Quotes from the media

UNITED STAND IS TAKEN ON ANTI-SEMITISM The 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz should be used ‘to come before God in worship, conscious of our need for forgiveness, but committed to action that would seek the common flourishing of all’, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said. In a statement… in advance of Holocaust Memorial Day… Archbishop Welby said: ‘The Holocaust, the Shoah, remains a unique stain on the history of Europe, and a chilling reminder to me of how millennia of Christian anti-Jewish hatred could provide a seedbed for such evil.’

The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) has released a prayer for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day. It was launched at an event in the House of Lords…

The chair of the CCJ, the Bishop of Lichfield, Dr Michael Ipgrave, said: ‘Through prayer, we will be asking Christians to remember the pains of the past, and to recommit to a better future for all people, and in particular to commit themselves to combating anti-Semitism, which is a scourge in our society, and our world.’

The chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Olivia MarksWoldman, said: ‘This year, we reflect on the theme Stand Together. In the run-up to the Holocaust, and in each subsequent genocide, perpetrators took deliberate steps to stop their designated victims living, studying and working alongside their neighbours… We need to show solidarity to others.’ Church Times

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2 Salvationist 1 February 2020 UNIVERSAL CREDIT ‘SENDING PEOPLE INTO ARMS OF LOAN SHARKS’ Universal credit fuels debt problems for low-income claimants, forcing many into destitution and driving others to loan sharks to get cash for basics such as food, clothes and heating, a leading charity has claimed.

StepChange, the UK’s largest debt charity, said problems relating to universal credit’s design – in particular the five-week wait for a first benefit payment – made it harder for its financially vulnerable clients to manage their money.

It called for significant changes to the design of universal credit to make it fairer, more flexible and generous for the very poorest claimants, nearly half of whom had taken out loans to pay for basic living essentials over the past year. The Guardian

SEX AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TO BE COMPULSORY IN WALES Parents will no longer have the right to withdraw children from lessons about relationships, sexuality and religion, the Welsh government has confirmed. Education Minister Kirsty Williams said the move would be tested next year before becoming statutory when the new curriculum is launched in 2022…

HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust tweeted it was ‘great news for young people in Wales’, adding: ‘RSE lessons will give pupils skills for life and no one should stand in the way of this.’

But Humanists UK, which campaigns for a secular state, said it was ‘particularly concerned about the scrapping of the right to withdraw from RE in faith schools, because such schools will still be able to teach the subject from a faith-based perspective’. BBC News

CHURCH OF ENGLAND INVESTS IN SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR NEW PRIESTS People training for the priesthood in the Church of England are set to benefit from financial help to learn about the link between science and faith. As part of the multimillion pound project called Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science, grants will be made available to support those training… to learn about everything from artificial intelligence to attitudes towards science and faith within the church and wider society.

Under the new plans, the Church of England will also be investing further in conferences to educate senior church leaders and clergy in areas of scientific interest…

The Archbishop of Canterbury… said: ‘I am delighted that this project is... promoting the significance of healthy and informed engagement with science to church leaders of all levels.’ Christian Today

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WORKING WELL WITH PEOPLE I RECENTLY came across some quotes highlighting the importance of working in partnership with others. Helen Keller, who was left deaf and blind after a childhood illness but went on to become an author and political activist, said: ‘Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.’ Another American author, Louisa May Alcott, whose book Little Women has just been made into a successful film, said: ‘It takes two flints to make a fire.’ They make good points, which are illustrated by a number of articles in this week’s Salvationist. Project Malachi, featured on pages 8 and 9, is an initiative of Ilford Corps that addresses the needs of rough sleepers by providing ‘pop-up’ housing. The imaginative idea grew from a gift of £5 donated by a young boy called Malachi.

Significantly, it has been a joint effort. Senior faith leaders in the area have lent their support and, as well as funding from the Army, the local authority and the business community have helped financially. Without these partners the project would not have got off the ground.

The importance of partnerships is also emphasised on pages 10 and 11 in the interview with Nigel Hills, the chief executive of the Salvation Army Housing Association (Saha). Financial partnerships with the government and lenders are important, as are partnerships with the Army and other agencies that run the services in Saha properties. Saha is also seeking to work with the Army through the Bridging the Gap initiative. Residents are encouraged to visit nearby corps and link up with activities there. Nigel highlights places where this kind of interaction works well and believes it can also happen elsewhere.

Working with other people to deliver a service can make the work more effective. That’s even more the case when the people we are working with are those we are seeking to serve. Tony Daniels explains this ‘asset-based approach’ on page 14.

The article takes some thinking through, and you may need to read it twice to really get to grips with it, but Tony makes some important points. He says we shouldn’t just look at people’s needs, thinking we’re the ones with the skills and resources to help, and that we know what’s best for them. That approach focuses on the deficits in people and communities. Instead we need to look for their assets – knowledge, resources and creativity – and support them in using those assets to help themselves.

A good example of an asset-based approach can be seen in the Army’s work in Burkina Faso. It’s the focus of this year’s Self-Denial Appeal and is featured on pages 12 and 13. A project in the capital, Ouagadougou, involves women with incomegenerating skills in an Army project to make and sell soap and butter. When someone is trained, they pass their expertise on to others. The Army has identified the knowledge, resources and creativity these women possess and has helped them harness it.

Whether it’s working with others to provide a service or working with people who need support, the words of a third American woman, politician and social worker Barbara Ann Mikulski, ring true: ‘Each one of us can make a difference. Together we make a change.’ CONTENTS

News 4 to 6

News feature 7 Celebration starts ISS 40th anniversary year by Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

Feature 8 and 9 Pop-up housing to bring down rough sleeping by Melita Day-Lewis

Interview 10 and 11 ‘We are making a real impact’ Nigel Hills talks to Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

Feature 12 and 13 Breaking new ground

Viewpoint 14 Serving with a ‘glass half full’ by Tony Daniels

More rear-mirror views 15 Booth the prophet by General John Larsson (Retired)

Bible study 16 and 17 A transformed life by Major Pat Brown

Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17 by Major Howard Webber

New commitments 18 and 19

Announcements 20

Adverts 21 to 23

The Salvation Army and me 24 featuring Major Steve Wilson

Corps and community hub opens in city centre DUBLIN CITY

THE Salvation Army has officially opened a new corps and community hub in the heart of Dublin.

Territorial leaders Commissioners Anthony and Gill Cotterill cut the ribbon on the building, which houses Dublin City Corps. The centre includes a social enterprise café alongside a hub for the central support teams that help the corps serve vulnerable people in the area.

Dublin City Corps was on Lower Abbey Street for more than 100 years before moving out 8 years ago because of high maintenance costs. Despite not having a permanent base, the corps has grown and is now a thriving multicultural family congregation with worshippers from 17 countries.

Corps officers Captain Tim and Lieutenant Charlotte Lennox received the keys to the state -of-the-art centre, which will enable them to demonstrate God’s love to more people in the community through practical and spiritual support.

Tim said: ‘The new building will house our weekly worship services, which are informal and contemporary in nature. We are planning a range of community activities, groups for parents and toddlers, English language classes for migrants, student meals and children’s activity clubs.

‘The great thing about the café is that we will be able to offer training placements for people from our shelters and family hubs in Dublin to help give them the confidence and training to get back into work.’ – A. R.

Commissioners Anthony and Gill Cotterill cut the ribbon

Family and friends from Connah’s Quay celebrate Phyllis Tovey’s 100th birthday

Lieut-Colonel Audrey Neal receives a certificate from Divisional Commander Major Brian Slinn recognising her work as a local officer at Chesterfield

Hinckley corps officer Major Carol Evans thanks Carole Taylor for 21 years’ service at the day centre; she will be missed by staff, volunteers and clients

Barbara Jones transfers to Cardiff Canton songster reserve after 63 years of service; she is pictured with Songster Leader Christine Saunders and corps officer Major David McCaw-Aldworth

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

Barbara Roberts transfers to Merthyr Tydfil songster reserve after many years of faithful service and Bandmaster Howard Roberts receives recognition for 24 years of heralding; also pictured are CSM Lynne Brill and corps officer Major Lynne Collins

Community ministry receives commendation EAST GLASGOW

DAVID Linden, MP for Glasgow East, presented East Glasgow Team Ministry with a commendation from the House of Commons, thanking all the volunteers for their work during Christmas.

The award was received on behalf of Dennistoun, Parkhead and Shettleston by corps officer Major Colin Bradshaw.

Their team ministry includes two community drop-ins and three food banks, run throughout the year, as well as a Christmas Day meal. The corps also work with partners to help prevent children from falling into addiction and to rehabilitate adults. They have recently seen a rising number of requests from social services and other third sector agencies. – C. B.

Twenty-six of Clowne’s Girls Adventurers take a trip to see ‘Dick Whittington’ at Sheffield City Hall, along with their leaders, parents and little brothers

PETERBOROUGH CITADEL: Singer Charlie Green (Droitwich Spa) was a guest at the annual Volunteer Thank You event, performing a range of songs to say thanks to the team of corps volunteers. Representatives from all areas of the community programme were present, including the good neighbour scheme, lunch club, charity superstore, community hub and debt advice centre. More than 70 people attended, which is only a small percentage of the total number of volunteers. The corps also thanked Volunteer Recruitment Co-ordinator Colin Wise, who is retiring in March after many years in the role. – G. C. Retiring Songster Leader Patricia Gowenlock and Bandmaster Colin Wood are thanked for their service at Worcester on Vision and Commitment Sunday, led by divisional leaders Majors Ian and Jean Harris; also pictured is corps officer Major Diane Henderson

UPPER NORWOOD: Young people led the morning meeting on the theme Live, Laugh And Love. The recently formed youth group introduced the congregation to the song ‘Reckless Love’. Three children (pictured, front row) received prizes for their attendance last year and took part during the service. Parents and friends attended, many for the first time. – R. C.

Blue plaque marks first corps band

CONSETT A BLUE heritage plaque has been unveiled to mark the location of the world’s first Salvation Army corps band.

The lord-lieutenant of Co Durham, Sue Snowdon, unveiled the plaque placed at the hall, speaking about her previous links with The Salvation Army. In attendance were Divisional Commander Major David Burns, Bandmaster Philip Baker and local councillors.

Following the ceremony, Sue joined members of the public inside the hall to view a small exhibition and have refreshments while the band played carol requests. The unveiling of the plaque follows two years of work by Band Secretary Mel Soulsby, who said that the presentation sealed a great year of celebrations to mark the band’s 140th anniversary.

Consett Band was started by

DUNSTABLE: To kick off Vision and Commitment weekend, 45 corps members took part in a 24-hour prayer event organised by Adherents Secretary Sue Leadbeater. Each person spent at least one hour in prayer and participants visited nine prayer stations arranged throughout the centre. Many found the opportunity to spend uninterrupted time in prayer beneficial and an ideal way to begin the new year. The event ended with a time of praise and worship. – S. B. four musical steel workers in 1879. George Storey, James Simpson and Robert Greenwood joined Bandmaster Ned Lennox to play carols on the street that Christmas. This tradition continued in 2019 with carolling in the town and is hoped to

continue for many years to come. ‘Our musicians have held fast to the message of transformation and hope that a relationship with Jesus can bring – and this is the message the members continue to share today,’ said Philip. – H. M.

BRISTOL EASTON: The corps again hosted the Bristol Churches Winter Night Shelter for the first week of the new year. As well as a bed and a three-course meal, guests were offered a welcome pack, shower, change of clothing and breakfast in the morning. They were appreciative of the long opening hours, peaceful atmosphere, good food and care. The shelter will continue to run at other churches for a total of 12 weeks. – M. G.

Sarah-Jane Gay and Kate Henderson (both National Housing Federation), Helen Wilson (Founder's House), Lieutenant Daniel Holland (Homelessness Services) and Nigel Hills (Saha)

National Housing Federation backs call for more supported housing

UK CHIEF Executive of the Nat ional Housing Federation Kate Hen derson visited Founder’s House Lifehouse to discuss changes needed to end rough sleeping, a key manifesto pledge from the new government.

Kate said: ‘We welcome the prime minister’s commitment to eliminate homelessness and rough sleeping. Housing associations play a key role in this and want to do more. There are also key structural changes that are needed to make this a reality, including government investment in new social homes, a fair and effective welfare system and secure, long-term funding for support and supported housing.’ In December the government announced £260 million in funding to help councils support people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of losing their homes.

The Salvation Army is calling for more investment in supported housing, 90,000 more low-cost homes to be built every year and an increase in the value of the local housing allowance, so that three in every ten rented homes are affordable to people on benefits and low incomes.

Saha Partnership Manager David Blower said: ‘The work of Saha and The Salvation Army is key in helping people to get off the streets and break the cycle of homelessness. It is clear that government action is required to end the current homelessness crisis.’ – A. R.