Sydney City Salvos Volunteer Coordinator Belinda Clark, who created the Facilitated Volunteers Program. BY LAUREN MARTIN   Volunteering for The Salvation Army has long been a way for community members who seek assistance from the Salvos to gain skills, grow in confidence and better their lives – as well as to ‘give back’. But for some, volunteering is inaccessible.   As the Volunteer Coordinator for Sydney City Salvos Corps (formerly Sydney Congress Hall), Belinda Clark is on a mission to break down these barriers.   When she wanted to onboard a community member who was passionate about volunteering but was experiencing homelessness through street sleeping, she found the process difficult because the person didn’t have access to any form of identification.   “[I realised that] this was a massive barrier, and it was frustrating for me,” she said. “So, I wanted to do something about it.”   Belinda began discussions with colleagues and then worked with The Salvation Army’s Volunteer Resources team to devise the Facilitated Volunteer Program. This program is designed to support community members who experience barriers to volunteering, such as being unable to undergo a police check.   Applicants to the program are invited to an information session and go through a supported application process, which includes an interview.   “Even though the interview is informal, we still do one to give our participants the experience,” said Belinda, adding that one community member was so excited to be a participant in the program he arrived half an hour early to the application process, wearing a full suit! “He was so excited; he was punching the air and dancing when he was offered his placement in the program.”   Once onboarded, volunteers work for 1.5 hours on a Thursday afternoon at the Sydney City Salvos op-shop alongside volunteer facilitators. The facilitators tailor each volunteer’s work based on their skills, passions and abilities.   Volunteer facilitator Taj (centre) with volunteers Darrell and Jason at the Sydney City Salvos Thrift Shop during the Facilitated Volunteer Program. Jason’s self-confidence boost Jason, who’s been connecting with Sydney City Salvos’ Streetlevel Mission for many years, operates the guillotine to cut the price tags for the op-shop to the right size.   “It’s good for me and good for the Salvos,” he said. “It gives me something to do.   “I’m a ‘lone wolf’, but this gives me a chance to explore different options … than what I’m used to, and it breaks the monotony and breaks that rut that I was in.” Since he began volunteering with the Facilitated Volunteer Program, he has also started attending the centre’s leisure activities groups, which run every morning during the week. A fellow volunteer in the program, Paul, said he has noticed a difference in Jason since he began volunteering.   “I’ve known Jason for nearly two years, but what I see in him [now] is his skills with his language has improved greatly, his self-confidence, and his presentation. That is not just a credit to himself, but also the staff here because they really encourage and seek for individuals to find that passion within themselves and see the potential that they have.” Jason loves his role as a volunteer with Sydney City Salvos. Paul began his journey with the Salvos two years ago at Foster House, an inner-city men’s homelessness service, where he detoxed and became clean and sober. But, after leaving the service, he said he experienced a “dark night of the soul” journey, during which he realised that he could only do so much on his own and needed to reach out and connect with supportive people again.   “I came back to Streetlevel and started to reconnect more and more with staff members and with other people who were coming in off the street, and really just re-engaging with society and community as a whole,” he said.   Being part of the Facilitated Volunteer Program has allowed him to connect with his passion for the written word (he looks after sorting and shelving the books in the op-shop) and has built his self-confidence.   “Staff members have said, ‘Find your people, find your passion’, and doors started opening for me, and the volunteering started happening for me through Belinda here, so I jumped on that. Almost immediately, another job offer came in … and I’ve got an interview.”   For Paul, connecting with faith communities through Sydney City Salvos has also been transformational.   “I’m grateful that I have God in my life. I attend church that the Salvos run here every Sunday, and that, for me, has been paramount to keeping me level-headed and keeping my soul nourished.”   Intensive support key to transformation For Belinda, one of the most important aspects is that participants in the Facilitated Volunteer Program work alongside a trained volunteer facilitator.   “A lot of the volunteers [in the program] have never done anything like this before,” she said. “Most of them have never worked, certainly they haven’t had good experiences in schooling etc. So, we are supporting them the whole way.”   Sydney City Salvos has an extensive volunteer base of work-placement students who can step into the volunteer facilitator role and come alongside each participant with encouragement and support.   