Each month on Salvos Online, Rosy, the Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development, shares her thoughts and reflections on the spiritual issues that shape our lives as Christians, exploring how our faith intersects with our everyday experiences and how we can deepen our relationship with God. Today, she focuses on a weekend trip to corps at Maryborough and Bendigo where she experienced a beautiful picture of relationship, service and worship despite and amidst her own personal pain. My husband and I recently travelled to Maryborough Corps (Vic.) to attend its Red Shield Appeal quiz night, organised by some of the young people from the corps. It was an incredibly well-attended evening that raised a significant amount of money through silent auctions, bargain tables and people offering goods and services. Tristan, a young person serving in the Family Ministry Assistant role with the corps, had approached local businesses to ask them to support the Red Shield Appeal by donating vouchers and materials, while also helping to coordinate the entire event with the team. It was an incredible night, and I came home with a clock and a whole collection of treasures from the bargain table. What a creative and community-filled way to raise funds! The Red Shield Appeal has been taking place across the country since the start of May, as employees, volunteers, officers and soldiers come together to invite Australia to support the work of The Salvation Army Australia through financial giving. Across the movement, people continue to find creative ways to raise money, offer services and support their local communities. There is an enormous amount of time and effort involved. From intersection collections, where people run between cars collecting donations, to scheduling, coordinating sites and building relationships with local schools and communities, so much unseen work goes into the appeal. I want to thank everyone who has taken part and given their time, talents or finances to support The Salvation Army Australia. Pentecost Sunday at Bendigo The next morning, we drove to Bendigo, where we spent the day with the corps there. Major Jean Cassidy shared a powerful message on waiting for the Holy Spirit, and I had been invited to lead a prayer activity for Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is the moment recorded in Scripture, and remembered in the Christian calendar, where we commemorate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the waiting believers. The gift Jesus promised he would leave with them. He said, “Do not hold onto me …” but promised to send the Advocate. A couple of days earlier, either out of economy or stubbornness, I had loaded all the week’s groceries into one giant blue IKEA bag because I did not want to make three or four separate trips. I hoisted it onto my shoulder and carried it inside. Somewhere in the process, I must have torn or strained something, because for the next seven days, I was in radiating, excruciating pain. At times, it hurt to breathe. I was grateful I knew it was musculoskeletal and not a heart attack, because honestly, at times, it felt like one. On Sunday morning, as we prepared to go to Bendigo Corps, I found myself speaking aloud just to encourage myself to keep going. Putting on my uniform was painful. Buttoning it up and putting on my coat hurt. As I dressed that morning, I worshipped anyway, and from somewhere deep in my spirit came a worship song I loved as a child (mostly because you are allowed to clap loudly while singing it!): “I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart,I will enter His courts with praise.I will say this is the day that the Lord has made,I will rejoice for He has made me glad.” Because of whatever was happening with my ribs, it hurt to sing. I had to pause at the line, “He has made me …” and suddenly, in that moment of worship, it struck me afresh: He has made me. As I prepared to share that morning, God gave me a picture of a sail on a boat. It does not matter whether the sail is beautiful or plain, well-branded or unimpressive. The only thing that matters is whether it yields. Whether it can be filled with the wind. In the same way, we are called to be filled with the wind of the Spirit. How often do we, in all our economy and industriousness, overload our metaphorical blue IKEA bags because we do not want to make multiple trips? How often do we rush because we do not want to wait? How often do we keep working because waiting feels too wasteful? We row, and we row, instead of unfurling the sail. Our ability to move towards the horizon is only matched by our willingness to yield our sails to the wind of the Spirit, so we can enter the new waters God is calling us into. This connected deeply with a prophetic picture I had received a few weeks earlier while meeting with the Spiritual Life Committee, made up of key leaders and representatives from across The Salvation Army Australia. We meet regularly to pray, discern and discuss matters facing our movement, seeking God together and asking for his direction. My husband Scott and I (far left) with Major Jean Cassidy and the Bendigo Corps Officers, Captains Hummera Ashir and Ashir Morris. I sensed strongly that the rowing we have done in the past, the industrious labour of continuing to do the same things the same way, will hinder us if