The Salvation Army Research and Outcomes Measurement team has released its 2024 Red Shield report with the title Cost of Living Squeeze. The report explores the cost-of-living pressures, experiences of financial hardship, housing conditions and life challenges of community members who accessed the Army’s Doorways emergency relief services in the past year. More than 1500 participants took part in the online survey. The findings revealed experiences of severe financial hardships, with many struggling to manage on limited income. For most, the rising cost of living pressures were clear: unable to stretch finances to meet increasing household bills and afford rising rents, fuel prices and medical expenses. After paying for essentials such as housing and bills, most respondents left with just a few dollars a day to live on. Experiences of severe food insecurity were common. Many respondents reported rationing or skipping meals, while others recounted completely running out of food. Family households struggling to make ends meet reported going without food so their children could eat. Many people who accessed the Army’s Emergency Relief services over the past 12 months were profoundly impacted by experiences of financial hardship. Most respondents reported they would not have managed without the support of the Salvos. To read the report, click here

The month of May has been a time of multiple enrolments in the NSW/ACT Division, with several corps conducting ceremonies for new soldiers and adherents. Corps that conducted enrolments of six or more members included Auburn and Hurstville/Campsie in Sydney and Queanbeyan in southern NSW. Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas said it was exciting to hear of these enrolments and that the rally cry of ‘Jesus-centred, Spirit-led, hope revealed’ was being played out through people making commitments to serve Jesus through The Salvation Army. “I can’t wait to see the unfolding plans of God in these people’s lives,” Miriam said. Hurstville/Campsie enrolments Six senior soldiers were enrolled at Hurstville Corps on Sunday 16 May after a series of soldiership classes were held for members of both Hurstville and Campsie Corps’ Chinese-speaking community. Lieutenant Beth Shao conducted Mandarin soldiership classes in March, and Lieutenant-Colonel John Hodge (Ret.) led English-speaking soldiership classes. As a result, the corps was privileged and encouraged to witness the enrolment of six soldiers – Ailing, Derick, Mike, Wei, Xian and YinRui – with Derick and YinRui giving their testimonies. This is the second time soldiers have been enrolled at Hurstville this year, with two new soldiers – Princess and Chris – enrolled in February. Queanbeyan enrolments Queanbeyan Salvos also had a special morning on Sunday 5 May when seven adherents were enrolled. They were Katrina, Meriss, Carmel, Sandy, Caroline, Guy and Paul. Community of Hope Leader Joanne Paull conducted the ceremony, and Major Dean Clarke, Area Officer, presented each adherent with their enrolment certificate. “We are so grateful to God for all he is doing at Queanbeyan Community of Hope,” said Joanne. “Lives are being transformed with the love of Jesus.” “It was wonderful to see seven of our lovely community here make this special commitment in their lives.” Auburn enrolments Six senior soldiers were enrolled at Auburn on Sunday 19 May. They were Meble, Mathias, Indra, Maleeha, John and Sai. Corps Leader and Area Officer Major Robyn Black led the cohort through soldiership classes and also conducted the enrolment ceremony alongside fellow Corps Leader Natalie Kistan. To read the full Auburn story, click here

