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BY LERISSE SMITH Salvos are being encouraged to dust off those dancing shoes or cook a prawn on the barbie – all for a worthy cause! The fundraising drive for The Salvation Army’s Making It Happen project is now in full swing, aimed at raising $120,000 to build and furnish a home in the Solomon Islands for corps officers that would also function as a missional hub for Salvos and a space for the wider community. And Salvos need not put their thinking caps on when planning to raise some dollars. Fun and creative fundraising ideas have already been created as part of the project’s online ‘mySalvos Toolkit’ – from organising a learn-to-dance night, trivia night, after-church barbeque and fete/family fun day through to a trivia night, silent auction, cake decorating evening, car wash, talent show and bake sale. The project’s mySalvos Toolkit – ‘Making It Happen - Mission in the Solomon Islands’ – also features resources that Salvos can access, from event flyers and posters to information sheets and Making It Happen Sunday leader’s notes. One Salvo Family Store that got right behind the fundraising campaign with great aplomb was the Fassifern Family Store in Boonah (Qld). A Devonshire tea, complete with marshmallows thrown in for sweet measure, plus an accompanying fashion parade, raised about $1700 for the project held at the Kalbar Salvation Army hall with 100 people in attendance. It was a great success. “We had extra nice stuff,” said Donna Johnson-Byrne, Fassifern Family Store Manager. “The event was organised by the family store. We build a stockpile during the year for the fashion parade. What we don’t sell goes back into the store.” A colourful array of new women’s and men’s clothing of all sizes, plus an assortment of other accessories and items from shoes and linen to baby clothing, featured at the event – at family store prices, of course – so scoring a fantastic buy was part of the fun. The fundraiser was an entire team effort, with the store volunteers supporting the worthy cause. Volunteers and the male drivers who drove the Salvos trucks served the women and men attendees at the tables so they could just sit, relax and have fun. They also helped set up and wash dishes. Appointing fashion models for the event was an easy task. Two high school students and sisters, who volunteer at the store, modelled the women’s clothing, while those attending ranged from people who booked tables every year to those who come by themselves to meet and socialise with people, friendship groups, and Mums and Bubs. And it was all word of mouth. “We have people who bring their grandmothers or their older mother with them, who normally wouldn’t go out to a high tea or something like that because it’s too much of a hassle, so this is really laid back and fun. It’s like being with your family – it’s the feeling we like to portray,” said Donna. “Everyone knows everyone, and if you don’t know your cousins from three generations ago, you soon will when it’s done!” Donna said they had held a fashion parade for the past seven years to raise funds for various campaigns, with the last few years supporting the Making It Happen projects. Getting involved Making It Happen Project Coordinator Major Rowena Smith encouraged everybody to come on board with the fundraising drive that runs until the end of 2024, when they hope to reach their target of $120,000. She said there were many ways to engage with the campaign, including accessing a QR code for individual donations. Salvos Stores are also involved with the campaign. Corps are encouraged to hold a special Making It Happen Sunday in the next 12 months to raise awareness about the project, incorporating prayer and an offering for this year’s project. It could be run on any date. Rowena said a positive aspect of the project was that local labourers in the Solomon Islands would be involved in building the corps officer residence, thereby helping its economy and local employment, especially young apprentices. She further added that the home would be used for corps officers and a place where others were welcomed as part of the local culture and where gatherings were held to support people through hospitality. Fundraising ideas, promotional materials, and resources for a Making It Happen Sunday are available at www.my.salvos.org.au/making-it-happen. If you have any questions regarding the project, you can email the team at makingithappen@salvationarmy.org.au

