Colonel Bramwell Booth (right) presents a mantel clock, given to his great-grandfather William Booth, to General Brian Peddle. THE ‘FOUNDER’S CLOCK’ FINDS A NEW HOME A mantel clock given to William Booth, co-founder of The Salvation Army, in 1866, was presented to General Brian Peddle at International Headquarters (IHQ) in London on 8 June. The clock has been in the keeping of the Booth family for more than 156 years and Colonel Bramwell Booth – the co-founder’s great-grandson – told the General that “the time has come for it to enter the wider confines of the Army.” An inscribed brass plate on the front of the clock explains that it was given to ‘the Rev William Booth’ on 2 July 1866 by ‘members and friends of the East London Christian Revival Society in commemoration of his first anniversary in London’. The Christian Mission was renamed The Salvation Army in 1878. The clock will be housed in the General’s offices at IHQ, where visitors can be inspired by a piece of Salvation Army history. QUEEN MÁXIMA OPENS SALVATION ARMY FACILITY Queen Máxima of The Netherlands (right) Commissioner Hannelise Tvedt, Territorial Commander of The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Slovakia Territory (left) with a waxwork of Major Alida Bosshardt. Queen Máxima officially opened The Salvation Army’s Majoor Bosshardthuis (Major Bosshardt House) in Amsterdam, recognising the remarkable ministry of Lieut-Colonel Alida Bosshardt, whose half-a-century ministry in the city’s red-light district was known across the country. A former home of De Majoor (‘the Major’) – as she was known even after being promoted to lieutenant-colonel – the building is where she sheltered and supported vulnerable people from the city centre. The new facility aims to inspire people by showing De Majoor’s life and ministry and sharing some of the vital work in which The Salvation Army is still engaged. This is the second building to be named after De Majoor. Princess Beatrix of The Netherlands opened the Majoor Bosshardtburgh residential centre in October 2014. Before receiving a tour of the house, the Queen unveiled a wax statue of Lieut-Colonel Bosshardt, showing her in the Salvation Army uniform, which made her instantly recognisable. Queen Máxima also spoke with several Salvation Army clients and visited the community centre on the building’s first floor. SRI LANKA OPENS FIRST BARGAIN SHOP Colonel Rohini Hettiarachchi, Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, speaks at the store opening. The first WOW (Women of Worth) Bargain Shop in Sri Lanka opened its doors recently with great celebration and a dedicatory prayer. Months of planning and weeks of unpacking, washing, ironing, sorting and pricing preceded the opening. The dream behind the store is to generate income to help women’s ministries assist struggling women in the communities. This includes community classes in skills such as sewing and computers, small gardening training and start-up workshops, and a small café to provide light refreshments to passers-by. Long-term goals include expanding the shop and the WOW brand to other areas where income generation and ministry work together. As Sri Lanka faces difficult days, the territory asks for prayers to continue to be servants in their community. FOCUS AREAS AT INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS Each week, International Headquarters focuses on and prays for a particular part of the world and the Army’s work there. The spotlight has recently been on the Kenya East Territory and Indonesia. The Kenya East Territory was formed in 2008 when the organisation’s work, dating back to 1921, was divided in two. There are more than 700 Salvation Army centres in the area. Ministry includes hygiene and sanitation programs, anti-human trafficking work, schools and children’s homes. Join us in giving thanks to God for the amazing things being by through The Salvation Army here. Please pray over young people in our movement and upcoming events across the area. Please also pray for political stability and the church’s role in Kenya. Indonesia has a population of more than 270 million. The Salvation Army’s work started in 1894 and now operates from more than 300 centres – worshipping and running programs. This includes youth and children’s work, social work, student hostels, medical clinics and community development projects. Please pray for The Salvation Army here – for the learning and development of our leaders, for faith in our members and friends that is reflected in their whole lives, and over practical and administrative matters. WARSAW SALVOS CREATE CHILDREN’S CLUB FOR REFUGEES The Warsaw Corps runs a weekly children’s club for Ukrainian refugees. The Salvation Army in Warsaw has kicked off a Saturday club for children, primarily those who have fled the war in Ukraine and are now refugees. According to official statistics, more than 48 per cent of refugees from Ukraine in Poland are children. Their fathers have had to remain in Ukraine, and the children have arrived here, usually with their mothers or other family. “We at Armia Zbawienia Warszawa decided to create a place for them where they would feel safe and for a moment forget about the horrors they have seen,” said Captain Oleg Samoilenko, Warsaw Corps Officer with Captain Dominika Domańska. “Every Saturday, the children have a great time playing board games and cooking Ukrainian pancakes together.” CELEBRATING NEW BEGINNINGS IN USA CENTRAL More than 1100 Salvationists and friends from the USA Central Territory gathered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the first in-person commissioning weekend in three years. Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham, the Chief of the Staff, and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, World Secretary for Spiritual Life Development, encouraged in their faith and service all those who gathered, as well as thousands more online. “It’s still absolutely true,’ proclaimed the Chief, “that the most powerful tool we have in the Church for bringing people into an encounter and experience with Christ is our own story, our own testimony, our own reality of the living presence of Christ dwelling deeply within our hearts.” His point was driven home by powerful personal testimonies and a video, revealing that since 2020, 56,406 people have sought Christ across the USA Central Territory. The theme of sacrificial living continued through the commissioning and ordination of new Salvation Army officers from the Messengers of Reconciliation session of cadets. Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham offered words of encouragement and advice to the new officers. “Guard your hearts,” she told them, followed by a reminder that Jesus, in his public ministry, “always made time to be in the presence of his heavenly Father.” Recognition was given to the 10th anniversary of ‘Pathway of Hope’, an initiative developed in the USA Central Territory to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty. The program has changed the lives of more than 10,000 families across the territory. There are now Pathway of Hope projects in more than 1000 locations worldwide, including in the three other USA territories, Canada, Bermuda, Spain, Portugal, Norway and Argentina. Other causes for jubilation included a World Services Ingathering of more than US$10.2 million, the dedication to God of three summer mission teams and the introduction of a new territorial soldiers’ forum. PAPUA NEW GUINEA HOLDS WORSHIP SEMINAR The Hohola Corps in Papua New Guinea recently hosted a three-day worship seminar, with more than 38 participants attending. Major Gaina Vali , Secretary for Communications and Property for the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory, and Major Jenny Vali, Territorial Assistant Program Secretary, led the seminar. Topics covered included: What is worship?, types of worship, the motivations behind worship, and worship expressions. A corporate worship meeting concluded the seminar.