we keep rowing into the new season and the new waters God is inviting us into. I felt God asking us to unfurl the sails. At Bendigo Corps, beautifully crafted wooden and metal pieces by local Salvo David Reid and several young people represented key elements of the Bendigo community. One intricately welded piece reflected a well-known local structure. On the left-hand side of the stage sat the holiness table, made from local timber with shopping trolley castors on the bottom. David later shared the story behind it: In the late 1990s, the youth ministry wanted the furniture in the Bendigo Salvation Army building to connect with the local community. At that time, I was working in a cabinet-making business, which did not excite me much, so I took on the challenge to work with four young men who did not have a father figure living in their home. We worked on these projects on Wednesday nights for two years. There was no timeline, which meant it became about the time spent together. Through our conversations, I was able to offer a parent’s perspective on various aspects of life, and I found it incredibly rewarding. My wife and I have two daughters, so it was meaningful for me to spend time working with young men. Even now, when I occasionally see some of them, they still stop for a chat about the time we shared. Looking back, God created the opportunity for this program to happen. It became about connection, community and conversation, and the projects themselves were simply a bonus that we still enjoy today. I thank God for that opportunity. He has made me. Behind these pieces stood the Salvation Army flag, and this became the illustration I used that morning (while also apologising for touching it)! Although it is not a sacred object, it is held in deep esteem within our movement, representing the blood of Christ in red, the fire of the Holy Spirit in yellow, and the purity and holiness of God in blue. I held the flag out straight and said that it is something you can only properly read when it is stretched open. And yet if we covered it in starch or superglue to forcibly man-make the words to remain perfectly visible and neat, it would no longer yield or be capable of being filled. We, too, need to be yielding, like a flag or a sail, so we can be filled with the Spirit and become useful in the direction God is leading. Otherwise, we simply hang limp, unmoving, while continuing to row without ever reading the wind or recognising the seasons around us. We read from Psalm 124 together three times. Then we read Psalm 126, then again from the final line backwards through to the first! “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,we were like those who dreamed (the footnote says: or were restored to health!).Our mouths were filled with laughter,our tongues with songs of joy. Those who sow with tearswill reap with songs of joy.Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow,will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. Restore our fortunes, Lord,like streams in the Negev.” That afternoon, a huge number of high school students from the local school came to volunteer for the Red Shield Appeal collection. We served sausages, onions and cake, and thankfully, after an hour or so, my shoulder eased enough for me to help hand food out. Watching these bright young faces arrive and thanking them with a simple meal before they headed out to collect, thinking of all such similar circumstances and encounters all around The Salvation Army Australia this time of year in Red Shield, I saw such a beautiful picture of relationship, service and worship despite and amidst my own personal pain. He has made us glad. It reminded me of a short poem I wrote for Creative Brengle in 2024: Did you ever think about the double meaning of ‘yield’? To yield is to surrender. To yield is to bear much fruit. Maybe in the creation and recreation, the producing and reproducing, we find life in our surrender and therein lies the spiritual bloom. I also thought of Elijah when God spoke to him: “The Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord …” Elijah, too, had to yield, to surrender, so the presence of God could pass by him. A haiku: Yield so you may pass Fruitful fields yield harvest grass Surrender bears life

Captain Tarsha Laundon, Lieutenant Vikki Song and Captain Lesley Newton collecting at a Bunnings on Sydney’s northern beaches. BY LAUREN MARTIN The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal Weekend has concluded for another year, and those on the frontline are telling stories of meaningful connections with members of the public. “There is always someone that comes up and tells us a story of how the Salvos has helped them or someone they know, I love it!” One volunteer said, after their collecting shift on the weekend. Another collector, long-term volunteer and soldier Don Archer, came across a woman whose husband had passed away that morning. She approached him as he was collecting and asked him to pray for her. He did so immediately. “He also spoke with a man who told him he became a Christian as a result of The Salvation Army ministry whilst in prison,” said Don’s wife, Jean. “What a sacred trust we have wearing our Army uniform.” Captain Lesley Newton, a chaplain at Elizabeth Jenkins Place Aged Care Centre, collected at various locations on Sydney’s northern beaches. She