Salvationist 17 August 2019

SALVATIONIST For everyone linked to The Salvation Army

No.1718 Price 60p

www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 17 August 2019

Grace notes

Territorial Music School 2019

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QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

FAITH GROUPS CAN TACKLE LONELINESS, SAYS REPORT National initiatives to tackle loneliness should include faith-based communities and organisations, a report on how religious groups combat the problem suggests.

In addition, the groups should ensure that their activities are known to public services and other organisations fighting loneliness, it says…

The survey, Right Up Your Street: Faith’s Response To Loneliness, was produced by the national network of faith and community-based

organisations FaithAction, for the AllParty Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society.

In its foreword, the group’s chairman, Stephen Timms, the Labour MP for East Ham, writes: ‘Faith groups are deeply rooted in the community, and are in it for the long haul. They address emotional and spiritual needs. They are uniquely well placed to respond to loneliness and social isolation.’

that comes with holiday hunger, Dr Mohammedabbas Khaki has said.

Dr Khaki, a senior associate at the General Medical Council, has worked in some of the most deprived areas in the country and says the anxiety and mental health difficulties faced by children as a result of holiday hunger are leading to socioeconomic differences in mental health and wellbeing when children return to school.

New statistics from HMRC and the Department of Work and Pensions show that 161,000 low-income families across the UK with more than three children were caught in the cap on child tax credits in the last financial year – an increase of 90,000 from the previous year.

The figures also revealed that 510 women – including 50 in Scotland – were only able to get financial help for a third child because they filled out a four-page form to show their child was born of rape or a ‘controlling or coercive relationship’.

In Scotland the cap affected around 9,000 households, and… politicians and campaign groups called on the new prime minister to scrap the two-child limit and the ‘abhorrent’ rape clause…

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Amber Rudd has previously refused calls to scrap the two-child limit – and defended the ‘rape clause’ saying it was carried out with ‘compassion’…

A government spokesman said: ‘This policy ensures fairness by asking families receiving benefits to face the same financial choices as families supporting themselves solely through work.

‘Safeguards are in place and we’ve made changes this year to make the policy fairer.’

Metro

The Scotsman

Church Times

HUMANISTS TO HELP SHAPE RELIGIOUS CURRICULUM AFTER THREATENING LEGAL ACTION TO SIT ON EDUCATION BOARD Humanists are set to help shape a religious education curriculum after winning a legal battle to sit on a council’s education board.

Humanists UK, the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people which campaigns for a secular state, has won a proposed legal challenge against a London council that rejected its application to join its religious education body…

Rachel Taggart-Ryan applied for full membership to Greenwich council’s Standing Advisory Council on RE (Sacre), the body that oversees the religious education curriculum in the local area, which has members from varying religious groups.

The Telegraph

HOLIDAY HUNGER IS MAKING CHILDREN DEPRESSED, WARNS DOCTOR Nearly three million children on free school meals and those from low income backgrounds are at risk of going hungry during the summer break, as parents struggle to afford food and grapple with increasing childcare and uniform costs.

Not only does the lack of food have a physical impact, children from poorer backgrounds are also suffering increased mental health difficulties, due to the ‘loneliness, stigma and isolation’

SALVATIONIST (tel) 020 7367 4890 (email) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk (web) www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts – (tel) 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford – (tel) 020 7367 4891 EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Shanelle Manderson – (tel) 020 7367 4894 Simon Hope – (tel) 020 7367 4892 Melita Day-Lewis – (tel) 020 7367 4887 Major Margaret Bovey ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden – (tel) 020 7367 4883 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight – (tel) 020 7367 4895 Louise Phillips – (tel) 020 7367 4896 PROOFREADER Chris Horne

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Salvationist 17 August 2019

HUNDREDS OF WOMEN FORCED TO CLAIM ‘RAPE CLAUSE’ EXEMPTION TO RECEIVE CHILD TAX CREDITS

ADVERTISING (tel) 020 7367 4883 (email) advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk DISTRIBUTION Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), 66-78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH (tel) 01933 445445 (option 1) (fax) 01933 445415 (email) subscriptions@satcol.org TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN (tel) 020 7367 4500 (tel) 0845 634 0101 Published weekly by The Salvation Army and printed on paper from sustainable sources by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell. © The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland. The Salvation Army is a Christian church and a registered charity. The charity number in England and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

ISSN 2516-5909

THE SALVATION ARMY FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL Brian Peddle TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant

Find Salvationist on Facebook www.facebook.com/salvationistonline

Find Salvationist on Twitter twitter.com/@SalvationistUK

CONTENTS

GRACE GIVEN AND RECEIVED MY wife and I were privileged to attend the final festival of this year’s Territorial Music School, which is highlighted in the news feature on pages 8 and 9. Everyone there was treated to an excellent musical programme but we were also left in no doubt about the theme of the school: God’s Grace. In the article two students offer their thoughts about the week, and both of them quote Bible verses about grace; clearly the theme made a strong impression on them.

But it wasn’t just about receiving grace. There was also a focus on showing grace towards others. One of the students says they were reminded during the week that ‘we should be gracious in all aspects of our lives: at school, at work and at church’. It’s a matter of giving grace as well as receiving it.

Grace also features elsewhere in this week’s Salvationist. On pages 10 and 11 we hear from Territorial Addictions Officer Lee Ball about the work being done to support people in recovery. He mentions the ‘psychosocial approach to interventions’ and The Salvation Army’s ‘Christian Approach to Harm Reduction’, which are important and fascinating, but what most caught my attention was his reference to the transformative power of grace. He’s convinced that compassion and acceptance can give people a new understanding of who they are and who they can become.

‘Watch what they do with that,’ he says.

An example is seen in Major Richard Durrant’s reflection on page 14. He tells the story of Sid, who found Jesus because of the gracious acceptance he’d received from Christians. His life was transformed, which led to him apologising to a whole city and giving something back to the community.

Three delegates at the International College for Officers are featured on pages 12 and 13. One of them says how she has seen God’s ‘footprints of grace’ in her life over the years and all three explain how God’s grace enables them to serve him.

In his viewpoint article on page 15 Major David Cavanagh considers the pros and cons of Facebook. It can bring people together in positive engagement but it can also be used to humiliate, insult and undermine. He challenges us to introduce grace into our social media presence by communicating ‘something of the energy and drive of God’s transformative love’.

If grace has been experienced it needs to be expressed – for the benefit of others but also ourselves. If we fail to give grace, we might find the grace we receive loses its power. Like the Dead Sea, where fresh water flows in but doesn’t flow out – resulting in extreme saltiness in which no fish or plant can live – our spiritual experience could become lifeless if we fail to show grace to others.

May we always be willing to give freely of the grace that we have freely received.

Quotes from the media News

2 4 to 7

News feature Territorial Music School

8 and 9

Feature 10 and 11 Compassion and kindness

by Simon Hope

Feature God’s way with me

12 and 13

Reflection From Asbo to apology

14

by Major Richard Durrant

Feature Love in the face of likes

15

by Major David Cavanagh

Bible study 16 and 17 Tell what the Lord has done!

by Major Howard Webber

Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17

by Major Howard Webber

God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name, I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name; And in Jesus’ name I come to you To share his love as he told me to.

He said: ‘Freely, freely, you have received, Freely, freely give; Go in my name, and because you believe Others will know that I live.’

(SASB 459)

New commitments

18

Letters

19

Announcements

20 and 21

Adverts

22 and 23

The Salvation Army and me

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featuring Rhian Jones

From the Editor, Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

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

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NEWS

First copies of new William Booth biography roll off press IHQ THE publication of a new biography of William Booth was heralded by the delivery of the first copies to International Headquarters (IHQ).

Author Gordon Taylor was present to receive it hot off the press.

