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More than 100 people attended the Christmas in July events at Sunraysia Corps in north-west Victoria – a dinner at Red Cliffs and lunch in Mildura. “Everyone had a lovely time,” said Major Debbie Serojales, Sunraysia Corps Officer. “There was a real party atmosphere. Some people dressed up and brought their own Christmas decorations for the table. “One man, who has been connected to us for some time, asked me why we do it. I told him because we want to help people; we care. I reminded him that he is now part of our church family – and he cried. He can’t believe that people come back week after week. He really appreciates what is been done for the community.” Sunraysia Corps runs community lunches and dinners all year round in both locations, but the Christmas in July meals are extra special. “It’s about celebrating our people and an excuse for a party,” said Debbie. “We celebrate Christmas with our growing and diverse communities that include seasonal workers from Vanuatu, locals and people who just want to share a meal with others. “We have one older couple who usually eat dinner on their own at home. They come down and enjoy eating with people who’ve become their friends. It’s about relationships. We’ve even had a men’s group and a craft group form out of the community meals.” Christmas decorations were put up, music played, bonbons pulled and hats worn for both lunch and dinner. Local businesses donated cooked meat, to which the usual trimmings were added. “There were even little gifts,” said Debbie. “We celebrated Christmas over food with friends, which encourages conversation. “Salvo volunteers were spread across the ‘doing and serving’ and the ‘listening and being’, so they could join in conversations as well. Volunteers from the Red Cliffs Church of Christ were also assisted in the festivities. “Any excuse to celebrate together,” said Debbie.

A series of online Yarning Circles will be held throughout August for personnel and Salvationists to learn more about the Voice and to ask questions in a safe and respectful space. A Yarning Circle is an ancient form of speaking that has been practised by Aboriginal people and many Indigenous peoples from around the world for centuries. Aboriginal people have used this method as a form of decision-making, as building and strengthening relationships and as a way of giving and sharing knowledge from a collective group. The aim of the Yarning Circles is to encourage constructive dialogues on Voice in a safe space that is inclusive, respectful and considerate. For more information and to register for the Yarning Circles, go to https://my.salvos.org.au/voice/voice-yarning-circles/

By ANTHONY CASTLE The Salvation Army Interstate Basketball and Netball Carnival is an all-ages annual sporting event for participants from around the country. Launching with an opening ceremony, basketball and netball teams play up to 12 games on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Players have a rest day on Wednesday before playing finals on Saturday. “We see the value of doing a week together, doing something we all love, but spending time in community,” explains Marj Rava, Youth and Young Adults secretary. “Whilst it’s great to play the sports we love, it’s the conversations and interactions off court that have most value.” The South Australia/Northern Territory Division hosted the event this year, which was held at The Lights Community and Sports Centre in Adelaide from 9-16 July. The competition included Men’s A basketball, Men’s B basketball, Women’s basketball, Under-18 boys, Under-14 mixed and netball. Teams came from South Australia, NSW/ACT, Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and Papua New Guinea. The all-ages event sees some participants having attended for decades and some having attended for the first time. “I love how I see young people make friends with those from other states and how those relationships continue on beyond the event,” Marj says. “Young people get around each other and cheer each other on, and we see those relationships grow and see them encourage and cheer each other on throughout other areas of life.” The event opens with a meal, features devotional times each day, and ends with a presentation on Saturday night where awards are given out. The community-building event is multigenerational, forming friendships that can continue for a lifetime. “We see people connect in, who for whatever reason, haven’t connected with other communities and they say they have found ‘their people’,” says Marj. “People find a place where they are welcomed, feel belonging and are cheered on to know they have worth and value.” Below is a selection of quotes from participants on the value of the carnival: “It brings people together through sport. It gives you opportunity to make friendships that you reconnect with year to year. It’s more affordable way for people to travel longer distances who wouldn'’ necessarily have that opportunity otherwise. It’s a great way to build and strengthen Christian friendships while doing something you love.” – Phoebe Johnson (Qld) “Carnival always gives you an amazing opportunity to talk about deeper things of life. It’s a totally different environment to the every day, and people are a lot more receptive to exploring new ideas and different ways of looking at things. Enduring friendships that have lasted decades are one of my favourite things about carnival and coming together in a face-to-face real-world environment.” – Emma Johnson (Qld) “I love: - the relationships that are formed through the carnival that go on to last for years...across generations as well. - the spirit of carnival ... where everyone is encouraged to try their hardest, but it is so inclusive of everyone - age and ability. - the ministry opportunities, spiritual formation and life lessons that are resultant from every carnival, which are embedded in everyone who experiences it.” – Di Hobbs (Vic.) “The thing I love about the carnival is the fellowship. It's about more than just playing sports; it’s about coming together and encouraging each other in everything we do throughout the week.” – Jordyn Walker (NSW/ACT) “It brings people into a Christian community who might otherwise never experience today’s church. Encouraging an exploration of Christianity through mutual interest and love of basketball/netball.” – Chris Clarke (SA) “My highlight would be simply catching up with people that I haven't seen for at least four years, and in the case of some people in SA, it has been about 10 years. Despite these long periods of not seeing these people, the sense of community and shared history at this event is very evident, and it something that I value and I'm sure many others do as well.” – Craig Bergin (WA)

