Salvationist 12 March 2022

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70p / 12 March 2022

SALVATIONIST

HAPPINESS AND HARMONY AT TERRITORIAL YOUTH BAND AND CHOIR

JOURNEYING TOWARDS ‘WITHNESS’ PAGES 10 AND 11

QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

FAITH LEADERS ‘HORRIFIED’ BY IMPACT OF NATIONALITY AND BORDERS BILL ON REFUGEES The Bishop of Dover, the Most Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, and former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, are among the more than 1,000 faith leaders who have signed a letter to the prime minister expressing their horror at the implications of the Nationality and Borders Bill for people seeking asylum in the UK… The faith leaders warn that this … will create a two-tier system…

‘Criminalising and punishing vulnerable asylum seekers who have little choice but to arrive in the UK through “irregular routes”, when the majority are subsequently able to prove that they have a legitimate basis for their asylum claim, is a disgraceful and dishonourable policy, and should be abandoned…’

They urge the government to recognise the ‘desperation’ driving asylum seekers to the UK, and to keep the values of ‘family life, community service and respect for human dignity’ at the forefront of its policy decisions on refugees…

‘It is a sad fact that in our broken world, forced migration is not a temporary crisis; it is an ongoing reality. While there is still conflict and injustice in the world, there will always be desperate people needing to seek sanctuary from war, persecution and suffering,’ the letter ends.

Christian Today

SALVATIONIST

CHARITIES HELP LONDON CHURCHES LAUNCH MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT CAMPAIGN Churches in London are partnering with three charities to offer more mental health and isolation support to their communities…

Working with Renew Wellbeing, churches will be empowered to create quiet safe spaces where it’s ‘OK to not be OK’.

The charity Restored will equip churches to understand and challenge domestic abuse and create a safe place for survivors.

The third partner charity, Headstrong … works with churches to support young people around mental health and anxiety.

Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, said: ‘Churches are ideally placed to provide mental health support in their communities, supplementing the work of local services and the NHS.’ Premier

POPE DECRIES WAR IN SURPRISE VISIT TO RUSSIAN EMBASSY The Pope has made a remarkable intervention in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Pope Francis visited the Russian embassy … in Rome on Friday morning to express his concerns about the war directly with country officials…

At his General Audience on Wednesday, the Pope called on the faithful to join in a day of prayer and fasting for the war...

He decried the invasion and called on ‘those with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war’.

In a message posted to the Pope’s Twitter [account] in both English and Russian, he … condemned war as a ‘failure’.

‘Every war leaves our world worse than it was before,’ he said.

‘War is a failure of politics and of humanity, a shameful capitulation, a stinging defeat before the forces of evil.’

Christian Today

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

EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

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EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Simon Hope, Melita Day-Lewis, George Tanton, 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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Salvationist 12 March 2022

At great expense, the Fathers of the Church in historic Chastleton House have been restored.

The work by the National Trust has exposed a problem, however.

One of the saints, which are more than 400 years old, has gone missing.

The trust has launched a search for St Ambrose, last seen at the Jacobean house in 1919. As yet there is no clue as to what happened to the painting by an unknown artist working in the early 17th century.

The best lead the trust has is the Flemish engraving on which the painting was based…

Research is continuing in the records of auction houses at the British Library and archives in Oxford.

The Times

salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist Issue No 1849

MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford

NATIONAL TRUST HUNTS FOR ITS MISSING SAINT IN CHASTLETON HOUSE’S FATHERS OF THE CHURCH

DISTRIBUTION AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), 66–78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH 01933 445445 / subscriptions@satcol.org @SalvationistOnline

@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

HOPE AND LAMENT AMONG the many reports coming from the Ukraine-Russia conflict in the past couple of weeks were two that gave moving insights into the faith of the people affected by the situation. BBC journalist Clive Myrie ventured out from his bomb shelter in Kyiv to visit St Sophia Cathedral. He introduced the report by referring to the millions of people in the city ‘seeking shelter and refuge as the air raid sirens ring out’ and said: ‘Many seek solace in the Church, with their faith a rock upon which they’ve built a defiance and a will to win this war.’ He attended a prayer service for peace and afterwards interviewed a military chaplain and Ukraine’s interior minister.

What came through strongly was their hope in God. Another BBC news report featured Marina, a refugee in Moldova who had fled Ukraine with her 12-year-old son. She had worked in a coal mine in the Donbas region in the east, but when fighting broke out in 2014 she moved to the southwestern city of Odessa. Then, when bombs started falling there two weeks ago, she and her son went to Moldova. With tears in her eyes, Marina said: ‘If only God would help us and give us peace, everyone could live a normal life. But now everyone in the world is trembling.’

Hope and lament – two very different responses to the crisis, but both expressions of faith in God. We see them in the psalms, many of which express praise and confidence in God, while others lament the psalmist’s dire situation and often include a complaint to God. Psalm 13, for example, begins: ‘How long, Lord? Will you forget me for ever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?’ (vv1 and 2).

Lament on behalf of people adversely affected on both sides in the current crisis is a legitimate response. Soon after the outbreak of Covid-19, Tom Wright wrote God and the Pandemic, in which he said: ‘When we are caught up in awful circumstances … we are to lament, we are to complain, we are to state the case, and leave it with God.’ It is right to express our feelings of outrage and sorrow to God. That sincerity and openness is an aspect of our faith relationship with him.

Although we may begin with lament, we needn’t end there. In Psalm 13, as in other psalms of lament, there is a significant turning point: ‘But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me’ (vv5 and 6). No explanation is given for this change of mood. The most likely reason is that the psalmist has committed the matter to God and realises that, whatever happens and however he feels, God is with him, holding him securely. His circumstances have not changed but he sees beyond them to the faithfulness of God. As we continue to pray for people in Ukraine and the neighbouring countries, including Russia – and when we face our own distressing situations – let’s not be afraid to tell God how we really feel. He is big enough to take it. But let’s remember, as the psalmist did, to also trust in God’s unfailing love.

CONTENTS Quotes from the media

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News

4 and 5

Prayer matters

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News feature The Salvation Army responds to Russia and Ukraine crisis

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Reflection A word for our time

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by Captain Alison Hutchings

Viewpoint Learning to live with compassion

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by Bandmaster Adrian Lyons

Reflection What’s your attitude?

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by Major Alistair Dawson

Viewpoint Practising withness

10 and 11

by Jo Taylor

News feature 12 and 13 TYB and TYC students relish making music in person Fundraising Kiltwalk 2022

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Preview

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How Not to Be Afraid

by Gareth Higgins

Reflection What a privilege!

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by Major Paul Robinson

Bible study Apest: Evangelists

16 and 17

by Bethany Munn

Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17

by Major Melvyn Knott

Reflection Having our sins forgiven

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by Brian Colley

Reflection Grace for our weaknesses

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by Major John Waters

New commitments

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Adverts

20 and 21

Announcements

22 and 23

The Salvation Army and me

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featuring Richard Boryer

From the editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

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

Salvationist 12 March 2022

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NEWS

Editor's note: Events reported were held in accordance with the Army’s Covid-19 safety guidance at the time.

EMERGENCY AID

Army offers support during Storm Eunice aftermath UK THE Salvation Army’s emergency response teams, including officers and volunteers, mobilised to offer help in the aftermath of Storm Eunice last month.

Homelessness centres in St Helens, Blackburn, Coventry and London opened up emergency beds for dozens of rough sleepers to help them stay safe and protected.

In Stockport, the Army provided food, drink and emotional support to fire crews, mountain rescue teams and Hazardous Area Response Team paramedics.

Major Nigel Tansley, Emergency Response Team co-ordinator for the North West Division, said: ‘We served around 60 emergency responders who were primed and ready to act due to the flood risk.’

The Army also distributed hot drinks, sandwiches, bacon rolls and hot dogs to people living in more than 60 homes in the village of Botesdale, Suffolk, where a tree crashed through a power line and left residents without electricity for three days.

