Salvationist 17 October 2020

SALVATIONIST For everyone linked to The Salvation Army

No.1778 Price 70p

www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 17 October 2020

Getting creative Messy Church at home

PLUS

THE NEW CONTACTLESS PAYMENT OPTION FOR CORPS

SEE PAGE 7

QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

ROUGH SLEEPERS IN UK WILL DIE WITHOUT GOVERNMENT ACTION, DOCTORS WARN

CHRISTIAN STUDENTS STUCK IN SELF-ISOLATION FOCUS ON ‘UNCHANGING GOSPEL’

RESET DEBT OF POOREST FAMILIES IN BRITAIN, SAY CHURCHES

Rough sleepers will die this winter without urgent government action as coronavirus and cold weather create a terrifying double threat, doctors and campaigners have warned.

[People experiencing homelessness] face a dilemma between staying outside or squeezing into crowded shelters where Covid hygiene will be limited, the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of General Practitioners have told ministers.

Alongside charities... they want a repeat of the ‘everyone in’ policy adopted in March and April, when 15,000... people were given emergency accommodation... saving an estimated 266 people from death, according to one study.

Prof Andrew Hayward, a member of the government’s Sage advisory group... is among the signatories of a letter that says self-contained accommodation must be a priority.

Members of Manchester Metropolitan University’s Christian Union are finding ‘hope and freedom in Christ’ as around 1,700 people at the university self-isolate because of a coronavirus outbreak.

Susanna Reid, co-president of the Christian Union, at Manchester Met… said that although there are mixed emotions among students, freshers who have contacted the union have had the most ‘amazing and inspiring outlook of joy, of trying to find the hope in really weird times’.

‘I think that is the joy of the Christian Union, we are focused on the gospel which is unchanging and we can find our hope and freedom in Christ and that seems to be pretty much the only unchanging thing at the moment...’

Online groups have been set up by the Christian Union at Manchester Met for Bible study.

Churches and the charity Church Action on Poverty (CAP) have called for a pandemic-related ‘debt Jubilee’ for the households worst affected by a cut in their income.

The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Church of Scotland and the Methodist and United Reformed Churches have united with CAP behind the report Reset The Debt: A Fresh Start For Families In Britain Swept Into Debt By Covid-19.

It estimates that six million people in the UK have been disproportionately affected... Almost one in five households needed to borrow money to buy food or essentials in July; and six million people have fallen behind with rent, council tax and other household bills...

The group is asking the government to create a Jubilee Fund to provide grants for debt relief... The £5 billion one-off scheme would relieve solely debts accrued during lockdown... in an attempt to stop people from losing their homes.

The Guardian

Premier

Church Times

EXPERIMENTS TO LOOK AT IMPACT OF SINGING IN RELIGIOUS GROUPS A study into the impact of communal singing on the spread of coronavirus among faith groups will take place this year...

This experiment, conducted by UCL (University College London) will look into different factors which could limit the disease’s ability to spread – such as wearing masks.

Fifty people will be invited to the university after completing an online questionnaire about how Covid-19 has affected their prayer life, mood, attendance at a place of worship and feeling of purpose in the world.

The first part of the experiment involves visiting a laboratory at UCL’s Engineering Faculty and being asked to speak words, then hum and sing, all without a mask.

Participants will be filmed in front of their face using a high-speed camera whilst having a bright laser light shining at them to see how many droplets they produce, how fast the droplets move and possibly how big they are.

Twelve people from that group will then be invited to a second experiment which will be the same, except they will be asked to wear different types of masks and to speak, sing or hum for longer than the first time.

Premier

SALVATIONIST

ADVERTISING 020 7367 4883 advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk

salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist

Staff are working from home and may not be contactable by phone or able to deal with non-electronic correspondence

EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts – 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford – 020 7367 4891

DISTRIBUTION AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), 66-78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) subscriptions@satcol.org

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Shanelle Manderson – 020 7367 4894 Simon Hope – 020 7367 4892 Melita Day-Lewis – 020 7367 4887 Major Margaret Bovey

TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN 020 7367 4500 0845 634 0101

ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden – 020 7367 4883

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, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

ISSN 2516-5909

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight – 020 7367 4895 Louise Phillips – 020 7367 4896 PROOFREADER Chris Horne

2

Salvationist 17 October 2020

THE SALVATION ARMY FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL Brian Peddle TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARY Major Mal Davies

CONTACT SALVATIONIST 020 7367 4890 salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk Find Salvationist on Facebook SalvationistOnline Find Salvationist on Twitter @SalvationistUK

CONTENTS

A NEW CREATION I HAVE always been someone who enjoys creating things. Whether it’s playing around with hymn tunes on a piano, moving words about on a page or baking (sometimes edible) cakes, there’s something thrilling for me in finding new paths for expression, inspiration and connection. I’m delighted, then, that this issue of Salvationist features Messy Church on the front cover.

Started in 2004, the initiative has grown to the point where there are now almost 4,000 Messy Churches around the world, all driven by an urge to grip the imaginations of families. It’s more than a crafts club – it’s Christ-centred creativity, inviting people of all ages to join in welcoming, inspiring worship. On pages 12 and 13, we hear how Portsmouth Citadel have taken that ministry into people’s homes in recent months, using their imaginations to connect with the families near them.

‘It’s important to realise that church isn’t the building, it’s everywhere,’ observes Lauren Wheeler, part of the team that has worked together to come up with ideas for each month’s themed activities.

Our news pages since March have contained many examples of people in the Army across the territory living out that realisation, finding creative ways to share in fellowship with corps folk and support people in their communities. On page 7, we hear of another innovative idea: a new app that can enable corps, should they wish, to take contactless payments for offerings.

Major Martin Hill on page 14 considers spiritual inspiration on a more internal level writing about how when we engage with a prayer, the words become more than just scribbles on a page or thoughts in your head: they form a relationship. As he puts it: ‘You allow it to enter your life and become part of you as you become part of it.’

It can feel difficult at times, though, to be inspired and stay connected, to be hopeful and grateful. On page 20, Major Peter Mylechreest considers the disorientation it’s possible to experience, as we try to retain our sense of identity, meaning and purpose amid everything that’s going on in the world. He reminds us to hold on to 2 Corinthians 5:17, regardless of our circumstances, position or status: ‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation’ (New English Translation).

As creations, we often try to go our own way and shape ourselves as we would a piece of paper, or I would my (sometimes edible) cakes. ‘Imagine a piece of clay trying to advise a potter what to do with it,’ points out Captain Tim Swansbury in the Bible study on pages 16 and 17. ‘Ridiculous!’ I’ve certainly never had a conversation with my buttercream frosting – and to anyone baking cakes as part of their Messy Church anytime soon, I wouldn’t recommend trying to have one.

Tim challenges us to commit ourselves to the Potter’s hands once more. ‘To what extent are we willing to be broken, melted and moulded in order to be filled?’ he asks.

As you read through this week’s pages, I hope you find something to inspire you to do just that.

I am a new creation, No more in condemnation, Here in the grace of God I stand.

My heart is overflowing, My love just keeps on growing, Here in the grace of God I stand.

(SASB 367)

From the Managing Editor Ivan Radford

Quotes from the media

2

Message from the Territorial Leader for Leader Development 4 News

5 and 6

Prayer matters

6

Interview Giving made easy

7

by Major Richard Waters

Reflection Time for hope

8

by Nicola Walmsley

Faith at work Fulfilling my calling

9

by Moira McHutchon

Viewpoint Doing the right thing

10 and 11

by Trevor Caffull

Feature 12 and 13 Growing a Messy Church

by Shanelle Manderson

Reflection The Jesus prayer

14

by Major Martin Hill

Reflection Following or failing

15

by Major Jim Bryden

Bible study In the Potter’s hands

16 and 17

by Captain Tim Swansbury

Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17

by Major Melvyn Knott

Letter from the Chief Secretary 18 Resources True stories

19

by Major Helen Schofield

Review Browsing The Bible

19

reviewed by Emily Bright

Viewpoint Recognising who we are

20

by Major Peter Mylechreest

Adverts

21, 23 and 24

Announcements

22

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

Salvationist 17 October 2020

3

A MESSAGE FROM THE TERRITORIAL LEADER FOR LEADER DEVELOPMENT

Give thanks

O

NE afternoon recently I took a walk by the River Thames. There weren’t many people around, but I passed a lovely Jewish family having a good time together, walking and enjoying each other’s company. I thought nothing of it, but then I passed another Jewish family doing the same thing. A little further on I passed another. I wondered if there was a special holiday they were all enjoying, so I got out my phone to look it up. I discovered that the holiday was Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. It is a time of thanksgiving for the provision of God, and as a reflection for the Jewish nation on God’s provision during the 40 years when they were wandering in the wilderness, escaped from Egypt but coming to the Promised Land.

