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2 NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE • MAY/JUNE 2023
“
My memories
An enduring faithfulness
that I hold dear, and helped mold me and shape me, were the godly people, some educated, some not, who gave testimony to God's work in their lives.
”
—COLONEL GENEVERA VINCENT
Caring is a magazine from The Salvation Army for people who care about making an impact for good. As a Salvation Army officer or employee, you’ll also find a curated collection of inspiring news for you in the New Frontier Chronicle print edition and our email newsletter, the Weekly. See more at caringmagazine.org.
Published by The Salvation Army USA Western Territory 30840 Hawthorne Blvd. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 General Information 562/436-7000 Commissioner Douglas Riley, Territorial Commander Colonel Eddie Vincent, Chief Secretary
new.frontier@usw.salvationarmy.org newfrontierchronicle @nfchronicle EDITORIAL STAFF Christin Thieme, Editor-in-Chief and Literary Secretary 562/491-8723 christin.thieme@usw.salvationarmy.org
Colonel Genevera Vincent
It was the fall of 1899 in my hometown of Monkstown—then known as Paradise Sound, a tiny, isolated community accessible only by boat in Newfoundland, Canada. The town had no church building and no regular full-time minister. In faith, the men of the town built a church. They called it the “Whosoever House,” and they said that the people of the town would adhere to the denomination of the first minister who came and was willing to stay. During that time, The Salvation Army in the province of Newfoundland, Canada, operated a boat called the “Glad Tidings” that sailed along the coast, visiting tiny communities and sharing the gospel. In the Spring of 1900, just a few short months after the men of the town built the Whosoever House, the Glad Tidings sailed into my hometown with officers and uniformed Salvationists on board. They held a meeting at the Whosoever House. The following week, the people of the town sent a wire message to divisional headquarters and asked for an officer. Weeks later, an officer arrived, and for the last 123 years, The Salvation Army has remained the only church in the town. The gospel message started with a few faithful Salvationists in a boat called the Glad Tidings and the good news and love of God have been faithfully shared for over a century in that small community. It was here I had my spiritual beginnings, receiving love, support and encouragement from faithful, godly people. It was
here, in this Whosoever House—now The Salvation Army—that I gave my life to Jesus as a 7-year-old in a Decision Sunday in Sunday School. It was here, in this small church, as a young child, that I felt God speaking deeply into my life. I am grateful for godly people and faithful, godly officers who recognized that God was calling me, and like Eli in the story of Samuel, nurtured me in giving my “yes” to God. In my hometown for the last 123 years, the glad tidings of God’s love have been shared in many ways. It has been faithfully preached from the pulpit—but even more effective have been the practical acts of kindness shown to family, friends and neighbors who never come to the church. Over the years, this small corps has produced many officers—every one grateful for our humble, yet God-ordained beginnings. My attraction to this church was not because of its décor; it was simple and plain. My attraction was not about its many offerings of video and technology; there were none. My attraction was not of its crowds of people; it was a small congregation. My memories that I hold dear, and helped mold and shape me, were the godly people, some educated, some not, who gave testimony to God’s work in their lives. It was the officers who showed an interest in a child who God was calling and nurtured me in my childlike faith. It was the singing and preaching that I remember, and the weekly
NEW APPOINTMENTS TRANSFERRING OUT OF TERRITORY: Lt. Colonels John and Lani Chamness, currently serving respectively as Divisional Commander and Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries in the Southern California Division, are appointed as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Canada and Bermuda Territory. They will take up their new appointment responsibilities Aug. 1 with the rank of Colonel.
MAKE A PLAN FOR JOY
Hillary Jackson, Managing Editor 562/491-8330 hillary.jackson@usw.salvationarmy.org Karen Gleason, Senior Editor 562/491-8332 karen.gleason@usw.salvationarmy.org Haley Osness, Editor 562/491-8345 haley.osness@usw.salvationarmy.org ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA Cory Gaudaur, Digital Operations Director 562/491-8326 cory.gaudaur@usw.salvationarmy.org Emily Anderson, Social Media Editor 562/491-8793 emily.anderson@usw.salvationarmy.org LAYOUT AND DESIGN Kevin Dobruck, Art Director 562/491-8328 kevin.dobruck@usw.salvationarmy.org New Frontier Chronicle founded 1983 Bob Docter, Founding Editor ISSN 2164-5930 westernusa.salvationarmy.org
invitation for a deeper commitment to God and/or a first-time decision. As a child and teenager growing up in this small corps, the attention given to the youth was marvelous—from Sunday School, Junior Soldier classes, Corps Cadets, youth group and "YP" meetings. As children, we found our place! I know times have changed, and our methods have changed, but as I think of my beginnings in this tiny corps in Newfoundland, I am reminded that there are some things that never change. Our need for godly connections has not changed. We all need to find our place. Our need to be taught the truths of Scripture has not changed. We need to be people focused on the Word. Our need to be invested in and to invest in others has not changed. We need to find our purpose. We have been created to love God and be loved by him. I’m grateful for my humble beginnings and for the godly people who influenced my life. Thank you, Lord, for inspiring the men of the town to build the Whosoever House that became a beacon and a place of transformation for so many for more than 100 years. Due to out-migration in some of our coastal communities in Newfoundland, my home corps officially closed as a corps last year. However, the faithful members have found their place in other Salvation Army congregations and continue to let their light shine. They continue to let the Glad Tidings ring, and for that I am grateful. NFC
BREAKFAST WORKSHOP
Saturday, June 10 • 8:30 a.m. Cerritos Sheraton You could say: Joy is the new grit. Why? You’ve read the headlines. You’ve seen the memes. There’s a collective sense of burnout. Of what more? Of what if? And yet, what do you want YOUR life to reflect?
Soldier Gladys Wood turned 100 years old March 9 in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Tabernacle Corps, along with Wood’s friends and family celebrated the milestone March 11. “We will celebrate Gladys’ life and the quiet yet profound impact she has had on many lives during her 80-plus years in ministry as a true soldier of Jesus Christ and The Salvation Army,” said Alaska Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries Lt. Col. Sheryl Tollerud ahead of the celebration. PHOTO COURTESY JESSICA ZIELINSKI
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