Territorial Emergency Response Officer Adrian Clee commented: ‘Our role during major incidents is vital in supporting emergency services and communities. We also offer a listening ear, which can be essential when emergency responders are dealing with often difficult and developing situations.’ – AR

PRESENTATION WOKING Ruth Barker transferred to the songster reserve after more than 60 years of service. Ruth received flowers and a bird table for her garden. The meeting was attended by members of her family, and corps officer Major David House compared being admitted to the songster reserve to being a ‘substitute in a football team’. Ruth is pictured with Songster Leader Jo Cox. – MH

ARMY NEWS

Army issues new uniform minute UKI

Members of the Music Man Project at Boston Corps show off their new instruments

SALVATION Army uniform has adapted down the years as clothing styles in society have changed and the practicalities of the mission have developed. In response to this and the significant decline in demand for formal jackets (tunics), and as part of the territory’s ongoing commitment to being a good steward of all its resources, a new minute concerning uniform will come into effect on 1 May. The summer uniform / white shirted uniform will be acceptable throughout the year for officers and soldiers and the wearing of a formal uniform with jacket will be a personal or, if participating in music sections, a corps decision. For officers, jackets will be required at ceremonial and other formal occasions, such as funerals and weddings, and external occasions, such as Remembrance Sunday, civic functions and ecumenical formal occasions. Headwear remains optional.

Formal jackets will continue to be available from Salvationist Publishing and Supplies as ‘made to order’. SP&S does not anticipate any disruption to lead times or purchase price.

The new approach to uniform wearing outlined in the minute is intended to keep Salvationists visible, relevant and able to be good stewards of the Army’s resources as they seek to love God and love others. – AR 4

MUSIC

Salvationist 12 March 2022

MUSIC

PLYMOUTH The Devon and Cornwall Divisional Mission Band held an all-day open band practice, led by Director of Music and Creative Arts Stephen Cobb. About 60 musicians from corps, town and contesting bands across the counties played through traditional and contemporary arrangements. The band exists to provide opportunities for any musician to join in fellowship and support the Army’s mission within the division.

Some musicians with no regular church attendance have joined the band and begun to attend and support corps across the division. – JS

LENT: WEEK 2 – MAKING SPACE

by Lyndall Bywater (Prayer Network)

SATURDAY 12 MARCH – THE DISRUPTION OF COMMUNITY Other people can be profoundly disruptive to our plans. But being pulled off our own track by the needs and wants of those around us can give God room to speak to us. Is there something someone else wants you to do with them, but you’ve been resisting because it’s inconvenient? Maybe today’s the day to let them disrupt your plans.

PRESENTATION Divisional Envoy Billy Cowgill receives a certificate of appreciation from Divisional Commander Major Jane Cowell for 25 years’ faithful service and leadership at Bradford Idle Corps

ENVIRONMENT

SUNDAY 13 MARCH – MAKING SPACE IN WORSHIP One of the simplest ways to make space for the Holy Spirit to speak when we’re gathered for worship is to introduce a couple of minutes of silence between each item on the meeting plan. It makes the meeting longer, or means we can fit less in, but it forces us into a slower pace and a more intentional kind of listening.

LENT: WEEK 3 – WISDOM

by Lyndall Bywater (Prayer Network) MONDAY 14 MARCH – EXAMEN The Ignatian practice of Examen involves taking time each evening to look back over the day and reflect on four questions: What was good about today? What was difficult about today? What do I regret doing today? What do I want to do better tomorrow? Take 10 minutes each evening this week to do this. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you glean wisdom from the day’s events.

TUESDAY 15 MARCH – WISE WORDS Reflect on some of the wise words you’ve heard or read over the past few months.

They may be words or phrases that have caught your attention, Bible verses that have stayed with you or quotes you’ve stumbled across. Write them down and read them through slowly. Is there a common thread? Is there a way you could act on that wisdom today?

WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH – WISDOM PERSONIFIED ‘If you wait at wisdom’s doorway, longing to hear a word for every day, joy will break forth within you as you listen for what I’ll say’ (Proverbs 8:34 The Passion Translation).

The writer of this chapter imagines wisdom as a loving, creative presence bringing life to the universe. If you have time, read the whole chapter, or meditate on this verse.

HADLEIGH FARM February half-term gave the Hadleigh Farm Estate an opportunity to engage families in different activities and raise awareness of the Christian responsibility to care for creation and increase knowledge of the environmental issues that impact everyone. The Climate Coalition’s Show the Love campaign encourages people across the UK to tackle climate change and protect what they love, showing decision makers that people want to see real and rapid action to tackle the climate and nature crisis.

The farm encouraged people to wear green heart badges to #showthelove. The campaign included a short film made by Hadleigh Training Centre and daily family craft activities. The team enjoyed sharing stories with children and encouraged people to raise their voices by contacting their local MP. – WW

THURSDAY 17 MARCH – WISDOM IN LEADERSHIP Proverbs 8:15 and 16 talk about how those in power need wisdom. Take time today to pray for those in local and national government, that they will be able to hear the voice of wisdom amid the clamour of opinion.

FRIDAY 18 MARCH – WISDOM IN CREATION Creation is God’s handiwork; the natural world displays God’s glory. Find a moment to get out for a walk today and take notice of what you see and hear. What wisdom is nature sharing with you?

SATURDAY 19 MARCH – WISDOM IN UNEXPECTED PLACES In an increasingly polarised society, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that everyone who agrees with us is wise, and everyone who doesn’t isn’t. Take time today to read something by someone whose views you don’t agree with. Read with an open mind and ask the Holy Spirit to show you the wisdom in their words.

O A PDF of the Prayer Matters booklet is also available to download from salvationarmy.org.uk/resources Salvationist Salvationist 295January March 2022

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NEWS FEATURE

The Salvation Army responds to Russia and Ukraine crisis EASTERN EUROPE THE Salvation Army is responding rapidly to the urgent needs of displaced people who have been impacted by the unfolding Ukraine-Russia conflict, reports Lauren Westwood (IHQ Communications).

Emergency response teams across The Salvation Army’s international network provide critical relief, strategic planning and emotional support through conditions of extreme challenge and distress. Salvationists in the Eastern Europe Territory have sprung into action, with initial relief operations currently being delivered in Moldova, Romania and Ukraine.

MOLDOVA The Salvation Army is supporting refugees from Ukraine through the provision of free temporary accommodation and access to wifi, made possible by officers, staff and the innovative use of Salvation Army buildings and facilities. Salvationists of all ages are bolstering these efforts by preparing and distributing hot meals, drinks and parcels containing essential items.

ROMANIA The Army has sent teams to work at border crossings in Siret and Isaccea, alongside other agencies and individuals, providing food and hygiene items for Ukrainian refugees. At the Siret ferry, these teams have been of particular support to women, children and older people.

Assistance for displaced people is evident beyond the border work in Romania, with one mother and her two children transported to safety in Budapest from the cultural capital of Iași, solely through the aid of Salvation Army connections across Europe.

Romania

THE WIDER RESPONSE The Army’s wider response spans several other European countries. In Poland, relief parcels are being prepared for the anticipated arrival of 100,000 Ukrainian refugees per day.

Damaris Frick and Captain Matthew Beatty, of International Emergency Services at IHQ, are planning with colleagues on the front line. Salvation Army teams in the Czech Republic and Slovakia are assessing and preparing vital aid for the flow of displaced people, with representatives meeting on a regular basis.

Salvationists and friends around the world have responded to this crisis with an attitude of care, compassion and concern for their

HOW TO SUPPORT THOSE AFFECTED There are two ways of donating towards the Army’s relief work: O The UKI International Projects Office has set up an appeal page at salvationarmy.org.uk O For people raising funds locally through an event or challenge, visit justgiving.com/campaign/ TheSalvationArmyResponseinUkraine

UKRAINE In various locations across the country, particularly places near the border such as the city of Lviv, internally displaced people are being supported through the supply of food and other items. Corps and centres, including those in Vinnytsia and Dnipro, are ready to give help where needed. Such relief work, and other ongoing activities, is taking place on all sides of the border, with The Salvation Army in Russia providing essential items to those affected.

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Salvationist 12 March 2022

brothers and sisters in Ukraine and Russia through prayer and, where possible, through financial donations. General Brian Peddle has contacted leaders to assure them of the deep support they have from ‘our international family’, which transcends borders and national identity.

‘Pray for peace in this troubled time,’ the General has prompted Salvationists. ‘Pray for the safety of those who are fleeing and for those who are already displaced; pray that there will be adequate hospitality from neighbour countries; for faith and courage for every Christian and especially for our people; and pray for the de-escalation of the battle so that the threat to life is no longer a reality.’

Moldova

If corps wish to set up their own JustGiving page to collect donations for the Ukraine crisis, please only do this with help from the events and fundraising team. Contact Ross on 020 7367 4819 or email challenge@ salvationarmy.org.