The Salvation Army in Tasmania is offering hope to lonely, older people through the CareFinder program. BY LERISSE SMITH It is a harsh reality that cannot be ignored. The golden years that were once expected to bring peace and financial stability for older single adults living in Tasmania have turned into a battleground as a growing number teeter on the brink of homelessness. For an increasing number of people living in Tasmania’s northern region who are over 65 and sometimes younger, their car is sometimes the sole remaining asset in their lives. However, there is hope. The Salvation Army’s CareFinder program in Launceston is on the frontline supporting single adults, primarily those aged over 60, who are at risk of becoming homeless and grappling with both financial hardship and affordable housing options, leaving them vulnerable to a precarious future. “Virtually everybody I work with has no savings or assets to speak of other than a car,” said Sue Wynne, Case Manager with CareFinder. Sue Wynne is the Salvos’ case manager with CareFinder. “We’ve got people living in cars and tents. There are a lot of really lonely people, and nearly all of them are singles. Some of our people sleep rough, but they do not actually sleep at night because they are keeping an eye on all their stuff. So, they will come in here during the day to know that they are safe to just lay down on the couch and catch up on their sleep.” The program is funded by the Federal Department of Aged Care and run by The Salvation Army across Tasmania. It assists people both practically and emotionally, and, depending on their circumstances, it can also support people younger than 60. The CareFinder team also collaborates with councils and other organisations to help those with nowhere to live. Many individuals associated with the program have been long-term renters who suddenly had to move when their landlords decided to sell their properties. The wait for affordable and secure housing can be long for those over 65 who may have the option to join a waitlist for retirement villages that distribute a portion of units for social housing rentals. During this transitional period, Sue and her team offer continuous support. Contributing factors Factors leading to why older single individuals find themselves requiring a rental property or social housing include a significant number of female clients who come from a generation where women often did not work outside the home and were rearing their children, leaving them with no superannuation. “A common thing they say to me is, ‘I really never thought I would end up in this situation’,” Sue remarked. “Their marriage has fallen apart, or their partner has passed away, or there has been domestic violence. So, a lot of women just end up totally on their own. Definitely, women are more vulnerable than men.” Some older people live in cars and tents due to having no financial resources. Another main factor leading to the risk of being homeless among women is estrangement from their families. A common theme is that they are not inclined to share details of their marriage breakdowns or the situation they are in, so often, their offspring have no idea what their mother has endured. “It’s just a really common thing,” Sue reflected. “Women don’t tell their kids what they have been through. A lot of them say they would like to live in a community with other women where they feel safe.” Men can face homelessness due to work-related injuries, such as farm accidents, marital breakdowns, and sometimes family violence. If the CareFinder team is unable to find accommodation for their clients, shelters like Safe Space can provide day-to-day living arrangements, and women’s shelters too – but these are often full. Eventually, when accommodation is found, Sue will help people by organising removalists or some basic furniture. Many clients additionally face physical health challenges too that can complicate their situations. “It can take a long time to get somewhere affordable and secure for someone,” Sue explained. “So, it’s kind of holding them in that space. In the meantime, a lot of them have all sorts of issues with their physical health. For example, I’ve been supporting a lady who has a hernia, neck problems and leg problems. She is down on all these waitlists for the surgeries, but each waitlist is several years long. So, I am working with her to coordinate it all so they can do as many surgeries as possible in the one go.” While many CareFinder clients are aged 65, Sue sometimes assists those aged 50 to 65 who face financial challenges, often only able to access the Job Seeker allowances before turning 65. This financial strain is compounded by job search requirements, which can be especially difficult for women who have been out of the workforce, leading to increased anxiety and depression. During COVID, life was made a little easier as they received the same amount as those on an age and disability pension; however, the payments stopped as soon as the government ceased the special COVID payments. “I find the system a bit cruel,” Sue said. “Our clients are expected to apply for these jobs, so they just apply here, there and everywhere, and of course, get knocked back. So, if they are suffering from any anxiety or depression, it’s not helping it at all.” Employers become frustrated with people seeking jobs that aren’t available, Sue remarked, which worsens the clients’ anxiety, lowering their confidence and affecting their self-esteem. Many are also dealing with the aftermath of traumatic relationships or childhoods, contributing to anxiety, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Discrimination The stigma surrounding aging and homelessness can also lead to discrimination. Men can face homelessness due to work-related injuries, such as farm accidents, marital breakdowns, and sometimes family violence. Sue has accompanied clients to emergency services and witnessed how their conditions can be misinterpreted, making advocacy crucial in ensuring they receive appropriate care. She cited a recent example where