Despite the challenges faced by The Salvation Army in Russia since February 2022, ministry and corps life continue, as do social programs and community outreach. “We have Sunday worship, Bible studies, Sunday schools, youth and children’s programs and women’s ministries,” explains Major Svetlana Sharova, Russia Territory Chief Secretary. “In some areas, we also have feeding programs for the homeless and needy, shoes and clothes for children, sport, haircuts and ministry to the elderly.” Through the help of local donors and volunteers, as well as creativity in raising funds to become self-supporting, The Salvation Army continues to serve people in need. Officers and corps leaders meet online for prayer each week and can participate online in Salvation Army European networks. Corps have been financially sustained throughout 2023. Challenges The difficulties, though, are real. Two corps have closed. Not all officers have received their allowances and many work outside the Army and serve the corps after hours. Staff numbers have reduced from 38 to five. Projects are on hold because funds cannot be accessed and there has been a dramatic reduction in income. The financial situation for 2024 is extremely uncertain, including support for retired officers. Properties incur significant maintenance costs and are being rented out. The sale of some properties is also being planned. “We are praying – and ask for prayers – that God will open new ways for the ministry of The Salvation Army in Russia,” shares Svetlana. “Our people remain positive and faithful, and we rely on God for the future.” Salvos snapshot Below we take a brief look at some of the corps around Russia – their ministries, blessings and challenges, and prayer requests: MOSCOW “We are grateful to the Lord, that, despite the limited finances, not a single ministry or program has been closed. We are grateful for the faithfulness of local officers,” say Corps Officers Captain Oleg and Major Olesea Nikolaev. The funds from the Self-Denial Appeal 2022 and local donations have enabled the Moscow Social Centre to stay open. The homeless can wash clothes, find new ones, eat hot meals, have a haircut and hear the Good News. “Our social centre embodies the principals of ‘Soap. Soup. Salvation,” says Olesea. The corps holds a ‘Salvation’ meeting every Wednesday, followed by a meal. Many older people, and those in difficult situations, attend the meeting to sing, glorify God and pray together. Men’s fellowship takes place twice monthly and is a time for the men to pray together for personal and corps needs. The women also meet monthly for craft and cooking together. Children regularly participate in festive Sunday services and the newly formed Scouts patrol group. The corps also runs an active prison ministry – writing letters and sending parcels to prisoners they would normally visit. Most churches can no longer visit prisons. “Our difficulties include having no youth, and no additional tenants to help finance the corps and its ministries,” shares Oleg. “We ask for prayers for new people and soldiers, for growth in holiness, for guidance from the Holy Spirit for the development of the corps and all its ministries, and for financial provision for the corps.” ELISTA The Elista Corps is located 1368km south-east of Moscow. The corps continues to worship and fellowship together. Corps members are active in social and sports ministry, and, through faithful offerings and tithes and donor assistance, help disadvantaged children with clothes and shoes. “We are grateful to the support and prayers of church friends, the development of ministries, and that our people are growing in Christ, in his Word and in unity,” shares Marina Smirnova, Corps Leader. “Salvationists, though, face personal challenges, and some have moved to other cities. There is general unrest within the local community due to external factors. And we need to identify and train new leaders in the corps. “We pray for strength in Christ, to trust God, for new people being saved and for self-support and donors to help develop and maintain corps ministries.” MURMANSK This city in Russia’s far north, above the Arctic Circle, is 1936km north of Moscow, but only 108km from the border with Norway and 182km from the border with Finland. “Despite the difficulties, our small community has become more united,” say Corps Officers Captains Alexander and Svetlana Bogdanov. “The Spatex thrift store is a huge support for the corps, although its sales have greatly decreased.” The main ministries and programs of the corps continue. These include clothing distribution to the needy, a small youth ministry where young people study the Bible, go camping, pray and testify to others about God, and just have fun together. The ‘Homecoming’ program, open to anyone, includes a Bible