said she had had “lots of conversations over the last week”, with many people telling her how much they loved The Salvation Army. She said some thanked her that The Salvation Army still took singular donations. Whether wearing an officer’s or soldier’s uniform or a volunteer bib, The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal is always about more than collecting. NSW/ACT Divisional Commander Major Robyn Black spent her collection hours in prayer for meaningful interactions. NSW/ACT Divisional Commander Major Robyn Black shares a smile with passers-by as she collects in western Sydney. “To be honest, it’s never about the money. I love the idea that by smiling and saying hello to people, I might bring joy, and often people stop to talk about life,” she said. Captain Pete Brookshaw, from Waverley Corps in Melbourne, said the Red Shield Appeal weekend was busy but fruitful. “My 15-year-old son Elijah collected at a shopping centre with his sister. An older lady gave them a pack of lollies to thank them for collecting. Then Elijah saw a man [who appeared to be experiencing homelessness] sitting out the front of the shops. He proceeded to give him the lollies, invite him to church and even laid his hand on his shoulder and prayed for him.” Elijah Brookshaw, who collected with his sister in Melbourne, took the opportunity to pray with a man. Sydney soldier Brooke Sellars has been collecting for the Red Shield Appeal every year since she was a baby. She reflected this year that now her children have been collecting for the appeal every year since they were babies. “I think it’s important to show them that by sacrificing just a couple of hours of our time, we can make such a difference in somebody’s life,” she said. “Whether that difference comes from the money we raise collecting, or whether it is just by having a conversation with somebody who is walking past our bucket who is struggling with the heaviness of life. Showing kindness and being selfless can honestly change somebody’s life, no matter how old or young you are.” Sydney Salvationist Brooke Sellars has been Red Shield Appeal collecting since she was a baby, and has been collecting with her children since they were babies. South of Sydney, a collector in northern Wollongong was able to refer a man to The Salvation Army’s Positive Lifestyle Program: “I don’t know if he will follow through with it, but we had a long conversation and I listened as he explained the relationship issues he was having with family members. He felt heard and valued.” And they’re the connections that matter. The Bible promises us that “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). So, if we can trust in the Lord to resource his mission in this world, we can simply enjoy the relational connections that fundraising during the Red Shield Appeal brings our way. Thank you Jesus! Collectors were out an about on the waterfront at Newcastle (NSW) over the Red Shield Appeal weekend.

To read Ted’s Promoted to Glory notice and appointment history, click here

Lieutenant Jose Porcia delivers his heartfelt and inspiring testimony at the Gold Coast Red Shield Appeal launch. The Gold Coast launched its Red Shield Appeal with a breakfast at the Crowne Plaza on 26 May with 240 people gathered for the event. The room was an energised mix of corporate leaders, local philanthropists, business people, individuals and students, united in support of a shared cause as together they raised funds for The Salvation Army’s work in the community. Master of ceremonies Councillor Glenn Tozer welcomed everyone to the launch, including Commissioner Miriam Gluyas and other Salvation Army leaders. Tahana Turner, Queensland Divisional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Coordinator, gave an Acknowledgement of Country, encouraging everyone to help bring hope to our great nation. Divisional Commander Major Mark Everitt made some opening comments, speaking about the social and financial crises locally and nationally. He thanked those gathered, not just for their generosity in giving financially, but in their choosing to care and wanting to make meaningful change. “This reminds us that we’re part of a nation, not just individuals navigating life alone,” he said. “You become part of someone’s turning point when you give. You help create stability where there is uncertainty, and you bring hope to people where and when it’s needed most.” In his address, Councillor Mark Hammel, Deputy Mayor, City of Gold Coast, took time to acknowledge those in the room with lived experience of homelessness, family and domestic violence, housing insecurity, food insecurity, and other forms of significant hardship. “You are the reason this room matters,” he said. “Your presence ensures the conversation is grounded … that behind every one of those statistics is a person, a story and often a long and difficult journey.” Councillor Hammel also announced a gift of $380,000 to the Red Shield Appeal. Councillor Mark Hammel addresses the launch breakfast. Keynote speaker, Rod McGeoch AO, Emeritus Chairman of Chubb Insurances, spoke of his long association with and support for The Salvation Army, particularly with major building appeals. “As a lawyer, I have a licence to practise law, and it’s a privilege,” he said. “And with that comes a responsibility to protect the public interest, and I take