1. What is your current appointment and what do you find most satisfying about it? I am a corps officer at Port Adelaide/Semaphore Salvos along with my wife Claire. It is exciting to be starting a new corps. With God’s help, we will make new disciples of Jesus and create faith pathways that are relevant to the people of this region. We have just started a Micro Church. 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? I enjoy watching the Geelong Cats. I also love to run. I am a regular at Parkrun and run occasional marathons. 3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it? Who you say I am – this song declares that I’m a child of God because of Jesus’ death for me! This song is used in Kairos Prison Ministry. I have been part of Kairos teams, which have shared the gospel in Mobilong Prison in Murray Bridge. 4. If you could have a good talk with a biblical character apart from Jesus, who would it be and what would you talk about? I would talk with Luke because I am inspired by the amazing stories in the book of Acts. I would ask him to tell me some of the stories of the Early Church that didn’t make it into Acts. 5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say? I highly recommend officership. As an officer, I am well-supported and have great opportunities for mission. It is so rewarding to share the gospel and to help people grow as disciples of Jesus! Interview by Major Mal Davies

The list of Salvation Army officer appointment changes for the Australia Territory, effective from 10 January 2024 (unless otherwise stated), has been released. Please pray for those who are affected by these changes – for the officers who will be moving and any children, along with corps and centres that will be receiving new officer personnel. The Territorial Commander, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, has approved the following appointments (click on link): Territorial Officer Appointment Change Bulletin - 7 September 2023

Salvationists and supporters of The Salvation Army have been invited to join in a National Weekend of Prayer, Reflection and Meditation around the Voice this weekend (8-10 September 2023). The weekend of prayer is in preparation for the Constitutional Referendum vote to recognise an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice that has been announced for Saturday 14 October 2023. “Across the weekend, church services in many faith communities across the nation will reflect on the coming Referendum, focusing on themes of unity and reconciliation, hope and healing,” said Liz Stone, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) “We are inviting Christians to include a prayer in their worship services and liturgies across the weekend. “One that you might like to use is by Ms Sherry Balcombe of the Victorian Catholic Aboriginal Ministry.” Dear Lord We pray for a bright and just shared future for all who call Australia home. We ask that Your grace of acceptance and compassion will guide us. Let the Creator Spirit lead our journey with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of this land. May we share Your Spirit more deeply; celebrate the gifts You have given us. Help us appreciate true harmony and peace just as our Old People did; Keep us strong, make us resilient and remember us in this time. Now is an opportunity to change our Nation’s history for the better. Walk with us as we write a new chapter together and may we be one in Your love. Amen. “The Voice to Parliament Referendum provides us with a unique opportunity to come together as a community and draw upon our faith and moral grounding to make an informed decision,” Liz said. “As Christians, let us keep the process in prayer.” For more information go to Eventbrite page here.

