“TREES ARE POEMS THAT THE EARTH WRITES UPON THE SKY.”
– KHALIL GIBRAN
What is The Salvation Army?
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church.
Vision Statement
Wherever there is hardship or injustice, Salvos will live, love and fight alongside others to transform Australia one life at a time with the love of Jesus.
Mission Statement
The Salvation Army is a Christian movement dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus by:
• Caring for people
• Creating faith pathways
• Building healthy communities
• Working for justice
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 wellbeing of people of all ages, particularly children.
People and the planet
Plastic pollution permeates every corner of the planet – including in our bodies as microplastics. World Environment Day 2025 (5 June) calls for collective action to tackle plastic pollution and the almost 400 million tonnes of plastic waste produced every year.
The ‘BeatPlasticPollution’ campaign encourages individuals, organisations, industries and governments to adopt sustainable practices that drive systemic change. Our feature this week on climate change gives readers some ideas on how each of us can really make a difference and help clean up our planet before it’s too late. The solutions and technology needed either exist or are rapidly developing, but collectively we need the will and the determination to act.
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Founders: William and Catherine Booth
Salvation Army World Leaders: General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn
Buckingham
Territorial Leader: Commissioner Miriam Gluyas
Secretary for Communications and Editor-In-Chief: Colonel Rodney Walters
Publications Manager: Cheryl Tinker
Editor: Simone Worthing
Graphic Designer: Ryan Harrison
Enquiry email: publications@salvationarmy.org.au
All other Salvation Army enquiries 13 72 58
Press date: 9 May 2025
Printed and published for The Salvation Army by Commissioner Miriam Gluyas at Focus Print Group, Chester Hill, NSW, Darug Nation lands.
This week also features personal reflections from two Salvation Army prison chaplains who provide pastoral care and support to inmates as part of their unique roles.
Richard also shares his story –contacting the Salvos after his release from prison, renewing his faith, and building a new life for himself and his family.
For these stories and more, go to salvos.org.au
Simone Worthing Editor
UNDERSTANDING SOMEONE ELSE’S STORY
The unique world of prison chaplaincy
by Major Stacey Cotton
I was rather uncertain about commencing my new role as a prison chaplain, but it became an exciting prospect for me as I was once again partnering with God, albeit in a very different type of ministry from anything I had done before.
Prison chaplaincy, like any ministry, has its own uniqueness, challenges, learning curves and expectations. Prison chaplaincy puts you faceto-face with issues that can be difficult to deal with but, remembering that Jesus never turned away from anyone who came to him in need, I trusted his Spirit as I moved into my new role.
Expectations
Every day I go to work as a chaplain, I am aware of the dos and don’ts of my role and of expectations – the government’s, The Salvation Army’s and the prisoners’.
And my own expectations – what do I want to bring to these men today? How can I encourage them when, at times, things seem so against them? How can I listen better? How can I find what they are really asking behind the words they are speaking to me? Gratefully, three days a week I travel over an hour from home so, as I drive, I have time to ponder these thoughts and try to make sure I am in line with God’s desire for my day.
I work in two prisons in Adelaide, one high security, the second, medium security. Between these two prisons, my fellow chaplaincy team mates and I work with nearly 1500 men. My work involves attending to the requests for Bibles and other religious materials. If the men request a visit from the chaplain, we
make time to catch up with them. When you spot a man who appears to be nervous, on their own or uncertain as to what is happening, a quiet “G’day, how are you doing?” is often all you need to break the barrier down. They commence talking to you about their concerns around being imprisoned for the first time, or 10th time, and I believe this helps to take away some of their anxieties.
This is where I can spend time talking with them and helping them navigate the prison systems – help them understand both the rules and opportunities the prison may present to them and what activities they can get involved with.
Listening ear
We hold chapel services for those who want to attend, and it is a delight to lead the men in worship and encourage them to
grow in, and strengthen, their faith experience by further speaking one-onone with them .
Chaplains have an amazing opportunity to talk about faith issues with the inmates when they ask questions, talk about their lapsed faith or express a desire for faith to be restored.
The prison staff may ask us to catch up with someone who needs a listening ear and compassionate heart, especially if a loved one or mate has died. Like all of us, this is a very raw and often difficult time to tread, especially when you cannot be with those you love and need at this time.
What does chaplaincy mean for me? At times, it means I wrestle with people’s situation, stories, injustices, stepping away from my own opinions, beliefs and morals, while trying to understand someone else’s story by looking at the world through their experiences and eyes.
I just pray that I will be Jesus to them, even if they don’t know it, and they are helped and comforted because they spoke to someone who cared.
Stacey focuses on having a listening ear and compassionate heart as a Salvos prison chaplain.
