Salvationist 11 June 2022

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70p / 11 June 2022

SALVATIONIST

SATCoL RENEWS ITS PURPOSE

ENABLING WELLBEING IN HARWICH PAGES 12 AND 13

QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

NEW TOOLKIT EQUIPS CHURCHES IN WALES TO TACKLE COST OF LIVING CRISIS The Bishop of Llandaff has launched a new toolkit to assist churches through the cost of living crisis.

It gives practical information about setting up food banks [and] community pantries and tackling period poverty, as well as advice on how to speak out to influence real change.

It aims to resource churches in the diocese of Llandaff to support people in urgent need and to use their influence to fight for justice.

It is hoped that churches will feel inspired to get involved in community organising, campaigning, and advocacy to bring about change that lifts people out of poverty and hunger.

Bishop of Llandaff June Osborne said: ‘I am deeply concerned about the cost of living crisis, which is having a devastating impact on our most vulnerable people. The rise of food prices and other essential items is pushing more people into poverty. Families are facing a stark choice between heating their home or feeding their children’…

According to a 2020 report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, almost a quarter of people in Wales already live in poverty and the Welsh government states that up to 45 per cent of households experience fuel poverty.

Premier

COVID SHRINE BURNS TO HELP PEOPLE ‘HEAL’ A wooden temple built as a memorial for victims of the pandemic has been burnt to the ground in a ceremony to ‘help people heal’.

The 65ft-high structure, called Sanctuary, was designed by the artist David Best and built in the Miners’ Welfare Park in Bedworth, Warwickshire. Members of the public were invited to leave messages in the memorial...

It was set alight as thousands of people gathered to watch…

The Archbishop of Canterbury visited Sanctuary…

Asked what the burning would symbolise, he [said]: ‘It’s a symbol of our prayers and hopes ascending to God. And I think there is a beautiful picture of all that is held in people’s hearts. It’s not being destroyed, but is going up.’

The Times

The Church of Scotland has apologised for its part in the persecution and execution of thousands of people, mainly women, who were accused of being witches hundreds of years ago…

[The] Rev Professor Susan Hardman Moore, principal of the Church’s New College, said the kirk needed to apologise for ‘feeding the witchcraft fury’ in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

She [said]… ‘Apologising for historic wrongs can be a step towards reconciling with those who are alienated from the Church now by what the Church has done in the past’…

Earlier this year, the first minister issued a similar apology on behalf of the Scottish government.

Daily Record

CHURCH OF ENGLAND TO SET UP HOUSING ASSOCIATION TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOMES Plans are under way to set up a Church of England housing association to provide social housing on church-owned land across the dioceses.

In February of last year, the Archbishops’ Commission on Housing published its report, Coming Home, which described as ‘a national scandal’ the fact that eight million people in England live in overcrowded, unaffordable or unsuitable homes.

[In May] members of the commission, church commissioners and other leaders met online to review progress on the recommendations in the report, which included using some of the 200,000 acres of land owned by the church for social and environmental benefit.

The Archbishop of Canterbury told the meeting that a radical approach was needed. ‘The housing crisis is getting worse rather than better because of high levels of inflation and very rapidly rising levels of poverty, with incomes rising far below the level of inflation and the likelihood of recession… If you are building a more just society, housing is one of the main building blocks.’

Church Times

SALVATIONIST salvationist.org.uk/media/magazine Issue No 1862

CONTACT US 020 7367 4890 (main) / 020 7367 4901 (editor) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk

EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

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MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Simon Hope, George Tanton, Lyn Woods, Major Margaret Bovey ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight, Louise Phillips PROOFREADER Chris Horne Published weekly by The Salvation Army and printed on paper from sustainable sources by CKN Print, Northampton. © The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory.

ISSN 2516-5909.

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CHURCH OF SCOTLAND APOLOGISES FOR ITS ROLE IN CAPTURING AND TORTURING ‘WITCHES’

Salvationist 11 June 2022

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@SalvationistUK

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL Brian Peddle TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARY Major Mal Davies TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN 0845 634 0101

DARING TO CARE AT the recent conference of the Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL), Managing Director Trevor Caffull spoke about Su Lawrence, who manages the Shanklin charity shop on the Isle of Wight. She had contacted him with a question: ‘When somebody on benefits can’t afford smart clothes for a job interview, can I help?’ Trevor discussed the matter with some senior colleagues, and one of them remembered that at last year’s conference they’d heard about the donation centre in Braintree, where the manager, Liz Gunn, received a request to furnish a flat for someone who had been homeless. ‘Can you help?’ she was asked. And Liz answered, ‘Course we can!’ Trevor said that SATCoL couldn’t really write rules about these kinds of situations: ‘We just need to do the right thing. We are The Salvation Army, and we should be there to help.’

This week’s Salvationist includes a report of the SATCoL conference, where the theme, Dare to Care, reflected those two managers’ responses. ‘Care’ is also an acronym for the revised version of SATCoL’s values: compassion, accountability, respect and equality. As well as hearing about the development of the business, delegates were introduced to aspects of Salvation Army work, which SATCoL supports financially.

In his address to the conference the territorial commander stressed that SATCoL does not just help fund the Army’s work but is an integral part of its mission. He urged delegates to live up to the values represented by the word ‘care’.

Daring to care also characterises the ministry of Lieutenants Shawn and Victoria Moye, the corps officers at Harwich, who are involved in a wellbeing lounge in partnership with other churches in the town. When they arrived as newly commissioned officers three years ago they encountered people with mental health problems arising from unemployment, social deprivation, isolation and other difficulties. The lounge was set up in response, to care for people in the community. It is a place for them to meet and take part in various activities, including prayer sessions.

‘We’re using our love of God to love others,’ says Shawn.

The Copper Beech Community Hub is a place that offers care to people in Bramley, Leeds. One person who has been helped is Alison Pannell, who talks to Harriet Whitehead about her experiences. She found friendship and a place to express her faith, then began assisting with activities at the hub. The article focuses on the way she uses her artistic talents for the benefit of others who attend.

This week’s Bible study, by Major Carl Huggins, encourages us to ‘take a reality check’ when it comes to our ‘inner world’. That means asking if our relationship with God is reflected in our actions towards others. ‘Properly motivated worship’ helps us overcome our own spiritual struggles, he says, and enables us to care for other people, joining God in his mission of ‘rebuilding and restoring broken lives’.

Although caring involves practical help and support for people, it begins with the heart. That’s clear from the parable of the good Samaritan. Before the Samaritan stopped to help the injured man ‘he felt compassion for him’ (Luke 10:33 New English Translation) – and that compassion led him to dare to reach over barriers of race, religion and culture. After telling this story, Jesus said, ‘Go and do likewise.’ So, may we care enough to care – and care enough to dare to care.

CONTENTS Quotes from the media

2 4 to 7

News Prayer matters

7

News feature Artist’s Last Supper mural goes on display

8

Army snippets

9

from General John Larsson

News feature 10 and 11 SATCoL delegates encouraged to ‘dare to care’ Feature A place to belong

12 and 13

by George Tanton

Reflection The miracle of his presence

14

by Major Alistair Dawson

On my bookshelf Making connections, overcoming injustice

15

by Lizzy Kitchenside

Bible study The reality check

16 and 17

by Major Carl Huggins

Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17

by Lieut-Colonel Ray Oakley

Reflection Praise replaces despair

18

by Brian Colley

Reflection Strengthening faith

18

by Major John Waters

Reflection You are the light

19

by Major Jim Bryden

Read with us 19 Called to Be a Soldier: Chapter 6 New commitments

20

Adverts

21

Announcements

22 and 23

The Salvation Army and me

24

featuring Songster Leader Malcolm Andrews

LIEUT-COLONEL JONATHAN ROBERTS Editor Salvationist

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated

Salvationist 11 June 2022

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NEWS

FUNDRAISING

Officer steps up to raise funds WATFORD CORPS officer Captain Mark Scoulding has stepped up to take on the 30 Tallest Buildings Challenge this month in support of his corps.

Mark has joined people across the territory in raising funds for the Army by climbing the equivalent number of stairs of the tallest buildings in 30 different countries. Mark has recruited members of his community to join in, even approaching local councillors. His daughter has been undertaking a mini version of the challenge, by climbing 30 floors each day. Others taking part in the challenge include Sky News presenter Gillian Joseph.

The money raised by Mark will help the corps provide its Holiday Hunger Recipe Boxes to people in the area facing food poverty.

‘The cost of living crisis will hit our community hard,’ he said.

‘Our friends and partners are helping us to raise funds so that we can meet whatever needs emerge.’

The challenge, which runs until the end of June, can be completed by using stairs at home, a machine in the gym or any other steps available, from shopping centres to workplaces.