IHQ Literary Secretary and Managing Editor Paul Mortlock welcomed Gordon to ‘101’ and handed over the two volumes, published by Salvation Books and printed by Page Bros in Norwich, to the delighted author.

The fruit of an almost ten-year process of meticulous research, writing and editing, this major biography of the Founder examines the life and legacy of one of the most influential Christian leaders and social reformers of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Gordon is a lifelong Salvationist and a member of Croydon Citadel.

He has written numerous articles and is the author of Companion To The Song Book Of The Salvation Army. He was a member of staff at the International Heritage Centre between 1988 and 2011, retiring as associate director.

Comprising more than 1,000 pages of text and photographs, William Booth: The Man And His Mission and William Booth: The General And His Army will soon be available through Salvation Army trade departments around the world and as ebooks. – A. R. O The two volumes are available from SP&S priced £15 and £16 plus postage and packing 4

Salvationist 17 August 2019

Army antitrafficking campaign launches across continent EUROPE THE Salvation Army has commenced its first pan-continental campaign to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery.

The campaign uses fake adverts to show that cheap products and services can come at the cost of hidden human exploitation. The demand for a ‘deal’ fuels the trade in people, who are forced to work for little or no money and live in sub-standard conditions, deprived of their freedom.

The adverts feature cheap deals on goods and services commonly funded by modern slavery, such as nail bars and car washes.

‘We need to stop using these services and take responsibility for what we use,’ says Madeleine Sundell, an anti-trafficking lawyer for The Salvation Army in Sweden.

The campaign in the UK coincides with a modern slavery plotline in Coronation Street.

Ruxandra Porojnicu, who plays character Alina Pop, said: ‘All these victims, like in Alina’s case, can appear like they are living a normal life. Victims need to

know that there are so many people who care for them and support is available when they need it.’

Salvationists and friends in all 131 countries in which The Salvation Army operates are invited to take part in the International Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking on 22 September. – A. R. O If you have met someone you suspect may be a victim of modern slavery, contact The Salvation Army O If there is an immediate danger to the suspected victim or if you think they are younger than 18, inform the police by calling 112 or the emergency number in your country O Information and resources, including how to spot telltale signs of modern slavery, are available from salvationarmy.org.uk/ modern-slavery O For more details of the Army’s anti-trafficking campaign visit highcost.salvationarmy.org

Ebola outbreak declared ‘international concern’ DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO THE World Health Organisation has declared the ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’. Such a designation indicates the risk of infection constitutes a public health risk to other countries through the international spread of disease.

The Salvation Army has a robust response plan in place in the DRC and neighbouring countries. Alongside practical steps to reduce the spread of the virus, the Army has been active in improving knowledge about the causes and effects of the epidemic, training key community leaders in prevention techniques.

Speaking from London after a visit to the DRC, Deputy Co-ordinator for The Salvation Army’s International Emergency Services Team Damaris Frick said: ‘It was encouraging to see leaders of different Christian denominations and other faith groups working together, recognising the importance of their voices because of the trust individuals place in faith leaders and institutions.’ – A. R.

Emergency food distribution ‘restores hope for living’ NIGERIA CONFLICT in northeast Nigeria has had a devastating effect on the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. The resulting food shortages have led to nutritional insecurity, with millions severely impacted. In the least accessible and worst affected areas, more than 45,000 people are experiencing faminelike conditions and severe hunger. The Salvation Army is supporting more than 500 of the most vulnerable families of internally displaced people living in temporary camps in the Maiduguri area.

With an average of eight people in each family, around four thousand individuals are being helped with essential supplies such as rice, beans, wheat flour, cooking oil, spices and salt.

Sleeping mats, blankets, cardigans and items of clothing have been given to families as required.

The Army is ensuring that hygiene and disease prevention are being addressed through the provision of soap and detergent.

All the relief efforts are being undertaken in collaboration with Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency and with the support of the Baptist Church and Christian Council of Nigeria.

One of the recipients from Gwoza, Borno State, told a Salvation Army team member how the provision of culturally appropriate food items had restored her ‘hope for living’. She explained she had lost both her husband and son to ‘violent Boko Haram attacks’, before going on to express that she was ‘so thankful’ to The Salvation Army.

The large-scale distribution of supplies sought to provide around three months of staples to families, as well as help safeguard women in the camps, who had been vulnerable to sexual

exploitation in exchange for food.

With flooding having also affected agricultural land in parts of Nigeria, there is now pressure on fertile crop fields to ensure productive harvests. When the security situation has stabilised, a second phase of The Salvation Army’s emergency response seeks

to equip subsistence farmers with seeds and tools to help address longer-term food security.

The Army is also responding to a conflict between migrant herdsmen in Benue State. Food and non-food items are being provided to approximately six hundred families. – G. A.

Open letter urges prime minister to welcome refugees

‘have a lasting route to safety’.

Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill and Refugee Response Coordinator Major Nick Coke signed the letter on behalf of The Salvation Army. Other signatories include former Archbishop of Canterbury the Right Rev Rowan Williams, the Senior Rabbi and Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism, the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, the Founding Chair of City Sikhs, the Director of the Hindu Council and representatives from the United Reformed Church, the Quakers, Zoroastrians and Buddhists. – N. C./R. R. O For a copy of the full letter visit safepassage.org.uk

UNITED KINGDOM THE Salvation Army has joined with other signatories from across the faith spectrum to sign an open letter to prime minister Boris Johnson calling on him to expand the UK’s refugee resettlement programmes. The letter asks Mr Johnson to increase refugee resettlement in the UK to 10,000 people each year, including 1,000 children from Europe and conflict zones.

It urges the government to ensure that child refugees

New Words Of Life writer shares God’s peace IHQ THE September–December 2019 edition of Words Of Life, The Salvation Army’s daily reading series, offers the promise of peace and presence – and presents a new writer, Major Christine Clement (IHQ).

She tells her readers: ‘I look forward to sharing this pilgrimage with you… believing that as we journey together we will deepen our knowledge of God and grow closer to him.’

This final issue for 2019 continues with the overarching theme for the year, Peace, which was set in place by Christine’s predecessor, Major Beverly Ivany, who receives thanks for eight years of thoughtful ministry.

Over the next three years, Major Christine aims to work through the entire Bible. She hopes that, as well as reflecting on God’s word, readers will learn something new every day. – A. R. O A free download of the first eight days of the new Words Of Life is available from sar.my/wol GILLINGHAM: Thirty-four corps members aged from 1 to 92 came together for a retreat at Leysdownon-Sea. Guest leaders Major Heather Grinsted (THQ) and Major Stewart Grinsted prepared a varied day of worship, creative activities and study, focusing on how Jonah and St Peter ‘retreated to the beach’ but found it to be a place of recommissioning. – J. M. Salvationist 17 August 2019

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NEWS

In and out with Chatham Band HASTINGS TEMPLE CHATHAM Band began its visit on Saturday with a focus on outdoor witness. The band marched along part of the seafront before presenting an hour-long concert in the Old Town. Many people stopped to listen, and corps folk had numerous positive conversations with them. On Sunday afternoon the band presented open-air witness in the Alexandra Park bandstand. CSM Tim Scott, who compèred both events, spoke about the part God can play in people’s lives.

YEOVIL: Songsters from Yeovil, Street and Bridgwater joined for a weekend of singing, worship and praise with guests Kenneth and Patricia Downie (Exeter Temple). After a rehearsal led by Patricia, an evening of worship on Saturday included piano items by Kenneth, who played well-known hymn tunes with improvisations. Kenneth and Patricia led Sunday morning worship with a focus on the importance of what motivates musicians. – N. D. 6

Salvationist 17 August 2019

At the hall, the band excelled in a Saturday evening concert that blessed a capacity audience.

The Sunday morning meeting featured more good music and the Holy Spirit was evident, especially when the band brought the piece ‘In God’s Presence’. – K. S.