Moldova celebrates 30 years Soldiers, officers, volunteers, former and current divisional and territorial leaders and friends gathered in the Moldovan capital, Chișinău, to celebrate 30 years of The Salvation Army there last weekend, 24-26 May. In traditional Eastern European style, the weekend event – which included a youth rally on the Friday evening, music and children’s events in a central park on the Saturday, and worship celebrations on the Sunday – were vibrant, colourful, energetic and Jesus-focused. Moldova is part of the Eastern Europe Territory and is bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east and south. The unrecognised breakaway state of Transnistria lies across the Dniester River on the country's eastern border with Ukraine. Mally’s ManClub ‘Mally’s ManClub’, a mental health support group for men at the Horden Salvos, UK, provides a relaxed environment for people to come and talk, play games or simply sit and read. It was set up by Mally, one of the volunteers after he experienced his own mental and physical health problems and decided he wanted to help others. “It’s a place where guys can come and chill out for a couple of hours,” he shares. “There isn’t a pressure on them to spill their hearts out, but I am encouraging them to talk. If they can sit down and talk, that’s a victory. If just one person goes out of the club feeling a bit better about themselves then I feel like I’ve done a good job.” Mally hopes that by creating a space for men to talk to each other they might feel more encouraged to get help if they are really struggling with their mental health. “In 2019, I did not want to be here anymore,” he explains, “I’d thrown all my medication for depression and physical health problems in the bin. By 2021, I was feeling really horrible, my health was very bad. “Angela (Salvation Army community mission facilitator) was a big help in seeing me through that time. I’m grateful that I am still here and that I’m going back to church. The Salvation Army is my family now.” International health services For almost as long as The Salvation Army has existed, it has operated health services. In some places around the world, Salvation Army health institutions are situated in hard-to-reach, rural areas where others are unable or unwilling to deliver health care. These hospitals or clinics are often the focal points of the community. They offer a safe space and health care to people of all faiths or none, always serving patients without discrimination. To learn more about The Salvation Army’s International Health Services, click here. Community Development Did you know that The Salvation Army currently implements 136 community development projects globally across a wide variety of sectors, reaching approximately 2.5 million people? These projects cover all major development themes, including water and sanitation, agriculture and food security, economic empowerment, modern slavery and human trafficking response, gender justice, community health and social work with families. Being a church and a global movement is a real strength for The Salvation Army when it comes to international development. As a church, we are deeply rooted in many communities around the world, participating in everyday life with those around us. This enables The Salvation Army to work alongside and support some of the world’s most vulnerable people living in areas that are often difficult to access. Our Christian faith strengthens our desire, inspiration and courage to take a stand for those living in poverty and experiencing injustice. International development projects and programs are an important part of The Salvation Army’s mission and ministry in many countries. As International Development Services, our work is locally rooted, but our team has a global reach and remit. We partner with Salvation Army territories across the world to help tackle poverty and challenge injustice through a range of different projects and initiatives.

The Salvation Army’s Interstate Basketball and Netball Carnival 2024 will be held in Geelong from 7-13 July. The community-building event is a fun week of sport that provides a Christian environment for people to come together. The Interstate Basketball and Netball Carnival is an all-ages annual sporting event with participants from around the country. Launching with an opening ceremony, basketball and netball teams will play across the week before the finals on the Saturday. Participants will share a meal on opening night and learn together during daily devotional times. The all-ages event sees some participants having attended for decades and some having attended for the first time, forming friendships that can continue for a lifetime. REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN Follow the link: https://salvationarmy.typeform.com/BNC2024

Each week throughout this year, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for a particular territory or region of The Salvation Army. Prayer requests are shared by the focus territory/region to help us pray with precision and power for one another. This week (27 May-2 June) we are praying for the Canada and Bermuda Territory. There are four Australian officers serving in the Canada and Bermuda Territory: Captains Fiona and Matt Kean are the corps officers of the Chilliwack Corps in British Columbia; and Captains Christopher and Nichole Maxwell are the corps officers of the Kingston Citadel, Ontario. Pray for Canada and Bermuda Territory We praise and thank God for: ·       The souls being saved into the Kingdom and for the recommitment of lives to Christ being made throughout our territory. Please pray for: ·       Continued renewal and revival: o   That the Holy Spirit would continue to breathe renewed life into individuals and into our ministries across our territory o   That Salvationists would experience the power of the Holy Spirit in all its fullness and live lives of holiness and compassionate love for others. ·       Continued strengthening and spiritual health: o   That continued emphasis on strengthening a disciple-making culture that grows authentic followers of Christ that will help our ministry units be places of holiness and spiritual vibrancy, and help our communities of faith flourish, having transformative influence in the neighbourhoods where The Salvation Army is present o   That the evidence of the continued pastoral care over our officers will bring new strength, healing, renewed purpose and a deeper joy in their calling. ·       For the harvest of candidates: o   That hearts would be open and courageously willing to follow God’s call, and with his strength, trust in his guidance and the assurance of his presence o   That officers would be filled with a joy and boldness and a greater discernment to intentionally engage in meaningful conversations with individuals regarding officership o   That God would open the floodgates of candidates for his service in this territory and throughout The Salvation Army world. o   That with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we would seek knowledge, discernment and understanding of spiritual and social issues, developing solutions and partnerships with Kingdom-oriented individuals, groups and organisations, to best support and serve our mission. o   Our 2024 Partners in Mission Self-Denial Campaign and that, as a territory, we will be reminded of the importance of sacrificial giving. With a goal of 2.4 million dollars, we pray earnestly for the surpassing of this target. May our collective efforts ensure the expansive presence of The Salvation Army worldwide. To read more about the Canada and Bermuda Territory, click here. For more information on the International Prayer Focus 2024, and to download the calendar, click here.