O For more information on the challenge or to register and join in, go to bit.ly/30tallestbuildingschallenge

MUSIC

CARDIFF After more than two years of not being able to celebrate Norwegian National Day because of Covid-19 restrictions, the South and Mid Wales Fellowship Band helped people of Norwegian heritage in Cardiff mark the occasion. The band, led by Bandmaster Adrian Browning, provided pre-music and the crowds joined in singing a Norwegian folk song. Unfortunately, weather curtailed the march to the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay, but the band played the Norwegian national anthem as the country’s flag was raised. – RP

COMMUNITY Bandmaster Adrian Browning and Delyth Jewell receive food donations for Risca Corps food bank from Plaid Cymru’s Peredur Owen Griffiths AS/MS

INTERNATIONAL

MUSIC WOKING The Central South Youth Choir, led by Lieutenant Rob Westwood-Payne, visited the corps to lead worship after a delay of 18 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Before worship, the songs ‘How Great Is Your Love’, ‘Grace Like a Wave’ and ‘Thine Is the Kingdom’ were presented. Rachael Garnham (Reading Central) led a time of prayer and the congregation were invited to write prayers and stick them to helium-filled balloons, which were sent up to the ceiling. A Bible message by 13-year-old Esther Thompson (High Wycombe) commented on God’s message to Elijah. The day was a blessed one and saw a number of local residents attend for the first time. The enthusiasm of the young people and their leaders was evident and the Holy Spirit’s presence was felt. – MH 4

Salvationist 11 June 2022

READING CENTRAL The band sent music and equipment to friends in Ghana and the home corps of Bandsman Opoku OduroMensah and his mother Gladys. They arrived safely and were gratefully received. Pictured are the band and corps officer with the items.

EVENT

EVENT

HADLEIGH TEMPLE The over-60s Silver Service Club celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by dressing in their ‘royal’ best, from fascinators to hats and suits. A red carpet was laid out for members to walk on as they approached the hall and a message from Her Majesty to the club was read out. It was a reply to a letter sent from the club congratulating and thanking her for her many years on the throne. A Pearly King provided entertainment and a team of 20 helpers served a cream tea to 140 members. Bunting was hung around the hall, some of which had been crocheted by members of the corps Knit and Natter group. – RB

EVENT Captains Rodney and Lillian Bean represent Isle of Wight Corps at a Buckingham Palace garden party

ARDROSSAN For the first time in three years, members of adult and family ministry groups across the West Scotland Division met for a Spring Celebration at Seamill Hydro Hotel. The windows looking out across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran inspired Captain Clare Allman (Birmingham Citadel) to choose the theme Room with a View. The 140 guests were encouraged to look back and reflect on times in their lives when God had been faithful, then look forward as they built upon those times with fresh hope and optimism. The afternoon included singing, reflective prayers, vocal items and lots of fun and laughter. A spontaneous retiring collection for this year’s Helping-Hand Appeal raised more than £400. – PB

MUSIC PRESENTATION Divisional Commander Colonel Sylvia Hinton presents a retirement certificate to Rushden corps officer Major Richard Crowe

Have you seen our new website?

O Devotions

CRADLEY HEATH Birmingham Citadel Band visited the corps to hold the second in a series of united concerts. The guest for this event was Langley Band. After individual pieces from each band, ranging from Queen to classical music, they united for a finale. The joint bands presented ‘Glorifico Aeternum’, ‘The Triumph of Peace’ and an arrangement of the hymn tune ‘Manchester’ to commemorate five years since the Manchester Arena bombing. – RO

O Resources O Events

Visit salvationist.org.uk Salvationist 11 June 2022

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NEWS

COMMUNITY

SALISBURY Marathon runner Melanie Davies is raising money for the corps by running the London Marathon. She visited the hall to get a glimpse of the people and the activities that happen there and spent an afternoon with corps officer Captain Martin Davison and the Recycles team. Mel is a senior member of the cathedral staff and was fascinated to learn how the corps interacts with the community. She was also surprised by how many members of the public stopped to chat with the Recycles team during her visit. – MD

ANNIVERSARY

KNOTTINGLEY Food, fellowship and photos featured in the 135th corps anniversary celebrations, as corps members and friends enjoyed a Saturday afternoon buffet while reminiscing over photographs of the past.

Many recognised younger versions of people present and put names to faces of those no longer with them. Territorial Envoy Beverley Waring (Hoyland Common) led Sunday’s meeting, encouraging the congregation to thank God for the past, present and future of the corps. Everyone was asked to plant a sunflower seed and watch it grow, symbolising the way that God often works unseen before revealing his plans. The march ‘Knottingley’,

by Retired Bandmaster George Heath, was played on Sunday in acknowledgement of his faithfulness to God and the Army over the 80 years since it was published. Sadly, George was waiting to be discharged from hospital and was unable to be present, but a recording and photos were taken to him at home the following week. – MT 6

Salvationist 11 June 2022

ANNIVERSARY

BATH CITADEL Lieut-Colonels Anne-Florence and Massimo Tursi (IHQ) led the corps 140th anniversary weekend. The Saturday evening featured Morriston Band and Songsters plus African Praise, as Zimbabweans from corps across the UKI Territory joined locals to thrill the congregation with song and rhythm. Songster Leader Chris Lear provided a varied programme from both sections, with band items including ‘Petone Citadel’, ‘Mighty to Save’ and ‘Prelude on “Lavenham”’ and songster items including ‘More Than Wonderful’ and ‘One Life to Live’.

The male voices sang the Welsh hymn ‘Gwahoddiad’. The Sunday meeting featured the home sections and African Praise and was followed by a faith lunch and afternoon of praise and reminiscing. Lieut-Colonel Anne-Florence gave the corps food for thought by asking where it goes from here. A mood of contemplation was evident at the final benediction. – KT

MEETING

GILLINGHAM The corps enjoyed its annual International Sunday celebrating the diversity of its members from 14 countries. The meeting included prayers in Yoruba, a Bible reading in Dutch, songs in Tagalog, Greek, Italian, Spanish, Yoruba and Twi and a poem in a Scottish dialect.

A bring-and-share lunch followed, including flavours and cuisine from around the world. – JM

ANNIVERSARY

BELFAST CITADEL Intercultural Mission Enabler Major Jonny Smith was the guest for the 142nd anniversary of the first corps in Ireland. Saturday evening took the form of a relaxed Global Praise Night, featuring an international supper and Zimbabwean singing group Forward in Faith. Celebrating One Body was the theme for the Sunday morning meeting, which was followed by Music for a Sunny Summer’s Sunday Afternoon outside the hall, presented by the band and singers. – NM

EVENT THE LORD’S PRAYER FOCUS

by Major Pauline Milner (Prayer Network) SUNDAY 12 JUNE – MATTHEW 6:9 When we pray ‘hallowed be your name’, we are declaring that our God is holy and to be revered. Here Jesus teaches us to pray that God may be God to us. It is also a missional prayer; the essence of all evangelism is people everywhere allowing God to be God in their lives. Heavenly Father, we revere and honour your holy name. Be God in every aspect of our lives and reveal yourself more and more to us as we pray. Today I pray for ... (name those you are praying for). Please break in and be God in their lives.

MONDAY 13 JUNE – MATTHEW 6:10 When we pray ‘your Kingdom come, your will be done’, we look towards that time when the kingdom of this world will become the Kingdom of our God. Father, we pray for our world and for an end to all that frustrates the fulfilment of your purpose.

We think of those in countries racked by conflict, famine, disease and poverty; of those who face repression and discrimination and persecution. Help us to usher in your Kingdom now, as we commit to building a more just and loving world.

Major Liz Hancock (Newcastle City Temple) attends a garden party at Buckingham Palace with her mother in recognition of her commitment to The Salvation Army and her work as chaplain to RAF air cadets

FUNDRAISING

TUESDAY 14 JUNE – MATTHEW 6:11 When Jesus included the words ‘give us this day our daily bread’, he showed us that God is as concerned with our physical wellbeing as he is with our spiritual wellbeing.

Take a moment to thank God for his provision in your life and ask him for the things you need today. Father, we thank you as you have given us far in excess of our daily meal and what we simply need to live. Help us to be thankful and generous in sharing with others all that you have given to us.

WEDNESDAY 15 JUNE – MATTHEW 6:12 Ponder 1 John 1:9 and make your own confession. Father, time and again we experience failure in our lives, in our choices, in our attitudes and in our relationships.

We thank you for being ready to forgive us whenever we turn to you and honestly acknowledge our sinfulness. We thank you that no matter who we are or what we have done or failed to do, in you we can know the joy of forgiveness and beginning again.

