Salvationist 25 September 2021

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salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 25 September 2021

Introducing the

Ref lectors of Holiness PLUS

TAKING THE LEAD IN HOMELESSNESS SERVICES SEE PAGES 12 AND 13

QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

HIGH COST OF CHILDCARE IN UK MAKES LOW-INCOME PARENTS RESORT TO FOOD BANKS Low-income parents and those on universal credit are resorting to using food banks as a result of the high costs of childcare, according to a landmark UK survey shared with the Guardian.

As MPs debated the cost and availability of childcare in parliament … and echoed parents’ calls for an independent review, more evidence emerged that such families are struggling to cope with childcare fees.

Of those polled, 16 per cent of parents with a household income of under £20,000 said they had used food banks as a result of childcare costs, with 1 per cent of respondents who made more than that figure also having to rely on charity.

Households that made less than £20,000 were also more likely to have accumulated debts as a result of childcare costs (41 per cent v 22 per cent of those with a higher income).

They also had to cut back on necessary items such as heating, essential food or clothing and housing costs (34 per cent v 11 per cent).

The Guardian

MORE THAN A THIRD OF UK ADULTS BELIEVE PRAYER CAN BOOST MENTAL HEALTH, NEW POLL REVEALS

NEW £1M FUND TO HELP FAITH GROUPS SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNITIES

A new survey has found more than a third of UK adults believe prayer can help them overcome mental health struggles.

The poll, conducted by Savanta ComRes and commissioned by the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, revealed 38 per cent of UK adults believe that prayer is good for their mental health...

The Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer is a new national landmark ... [that] aims to profile a million answered prayers on a site at Coleshill on the outskirts of Birmingham...

Having asked 2,075 UK adults aged 18 and over, the survey also found that more than half (53 per cent) are anxious about the mental health of the next generation and almost half (45 per cent) are anxious about their own future.

The government has created a £1 million fund to help faith groups capitalise on their achievements in supporting communities during lockdown.

The ‘new deal’ forms part of the government's plan to ‘build back better’ after the pandemic.

Announcing the fund, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said faith-based organisations had demonstrated their effectiveness in reaching those in need...

‘Faith groups have been instrumental in supporting communities throughout the pandemic,’ it said...

‘The funded projects will build on this good work, strengthening relationships between public bodies and faith groups by supporting faith-based initiatives to tackle social issues and boost Covid-19 recovery.’

Premier

Christian Today

CALLS MADE FOR COP26 DELAY AS CHURCHES MARK CLIMATE SUNDAY Walkers ... set off on a 500-mile pilgrimage to Glasgow before the COP26 climate summit scheduled to take place in the city in November. At the same time, the Climate Action Network, the world’s largest environmental coalition of more than 1,500 NGOs, called for the COP26 summit to be delayed until the spring of 2022.

On Climate Sunday, 5 September, one group set off from Parliament Square in London; a few days later, a second group set off from Bristol.

The walkers are a multi-faith group led by the Extinction Rebellion interfaith alliance, known as XR Faith Bridge. About 15 people will walk the entire distance. Many more are expected to join for different sections of the route, and the final party will arrive in Glasgow on the eve of the summit, 30 October...

The walk has been dubbed ‘Camino to COP’ in reference to pilgrimages made since medieval times. It is also inspired by the faith tradition of pilgrimage and justice marches of the past... They hope to ... inspire others to add their voices to those calling on governments to act swiftly to address the climate crisis. The pilgrimage is also fundraising to support activist groups in regions most affected by climate change.

Church Times

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Salvationist 25 September 2021

ISSN 2516-5909

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

THE MAIN THING BRITAIN has a new sporting star: 18-year-old Emma Raducanu, whose sensational victory at the US Open two weeks ago propelled her on to the world stage. There has always been an international dimension to her life – she was born in Canada to a Chinese mother and a Romanian father, and moved to the UK at the age of two. She now seems to have the world at her feet, with intense media interest and possible multi-million pound sponsorship deals. Some commentators have expressed concern that this new-found celebrity status could distract her from tennis, so that she fails to develop her talent and stay on top of her game. The challenge for Emma Raducanu will be to keep the main thing the main thing.

That has also been a challenge for some of the new cadets in the Reflectors of Holiness session, who are formally welcomed to William Booth College this weekend.

They introduce themselves in this week’s issue, and it is clear that several of them have been on a long journey to the college. Distractions on the way kept them from responding when God first called them.

Karen Barber says: ‘I have known for a very long time that God was calling me to become a Salvation Army officer. Like many people, I ignored his call.’ Isabel Flanagan says: ‘I applied for officership around my early twenties, but later withdrew my application… My calling never left me.’ Similarly, John Raffan says: ‘I was first called to officership at the age of 14 but, when I was in my twenties, I turned my back on God. He never gave up on me, though, and came after me.’

For some, the distractions were for good reasons and brought great blessing – such as marriage and a family – while for others they were a more negative experience. But whatever kind of journey the cadets have had to WBC we thank God that they have arrived!

Keeping the main thing the main thing was the reason for the recent statement about the territory’s mission and vision (4 September Salvationist). The main thing was summed up in four words: ‘Love God, Love Others.’ One aspect of Army ministry in which that is clearly seen is our homelessness services, whose director, Lorrita Johnson, is interviewed in this issue. She was appointed just last year and expresses her excitement at working for an organisation that is meeting the needs of thousands of people every day and where her faith can play an important part. She also talks about the Homelessness Service Unit’s five strategic priorities that are being developed to make sure the service is not distracted from its main purpose.

After the Resurrection, when Jesus appeared to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee, he had a one-to-one with Peter, reinstating him after his denial. Jesus said to Peter, ‘Do you love me more than these?’ ( John 21:15). We don’t know exactly what Jesus was referring to. It may have been the other disciples on the shore or perhaps the fishing boats and nets. Whatever it was, Jesus wanted to make sure Peter had a singleminded devotion to him. Peter’s response was: ‘Lord, you know that I love you.’

May that always be our response when distracted from following him. It is, after all, the main thing.

Quotes from the media

2 4 to 7

News Prayer matters

7

Cadet cameos

8 to 11

Interview 12 and 13 Taking the lead in tackling homelessness Lorrita Johnson talks to Shanelle Manderson

Preview Learning to listen together

14

by Lyndall Bywater

Viewpoint The Old Testament: What would Jesus do?

15

by Major John Waters

Bible study Forbearance

16 and 17

by Major Sheila Eade

Through the week with 16 and 17 Salvationist

by Major Lynda Levis

Viewpoint Progress not perfection

18

by Major Peter Mylechreest

Feature Brothers in Christ

19

by Major Gareth Dickens

Preview Playing their part

20

by Elizabeth Hay

Announcements Adverts

21 22 and 23

The Salvation Army and me

24

featuring Hazel Pyne

FRONT-PAGE PICTURE Andrew King Photography

From the Editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

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

Salvationist 25 September 2021

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NEWS

COMMUNITY

OUTREACH

Employment project helps vulnerable people NORTH EAST ENGLAND THE Salvation Army and soft drinks manufacturer Clearly Drinks are jointly funding a project to create employment opportunities for people in North East England. The region was highlighted by the government as a priority area through its £4.8 billion Levelling Up fund.

Clearly Drinks will part-fund a new employment development co-ordinator role based in Sunderland. The co-ordinator will work with partners, organisations and community groups in the region to identify and access employment opportunities.

The manufacturer also supplied food donations and resources to Swan Lodge Lifehouse, which opened the opportunity for the company to support the new role.

Divisional Commander Major David Burns said: ‘We’re grateful for the support of businesses such as Clearly Drinks who match our commitment to our community and our drive to help lift people out of unemployment and poverty…

‘Every day we work with people who are being pushed even further from employment as local businesses close, or are trapped in a cycle of low-paid seasonal work and zerohours contracts.

‘We hope that in bringing targeted employment services to the North East, we can help people reach their full God-given potential and find value in the work they do, as well as a sustainable way to support themselves and their families.’ – AR Has your corps resumed its weekly programme or meetings? Salvationist wants to hear your news. Corps press representatives can email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk.

Good quality pictures will be included.

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Salvationist 25 September 2021

DARLINGTON Prior to reopening the hall for Sunday worship, the corps took to the street to share the gospel with neighbours. Led by corps officer Major Shirley McKenzie, the open-air meeting included singing accompanied by the band and a children’s feature linked to the theme of building on the strong foundation of Jesus. It was followed by a picnic and fellowship. During the lockdowns the corps blessed the neighbourhood with Easter eggs on Easter Sunday and goodie bags at Pentecost. – SM

EVENT

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families supported by uniform bank SEE PAGE 4

38

SUDBURY The Army’s Elderly People’s Day Care service celebrated its 20th anniversary with a mini Olympics and a cream tea lunch, including homemade sausage rolls and cakes. Volunteer Pam said the service has made a huge difference to her mother, Joyce (pictured with Pam), who has been attending since 2016. ‘It’s good for meeting people and making new friends.

If she didn’t come to the day centre, she’d just be at home, supported by her carer and family members. During lockdown she was low, and now she’s happier. You can see just how much she gets out of it.’ – AR

feeding units deployed after Hurricane Ida SEE PAGE 5

33

per cent rise in SATCoL shop sales SEE PAGE 7

COMMUNITY HASTINGS CITADEL The corps uniform bank helped more than 50 families with the support of Tesco’s community projects. Second-hand and new uniforms were redistributed to people in and around the town. – D-AH

EMERGENCY AID

COMMUNITY

Army responds to Hurricane Ida USA SOUTHERN

ARMY NEWS ENGLAND The Salvation Army is one of the signatories of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s Keep Our Lifeline campaign, which urges the government to reconsider ending the universal credit uplift of £20 at the end of the month. Secretary for Communications Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant said: ‘Removing the universal credit uplift risks pushing more vulnerable people into poverty. With furlough due to finish at the end of September and the full impact of the pandemic yet to be felt – and unemployment, which is expected to rise from the current 4.8 per cent, pushing more people on to universal credit – we would urge the government to think carefully before removing this safety net.’ – AR

CORPS

THE Salvation Army helped states affected by the category 4 hurricane. High winds and flooding caused widespread damage and left one million people without power.

Salvation Army personnel collaborated with federal, state and local emergency management agencies and other partners to monitor potential impacts and evolve response efforts as needed.

Jeff Jellets, the Emergency Disaster Services director for the territory, said that the Army was providing relief to as many survivors as possible: ‘Our teams are equipped with supplies, food and water and are prepared to provide emotional and spiritual support to our neighbours.’

In little more than 24 hours, 140,000 meals were prepared for distribution and 38 mobile feeding units were in place, with a further 17 available to travel from neighbouring states. These units, manned by trained staff and volunteers, served food and drinks, distributed essential supplies and provided emotional and spiritual care to survivors and first responders.

Eleven mobile units were moved in from locations in Texas.

Each unit can serve 500 to 1,500 meals per day, and a partnership with the Southern Baptist Convention ensured that the units could work to capacity, distributing meals prepared at three large field kitchens.

Corps also provided support to those affected by the ongoing difficulties. – AR WEYMOUTH Due to extensive building work at the hall, the corps has been unable to meet inside despite Covid-19 restrictions being lifted. However, this hasn’t prevented corps folk from finding new ways to gather. Regular walks have been arranged so that people who were shielding can meet friends outside in a safer environment. The corps officers’ garden has been used for coffee mornings and, thanks to the generosity of a local funeral director who plays in the band, the corps has been able to gather for worship in the company’s car park and garage space. – IU

WELLING The corps hosted a ‘protect yourself against fraud’ event. Staff from Barclays bank gave advice about financial safety.

People from the food bank, the corps, the weekday programme and members of the public attended.

Afterwards, Morrisons treated everyone to freshly made sandwiches. The corps is keen to make its high street location the place to be and hopes to host other informative events in the future.

Pictured are Morrisons Community Champion Claire Russell, Barclays employee Sarah Kane and corps member Sam Smith. – KS

EVENT

WIMBLEDON Many people visited a corps exhibit at a local Merton Discovery Day and told heartfelt stories about the Army’s work, especially regarding family tracing. They were also appreciative of the corps parent-and-toddler work and Raynes Park’s Babysong.

Local councillors were supportive of the work in Merton, praising the TLC drop-in café and partnership with Merton Faith in Action, which assists people experiencing homelessness. There was also a surprise visit from AFC Wimbledon mascot Wandle the Womble, with copies of Kids Alive!, who was particularly popular with children.

– RS Salvationist 25 September 2021

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NEWS

PRESENTATION ARMY NEWS

Guisborough corps officer Major Antony Mugford presents retiring Bandmaster David White with a gift and certificate of recognition for 30 years’ service

COMMUNITY Tesco Community Champion Tricia Glenister gives Hemel Hempstead corps officer Major Sarah Murray food and clothing for the corps community programme

COMMUNITY 6

Salvationist 25 September 2021

ARMY NEWS

Army leads the way with accessibility STRAWBERRY FIELD THANKS to a series of innovative features, Strawberry Field aims to be the UK’s leading attraction for accessibility and inclusivity.

Through research and focus groups, The Salvation Army has upgraded elements of the site’s visitor centre to ensure that everyone is welcome. Strawberry Field now has full wheelchair access, tours for people who are visually impaired and features to support the hard of hearing and people with other impairments, as well as a multi-language media guide and a Changing Places toilet facility.

The tour for those who are visually impaired received an enthusiastic response.

Matthew Hughes-Paton, who attended one of the focus groups, said: ‘I can’t recommend Strawberry Field enough. It is such a warm and welcoming place and I will certainly be

telling others who are visually impaired about the tour.’

The combination of an experienced tour guide, tactile features and an interactive media player brings the experience alive. To help support visitors with hearing impairments, all video content has added captions. Much of the innovative technology was provided by Imagineear, a developer of multimedia content.

Major Kathleen Versfeld, mission director at Strawberry Field, said: ‘I am delighted with the progress we have made in making our attraction open to all. In the next year we hope to provide further facilities with tours for autistic people and those living with Alzheimer’s.’

Learning Disability Inclusion Development Manager Chris Stringer (THQ) added: ‘I am thrilled that the plans we developed for inclusion at the inception of the Strawberry Field project have now come to fruition. It is right for The Salvation Army to be leading the way and we hope and pray that many other attractions will follow.’ – AR HUDDERSFIELD The corps renewed its annual partnership with the National Citizen Service (NCS) Huddersfield Giants Community Trust. Groups of postsecondary school students volunteered to work with local charities and projects that benefit the community through the NCS programme. This year the corps facilitated activities ranging from painting canal lock gates, clearing tow paths and renovating primary school playground equipment to creating a sensory walkway, maintaining nature trails and clearing shrubberies at a community centre. – AL

ARMY NEWS HOMELESSNESS SERVICES UNIT FOCUS (NORTH EAST REGION) SATURDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

by Major Danièle Norton (Chaplain, William Booth House Lifehouse, Hull) Father God, you are not limited by our physical, emotional or intellectual limitations. You are able to use them if we do not deny, hide or resent them. May those limitations cause us to depend on you, prevent us from being arrogant and increase our capacity for sympathy. By weaving the weak strands of each other’s lives together, you create a rope of great strength. May our Lifehouse residents and staff be encouraged when they see you working with us, despite our weaknesses.

Charity shops shortlisted for awards UKI THE Charity Retail Association shortlisted the Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL) charity shops for two prestigious awards: Outstanding Charity Retailer and Most Supportive Chief Executive.

Most Supportive Chief Executive acknowledges the role of Trevor Caffull, the managing director of SATCoL, for his guidance through challenging times, establishing retail as an important part of the Army.

With SATCoL shop sales up by 33 per cent on pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter this year, the Outstanding Charity Retailer shortlist reflects the company’s record-breaking sales. It also shines a spotlight on new training initiatives and colleague wellbeing programmes, including the launch of a new eLearning platform, virtual activity challenge and Lockdown Elevenses, with celebrity guests to help colleagues feel connected and engaged.

The eLearning platform was central to training colleagues to reopen stores in a Covid-secure way, with 93 per cent of colleagues completing a combined total of 18,500 courses.

SATCoL also introduced Training Tuesdays, which gave colleagues 30 minutes of protected learning and development time each week.

The virtual activity challenge encouraged staff members and volunteers to walk, run, cycle or travel in any other way to every SATCoL shop and donation centre. Collectively they covered more than 8,300 miles in one month.

In Lockdown Elevenses colleagues could join in an online conversation over a cup of tea. The chef Brian Turner and soprano Faryl Smith, who gave their time freely, were among the guests.

Although SATCoL did not win the awards, Trevor said: ‘These award shortlists are a testament to the dedication, hard work and determination of the great team we have at SATCoL. It is an understatement to say how difficult the past year has been … and yet all our team, including our wonderful volunteers, continue to amaze and inspire me.

Since reopening, they have demonstrated unwavering commitment and brought fun and joy into our shops and donation centres.’ – AR

SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

by Rachel Robinson (Chaplain, The Booth Lifehouse, Grimsby) I refer to Jeremiah 29:11 often. It is not a promise of immediate restoration of our circumstances, but a promise that God has a plan for our lives and that he can guide us through it. We pray that our residents will take refuge and comfort in God’s word and allow him to guide them through difficult times. Amen.

SOUTH EAST DIVISIONAL FOCUS

by Divisional Prayer Co-ordinator Major Christa Beeldman MONDAY 27 SEPTEMBER – YOUNG PEOPLE Today we pray for the wellbeing and mental health of our young people.

As they return to schools and universities, they might be anxious about what life looks like in the future. We pray especially for those who might find returning a particularly anxious experience due to bullying.

TUESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER – ROMA MINISTRY Thank you for the mission and ministry among Roma people in our division. Please continue to raise up, call, train and release leaders for your work. We pray blessing on all leaders within the Roma corps and all those exploring service and leadership. Open doors and break down barriers that prevent your vision from being accomplished and protect your servants. Amen.

WEDNESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER – FRESH EXPRESSIONS We pray for the variety of Fresh Expressions of church and mission in the South East. We pray for those pioneering in Dover, Faversham and Sheerness and for corps embracing new ways of reaching out. We also pray for new opportunities for God’s Kingdom to expand across the division.

THURSDAY 30 SEPTEMBER – CONTINUING MOMENTUM OF APEST (APOSTLES, PROPHETS, EVANGELISTS, SHEPHERDS, TEACHERS) Loving God, grant us the courage of the apostles to push ahead to new frontiers; the insight of the prophets to call us back to your ways; the joy of the evangelists to reach out to all the world; the compassion of the shepherds to gather in those who are searching for community; the knowledge of the teachers that we might grow up with wisdom and stature.

BUILDING THE KINGDOM HERE FOCUS

by Lesley Strafford

FRIDAY 1 OCTOBER Thank you, Jesus, for those who paved the way before us, who endured hardships to make sure the gospel was preached. They never gave up and many gave their lives. We pray that you would help us to be persistent and committed to be truth and light to a dark world. Strengthen and empower us to do the work that is before us.

O A PDF of the Prayer Matters booklet is also available to download from salvationarmy.org.uk/resources Salvationist 18 September 2021

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CADET CAMEOS

Pictures: ANDREW KING PHOTOGRAPHY

Called to shine!

RACHEL ABBOTT Winton

PATSY ATTWOOD Saffron Walden

I COME to William Booth College having soldiered at Winton for eight and a half years. I grew up with a mixture of The Salvation Army and other churches, becoming a soldier at Chatham aged 15. My calling came soon after.

I went to university to study biomedical science, soldiering at Bradford Citadel. Since then, I have worked as a science technician, first at a university and then for six years in a secondary school. During the coronavirus pandemic I have volunteered and worked at the corps and thoroughly enjoyed it. The experience helped reaffirm my calling to become an officer. I am so excited to begin training and see what God has planned for me.

JUST after I felt the call to officership, I became aware of the words found in Isaiah 43:1: ‘I have called you by name, you are mine’ (Revised Standard Version). Throughout my journey to this point, I have held these words close to my heart, remembering that God has called and chosen me!

I have doubted this call and sometimes I’ve felt a bit like Gideon laying down the fleece and asking for just one more sign. To actually be here as a Reflector of Holiness still seems surreal. I’m from a small town and sometimes I feel like a small fish in a very big ocean, but I am so excited to see what else God has in store for me.

RACHEL BAKER Louth

KAREN DIPPLE Pontypool

I AM a 48-year-old single mum of eight and have come to William Booth College with six of my children. I was employed by The Salvation Army for five years as a community development worker at Lerwick and then Mablethorpe. I have been a Christian for seven years, coming to Christ through my youngest daughter. My calling came six years ago at a Design for Life weekend. My life is being completely transformed by Christ and I am on the most amazing journey with him. I have been so blessed!

My favourite verse of Scripture is 1 John 3:1, as I often felt I didn’t fit in – but now I know I fit in with Jesus!

I WAS born in Bridgend, Wales, and moved to Westonsuper-Mare in my early twenties, where I lived for 35 years. I have been married to Mike for 26 years and we have a son, Sam. In 2018, I relocated back to south Wales with my family. My calling to be more like Jesus came at the early age of 16, and that calling continued into my twenties, thirties, forties and now my late fifties! One Saturday morning, I heard God’s call on my life to become an officer of The Salvation Army – and I said yes! Then I heard God’s voice telling me to take his compassion and to walk with the broken.

Rachel with Tilly, Leuis, Max, Bruce, Frankie and Lilith

Karen and Mike

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Salvationist 25 September 2021

Cadets of the Reflectors of Holiness session introduce themselves as they begin officer training ADAM BARBER Edinburgh Gorgie

KAREN BARBER Edinburgh Gorgie

I AM originally from Derby Central and have always felt that God wanted more from me. As a young adult, that meant living a better life and taking my faith seriously, then it meant moving into local leadership within my corps. Even working full-time for the Army as a divisional youth specialist didn’t feel enough. Looking back I can see that God placed a calling on my life and, until I said yes, no substitute would be enough. I have come to the college with my wonderful wife, Karen, and our two fantastic and very energetic children, Jacob and Isaac. It is a privilege to do ministry as a family.

I HAVE known for a very long time that God was calling me to become a Salvation Army officer. Like many people, I ignored his call.

I got married, had children and just got on with doing life. It became clear in every meeting or event I attended that God was calling me and I had to eventually say yes to him! It is a complete privilege and joy to be studying at William Booth College. I am here with my husband, Adam, and our two children, Jacob, who is nine, and Isaac, who is four. I am excited for the journey ahead.

Adam and Karen with Jacob and Isaac ISABEL FLANAGAN Belfast Citadel

MATHEW GRIFFITHS Malvern

I CAME to The Salvation Army through its open-air ministry and became a Christian as a child. I applied for officership in my early twenties, but later withdrew my application. I then left the Army for a period of time and attended another church. Six years ago I came back to the Army. My calling never left me – in fact, it became stronger while attending the Women and God Weekend in 2019 when the words ‘I’m captured by your holy calling’ kept coming to me. I knew God wasn’t going to let this go and that I had to respond. I am totally relying on God and his strength to follow his leading for my life.

I WAS a child when, after an open-air meeting, I followed the band to my local corps. I was invited in and was asked to come to the Salvation Army Boys’ Adventure Corps (Sabac). From this I became a junior soldier and a Sabac lad. I drifted away from the Army, but never lost sight of God. In 2006 I found myself working at my home corps with the word ‘more’ in the back of my mind. I knew that God wanted more of me. In 2012 I became a soldier and delved deeper: the ‘more’ was a call to officership. It has been a long journey but, with the help of great friends, family and the grace of God, I am finally here.

Mathew and Sarah with Max Salvationist 25 September 2021

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CADET CAMEOS

DEBORAH HAMPTON Sale

I HAVE lived in Manchester for almost 20 years, graduating, getting married and giving birth to two amazing children.

For the past five years I have worked at Central North DHQ as the divisional relationship manager. I started to feel God calling me to become an officer a few years ago but, with a second child on the way, it was not the best timing. However, a couple of years later God gave me a vivid dream where he broke down some of the barriers that might have stood in my way. I am grateful for the people he put in my path to confirm this calling and continue working with me to unpack that further and get me to this place.

Deborah, Jon and their children

Pictures: ANDREW KING PHOTOGRAPHY

THERESA RAFFAN Kidsgrove

JOHN RAFFAN Kidsgrove

I HAD my first calling to officership on our wedding day. However, I tried to run from God and used the children as an excuse. As the children grew up God’s knocking got louder, to the point where I just needed to put my trust in him and allow him to do the work in me. Deuteronomy 31:6 has carried me through many trials, assuring me that God is in control and will never leave me: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.’

It is in his strength that I am here today.

I WAS first called to officership at the age of 14 but, when I was in my twenties, I turned my back on God. He never gave up on me, though, and came after me. When my wife, Theresa, and I got married he was quite clearly calling us to service. Once the children had grown up he came knocking on the door once more and we had to follow it through. It has taken some time to get through the application process – and during that time we have faced many hurdles – yet we know this is where we are supposed to be. It is in his strength that we do this.

Theresa and John with their daughter, Sam Wheatley 10

Salvationist 25 September 2021

HANNAH TURNBULL Oakengates

STUART TURNBULL Shrewsbury

‘THEREFORE go and make disciples of all nations.’ These words from Matthew 28:19 kickstarted my application to become a territorial envoy. My time as a TE in Shrewsbury further confirmed and reaffirmed the call into ministry that first happened when I was 17 years old. As I enter training as a Reflector of Holiness, the experiences, journeys and adventures that I have had over the years have moulded me to this point. Together with the training ahead I look forward to continuing in the strength of the Lord to fulfil the calling placed upon my life – the calling to go and make disciples of all nations.

DAUGHTER, wife, mum and now cadet.

What a journey I have been on in my 28 years! I thank God today for making me just the way I am.

He has brought me through challenges that I never thought I would overcome and opened my eyes to his wonderful world in which he has called me into ministry.

At a territorial congress in 2010 God spoke to me in my seat and called me to become a Salvation Army officer. Having only just turned 18, I was not ready to say yes but I did not say no. Over a decade of exploring avenues and testing my calling, God has brought me here to William Booth College.

Stuart and Hannah with Evelyn and Eli HANNAH STANNARD Norwich Citadel

AMANDA WHITCOMBE Balham

MY journey to officership began in 2019, soon after I returned from a mission trip to Zambia. While there, God revealed to me how I could be his hands and feet in a broken world. He started to mould and shape me into the person he knew I could be, then placed a constant nagging thought on my heart, which was about officership.

Since arriving at William Booth College, God has reaffirmed my calling by reminding me numerous times, through Scripture and friends, that he has blessed me to be a blessing to others. I don’t know what lies ahead, but I am excited and thankful that he has my future in the palm of his hand.

I HAVE come into William Booth College from the South London Division but grew up in Cardiff. Coming from a non-Christian family I was made to go to Sunday school, where I found Christ. I was first called to officership at the age of 13 or 14. I said yes to God but drifted away from the Army and him for more than two decades. In 2018 I returned to the Army and quickly knew I had to recommit my life to Jesus, which is when he reminded me of his call on my life to officership. It was all or nothing. I am glad to say that giving my all to Christ is the best thing I have ever done.

Salvationist 25 September 2021

11

INTERVIEW

Taking the lead in tackling homelessness Director of Homelessness Services Lorrita Johnson tells Shanelle Manderson about the unit’s work

I

N 1888, after seeing large numbers of men sleeping under bridges crossing the Thames, General William Booth began to turn The Salvation Army’s attention towards assisting people experiencing homelessness by providing food, shelter and compassion.

Today that mission continues under the leadership of Lorrita Johnson, who has headed up the territory’s Homelessness Services Unit (HSU) for just over a year.

‘I have worked in the homelessness sector for decades, primarily within local authorities,’ says Lorrita. ‘It is really exciting to work for The Salvation Army in an environment that allows me to practise my faith openly as well as utilise my professional skills.

‘Often, faith and profession have been separate in my life, but we’re whole beings, and being able to express that without wondering about whether someone is going to overtly think I’m pushing my faith on them is refreshing.

Having the opportunity to pray before a meeting, for example, is very new to me.

I thoroughly enjoy it.’

Part of HSU’s work is to campaign and lobby the government, working g with t the Public Affairs Unit to be ready to o respond to government initiatives.

However, HSU’s main purpose is to o provide supported accommodation. n n.

Elements of that also include addictions ctio ct io ons ns work and chaplaincy.

‘Our aim is really to assist anyone ne that that at has experienced homelessness,’ L Lorrita orrri r ta explains. ‘I’m primarily responsible ffor or or overseeing the provision of our services rvic rv icess ic and ensuring that, strategically and d missionally, we are maintaining ourr ut al al o also presence in terms of relevance, but our long-term sustainability.’

Although the coronavirus pandemic mic mi has meant HSU has had to alter the he way he way it delivers services, they have all continued in one shape or form. Virtual rtua rt uall ua platforms have been used more, so o some services have relied on phone ne 12

Salvationist 25 September 2021

calls or laptops to make contact instead of face-to-face meetings. Although the cleanliness of services was always at the highest possible level, different regimes have been adopted to meet government guidelines and make sure everyone is safe. Rotas have been changed to ensure that the services are safe for staff members and clients, and contingencies have been introduced, such as hand sanitiser stations, coronavirus testing and encouraging people to wear masks.

As well as practical changes, HSU also looked at ensuring engagement with customers was not reduced to a level where they could not be kept safe, or contractual obligations could not be maintained.

‘During the pandemic, we also had to mobilise newer services very quickly to meet the needs of those that had been rough sleeping after the introduction of the Everyone In initiative. The government commissioned all local authorities to get everyone into emergency accommodation as soon as possible,’ explains Lorrita. ‘We really stepped pp up p to make sure that our services the needs serv se rvic rv iccess were ices werre ready re ead a y to to meet mee et th he need n ne eed edss of o local loc ocal a communities, al com ommu muni mu nititit es ni es,, including in nclud cllud din ng Scotland Sccot o lla and d where wher wh erre there ther ther ere e was w s a similar wa simi si mila mila mi lar scheme sche sc hem he me e

called Everyone Home. The sheer commitment and dedication from staff members have been immense.’

Now HSU’s work continues with the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme in England, which ensures sustainability of accommodation provided as part of Everyone In. Staff members are working with individuals to make sure they do not return to the streets, exploring housing options, sometimes with financial help from local authorities, and supporting individuals to attain independent living skills so they can manage their homes in the long term.

‘Statistics show there has been a reduction in the number of people that have died as a result of being on the streets. We want to make sure that statistic improves further, so it is important we provide a wrap-around service,’ enthuses Lorrita. ‘That humanitarian response needs to be there for us as a Salvation Army. That is what I love about this environment; it is not just about administering a set of rules or legislation, it goes beyond that.

It’s att tthe of an individual t s looking oo g a e tota ttotality ota a ty o and working alongside them. an nd wo work rkin rk in ng al a lon ongs g iid de th the e That’s Christ calls do: what C what wh hris hr isst ca ist call lll uss to lls to do d o:: to be our brother’s keeper.’ br brot rot oth he er’ r’ss ke keep ep epe per er.’’ er.’

While rough W Wh ilile e ro roug oug ugh h sl ssleeping lee eepi ping pi ing iis s the most visible off ho homelessness, there is a vi isi sibl ble e fo form rm o h mele me le esssn off si situations wide wi d rrange de ange o ange an situ tuat attio atio ons ns also categorised homelessness with ca ate t go ori rise ise ed ass h om mel ele e many According to The m ma nyy ccauses. au use s s. s A ccor cc od or Connection att St M Martin’s there Co onn n ecction tion a a approximately 80,000 arre ap are a appr ppr proxxim imat a el at ey8 households England that meet ho ous useh eh hol olds ds s iin n En E g statutory definition of the th e st stat atuttor atut oryy de defi fin n homeless and are home ho m le me less ss a nd a re e living in temporary accommodation with te emp m orrar aryy ac acco co com om home. no ssettled etttltled e h ed om me. e. more people who are Many Ma ny ym o e pe or peo o not entitled no ot en e tit tltled ed tto o he help lp p with housing who do approach the or w or ho od o no nott ap a pr council are experiencing co oun unci c l fo ci forr he help pa re ee hidden homelessness. h hi dd den h

Staff members are working with individuals to make sure they do not return to the streets They live in hostels, squats or B&Bs, in overcrowded accommodation or are sofa-surfing. Some people, such as those with low-paid jobs, live in poverty or poor-quality housing and are more at risk of being pushed into homelessness than others and more likely to experience homelessness.

‘If you were to think of a sliding scale, rough sleepers would be at the crisis end,’ says Lorrita. ‘We also now anticipate a high number of people will become homeless – as in roofless – as a result of the pandemic, because their landlords have served notices on them.’

HSU is developing five strategic priorities to ensure the services it provides are of the highest quality: building on partnerships, nurturing innovation, resilience in the workforce, sustainability and diversity.

It is important for the unit to build on partnerships and create platforms through which customers can hold staff members accountable.

‘We want to have a strong emphasis on customer delivery and our clients need to be part of that,’ says Lorrita.

‘We’ve already started doing customer satisfaction surveys, and the idea is that the responses will feed into shaping our services, making them much more client-led.’

Lorrita adds that creativity is not limited to her as a director or the senior management team: ‘I think staff members on the front line can have ideas as to how we can better deliver services or programmes. So, I want to create that culture of nurturing

innovation within the workforce.’

Sustainability is also important after the huge financial losses that local authorities experienced because of Covid-19.

‘We’re commissioned mostly by local authorities, so if they have a depleted income, we will be affected,’ says Lorrita. ‘We need to look at our services over the next couple of years and get to a position where we know that, financially, we can deliver a service and, missionally, we are making the impact where we can to ensure we are sustained.’

During a few consultation sessions some staff members shared views about HSU and its stance on diversity.

That led the unit to focus on this as an area of priority.

‘Diversity is an area in which we are already doing so well,’ enthuses Lorrita.

‘However, we need to explore whether we have platforms that create a fair and equitable service and environment. This

will help us better understand who our staff members are and then see whether or not there are different ways of engaging and creating opportunities for both staff members and clients.’

‘Overall we’re doing great work,’ she adds, ‘and I think now is the time to really showcase that. Now is the time to become prominent in the communities where we’re based.’

SHANELLE IS EDITORIAL ASSISTANT, SALVATIONIST Salvationist 25 September 2021

13

PREVIEW

Learning to listen together Lyndall Bywater invites us to listen to God with others

A

BOUT 20 years ago, we launched the territorial Year of 24-7 Prayer at the annual Roots conference. I can still remember the prophetic words that Debra Green shared at one of the evening celebrations – wonderful words about being drenched in the rain of God’s presence. That was a powerful moment in itself, but those words came to be an invaluable signpost and inspiration for us as the year of prayer went on.

And that is so often the way we hear God, isn’t it? Someone who is wise and trustworthy shares an insight or a Bible passage and it’s as though the words electrify the atmosphere, and somehow there is a witness in the room that we’ve heard from God. Some years later, I sat down with the little prayer community I belong to in Canterbury to write a prayer of blessing for the city. We had read many fine prayers over the years, but we decided to craft our own so that it would carry something of what we felt God might want to say to Canterbury. But what did God want to say to Canterbury? How were we going to find that out?

We reminisced together about different prophetic words that had been given at meetings and seemed to capture something of God’s heart for the city, but nothing quite landed. The more we talked about it, the more we realised we needed to hear God together for ourselves.

Having no idea where to start, we decided to go for a walk in the city centre, each heading in a different direction, and we asked God to give each of us just one word. We came back, gathered up our words and wrote them into a prayer – one line for each word. That was 10 years ago, and we still pray that prayer today. It feels as fresh as ever. It reminds us of God’s heart for Canterbury and it helps us when we have important decisions to make.

As we endeavour to make sense of this strange season that we still find ourselves in, we’ve been reminded again of the need to listen to God together.

Many are feeling the urgent pull not to ‘go back to normal’ but to discern a new way forward. It’s tempting to wait for 14

Salvationist 25 September 2021

someone else to hear a word from God about what that new way should be, but I suspect this might be a job for all of us.

In her book Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups, Ruth Haley Barton writes: ‘Discernment, in a most general sense, is the capacity to recognise and respond to the presence and the activity of God – both in the ordinary moments and in the larger decisions of our lives.’

Recognising and responding to the activity of God. That sounds refreshingly simple. I wonder if we feel daunted by the thought of listening to God because we think it involves sitting in silence for many hours, concentrating really hard until we happen to tune into the radio frequencies of Heaven. Silence has its place, of course, but recognising and responding to God’s activity can happen just as much when we’re talking, thinking, singing, crafting, drawing, laughing or playing. And if that’s true for us as individuals, what if it’s also true for us when we’re listening to God together?

That’s why our Encounter prayer gathering in January 2022 is going to be a journey in learning to listen to God together. Instead of centring the weekend around a few great talks, as we often do, we’re going to spend most of our time interacting with each other and with God, practising all kinds of ways of listening – and we’re delighted that our territorial leaders, Commissioners Anthony and Gill

Cotterill, will be with us on that journey.

We’ll practise listening with Scripture, listening with art, listening through making and play, listening through empathy and story – and so much more.

And we’ll be learning together that listening isn’t something for the superspiritual; it’s something we all do, and something best done together.

What if we could emerge from our 48 hours or so together with a word from God for The Salvation Army, not given by just one prophetic voice but formed by contributions from every person at the gathering? If that sounds like something you would like to be part of, please do book your place.

SAVE THE DATE WHEN: 21– 23 January 2022 WHERE: Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick BOOK A PLACE: Fill in the form at form-eu.123formbuilder.com/43200

LYNDALL IS A MEMBER OF THE PRAYER NETWORK TEAM

VIEW POINT

What would Jesus do?

Major John Waters concludes a series exploring how to understand the Old Testament from a Christian perspective

P

ERHAPS the most important key to helping us understand the Old Testament and its significance for Christians is the recognition that, in its entirety, it is not the definitive statement about God’s divine nature but rather the record of our slow progress in perceiving it. The relatively short periods of prophetic brilliance are set between longer periods of groping in the dark.

The New Testament demonstrates that this is not merely an arbitrary way out of our dilemma – a rather pick-andmix way of dealing with those stories attributed to God’s command that offend our Christian insights. Something new and dramatic occurred, helping us interpret the Old Testament in its light.

Hebrews 1:1 and 2 says: ‘In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.’ The unknown author of Hebrews writes to Jewish Christians to remind them that the Old Testament, which was of course their only Scripture, was the record of an incomplete revelation and incomplete perception.

An important theme of the book of Hebrews is the argument for the superiority of Jesus over all that had gone before, with the Greek word for ‘better’ or ‘superior’ appearing 12 times in one version of the text. The acid test, so to speak, of the revelation and perception found in the Old Testament was how it conformed to the person and ministry of Jesus. In The Call to Holiness, General Frederick Coutts wrote: ‘All that the Spirit bids us do will be in harmony with the example of

Jesus.’ We may rightly apply that truth to the Scripture and say: ‘All that the Old Testament bids us do will be in harmony with the example of Jesus.’

If, having tried all the solutions to problematic passages suggested in this series so far, we are still at a loss, then we can ask whether, in the light of the New Testament record, we imagine such teaching or such behaviour to be consistent with what we know of our Lord.

This key to interpretation is also given credence by Jesus himself. In Matthew 5, for example, he introduces six aspects of his teaching by saying each time, ‘You have heard that it was said... But I tell you...’ In Matthew 6 there are a further five times when he says ‘I tell you...’ and this whole section of teaching, which we call the sermon on the mount, ends with the verdict of the people that here was someone who ‘taught as one who had authority’ (Matthew 7:29).

There was once a book entitled What Would Jesus Do?, which I thought was somewhat simplistic, especially since many modern situations and dilemmas we face were unknown in Jesus’ time.

But underlying this is a profound truth – Jesus revealed the character of God and the nature of our response, and without him we would still be looking as ‘through a glass, darkly’ (1 Corinthians 13:12 King James Version). Colonel Catherine Baird got it right, as she so often did. In addressing God the

Father, she wrote: ‘When Jesus speaks thy word is clear;/ I search his face and find thee near/… In Jesus’ steps my steps must be,/ I follow him to follow thee’ (SASB 615).

The Old Testament, despite its limitations, can give us many inspiring insights into God and his dealings with us, which is a tribute to the faithful devotion of many of its contributors.

One can only speculate on the eloquence and passion with which Isaiah, say, would have expressed himself had he known Jesus in the flesh. As it was, like John the Baptist, these searchers after truth were forerunners of our Lord and their teaching is most fruitful when we allow it to fulfil its purpose – to point the way to he who is ‘the image of the invisible God... For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him’ (Colossians 1:15–20).

MAJOR WATERS LIVES IN RETIREMENT IN BIDDULPH MOOR Salvationist 25 September 2021

15

BIBLE STUDY

Forbearance Major Sheila Eade considers a characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit

GALATIANS 5:22 AND 23

W

HAT kinds of thoughts or emotions come to mind when you read the word ‘forbearance’? For me, the word appears harsh and unsympathetic, but searching in a thesaurus suggests similar words that appear to paint a rather different picture – patience, self-control, tolerance, moderation, long-suffering and mercy.

Some translations use ‘patience’ rather than ‘forbearance’. A dictionary definition of ‘forbearance’ is ‘refraining from taking action or from enforcing something’, whereas ‘patience’ is explained as ‘the capacity to tolerate or accept something’. These two definitions describe progress, or a continuum, from refraining from taking any action to tolerating and then to accepting. During the Covid-19

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

by Major Lynda Levis

16

pandemic, for example, someone’s attitude to mask-wearing might have changed.

Let’s examine what Paul possibly means in his use of ‘forbearance’. The Greek word is makrothumia and was generally applied to someone who could avenge themselves but did not. It also refers to God, who could avenge himself but instead chooses to show us love and forgiveness.

The root words of makrothumia are makros (long) and thumos (temper). So now we have a new question – does that refer to being ‘long-tempered’ as opposed to ‘short-tempered’? Perhaps the word ‘long-suffering’ used in many older translations, such as the King James Version, better describes what Paul intended.

Another Greek word used in the Bible for patience is hupomone, which is often translated as ‘endurance’. It indicates

perseverance and constancy. This is not a passive complacency, however, but an active resisting of lethargy, apathy and defeat. ‘Long-suffering’ is perhaps also a suitable interpretation.

Makrothumia is usually used to refer to patience with people, whereas hupomone is used to indicate patience in circumstances, trials or tests.

For me, the word ‘long-suffering’ immediately brings to mind the term ‘long Covid’. As a sufferer of the condition for more than 12 months, patience and forbearance have had to play a huge part in my life and also in my recovery.

Eighteen months ago, life for many of us moved from a fast pace to lockdown in next to no time. As a result, a lot people have had to learn and practise patience and forbearance in ways they never previously imagined.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learnt the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

(Philippians 4:12 and 13)

If doors should close then other doors will open,/ The word of God can never be contained./ His love cannot be finally frustrated,/ By narrow minds or prison bars restrained.

(SASB 649)

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

(Isaiah 43:1 and 2)

Salvationist 25 September 2021

QUESTIONS what extent have you had to learn patience and forbearance in new ways?

O How have you adapted? Does ‘long-suffering’ describe your experience?

O To

Think about those people who have had to endure a lack of forbearance.

One example is people who have been subjected to an increase in domestic violence. Can you imagine their longsuffering?

As Christians living in full relationship with God, we experience the Holy Spirit developing his fruit in us: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In this list in Galatians 5, Paul describes what those who live in Christ should see flowing from their lives.

It’s important to remember that –

rather than fruits – this list is, in fact, one fruit with nine characteristics. They might not develop in a particular order but should become evident as we grow in Christ.

But is it always that simple? How many of us think we have to work hard on ourselves and strive to do the Spirit’s work, as we recognise that we need more of God within us? Yet it is through the work of the Holy Spirit alone that we will become patient, forbearing and long-suffering.

Being long-suffering is not simply having the ability to play the long game and wait things out without ever getting angry or annoyed. Rather, it’s about allowing God to regulate our patience and avoiding impulsive action that might arise out of early anger. We know that Jesus got angry, but at the right time, in the right way and for the right reasons.

QUESTIONS O When was the last time you were angry or annoyed? Why? O Was it an initial reaction or a measured and cautious response?

O Did it result in a reasoned decision and achieve a specific purpose?

Anger can seem incompatible with forbearance, patience and longsuffering. Using the definitions of makrothumia and hupomone, we get an idea of forbearance as being a longtempered, measured response with active resistance of weariness. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, this is what God gives to each of us when we live within his will and in his way.

MAJOR EADE IS CORPS OFFICER, FOLKESTONE

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

When the darkness falls around me,/ When bewildered and afraid,/ When I feel the most deserted and betrayed,/ Then my every need is answered by God’s providential care,/ And his precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer.

(SASB 316)

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

(1 Peter 5:10)

He leadeth me! O blessèd thought!/ O words with heavenly comfort fraught!/ Whate’er I do, where’er I be,/ Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

(SASB 645)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. ( James 1:12)

Prayer Lord, give us faith to trust you in all situations and circumstances. Teach us to wait for you – for your timing is perfect and your plan for us is good.

Salvationist 25 September 2021

17

VIEW POINT

Progress not perfection Major Peter Mylechreest considers the meaning of Jesus’ call to be perfect

E

VERYBODY has faults. No one is perfectly kind, perfectly forgiving or perfectly loving. Yet Jesus said, ‘Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect’ (Matthew 5:48).

On first reading, this appears to be an impossible demand, and our failure to be perfect can spoil life rather than enhance it. Taken at face value it can be potentially damaging, causing heartache in many a sensitive soul. Being perfect is not humanly possible, yet we are to try and imitate God’s perfection as we see it in Jesus.

Aiming to be morally upright and ethically correct is part of what it means to follow Jesus, but let’s look at the context of that statement. Jesus is describing God, who is inclusive in his love regardless of whether people are good or bad, nice or nasty. This is what God does and we are called to learn to love without distinction in a similar way.

Jesus is encouraging us not only to love those who love us, but to expand our love to those outside our circle of friends. We are not to limit our kindness.

It will involve a lifelong stretching of our capacity to love as God does. It is about expanding the boundaries of our hearts so that more and more people, even those who are not related to us by blood, nationality or even belief, can find in us a caring response.

However, if we take that call to be 18

Salvationist 25 September 2021

perfect out of context, it reads that we must be perfect paragons of virtue.

Then we may find ourselves caught up in a perfectionism that weakens the very foundation of our spiritual life. Two disastrous courses of action can arise from trying to be perfect, both with the same root cause.

One is that we can become aware of our inability to be perfect and be discontented with who and what we are.

Consequently, we don’t respond to God with gratitude for what he has done and continues to do for us.

For some of us, trying to be perfect can bring anxiety and confusion and drain us emotionally. We can become motivated not so much by a desire to improve as by the fear of failure. This unending search for perfection can rob us of peace of soul as we torture ourselves with unremitting self-criticism and, in extreme cases, decide to give up on Christianity.

The other course of action is that we fall into the sin of self-righteousness, considering ourselves perfect – although we might pretend to humbly, yet vaguely, hint at some minor misdemeanour. If we think we could pass as the angel Gabriel’s twin brother or sister, we will become highly critical of ‘lesser’ mortals who haven’t achieved what we wrongly think we have accomplished.

The root cause of these responses is imagining that our worth in God’s eyes is maximised by being flawless or diminished by our failures. We foolishly identify our worth with our performance, thinking that our relationship with God is because of our own achievements

rather than because of his grace.

The antidote is simply to receive God’s affirming love as an unearned gift – a love given freely, irrespective of our flaws and limitations. This releases us from the need to prove ourselves to him and frees us from the bondage of unrealistic or addictive behaviour. We are not ignoring our mistakes or making light of them but, thanks to his grace and forgiveness, we do not allow our sins of commission or omission to breed despair, doubt or depression.

Thanks to his reassuring grace-filled words of love and forgiveness, we are free in our daily lives to love others with insight and sensitivity in a way that resembles the one who alone is perfect.

We want to be like Jesus, but we are released from the fear and frustration of not being perfect and from the deadly sin of pride. The thing that makes us like God is the love that never ceases to care for people, no matter what they do.

We are true disciples when we learn to forgive as God forgives and love as he loves.

In the Greek that was used to write the New Testament and in the Aramaic language that Jesus spoke, the word for ‘perfect’ can also mean ‘complete’, ‘whole’, ‘fully mature’, ‘lacking nothing’, ‘all-inclusive’ or ‘well rounded’. It is progress not perfection – yet!

MAJOR MYLECHREEST LIVES IN RETIREMENT IN LONDON AND IS THQ CHAPLAIN

FEATURE I A warm Winsford welcome

Brothers in Christ Major Gareth Dickens (Winsford) celebrates the welcoming of new Iranian adherents at the corps

O

N 15 August we at the corps had the enormous pleasure of welcoming seven adherents, all of whom came to the UK as asylum seekers. Over the past 18 months, they linked up with us in person and via our weekly Sunday afternoon Zoom meetings, held in Farsi and English.

The corps has been offering support to asylum seekers for more than two years, with a number from Iran, in particular, becoming actively involved in volunteering and supporting regular activities.

In July 2020 some of the Iranian asylum seekers were moved to accommodation away from Winsford but wanted to keep in contact and share in prayer. As a result, Corps Treasurer Jean Craven started Sunday afternoon prayer meetings on Zoom, with two asylum seekers translating into Farsi and music support from other corps members.

The Zoom meetings have since evolved further. Still led by Jean, Joy and Nigel Turner provide music and technical support and I share a Bible message. We include Farsi worship videos as well. More than 30 individuals have joined these online meetings, with many actively participating in prayer and Bible reading. A Farsi WhatsApp atsApp tsApp group was also established for members me embers to share prayer and supportive ve e Scripture verses.

Several of the group were Christians in Iran and d their faith has been a significant factor in their seeking asylum. Others ir have come to faith on their journey or through the witness of other Iranian Christians.

For some of the seven new adherents, the welcome ceremony was their first opportunity to worship at the corps in person because of the distance they have to travel. Despite this, they are all very firm in their faith and were keen to witness to it publicly. The meeting included worship videos in Farsi or with Farsi subtitles.

Rad, who helps with the translation into Farsi for the Zoom meetings, gave his testimony in both languages.

‘A friend of mine, who is Armenian, with his comforting words gave me understanding and talked about God and the relationship between the Son and the Father,’ he explained. ‘He gave me a book. When I read that book I was very motivated and curious about Christianity and the Holy Spirit. That book was about trusting in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

‘If you ask him, he will give it to you.

If you knock on the door, the door will open to you. Then I was introduced to an Iranian priest and the conversations I had with him put me on the path of life and enlightenment. It was then I found the meaning of the way to live in peace and communication with God. ‘In my country the sentence of someone who changes his religion is

Several of the group were Christians in Iran and their faith has been a significant factor in their seeking asylum death. This is how problems arose for me and I was forced to flee my country and my family.

‘When I arrived in England, I was greeted warmly by the people and members of the church in the town of Hoylake, and later on in Winsford. I want to thank God for getting me to know about the Salvation Army church.

I pray that God will protect all members of the church in the name of Jesus.’

After the meeting a feast of wonderful Iranian food was prepared by friends of the new adherents, which was shared by all present, including about 20 Iranians who regularly join the Zoom meetings.

More people from the Zoom fellowship have expressed an interest in becoming adherents and cementing their links with The Th he Salvation Army.

One O of the new adherents later shared a message in the WhatsApp sha group: ‘The love I got from being with gro o you you was unparalleled. I am happy to be with witt you in the Salvation Army family.

Thank Th ha you for the beautiful moments and an nd memories you created for me.’

One O soldier, a former sailor with experience in the Persian Gulf War, ex xp was wa a overheard greeting each of the new adherents after the meeting by saying: ad d ‘We’re all brothers now!’ ‘‘W Salvationist 25 September 2021

19

PREVIEW

Playing their part Elizabeth Hay explains how Govan Singing Company recorded an album during the Covid-19 pandemic to raise funds for the corps

B

EING a part of something has always been important to Govan Singing Company, but never more so than in the past 18 months.

Much has been researched and written about young people’s wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic, with the full effect of lockdowns on friendships and family not yet realised.

Staying connected while protecting young people was a vision that needed practical application.

One of the many ways in which this vision was fulfilled was by recording an album – A Small Part of the World – to raise money for the corps building fund, as well as offer music ministry to others.

The young people have raised £300 from sales so far.

A full lockdown, stolen laptops, low-tech equipment, socially distanced sessions, a whole new level of anxiety and personal challenges were some of the obstacles the singing company faced.

The lyrics from the title song ‘I Am a Small Part of the World’ were kept central to the ambition to reach the finish line and launch the album. Social distancing and shielding meant we could not hold hands or share hugs, so we chatted over Zoom and reminded each other of the love of God and our love for each other.

The singing company also played their part by keeping in contact with different generations within the corps family.

When senior corps members offered support services to the community, the young people prayed for the connections made and protection of all involved.

The album, which features 17 songs, was launched in April and the funds raised will support the refurbishment of the hall. Through the corps community programme, the building provides a space where people can feel safe with those they meet, and find supportive conversations and resources.

In his foreword for the album, Commissioner Keith Banks wrote: 20

Salvationist 25 September 2021

‘“Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.”

So goes the popular proverb. The evidence is not hard to find. Most powerful movements, successful companies and grand ideas that make their mark started small.

‘God, in his creative wisdom, put a potential oak tree, which can grow to 35 metres in height, into every small acorn, and he did something similar with people… Fulfilling our potential means growing to make a difference in the world, the community and our church.

‘The pleasant voices you will hear on this CD belong to young members of The Salvation Army aiming to do just that… Right now they are committed to playing their small part in the world, and they do it so well, but with nurture and wise counsel, who can tell what they will become and what they will achieve?

Theirs is a small part in the grand scheme, but their impact is powerful ‘The singing company … do not just sing to entertain. These happy, funloving young people follow Jesus. They sing to spread good news about him and his love. Theirs is a small part in the grand scheme of things, but their impact is powerful. Mark my words – from little acorns, mighty oaks will grow.’

Songster Leader Andrew Mair (Sunderland Millfield) added his words of commendation: ‘Govan Singing Company have produced a recording which will bring much blessing and encouragement through their enthusiastic music ministry. The songs include a number of genres, along with some traditional singing company “classics” and modern contemporary settings.

‘The singing company present a strong sound throughout the recording, with effective use of harmonies and

soloists that enhance the musical presentations. They are supported by a capable accompaniment team who constantly adapt to different musical styles and requirements.

‘The opening song, “Every Second”, sets the scene well for what is the commencement of an uplifting worship experience. It is great to hear “I Want to Sing It” and “Hand Me Down My Silver Trumpet”, two songs which will have been sung by singing company members over a number of generations.

“Father, Creator”, “Under His Wings” and “He is Able” have become established favourites in recent years and their inclusion demonstrates the singing company’s versatility as a very capable children’s choir.

‘The well-designed sleeve notes enhance the project with a brief synopsis of each song, as well as the song’s lyrics, which assist us in considering the message while also giving us the opportunity to sing along!

The many pictures also featured in the sleeve notes clearly show that this singing company is very active in many ministry settings. This is excellent to see in addition to enjoying the fine singing.

The recording is available to buy as a CD or download and I highly recommend it to you. Congratulations to all involved!’

Small Part of the World is available to download from buy.sanctusmedia. com, priced £7, or by emailing Elizabeth Hay at elizabethannhay@gmail.com

O A

ELIZABETH, A FORMER SINGING COMPANY LEADER, LED THE ALBUM’S PRODUCTION AND LAUNCH

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE The following appointment, decided upon by the General, has been announced by the Chief of the Staff O Colonel Wendy Swan is appointed Chair of the International Moral and Social Issues Council LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED Asst CSM Peter Parker, Snettisham

RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Major Derek Smith (80 on 5 October) O Major Frank Pascoe (80 on 8 October) O Aux-Captain Leslie Walgrove (85 on 8 October) O Mrs Major Winifred Sanderson (95 on 8 October)

O

PROMOTED TO GLORY Maureen Bowers, Sale O Rosemary Weir, Bangor O B/S/Reservist John Parkinson, Coventry City O Sandra Lloyd, Coventry City O Brian Watts, Birmingham Citadel, on 7 September O Annie McBride, Lurgan, on 9 September O Major Pamela Edwards from Chirk Community Hospital on 10 September O Captain Stephen Truffet from Camelot House nursing home, Worthing, on 11 September

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Diamond O B/Reservist Eddie and OSCS Pat Northcott, Nottingham William Booth Memorial Halls (30 September) Emerald (55th) O Majors Joy and Robin McIntosh (1 October) O Maureen and Robert Bright, Regent Hall (8 October) Golden O Adherents Sec Gwen and Bandsman Howard Cracknell, Stowmarket (2 October)

O

DEDICATED TO GOD O Tilly, daughter of BM Gavin and SCL Stephanie Lamplough, at Birmingham Citadel by Captain Clare Allman O Poppy Grace, daughter of Beth and Tom Hollidge, at Bath Citadel by Major David Wise O Caspar, son of Ben and Danielle Knight, at Horsham by Major Ann Stewart

BEREAVED O Major Katerina Lennox, Felixstowe, Stuart Hall, Maidenhead, and Graeme Hall of their father Peter Hall O David Tovey, Staple Hill, of his sister Maureen Dennett O Lisa Tovey, Caroline McLoughlin, Edward Parkinson and Hannah Nethercot, all Coventry City, of their father B/S/Reservist John Parkinson O Michael Lloyd and Peter Lloyd, both Coventry City, and Carolyn Ellis, Burton-on-Trent, of their sister Sandra Lloyd O Major Ian McBride, Belfast North, and David McBride of their mother Annie McBride O Mrs Captain Barbara Truffet of her husband Captain Stephen Truffet

ENGAGEMENTS THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL O WBC (welcome weekend), Sat 25 Sep – Sun 26 O WBC (Territorial Leaders Conference), Sun 26 – Wed 29 THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL PAUL MAIN) AND COLONEL JENINE MAIN O WBC (welcome weekend), Sat 25 Sep – Sun 26 O WBC (Territorial Leaders Conference), Sun 26 – Wed 29 O Ruwadzano Retreat, Fri 1 Oct – Sun 3* * Territorial Secretary for Leader Development only

TRIBUTES GLADYS BRYANT, LEADGATE GLADYS Bryant (née Pickering) was brought to Leadgate Salvation Army as a babe in arms. She grew up in the corps, going through Sunday school, the Guards and eventually became a company guard, Guard leader and songster.

She married Bert Bryant in 1951. Their two children also attended the corps and Bert eventually became an adherent.

Gladys helped out in all corps activities.

Among the many positions she held in the corps were corps secretary and home league fellowship leader.

She was known as a good listener and helped many people inside and outside the corps family. As age and infirmity caught up with her, her contribution to the corps was as a prayer champion and many people were on her prayer list. She was much loved by everyone and is greatly missed by her family as well as the corps family. – AS AUDREY VANE, BRIGHTON CONGRESS HALL BORN in Brighton in 1938, Audrey was dedicated to God at Edward Street Corps.

The town was very much her passion and life.

Her father was killed in action when she was just six years old, which made the post-war years difficult. Despite this, three years later Audrey signed her junior soldier promise and joined the singing company, starting a lifelong service in music.

Soldiership in 1953 saw Audrey serve as a bandswoman and songster. An accomplished pianist and accordion player, Audrey used her talents in beach open-air meetings and over-60 club events.

She eventually completed 60 years’ service at the corps, as Edward Street became Brighton East, merging later with Brighton Congress Hall. Here, Audrey’s service continued as hall keeper, guider and assistant over-60 club secretary.

Married to her beloved George for 52 years, she leaves behind two children, Kevin and Karen. Audrey’s service, particularly her music, touched so many, leaving a lasting legacy. – KV

Please note that soldiers’ and adherents’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 150 words. Good quality pictures will be included.

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

Salvationist 25 September 2021

21

ADVERTS

Anti-Slavery Day The Salvation Army’s campaign to raise awareness of modern slavery is running again this year around Anti-Slavery Day (18 October).

The Army is asking all its supporters to stand in solidarity with survivors of slavery by buying and wearing a special temporary tattoo. #WeAreNotForSale tattoos feature a barcode to symbolise how slavery treats people as objects to be bought, sold and exploited.

Tattoos can be bought for £1 from sps-shop.com/asd-tattoo

All proceeds will go towards the Army’s Survivor Support Fund, which provides vital support, empowering survivors of slavery to move on with their lives.

To join the campaign and spread the word please wear your tattoo, take a photo and share it on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #WeAreNotForSale and tag @SalvationArmyUK.

REGENT HALL BRASS ARTS FESTIVAL 2021 Thursday 30 September at 7.30pm RAF Central Band Brass Ensemble and Seraphim Consort Free admission – collection – no tickets required Friday 1 October at 1pm Fulham Band – John Ward conductor Chris Avison trumpet (principal Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra) Bruce Broughton special guest A programme featuring the music of Bruce Broughton Free admission – collection – no tickets required Friday 1 October at 3pm Royal Academy of Music presents Bone-afide Trombone Quartet Free admission – collection – no tickets required

Friday 1 October at 7.45pm Foden’s Band – Russell Gray conductor Tickets £18 from priorbooking. com/u/fodensband Saturday 2 October at 7.30pm Guards Brass Mike McGowan conductor Musicians from the Bands of the Household Division Free admission – collection – no tickets required Sunday 3 October at 3pm Regent Hall Band of The Salvation Army Paul Sharman bandmaster Free admission – collection – no tickets required

Regent Hall (The Salvation Army) 275 Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ For further details – stephenmaw@aol.com 07973 173 583

STUDYING IN YORK? Are you coming to study in this great city?

Be sure to link up to the corps, where a warm welcome awaits you.

Meals arranged and student / young adult fellowship (Covid-19 allowing!)

For further details: Cynthia Smith 07961 586465

22

Salvationist 25 September 2021

All adverts in Salvationist are subject to house style and carried at the editor’s discretion.

For more details email advertising @salvationarmy. org.uk.

Print and Design Unit Sacriston Church North Scotland Division

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2000 x 800 or 850mm

Referenced more than 100 times in the New Testament, the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven played a key part in Jesus’ ministry.

He spoke about the subject more than forgiveness, faith or worship.

Major Nigel Bovey unlocks the topic in his latest book Keys of the Kingdom. Drawing on 40 years’ experience of ministry, he distils the essential message of 52 occasions where Jesus – or occasionally John the Baptist – talks about the Kingdom.

With prayer points and helpful discussion questions, the book is great for generating individual discussion or group study.

Buy your copy for £5 at sps-shop.com/books or by calling 01933 445 445. Alternatively, purchase a Kindle ebook on amazon.co.uk for £4.

Salvationist 25 September 2021

23

‘‘‘

Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you, There is no greater thing

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

We’ve asked some to tell us about themselves.

This week…

HAZEL PYNE Brixham How did you first come into contact with the Army?

Through my daughters. They were invited by the corps officers’ daughter, who was also their school friend.

What made you want to become a soldier?

I realised God’s claim on my life and my desire to serve him.

What was your job before retirement?

I was a retirement home manager.

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

The most interesting thing was getting to know people. The most frustrating thing was a lack of time.

What one thing would you change about the Army?

I’d increase the opportunities to attend conferences or retreats locally.

What is your favourite kind of holiday?

One where I have the chance to enjoy the countryside and the seashore.

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

Flowers.

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

Elizabeth Fry, who is mainly known as a 19th-century prison refo ormer but did a lot of other humanitarian work w too.

I admire her determination to help the most wretched people in society.

(SASB B 565)

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

She always came up with ideas.

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

Swimming. It’s the only sport I was any good at.

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

The Inn of the Sixth Happiness. I’d play the main character, Gladys Aylward.

What is your favourite food?

Ice cream.

What do you do in your spare time?

Play Scrabble or read.

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

Catch a Falling Starr by Perry Como, released in the UK in 1958.

What is your favourite Bible passage?

‘For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8:38 and 39). It reminds me that God’s love for me is the mainstay of my lif life.

’’’

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

The apostle Paul. I’d ask him what his ‘thorn in the flesh’ was (2 Corinthians 12:7 King James Version).

What is your favourite hymn or worship song?

‘All I Once Held Dear’ (SASB 565).

The chorus demonstrates Jesus’ place in my life.

Is there something about life or the world you’ve never understood?

People’s treatment of each other.

Did you have a nickname growing up?

Bunny – I had large front teeth.

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

My youngest daughter, who is also my best friend.

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

Something that could change a duvet cover.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I can write verse or prose.

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

A book of English poetry that includes works by Sir John Betjeman.

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

If you want to learrn, keep reading.

Wh hat is the t most valuable thing you u possess?

The certain nty of my salvation.

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