Young delegates from across the Eastern Europe Territory have gathered in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, to attend the territory’s Leadership School 2023. “We are grateful to God for every delegate who made it here,” said Captain Adrian Roman, training school principal. “We have four from Georgia, five from Moldova, two from Romania and three from Ukraine.” The young people will engage in Bible study, outdoor leadership skills, practical ministry and sharing of their experiences. There has also been a spiritual day with territorial leaders – Australian officers Colonels Cheralynne and Kelvin Pethybridge. The delegates also enjoyed an international night and excursion to Old Orhei historical centre and monastery. The Leadership School 2023 takes place from 19 July to 2 August. Salvation Army responds to floods in South Korea In response to the recent severe floods in the Choong Buk and Chulla areas of South Korea, The Salvation Army has been delivering essential assistance to the affected areas. Relief efforts aim to support people by offering food trucks, tents, daily essentials and blankets. The Salvation Army in Korea is working closely together with the local government to ensure the effectiveness of their relief operations. Additionally, the evacuation centres are being manned by dedicated Salvation Army officers and volunteers from neighbouring communities. Please pray for those impacted, for people who have lost loved ones, for the emergency services and for Salvation Army personnel as they work to provide care and support. World leaders make final international visit The world leaders of the international Salvation Army, General Brian and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, made their final international visit, spending time in the Zimbabwe, Botswana and Madagascar Territory. “What you notice first about this territory is its people – the officers, soldiers and junior soldiers,” wrote General Peddle. “There are many of them, but if you look beyond the crowds, you see people who strive to be faithful in their covenant with God. The evidence of this is seen at the corps and institution level, but it bubbles up when they come together with incredible strength.” The General explained how “wonderful” the youth sections were to see and listen to and also spoke about the senior sections and their proficiency in movement, music and ministry. “Wherever we went, people were quick to tell us about their connection with the Army and the influence of the ministry of the Army on their lives,” said the General. “Everyone in these three nations knows who we are and who we represent.” The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, also thanked The Salvation Army for its schools, hospitals and community development projects. As the territory looks ahead to 2024, it has chosen the theme ‘Pursuing God’s Path - Proclaiming God’s Promises - Joshua 1:1-6’. “God bless our leaders as they inspire our people to follow God,” said General Peddle. “In a few weeks, Zimbabwe will enter into a time of election. Join me in praying for a peaceful time of fulfilling the constitutional provisions for the nation. Thank you, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Madagascar! We will pray for you and carry you in our hearts.” General Brian and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle officially retire at midnight on 2 August. IHQ exhibition promotes anti-slavery work Since 1865, The Salvation Army has worked globally to bring glimpses of the Kingdom of God through community-led responses to modern slavery and human trafficking. This work continues today in over 130 countries, strengthening the quality of the Army’s responses over numerical expansion. Gallery 101 at International Headquarters in London is currently hosting an exhibition – Greater Depths – that highlights this work, focusing on what is being done to combat slavery and trafficking in the areas of sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, domestic servitude, forced marriage, child soldiers, forced criminality, organ trafficking. The exhibition runs until 4 August. For more information, click here: To see previous exhibitions hosted at Gallery 101, click here:

A mass funeral service will be held on Friday for the 13 people, including 11 Salvation Army officers, who died in a tragic road accident in Nigeria on 29 June. The officers from the Akwa Ibom South East Division were returning from Officers’ Councils when their mini-bus was hit from behind by a truck. Territorial Leaders Commissioners Daniel and Tracey Kasuso – together with other territorial heads of department as well as divisional leaders from the five Akwa Ibom State divisions – have been spending time with the bereaved families. They visited each of the families to offer counsel and reassurance of God’s continual love. Prayers and messages of hope and comfort were given in moments of sober reflection as the families of those promoted to glory shared their feelings with the commissioners. There was consensus for a mass funeral service to be held on 28 July at Eket Stadium. Commissioner Daniel Kasuso established a committee to arrange the funerals, made up of Salvationists, divisional leaders serving in Akwa Ibom and representatives of the bereaved families. Three to four thousand mourners are expected to attend the funeral. Immediately after the funeral service, each casket will be conveyed to its respective home for a brief committal, with officers assigned to perform each ceremony. The territorial leaders acknowledge the support of General Brian Peddle in assigning Commissioners Keith and Yvonne Conrad from International Headquarters to represent him at the service. Salvationists of the Akwa Ibom South East Division are grateful to their international leaders and the global Salvation Army for their concern, prayerful support and encouragement, and request that the Army world remains in prayer for all those who mourn the loss of loved ones. Officers promoted to glory include: Major Unyime Ekere – Afaha Eket Corps Major Mary Ekere – Afaha Eket Corps Major Sunday Sampson – Ikot Uso Ekong Corps Major Ofonime Sampson – Ikot Uso Ekong Corps Major Emem Friday Obot – Ndukpoise Corps Lieutenant Nseobong Obot – Ndukpoise Corps Captain Edet Umana – Oron Corps Captain Mfonobong Umana – Oron Corps Major Emem Udobong – Akai Children’s Home Lieutenant Margaret Udoh – Ikot Eyo Corps Lieutenant James Etukakpan – Ete Corps Also promoted to glory in the accident were the driver, Christian Etukakpan (a brother of the late Lieutenant James Etukakpan) and Gabriella James Etukakpan (the 17-month-old daughter of Lieutenant James and Blessing Etukakpan). All officers promoted to glory as a result of the accident are survived by children. The territorial leaders visited survivors Majors Peace and Ijioma Ikpatt (Afia Nsit Eket Corps) following their discharge from hospital, although both remain unwell. Major Peace Ikpatt had assisted surviving officers to safety at the scene of the accident. The commissioners will also visit Lieutenant Blessing James Etukakpan (Ete Corps) and Lieutenant Nsima Sunday Udoh (Ikot Eyo Corps), who are being treated at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The international Salvation Army requests continued prayers for the bereaved and injured.

The Studio Off the Street program in Darwin is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement program. The Salvos provide the community members with canvases, paints, and a safe space to create. Each and every participant is valued, cared for, loved, and given purpose within the Doorways-inspired program.

In this July reflection, Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett talks about the gift of peace and its importance in the Bible. When Jesus talks about peace, it comes from the Hebrew word ‘Shalom’. This peace does not mean the absence of troubles or worries but an inner peace, wholeness and calmness that comes from a firm confidence that God is in control.

By KIRRALEE NICOLLE Glenorchy City Corps in Tasmania has seen a sharp rise in Red Shield Appeal donations in the past few years, thanks to the help of Glenorchy Mayor Bec Thomas. Bec was appointed Red Shield Appeal Area Chair three years ago, and this coincided with a shift from doorknocking and collecting in shopping centres to utilising more strategic connections to spread the word. The year before her appointment, the corps raised about $15,500, then in her first year they raised $17,000, then $24,500 and this year, the corps amassed almost $26,000 in donations. Corps Officer Captain Jeff Milkins said the corps was very grateful for Bec’s efforts to raise the profile of The Salvation Army in the area. “She’s just been an absolute godsend to us in the work that she’s done,” he said. “She has taken on the role of Red Shield Appeal Area Chair voluntarily over the last three years and has completely reshaped how the Red Shield Appeal is approached. She is a wonderful support to The Salvation Army’s work – a hard-working mayor in our community.” As part of the Red Shield Appeal, Bec and Jeff also organised a function at Government House Tasmania on 29 June, hosted by the Governor of Tasmania, Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC. The event raised $11,000 towards the appeal, thanks to donated auctioned goods, including a painting by local artist Stuart Clues, which sold for $3500. Bec said she was very thankful to the governor and the generosity of local business owners for the appeal’s success and that she looked forward to seeing the funds used to provide meals, alcohol and other drug care and youth work to those needing extra support. She said it was important to use connections and networks rather than relying on doorknocking and tin-rattling. She said that, particularly following the catastrophic bushfires of 2019 and 2020, donors were more likely to give generously to efforts such as the Red Shield Appeal, where they knew funds were staying local and not largely allocated to administration fees. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to be involved,” she said. “At a basic level, it’s that everyday support the Salvos provide to those in need in our community and knowing that people won’t go hungry that motivates me to support this cause.”

