To read the tribute, click here

By LAUREN MARTIN A Salvation Army recovery team is back in the bushfire-affected NSW Hunter Valley this week, after a fire destroyed and damaged homes just a week before Christmas. Recovery worker Vicky Brown and her daughter Amanda are revisiting the towns of Abermain and Kurri Kurri to offer bushfire assistance to those affected by the blaze. Vicky said before Christmas she saw a lot of distressed people, and now, there are others who are only just realising they can receive support. “We just saw one gentleman who lost his entire home,” she said. “It burned to the ground. A lot of other people are living with relatives or friends because their homes are not habitable. She said people are surprised and grateful that The Salvation Army is able to assess their situation and give them cash grants. “I tell them, ‘People donate money to help people in their time of need and it’s my job to give it out.’ “But more than that, it’s the kind words we can offer. We listen to them and talk to them,” said Vicky, who is a soldier at Newcastle Salvation Army. “We can be Jesus to these people, even if they don’t realise it.” Vicky’s daughter, Amanda, has been a volunteer in The Salvation Army Emergency Services for many years, and began volunteering in recovery two years ago. Just last week, she travelled with Vicky to spend a week on Queensland’s Gold Coast, assisting people after the devastating storms that damaged many homes. “I just love helping people and being able to put a smile on people’s faces when they’re going through the worst situation they have ever faced,” she said. The pair said the recovery assistance on the Gold Coast was incredibly busy, with lots of people needing assistance. This week, in the Hunter Valley, the pace is slower, and more meaningful conversations can be shared. “We talk to them, and we listen to their horror stories, we look at their photos and their videos. They appreciate the fact that there is no judgement, just love. “That’s the most rewarding part.”

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 Russia Territory. Please pray for: ·      The physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of our officers and soldiers. ·      Wisdom in finding ways forward to continue the mission of The Salvation Army in Russia. ·      New ways of reaching out to people. ·      New ways of self-support and sustainability. To read the recent Salvos Online article about the Russia Territory, click here. To find out more about the Russia Territory, click here. For more information on the International Prayer Focus 2024, and and to download the calendar, click here.

By CAPTAIN SERGIU NICA I remember the first news, the first alarms and the first explosions in Lviv (Ukraine). I remember how we were hiding in a narrow corridor with our two children in our apartment on the ninth floor. We remember how all the doors and windows in the apartment rattled from the explosions, which were only 800 metres away. All this seemed like a nightmare and a terrible dream, but in fact – it was our new reality! I had a strong worry and fear for our two children. In such moments of concern, uncertainty and anxiety, people normally start thinking of a way out and the right solution. Prayer and trust in God were our first steps and the light to overcoming fear. There is always a way out at the end of any tunnel, and there is always a light at the end of any tunnel. Although sometimes I feel anxiety, at the same time, because of my faith, I know that I continue to trust God. I am not alone. The Lord is with me even during these difficult days. In God and with God I find the solution to all problems. He is the way out of any tunnel. He is my salvation, and he is the light for me that leads out of this dark tunnel. A lot can be said about the light because of this war – for me it is complete trust in God. It is clear to me – continue living, even when, at times, it is very difficult. The light is Christ whom I see every day in my life. He shines and gives hope not only to me, but also to the people around me. Light is my victory: “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:1-5 Captain Sergiu Nica is the corps officer in Lviv, Ukraine

Members of The Salvation Army and the Catholic Church met at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican in Rome to hold the next meeting in the second round of Informal Conversations in November 2023. The specific theme for this year’s gathering was ‘Missional discipleship: Hope in a Change of Epoch’, with presentations of a theological paper on ‘Encounter with the Living Christ and the hope that is within us’ and a more practical paper on ‘How do we ensure that our works are expressions of hope and vehicles for encounter with the Risen Christ?’. The 12 delegates also joined a World Day of the Poor mass in St Peter’s Basilica, presided over by Pope Francis. Salvation Army Commissioner Jane Paone, Co-Chair of the Informal Conversations group and Secretary for International Ecumenical Relations, said that, “The discussions we had were extremely insightful and provided an opportunity to learn from one another. Throughout the conversations, there was an awareness of how Christians were being called to live boldly, reflecting the hope that is within them, despite the many changes around the world. In the sharing, delegates were stimulated to reflect on their own attitudes as missional disciples. “We think we are agents of hope when it is the people receiving who become givers of hope to us. The essence of being a Christian is not about ideas, but about an encounter with a person. One of the biggest challenges we have is how to transmit our faith today.” Bishop Brian Farrell, The Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, challenged the group to “realise that we are sent here, representing our traditions . . . to make an effort to make sure we pour this grace into the life of our communities.” As the Informal Conversations meeting concluded, the group reflected on the discussions, and all delegates agreed that they had learnt from one another’s traditions, gifts and strengths. There was also an awareness of the need to include young people and be there to listen to honest questions in a changing epoch. The next Informal Conversations meeting will be held in The Salvation Army’s Sunbury Court in London in November 2024, with the theme ‘Shared Missional Vision in a Changed Epoch: Re-imagining the Communication of the Gospel’.

