Hakan’s struggles with addiction and substance abuse started at a very young age. Throughout his life, he experienced traumatic events that pushed him further into addiction and despair. He reached a point where death was the only thing waiting for him – so he chose to give sobriety one last go at The Salvation Army’s William Booth House. This is his story of getting clean, feeling safe and giving back to others.

BY LAUREN MARTIN Salvation Army personnel from across three different geographical areas in Western NSW recently gathered to participate in new training designed to educate practitioners on generational poverty. The Salvation Army’s Community Services Specialists, Narelle Gurney and Marcus Hutchins, presented the training workshop – ‘Bridges out of Poverty’. Participants came from Cowra, Forbes, Mudgee, Orange, Lithgow, Canowindra, Blacktown and Dubbo. They learned about the importance of including people living in poverty in decision-making and planning and the vital role relationships play in helping people live stable lives. The Area Officer for The Salvation Army in Central and Far West NSW, Major Louise Walker, said it was great to get more of an insight into what poverty really looked like: “We [as Salvation Army personnel] can become very used to everything when you’re seeing people continuously. The Bridges out of Poverty training gives you a deeper understanding of what people are going through and how they may have arrived in their situation.” The training addresses poverty at three levels – individual, institutional and community – and aims to help people create communities where everyone can live well. Louise said she would recommend the training to other Salvos because it helped to have a deeper level of compassion and understanding when supporting community members in need. “We are journeying with people. We want them to discover what they need to do themselves, and as soon as they grasp the idea, then they start to come up with the solutions,” she said. To find out more about the Bridges out of Poverty training, contact Marcus Hutchins (Marcus.hutchins@salvationarmy.org.au) or Narelle Gurney (narelle.gurney@salvationarmy.org.au)

BY CAPTAIN STAR CONLIFFE* Last year, I had a hysterectomy, and it changed my life. This was not a decision I took lightly, but after years of trying everything to manage chronic pain, which regularly left me bedridden, I accepted that this was the only effective treatment option left. I was incredibly lucky to have a supportive general practitioner (GP) and a gynaecologist who took my pain seriously and scheduled the surgery as soon as I was ready. It still feels like such a gift to wake up every day without pain. The surgery has improved my quality of life and improved my relationship with my body. However, I am acutely aware that many women cannot access the healthcare they need, either because of a lack of services or because of medical misogyny. There is now growing evidence of what women have been saying for decades – there are systemic problems around the world in medical research and how healthcare is delivered, which means that women suffer poorer health outcomes than men. Poorer health outcomes Medical misogyny means that women’s pain is ignored, they are not believed about their symptoms, or they are infantilised and are not permitted to make decisions about their bodies. Consequently, women experience higher rates of delayed diagnosis, overprescribing of anti-depressants, and failures to properly investigate symptoms. Just one example of medical misogyny is the exclusion of women from drug trials until the 1990s. Scientists testing drugs did not want to account for hormonal and other biological differences between men and women, so only male test subjects were used. Drugs that were never tested on women’s bodies are still prescribed to them with higher rates of side effects than in men. More evidence is the fact that women suffering serious heart attacks are half as likely to get proper treatment and twice as likely to die than men. Women’s symptoms are different to men’s but sometimes they are not believed. This is why it still takes longer for girls to be diagnosed with ADHD (and some other conditions) and 7-10 years for women to get diagnosed with endometriosis. Medical misogyny can lead to serious suffering for women, and sometimes even death. I’ve had my own fair share of bad experiences in the healthcare system, including not being believed, being misdiagnosed, and having treatment refused. Each time it seriously impacted my quality of life. Migrant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and people who don’t fit into gender norms face even more barriers to being heard by medical professionals. I am also living proof that good healthcare improves women’s lives. In turn, it also improves women’s families’ and communities’ outcomes. Keep up the conversation Around the world, The Salvation Army has been working for decades to ensure that women receive the life-saving treatment they need. There are Salvation Army women’s healthcare clinics and midwifery schools in many countries, including a maternal and child health centre in Balga, Western Australia. In Melbourne, there is a special women’s residential rehabilitation centre that allows mothers to bring their children with them so they can get the healthcare they need. It’s also exciting to see governments listening to stories like mine and working to resolve medical misogyny in public health. In Victoria, the government has recently opened publicly funded endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics, which will help hundreds of women each year. This International Women’s Day and International Women’s Health Day (28 May), I’m celebrating that women’s health is finally on the agenda. Let’s keep the conversation about women’s experiences in the healthcare system going in our homes, schools and workplaces. Only then will women be able to access healthcare without discrimination. *Captain Star Conliffe is the Corps Officer at Hobsons Bay Corps in Victoria For more information: healthline.com/health-news/why-women-are-more-likely-to-die-after-a-heart-attack sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200812161318.htm Editor’s Choice – Impact of initial hospital diagnosis on mortality for acute myocardial infarction: A national cohort study | European Heart Journal. Acute Cardiovascular Care | Oxford Academic (oup.com) Go to the MySalvos toolkit here  for International Women’s Day resources