Emily Blackstock, an advisor with The Salvation Army’s Volunteer Resources team, describes the program as an intensive discipleship journey.  Emily Blackstock says she’s hoping to see more transformed lives. “We love this idea,” she said. “It does reflect a lot on what’s already happening [at our corps and centres], but this is more supported.   “You’ve got faith pathways, skill building … it has all these fantastic ticks, and it just suits The Salvation Army. We want to see transformed lives, and I’m hoping we see transformed lives in terms of [the people involved gaining] skill sets and the feeling that they have things to contribute, and also transformation because they meet Jesus when they are here.”   The Volunteer Resources team is working with Sydney City Salvos to develop a delivery package so that other corps and centres can easily implement a Facilitated Volunteer Program in their contexts. For more information on International Volunteer Day (5 December), click here  For more information on volunteering, click here or here

Newly enrolled soldier Mike Salomo says he wants others to know the boundless love of Jesus.   BY MIKE SALOMO (as told to Lauren Martin)   I had a serious accident in the middle of the COVID lockdown in 2020. You know, when everyone dusted off their mountain bikes because all the gyms were closed?   Anyway, I hadn’t ridden in so long, and I was riding one Sunday afternoon, and I ended up with a dislocated ankle, my foot almost completely came off. I had multiple open compound fractures on my fibula and ankle. I had two emergency surgeries, and I was off work for two months. And then rehab for two years.   So, at that time, it gave me time to really think.   The accident slowed me down, but at the same time I felt that it was speeding me up towards what I really wanted to do with my life. It was time for a change ... and a change into something more meaningful. So that’s how I ended up at The Salvation Army.   I was looking for a career change. I was looking for an organisation that was big on values – and treating other humans kindly. And I saw The Salvation Army position [for a facilities manager with the property department] being advertised – and I went for it.   At around the same time, I had started working on some childhood trauma stuff as well. I started seeing a therapist and did a few other things as well. Yoga, EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy) and all the somatic stuff. Part of that healing journey reconnected me with my spiritual background. Mike (left) with fellow Salvationist Doug, helping to create a community garden at Narwee Salvos in Sydney’s south. Christian upbringing I was born into a Christian family. We read our Bible together every night after dinner. The Salomo kids were famous in Sunday school for winning all the prizes, all the Bible reading competitions and everything else!   But, because I also had such a difficult childhood, I think by the time I was 13 or 14, I just stopped going to church. I stopped speaking to God. I was very angry. I was a very angry child and teenager, and I blamed God.   So, that meant that for the next 30 years, I was just searching. Searching and searching – trying to fill up something that I felt was really empty inside.   So, as part of that few years of healing, it just opened up a spiritual awakening.   In hindsight, I sort of felt, ‘I may have left God, but God never left me.’ I could see points and twists and turns in my life where he was with me. It is so subtle; there was never this voice that I heard or anything like that. It was just so subtle; I was being guided and guided. That was God speaking to me.   Surrendering to God Starting work at The Salvation Army, I ran into David Delany [Corps Officer, Team Member, Hurstville Corps] at Fairfield Corps [in Sydney]. Captain David Delany, Hurstville Corps Officer - Team Member. This was around the same time I was checking out churches to go to. I met David, and I fell in love with his story ... he is just such a beautiful, selfless man. This is actually a guy who really lives the teachings – to love God and to love others. When I heard he was coming to Hurstville [as a corps officer] I said, “I want to hear you preach!” So, I started going to Hurstville Corps. That was three years ago.   There was a point in my journey where I just felt within me that I needed to surrender to God, and I needed to surrender fully . The doctrines [of The Salvation Army’s soldiership covenant] were something I became familiar with through going to the corps, and I thought I could do this; I could actually become a Salvation Army soldier.   [Being a soldier means to me] that I feel closer to God.   Now, I want to continue to help others when they want to be helped. I want to continue to be able to show people the love of God, the boundless, limitless love and compassion of Jesus. That’s the basis of everything.   *Mike Salomo is Area Facilities Manager - Greater Sydney | Property Facilities Management NSW/ACT    Mike outside the Narwee Corps building, where he is part of new ministry expressions taking place under the direction of Hurstville Salvos.