This National Reconciliation Week, explore the Power and Purpose of Unity with Mikenzie Ling, a proud Wiradjuri woman from Narromine (NSW). Mikenzie reflects on the profound importance of unity and reconciliation. As Christians, we are to have humble hearts that love like Jesus – prioritising the ‘other’, reconciling our differences and fostering harmony in our communities. Doing this can lead to a strong and more unified future together.

BY LERISSE SMITH Delicious homemade dumplings helped champion the cause of this year’s Red Shield Appeal at a unique multicultural charity show held at Melbourne’s Box Hill Salvos. The culinary delights were part of this year’s Melbourne Spring Arts Multicultural Seniors’ Association Charity Show, which featured a colourful fusion of dance, singing and music to raise $4500 for the appeal. And the event was a great success. “We like food, we like performance, we like photos!” said Leanne Wong, Relationship Manager Multicultural Community of The Salvation Army. “It was a very happy event and appealed to the multicultural community. We had a full house and a wonderful community spirit. Everyone worked together. The whole idea was for the community from different cultures, different age groups, to join together and respond and help people in need. To also celebrate different cultures through music and dance and to work as one.” A variety of multicultural organisations joined forces to showcase their talents, including the Melbourne Spring Arts Multicultural Seniors’ Association, The Salvation Army Richmond, Melbourne Abundant Outreach, Bach Viet Dance, Peranakan Melbourne Association, Sabah Cultural Association, Sanggar Tari Lantik Indonesian Dance and Moonlight Music Centre. Topping off the day was delicious homemade pork, beef and vegetable dumplings made by Richmond Corps Officer Ellen Farrell. They proved to be a hit amongst the attendees, raising $400 for the appeal. Age proved no barrier to swinging the hips, playing a musical instrument or singing a tune at the show. The young and those in their twilight years, including community members in their 90s, participated in the event. A key priority for the organisers, including Leanne Wong and Thomas Ng, Springs Arts Vice President, was to showcase a community effort event and help the multicultural community understand the purpose of the Red Shield Appeal and the work of The Salvation Army. “Our event was not about asking just money from people,” Leanne reflected. “It was also to educate the community about charity. Many multicultural people are newcomers here, so they will not really know what The Salvation Army is doing and who we are. We want to spread the good work of The Salvation Army. Most people, especially from Asia, think Australia is a welfare country … some may not understand that many people are still struggling here. And that’s why this kind of event (the charity show) was an impactful platform to tell the message. There are people struggling, they need help – and it was important to help people understand and show their support.” Click through the slideshow below to view more photos of the event:

BY LUCY DAVIS* The road to reconciliation is not one with directions or instructions. I have been in the reconciliation space for many years, starting my career off working for Catholic Education and now, for the past eight years, working with The Salvation Army as the Reconciliation Action Plan and Projects Manager. We at the Salvos have just completed our First National Reconciliation Action Plan, known as a RAP, with 89 deliverables. It is an outstanding achievement but has not come without reflection on our ministry and ourselves. I must constantly remind myself that reconciliation is the heart of the gospel: that God has chosen to reconcile me to himself and that, in turn, I have a responsibility as a follower of Jesus to become reconciled to those around me. Even though this beautiful word, ‘reconciliation’, rolls off my tongue several times a week in regular conversation, I am beginning to realise that although this is my dream, it is not my reality. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the story of a merciful God who provides the sole means of grace, pardon, and forgiveness to a fallen, rebellious, and wicked creation who hates him (Ezekiel 18: 23, 32). Even when he could have let us remain in our wretched condition and condemned us to hell for rebelling against him, he sent his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to this world to carry out the mission of rescuing us despite ourselves (Isaiah 53:5-6; John 3:16; Romans 5:6-11, 6:23). The term for this undeserved act of grace is called reconciliation. Through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross in his sacred role as the perfect, sinless and final sacrifice for our sins, we are no longer bound by the wretchedness we brought upon ourselves for our rebellion against God at the start of history. The Salvation Army has a deep concern for the poor and homeless. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus challenges us to be attentive to those who need our help, whether they have been wounded by violence, misfortune or poverty. Those of us who have come to Christ for salvation and reconciliation with God need to keep alert and compel all to come to him in these closing days. How great is our God! Please run to his open arms today. The RAP framework directs organisations to create tangible outcomes in four areas: Respect, Opportunities, Relationships and Governance. All RAPS have frameworks with compulsory deliverables like inviting an Elder for National Reconciliation Week or flying Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander flags. According to Reconciliation Australia, there are over 3000 RAPS across the country. The annual RAP Impact Report suggests that we are moving in leaps and bounds towards reconciliation in this country. But why do so many First Nations mobs feel so defeated? Why do so many First Nations mobs feel like we are not progressing, especially after the results of the referendum? As I reflect on these results, I too have many questions – one being, “Is the word ‘Reconciliation’ an accurate one that fits the course of what we are trying to achieve for First Nations peoples around advocacy and survival?’ The result of the Referendum was gut-wrenching, to say the least, with a staggering 60 per cent of Australians against recognition or giving First Nations peoples a voice to speak on issues directly relating to their community. The other 40 per cent in favour came from mostly First Nations communities themselves, with overwhelming voting results of between 95-97 per cent in favour of a voice. The narrative of the ‘No’ campaign pushed hard on misinformation, and that was the winner at the end of the day. Pushing conversations like ‘First Nations peoples in remote communities do not want this’, and that ‘city-elite blackfellas were pushing this agenda to benefit them’ meant that so many Aussies bought into this narrative and, in return, we as a country truly let down the communities that needed it the most. This statistic rings across my heart every day. The mob who spoke up, First Nations communities who spoke up about the need for change and a need for their voices to be heard, we’re simply ignored and not listened to. I am challenged by questions of my own like, “How can I reconcile with God if those who I call my brothers and sisters in Christ don’t want to reconcile with me or, in this case, even see me or hear my voice?” I have concluded that reconciliation can no longer be looked at through the same lens. Reconciliation needs to be unpacked with mob initially and other faith-based leaders. RAPS can be successful if the internal structures are changed to allow First Nations voices to speak into the space all the time, not just during Nation Reconciliation Week or NAIDOC. We at the Salvos need to evaluate whether our RAP is having an impact on communities we are working in and how we can empower the local voices in those communities, as they are the ones who know what is best for their mob. I am very proud of our RAP. The changes we have made to support and empower mob to want to work at the Salvos are literally award-winning. We are the recipients of the Seek 2024 Social Inclusion Best Diversity & Inclusion Initiative and are now the finalist in the Queensland Reconciliation Awards for our Christmas Cheer initiative in First Nations communities. As conversations change across our country, First Nations peoples and communities are still faced with the same disadvantages and injustices we had before the referendum. No changes to laws or policies that continually disempower First Nations peoples, only a whisper of enormous amounts of funding that may or may not even land in First Nations communities. The Salvation Army’s presence in this space is crucial as our services and programs report high rates of First Nation participation. One certainty surrounding the reconciliation space is that we, as brothers and sisters in Christ, must examine our relationship and decide what changes need to be made. If this journey of reconciliation is about walking together, then one of us has to decide who has the most blisters on our feet. We must consider new directions and stop asking First Nations peoples to give so much with little in return, particularly during significant weeks like National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC. The Salvation Army’s presence in this space is crucial as our services and programs report high rates of First Nation participation. The Uluru Statement provided us with a roadmap for change, a roadmap to reconciliation with outcomes that would bring meaningful change to First Nations people and our communities. It also gave and still gives the Australian people a gift: to walk with us in a movement for a better future. The movement must continue. *Lucy Davis is the Australia Territory’s Reconciliation Action Plan and Projects Manager National Reconciliation Week resources can be found here: (https://my.salvos.org.au/toolkit/resource/national-reconciliation-week-2024/3109/)