Salvation Army prison chaplains are available at correctional centres throughout Australia and are part of a multi-faith chaplaincy team. Where a Salvation Army chaplain is not operating in a particular prison, a referral will be passed on to another member of the chaplaincy team.
Chaplains provide a range of support to people in prison such as:
• One-on-one support – emotional, spiritual and pastoral
• Regular visits
• Chapel services
• Bible studies (not available in every prison)
• Referrals to other agencies in preparation for release
For more information, go to bit.ly/3Z8p503
THE REAL THING
Reflections of a prison chaplain
by Major David Simpkin
After I was asked if I would be interested in doing prison chaplaincy full-time, I had to wait four to six weeks for my prison pass to arrive, which seemed to take forever. Then, once my pass was approved, things moved very quickly. I went to four different prisons in one week with the Prison Chaplain Coordinator.
I remember going to one of these prisons and the manager saying, “Thank you for coming. Prisoner X has his wife in hospital dying and is not sure what is happening to the children. He is driving other inmates crazy; would you talk with him?” I said to the coordinator that he could take this one, and I would watch him. He bluntly said, “No, you’re taking this one.”
What do you say? What do you do? In the church I would take the man in my car to see his wife, but I couldn’t do this. I soon realised that chaplaincy is about listening, walking with
people and being a support to them. As someone has said, being trusted to hold somebody else’s story.
A rewarding journey
Within a few weeks I discovered that I enjoyed going into prisons. It was almost like my calling to the grassroots of society was being fulfilled. It wasn’t a chore; it was a privilege to sit and journey with these men. One thing I discovered was that these guys loved and valued their chaplain. There is such a thing as a prison persona, which inmates have for their own protection; but when they sit in front of a chaplain, they often pour their hearts out and become very open and vulnerable.
I also discovered that a lot of people were at rock bottom, and they were searching for a different way of life. They were accepting of the Christian message, of forgiveness and a new beginning.
I was in this role for seven years and most of this was personally rewarding. I moved into a community chaplaincy role for about 18 months and then was asked if my wife and I would be interested in chaplaincy at Junee Correctional Centre, near Wagga Wagga, NSW.
In many ways, this was different to the first experience as we were based at one prison and could build relationships with the staff and journey more closely with the inmates, and sometimes their families. This involved more intimate relationships and an opportunity to show the love of Jesus. With more intimate relationships comes greater accountability. More eyes are on you, watching to make sure you are genuine and sincere – the real thing.
Personal relationships
One of the programs I love is The Salvation Army’s Positive Lifestyle Program. This is an eight-session program that helps people to think about their lives differently. Those sessions give the opportunity for mentoring. The facilitator gets to know a person’s background and life, and the sad thing is that many times, the inmate has never had someone who
has taken an interest in them personally. I have seen lives change due to this simple program. It is a privilege to be a part of this.
As a chaplain, I lead worship services, run Bible studies, and facilitate other groups like Kairos, Prison Fellowship and Crossroads Bible Studies. I help people with clothing for release and provide pastoral care.
Christmas Cheer
It’s an honour to be part of The Salvation Army Christmas Cheer program. Every prisoner in the country gets a Christmas pack. Some of the prisoners don’t
Through the Christmas Cheer program, every prisoner across the country receives a special Christmas pack.
Major David Simpkin is a prison chaplain in the NSW town of Junee.
get any recognition from family at Christmas time. Just seeing the gratitude and appreciation on their faces is worth the effort – someone has taken the time to think about them.
One of the greatest joys in this ministry is when we can link inmates to Salvation Army services on the outside. For various reasons this does not happen often, but when it does, it is exciting to see the possibilities. We had one person who was concerned about his father. We rang the Corps Officer (Salvos pastor), and he went around
to see this gentleman, helped him with the original issue and then linked him to a community lunch and seniors’ program in the corps (church) and community.
I have found great satisfaction in the work I do and the people I meet. The challenge is always presenting the love of Jesus in a way that is relevant and understandable. It is a ministry where we interact with people we wouldn’t normally get to associate with, and present Jesus to them. What a privilege and great honour.
Climate change
Australia’s climate has warmed since records began in 1910. This is due to the greenhouse effect, where the level of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere act as a blanket, trapping in heat. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that this has been caused by human activities.
1.47°C WARMER
Australia’s climate has warmed by an average of 1.47°C since national records began in 1910. Global surface temperature was 1.09°C higher in the decade between 2011–2020 than in the period between 1850–1900.
There has been an increase in extreme fire weather, and a longer fire season, across large parts of Australia since the 1950s.
84% DIRECTLY AFFECTED
A Climate Council survey found that 84 per cent of respondents had been directly affected by at least one climate-fuelled disaster since 2019. The same percentage report being worried that their home insurance may become unaffordable due to worsening disasters.