Salvationists and friends worldwide united in person and online for the official public welcome of General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham (World President of Women’s Ministries) at The Salvation Army’s Regent Hall in London on Sunday 3 September. A musical prelude including the International Staff Band (ISB) and International Staff Songsters (ISS) ministered to the congregation as they arrived at this historic and spiritual event. Welcome from the Chief The Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Edward Hill, thanked everyone for their support as he officially welcomed the new international leaders. “We have great admiration and respect for you. General and Commissioner, we are fully supportive of your ministry. We have a very positive vision of The Salvation Army of the future ... our vision is for a growing Salvation Army … and not just in certain places around the globe, but in every zone … We ask, ‘Will you partner with us?’” Commissioner Hill prayed, thanking God for the faithful service of the Buckinghams and asking for his presence, wisdom and blessings to be upon them. First General from NZ As the first General from New Zealand, General Lyndon Buckingham gave his initial greeting to the global Army world in Māori and then English. He assured those gathered that, “You can be certain that we will serve with all we have for the glory of God and his Kingdom.” The ISS then sang On the Rock, followed by a Scripture reading and a short film produced by the International Children and Youth Advisory Group. Commissioner Hill recognised the wisdom of the film and acknowledged that the young people in it may be the future of The Salvation Army. Colonel Hary Haran (a member of the General’s Consultative Council), speaking for The Salvation Army around the world, said, “This moment has been much awaited. I humbly remind you that it is God who has placed you in this role. Now it is required that those that have been given the trust must prove faithful. Know that the Army regards you as servants of Christ. Know that we love and trust you. You are faithful. On behalf of our international movement, we recognise you as our international leaders. General, a divided house will not stand – unite us. Shepherd us. Minister to us with your vision and lead us from the front.” Support for youth Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham then addressed the meeting. Recognising the vital part that young people have to play in the future of the movement, she said, “I believe we have a generation rising up to take their place in this Army and I want to be amongst their loudest supportive cheerleaders! My prayer today is that we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us to do and be what pleases him, all for God’s glory.” Commissioner Norman Howe said, “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. It is not for me to recognise this leadership. That is the function of the Spirit. My message for General Lyndon Buckingham is simple – please keep the Christian mission at the heart of The Salvation Army.” A Māori blessing Captain Hana Seddon and Major Campbell Roberts, Nan Patea and her son Hohepa then gave a Māori blessing as the General and Commissioner Bronwyn were lovingly wrapped in feathered Korowai (feathered Māori cloak) and blessed. General Buckingham responded to the congregation, saying, “You have blessed and honoured us today, and we are humbled. Thank you.” He described some of the early Army (and family) history, before saying, “In November of 1882, William Booth called together a ‘War Gathering’. During that meeting, he commissioned around 90 officers whom he despatched all around the world. What motivates people to make themselves available to God and the Army?” Salt and light The General shared the things his research had shown as part of their motivation. He said, “They all testified to a life-transforming encounter with God that completely changed them – to be forgiven, cleansed and embraced and to understand the love God has for them. They wanted to share this with other people. This is the DNA of our movement! They had a genuine concern and care for other people; for lost, vulnerable, hurting, disadvantaged people. They demonstrated this not just by the things that they said, but by the things that they did. They had a desire to demonstrate the values of the gospel. This is our heritage! They had a deep desire to glorify God with their living. I love that! The very living of their lives would be salt and light. “This was their simple strategy: to know him and to make him known. To care for others and pursue the holy life. I rejoice that there are men and women all over the world today captured by these three great ideas. I celebrate it in our movement. He continued, “This surely is the time for the Body of Christ to rise up. To agree that this is what we exist for. Let’s get on with it! To this, I am absolutely 100 per cent committed – how about you? Do not underestimate how the Kingdom of God will use us. You can change the world!’ The Haka was then performed by Captain Daniel Buckingham, Captain Hana Seddon and Nan Patera, then acknowledged with warm applause. Count me in The General said, “We have more resources now than we have ever had. We have people all around the world. We have people who need to see demonstrations of the love of God, and, by golly, this world needs to see God-filled people. There is so much more that we could be doing. Count me in!” General Buckingham invited the congregation to join him and Commissioner Bronwyn at the mercy seat as the ISS and IHQ worship team sang a selection of spiritual songs. The General prayed that the Lord would keep us “on mission”. Commissioner Hill closed with a benediction. For the full version of this story, click here.

BY CLIFF WORTHING Interest is so high in understanding the Voice that The Salvation Army in Australia has added 11 extra Yarning Circle sessions to the end of September. The Yarning Circles were created to provide reliable information and a chance to discuss questions relating to the upcoming Voice referendum on 14 October. Over 13 sessions had been facilitated by the end of August. “We aren’t here to tell people how to vote or argue a point, but to provide extra information and context,” said Jennifer Kirkaldy, General Manager, Policy and Advocacy. “Participants are finding this approach helps make the referendum not so scary.” The Yarning Circles are designed to clarify The Salvation Army’s position on the Voice because of early confusion, address misinformation, and bring people to the table. They are facilitated online by Jennifer and Lucy Davis, a proud Cobble Cobble woman and Reconciliation Action Plan and Projects Manager. “People appreciate being able to talk things through without judgment,” Jennifer said. “Participants have been respectful, engaging, asked good questions, take it seriously and enjoyed a grace-filled space.” In a recent ABC interview, Tom Rogers, Commissioner of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), stated that some of the online misinformation and disinformation about the referendum process had been “bonkers”. “Joining the Yarning Circle really consolidated a lot of information and completed the puzzle for me,” said one participant. “It was really grounding and encouraging to see the support there.” Typical topics include different forms of recognition of First Nations people, design principles behind the Uluru Statement of the Heart and referendum, why Voice before treaty, different Aboriginal opinions, what the Voice might look like, government decision-making processes, and legal ramifications to a yes vote. “My hope is that I make people comfortable enough with me to ask any question,” Lucy said. “I am aware that some people don’t understand what difference the Voice will make for our people, what it will be, and what the referendum is trying to achieve. People get so disheartened by being hoodwinked.” Lucy and Jen suggest everyone read reputable sources of information such as: https://voice.gov.au Referendum 2023 - The Question (aec.gov.au) The Voice Referendum Explained : ABC iview “The faith-based community in Australia holds a big vote,” said Lucy. “So, we want them to come out in strength and follow Jesus’s example of walking with the vulnerable.” As well as the Salvo Yarning Circles, Lucy is taking the discussion to community groups in Queensland, even those groups who are unsure of how to vote or likely to vote no. “It’s really hard being a black fella in this space, and it’s quite tiring,” Lucy said. “But I don’t want to wake up on the Sunday after the referendum and think about what more I could have done.” Salvos can participate in one of the remaining Yarning Circles at https://my.salvos.org.au/voice/voice-yarning-circles/

