Did you know?
Did you know?
18 February 2022
The Salvation Army has released its latest Bushfire Disaster Appeal report and 2020-21 Annual Report.
Annual Report for 2020-21 released
The Salvation Army has released its 2020-21 Annual Report, highlighting its work across Australian cities, country towns, and remote communities.
As a Christian movement united by faith, the Salvos work with individuals and families nationwide without discrimination to support those facing hardship or injustice and provide spiritual and social support to those in need.
For over 140 years, Salvos have been helping those doing it tough through our programs and services, op shops, and Salvos centres. We assist people experiencing homelessness, addiction or domestic and family violence, those needing financial assistance or help with employment, and much more.
This report covers the social work of the Salvos in Australia. This work is also underpinned by 278 corps across the country. Below is a snapshot of this diverse and life-changing work. Download the report here
Bushfire Disaster Appeal Report published
The Salvation Army has released its second 12-month Bushfire Disaster Appeal Report detailing its work between November 2020 and November 2021.
The report focuses on people impacted by the fires, from the early stages of recovery to the later stages of rebuilds and re-establishing lives. There is also a comprehensive breakdown of how funds donated to the national Bushfire Disaster Appeal have been distributed to people in affected communities.
As of 10 November 2021, $60.62m in direct financial assistance had been distributed by the Salvos to assist more than 13,000 people impacted by the fires. About 29,650 grants had been provided to those who experienced extreme hardship or loss of residence, and 8559 Moneycare financial counselling sessions were given to help people and communities manage their money during recovery and beyond. In addition, $180,000 from the Salvos (non-appeal money) also contributed directly to response and recovery efforts.
Supporting recovery has been a collective effort, as well as an ongoing journey, and the Salvos are grateful to all those who gave generously through donations, volunteering, and compassion.
Download the report here
Inclusion statement updated
The Salvation Army Australia has updated its National Inclusion Statement, first released in July 2021.
“The Salvation Army Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and work and pay our respect to Elders past, present, and future. We value and include people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and intersex status. We are committed to providing programs that are fully inclusive. We are committed to the safety and well-being of people of all ages, particularly children.”
The slight but important amendments to the statement demonstrate our dedication to the inclusion of all people in every engagement they have with The Salvation Army. We want it to be known that The Salvation Army is an inclusive and diverse movement that welcomes and serves all people and is committed to providing programs that fully demonstrate inclusive practice.
These changes also align with our work towards Rainbow Tick accreditation in Victoria, enabling our Social Mission Services to continue delivering outstanding work for those in need.
While the international position of The Salvation Army on marriage has not changed, as a movement, we encourage and support respectful theological and pastoral conversations on a wide range of topics under the heading of human sexuality.
“This inclusion statement stands alongside and in alignment with our existing mission, vision, and values and publicly declares that we welcome all people in every engagement they have with The Salvation Army, and we are committed to each of them feeling respected and safe,” said Colonel Winsome Merrett, Chief Secretary, The Salvation Army Australia.
MASIC discussion papers
The Australian Moral and Social Issues Council (MASIC) has released two new papers, A Guideline for Salvationists on Conversion Therapies and A Discussion Paper for Salvationists on Religious Freedom.
One of MASIC’s functions is to produce supplementary material to assist Salvationists to grow in their discipleship. Guidelines for Salvationists provide biblically-based guidance to stimulate thinking and action amongst Salvationists. Discussion Papers for Salvationists present issues of importance in a way that stimulates thought and discussion. Discussion Papers are not definitive in themselves, but are designed to help facilitate prayerful exploration by Salvationists and friends. All of these materials are approved by the national leadership of The Salvation Army in Australia.
Conversion therapies are opposed by every professional health body in Australia, including the Australian Psychological Society (APS). However, it has continued to receive support from some parts of the Christian church, including elements within The Salvation Army. This guideline examines the social, ethical, and theological dimensions of this issue for Salvationists.
“Religious Freedom, a feature of modern democracy, is the principle that people should be able to practise their religion free from government interference. Democracy also holds that one group should not be able to impose their views or their practices on the majority. For the Salvationist and Christian we ask, “How might we express our own religious freedom in a way that does not diminish the rights and freedoms of others?”.
Download the Religious Freedom paper here and download the Conversions Therapies paper here
Melbourne Staff Band presents Symphonic Sounds
Get ready for an afternoon of ‘Symphonic Sounds’ because The Melbourne Staff Band and Australian Navy Band are co-headlining a special concert on Saturday 5 March. The groups will take to the stage at the George Wood Performing Arts Centre in Ringwood, combining for a special finale presentation to conclude the concert.
When: Saturday 5 March, 3pm. Where: George Wood Performing Arts Centre, Yarra Valley Grammar School, Kalinda Road, Ringwood. Tickets: $25 adults, $20 concession, available from salvationarmy.org.au/msb.
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