This year’s Red Shield Appeal comes at a time when we are more often personally confronted with the struggles of those doing it tough, writes Salvos Online journalist KIRRALEE NICOLLE I haven’t cried in public in almost a decade, but last week, my downfall came in the form of an Elsa dress. I attended the Red Shield Appeal launch in Melbourne CBD, a timely event amid a soaring cost-of-living crisis and the teasing of Federal Budget predictions. When a humble packet of fish fingers costs half an hour of a minimum wage worker’s pay before tax, and one woman is killed every four days in a violent incident, it was refreshing to hear television presenter Eddie McGuire acknowledge on stage that there were “grey skies” across the nation. The stories told were heartbreaking yet hopeful, as time and again, speakers testified of how the assistance provided by The Salvation Army helped them, their friends or family, to get back on their feet and even reach out to others again. I left the event well-fed, caffeinated and ready for an afternoon of catching up on work. As I sat on the train pondering how I could best capture all the highlights in a story, into my reverie burst a family of five. Even thinking of them now brings an uncomfortable well of emotion up my throat, blurring my vision. The woman, who looked in her 20s, was in tears. She stood on the train, shakily scrolling her phone, swearing under her breath. The man sat huddled with three small children, an older boy and girl and a baby boy. The baby slept in the stroller, and the older children silently nestled close to the man. They all stared ahead. Every now and then, the woman would shake her head and vocalise a complaint. At one point, I caught the eye of the man and mouthed, “Are you ok?”. He nodded slowly, then looked down. The two adults eventually began talking. I wasn’t trying to listen but could hear everything. They discussed Centrelink payments that had failed to arrive, whether they could get home with the fuel that was in their tank and how long before their next fuel voucher arrived. They had also gotten a parking fine. That seemed to have been the tipping point of the day. Throughout this, the little girl sat silent and close-mouthed. Beside her, the boy, slightly older, the same. They didn’t meet eyes with anyone but sat rapidly scanning in every direction. The little girl wore a pale blue Elsa dress with a fluffy tulle tutu. She must have been the same age as my own daughter. In the five or so stops that they were on the train, my daughter would have asked for a snack, giggled loudly and possibly gotten the whole carriage singing a rousing rendition of The Wheels on the Bus. They exited the train, and I watched the small bundle of blue disappear out of sight. Then, I did the thing I hadn’t done in years. I began crying in public. A kind stranger behind me heard me pulling back sobs, and we quietly discussed the pain we felt watching the struggles of those we felt unable to assist. We’d just seen a snapshot of an unfinished story. The messy middle The week before, I had spoken with someone who had been living in a tent because, as he told me, his car was too small to sleep in. “I recently upgraded my tent,” he told me. “The last one wasn’t very waterproof, and when it rained heavily, everything was soaked.” “I haven’t had the same problem with this one. It’s been pretty good.” I told him I worked with The Salvation Army, but he seemed hesitant to accept assistance, so I let him know I saw him and then let him be. As a writer, I deal in story arcs and happy endings. Many of the stories I tell have a complicated beginning, a point of change and then an upward trajectory at the end. Writers don’t like the middle of stories. Being stuck in the middle means you haven’t finished the task. One of my favourite parts of the Bible tells of a time when Jesus hung out in the messy middle. Jesus was very familiar with discomfort, which is really quite impressive for someone used to the luxuries of Heaven. His friend Lazarus had died, and even though Jesus knew he could bring him back to life, he was heartbroken. Before he resurrected Lazarus, Jesus wept. I don’t have the power, the position or the training to fix many problems firsthand. I can’t do the resurrecting; I can often only cry, pray and support those doing the work. The power of the Red Shield Appeal is that it gives those with stories that might otherwise stay in the messy middle the chance to see hope. Frontline workers may not perform daily resurrections from the dead, but with assistance from people like you and me, they can continue helping someone every 17 seconds to resurrect lives from a place of profound hardship to one of flourishing. And when one soul is helped, it has a positive effect on those around the person too. Children, parents and friends all feel a weight lifted from them. A broken heart is a doorway to a solution, and with the rising cost of living and other challenges darkening our world, we are all going to be confronted with more and more pain. May we acknowledge our limitations, and may we be motivated to give. When all it takes is an Elsa dress to break a heart, imagine all it might take to mend one. “The power of the Red Shield Appeal is that it gives those with stories that might otherwise stay in the messy middle the chance to see hope.”

