Australian officers join High Council Welcome and Farewell
Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas is one of nine Australian Salvation Army officers who are delegates at the High Council in London this week to elect a new General.
The nine gathered with high-ranking officers from around the world at the Welcome to the High Council and Farewell to General Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle at Central Hall Westminster on Saturday 20 May.
The other Aussie officers at the High Council are Colonels Kelvin and Cheralynne Pethybridge (Eastern Europe Territorial Leaders), Commissioners Robyn and Wayne Maxwell (South Pacific and East Asia Zonal Leaders), Colonels Deslea and Philip Maxwell (Hong Kong and Macau Command Leaders), and Commissioners Mark and Julie Campbell (New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territorial Leaders).
The event combined prayer and music with dance, filmed tributes and other acts of worship.
Welcomed to warm applause, the General and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle gave the traditional Salvation Army salute as the audience cheered. High Council members entered the hall in order of seniority to greet their international leaders. In a touching moment, Commissioner Rosalie Peddle saluted the General before they left the stage.
The Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham welcomed the guests and international leaders.
The General then charged the High Council members with their significant responsibility. He said, “It is my privilege to welcome the High Council delegates. You have led The Salvation Army at a time that has been challenging for the world. We face significant unrest, natural disasters and tragedy. You have led courageously.’
He continued, “I address you on behalf of a prayerful and expectant global Army. Your challenge is to discharge your duty and to abandon all personal preferences and to surrender to the will of God … the sacred engagement given to you today is to reveal the chosen one that God has already ordained. Trust in the Holy Spirit. Today, we say together, “May God bless the 2023 High Council of The Salvation Army.”
The stage filled with diverse uniforms and cultural dress as prayers and music were shared before the film Called to Mission recalled highlights of General Peddle’s leadership.
Commissioner Rosalie Peddle addressed the meeting saying, “I stand here today as a testimony to what is possible when God has it all in his hands. I say farewell to this unforgettable experience of being one of the international leaders of The Salvation Army.” Thanking her family and the global Salvation Army for their support, she said, “We will be forever interested and will pray for you continually. Thank you, General Brian. I am grateful for your constant support and inspiration. We look forward to retirement and what God has for us next. God bless you all.”
A short, animated film, Memories of Service: Such Exciting Adventures recognised the global service of the international leaders before tributes from the High Council.
General Peddle addressed the meeting, saying, ‘Thank you to members of the High Council and for the grace of God that has come to us through you. Thank you to Commissioners Lyndon and Bronwyn Buckingham. I acknowledge you both today. I honour Commissioner Rosalie today. I love this woman very much and she has been my partner in ministry. I stand before you confident that God continues to work out his will in my life. It has been a privilege to lead the international Salvation Army – glory to God!’
Sharing his confidence in the future, the General said, ‘This is not the end of the story. The Salvation Army has a place in the world to give salt and light, because God still welcomes prodigals home. He will come again! Walk in obedience and love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul. Stand with me under the banner of the immeasurably more God. By his grace he will provide, and with his strength we can walk in this world as children of the Almighty.’
The meeting was accompanied by sign language throughout, with more than 1200 individual viewers joining online, with 30 different countries represented. The event may still be watched here, sar.my/welcome.
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