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Commissioner Ivor Tefler, who leads the Salvation Army’s Ukraine Response Unit, tells Dave Piper, international Christian broadcaster at TWR-UK, that corps have been helping internally displaced Ukrainians since the war began – and Salvationists across Europe are helping refugees who’ve fled the fighting. Ivor says the people of God in Ukraine will be the ones who can bring long-term spiritual aid, as the country continues to be devastated by the war.

Do you love meeting new people? Do you desire to see people grow in their faith? And do you enjoying working in local communities and travelling around rural and remote areas of Australia? If so, rural chaplaincy might be the ministry for you. If you’re an officer, employee, volunteer or member of The Salvation Army with an interest in living and working in a rural area and would like to find out more about becoming a rural and remote chaplain, an information weekend is coming up that you will not want to miss. The Territorial Chaplaincy Support Unit is hosting an information weekend at The Salvation Army in Dubbo, western NSW, for officers, employees, volunteers and members of the Army with an interest in living and working in a rural or remote area and becoming a chaplain. The event will take place on 25-27 August 2023. “There will be an opportunity to learn about ministry opportunities and the requirements of the role and needs of rural living,” says Major Robin Pullen, Territorial Chaplaincy Specialist (Rural & Remote). “Rural chaplains will be in attendance to assist with answering any questions.” Please note – travel and accommodation expenses are the responsibility of the attendee. For further information, please contact robin.pullen@salvationarmy.org.au and complete the online form at the QR on the poster above.

By NAOMI SINGLEHURST Just over five years ago, Ali had lost everything. As she bluntly puts it: “My life was filled with utter chaos and destruction, trying to fill a void with an addiction to ice.” Today, however, Ali is free from drug use, deeply connected to her church and working for the Salvos as coordinator of a midweek gathering and meal for 120 people at City Salvos in Adelaide. She is also a Salvation Army Doorways worker offering support, casework emergency relief, material aid, and referrals. Ali’s passion for caring for others is deepened by the pain and struggle of her life and the faith she discovered on her journey. “I married quite young, and that relationship dissolved after 15 years,” she says. “I then lost my career as an advanced care paramedic moving back to Adelaide, and it was from that I turned to drugs. “I lost everything, including my children.” A cry from rock bottom In an unhealthy relationship during the height of her addiction, Ali also experienced extreme fear and violence. One day, literally running for her life, she jumped on a train – her clothes were torn, and she was beaten, bruised and bloody. She called her parents, and that was the turning point. She reconnected with them, undertook residential recovery and joined a SMART Recovery group run by the Salvos. When she remarried, her husband encouraged her to try church at City Salvos in Adelaide. “I found that they were just so welcoming, so loving and non-judgmental, and they really embraced myself and my husband,” she says. “Our church is our family, and we are blessed to be loved unconditionally.” Ali openly shares her story to encourage others, saying, “People here know my story, they know my background, and they see me as a tangible source of hope. I’m a miracle in a sense, given where I’ve come from to where I am now.” Caring for others As coordinator of the DUO (Do Unto Others) program at City Salvos, Ali and a team of caring volunteers provide a weekly community meal for around 120 people. DUO grew out of the street ministry of the Adelaide City Salvos church around 10 years ago to provide support and connection for those struggling with homelessness, mental health issues, isolation and disadvantage. Community members share a meal and their talents – playing music, singing, gardening and serving others in different ways. Birthdays are celebrated, prayers are shared, small groups support each other, and there are craft activities. “There is a lot of love,” Ali says. “It’s beautiful.” DUO also offers referrals to a range of Salvation Army services, including the Doorways program, which offers crisis intervention, early intervention and ongoing support via emergency relief, material aid and referrals. Hope and transformation “With all the support and all the love and light, we see transformations happen on a daily basis,” Ali shares. “They may come in steps, and we celebrate wins along the way – say, if someone has been accepted into casework, or if they’ve just been housed, or if their family is reconciled.” As Easter approaches, Ali says, “Easter at DUO consists of a small devotion – a message of how Easter represents God’s great love for all of us in sacrificing his only son. “My heart and our mission here is to love this city of Adelaide as Jesus does. I feel very privileged to serve and so thankful that God rarely calls the qualified but rather qualifies the called!”

