Salvation Army officers and personnel who have been promoted to glory: Lieut-Colonel Bruce Stevens was promoted to glory on Friday 15 December 2023 aged 65. Our love and prayers, along with our heartfelt sympathy, cover Lieut-Colonel Debra, Kerry and Glenn Smith, Captains Mitchell and Sally Stevens and all six grandsons - Seth, Levi, Malachi, Nathaniel, Joshua and Noah. A service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Bruce’s life will be held on Friday 22 December 2023 at 2pm at The Salvation Army, Box Hill Corps. The Livestream recording can be viewed here https://fb.me/e/6rt8RrJm7 Major George Lingard was Promoted to Glory on Wednesday 13 December 2023 aged 82 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Beryl, Justin and Damian and the family. A service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of George’s life will be held on Thursday 4 January 2024 at 11am at The Salvation Army, Hurstville Corps. Major Margaret Newdick was promoted to glory on Sunday 26 November 2023, aged 80. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Jon and Diane Kile, David and Marj Newdick, Nelma Burns and all the family. A private family service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Margaret’s life was held on Monday 11 December 2023. Major Joan Brown was promoted to glory on Monday 13 November 2023, aged 80. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Joan’s brother and sister-in-law, Majors David and Reta Brown and family. ‌A service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Joan’s life will be held on Thursday 7 December 2023 at 1.30pm at Rookwood Crematorium South Chapel NSW. ‌The Live Streaming Link for Joan’s service, which can be viewed for up to 90 days, please click ‌HERE to watch. Auxiliary-Captain Graham Bruce was promoted to glory on Saturday 11 November 2023 aged 88. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Auxiliary-Captain Helen, Wesley, Murray, Phil and Doug and their families. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Graham’s life will be held on Friday 1 December 2023 at 10:30am at The Salvation Army, Batemans Bay Corps NSW. Major Cliff Randall was promoted to glory on Friday 17 November 2023, aged 79. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Major Marina Randall, Graeme and Chris, Bryan and Ros, Andrew and Natalie and Debra and Trent and their families. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Cliff’s life will be held on Monday 27 November at 2.30pm at The Salvation Army, Macarthur Corps, Smeaton Grange NSW. Lieut.-Colonel Mae Kinder was promoted to glory on Friday 27 October 2023. Our love and prayers, along with our heartfelt sympathy, cover and surround Majors Paul and Romona, Bernice and Albyn, Majors Lindon and Cheryl, Mez (Merrilyn) and Frank, their children, extended families and Mae’s brother, Major Erle Ruse. We also cover the grandchildren, Daniel, Leah, Emily, Laurina, Joshua, Kirilee, Jackson, Eliza, Steph and Jamie, and great-grandchildren Jireh, Shiloh, and Chase. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Mae’s life was held on Thursday 9 November 2023. Major Violet Brown was promoted to glory on Friday 3 November 2023. Our love and prayers, along with our heartfelt sympathy, cover and surround her sisters Beryl Brown and Alma Ring and niece Heather Wilson and nephew-in- law Major Stan Wilson, their families, and extended families. ‌A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Violet’s life was held on Wednesday 8 November 2023. Major Loretta Allison was promoted to glory on Saturday 15 October, aged 80. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround her brother Robert. Major Marjorie Doran was promoted to glory on Wednesday 18 October aged 94. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround her niece Glenys Ferguson and Geoff, Trevor and San and their families. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Marjorie’s life was held on Friday 27 October at 2pm at The Chapel at Regis Inala Village, Box Hill South, Melbourne. Captain Bronwyn Lithgow was promoted to glory on Sunday 24 September 2023, aged 51. Our love and prayers with our heartfelt sympathy cover Captain Perry and their children, Joshua, Zachary and Becka and the extended family and friends in their time of loss and grief. Major Val Ferrett was promoted to glory on Wednesday 27 September 2023, aged 93. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover her sister Barbara Williams and Major Helen Newman. ‌‌Major Christine Cutts was promoted to glory on Sunday 17 September 2023 aged 92. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Raelene and Warren Hodge, Christine (Anne) and Kevin (deceased) Allen, Lynley (Deceased) and Roy Perese and their families. Christine was blessed with seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Christine is also survived by her sister Captain Merrilyn and brother-in-law Malcom Cowper-Furlong. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Christine’s life was held on Wednesday 27 September at The Salvation Army, Bentleigh Corps, Victoria. Major Gwen Gray was promoted to glory on Sunday 17 September 2023 aged 91. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Majors Wendy and Peter Spindler, Christine and Michael Lord, Anne Dodd, and their families. Gwen was blessed with nine grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Gwen’s was held on Friday 29 September at Mackay Family Funerals, Ourimbah, NSW. ‌ Major Meryl Turner was promoted to glory on Monday 4 September, aged 75. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Jo-Ann, Bart (aka Craig) and Nadine, and their families. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Meryl’s life will be held on Tuesday 19 September at 10am at The Salvation Army, Ingle Farm, SA. ‌Major Gloria Andrew was promoted to glory on Tuesday 5 September, aged 90. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Linda and Kevin Bell, Natasha Bell and Adrian Bell, Travis Bell, and their families. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Gloria’s life will be held on Thursday 14 September at Sand Hill Aged Care Facility, South Launceston, Tasmania. Major Faith Leavy was promoted to glory on Friday 25 August 2023 aged 89 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Raymond and Carol Leavy, Glenda Smith and their families. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Faith’s life will be held on Tuesday 5 September at 2pm at Le Pine Chapel, Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, Victoria. The Live Streaming Link for the service is HERE ‌ Major Elaine Sanders was promoted to glory on Monday 31 August 2023 aged 96. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Lois and Terry, Nola and Roy, Janet and Ben, and their families. Elaine had 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren and Major Di Jarvey (granddaughter). A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Elaine’s life will be held on Saturday 19 August at 10am at Seaforth Gardens Aged Care Centre Chapel, 2542 Albany Hwy, Gosnells WA 6110. The service will not be live streamed. Major Maureen Littlechild was promoted to glory on Thursday 17 July 2023 aged 81 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover Amanda, Brendan, Nathan and their families. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Maureen’s life was held on Wednesday 2 August. Lieut-Colonel Ruth Jessop, her husband Lieut-Colonel Derrick at her side, was promoted to glory on Wednesday 5 July 2023. Lieut-Colonel Derrick, Major Vera Hall (sister) and all the family are surrounded by our love, prayers and heartfelt sympathy at this tender time. No funeral or Thanksgiving service will be held as this was the request of the ever-gracious and humble Ruth. Major Alan Drayton was promoted to glory on Thursday morning 29 June 2023. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Major Bev, Stephen and Paula, Andrew and Cheryl, Derek and Angela, Jenni and Jason; their 10 grandchildren and great-granddaughter. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Alan’s life will be held on Tuesday 11 July 2023 at 2pm at Hope Point Church 42a Beale Street Georges Hall, NSW. Major Lillian Henderson was promoted to glory on Friday 9 June 2023, aged 81. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Heather, Karen and Mark and all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren Yonah, Ebony, Lachlan, McCrae, Hayden, Madison, Logan and Maggie-Beth. A Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Lillian’s life was held on Monday 19 June. Major Margaret Ellice Diplock, affectionately known as Ella, was promoted to glory on Wednesday 14 June 2023. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Anna Thomas, Ella’s twin sister, Rita Diplock and Stanley Diplock. A Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Ella’s was held Friday 23 June 2023 at The Salvation Army, Capricorn Region Church, North Rockhampton. Major Lyall Reese was promoted to glory on Tuesday 30 May 2023, aged 73. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Major Susan, Kathryn and Evan, Andrea and Yeboah, Carl and Erin, and all the grandchildren. A Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Lyall’s life was held on Tuesday 6 June at The Salvation Army, Nambour Corps. Captain Elsie Colling was promoted to glory on Saturday 3 June 2023 aged 92. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround the Stanley Family and Majors John and Wanda McKeand. A Thanksgiving and Celebration of Captain Elsie’s life was held on Saturday 10 June 2023 at Ivan Butler Funeral Home, Klemzig, SA. Major Alma England was promoted to glory on Tuesday 16 May 2023, aged 92. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Jenni and Christian, David and Lisa, Norm and Chie, Philip and all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren Jasmine, Joshua and Caleb; Jarrod and Cameron; Nicole; Holly, Benjamin and Kelsey; Ella and Max; Lexi, Taya and Imogen; Zoe, Cooper and Ashleigh; Ada and Delilah, Rylen; and Fletcher. A Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Alma’s life will be held at 10:30am on Monday 29 May 2023 at The Salvation Army, Hobson Bay Corps, Altona, Victoria. Major Jean Smart was promoted to glory on Monday 22 May 2023 aged 96. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Paul (Son in Law), Mavis (sister) and all the grandchildren – Lesley and Phil, Keith and Liisa, Alison and Shaun and great-grandchildren, Taylah and Willow, Mia and Lylah and Inessa. A Service of Thanksgiving & Celebration of Jean’s life will be held at 11am on Wednesday 31 May 2023 at The Salvation Army, Camberwell Corps, Victoria. Lieut-Colonel Judith Jeffrey was promoted to glory on Sunday 30 April 2023, aged 75. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Lieut-Colonel John Jeffrey, Majors Lance and Anne Jeffrey, Kristy-Anne and Reece Adnams, all the grandchildren, Thomas and Mary, Emily, Faith, Chloe and Zara, and great-granddaughter Elora. A Celebration of Thanksgiving was held on Tuesday 9 May 2023 at The Salvation Army, Box Hill Corps. Major Kevin Grigsbey was promoted to glory on Tuesday 11 April 2023, aged 78 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Major Lynne Grigsbey and the family. Major Christine Agnew was promoted to glory on Thursday 16 March 2023, aged 71 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Karen, Linda, Scott and Lisa, Auxiliary Lieutenant Vaughan and Candidate Helper Amanda, Major Vicki McMahon (sister) and all the grandchildren Caellum, Jasmine, Hayden and Megan. A Funeral Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Christine’s life was held at 1pm on Thursday 23 March at The Salvation Army, Preston Corps, Victoria. Lieut-Colonel Noela Dawkins was promoted to glory on Tuesday 21 March 2023, aged 85 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Lyndon, Peter, Kevan and Astrid, Joanne and all her grandchildren Caleb and Hayley, Nathanael, Isaiah, and Azael. A Funeral Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Lieut. Colonel Noela’s life was held at 2pm on Friday 31 March at The Salvation Army, Stafford Corps, Hayward Street, Brisbane. Major Winifred Barker was promoted to glory on Thursday 23 March 2023, aged 89 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Major Cedric, her children: Silvy Young, Major Bunita Pittaway, Honie Head, Mikel and Rasa Azure. Major Winifred’s funeral was a private family service held on Friday 31 March 2023. A Praise and Thanksgiving Service was held at 1pm on Saturday 22 April at The Salvation Army, Ringwood Corps, 53 Wantirna Road, Ringwood. Major Maureen Rawlings was promoted to glory on Saturday 4 March 2023, aged 77 years. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy covers and surrounds Majors Belinda and David Davis, Natalie and Carl Roddam, Major Angela Rawlings, Major Margaret Garratt (sister), and all the grandchildren. A Funeral Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Maureen’s life was held at 1.30pm on Thursday 9 March at The Salvation Army, Marion Corps, 155 Sturt Road, Seacombe Gardens, SA. Lieut. Colonel Betty Spikin was peacefully promoted to glory on Tuesday 28 February 2023. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy covers and surrounds Kerryn and Warwick, Brenda, Harvey and Janet, and all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A Funeral Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Lieut.-Colonel Betty’s life will be held at 2pm on Thursday 9 March at The Salvation Army, Waverley Temple Corps, 958 High Street Road, Glen Waverley, Victoria. Major Judith Douglas was promoted to glory on Saturday 25 February 2023. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Major Robert (Bob), Jeffrey, Bruce, Paul, Earle, their respective partners and all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A Funeral Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Major Judith’s life was held on Friday 3 March 2023 at Burstow Funeral Chapel, 1020 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, QLD 4350. Lieut.-Colonel Sonja Southwell was peacefully promoted to glory on Friday 17 February 2023. Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy cover and surround Lieut. Colonel Ian; Sharon, Greg Restall and his son Zac; Jenni, and Sue Coleman, Cathy and Major Darren Elkington, Stephanie and Nathan; extended family and friends. A Funeral Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Lieut-Colonel Sonja’s life was held at Ringwood Corps on Thursday 23 February 2023. Major Gladys Walters was promoted to glory on Monday 23 January 2023. Our love, prayers and heartfelt sympathy are extended to Stan and Val, Maxwell, Colonels Rodney and Wendy, Janita and Greg, their families and friends. The Thanksgiving and Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday 9 February at 9.30am at The Salvation Army, Bundamba Corps, QLD. Major Eileen Bailey was promoted to glory on Thursday 26 January 2023. Our love, prayers and heartfelt sympathy are extended to, Major Christine Atkinson and Captain Keith, Gwen and Captain Phil Sharp and Merilyn and Robert Morgan, their families, extended family and friends. The Thanksgiving and Celebration of Life Service was held on Friday 3 February at 11:30am at The Salvation Army, Taree Corps, NSW.