BY ANNITA ALLMAN Children’s camps planted seeds of hope into the lives of nearly 90 young people from around Australia at events during the April school holidays. Camps run by the National Children’s Team of the Mission Support Department provided unique experiences for vulnerable children and much-needed respite for carers and families who have been struggling. Partnerships with local corps and Doorways made it possible for children to attend, with some experiencing a camp for the first time. In South Australia, 30 children spent four days at Adventure Camp building relationships and enjoying new experiences. “It was fantastic to witness their resilience and determination when the children tried new things, including activities like a giant swing and rock climbing,” said Sarah Green, one of the 17 leaders. “Teamwork and problem-solving games provided opportunities for children to practise social skills while learning about God’s love for them.” In Victoria, kayaking and bodyboarding were highlights for the 38 children attending Connect Camp. Other activities developed different skills, with Children’s Secretary Naty Keung saying that “dance, drama and art therapy helped the children explore their identity and ways they can connect with God”. A high ratio of adult leaders at camp also allowed nine junior leaders in Victoria to serve in children’s ministry and develop their leadership skills. In Queensland, 20 campers at Connect Camp experienced an excursion to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and engaged in activities such as learning archery and completing a survivor challenge. “Over the course of four days, we presented God’s Big Story and invited the children to be part of it,” said Children’s Secretary Maree Southall. This theme was shared across all camps, with Sarah adding that “by the end of camp, the campers had formed great new friendships and created lifelong memories together”. God’s grace on display Many campers had additional needs or came from challenging backgrounds, so it was important to create spaces where they could feel safe and protected. “The circumstances and trauma seen by many of these children is heartbreaking,” Maree said. “This year’s stories included homelessness, family violence, foster care and death of a parent.” The experiences at each camp were similar, and the resulting behaviour from some children can be challenging. However, Maree shared that “love and patience from the leaders enabled the grace of God to be shown” to these vulnerable children. Sarah said a newly written camp curriculum provided “a broad gospel overview within God’s Big Story, as well as opportunities for children to experience more about finding their identity in Christ”. Children at each camp wanted to know more about Jesus or chose to give their hearts to him. Maree explained that “each camper was given the opportunity to explore the next step on their faith journey” and Sarah shared that some children spent “their final moments of camp reading their new Bibles or devotional books at the dining table.” Leaders came away from camp excited about what God was doing in the lives of these children. Maree’s prayer is that “each child will continue to be supported by a local corps, and the seeds planted at camp will continue to grow in their lives and into their families”. *Captain Annita Allman is the Children’s Leadership Development Specialist for the National Children’s Team *All photos approved by the National Children’s Team.

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

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