In the past few weeks or the weeks to come, your corps may be celebrating Harvest, either virtually or in small, socially distanced congregations. Song number 9 in the songbook comes to mind: ‘Come, ye thankful people, come,/ Raise the song of harvest home.’

Saying ‘thank you’ is really important.

We are reminded of that when we think back to our lockdown days, when we were out clapping on Thursday nights for the NHS and other key workers and essential services that kept on serving people and still serve people today.

4

Salvationist 17 October 2020

I remember a song many years ago that John Gowans and John Larsson wrote: ‘I Nearly Forgot To Say Thank You’. It can be quite difficult to remain thankful, especially in such challenging times. I am reminded to say thank you to those of you in the Salvation Army family who have continued to work and serve and keep faithful to all that we have to do to serve our communities.

Thinking back again to the Jewish nation wandering in the wilderness, they grumbled quite a bit, understandably so.

Life was really hard – sometimes they didn’t know where their next meal was coming from and they couldn’t see an end in sight – but the Lord brought them through.

A particular verse I want to remind us of is 1 Thessalonians 5:18: ‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus’. It’s sometimes easier said than done, you might agree.

I recall a lesson from the short book of Habakkuk in the Old Testament.

Habakkuk was a prophet who lived in the final decades of the southern kingdom of Judah and at this particular time the Jewish nation were not behaving as God’s people. They were a bit rebellious, and there was a lot of injustice and corruption. Things were not going well.

I have a lot of affinity with Habakkuk’s

first words when I think of our circumstances now: ‘How long, Lord, must I called for help, but you do not listen?’ (1:2). It can feel like that at times, but Habakkuk continues to have a conversation with the Lord and eventually hears the Lord’s reply: keep the faith, be faithful and I will bring you through.

Some of you may know these verses in Habakkuk 3: ‘Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the sheepfold and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour’ (vv17 and 18). It is a great lesson. We are still in challenging days and there is a long way to go. Some of you have been through great trauma and have concerns about what the future might look like. Too many of us are a little bit weary of the fight but we recognise that we must keep going.

To encourage us, I’d like to give us all a challenge to find even more ways to be intentionally thankful, even in the circumstances that we find ourselves.

When I have done that in my life, during some of those challenging times, I have discovered that it does lift me a bit. Even more so, it can lift those around us.

In conclusion, I’d like to refer you to a song by Chris Tomlin: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, our God and king:/ His love endures forever./ For he is good, he is above all things:/ His love endures forever./ Sing praise’ (SASB 363).

I hope in the coming week, whatever circumstances you find yourself in, you’ll remember there’s a loving, faithful God – and perhaps find an opportunity to say thank you and to thank others. It might just make our neighbourhoods, our communities, wherever we are, a better place.

Thank you and God bless you.

GILL COTTERILL COMMISSIONER TERRITORIAL LEADER FOR LEADER DEVELOPMENT O This

message is based on a video that can be viewed at facebook.com/ SalvationistOnline or youtube.com/ user/salvationarmyvideo

NEWS

INTERNATIONAL

ARMY NEWS

Army saves lives across the world

Modern slavery awareness campaign launched

THQ THE Salvation Army has been hard at work across the world, supporting tens of thousands of the most vulnerable people as they deal with the health and economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Several key projects have been funded specifically by the UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland from donations made for international work. These projects are working with local Salvation Army corps and community centres in Pakistan, Mexico, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Mozambique.

Vital help given by corps in Kenya includes providing essential handwash and sharing information on hygiene and self-isolation.

In the Philippines, the Army is providing hygiene kits and cleaning supplies to quarantine facilities. In northern India, the Army has been giving food and information to vulnerable families, as well as providing hand sanitiser to people without access to clean water.

The Salvation Army in Johannesburg, South Africa, has also been providing food parcels to vulnerable individuals and families in neighbouring Lesotho. Similar work has been taking place in Peru, Turks and Caicos Islands and Rwanda. – AR JERSEY Corps officer Lieutenant Richard Nunn spoke to BBC Radio Guernsey about how the Army will continue partnering charities to help people in need. Throughout the pandemic, the corps has worked with the Grace Trust and the St Vincent de Paul Society to provide a food bank and parcels to islanders.

As winter approaches, the corps is readying for a rise in demand. – AR Is your corps adapting to the coronavirus crisis through innovative ministry opportunities?

Salvationist wants to hear from you.

THQ

COMMUNITY WELLING During the ministry placement of second-year cadets Heather and Jonathan Culshaw, a mobility scooter was generously donated by a local family. It was delivered to corps member Beryl Abrahams, who was delighted. – HC

Army aids Philippine family UKI THE Salvation Army has helped a family in the Philippines after a survivor of modern slavery in the UK became concerned for her parents’ well-being during the coronavirus pandemic.

The woman is rebuilding her life with the help of the Army.

Her parents, however, are too frail to farm and their local shops are shut, with family members unable to visit to help them due to the lockdown. The UKI Territory was able to reach out to colleagues in the Philippines, who checked up on the family and delivered food.

Local Programme Co-ordinator Melpo Economou, who helped arrange the support, explained: ‘I made the call and was genuinely amazed at the speed at which The Salvation Army’s global networks were able to mobilise. Within a week, I received an email and photos from local Salvation Army officers in the Philippines, reporting that they had visited the family to check on them and provide them with supplies. The email also brought a message of reassurance that my client’s parents were doing well and that officers would be available to provide help in the future if needed.’

Melpo received this reaction from her client: ‘I am really happy to have this experience in this country. I never expected this in my life. I have a lot of lovely people in my life here who give me support. Thank you.’ – AP ISLE OF MAN The Army has opened a debt advice centre to support people experiencing financial problems. Appointments give people the opportunity to review their situation confidentially with trained staff who can offer support such as negotiating with creditors and drawing up payment plans.

People who are worried about debt can book an appointment by emailing iomdas@salvationarmy.org.uk. – AR

THE Salvation Army is raising awareness of modern slavery for Anti-Slavery Day (18 October) by asking people to buy a special edition #WeAreNotForSale face mask.

Tackling modern slavery and human trafficking and supporting survivors of this shocking crime are a global priority for The Salvation Army. It is particularly concerned that lockdown measures make it harder for the public to spot and report signs of modern slavery.

Face masks are available from SP&S for £5.99 (including postage and packaging). By purchasing a mask people can help raise awareness and generate essential funds to go towards the Army’s Victim Care Fund.

All profits from the sale of the face masks will go directly towards the fund. People who purchase a face mask are encouraged to take a photo of themselves wearing it and share it online with the #WeAreNotForSale hashtag. – AR

COMMUNITY LEAMINGTON SPA While the usual drop-in facilities have been unable to open, the Way Ahead Project has been providing takeaway lunches and food parcels to rough sleepers in temporary accommodation, as well as many of its regular visitors. The reopening of the Back on Track pop-up café will allow service users to get back to interacting face-to-face. Up to 15 guests at any one time can choose from a hot daily special and a drinks and sweet treats menu. The café operates on a pay-what-you-can basis. – AR Send your news reports to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk.

Good quality pictures will be included.

Salvationist 17 October 2020

5

Prayer

NEWS

ANTI-TRAFFICKING AND MODERN SLAVERY FOCUS

by Major Heather Grinsted (Deputy Director, Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery, THQ)

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER Dear God, we pray for all of us who are intentionally or unintentionally creating consumer demand because of our desire for cheap food, goods and services. Help us to understand the way our choices may play a part in keeping others captive by creating demand for more slave workers, and give us courage to make different choices. Amen.

FUNDRAISING SALISBURY Members of the corps donned masks and carried sanitised Big Collection donation buckets as they greeted members of the public at the Saturday market and in the high street. More than £500 was collected and many encouraging comments and conversations were shared. – MD

INTERNATIONAL

Army continues hurricane and wildfire responses USA BEFORE Hurricane Sally dropped nearly four months’ worth of rain on the Florida panhandle in four days, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services was preparing to respond. Ten mobile feeding units, each carrying 500 meals, were deployed to Pensacola to provide food, drinks and spiritual care to those left in the wake of the storm’s destruction.