REFLECTION

A word for our time Captain Alison Hutchings looks at the Ukraine-Russia crisis through the lens of the prophet Habakkuk’s lament

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S the world continues to grapple with the political, economic and humanitarian implications of the Ukraine-Russia crisis, there is also a ‘grappling’ to be done by the Church.

Certainly there are practical responses, and we must not hesitate to respond appropriately, but we must also consider the spiritual implications.

The prime minister, Boris Johnson, wrote that he was appalled by the events and described the crisis as ‘a catastrophe for our continent’. News reporters have sounded surprised that such a crisis could unfold in the 21st century.

It is a desperately sad situation, one that has moved me to tears, but the Bible makes it clear that such things are to be expected. ‘You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come’ (Matthew 24:6). We know that as we anticipate the coming again of Jesus, the world will increasingly feel chaotic and troubled.

Our first response may be one of confusion or anger. Why does God allow such conflict? How can these things happen? Injustices are all around us – locally, nationally and across the globe – from human trafficking to the destruction of the environment.

The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk feels like a prophet for our time. The book of Habakkuk is a lament from a man who feels overwhelmed by the injustice he sees before him: ‘How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralysed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted’ (1:2–4).

God answers Habakkuk in a most bewildering way. He says that he is going to allow a destructive Babylonian army to enter the land. Habakkuk doesn’t fully understand God’s methods.

But he doesn’t give up and write God off. Instead, he says: ‘I will stand at my watch and station myself on the watchtower; and I will keep watch to see what he will say to me’ (2:1 Modern English Version).

Here we see an intentional watching, an active waiting. Habakkuk may not understand, but he waits and watches in expectation that God will speak – and that somehow God’s plans will prevail.

And God does speak: ‘See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright – but the righteous person will live by his faith’ (2:4 NIV, 2001).

Whether or not we grasp all the political nuances of the Ukraine-Russia crisis, our instruction is to live by faith – to station ourselves at the lookout post and actively wait for God’s voice.

We don’t know what the coming days will hold or how the repercussions of this crisis might ripple into our lives. People are already struggling with the increased cost of living. Many are at breaking point. There are no easy answers.

During 2020 and 2021 the Covid-19 pandemic was a wake-up call to the Church, with many implications for who we are and how God’s Kingdom operates. In 2022, the Ukraine-Russia crisis is another.

Let us say with Habakkuk: ‘Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign Lord is my strength’ (3:18 and 19). Let us start there. Let us start with God! But there is also an urgent call to active waiting – a spiritual alertness. Let us not be found sleeping, but be faithful and obedient (see Matthew 25:1–13 and Luke 21:34–36). Let us seek righteousness and justice and live by faith in Christ alone.

This is a call to stand firm – not to be tossed to and fro (see Ephesians 4:14 and 2 Timothy 4:3), but to stay grounded, rooted in Christ and his word, equipped for battle. Only then will we be a true light to the world that desperately and urgently needs Christ.

May we in these days, above all other things, seek first the Kingdom of God and keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus.

May we be faithful in prayer and find joy in the hope and relationship we have in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God (Isaiah 41:10)

CAPTAIN HUTCHINGS IS CORPS OFFICER, SOUTHPORT Salvationist 12 March 2022

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VIEW POINT

Learning to live with compassion

As Covid-19 restrictions ease, Adrian Lyons suggests we still need to take responsibility for other people’s welfare

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N England and Northern Ireland – and soon in the other nations of the UK – there are no longer any legal restrictions on our behaviour in relation to reducing the spread of Covid-19.

Over recent weeks at Colchester Citadel mask wearing has gradually reduced, leaving the minority who are still wearing masks standing out from the crowd. I know that this reduction in mask-wearing leads to some members of the congregation feeling uncomfortable about attending. For others, it may even have stopped them attending.

Our band continues to use bell covers.

One member informed me that in his contesting band they do not use bell covers because they affect the sound.

My response was to ask how many members of his contesting band had caught Covid-19, to which the answer was nine.

One of the reasons Salvation Army soldiers abstain from consuming alcohol is that, even if we personally might not experience any ill effects if we were to drink, we stand alongside those who do experience them. Therefore, voluntarily curtailing our own freedoms for the benefit of others should not be an alien concept to those who have signed the Soldier’s Covenant.

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Salvationist 12 March 2022

While the symptoms of the Omicron variant seem mild for most, there are people in our congregations who are at particular risk from catching coronavirus.

This is true for older people or those who have medical conditions. Those who are self-employed – for whom each day off work is a day without income – also have to deal with the financial consequences of catching Covid-19. We owe all these people a duty of care.

It concerns me that discussions about Covid-19 precautions lump together different elements. For example, on the day that the government announced the ending of all legal restrictions in England, BBC News recorded vox pops on the streets of London. One interviewee said she welcomed the ending of restrictions because ‘we’ve been in lockdown too long’. She seemed unaware that she was out in the street and therefore, by definition, not locked down.

Similarly, questions about the allocation of financial resources are political, so the upcoming removal of universally free testing in England is open to political debate. Having said that, while it is not legally mandated, there remains a recommendation to self-test before attending an indoor

event with other people. For some members of our congregations the main opportunity during their week to mix indoors with people from outside their house may be attending a Sunday meeting. If they follow the advice to self-test, that will mean attending meetings carries a financial cost. These are areas over which the individual cannot make a choice.

On the day of the announcement, Professor Christina Pagel, director of University College London’s clinical operational research unit, commented: ‘If we are to add a new, serious disease that is far more infectious than flu to our population, with no adaptations to indoor environments or way of life, then we must expect frequent reinfections, more ill health and many more deaths each year.’

During the press conference that followed on from the prime minister’s announcement, England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, warned that the country still has ‘high rates of Omicron’ – with between 1 in 20 and 1 in 25 people estimated to be infected at the time – and that coronavirus remains ‘a very prominent infection’.

‘As we look at the next weeks,’ he said, ‘I would urge people in terms of public health advice to still self-isolate.’

He went on to say that ‘maximising ventilation, hand washing and using face masks in enclosed spaces with large numbers of people when there are significant numbers of cases remain important’.

In 1 Corinthians 10:23, Paul writes: ‘“I have the right to do anything,” you say – but not everything is beneficial.

“I have the right to do anything”– but not everything is constructive.’ This verse seems particularly relevant. As Christians we are called to care for others, so the least we can do, if we know we have Covid-19, is not to put others at risk but rather choose to self-isolate. We should also ventilate our halls and wear face masks.

ADRIAN IS BANDMASTER, COLCHESTER CITADEL

RE EFLEC FLECT FL EC CTI TION ON REFLECTION

What’s your attitude?

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Major Alistair Dawson asks how our behaviour reflects our Christian values

HE Beatitudes come at the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1–12 and are statements of great significance for the Christian life. They are affirmations of everything we share with Jesus today, relating our characters to our deeds as we become the salt of the earth, radiating light and glorifying our heavenly Father (see vv13–16).

The nine Beatitudes break themselves up into three groups of three. Each group commencing with a leader, followed by a protector, then a reward.

The word ‘happy’ – from the root ‘hap’, meaning chance or fortune – is used in some translations, but is not a good word to introduce the Beatitudes, for the life of God cannot be expressed in that way.

The congratulatory word ‘blessed’, relating to the Christian’s bliss, is more appropriate as it finds its expression within the life of God. The first Beatitude leads us into reality, contrasting our utter destitution of spirit with our standing in the Kingdom of Heaven: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven’ (v3).

To quote the French Carmelite nun Thérèse of Lisieux, ‘I expect nothing of myself but everything of God.’ She went

on to say: ‘Do not let us stay very far from all that is brilliant. Let us love our littleness, love to feel nothing; then we shall be poor in spirit – and Jesus will come for us far off as we are. He will transform us.’

‘God is beyond human experience,’ says the celebrity cook Delia Smith in A Journey into God, ‘and whoever comes to terms with this is one who understands what it means to be merely human and not God. Being “poor in spirit” means that I am happy to be what I am and to allow God to be what he is. If he is hidden in me, I am content not to be able to encompass him with my intellect and senses. I am at the same time freed from the awful pressure of striving to be like him, which will always be impossible at any level.’

Such a spirit then needs careful protection and care, so we have a spirit of mourning expressed in the second Beatitude: ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted’ (v4).

These first two Beatitudes develop a balancing effect that becomes our reward – namely, a spirit of meekness: ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth’ (v5). This spirit will inherit the Earth because it is at one with God and itself – and completely at one with the world it seeks to serve.