she took a male client to Accident and Emergency who had a stroke but was mistakenly taken for being a person who was drunk. Without Sue, he would not have received the urgent care he required. Being single and older has other unique challenges; without a partner, individuals must navigate health and financial issues alone, leading to feelings of intimidation in places like Centrelink. “I just notice their whole demeanour changes when we walk into Centrelink, it’s like it really triggers them,” Sue commented. “So, it helps to have someone to go as an advocate for them.” Future hope While the CareFinder clients face many challenges, Sue remains hopeful and continually works with several groups and the council to try and find housing solutions for those people sleeping rough. She hopes in time, there will be more homes built for them, focused on being community-minded and inclusive. An additional hope is that there will be a move back towards overseas initiatives, such as Housing First in Europe, that accommodate like-minded people with regular support provided at home. It has proven to be sustainable to support people. Connection between people is of paramount importance, too. With many challenges ahead, the motivating force behind Sue’s work with the community is receiving positive feedback, which is a powerful source of encouragement. “Sometimes it can be quite frustrating working through the bureaucracy of everything,” Sue said. “But when clients turn around and say they just appreciate the fact that you’re walking alongside them and they are seeing you on a regular basis, and get to build that trust with you, it makes supporting them very worthwhile.”

Commissioner Miriam Gluyas conducts the Commissioning ceremony for the Champions of the Mission session at Camberwell Corps in Melbourne on Sunday. All photos: Kim Landy. BY LERISSE SMITH It was a simple yet profound message. A rallying call to ‘go into all the world and preach the gospel’ stood at the heart of this year’s Ordination, Commissioning and Sending Out service of the Champions of the Mission session, held at Camberwell Corps in Melbourne on Sunday. Being commissioned into full-time service as Salvation Army officers were Sameeha Deepesh, Colette Albino, Michellie Higginbottom, Sam Higginbottom and Auxiliary-Lieutenant Alex Robinson. The momentous occasion was marked by a celebratory atmosphere of worship, inspirational messages and multimedia presentations interwoven with sacred and deeply meaningful moments – and a call for all to gather, grow and go. (From left) Alex Robinson, Sam Higginbottom, Michellie Higginbottom, Sameeha Deepesh and Colette Albino being presented to the congregation. “We should be the most excited people on planet Earth,” said Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Territorial Commander. “We have got Jesus, and we’ve got good news, and it’s not to be kept to ourselves; it is to be shared. Gather, grow and go!” Family and friends of the cadets gathered at Camberwell along with Eva Burrows College’s Officer Formation training staff to celebrate the five new lieutenants appointed to serve in various communities around Australia. Captain Kylie Herring, Officer Formation Leader at Eva Burrows College, reflected on the team’s journey with cadets Michellie, Sam, Sameeah and Colette during the past two years of formation. Read the testimonies and appointment placements of Michellie , Sam , Sameeha , Colette and Alex “This is such an exciting day for you – and for us, too,” she told the cadets. “We’ve had the privilege of journeying with you during this period of formation. We stand proudly alongside you today as you are commissioned and ordained as Salvation Army officers, and you become our colleagues.” Sam then reflected on his personal journey with the congregation. “Well, I must say, there is a part of me that is still quite shocked to be standing here and doing this today,” he remarked. “Especially as I consider my journey that has unfolded from growing up in Bendigo to beginning ministry in WA as a youth worker, and then continuing on to Darwin, working with those who are most vulnerable in our community, and then stepping into corps ministry in Katherine and now, the past two years in officer formation in Brisbane. “I began this journey of being a cadet, looking for that little secret or trick that would give me all of the confidence in the world, hoping that finally, those nerves and butterflies that arrive when I have to stand in front of a couple of people would finally disappear. Or when I’m faced with the challenges of ministry, I would finally be able to respond with confidence rather than uncertainty and doubt.” Sam Higginbottom overcomes his nerves to speak to the congregation about his officer training journey. Sam said participating in the officer formation space had been an absolute privilege. He was incredibly grateful to that leadership team, the other officers, and the people willing to invest in, pray for, and support him over the past few years of his journey. “This time of officer formation offered me space and the support to grow and develop myself,” he added. “But more importantly, it developed my understanding of who I am in God, that I don’t need to do anything in my own strength, and I am confident in who I am in God because he can do all things through me.” The cadets have been located in the Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria divisions for the past two years. Two more Champions of the Mission cadets will be commissioned in March next year in the Queensland division. Welcoming the cadets on their placements has included the Salvation Army divisions, the local corps and social and community expressions. In the college’s new training model, the local placement officers and supervising staff have also become training partners and provide cadets with diverse learning opportunities. Captain Kylie Herring, Leader of Officer Formation at Eva Burrows College, speaks to the congregation. “They act as our eyes and our ears on the ground, giving us feedback on how they have