Army staff and volunteers have served local communities with more than 25,000 meals, nearly 17,000 drinks and 20,100 snacks. So far 170 clean-up kits have also been given out and 236 people have been provided with emotional and spiritual care. Seven of those who received spiritual care gave their lives to Christ while with the pastoral team.

The Army is delivering 10,000 meals a day within the area and will continue to serve as long as necessary. It has also been providing emergency food, water and other essential support to communities in the west of the country affected by wildfires.

Evacuees in Jackson County, Oregon, have received breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, with more than 10,000 meals served to date. Emotional, social and spiritual care is also being provided.

Across the remainder of Oregon, 22,000 meals have been served to evacuees, firefighters and other first responders. – EA/JK

Like our page at SalvationistOnline to keep up to date

6

Salvationist 17 October 2020

Follow Salvationist on Twitter @SalvationistUK

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER Dear God, we know from Scripture that you want people to be free (Isaiah 61:1–3; Psalm 68:4–6; Luke 4:16–21). We pray on this Anti-Slavery Day for all those involved in aiding the liberation and restoration of children, women and men, for governments, local authorities, companies, charities, churches and individuals to do what they can to address the problem. We know we cannot fight this on our own and we ask for your guidance. Amen.

‘LIGHT, LIFE, LOVE’ FOCUS

by Stephanie Chagas-Bijl (Resource Hub, THQ)

MONDAY 19 OCTOBER Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill chose the theme for the Congress weekend after reflecting on the words of General Albert Orsborn in SASB 742. Make these words your prayer today: ‘Light, life and love are in that healing fountain,/ All I require to cleanse me and restore;/ Flow through my soul, redeem its desert places,/ And make a garden there for the Lord I adore’.

TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER Throughout the Gospel of John we see the use of this symbolic language of light. Jesus is the light that has been shining in the darkness of the world, calling people to follow it, to be transformed by it, so that they too may become sons and daughters of light (see John 12:36). Lord, thank you for the privilege we have to know you and to walk in your light.

Continue to light up our path so that we may follow you closely. Amen.

WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER While there is light for the whole world to see, not all choose to see it.

John’s opening words in his Gospel remind us that though the ‘light shines in the darkness, the darkness has not understood it’ (1:5 alternative reading). Lord Jesus, we think of people who don’t know you. Come and shine your light into their hearts, just as you did for Paul on the road to Damascus. Give them this transformational encounter with you. Amen.

THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER To reject the light is to reject the hope of salvation and eternal life (see John 12:36, 50). Assurance of eternal life means choosing to know Jesus right now in the present time, while looking forward to being together with God in the life hereafter. Thank you, Lord, for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Because of his death I have everlasting life! Amen.

FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER Lord Jesus, thank you because you have promised to give us life, and life to the full (see John 10:10). We receive from you all the spiritual blessings, deep joy, peace and hope that come from a life united in you.

Amen.

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

INTERVIEW

Giving made easy Major Richard Waters (Assistant Territorial Financial Secretary) tells Salvationist about a new contactless payment app called Givt WHY HAS THE ARMY BEEN CONSIDERING CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS? Forecasts suggest that by 2028 fewer than one in ten UK consumer payments will be made using cash. In the current climate, the handling of cash poses a Covid-19 risk and, of course, many of us are not able to gather physically in worship and give in the offering, even though we may pay our cartridge by standing order. We were introduced to Givt by one of the Army’s trustees who had been working with the Elim Church in the UK. Assemblies of God and the Church of England are also now using the technology.

HOW IS IT USED IN A WORSHIP SETTING? Givt is a donation app on your smartphone, which puts the donor in full control. It was designed to allow the donor to participate in a Sunday offering in a contactless, cashless way.

In a gathered setting the corps places a ‘beacon device’ in the offering plate.

When the offering is announced the donor can prime their phone with the desired donation value and when the plate passes the offered phone, the beacon is detected and the donation is made. It’s interactive, discreet and much quicker than passing a card reader around.

The app also works in a remote setting with the individual able to select the corps from a list or a QR code and make a donation at any time – perhaps in response to an offering time during online worship.

HOW DOES THE TECHNOLOGY WORK? The donor downloads the app to their phone and creates an account with Givt whereby a direct debit is set up between their bank account and Givt. When the donor makes a donation this is collected

by Givt via direct debit the following day and then anonymously passed to the

me receiving corps in the same week, along with all the other donations.

Individual donations can an be cancelled if the donorr makes a mistake, and the e donor can remove the app pp and close their account at any time. There is no minimum donation and you can only donate to organisations that have registered with Givt. All interactions are secure and comply with Financial al Services Authority requirements.

While the donation is anonymous to the receiver, ver, Givt knows the donor so Gift Aid is still able to be claimed med on The Salvation Army’s behalf, if that is appropriate. ate.

HOW ELSE COULD CONTACTLESS GIVING TECHNOLOGY BE USED? Use of Givt outside a worship context is possible but requires the donor to have the app, so until there is widespread adoption of the app by the general public it’s not going to be particularly useful for street collections. And because it’s an anonymous donation as far as the receiver is concerned, it isn’t really usable for collection subs, for example in band or songster practices. We have a different contactless solution for these scenarios using an individual’s contactless debit or credit card.

WHAT FEEDBACK DID YOU GET FROM THE PILOT SCHEME? Twenty corps took up an initial invitation to trial the app in their online worship settings. Feedback was positive. From the donor’s point of view it proved very easy to use. One corps expressed surprise at how quickly their members, whatever their age, had taken to it. Of course, given the absence of Sunday offerings all corps experienced increased

income. Support from the app provider has also been good.

Givt is now available to all corps to consider, but there is no compulsion. It will be up to each corps to determine if they think Givt will benefit their situation.

IS THERE A COST FOR CORPS? There is no set-up cost for the corps – even the beacons are provided free of charge. However, there is a usage cost in that the corps will not receive 100 per cent of the donation. Just like other ‘giving’ websites, a percentage is taken as a fee by Givt prior to the donation being received.

Standing orders and bank transfers are still the most efficient means of paying a regular cartridge, so Givt should not be considered as a replacement for those. But if we’re not able to give cash in the Sunday offering – either because we’re not worshipping in our buildings or because of hygiene concerns – then receiving 95 per cent of something is better than 100 per cent of nothing!

Salvationist 17 October 2020

7

REFL RE FLEC ECTI EC CTI TION ON REFLECTION

Time for hope

Nicola Walmsley explores the need for hope in difficult and confusing times

I

’VE been reading Celebrating Life by Jonathan Sacks and am reminded that we all need hope.

‘The human story is not simple and straightforward,’ Jonathan says. ‘There are setbacks, digressions, wanderings, false turns, but these are not grounds for the death of hope because there is always a sense of destination: the just society, Heaven’s Kingdom, a world of dignity and grace… Progress begets optimism. The religious journey engenders hope. Unlike optimism, hope survives even in tough and confusing times. That is why we need hope.’

We all need hope, especially in 2020 with its difficult and confusing times.

My husband, Colin, and I watched all the Star Wars films on DVD in the evenings of lockdown. We laughed as we quoted many of the lines, having watched them so often with our daughters. I know a little of the famous hologram speech by Princess Leia: ‘Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.’ I am so thankful that my hope is in God. I recall at one time, early on in our 20-plus years in ministry together, feeling so disappointed at being abandoned by some good friends. It really felt like a betrayal, but I received this good advice: ‘Put on a new garment of hope in exchange for disappointment.’ It was an intentional thing I had to do: put on hope in place of disappointment. And today, 22 years later, those first friends who abandoned us are once again friends. I had never dreamt that would be possible.

8

Salvationist 17 October 2020

I’ve been thinking about Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers who were jealous of him. His father knew they felt that way but he was the one who sent Joseph out to check up on them, which led to them turning on him, throwing him into a well and selling him off.

Joseph was his favourite son, so why would he do such a thing? Did Joseph think his father had done it intentionally and abandoned him?

It seems plausible for Joseph to think so, as his father had taken him down a peg when he told his family of his dreams – especially the one in which he saw his family bowing down to him, including his parents! I wonder if Joseph felt without hope during his time in slavery and imprisonment in Egypt. Why did he not try to contact his father when he was put in charge? He was probably disappointed and perhaps held hurt in his heart towards his family.