Vicki (left) with Mandurah Salvos Corps Officer Lieutenant Crystal Lee. BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE When Vicki Searle was a child growing up in Western Australia, she wanted her parents’ attention. With a father whom she felt didn’t really have space for her in his life and a mother she struggled to get to know, life felt tumultuous. When her parents split, and her father remarried, she felt even more isolated. “It shouldn’t affect me, but it affects me,” she says. “All I wanted to be is be loved, and my father sort of never showed that.” Other details of her early life are patchy – her parents fighting while driving across the Nullarbor, her siblings – but much of it has been forgotten in the haze that sometimes accompanies difficult childhoods. When Vicki, a former meat packer at abattoirs who has been on a disability pension for 25 years, first encountered The Salvation Army, she had just moved back to Western Australia after living with her partner in South Australia and then Tamworth, New South Wales. She and her partner had spent some time unable to find permanent housing. “I know what it’s like to be out there and be homeless because I’ve been there myself, and it’s really, really not a good feeling,” Vicki says. “You are beside yourself. You’re cold; you’re hungry; it’s just not a good feeling.” She had made her way back to be with her mother, who was gravely ill. Then COVID-19 hit. Vicki was living between homeless shelters and the streets. She then found herself at The Beacon, a Salvation Army crisis accommodation centre. “When I was at The Beacon, I was always worried, stressed about not knowing where I was going to end up next,” she says. Her case worker at The Beacon reassured her that things would be okay and that she would find permanent accommodation in Mandurah, on the southwest coast of Western Australia. Lieutenant Crystal Lee presents Vicki with her Positive Lifestyle Program graduation certificate at Mandurah Salvos. A positive step That’s exactly what happened. But it wasn’t the most transformational part of Vicki’s story. She was also put in touch with a caseworker from Mandurah Salvos, Miriam Batson. “When I was at The Beacon, I heard about the Positive Lifestyle Program ,” she says. “I asked Miriam if I could participate in it because I knew that I could relate to the content deeply.” That was when Vicki met Lieutenant Crystal Lee, Corps Officer at Mandurah Salvos. Vicki had recently received news that her partner, who was still in Tamworth, was ill and unable to make the trip to Western Australia because of COVID-19. Vicki was at a low point. “I used to always think the worst, and I was always hard on myself,” Vicki says. “I was always crying, drained and not able to do daily activities.” “I have gained tools and skills to live life positively. I can now say even though things are still challenging, this too will pass and don’t give up giving up. I can do this.” Crystal helped Vicki journey through The Salvation Army’s eight-module Positive Lifestyle Program course, which assists clients in facing the struggles that might be holding them back from achieving positive changes in their lives, including depression, anger, loneliness, grief, and loss. “Since I have completed the PLP course, I have more resilience and confidence in myself,” Vicki says. “I began to learn to think positively by having a gratitude list every week. “I have gained tools and skills to live life positively. I can now say even though things are still challenging, this too will pass and don’t give up giving up. I can do this.” “Don’t give up giving up” is a phrase which means a lot to Vicki. Crystal says that for Vicki, it means she can keep going, no matter what life throws her way. Vicki, who faces ongoing health needs, is now considering volunteering for The Salvation Army in Mandurah. Crystal says she thinks Vicki would be a good fit for a role that involves talking to others who are doing it tough, as Vicki has learned so much through her own journey. Vicki recently shared her experience with the Positive Lifestyle Program at a Sunday service at Mandurah Salvos. “I’d like to give back to the Salvation Army [for] what they’ve done for me,” she says.    For more information on The Salvation Army’s Positive Lifestyle Program, click here

Salvation Army representatives who took part in the Silent March in Perth. BY ANTHONY CASTLE The Salvation Army recently took part in the Silent March Against Domestic and Family Violence in Perth (WA), showing support to victim-survivors of family and domestic violence.   The 34th March Against Domestic and Family Violence took place at Forest Chase on Monday 25 November. The event is the longest-running annual family domestic violence march in Australia. The Salvation Army were represented on the march. The march was held during 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. It brought together the families of victim-survivors, community, dedicated specialist services, government representatives and a growing number of corporate supporters to honour the women and children who have lost their lives to family and domestic violence.   The event also demonstrated public support for those who still live in constant fear in their own homes.   The Silent March has been taking place annually since 1991 when a group of women who had survived the horrors of domestic violence marched from Forrest Place in Perth. The march protested the legal system that had failed to keep them and their families safe. The dedicated march honours and remembers all those women and children killed because of domestic and family violence.   The Salvation Army in Australia assists more than 7000 women and children experiencing family violence each year. It provides a wide range of services around the country to support women and women with children impacted by violence, offering refuges, children’s and parenting services, counselling, support, men’s programs, accommodation and advice to women and children who are experiencing, or who have experienced, family and domestic violence.   The Salvation Army stands against domestic violence in any form and is dedicated to bringing hope, safety and stability to the lives of those experiencing hardship and injustice.