that very seriously.” Rod shared how in Peru, he saw the mayor of Lima intensely concerned about the plight of the homeless and not wanting to move them on for the sake of convenience. He spoke about how that had made a deep impact on him. “We have an obligation to do something about the needs of all human beings – we are in this together, we have common needs, so please support The Salvation Army, this fantastic organisation that does so much for people,” he said. Rod McGeoch (right) proudly shows off his Salvos socks, with Lieutenant Jose Porcia and Commissioner Miriam Gluyas. Lieutenant Jose Porcia had all in the room riveted to the stage as he shared his testimony titled ‘From garbage to grace’. The audience laughed and cried as Jose shared his journey from moving to Australia from the Philippines as a teenager, finishing his education and gaining work in the banking sector. A chance experience with drugs in 2003 led to a 13-year addiction that included times in hospital and prison. After a reality check after being released from prison, Jose attended, and completed, the treatment program at The Salvation Army’s Adele House, Coffs Harbour. “Most significant of all in my journey was The Salvation Army,” Jose shared. “The people there lived, loved and fought alongside me in the early days when I couldn’t live, love and fight myself,” he said. He then told of how an amazing encounter with God and the support of The Salvation Army then led him to repentance, completing university, and becoming a Salvation Army officer. READ MORE: Meaningless-becomes-meaningful-for-Jose An opportunity to donate to the Red Shield Appeal was then allocated, with most people using the QR code to access services. Salvation Army table representatives assisted with this process as needed. Commissioner Miriam Gluyas took to the stage to present The Salvation Army Others Award to the Crowne Plaza, who have supported the breakfast for many years, as well as officer retreats and other Salvation Army events. General Manager Crowne Plaza, Jason Farnworth, accepted the award. Councillor Glenn Tozer (right) with Jason Farnworth, General Manager Crowne Plaza, and the Others Award. “You have been doing this for a long, long time, and you’ve blessed us in so many ways,” said Miriam. “We are so very, very grateful and your heart in doing this for so long has meant that so many people are blessed.” “It’s always a pleasure for our team,” Jason shared. “I hope you’ve enjoyed the breakfast this morning, and it’s our contribution to give back for such a worthy cause. I’m honoured to receive this on behalf of the team.” Miriam closed the event, thanking those present for their “next level” support when it comes to great need.

Ebola education and training is part of The Salvation Army's response to the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Salvation Army is standing with communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), supporting Ebola response efforts through health education, hygiene programs and medical equipment support. Authorities in the DRC and Uganda have confirmed a new outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus, according to the latest epidemiological bulletin released on 17 May 2026. Affected areas The primary location affected in the DRC is the Ituri Province (Bunia, Mongbwalu and Rwampara) with confirmation of spread to North Kivu and South Kivu including Goma. At the time of writing, there are between 900 and 906 suspected cases of which 101-105 have been confirmed and over 200 suspected deaths of which 10 have been confirmed. In Uganda, there have been seven confirmed cases and one confirmed death. Emergency response Public health officials in the DRC have launched emergency response measures, including contact tracing, case isolation and laboratory testing, as efforts intensify to prevent wider transmission. Surveillance teams are also monitoring neighbouring areas for additional suspected cases. The outbreak comes as the region continues to face multiple public health challenges, placing increased pressure on health-care systems already responding to complex needs. The previous outbreak of the virus in 2025 in Kasai Province claimed 45 lives. As such, international health agencies are expected to support containment operations and reinforce preparedness measures across affected communities. Prevention and awareness During previous Ebola outbreaks, The Salvation Army has contributed to response efforts in the DRC by providing public health education, hygiene programs and medical equipment. Its teams have distributed handwashing and hygiene kits to hundreds of schools, churches and mosques within impacted regions, while also training thousands of community leaders on Ebola prevention and awareness. Salvation Army teams distribute handwashing kits. The movement has additionally supplied local clinics with protective equipment, such as gloves, masks, goggles, boots and biohazard suits, to help safeguard health-care workers treating suspected Ebola virus patients. Plans are underway to carry out similar actions for this response. Working alongside regional health authorities, The Salvation Army says its response focuses on limiting transmission through education campaigns, improving sanitation practices and reducing stigma surrounding infected individuals and affected families.