Geraldton is one of the more remote corps in the Australia Territory, situated in the Mid West region of Western Australia, 420km north of Perth. Majors Peter and Wendy Spindler are the corps officers in Geraldton, where Peter recently brought a Christmas message to his community via the Geraldton Guardian newspaper. BY MAJOR PETER SPINDLER Christmas can mean many different things to many people. For some, it is a time of joy, holidays, catching up with family and friends, but for others, it can be a lonely and isolating experience. While some enjoy being able to have presents and food on the table, others struggle just to eat on the day. The real reason for the season is that Jesus Christ came as a babe, and then grew into adulthood to give people hope, joy, love and peace. This means that as a community we are to embrace Christ’s example to others and share these four keys with others. When we give out hope, joy, love and peace to others then we find a change happening in their lives. To put a smile on someone’s face at Christmas time is a humbling experience and can show them what genuine care is all about. May we each find it in our hearts to consider others this Christmas time and how we all can make a difference in someone’s life. Peace and blessings to all.

BY LERISSE SMITH As Christmas draws near, we often find ourselves rushing around and checking off our ‘to-do’ lists whilst ensuring gifts are wrapped and under the tree, ready for memories to be made on Christmas Day. Whilst this is a very common scene, festive memories were also made recently as the special partnership between The Salvation Army and Myer gave great joy and hope to families facing tough times this Christmas through their annual Kids Day Out event. Spanning many years, the festive occasion held at Myer Melbourne treated about 30 children and their mums affected by family violence to an exclusive event with limitless food, lollies, face painting, balloons and photos with Santa. An event that may be the only celebration they experience this Christmas. Executive General Manager of Stores at Myer and Chairman of Myer Community Fund, Tony Sutton, said through Myer’s charitable Christmas campaign activities, which included the Kids Day Out, Myer felt privileged to help make Christmas a little brighter for children and families facing hardship. “Witnessing the joy and happiness on the children’s faces is an honour,” he said. “We are grateful for the work the Salvos team do each and every day.” As the children ran around having their faces painted and boarding the train to Santaland, elves enthusiastically helped create magical moments as they welcomed the kids and their mums before visiting Santa. “The spirit of Christmas was well and truly alive as hearts (and tummies) were filled and appreciation was shown all around.” Colonel Rodney Walters, Secretary for Communications, attended this year’s occasion and shared his appreciation with the Myer staff and how their support enabled families affected by family violence to enjoy a special and memorable night out at Christmas. “It helps us to be able to lift their spirit, able to give hope, able to let them know that they are seen and loved,” he said. “Our mission is to transform the lives of Australia, one life at a time, with the love of Jesus, and it is partnerships with others who come alongside us who make it possible.” A generous Myer Santa sack filled with gifts was given to each child at the conclusion of the event. All the Santa sacks were hand-packed by the wonderful Myer team members who volunteered their time and selected the items to go in each child’s personally curated bag. The children also received Myer’s Charity Bear, affectionately named ‘Charlie,’ after children voted on his clothes and name at last year’s event. “Thank you to Myer for opening your hearts and doors and giving children an experience many would not have the opportunity to have. We really appreciate it,” Rodney said. “The spirit of Christmas was well and truly alive as hearts (and tummies) were filled and appreciation was shown all around – even by a young boy who hugged one of the elves as he was leaving.” A special thank-you to our Family and Domestic Violence team and friends at Myer for gifting their hearts and time to make this a Christmas to remember.