Major Paul Hateley presents the inaugural Hero of Hope Award to Paul Kitching. BY ANTHONY CASTLE The Salvation Army South Australia/Northern Territory Division hosted its annual Christmas Thank You lunch to express gratitude to those donors and supporters who made its work possible in 2024.   Divisional Commander Major Paul Hateley welcomed guests to the event held at the Adelaide Pavillion on Tuesday 26 November.   “Christmas is a time of family, festivities and food, and we’re all so blessed to be able to come together today to embrace the spirit of generosity and community,” Paul said. “But as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, we must also remember that for thousands of families across Australia, Christmas won’t feel like a time to celebrate. For many, it is simply a reminder of how hard life has become for them.”   Sports presenter and journalist Tom Rehn hosted the lunch, which was an opportunity to express gratitude to bequestors, Advisory Group members, supporters, corporate partners, volunteers, officers, staff and interstate guests.   Guests were privileged to hear from Leanne, who shared her 15-year journey working through addiction with the support of The Salvation Army. Small Vocal 1, a group of four Year 11 students from Prince Alfred College, also performed for those present.   The event included the inaugural Hero of Hope Award, given to Paul Kitching. The Hero of Hope Award is for those who have given their time and energy to supporting The Salvation Army’s mission. Paul Kitching served on the Media Advisory Group in South Australia for more than 13 years and as Chair for more than a decade.   “It is your continued support year on year that makes it possible for The Salvation Army to be there for those experiencing hardship, isolation and homelessness, helping them feel connected to others at Christmas and all year round,” Paul Hateley said, addressing the guests. “You have helped us give so many individuals and families the gift of a new beginning this year. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.” The Christmas Thank You lunch in full swing at the Pavillion in Adelaide.

The Salvation Army’s Senior Manager of Integrated Men’s Services, Lauren Chisholm (right), celebrates the Alexis FVRM Award with (from left) Pete Young, Officer in Charge Detective Snr Sgt of Prahran Family Violence Unit, Louise Rodgers, Detective Snr Constable of the Prahran Family Violence Unit and Lani Kahn, Practice Lead with the Alexis Program. The Salvation Army’s Social Mission Family Violence Stream is celebrating winning a Silver Award for its Alexis Family Violence Response Model at the prestigious Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards. The model known as ‘Alexis FVRM’ aims to reduce family violence for victim-survivors and to achieve accountability among perpetrators. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovation of our Alexis team,” said Lauren Chisholm, Senior Manager of the Integrated Men’s Service. “By integrating the Alexis FVRM into Victorian Police Family Violence Investigation Units, we have made significant strides in reducing crime and violence. We are incredibly proud of the impact we have made, particularly in supporting clients facing complex challenges and high-risk situations. “Our programs offer vital pathways to address the root causes of violence, reducing recidivism and fostering lasting change. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the strong partnership between our team and the police. Together, we’ve created a powerful collaboration that is transforming lives.” The model also aims to reduce secondary victimisation and decrease the incidence of family violence through interagency cooperation and collaboration. This aim is achieved by providing a coordinated cross-sectoral, multi-agency response to families assessed as high-risk and who have repeated contact with police and support services due to family violence. In this manner, Alexis FVRM aims to identify and respond to family violence as soon as possible after an incident. Lauren said she was thankful to everyone who contributed to the Alexis FVRM’s success. “Your commitment to excellence and compassion is truly inspiring,” she remarked “Let’s continue our important work and build on this momentum.” –      Lerisse Smith

To read Beverley’s Promoted to Glory notice, click here

To read Eva’s Promoted to Glory notice, click here

Each week throughout this year, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for a particular territory or region of The Salvation Army.   General Lyndon Buckingham recently visited the territory, the first visit by a General to Poland. Prayer requests are shared by the focus territory/region to help us pray with precision and power for one another.  This week (9-15 December), we are praying for the Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory .   The territory is made up of 660 senior soldiers, 379 adherents and 66 junior soldiers. There are 34 corps, 4 outposts, 107 officers (52 active and 55 retired), 2 Aux-captains, 2 envoys, 2 cadets and 650 employees.   Prayers of praise and thanksgiving: We give thanks to God for the recent officers and leaders councils and the territorial congress led by General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham. We thank God that the Holy Spirit’s presence was felt, people made new commitments and people were encouraged and uplifted by this time of fellowship and worship. We give thanks for the commissioning of two new lieutenants and the start of training for two new cadets. Please pray for the new officers, cadets and their families. We give thanks for the commitment and dedication of soldiers, officers, employees and volunteers in Germany, Lithuania and Poland who show the love of Jesus to others through their actions.   Prayer requests: For the encouragement of seeing lives transformed by the power of Jesus in all three countries of the territory. For strength and grace for our officers, many of whom bear heavy workloads and juggle many responsibilities. For more people to offer for officership and local officership. For resources to care for the many Ukrainian refugees who still need assistance. Our personnel are often isolated as they serve significant distances from each other. Please pray for wisdom as we strengthen systems of support for corps, centres and community-based work.   For more information about the Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory, click here .   For more information on the International Prayer Focus 2024, and to download the calendar, click here . For more photos from the Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory, click on the arrow below.