THURSDAY 16 JUNE – MATTHEW 6:12 Read the sober warning given in Matthew 6:15. Gracious Father, help us to be people who forgive those who hurt or wrong us, quickly and completely, without harbouring grudges or bitterness. In so doing, may we know your peace and seek to live in peace with others, demonstrating the reality of the grace and love of Jesus in all we say and do.

FRIDAY 17 JUNE – MATTHEW 6:13 Jesus reminds us that we are in a spiritual battle between good and evil; there is no neutral ground. Here we acknowledge that alone we are no match for such powers, but we can rely fully on God to protect us. Father, we thank you for your word that tells us Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are. Thank you that you do not leave us without guidance to resist and overcome the temptations that come upon us. Strengthen our faith and deepen our understanding and application of your word in our lives.

READING WEST As an older corps that is less able to do door-to-door collecting, the fellowship started raising funds for this year’s Big Collection early. This began with an auction attended by many members of the community that raised almost £400.

In the interval before refreshments, corps officer Lieutenant Portia Stirling-Mack shared a short thought. – AR

SATURDAY 18 JUNE – MATTHEW 6:13 To pray this prayer is to recognise our own weakness and the danger of sin, at the same time declaring we have a God who can save us. Father, thank you for revealing that the evil one is powerful and active in this world, and he is opposed to your good creation and perfect will. Thank you that the victory of Jesus on the cross is not just more powerful, it is all powerful! Today we pray for the world, we bind every force of evil and call for the light and goodness of Jesus to shine into the darkest places.

O A PDF of the Prayer Matters booklet is also available to download from salvationist.org.uk/resources

NEWS FEATURE

Artist’s Last Supper mural goes on display COPPER BEECH COMMUNITY HUB LOCAL artist Alison Pannell has commemorated the Last Supper with a beautiful mural at the Copper Beech Community Hub in Leeds, writes Communications Officer Harriet Whitehead (Warrington Service Centre).

Alison is a Salvation Army Housing Association (Saha) tenant and has always been creative. She found encouragement after a Bible study at the hub led by Fresh Expression Leader Major Caroline Heward.

Alison said: ‘I grew up Catholic and always went to church as a child, but worshipping with The Salvation Army gave me a different perspective on things.

‘I find the Bible study at the hub is more than sharing God’s word; it’s also a place of friendship, where tears, laughter and a chance to explore spirituality and a deeper understanding of the world collide and combine in equal measure.

‘We studied Isaiah and it was amazing – the verses and the words were inspiring. Reading Isaiah 43, I felt compelled to make something that captured how comforting the words were. That led me to make Other works a quilt of Jesus walking on

by Alison water.

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Salvationist 11 June 2022

‘I felt encouraged to continue making artworks, all the while feeling the presence of Jesus and knowing that I should no longer ignore the call to create, make and share my work. I began to pray more, worry less and really put Jesus in my life, in a way I had never done before.’

At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Alison’s father died. ‘It was a time of utter grief and then I was isolated in lockdown,’ recalled. ‘But Caroline would pop round she reca outside to make sure I was OK. I was really thankful for the care and concern she thankfu provided. During this time God was calling provide me ever forward. had a baby in the May – my ‘My daughter d grandchild – and I began quilting and first gra sewing wrapped in my bubble of grief and joy. I m made a memory quilt for my grandchild.

I got re really into it and couldn’t stop making them. It I was my lockdown “thing” and my house w was overtaken by quilts!’

At E Easter this year Alison was helping some oof the groups at the hub and had the idea of doing a mural that everyone could get invo involved in. ‘I spent all Good Friday on my knees kne painting and praying,’ she said.

‘We put this 180×85cm mural up on Easter Day and everyone was very complimentary.

It brought a real sense of peace. I definitely felt there was some sort of connection between me, the Holy Spirit and Jesus as I was making this piece of art – it just flowed from me. It always feels as if Jesus is sat at the side of me.’

Copper Beech is an initiative run by The Salvation Army and Saha. A community made up of 84 homes, a Salvation Army day care nursery and the hub, it provides community and faith-based activities. Alison has been helping out at the hub for four or five years, particularly with the Christmas present appeal.

‘We went from 100 families to about 300 families in a really small space of time, it was an intense time,’ she said. ‘You feel broken afterwards, but you know there will be some children happy come Christmas. It’s a lovely feeling to be able to help people.’

‘My story is not a tale of great courage, or hardship being overcome, or even being saved from the brink of destruction,’ she added, ‘but it’s a tale of faith and love and one that has made my quiet and ordinary life a little less ordinary and, in the end, these are the important things: belonging to a community, acceptance and complete trust in Jesus, the simple things that make a life worth living.’

Army s t e p p i n s

1878 1890

A onishing As teen Ast r teen Thirt Thi That Shaped ea s T Year Ye Yea hee Salvation Th Th A Army

g ing, b nin ng, bur nin Burni Bu g,, y burnin ays wa lw alw S irit, stay ly Sp Hooly with me; i l my your wil To y ing, will iiss turn w lI u wil at you hat Wh . be.. o t t nt an wa w

... from General John Larsson*

IN THE HEIGHTS OF ECUADOR AS the 21st century da dawned a Salvation Ar Army medical team wo working in the high A Andes of Ecuador le left a pamphlet a about the Army a and its mission.

‘A Salvation Army corps is just what in m ith Benja soldiers w we need here,’ n a ri o d a u Ec Three new said Benjamin. So he rode to the Quito located the Army and a capital city of Quito, asked the divisional commander to send officers.

The DC regretted that he had no officers to send but, with inspired insight, said to Benjamin: ‘Look, you are a Christian.

If you are prepared to enrol full-time in a soldiership class for two weeks, I will then enrol you as a soldier and you can

d return to your people and start the Army.’ Benjamin agreed and, after a fortnight, he was made a soldier and returned to the mountains.

Soon afterwards the DC received a message asking him to come and enrol the converts Benjamin had made. The corps prospered under his leadership, funds were acquired to build a hall and the soldiers wanted to go into uniform. However, there was an issue. The women of that part of Ecuador traditionally wore large necklaces and a culturally relevant uniform was designed for them that included the wearing of necklaces. But was that acceptable to the Army’s authorities?

The issue reached the desk of General John Gowans and, as the Chief of the Staff, I presented the matter to him. In the best spirit of Army adaptability he readily agreed to make an exception but, with his characteristic smile, added: ‘Make sure the authorisation about necklaces applies only to that corps. We don’t want to set a fashion for women soldiers everywhere!’

BRANDED A CHRISTIAN MAJOR Frank Duracher, in his book Now You Know: The Rest of the Army’s Story, tells the story of Paulo, who was a gang member in one of Brazil’s largest cities and found Christ at the Army.

Becoming a soldier, he wore two ‘S’s on his white shirt.

The next day he said to the captain: ‘My former gang saw me and told me that if they ever saw me wearing my uniform again, they would beat me up. What should I do?’

Breathing a silent prayer, the captain answered: ‘You have three choices. First, you can take the ‘S’s off. Second, you can stand up to them and fight back. Or, third, you can do

what Jesus did – he let his enemies do their worst to him and went on loving them!’

Late that night there was a knock on the captain’s door.

There stood Paulo, his uniform torn and his body and face bloodied. ‘I did as Jesus would have done,’ he announced.

‘They beat me up, and I told them I loved them just the same.’

‘How did you get that slash on your face?’ the captain asked.

Paulo replied: ‘One of the gang took a knife and said: “If you’re going to wear those ‘S’s, I’ll cut an ‘S’ on your forehead that you will wear until you die.”’ And that is exactly what happened.

Paulo wore his ‘S’ proudly and used it as his testimony.

A LIFE-CHANGING CHOICE IN the early 1890s a group of young Swedish officers were ushered into William Booth’s office at IHQ. They were on their way to New York in response to an appeal made in Sweden for officers to help with the emerging Scandinavian work in the USA. Among them was Lieutenant Mathilda Byden.

Wishing them well, William Booth told them about the work that had just started in South America and asked whether any of them would be prepared to head in that direction instead.

With delightful spontaneity, Mathilda said: ‘North America or South America, it is all the same to me!’ And so, instead of

New York, she travelled to Buenos Aires, Argentina. There she met English Captain Alfred Benwell and they married in 1897. Among their children born in Buenos Aires was a daughter they named Flora. Flora Benwell became a cadet in London and, after she married Swedish Captain Sture Larsson, she gave birth to a son they named John.

Mathilda’s choice of destination was a brave one. Life for the Army pioneers in South America was tough. But I am glad Grandma Mathilda chose as she did, or I would not be writing this note.