Until a few years ago, Sharon’s family was doing fine. Regular hard-working Aussies, Sharon was a barista and her husband, Mike, a builder. Their two teenage boys, Flynn and Jordan, loved basketball and video games. Although they were not wealthy, the family was getting by. Most importantly, they were happy. But along with the cost-of-living crisis that was hitting everyone, Sharon and Mike were hit by a personal crisis of their own. Mike, who had always had heart issues, became seriously ill, to the point where he could no longer work. With the family’s finances already in decline, the final straw came when Mike suffered a stroke that nearly killed him. In addition to four weeks in an intensive care unit (ICU), Mike was put on a ventilator for another three weeks. By the time he came home, he had only 23 per cent heart function. Breaking point The emotional and financial strain on the family reached breaking point as Sharon had to give up work after the accident to become a full-time carer for Mike. As a result, the family that was not long ago happy and getting by found themselves drowning in bills and costs due to the combined loss of two salaries. Following Mike’s hospitalisation, Sharon started making the daily 150km round trip to visit Mike while he fought for his life in ICU. “I’d used everything we had to keep us afloat,” she says. “We had no money in reserve. I couldn’t pay for fuel to visit Mike in hospital, and pay the rent too. I fell behind on my rent. I’d come home from the hospital and just break down in tears. I didn’t know what to do. I felt so low, and so alone.” One day, just as she hit rock bottom, Sharon remembered something that would turn the family’s lives around – a breakfast service offered every morning by a nearby Salvos cafe. She called in for the free breakfast, a coffee and a chat. What she received in return brought her to tears. “They [the Salvos] opened their arms and their hearts, saying, ‘Come with me. We will help you.’ I only wish I’d gone sooner,” says Sharon, “so I didn’t have to struggle for so long.” Sharon and her family were no longer alone. A way towards hope With the support of the Salvos, the family received emergency financial assistance to get back on top of their rent, cover outstanding bills and put food on the table. And that was just the beginning. Apart from immediate assistance, Sharon was able to gain long-term financial security with the steady, guiding hand and ongoing support of a caring Salvos caseworker, as well as financial coaching and budgeting advice. Sharon now refers to the Salvos as her friends, who she knows will walk alongside her and her family for as long as they need in their journey towards healing and a happy and full life.

BY MAJOR MAL DAVIES No, your calendar’s not wrong and, no, you’ve not been in a six-month coma – this is indeed a Christmas article in July. Are we early, are we late? Maybe both. At Christmas the world changes and, generally, for the better. Sure, you get some Scrooges who go the whole ‘bah, humbug’ on you and, yes, you have the annual problem of whether or not you invite Uncle Terry (who always sneezes on the trifle). However, these are minor and surmountable issues, far outweighed by the good stuff. I’m not talking about the food and presents, I’m talking about the whole ‘tidings of comfort and joy’ thing that happens. People seem more joyful at Christmas. We sing, whistle and hum more. We’re more optimistic, more hopeful, more buoyant, more jovial. In short, we’re happier with ourselves and with the world. Even when we get to the toy shop and the shelves are empty or we burn the roast turkey on Christmas Day, we still manage to find a solution and a smile, and – if nothing else – it gives us a story to tell next Christmas. We hear or sing along with songs that talk about joy, love, peace, goodwill, happiness, smiling faces and good news. Even the media outlets find some cheery stories: a community holding its first street party; a charity overwhelmed with generous donations of toys; a couple holding their first child after its birth on Christmas Day; a city park aglow with lights and decorations and tinsel. Really, can you think of another time like Christmas when the world seems better and brighter? It’s quite unique. Sadly. I mean, why can’t we hang on to that feeling a bit longer? In fact, why can’t we maintain it all year, like … even in July? While I consider myself an introvert, I enjoy Christmas crowds. I’ll often go into town on 23 or 24 December even if I don’t have to buy any presents. I like the hustle and bustle of the crowd; the music in the air; the various Santas; the smells of food, and the decorations. Most of all, I like that people just seem happier. They smile more. And I can’t help but say to myself: why aren’t people like this more often? Why do we wait til December to be happy? So what if we celebrated Jesus every day, what would the world look like then? At the core of Christmas is not a large, elderly, man with a white beard and red suit, it’s the anniversary celebration of the birth of a baby more than 2,000 years ago. A baby who grew to be a man who impacted world history and how humans live more than any person who’s ever lived. His name is Jesus and he taught about love and grace and forgiveness and truth and a whole range of other things. And he taught and lived them so emphatically that billions of people have and still do try to emulate him. Do all Christians get it right? No, we’re not Jesus. But he gives us someone to aspire to; a role model for the ages. At Christmas we celebrate his birth and the world is a happier place. So what if we celebrated Jesus every day, what would the world look like then? What if every day we smiled more and were happier? What if every day we tried to show each other grace and forgiveness? What if every day we championed truth? What if every day we showed love more? Christmas doesn’t have to be a once-a-year thing, it can be an every-day thing. Even today, in July. Major Mal Davies is a Salvation Army officer (pastor) in South Australia.

