can relax, have fun, make friends, learn about Jesus and enjoy being children. In a warzone, this is far from easy.   Programs include Sunday school, psychological support, after-school homework clubs, English classes, sport, games, art, music and excursions.   In some places, corps have run city-wide programs for children. In the town of Pisochyn, The Salvation Army was invited to help judge a local school’s talent content ‘Hope has Talent’. Kids being kids in a local talent concert. Children’s ministries teams are focused on helping children develop, grow and participate in building a future in a good, just world, because God created the world for good.   Scouting Scouting is popular with children and youth. Coming together, learning new skills, sharing achievements and planning for the future is a central focus for the corps work with young people. Local and national camps, and training for leaders, is a regular part of the ministry. Physical exercise, teamwork and fun is part of the Scouting program. A spiritual program has a central place in the scouting program. After the recent summer (northern) national camp, Divisional Commander Major Konstantin Shvab emphasised that, “The scout movement by itself cannot be without faith. Spiritual classes with Bible reading, reflection, prayer - they are present in it all.”   Anti-human trafficking According to the Council of Europe, the illegal income from human trafficking deals in just one year could reach € 29.4 billion. Modern Slavery and Anti-Human Trafficking training in Ukraine. In Ukraine, especially since the onset of the war, Ukrainians, including internally displaced persons, have become more vulnerable to the potential risks of being trafficked and enslaved. Many Ukrainian citizens are illegally held or held captive and can be used in armed conflict. Seminars and training in raising awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery have taken place across the Ukraine Division (and all over Europe). This included risks, signs to look out for and where to get help. Professional resources were also distributed.   An online seminar for divisional officers and corps leaders also took place to discuss a modern and comprehensive approach to new challenges and threats, ensuring the protection of human rights in practice. Updated training is ongoing.   Please pray The Salvation Army in Ukraine needs our continued prayers, as do the people of this war-torn and exhausted but determined country. Please continue to pray. To read more about ministry in Ukraine, click here . To view more images from Ukraine, click on the arrow below.

Session: Champions of the Mission  From: Dee Why Corps, NSW Appointed to: Corps Officer – Dee Why (Team member, Northside Northern Beaches Team), NSW Silver Star recipients: Jay Cumming Academic award: Certificate of Salvation Army Officer Training, Graduate Certificate in Divinity For most of my adult life, I regarded work in Salvation Army Communications as part of my calling as a Jesus-follower. I was captivated by the Salvos’ mission, combining passionate spirituality and social activism (‘Christianity with its sleeves rolled up’), and poured myself into my work. As years went on, I felt my heart’s desire shifting from promoting the name of The Salvation Army to lifting the name of Jesus alone – “Sing a new song … His praise, His glory alone.” My calling took a new shape. I wanted to roll my sleeves up in a new way, not just telling amazing stories of transformation but being directly involved. I came to appreciate the benefit of a ‘covenant’ in my struggle with double-mindedness and embraced soldiership – previously dismissed as a religious box to tick. Next came the readiness to lay down my vision of part-time ministry life alongside Communications work. As I let go, I found God waiting to deliver an opportunity far above what I could have imagined – to serve and train as an officer of The Salvation Army on my ‘home turf’ of Dee Why (NSW). From day one, I experienced such joy and fulfilment, realising God truly does know me better than I know myself. I now hear God beckoning, go deeper ... I’m also so thankful to my husband, Andrew, for his unwavering support throughout this journey and to our son, Bill, for all he has taught me about life and what matters most. Bible verse: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NIV). Watch the Commissioning service at Camberwell live here

Commissioner Miriam Gluyas (centre) and Officer Formation Leader Captain Kylie Herring (front right) with the Champions of the Mission session (back row) Colette Albino, Sameeha Deepesh, Sam Higginbottom, Michellie Higginbottom and (front left) Alex Robinson. BY LERISSE SMITH The Ordination, Commissioning and Sending Out of cadets is a defining moment in The Salvation Army yearly calendar. But there’s one special and sacred event that few have the opportunity to witness before the public event, and it holds a deep and special meaning for this year’s cadets: Covenant Day. It’s the sacred step that precedes the Commissioning ceremony, which is the first step on the road to becoming an officer in the Salvation Army. Yesterday, the Covenant Day 2024 ceremony was held at Eva Burrows College for the Champions of the Mission session, which includes cadets Sameeha Deepesh, Colette Albino, Michellie Higginbottom, Sam Higginbottom and Auxiliary-Lieutenant Alex Robinson. (From left) Miriam Gluyas, Sameeha Deepesh, Alex Robinson, Colette Albino, Michellie Higginbottom, Samuel Higginbottom, Kylie Herring, Winsome Merrett, Heather Jenkins, Christine Wright, Andrew Walton and Sharon Sandercock-Brown. “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.” In the week before Covenant Day, the Territorial Commander (TC) meets with the cadets being commissioned on Tuesday and discusses the Officer Undertakings with them so they are fully aware of what they are agreeing to and the spiritual nature of their relationship with the Salvation Army. The Officer Undertakings must be signed by each cadet before Covenant Day. On Wednesday, those being commissioned head into a retreat, where the significance of call and covenant is prayerfully considered. Covenant Day occurs on Thursday. On this day, commissioned officers gather with ongoing cadets, the officer formation staff and senior Salvation Army leaders. “It’s a very intimate, sacred and reflective space,” Kylie explained. “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 event.” To be ordained and commissioned as a Salvation Army Officer, the following covenant is made: Called by God to proclaim the Gospel of our lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as an officer of The Salvation Army, I bind myself to Him in this solemn Covenant:  To love, trust and serve him supremely all my days;  To live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life; To care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love the unloved, and befriend those who have no friends; To maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army, and, by God’s grace, to prove myself a worthy officer. Alex Robinson, Rosy Keane, Kim Haworth, Erica Jones, Heather Jenkins, Kelvin Merrett and Winsome Mason. 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. Certain professional development requirements must be completed within five years. If they are completed, the candidate will be promoted from lieutenant to captain. Ongoing professional pastoral supervision is a requirement for officers and provides important support to new officers. It provides a regular opportunity to debrief, discuss challenges and joys, and review how officers are integrating their learning with their ministry practice. When asked to describe a main challenge for the newly commissioned ministers, Kylie remarked that it was navigating all the systems, procedures, processes and responsibilities of The Salvation Army. “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 fit into the flow of a week, month, or\and 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’.”   Click through the slideshow below for more photos from Covenant Day. Watch the Commissioning service at Camberwell live here

Posters warning people of the dangers of human trafficking and offering information and assistance through The Salvation Army are prominently displayed in busy Warsaw transport hubs.  After months of discussions and background work, The Salvation Army in Poland has strategically placed its anti-human trafficking posters in busy tram and bus stops throughout the capital, Warsaw.   “You are not for sale – a person is not a commodity,” the posters read.   The text encourages people to consider carefully any ‘good’ offers to study or work abroad or invitations to visit new friends in order to lessen the chance of becoming a victim of human trafficking. The posters also share that, every year in Poland, over 4000 people become victims, mostly women and children.   According to global estimates, there are around 40 million victims worldwide.   Alongside the red shield, the posters display Salvation Army contact details and helpline numbers.   The Salvation Army in Poland – a source and destination country for victims of human trafficking – offers a range of programs and training to help prevent human traffic and assist victims of this insidious global crime.   Funds for the posters were donated by The Spouses of Heads of Missions (SHOM) in Warsaw, an association of spouses and partners of ambassadors and Chargé d'affaires accredited to Poland.