STAPLE HILL: Children and youth weekend began with a trip to an adventure park, where the young people engaged in all sorts of activities. Captains Ian and Keely Standley (Swindon Citadel) were guests for Sunday, which included the prizegiving and took the theme Shine.

The singing company brought ‘One Step At A Time’ and the primary delighted the congregation with their action song, ‘Working For The Lord’. The YP band, including three newly commissioned members, brought ‘Shine’, a piece of music written especially for them by Sam Shelley (Cannock). The evening worship took the form of a talent show, where the young people presented their skills. – V. W. GUERNSEY: Corps folk joined St Pierre du Bois parish church, beachgoers and tourists for the annual Petertide service.

Corps officer Major Jamie Hill gave the message and led prayers and the band led the songs. The open-air meeting was held in Fort Grey, which is accessed via a causeway. – J. H.

SEDGLEY: The home league came up with the idea of holding free lunchtime concerts to attract new people to the corps. Two have taken place so far, featuring Assistant Director of Music and Creative Arts (Creative Arts) Stephanie Lamplough (THQ) and singer Charlie Green. Around seventy people attended each, and the soloists performed a range of secular and religious pieces and shared their testimonies. As a result, people have shown an interest in volunteering and have started attending the weekly corps programme. More concerts are planned. – L. H-N.

LEIGH-ON-SEA: Majors Carole and Elwyn Harries (THQ) led a thought-provoking Sunday morning meeting, before Elwyn entertained the congregation with an afternoon of magical fun in his inimitable style.

The music sections also took part. – P. J.

The annual Ipswich Citadel strawberry tea, hosted by Juliet and Peter Parker, raises £200 for the Big Collection

Corps hosts borough’s only on-street knife surrender bin STRATFORD A NEW knife surrender bin has been set up outside the hall, offering the opportunity to give up weapons anonymously and safely without risk of arrest.

The four-foot-high bin is the first in the London Borough of Newham not located inside the boundary of a police station.

Transform Newham, an informal network of local churches, and the London Borough of Newham provided funding for the bin, which was prepared and installed by Word 4 Weapons, the UK’s leading weapons surrender charity.

Senior Minister of Bonny Downs Baptist Church the Rev Sally Mann spoke at the launch: ‘Every weapon taken out of use helps to make our community a little bit safer. If this bin helps just one person to change their behaviour, it will help to save precious lives in east London.’

There is also a knife bin located at the front office of Forest Gate police station. – A. R.

WELWYN GARDEN CITY: To celebrate 83 years of ministry in the town, Captain Katrina Thurlow (Saffron Walden), whose mother is a soldier at the corps, led the corps anniversary meeting. She encouraged everyone to consider where they have come from and what they have done, where they are now and what they are doing and what they may be called to do and be in the future. – D. W.

SOUTHPORT: The Gary Bonner Singers visited the corps as part of their tour of the UK, before going on to Liverpool Cathedral. Famous for their scintillating style of Christian music, the choristers did not disappoint with an evening of Spirit-filled inspiration. The songsters united with the American guests in ‘Sing For Joy’ and the concert concluded with ‘O Boundless Salvation’. – G. M.

EASTBOURNE CITADEL: South London Fellowship Band attracted much interest as it played to holidaymakers at the pier. Listeners enjoyed a wide variety of music, including ‘The Water Of Tyne’ and ‘I Will Follow Him’. God was also glorified at three wellattended indoor programmes brought by the band. Many people came into contact with The Salvation Army during the weekend and one visitor said they found the times of worship ‘very moving’. – I. O. Children at Penrith care for the community garden while learning from the book of Galatians to never give up doing good or helping others

Please do not send your copy to any individual’s email address as this could delay publication. Copy should be sent to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk

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NEWS FEATURE

Territorial Music School students and staff share grace-filled week MONKTON COMBE SCHOOL, BATH YOUNG Salvationist musicians arrived at the annual Territorial Music School (TMS) looking forward to a week of music-making, worship, Bible study and fellowship.

Brass players were divided into two bands under the leadership of Howard Evans (Boscombe) and Bandmaster Gavin Lamplough (Birmingham Citadel), with players drawn from both to form the A Band under Director of Music and Creative Arts Stephen Cobb (THQ).

Songster Leader Sue Blyth (Peterborough Citadel) led the Girls Chorus and Music Editorial Manager Andrew Blyth (THQ) took the A Chorus, which was formed of male and female students.

Two delegates share their thoughts about the week and its impact on them: ELEANOR WOOD Scarborough THE theme of this year’s TMS was God’s Grace and we were constantly reminded during the week that we receive the grace of God regardless of the things we have done wrong: ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God’ (Ephesians 2:8). We were reminded in song that we are all children of God and his grace saves us because he loves us so much.

One of the songs that really stuck out for me during the week was ‘Living Fire’ by Harry Read and Dick Krommenhoek. Sung by the A Chorus, this line resonated with me: ‘Make for yourself, Lord, boundless room.’ It is so important that we let God take over our whole heart Sarah Wharton (second from right) and friends

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Salvationist 17 August 2019

and being, and not just give him a small part of our life.

One of the week’s highlights was Tuesday afternoon when the school took a gospel choir workshop with Emma Pears. We all came together and learnt part of the gospel song ‘Giants’. It was a chance to sing some different music from what we typically sing in The Salvation Army.

Emma led us in worship on Tuesday evening, which was amazing. We all sang together, then she preached and was so engaging, using the analogy of baggage reclaim at the airport. She reminded us that we need to give our ‘baggage’ to God and that, through his grace, we can leave it there and not reclaim it.

I was so blessed to attend my fourth TMS. Although it was a smaller school than previous years, the sense of community between the staff and students was something special that I won’t forget. I can’t wait for next year!

SARAH WHARTON Sunderland Millfield EACH year TMS draws young Salvationists from all over the territory and a few from overseas to share in a week of music, fellowship and fun – or, as some might say, chaos!

Throughout the week we were reminded that grace and peace belong to us in abundance through our relationship with God, as it says in 2 Peter 1:2, and that we should be gracious in all aspects of our lives: at school, at work and at church. In our Bible study we reflected on how we might be more gracious and

Christlike in these settings by showing compassion and forgiveness.

I was personally blessed when the A Chorus sang ‘And Can It Be’ with Charles Wesley’s lyrics set to Dan Forrest’s melody. The words ‘Amazing love! how can it be/ That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?’ resonated with me, reminding me that our gracious God taught us selflessness and love by sacrificing his only Son on the cross so that we might be free of sin and live an eternal life.

I have attended TMS three times and I have developed some of the most precious – and hilarious – memories and friendships, which will for ever be held close to my heart.

I’d encourage anyone between the ages of 16 and 30 to come to TMS if they want to have one of the best experiences The Salvation Army has to offer! Each year has been unforgettable and unique. I can’t wait to see what TMS 2020 brings.

‘But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved’ (Ephesians 2:4 and 5).

Students shine in brilliant final festival THE FORUM, BATH A VIDEO of TMS highlights introduced the final festival, giving the audience glimpses of the week’s activities. The programme got under way in energetic style as the Howard Evans Band presented ‘Chassidic Dance’, a piece in the style of Ashkenazi Jewish music from central and eastern Europe, written by Howard himself.

Territorial Youth and Children’s Secretary Major Helen Schofield then welcomed everyone, acknowledging the presence of territorial leaders Commissioners Anthony and Gill Cotterill.

Howard led his band in William Himes’s arrangement of ‘Amazing Grace’ before praying that God’s grace would be present in everything that took place during the evening. The prayerful moments continued with the beautiful, reflective ‘You Are My Way’ from the Girls Chorus.

In a change of mood Howard’s band brought its main piece of the evening, Peter Graham’s ‘Blazon’ – a set of variations on the tune ‘Theodora’, which accompanies the song ‘Let Us With A Gladsome Mind’ (SASB 42).