Commissioner Miriam Gluyas talks with Shire Salvos Team Leader Mark Soper about new ways of doing church, from gathered worship to formats like ‘Communities of Hope’ and ‘Community Tables’. All these platforms strive to open up faith conversations that will point people to Jesus. Mark and his team work in a collaborative and encouraging way in the Sutherland Shire of Sydney. He says the best advice for those starting out is to hang out with like-minded Kingdom people, walk in the right direction and keep Jesus in the centre.

The Ordination, Commissioning and Sending Out of the Defenders of Justice and Reflectors of Holiness will be held over the last weekend in November. Please mark the following dates and times in your calendars for this significant event in the lives of our soon-to-be-commissioned cadets. Cadet Leeanne Pattison (Defenders of Justice) will be commissioned on Friday 24 November at Adelaide City Salvos (7.30pm). Cadets Edward and Beola Conteh (Defenders of Justice), David Delany (Reflectors of Holiness) and Vikki Song (Reflectors of Holiness) will be commissioned on Sunday 26 November at Auburn Corps (10.30am). Online links will be available closer to the date.

The first of September, the day children in Eastern Europe return to school after the long summer break, is traditionally a day of much celebration. Children begin the school year dressed in their best clothes, with special flowers and gifts for their teachers. The day is referred to as the ‘Day of Knowledge’. Salvation Army corps throughout the region help supply children needing assistance with back-to-school supplies, including backpacks, books, stationery and other essentials. In Ukraine this (northern) autumn, for the second year in a row, students are beginning their school year in the midst of Russia's full-scale invasion of the country. And around the world, thousands of young Ukrainian students who have fled to other countries with their loved ones to escape the war will start school outside their homeland. The Salvation Army, both in Ukraine and in nations where refugees are living, is assisting students and their families, as they are able, with school supplies and clothing to help them start the new academic year. The nation is grateful to all who are helping to build a Ukrainian future – teachers, parents and countries who are assisting Ukraine and Ukrainians. In honour of the start of the new school year, in Ukraine and in many countries, the day began with the playing of the Ukrainian national anthem. The word ‘knowledge’ in the Bible is found over 150 times. “Also, the Bible teaches us to acquire knowledge and to seek wisdom,” said Salvation Army leaders in Ukraine. “Wisdom involves acting according to the Spirit of God’s commandments; with wisdom comes the will and the courage to continue living according to the wisdom of God: ‘And everything you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father,’ (Colossians 3:17). “The future will be built by today’s children, schoolchildren and students. We are praying for a happy future for children in a kind, just world and wishing all who have begun learning, teaching, supporting and protecting new beginnings with faith and prayer in their hearts.”