People who love brass, jazz and traditional hymns will enjoy this Christmas album.   REVIEWED BY LARRY STEPHAN   Dan Damon is the best jazz pianist you may have not heard of.   Think Dave Brubeck and Vince Guaraldi. He’s that good. Add the brilliant sax of Lincoln Adler, the beautiful vocals of Sheilani Alix, and the rest of the stellar band Kurt Ribak on acoustic bass, Carrie Jahde on drums, and Greg Sankovich grooving on the Hammond organ, and you have a world-class Christmas jazz album.   Throughout this recording, you will be captivated by the band’s performance and especially the magical interplay of Damon and Adler. I cannot overstate how wonderful this is. The songs vary from traditional and ancient Christmas carols to more modern Christmas selections, including two Dan Damon originals. Dan Damon is a retired Methodist pastor. The album starts with elegant renderings of the beloved carols ‘Away In A Manger’ and ‘I Saw Three Ships’. The latter includes three verses by Damon that make this track more relevant to the present day. He has a wonderful custom of doing this.   The modern composition ‘Hunger Carol’, written by Shirley E. Murray and Saya Ojiri, is a significant choice as it connects the birth of Jesus to today with lyrics like: “Every child needs bread until the world is fed.”   The beautiful ‘Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming’ dates back to the 14th century and it was first published in 1582. Damon perfectly captures the ancient charm of this melody. It is followed by the first Damon original, ‘Like a Child’, and then Adler opens the well-known ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ with some outstanding blues-influenced sax playing that fans of this instrument will appreciate. It sets the tone beautifully.   On the Catalan traditional tune ‘The Gift Carol’ Damon’s piano is simple and engaging, and then the African American Spiritual ‘Over My Head’ has a true upbeat gospel feel. “This exquisite album will please fans of quality jazz and lovely Christmas music.”   The final Damon original, ‘Winter’s Child’, is a welcome nod to Vince Guaraldi with fine bass work from Kurt Ribak.   ‘On This Day Earth Shall Ring’ also has some ancient roots dating back to the 12th century. It was translated by Jane Marian Joseph around 1917. Damon supplies a nice, upbeat arrangement here. We get a gently swinging interpretation of the well-known ‘Good King Wenceslas’. And while there was a historical character named Wenceslas, he was not a king but a duke. However, Good King Wenceslas sounds a lot better than Good Duke Wenceslas!   ‘Peace Child’ is another modern song with lyrics by Shirley E. Murray and music by Dan Damon. The truly splendid jazz piano on ‘Silent Night’ is a fitting conclusion.   This exquisite album will please fans of quality jazz and lovely Christmas music. For more information on Dan Damon and to download the album, click here

I was driving somewhere the other day and noticed the car in front of me had a ‘fish’ sticker on the rear bumper. Many of you will be familiar with these stickers (or the logo at least) that feature the name of Jesus in the familiar Christian fish outline.   It made me think about bumper stickers for a moment. They had their heyday in the 1960s and ’70s when you’d see the rears of cars (bumpers, boots, windows) plastered with stickers. Most often, there’d be at least one for your football team, one for the radio station you listened to and others for places you’d visited (‘Ettamogah Pub’).   Bumper stickers are generally not as popular these days. We tend to not hang on to a car for decades anymore and we replace our cars every 5–10 years, so we’re reluctant to put a sticker on that might leave a mark or be impossible to remove when it comes to selling the car.   Through the years, there has been some very funny, thought-provoking and quirky Christian bumper stickers. And some downright weird ones. Let’s consider a few.   ‘Do you follow Jesus this closely?’ – An interesting passive-aggressive sort of sticker. It says, ‘I’m a Christian and I hope you are too, but back off, buddy!’   ‘Honk if you love Jesus. Text if you want to see him’ – Sure, it’s a nice reminder not to text on your phone while you’re driving but it seems a little dark or sombre to offer advice on how to die!   ‘My boss is a Jewish carpenter’ – For someone who doesn’t know about Jesus or isn’t familiar with the biblical account of his life, this sticker is like someone saying, ‘My boss is a Canadian accountant’. Big deal.   ‘Powered by Jesus’ – This is nice … until your car is seen broken down by the road! There must be some tow-truck drivers who have laughed at this one as they’ve loaded a car. It also makes me wonder if the driver ever stops for petrol.   ‘Let go and let God’ – Oh, I hope not. I really don’t want to be looking in my rear-vision mirror and see the driver behind letting go of his steering wheel.   ‘Rooted in Christ’ – This is an American bumper sticker. Not Australian. Enough said.   ‘Jesus would let me merge’ – Well, true. But Jesus would also let you express your servant heart and humility and wait. Besides, I’m guessing it’s not Jesus driving the car behind you.   And finally, one of my favourite stickers is a simple cross shape closely followed by the word ‘unashamed’. If you can picture it, it seems to suggest that a large fish has been shamed. As someone else said, pointedly, ‘The tuna knows what it did.’   Major Mal Davies is the Assistant Divisional Commander for the Victoria Division.

Salvation Army officers and other personnel who have suffered the loss of a loved one: Major Joan Birch  is bereaved of her son, David Birch, who was Promoted to Glory on 21 November 2024. Our love and prayers surround Joan and the family at this sad time and especially over the coming days.  ‌ ‌ Major Sandra Maunder was bereaved of her father, Brian Maunder, who passed away on 28 November 2024 aged 90 years. A thanksgiving service was held on Wednesday 4 December. Please keep Sandra in your thoughts and prayers at this time.  Captains Robyn and Paul Lorimer are very grateful for the prayerful support and kind messages they have received with the passing of Robyn’s mum, Mavis Barclay, on Sunday 17 November. Our love and prayers surround Robyn and Paul and their family at this sad time and especially over the coming days.   Major Tracey Wicks was bereaved of her mother, Laurel Schulz (Lovegrove), who was Promoted to Glory on Sunday 22 September 2024 aged 90 years. The Thanksgiving Service was held on Wednesday 2 October. Please uplift Tracey in your prayers at this sad time and especially over the coming days.   Major Christine Atkinson’s son and Captain Keith Atkinson’s stepson, Rodney Schryver, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday 17 October 2024, aged 46. Please uplift Christine and Keith in your prayers in this difficult time, as well as Rodney’s wife Rachel and his two children, Abbee and Jed. Rodney was nephew to Major Marianne Schryver and Gweneth Sharp (Captain Phil Sharp is her husband) and Major Petra Dorman and Hans Schryver (father).   Major Patricia Rowe  is bereaved of her brother, Ian Muir, who passed away on Saturday 12 October 2024. His Funeral Service was held on Wednesday 23 October. Major Daniel Templeman Twells is bereaved of his mother, Shirley Templeman Twells, a soldier of Mandurah Corps WA, on Wednesday 2 October 2024 from St. John of God Hospice, Perth. Daniel and Melissa and their children flew back home from Japan to spend quality time with Shirley before she was Promoted to Glory. The Celebration of Life was held on Wednesday 9 October at Mandurah Corps. We pray God’s love and peace will surround Daniel, Melissa and the family in this time of grief and as they fly back to ministry overseas.  Our love and prayers are with Lieut-Colonel Debra Stevens on the passing of her mother-in-law, and Captains Mitchell and Sally Stevens and Kerry and Glenn Smith on the passing of their grandmother, Wilma Lorraine Stevens. Wilma was the much-loved wife of Alan and mother of Lt Colonel Bruce ( PTG ), Darren and Kayleen and Mark. The Celebration of Life service was held at Merri-bek Corps on Thursday 26 September and was livestreamed/recorded and accessible here. ‌ 'In the love of Jesus is all I need…’    Our thoughts are with Major Joyce Osborne on the recent Promotion to Glory of her husband, David, on Friday 20 September 2024. We pray God’s love and peace will surround Joyce and the family as they remember and celebrate his life, particularly in the days and months ahead.  