*Published *P bli h d with ith th the ki kind d permission i i off C Commissioner i i F Freda d L Larsson ffollowing ll i g th the G General’s l’ promotion ti to t Glory Gl Salvationist 11 June 2022

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Pictures: Andrew King Photography

NEWS FEATURE

Some of the SATCoL award winners

SATCoL delegates encouraged to ‘dare to care’ BIRMINGHAM DELEGATES from all sections of the Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL) gathered at the annual conference to hear about recent developments and plans for the future, and to learn more about The Salvation Army, reports Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts.

The theme was Dare to Care, so it was fitting that Charlie Green (Droitwich Spa) opened the conference with the song ‘Someone Cares’, accompanied at the piano

by SP&S Music General Manager Richard Phillips.

Territorial Communications Officer Captain Jo Moir, who introduced each conference session, welcomed everyone, making special mention of territorial leaders Commissioners Anthony and Gill Cotterill, SATCoL board members and guests.

Managing Director Trevor Caffull began his keynote address by giving examples of staff members who had helped people in unusual ways and had inspired the conference theme. He presented the annual results of the three SATCoL divisions – SP&S, the Clothing Collection Division and the Charity Shops Division – which 10

Salvationist 11 June 2022

Trevor Caffull

Captain Jo Moir

enabled SATCoL to covenant more than £10 million to the UKI Territory in the year ended March 2022.

Trevor introduced an updated statement of SATCoL’s core purpose: ‘Enabling mission and providing resources to help the work of The Salvation Army.’ He said this was a recognition that SATCoL employees not only helped finance and resource the Army’s work but were also its ‘mission partners’.

He also outlined a revised set of core

values: compassion, accountability, respect and equality – making the acronym ‘Care’ – which he said ‘describes our culture’.

Trevor concluded by outlining a new strategic plan for 2022–2027, underpinned by the foundational pillars of ‘mission and values, our colleagues, our customers, growth, environment and digital’. Each of these were explored in more detail during a series of 15-minute breakout sessions.

The second main session featured staff

and trainees from the Strawberry Field Steps to Work programme. Mission Director Major Kathy Versfeld explained the history of Strawberry Field and how the current building and programme had developed. Programme Manager Alan Triggs gave insights into Steps to Work, which provides training and work placements for 18 to 25-year-olds with learning difficulties. Several trainees spoke about their experiences and the delegates gave them an enthusiastic reception.

Guest speakers included Matt Davis, national director of Salvos Stores in Australia, and Ted Troughton, managing director of National Recycling Operations in Canada, who informed delegates about the work of their enterprises. Jenny Pattinson, director of the UKI Territory’s Older People’s Services, spoke about how the Army’s 12 care homes had managed during the Covid-19 pandemic and thanked SATCoL for obtaining vital PPE for its 550 staff members.

Lieut-Colonel Alan Read presents a cheque to the TC

Delegates were challenged to live up to the values of ‘Care’ – compassion, accountability, respect and equality Charlie Green entertained delegates as they gathered for an evening meal. In his after-dinner speech Lieut-Colonel Alan Read, chair of the SATCoL board, challenged delegates to be courageous, break through barriers and reach out to others. He then presented awards including volunteer of the year to Claudia Tootle (Workington and Whitehaven shops), donation centre of the year to Braintree, shop of the year to Dudley, team of the year to the IT Department and lifetime achievement awards to Richard Judge and Roland Ralph.

In his address to conclude the conference, the TC thanked SATCoL for supporting the territory’s mission financially.

‘But it’s far more than just the money,’ he said. ‘I discern in this room and among all the people that you work with and the people that you are, that there is great hope because there is real love.’

‘There are people who desperately need to be loved,’ he continued, describing situations of desperate need in this country and abroad, including in Ukraine, where the Army is making a difference to people’s

Strawberry Field delegates and staff members lives. ‘Thank you for being part of that by caring, loving our neighbours and daring to care for the world and the people in it.’

The TC pointed to what he called ‘the very first instance of recycling in the Old Testament’, when Ebed-Melek used ‘old rags and worn-out clothes’ to help pull the prophet Jeremiah out of a cistern ( Jeremiah 38:12). He likened SATCoL’s work to that incident, by which ‘pre-worn clothes can be the means of lifting people out of a hole’.

He challenged the delegates to live up to the values of ‘Care’ – compassion, accountability, respect and equality – and concluded with a prayer ‘that God would continue to be expressed through The Salvation Army, of which SATCoL is an integral part, especially as we intentionally dare to care, compassionately giving of ourselves’.

Charlie Green Salvationist 11 June 2022

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FEATURE I Ha Harr wich Wellbeing Lounge

A place to

belong

George Tanton finds out how Harwich Wellbeing Lounge is caring for its community

‘A

LOT of people we’ve supported feel very much on the margins of life,’ explains Lieutenant Victoria Moye.

She and her husband, Lieutenant Shawn (pictured above), are corps officers at Harwich, where they assist in the running of a Renew Wellbeing Lounge. It is a refuge for people in the community who might be facing problems that include unemployment, social deprivation, housing issues and loneliness.

Based in the Esplanade Hall, an old school building in the town centre, the lounge is organised in partnership with Dovercourt Central Church and the Church of England’s Harwich Peninsula parish. It is part of a network of wellbeing lounges across the UK managed by a Christian organisation called Renew Wellbeing. Its mission is to establish centres where individuals on the fringes of communities, who feel they have become isolated from the wider world, can reconnect.

The lounge in Harwich was set up in November 2021 and attracts a regular number of visitors. It is open one day a 12

Salvationist 11 June 2022

week, with prayer sessions usually held three times in the day. People are encouraged to join in or use the time for quiet reflection away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The idea for a wellbeing space came out of the interactions that Shawn and Victoria had during the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘We had about seven months here before the first lockdown started,’ says Shawn, ‘and we were identifying and meeting people who we knew had mental health crises or anxiety, which made their way of life challenging. But I think that has been exacerbated by the pandemic, because so many people were suddenly on their own or isolated.’

‘The people we support are known by name and valued for who they are and not because of the labels that are put on them,’ adds Victoria.

Once a thriving port, Harwich is a deprived area, with an inadequate network infrastructure that makes it hard for people to afford to travel to work.

‘Harwich dock now has only a small workforce. Places like this are not seeing the manual work they once did

compared to 70 or 80 years ago and there are no other industries around,’ explains Shawn.

‘There is such a lack of opportunity for people that they’re almost stuck in a place they can’t get out of. There are people who are effectively stuck in the town because they don’t have the money to travel, or because the work they can find is so low paid that it doesn’t cover the costs of travel. So they become very reliant on benefits.

‘Some people who receive universal credit in the town live in accommodation that is not looked after by their landlords.

We’ve supported one woman who’s not had an operating kitchen for a year.’

Shawn says that education is therefore seen by some in the area as futile, with the perception that ‘there’s no point going to school because there’s nothing for you afterwards’.

‘We are seeing different generations come through the doors having this same low level of aspiration,’ continues Victoria.

The Covid-19 pandemic undoubtedly exacerbated existing strains on the community, she adds: ‘Some young mums we have contact with have just had babies and are nervous to go out.

This should be a happy time for them but, post-pandemic, this is not the case.

Some of the mums we have contact with are carrying a lot of mental baggage that has built up over the years and is preventing them from engaging with other things.’

The lounge aims to alleviate social isolation and loneliness by being a focal point for the community. Its outside space helps provide this. In the winter they have a fire pit and in the summer months they have a gazebo with chairs

so that people can sit outside more comfortably. There is also a dog bowl with treats and water so that regular dog-walkers can make it a stop on their walks and have a chat.

‘It welcomes people to the space,’ says Victoria. ‘They then gravitate inside and see what’s going on.’

As an open forum, where people can visit for a cup of tea and talk to others, the lounge provides some release from loneliness. As well as books spanning faith, fiction and non-fiction, activities on offer include organised crafts. They recently made and painted clay hearts, which were then hung around the local community as a random act of kindness.

‘One of our ladies is in her 80s,’ says Victoria. ‘The first week she came, she just observed. The next week she sat next to someone and taught them how to play Mahjong. This past week she had nearly the whole table playing it.

‘People come in alone and take a week or two or three to engage, depending on how confident they feel.

They then progress to teaching others.

Another lady who was really struggling came in and everyone offered help.

There was a real sense of camaraderie as none of us here professes to being 100 per cent OK.’ The hub is not about fixing people’s

problems but about ‘being present and prayerful’, explains Victoria.

‘We’re saying to people, “We know this is coming up, or we know this situation’s tricky, we will be praying for you.” It’s also recognising that the lounge is not a standalone thing.

We connect and interact with many of the people who come to the lounge throughout the week, so there are ongoing conversations happening. The beauty of that is that it is a partnership between the three main churches in this area, so we have even more scope to be present in people’s lives at other times of the week.’

‘We’re using our love of God to love others. That’s what it’s about,’ affirms Shawn. ‘We have provided this space because we love God and we love others.’