BY LERISSE SMITH Creative and innovative thinking featured highly at a recent conference where the spotlight centred on exploring more inclusive and welcoming approaches for people with disabilities and mental health issues in the Church. Box Hill Corps in Melbourne hosted the one-day event titled ‘Welcoming and Inclusive: Actions for Churches in response to people with disabilities and health issues’ that explored theological perspectives on disability and mental illness, as well as workshops on neurodivergence, invisible disability, navigating government support and issues of mental illness in the justice system. And it was far from a pedestrian event where people just sat and listened. Thought-provoking and lively discussions were the order of the day for the 60 participants from different denominations and community-based organisations, along with engagement in an array of interesting workshops, being inspired by guest speakers, and embarking on conversations centred around practical approaches to further include people with disabilities and mental health issues into the Church. “There was lots of fruitful conversation around opportunities and ways that we can be more inclusive of people with disabilities and people experiencing mental health issues, and to learn from each other,” said Joseph Pinkard, The Salvation Army’s National Disability Inclusion Lead. “Obviously, there’s a Royal Commission going on at the moment into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability, and an ongoing conversation about the NDIS. So, it’s very front of mind in the Australian society, and the churches are part of that conversation, I guess, around how do we continue to be a place of welcoming and belonging for people with disabilities. “It’s going to be an ongoing area of attention in mainstream Australia.” Joseph added that for the Church to remain relevant, it needed to intentionally consider including people with disabilities. “I think there’s generally an attitude of welcome in all churches, but sometimes there’s value in being more intentional about including people with disabilities because sometimes there are barriers to participation that we’re not aware of,” he said. And the barriers? Some were visible and practical, others more subtle. It might be like a lack of a ramp, inaccessible worship service space, or church building. However, some could be more subtle, such as low expectations of people with disabilities about their ability to contribute. “Sometimes there are unintentional barriers to participation that can often be around someone’s intellectual capacity and the expectation that maybe someone can retain or respond to information that’s presented at church,” Joseph said. “Maybe the way we communicate is also a barrier in that we mainly communicate in spoken word and written word. It would be beneficial if we could think about how we can maybe reduce and sometimes remove those barriers by becoming more aware of them, and also think about how do we adapt what we are doing to be more inclusive. One innovative and practical example highlighted at the conference gained much people’s attention. Led by Major Dr Catherine Spiller, the project at Mooroolbark Corps (Vic.) focused on how congregations could be more inclusive and break down barriers. It encompassed intentionally gathering and reflecting on how they ran a worship service on a Sunday and what opportunities existed for people with disabilities, particularly people with intellectual disabilities, to participate in a worship service and what may be things to tweak or adapt to make it more inclusive and everyone could participate in the worship space. The outcomes were both exciting and creative. They included keeping congregational responses short and the same in the call to worship, sometimes adding key word signs to the line, repeating the themes in the liturgies they wrote and using visual imagery such as artistic artworks. “Our church as a whole has benefited as we have all been able to participate in worship in new ways,” Catherine said. “We have been delighted to see the members of our congregation with disabilities take up the invitation to participate.” Not only has practical work been happening in the space, but also some attitudinal changes. Major Christine Pickens, of Eva Burrows College, has undertaken some key work around mental health first aid training. Joseph said her work had been really informative because the training had helped provide a baseline level of knowledge about mental health and mental illness. “This can be really helpful in churchgoers’ understanding what mental illness is and what are the kind of practical ways that we can respond and support people who are having mental health issues or challenges,” he said. “Because generally speaking, churchgoers want to support, and congregations want to be welcoming and supportive. But sometimes there is a lack of knowledge or a lack of awareness about what is going to be helpful for someone who has mental health challenges.” Christine also contributed to a plenary session at the conference exploring the question of what role the Christian community played in welcoming and including people with disabilities and mental health issues, while Victoria’s Public Advocate, Colleen Pearce, spoke about the reforms needed to ensure people with disability and mental health challenges could lead flourishing lives.