In the second group of Beatitudes, the leader becomes the driving force of prayer: ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will

be filled’ (v6). There is a problem here: righteousness can be bad for the soul if it develops into a holier-than-thou attitude.

So an attitude of mercy towards the failings and shortcomings of others is added as a protection: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy’ (v7). We need a passion for God and a compassion for people.

Mercy then creates a lovely balance within the Christian life. Such a balance is not only the Christian’s reward, but an opportunity to see God and become united in heart and single-minded in purpose: ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God’ (v8).

The leader of our final group refers to God’s peacemakers: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God’ (v9). These are the dependent people who concentrate on their need of God and live under his control. They are single-minded and have a pure heart. As they are God’s peacemakers, they live at the centre of crisis. The fact that they are reviled and persecuted for righteousness (see vv10 and 11) is their protection, holding their lives in check and keeping it in balance.

What is their response? It is to ‘rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you’ (v12).

What is your attitude? How does it influence your actions?

‘Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven’ (v16).

MAJOR DAWSON LIVES IN RETIREMENT IN ST AUSTELL

Salvationist 12 March 2022

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VIEW POINT

Practising withness Jo Taylor reminds us why connecting with children and young people is vital

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USIE Dent, from Channel 4’s Countdown, regularly delights her 992k Twitter followers with her ‘word of the day’ tweets. Dent has mastered the art of the ‘subtweet’ – when a tweet references a specific event or person without naming it or them openly. Dent’s ability to comment on a mood or moment brings joy, relief and a sense of community, as once the thing is named it’s easier to talk about.

As the world has sought to navigate a pandemic over the past two years, there have been a number of shifts. The Church – and youth and children’s work, specifically – hasn’t been immune to these shifts and many have tried to name them so they can be better understood. A simple but unusual word has come into focus: withness.

Withness is a strong, authentic connection forged with the heart of another. Withness has allowed us to articulate where we have seen God’s activity in the world most vibrantly

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and shape how Salvation Army youth and children’s workers can move forward into wider, deeper and more life-giving ministry.

God’s desire for relationship, for close connection, can be seen throughout the Bible. Right at the beginning, in Genesis chapter 1, we read that God created the Earth and all that is in it and, at the end of each day of creating, saw that it was good. But despite the pleasure it brought him, God wasn’t done. There was one thing needed to improve and complete this magnificent creation: people. Chosen people. Loved people.

God didn’t want to hold us at arm’s length. God wanted withness. So, ‘The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood’ (John 1:14 The Message). Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection all point in the same direction: towards us.

Priest and blogger Drew Downs writes: ‘Jesus came to be with us and to teach us this withness. From gathering around tables to eat and drink in remembrance of Jesus to our healing Jesus in hospitals, feeding Jesus in our soup kitchens, sheltering Jesus in our homeless shelters, welcoming Jesus in the refugee, or visiting Jesus when he’s incarcerated, we are practising withness with God as we practise it with one another.’

This has always been true, so why is it important that we speak about it now?

There are two realities that need to be named. Both have been true for some time and have been exacerbated by the upheaval and challenges of the past couple of years.

The first is that the Church in the UK, including the Army, is in numerical decline. Even if your corps is one of the few churches not experiencing decline, the truth is that the majority of people are not in our buildings. The most generous estimates suggest that a third of the population have some kind of connection with church and one in twenty regularly attend Sunday worship.

These numbers are even lower among children and young people.

The second reality is that our children and young people are struggling. A 2020 report from the National Youth Agency revealed that there are more than a million young people with known needs that have been amplified by the Covid-19 pandemic and an estimated two million young people with emerging needs

triggered or caused by the pandemic.

More than a million people aged 8 to 19 have self-reported mental health issues.

There has been a spike in calls to helplines, with 84 per cent of young people with existing mental health needs reporting worse mental health following school closures and 26 per cent no longer able to access mental health support.

Young people are anxious about the damage we are doing to the environment, with three quarters of respondents to a University of Bath survey thinking the future is frightening and more than half (56 per cent) believing humanity is doomed.

Reflecting on the turmoil in the a ah Bessey ar esssey la ame ents:: Church, author S Sarah laments: ‘The word ichabod od ccame ame am e to om me. e. T The he e ed.’.’ IIff w ed we e’’rre re glory has departed.’ we’re ave av e honest, most of us h have ment me nts lilike ikke e experienced moments ly we w ssee ee this. But hopefully those glimmers of u light that remind us of what is most true. rue e.

Bessey continues: es:: es ‘The Incarnation m means eans ea ns that God’s glory iis s he h here. re. re Always has been here. n he ere e. Is sstill titilll here. God became person m ap me e so er s n an and d dwelled among us us. Go God d gr grew ew iinside nsid ns ide eo off a young woman who knew her Scriptures, and was born one night in Palestine.

God nursed and cried and grew and listened and loved…

‘The glory of God moved right into our neighbourhoods... Out of the temples and arks and behind the veils, right out into your front street. The glory of God is now hiding in plain sight in our right-now lives.’

If God’s primary form of ministry is withness – close connection and deep relationship – what does this mean for us? It means a focus on presence, as we seek to support and resource youth and children’s workers. That presence can’t be about what we do in our spaces because most people aren’t there.

They’re in their spaces. Our youth and children are in schools, universities, football clubs, parks, on the streets and in their homes. Some of them – too many of them – are in pain, on the margins, excluded. But the good news is that God, Emmanuel, is there too, inviting us to share and point out his transformational presence.

All over the territory, youth and

children’s leaders are moving into these spaces and people are noticing again the glory of God. Salvationists have taken their youth work on to the streets.

There are now 136 members of the Army’s Street-Based Youth Work network and nine brand-new youth ministries. Starfish is a mentoring programme running in primary and secondary schools. Well-trained volunteers are working with school staff to identify vulnerable students who could benefit from a positive relationship with an adult. In one case this led to a corps being asked to provide a holistic package of support for the whole family.

Homework clubs, football training, dance groups, music lessons and university chaplaincies are some ch hap aplain nci cies es a r jjust re ust so ome m of the opportunities oppo op port po rtun unitittie un iess Sa Salv Salvationists lvat lv a iio at oni nist stss are investing i tto in o en ensure ensu sure re ep presence, rese re se offer connection and conn co nec ctiion a n point out what wh hat at G God od d iiss already doing.

It’s It ’s n not ot ju ot just about physical p ph hys y spaces.

Ourr children and Ou yyoung yo you ou people are ttalking ta l i about lk mental ment me nttal ntal al h health, e identity gender and an d ge gend nde nd er issues, the er climate, and clim cl imat ate, e, iinequality nequ ne qu human huma hu an tr ttrafficking. a fiicckkin af ing g We’re seeking be present se eek ekin in ng to b e pr p essen nt in n tthose conversation spaces too, with resources such as Upbeat and True Story, as well as training on pastorally supporting LGBTQ+ young people and traumainformed practice. The more of these spaces we can be present in, the more we’re able to point towards God. Author and seminary teacher Andrew Root says: ‘Ministry is about connection, one to another, about sharing in suffering and joy, about persons meeting persons with no pretence or secret motives. It is about shared life, confessing Christ not outside the relationship but within it.

This, I learned, was living the gospel.’

There are questions for each of us, as individuals and as a Movement.

Where are the people God is calling us to meet? Who is God calling us to open our lives to? How could a journey towards withness – with God and with others – transform our world?

JO IS TERRITORIAL YOUTH SPECIALIST (DISCIPLESHIP) Salvationist 12 March 2022

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NEWS FEATURE

TYB and TYC students relish making music in person Territorial Youth Band

BOURNEMOUTH JOSIE LAMPLOUGH BIRMINGHAM CITADEL MANY people may have been apprehensive going to such a big event, but this year’s Territorial Youth Band was full of amazing music, ministry and laughter. What made the week even more special was seeing everyone after such a long time and having the opportunity to make music with our TYB family again.

The week was packed full of fun activities, with lots of time to help us improve our musical abilities and space to move forward in our journeys of faith.

On Tuesday afternoon trombonist Paul Fisher came in to tell us about his musical journey. He also taught us about other styles of brass music and how to play with ‘show faces’, which Paul finds helpful when playing pop and jazz music. This came in handy for some of the pieces we played, including ‘La Fe Es La Victoria’ by Steve Kellner and ‘Groove Hosanna!’ by Munashe Chikwezvero. We also did things to help us improve our musical skills, such as improvisation, pulse and aural awareness.