Further contributions from the Girls Chorus included ‘What Sweeter Music’, ‘I Will Sing Of Your Love’, based on Psalm 101, and Simon Gash’s arrangement of the worship song ‘More Than Amazing’. The chorus returned later with ‘Would You Have Me Silent?’, which challenged the congregation to listen to God, and the lively ‘Why Do We Sing?’ The clear diction and lovely harmonies delighted the audience.

The Gavin Lamplough Band brought ‘Hosanna Shuffle’, an exciting arrangement of the tune ‘Sing Hosanna!’, written by Sam Creamer for this year’s TMS. Gavin explained that the rhythm is derived from a distinctive drum beat called the Rosanna shuffle that featured in the 1982 song ‘Rosanna’ by the pop group Toto. The band ended the first half with

Kevin Norbury’s ‘Partita On “St Theodulph”’, highlighting the three verses of the song ‘O Father And Creator’ (SASB 46).

After the interval the A Band accompanied the timbrelists in ‘On Parade’ before bringing Arthur Gullidge’s toe-tapping march ‘Unconquered’.

The A Chorus sang the meditative ‘And Can It Be’ and, after Major Schofield had reflected on the theme of the week and assured everyone that ‘in the reality of the everyday, God’s grace is evident’, the chorus brought ‘Breathe In Me’ and ‘We Have Come In The Name Of The Lord’.

The evening of brilliant music-making was crowned by the A Band with Kenneth Downie’s ‘Music Of Thanksgiving’. Stephen Cobb introduced the piece by saying that most of the audience would probably not have heard it before because it is ‘tricky’ to play. The band gave a superb rendition and the audience, including Kenneth, received it enthusiastically.

TMS 2019 came to an end with staff and students uniting to sing the benediction ‘An Evening Blessing’. – J. R.

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FEATURE Addictions Service

Compassion and kindness Territorial Addictions Officer Lee Ball (THQ) introduces Simon Hope to the Army’s Addictions Service

T

HE Army’s Addictions Service only comprises two people, yet it works across all the territory’s departments. Managed by the Homelessness Services Unit, Lee Ball and Major Lynden Gibbs (Addictions Support Officer) are specialist advisers to corps, Homelessness Services, Community Services, Youth and Children’s Ministries, Financial Inclusion and Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery on any matter related to addiction.

While not in operational posts, they are actively involved in designing and implementing evidence-based programmes and interventions.

Currently they are working on implementing The Salvation Army’s Addictions Strategy, as well as developing the organisation’s Christian Approach to Harm Reduction.

‘I’m getting in alongside staff and asking them to push their boundaries,’ Lee explains. ‘It’s a big job with an awful lot of travelling, but I love the work!’

The recently released Addictions Strategy is a three-year plan for how the Army is going to expand its work. The intention is to underpin everything with strong evidence so that the outcomes can be understood, measured and evaluated.

A big part of the strategy involves training service providers to take a psychosocial approach to interventions.

The western model of healthcare focuses on finding medical solutions to problems by treating symptoms. While this can be effective for biological illnesses, it often fails to address psychological or social issues. A psychosocial intervention looks to 10

Salvationist 17 August 2019

Lee Ball

‘

We don’t serve suffering humanity by locking them out or locking them up – we have to let people in

’

address where the symptoms come from, not just the symptoms themselves.

‘We’re starting to move away from asking what’s wrong with people and beginning to ask, “What’s happened to people?” And if we can understand what’s happened to them, we can offset some of the things they’re more likely to act out on their own,’ says Lee. ‘It’s still very early days. We’ve only just finished year one of the Addictions Strategy, but in order to work with the most excluded we need to have recovery-based programmes in place.

As an organisation we need to ensure that we open our doors to the people we should be working with. We don’t serve suffering humanity by locking them out or locking them up – we have to let people in. A psychosocial programme does that. It’s just a grandiose title for compassion and kindness.’

The other main project that the team is continuing to work on is The Salvation

Army’s Christian Approach to Harm Reduction. The central aim is to meet service users where they are and, through community support, work with them to keep them safe. It encompasses practical, social and spiritual interventions that look at wellbeing in all its forms.

Rather than putting the focus on what someone is addicted to, it looks to strengthen their resilience by addressing the individual causes and consequences of a specific addiction.

A large part of the model has been to supply as many HSU services as possible with defibrillators and naloxone, which is used to combat overdose and block the effects of opioids.

This approach has already saved many lives. But, in an abstinencebased organisation such as The Salvation Army, this understanding has led many to question long-held beliefs.

‘

The question is: how do we reduce the harm to get them to the point where they can abstain?

’

It has also allowed the Army to expand its understanding of what constitutes addiction beyond simply including alcohol and drugs.

For all too long abstention and harm reduction have been seen as polar opposites. However, for Lee, this argument of one versus the other is irrelevant.

‘There is the belief that you have to abstain from something to get over it,’ he explains. ‘At this moment in time, even though the number of drug users is at its lowest point, drug-related deaths are at their highest point since records began.

‘This is why harm reduction is more important than ever. We have a cohort of people who know the dangers and don’t seem to care, and that gives you some insight into the pain they’re in.

They know the harm they’re about to do, but they don’t care if it makes them feel better in the moment.

‘The question is: how do we reduce the harm to get them to the point where they can abstain from the behaviour?

This is what harm reduction is about: holding hope for somebody at the point where they cannot hold it for themselves. It’s about coming alongside somebody at their worst point in time and telling them that you care.

‘When you show them compassion, show them grace, show them unconditional positive regard, that person suddenly has a point of reference where somebody cares. They feel significant and they realise that their life is worth saving. Watch what they do with that.’

The end point of harm reduction is abstention, but Lee explains that it is also about working with someone and accepting them as they are at that moment in time: ‘This is the biggest expression of Christian grace that you can possibly give: “I love you even when you don’t feel loveable.”

‘If we’re going to model grace, if we’re going to aspire to acceptance and forgiveness and the alleviation of shame and guilt – then we have to model harm reduction in our own lives first.’

O If

you are interested in developing a programme or service in your area and would like more information, call 07710 726 296, email lee.ball@salvationarmy. org.uk or write to the Addictions Service at THQ Salvationist 17 August 2019

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FEATURE ICO testimonies

GOD’S WAY WITH ME Three delegates from the 242nd session at the International College for Officers and Centre for Spiritual Life Development share their testimonies MAJOR KEDIAS MARANGE Zimbabwe and Botswana Territory God has been with me I GREW up in a family that did not know Christ. Our family believed in ancestral worship, which was a common practice in Africa.

Through the influence of friends at secondary school, I accepted Jesus Christ as my saviour in 1988. As someone who was brought up in a different environment, I was hard12

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hearted and could not easily accept their faith. But they kept on knocking until God spoke to me and I decided to surrender my life to Jesus Christ. From that time I could feel an inward change.

My character changed as well.

After completing my secondary education I decided to become a Salvationist, as my mother had been enrolled as a soldier. My love for God grew each day.

I received my calling to officership in 1991 at divisional youth councils. By this time I was married and in 1994 my wife, Irene, and I were invited for divisional

and territorial assessments. We were accepted to go into training the following year.

Then the struggle started. Something was telling me that I had made a wrong decision. I obeyed that voice and turned down God’s call in 1995.

When my corps officer discovered this he came to find out what was wrong. I told him I was out of my senses when I offered myself for officership! He tried to convince Irene and me otherwise, but we didn’t listen. Three weeks later the divisional commander came and tried to convince us, also with no success.

Yet God’s calling haunted me, and my life turned upside down. I had no peace of mind. All the doors that the Devil had opened for me started to close one by one. Whatever I tried to do in life did not work out. That is when I came back to my senses and rededicated my life to the Lord.