experienced our cadets,” Kylie explained. “They observe their maturity, their God, self and others awareness and the posture that they bring to learning and growing their ministry skills and capacities and how they are working to integrate their learning into their ministry practice.” Additionally, Kylie conveyed at the commissioning service how the cadets had learned about the Local Mission Delivery concept, observing plans in action at both the local and wider levels, plus staying curious and open and always seeking to deepen their understanding of their corps community. The importance of Local Mission Delivery and going out to preach the gospel to all the world was also emphasised by Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett, who shared that our local communities were increasingly reflective of the whole world into which we were sent as God’s people. “As followers of Jesus, I think it's much easier to see how you and I can reasonably fulfil this instruction of Jesus to go into all the world,” she said. “It is no longer something for the exceptional few or those who can learn another language. In many ways, it’s easier today than ever before to go into all the world because representatives of all the world live among us in our communities. Living as the people of God in our communities where the diversity of the world is increasingly represented gives us one way to fulfil this mandate of Jesus, to go into all the world to preach the good news about Jesus.” Read the feature story about cadets Michellie and Sam Higginbottom here Lieutenant Colonel Chris Reid said the word ‘go’ was a proactive command to get out into our communities and fulfil the mission of God. “We have the best news ever, don’t we?” she said to the service attendees. “News about life and freedom and meaning and reconciliation. This is something worth sharing what we have. The Salvation Army has always been known as a movement, not a church. It’s active, going forward. It’s unstoppable, actually. “On a chess board, there are 64 squares. Do you know, if you place a piece of rice on the first one, double it on the second, on the third ... by the end of the chess board, there are 18 million, 500,000 trillion grains of rice. Just think about that. One person sharing with one person, sharing with one person, we can change the world.” The Champions of the Mission session with leadership and Eva Burrows College staff (from left) Lieut-Col Chris Reid, Colonel Winsome Merrett, Captain Kylie Herring, Major Sharon Sandercock-Brown, Major Heather Jenkins and Commissioner Miriam Gluyas. Chris also emphasised that the Salvos’ mission was about going beyond the building and engaging with the community. Furthermore, she added that everyone was a ‘champion of the mission’ called to run the race in their community, neighbourhood, school, workforce, anywhere people did life – and there was nothing more exciting than doing the work of God. Kylie agreed, saying something was captivating and compelling about the idea of partnering with God – that we were potential collaborators, conspirators and co-creators with God, that in his partnership, we were contributing to the unfolding of the Kingdom in which we live. “There’s a saying that Jesus’ words comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable, and we need to be afflicted,” Kylie said. Commissioner Miriam Gluyas prays for the cohort before the service. “There is still so much in our world that is not right. There are still so many people and places that need to experience the transforming love and grace of God. Sharing the good news and the story of hope requires great commitment and great courage – both necessary qualities in becoming a champion.” As the service drew to a close, Miriam encouraged everyone that God was calling his people to be leaders in The Salvation Army movement. "My God is not silent. He must be calling people because he needs us to stand up and be counted in these days,” she said. “But he needs all of us to be ministers of the gospel. To some of you, he’s saying, ‘I want you to stand up and lead in these days.’ We have some amazing younger people in The Salvation Army and some amazing older people. It’s not too late!” Click through the slideshow below for more photos of the Commissioning service. (All photos: Kim Landy)

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Corps Officers Captains Shirley and Craig Spooner with Ali Kent MLA and Daniel Barker from Mining Resources with the new van. Image: The Salvation Army WA Facebook page The Salvation Army in Kalgoorlie-Boulder (WA) recently acquired a community bus to transport youth to activities they might usually find are inaccessible. Corps Officer Captain Shirley Spooner described the bus as a “true blessing”. “This new bus is … allowing us to reach out to youth who would normally be isolated by transport and unable to join us for different activities,” she said. The Toyota Hiace Commuter bus was purchased through contributions from mining company Mineral Resources, Goldfields Toyota, the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and state representative Ali Kent MLA - Member for Kalgoorlie, as well as local council members Kyle McGinn MLC and Peter Foster MLC. Kalgoorlie/Boulder Corps hosts free dental clinic for struggling residents Among its other programs, the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Corps runs a youth drop-in space known as The Shed on Saturday afternoons and evenings where vulnerable or isolated youth can find mentoring, relaxing activities and a bite to eat. Daniel Barker, Mineral Resource’s Manager for Communities and Stakeholder Engagement said the work The Salvation Army provided to the Kalgoorlie community was very important. “We are proud to contribute to ensure that they are able to continue to offer their vital services,” he said. – Kirralee Nicolle