GEORGE TANTON Editorial Assistant Salvationist

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REF RE FL LE EC CTION TIIO T IO ON N REFLEC REFLECTION

The miracle of his presence Major Alistair Dawson takes a fresh look at a familiar story

T

HE feeding of the 5,000 in John 6 is quite a hard story to swallow for some people. Whether we take it at face value or believe that many in the crowd would have brought their own food with them and that the real miracle was getting them to share it, clearly something significant took place.

Turning to the disciple Philip, Jesus said: ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ (v5). Philip, who was aware of the great company that had come to see Jesus, reminded him that more than half a year’s wages for a labourer would not be sufficient to buy bread for them all, even if everyone received just a little.

I suppose in situations like this, when everything seems impossible, there is always an observer or a comedian who sees the possible. ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish,’ said Andrew (v9). Although nobody knew the potential of what this young lad could do, his meagre ration clearly had its limits.

Surely it was a joke to ease the tension – after all, what were five small loaves and two small fish among so many?

I try to think of the reason why these people had come. It was to see Jesus

Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God 14

Salvationist 11 June 2022

and, whatever their need, they must have hoped that it could be met by him.

Now none but Christ can satisfy, No other name for me; There’s love and life and lasting joy, Lord Jesus, found in thee.

(SASB 508) Their need, though, wasn’t for food.

They knew what it was to feel hunger, but this was not a life-or-death situation.

What these people were searching for was the richer life that only Jesus could give. To know Jesus, says John, is to discover that he alone meets our deepest hunger, because he is ‘the bread of life’ (John 6:35).

What the world has to offer is never enough. Neither do we alone have the means to meet what is demanded of us. A person’s spiritual hunger can only really be satisfied through what God can do.

The miracle we all need must come to us on a one-to-one basis, for if God cannot meet an individual’s need, he cannot meet the need of the masses.

And a miracle that satisfies thousands is of no value to me if my own personal need is not met.

If miracles are just a means to stagger the imagination, what use are they?

The Devil tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, a miracle that would attract people’s attention. Jesus answered, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4). So the

miracle in John 6 was more than a stunt to meet temporary needs – it was a sign of the deeper satisfaction Jesus could offer.

John, reflecting on what had happened, writes: ‘After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the prophet who is to come into the world”’ (v14). They seemed to have understood, but Jesus knew otherwise: ‘Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself’ (v15).

Are we attracted to Jesus by large evangelistic rallies held in his name?

Does God need mass media to get his message across or does he simply meet us where we are, in ways that we can understand?

The poet Harriet Auber set out the manner of his coming in a beautiful way: He came sweet influence to impart, A gracious, willing guest, When he can find one humble heart Wherein to rest.

(SASB 289) Often, our greatest evangelists are those who sit near us as we worship, who quietly support and pray for us. They are the people who truly care for us.

They are there to meet our needs, for theyy are God’s miracle workers.

MAJOR M ALISTAIR DAWSON Retired St Austell

ON MY BOOKSHELF

Making connections, overcoming injustice In this occasional series people tell Salvationist about the significance of some of the books on their bookshelf – this week, Lizzy Kitchenside (Addlestone) THE IRRESISTIBLE REVOLUTION: LIVING AS AN ORDINARY RADICAL AFTER seeing my passion for social and environment justice, a good friend passed on this book by Shane Claiborne, a prominent Christian activist. His unconventional lifestyle and understanding of the gospel offer a challenge to the Church to live simply and radically just as Jesus did, embracing people the Church has often ignored and practising biblical hospitality.

The chapter ‘Growing smaller and smaller … until we take over the world’ has a sub-chapter entitled ‘The mustard seed revolution’. I love both ideas and have come back to them time and time again as they completely flip the common concept of church growth and ‘prosperity’ on its head. Claiborne focuses on the small-scale interactions and the radical love that can be shown in our everyday living.

He says the idea of a mustard seed Kingdom would have appeared ridiculous to Jesus’ Jewish audience – who were prohibited from planting mustard seeds in their gardens – and highlights just how unattractive the Kingdom of God would have appeared to the Church. ‘The Jesus revolution is not a frontal attack on the empires of this world,’ he writes. ‘It is a subtle contagion, spreading one little life, one little hospitality house, at a time.’

Claiborne really gets to the root of what Jesus – and therefore being a follower of Jesus – is all about. He shares just how radical Jesus’ love can be and offers encouraging stories of hospitality in the most unusual places.

I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS I OFTEN read biographies to broaden my understanding of the different lenses through which other people experience the world. So I picked up this book, the first in Maya Angelou’s seven-part autobiographical series – and I would recommend reading every other book in the series too.

It encapsulates Angelou’s experience of life as a young black woman growing up in 1930s southern USA. The book is beautifully written and shows the naivety and wonder of a young child navigating her way through childhood and life. Angelou faces trauma, sexual assault, sexism and racism, yet her heart is not hardened. She grows stronger and more resilient as she is thrown into motherhood.

This young girl encounters so much evil and yet her painful story is full of joy.

Angelou is a Proverbs 31:25 kind of woman: ‘She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future’ (New Living Translation), no matter what it may hold.

Although we are nearly a century further on from its setting, many of the same fundamental issues that people face today are explored within this book. It highlights the privilege that I hold within society and the importance of understanding and amplifying women’s voices from all cultures, races and backgrounds.

THE BOOK OF JOY I RECEIVED this as a Christmas present last year and began reading it just before the announcement of Desmond Tutu’s death – a time when joy desperately needed to be shared.

Both His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu had been through immense suffering and pain, and yet in this book they radiate pure joy and compassion. It is filled with photographs of the two well-respected leaders laughing and talking together.

They were from completely different cultures, religions and backgrounds, and had their conversations translated for one another, yet they are full of humour and celebrate their differences.

Hebrews 3:8 says: ‘Do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness.’ The authors reveal the softest hearts that overflow with compassion. Their exchanges take them to a vulnerable place, retelling stories of pain and suffering – but they express the joy that can be found despite it all.

I’m struck by their inclusive and embracing attitudes towards each other and the world around them. There is no judgement. Instead they seek to find common ground and understanding to build upon. What an important message for the world to hear today!

Salvationist 11 June 2022

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BIBLE STUDY

The reality check Major Carl Huggins reminds us that we are agents for transformation in others ISAIAH 58

I

N this age of reality TV and fake news, it’s good to have a reality check every now and then, to get a grip on what is real, to recognise the truth about a situation and especially the difficulties involved. There are occasions when we, the people of God, need to carry out an audit of what is really going on in our inner world and our relationship with God. In Isaiah 58, God, through the prophet, challenges the Israelites to do just that – to determine what is real and what is fake in their faith.

Let’s take a reality check together.

At first glance of our study passage we see what appears to be a devout people committed to worshipping God. We could be tempted to ask why he would be so unhappy. The people appeared to be frequent and consistent with their worship and prayers, desiring

Through the week with Salvationist – a devotional thought for each day

by Lieut-Colonel Ray Oakley

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Salvationist 11 June 2022

to do what is right before God and to be close to God. However, after reading further it becomes apparent that God sees beneath the surface to the motives of their hearts, and here lies the problem.

QUESTION your faith an empty show or does it reflect a heart in tune with God? O Is

In verses 3 to 5 God reveals a disparity between their Sabbath worship and everyday living: “‘Why have we fasted,” they say, “and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?”

‘Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarrelling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard

on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves?’

QUESTION O Is your worship one day of religious reflection or a relational lifestyle?

The Israelites in our study passage don’t understand that honest worship results in transformed behaviour.

Worship is not a ritual or act, it has to be personal and relational – a daily decision to walk humbly with Christ.

In Romans 12:1 and 2 the apostle Paul writes: ‘Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.’ In Colossians 3:17 he urges: ‘Whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.’

Worship isn’t an act. It’s a way of life.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

‘For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.’

(Isaiah 58:2)

What shall I render to my God/ For all his mercy’s store?/ I’ll take the gifts he hath bestowed/ And humbly ask for more.

(SASB 632)

‘“Why have we fasted” they say, “and you have not seen it?”…

Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarrelling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.’

(Isaiah 58:3 and 4)

QUESTION O If your worship has become empty, how can you change that?

In verses 6 and 7 of our study passage, Isaiah shows that properly motivated worship results in two major behavioural changes – overcoming spiritual struggles and actively seeking to meet the needs of others.

As believers we should pray, in the name of Jesus, that we might open our eyes to meet the needs around us as we seek to live in relational love for his glory.

QUESTION O Why should our faith cause us to meet the needs of others?

Two types of blessings are described in verses 11 and 12: personal blessings of God’s ongoing care and guidance

for those who follow him – God will strengthen us; and community blessings – we will be like an oasis for others.