We do know that Joseph had faith and hope in God. God did amazing work in Joseph’s heart over time – probably during his imprisonment – to enable him to forgive and reconcile with his family when they came to Egypt for help during the famine. How different it would have been if Joseph had not put his hope in God! During this pandemic, while in lockdown and on furlough, there were times when I became disappointed and my soul was downcast. Like many folk, experiencing the loss of a loved one for the first time changed life as I knew it. I do know, though, that without the love of

my God, in whom I put my trust and hope, I would not have coped as well.

I do not know how people can remain hopeful without the knowledge that God is in control. I am encouraged that he is, and I hope you are too.

Many around the country are still in lockdown, in quarantine or shielding.

If that is our experience, it is good to remember that we are not alone. God is with us, and it’s during these times we can allow hope to rise in our hearts.

Just as Joseph had time in prison to think and pray and seek God, allowing him to deal with heart issues, so can this time be used for God’s glory. This is a time we would usually be filling with so much busyness – what an opportunity we have for God to be centre stage!

When I am downcast during this strange time, when I suddenly feel sad that things are not as they were, I remind myself of this Scripture: ‘Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God’ (Psalm 42:5).

May you be encouraged to do likewise, for God is faithful.

NICOLA IS THE COMMUNITY MISSION FACILITATOR, BARROW-IN-FURNESS

FAITH AT WORK

Fulfilling my calling Moira McHutchon (Shotts) shares how God has challenged and empowered her throughout her working life

I

GAVE my life to Jesus at the age of 15. This changed the focus of my thoughts about my future career from looking after animals to looking after people. I knew the Lord was calling me to something more important. I felt him leading me to become a district nurse in a rural area working with people in their own homes.

Initially I worked in Glasgow, where I witnessed the raw need of people living in the city. I married, raised four children, moved several times and worked part-time over the next 22 years.

In 1999 I moved to Lanarkshire.

While working on the staff bank in a rural village, the post I was covering was advertised. The Lord was opening a door for me to finally fulfil my calling.

I prayed, and colleagues urged me to apply, but I was lacking confidence and was reluctant to face the challenge. One morning as I was driving home from a night shift, coming over the brow of a hill I saw a magnificent rainbow embracing the village where I would be based if I got the post. The Lord said to me very clearly: ‘I want you to serve and love these people.’ I applied for the post and was accepted.

The prospect of the interview and starting the job was fearful but I learnt to trust that if God had called me, he would give me the ability. He never let me down. I prayed that he would help me to grow in experience and confidence and help me to give the best care and compassion, reflecting him.

By 2013 I had worked in the area for ten years and had gained the respect of the community. The Lord had answered my prayers and I now felt comfortable and confident doing this job in a familiar environment.

The next challenge came suddenly. I was to move to a different base 16 miles

away. This was devastating for me. I had become comfortable. I had forgotten whose I was and that the Lord might have a change of direction for me.

In the new post I experienced more challenges than ever: establishing trust with new nursing and GP colleagues; managing two caseloads; standing in for vacant managers; dealing with staff conflict; caring for patients with complex needs; encouraging and developing inexperienced staff; supporting colleagues with personal problems; and raising standards of care. I learnt who I was capable of being through the power of God in me.

I became unwell in 2013, had to have major surgery and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis within the same period of time. During the recovery period from surgery, when I was having severe joint pain, I thought that not only would I be unable to work again but I also wouldn’t be able to do all the active things I enjoyed. I was distraught. I cried out to the Lord. Eventually I came to the place where I was able to say that whatever the future held I would trust him. It was not easy!

My elderly dad became ill just when I was able to engage in a phased return to work. Transferring my work skills to caring for him in the last months of his life was such a blessing. Experiencing the grief of losing him has given me even more empathy with others.

My health has now been restored by

I learnt to trust that if God had called me, he would give me the ability

the Lord. I have retired, but I’m still doing bank work. Since my retirement I have felt a new freedom to spend more time with people. I no longer feel constrained by the demands of my workload or the professional restriction of not speaking about my personal faith. This is my ‘front line’.

Sometimes I feel led by the Holy Spirit to speak about the good news of peace with God, particularly with people who are at the end of their life.

Sometimes all I can do is pray silently for my patients when working with them. Always, I ask the Lord to reveal his love and compassion through me in the way I care for them. I have known for a long time, with a deep, humble assurance, that God has entrusted me with this gift.

Don’t fear his calling. Don’t fear new challenges or change. Don’t fear illness or bereavement. Don’t become complacent. God is in control and he can use whatever he has made you to be. He will use your circumstances to shape you into the person he intends you to be. Hallelujah!

Salvationist 17 October 2020

9

VIEW POINT

Doing the right thing

O

VER the past couple of years The Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL) has been working on a management concept called Upside Down Management. In essence, this is a model that turns the organisational pyramid upside down: delegating decision-making to more appropriate levels and encouraging a more common sense and flexible approach, while encouraging challenge to be ‘pushed upwards’ where unfairness or inequity is perceived to exist.

In truth, though, we haven’t talked much about Upside Down Management 10

Salvationist 17 October 2020

SATCoL General Manager Trevor Caffull explores the complexities of decision-making

recently, and there’s been a good reason for that. When a business is in crisis – whether that’s of its own making or because of something as allconsuming as the coronavirus pandemic – the emphasis, with some justification, tends to return to control. When cash is tight, as it has been for pretty much all businesses over the past six months, stricter controls need to be put in place to protect all elements of cash flow – and that can be seen as a loss of autonomy or ‘against the grain’ of Upside Down Management. This is a fair challenge, although most would see the sense and the need for tighter

controls in the extreme days we have witnessed.

Upside Down Management, of course, is about a lot more than the management of cash. Predominantly, I would suggest, it’s about people – treating people in a way that we would each wish to be treated and in a manner that simply adds up to good old-fashioned common sense.

Those of us who are familiar with The Salvation Army would recognise that Upside Down Management could be argued not to sit well with the traditional Army model, which, let’s face it, has been somewhat autocratic over the years. But those who know me well will

recognise that I don’t like to be constrained by rule books. It’s not so much that I like breaking rules but more that I see rules, which are often entirely necessary, as providing too tight a framework for sensible decision-making.

I see rule books as very black and white, whereas I prefer a life that is more varied and where context is fully considered.

All organisations need the basic framework of rules. This helps to establish clarity, and some matters are very literal in terms of what is allowed and what is not. At SATCoL, ‘no smoking in the office, shop or warehouse’ means exactly and precisely that: no smoking, no exception! But so many other rules are there to provide a framework rather than an absolute. And of course, this is where it gets difficult because suddenly the interpretation of a rule can become a matter for personal judgment, and not everybody will judge all issues identically.

Broadly speaking in this regard we should be guided by common sense, what seems fair and/or what seems right.

If we adopt this approach to decisionmaking we’ll make mostly right decisions most of the time, which is about as good as any of us can do.

I occasionally come across an issue where, very clearly in my judgment, the wrong decision has been made. And, when challenged, the decision-maker would claim that they must be right because they followed the rules. Which brings us to an interesting question about decision-making: if the rules have been followed, is it automatic that the right decision has been made? I would answer that question with an emphatic ‘no’.

Here’s a good example. A woman has her purse stolen, so she has lost all the receipts she habitually kept. She has bought a gift for her sister from one of our charity shops, which turns out to be the wrong size, so she comes back to

request a refund. The rules say that she must have a receipt, but she can’t show a receipt because her purse has been stolen. The rules therefore say she cannot have a refund. But is that the right decision?

My guess is that even in this simple scenario, it would be hard to get everyone to agree what the ideal outcome would be. My personal take on

managers will do their best in reaching the right decisions having followed this advice. If I start telling everybody what decisions they should be making, then I’m as guilty as those brandishing the rule book and saying, ‘I must be right because that’s what the rules say.’

This is often referred to as being guided by the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law, and I like to

it is that a decision should be made in the best interests of customer service and, in this case, that would mean not following the rules. Upside Down Management allows for this approach, meaning that the decision would be made locally, not by head office, based on a proper judgment about what is fair and what good customer service looks like.

This is an argument that goes full circle, of course. Decision-making is about personal judgment, and all I or any senior manager can do is preach the word of thoughtful, sensible, people-based, compassionate decisionmaking, and have faith that all

think that this is part of what Jesus was saying to the Pharisees and the experts in the law when he took them to task for ritual observance of minutiae rather than being right with their inner selves – and being guided by that inner light (see Luke 11:37–54).

Decision-making is like life. It can’t be lived in black and white – it is multilayered, multi-textured and multicoloured. That makes it more complex, but it also makes it more interesting. We can’t throw the rule book away. We need it for basic guidance and some of the non-negotiable dos and don’ts it provides – but we’ll all be better served by relying on it less, and instead simply asking ourselves: ‘What’s the right thing to do here?’