Students from St Philip’s College recently visited The Waterhole and had the opportunity to help serve the meals they had made for community members. BY SIMONE WORTHING It’s not uncommon for schools to support local charities and their fundraising campaigns. What is unique and remarkable is when that support has continued for over five decades. St Philip’s College in Alice Springs has been associated with the local corps Community Centre, also known as ‘The Waterhole, since the 1970s. The weekly meals the students prepare make a big difference to community members living rough. Salvation Army staff in Alice Springs recently visited St Philip’s College to present certificates to the students and discuss the huge impact the weekly meals they are making on community members living rough.   Following this, two groups of students also visited The Waterhole to see firsthand what it offers as a community centre, speak with the dedicated staff and see for themselves the difference their meals are making. Sally Courtney (centre, red shirt) and Paul Tanner, Alice Springs Corps Ministry Assistant, with some of the Year 9 students. “Not only is it a costly exercise to keep up with the demand of providing so many meals, but community members also often lack any nutrition in their diet,” explained Sally Courtney, Salvation Army External Communications Lead NT. “With the addition of hearty meals made from fresh produce and meats provided weekly from St Philip’s, it makes an incredible difference.   “In addition to the weekly meals, this year the students are planning to make meals and desserts to contribute to the community Christmas lunch.” Waterhole Support Worker Annette Miller (seated, right corner), with Paul Tanner and the students. History of help Year 9 Community Service students have cooked meals for The Waterhole since 2008.   Students volunteer with college staff each year to raise money for the Salvos, doorknocking around the streets to raise money for the Red Shield Appeal.   The funds raised support essential mission services, provide meals, laundry and washing facilities, and help with access and referrals to other essential services.   The Waterhole provides bread, porridge, soups, tea and coffee daily for a minimum of 100 people, with some days providing up to 130. St Philip’s College, run by the Uniting Church, has 530 students from grades 7 to 12. It attracts enrolments from all over Australia due to its emphasis on sports, performing arts, community service initiatives and Outdoor Education programs.   Students can incorporate community service into their academic schedules by facilitating the Duke of Edinburgh program. Paul Tanner shows the students around The Waterhole and explains the mission carried out there.

Josiah Van Niekerk from Colac Salvos with one of the donated tents. Image: Supplied BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE The Salvation Army in Colac, Victoria, has begun a drive to provide quality tent solutions for long-term homeless residents in the area. Otway TentCare is an initiative begun in partnership with Vinnies Colac, Blue Sky Outdoor Experts, and most recently, 3rd and 4th Colac Scout Group. Colac Salvos Community Engagement Coordinator Josiah Van Niekerk said the drive began mostly by chance. Colac Salvos volunteer and support worker Susan Perkins had been prompted to put out a call for tents on Facebook as a client of hers was facing homelessness without a suitable shelter. Josiah said the reaction to her post was immense, with about 40 people offering to donate tents. Seeing the flood of responses, Josiah offered to get involved. The pair then quickly discovered that many of the donated tents were not in working order, so he got creative. He approached Blue Sky Outdoor Experts in Colac, and the owner agreed to donate a few two- and three-room tents to the cause. Josiah said these larger tents offered much more dignity to those facing long-term homelessness due to substance addiction or mental health concerns than a standard single-room tent. He said the problem of long-term homelessness was so complex that it required creative solutions. Josiah Van Niekerk with Peter Gavens from Blue Sky Outdoor. Image: Supplied Colac Salvos hosted the first ‘Fixing Day’ on 15 November, where volunteers, including community members, came together to repair 10 donated tents. They still have 30 tents to sort and repair, and next time, they will have some extra help. The 3rd and 4th Colac Scout Group has agreed to involve their teenage Venturers group as volunteers in the TentCare program. “It’s a great little collaboration between us and the 3rd and 4th Colac Scouts,” Josiah said. “It’s just been amazing how these things keep on popping up. You kind of stick your neck out, and different things keep on keep on turning up, which is amazing.” Josiah said the fixing days would become a regular feature at Colac Salvos, depending on how much need there was. He said something that started as simply an addition to what the team was already doing was becoming much more effective than anticipated. He said that being a support worker and Salvation Army volunteer, Susan Perkins, who first began the drive, was also an industrial machinist capable of fixing broken zippers and patching holes. “It’s just been very much a God thing, where [He] can turn a few fish and a few loaves into a feast,” Josiah said. Peter Gavens from Blue Sky Outdoor with one of the Colac volunteers. Image: Supplied The tents are being distributed to community members most in need through not just The Salvation Army but also Vinnies and another independent charity, the Colac Kindness Network. Josiah said Colac Salvos was simply a vessel for TentCare to function through community support, and the aim through all of their programs was to build trust and relationships to eventually see lives transformed. “It’s [about] being able to work with these people and give them dignity, and be able to have a licence to work in their life to try to help them in their mental health or help them with their substance [issues] to potentially get them back on track so they can even be viable for a house. “Through the power of God, we can have an impact in their lives.” To learn more about Otway TentCare, contact Colac Salvation Army on 0484 935 165.

Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus and his return at the Second Coming. Advent is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas. Advent means ‘coming’ in Latin and is a time of preparation and expectation – for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and the second coming of Christ. There is a range of traditions around Advent, including Christmas wreaths, candles, prayers, and even fasting. CAPTAIN AMANDA HART shares her thoughts on the Advent season and how we can use this time to prepare for, and focus on, this special season of the year and the real meaning behind it. Do you have a set routine to prepare for each day – breakfast, shower, teeth, hair, clothes? Or is your preparation a case of everything that needs to happen happens at some point? Whether we have a set of routines or we’re a bit more all over the place, we all have our own ways of preparing for the things ahead.   Preparation isn’t always easy; a lot of work can go into one single moment in life. Think of how much work goes into performing a stage show, for example, when all that most people see is a perfect performance on one night. The Bible – Scripture – is filled with stories about preparation and what is to come. One such story is that of John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin.   It had been an incredibly long time since the Israelites had heard from God when suddenly, amid their oppression under Roman rule, John the Baptist breaks onto the scene and proclaims that the time has come to prepare – to prepare for the coming Messiah!     In those days, John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:  “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him’” (Matthew chapter 3, verses 1-3).    I imagine the Israelites experiencing a whole range of feelings – from frustration to anticipation – because they had been living for so many years under Roman oppression, but now they were able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. They had read over and over the story of the coming Messiah, they had waited expectantly, and now they were being told he was on his way.   The people were already excited when Jesus commenced his outreach and ministry because John had prepared their hearts.   Advent, the lead-up to Christmas, is a time of preparation. It’s a time when we prepare our hearts as we remember the true meaning of Christmas – that God sent his son, Jesus, to the world to bring peace, hope, love, and joy. It’s also a time when we prepare our hearts to receive what God has in store for us in the days, months, and years to come.    What are you preparing to receive this Advent season?    Captain Amanda Hart is Corps Officer at South Coast Gippsland, Victoria   This article first appeared on othersonline.org.au in December 2021

Emergencies and disasters come in many shapes and sizes. Some, like the global COVID-19 pandemic, the earthquakes in Haiti in 2010, Japan in 2011, Nepal in 2015 or Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines in 2013, take centre stage in world media attention. Other emergencies touch the lives of thousands yet appear to go unnoticed. However, one thread runs through many of these events – the response of Salvation Army Emergency Services.   The Salvation Army International Emergency Services (IES), based at International Headquarters in London, works with territories and trained team members around the world to provide support and assistance to territories, regions and other countries affected by disaster and conflict. In collaboration with others, IES achieves this by raising awareness of its vision and providing support, coordination and facilitation of programs, training and resources. Australian officers and personnel are also part of the wider IES team. Some, including Daryl Crowden , General Manager, Salvation Army Emergency Services | Community Engagement; and Major Brad Watson , Head of Community Engagement | Mission, have served in multiple disasters around the world for many years and play key roles in training, development and planning. Major Drew Ruthven, now retired, led the IES team from London, and has been deployed around the world in a range of capacities. He recently led an IES delegation in Romania , responding to the influx of refugees following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Major Brad Watson (second from right), with the IES team bound for Ukraine in October 2023. (From left) Alina Popsui, General Lyndon Buckingham, Major Mike McKee, Major Brad Watson and Damaris Frick, IES Director. Major Darren Elsley, Remote and Rural Chaplain, Far West NSW, has also been deployed a number of times, including to Vanuatu and Romania. Major Darren Elsley, seated right, with the IES team in Bucharest, Romania, assisting Ukrainian refugees. Territorial Envoy Margaret Coombridge, Recovery Coordinator, SAES - VIC/TAS; Major Nigel Chong, Assistant Coordinator SAES TAS; Kim Lee Operations Manager SAES; Major Gavin Watts, Officer Recruitment Secretary, Australia; and Simone Worthing, Salvos Magazine editor, have also completed IES training.   IES Vision IES will ensure that people affected by disasters and conflict around the world have the right to a self-determined life with dignity.  We empower individuals and communities to experience life in all its fullness through meeting immediate needs and building resilience in relationship with others and without discrimination. IES theology In response to the calling of God, the International Emergency Services of The Salvation Army is committed to playing its part in fulfilling God’s purpose for his world by responding according to the pattern described by: Jesus, when he commended those who give aid to others: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me"  ( Matthew 25:40 – NIV ). The Early Church, when they provided help for those affected by a Judean famine: “The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea”  ( Acts 11:29 – NIV ). The Salvation Army Mission: “Save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity.” IES philosophy The work of IES is built on a rights-based and people-centred approach which leads to a disaster response according to needs of the affected community. We work to a set of internationally recognised standards based on the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and the humanitarian imperative, recognising the rights of all people affected by disaster or conflict.   These common principles and rights are perhaps best reflected in the following summary: The right to life with dignity The right to receive humanitarian assistance The right to protection and security   IES encourages a strong link between relief, recovery and long-term development with a focus on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). To view photos of more IES work around the world, click on the arrow below.