To read Keith’s Promoted to Glory notice and appointment record, click here

To read Margaret’s Promoted to Glory notice and appointment record, click here

Last year, the Salvos' Josiah Van Niekerk was part of distributing $1.3 million worth of material aid across the region. Photo courtesy the Colac Herald and Clint Gibbs. BY LERISSE SMITH Demand for material aid is surging at an unprecedented rate at Colac Salvos. Food parcels and everyday essentials that once offered short-term relief have become a weekly lifeline for hundreds of struggling families. “It has gone bonkers,” says Josiah Van Niekerk, Corps Leader of Colac Corps. “People are making impossible choices every week – between rent, power, fuel and food. For many families, there’s simply nothing left at the end.” The numbers tell the story. Last year alone, the Colac region distributed $1.3 million worth of material aid - the largest amount in the program’s history. More than 210 tonnes of support flowed through the service, reaching around 2,500 people – equating to 900 households – on a recurring basis But behind the statistics is a harder truth: for many, this is no longer emergency support. It’s survival. “We are seeing about 60 to 70 per cent [of people coming in] weekly nearly completely dependent on it,” Josiah explains. “What we’re seeing now is long-term hardship. People aren’t just coming through once in a crisis anymore – they’re relying on this support week after week just to get by.” Some collect only part of what they’re entitled to – a quarter here, half there, or a smaller portion – because their presence at the corps is for one all-important reason, something harder to quantify. “They’re mainly here because this is the only place that they feel safe,” says the Corps Leader. “Or they have relationships. “This is their family.” That sense of belonging has transformed the aid hub into something more than a distribution centre. Amongst the hardship are many moments of warmth and celebration, including birthday parties for people who otherwise might not have anyone to celebrate with. “It’s so beautiful,” Josiah reflects. “It’s good fun.” The growing crisis has also sparked bigger thinking. Over the past two years, the organisation has partnered with Deakin University to map how people across the region access healthy food. Now, the focus is shifting to helping other communities. Attention is turning beyond Colac itself, with discussions underway alongside Corangamite Shire about how to support other townships and communities across the region. “How do we get even more material aid into another town that’s even more isolated than Colac?” Josiah asks. “That’s what we’re in the throes of right now .... Food availability is not really an issue. There is ample food for everyone in the community if they can’t afford it. But we just need to get it there.” For Josiah, the scale of the challenge is daunting – but also energising. What began as a response to immediate need has evolved into a broader mission to strengthen entire communities. “It’s really exciting to know that over the last three years we’ve been able to cover over a large problem, and we are able to be in that space now where we can sustain that,” he says. “Now we’re looking at other areas that we are responsible for that God has called us [to] and that need our help.” READ MORE: Colac’s tent ‘empire’ traced back to a single act of kindness And while the operation now moves tonnes of aid and supports thousands of people, Josiah is quick to point out that much of it hinges on a dedicated team. “We’ve got a Material Aid Coordinator. She’s paid 15 hours a week,” he remarks. “And it really just wouldn’t be possible without her. She does a phenomenal job.”

Maria Anderson speaking at the DHQ Reconciliation Event yesterday. Image: Kirralee Nicolle BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE The Salvation Army in Adelaide yesterday launched National Reconciliation Week with events at Ingle Farm Corps and Divisional Headquarters (DHQ). The All In for Reconciliation Breakfast at Ingle Farm was hosted by the Youth Engagement team, with Youth Engagement Manager Celeste Lewis and Youth Participation Lead Zoe Lewis organising for the group to watch a portion of the National Reconciliation Week Breakfast held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, as well as short addresses by Social Mission State Manager Michelle McGeachie and Divisional Commander Captain Scott Frame. Later in the day, the DHQ Reconciliation Event was hosted by Maria Anderson, Divisional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Coordinator SA/NT. Staff and personnel from across the division gathered for a Reconciliation service and morning tea. The Acknowledgement of Country was given by Executive Assistant Meredith Watson. Maria spoke of two men who, despite coming from different backgrounds, represented similar hearts for justice, compassion and humanity – William Booth and William Cooper. She reflected on the three things William Booth believed in: soup, soap and salvation. “That's all it was,” she said. “In Alice Springs, this is exactly what I witnessed. Soup, soap and salvation with the work that we were doing at the Waterhole. “And I went, ‘wow, this is how simple it is’. Meeting people's practical needs while also bringing hope, dignity and love. He dedicated his life to standing beside those society often overlooked.” She then spoke of how William Cooper, a proud Yorta Yorta man, grew up during a time when Aboriginal people experienced discrimination, dispossession and control over their lives. She then told of how Cooper became one of Australia’s strongest