This afternoon with Paul was a high point 12

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for me because we were able to have fun with one another while improving our musicianship.

Another highlight was something we hadn’t done in previous years: a trip to the beach between rehearsals on the Thursday evening. There we focused on the theme of the week which was building on our foundations of faith. This was a great opportunity to reflect on what has challenged us over the past two years as well as the thought-provoking moments shared during the week.

I also enjoyed the Thursday night TYB Review of the Week, which reminded us of the funniest bits of our time together. This year it was led by staff members Charlie Green and Callum White. The evening was full of games, awards and laughs.

The whole week was incredible, leaving us all on a high after what has been a really tough two years. It was great to be presented with such amazing and challenging music and be taught so much by the amazing staff members. I’d like to thank all the people who helped make the week such a success and joy.

Boscombe beach

HARRIET STEWART REGENT HALL IT was exciting to return to Territorial Youth Choir in person this year. I was happy to see friends again and excited to meet new people.

After the auditions we went straight into our rehearsals with Songster Leader Karl Westwood (Bromley Temple). We ran through all the songs to get a general idea of them. My favourite was Karl’s arrangement of Chris Tomlin’s ‘How Can I Keep from Singing?’, which is about endlessly praising God for his amazing love. Everyone was given a private singing lesson by Stephanie Lamplough (Birmingham Citadel), which I found really helpful.

Territorial Youth Choir The theme of the week was Build My Life, inspired by the song of the same name, which we sang. The song speaks about putting our trust in God alone, who is a firm foundation. Each day we considered different ways we can build our lives for Jesus and for others. There were interviews with staff members about how they built their lives on God and what they wanted to pray for. These questions were then asked in our cell groups, which challenged me to include God and my faith in different aspects of my life, making sure the impact of TYC will last beyond just the week.

This year we picked additional workshops including multimedia, art, conducting/ leadership, dance and discussion. These were other ways to express our faith and worship, adding another unique element to the week. I took part in the dance stream and learnt two dances to songs, one hip-hop and the other lyrical, one of which we were able to perform in the final concert. I enjoyed learning two contrasting styles and expressing worship through dance.

The evenings were filled with fun activities, games and a silent disco with the TYB students. The first night we had ice-breakers in our cell groups, when we were given challenges to complete – and my group won! During the open mic I was able to perform my audition song, which I really enjoyed. The last night we held worship in the round, providing another opportunity for us to share, pray and encourage one another; it was a very special evening.

TYC being held virtually last year made us appreciate attending in person even more this year. Thank you to all the staff members for making it an amazing week.

A joyous evening of praise

presented by TYC: ‘Trusting Jesus, That Is All’

by Andrew Wicker and ‘How Can I Keep from THE LIFE CENTRE, BOURNEMOUTH Singing?’. The group’s dynamic contrast was perhaps most effectively demonstrated when the singers rose with a crescendo into the THE 2022 Youth Makes Music festival was familiar refrain of ‘Amazing love! How can it the culmination of a week of pulling together to worship and celebrate through music, reports be…?’ in the second of these songs. It was a truly moving moment.

Johnny Laird (Croydon Citadel). Just hours One of TYB’s major works was ‘Romans 8’ before the festival, Storm Eunice hit the UK – a challenging piece by Ray Steadman-Allen. and Ireland, and with Covid-19 still rife and a new venue to contend with, there was much to The players’ interpretation was sensitive when the music demanded, occasionally robust when challenge the preparations. required and effective in presenting the Under new TYC leader Karl Westwood the message within it. Special mention should be group’s start to the programme was measured, made of some lyrical high register euphonium unhurried and almost meditative. They playing and the light touch of the trombone displayed a warm, delicate sound in Mark section.

Hayes’s ‘Children of the Light’, with excellent The first half finished on a glorious high discipline and musicality in handling the with ‘La Fe Es La Victoria’, which brought dynamic contrast. some Latin flavour to the proceedings.

Maintaining that atmosphere, TYB Further contrast came from Andreas presented ‘Prelude on Ascalon’ by Geoffrey Holmund’s ‘What a Wonderful Day’, with its Nobes. This year’s band was perhaps younger than usual, yet under the leadership of Director big band stylings, and Daniel Galbraith’s of Music and Creative Arts Stephen Cobb they arrangement of ‘Hosanna’ by Kirk Franklin, including movement from the TYC singers interpreted the piece with maturity. with real freedom of expression.

After a prayer by Territorial Youth and Kevin Norbury’s arrangement of Alexander Children’s Secretary Major Helen Schofield, Borodin’s ‘Excerpts from the Polovtsian Dances Stephen compèred the programme. He from “Prince Igor”’ was a tour de force by TYB, explained that ‘Groove Hosanna!’ was and from this classical transcription we arrived representative of the steady flow of music reaching the Music Editorial Department from with the TYC at ‘I Need Thee’ by Alastair Taylor. The singers navigated this harmonically Africa. TYB brought real sparkle to this contemporary arrangement of Salvation Army sophisticated song with ease, as did the band with Paul Sharman’s ‘To the Hills’. melodies.

The band’s closing piece, ‘To the Chief The music leaders chose to continue that Musician’ by William Himes, was a powerful blend of traditional and contemporary, with and appropriate reminder of why Salvationist TYC giving us hits of gospel, worship songs and much-loved Salvation Army classics, while musicians do what they do.

Staff and students are to be commended for TYB’s music allowed the band to be challenged overcoming the many challenges to give us a and the listeners to be inspired. wonderful evening of music filled with praise.

Two soon-to-be-published songs were Salvationist 12 March 2022

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FUNDRAISING

HOW TO GET INVOLVED CHOOSE YOUR DATE Glasgow, 24 April Aberdeen, 29 May Dundee, 21 August Edinburgh, 18 September Scotland’s Virtual Kiltwalk, 7–9 October CHOOSE YOUR DISTANCE The Mighty Stride, 22.6 miles The Big Stroll, 14.5 miles The Wee Wander, 3–5 miles REGISTER ONLINE 1 Sign up at thekiltwalk.co.uk 2 Let them know you are fundraising for The Salvation Army by typing in ‘The Salvation Army’ under ‘Charity’ when you register on the website 3 We will be in touch to provide you with all the support and goodies you need

Kiltwalk 2022 Community and Events Fundraising Manager Angela Carlucci invites us to take part in a unique fundraising opportunity

D

ON your finest kilt this year and join a famously fun event!

Kiltwalk is a unique challenge that enables walkers to raise money while getting outside, being active and celebrating an enduring symbol of Scottish identity. If you are based in Scotland – or fancy a hop over there – and would like to raise money for a

Salvation Army project or Scottish corps close to your heart, this is the perfect opportunity to do so. And, with three distances and five dates and locations to choose from – including a Virtual Kiltwalk you can carry out wherever you are – there is something to suit everyone!

What makes Kiltwalk such an impactful event is that Sir Tom Hunter of The

PREVIEW

How Not to Be Afraid

by Gareth Higgins

W

E live in a time when people seem more afraid than ever. The climate crisis and the rise of populism, polarisation and aggression in politics, the media and popular culture have coincided with the collapse of previously cherished norms and expectations about economic stability, community life and even the future of the planet. And all this before the Covid-19 pandemic struck. No wonder many people are experiencing anxiety.

In How Not to Be Afraid, speaker, storyteller and activist Gareth Higgins exposes the root causes of fear and 14

Salvationist 12 March 2022

shows how we can break its power through life-giving stories, simple spiritual exercises and practical steps to take as individuals and communities.

Reflecting on his experience of growing up during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, he contends that it’s time to tell ourselves new stories about the world in which we live, stories that will liberate the greater forces of love, courage and joy.

Not to Be Afraid is available from sps-shop.com priced £12.99 (plus postage and packing)

O How

Hunter Foundation has pledged to donate an additional 50 per cent of whatever you raise to the cause you have chosen to support. This means that a Salvation Army project or corps will get 150 per cent of the amount you raise through Kiltwalk.

O To

find out more call the Community and Events Fundraising Unit on 020 7367 4819

RE REFL EFL FLEC ECTI TION TION ON REFLECTION

What a privilege!

Major Paul Robinson encourages us not to take holiness for granted

R

ECENTLY, I was thinking about how privileged I am. I have a home, a loving family and a corps family. Reflecting on this led me to consider all the privileges that have been mine over the years.