By KIRRALEE NICOLLE Salvation Army officers are set to share their expertise at a conference on disability and mental illness in the church. The event will also feature speakers from the Uniting Church of Australia, Baptist church, Church of Christ and other community-based organisations. Box Hill Corps will host ‘Welcoming and Inclusive: Actions for Churches in response to people with disabilities and health issues’ on Saturday 29 July. It will explore 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. The Salvation Army’s National Disability Inclusion Lead, Joseph Pinkard, said the conference would help raise awareness about barriers to inclusion in churches and explore practical ways to reduce and remove barriers so that everyone could experience welcome and belonging in the Church. “It’s important to explore because there are two key passages in the Bible that make it important,” Joseph said. “One is Luke chapter 14, which talks about the great banquet and about Jesus welcoming in people with disabilities to that banquet. And then in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, where we read about the body of Christ and how all parts of the body have a role to play. Even the parts that seem weaker are indispensable. And so, as a church, we have a calling from Jesus and from Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth to be inclusive.” Joseph said while most churches would say they welcome everyone, research suggested that people with disabilities still encountered numerous barriers and challenges in accessing church. “Barriers can be obvious,” he said. “Like a lack of physical access, e.g., only having steps into a church building, but it can also be less obvious things like attitudinal barriers, so having low expectations of someone living with a disability participating or serving in ministry. “There’s often not an intentional attempt to exclude, but just a lack of awareness that these barriers exist and are preventing people with disabilities from full participation in our corps.” Joseph said the Social Justice Stocktake conducted by The Salvation Army in 2021 showed the issue Australians were most concerned about and wanted addressed was mental health. “Particularly where we have shared sites where we might have different mission expressions operating out of the same location, there's often increased interactions with people with disabilities and people with mental health challenges,” he said. “So, there’s an opportunity for us as an entire movement, not just our corps, but also our other mission expressions and mission enterprise to think about how we more consistently include people with disabilities across everything that we do.” Major Christine Pickens of Eva Burrows College will share on a panel at the conference exploring the role of Christian community in welcoming and inclusion, while Major Dr Catherine Spiller will reflect on findings from her worship research initiative at Mooroolbark Corps (Vic.). To find out more about the event or book tickets, visit https://events.humanitix.com/welcoming-and-inclusive.

As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, The Salvation Army in Ukraine runs a range of programs to help traumatised children maintain their mental health. The Dnipro Corps offers drawing classes, a type of art therapy, which are popular with children and teenagers. “Drawing is one way to distract a child from the source of stress, to shift the attention to the process itself,” explains Natalia Rak, corps leader. “Drawing also produces stress resistance in children and increases their attention span, endurance and concentration.” Natalia and the team shared that young people have been able to express themselves through their creativity. “Through the colours of the paints and what they are drawing, they find their own internal resources to help them deal with the problems that bother them inside.” The classes are also a good opportunity for the children and youth to socialise and make friends – another important factor in trauma recovery.