message, meal and the use of shower facilities. “Our prayer needs are for the leaders and soldiers of the corps, the development of youth and children’s ministries, for new soldiers and adherents, for wisdom in the development of the corps, for new sources of income and self-support, for the opportunity to reach as many people in need as possible, and for the development of Spatex and men’s and women’s ministries,” Captains Bogdanov shared. ST PETERSBURG In Russia’s ‘second city’, Corps Officers Lieutenants Alexander and Yulia Krasov and their team, continue to face challenges. These include the withdrawal of financial support and the departure of many young people from the country. Despite these struggles, “We continue to serve with the forces and means that are available to us,” shares Yulia. “We continue our spiritual work and social services. Our church continues to be an open and friendly community for all without discrimination. We are a spiritual family, and we grow spiritually together, pray together, worship together, study the Bible, fellowship, and support each other in difficult times.” Corps programs include clothing distribution, children’s ministries, and a children’s shoes project – made possible by a private sponsor who donated funds for The Salvation Army to purchase shoes for children in need. Volunteers continue to buy, prepare, and distribute food, and to interact with those who are part of the feeding program. One volunteer, Svetlana, has now become a soldier of The Salvation Army! The corps also runs a self-supported art therapy project, through which people are also introduced to the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army. “This program is now more relevant than ever,” says Yulia. Scouting is the children’s favourite program. This year, new volunteers came to teach skills to the children. “Please pray for local leaders and volunteers as we have no employees, for new people, for God’s vision to further develop the corps and for new sources of income and self-support,” shares Yulia. “We pray for strength, inspiration and enthusiasm for those who remain faithful in our corps.” PETROZAVODSK In this northern corps, 1026km north-west of Moscow, praise and worship services, Bible studies, working with youth and community outreach, continue. “There is a great team of local leaders in the corps,” say Lieutenants Konstantin and Oksana Rubannikov, corps officers. “People are coming to know Christ as their Lord and Saviour, we are building good relationships with other churches in the city, people are faithful with tithes and offerings, and our ministry is growing and developing. “We do have challenges, including a lack of youth leaders, financial uncertainty and finding new ways of ministry. “We pray, and ask for prayers, that people continue to grow in their relationship with God; for our corps leaders; guidance in planning our ministry; self-support for the corps, especially in the long winter when utility bills are high; and that vulnerable children in the city can come to our corps. Thank you!” ROSTOV-ON-DON Rostov on Don is 1077km south of Moscow and just under 100km from the border with Ukraine. “We continue the work of Christ in Russia, even in these difficult times,” say Lieutenants Eugenii and Oxana Bespalov, corps officers. “We are more united that ever and the sudden change in the work of the church has taught us to trust God more and know that his miracles are with us every day.” Ministries at Rostov-on-Don include children’s and women’s ministries, home groups, work with refugees and a worship group consisting of African students. “Please pray for new people, for our ministries, our work with refugees and for us as a church to search for and see God in the new reality but to choose not to be disappointed or to close.” In Volgograd, 969km south-east of Moscow, The Salvation Army partners with a Christian fund to run a program for the elderly. The corps leader is Nana Shuvarinova. VORONEZH Voronezh is 514km south of Moscow. The corps leader is Kira Sutolkina.  “We are grateful to the Lord that in 2023, the corps continued to serve, despite the difficulties encountered,” says Kira. “Our women come together for creative work, master classes and prayer. We also hold meetings and meals for older people. Everyone can participate in our Sunday services. Children also participate in our festive services, Sunday school and in social programs.” Funds from the Self-Denial Appeal 2022, and local donors, have enabled the feeding program to continue. Clothes are also distributed to those in need. “Please pray for new people, and for youth; for finances for our ministries and programs; for opportunities for evangelism; for spiritual guidance in developing our corps and ministries; for our prayer ministry; and for local officers.”