BY ANTHONY CASTLE Summer Parties were hosted across the country, launching the 2024 youth ministry theme ‘No Longer Lost’. Summer Parties invite youth ministries to gather together and kick off the year with a fun and safe event. Typically held at different recreational sites like water parks, events usually culminate in an evening youth rally at a corps, an opportunity to eat together and share the Good News. “The purpose of our Summer Parties was to unite youth ministries and kick off the year with some fun, faith and connection,” explains Mel Purcell, Youth and Young Adults Secretary. “It was so great to see so many young people and leaders gathered across Australia and hear the good news that we are No Longer Lost.” Summer Party South Queensland was held on 27 January, with young adults from across the state’s south-east and northern NSW having an amazing day at Dreamworld and WhiteWater World on the Gold Coast. Other events were held at Barra Fun Park in Townsville and Jamberoo Action Park on the NSW South on 3 February. In Western Australia, a Friday night rally was held at Perth New Life City Church on 16 February. Victoria hosted its Summer Party at Adventure Park in Geelong on 17 February, and in South Australia, the Summer Party was hosted by Gawler on 24 February. The Summer Party in Tasmania was hosted by Hobart Corps on 10 February, with an event at Bounce Inc Hobart, an indoor trampoline park, followed by dinner, games and a youth service at the corps. Click through slideshow below for more photos of Summer Parties around the territory:

REVIEW BY HANNAH NAIM* “Lamar Hardwick was 36 years old when he found out he was on the autism spectrum. While this revelation helped him understand and process his own experience, it also prompted a difficult re-evaluation of who he was as a person. And as a pastor, it started him on a new path of considering the way disabled people are treated in the church …” Lamar Hardwick is a pastor, advocate and author living with autism, a diagnosis that he didn’t receive until his late 30s. He holds a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree, both obtained in the United States. In his enlightening work, Disability and the Church, he explores the landscape of faith, community and disability. Through a blend of personal anecdotes, theological insights and practical guidance, Hardwick offers a compelling narrative that challenges traditional perceptions and advocates for inclusivity within the Church. At the heart of Hardwick’s message lies the recognition of diversity within the body of Christ. Drawing from his own experiences, he articulates the struggles faced by individuals with autism through his reflections on navigating relationships, reading and responding to social queues, meeting expectations, and managing burnout. He parallels these points with his overall inability to understand the world in a holistic sense as well as the subsequent barriers that often hinder full participation and engagement for those with disabilities within the Church. He urges readers to confront preconceived notions and embrace true inclusivity, allowing more people access to faith communities. No matter what your position is within The Salvation Army, Disability and the Church serves as a valuable insight, offering practical strategies for fostering a culture of accessibility and inclusion. From accessibility to attitude, Hardwick provides concrete steps churches can take to create welcoming environments where all members can fully participate in worship, fellowship, and service. His points on building inclusive faith communities are met with his current experience as a pastor, offering strategies that show consideration to the substantial scope of work and challenges that most church leaders navigate without the additional responsibilities associated with breeding an inclusive culture. Disability and the Church is a thought-provoking exploration of faith, disability, and community. Lamar Hardwick’s reflections and practical recommendations make this book essential for anyone committed to building more inclusive and compassionate religious spaces. By embracing diversity and inviting us to imagine a Church where everyone belongs – a vision that is pivotal in our day and age. Disability and the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion Paperback is available to order online. *Hannah Naim is the Disability Inclusion Project Coordinator for The Salvation Army Diversity and Inclusion team