Let’s try to live in multicolour, not in black and white.

TREVOR IS A SOLDIER AT KETTERING CITADEL Salvationist 17 October 2020

11

FEATURE I Messy Church

Growing a Shanelle Manderson finds out how Portsmouth uth Citadel have taken family ministry into homes es

D

ID you know there are 3,791 Messy Churches around the world? For several years Portsmouth Citadel’s Messy Church has been welcoming families to the corps one Sunday a month to eat, celebrate God and, well, get messy!

A typical session includes: a welcome; a Bible presentation; a craft time for all ages to explore the biblical theme; worship, including singing; an opportunity to present their craftwork; and a sit-down meal together.

As the lockdown prevented families from meeting together, the Messy Church team made the decision to bring church to the members by posting – and, as restrictions eased, delivering – craft packs to families. own we saw ‘In the early days of lockdown rent things, a lot of churches doing different including sending out online crafts to print, but we thought perhaps ps we could take it to the next level,’ says s team coordinator Paul French. ‘We wanted to make it as easy as possible for families to have fun. It’s all very well sending out

12

Salvationist 17 October 2020

something to make but then they need the glue, or something to cook but then they need to buy ingredients. In all those scenarios we thought about how we could best give them what they needed so all they had to do was enjoy.’

The team also felt it was important to maintain connections, explains Paul: ‘A lot of families that come to our Messy Church are from the inner city, where poverty is quite rife and it’s a struggle to feed their kids a lot of the time. We wanted to reach out to people and make them aware that we still cared and we’d not gone away at a time when they needed us more than ever. ‘We also saw Messy Church at home as an opportunity to grow and, hopefully in the future, get more people through our doors and to know Jesus even more.’

Using Facebook as a means of contact to spread the word about this new Messy Church at home, the team began at Easter with something small. Team member Lauren Wheele er Wheeler created the first of manyy

fun how-to videos with craft ideas, which included things that could be made from items around the house, and some links to stories and songs, and posted it to the corps Facebook page.

Since then each month the team have put together craft packs and Lauren has created a follow-along video that children can watch. In May a superhero theme linked a Bible story to Jesus being the ultimate hero. Craft packs were sent in the post for children to take part in designing their own superhero masks, cuffs and bookmarks as well as other activities.

Feeling slightly more adventurous, June’s Messy Church took on a food theme linked to the feeding of the 5,000. As lockdown restrictions delivered pizza lessened, the team de bases, toppings and ccraft packs giving them an to families’ doors, givin opportunity to have doorstep and conversations contact an out how people to find ou were getting on. w we re gett after Soon, a

Corps officer Major Julian Wat and team member Lauren Whechorn eler prepare craft packs

encouragement from the team, waves of videos and pictures of the children enjoying the activities distributed over the past months were being posted to the corps Facebook page by parents.

‘We had more than 300 photos saying how much the kids loved making the pizzas and how it had been a godsend to have a little activity and have someone come to the door,’ enthuses Lauren.

‘It was at this point that we needed a separate Facebook page for Messy Church as the corps page was being overrun with information,’ adds associate officer Major Andrea Still.

The following month took on a fitness theme, focusing on being fit for life and running the race for Jesus. Packs included task cards with fitness ideas, stickers, a medal, a certificate, paper trainers to design and instructions on how to make a magnet. Lauren also took the children through an aerobics workout.

‘We figured people would be out and about a bit more, so we thought we’d hammer home the health benefits of

fitness,’ explains Paul.

August’s Messy Church focused on the story of Jesus calming the storm.

Children were shown how to make a paper boat and were encouraged to pray when feeling overwhelmed. September was linked to Harvest and the parable of the sower, and children had the

It’s important to realise that church isn’t the building, it’s everywhere opportunity to make scarecrow plates, a handprint tree and a thank-you cross.

A chocolate bar and ‘Thinking of You’ cards were also included in the packs for the parents.

October’s Messy Church will provide an alternative to Halloween, focusing on the light of Jesus.

Coming up with ideas for each month has been a team effort. There have been moments when it has been

challenging as everyone leads busy lives, but team meetings on Zoom have meant everyone has been able to communicate, plan and organise effectively.

While the number of families on the books has grown from 86 to more than 100 since Messy Church at home was launched, the most rewarding thing for the team has been seeing everyone enjoy the contact and crafts and appreciate all the effort they’ve made.

‘We’re a traditional corps,’ says Paul, ‘but the Messy Church element is as important as Sunday worship for our families because this is their church.’

‘It’s important to realise that church isn’t the building, it’s everywhere,’ adds Lauren. ‘Even though these are tough, unprecedented times, we’ve learnt you can make things work and still grow a church and community. Messy Church at home has just been about making those connections,, even from home.

It’s been so important for our families to know that we are here for them.’

Salvationist 17 October 2020

13

REFLECTION RE R EFLEC FL LEC CT TIION ON

The Jesus prayer Major Martin Hill continues the series in which people reflect on a favourite prayer Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

A

GOOD prayer is like a good friend. It’s your companion when life scowls as well as when it smiles. It’s more than carefully chosen words you speak aloud or silently. That would make it a mere object, something to be heard or observed. At its best it’s a relationship: you allow it to enter your life and become part of you as you become part of it, mutually absorbed.

The Jesus Prayer has been a friend and companion to many people over the centuries. Its roots go back to the desert fathers and desert mothers in Egypt in the 5th century. Its tradition has been nurtured in Eastern Orthodox churches through subsequent centuries, although it has become familiar to other traditions.

I first encountered the prayer about 20 years ago through reading the book The Way Of A Pilgrim, the story of a 19th-century Russian peasant’s quest for the secret of prayer. His discovery of the Jesus Prayer helps him fulfil St Paul’s encouragement to ‘pray without ceasing’ (1 Thessalonians 5:17 King James Version) through its frequent repetition.

I adopted the prayer as my own for several months in an attempt to dig deep for spiritual treasure to offset my poverty. I recited it on my evening run; sometimes the whole prayer, but more usually taking a phrase or just a word, repeating it to explore and encounter its meaning. The rhythm of the run matched the rhythm of the prayer.

Then, for several years, the prayer and I drifted apart. But we have recently renewed our acquaintance. Now I want to recommit myself to it.

Encountering the Jesus Prayer I recognise four ways it can relate to me: MY ACT OF FAITH To say this prayer I need to know whom I am addressing and my relationship with him. It requires me to believe in Jesus, that he is the Christ and Son of God.

14

Salvationist 17 October 2020

My relationship with him is not only doctrinal but confessional: he is my Lord. Without recognising his lordship the prayer loses its meaning. By praying it I am expressing an act of faith. It also defines who I am: a sinner, human, imperfect and incomplete.

MY SPIRITUAL TEACHER AND MENTOR The prayer shapes what I think, feel and believe. The more time spent in its company, repeating it slowly and continually, the more influence it has upon me.

Its words pass from my lips – whether spoken aloud or silently recited – to my heart. I allow the prayer to be my teacher and mentor, shaping my feelings and intentions. The words return from the heart to the lips invested with personal meaning. Each word of the prayer can be recited, explored and pondered for significance, adding its own nuance.

MY STORY Every prayer tells a story. This has at least two. ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy’ is the story of Jesus Christ, his divinity, humanity and eternity. ‘Have mercy on me, a sinner’, if truly embraced, taps into my personal story, past and present.

The Lord and I are two characters in a drama, each with a backstory. Our stories interact, each informing and relevant to the other. Our lives do not exist independently of one another.

MY HEALING This is a prayer of healing. ‘Have mercy on me, a sinner’ reminds us of the story of the tax collector in the Temple, aware of his imperfections and unworthiness (see Luke 18:13). The mercy he prayed for was legalistic. He was asking for grace instead of receiving his deserved punishment from an accusing God. This interpretation suits the Western Christian mindset.

However, the words ‘a sinner’ were not included in the original prayer but added later. The Gospels provide examples of others pleading with Jesus to have mercy. They include desperate men begging for their sight (see Matthew 9:27 and 20:30) and distraught parents pleading on behalf of their demon-possessed children (see Matthew 15:22 and 17:15).

Their anguished pleas for mercy represent their final hope. The mercy requested is healing from a restoring God, a plea for health and wholeness not absolution from sins. Applied to the Jesus Prayer, this interpretation matches the understanding of the Eastern Orthodox traditions and our desire for spiritual and physical health.