After much prayer I wrote to the territorial youth secretary to say we were now prepared to come to the college.

We were re-accepted and were commissioned in 1997 in the Builders of the Kingdom Session.

Since then I have served God in different appointments, and he has been with me through thick and thin. Because of his faithfulness and goodness I feel highly honoured and humbled to share with you just a little bit of my spiritual journey.

Philippians 1:6 says: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ’ (New King James Version).

MAJOR RUBY ROBIN India Northern Territory God’s grace is amazing ‘WHAT must I do to be saved?... Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household’ (Acts 16:30 and 31). When I read these verses I feel as if they were written for me. When I think about my childhood, youth and married life I can easily see how God has been working.

I am the eldest of two sisters and three brothers. We all attended the Church of North India with our parents. I gave all my attention to my studies and at the age of ten I accepted Jesus Christ.

‘

I have deep faith in Jesus Christ and his promise to be with me to the end of the world

’

I didn’t know about The Salvation Army. I saw many men and women with uniforms but I thought they were doctors or nurses.

Two or three times I attended the nearby Pentecostal church. There I saw a sister with a white sari and I wanted to be like her. I shared this with my mother.

She said, ‘First you get married, then you serve God.’ I thought, ‘After my marriage?’ But I was a young girl and had no understanding of how great God is. Still, I believed that if God had a plan for me, he would fulfil it.

When I was 16 I fell in love with Robin, who was a Salvationist. After our marriage we applied to become officers.

God has blessed our married life with two sons. I have received many blessings from God in my life; it is very difficult to count them.

We have faced many problems, sicknesses and hardships. For eight months Robin lost his eyesight. He thought everything was finished

because after laser surgery he could see no light. But we regularly fasted and prayed, and God heard our prayers.

One night Robin woke me up and told me God had given him back his eyesight. He told me an old man visited him in his dream, touched his eyes and put a light beam in them. God did a great miracle! His promise is always with us and he opens the way for us.

I have deep faith in Jesus Christ and his promise to be with me to the end of the world. I have no qualifications but God still uses me. He has many plans for me, my family, my community, my country and this world.

I am his instrument and am always ready for his plans. He will use me in mighty ways. His grace is amazing!

MAJOR CAROLINE CHANG Taiwan Region I have experienced God’s companionship When I was a preschool child I had the habit of going to Sunday school at the nearby church for 18 months. The seed of the gospel was well planted. A schoolmate introduced me to The Salvation Army when I was 13, and I was enrolled as a soldier.

I became a songster at 14 and taught at Sunday school at 15. In my early twenties I served as a pianist, worked in a Salvation Army kindergarten, led the youth fellowship and became corps treasurer.

At 26 I married Daniel, who had pursued me for 13 years. Three times he asked me to accept him but I rejected him because he was not my type. God worked wonders. Daniel saw a vision of himself in Army uniform, stepping into the wedding hall with me. To prove his vision he asked me if I wanted to be an officer. Well, I did hear God’s call. I prayed and sought God and he answered all my questions. Finally, I married Daniel and we went to the training college.

We have now been happily married for 31 years and our family has been home to many children from broken families.

We welcomed two daughters into our family and experienced God’s abundant provision for their education. God prepared many opportunities for them to serve him with strong wills and good skills. Now grown up, they both serve God in the corps with all their hearts.

In 2002 we were appointed to our fourth corps and entered the most turbulent time in our ministry. Things got so bad that we considered ending our officership. Thanks to God’s mercy I was sent to the South Pacific and East Asia College for Officers in 2004. During that time God showed me that I was chosen, that he delighted in me and that he had a beautiful plan for me. It was true: in the toughest time for the corps we served 200 people weekly. God also opened the door for us to share the gospel through drama to 17 schools before we moved on.

My current appointment started in 2014. Daniel is in charge of the homelessness care centre and I am responsible for the corps. We have commenced various ministries and reached needy families in the community. So far the corps has helped 35 disadvantaged families, and 6 people will soon be enrolled as soldiers.

Through all these years, I have experienced God’s companionship, seen his footprints of grace and got to know him better. When I graduated from the training college I expected to glorify God like a song or an article. Now I can say the song of my life – its lyrics and melodies – and the article of my life – its beginning, middle and end – are written by him.

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REFL RE FLEC FL ECTI TION ON REFLECTION EC CTI O N

From Asbo to apology In his third reflection on encounters with characters in the community, Major Richard Durrant remembers Sid

S

ID was one of those people we would often see at the hall during the week and sometimes on Sundays. Although he was not a rough sleeper, he would mix with other people experiencing homelessness. A towering, muscular man, well over six feet tall, he was the first person in the county of Worcestershire to receive an Asbo*.

He was generally fine with us. In many ways he was like a child; if we tried to engage with him on his level he was usually OK. Our charity shop manager, Marie, was particularly good with him, and this is where my story about Sid starts.

One day he wandered into the shop having had a bit to drink and feeling rather down. Marie suggested that he went over the road to the Elim Pentecostal church where home evangelist Colin Dean was starting a ‘bacon butty Bible study’. She asked a volunteer to look after the shop while she took Sid across and he joined in with the group. He went again the next week and the week after that, then one day, praise God, knelt and gave his heart to the Lord.

A really dramatic change took place in Sid’s life. He stopped drinking, which had been a real problem for him, and really did turn things around, with Colin providing great support.

Like Zacchaeus, Sid wanted to apologise and put things right with those he had hurt. After thinking this through with Colin’s help, he first went to the police station. A meeting was arranged with the three main sergeants, who had all dealt with his unruly behaviour on numerous occasions. They were thrilled at the change and received him warmly as they accepted his apology.

He then went to visit the independent shopkeepers in the area – those he had 14

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terrorised and sometimes put in a headlock while he demanded alcohol or money. They were a little nervous but welcomed his apology and were pleased to see the change in him.

Then came a difficult task. Sid felt he wanted to apologise to the people living in Worcester, where he had caused so many problems over the years. On one occasion there had been a queue at the cinema with many families present. In a rage he smashed the plate glass window, scaring the children.

It was decided that Sid would issue an apology through the local newspaper. In an interview with one of the reporters Sid said sorry to the citizens of the city and explained the change that God had made in his life. The headline in the Worcester News that week was about the change that had come over him. It was also on the posters outside the newsagents.

Sid went on to help Colin with community projects and write a short booklet telling his story, in which he more than once mentioned the part The Salvation Army played.

I checked recently and understand that, although he hasn’t been so well, he is still keeping his faith some 19 years on. The change in his life has been real and permanent.

John Gowans wrote: ‘I believe in transformation,/ God can change the hearts of men’ (SASB 34). Sid is a living example of that – so much like those ‘trophies of grace’ that were common in the early days of the Army.

John 3:16 says: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ That message struck Sid at those bacon butty Bible studies after being encouraged to attend by our charity shop manager. What a witness his story is! *Asbos (anti-social behaviour orders) were civil rather than criminal orders restricting people from entering areas or places, and sometimes included bans on specific acts, such as drinking alcohol or swearing in public. They were designed to prevent behaviour that would make life difficult for communities.

MAJOR DURRANT IS CORPS OFFICER, NORTH WALSHAM

VIEW POINT

Love in the face of likes Major David Cavanagh shares his thoughts on Facebook and gospel

F

ACEBOOK is the supreme expression of the dream that fuelled the internet and social media boom. It aspires to be a virtual and virtuous space in which individuals of all ages, nationalities and classes can unite in a harmonious global community.

From a Christian perspective, this is a restatement in secular terms of the biblical vision of a renewed humanity, formed of men, women and children ‘from every nation, tribe, people and language’ (Revelation 7:9).

Facebook does offer great opportunities to reinforce the bonds of our common humanity. Thanks to Facebook, I am in contact with family and friends in all seven continents and I have made contact with school friends that I had not seen for almost 40 years.