It’s a regular Tuesday morning at Eastlakes Corps in Belmont, south of Newcastle (NSW). Café 360 is open, and a few people sit around tables. Doorways volunteers are chatting with emergency relief clients. One volunteer strums a tune on her ukulele, adding a relaxed vibe to the space. Tuesdays are emergency relief days at the corps, and volunteers serve hand-in-hand with employees to create the best experience possible for the community members who access the corps for assistance. James Edmonds, a Salvos Doorways case worker, and Krysti Prytz, a Salvos Homelessness case manager, both work from Eastlakes each Tuesday. Corps Officers Auxiliary-Lieutenants Bernie and Terri Muendel love having them as part of the fabric on this day. “We have a number of people who are living in their cars, and they come here and do their washing and have a cuppa,” says Terri. “It’s so great to have a homelessness support worker to refer them to so that they can get the specialist support they need, whilst our corps staff and volunteers support them with kindness, food, a listening ear and invitations to the different programs that we offer.” A queue is forming in the foyer, with people lining up to put their names down to shop at the food pantry. This queue is intentional – people used to all race in at once, grab what they wanted and race out. It was a bit chaotic. This queue means that the team takes three people into the pantry at a time, they get to know their names, connect with them, and community members have less stress as they can take their time choosing what they need. The queue dissipates once names are taken as the people start to mill together, chatting while they wait, sitting on lounges in the foyer, making connections, or having coffee at the café. The café, which opened at the start of 2022, has a pay-it-forward system whereby members of the public can donate so that community members who come to the corps for assistance can have a free beverage of their choice. “To have a café that serves the community had been something we had dreamed of and prayed for,” says Terri. “When we found the right person to lead the café team, things just fell into place.” That person is Rani Prassad-Ferris – the Café 360 Team Leader – who started as a volunteer and pulled together a team of volunteers to get the café running. “Rani is so good!” Terri beams. “She has gathered this amazing team, and they work so well even when Rani can’t be here.” The team is an eclectic group of volunteers comprised of retired doctors, a retired anesthetist, a retired school principal, corps members and some mutual obligation volunteers. Terri says they work brilliantly together. Salvation Army Volunteer Resources Advisor Emily Blackstock recently visited the centre and said she was overwhelmed with the way that she saw all streams of The Salvation Army working together. “I realised what I was seeing and experiencing was true community,” Emily said. “When Terri stood up before the lunch service and prayed a blessing over everyone present, the whole room resounded with a big ‘AMEN!’ “This is church!” The auditorium, where church services are held, has its doors wide open despite no activity or service being held inside. “We never want anyone to think the doors to God’s house are closed to them,” says Terri.

BY NAOMI SINGLEHURST As a young mum who volunteered at her local Salvos corps to sort Christmas gifts, Julia arrived ready to pop her (then) toddler Isabelle on a mat with some toys of her own to keep her occupied while she did what she could to help. But Julia was in for a surprise. Even as a toddler, Isabelle started enthusiastically pulling gifts out of bags and helping carry them to their designated areas. Now aged nine, Isabelle and her six-year-old sister Zoe remain enthusiastic Salvos Christmas volunteers. Julia says volunteering and serving together has enriched the family more than she could have imagined. Last Christmas, Julia and her daughters were among more than 20,000 volunteers who, together with Salvos workers, sorted and distributed gifts, vouchers and hampers. Although aged only nine and six, Isabelle and Zoe overflow with enthusiasm when they talk about helping other kids who might not otherwise have food or gifts over Christmas. “I think others should do [volunteering] too,” says Isabelle. “It shows how much you care about others and makes them feel appreciated and loved and cared for. It makes their day brighter. I’d be sad if we woke up with no presents. I don’t want other kids to feel like that – including us.” Zoe wholeheartedly agrees with her sister, saying, “I like helping others. It’s good to do, and it’s nice.” Helping with Salvos Christmas and the Army’s Red Shield Appeal every year, Julia says her girls have learned that volunteering and helping others can mean sacrifice. “They helped first with the physical doorknock and then, as it turned digital in 2020, doing fitness fundraising challenges as a family. In 2023, everything was themed around 100 and the girls did 100km of walking throughout the month of May. “There were days when it was tough. They were tired. They got sick at one point, or it was cold outside. A borrowed treadmill meant they could walk even on rainy days, and they kept committed to the end goal.” “You are far more blessed, enriched and get so much joy when caring for others.” Julia says she and her family are looking forward to volunteering again as a family this Christmas. Julia and her husband are so happy Isabelle and Zoe are committed to helping others. They now actively and enthusiastically look for ways to care for others and show random acts of kindness. “You should never underestimate what kids can do just because they are young,” Julia says. “They love helping at Christmas time to sort the toys because it’s fun, but also because they recognise how much they have and how other kids don’t have that. They also love Jesus and know that the Bible calls us to do good works out of our love for Jesus. “The good thing about volunteering is that you don’t need to have a lot to be able to give. It doesn’t cost anything except time to stand next to a Salvation Army sign and collect donations. It doesn’t cost anything to sort out toys at the collection sites. But it gives the person volunteering so much satisfaction, and it blesses others in immeasurable ways. “As parents whose kids also volunteer, my husband and I try to teach our children to have gratitude and be grateful for what they have. Today’s world encourages a mindset of ‘more’ and ‘must have’ and ‘never enough’. That isn’t healthy. It’s important to us to live with gratitude and be thankful for our blessings. “And as a family, we have learned the secret of volunteering. You set out to give something to others, and as a family that follows Jesus, this is so important. But the thing you discover is, you are far more blessed, enriched and get so much joy when caring for others.”

“It doesn’t seem like a year since the Doorways team came in and transformed our lives here in the Riverina, but we thank God for them every day,” said Auxiliary-Lieutenants David and Valerie Hopewell, Wagga Wagga Corps Officers. “The team came in as a pilot program and were an answer to many prayers and a testimony to the faithfulness of God. They are doing an amazing job, networking with the other service providers and seeing many community members each day.” And needs are many in Wagga. Like many areas throughout the country, there is a rental crisis, energy costs are high, the price of groceries continues to rise, and the impact of extreme temperatures. Through Doorways, Wagga Wagga locals and those from smaller communities around the Riverina can access emergency relief, casework, referrals and the low-cost pantry. “Here at the corps, we have been able to collaborate with the Doorways team and refer to each other, creating ‘faith pathways’ to transform lives,” said the Hopewells. “Literal life-changing interactions have occurred as a result of this gifted, hardworking and dedicated team.”

Putting a smile on the faces of children at Christmas is what it's all about. The Bikers for Kids Newcastle Toy Drive is the oldest annual event of its kind in Australia. Since its inception 46 years ago, the Newcastle toy run has been donating gifts for those who otherwise might miss out on Christmas. The Salvation Army is immensely grateful for the generous support provided by this iconic event and the many thousands of riders who take part. To donate or get help, visit salvationarmy.org.au/christmas

BY LERISSE SMITH The striking new Warrnambool Salvation Army Worship and Community Centre has officially been opened, bringing much excitement to the local community. The development of the contemporary premises in Mortlake Rd, spanning 1320 square metres with its eye-catching wall of glass and angular shaping at the front, captured the attention of local community members who eagerly anticipated its completion. “It’s been exciting for the neighbourhood,” said Major Sally-Anne Allchin, Warrnambool Corps Officer. “We’ve had a lot of people just walking in and marvelling at what they have seen. The builder is to be congratulated on his attention to detail. There has been a lot of interest … it’s a very beautiful spot. Original gum trees are still out the front. On a recent Sunday, while we were having morning tea, we were blessed to watch a koala walk past and climb one of the gum trees. “The worship and community centre is on a main arterial into town, and we just feel really blessed to be in a beautiful facility that’s been purpose-built.” The journey leading up to the official opening by Colonel Winsome Merrett on 18 November has been filled with both sentimentality and a priority of ensuring community members feel welcomed and neighbours’ voices are heard. Six weeks before staff and the congregation moved into the new building, a team of 16 people walked around their extended neighbourhood, praying and dropping postcards into letterboxes to let people know they were coming to the area. The neighbours whose properties backed onto the new premises were personally invited in for a tour and the opportunity to ask any questions about the site. “That was their opportunity to be reassured that we are being common sense about what we’re doing here and that we want them to feel confident about who we are. We want them to feel confident that their future neighbours are going to be safe neighbours as well,” Sally-Anne said. The church’s former location in Lava St for 49 years has not been forgotten, with a stained-glass window from the old building being a special feature in the new one. The decision to move came after the Lava St site was no longer fit for purpose, nor was it user-friendly for anyone with mobility issues or a pram. Initial plans were to renovate. Following costings, it was decided the better option was to relocate. A special church service was held to commemorate the history of the Lava St building before its doors were closed. “Worship was intentionally God-focused,” Sally-Anne said. “[It was] followed by a morning tea where we had a thank-you cake. And while the cake was being cut and handed around, we asked people to share their stories of why they were thankful for their experiences [at Lava St] and to share experiences of their time in the current building. “We then asked people to walk out the doors for the last time; long-standing soldiers of the corps carried out the corps flag and Bible. A prayer was offered by Major Brett [Allchin] before the doors were closed for the last time.” Many people came for that last service to share their happy and fondest memories of times spent at the church and to ensure they were there for the final one. The corps then had different people come for the first service at the new building. “It was a reflection of firstly, curiosity, and secondly, the part that we play either in the lives of people or the potential part that we’re going to play in the lives of people,” Sally-Anne said. “Following years of fundraising, the proceeds from the sale of the Lava St site in April last year, plus a bequest from the Bence brothers and the additional land at the rear of the new site, have meant we have been able to move in with no loan.” The building features not only the church, a large entrance foyer, and multiple rooms of varying sizes and purposes but also office spaces that accommodate Salvos Housing Victoria, homelessness services, and Doorways emergency relief and financial counselling. The corps’ Thrift Shop remains in the middle of the town. “The two brothers bequeathed their will to The Salvation Army Warrnambool building project because their mother was supported and assisted by the local Warrnambool Corps when she was 18 years old,” Brett said. “This assistance so transformed her life that her sons, some 80 years later, gratefully gave all that they had to assist the local mission of the Warrnambool Corps.” The generosity of the brothers’ gift and its impact on the local community cannot be understated. Sally-Anne recalled how community members walked inside the door on the first Sunday service at the new premises that had not been before at church. “We had some folks come that haven’t attended a church for decades, and we don’t even know how they knew that it was our first Sunday,” she said. “There was a family that came who lived in the neighbourhood and had been watching the church build grow, and they came to church on the Sunday. The lady then came with a little boy to playgroup the next morning. There was another lady who lives in the neighbourhood who came in expecting to see the thrift shop here, and it wasn't, but she came and joined us for playgroup as well.” Looking to the future, Sally-Anne said she had a vision for social housing to be built on the new premises through the Victoria Government’s Big Build program, as the land was formerly an indoor tennis centre, and space was available for such a project at the rear of the building. The proposal would be 21 townhouses containing one, two and three-bedroom dwellings for those on the social housing list who met the requirements, assuring a safe neighbourhood for all. The aim would be to provide the occupants a ‘forever home’. “I had this vision not to sell the land to cover costs, but to build social housing and through some processes, Housing Victoria came down, had a look and saw how big the land was that we had,” she said. “There’s such a desperate need. There were people sleeping in cars, at the beach, in tents and caravans who were forced to move on from December 1 due to the influx of holidaymakers [at this time of year].” Community is at the heart of the new site for Sally and Brett as The Salvation Army’s leaders in Warrnambool. “This building was designed to build community,” Brett said. “Built so that people can feel that they are welcome to enter this space. It is as much a community meeting space as it is a place of hope and goodness, offering a practical Christian response to others. Designed with the ability to realise future possibilities in assisting others, and future-proofed with technology.” To watch a video of the official opening, go to the ‘Warrnambool Salvos’ Facebook page and scroll down to the post on 18 November.

The Salvation Army Australia Annual Report for 2023 has been released and is available to read online. The report commemorates 140 years of The Salvation Army Social Services in Australia and celebrates the impact that The Salvation Army has been able to make. The stories and stats contained in the report emphasise that this impact is made possible due to the dedication of Army personnel and the generosity of the Australian public, corporate partners, donors and supporters. The report also highlights The Salvation Army's response to significantly increased need within the communities it serves across Australia and lives transformed through this work. “The increased need of people highlights the important impact of our mission and ministry in the 2022/23 financial year,” said Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas. “We believe in good, and our aim is to share that goodness in all of our work as we seek to transform Australia, one life at a time, with the love of Jesus.” This report includes financial reports for the Australia Territory during the 2022-23 financial year. The report can be viewed by clicking here or pasting this link into your browser: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/about-us/news-and-stories/publications-and-resources/annual-report-2023/

Salvation Army prison chaplains around Australia regularly visit men’s and women’s prisons to talk with inmates, run multi-faith chapel services and provide encouragement, support and a listening ear. They also regularly deliver copies of Salvos Magazine and, at special times of the year such as Christmas, give out gift hampers, toiletry packs and small gifts. Major Alison Platt is a Salvation Army officer and prison chaplain based in Victoria. Her role includes running Positive Lifestyle Programs in three settings, assisting women preparing for release from prison with vouchers and wraparound support for housing and rehabilitation, sitting with women to watch online funerals of their loved ones, comforting women who miss their children and posting birthday gifts to these children. After chapel services, Alison also sits with the women to play board games, bead necklaces and have deep discussions. They also drink the popular caramel coffee together. “It is a space away from the harshness of jail,” she says. “I find this ministry very rewarding as I can meet women at times when they really need compassion and care. It’s a privilege to listen and to do what I can to help. It’s an opportunity to find a safe space and show the women that they are worthy of love. To help them forgive themselves. To share Jesus’ love with them in a real way.” Alison recently received the letter below from a woman who received a Salvos Christmas gift hamper while she was in prison: Life in jail is harder than you think. It’s not just the lack of freedom, but so much more. Trauma goes on, even when you are an inmate. With so many people there are bound to be issues. There was only one day that changed the whole mood in the jail. The wave of gratitude, happiness and the ripple of excitement could literally be felt when we received our Christmas hampers! Every single inmate received a hamper, and the feeling of being thought about by strangers who took time to put the hampers together, is priceless. We only have access to limited toiletries which are not the best quality. Our sense of smell is fine-tuned as we are not allowed perfume. So, when staff wear perfume or aftershave, we notice it more. Getting handmade soaps which were scented is like winning the lottery. Having freshly washed hair or body wash that leaves a trail of flower scents is amazing. You don’t realise how much joy it brings to us having a calendar, new shampoos, a new toothbrush, a comb or brush, skin care, chocolates, hair ties, socks and all the other items in our hampers. Not every person has supportive family and friends, so getting a Christmas gift such as the hamper is the only thing they get and believe me, it is cherished. There is a memory I will hold forever of an inmate who cried when she got her hamper. I asked her why she was so upset, and she told me her life had been spent in the foster system, youth justice and now adult corrections. This was the first Christmas present she had received in her 19 years. So, please remember that what you are doing for inmates is so important to us and we are so grateful for your time and compassion. It makes us feel a little bit more human in a very harsh environment. So thanks for making us all smile at least for one day.

BY DEAN SIMPSON It’s 7am, and a familiar squawk is heard from the back door. It’s Sebastian. He wants breakfast. Sebastian is a wild red and green king parrot. Over the past three years, he has become a persistent yet entertaining member of our family. It all started on Christmas Day 2021, when my teenage son, Jayden, noticed a young king parrot sitting on the fence while we ate Christmas lunch on our back deck. Jayden breeds birds – mainly budgies, finches and quails – and has several aviaries in our backyard, so it was no surprise that he noticed the parrot. The next day, Boxing Day, the parrot was there again. And the next. A ritual began, with the parrot arriving each morning, sitting on the fence and watching Jayden tend to his aviaries. Jayden, an extremely patient lad, was determined to befriend this inquisitive parrot and started calling him Sebastian. I was sceptical at first because Sebastian, although curious, was very timid and flew off if anyone walked towards him. But my son persisted. He would gently talk to Sebastian and began offering him sunflower seeds out of the palm of his hand. It was common to see Jayden standing near the fence for up to 30 minutes with his arms outstretched. Over time, Sebastian got braver and would inch closer until, one day, it happened. Sebastian bravely shuffled close enough to strain his neck and grab a few seeds from Jayden before flying off. It was around Christmas time two years ago that Sebastian started flying straight down to Jayden, sitting on his hand and devouring the seeds. Jayden’s patience over those first 12 months had been rewarded. Fast forward to this Christmas season, and Sebastian now trusts every member of our family. We look forward to his morning visits at the back door when he announces himself with a hearty “Raaawk!” or a shrill whistle. And sometimes, at other times of the day, he’ll ‘drop by’ for a chat – even sitting on my laptop while I work on the back deck. Until recently, I thought Sebastian was getting the best deal with his daily handful of sunflower seeds. But it dawned on me that Sebastian has also impacted our family in a positive way. In the hurly-burly of daily life and its busyness, especially at this time of year with all the distractions and challenges of the festive season, Sebastian, one of God’s beautiful creations, has taught us a lesson in slowing down and enjoying the simple things in life as we spend time with him, feed him seed and enjoy his quirky mannerisms. In the Bible, the Psalmist says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7). Our God is a patient God and wants to produce patience in us to slow us down and show us how to trust in him. It’s amazing how a little bird has epitomised that Bible verse. Patience and stillness were required to form a trusting bond with Sebastian, and the rewards came. We call him the ‘Christmas gift’ that keeps on giving. When he turns up, we are forced to stop what we’re doing and spend some time with him before he flies off again. This Christmas season, let me encourage you to take time to be still, breathe and dwell on the simple things in life. And in these moments, may there be time to dwell on God’s ‘Christmas gift’ to humanity – Jesus.

BY LAUREN MARTIN If you’re doing any baking this festive season, you might like to consider throwing Major Cathryn Williamson’s new cookbook into the mix. One of The Salvation Army’s best-known bakers, Cathryn has released a new cookbook – Special Occasion Treats. This book is the fourth in her successful ‘2 Thumbs Up’ series, the first three being Brilliant Biscuits, Sensational Slices and Cakes Loaves and Muffins. Proceeds from Special Occasion Treats will go towards The Salvation Army’s ‘Making it Happen’ women’s ministry fundraising appeal, as well as the work of The Salvation Army with Ukrainian children. Cathryn, the Corps Officer at Grafton/Maclean in northern NSW with her husband Mark, said putting together this newest edition had taken her longer than the other three books combined. “There was COVID, and a bit of a lack of motivation,” she admitted, explaining that other factors like illness in the family and her need to have foot surgery also meant an extended break out of the kitchen. But now that the book has finally been released, Cathryn says she can’t rule out doing another; however, the next edition may be aimed at a younger audience. “The next one might be a kids’ cooking book to go along with the Kids in the Kitchen program. And it will have little Bible devotionals along with the recipes,” she said. Cathryn developed the Kids in the Kitchen program in 2017 when she was the corps officer at Cowra (NSW). It is now a program many corps across the territory use in their children’s ministry and outreach to local communities. Cathryn said it was a family affair making Special Occasion Treats. Her mother contributed the Hot Cross Buns recipe (“because I’m not mucking around with yeast!” laughed Cathryn), and her father designed and printed the book. The book contains detailed recipes and some quick, easy treats – like the Christmas Nougat in which you simply melt white chocolate melts in the microwave, add marshmallows and then stir through nuts and cranberries. “Probably the most involved is the Burger Cupcake – it looks like a burger,” said Cathryn. “The Portuguese Egg Tarts were difficult. I tried so many different variations to get one that would work. We have had Portuguese tarts in Macau, so we were very picky in wanting to get it right.” Copies are $10. To order, email Cathryn at: two.thumbs.up@hotmail.com

BY LAUREN MARTIN The Salvation Army in the Hunter region is celebrating 35 years of partnering with Newcastle Permanent to make Christmas wishes come true for local families who are ‘doing it tough’. The Newcastle Permanent toy drive has donated tens of thousands of toys over the past 35 years, with locals dropping toys to their branches across the Hunter and regional NSW. This year heralds a new chapter, with Greater Bank joining as a collection point for the toy drive following the merger of the two banks under the banner of NGM Group in March 2023, which will help assist more families across NSW and into south-east Queensland. Linda Stanborough is a Broker Business Development Manager for the Group, who has been involved for many years with this drive and has supported The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal since she was a kid. “I remember picking out toys when I was little and the feeling it gave me to know that I could make someone else happy, and I’ve continued this with my own family,” she said. “When the opportunity came up to volunteer through work, I jumped at the chance to make more of a difference.” She says she loves sorting through all the donations into age ranges and packing them up for delivery to the Salvos. “I love Christmas and the magical feel it has, especially for children, and it’s heartbreaking to think that a child may believe they are not special or deserving of a gift from Santa. It wouldn’t feel like Christmas to me without dedicating some time to helping out, and I love that my workplace encourages this.” NGM Group’s Manager of Partnerships and Community Engagement, Kirsten Lyndon, says the Salvos do great work all year round, which is visible in the community, so it made sense to partner with the organisation when the appeal started all those decades ago. “We’re a customer-owned organisation, so it’s very important to us that we give back to the communities that support us,” Kirsten said. “When we first partnered with the Salvos in 1989 it was a really positive experience, and we could see the good that was being done, so we’ve never looked back!” The Salvation Army will this year distribute tens of thousands of food hampers and more than half a million donated gifts to families in need of assistance. Corporate and Community toy and food drives are an integral part of the mission to bring Christmas cheer to all Australian families.

A little over 17 years ago, I commenced an appointment as editor of ‘Warcry’, an appointment I happily held for the next five years. For those new to the Army, ‘Warcry’ was the weekly periodical that preceded the current ‘Salvos Magazine’. As editor, I received many letters from readers, some encouraging, some thankful and some offering personal testimonies or suggestions for articles. Alternatively, I also received letters that were highly critical of our content or our movement, letters that were very attacking or accusatory, and letters that were downright odd or confusing. I thought I might share a sample of these latter ones with you; by way of reference, I’ll just use the first name of the writers and won’t reveal locations. Max was a regular correspondent. He would write a short letter pointing out some fault in society and then asking God to “withhold rain on our continent” until the problem was remedied. Nothing like a bit of divine blackmail to get Australians moving in the right direction. He sent me one letter referring to the number of crimes happening on pathways where people would walk or bikes would be ridden. Max suggested that citizen groups could be set up to catch these criminals and that “capital punishment (a public flogging) be used in spite of age, creed or gender… Make the punishment something they’ll remember”. Robert wrote to me complaining about an image we’d used to accompany one story, saying that the image included nudity and it was shameful for The Salvation Army to use such an image. I wrote back to him and pointed out that the image was part of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling in the Vatican. He responded to me by saying that it was still inappropriate for us to use the image and that he wasn’t surprised to hear of its location “because Catholics aren’t Christians!!!”. He added that, “We cannot support nudity in any form; God clothed Adam and Eve and that’s good enough for me.” Dianne said a lady came to her corps for welfare support and, in disgust at receiving a lesser shopping voucher than she wanted, she swore and spat on the floor. Dianne queried, “Spitting on the floor is desecrating God’s house, isn’t it? What does God say about spitting in church in the Bible?” Not much, I think. Graham wrote to me to say we were quoting from the wrong Bible – “The only correct version is the King James Version; all other versions are counterfeits.” Angela sent me 17 pages of gematria (ciphers, cryptograms) where words are given number values. She attempted to prove that key words in a recent edition of ‘Warcry’ kept adding up to 666 and clearly The Salvation Army are demonic. Doris said she’d been involved with the Army for 30 years and got highly critical of some of our practices before asking why we don’t do wedding services – “Is it because we fear rituals?” – because she’d never seen or been to an Army wedding. How do you tell someone that we do do weddings, but no one had ever invited her? Arthur asked me if I’d “gone bananas” because we reviewed a movie, he thought was anti-Christian. My reply to him began: “In response to your letter and question of 6 November, no, I don’t believe I’ve gone bananas”, and I went on to explain why we ran the review. Judith (another regular correspondent) opposed our review of the movie ‘Shrek’ because Shrek was “unappealing, immoral, crude, hideous, and ugly”. She said he would cause children to “wake and scream at night”. Gail sent me a 474-page document telling me why our government was un-Christian. It included photocopies of newspaper articles and correspondence she’d shared with newspapers and government officials. I confess I didn’t read it all. And, finally, Ronald invited me to join his One World Government “to manage Planet Earth and all things within it”. He sent me a weblink, which I looked up and discovered his organisation contained one member – Ronald. I chose not to join him. – Major Mal Davies and his wife Major Tracey are the Corps Officers at Adelaide City Salvos