I commend the Jesus Prayer to you.

It can be your good friend and honest companion and is available to guide 21st-century pilgrims on their way.

Why not walk a few steps in its company?

MAJOR HILL IS DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, CENTRAL EAST

R REFL RE EFL FLEC FLEC ECTI ECTI TION TION ON REFLECTION

Following or failing Major Jim m Bry yden n continu ues his three-part series exp ploring what it means to follow Jesus ‘My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.’

(John 10:27 New Living Translation)

O

NE day my wife, Helen, and I were heading home through the borders of Scotland. We were going through some beautiful scenic countryside where sheep were grazing.

Suddenly they panicked and began to run in all directions. We looked for a sheepdog or, better still, the shepherd.

They were nowhere to be seen.

Had the shepherd been there, it would have been a different scenario.

You see, sheep will follow the shepherd for they know his voice and trust him.

The shepherd knows his flock and protects and cares for them. When he calls, they respond and follow in the direction given.

In John’s Gospel we glimpse Jesus walking in the Temple precincts pursued by religious leaders. Their pride has been punctured and, but for a few, they are resolved to bring down this man who has dared to challenge their authority and laid claim to a unique relationship with God. Some regard Jesus as raving mad, demonpossessed. A few are not so sure.

When they witness Jesus give sight to a blind man, some say: ‘Can a “maniac” open blind eyes?’ (John 10:21 The Message) A group challenges Jesus in the Temple, asking, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly’ (John 10:24). Some of them genuinely want to know the truth.

Most don’t. The question is a plot to trap Jesus with a statement that could be twisted into a charge of blasphemy in a Jewish court or insurrection before the Roman governor.

Still, Jesus responds. He notes that, first, they have disregarded his miracles that testify to God’s approval. Next, they refuse to believe. In fact, they can’t

believe as they do not belong to him: ‘My sheep listen to my voice,’ says Jesus, ‘I know them, and they follow me’ (John 10:27).

Three things stand out in this passage: hearing, knowing and following. In life there are many voices but only one that matters: the voice of the Good Shepherd.

Tragically, when it comes to what’s best for people and for our world, those other voices can drown out the one that really counts. The people in the Temple who harassed and hounded Jesus were too full of themselves, too engrossed in their take on life and religion to make any room for the man from Nazareth.

Today there is not only a falling away from God – many are also blind as to where or how he should figure in their lives. In short, most don’t give him a second thought unless faced with a catastrophe of alarming magnitude, such as the death of a loved one, financial crisis, divorce, personal health breakdown, and so on.

For others it is even worse. If they are not at war with God, they pour scorn on the claim that he exists. The outcome of such an approach to life carries serious consequences both for this life and the life to come. Tragically, many think they know best and insist upon finding their own way. The voices of pride and prejudice, secularism and sectarianism conquer and enslave.

On this score Jesus issued a stern warning in respect of the belief system adopted by the Jewish leaders, who insisted they alone were right about their take on life and religion. He told

them: ‘For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind’ (John 9:39). Christ needs to be heard. Only he has the answer. Only he can speak the words of life eternal.

Our beliefs help shape the kind of people we are. Our identity is defined by what and who we believe in. We can’t get away from the fact that faith in the things of God is not something that comes naturally. It is something imparted to us as a gift by the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul says, ‘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).

Daniel Webster Whittle’s hymn puts it this way: ‘I know not how the Spirit moves,/ Convincing men of sin;/ Revealing Jesus through the word,/ Creating faith in him’ (SASB 843).

Believers may not know how the Spirit moves, but they know in whom they believe, and pay close attention to the voice of the Good Shepherd, who generates his very own life within them: life eternal! What’s more, that life of God remains even in the face of personal failure and satanic attack.

The darkest hour, the deepest suffering, the questioning, the doubts, losing one’s way like a wandering sheep – none of these will sever God’s own from his mighty and saving hand. This is the promise of the Good Shepherd. What a belief, what an end!

MAJOR BRYDEN LIVES IN RETIREMENT IN BELLSHILL

Salvationist 17 October 2020

15

BIBLE STUDY

In the Potter’s hands Captain Tim Swansbury asks how willing we are to be shaped by God

JEREMIAH 18:1–12

O

N our honeymoon in Greece, my wife and I booked a pottery class with a local artist. We each made a bowl. After we left, the bowls were fired and glazed with the potters’ trademark blue and green, then carefully packaged and posted to us.

Eight years on they are still much loved and are sometimes used for date night desserts. These bowls are not only a personal honeymoon souvenir but also something of a symbol of the marriage covenant we made before God and to each other.

In Jeremiah 18, we see something of the covenant relationship between God and his people. The prophet Jeremiah – a messenger of God’s judgment and hope – also visits a potter.

God invites Jeremiah to an encounter

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

by Major Melvyn Knott

16

Salvationist 17 October 2020

with him, and Jeremiah’s obedience is rewarded with a message for him and his people (see v2).

I wonder how many times Jeremiah had seen the potter working and enjoyed watching the fascinating process of taking a formless lump of clay and making something purposeful out of it. However, this time was different. Jeremiah saw the potter working at his wheel, reshaping a spoilt clay pot into a vessel that would be useful.

Have you ever felt like a useless lump of clay, marred by things you have done or have been done to you?

Perhaps you feel that you are not yet formed into what you know you should be. This is not a place where we need to stay. If we are willing to put ourselves – or, more realistically, invite God to take us – in his powerful,

creative and healing hands, God will form us ‘as seems best to him’ (v4).

It can be scary as we give up our control to him. It can be messy.

Imagine a piece of clay trying to advise a potter what to do with it – ridiculous! Yet that is what we do.

QUESTION O How can you know more of God’s power and will for your life and become more aware of God’s purpose for your future?

Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you as you reflect on these lyrics from Stanley E Ditmer: ‘I’m in his hands, I’m in his hands;/ Whate’er the future holds/ I’m in his hands,/ The days I cannot see/ Have all been planned for me;/ His way is best, you see;/ I’m in his hands’ (SASB 848).

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

I dare to live the life of faith,/ The life of challenge God has planned:/ Of holiness and victory,/ For truth and righteousness to stand./ I dare to be different, I dare to believe;/ I dare to be different, God’s Spirit receive./ I dare to be different, my life sacrificed;/ I dare to be different by living like Christ.

(SASB 321)

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

(Ephesians 4:1–3)

Who the child of God shall sever/ From the faith in which he stands?/ Who shall wound or who shall pluck him/ From the careful Shepherd’s hands?/ Not distress or persecution,/ Neither peril nor the sword;/ For in days of tribulation/ Shines the glory of the Lord.

(SASB 694)

The way that Jeremiah receives God’s message is encouraging because of how surprisingly ordinary it is. He obediently goes and watches the potter at work. Later, Jeremiah understands God’s message: ‘Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?... Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel’ (v6).

It’s a good model for us to follow if we feel that God is speaking to us – patiently watch and wait for the penny to drop.

QUESTION O When have you felt God speaking to you through something ordinary you saw or experienced?

Darlene Zschech’s song ‘The Potter’s Hand’ (SASB 355) reminds us that we can commit ourselves to the Potter’s

hands: ‘Take me, mould me, use me, fill me… Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me.’

The pleasant circumstances that surround God’s message are in stark contrast to its content. We recognise that being in the hand of the potter can also become an uncomfortable place to be.

Throughout the book of Jeremiah, God’s people are cautioned about the severe consequences of breaking their covenant with him through unfaithfulness, idolatry and injustice. God’s rhetorical question in verse 6 reminds Jeremiah of all he is able to do.

In verses 7 to 12, we are given an intriguing insight into God’s judgment and promises that are conditional on human responses. God, who is unchanging, may change his previously announced plan depending on what action is taken by his people.

God’s passionate plea to ‘turn from your evil ways… and reform your ways and your actions’ (v11) is sadly soon followed by his people’s unwillingness to heed this warning. Their disobedience leads to God’s words becoming reality – the exile of his people.

Will we follow their poor example or allow God to do the good he intended in reshaping us?

QUESTION O As well as being comforted in the hands of God, to what extent are we willing to become uncomfortable – to be broken, melted, and moulded in order to be filled?

CAPTAIN SWANSBURY IS CORPS OFFICER, CARSHALTON

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.