Salvationists joined Christians from 170 countries around the globe to pray for peace, justice and resolution of the conflict in Palestine on the World Day of Prayer last Friday 1 March. Women make up the majority of participants, but men are increasingly becoming part of the annual event. This year, a group of ecumenical Christian women of Palestine led the day. In response to the passage from Ephesians 4:1-7, they reflected on this theme from their context of suffering and conflict. Their hope is “to inspire other women around the world to bear with one another in love during troubled times. “It is a blessing and an honour to draw near to our sisters, scattered around the world in many services, countries and contexts, united in prayer to our heavenly Father.” To see how Salvationists in a range of countries marked the day, click through the slideshow below.

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 we are praying for the Taiwan Region. Please pray for: ·      The succession plan of our region – pray for more young people responding to the call for officership. ·      The sustainability of our mission – pray for God’s wisdom to manage our resources, especially in finance and properties. ·      Our ministry to the homeless – pray for guidance and insight to strengthen the present ministry and for new initiatives to meet the various needs of this community. ·      A new corps building for Neihu Corps – pray for a suitable property which could accommodate the growth of the ministries in Neihu District. To find out more about the Taiwan Region, click here. For more information on the International Prayer Focus 2024, and to download the calendar, click here.

Way back in the 1960s when the world was still black and white (colour wasn’t introduced until the late 1970s, a little-known fact by young people these days), two young English officers called John Larsson and John Gowans wrote a musical called ‘Take-Over Bid’. It was the first of 10 musicals they wrote between 1967 and 1990 that were performed around The Salvation Army world. In their first musical a character called Gladys sang a jaunty little ditty that said, “Oh, there’s nothing like an Army cup of tea.” She wasn’t suggesting Salvationists had some secret recipe for producing the best cup of tea ever. Rather, she was suggesting that ‘our’ cups of tea came with empathy and a listening ear, and at just the right time – the added extras beyond milk and sugar. Many Salvationists today have totally cast off our tea-swilling heritage and have fallen in love with the liquid refreshment produced by brewing the seed from inside the fruit of the coffea plant – better known simply as coffee. While, for many corps, Nescafe and Moccona rule supreme, an increasing number of corps are now purchasing their own expensive coffee machines and training members as baristas. We used to spend money on corps Bibles and train people how to use them, but now, apparently, good coffee is more important in a church. Some corps, including my own, have cafes that operate through the week and serve as a vital link to members of the public and those using corps programs. While you can still get an Army cup of tea at these places, it’s coffee that rules supreme. I don’t drink tea or coffee, and that immediately upsets many people, including some fellow officers I’ve mentioned this to. “How can you talk to someone at length and meaningfully without having a coffee?” they say. Stupid question, really. We open our mouths and, well … words come out. As a young man, I would end up with friends at someone’s house and the host would ask if we wanted tea or coffee. People would start placing their orders and then I’d say, “Can I have a Milo?” People would look at me like I was an alien, and then someone would say, “Actually, can I have a Milo too?” and someone would add, “Ooh, me too; with an extra spoon of Milo on top.” It was like they needed permission to be as immature and non-adult as me. Adults drink coffee; children drink Milo. Until one of the supposed adults asks for a Milo. I think it might be time for the Australian Salvation Army to promote its local culture and serve more Milo. As it (almost) says in Matthew 5:41 – “If someone forces you to go one Milo with them, go two Milos.” I might get that verse printed on a T-shirt. – Major Mal Davies and his wife Major Tracey are the Corps Officers at Adelaide City Salvos

