What is happiness, anyway?

Give from the Heart. Transform the World.

Living History is an ongoing series showcasing just a small assortment of the more than 350,000 items housed at The Salvation Army Heritage Centre in Toronto. This month, we spotlight four trowels in the centre’s collection.

Jesus’ fourth statement in His famous Beatitudes sermon has as much to do with treating others with kindness and compassion as it does with worshipping God,  to live in the centre of God’s heart.

A Salvation Army church in Angola was in need, and a Salvation Army church in Toronto answered the call. “We need to put faith into action, and that is what we did at East Toronto for our brothers and sisters in  Angola,” says the pastor, Lieutenant Patrick Penton.

 Salvation Army Major Barb Pritchett is responsible for chaplaincy duties at the hospitals in St. John’s, N.L. Now 70, she struggles to lay down the mantle of ministry that she took up so many years ago. “It’s been a wonderful life,” she recalls. “I recently purchased a pillow that reads true for me: ‘Can’t stop, won’t stop.’ I am always very mindful of the fact that I represent God in these situations. There isn’t a lot I can say but my presence and prayer seem to comfort and support these families. It is indeed a privilege.”

On October 28, 2025, hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwest Jamaica as a category 5 storm, quickly becoming the third strongest hurricane on record in the Atlantic Ocean. The international Salvation Army responded swiftly, dispatching teams of personnel from across Australia, Iceland, Canada, England and the United States.

This partnership reflects NRO’s ongoing commitment to innovation, accessibility and environmental responsibility—making it easier than ever for Ontarians to give with purpose, protect the planet and support neighbours in need.

Rising rents, fixed incomes, health challenges, and the loss of social supports have left more older adults without a safe place to call home. This is where Islington Seniors’ Shelter, operated by The Salvation Army, makes a difference every day.

"Dear Unity: Overdue Love Letters to Heal a Divided Church" contains 30 chapters, one written by General Peddle, from a variety of denominations and traditions, expressing a desire for unity among churches.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus provides seven names of relationship that teach us how we may be in relationship with him. Over this next year, we are going to visit each one of these “I am” statements of Jesus.

Let’s be the kind of church that claps. Not for the sake of noise, but for the sake of love.

This year’s appeal focuses on the Latin America North Territory. Lt-Colonel Brenda Murray, who recently travelled there, shares first-hand insights into the campaign.

Major Mike Hoeft, an area commander in the Prairies and Northern Territories Division, and Lieutenant Jeremy Thompson, a corps officer in downtown Toronto, share their thoughts on the Army's ministries in different contexts across Canada and Bermuda.

Two participants in the program share their experience—Simon Gough from the Canada and Bermuda Territory, in the mentor role, and Dominique Bradley from the United Kingdom, in the emerging songwriter role.