Aboriginal advocates for justice and equality. “As he grew older, he saw the unfair treatment Aboriginal people faced and refused to stay silent. He organised petitions calling for Aboriginal representatives to be in parliament, to talk about equal rights and better treatment for First Nations people. At a time when Aboriginal voices were rarely heard, William Cooper stood with courage and dignity,” Maria said. Maria said one of Cooper’s most remarkable acts was leading a protest against the persecution of Jewish people in 1938. “Even while his own people were suffering injustice, he stood up for others experiencing oppression. This showed the depth of his compassion and humanity. “Although these two men lived in different worlds, they shared so much in common. Both saw suffering around them and choose not to walk away from it. Both believed each person had value and dignity, both challenge injustice and inspired people to care for others in a practical and meaningful way. “These stories remind us that reconciliation is not about words. It's about action. It's about listening deeply, walking together, sharing, standing for truth and caring for one another with respect and compassion. So may we continue to build bridges of understanding, learn from one another and create a future where all people can walk together in unity and hope.” Captain Scott Frame spoke at the DHQ service about how if The Salvation Army and its people were going to do the reconciliation journey really well, they were going to honour history, hear people’s hearts and hold onto hope. Captain Scott Frame at the DHQ event. Image: Kirralee Nicolle “Those three things really mean a lot to me,” he said. He spoke about the challenges of honouring history in a nation where many people did not want to acknowledge the harms which had been done toward Indigenous Australians, and how yarning circles could make a huge difference in enabling people from all backgrounds to hear each other’s voices and perspectives. He honoured the resilience of Indigenous Australians who had faced so much grief and loss both in the past and in recent times, and how they demonstrated how to keep going when it felt like nothing would change. He also spoke of the power of being “little agents of change” who, instead of doing anything magnificent, simply made small choices to foster reconciliation in their lives and roles. “What do we do?” Scott asked the crowd. “We hold onto hope. We keep believing that something can be different, and that we can be part of seeing that happen. I urge all of you to continue to be on that journey and to hold onto hope, because we can't rely on governments and big answers out there. We've got to rely on the good-heartedness of all of the people of this nation to bring this about, and I have that hope in my heart and that sense that it can make a difference.” The National Reconciliation Week Breakfast at Ingle Farm Corps, South Australia. Images: Jess Edgecomb

Captain Andrew Webb teaching a theology class in north-west Tasmania. Image: Supplied BY LAUREN MARTIN Captain Andrew Webb, Corps Officer at both Ulverstone and Burnie Corps, has a Masters in Theological Studies. Rather than just sharing that knowledge from the pulpit, the North-West Tasmanian officer has decided to run free theology classes for anyone interested. By starting the free theology classes, Andrew says he’s simply doing what Jesus did in sitting down with people and teaching them. “If I’ve been given the spiritual gift of teaching and I’m not using it to build up the body of believers – what am I doing?” “I disagree with the concept of a division between clergy and lay people and education has been one of the markers of that,” he says. “It shouldn’t be that the person up the front has all the knowledge and the congregation have to adopt everything they say. I want people to have the tools and knowledge to judge what is right doctrine. I want theology to be accessible.” The first course that Andrew offered through Ulverstone Salvos and to the wider north-west Tasmanian community was ‘Exploring the Old Testament’. The next year they did ‘Exploring the New Testament’ and now he’s teaching ‘Introduction to Theology’. These are courses that people could do through a registered theological college, but often people have difficulty accessing online content, and there are no colleges within driving distance. Across eight consecutive Monday nights at Ulverstone Corps, and Wednesday mornings at Burnie Corps, the lights go on, and people from all different denominations arrive for the class. One night at Ulverstone, a gentleman who had never been before walked inside. He had just noticed that the building was open, and thought he could volunteer if there was a community activity happening. When Andrew told him he was teaching a theology class, he asked, “Have you got room for one more?” Ever since he started the theology classes, Andrew has never had less than 15 in a cohort. He says he looks forward to the classes, as teaching stretches and matures his own understanding. “I also learn because they share their points of view and it helps to mature my thinking. If you are only getting an academic point of view, it’s one sided. The students carry a very practical theology. They explain how they see God working and active. We have great conversations and great debates.” Andrew is currently working on a submission for a doctorate. He is passionate about writing about the Atonement from a Salvationist point of view. The goal of his PhD is to find a way of viewing what happened on the Cross in a way which enhances the rest of The Salvation Army’s practical theological