Staff and volunteers from The Crew Rockingham and Salvos Rockingham during the 2023 Christmas hamper drive. Image: Supplied BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE While distrust, disunity and hatred appear to be growing worldwide, churches in Perth are coming together this Christmas to display unity, generosity and care. The idea to partner with other nearby churches began developing for Captains Chelsea and Darrell Wilson many years ago, as they noticed needs in the community that were too great for them to meet alone. Darrell said the pair saw a real strength of The Salvation Army as its emphasis on connecting with vulnerable people. “We’ve always thought about ways that The Salvation Army could widen their support for people [by connecting] with other churches,” Darrell said. “Often, we see that we have this great connection but lack the amount of people [those] people need around them. “So [we had] this idea that maybe we can continue to grow in partnership with [other] churches.” The Crew and Rockingham Salvos combined forces to do Christmas hampers last year. Image: Supplied The Rockingham Salvos corps officers began by partnering with their friend Greg Lake, Associate Pastor of Paradox Church and Chief Executive of The Crew Rockingham, a social outreach organisation run by Paradox Church. The Crew offers much of the same community outreach that Rockingham Salvos provides, including emergency relief and food assistance. Rockingham Salvos also hosted The Crew each Monday several years ago when they were waiting for their building to be completed. In 2023, the teams combined for the first time. Together, they prepared more than 700 Christmas hampers for those doing it tough in the area, and this year, they are partnering with other churches in the area to do even more. So began Love Rockingham. The goal of Love Rockingham is to create and deliver 1200 Christmas hampers to community members, with the goal of raising $55,000 to fund the drive. So far, 10 additional churches have signed up to the drive, with more organisations donating to the cause. As of this article’s writing, the group has raised $35,000. Each hamper will contain treats such as chocolate, lollies, biscuits, and essential items like milk and grocery vouchers. The group is also collecting 5000 presents for children between the ages of 0 and 15. “We’re so limited when we’re just on our own,” Darrell said. “We have limited resources, limited people, and the issues are just too big.” Rockingham, a beachside suburb on the southwestern outskirts of Perth, has a population of almost 150,000. The unemployment rate in Rockingham is higher than that of broader WA and Australia, sitting at 4.8 per cent compared with 3.9 per cent across WA and 3.8 per cent across the country. Some of last year's hampers, ready for distribution. Image: Supplied Chelsea co-leads a group of Rockingham church ministers from across denominations seeking ways to develop greater unity and resource sharing. Over the 14 years, they’ve spent in Rockingham, Chelsea and Darrell have come to realise even more that the body of Christ is much larger than just their own congregation and that different church groups offer various skill sets that, when combined, enhance their ability to meet needs. They said that rather than encouraging other Christians to join The Salvation Army, they began seeking to mobilise Christians everywhere to join the social mission. They said Christians who are settled in other churches may simply thrive better when working within their own church’s leadership structures, but The Salvation Army could help mobilise and offer resourcing. “We need to do something about the suffering in the world,” Darrell said. “That’s at the core of what [we] believe. It’s a no-brainer. “It’s just really difficult to get enough people to support those who are quite lonely and facing hardship. So [began] this idea that we can’t support these people on our own, but there’s really good Christian people down the road who could assist. “The positive that comes out of the high need is that people are working together.” Beyond the Christmas hampers, Chelsea, Darrell and the Paradox team hope to build Love Rockingham into an ongoing collaboration throughout the year. They are very thankful to be able to use The Salvation Army’s fundraising platforms and resources to support it. “We’re not trying to promote The Crew or the Salvos. It’s all about us mobilising churches in the city. “It’s not [about] one church’s logo. It’s not ‘come and join The Salvation Army’,” Chelsea said. “Both The Crew and the Salvos are very known in this community and trusted … so we decided let’s lay down our logos and create something new.” Greg said Love Rockingham was born out of a longstanding sense of unity and connection between churches in the area. “We get to stand on the shoulders of all the pastors [who] have been collaborating for 30 years,” he said. “All of those churches [are] signing on because of our heart for unity. They know it’s not about us. We’re not trying to promote what we do. “We’re not trying to promote The Crew or the Salvos. It’s all about us mobilising churches in the city. And for us and Chelsea and Darrell, our heart is that we’re exposing people in the churches to the needs in our city that we see every day.” The combined Crew and Salvos Rockingham teams packing hampers. Image: Supplied

Josh Gani, Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor for The Salvation Army. BY ANTHONY CASTLE Earlier this year, Senator Dean Smith tabled a Bill to generate a Food Donation Tax Offset for producers and retailers that donate quality food.   For some retailers, throwing food away can be cheaper than giving it away . At a time when the Food Bank estimates that 3.4 million Australian households are experiencing food insecurity, The Salvation Army supports steps that would improve access to food relief for Australians in need.   “Food relief is a major part of the work of the Salvation Army,” shared Josh Gani, Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor, at the inquiry.   “We provide relief to Australians every single day, whether it be serving breakfast every weekday to community members in Katherine, providing meals to firefighters during bushfires, providing food hampers across New South Wales or operating whole cafes, such as the one at Melbourne Project 614.”   