For more than four decades I have served the Lord through Salvation Army corps and social services. I still remember many people and many faces.

I have listened to them, prayed with them and loved them. I have even bathed some of them. I have heard the stories of saints and sinners and seen God’s work in amazing and wonderful ways.

I have been with those waiting to enter Heaven’s door and wept with their families, where no words would ever be sufficient or appropriate, but where the the Lord was present to share his balm and consolation.

When people have been at the end of their tether, or when they have received joyous news, I have been available.

I have sat in a consultant’s office to support someone being told they had only three weeks left to live. I have led meetings and seen people get caught up in worship, believing the Lord is going to work even more deeply in their lives. I have walked with people on their life journeys.

I used to have a regular radio ministry and served on the BBC’s Religious Advisory Group. This involved connecting to another studio.

One day, when I had presented my Pause for Thought, the presenter offered, in jest, to hit me. When I got home my daughter was concerned for my welfare. In her mind the presenter and I were in the same place. It reminded me that whenever I speak – on an Army platform or on the radio – people are listening.

What a privilege!

Don’t we all have experiences of privilege?

People, places, events

that have filled our lives? Opportunities of service and witness that have blessed us and others? Wouldn’t it be awful if we took every privileged moment for granted?

Our Movement describes holiness as a privilege. We believe it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified and that our ‘whole spirit and soul and body [may] be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Thessalonians 5:23 King James Version).

The Salvation Army’s DNA is rooted in people being fully saved – body, mind and spirit. In an age when society encourages people to do their own thing, even if it grieves the Holy Spirit, there is a need to stand up and take that privilege seriously.

Is our society a reflection of God’s Kingdom? Or is it a violent, terror-filled, self-centred world of people who think more of themselves than of God? We pray that his Kingdom will come on Earth as it is in Heaven, but do we do anything about it?

Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle dedicated his life to explaining what holiness looks like, writing: ‘Perfect consecration is a putting off self, and a putting on Christ; a giving up your own will in all things, and receiving the will of Jesus instead.’

Do we sometimes live as though Jesus is not necessary for our Christian life and journey? We busy ourselves in good works, join good causes and promote ourselves over the will of God. What a shame it would be to miss the privilege of being indwelt by Christ and having the power of the Holy Spirit to bring glory to him.

Now let thy Spirit bring me in, And give thy servant to possess The land of rest from inbred sin, The land of perfect holiness.

Lord, I believe thy power the same, The same thy grace and truth endure; And in thy blessèd hands I am And trust thee for a perfect cure.

Come, Saviour, come and make me whole, Entirely all my sins remove; To perfect health restore my soul, To perfect holiness and love.

(SASB 301)

MAJOR ROBINSON IS CORPS OFFICER, NORWICH MILE CROSS

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BIBLE STUDY

Apest: Evangelists LUKE 24:13–35

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O you love talking? I do. For a long time, I believed that people were either good or bad communicators. In the past couple of years, that belief has started to change and I no longer see it as so black and white.

When I began my journey of learning about the fivefold Apest ministry (apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, teacher), I assumed that my dominant roles would probably be evangelist and teacher – I love to talk and I was a teacher. But it turned out that they were the lowest in my breakdown of the roles. I had some learning about evangelising to do!

Finding Jesus the evangelist in Scripture isn’t hard. Jesus is the great communicator and teller of the

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

by Major Melvyn Knott

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good news. In Luke 24, we can learn from one of the greatest examples – the story of what happened on the road to Emmaus.

QUESTION you walk the walk as well as talk the talk?

QUESTIONS O How is it possible for us to miss opportunities in our everyday lives to ‘walk the road to Emmaus’ with someone?

O What do you need to do differently?

O Can

‘Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened’ (vv13 and 14).

I would love to have heard that conversation. I have always thought that, before mechanised transportation, conversation must have been amazing because they would need something to pass the time. On their seven-mile walk, the disciples had plenty of time to talk.

‘As they talked and discussed, Jesus himself drew near and walked along with them; they saw him, but somehow did not recognise him’ (vv15 and 16 Good News Bible).

Do you wonder how long Jesus walked alongside them before speaking to them? I imagine that he walked for some time, just listening. Can this be a lesson for us? Should we not rush to speak but instead listen to the hearts of people?

If we are to ‘walk’ alongside others and share Jesus with them, we must listen to God and to those whom we seek to introduce to him. Taking time to

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Lord, if your presence does not go with us,/ Please do not send us up from here./ How will anyone know we are your people/ Unless you go before us?/ Lord, if your favour does not rest on us/ We dare not move beyond this place./ How will anyone know we go in your name/ Unless your blessing is over us?

(SASB 1031)

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the Earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.

(Psalm 96:1 and 2)

Lord, if your presence does not stay with us,/ Please do not send us up from here./ How will anyone hear of truth and goodness/ Unless your word speaks through us?/ Lord, if your presence is not love in us/ How can we minister your grace?/ How will anyone feel your tender mercy/ Unless your heart is in us?

(SASB 1031)

listen will open and extend our hearts in every way and by doing so we’ll be better equipped to share the gospel.

In verse 16, we learn that those on the walk didn’t recognise Jesus. This raises so many challenging questions for us.

QUESTIONS we fail to recognise or see Jesus beside us in our everyday lives? Why? O Do

While walking alongside someone is the perfect introduction to them and to sharing the good news, Jesus showed us here that we need to talk as well as walk. In one of his sermons, the Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon said: ‘Talk of [Jesus] and you’ll soon talk with him.’

The second challenge is to think about our talking. We need to ask ourselves whether we share Jesus without recognising him in our

conversations or actions. Our words, and the conversations we have, can be an incredible way to evangelise.

If our conversations are hopeful, honest and full of compassion and grace, then Jesus is there. Take comfort in the knowledge that we have probably all had conversations with individuals and not recognised Jesus in them. We have an opportunity to grow in evangelism, and Jesus is our ultimate resource for evangelising.

‘Now you must go into all the nations and preach repentance and forgiveness of sins so that they will turn to me. Start right here in Jerusalem, for you are my witnesses and have seen for yourselves all that has transpired’ (Luke 24:47 and 48 The Passion Translation).

Jesus later tells the disciples what to preach – the opportunity of forgiveness of sins and the need for personal repentance. They are to start local ‘in

Jerusalem’, but go global to ‘all the nations’.

However, they cannot do this simply with their innate aptitudes or skillsets.

Before they can give Jesus out, they must take Jesus in. They must wait for a spiritual dynamic – a God-promised, Spirit-filled encounter. They must wait until they have been ‘clothed with power from on high’ (v49).

Acts 2 records not only the initial Pentecostal empowering, but also the first results of Spirit-filled evangelism – some 3,000 converts (see Acts 2:41).

Only with that same power will we be able to walk and talk Jesus.

BETHANY IS PIONEER LEADER, FAVERSHAM

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

(Matthew 28:19 and 20)

Far and near hear the call,/ Worship him, Lord of all;/ Families of nations come,/ Celebrate what God has done.

(SASB 920)

‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.’

(Acts 1:8)

The Lord’s command to go into the world and preach the gospel unto all,/ Is just as true today as when his first disciples heard this mighty call;/ So let us gird ourselves and go to battle ’gainst the powers of sin and wrong,/ Join the fight for the right, in his everlasting might, and sing our marching song.

(SASB 932)

Prayer Lead us, Lord, to every place you want us to go. Help us to speak your truth faithfully at all times and in all situations on our journey as we proclaim your word.

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Having our sins forgiven

Major John Waters continues a series of reflections on classic prayers

Brian Colley (Clowne) continues his series of reflections on verses from Psalms

Grace for our weaknesses

God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day (Psalm 7:11)

P

SALM 7 begins with a positive statement: ‘Lord my God, I take refuge in you’ (v1). When life is not working out as expected, it is easy to doubt God rather than trust in him. We can sing the chorus ‘In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust’ (SASB 594) passionately, but forget it in times of severe testing. It has to be remembered that God knows what is best for us, yet still at times we question it. David knows this from previous experience and, although he is being persecuted, his opening words are an affirmation of faith.

There is also a suggestion that those who sin ruin themselves: ‘Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made’ (v15). Does that not remind us of the saying ‘they made their bed and must lie in it’? God can be angry with sin, as the psalmist says, but he is just. He dislikes sin, but he loves sinners and sent his Son to die for them.