$1532 AVERAGE COST PER AUSSIE HOUSEHOLD
It is estimated that the extreme weather events that happened between September 2021 and September 2022 cost every Australian household an average of $1532.
Changes in our climate have led to:
• More frequent and intense extreme weather events
• Changes to rainfall patterns
• Rising sea temperature and levels
• More hot days and fewer cold days
• Coral bleaching.
Climate change impacts go beyond the environmental impacts. Climate change will have strong impacts on physical and mental health, including those resulting from lack of access to clean water and sanitation, changes to spread in diseases, increased natural disasters, and poverty.
We are already experiencing this in Australia with disaster trends being complex, compounding and cascading, and it is expected to get worse. Climate change responses must lower emissions and help our community adapt to a changing climate. Unfortunately, people already experiencing disadvantage are more likely to be impacted negatively both by climate change and by measures to adapt. They typically have fewer resources to reduce the personal impact of climate change (such as installing solar panels or moving to a safer region) and to recover from it (such as rebuilding after a flood or fire). This means that addressing climate change is not just an environmental or economic imperative — it is a social justice priority.
For more information, download the Social Justice Stocktake 2025 at salvationarmy.org. au/socialjusticestocktake/qld/
CLIMATE CHANGE –WE HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
URGE ACTION FROM GOVERNMENTS
As a nation we can commit to deep, rapid and sustained reductions in Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions before 2030, and net zero carbon dioxide emissions by the early 2050s. At all levels of government, we can invest in, and create, policies that encourage widespread investment in renewable energy, energy conservation and efficiency, and reducing transport emissions. It is imperative that governments commit effort and resources to developing resilience and preparedness.
WE CAN IMPLEMENT CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WORKPLACES
When we are making a business decision about what we sell or purchase and how we manage waste, we can consider the climate change impact of our actions. Our community groups can support local food growers and producers, reclaim green spaces, or grow the local circular economy. When we’ve found actions that work, we can share knowledge and resources to help and encourage others in the community reduce our individual and collective footprint.
WE CAN HAVE INFLUENCE IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES
We can commit to one change to reduce our individual greenhouse gas footprint. This could look like eating more sustainable and healthy meals once a week, reducing our food waste, catching public transport, cycling or walking instead of driving, or changing the energy sources we rely on.
Our common home
Protecting people and the planet
by Major Melanie-Anne Holland
In recent weeks, the world has marked the passing of Pope Francis with sadness and reflection; his impact reaching far beyond the Roman Catholic Church. The international leader of The Salvation Army, General Lyndon Buckingham, joined many other Christian leaders for the Pope’s funeral mass on St Peter’s Square. Pope Francis’ legacy of advocacy for economic justice and the wellbeing of the poor, as well as his
example in humble service and inclusion, will continue to inspire Christians around the world.
Of particular impact is the Pope’s encyclical ‘Laudato Si’, which communicated the imperatives of environmental care from a Christian perspective, urging the Church toward a more considerate and sustainable future, protecting both planet and people out of our love for Christ.
Ecological impact
This call to care for Our Common Home reached across faith traditions, inspiring billions to consider their ecological impact and how we might collectively respond to the need around us.
As the global community observes World Environment Day 2025 (5 June), we are encouraged to join together in our shared humanity to safeguard and restore the environment. Governments,
businesses, communities and individuals can all work together to become more sustainable, and support the flourishing of all life.
Pope Francis shared this vision, stating, “As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil and pollute our seas, we betray that noble calling.”
The Salvation Army’s
commitment is that “In its operations, among its people and through its public influence, The Salvation Army seeks to foster a culture of sustainability with a focus on long-term environmental solutions” (International Positional Statement on Caring for the Environment). This commitment is broadreaching and practical, including our policies, our purchases, practices and education. In Australia,
this belief has led to the development of solar farms, community gardens and specialist recycling initiatives. For stories on how the Salvos are doing this, go to salvosonline. org.au.
All of this comes from a place of faith, believing that “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24, verse 1); a beautiful, wonderful and endlessly fascinating place, to be treated with love, consideration and care.
Never again
Salvos help Richard keep promise to his kids
by Lerisse Smith
Richard Smyth remembers clearly the day he walked out of jail with nothing but a tightly packed bag of clothes. To call it humbling would be an understatement.
“I lost everything,” says Richard from his Sunshine Coast home. “My house, work, being present and engaged with my four kids while in jail, my trucks, cars – just everything.”
Eight years on, Richard’s life has been transformed thanks to support from the Salvos, who provided practical and emotional help after his incarceration. Today, he lives with his wife Jess – whom he met through the Salvos – and their large, blended family of 14 children, seven of whom live at home, including a two-year-old boy.
Richard says that if his kids are happy, he’s happy. His faith in God is also a great source of strength and purpose.
