On October 15, people around the world will observe Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. While pregnancy and infant loss (PAIL) is often considered a taboo topic, the experience is relatively common. About 1 in 5 pregnancies in Canada ends in miscarriage. And around the world, approximately 1 in 6 people, women and men, experience infertility.

There is a great pastoral need to support those experiencing PAIL and childlessness. So, how can we respond?

In this episode, Captain Tinisha Reid, corps officer at Edmonton Temple, shares about her own experience of pregnancy loss and infertility, and Captain Laura van Schaick, divisional director of women’s ministries in Ontario, walks us through a Salvation Army resource for hosting a "Hannah Service."

Hannah Service Resources

When you look at trends in the church today, the news isn’t always encouraging. Attendance has declined in recent years, and many churches have struggled to find their footing again following the pandemic.

But the big trends don't tell the whole story. In this episode, we are looking at a new, exciting movement towards church revitalization in The Salvation Army. Majors Bill and Debra Blackman share their hands-on experience with corps revitalization at Cariboo Hill Temple in Burnaby, B.C. And Major Everett Barrow of the territorial corps mission department talks about a new corps revitalization guide that is being rolled out, and how the Army can embrace what God is doing in Canada and Bermuda today.

Links:

Corps mission website
Cariboo Hill Temple website

**Guide now available for download here.

There are two important days of remembrance and action this month: the Salvation Army's International Day of Prayer for Victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking on September 22, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.

These two issues are not unrelated. Indigenous women and girls make up about 50 percent of trafficking victims in Canada, despite only being about 5% of the country’s population. Why is this happening? And how can we stop it?

In this episode, Major Ray Lamont (territorial modern slavery and human trafficking response co-ordinator for Canada and Bermuda) and Captain Crystal Porter (territorial Indigenous ministries consultant) talk about the why behind this staggering statistic. And we look at how the Army is currently fighting modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT) in our territory, and how Salvationists can walk the road of justice and reconciliation year round.

MSHT Info and Resources

Salvation Army MSHT Response Website
Resources for the Day of Prayer for Victims of MSHT
MSHT Training

Indigenous Ministries

Salvation Army Indigenous Ministries Website
Resources for Truth and Reconciliation Sunday (Orange Shirt Day)
General Resources

What place does The Salvation Army have in the halls of government? Aren't we supposed to be "apolitical"?

On this episode, we get political with Major Rick Zelinsky, territorial director of public affairs. Major Zelinsky gives us an inside look at the recent Salvation Army Week on the Hill, which brought 60 Army representatives to Ottawa to influence and inform lawmakers and politicians on behalf of the people we serve.

And we look at the "how" and "why" behind events like Hill Week—how the Army uses its voice to address issues such as poverty and gender-based violence; and why public affairs is kingdom work, going all the way back to the Founder himself.

What's cooking at the Salvation Army corps in Lewisporte, N.L.? A fun new program for youth—the junior chef academy! 

Major Darlene Burt, corps officer, and Lorelei Cole, children and youth ministries director, share how these cooking classes for kids and teens are building relationships with families and raising the profile of the Army in this small town.

Many places in The Salvation Army have a staff band or a staff songsters brigade. But how many have a staff worship team? Here in the Canada and Bermuda Territory, we have NEON. This territorial worship group made its debut back in 2016. But last November marked the beginning of a new era for the group, as NEON became an official staff section—the only worship team to have this designation anywhere in the Army world.

In this episode, we sit down with Simon Gough, the leader of NEON, to talk about the group’s mission and how it can support worship teams across the territory. And we discuss broader issues facing worship leaders today, and how Salvation Army song writing builds up our movement.

Visit NEON's website

Find NEON on social: Facebook / Instagram

Listen to NEON on Spotify

Italy and Greece are known for being popular tourist destinations. But did you know that The Salvation Army has been ministering in Italy since 1887? Greece is a more recent addition to the Army world, with work commencing in 2007. 

Today, the Italy and Greece Territory is headed up by Lt-Colonels Andrew and Darlene Morgan, Canadian officers who are no strangers to international service. In fact, they have spent more of their officership serving outside Canada than in their home country.

In this episode of the podcast, they give us a non-tourist look at these countries—the pressing social issues they face and how the Army is responding. They also talk about the Army’s long-standing relationship with the Catholic Church, and how God is at work and changing lives in this territory.

Happy National Volunteer Week! On this episode of the podcast, we're delighted to welcome two long-time Salvation Army volunteers, Bruce and Irene Finkel.

Volunteers are often called “the army behind the Army”—and with good reason. There’s no way The Salvation Army could achieve its mission without the thousands of people across Canada and Bermuda who give their time and talents in service.

Over many decades, Bruce and Irene, who hail from Wetaskiwin, Alberta, have volunteered in just about any way you can think of. They talk about some of their most meaningful experiences and the importance of mentorship in volunteering. And they share their thoughts on how the Army can make volunteering more accessible for people with disabilities, reflecting on Irene’s own experience with MS.

In 2021, when The Salvation Army decided to restructure its ministries in Halifax, there was a unique opportunity to plant a new church—and so was born Encounter Church.

In this episode of the podcast, Captains Brent and Melissa Haas, corps officers, talk about what it was like to plant a church during Covid; Encounter's humble beginnings in a condo common room and how it's grown tremendously since then; and how a simple slice of pizza has helped the church connect with hundreds of young people, sparking new ministries and, ultimately, leading people to Christ.

Find Encounter Church on social media: Facebook / Instagram

On the east side of downtown Toronto, there is a trio of three-story Victorian houses that, together, form The Salvation Army’s Archibald Centre and Bunton Lodge, a halfway house to help ex-offenders transition back to life on the outside, after they’ve served their time in prison. 

On this episode of the podcast, we go inside Archibald and Bunton to get a first-hand look at how the Army helps men reintegrate into the community after incarceration. 

Along the way, we'll meet Art Rasmusson, executive director, Juliane Martin, chaplain and director of spiritual care, and Kenny, a former resident who has successfully rebuilt his life after staying at the house.