I have friends on Facebook I have never met in real life, never will meet in this life and at least one friend I must have met, but cannot remember when or where.

Through Facebook I have engaged in all kinds of conversations, and my exchanges with my friends have informed, shaped and enriched my understanding of life, as well as brightened some dull days.

However, Facebook is not simply, or even partially, an anticipation of the Christian hope for a renewed humanity.

There are radical and significant

differences. In Revelation, the multitude that John sees in his vision of Heaven are gathered around the crucified and risen Christ, who is the centre of their common life. At the heart of Facebook there is only the platform, through which users present themselves to the world.

No matter how varied any individual user’s tastes may be – and Facebook can substantially enlarge the horizons of those who set out to explore new realities – in the end, they are always the ones who fix the boundaries of their own community, deciding to offer, accept or decline friendships.

It should not come as any surprise, then, that Facebook can become an extremely toxic environment: polemical arguments, hostile stand-offs and dramatic posing are everyday occurrences. The virtual world of social media fully mirrors the ambiguity and tensions that characterise our lives in the real world – in some respects, it amplifies and magnifies them, because the platform’s algorithms and users’ choices determine what appears in each person’s feed. In this way Facebook all too easily becomes an echo chamber, repeating and reinforcing users’ preconceptions and prejudices, especially if it becomes a channel for fake news and veiled campaigns, as may have happened during the build-up to the 2016 US presidential elections and the Brexit referendum.

Facebook has no central figure that unites all together, forcing each person to accept that no matter how bizarre, strange or even repugnant another’s views may appear, there remains a

common bond of shared identity and heritage. It becomes all too easy to dismiss those who see things differently as foolish, morally deficient or even as monsters. There is no obligation to bear with one another, to forgive the wrongs – real or presumed – suffered at others’ hands. The rhetoric of offence, victimhood and recrimination gains the upper hand.

It is free to register on Facebook and may always be. For those who feel they no longer need to justify their existence because they have been accepted, warts and all, by an unconditional love, this gratuity can unleash a dynamic of reciprocal affirmation through the liking and the sharing of others’ posts. But for those who lack this fundamental security, Facebook can become an extension of the competitive culture that drives our societies and the number of ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ their posts receive can determine their worth.

All in all, Facebook, like every socio-cultural construction, reflects the ambiguity of human beings, created only a little lower than the angels and yet capable of infernal monstrosities. On Facebook we see humanity in all its glory and degradation. As fallible and imperfect creatures, we are all too often implicated.

For those of us who believe in Jesus and hold that the hope of a renewed humanity will be fulfilled through his Spirit, the challenge is to make wise use of Facebook. It would be wonderful if Christians inundated the social network with posts that modelled civilised dialogue, exemplified the patience and forbearance of those whose fundamental values are humility, repentance and forgiveness, and communicated something of the energy and drive of God’s transformative love.

MAJOR CAVANAGH IS GENERAL SECRETARY, ITALY AND GREECE COMMAND Salvationist 17 August 2019

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BIBLE STUDY

Tell what the Lord has done!

Major Howard Webber reminds us to share our testimonies

STUDY PASSAGE: PSALM 66

QUESTIONS To what extent are you bursting with praise to God? O How readily do we praise God when life is hard? Why is this?

O Does God deserve any less praise when we face hard times?

O

P

SALM 66 begins with an explosion of imperatives: ‘Shout for joy to God, all the Earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!”’ (vv1–3). It’s as if someone has shaken a bottle of fizzy drink and the top has blown off, its contents shooting into the air.

The psalmist observes that he is encouraging us to do what the rest of creation does quite naturally. In 1225, while he was seriously ill, Francis of Assisi wrote the hymn ‘All Creatures Of Our God And King’ (SASB 2). He saw God being praised and worshipped in the activity and beauty of the sun and moon, wind and clouds, flowing waters and fruits and flowers.

The psalmist reminds us: ‘All the Earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you’ (v4). We, on the other hand, have a choice.

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

by Major Howard Webber

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Salvationist 17 August 2019

We might have experienced the Lord in extraordinary ways. However, when faced with difficulty, tragedy or other dark times, we are inclined to forget the wonderful and surprising things God has done in the past. The psalmist reminds his hearers how awesome God is and would have them remember what he did (see vv5 and 6). This reminds me of Deuteronomy 4:9 and 10 – a warning not to forget the blessings we’ve experienced but to testify to what God has done.

The psalmist reminds us of how God has taken care of us, even though he has allowed us to go through trials and tribulations (see v9).

QUESTIONS O Do we still trust God when we find ourselves confined in a ‘prison’, or when ‘burdens’ are laid upon us (v11)?

O What sort of a ‘prison’ might we find ourselves in?

Trusting isn’t easy when, having surrendered our welfare into God’s care, he allows people to crush us, flames to threaten our destruction or waters to overwhelm us. The psalmist had known such testing times but testified to the fact that God had been faithful and brought him through them safely (see v12).

We make claims and promises regarding our love for, trust in, and faithfulness to God. In response, God tests those claims and refines us. We come through those dark times either bitter or better.

I’ve heard it said that there are no atheists on the front line of battle. Often, when faced with the possibility or

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

I want to tell what God has done/ Through Christ, his well-belovèd Son,/ How my poor heart he sought and won;/ Can you wonder that I want to tell it?/ I want to tell what God can do/ For sinners lost like me and you,/ Of sins washed white and garments new;/ Can you wonder that I want to tell it?

(SASB 852)

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.

(Psalm 40:9 and 10)

Tell out the wonderful story,/ Tell it where’er you go;/ Tell of the King and his glory,/ Tell how he loved us so./ This is the story most precious,/ Jesus has died to redeem us;/ You can tell out the sweet story,/ You, yes, you.

(SASB 200)

probability of death, even the most hardened soldiers will call out to God and promise that if he rescues them they will commit their lives to him. Some who return home do, but many fail to fulfil their vow. The psalmist, however, is intent on keeping the promise that he made to God when he was in trouble (see vv13–15).

Take a moment to reflect on the words of songwriter, Will Brand: ‘Have I ceased from walking close beside thee?/ Have I grieved thee with an ill-kept vow?/ In my heart of hearts have I denied thee?/ Speak, dear Lord, O speak and tell me now’ (SASB 634).

for him personally – how God hears and answers his prayers. Despite all he has been through, experience has taught him that God loves him and listens to him. Therefore, he wants others to know.

He also wants his listeners to realise that outward religion is not enough and that God looks at the heart of an individual. Although, sadly, we who love the Lord still sin, it does not mean that we cherish sin in our hearts. Had he cherished sin in his heart, the psalmist knows that God would not have listened or responded to him (see v18).

QUESTION O Have you ever made a vow to God when in trouble but failed to keep it when circumstances changed?

O

Having spoken of the awesome things that God has done for humankind, the psalmist remembers what God has done

In his song, ‘I Come To The Garden Alone’, C. Austin Miles wrote this refrain regarding his relationship with Jesus:

‘And he walks with me and he talks with me/ And he tells me I am his own,/ And the joy we share as we tarry there,/ None other has ever known.’

QUESTIONS O Is the refrain a reflection of our relationship and closeness to Jesus?

Why or why not?

O To what extent do we, like the psalmist, have a longing to tell others of what God has done for us?

QUESTION Is it possible to live what appears to be an upright and godly life, yet harbour sinful desires or an envy of the wicked (see Psalm 73:3)?

MAJOR WEBBER LIVES IN RETIREMENT IN BOURNEMOUTH

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Come and hear, all of you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.

(Psalm 66:16–19)

Though in declaring Christ to the sinner,/ I may all men surpass,/ If love impassioned seal not the message,/ I am naught but sounding brass.

(SASB 683)

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.