framework. But that’s all just a side-hustle alongside his role as Corps Officer, where, alongside his wife LC, they oversee the congregations, as well as the busy weekday mission and ministry that includes a hub of numerous Salvation Army services. LC is the ministry assistant at Burnie Corps, as well as overseeing the vital community support teams at both locations. She is also studying a Bachelor of Theology in her “spare time”. She is passionate about discipleship and raising up people who know Jesus deeply. Burnie Corps Ministry Assistant LC Webb is also studying a Bachelor of Theology. Image: Supplied “One of the things that I know is when the church starts to take ownership of their church, it’s more difficult for the Devil to take hold,” she says. The Salvation Army’s National Spiritual Life Committee has been getting feedback from the Army’s frontline about the Army’s spiritual pulse. Recent feedback from the Victoria Division Spiritual Life Forum was that “in some places there is a real hunger for God’s Word and a growing depth in mentoring and faith formation. At the same time, though, there are identified gaps in Biblical literacy and the need to rebuild strong discipleship foundations.” For Andrew, that was the case when he arrived at Ulverstone Salvos. “I realised that our people really have a hunger to grow in their understanding of God, faith and the church. They really do care, but haven’t had the formal training opportunities that I have had. Only attending on Sundays and then maybe a Bible study is not enough.” He says many don’t know about resources like Bible commentaries or BibleHub. “The free theology classes are about resourcing and equipping them so we can go on that deep discipleship journey together.”

Major Stuart Glover (Assistant Chief Secretary for Business), Major Kim Haworth (Assistant Chief Secretary for Mission), Chris Waixel (Divisional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Coordinator) and Major Priya Morgan (Mission Coordination and Support) at the Blackburn NRW Chapel Service. Image: Supplied BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE Today, the final day of National Reconciliation Week, marks Mabo Day. This day commemorates the life and work of Eddie Koiki Mabo, the courageous Torres Strait Islander man whose challenge to the High Court in 1992 led to the Native Title Act being passed in 1993. This day, and the week we have just had, act as a reminder to all Salvationists and Australians of the need to keep prioritising the journey toward reconciliation. The Salvation Army’s Stretch RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) was launched one year ago during National Reconciliation Week 2025. Since then, Reconciliation Action Plan and Projects Manager Sue Hodges, along with other members of the Mission Portfolio and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministry Team, has rolled out a list of 127 deliverables for teams across The Salvation Army. These deliverables are categorised according to relationships, respect, opportunities and governance, and are the responsibility of various members of leadership and department heads across the movement. RAP progress The first RAP deliverable to be completed in September 2025 was the launch of the RAP Applications, which is a place for Salvation Army personnel to register First Nations events, log progress on RAP commitments, capture and share local knowledge and undertake a Cultural Safety Checklist to ensure spaces are culturally safe. In November, The Salvation Army also launched its Reconciliation Ally Guunung (Circle/Camp). These yarning circles provide a dedicated space for non-Indigenous personnel to continue learning, deepen allyship and actively contribute to the reconciliation journey. This now has 55 members and meets quarterly. The next meeting is on Thursday 9 July. The Salvation Army has also established a RAP Working Group which consists of 14 members of senior leadership who meet quarterly to discuss the RAP progress according to the Terms of Reference. Another commitment which is on track for 100 per cent completion by August 2027 is the reviewing and updating of cultural protocol resources to increase understanding of their purpose and significance, including Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols. This has been led by Shirli Congoo, General Manager of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministry Team, and includes the following – a recently released, updated Acknowledgment of Country, filmed by the Salvos Studios team. On Tuesday 19 May, Sue Hodges led a Yarning Circle with National Reconciliation Australia’s RAP Program Manager Gieta Seymour and Lynette Trau, RAP Officer, Development and Outreach at Reconciliation Australia. The Yarning Circle was timed to mark two important milestones – 25 years of Reconciliation, and 20 years of the Reconciliation Action Plan. Reconciliation Australia's Gieta Seymour. Image: Supplied With 44 people registering to attend, 80 per cent of that number was present. This was the second yarning circle Sue facilitated this year, with the first occurring in March and featuring Katie Kiss, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. There are four more yarning circles to come this year, with dates still to be finalised. National Reconciliation Week This National Reconciliation Week, every division and many corps have held their own events, with many hosting chapel services, morning teas, lunches or café gatherings. These included chapel services at Blackburn and Redfern offices, as well as a chapel service led by Divisional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Coordinator