In week four of Self Denial, we visit Kenya West where The Salvation Army’s ACE project is empowering the community through sustainable agriculture and financial training. John shares his story of how the project has changed his life, allowing him to build a better future for his family. The theme for the Self Denial Appeal 2023 is ‘A Gift from the Heart’. It encourages us to consider the blessings we have from God and how we can use those to bless other people. Funds raised will support the work of the international Salvation Army and impact lives with the love of Jesus. To find out more and donate visit selfdenial.info

By JESSICA MORRIS Just a mere 13 hours away on a red-eye flight, Jiti Corps in the Zimbabwe and Botswana Territory of Africa is a church on mission. The words of Haggai the prophet remain a standard for their work: “Be strong ... work ... rebuild the house of the Lord” ( Haggai 2: 4 ), and thanks to corps member Keturah Mutamutu, who moved to Australia in 2015 by way of New Zealand, this mission is now an international partnership transcending oceans and cultures. Joining the Sunday school at Jiti Corps in 1965, Keturah’s history with The Salvation Army is rich. She only left the corps to begin high school at the Howard Institute, The Salvation Army-run high school where the late General Eva Burrows taught for 14 years. It was this that took Keturah to the Southern Hemisphere. On a mission to give back after having so many Australian and New Zealand-based teachers invest in her, she migrated to New Zealand in 2001 with her children. “My first year in New Zealand I went to a Salvation Army congress in Wellington, and I was amazed to meet one of my teachers there,” recalls Keturah. “What a beautiful, wonderful moment it was!” Making the move to Tea Tree Gully Corps in South Australia in 2015 after her children had grown up, Keturah maintained a connection with Jiti Corps and heard about their need for a new building. She formed ‘Friends of Jiti Corps’, which began fundraising for Jiti with the intention of funding basic materials to dig a foundation. The group still exists today – but Keturah’s momentum didn’t stop when she moved to Victoria in 2017. After transferring to Mooroolbark Corps from Box Hill Corps, she shared her vision with the corps officer, Captain Ashley Proctor, and his response was more than she could have hoped for. “[I had an] amazing response from Captain Ashley. [He said] ‘Leave it with me I will consult with leadership’,” says Keturah. “That was in 2018, [and the corps is] financially supporting the project to date.” While the project benefitted Jiti Corps, it also spiritually gave back to Mooroolbark as they practised generosity and befriended their brothers and sisters in another country. “Having Keturah in the corps meant that we could journey with Jiti Corps [and] they would send over regular updates of the progress,” says Ashley. An international relationship had already begun in Adelaide, and now one was born with Mooroolbark Corps. And its fruit has gone beyond a new church building – they have also built a toilet block and ensured fresh water is available after digging a bore and setting up a water tank. Their next task is a vegetable garden. “The foundations were dug by hand; the handmade mud bricks were laid and the building began to take shape. Each step of the project was set out and we would hold fundraising events as more money was required to move on,” says Ashley. “Once the walls were up, we had to raise funds for the roofing, then windows and doors.” Over the years, Mooroolbark has held quiz nights, dinners, Christmas in July celebrations and participated in ‘love offerings’ to support their brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe financially and through prayer. And with an appointed project manager in Zimbabwe who oversaw the initial building development and further projects, Mooroolbark was able to partner with the corps for more effective results – especially, considering most of the labour on the building has been completed by corps members. “Once the building was at lockup stage, the old building inside was pulled down brick by brick and the old materials were used in the new project. A toilet and shower block was built onsite. Finally, water was needed for not only the corps and the shower and toilet block, but also the community. This was completed and ready for Christmas Day 2022. Now there is clean drinking water available for everyone,” says Ashley. In 2023, eight years after Keturah began her fundraising efforts, Jiti Corps is able to hold Sunday services in their new building. And throughout the week, a local school uses it for lessons. The fact it is situated in the Jiti Primary School complex assists with this, allowing the corps to support a community experiencing a shortage of classrooms. “The church attendance and enrolment has increased, [and there is a] spirit of working together and ownership – pride of their beautiful big church in a rural setting, which is beyond their wildest dreams. Now Jiti Corps can host divisional meetings,” shares Keturah. “Jiti Corps is very grateful for the support and financial help from Mooroolbark Corps and the Friends of Jiti Corps group. This is making a difference and meeting need, and for Jiti Corps, it’s about seeing the hand of God at work through others.”