(Psalm 51:12 and 13)

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!/ Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;/ Tender to me the promise of his word;/ In God my saviour shall my heart rejoice.

(SASB 393)

Prayer

Dear Father, show me how to share with others the wonder, joy and reality of what you have done for me through Jesus dying on the cross. As inadequate as I may feel, give me confidence in what you are able to do through what I have to offer.

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NEW COMMITMENTS

HIGH WYCOMBE: Innocent Chirawa was welcomed as an adherent member by corps officers Major Richard Thompson and Captain Jo Thompson. He shared his desire to make the corps his place of worship alongside his family, who already attend. His son and daughter, Tapiwa and Sandra, were enrolled as soldiers. They spoke on the importance of family and said they accepted God’s calling to serve him as part of his family. – R. T.

SUNDERLAND MILLFIELD: Lily-May Scollen first linked up with the corps through its Friday club and has keenly attended Sunday school and singing company rehearsals for some time. She learnt of the Lord with enthusiasm in junior soldier classes, guided by Sandra Wilkinson. LilyMay was enrolled by corps officer Major Peter Clark. They are pictured with YPSM Caroline Smith. – R. B.

BELLSHILL: Samantha Paterson was enrolled as a junior soldier by corps officer Major Chris Connelly. Samantha chose contributions from the music sections and marched into the hall behind the corps flag to the tune of ‘I Have Decided To Follow Jesus’. Supported by family and friends, she declared her promise with confidence and conviction. Pictured are Samantha, Majors Lynda and Chris Connelly and flag-bearer bandsman Duncan Gunn. – M. S.

SHERBURN HILL: After attending a Carols in the Car Park event, Karon and Tony Hartley started attending worship. They soon felt part of the corps family and were welcomed as adherent members by corps officers Majors Carol and Eric Pearce. Also pictured is CSM Colin Usher. – E. P. 18

Salvationist 17 August 2019

MORLEY: Corps officer Captain Lorna Weston welcomed Angela Burton as an adherent member. Angela first linked up with the corps through the town centre War Cry ministry. Following the loss of her husband, she has become a regular worshipper and volunteers most days of the week. Angela testified to having a close relationship with God and believes he isn’t finished with her yet. – R. W.

facebook.com/salvationistonline twitter.com/@SalvationistUK

LETTERS

CAPS OR R CAPS? MY local police force orce has decided to replace its current ent uniform with baseball capss to make officers less intimidating idating and more approachable. le. I wonder if it might be time for the Army to consider such a move. We dropped ed the bonnet some time e ago with no loss to our image, even though it was replaced by something that could equally be worn by a midwife or even a standard policewoman. The baseball cap is ‘of the moment’ – something we have always tried to be – whereas the cap in our uniform seems more at home in North Korea than 21st-century Britain.

I believe the Founder would have had no qualms about adopting something immediately recognisable and relevant.

The baseball cap has the advantage of being comfortable to wear and unisex

REACHING OUT NOT RAISING FUNDS

as well as comparatively cheap to produce. As for the debate over using the crest or the red shield, the new headgear could contain a message easily understood by the public. Do readers have any suggestions?

Polly Fox Slimbridge

IN response to the letter from Shirley Griffiths of Torquay about fundraising on a Sunday (Salvationist 3 August), Hednesford recently applied to the nearby Tesco for a standing day to raise funds, expecting to be offered a Friday or Saturday slot. We were a little surprised to be offered Sunday, but after prayerful consideration we decided to take the opportunity and use it not for fundraising but for outreach. The band played, the songsters sang and crafts were provided for the children. Many people spoke to us and stopped and listened, and we pray all were blessed.

God blessed us in this venture too: although fundraising was not our primary purpose, donations of more than £200 were given on the day. If we are offered more opportunities we shall take them as a way of bringing church to the people. We also have corps barbecues and other social events on the lawn in front of our building – all are welcome.

Andrea Hopkins Hednesford

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A PRAYER MAKES

GREAT SCOTT! WE would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and say a huge ‘thank you’ to Emma Scott of Boston for the money she raised while participating in the sponsored Trek Alps challenge. We are so proud of her. Two years ago she and other Salvationists took part in Trek Iceland. Again, deserved congratulations to her. We are so proud!

Jean and Ted Smith Spalding

AS I was walking to stand in the high street with the War Cry, a gentleman came over to me and told me about a copy I had given him many months ago. He shared how a prayer within it had made a huge impact on him, and he had been praying it every day since. It is this type of feedback that really encourages me and also, I hope, others who undertake this ministry.

Peter Willard Chatham

LETTERS Readers’ letters are a popular and well-read section of Salvationist. Many years ago General Frederick Coutts said letters for publication in the Army’s press should be ‘carefully thought out, logically presented and charitably expressed’. Letters may be edited and should ideally be no more than 300 words.

Salvationist 17 August 2019

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE APPOINTED Effective 1 September O Major Howard Russell, Assistant Chief Secretary, THQ O Major Noel Wright, Territorial Evangelist, THQ Effective 7 November O Lieut-Colonel Drew McCombe, Secretary for Mission, THQ LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED O Divisional Envoy James Woodgate, South East Division O Dep Child Protection Co-ordinator Sian Cooper, Clowne MARRIAGES O Bandsman Ben Pegg to Songster Katie Dragon at Northampton by Major Julie Johnson O Mark Marooth to Lieutenant Helen Froud at Aberdeen Citadel by Major Sarah King WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Platinum (70th) O B/Reservist Bernard and Joan Blyth, Canterbury (3 September) Golden O Alan and Jenny Fearn, Bolton Citadel (30 August) O Majors John and Doreen Bland (30 August) DEDICATED TO GOD O Ezra John Andrew, son of Wes and Becca Jones, at Winton by Majors Carol and David Chadwick RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Major Leslie Green (80 on 29 August) BEREAVED O Jenny Shurety, Upper Norwood, of her husband Michael

PROMOTED TO GLORY Lieut-Colonel Mary Carby from Southport on 31 July O Sylvia Dawson, Newcastle-underLyme O Winnifred Vinall, Hastings Citadel O

OFFICIAL GAZETTE UKI Territory RETIREMENTS FROM ACTIVE SERVICE Effective 1 August O Lieut-Colonel Carolyn Allemand (nĂŠe Olckers) out of Cape Town Citadel in 1980 and last appointment West Norwood O Major Karen Clark (nĂŠe Watson) out of Ashington Central in 1982 and last appointment Sunderland Millfield and Major Peter Clark out of Ashington Central in 1982 and last appointment Sunderland Millfield and Personnel Service, THQ O Major Christopher Connelly and Major Lynda Connelly (nĂŠe McMillan) out of Paisley West in 1984 and last appointment Bellshill O Major Leiby Pinner out of Kirkwall in 1987 and last appointment Lavenham O Major Amanda Slader (nĂŠe Wood) out of Thornton Heath in 1991 and last appointment William Booth College O Major Linda Squirrell (nĂŠe Morton) out of Kilsyth in 1976 and last appointment Haverhill O Major Cora Joy Tucker (nĂŠe Kilgour) out of Clydebank in 1979 and last appointment Paisley O Major Bramwell Williams out of Campbeltown and Major Irene Williams (nĂŠe Sutcliffe) out of Motherwell in 1980 and last appointment Milton Keynes Central ANTHONY COTTERILL Commissioner Territorial Commander

ENGAGEMENTS GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE O Ayr, Sat Sun 18 Aug O Sunbury Court (Right at the Heart conference), Mon 26 and Sat Sun 1 Sep O Uganda Territory, Th 12 – Tu 17 THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM O South London divisional celebration, Sat Sun 15 Sep THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL LEE GRAVES) AND COLONEL DEBORAH GRAVES O South and Mid Wales (divisional visit), Th 29 Aug – Sun 1 Sep O IHQ (leaders orientation), Tu 3 – Fri 13 O Leigh-on-Sea (Harvest weekend), Sat Sun 15

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Salvationist 17 August 2019

TRIBUTES ALICE HAWKINS, BOSCOMBE ALICE was born in 1928 to Salvationist parents in Darwen, Lancashire. An enthusiastic soldier, she was called and commissioned as an officer of the King’s Messengers Session in 1948. After serving in various corps appointments Alice met her husband and soulmate, Gordon, at Egham. In 1965 they moved with their four children to Maidenhead, where Alice became a songster and home league secretary.