When worship transforms us, we become agents for transformation in others and become part of rebuilding and restoring what was broken by sin.

QUESTION O Which of these blessings are most meaningful to you?

If our motives are impure, misplaced or misguided, not only will God be displeased with us, but we will also struggle during difficult times. While our religious practices may appear perfect and acceptable, the reality is that they become hollow, God feels distant and we struggle to feel committed to the Christian community. When our worship is superficial and only a surface act, it becomes easier to fall away.

The call of Isaiah is to reflect and consider where we stand with God. God desires more than lip service; he calls us to live in relationship with him. God calls us not to an empty show, but to life in all its fullness.

Jesus gives us a similar invitation: ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life’ (Matthew 11:28 The Message).

Prayerfully consider your motives for your religious actions and practices.

Making necessary adjustments will bring out the best in your life and will help you join God in his mission of rebuilding and restoring broken lives.

MAJOR CARL HUGGINS Corps Officer Leicester South

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

The sacred cup of saving grace/ I will with thanks receive,/ And all his promises embrace/ And to his glory live.

(SASB 632)

‘Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?’

(Isaiah 58:6)

My vows I will to his great name/ Before his people pay,/ And all I have, and all I am,/ Upon his altar lay.

(SASB 632)

‘Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?…

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: here am I.’ (Isaiah 58:7–9)

Prayer What wondrous gifts are in my care,/ Of body, intellect and will,/ Of time and place to think and plan/ And to employ my every skill;/ My great Creator’s power to bless/ In silent worship I confess.

(SASB 633)

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REFL RE FLEC FL ECTI TION TI REFLECTION EC ON

Praise replaces despair Brian Colley (Clowne) begins a new series of reflections on verses from Psalms My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

(Psalm 22:1)

J

ESUS quoted the opening words of this psalm as he hung in agony upon the cross. Another phrase associated with the Crucifixion is from verse 18: ‘They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.’ No wonder some people refer to this as the ‘psalm of the cross’.

While this particular poem can be seen as God-inspired prophecy, it does not alter the fact that David himself was going through a similar experience in his life. This is not the only time he speaks of feeling deserted by God because his prayers are seemingly not being answered. But, as elsewhere, the tone changes into one of faith and praise – from sadness and suffering to the happiness brought about by salvation.

This happens even today when something is not going right. Being made redundant, one man was desperate to find new employment and applied for several advertised positions, praying for a positive response. After a number of polite rejections he received yet another one in the post. He read the communication and immediately exclaimed, ‘You’ve let me down again, God.’ Within days he was invited to an interview and offered a position. He then was sorry for what he’d said to God and happily thanked him, praising him for answered prayer. He had learnt a valuable lesson.

We know that just hours after Jesus cried out in agony to God there was a joyous resurrection. If those desperate words had been the end there would have been no hope for the world – salvation would not be freely available for everyone today.

God did not desert Jesus, and God will never desert us. Many people accuse God of forsaking them, when in fact they have forsaken him. When we remember our past blessings, faith replaces doubt and praise replaces despair.

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REFLECTION C REFL RE R EF FLEC FL LE ECTI ECT EC CT TION TI T IO ON N

Strengthening faith Major John Waters begins a new series of reflections on classic prayers

A

NNA Laetitia Waring is probably best known for her song ‘In Heavenly Love Abiding’ (SASB 711), but she was a prolific and popular writer of hymns, each one displaying a sensitive grasp of the Christian life.

She was born in Neath into a Quaker tradition but, having a wish to observe the formal acts of the sacrament, she joined the Anglican community. Her desire to read the Bible in its original language led to a study of Hebrew and she was able to read, every day, from the Hebrew psalter – no mean achievement.

Number 750 in the Salvation Army songbook is one of her prayers. Verse 1 begins: ‘Father, I know that all my life/ Is portioned out for me;/ The changes that will surely come/ I do not fear to see.’ The reason for that lack of anxiety is found in the final lines of the verse: ‘I ask thee for a patient mind,/ Intent on pleasing thee.’

In the Christian view of things it is almost axiomatic that an attitude of pleasing God is expressed in service to others and a diminishing obsession with ourselves: ‘To meet the glad with joyful smiles,/ And wipe the weeping eyes;/ A heart at leisure from itself,/ To soothe and sympathise.’

There is much to stimulate and strengthen faith in the next two verses: I ask thee for the daily strength To none that ask denied, A mind to blend with outward life While keeping at thy side; Content to fill a little space If thou be glorified.

In service which thy love appoints There are no bonds for me; My secret heart is taught the truth That makes thy children free: A life of self-renouncing love Is one of liberty.

All this is set against the truth that all life is somehow in the Master’s hands.

I say ‘somehow’ because it is difficult, if not impossible, to describe precisely what that means without it sounding absurd. When Jesus says that ‘the very hairs of your head are all numbered’ (Luke 12:7), he speaks with hyperbole, but when he assures us of God’s providential care and direction, he is not exaggerating – and neither was Anna Waring.

MAJOR JOHN WATERS Retired Biddulph Moor

READ WITH US

REFL RE FLEC FL ECTI EC TION TI ON REFLECTION

You are light in the Lord Major Jim Bryden concludes a series of three reflections on verses from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it!

(Ephesians 5:9 The Message)

Called to Be a Soldier CHAPTER SIX International Headquarters invites us to share in a worldwide o ldw reading and reflection plan, lan, focusing foc on one chapter of Called d to Be a Soldier each week

T

HE starting line in the race of faith is the light and love of Christ. It will take believers to the finishing point. The in-between bit can be messy. Christians, claims Paul in Ephesians 5:3–14, are surrounded by alien lifestyles: sexual promiscuity, sickening greed, dirty talk.

These must not form any part of their lives. Once darkness and now light, they are to do what pleases Christ (see Ephesians 5:8).

This passage could have been written to members of any church.

Even in Christian fellowships there is sometimes sexual sin, bad language and greed. Sexual sin trades in pride, power and pleasure.

Foul talk lowers the moral temperature and, before you know it, obscenities and coarse jokes are acceptable to some. Untamed desire leads to greed for possessions and power. Such greed cramps and masters our every move. The advertising and gambling industries profit from the ‘must have, must own’ of our lives. Sexual sin, dirty words and selfish living are all varieties of idolatry. God will judge severely, warns Paul.

Into all this comes Christ’s transforming light, shining through his people. From him we receive a new being. We are stamped with his identity. Love, goodness and truth define us as we ‘shine as lights in the world’ (Philippians 2:15 New King James Version), confronting the darkness of our street and society.

We must steer clear of the dark side and reach out to people, practising distinctiveness, though not separation. As the saying has it, we must ‘hate the sin, but love the sinner’. Only God, by his light and truth, is able to destroy the power of sin and save our world and its people.

We have here a wake-up call. The race is on – there’s no time to lose! The light is shining and the darkness can’t escape it. God’s children of light see things as they really are. We live with the danger of the world’s values rubbing off on us but we know how to overcome it: by putting Christ first! That way we are light in the Lord.

TO PONDER O List and reflect on the aspects of the dark side of humanity that oppose God’s message of the light and love of Christ.

O Based upon Paul’s message in Ephesians 5:3–14, how should the fellowship deal with members who disregard Christian morals?

O What does it mean that the believer is ‘light in the Lord’?

MAJOR JIM BRYDEN Retired Bellshill

A

LL people are created in God’s image and, because of this, all people have dignity and worth.

When Jesus invites us to follow him, he invites us to more than just a party or a gathering of friends. He invites us into deep relationship in the family of God. We are a family. Not a family defined by bloodline or last name, but by a Father, a shared story and a new way to be human.

When we make the values of the Kingdom of God the benchmark for our lives, nurturing and maintaining healthy relationships becomes a priority. The Kingdom of God demands that we value and care for God’s creation, that we treat one another with dignity and respect in all circumstances.

We are human, so there will be things we disagree on.

But in that difference, we can still respect one another, we can still listen, learn and seek to understand. Above all, we can still love.

We were made for life together. When we live faithfully, with integrity, loyalty and commitment in our relationships, we flourish as human beings and are on our way to becoming more like Jesus.

And as we seek to follow Jesus, we need partners for the journey, a community to help us along the way. From moments of pain to moments of happiness, from grief to celebration, we can experience fullness of life together.

We need connection – to belong, to be part of something bigger, to know and be known. We need to love and be loved, with dignity and respect.