Maria Anderson at Divisional Headquarters in Adelaide. Salvos Stores personnel with Sue Hodges (top right) and images from the Blackburn Reconciliation Week event. Images: Supplied The Salvation Army’s Ringwood Corps from Victoria also recently appeared as part of a compilation of choirs across the nation singing Midnight Oil’s “Beds are Burning” to mark National Reconciliation Week. The corps were selected as part of 700 choir submissions, and can be seen at around the 2:50 mark in the video below. A year on, Shirli Congoo has taken some time to reflect on the work that has happened so far, and the ways in which collaboration is driving the RAP’s progress within the movement. Shirli's RAP reflection Our team exists to walk alongside The Salvation Army in advancing reconciliation and growing cultural capability and confidence. Since the Stretch RAP was launched in 2026, we have seen a genuine desire – especially at the frontline – to engage more deeply, not only with the RAP, but also with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competency and Capability Framework (CCCF). This reflects a growing commitment to First Nations engagement, recruitment and retention, cultural learning and cultural safety. Stretch RAPs invite organisations to move beyond intention into deeper action and accountability. We are encouraged by the way this is creating space across TSA for more honest conversations, stronger relationships, and a shared commitment to doing the work well. Through the local mission delivery model, we walk alongside different parts of The Salvation Army that are seeking to live out holistic, integrated mission – supporting both spiritual and social transformation within communities. The RAP includes a broad range of deliverables shared across many roles, functions, and leaders. Within this, our role is to support and enable, offering guidance, resources, and collaboration, while recognising that accountability sits across the organisation. In our relationships across TSA, we contribute through cultural advice, advocacy, resource development and partnership. This helps strengthen culturally informed practice, deepen relationships, and support thoughtful, respectful decision-making beyond formal frameworks. We are guided by cultural principles in how we show up – building trust, honouring First Nations voices and knowledge, and encouraging shared responsibility. This is lived out through topical Yarning Circles (online and face-to-face), On Country Cultural Immersions, National Working Groups, and the development of culturally grounded resources and learning. This approach recognises that we do not carry all RAP and CCCF outcomes. Instead, we walk alongside others – supporting capability, encouraging consistency, and helping embed culturally informed ways of working across The Salvation Army. The National Reconciliation Week theme, All In, reflects what we are seeing and what we are committed to: walking together, learning together, and taking shared responsibility for what comes next.

Each week through 2026, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for the same territory or region of The Salvation Army. Prayer requests are shared by the territory/region to help us pray with precision and power for one another. This week (1-7 June) we pray for The Salvation Army in the Norway, Iceland and the Faeroes Territory. The Territory has 298 officers (132 active, 166 retired); 6 envoys; 88 corps; 186 societies; 3933 senior soldiers; 1896 adherents; 5 accepted candidates; 10 junior soldiers. Commissioners Knud and Lisbeth Welander lead the territory. The work of the territory includes: · Addiction rehabilitation services · Homelessness services · Support for older people · Modern slavery and human trafficking response Praise points: · We give thanks for the young people growing up in The Salvation Army in Norway, Iceland and the Faeroes. · We thank God for the possibilities and opportunities we have to serve our society, especially those experiencing challenges in their lives. We are also thankful for the support and trust we receive from people, the authorities, and our partners. · We give thanks for the five candidates who have been accepted for training and are planning to begin their training in August 2026. Prayer requests: · Pray for the young people in TSA within our territory, that each of them may understand their great value to God and to us. · Pray that we may have the wisdom to love and listen to them, so that they may grow and recognise their importance today and, in the years, to come. · Pray for new people – children, youth, and adults – to come to us, feel at home, come to know Jesus, become disciples, and become members of The Salvation Army. · Pray for all those who come to our welfare centres and corps seeking help during these difficult times of rising costs. Pray that they may feel valued and seen. · Pray for God's help in opening our communities to immigrants and refugees, and in strengthening our commitment to serving beyond our own countries. · Pray for all officers, staff and volunteers who serve people on the frontline. We pray for courage, strength and blessing. · Pray for our training college and the new cadets coming this (northern) autumn to prepare for officership and for God to use them to encourage others to seek God's plan for their future. · Pray for The Salvation Army worldwide and our partners serving in projects around the world. To find out more about the Norway, Iceland and the Faeroes Territory, click here. To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, and to download the 2026 prayer schedule, click here.