A move to Bournemouth in 1987 enabled a further 24 years of service at Winton and Boscombe. There, she offered an open house to others on the south coast and regularly participated in teams feeding people experiencing homelessness and welcoming people to Sunday meetings.

After Gordon’s passing in 2011, Alice moved into a care home to be closer to her children. She was a committed Salvationist throughout her life and remains a strong role model to her family, including her son, daughter-inlaw and two granddaughters. – K. H.

AUX-CAPTAIN KENNETH BEARD KEN served for 46 years as a Salvation Army officer. Faithfulness marked his life from the time he was called to become a follower of Christ to his subsequent calling to officership, which resulted in him leaving his home corps of Newark, along with his wife, Joan.

Many people remember with deep appreciation their ministry and leadership in various appointments, including Shepshed, Basildon, Attercliffe, Sheffield Langsett Road, Lincoln Citadel, Burton Road and Gravesend. Ken also held many local officer positions at Worksop before and after retirement, including corps sergeant-major, bandmaster, songster leader and young people’s sergeant-major.

During the Second World War he flew as the rear gunner in a Halifax bomber.

Even then his beliefs and faith were evident to everyone and the pilot always asked Ken to pray before each mission. He was recently awarded the Légion d’honneur for his service.

All who knew Ken received his ministry with thankful hearts and a number of people have been richly blessed through their contact with him.

Salvationists and friends from across the territory thank God for Ken’s life and service. Corps folk rejoice but also remember his family members and friends as they come to terms with their loss, especially Ken’s children Jim, David, Michael and Catherine and their families. – A. D.

MARGARET FREEMAN, BARNSTAPLE (NORTH DEVON) MARGARET was one of six children who grew up caring for others, extending hospitality to neighbours, friends and corps members.

After she was enrolled as a soldier, she helped her mum serve the corps.

She engaged in ministry as primary sergeant and with brownies and guides.

She also served as a songster and songster librarian, as well as corps literature sergeant.

Margaret was a faithful servant who undertook the humble, quiet tasks.

Throughout her life she worked in Woolworths and in the nearby hospital.

She had a quiet humour and was incredibly faithful in her relationships, visiting family frequently, caring for friends and never forgetting a birthday or Christmas card. Margaret was a dependable, sincere and loving sister, friend and disciple of Jesus. – M. R. RAYMOND TUCKER, BOSCOMBE RAYMOND grew up in Llanelli and attended the corps as a junior soldier, learning to play trombone in the YP band. In 1946 he was commissioned as a senior bandsman and sang in the songsters.

In 1952 he married Doreen and they later had three children. Raymond,

being an accomplished trombone player, was sought after by many top bands, and it was his love of the trombone that led him to leave the town for Oxford to play in Morris Motors Band, under the leadership of Harry Mortimer. He also played in Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

In 1963 Ray returned to Llanelli and worked as an industrial policeman until he retired in 1986. Ray and Doreen moved to Bournemouth in 1989 and served the Lord at Boscombe until ill health overcame them. – T. C.

MARGARET HARRINGTON, CAMBRIDGE HEATH IN 1946, 15-year-old Margaret Hillier went to Cambridge Heath with her parents to help with the carolling. There she was to meet and marry Peter Harrington. The corps became her spiritual home for the next 72 years.

Margaret’s love of music and her beautiful, clear soprano voice meant that she was a songster for many years as well as a solo performer. She was songster secretary for approximately fifty years.

Her warm personality and hospitality meant she quickly put people at ease.

She led three choirs and for many years assisted with holidays organised by Major James Williams.

Margaret’s strong faith was to carry her serenely through her final illness.

Mentions of her grace, dignity, elegance, encouragement, commitment, smile and ability to talk permeated the service

of thanksgiving. She will always be loved. – F. B.

DON EDWARDS, MORRISTON BORN in 1942 to Salvationist parents from Swansea Citadel, Don grew up involved in the YP band, singing company and youth club. Never one to hide his faith, he invited his friends to the Army.

Don became a soldier, joining the band, songsters and a vocal quartet. He served in various local officer positions, including young people’s sergeant-major and deputy bandmaster. He was instrumental in re-forming the YP band, some members of which are still serving in the Army today.

Don transferred to Morriston, worshipping there for more than 40 years.

Health issues and a loss of vision curtailed his participation in the musical sections, but he was undeterred and found other avenues of service, not letting anything stand in his way.

He is remembered for his encouragement, sense of humour, friendship and caring nature, and is sadly missed by his many friends and Army family. – S. R. Please note that soldiers’ and adherent members’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 150 words. Good quality pictures will be included with tributes.

Please do not send your copy to any individual’s email address as this could delay publication.

Copy should be sent to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk

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Salvationist 17 August 2019

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‘ Employees, friends, members, officers, volunteers – we have them all in The Salvation Army!

We’ve asked some of them to tell us about themselves. This week…

RHIAN JONES

I loved being a part of The Salvation Army growing up. It has developed over time into a deeper and more mature relationship with God

’

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

Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With The Wind. I love the dresses but seriously doubt they would fit me.

(Southampton Sholing) How did you first come into contact with the Army?

I started attending Sunday school aged 11 at the invitation of a school friend, who was a junior soldier at Wimborne.

What made you want to become a Salvationist?

I loved being a part of The Salvation Army growing up, so I guess it was a natural progression from junior soldiership, which developed over time into a deeper and more mature relationship with God. What is your day job?

I work for The Salvation Army as a divisional relationship manager at Southern DHQ. What is the most interesting thing about your job – and the most frustrating?

I’m curious by nature, so it’s fascinating to see what’s happening at the corps in our division and to support them in what they do. When it takes a long time to get things resolved – that can be really frustrating!

What one thing would you change about the Army?

I would improve levels of communication.

What is your favourite kind of holiday?

I like history and water, so anywhere with access to a stately home, ruined castle and a beach is great.

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

The Tales Of Beatrix Potter read by Wendy Craig. My first pop record was Abba’s Greatest Hits.

What languages do you speak?

German.

What is your favourite Bible verse?

Romans 8:28 reminds me that when life is challenging and I don’t understand what’s going on, God is working behind the scenes for my own good, even if I don’t see it immediately.

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

Probably Moses. I think he had a pretty raw deal, having wandered through the wilderness for years with the Israelites and being shown the Promised Land, but not getting to enter it. I’d be interested to hear his take on that.

What is your favourite hymn or worship song?

At the moment my favourites are probably ‘In Christ Alone’ (SASB 861) and Marie Barnett’s ‘Breathe’.

Is there something you’ve never understood?

Concert pitch. I play the piano so when my husband, who plays the trombone, tries to explain it to me I have no idea what he’s talking about.

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

Cancer.

Do you have any hidden talents?

When I was a little girl I told my parents I was going on Opportunity Knocks because I could stand on one leg. This is now a long-standing family joke.

Which book would you want on a desert island?

Either a good thriller or The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy – it’s one of the few books I’ve read that made me laugh out loud.

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

‘Walking On Sunshine’ by Katrina and the Waves.

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

Be yourself – everyone else is taken.

What’s the most valuable thing you possess?

My family. Although, technically, I don’t possess them, so my sense of humour.

It, along with my family, has helped me through a lot.

Something interesting others might not know about you is…

I completed a tandem skydive from 12,000ft and I’m still scared of heights!