Let us discover the richness of life as God intended – in community, in the family of God. O For

more details find The Salvation Army International Spiritual Life Development on Instagram and Facebook @SalvArmySpiritualLife Salvationist 11 June 2022

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NEW COMMITMENTS

LIVERPOOL WALTON Tom Elliott and Mary Ellison were enrolled as soldiers. Tom spoke about how, during the Covid-19 lockdowns, he had time to reflect and realise what was important in life. He felt that his faith had grown during this time. Mary gave an inspiring testimony about how God had supported her during some difficult days following a serious cycling accident and how he continues to be with her. The songsters sang ‘Somebody Prayed for Me’, which is Mary’s favourite song. She was content in the knowledge that people were praying for her and her husband, Denis. – LH

BICESTER Janet left The Salvation Army many years ago but never left her calling to be a disciple of Jesus. She has lived a life of ministry and has served suffering humanity, having started a food bank for the town out of her own garage 15 years ago. Now in her 80s, she has recently retired from running the food bank and serves the corps by supporting teenagers with special needs in the Vine Training Café. Janet spoke of how she had never really left the Army in her heart, but seasons of life had taken her to different churches and she praised God, through tears, for bringing her back to The Salvation Army where she belongs. The Scripture chosen for Janet was John 21:15–17, which resonated with her life of service to the Lord. – JS

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Salvationist 11 June 2022

FALMOUTH TEMPLE Kate Jago was welcomed as an adherent by corps officer Captain Andrew Hammond. Four years ago, Kate started attending the community café and, because of the warm welcome, began to attend the Sunday Church Gathering to explore the claims of Jesus. Kate testified that, despite her brokenness, Jesus had reached out to her and in response she turned in repentance, faith and love to him. Kate and Captain Andrew are pictured with corps officer Captain Nicola Hammond. – AH

BASINGSTOKE Tony Clarke was welcomed as an adherent by corps officer Lieutenant Rob Westwood-Payne.

Tony returned to The Salvation Army after joining in with worship during the Covid-19 pandemic when corps meetings were live-streamed online. He testified to the change that God had made in his heart and life after many years of being away from him. Tony and Lieutenant Rob are pictured with Recruiting Sergeant Ann Tarry. – RW-P NEWCASTLE CITY TEMPLE Rosey Bullock was a junior soldier at Ashington Corps a number of years ago. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she remembered her calling there and realised the Lord was asking her to return to her faith. Rosey was warmly welcomed at Newcastle City Temple and she decided that she wanted to make the commitment of soldiership. Recruiting Sergeant Heather Stubbs guided Rosey through this commitment. Rosey is pictured with corps officer Major Liz Hancock. – BI

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RETIREMENT CELEBRATION

Southbourne, Bournemouth SOUTHERN BREEZE LODGE (adults only) Salvationist-owned guest house close to shops and beaches For more information please call 01202 427459 Email enquiries@southernbreezelodge.co.uk or visit southernbreezelodge.co.uk

for TE Malcolm Anderson and Prayer Co-ordinator Lin Anderson Led by Majors Mike and Lisa Lloyd-Jones Video greetings and messages to Major Lisa Lloyd-Jones lisa.lloyd-jones@salvationarmy.org.uk

LEIGHTON BUZZARD Sunday 26 June 10.30am

RETIREMENT CELEBRATION for Major Carol Back Led by Major Linda Watson Video greetings and messages to Major Lisa Lloyd-Jones lisa.lloyd-jones@salvationarmy.org.uk PAIGNTON Saturday 2, Sunday 3 July Visit of

CLACTON-ON-SEA 103 Old Road CO15 1HN

SALVATION BRASS

Saturday 18 June 7pm

SALVATION ARMY SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE (SASWE) Supported by Clacton Songsters

Saturday 7pm Preston Baptist Church Sunday 10.30am Salvation Army hall Email paignton@salvationarmy.org.uk Tel 07919 568873

Sunday 19 June 10.30am

CELEBRATION OF SERVICE AND RETIREMENT of Majors Barrie and Maria Sampson Conducted by Divisional Commander Major Howard Russell Please send greetings and messages to vaughan.rowland@salvationarmy.org.uk

MARKET RASEN John Street LN8 3HH Saturday 2 July 7pm

CORPS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION The visit of Barton-upon-Humber Band and Songster Brigade Supported by home corps sections Tel 07948 998507

NORTH WALSHAM

CHAIR

Hall Lane NR28 9DT

SAHA, LONDON/FLEXIBLE BASE

Sunday 10 July 10.30am and 4pm

RETIREMENT MEETINGS for Major Richard Durrant Led by Captain Carl and Territorial Envoy Heather Whitewood Please send any memories/greetings to carl.whitewood@salvationarmy.org.uk

CONSETT Sherburn Terrace DH8 6NE Sunday 25 June 10.30am

RETIREMENT SERVICE for Majors Ian and Pam McCredie All welcome

Transforming lives. Our legacy at Saha is rooted in fighting injustice and supporting those who are vulnerable. We work within Christian values and are looking for a new chair who can align to that ethos.

As a new chair you have an opportunity to be hugely influential in leading the board around common goals, and to be thinking ahead as we begin to develop our next corporate plan from 2023. Permanent CE recruitment will follow later in the year, so you will be taking the lead in shaping the executive team too.

As such, this is not a passive chair role. There is lots to do and your leadership needs to inspire, empower and land well with a wide range of stakeholders. This means you will be intuitive and astute at managing a matrix of relationships, with insight into what good governance should look and feel like. Your dedication to high quality social housing and services, drive to tackle homelessness and commitment to collaborative and inclusive working need to form the core of your offer. You will need prior board experience, be knowledgeable about social housing regulation and insightful about how to drive change and embed improvement.

It’s a material role at a pertinent time, and therefore an opportunity to make your mark. But if you are the right person for this role, you are more likely to be driven by the impact the organisation needs to make for its current and future residents and service users.

Salary: £12,000 per annum You can download a job pack from campbelltickell.com/jobs For further discussion please email gera@campbelltickell.com so we can book in a call.

Closing date for applications: noon on Wednesday 22 June

Greetings/messages/memories can be emailed to bernardsnook9@gmail.com or mailed c/o Bernard Snook at the corps address above

Saha is also looking for a new board member and two colleagues to join an operations committee. It’s a great opportunity for people who have a housing background who may be looking for their first role in a governance structure. Let us know if you are interested and we will pass your details on.

Salvationist 11 June 2022

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE APPOINTED Effective 24 May O Major Ted Benneyworth, Chaplain, mayor of Rushmoor borough council Effective 1 September O Major Raelton Gibbs, Under Secretary for Europe, IHQ O Major Lynn Gibbs, Editor, The Officer, IHQ LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED O YPBL Ian Harris, Worksop WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Diamond O Rtd BM Graeme and Kath Guy, Jersey (21 June) O SL Myra and Bandsman Reg Reid, Connah’s Quay (23 June) O Lieut-Colonels Geoff and Heather Blurton (23 June) Golden O Majors Geoff and Glenda Martin (24 June) DEDICATED TO GOD O Remi Gillan, daughter of Demi and Paul Gillan, at Paisley Citadel by Lieutenant Elliot Kervin and Captain Megan Kervin O Andrew Phillip Hill, son of Richard and Songster Zoe Hill, at Hemel Hempstead by Major Sarah Murray O Heidi Rebecca Cox, daughter of Stephanie Rockall, at Clowne by Major Elaine Holder

RETIRED OFFICERS’ BIRTHDAYS Lieut-Colonel Edna Williams (85 on 21 June) O Major June Kitchen (90 on 22 June) O Major James Smith (90 on 25 June) O

PROMOTED TO GLORY O Bandswoman/Songster/Rtd YPSM Madeline Savory, Lowestoft Citadel O Bandsman John Batty, Lowestoft Citadel O Percy Jeffs, Hemel Hempstead, on 1 May O Leeroy Gotami, Birmingham Citadel, on 20 May BEREAVED O Rtd BM Clifford Savory, Lowestoft Citadel, of his wife Bandswoman/ Songster/Rtd YPSM Madeline Savory O Songster Carol Batty, Lowestoft Citadel, of her husband Bandsman John Batty O Langton and Pamela Gotami, Birmingham Citadel, of their son Leeroy Gotami, Lynn Gotami, Birmingham Citadel, of her brother OFFICIAL GAZETTE LONG SERVICE 40 years O Major Carol Back, Leighton Buzzard O Major Alexander Bishop, Sheringham

ENGAGEMENTS GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE O Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Territory, Thu 9 Jun and Sun 12 O USA Western Territory, Mon 13 – Sun 26 THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM O Commissioning (USA Central Territory), Tue 7 Jun – Sun 12 O SALT College, Nairobi (AFCO XIV), Fri 24 – Fri 1 Jul THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL O Brengle Institute (Sunbury Court), Tue 14 Jun THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL PAUL MAIN) AND COLONEL JENINE MAIN O Riverbank women’s conference (The Slate Conference Centre), Fri 10 Jun – Sun 12* O Launde Abbey (Leader Development Programme), Wed 15 O WBC (South London Divisional Celebration), Sat 18 – Sun 19 * Colonel Jenine only