BY ANTHONY CASTLE Over 150 delegates gathered for the Yakila – Walking and Talking Together conference at the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre on 8-11 February. The gathering was an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Salvation Army personnel to walk alongside each other through truth-telling and prayer. The event celebrated the completion of the first stage of the national Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and the journey The Salvation Army has taken with First Nations peoples since its launch in 2020. “It certainly is a celebration,” reflected Colonel Winsome Merrett. “Over 1200 Salvos gathered together in yarning circles online during COVID, and out of those yarning circles, it was really determined that Salvos had a heart and passion to see things change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, in regard to the disadvantage that they were experiencing. I am incredibly proud to say that because of the leadership of our Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander team and the involvement of large numbers of Salvos across this territory, every single deliverable, all 89 of them, have been actioned and delivered on.” The first two days of the conference included shared space with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander personnel and Salvationists, with the remaining days inviting non-indigenous personnel and corps members to join.​ Welcome to Country was performed by Major Moogy Sumner (AM), and the opening night hosted a performance by Aboriginal dance group Dusty Feet Mob. Uncle Vince Ross, a Madi Madi man and The Salvation Army’s convenor of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council, and Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, brought opening prayers and greetings. “What you have to do is go two steps back and see where you’ve come from,” Miriam said, reflecting on thoughts shared by Uncle Vince. “Then you need to go two steps forward and see where you are right now. Today has been an incredible day of thinking through where we are, but we’re not stopping here. We’re going two steps forward again to see all that can be. We are going to believe big and imagine what God will do.” Shirli Congoo, General Manager of The Salvation Army’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team, facilitated Yarning Circles and reflections. First Nation guest speakers and their subjects included Mark Yettica Paulson (our readiness for truth-telling), Gabriel Bani (Torres Strait Islander cultural worldview), Grant Paulson (sacred drivers for social change), and Professor Anne Patel-Gray (a journey of the vision for First Nations people). Lucy Davis, Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Strategic Manager for The Salvation Army, presented on the outcomes of the RAP. “A Reconciliation Action Plan gives your organisation a framework to contribute to the reconciliation movement,” Lucy explained. “Reconciliation Action Plans deliver tangible and substantive benefits to First Nations people and increase cultural safety in the workplace. Reconciliation requires political will, joint leadership and trust-building, accountability and transparency, as well as a substantial investment of resources.” “We have one of the most progressive RAPs in the faith-based community.” – Lucy Davis RAPs consist of five components – race relations, equality and equity, institutional integrity, and historical acceptance. The presentation was followed by a cake-cutting to celebrate, with others joining via livestream from across the country. “We have one of the most progressive RAPs in the faith-based community,” Lucy said. “I am so proud of the work we’ve done, but it would never have happened without leadership. If we didn’t have those leaders with us on every step of this journey, our RAP would not have had so much success.” The Salvation Army remains committed to transforming individual lives and communities across Australia, with more to come in the next stage of the RAP. Gatherings like Yakila help build an understanding of the practical and spiritual realities of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to better partner together to see a transformed Australia. The gathering was closed by Uncle Vince Ross, who shared a blessing. “May the God of creation warm your heart like the campfires of old, bring wisdom and peace as shown to the First Peoples of this land,” Uncle Vince shared. “Shake off the dust from the desert plain by the flow and washing of the rain and let the light of God show us the right path to take, and stand tall, like the big river gums, drawing life from the ever-flowing waters. Amen.” Click through the slideshow below for more photos from Yakila.

In Week 4 of Self Denial, we see how funds raised in the past have helped kindergartens in Tonga provide holistic education to children. Mele was supported by The Salvation Army throughout her teacher training and is now Head Teacher at one of the centres. She reflects on how God is at work through the kindergarten and community in Tonga. This Self Denial Appeal, you’re encouraged to take the time to reflect on how you can make a sacrificial commitment to display your love for God and others in action. To donate or find out more visit my.salvos.org.au/self-denial-appeal

BY MELANIE-ANNE HOLLAND* I am amazed by the technology that connects us. I love that I am able to speak with my family on the phone, Facetime friends overseas and join meetings with coworkers to collaborate around the world. The platforms seem endless. Our phones contain more computing power than the desktop I used in high school. We are more connected than ever before. And yet, we can feel entirely discon­nected and alone. What was intended to support humanity can become a sea of noise and demands, while never offering us the homecoming our spirits long for. Connection – personal, authentic, organic – is a human need. We need connection with God and with other people, and we need connection with the environment around us. As I read the Bible, I see that connec­tion is a theme woven through all the stories; that humanity and all of creation flourishes in healthy connection with God and each other. It starts with the very earliest of stories in the book of Genesis, where humanity is tasked with caring for the Garden of Eden (see Genesis chapter 2, verse 15). These early stories place us within nature, an important part of the ecological process. “We need to find ways to be ‘in nature’ rather than dominating spaces with our demands.” It is no coincidence that as our lives become more disconnected with the systems that nurture us, people become more fractured physically, emotionally and spiritually. Science tells us what ancient wisdom has long professed; that reconnecting with nature is important to our wellbeing. Simply staring at the ocean can change our brain activity and bring us into a mild meditative state, the sea air increasing our serotonin levels and decreasing anxiety. Similarly, walk­ing in green spaces (such as bushland or parks) can reduce stress and symptoms of depression, improving cardiovascular health, immune system capability, concen­tration, memory and mood. Research shows that getting your hands dirty whilst gardening is helpful, as the bacteria in the soil cause our brains to release serotonin, helping us to feel happier and boosting our immune system. Perhaps we need rewilding. We need to find ways to be ‘in nature’ rather than dominating spaces with our demands. We need to find ways to be alongside our native wildlife, helping them to flourish. We need to plant trees and clean water­ways and protect beaches. And in caring for creation, we may find that we have become more connected and whole. As World Wildlife Day is observed internationally tomorrow (Sunday 3 March 2024), we are each encouraged to think about what it means to connect people with the planet. Connection – personal, authen­tic, organic – cannot be replicated by technology, but perhaps technology can support us in our quest to find greater wellbeing and support the natural envi­ronment around us. *Major Melanie-Anne Holland is a Salvation Army officer (pastor) in NSW. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Hons) and degree in theology. Melanie-Anne is The Salvation Army’s representative on the Australian Churches Ecological Taskforce, as part of the National Council of Churches, Australia.

BY LAUREN MARTIN As bushfires continue to burn in Victoria’s north and west, Salvation Army teams are assisting emergency services crews and those affected by the crisis. Central Victoria Salvos Team Leader Ronald Stobie and his team have been operating the Maryborough Relief Centre since authorities opened it seven days ago when bushfires threatened homes and caused evacuations in the state’s north-west. “The team is doing quite well; they have been astounding in jumping in and lending a hand,” said Ronald, adding that The Salvation Army’s presence from day one has been showing the love of God in action: “Many of our team are people of faith and are connected in that way and we can show that this is why we’re here, this is what we believe in – we believe in good. So, we want to do what we can to support our community.” Ronald said he was grateful to supermarket chain Coles after accepting a generous donation from the Maryborough store, and also for donations from Woolworths (groceries) and Crown Resorts (15 pallets of material aid), which helped with the Maryborough Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) team’s relief efforts. The Maryborough SAES team has also been supported by members of other SAES crews, and nearby Salvation Army corps at Delacombe and Ararat have also been activated during the bushfire crisis. Greater Grampians Salvos Corps Officer Captain Lynne Turnbull and her small team have been running the relief centre at the Ararat Recreation Centre for the past week. She said it’s been a beautiful opportunity to partner with generous community members to serve those in need: “We have had lots of offers from different restaurants to help out feeding people. The Lions Club did a barbecue, Dominos did pizzas, and the footy club cooked schnitzels and chips. We have supplemented with things like salad and breads, and we have been making lunches and breakfasts.” Her team has had a busy start to the year, helping out with bushfires near Stawell earlier in the month. “We have been flat out for a few weeks now,” she said, “but I think it’s really good to see communities come together and for people to be able to offer help and work alongside us. It’s a great country community.” Last night, a new fire at Dereel saw hundreds of firefighters in action, and The Salvation Army’s SAES was called to provide dinner – at 1am – to 400 first responders. Emergency Services Response Coordinator Carolyn Spratling was still cooking at lunchtime today. “That fire broke out right on dinner time, so firefighters hadn’t actually had their dinner when they had gotten onto their trucks,” she said. “They have four-hour ration packs to get them through four hours. But then they realised that they needed us there; the fire was going longer.” She said the firefighters were very happy to see the SAES large catering truck when they entered the staging ground for a hot fish and chips or pasta evening meal. The team then served breakfast and lunch, and crews continued to work on the blaze.