Harmony Week – an opportunity for Salvos everywhere to connect
BY LAUREN MARTIN
Salvation Army Corps, mission expressions and enterprises are being encouraged to celebrate Harmony Week (17-23 March) as a way to increase engagement with local communities.
Alison Geno, an Intercultural Ministry Worker at Cairns Corps (Qld), shares that they have celebrated Harmony Day and Harmony Week for many years because it’s a fun and simple way to spark conversations and demonstrate to people in the community that they are valued and respected.
“My favourite colour is orange, so Harmony Day is literally my favourite day of the year!” she said.
Alison says celebrating Harmony Week doesn’t have to be ‘hard’ or onerous.
“It taps into people’s identity and culture, which is extremely important. Harmony Day gives us an opportunity to start conversations.”
MYSALVOS RESOURCES: Harmony Week resources can be found here
Last year, across Australia, several corps, expressions, and enterprises celebrated Harmony Day.
Nuria Gonsalves, from the Intercultural and Disability Inclusion Team, says she wants to see more Salvation Army expressions getting involved.
“As Australia’s multicultural landscape continues to expand, it is more crucial than ever that our churches welcome diverse communities and create spaces where all individuals feel truly included and empowered to lead,” she says.
“Harmony Day provides a unique chance to embody our commitment to intercultural engagement in alignment with The Salvation Army’s mission.”
The theme for Harmony Day on Friday 21 March is We all have a role to play, which reminds us that unity and understanding are not achieved by any one person, but through the collective efforts of every individual.
Nuria has suggested five ways that corps, mission expressions and enterprises can celebrate Harmony Week, 2025:
1. Culturally Inclusive Worship Services: Hold a special Harmony Week service that includes cultural expressions from the diverse communities you serve. Invite members from different backgrounds to lead parts of the service through music, prayer, or Scripture in their mother tongues. This promotes inclusivity and showcases the power of diverse leadership in worship.
2. Multicultural Leadership Panels and Testimonies: Host a panel or testimony-sharing session with Salvation Army leaders from CaLD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) backgrounds. This can inspire people, highlight the importance of intercultural leadership, and encourage emerging leaders to step forward.
3. Partner with Local CaLD Communities: Collaborate with local organisations serving multicultural communities. These partnerships will allow for best practices in community engagement and open pathways for culturally diverse individuals to take on leadership roles.
4. Cultural Meals and Fellowship: Host a multicultural meal after worship or during a midweek gathering where people are encouraged to bring dishes from their cultural backgrounds. This fosters fellowship, encourages unity and provides a welcoming space for leaders from diverse backgrounds to connect.
5. Leadership Development for CaLD Members: Harmony Week can serve as the beginning of a year-long focus on leadership development. Offer mentorship, training, and small leadership opportunities to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds. This initiative can build up future leaders who reflect the communities we serve.
For more information on Harmony Week from the Australian Government website, click here