By SIMONE WORTHING Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) response and recovery teams and volunteers have been catering in evacuation centres, conducting assessments and providing access to financial assistance in recovery hubs, packing hampers and essential supplies, and being a listening ear and supportive presence in Queensland for over a month. In Far North Queensland, where Tropical Cyclone Jasper crossed the coast on 13 December 2023, SAES teams have been active from Cairns to Cooktown. In South East Queensland, where a severe storm and rainfall event has been impacting the area since Christmas night, multiple sites were set up from Mt Tamborine to Mudgeeraba on the southern end of the Gold Coast. “Our response teams located in Cooktown and the South East concluded their services after 87 staff and surge personnel (staff from different Salvation Army departments) gave over 1382 volunteer hours and provided 4644 meals and refreshments,” said Daryl Crowden, General Manager - Salvation Army Emergency Services. “The Queensland Government (Department of Communities) ‘contracted’ the SAES to attend recovery centres and partner in the provision of recovery funding for Tropical Cyclone Jasper and then soon after for South East Queensland flooding on 20 December 2023. With the contract they also released $350,000 to The Salvation Army as a contribution to our program. “Over 26 days (20 December – 14 January), SAES recovery team members and Salvation Army surge staff booked over 3577 hours and provided just under $2M in direct community grants to over 17,600 individuals.” The SAES teams are keeping a close watch on “intensifying activity” in the Coral Sea that could develop into Tropical Cyclone Kirrily early this week. Storms and heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding is forecast across Kimberley, Northern Territory and much of Cape York peninsula. Personal stories As impressive as these numbers are, they do not tell the whole story. “These numbers … do not capture the outstanding and exhausting work of the corps (Salvation Army churches) in the areas impacted,” Daryl shared. “At the same time as dealing with the personal impact of flood waters, Cairns Corps delivered over 640 Christmas food and toy hampers, supported countless people, cleaned out homes and provided additional financial and material support, and acted as a focal point for local churches and community. “As outstanding as all this is, it still does not tell you the story of the people involved – both our own people and those they have sat with, listened to and served. The stories of life impact continue, and we are privileged to hear these and to know that once again SAES, the corps, local mission expressions (including Doorways emergency relief and Salvo Stores) and those who have joined us, have contributed to The Salvation Army’s vision of transforming Australia one life at a time, with the love of Jesus.” Just one example comes from a family in South East Queensland: “We are a family on the northern Gold Coast that lost power and our water supply during the recent storm,” said Suni. “There was also damage to our trees. We applied for relief from The Salvation Army at the Coomera Community Hub and received a generous gift voucher - such a relief at what has been an expensive time with all the little unexpected costs as well. We just wanted to thank the organisation for the generous support of the community in a time of need. A special thank you to the people at the pop-up tables in the Coomera Centre who did their best to serve all who came and showed kindness and caring even under pressure. We are so grateful for your services and will show our support in return when the time comes.” Additional assistance Daryl explained that the SAES is aware that many people need ongoing assistance. “The Queensland Government’s estimate in the South East is that 130,000 people were impacted by loss of power or other storm affects, and as of Sunday 14 January, about 100,000 people have sought help of some sort. And these numbers do not include the Far North. “Unfortunately, our government contract concluded on 14 January and the SAES will no longer be present in recovery centres, providing Tier 1 (immediate need) grants.” However, The Salvation Army is aware that more people need help. “The SAES is developing a concept for additional assistance for those that suffered major damage through the provision of Tier 2 and 3 grants,” explained Daryl. “We have the mechanisms in place for this and will apply to the government for funding to employ staff to manage the increased workload.” Heartfelt appreciation Daryl shared his thanks to all involved in helping those impacted by these challenging events. “I want to express my gratitude, and that of my team, for the support provided by divisional and territorial leaders, and especially to all those Salvo staff that gave their time, away from home at a very special time of the year. We can’t do it without you.” Major Leanne Stevens, Recovery Team Leader, SAES – National, summed up the extremely busy but rewarding last four weeks: “As we draw to a close in assisting people from Cyclone Jasper and the Gold Coast storms, I would like to give my appreciation and thanks for each one that has assisted in the background and at the frontline. “You have been absolutely amazing in representing The Salvation Army in your space. “I have heard many great stories and comments from the public, for how grateful they have been for the help from the Salvos. You have sat and listened when people needed to be heard, you have shed a tear with people who just wanted to know someone cared, you have sat with the lonely when they truly needed a friend. You have reflected exactly who we are – people of compassion and our love for all humanity. “It has been challenging but rewarding. Tireless but invigorating. Long days and lots of conversations. With all that, I want to say a heartfelt and grateful big ‘thank you’. I have valued and appreciated all you have done and who you are in such a demanding and chaotic space!”