Our thoughts are with Majors Warren and Denise Parkinson on the recent promotion to glory of Warren’s mother, Mrs Mavis Parkinson, on Wednesday 21 August 2024, aged 95. Mavis was a soldier of the Brisbane City Temple Corps and a much-loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She had been struggling with her health for some time and is now released from the cares of this world to receive her eternal reward. Our thoughts are with Majors Charlie and Liz Walmsley on the recent passing of Charlie’s Mother, on Friday 14   June 2024, aged 98. ‌ We pray that God’s love and peace will surround Charlie, Liz and the family as they think about and celebrate her life, particularly in these days and months ahead. Carmel Lambert, mother of Major Brenda Stace  and life-long Salvationist was promoted to glory on Friday 10 May 2024. Please keep the family in your prayers at this time.   Colin John Whittle, father to Captain Brad Whittle  and his brother Lyle Whittle, father-in-law to Captain Helen and Laura and grandfather to Hedy, Harry and Cooper, passed away on Saturday 1 June 2024. Please keep the family in your prayers.  Mrs Lynette Helen Haupt was promoted to glory on Sunday night, 26 May 2024 after a relatively short battle with cancer. Lynette is the mother of Major Zane Haupt.  A celebration of life was held on Friday 7 June at The Salvation Army Redcliffe Corps in Qld. Please keep the Haupt family in your prayers at this time. Captain Kris Halliday joined his mum and sister by the bedside of his step-father, Jim Halliday for his final hour on Thursday 9 May. Jim was 67 and passed peacefully after a prolonged period of health complications. Prayers that the family - Cheryl, Vanessa, Annie and Jason, would experience Shalom during this season of life are appreciated, and for Kris as he prepares to return to The Netherlands this weekend. Kris wishes to share his gratitude to the International Service Support Team at THQ, Australia for their support over these weeks. ‌ ‌Our thoughts are with Majors Brett and Sally Anne Allchin and the family, on the passing of Brett’s father, Charlie Allchin on Friday 10 May. Charlie was well-known within The Salvation Army circles and his funeral service was a wonderful celebration of his life. We pray for God’s Spirit of comfort to enfold the family at this time. ‌ ‌ Major Jennifer Cloke was bereaved of her mother, Winifred Hannan, on Sunday 19 May. Winifred was a former Salvation Army Officer. We pray that God’s love and peace will surround Jennifer and the family at this time.  Major Heather Beitz’s brother Geoffrey Webb passed away on Thursday 18 April 2024, at age 78. He is now at peace with his Lord. Despite challenging health conditions, Geoff maintained his sense of humour and a strong and certain faith in God. Heather would like to express her sincere gratitude to the staff of Palm Lake Nursing Care at Bethania, for the love and care Geoff received over recent months. ‌ Captain Meg Dale was bereaved of her brother, Bruce Bevan, on Wednesday 24 April 2024, at age 56. They are a tight-knit family and Captain Meg would appreciate prayers for her, her mother Margaret and her daughter Caitlin at this sad time. Our thoughts are with Auxiliary-Lieutenants Amy and Alan Wu on the passing of Amy’s younger sister, Yin Fong Lau, on Friday 12  April 2024. We pray that God’s love and peace will surround Amy, Alan and the family as they gather together in Hong Kong to celebrate the life of her sister. Major Matthew Moore’s grandmother, Dorothy Moore, passed away on Sunday 31 March aged 99. Please keep all the family in your prayers at this time.  ‌ ‌ Our thoughts are with Major Rosie Massey (and Elli McGavin) on the passing of her father, Alexander McGavin, on Monday 8 April. We pray for God's Spirit of comfort to enfold the family at this time. ‌ ‌Major Allison Footer was bereaved of her mother on Monday 8 April after a period of illness. We pray that God's peace and love will surround Allison and the family at this time. Our love and prayers are with Majors Sam and Margaret Price on the passing of Sam’s sister, Jeanette Grinter from Terang Victoria, on Tuesday 5 March 2024. Jeanette was also the Aunty of Major Glenn Price.  Please pray for the family at this sad time.