Today it would seem that sin is taken lightly by people and in many instances ignored; it is considered normal behaviour and even laughed at. But there is no measurement for sin – little sins are no different from big ones. God has set the standard and still sees any wrongdoing as sin. But he is righteous and just, recognising true repentance and offering not immediate punishment but salvation.

Alexander Pope said: ‘To err is human.’

We all sin at some time in our lives and nobody knew that better than David, who writes in Psalm 51: ‘Surely I was sinful at birth’ (v5). He asks of God: ‘Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me’ (v12).

This truth has not changed: salvation can be experienced by a penitent sinner time and time again because of God’s love.

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I

N my previous reflection we considered a prayer of St Augustine. Another of his prayers recognises the limitations of our creatureliness when unrefined by the Holy Spirit.

Given his early lifestyle – which, although culturally acceptable to people of his status, nevertheless proved to be unacceptable as a Christian way of life and ultimately unsatisfying – the prayer might well be a reflection on his own weaknesses. Yet there are few of us who cannot identify with one or more of these clauses – if not all the time, at least at some, and possibly recurring, stages of our pilgrimage.

For the weaknesses, though, Augustine suggests the cure.

Lord Jesus, our Saviour, Let us now come to thee; Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with thy selfless love.

Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with thy precious blood.

Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with thy joyous Spirit.

Our hearts are empty; fill them with thy divine presence.

Lord Jesus, our hearts are thine; Possess them always and only for thyself.

If we infer from these two prayers that Augustine was severe or even austere in his view of human nature and aspiration, then it might be profitable to look at another prayer of his in which his pastoral sensitivities are more apparent. While he acknowledges our human waywardness he also regards his charges with a shepherd’s care – for not all weakness is culpable.

Watch, dear Lord, With those who wake or watch or weep tonight, And give your angels charge over those who sleep.

Tend your sick ones, O Lord Jesus Christ, Rest your weary ones.

Bless your dying ones.

Soothe your suffering ones.

Pity your afflicted ones.

Shield your joyous ones.

And all for your love’s sake.

Now, as then, there are many suffering ones. I am particularly drawn to that first petition, for there are many whose sleep is restless because of anxiety over their situation or that of their nearest and dearest. There is waking and watching and weeping in the dark hours of the night.

The repeated ‘your’ in this prayer is a reassuring reminder that, whether our situation is joyous or otherwise, we all belong to him. We are all God’s children and he longs to uphold and strengthen us throughout the vicissitudes of this earthly life. We may confidently pray for grace, ‘all for your love’s sake’.

MAJOR WATERS LIVES IN RETIREMENT IN BIDDULPH MOOR

NEW COMMITMENTS Editor’s note In-person meetings were held in accordance with Army safety guidance at the time.

GUERNSEY There was joy, excitement and celebration as Zachary was enrolled as a junior soldier by corps officers Majors Claire and Jamie Hill.

Supported by family and friends on this special occasion, Zachary spoke about his faith in God and thanked everyone for praying for him. He chose the songs for the morning meeting and, during the final song, ‘I’ll Go in the Strength of the Lord’, all the children waved ribbons and marched around the hall and many people played timbrels, while the band played with exuberance and praise. – CH/JH

LIMAVADY Nikki Reid was welcomed as an adherent by corps officer Captain Sue Whitla. After attending Sunday meetings for a while alongside his wife and reconnecting with God, he felt he wanted to make The Salvation Army his church and become part of the corps fellowship. Nikki is pictured with Captain Sue, his wife, Samantha, and son, Robert. – SW WINCHESTER June Ashe was enrolled as a soldier by corps officers Lieutenants Josh and Vikki Herbert close to the anniversary of her first being made a soldier 60 years previously. June testified to the difference Jesus has made in her life and the joy of a new beginning because of his transforming work. – VH

BROMLEY TEMPLE Corps officer Major Iain Hudson enrolled six soldiers – Wesley and Laura Ayabagabo, Marvelous Onuorah, Nathan Strickland, Praise God Onyeme and Carol King – and welcomed Matthew O’Leary and Lillian Mowcoomber as adherents. All eight testified to God working in their lives. Wesley and Laura arrived from Rwanda two years ago with their officer parents. Marvelous, together with her brothers, moved from Nigeria when her officer parents were appointed to IHQ. Praise God Onyeme’s family also moved from Nigeria and Nathan, together with his sister and officer parents, moved from the USA four years ago. All five young people are active in the corps Switch youth ministries. Carol King grew up in Torquay and attended the corps as a teenager. She reconnected with The Salvation Army through the corps community choir and started attending Sunday meetings three years ago, following an invitation from a Salvationist. Matthew was brought to the Army as a baby and grew up in the corps with his sister. Lillian started to attend Sunday meetings after receiving an invitation from a friend while visiting the corps Light Café. Pictured are Matthew, Nathan, Wesley, Laura, Praise God, Carol, Marvelous and Lillian. – IH

SOUTHSEA Dee Sherwood started attending the corps and Cameo group on the invitation of her neighbour, Eunice Woods. Her gratitude for being part of a worshipping and supportive fellowship, where she could express her desire to honour God, was recognised as she was welcomed as an adherent by corps officers Majors Alan and Carol Young. – CY Salvationist 12 March 2022

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ADVERTS CANNOT BE TAKEN OVER THE PHONE. For further information email advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk

ADVERTS

RECRUITING NOW EDITORIAL ASSISTANT (PART-TIME)

All adverts carried in Salvationist are subject to house style and carried at the editor’s discretion. For more details email advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk.

RECRUITING NOW FOR

ADVERTS

SALVATIONIST MAGAZINE

BURNFOOT, HAWICK

LONDON

Key responsibilities: The post-holder will process, edit and follow up news items submitted by Salvation Army corps, centres or departments, checking facts and rewriting as necessary.

They will research and write news features and feature articles, obtaining necessary artwork and pictures, conduct and transcribe interviews and write interview articles. The post-holder will also proofread pages, carry out reporting engagements, contribute ideas for articles, assist in the online publishing of Salvationist and social media posts, and assist the editor with general administrative duties.

The successful candidate will: Have proven experience of working in a similar role, the ability to research and write stories in an engaging style, excellent sub-editing skills, creativity with regard to copy, visual content and page layout, previous experience of creating digital content for publication on websites and social media channels, good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to deal confidently with content contributors, correspondents and personnel at all levels across an organisation, good organisational skills, attention to detail, effective time management, the ability to prioritise work and respond to tight deadlines, the ability to work individually and as part of a team, experience of using IT software packages with intermediate level skills in Word, Excel and Outlook, be educated to degree level or with the equivalent practical experience, the willingness to work within, be empathic to and promote the Christian ethos and values of The Salvation Army.

PIONEER COMMUNITY LEADER

SALARY Pro rata £16,610 per annum (£15.21 per hour) WORKING HOURS 21 hours per week CONTRACT Permanent (part-time) DETAILS 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata); a contributory pension scheme; season ticket loan; an employee assistance programme CLOSING DATE 31 March

This is a permanent position based at our headquarters at 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN. In early 2023 we will be moving to our new, modern headquarters at Denmark Hill, London SE5 8BQ.

For further details and to apply please visit: salvationarmy.org.uk/jobs Appointment subject to satisfactory references and proof of right to work in the UK. CVs will not be accepted. Promoting equality in the workplace.

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Scottish Borders to pioneer a new and vibrant expression of The Salvation Army in Burnfoot, Hawick.

If you have...

O a longing to see people of all ages coming into a relationship with Christ O a passion to see those people grow into his fully devoted followers O a hunger to see those within the local community achieve their God-given potential O a desire to address issues of social injustice ... then this could be the position for you.

Building on excellent relationships in the area the successful applicant will be tasked with developing a culturally relevant worshipping and serving community.

SALARY £24,504 per annum WORKING HOURS 35 hours per week (including weekends) CONTRACT Permanent position DETAILS 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time); a contributory pension scheme; season ticket loan; an employee assistance programme CLOSING DATE 27 March INTERVIEW DATE To be confirmed

This role has an occupational requirement that the successful applicant must be a committed and practising Christian.

For further details and to apply please visit: salvationarmy.org.uk/jobs Appointment subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in the UK and DBS/PVG disclosure. CVs will not be accepted. Promoting equality in the workplace.