Each Wednesday night, our corps hosts a free meal for those needing one, and usually that’s around 110-130 people. It’s a lovely community, and the meal is preceded by a chapel service and followed by social activities and a Bible study, all of which attract different numbers of people. At the commencement of each meal, we make some announcements, do devotions and say grace, and we also sing happy birthday to whoever is having one. I’m sure we have a few regulars who seem to have a birthday every few months, but we’re happy to give them some attention anyway. Recently, I was seated at a table with a birthday boy turning 62 and one of the other diners said, with a smile, “Now we get to give you birthday punches”, and he hit him on the shoulder gently. We had a laugh about how he would cope with about 120 people queueing up to give him birthday punches. By my reckoning, that’s nearly 7500 punches! I’m thinking that if we were hosting our meal back in his day and Methuselah showed up on his 969th birthday, after being sung to he’d possibly receive 116,260 punches. And if each person gave him the obligatory ‘and one for luck’, that would be 116,400 punches. I’d suggest he may not make his next birthday. In fact, he probably wouldn’t even make the next day. Imagine his birthday cake! Think of a cake with 100 candles on it for someone celebrating their centenary, and now think of a cake with close to ten times that many candles. You’d need to alert the local fire station before you even lit the cake. What do you give someone for their 969th birthday? Socks? Probably not. Golf clubs? I doubt it. A gym membership? Well, no. You’d need to think of something they haven’t already got. Good luck with that. “Happy birthday, Methuselah, here’s your bellybutton fluff remover.” Mind you, if Methuselah received gifts from each member of his extended family, he could probably open his own shop anyway; so your chance of finding him something he doesn’t already have grows even slimmer. The Bible says he had a son, Lamech, and “other sons and daughters” (Genesis 5:26), so that’s at least five children. We also know Lamech had four children and that families, back then, were generally large. So even if we assumed Methuselah’s descendants only lived a mere 100 years or so, he may still have had hundreds and hundreds of descendants at his 969th birthday party. That’s a lot of party pies and fairy bread! Birthday traditions differ in different cultures around the world. In Lithuania, it’s customary for the person who’s having the birthday to sit in a decorated chair that’s then lifted up by the party guests. The chair is lifted up the number of times matching the age of the person having the birthday. So we’re lucky Methuselah wasn’t Lithuanian. Imagine him filling up on Coke and cake and party food and ice cream and cheese and dips and lollies, and then being lifted up and down in a chair 969 times. You would NOT want to be one of the people under him in that chair. Happy birthday for whenever you get to your next one; be grateful that it won’t be your 969th and that you won’t need a defibrillator after blowing out your candles!

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 Pakistan Territory. 2023 praise points: ·       Colonel Diana MacDonald's leadership as a woman leading Pakistan Territory in an Islamic country. ·       22 cadets were commissioned from the Reflectors of Holiness session in March. ·       Re-opening of Jhang district in April. ·       Opening of a new corps, Jinnah Abadi, in the Sahiwal Division. ·       Opening of a new society, Chastian, in the Sahiwal Division. ·       International appointment, Captains Humaira and Asher, in October. ·       15 cadets, the session of Champions of the Mission, entered training college. ·       Territorial review held in November. ·       Graduation of cohort 2 with a Certificate in Leadership Development in November. Prayer requests: ·       Opening of new corps in the territory. ·       The work of The Salvation Army in Pakistan and spiritual revival in the territory. ·       The upcoming general election in February, and ongoing inflation and economic and political imbalance in the country. ·       Cadets from the Champions of Mission session. ·       Ongoing climate change. Strategic Priorities: ·       Financial sustainability – We will move towards financial independence and sustainability, by promoting stewardship (including tithing) among our people by careful financial management, and promoting enterprise skills at the community level for reducing reliance on external sources of finance. ·       Discipleship – We will engage in theological education development at all levels for equipping of soldiers and officers. ·       Growth – We will open new plants, such as societies, and re-open some former mission units such as corps and social centres based on assessments of mission potential. ·       Relationships – We will develop new and existing relationships with government officials, and with other churches, at divisional and territorial levels. ·       Leader development – We will develop officers through effective succession planning, leadership development, and refresher courses. For more information on the Pakistan Territory, click here. For more information on the International Prayer Focus 2024, and to download the calendar, click here.