(1 John 5:2 and 3)

Who will stand against the Whoever dwells in the violence?/ Who will comfort shelter of the Most High those who mourn?/ In an will rest in the shadow of age of cruel rejection,/ Who the Almighty. I will say of will build for love a home?/ the Lord, ‘He is my refuge Come and shake us into and my fortress, my God, in action,/ Come and melt our whom I trust.’ hearts of stone:/ Upon (Psalm 91:1 and 2) your people, upon Prayer your people,/ Thank you God that you Have mercy, love us and want to protect us.

Lord.

When we feel worried or fearful (SASB 1004) we know that you are always there to protect us and guide us through these times. May you continue to encourage and comfort us.

SATURDAY I dare to want to live like Christ/ According to his will and way;/ His love to know, compassion share,/ And serve him boldly every day.

(SASB 321)

Salvationist 17 October 2020

17

A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF SECRETARY Issued on 8 October

An update on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on The Salvation Army in our territory

G

REETINGS in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have written twice since the pandemic struck our territory in March. It seems that we are now at another key moment as we are threatened with a second wave of infections and significant changes in government policy.

We must begin with words of thanks to you. The past seven months have been extremely challenging for all of us. On behalf of the Territorial Commander and members of the Territorial Operations Board, I thank you for your commitment, your work, your concern and particularly your prayers. As the weeks and months go by it is becoming clear that this pandemic is with us for the foreseeable future and we must take care of ourselves and the people around us.

We are also grateful for God’s provision in terms of finances. When I wrote to you in April, the financial forecast was so uncertain. As an organisation we have worked hard to improve our financial stability – expenditure at Territorial Headquarters has been significantly reduced and, while residential social service centres and corps community programmes have 18

Salvationist 17 October 2020

spent more than expected, this has been mainly covered by pandemic donations. The Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd, which operates charity shops and many other activities that generate considerable funds for the territory, has recovered quicker than expected. Government support has also increased through extra grants for people experiencing homelessness and anti-trafficking programmes.

Despite all our hard work and the tremendous generosity of our corps members and donors, there is more that must be done to ensure we can continue to deliver our vital mission. As the pandemic and its impact on the country continue, there remain many factors that are beyond our control, but which directly impact our income and our work.

We are particularly concerned about people who are still not back at work.

The ending of the UK government’s furlough scheme at the end of October is approaching and this is a cause of great stress and concern for many employees and their families. I have recently written to all Salvation Army employees who are still on part-time or full-time furlough to explain the process we are following.

We are working hard to ensure we have enough income to continue to provide employment wherever possible as well as ensuring we are all able to work safely. However, this is a complex process as not only must we follow government guidance on safety, but there is also too much uncertainty to know whether all our services and areas of work will remain viable.

I know this letter contains difficult information, but I assure everyone that we are working hard to protect as many jobs as possible. The UK government has launched a new job support scheme to help the transition when the furlough scheme ends. The job support scheme is designed to protect viable jobs in businesses which are facing lower demand over the winter months due

to the pandemic. At the time of writing the full details have not yet been published so it is unclear whether The Salvation Army can apply. However, the Territorial Operations Board has agreed to cover the costs of an internal version of the scheme where Covid-19 restrictions prohibit an employee returning to work or returning to previous hours.

Unfortunately, it may become clear that some employee roles are no longer viable. Where this is the case, we need to enter into consultation with staff about this. These decisions are never easy and negative consequences for people are deeply regretted. I ask for your prayers and support for everyone involved in these difficult discussions.

Finally, we all recognise there is growing frustration and concern about the spiritual and emotional well-being of people as the pandemic restrictions drag on. People want to be back together again – this is understandable.

As the months go by the cost of social isolation is becoming clear. At the same time we know this virus is spread from person to person. We also know the virus discriminates against older people and those with underlying health concerns. I encourage you to follow the government guidance in your area. We should not be fearful and retreat. Rather we must take every opportunity to connect and support people within the restrictions necessary to stay safe, avoid infections and keep healthy in body, mind and soul.

If you have questions or comments, please write to me at THQ or email chief.secretary@salvationarmy.org.uk and I will ensure that I, or the appropriate person, responds to you.

May God continue to bless and guide us.

Yours faithfully, LEE GRAVES COLONEL CHIEF SECRETARY

RESOURCES

True stories Territorial Youth and Children Secretary Major Helen Schofield highlights a new resource to help young people understand modern slavery

RUE Story is a resource to inspire young people to take practical action to help victims of modern slavery.

It is a pack of 15 photocards telling the true stories of survivors of human trafficking and suggesting things young people can do to make a difference. Six cards tell the stories of three survivors: Lydia, Fredek and Tee. The stories show how they were trafficked and enslaved, and how they were rescued and restored.

There are also six action cards suggesting small things the young people can do to help: connect, create, speak up, give, change and share.

True Story is designed to be used by young people in schools, churches and youth clubs – as individuals or as part of a group. There are two versions – one for people aged 7 to 12 and one for people aged 13 to 18.

Each pack contains an envelope addressed to the Youth and Children’s Ministries Team at THQ so young people can feed back what they have discovered and what they have been inspired to do.

T

O For

more information or to order your set go to salvationarmy.org.uk/truestory

REVIEW

Chapter and verse on the Scriptures War Cry Editorial Assistant Emily Bright reviews Browsing The Bible by Nigel Bovey

T

HE Bible is like an iceberg, explains Major Nigel Bovey in Browsing The Bible. While we may know a handful of stories, the vast majority of the text often remains unexplored. Filled with historical accounts, genealogies, poetry, prophecies, allegories and tales of heroics and romance, it can sometimes be tricky to know where to start.

In his scriptural study guide, Nigel seeks to summarise all 66 books of the Bible and explore their key messages. He draws on more than 40 years of ministry as an officer to provide a new perspective on the biblical books.

It is a helpful starting point for people looking to engage with the Scriptures as a whole. From offering fresh revelations on Revelation to tackling the book of Job, Nigel provides an accessible account of the Bible, with a standout verse from each book ending each chapter.

His exploration of the Bible is enriched by the introduction of relevant cultural, historical and geographical context. He also draws on scholarly debate to explain each book’s wider significance. By highlighting links between the Old Testament and the New Testament, he sets out the landscape of how God’s promises come to pass.

Nigel also devotes additional sections to elaborate on the books and the people who wrote and featured in them. For instance, he provides a useful overview of the Gospels and who Jesus is, as well as historical background to the intertestamental years.

Browsing The Bible is a handy launchpad for new and old Christians alike to dive into the Bible and investigate their faith further. A ‘daily discovery’ section breaks up Bible passages into readerfriendly chunks. Each chapter is accompanied by a question for reflection and a prayer encompassing the key theme of the passage, prompting the reader to consider how the text applies to them.

The book can be used for group or individual study, or even as a signpost for preachers.

O Browsing

The Bible is available from SP&S priced £8 (plus postage and packing) or as an ebook from amazon.co.uk Salvationist 17 October 2020

19

VIEW POINT

Recognising who we are Major Peter Mylechreest suggests how we can be sure of our identity and purpose

C

OVID-19 has affected us all.

Socially, emotionally and workwise. Sadly, as businesses have pared down or closed, unemployment has risen with all the huge adjustments to living that brings. Those who have been furloughed and no longer experience the routine of going to work and meeting their companions, have a mixture of feelings.

After a possible initial sense of release from responsibility came elements of uncertainty. What does furlough entail?

What am I supposed to do? What does the future hold? And as the weeks have turned into months, different levels of stress, anxiety and doubt have arisen.

We are all different and much will depend on our individual circumstances as well as our particular attitudes and outlooks on life. There is no right or wrong response to the present upheaval, so my observations are only generalisations.

Perhaps the underlying elements of concern arise over a possible loss of identity, meaning or purpose. Secular society encourages people to think that what they do and achieve, be it passing exams or getting a promotion, is the most important thing in life. But Christians, looking with Christ’s eyes at life, believe that being the people God intends us to be is far more important than what we do.

Constantly chasing after achievements to give a sense of well-being is flawed.

It never quite reaches contentment and leaves people always wanting more to find out who they are. But as Christians, while recognising that achievements have value, being in Christ is what gives us our true identity.

JB Phillips translates Romans 8:1 as: ‘For the new spiritual principle of life “in”

Christ lifts me out of the old vicious circle of sin and death.’ He is referring to those who are in Christ – those joined in life-union with him. That’s you and me.

Eugene Peterson paraphrases it as: ‘Those who enter into Christ’s beinghere-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air’ (The Message).

Paul pointed out in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that ‘if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation’ (New English Translation).