Salvationist 12 March 2022

21

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED O SCL Coral Lazenbury, Maidenhead WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Platinum (70th) O Audrey and Brian Charles, Waltham Abbey (29 March) Diamond O Majors Eric and Marlene King (24 March) O Colonels Iris and Keith Wylie (24 March) Golden O Bandsman Jeff and Margaret Thomas, Bristol South (25 March) DEDICATED TO GOD O Aurora-Jade Clarke-Dawson, daughter of Amber Clarke and Shaun Dawson, at Hinckley by Major Carol Evans RETIRED OFFICERS’ BIRTHDAYS Lieut-Colonel Roy Girling (95 on 21 March) O Major Elizabeth Calder (85 on 24 March) O Mrs Major Eileen Moffat (85 on 25 March)

Margaret Clarke, Isle of Wight Kenneth Raymond Cuell, Maidenhead O Mary Gill, Morley O Major Elsie Crawford from Frethey House care home, Taunton, on 22 February O Gillian Drummond, Norwich Mile Cross, on 24 February O Enid Holmes, Watchet, on 24 February O O

BEREAVED Russell Williams, Merthyr Tydfil, of his wife Avril Williams O Joan Haywood, Batley, Christine Hardcastle, Morley, and Stephen Gill of their mother Mary Gill O CS Ian Drummond, Norwich Mile Cross, of his wife Gillian Drummond O

TRIBUTES DAVID DIXON, DOUGLAS DAVID was the youngest child of William and Lydia Dixon. His mother’s illness meant that he was brought up by his

O

PROMOTED TO GLORY Avril Williams, Merthyr Tydfil

O

Auntie Edith.

After serving in the forces in Malaya, David returned to Manchester. He gave his heart to the Lord at a divisional meeting in Sheffield. He attended Higher

ENGAGEMENTS GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE O Latin America North Territory, Wed 9 Mar – Tue 15 O Sunbury Court (International Appointments Board), Fri 18 – Sun 20 O USA Southern Territory, Wed 23 – Mon 28 THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM O Sunbury Court (International Appointments Board), Fri 18 Mar – Sun 20 THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL O Divisional leaders training, Sun 13 Mar – Wed 16* O Churches Together in England Forum, Mon 14 – Wed 16** O Divisional leaders consultation, Thu 17 O Henry Wood Hall, London (ISB), Sat 19 O Armáda Spásy, Margate, Sun 20 O Armáda Spásy, Gravesend, Sun 20 O WBC (Into Officership conference), Mon 21 THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL PAUL MAIN) AND COLONEL JENINE MAIN O Divisional leaders training, Sun 13 Mar – Wed 16 O Divisional leaders consultation, Thu 17 O Henry Wood Hall (An Audience with the ISB), Sat 19 * Commissioner Gillian Cotterill only ** Commissioner Anthony Cotterill only

22

Salvationist 12 March 2022

Openshaw in Manchester and joined the band. In 1970 he moved to the Isle of Man, becoming a bandsman and songster at Douglas Corps. It was here that he remarried and had two more children.

David’s final job before retirement in 2003 was as a bus driver. He witnessed to his colleagues and passengers through his quiet but caring manner.

David was a kind man and a trusted member of Douglas Corps for more than 50 years. He is now ‘safe in the arms of Jesus’. A true Christian gentleman and much loved by his family and all who knew him. – CT/JD ROSALIE COOPER, ST HELENS BORN in 1928, Rosalie started her faith journey in the Methodist Church.

But at a young age Rosalie and her uncle followed an Army band and a long association with Portsmouth North Corps began.

Alongside her husband, Harry, Rosalie fulfilled many roles at the corps, most notably as YPSM and corps cadet guardian, leaving a lasting mark on many young people’s spiritual lives.

Seeking a quieter life, Rosalie’s retirement brought a move to Boscombe.

But Rosalie soon found a new passion in the home league and became very active in that vibrant group. After the death of her beloved Harry, and with her health deteriorating, Rosalie moved to be nearer family, first to Leighton Buzzard then to a home in St Helens.

Rosalie is remembered by many for her strong Bible knowledge and her fervent prayer life. Her family remember a great mother and grandmother. – PC GWELF SMY, IPSWICH CITADEL GWELF came to The Salvation Army through meeting Margaret, who later became his wife.

He was a valued member of Ipswich Citadel and was involved in many areas, including Cameo and the over-60s Friendship Club. He was also a helper on the corps minibus and took a personal interest in the welfare of the people that used it.

Gwelf’s main interest was Salvation Army band music, for which he had the reputation of being a walking encyclopaedia. He was an efficient and knowledgeable librarian for the corps band and Anglia Fellowship Band.

For many years Gwelf cared for Margaret and underwent dialysis treatment himself two or three times a week. He dealt with all this with Christian fortitude. He was a thoughtful and caring man who is sadly missed by the corps family. – DC TONY CLAIRE, STAPLEFORD TONY was born in 1943 in Bulwell, Nottingham. He met Mary in 1968, when they both worked at Neales Auctioneers.

They were married in September 1970 at All Saints’ Church, Cotgrave, and made their home in Strelley.

They started to attend Aspley Corps, where they were made soldiers on Commitment Sunday in 1994. They recently transferred to Stapleford. One of Tony’s spiritual highlights was when

he visited the Holy Land, which brought the Bible to life for him.

Due to ill health Tony and Mary later moved to live at Orchard Court in Nottingham. Sadly, Tony had a fall resulting in fatal injuries while receiving treatment for a return of cancer.

Tony’s love of his life was God, his wife then his family and friends. He was a loving and generous person. – FT DONALD BETTERIDGE, TROWBRIDGE BANDSMAN Donald Betteridge was an exemplary Salvationist.

Throughout his life, he displayed the finest of Christian attributes.

Don first attended Oxford Corps, commencing more than 70 years of banding service. A period of national service preceded several years as a Salvation Army officer, sharing ministry with Vera, his much-loved wife. Both were cadets in the 1954 Soulwinners session.

For the more significant part of his

Print and Design Unit Sacriston Church North Scotland Division

HOLY HOLLY SPIRITCONGRESS HO CONGR ONGRE ESS

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life, Don was a probation officer, first in Bradford and then in Somerset. The family attended Trowbridge Corps and both Don and Vera served as local officers.

The hallmarks of Don’s life were his integrity, compassion and care, expressed through his corps and professional life. He was a man of godly influence, the epitome of a loving Christian and a fine role model, living a disciplined life and setting and maintaining standards.

Don’s family included four children, Gillian, David, Janice and Andrew, grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

– MT

MGS works professionally providing O

COUNSELLING O THERAPY O MEDIATION

MGS works with relationships and other life experiences

MGS is confidential, experienced and free Contact Major Jorgen Booth and the MGS team Tel 07711 148538 or email mgscounselling@yahoo.com (Based in Reading – MGS works throughout the UK)

Please call: 020 7367 4789 or email: paul.fowler@salvationarmy.org.uk

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Salvationist 12 March 2022

23

‘‘

We are not divided, All one Body we, One in hope, in doctrine, One in charity

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…

RICHARD BORYER Portsmouth Citadel How did you first come into contact with the Army?

My family on my mother’s side have had links with the Army since the early days.

What made you want to become a soldier?

I worked in a charity shop. I used to sort out the books, and I kept finding books on The Salvation Army. Through this experience I felt I was being called to the Army.

What did you do before retirement?

I was a medic.

What is your favourite kind of holiday?

The best holiday I had was at the Army’s New Horizons week.

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

General William Booth. I would just love to hear him preach.

If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be?

From the perspective of a person with a disability, it would be: ‘Not all disabilities can be seen.’

(SASB 971)

’’

What sport would you compete in if you were in the Olympics?

Archery.

Did you have a nickname growing up?

Rab – the initials of my name, Richard Alfred Boryer.

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

Love.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I use a talking machine as I can’t talk. I draw cartoons. It is my mission to show the message.

What is your favourite food?

Fish and chips.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love studying history. I collect books relating to the history of The Salvation Army.

What is your favourite Bible verse?

Mark 16:15, where Jesus says, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’

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

The wise men. I would ask them about how they used the star in the night sky to navigate a route to Bethlehem. I would also like to hear about their journey homewards.

What is your favourite hymn or worship song?

‘Onward, Christian Soldiers’ (SASB 971).

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

Hate.

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

A smaller machine to talk for me.

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

Any book on history.

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

‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.

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

Be kind to others.

What is the most valuable thing you possess?

A caring personality.

Something interesting people might want to know about you is…

I am a disabled veteran. I was a reservist and saw service in the Gulf war of 1990 to 1991.