1. What is your current appointment and what do you find most satisfying about it? I’m a corps officer at Kwinana & South Metro Salvation Army in WA. I enjoy the variety of ways this role provides for me to interact with the community, including via schools, emergency relief, community service groups, businesses, our thrift shops, our church and hotel and street ministry. 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? I like to take time away from crowds and to be in nature, so walking, bike riding or ocean watching is very regenerating for me. I’ve also recently discovered Aqua Chi, which is similar to Tai Chi but in a heated pool. 3. What’s a favourite Christian song, and why do you like it? It’s unfair to ask for just one favourite! Another in the Fire by Hillsong United reminds me that whatever I’m going through I’m never alone because there’s another with me. Also In Christ Alone by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty because I’m reminded that it is Christ’s love and power that keeps me standing. 4. If you could have a good talk with a biblical character apart from Jesus, who would it be and what would you talk about? I’ve always wanted to have a talk with Martha, particularly about the time when Jesus came to her home, and she worried about all that needed to be done as she and Mary were hosting. I have sometimes been called a Martha but am learning to take Christ’s words less as a criticism, but more as a comfort; that he knows my heart and mind so well, yet also knows that I need help to change in order to receive what I truly need. 5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say? Officership can be a rollercoaster ride – exhilarating with shouts of joy and terrifying with tears too. I am thankful for the privilege of being an officer and of being used by God to bring hope and to transform lives, including mine. The way this happens, though, is not always easy, and many times I have questioned why I do what I do. It has been a rewarding but also a tough journey, tougher than I expected. One of the toughest parts can be believing that God wants me just as I am – with all my insecurities and imperfections – to lead others. Of course, I’m not doing it on my own, nor does God leave me as I am. The growth and the pruning; the embracing and the letting go, are both wonderful and hard work at the same time. Remembering that I, as a shepherd, am also a ‘sheep’ is necessary, in order to give myself the grace to accept that I don’t have all the answers or strength or power to do things on my own. I tried arguing against being an officer, but God won in the end. I won, too, because God’s way is much better! Interview by Major Mal Davies

When have you felt excited to give? Do you consider yourself to be a generous person? How do you feel when you have the opportunity to give to others? Paul called the believers to be generous and cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9:7). Jesus also modelled and taught about giving. He gave of his time and energy, his money and his power. Ultimately, he gave his life. Today’s topic is being generous - giving. To find video downloads, sermon outlines and discussion questions for this series, go to: https://my.salvos.org.au/toolkit/resource/spiritual-habits-the-good-and-the-bad/2997/

The Salvos Youth and Family Domestic Violence Service teams from the South Australia/Northern Territory Division were delighted to meet with Laura Messing from @Altera Digital Health last week for a handover of more than 28 laptops for young people and women in their care to use. “Imagine having to leave your device behind and not being able to have connectivity at such a critical time,” said Laura. She was thinking of the women and children who turn to the Salvos for crisis support. “Or being a young person unable to afford basic technology to support study or finding a job.” Katie Lawson, State Manager, Youth Services SA/NT, said that these laptops would provide “independence and boost our clients’ ability to reconnect. So much of our daily lives depends on access to technology. and now we can provide this at critical times in the lives of those we support. “We are so grateful to Altera for their generosity and compassion.”

When we know and love Jesus, we want to share the good news of the gospel with others. Some people have the gift of evangelism and are quite comfortable sharing about their faith. Many of us, however, need help to develop habits in this area. Watch this video and check out Mission Resources’ sermon outline and questions for helpful hints on how to develop good habits around sharing your faith. To find video downloads, sermon outlines and discussion questions for this series, go to: https://my.salvos.org.au/toolkit/resource/spiritual-habits-the-good-and-the-bad/2997/