Ongoing cost-of-living pressures have led many community members to seek food and other assistance from The Salvation Army for the first time. Food insecurity does not discriminate and can affect those in paid employment or those who have never experienced disadvantage before. For many potential donors, food donation can have the same financial incentive as destruction, and the associated costs for donation, including transportation and storage costs, become a financial barrier.  “There has been a significant increase in people coming to us saying the reason they are coming is because they can’t afford food,” shared Jennifer Kirkaldy, General Manager Policy and Advocacy.   “Food insecurity is often a proxy for housing insecurity and other general expenses. Really, for us, it is around housing, and it is around income support. Food relief is critically important, but if we’re talking about the two basic, big-ticket items, they are housing and income.”   The Salvation Army sees that the Bill takes reasonable steps to ensure that food fit for human consumption is delivered to those in need rather than dumped. This prevents the Food Donation Tax Offset from being used to hand off expired or unfit food. The Salvation Army has encouraged the Committee to remember that food relief, including community meals, pantries, or any other kind of emergency relief, is a band-aid solution to a larger problem of food insecurity.   “We’d like to point to the long-term picture of disadvantage, which is behind food insecurity,” says Josh.   “We have seen an increase in demand for food relief due to current cost-of-living pressures, but we’ve been providing food relief for 140 years. That’s why we know that no one action is going to address the systemic needs. Long-term consideration must be put to broader disadvantage, again, touching on the issues of housing insecurity and the inadequacy of income support payments.” The Salvation Army is calling for raising the inadequate levels of JobSeeker and Youth Allowance payments, which force many people experiencing unemployment into food insecurity.   “From our perspective, there is no better use of taxpayers’ money than making sure that everybody’s basic needs are being met,” Jennifer shared. “No one should be going to bed hungry.”   Since the Committee report, The Salvation Army has worked on this issue with Anglicare, Food Bank, Oz Harvest, Second Bite, St Vincent de Paul Society, and Uniting Care. The Salvation Army has also contacted every senator, encouraging them to support the Bill and inviting them to visit its food relief centres. Many have already accepted the invitations and will visit sites across the sector in the coming weeks.

The Salvation Army’s Karen Walker and the IMB’s Nadean White (Regional Manager Southern Illawarra & South Coast) with the Salvos ‘Shieldy’ IMB Bank’s ‘Buzzy’ mascots. Community members and customers of the IMB Bank in the Illawarra region of New South Wales have been busy this festive season gathering donations of gifts and non-perishable food items for The Salvation Army.   Donations will go towards The Salvation Army’s Christmas Cheer operation in the Illawarra area. Local corps are expected to assist more than 500 families with food and toys.   “The IMB Bank has been a long-term supporter of the Salvos,” says Karen Walker, Salvation Army regional Public Relations and Fundraising Manager. “It’s great to have local businesses supporting local communities, particularly this year when so many people are doing it tough.”

A replica car was on display at the Cyclone Tracy anniversary event of the vehicle in 1974 (below) that was sprayed with the word ‘Salvo’ to let people know The Salvation Army was assisting in recovery efforts. BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE Over the past week, The Salvation Army joined the City of Darwin and the Northern Territory Government in staging events commemorating 50 years since Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin. The cyclone, which hit Darwin in the early hours of Christmas Day 1974, killing 66 and leaving 25,000 homeless, was marked by a public memorial event on Saturday 30 November at Darwin Ski Club. This event featured keynote speaker Colonel Winsome Merrett, TSA Chief Secretary, and Major Paul Hateley, Divisional Commander for SA/NT, as master of ceremonies. Major Paul Hateley speaks at the ‘Thank You’ Appreciation Event. The Salvation Army also marked the anniversary with a ‘Thank You’ Appreciation Event for key donors and those who were part of the recovery efforts, held on Thursday 28 November at the Hilton Garden Inn, where the cyclone picked up cars and tossed them into the Hilton pool. Winsome told attendees about her experience as a 16-year-old living through the cyclone. Commissioner James Condon, former Territorial Commander of Australia Eastern, spoke about coordinating the reception of evacuees to Mt Isa. Following the speeches, attendees shared their stories and experiences from the cyclone with one another. Colonel Winsome Merrett speaks at the public memorial event in Darwin at the weekend. Commemorative service On Sunday 1 December, TSA survivors, first responders and leaders came together for a Commemorative Church Service and luncheon at Darwin Corps. Winsome shared from Mark 4, where Jesus calmed the storm. She told how, as a terrified teenager, she ran to the kitchen with her family while the house was being destroyed around them. Her mother reminded them all to talk to Jesus about the situation. Immediately, she felt a sense of peace. “Sometimes Jesus calms the storm, and sometimes he calms his child in the storm,” she said. The cover of the commemorative booklet published by The Salvation Army Communications Department. VIP events planned for Friday 29 November were cancelled due to community backlash regarding the exclusivity of the event and the Kinetic Sculpture, which had been set for unveiling that day. Further events are expected during December as the anniversary date looms. To read more about the involvement of The Salvation Army following Cyclone Tracy, you can read the commemorative booklet here . A storyboard produced by Sally Courtney, TSA External Communications Lead, of the events of Christmas Eve 1974 when Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin. To view the 50th anniversary video, click here