BY SIMONE WORTHING When tropical cyclone Jasper made landfall just north of Port Douglas on Wednesday 13 December, the Cairns Salvos were already preparing. Jasper hit the coast as a category two cyclone and took almost five days to move west, leaving a metre of rain and devastated communities in its wake. Many remote communities are still cut off. Major Ben Johnson, Cairns Corps Officer, is coordinating The Salvation Army’s response to the cyclone and floods in Far North Queensland, in conjunction with the Human and Social Sub-committee formed by local council. “The Salvation Army Emergency Services team began feeding people at the Edmonton evacuation centre in Cairns on Tuesday 12 December, as well as doing welfare checks on people in the community – as requested by council,” said Ben. “Staff and volunteers also provided towels, bedding, stretchers and clothing for evacuation centres from Sunday 17 December. We have also been instrumental in transporting a lot of community members from the affected flood areas to the evacuation centres and then on to temporary accommodation provided by Queensland’s Department of Housing.” Teams were also catering at the Edmonton evacuation centre, providing food, hot and cold drinks, and emotional support. They were stood down once the cyclone had passed but reactivated due to the widespread and severe flooding. “Our staff and volunteers have been incredible and inspiring in action and in spirit,” Ben said. “We are doing whatever is needed, such as providing food at the evacuation centre, processing toys for Christmas, doing welfare checks on people affected by the cyclone, putting together hampers for those in need and working with our family stores to get household supplies. “For Cairns, the cyclone was a ‘bad weather event’, but the flooding is much more significant.” Christmas is coming Alison Geno, Intercultural Ministry worker at Cairns Corps, says she doesn’t “have the right words to really explain all that is happening!” “For the past 48 hours, we have been totally engaged in the disaster, as well as Christmas food and toy hampers,” she said. “The SAES [was] catering at the evacuation centre to those affected by the cyclone and flooding. Christmas is still coming, and we’re trying to get Christmas hampers and toys – all the usual Salvos Christmas stuff – done. And some of our volunteers, as well as two staff members, have themselves experienced the impact of the cyclone and flooding and are continuing to come in to help others. “I am just so proud of everyone. The Cairns community has stepped up, especially considering some people have lost a bunch of stuff but are still prepared to come out and help others. They’re awesome.” Alison explained that the Home League had kicked off the hamper program three weeks ago. “It’s lucky they did, as it’s a bit hectic at the moment,” she said. “The toys for Mornington Island had been taken out before the cyclone, which is great because we can’t get out there now. And we had already sent toys and some hampers to a few Aboriginal communities, Child Safety and Aged Care up in the Cape [Cape York]. “Our hampers and toys assessments have been operating since the beginning of November. We had 500 accounted for and planned on our list. When the disaster hit, all sorts of things ramped up. Many people who were doing fine no longer are, and more people need more for Christmas. “We had to stop production in this space for four days when the disaster first hit. Once it was safe, community members started coming in. We served 100 people on Monday and expect to double that today.” Woolworths is trying to fill some of the additional hamper requests. “Salvos are about 140 hampers short at the moment, but all the supermarkets are struggling to access food stocks,” Ben explained. The Salvos are also packing some toys and hampers for other agencies in town that put in requests every year at Christmas – agencies that assist people with disabilities, families in crisis, domestic violence organisations and others. Community support Alison shared that the business and local communities have been supporting the Salvos Christmas Cheer, as well as generous individuals and groups. “Woolworths, IGA, Frontier and other local businesses in Cairns have put so much towards Christmas Cheer,” she said. “Their generosity has been incredible. What we do is only possible because of the generous support we receive and our amazing volunteers. “We are looking forward to Christmas and to everything being cleaned up and repaired. That will be the reality for our town for a while. And we will be here!” The Salvation Army in Cairns has just been activated to assist with recovery efforts in the disaster-hit town. Christmas is still coming in Cairns! Click on the slideshow below to see Cairns Salvos at work, bringing Christmas Cheer to the community despite the flood situation:

Research by The Salvation Army has revealed that 14 million Australians, or 68 per cent of the population, will have their Christmas celebrations significantly impacted by the cost-of-living crisis this year. In addition, more than 5.3 million people will not be able to afford a Christmas meal, and 30 per cent of parents are worried their children will go without presents. The research, conducted by PureProfile, surveyed 2005 people. More than half the population (58 per cent) feel more stressed this Christmas compared to 31.6 per cent last year, 71 per cent are more mindful about how much they are spending this Christmas, and almost one in seven parents are worried their children will go without a meal on Christmas Day. The research also found almost one in 10 Australians will rely on charitable support to get by this Christmas. Of those people, nearly half (48.9 per cent) will be reaching out for the first time. “The Salvation Army sees heart-wrenching need each year, and this year, the need continues to grow as people battle the cost-of-living crisis,” said Major Brendan Nottle, Corps Officer at Project 614 in Melbourne. “Behind every statistic presented here is a real person – many desperately struggling to get by and making painful decisions on what to go without just to survive. Never have we seen a time where the gap between the rich and poor has been so great. “In this lucky country, too many are going without food, medication and utilities, and many more don’t even have housing. In lots of cases, this means there is no Christmas for those people doing it tough. And this is where we step in, providing food, presents, support with bills and safe housing. We don’t want any child to wake up on Christmas Day without a hot meal and a present.” The Salvation Army’s research also found that this Christmas: • 57.7% of people will spend less on food. • 32.3% of people will have fewer people over on Christmas Day. • 47.4% of people will purchase fewer presents for children and loved ones. • 41.9% of people are unable to attend social events. “These statistics clearly illustrate the continued and shocking impact that the cost of living is having on Australians around the country,” Brendan continued. “They also show that over 1.8 million Australians (9 per cent) will reach out to a charity for support this Christmas. The need has never been greater, and we can only do what we do because of the phenomenally generous Australian public. It is our honour to come alongside people during their time of need, to provide practical support when it is needed most and to offer hope during the festive season and beyond. “We don’t want anyone to feel like they are alone this Christmas. We encourage anyone who needs support to reach out; there is no shame in asking for help. If you are feeling lonely or isolated, struggling to make ends meet or in need of a hand this Christmas, the Salvos are here for you.” The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal aims to raise $25 million to fund its vital work across 400 centres and 2000 services around Australia. The Salvos cannot continue this important work without the generosity of the Australian public. This Christmas, the Salvos will: ·      Distribute tens of thousands of food hampers to those struggling to make ends meet. ·      Hand out more than 250,000 gifts and toys for families who might otherwise have gone without. ·      Serve over 132,000 meals. ·      Provide more than 66,000 bed nights for families needing accommodation during the festive season. “The Salvation Army feels very privileged to be able to serve the needs of the Australian public,” Brendan said. “We get to see the joy, relief and comfort that the generosity of people’s giving has on the lives of those needing a hand. “When you donate to the Salvos, it is the best return on investment you can get. You are bringing the true meaning of Christmas to people, not only by providing practical help but by acknowledging that there are people who care and there is hope for the future.” To ensure no one struggles alone this Christmas, please donate to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal by visiting salvationarmy.org.au or calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).

To read the tribute for Bruce, click here

The Salvation Army in Tennessee, USA, is responding in the aftermath of the extreme storms and tornadoes that wreaked havoc in Middle Tennessee on 19 December. The extreme weather, including wind speeds between 218 and 265km/h, caused fatalities, injuries and significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. Incident Commander for The Salvation Army in Nashville, Captain Philip Canning, said, “Now that we are over 24 hours into our response, we have a much better view of the need in our community. We are serving hot meals, snacks and drinks at multiple locations in Madison and Hendersonville to make sure those who remain in their homes without power, and those who are returning to their homes, to start clean-up efforts, have access to hot meals and support for any emotional and spiritual needs they might have. Sometimes, being able to share your experience with a willing ear over a hot cup of coffee can help lift a weight from your shoulders.” To date, The Salvation Army has provided: 815 meals, 595 snacks, and 1188 drinks. The clean-up will begin with Kentucky and Tennessee Division Emergency Disaster Services Director Bo Sells meeting with Captain Philip Canning to begin damage assessments in areas north of the city. Major Ken Chase has also been deployed and will be responding to the Clarksville area. Southern USA Territory Emergency Disaster Services Coordinator Jeff Jellets explained, “The damage and trauma left behind from the extreme storms has been extensive; work now begins on assisting the people of Middle Tennessee to begin the recovery efforts. “I am proud that many of our officers are helping directly with the recovery efforts. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Middle Tennessee and all the emergency services workers working hard on the recovery. Additional resources will likely be provided once we have a clearer picture of the situation.”

BY GENERAL LYNDON BUCKINGHAM The scene was a familiar one. A street filled with festive lights and decorations, music playing and crowds of people moving along, taking note of all the Christmas details. Right at the end was a house in relative darkness, with just a small box containing a nativity scene on the front lawn. Most people did not even bother to check it out. Most simply considered the Christmas display was over before they reached that house. But right there was a visual representation of the quiet heart of Christmas. Not a flashy display. Not a lot of lights and sounds. Just a quiet focus on the one who is born to be our Saviour. I sometimes wonder whether it is easy for us to miss the quiet heart of Christmas. Even when looking at some of the Christmas story, we may miss the central message of it all. Each of the gospel writers presents Christmas differently. Some might say that only Matthew and Luke include the Christmas story. But I want to suggest that each of the gospels brings its own special emphasis. “The word made flesh dwells among us – full of grace and truth.” Mark, possibly the oldest of the gospels, has no stories of birth or infancy. Instead, Mark’s ‘Christmas’ is embedded in the opening words, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1 New King James Version). Jesus is shown to be the Son of God from the very beginning. That’s the good news. John also does not contain birth or infancy stories but shows the centre of Christmas originating in the heart of God. The word made flesh dwells among us – full of grace and truth. Matthew opens with a long list of names in Jesus’ family tree. It’s easy to skip over this and miss its significance. Included are five women who all showed remarkable faith despite society’s harsh judgment of them. Tamar – who tricked her father-in-law into pregnancy; Rahab – a prostitute who helped the Israelite spies; Ruth – a despised foreigner; Bathsheba – an adulteress; and Mary – an unmarried mother. Each was part of Jesus’ family history. If Jesus will later be shown to identify with sinners, it’s because it’s ‘in his genes’. Jesus is connected with people like us who – despite sinfulness and frail humanity – show faith. Matthew then makes the connection with Jesus being Immanuel – God with us, in our humanness. All of this happens before the traditional Christmas characters – the Wise Men – even appear. They come to find the one born to be King. Luke has the angels announcing that Jesus is the Saviour, Christ the Lord. This is not given to the people you would expect but instead to shepherds – often considered religious outcasts because of the nature of their work. For such as these, living on the margins of society, Jesus comes as Saviour. “With all the other things that happen at this time of the year, may we focus our hearts and minds on the quiet heart of Christmas: the reality of who Jesus is.” Each of the gospels presents a different view of Christmas. It’s easy for us to become so engaged with the trappings of the Christmas story. That may include things we have become accustomed to that are not even mentioned in any of the gospels. Instead, we can sometimes miss the quiet heart of Christmas as related in Scripture. This year, perhaps we can focus again on what the gospels actually tell us about the coming of Jesus. One who comes for those who are sinners and outcasts. One who comes to be King. One who comes to be Immanuel – God with us. One who comes to be our Saviour. One who has existed from all eternity. With all the other things that happen at this time of the year, may we focus our hearts and minds on the quiet heart of Christmas: the reality of who Jesus is. The Son of God. The eternal Word made flesh. Our King. Immanuel. Our Saviour. Christ the Lord. With the songwriter, we say, “O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Immanuel.” May God bless you at this Christmastime and throughout the coming year. Lyndon Buckingham General To view the video of this message, click on this link: https://vimeo.com/salvationarmyihq/generalschristmasfilm?share=copy

Throughout December, Corps and mission expressions across Australia have the opportunity to be part of this year’s Christmas Day Offering to support a young adults mentoring program in Papua New Guinea. Changing the future of a country begins with strengthening young leaders and giving people hope for the future. The Salvation Army International Development in Australia partners with young Salvationists in Papua New Guinea in the Youth Mentoring Program. Participants develop their leadership skills through a unique road marathon training program, which focuses on four pillars – faith, fitness, education and leadership. Investing in one of our closest neighbours will empower the nation’s emerging leaders, help bring communities together, and release hope for a brighter, more equitable future, all in the name of Jesus! If you would like to support the Christmas Day Offering appeal and are not able to attend a service on Christmas Day, you can give online by visiting salvationarmy.org.au/ChristmasOffering

BY ANTHONY CASTLE We all know the Christmas story. I spent one Christmas working with children in the care of the state. I travelled across town to work with a boy whose family had fled genocide. After arriving in Australia, the family unit broke down, and the boy was separated from his siblings. Another carer and I stayed the night with the children, reuniting the siblings for Christmas Eve. After dinner, we walked the brothers and sisters through the streets to see the lights of the neighbouring houses. It was their first Christmas together in years, bathed in the colours of the flashing plastic decorations. One of the children stopped and pointed at a house, recognising a picture of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, the rising star, the angel, the child in the stable – lit up in the front window. They knew the nativity. After the children were in bed and the presents tucked beneath the tree, I found a mattress in a spare room with a couch cushion and a spare sheet. I lay in the dark the night before Christmas and thought of that boy, the violence he and his family had fled, and their homelessness, and I remembered what that child had said when they saw the house with the nativity. That’s the Christmas story. The children recognised the nativity. They had a church background with some memory of the story – Joseph and a pregnant Mary must leave their home and are unable to find somewhere to stay, Mary delivering the child in a stable. The family are visited by shepherds and wise men and are warned of a coming violence, soon to seek refuge in a foreign land. I grew up with this story, too, the image a decoration in Christmas windows, but I often get caught up on the nativity when I see it. The plastic decorations seem cheap, inaccurate. “The challenge for us is to point out where we see that story now” The nativity accounts in the gospels of Matthew and Luke both agree that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, this his mother was Mary, and that Joseph was not his biological father. The two gospels differ from there, however, with the journey to Bethlehem, the angels, and visiting shepherds coming from the gospel of Luke, and the star, the wise men and fleeing to Egypt coming from Matthew. The family trees in either gospel differ, the timelines don’t always match, and there isn’t a stable in either account. We conflate the details, and when I see a nativity with the shepherds, the wise men, and the child in the stable, I often think, “That didn’t really happen like that.” It surprised me, at first, that these children who had fled genocide and homelessness would recognise the nativity. It didn’t matter to them if the decoration was accurate or historical, they knew the story. It’s perhaps easy to get distracted by the plastic decorations, the star, the angels and the stable and miss what’s really at the heart of the nativity: a vulnerable child now homeless, a refugee family, visited by strangers. I wondered if what mattered to them in that story was that picture of the vulnerable child and the picture of safety. I woke on Christmas Day, watched the boy open presents alongside his siblings, and then travelled home. The children had recognised the Christmas story the night before, but I could recognise it in them, too. We had acted out our own nativity on that Christmas Eve, and while I am unsure if there had been a rising star or an angel present, I had played the role of a visiting stranger (though I suspect I’d do a better sheep herder than wise man). We all know the Christmas story, and while the details of the nativity didn’t really happen like that, the core of the story still happens today. The challenge for us is to point out where we see that story now, not to be distracted by the decorations but to recognise the nativity in the lived experience of the vulnerable and ask: where are the homeless now? Do we care for refugee families? Who is fleeing violence today? Where is the Christmas story happening this December? Which role do we play?

The Salvation Army shield featured on the Grossmünster – a Romanesque-style Protestant church in the Old Town of Zürich, Switzerland, as the third advent candle was lit on Saturday. The candle, part of the city’s ‘Advent wreath of Peace 2023’ campaign, emphasised solidarity. The well-known Zurich light artist, Gerry Hofstetter, together with Grossmünster pastor Christoph Sigrist, are behind the campaign and invited The Salvation Army to participate. Every Saturday from 2-23 December, between 5pm and 8pm, one of the four towers is being lit up like a giant red candle.

BY LAUREN MARTIN It has been announced that this year’s Christmas Day offering will go towards The Salvation Army’s Youth Mentoring Program in Papua New Guinea. The program, which has been running since 2014, aims to change the future of the nation for the better, by strengthening young leaders and giving people hope for the future. Each year, candidates for the program are selected and offered a Youth Mentoring Program scholarship, which focuses on four pillars – faith, fitness, education and leadership. Part of the program involves training for, and running, in the Gold Coast marathon. “This requires participants to develop perseverance, resilience, determination and discipline, which are important leadership qualities,” says program coordinator, The Salvation Army’s Bill Hunter. Recently, Bill travelled to the PNG capital Port Moresby with Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas to select the 2024 Youth Mentoring Program participants. “We were heading to Ela Beach thinking there would be 20-30 people there, [for the initial run and interview process] and we saw this massive group of young people doing a warm-up. There were about 70-80 people there! “About 50 or 60 were running to try and get into the 2024 program, and then there were quite a few past participants there for support. Word has certainly gotten out across The Salvation Army in Papua New Guinea about what a huge opportunity being part of the program is.” Ten young people were selected for the 2024 program, most of whom were from villages outside of Port Moresby. “One of the girls we selected, her mum and sister were killed in a tragic accident 10 or 12 years ago, and her dad had died just the day before selection trials,” said Bill. “Yet, she still turned up to do the trial run and interview process. She kept saying, ‘I’m doing this for Dad.’” Those chosen for the 2024 team are: Parker Savi, Michael Gari, Essau Ios, Greg Mave, Saina Dauma, Tau Kila, Jessida Kakpet, Omis Diruza, Penina Mano, Kari Mano. Two local mentors who participated in last year’s program were also chosen. Bill said one of the most encouraging things about the selection process this year was the involvement of past participants, who had grown to become assertive leaders, both within The Salvation Army in Papua New Guinea, and in the local community and organisations in which they work. “We asked them to take us through the selection process. This program has been able to empower them. They have become assertive leaders.” Miriam served in Papua New Guinea for several years and says despite the fact that the country is rich in resources, almost 40 per cent of its population lives in poverty. The literacy rate is just 62 per cent. “Investing in one of our closest neighbours will empower the nation’s emerging leaders, help bring communities together, and release hope for a brighter, more equitable future, all in the name of Jesus!” The Territorial Commander is encouraging Salvationists to give generously to the program during their Christmas services. Salvationists can give at salvationarmy.org.au/christmasoffering