Spark Collective is an initiative of Oasis Youth Services on the NSW Central Coast. Pictured is Emma Croce, team leader; Kim Hallinan, Youth Support & Mission Leader; Brittany Knight, Youth Justice Caseworker. By LAUREN MARTIN A Salvation Army initiative on the NSW Central Coast is identifying and building up leaders from the local community through Oasis Youth Services. Spark Collective is a nine-month leadership program for teens and young adults. The idea behind the program is to empower young people to let their voices be heard and to take action to spark positive change in the community. Oasis Central Coast Team Leader Emma Croce said this year is the second time the initiative has been run, and she’s excited to see how the participants progress throughout the year. The 2022 Oasis Central Coast Spark Collective participants focused on making a difference in their community around the issue of youth mental health. “We believe that young people are critical to building a strong community. The issues young people care about must be heard, and young people must be empowered to come up with innovative solutions that make a difference.” As well as undertaking leadership training and hearing from guest speakers like young professionals from the local community and community leaders, the Spark Collective participants devise and work on a social justice project. “As a team, they bring forward ideas of what they’re passionate about. [It could be] youth mental health; LGBTQIA+ inclusive practices and how to do that; kids with cancer. As a team, they come up with a collective project that they work on.” Last year’s Spark Collective group came up with a week of activities to mark Youth Mental Health Day that included Instagram ‘lives’, a festival with other agencies and art therapy workshops. “As staff, we helped facilitate, but it was their ideas,” said Emma. Oasis Youth Support and Mission Lead Kimberley Hallinan said the Spark Collective initiative, developed by the team at Oasis Central Coast, aligns with The Salvation Army’s mission pillar of caring for people, working for justice and building healthy communities. “Young people don’t feel like they have a voice, and this gives them an opportunity to work on that skill of: ‘How can I bring my voice into the community?’” This year the local Wyong Wildcats Baseball Club will support the Spark Initiative through fundraising and development days.

As we begin NAIDOC week 2022, madi madi elder uncle Vince Ross gives a blessing over the nation on behalf of the Salvation Army.

SEEING GOD WORK IN THE RED CENTRE Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett had the privilege of leading the Sunday service at Alice Springs on 19 June alongside Corps Officers Majors Rhonda and Dean Clutterbuck. Winsome reflected on the corps’ history and how it has continued to meet great need in the region since being planted by the late Majors Hilton and Wilga Morris in 1965. Earlier that week, she was given a tour of the historic 88 Hartley Street location where worship and administration is based. Taking the chance to meet community members at The Waterhole Community Drop In Centre, she viewed the community art gallery, stocked with the work of local residents and community members who share their Tjukurrpa (Dreaming). Every day, between 50 and 80 people gather at The Waterhole for fellowship, making use of the laundry facilities, painting, yarning and watching a movie. Thrift Store coordinator Maddy Clutterbuck later gave Winsome an overview of the shop at 17 Whittaker Street. COMMITMENT TO MISSION The Brisbane City Temple group at the Queensland mission conference. Commissioner Robert Donaldson was a guest speaker at the Queensland mission conference on 17-19 June. The conference was an intergenerational event seeking to equip, encourage, and inspire all to pursue and develop missional opportunities for their local setting. The Territorial Leader described it as “a wonderful day of commitment to mission in the Queensland Division. Excellent range of topics presented simultaneously in Brisbane, Rockhampton and Cairns.” One of many highlights was an elective with Professor Cameron Parsell and Marcus Hutchins on being a Jesus-centred social mission provider. MEETING FRIENDS Commissioner Janine Donaldson recently travelled to the IHQ in London to meet with fellow territorial leaders and bumped into Bellarine Peninsula Corps officer Captain Peter Hobbs.

Four Salvation Army employees of the Australia Territory share what NAIDOC Week means to them: As a migrant to these lands we now call Australia, I am deeply moved by the resilience, wisdom, creativity, courage and strength of First Nations peoples. During NAIDOC Week, we focus on celebrating the ongoing contributions of God’s chosen caretakers of these beautiful countries. We are also reminded that it is only as we stand together and continue to fight for systemic change that justice and equity will truly be possible. Let’s celebrate, but let’s also commit to standing alongside our sisters and brothers and ensuring their voices are heard. –Major Sandra McLean, Faith Communities Development Secretary Get Up! Stand Up! means justified work and effort on my part. Getting up means getting up to date with Australia’s shared history – for instance, the doctrine of Terra Nullius – that the land of Australia ‘belonged to no one’ was overturned by the High Court only 30 years ago. Getting up also requires reading the 440 words that make up the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Standing up means doing something. Getting to know local Aboriginal and Torres Strait people and their language, hearing stories and having a cuppa. Standing up means talking about our history, listening to the hopes for the future (which in part has been done for us – Uluru Statement from the Heart) and using our podiums of power for others to speak. These things, along with acknowledging personal and corporate failures, should be a natural response when we read Scripture – look after the lonely, widows, orphans, homeless and oppressed. Getting up and standing up are the right things to do, but they are also the holy things to do. – Lieutenant B.J. Baillie, Kalgoorlie-Boulder Corps, WA Get Up! Stand Up! means getting up to speed and listening to what are the key issues for our Indigenous brethren. ‘Stand up’ is being alongside living, loving and fighting with, not for, our brethren, for practical restorative and just outcomes wherever I am and have influence. It’s important to embody and live out this theme with respect and gratitude. That is what I can be and do as a fifth-generation recent arrival. – Andrew King, Professional Supervision Practice Consultant, Doorways The celebration of NAIDOC Week means we recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across all the lands of Australia. Recognition is the start, leading to attitudes and behaviours that ensure that our First Nations people are seen, heard, valued and understood, not only in areas of society that affect them directly but in all areas. This year’s theme – Get Up! Stand Up! – is a rallying call to do what we can to challenge systems that have, and continue to, harm people’s dignity and worth and to ensure that all people can flourish. We need to prioritise systemic change and individual commitment to change to ensure justice is experienced and our First Nations people are given the recognition and rights that they, as fellow humans, deserve. – Karen Lattouf, Territorial Leadership Development Specialist, Eva Burrows College

Returning home to Deniliquin (NSW), Madi Madi elder Uncle Vince Ross (OF) shares three original songs that offer a glimpse into country, identity and growing up as an Aboriginal man.

Salvation Army officers and other personnel who have suffered the loss of a loved one: Major Kaylene Robinson’s mother, Lola Wenham, was promoted to glory on Thursday 30 June 2022. Please keep Kaylene and the family in your prayers. Lieut-Colonel Don Warr’s wife, Pam, was promoted to glory on Friday 10 June 2022. Our sympathy, love and prayers are extended to Lieut-Colonel Don and all the family. The grandfather of Captain Dominic Wallis and Lieutenant Marika Haupt, Mr Frederick Charles Wesener (Fred), was promoted to glory on Monday 30 May 2022 aged 100 years and 11 months. Fred is survived by 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. The father of Auxiliary-Lieutenant Debbie Bartlett, Trevor Smith, was promoted to glory on Saturday 11 June 2022 after a six-week battle with cancer. Major Laurel Pearce's, brother, Paul Pearce, passed away in his sleep Tuesday night/Wednesday morning 7/8 June 2022. He had been very ill with cancer for some years. Please uplift Laurel in prayer. Majors Enid and Frank Wilson’s son, Robert, was promoted to glory unexpectedly on Thursday 9 June 2022 aged 58 years. Please uplift Majors Enid and Frank in prayer along with David, Donna, Jeanine and their families over these days. The father of Major David Rogerson, Cecil Rogerson, was promoted to glory on Sunday 5 June 2022. Lieut-Colonel Don Warr’s wife, Pam, was promoted to glory on Friday 10 June 2022. Our sympathy, love and prayers are extended to Lieut. Colonel Don and all the family. The father of Lieut-Colonel Sandra Godkin and grandfather of Auxiliary-Lieutenant Amanda Pethybridge, Maurice Press, was promoted to glory on Wednesday 15 June 2022. Please remember the family in your prayers at this sad time. Major Lynn Whittaker is bereaved of both her mother and father. Major Lyn’s dad, Arthur, passed away on 4 May 2022 and her Mum Lesley passed away on 19 May 2022. Please uphold Major Lynn and Major Katrina Young (granddaughter) and all the family at this most tender and difficult time. The father of Major Fran Everitt, Maurice Bull, was promoted to glory on Wednesday 11 May 2022 from the Redcliffe Hospital, Queensland.  Maurice was 87 and leaves behind his sister Margo and her family, Majors Fran and Mark, his son Howard, grandchildren Samuel and Renee, Elsie and Rob, and four great-grandchildren. Major Margaret Price was bereaved of her eldest brother, Dick who was promoted to glory on Saturday 7 May, aged 94. For many years, Dick was a bandsman in the Redcliffe Ye Old Brass band, which would perform in nursing homes and corps in the area. Our love and prayers cover Major Margaret and family. Territorial Envoy Ron Petterson’s eldest brother, Harold Petterson, was promoted to glory on 7 May, aged 75. Harold was married to Robyn who passed away in 2008. They were missionaries for many years in India. Please keep the Petterson family in your prayers at this time. Major Fran Everitt is bereaved of her father who was promoted to glory on Wednesday 11 May. Fran’s brother, Howard, was at his side. Please surround Major Fran and all the family with your love and prayers during the coming days. Major Bronwyn Pretty has been bereaved of her father who was promoted to glory on Thursday 24 March 2022. At this tender time, our heartfelt sympathy and prayer is extended to Major Bronwyn, her mother, sister and extended family and friends. Major Coral Hodges, Captain Joy Lotty and Captain Nathan Hodges are bereaved of their father and grandfather, Arthur Soper, who was promoted to glory on Tuesday 1 March 2022. At this tender time, our heartfelt sympathy and prayers are extended to Mrs Joyce Soper, Coral and Joy, sister Ann Foster and brother Penton Soper, their families and extended family. Major Pat Walton has been bereaved of her sister Shirley Begley who was promoted to glory on Saturday 29 January. Please pray for Major Pat and Shirley’s families over these days. Major Cliff Randall has been bereaved of his brother John Randall and his nephew Michael Llewellyn in Wales. This is a sad time for the family and your prayers would be appreciated for Major Cliff as he feels these losses deeply especially as he is unable to travel to be with his other family members. Eva Cochrane, mother of Major Kingsley Cochrane and Major Ron Cochrane (mother-in-law to Major Margaret Cochrane and Major Lyn Cochrane, grandmother to Major Naomi Shelton), was peacefully promoted to glory in the early hours of Wednesday 12 January, aged 91. Major Ron Whitehouse has been bereaved of his sister Dorothy, aged 94, on Saturday 15 January. Major Gail Roberts has been bereaved of her mother, June Boulton, aged 88, on Wednesday 19 January at her home at Saint Matthews Retirement Village, Broadford.

How important is an apostrophe? Is it Founder’s Day, Founders’ Day or simply Founders Day? And why has this day that celebrates the birth of The Salvation Army been recognised on so many different dates? Over the years, it has been celebrated on 10 April, 20 August, 5 July and the current date, 2 July. Let’s answer the first question first. The Salvation Army International Heritage Centre states that “it appears the term Founders’ Day (plural possessive apostrophe) was used from 1924 onwards, however there has [since] been some inconsistency ...” Confusion over whether there is an apostrophe or where there is an apostrophe in the name of the day that honours the birth of The Salvation is evident in these promotions ... is it Founders Day, Founder’s Day or Founders’ Day? This inconsistency became increasingly consistent in the use of Founder’s Day (singular possessive apostrophe) throughout the 20th century, as it became generally accepted that the day was marked to honour the occasion in 1865 when William Booth held his first Tent Meeting as the leader of The Christian Mission, which changed its name to The Salvation Army in 1878. Towards the end of the 20th century, there was increasing pressure to acknowledge Catherine Booth’s role in the formation of The Salvation Army and the fact that the success of the movement lay with the passion and vision of both Catherine and William. Today, the stance by International Headquarters is that it be known as Founders’ Day. However, Australian Salvation Army historian, Major Ken Sanz, believes the issue of the apostrophe is a “red herring”, and there should never be any apostrophe, preferring Founders Day. It seems that, like much of Salvation Army history, there are differing opinions and accounts, but the reason for the day itself has never changed. “It was never meant to be a ‘worship Saint William’ day,” says Ken, “but an occasion for looking at where we have come from, where we are now and encouragement for the future.” His view has been supported over the years by various Army territories, which have dropped the apostrophe altogether in their publications and promotional material. Despite the confusion and ongoing conjecture, The Salvation Army around the world pauses to officially celebrate Founders’ Day on 2 July each year. But there are still several unanswered questions about the actual date The Salvation Army sets aside to celebrate its birth. But what’s the right date? A War Cry edition from 1924, showing the use of Founders’ Day with a possessive apostrophe, but celebrated on “Saturday, July 5th, the Anniversary of The Army’s birth”. One of the uncertainties is exactly when Founders’ Day began and what date we should celebrate the birth of The Salvation Army. Lindsay Cox, The Salvation Army Australia Museums Manager, says there are “disparate sources” but supplied information that he had at hand. We can assume that informal celebrations of William Booth’s life and his role in the formation of the Army probably began the year after his death, in August 1913, with Salvationists naturally coming together to share memories. But International Heritage Centre records state that Founders’ Day, from 1920-1921, was celebrated on 10 April, which is the anniversary of Booth’s birth. In 1922, records state it was celebrated on 20 August, the anniversary of his death. In her book, Bramwell Booth, author Catherine Bramwell-Booth states that Founders’ Day was instituted by General Bramwell Booth, the son of William Booth, in 1923, “and at the Mile End in July 1924 he led the first celebration” ... on 5 July. Sixteen years later, that date was changed to 2 July, which, according to Salvation Army historian Colonel Robert Sandall, was the anniversary of the first Tent Meeting. “Records of unimpeachable authenticity establish beyond all question that the date of the founding of The Salvation Army was Sunday, July 2nd, 1865,” Colonel Sandall wrote in The War Cry edition of 6 July 1940. It took 75 years to settle on this date, but Founders’ Day has remained on 2 July ever since ... well, mostly.