But the scars of prison and the painful lessons from his
past – shaped by drug and alcohol abuse – still linger. His two-year sentence left deep marks, and Richard remains committed to ensuring his children never see him behind bars again.
A special space
He now shares his story through the Caloundra Salvos’ Just Men group, a confidential space where men can be open and authentic.
“I think it’s pretty special that we can talk so honestly about life. We reflect on church, the sermons – not in a super spiritual way, just real.
Some men there have also been in jail. I thought drugs and alcohol were the answer, but I never found purpose until I found God and the Salvos.”
The group’s camaraderie has been especially vital in helping Richard navigate through some personal challenges – especially in the space of 12 months when he underwent a triple bypass, broke his back, lost his mother,
suffered a stroke at Christmas, and was bitten by a poisonous snake.
“I’m like a cat – I’ve used up many lives,” he jokes.
“It’s not my time. Even the doctors can’t believe I’m still here. I had a heart attack once at 5am and kept working until 9am before going to the hospital. God has a purpose for me.”
Giving back
For Richard, that purpose lies in giving back. He still remembers receiving a self-care pack from the Salvos while in jail.
“I couldn’t believe they would do that for me,” he says. “I asked the prison chaplain how to get involved with the Salvos. He told me to go and see them once I was released.”
And he did. After meeting with a social worker and joining the Doorways program, Richard, a professional landscaper, began volunteering at Caloundra Salvos. There, he met a friend who invited him to church. Encouraged by his
I never found purpose until I found God and the Salvos.
Richard (left) shares his story of grace and freedom with the Salvos ‘ Just Men’ group.
Richard and his wife Jess had their baby boy dedicated at Caloundra Salvos in 2023.
daughter, the family began attending, and Richard soon gave his life to Christ.
From there, everything began to shift. He met Jess at Salvos Connect, found work and joined Just Men. His daughters also became Junior Soldiers (members) at church.
“My bad mistakes and poor decisions led me to being in prison. I had
to own [that],” he says. “When I started going to church, I had such a big burden and guilt. But some songs really touched me … words from the hymn, Amazing Grace – ‘My chains are broken, I’ve been set free.’ And I had four big reasons to change – my kids. I made a promise to my kids they will never see me again in prison.”
Today, Richard is a strong presence in the Just Men group, welcoming newcomers and sharing openly.
“To be open and honest with people takes a bit of trust,” he says. “It’s pretty special. I like welcoming new members to the group … It’s a great place to be – and I look forward to being involved for a long time to come.”
�� Teriyaki beef
Ingredients
2 tsp oil; 600g steak, thinly sliced; 1 onion, cut into wedges; 1 cup broccoli; 1 cup carrots, sliced; ⅔ cup teriyaki sauce; ½ cup walnuts, rice or noodles to serve Method
Heat oil in a frying pan over high heat.
Add 1/3 of the beef and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Transfer to bowl and repeat twice.
Heat remaining oil, adding onion, broccoli and carrots. Stir-fry for 5 minutes until tender.
Return beef to pan with sauce and walnuts. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until sauce boils and thickens slightly.
Serve with rice or noodles.
☺ Believe in Good: Tips
Global Day of Parents – 1 June
Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word, movement and action has an effect. No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than the parent. – Bob Keeshan
Take time this week to thank and encourage parents around you.
1. The first bicycle was the ‘velocipede’, invented in the 1860s. What was the country of origin?
2. The ‘high wheel’, which used a large front wheel and small rear wheel, was also known as what?
3. What race is considered the world’s most prestigious and difficult bicycle race?
4. How many bicycles are there in Amsterdam, the cycling capital of Europe?
5. How much faster than walking is cycling?
On which page of this week’s Salvos Magazine is Tum-Tum hiding?
PHOTO KAREN MASTERS
What am I?
I am one of the world’s most famous museums.
I am home to some of the most well-known and viewed works of western art.
First opened in 1793 with 537 paintings, I now display around 35,000 works of art.
I house approximately 500,000 objects
around the world, making me the largest museum in the world.
✏ Answers
Quiz: 1. France 2. The pennyfarthing 3. The Tour de France 4. About 800,000. 5. Three times faster. I am: The Louvre. Tum-Tum: is peeking over David’s shoulder on page 7.
�� Sudoku
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
How do bikes help the environment?
What do you call a door-to-door bicycle salesman?
Why are bank tellers not allowed to ride bicycles?
How did the barber win the bike race? By recycling. A peddler. They tend to lose their balance. He took a shortcut.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19, verse 1 New International Version
Have you taken care of your Will?
Find out how you can start or continue your legacy of generosity. Contact The Salvation Army’s Wills and Bequests team and ask for a free Wills booklet.
Together, we can give hope where it’s needed most long into the future. A gift in your Will can help The Salvation Army create a