Majors Darren and Leanne Elsley, chaplains in Broken Hill (Far West NSW) recently took Lieut-Colonels Chris and Stuart Reid (Secretary for Personnel and Assistant Head of Mission Support respectively) on a short road trip to outback NSW. The group stayed overnight on a property about a two-and-a-half-hour drive out from Broken Hill on the banks of the Darling River. The property owner, who grazes goats, was recently assisted by The Salvation Army through funding after the devasting floods that wreaked havoc across the Darling/Murray River area in 2022-23. Leanne and Darren had followed up on the assistance given by spending a couple of days on the property and helping clean up after the flood waters had receded. “On the evening of the visit with the Reids, eight guests from the property’s farm-stay accommodation joined the group and an impromptu ‘community table’ took place,” said Leanne. “Darren was invited to say grace before the meal, and faith conversations were later had around the campfire.” “We were encouraged by such a valuable ministry held by Darren and Leanne,” said Chris. “It was so good to see people openly having faith conversations around the fire. There was a freedom to share and an expectation that strangers would be vulnerable. This was not from us but from the people themselves. God is at work through rural chaplaincy.” On another occasion, Darren and Leanne came across a group of 20 farm labourers who were doing their fortnightly shopping in a local supermarket in Broken Hill. They were working on a remote property a couple of hours out of Broken Hill, far from their homes in Vanuatu. Darren invited them to meet in a local park that afternoon and supplied pizza – and another community table resulted. Darren and Leanne pray daily that their lives would radiate Jesus. They pray; “Holy Spirit, fill us with the love and peace of your presence, and help us to bring your love and peace to others today, simply through our presence with them. Help us reveal to others your true name and your nature.”

“The Salvation Army believes that every person should be able to live with dignity … That is not the Australia we live in right now.” So said Jennifer Kirkaldy, Salvation Army General Manager of Policy and Advocacy, when she appeared before the Senate Inquiry into the worsening rental crisis last week. “We envision a world where all Australians have access to safe, appropriate, and affordable housing (with support available where required), and the financial means to access the other essentials of life,” Jennifer said in her opening statement to the inquiry. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Jennifer continued, highlighting the work of The Salvation Army in the last financial year through the provision of 1.86 million sessions of care. This included: Nearly 760,000 nights of crisis accommodation; More than 1.52 million meals to people accessing homelessness services; Support for almost 10,000 women and children who experienced family and domestic violence. More than 50,000 nights of accommodation to young people who were at risk of or experienced homelessness. “In our Social Justice Stocktake, affordability was in the top five social justice issues seen in every single electorate in Australia,” Jennifer explained. “But while housing affordability, and especially the worsening rental crisis, is widespread, it is not affecting us all equally. “Recent research conducted by The Salvation Army with people accessing our emergency relief services shows that, for a segment of our community, the rental crisis is desperate.” Extreme housing stress “Median housing costs for people accessing our service had increased 14 per cent in just one year to a total of $250 per week. That is less than the average Australian spends (which sits at $273 a week) but represents a significantly greater percentage of their income. “While Australians on average spend around 14 per cent of their income on housing, the people accessing our services are spending around 41 per cent of their income. “We would say a person is in housing stress if they spend over 30 per cent of their income on housing. They are in extreme housing stress if they are spending over 50 per cent of their income on housing. “For the record, 46 per cent of the people coming to us who are reliant on the JobSeeker payment are in extreme housing stress.” Rising homelessness “The worsening housing affordability crisis is contributing to rising rates of homelessness and is plunging more and more people into poverty. Combined with cost-of-living increases and a critical shortage of social housing shortage, it is obvious why this situation needs immediate attention. “The Salvation Army welcomes the Housing Announcement by National Cabinet on 16 August 2023. “But, while we anticipate that these initiatives could help, they do not address the immediate and urgent housing affordability needs for people on low incomes or of people who are at risk of or already experiencing homelessness. “In the current climate there are three actions in particular that need attention: The first is fixing our social security system. We acknowledge the modest increase that will apply next month, but the fact remains that income support payments, especially JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and the Commonwealth Rental Assistance are too low. The second is to invest in social housing stock. Again, we appreciate what has already been announced, but social housing fulfils a critical need in our community, and current targets (while better than nothing) are not ambitious enough. Finally, we are hopeful about the current process for a National Housing and Homelessness Plan, and we need to ensure that that plan is fit for purpose and driven by lived experience. In particular, we believe that a dedicated housing plan for children and young people will be critical to success. “Safe and affordable housing is a critical foundation for every other aspect of a person’s life. Thank you for the work you are doing to draw attention to rental affordability issues and to find solutions. We look forward to being of assistance.”