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Salvationist 11 June 2022

Richard Crowe, Rushden Ruth Dykes, Skegness and Chaplain, Witham Lodge, Skegness O Major Timothy Dykes, Skegness and Chaplain, Witham Lodge, Skegness O Major Allison Gaudion, Eaton Bray O Major Andrew Gaudion, Central South DHQ O Major Carole Grinsted, Chief Secretary’s Office, THQ O Major Elwyn Harries, Mission Service, THQ O Major Gareth Heward, Gloucester O Major Susan Heward, Gloucester O Major Julie Johnson, WBC O Major Shirley McKenzie, Darlington O Major Richard Mingay, WBC O Major Manuela Mordan, Chaplain, The Pleasance LH, Edinburgh O Major Elizabeth Oliver, Dudley O Major Ivan Oliver, Dudley O Major Linda Watson, Ayr O Major Alan Young, Southsea O Major Carol Young, Southsea 45 years O Lieut-Colonel Wendy Caffull, IHQ O Major Christine Comely, Chaplain, The Orchard LH, Bradford O Major Jennie McCombe, WBC O Major John McCombe, WBC O Major Brian Slinn, East Midlands DHQ O Major O Major

PROMOTIONS To major – effective 29 May O Captain Kingsley Layton, Risca RETIREMENTS FROM ACTIVE SERVICE Effective 1 June O Major Joy Caddy out of Briston in 1978 and last appointment Chaplain, Furze Hill CH, North Walsham O Major Richard Crowe out of Sheringham in 1982 and last appointment Rushden O Major David Emery out of Cardiff Cathays in 1984 and last appointment Chaplain to the Welsh Assembly O Major Valerie Morgan out of Harpenden in 2003 and last appointment Aylsham O Major Judith Nkounkou out of Hereford in 1983 and last appointment IHQ O Major Nigel Tansley out of Nottingham William Booth Memorial Halls in 1981 and last appointments Shaw and North West DHQ

Susan Walters out of Cheltenham Goodwill in 1982 and last appointment Ringwood

O Major

ANTHONY COTTERILL Commissioner Territorial Commander

WHAT’S ON LET THERE BE PRAISE: BELLSHILL BAND Bellshill Band features on Faith FM’s weekly Salvation Army music programme at 7pm EDT on 12 June (midnight UK time on 13 June) and on Fortress Radio O Listen live on kitchener.faithfm.org or catch up the following Sunday on fortressradio.online at 3pm LET THERE BE PRAISE: COVENTRY CITY BAND Coventry City Band features on Faith FM’s weekly Salvation Army music programme at 7pm EDT on 26 June (midnight UK time on 27 June) O Listen live on kitchener.faithfm.org or catch up the following Sunday on fortressradio.online at 3pm

AUDIO SALVATIONIST Lieut-Colonel Margaret Wickings is concluding her role as a Salvationist audio reader, with the 11 June issue being her last. She took on the role in November 2017 and has been one of two retired officers who have recorded the audio version of Salvationist for distribution on CD to people with a visual impairment.

Lieut-Colonel Rob Garrad is the other reader, and from the 18 June issue he will record each week.

Salvationist Editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts expressed his gratitude to Margaret for her work and thanked Rob for offering to take on the extra responsibility.

The audio version of Salvationist on CD is provided by the charity Galloway’s for free and can be ordered from Chris Stringer at THQ by emailing chris.stringer@ salvationarmy.org.uk. It can also be heard online at salvationist.org.uk/ media/magazine.

TRIBUTES NORMAN RIDLEY, PERTH NORMAN first attended a Salvation Army meeting in Ashington in 1950.

Two years later he signed the Articles of War from which he never wavered for the rest of his life.

Norman moved to Perth in 1957 and it was there he met his future wife, Mary.

They raised three children – Ilene, Norman and Lorna – and in 1967 the family moved to London, where Norman and Mary entered officer training.

Following their commissioning, for the next 10 years they served as corps officers. In 1978 they transferred to The Salvation Army’s Social Services Department, where they remained until 1993. Norman and Mary were then transferred overseas to Singapore, where Norman was appointed chaplain at Changi Prison and at a boys’ home until 1997.

Four years ago, Norman became involved in Cycling Without Age, raising funds and providing support and encouragement. This earned him the nickname ‘Stormin’ Norman’. – AH MAJOR LESLIE GREEN LESLIE Green entered the International Training College in 1959 from his home corps of Eccles, becoming a member of the Greathearts session.

He was first appointed to Leyland with Chorley, followed by Danvers and Wirksworth.

He married Lieutenant Christina Baybutt in 1963. Together they served at corps in the Midlands and northeast England until 1972, when a four-year appointment took them to East Africa, firstly to Mgulani in Tanzania and then to the newly opened Joyland in Kisumu, Kenya.

Returning to the UK in 1976, further corps appointments followed, mainly in northwest England, then a brief spell in Social Services. Their daughter, Anita, joined the family in 1978. The couple returned to corps ministry in 1986 serving at Strood, Mashbury,

Westbourne, King’s Lynn, Lowestoft South and Reading West, before retiring to Southsea in 2000. Sadly, Christina was promoted to Glory in 2009.

In retirement Les remained faithful to his calling and was a dedicated evangelist, which was expressed through his selling of Army papers, speaking to people at open-air meetings, collecting door to door, making new people feel welcome at worship and his active membership of the Rotary club. He was also a valued member of the songsters. Despite poor health, Les battled to maintain these activities for as long as possible.

He is greatly missed by his daughter and by the fellowship at Southsea Corps. – JB BETTY SAPSFORD, LEICESTER SOUTH BETTY was born in Leicester in 1928. At the age of seven she was taken to Leicester North Evington Corps by a childhood friend and became a member of the singing company, later becoming leader of the Sunbeams and joining the songsters as a young adult.

Betty met Len at youth councils held at the Co-op Halls in Belgrave Gate and they were married in 1950. Len transferred from Berners Street Corps, joining Betty at Leicester North Evington.

Betty and Len had two sons, Stephen and Geoffrey, and she became grandmother to Timothy, Andrew, Pollyanna and William.

Betty was an enthusiastic member of the women’s fellowship and member of the over-55 club at Leicester South.

Retiring from the songsters aged 81, Betty continued as a faithful soldier to the end, always offering a word of encouragement and friendship to all. – CH

Please note that soldiers’ and adherents’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 150 words.

Good quality pictures will be included. Copy should be sent to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk.

Salvationist 11 June 2022

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‘‘

Around 16 or 17 I became a soldier because I wanted God in my life

All kinds of people attend, join, volunteer with or work for The Salvation Army.

We’ve asked some to tell us about themselves.

This week…

SONGSTER LEADER MALCOLM ANDREWS LINCOLN How did you first come into contact with the Army?

I was dedicated at Newton Abbot Corps.

What made you want to become a soldier?

Around 16 or 17 I became a soldier because I wanted God in my life.

What do you do in your spare time?

I volunteer at a school teaching children how to play brass instruments. In the summer I enjoy watching cricket at Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club.

If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose?

As a cricket fan, I would meet WG Grace (1848–1915). He was one of England’s greatest all-rounders in the sport.

’’

What is your favourite hymn or worship song?

‘O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go’ (SASB 616).

If you could rid the world of one thing, what would it be?

Hatred.

Apart from the Bible, which book would you want on a desert island?

Any book by Patricia Cornwell.

What did you do before retirement?

I was a healthcare worker.

What was the most interesting thing about your job – and the most frustrating?

The most interesting part was meeting people recovering from various health problems. The care system in general was the most frustrating.

What one thing would you change about the Army?

I would bring back corps cadets.

If you could be in a film, which would it be and what character would you play?

The Hunt for Red October. I would play Sean Connery’s character, Captain Marko Ramius.

If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be?

Calmness.

What is your favourite food?

Liver and onions.

If you had a ‘theme song’ that played whenever you walked into a room, what would it be?

As an Everton fan, the theme from Z Cars, which is played at every home match.

What was the first record, tape or CD that you ever owned?

Symphony No 9 From the New World.

If you had to be handcuffed to one person for a day, who would it be?

Major Leslie Condon, to hear about his music.

What is your favourite Bible verse?

In the account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, it says that ‘Jesus himself came near and went with them’ (Luke 24:15 New Revised Standard Version). This passage reminds me that Jesus himself is with me in all situations.

If you could invent a gadget, what would it be?

A device that keeps traffic lights green as I approach them.

Which Bible figure would you like to meet and what would you ask them?

The rich young ruler. ‘Why did you walk away?’

What is the most valuable thing you possess?

Photographs of both sets of my grandparents.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Be honest.