Anyone. That includes those employed or furloughed, those of independent means or unemployed, those self-employed or still at school or college. In Christ we are all children of God; that is our identity regardless of our position or status.

With the advent of Covid-19 the world has become intensely aware that we may eat, drink and be merry, but today, tomorrow or sometime we will die – a fact that brings a sense of hopelessness to some. For others this sudden realisation that we are mortal has led to speculating about life’s meaning.

Fans of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy will know that its protagonist Arthur Dent is told that the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything is 42. Picking a random number makes no sense.

It reminds me of a one-time neighbour of my father-in-law who owned a magnificent steam tractor that he kept on his driveway. When interested passersby admired this relic and asked him a question, he always gave the same abrupt answer. How heavy is it?

Thirteen. How fast can it travel? Thirteen.

How many miles to a hundredweight of coal? Thirteen. What that number represented he never said – his answer was meaningless.

Christians believe that life isn’t a random, meaningless number. Instead, as the Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it: ‘Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.’

Being unable to work to one’s capacity can lead to someone feeling lost or disheartened. Their sense of purpose becomes elusive, even unattainable. But purpose is much more than just fulfilling a work schedule – it includes all of life, 24/7.

Here is how Paul the apostle helped Timothy consider his direction, his aim in life and goals: ‘You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance’ (2 Timothy 3:10). Paul’s lifestyle and beliefs and what he wanted to do were no secret to Timothy.

We all need to face up to the inevitability of change, making the necessary mental and emotional adjustments, and having realistic yet flexible plans for the transition journey.

Hopefully, we are then fulfilled in our relationships, flourishing as people who belong to Christ, and can focus on the future. Putting our hope in Jesus will undoubtedly help us retain our sense of identity, meaning and purpose.

MAJOR MYLECHREEST IS THQ CHAPLAIN

BE A S AR and raise funds for your corps this Christmas

It’s not too early to be thinking about Christmas!!!

The Community and Events Team are putting together a suite of ideas to help Forps fundraise this Christmas under the theme of ‘Be A Star’, which came out of one of our Forps Iocus Jroups. We are designing posters and banners that you can personalise and use for your Facebook and social media pages to help you promote what you are doing this year and raise EXTRA funds. Here’s a sneaky peek at a couple of the concepts:

AR S A BE

Army ation v l a S r The aise fo Fundr

BE A S A R

Volunteer for The S alvation Army

BE A S AR

eal Donate to our Toy App

Please get in touch with us at challenge@salvationarmy.org.uk for more information, to let us know how we can support you –– or to share your ideas for corps fundraising at Christmas. $V HYHU ZH ZLOO DOVR KDYH D VHFWLRQ RQ 2XU+XE ZKHUH \RX FDQ À QG RXU &KULVWPDV UHVRXUFHV

Here’s ho-ho-hoping for a great festive fundraising season, albeit a slightly different one this year!

Christmas Appeal 2020

The Salvation Army is a Christian Church & registered Charity No.214779 and in Scotland SC009359; Social Trust Registered Charity No. 215174 and in Scotland SC037691; The Salvation Army Trustee Company, registered number 00259322 (England and Wales).

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE

TRIBUTES

APPOINTED Effective 8 October O Captains Ben and Rebecka Cotterill, associate officers, Clapton with Stoke Newington and Dalston Plants

HOWARD PENTLAND, GREENOCK HOWARD was born in 1945 and attended Greenock East Corps with his parents. He met Maureen during a Scottish Congress, and they married in 1972 and had one son, Stephen.

Moving to Greenock Citadel, Howard became corps organising secretary, band secretary and colour sergeant, proudly carrying the flag at many corps, divisional and territorial events. Highlights were the congress marches along Princes Street in Edinburgh.

He was a bricklayer, but his greatest joy was meeting people when he was working at Fewster House and Balvonie House conference centre.

Howard was a real character and was known across the Scottish Army and beyond. He was a great communicator and, even during his many days spent in hospital, the nursing staff often commented on his courage and humour.

During his final days Howard was at peace and ready to meet his Lord, whom he served faithfully as a true salvation soldier. – DM

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Emerald (55th) O Brenda and Les Fletcher, Rochdale (23 October) RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Major Ann Holt (80 on 30 October) O Major Maxine Kenny (85 on 31 October) PROMOTED TO GLORY O Georgina Grace, Andover O Beryl Crane, Reading Central, on 26 September O Bandsman/Songster Kevin Loftus, Eastbourne Citadel BEREAVED O Keith Grace, Andover, of his wife Georgina, Denise Wilkinson, Croydon Citadel, Alun Grace and Lynda Grace of their mother O Marjorie Loftus, Eastbourne Citadel, of her husband Bandsman/Songster Kevin Loftus, Alison Gillison, THQ, Andrew Loftus and Stacey Loftus, both Eastbourne Citadel, of their father, Hazel Webb, Darlington, and Joy Lawson, Sunderland Monkwearmouth, of their brother

WHAT’S ON LET THERE BE PRAISE Coventry City Band will feature on Faith FM’s monthly Salvation Army music programme at 7.30 pm EST on 21 October (12.30 am UK time on 22 October).

O Listen to the broadcast live on kitchener.faithfm.org or catch up online at citadelpromotions.co.uk

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

22

Salvationist 17 October 2020

KEITH JOHNSTON, HADLEIGH TEMPLE BORN into a Salvationist family in 1934, Keith was commissioned as a bandsman at Blackpool Citadel in 1951, already an accomplished cornet soloist. He studied chemistry at King’s College London, completing his PhD, and served at Croydon Citadel, where he became deputy bandmaster.

After marrying Pamela in 1962 and the arrival of sons, Stuart and Duncan, the family moved to Leigh-on-Sea and attended Hadleigh Temple. Keith devoted 50 years’ service as principal cornet, deputy bandmaster, bandmaster and songster leader.

A modest man of firm faith, he is remembered for the sweet tone of his cornet playing. The day before his sudden promotion to Glory he had his daily cornet practice.

Keith was an inspiration to all, particularly young musicians he tutored. His family

remember him as brilliant and kind. His funeral service concluded with ‘The Wonder Of His Grace’ – the grace that was at the heart of all Keith was and did. – DJ JOAN WELBURN, GUISBOROUGH JOAN was born in 1928. After leaving school she trained as a teacher then later entered the International Training College to become a Salvation Army officer.

While stationed at Shildon she met her future husband, Eric. After the birth of their two daughters she returned to teaching and the family moved to Guisborough where Joan’s piano skills became the linchpin of the corps. She played for many weddings, funerals and meetings over the years and it seemed fitting that a video recording of her playing was shown during her funeral.

Joan developed macular degeneration and her vision deteriorated. Being unable to read, especially music, greatly frustrated her but she wouldn’t be defeated and continued to play the piano. Her ability to play by ear was a talent that few could master.

Joan is sadly missed by all at the corps. – SS KEITH BURGESS, LLANELLI KEITH was born in Gorseinon in 1954 and was taken to the corps as a baby.

He was enrolled as a junior soldier and became a member of the singing company and YP band before becoming a senior soldier and bandsman. Keith later transferred to Llanelli, where he continued banding. He was not an exceptional musician but he was a loyal and first-class bandsman.

Keith was known by many people locally for his work as a bus driver and is remembered fondly for his caring and compassionate ways. Always concerned for other people, he was a faithful visitor and would talk to anybody about anything.

Keith was promoted to Glory in August and is greatly missed by his family and many friends. They give special thanks to Llanelli and Gorseinon corps folk and the corps officers for their continued support at this difficult time. – CW

ADVERTS

THE SP&S ROADSHOW IS COMING TO YOU! WILLIAM BOOTH COLLEGE Monday 19 October – 5 pm to 9 pm

Due to social distancing measurements having to be implemented, there will be limited stock available at each roadshow.

Due to this, advance pre-ordering is highly recommended for uniform items.

This can be done by calling our customer services team on 01933 445445, or emailing the roadshow team at roadshow@satcol.org.

For all future roadshows please visit spsroadshow.com

Do you have an online event, virtual concert, classified listing or opportunity you would like to promote?

Email advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk for more information.

Adverts cannot be taken over the phone. All adverts carried in Salvationist are subject to house style and carried at the Editor’s discretion.

Salvationist 17 October 2020

23

Territorial Congress 2020 Saturday 24 October – 3 pm Sunday 25 October – 9 am This online event can be viewed at youtube.com/salvationarmyvideo

With Chief of the Staff Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham supported by Commissioners Anthony and Gill Cotterill and including people from across the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland