Salvationist 27 February 2021

SALVATIONIST For everyone linked to The Salvation Army

No.1796 Price 70p

www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 27 February 2021

The write stuff Celebrating Salvationist authors

PLUS

EXPLORING A ‘CONTENTIOUS SPIRITUALITY’

PAGES 10 AND 11

QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

AVERAGE DONATIONS TO PLACES OF WORSHIP DOUBLE AFTER FIRST NATIONAL LOCKDOWN The average size of a donation to a place of worship has more than doubled in the UK since the first national lockdown.

New research by GoodBox, who provide contactless giving options, has revealed that the typical offering has increased from £5.71 pre-lockdown to £13.75 after places of worship reopened.

The data has been primarily taken from contactless donations…

Francesca Hodgson, cofounder and managing director of GoodBox, said contactless technology has made it easier to donate. ‘[People] don’t have to worry about the fact that they may not be carrying any cash on them at that moment in time’…

During the first national lockdown, churches saw a staggering 98 per cent drop in income via contactless giving across the UK. However, this tendency changed when the restrictions were eased…

Donations remained significantly above prelockdown figures for the remainder of the year, dipping only slightly during the second lockdown.

Premier

FIVE HUNDRED CHURCHES SIGN UP TO WELCOME NEW ARRIVALS FROM HONG KONG

COMMUNITY PANTRIES MORE THAN DOUBLE SINCE BEGINNING OF PANDEMIC

A UK-wide church initiative has been launched to welcome Hong Kong residents migrating to the UK as a result of China’s increasing suppression in the city.

The website, UKHK.org, was launched in London … by Home for Good founder Krish Kandiah with the help of the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally.

The website ... will serve as a onestop-shop for new arrivals from Hong Kong with information on everything they need to know about getting settled in the UK… More than 500 churches have already signed up to be ‘Hong Kong ready’ via the website, which has been launched after the UK government opened the door to Hong Kong holders of the British National Overseas (BNO) passport.

Around 130,000 Hong Kongers are expected to arrive in the UK this year on the BNO visa in the largest planned migration to the UK since Windrush.

The number of community pantries, which provide sustainable access to food for low-income households, has more than doubled during the pandemic, a report released last week by Church Action on Poverty suggests.

Community pantries, some hosted by churches, offer heavily subsidised goods to low-income households, who pay between £3.50 and £5 to shop there each week.

Since March 2020, the number of pantries has more than doubled: 21 new pantries have been set up since April 2020. Niall Cooper, the director of Church Action on Poverty ... said: ‘The growth of Your Local Pantry represents a further flourishing of the community-led mutual-aid movement…

‘They are a move away from the food bank model, with its focus on charitable emergency food handouts, towards a more sustainable long-term response to food poverty. More than this, Pantry members are able to save money, improve their health and wellbeing, and rebuild community.’

Christian Today

Church Times

PANDEMIC FUELS MASSIVE INCREASE IN TRAFFICKING The Covid-19 pandemic and environmental change have combined to ‘increase exponentially’ the scourge of human trafficking, according to the Archbishop of Westminster.

‘Levels of basic hunger are widespread; people living without a basic income; millions left jobless: all lead to a profound vulnerability open to the most terrible exploitation,’ he said, speaking at the launch of the Bakhita Centre for Research on Slavery, Exploitation and Abuse at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.

The research centre, originally established in 2015, has been relaunched as a ‘flagship’ centre intended to respond to the growing scale of human trafficking and slavery in the UK and worldwide, and to feed into anti-slavery and human trafficking policy at the highest level, in the UK and internationally.

The Tablet

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Salvationist 27 February 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

GOING BY THE BOOK ONE of the things I enjoyed about corps cadets back in my teenage years was the reading we were expected to do. I still remember many of the books, but one in particular sands out: They Ran to Him, the story of Murray Stanton, a Salvation Army officer doctor who had served in India. I guess it resonated with me because I’d spent some of my childhood there, but it was his dedicated, sacrificial service that made the biggest impression. Later, as a student, I bought a copy of Brengle’s Helps to Holiness, which opened the way to a deeper spiritual experience. These and other books were an important part of my journey towards officership.

I’m sure many of us can think of something we’ve read that has influenced, blessed, encouraged or challenged us. We are thankful for gifted writers that God uses in these ways and, with it being World Book Day on 4 March, we hear from a number of them in this issue of Salvationist.

Major Melvin Jones tells us about his new book, That Contentious Spirituality, which explores the Army’s spiritual life from the early days until now, putting it in its historical and ecumenical context and looking at how it might develop in the future.

The Army is blessed with a number of good writers – many of whom feature regularly in Salvationist – and this week some of our best-known authors share their thoughts on books and writing. They tell us what inspired them to start writing, what they find rewarding and difficult about it, what is their favourite book of the Bible and which other books have made an impact on them.

Although the Army has always published books and encouraged Salvationists to read, novels were frowned upon in the early days. But as Dr Flore Janssen shows, fiction was made good use of in the Army’s early periodicals to illustrate the Movement’s work.

Why Jesus Never Wrote a Book is the title of a book by William Sangster. He looks at the ways great teachers might ensure their work lives on after they are gone. One of the obvious ways, he suggests, is by writing a book. But Jesus never did that. In fact, Sangster reminds us, the only writing we know Jesus did was when he bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger (see John 8:2–11). So, if Jesus never wrote a book, how did his message live on? Sangster points out that Jesus chose 12 disciples to be with him. ‘You only get the secret of Jesus by personal contact with him,’ Sangster concludes.

That doesn’t mean, of course, that books aren’t important. After all, the life and ministry of Jesus eventually appeared in the Gospels and John concludes his Gospel by saying that if everything Jesus did were written down, ‘even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written’ (21:25).

We can only really understand Jesus through a personal relationship with him, but writers can help us see him more clearly, introducing us to that relationship and enabling us to grow in it. May we not miss the opportunity to benefit from the Godgiven skills of those who help make Jesus real to us through the written word.

From the Editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

Quotes from the media

2

Message from the territorial leader for leader development

4

News

5 and 6

Prayer matters

6

News feature Getting the jab

7

News feature South Africa: Army supports people affected by border delays

8

Self-Denial 2021 The Philippines

9

Major Merlinda Boone talks to Captain Ben Cotterill

Interview Talking spiritual matters

10 and 11

with Major Melvyn Jones

Feature Profitable reading

12 and 13

by Dr Flore Janssen

Feature Insights from authors Bible study Be holy

14 to 17

18 and 19

by Major Malcolm Martin

Through the week with Salvationist 18 and 19

by Major Jane Kimberley

Preview 20 World Day of Prayer: informed prayer, prayerful action

by Liz Hall

Letters

21

Announcements

22 and 23

Adverts

23 and 24

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

Salvationist 27 February 2021

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A MESSAGE FROM THE TERRITORIAL LEADER FOR LEADER DEVELOPMENT

Keeping in step

T

HOSE of you who know Anthony and me, or have seen us together, will know that there is quite a considerable difference in our heights.

He is 6ft 5in and I am 5ft 2in. Over the years we have perfected the art of keeping in step as we walk together.

Anthony has learnt to slow down a little and I’ve learnt to speed up and to take bigger strides – though if he’s in a hurry I send him ahead and he disappears into the distance.

The need to keep in step has played a significant part in the history of The Salvation Army right across the world.

Many of us have marched up and down the streets of our towns and cities, taking the message of Jesus into our communities. In my Sunday school days we even had marching practice until keeping in step with the drum beat became second nature. Who dared argue with the beat of a Salvation Army drum!

Song number 986 in our songbook says, ‘Valiant soldier, marching to the fray,/ Keep in step all the time.’ I must admit I’ve always struggled with that song, particularly the chorus: ‘Keep in step all the time,/ Keep in step all the time;/ Don’t fall out and rest for a while,/ Follow Jesus all the way, and smile.’ But Jesus needed time to recover and rest, so surely that’s good enough for us also.

And perhaps there are circumstances where we don’t feel like smiling. Through these days of pandemic you may have 4

Salvationist 27 February 2021

experienced weariness, loneliness or grief, days when you feel you’ve lost everything and can’t keep going, and days when you’ve taken a dip emotionally or struggled with your faith.

If you have, you’re not alone. The path isn’t always easy, but the promise is that Jesus is with us. I suspect the writer of that song was referring to persevering and keeping going.

Luke 24:13–35 has the well-loved story of two disciples walking the road to Emmaus. Jesus had been crucified, and there are now rumours of an empty tomb. The two disciples are journeying home with heavy hearts – discouraged, disillusioned, confused, overcome with feelings of hopelessness and despair, and uncertain of what the future might hold. Suddenly Jesus falls into step with them, but they don’t immediately recognise him. He listens to their account of recent events in Jerusalem and then gently reminds them of the Scriptures – and as he does, they feel a stirring in their hearts. When they come to their home Jesus acts as if he is going farther, but they invite him to step inside. I love the part where they sit down and eat together and, in that ordinary experience, Jesus blesses the bread and they suddenly recognise him.

Jesus then disappears and the two disciples ask each other: ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’ (v32). Did the road map of what would happen next fall into place for those disciples at that point?

Would life return to how they had known it? Was there the promise that their paths would be easy? I don’t think so.

But what would keep them faithful and courageous was their personal encounter with the risen Saviour. And later, after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they would step out in faith to an unknown future, in no doubt that the risen Christ, by his Spirit, would be with them every step of the way.

We’re in the season of Lent, which is a wonderful gift for us, especially for such a time as this. Lent is an invitation to take a deeper step in faith, a closer walk with the Lord who loves us and who holds us through these days.

Perhaps the verses of song number 361 could be your prayer for this week, or even for Lent.

Fill thou my life, O Lord my God, In every part with praise, That my whole being may proclaim Thy being and thy ways.

Not for the lip of praise alone, Nor e’en the praising heart I ask, but for a life made up Of praise in every part!

Praise in the common words I speak, Life’s common looks and tones, In fellowship at hearth and board With my belovèd ones; Not in the temple crowd alone Where holy voices chime, But in the silent paths of Earth, The quiet rooms of time.

Fill every part of me with praise; Let all my being speak Of thee and of thy love, O Lord, Poor though I be, and weak.

So shalt thou, Lord, from me, e’en me, Receive the glory due; And so shall I begin on Earth The song for ever new.

And it’s this fourth verse that I particularly want to share with you.

So shall each fear, each fret, each care Be turned into a song, And every winding of the way The echo shall prolong; So shall no part of day or night From sacredness be free; But all my life, in every step, Be fellowship with thee.

May the Lord bless you as, day by day, you keep in step with him.

GILL COTTERILL COMMISSIONER TERRITORIAL LEADER FOR LEADER DEVELOPMENT O This

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

NEWS

ARMY NEWS

COMMUNITY

Army warns of hidden homelessness surge

Army calls for longterm debt support

LONDON THE Salvation Army is warning that figures showing a drop in rough sleepers in London could be concealing a surge in hidden homelessness.

The Chain (Combined Homeless and Information Network) figures show that 3,307 rough sleepers were recorded in Greater London between October and December 2020. This is a 9 per cent drop on the same quarter last year, but 48 per cent of them were new rough sleepers.

The Army believes the decrease is due to the continuing efforts of services and local authorities to find self-contained accommodation for people as part of the Everyone In initiative and Protect Programme, but this is failing to reach those newly on the streets.

Lorrita Johnson, the Army’s director of homelessness services, said: ‘While it is good news that the figures show fewer people are forced to sleep rough, the number of firsttime rough sleepers is deeply concerning. New rough sleepers are coming on to the streets all the time.

‘The Salvation Army is very concerned that the short-term gains from giving people a place to stay under Everyone In will be squandered because a long-term, sustainable approach to funding homelessness support remains sorely lacking.

That funding can help a person tackle the reasons why they were forced to sleep rough in the first place, which can be anything from poor mental health or fleeing domestic abuse to trauma or an addiction.’

One of the key steps requested by The Salvation Army’s recent FutureProof the Roof report is that such funding is extended across England.

– AR Send your news reports to salvationist @salvationarmy.org.uk. Good quality pictures will be included.

ARMY NEWS

ENGLAND

WOOD GREEN The prayer displayed in the hall’s front window brought comfort to residents last year. Some made a special trip to read it during their daily lockdown walks. The rainbows were painted by pupils of Noel Park Primary School whose families have received weekly food parcels. Since the coronavirus outbreak the corps has helped more than 2,300 individuals and families with food, clothing and other items. – PK

COMMUNITY

SHOEBURYNESS Asda community champion Lorraine Coman donated non-perishable food items to the corps to support its work providing food parcels for the growing number of people in the community requesting help. Lorraine also presented a cheque to the corps for £600 from the Asda Foundation as part of a grant for feeding communities. – RD / CD ABERTILLERY While without officers the corps is continuing to minister faithfully through food parcels at the hall. The Rotary Club recognised this with the presentation of a service recognition award for support within the community. – AB

AWARD LEIGH-ON-SEA David Stanley, an adherent, was appointed BEM for services to people with special needs in the new year’s honours list. It recognised his work as founder of the Music Man Project. After 20 years of teaching people with learning disabilities, this award has inspired David to campaign with even more vigour for accessible music education and inspirational performance opportunities for all. – CS

THE Salvation Army has welcomed the government consultation on Debt Relief Orders but warns that more needs to be done to protect thousands from pandemicrelated debt.

Financial Inclusion Development Manager Lorraine Cook (THQ) said: ‘Debt Relief Orders pull people back from the edge of crisis by temporarily stopping creditors demanding payment so the journey of debt management can begin.

‘However,’ she added, ‘with rising unemployment, more people are struggling to make ends meet and many will fall behind with bills and credit card payments. The government must develop longerterm solutions to help people get back on their feet and not focus on short-term fixes to prevent a national debt crisis.’

The Army is also calling for the government to retain the temporary £20 uplift to universal credit and include advance payments in the debt respite scheme when it launches in May. This 60-day breathing space will halt enforcement action from creditors and see interest frozen for people with problem debt. – AR

COMMUNITY WOKINGHAM Throughout the coronavirus pandemic the corps has been providing takeaway meals three times a week, but the team is now carrying out a delivery service to encourage people to stay at home.

The initiative was launched to aid people during the winter months.

The corps is also working with Holme Grange School to distribute hot meals at weekends. – AR Is your corps adapting to the coronavirus crisis through innovative ministry opportunities? Salvationist wants to hear from you.

Salvationist 27 February 2021

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NEWS

Prayer

INTERNATIONAL

International leaders continue online conference IHQ THE International Leaders Virtual Conversations, held in place of the 2020 International Conference of Leaders, has reconvened.

Salvation Army leaders around the world shared in online prayer forums under the guidance of General Brian Peddle and Chief of the Staff Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham. Prayers were offered for the world and the mission of the Army.

Leaders discussed the topic of gender equity, reflecting on and discussing international responsibilities and territorial prerogatives. They also considered a presentation and papers on human sexuality, in preparation for further discussion groups.

The conference will continue until mid-March. Prayer support continues to be sought for all leaders as they engage in these significant conversations. – JG

ARMY NEWS

Army calls for wider rough sleeping data UK THE Salvation Army has called for more accurate rough sleeping data, so that the true scale of rough sleeping can be properly mapped.

A recent National Audit Office report has shown that the government underestimated the number of people needing temporary accommodation during the first coronavirus lockdown.

The Army has repeatedly called on the government to invest in more accurate data to plan and fund homelessness support services, including in its own Future-Proof the Roof report.

The report recommends applying the London Chain (Combined Homeless and Information Network) system more widely across England.

Lorrita Johnson, the Army’s director of homelessness services, said: ‘Without knowing how many people are out there how can the government possibly properly fund support services long-term and stand any chance of meeting its pledge to eradicate rough sleeping by the end of the current parliament?’

Whitehall’s spending watchdog found more than 33,000 people were housed under the Everyone In initiative, which secured selfcontained accommodation for people experiencing homelessness, yet the government’s count from November 2019 only registered 4,266 people as sleeping rough in England. – AR

FUNDRAISING DERBY CENTRAL Corps officer Major Anthony Colclough is walking the equivalent of Land’s End to John o’ Groats to raise money for the Army’s work in Derby and another local charity.

He told BBC Radio Derby that he had walked 218 miles in January, which placed him virtually north of Bristol. He has been joined in the effort by 15 other people, who hope to finish the last leg together later this year. – AR 6

Salvationist 27 February 2021

INTO THE WILD: WEEK 2 – SETTING OUT

by Lyndall Bywater (territorial prayer consultant) SATURDAY 27 FEBRUARY If you gave God an hour of your day, where might the Spirit take you? Go on a prayer walk around your community today, but don’t plan your route in advance. See where the Holy Spirit prompts you to go, and pray for each street you walk down. You could encourage a few friends to go on their own prayer walks, then compare notes afterwards to see where God led you all.

SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY Luke tells us that Jesus was ‘full of the Spirit’ and ‘led by the Spirit’ (Luke 4:1). It’s difficult to be filled or led when we’re rushing around. As we come to the end of this week of reflecting on ‘setting out’, let’s open a space in our lives, sit still and welcome the refreshing, renewing Spirit of God. Spend 10 minutes in silence, holding an empty cup in your hands. Each time your mind wanders, bring it back by focusing on that empty vessel ready to be filled.

INTO THE WILD: WEEK 3 – LETTING GO

by Lyndall Bywater

MONDAY 1 MARCH ‘Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. For 40 wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil’ (Luke 4:1 and 2, The Message). The wilderness may well be the place where we come face to face with all that is most destructive to us, but it’s also the place where the Spirit can purify and refine us. Jesus was tempted. Jesus, who preached and healed, saved and was raised from the dead, was as human as we are, and he was tempted to do things that would put up barriers between him and the Father. Is there something in your life which you’ve chosen but which has become a barrier between you and God? In your journal, write a letter to God, the Father who loves you so much, telling him how you feel and asking for help to find your way back to him.

TUESDAY 2 MARCH Addiction can be described as being in the grip of a habit that’s stronger than you are, and those who live with addictions often feel oppressed by darkness and hopelessness. For your prayerful reading this week, look up some information about local addiction services and read it through slowly, stopping to pray whenever the Spirit prompts you to.

WEDNESDAY 3 MARCH Is there something in your life which feels like it’s stronger than you are – maybe a fear, an addiction, a coping mechanism or a feeling of hopelessness?

So often we end up shut away in shame, but we all have our struggles and we don’t have to face them alone. There’s great power in talking and praying together. Connect with someone you trust this week by telling them what you’re struggling with. Ask them to pray for you regularly, and agree to pray for them too.

THURSDAY 4 MARCH Jesus was tempted by the Devil, but some of the testing came with the circumstances. He had no creature comforts, no reassuring company, none of the familiar pastimes – nothing to make the desert more bearable. We only know how much we depend on things and people when they’re not there.

What are you depending on too much? Find a way to fast from it today – or maybe for the coming week. Take time to stop and pray, asking God to help you develop new, healthier habits.

FRIDAY 5 MARCH If you know someone who’s battling addiction, you may have found it difficult to know how to pray for them, especially if the battle has been a long, drawn-out one. That’s where silence can be helpful. Spend time today sitting still in silence, holding that person in your mind. Don’t try and form a prayer or think of a solution; just picture their face and imagine you’re sitting together at Jesus’ feet.

O A PDF of the Prayer Matters booklet is also available to download from salvationarmy.org.uk/resources Salvationist 5 December 2020

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NEWS FEATURE

Getting the jab THE ORCHARD LIFEHOUSE WITH millions of people having now received a Covid-19 jab, the UK’s vaccination programme is well under way, writes Internal Communications and Engagement Manager Ann Stewart (THQ).

This is good news and offers hope for a way forward out of the pandemic.

As frontline social care workers, the team at The Orchard in Bradford are in the top priority group to receive a vaccine. Service Managers Majors David and Jeanette Lees both accepted the jab about a month ago.

Major Jeanette explains why:

Major Jeanette Lees ‘The Orchard can’t shut its doors to people who need our help; we have to be in work and fit and well during the pandemic.

We took the Covid-19 jab to protect ourselves and the vulnerable people we support.

‘I’ll be 60 this year, so I’ll be coming into an age group that doesn’t fight illness as well.

It made sense to protect myself.’

The NHS quickly sent teams to the centre to offer Covid-19 vaccines to staff and vulnerable day shelter guests and residents.

‘People who are living chaotically can’t always make and keep an appointment, so this has kept them well supported,’ explains Jeanette.

Of the staff who were vaccinated, five had side effects, with only two taking time off.

Jeanette says the next day she had a headache and experienced some sweating and aching joints. But this was ‘far less of a concern than the risk of contracting Covid-19’. After some paracetamol and a late start to work, she was ready to tackle the day.

Amber Welsh

Foday Janko

Amber Welsh, a day shelter support worker, joined The Orchard at the start of the pandemic and received her vaccination about a month ago. As well as protecting clients, she was concerned about protecting her family from potential transmission.

‘My parents are from Pakistan, and in the Asian community there is a lot of stigma about taking the vaccination,’ she says.

‘Many of my cousins were saying I shouldn’t take it, but once I had it a lot of them started going for it. One of my sisters works in the care sector and had at first refused the vaccination but changed her mind after I had the jab.’

Amber expects to have her follow-up vaccination soon.

‘I hope the vaccine will prevent me from catching Covid-19 or, if I do catch it, that it won’t be as serious and I won’t pass it on to anyone else. Meanwhile, I continue to use face masks and wash my hands constantly!’

As the concierge at The Orchard, Foday Janko is a first point of contact for many vulnerable people coming to the Army for support.

‘The pandemic has been tough for everyone,’ he says, ‘but we’ve gone through it together, knowing we have a duty of care for the people we work with. Taking the vaccination means our staff team has been given an opportunity to stay healthy and strong and continue looking after vulnerable people who need our help.’

Foday, who is originally from Gambia, adds: ‘Black, Asian and minority ethnic people are statistically more affected by the pandemic so it was important for

me to ensure I kept myself healthy and well.

I didn’t hesitate in accepting the vaccination as I wanted to protect myself, knowing I could come into work and be exposed to the virus at any time.

‘After the vaccination I had a bit of a sore arm, was tired and had a headache but it was no worse than having a flu jab. I’ve told my friends that it made sense for me to have the jab. I feel safer and more confident about doing my job without worrying too much.

‘I know that if I catch Covid-19 it will be at a level that my body can control due to taking the vaccine. I’d encourage anyone who has the opportunity, to take the vaccine as soon as possible.’

The Salvation Army is joining with the YourNeighbour project and other churches to encourage people to spread the good news of the Covid-19 vaccines in our communities.

R Find resources to be informed and have

kind, constructive conversations about the Covid-19 vaccination programme at salvationarmy.org.uk/covid-19vaccines-hope-out-pandemic

Salvationist 27 February 2021

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NEWS FEATURE

Army supports people affected by border delays SOUTH AFRICA SALVATION Army emergency response teams in the north and east of South Africa are providing support for people stranded at the republic’s borders. With enhanced border control measures introduced to help minimise the spread of a new, more transmissible strain of Covid-19, travellers have been stranded for several days while awaiting the outcome of mandatory coronavirus tests or while borders have been temporarily closed.

The Salvation Army teams – each comprising 11 people with specially provided personal protective equipment – have been working at the border posts connecting South Africa with Zimbabwe (Beitbridge), Mozambique (Lebombo), Eswatini (Oshoek) and Lesotho (Maseru Bridge). At each location, people trying to cross the border have been delayed by up to six days in extreme heat, resulting in dehydration, heat exhaustion, malnutrition and significant stress. In some instances queues of trucks waiting to convey goods across the border have stretched back for more than nine miles. Territorial leaders Colonels Daniel and Tracey Kasuso have formed part of the team on the Zimbabwean border.

Health information is distributed in each location, along with packs containing snacks and hygiene items. Each traveller is given 1.5 litres of bottled water, long-life milk, bread, energy bars, fruit and sweet treats, as

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Salvationist 27 February 2021

well as a bar of soap, a wash cloth and hand sanitiser. A new public health poster campaign, developed at International Headquarters, is being translated into Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu and other southern African languages.

Mindful of the elevated risk of human trafficking across country borders in such challenging times, The Salvation Army is providing leaflets to drivers and passengers containing information on how to be alert to the risks and reduce susceptibility.

‘In the hot conditions, it is exhausting,’ says Territorial Emergency Services Director Major Heather Rossouw, ‘but because of the needs that are presenting themselves at the border, we immediately felt the need to provide relief at these posts. We hope that

The Salvation Army, in co-ordination with the government of South Africa as well as other organisations, can help to defeat Covid-19 in our country and meet the needs of people who are impacted by it.’

The emergency response is to continue, particularly at the Eswatini and Lesotho borders, with regulations still subject to change.

The Salvation Army is co-ordinating with South African government agencies including the Departments of Health, Social Development, Home Affairs and the Border Control Police, as well as Cormsa (Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa) and several other non-governmental organisations such as Gift of the Givers. – AR

The Philippines In the fourth of five articles, Captain Ben Cotterill talks to Major Merlinda Boone about this year’s Self-Denial Appeal

M

AJOR Merlinda Boone (pictured above) is divisional secretary for programme and youth in the Mindanao Island Division and has worked in anti-trafficking and modern slavery for the best part of a decade. She was featured in the films for last year’s Helping-Hand Appeal.

Although money from the Self-Denial Appeal doesn’t directly support the Army’s anti-trafficking work in the Philippines, it does help fund some of the infrastructure that makes it possible – including making people more aware of the risks to themselves, their children and their wider family.

These risks are very real. When wages are low and jobs are scarce, the offer of good money for working abroad is difficult to resist. However, the reality is often forced labour and exploitation.

Major Merlinda’s team also supports survivors of trafficking, as they return home and reintegrate with their families.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED AND WHAT IS YOUR ROLE? I’m in the city of General Santos in the province of South Cotabato. I oversee the corps programme in the division, as well as the youth department. I am also the national contact person for modern slavery and human trafficking, which is another challenging role.

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED THE ARMY’S WORK? The Covid-19 pandemic has brought dramatic changes in the way we live. For example, in the corps, especially here in Mindanao, not all our comrades have internet access. We only communicate with texts through Messenger. We don’t have in-person worship or meetings, especially for youth activities because those aged 18 and under are not allowed to leave their homes – a government restriction in place since March.

We also had what we called ‘Sunday lockdown’, with no one allowed out on Sundays. That meant we relied on online worship in homes. But in December we started meeting face-to-face again and 50 per cent of the congregation can now attend.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND MODERN SLAVERY? Our government’s Department of Justice has recorded a dramatic rise in cases – almost threefold – especially with the sexual exploitation of children online.

We have an awareness campaign about online sexual exploitation to help protect

children who spend most of their time on the internet.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT FROM THE PANDEMIC? We have learnt a lot. I grow vegetables at the back of the corps building. Every Monday I would give my comrades some vegetables, as well as our neighbours who were struggling for their daily needs.

They would also knock on my door and ask for food to survive. I’m thankful for that opportunity to extend help and show practical love to my people. We are also challenged but we cannot stop helping others.

Filipinos are resilient people. Recently we had to deal with Typhoon Ulysses, which damaged many regions, especially the National Capital Region where there has been extensive flooding. It is hard but we have a ‘smiling spirit’ – we can smile amid the storms and the many struggles that are happening around us.

O This article is based on a video that can be viewed from Sunday at youtube. com/salvationarmyvideo

CAPTAIN COTTERILL IS CORPS OFFICER, CLAPTON WITH STOKE NEWINGTON AND DALSTON PLANTS

Next week Major Fozia Columbus in Pakistan

Salvationist 27 February 2021

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INTERVIEW

Talking spiritual Major Melvyn Jones speaks to Salvationist about his new book on the HAVING PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN THAT CONTENTIOUS DOCTRINE, WHAT LED YOU TO WRITE THIS? Two reasons, really. Wherever I’ve gone I’ve found that Salvationists like to talk about spiritual matters. So, I thought there would be interest in a book on Salvationist spirituality. Then, of course, it relates back to the previous book where I was dealing with the doctrine of holiness, particularly in the 19th century.

That Contentious Spirituality develops the discussion, broadening it beyond holiness and bringing the story right up to the present day.

WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF THE BOOK? There are three interlinked aims. The first is to place Salvationist spirituality within its historical and ecumenical context. Our spirituality is not some

19th-century creation – it is a living part of the tried and tested practice of Christian spirituality.

The second aim is to consider the strengths and weaknesses of our spirituality. I’m very positive about it.

The Army has been the spiritual home of countless people who have experienced and radiated something of God’s glory, which is testimony to our spirituality being God-honouring. But, like any church, we’re not perfect. I’ve looked at some areas of potential weakness, because forewarned is forearmed.

The third relates to a quote about our spirituality from General Paul Rader (Retired): ‘Nothing is more critical for our future effectiveness in mission.’ anything more I don’t think that there’s a important for the Army tha than our spirituality, so we have to get that right. provides people This book pr information, comments, with informatio and questions so that they with this vitally can engage w important subj subject, whether that’s individua individually or in a group.

WHAT DO YO YOU MEAN BY ‘SPIRITUALITY’?

‘SPIRITUALIT It is what we might m have talked about in the past as ‘holiness’ or ‘th ‘the devotional el life’. It is an elusive subject, Pro but I used Professor Glen Scorgie’s statement state as a working defini definition: ‘Spirituality encou is about encountering the transcendent and being it. In Army terms changed by it.’ we might say, for instance, that holiness is encountering the living God and being transformed b by him.

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Salvationist 27 February 2021

CAN YOU OUTLINE THE BOOK’S CONTENTS? It is divided into five parts. The first lays a foundation by exploring what we mean by ‘spirituality’ – spirituality in general and Christian spirituality in particular.

The second part deals with the history of Judeo-Christian spirituality and gives the background to Salvationist spirituality. How it has developed over the years is the subject of the third part. I use three headings to describe it: ‘Red Hot’ (the early years); ‘Cooling Down’ (from the beginning of the 20th century to the 1960s); and ‘Taking the Temperature’ (where we are now). Spiritualities change and evolve, and the spirituality of the Army today is not the same as it was in the beginning. That’s not to say it’s better or worse – it’s just adapting as time goes by.

In the fourth section I reflect on Salvationist spirituality. I look at, for instance, the sacraments, music and social work, and consider how they affect our spirituality. In the final part I try and give some guidance as to where we might go, realising that in the future our spirituality will not be the same as it is now.

WHY DO YOU DESCRIBE THE ARMY’S SPIRITUALITY AS CONTENTIOUS? Holiness was the wellspring of our spirituality, and I don’t think many people realise just how contentious that was in the early days. Both the doctrine and experience were considered dangerous by many church people. Then the Movement took a non-sacramental stance and ceased practising baptism and the Lord’s Supper. That was a huge decision and a contentious one – some would argue it’s still contentious today. There are other issues, but those are the two that particularly make our spirituality contentious.

matters spirituality of The Salvation Army WHAT ELSE IS DISTINCTIVE ABOUT SALVATIONIST SPIRITUALITY? We are part of a long tradition within the Church, but we emphasise certain things. The two most obvious are our use of the military metaphor – which is also used in the monastic spiritual tradition – and holiness revivalism.

Other emphases I identify are social work and spectacular success. Some have argued that social work has hindered our spirituality. I contend that social work is an essential part of our spirituality. The last emphasis – spectacular success – had a distinct effect upon our early-day spirituality.

WHAT ARE ITS STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES? The main strength is that we have been committed to serious discipleship from the earliest days. William and Catherine Booth had no time for nominal Christianity – you had to be totally committed, a red hot Salvationist. And when you think of today’s Soldier’s Covenant, anyone who makes those promises and keeps them is taking their discipleship seriously.

Our strengths can also become our weaknesses. For example, we can take our strengths for granted. We’ve sometimes done that by not fully appreciating the potential depth of our spirituality. Another weakness is to overemphasise strengths. For instance, some have overemphasised the military metaphor by narrowly focusing on conformity and, dare I say, obedience.

WHAT HAS INFLUENCED SALVATIONIST SPIRITUALITY? Methodism was a huge influence.

Another would be American holiness revivalism – the Booths considered moving to the USA at one point before the Army was founded. The Quakers were also an influence upon us. And there was the theological context. At the beginning of the 19th century, theology was centred on Hell and the Atonement,

but at the end of the century it was more centred on God being with us and the Incarnation.

WHAT WAS WRITING THE BOOK LIKE? It has been a lengthy process, researching and writing. Every chapter was an exciting challenge. But I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I work at the International Heritage Centre in retirement, and that’s been very helpful.

I could research topics, which was useful, but also, in handling Army material all the time, I was able to get a feel for the history of the Movement, even when I wasn’t wasn t looking for particular information. ation. That’s how the idea of ‘spectacular acular success’ came out. As I worked d with the material I realised how incredibly ibly successful we were at the turn off the 20th century.

WHAT T DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE WILL GET FROM IT? I like to o think I’m presenting some helpful,l, interesting and challenging information. ation. And I would like readers to thinkk and pray about their individual ual spirituality and the Army’s corporate ate spirituality. The definition of spirituality ality as encountering the transcendent endent and being changed by it soundss individual, but it’s a powerful corporate ate statement as well – the spirituality ality of a group is the group encountering God together er and being changed ed by him. That’s not something mething we’re strong on in the Army, so I hope readers rs will think about their corps too.

I would uld be surprised sed and almostt

disappointed if people agree with everything I’ve written. I don’t want people to agree with me – I want them to engage in a discussion about Salvationist spirituality, which I’m sure they will.

AND YOUR RATING OF THE GENERALS ACCORDING TO THEIR SAINTLINESS? You’ll have to read the book!

Contentious Spirituality is available from SP&S priced £8 (plus postage and packing)

O That

FEATURE I Periodicals from the archive

Profitable reading Dr Flore Janssen opens up archived fiction in 19th-century Salvation Army periodicals

T

HE October 1893 issue of The Officer magazine opened with an article by Commissioner Frederick Booth-Tucker – the editor at the time and one of the Founder’s sons-in-law. Titled ‘Notes on reading’, it gave advice to Salvation Army officers on making sure that their reading material and practices were ‘to profit’.

Reading, the commissioner argued, was important and a good use of leisure time as it helped officers to stay informed and educated. On the other hand, he warned against reading too much – to the exclusion of the officer’s duties – and especially against reading the wrong thing.

He stated that, while religion ‘gives us a profound distaste for the kind of books which are likely to hurt our souls or waste our time’, officers should also be on their guard against what he deemed ‘unprofitable reading’. He was especially worried about officers reading works that argued against The Salvation Army’s beliefs.

He noted that General Booth aptly compared reading these works to ‘a man taking a dose of prussic acid poison in order to judge of its exact effects’, concluding that ‘it is neither necessary nor wise’.

According to Commissioner BoothTucker, novels were ‘the curse of the day’. Reading novels was considered unprofitable as it took up time that could have been more usefully spent and, because of a novel’s harmless appearance, could put undesirable ideas in readers’ heads.

The Salvation Army, however, was (and still is) a prolific publisher. From its beginnings as The Christian Mission the organisation printed periodicals and tracts on its own printing press, housed in Ebenezer Hall on Fieldgate Street at the rear of the People’s Mission Hall in 12

Salvationist 27 February 2021

Whitechapel, East London – the first headquarters.

The printing works moved with the headquarters to Queen Victoria Street and subsequently occupied a number of different premises as part of the Trade Department. It was finally established as Campfield Press in 1911 in St Albans and remained active until 1991.

William and Catherine Booth and

many other prominent Salvationists were prolific writers and their books were marketed to the Army’s membership. The Army also produced guidelines for officers and soldiers.

Periodical output steadily increased as well – in the 1890s, alongside the War Cry and The Officer, publications included All the World, The Deliverer and The Darkest England Gazette.

Ebenezer Hall – home to the Army’s first printing press

Commissioner Booth-Tucker was clear that, in addition to the Bible, these Army publications all constituted profitable reading.

Novels may have been seen as a ‘curse’ but fiction was not necessarily condemned in the early Salvation Army. The Darkest England Gazette is an interesting case study because it explicitly aimed to appeal to a wide readership. Subtitled ‘The Official Newspaper of the Social Operations of The Salvation Army’, it informed Salvationists and the public of the work done as part of General Booth’s Darkest England scheme. For this reason it closely resembled popular contemporary periodicals, with striking illustrations and varied content that included fiction.

The Darkest England Gazette was launched in July 1893 and fiction contributions appeared from the first issue. They were primarily fictionalised versions of experiences by Salvation Army officers in their social work, such as a series of cautionary tales called ‘Hell’s shaft holes!’ by Commissioner Elijah Cadman that ran through the first three issues. The third issue also contained ‘Jack’s way out’ by Captain R Stevens, relating Jack’s redemption through the Army’s Labour Bureau and Elevator.

In August, however, the periodical announced a serialised story, ‘Lost and found in London’, published under the pseudonym ‘Glow-Worm’.

Most contributions to The Darkest

England Gazette were unsigned, so it is unclear whether the author wrote under a pseudonym because they were unsure how a work of fiction would be received. It does seem likely, however, that there was more scope for fiction in a publication intended for the public as well as Salvationists.

The narrative followed Lizzie McCullogh, who left her cottage home in Scotland because she objected to her widowed mother’s intended new husband. She travelled to London to work as a servant for her aunt. On her first afternoon out in London she couldn’t find her way back to her aunt’s house. Two Salvation Army officers rescued Lizzie from being entrapped in prostitution and restored her to her aunt.

The story became increasingly location-specific after it reached the capital. Targeted by procurers, Lizzie attracted an angry mob near the Angel, Islington, where she was spotted by Army officers walking to their north London home after a meeting in Clerkenwell. Lizzie’s aunt, who lived near Edgware Road, saw a ‘West End regiment’ of The Salvation Army on the march.

This level of specificity gave a precise and verifiable insight into the presence and work of the Army in London for non-Salvationist readers.

These encounters also allowed the story to reflect the characters’ changing attitudes towards The Salvation Army as they saw its work

up close. Watching the march, for instance, Lizzie’s aunt felt that ‘there was that about the carriage, movement and order of this West End regiment that exhibited a simplicity, earnestness and reality which she had never imagined could pertain to a street demonstration’.

The story ended with Lizzie and her aunt and uncle as loyal and vocal supporters of The Salvation Army.

The week ‘Lost and found in London’ ended saw the start of a new serialised story, ‘The Sheridan girls’, in which two sisters left their alcoholic and abusive father and were aided by The Salvation Army.

Further stories followed. The commissioning of these suggests that, for the purposes of The Darkest England Gazette, fiction was a useful tool for outreach. It could show readers examples of the Army’s work in the hope that a greater understanding would prompt more readers to support the organisation. It was not necessarily the genre, but rather the content – and also, perhaps, the intended readership – that made the difference between ‘profitable’ and ‘unprofitable’ reading.

O Keep up with the International Heritage Centre blog at salvationarmy.org.uk/ international-heritage-centre-blog DR JANSSEN IS THE FORMER DIGITAL HUMANITIES PROJECT OFFICER, INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE CENTRE Salvationist 27 February 2021

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FEATURE I World Book Day

Insights from authors To mark World Book Day (4 March) Salvationist invited six of the Army’s best-known authors to share their thoughts on books and writing

LYNDALL BYWATER What inspired you to start writing?

If you’d asked the five-year-old me what I wanted to be when I grew up, while all my friends were planning careers as nurses and firemen/ women, I’d have said ‘someone who writes stories’. Considering that was my ambition, I’ve done relatively little of the story writing thus far, but that’s when my love of writing really began.

Even at that tender age, I knew the joy of riding the highs and lows of a great story, landing at last in the happy ending, and I wanted to be able to do that for others.

MAJOR NIGEL BOVEY What inspired you to start writing?

It all started with ‘It’s behind you!’ The school pantomime was due and it needed someone to write it. With a greater reputation for making people laugh than for academic prowess, I stepped up and made the shoe fit Cinderella. Back then I was also emulating Bob Dylan in writing threechords-and-the-truth songs that would blow in the wind.

I wrote my first War Cry article in 1978.

We were selling the paper on the streets and I realised the importance of an attractive front page. I had an idea and gave it a go. It seems to have worked.

Now I write when I am not inspired.

I write because I can. I write because I know it is a God-given gift that I must exploit before my capacity to do so is behind me.

What is the most rewarding thing about writing?

I love sharing new discoveries I’ve made and, through my yet-to-be-published

novels, to paint new worlds. Nothing beats someone telling me that something I have written has changed their life.

And the most difficult or frustrating thing?

The first sentence is the most difficult.

The most frustrating thing is convincing a publisher that my novels are worth a read.

What is your favourite book of the Bible?

I have go-to passages that fascinate me – Jesus and the adulterous woman; Philip and the eunuch – but no favourite book.

Name a book that has made an impact, blessed you or challenged you.

I never feel that I have read enough – maybe that’s because I am always writing. My biggest collection is eight histories by American historian Stephen E Ambrose of Band of Brothers fame.

They are impressively researched.

The most impactful and blessing-filled book is Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. The author had been a teacher at a school my father once taught at. I wonder who wrote their pantomimes.

Books by Nigel Bovey: Telling a Children’s Story (1990); The Mercy Seat (1996); Christians in the House (1998); God, the Big Bang and BunsenBurning Issues (2008); The Mercy Seat Revisited (2010); The Mercy Seat Revisited Study Guide (2011); Blood on the Flag (2015); Browsing the Bible (2020); A Taste of Home: The Medaille Trust Cookbook, editor (2020); Keys to the Kingdom (later this year)

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What is the most rewarding thing about writing?

I love using language to bring things to life. By training I’m a linguist and I love words. I love the rhythm of them and the way you can change them very slightly and get a completely different effect. For me, the wonder of writing is in building roads and walls, windows and doorways out of words.

And the most difficult or frustrating thing?

I’m a terrible starter, especially when it comes to writing. The blank page blanks my mind. That’s the bit I like least, getting that first sentence on to the page.

GENERAL SHAW CLIFTON What inspired you to start writing?

Writing is an impulse. It is an urge that just seems to overtake you and somehow there is born, in a place between your head and your heart, the concept of the next article or book.

What is the most rewarding thing about writing?

I long ago came to see writing as part of my calling to serve God. Every book is dedicated to him even before it is written. Being at his disposal in this way is the most rewarding thing.

What is your favourite book of the Bible?

My favourite is Song of Songs – not so much for the agricultural descriptions of intimacy but because I love writing that leaves me wondering what on earth the author is on about. I love being free to see where the words take me.

Name a book that has made an impact, blessed you or challenged you.

Some of the books I’ve relished most in life have been satisfying doses of ‘chick lit’ – simple stories about lives intertwining. I love them because they what I call are usually written in wh where the ‘unobtrusive’ language, w regular, words simply serve as re consistent paving slabs that lead you heart-warming, along the road of a hear life-affirming story, and tthat is bliss.

And the most difficult or frustrating thing?

I have not experienced difficulties in connection with composing any book, but have encountered one or two past administrative frustrations with headquarters officials when they have tried – unsuccessfully – to rewrite my work!

What is your favourite book of the Bible?

This is a hard question. The Psalms feed me and speak for me, the Epistle of James is wonderfully down to earth, but if I have to choose just one book it would be the Gospel of John.

Name a book that has made an impact, blessed you or challenged you.

I read a lot of fiction, solid stuff: AJ Cronin, John le Carré and Len Deighton. But among Christian books I would want to choose General Booth’s Journal 1921–22

by Bramwell Booth. The poems of Catherine Baird would be a very close runner-up.

Books by Shaw Clifton: What Does the Salvationist Say? (1977); Growing Together (with Helen Clifton, 1984); Strong Doctrine, Strong Mercy (1985); Never the Same Again (1997); Who Are These Salvationists?

(1999); New Love: Thinking Aloud about Practical Holiness (2004 and 2018); Selected Writings, Volumes 1 and 2 (2010); From Her Heart – Selections from the Preaching and Teaching of Helen Clifton (2012); ‘Something Better…’ Autobiographical Essays ys (2014); Crown of Glory, Crown of Thorns – The Salvation Army in Wartime artime (2015); The History of The Salvation Army Volume Nine 1995–2015 5 (2018); The Brilliant Fool – Twenty Talks on the Gospels pels (2020 ebook); Unmaking Enemies – Twenty Talks on Paul’s Epistle g? – Twenty to the Romans (2020 ebook); Is God Smiling?

Talks on the Psalms (2020 ebook)

Books by Lyndall Bywater: N Neighbours, Transform Your Street! (with Re Rebekah Brettle, 2012); Faith in the Making (201 (2018); Prayer in the g (2019); Holy Habits Bib Making Bible Reflections: Prayerr (with others, 2019); Big Questions for Small Groups: Prayer (2020)

Salvationist 27 February 2021

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COMMISSIONER ROBERT STREET

GENERAL JOHN LARSSON What inspired you to start writing?

It may be in my genes. Both my paternal grandfather, Karl Larsson, and my mother, Flora Larsson, were prolific writers and each authored several books. It was teaching doctrine at the International Training College as a young captain that prompted me to write my first book, Doctrine without Tears.

What is the most rewarding thing about writing?

What is rewarding about writing for publication is its permanence. Unlike informal exchanges on social media, writers for publication know that what they write has to stand the test of time. That helps to sharpen the mind and brings its own discipline.

And the most difficult or frustrating thing?

Getting the basic idea for an article or book is probably the hardest thing about writing, but it is closely followed by the challenge of expressing and developing that idea in clear written form. It has been well said that it is hard writing that makes for easy reading. They tell me that journalists are expected to write a thousand-word column in an hour. That is not me.

What is your favourite book of the Bible?

My favourite Bible book is the Gospel of John. When as a cadet I was faced for the t e first time with the challenge of planning a daily devotional period of 30 minutes, I borrowed from the college library Campbell Morgan’s commentary on John’s Gospel ospel – and have appreciated that Gospel ever since.

Name a book that has made an impact, blessed you or challenged you.

Forty years ago I acquired the autobiography of Kenneth Roberts, a famed American erican writer of historical novels, and have read it several times. He entitled it, I Wanted d to Write. That evocative title has matched my own aspirations through the years and nd the book still stands on my bookshelf.

Books by John Larsson: Doctrine without Tears (1964); 64); ed with Spiritual Breakthrough (1983); The Man Perfectly Filled the Spirit (1986); How Your Corps Can Grow (1988); Saying Yes to Life (autobiography, 2007); 1929 – A Crisis thatt Shaped The Salvation Army’s Future (2009); Inside a High Council (2013); Those Incredible Booths (2015); Thirteen een A Astonishing Years That Shaped The Salvation Army: 1878–1890 (2019).

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What inspired you to start writing?

I recall writing and distributing Christian tracts at our local fairground when I was in my teens. A passion for putting the gospel into clear, uncomplicated, easy-to-read language was already within me. I also wrote to the editorial department at IHQ to say that the War Cry didn’t give enough emphasis to this at the time. I didn’t anticipate becoming editor 16 years later and having the opportunity to make the changes!

What is the most rewarding thing about writing?

Knowing that the different things I have written are available to others in places and ways of which I have no knowledge is a special blessing.

Another blessing is the way new thoughts come to me as I write. I receive them as a gift and with much gratitude.

And the most difficult or frustrating thing?

So many people don’t read – in whatever form it appears. It can be frustrating when you have produced material that could make a difference – to people’s lives, faith or ministry – and they never notice it is there.

What is your favourite book of the Bible?

As the Gospels cover the life, teaching and ministry of Jesus, I look to them for authentication of what I share with others. I particularly like the way Luke draws attention to the universality of the gospel and Jesus affirming women. I also enjoy thinking through Jesus’ real-life situation parables. They invite a never-ending supply of truths to discover.

Name a book that has made an impact, blessed you or challenged you.

In The Dignity of Difference Jonathan Sacks shows how people of all faiths may not only live together in harmony, but also be the better for treating one another with respect and love. Kenneth E Bailey’s Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes gave me invaluable insights into the context in which Jesus presented his teaching.

Books by Robert Street: Called to be God’s People (1999); Servant Leadership (2003); Holiness Unwrapped (2005); From Generation to Generation (with Janet Street, 2008); Love – Right at the Heart (2011); In the Master’s Hands (2016); One Army Complete Series (2017); Who is This Jesus Anyway? (2018); Head, Hands and Feet (2020); Day by Day (2021)

CHICK YUILL What inspired you to start writing?

I wish I could say something deeply spiritual, but the honest answer is that I’ve always loved books and I thought it would be really nice to see my name on the cover of one.

That might indicate some kind of weakness in my personality. But, alas, it’s the truth. And I’ve always been a compulsive communicator who thinks he’s got something worth saying.

What is the most rewarding thing about writing?

It has to be when someone tells me they couldn’t put the book down or, even better, that the story made them cry. That’s when I know that the words have life in them.

And the most difficult or frustrating thing?

Just the sheer hard work of finding the right words and putting them in the right order to get to the heart of what I’m trying to say. I don’t write quickly, so it’s a slow and sometimes painful business. That and the fact that writing is a solitary occupation. I like company and I like an audience!

What is your favourite book of the Bible?

Luke’s Gospel, because of the story of the two disciples walking to Emmaus.

That moment when Jesus breaks bread with them and they recognise him makes the hair on the back of my head stand on end.

Name a book that has made an impact, blessed you or challenged you.

Can I name two books? Unapologetic by Francis Spufford, who writes wittily and provocatively. In one of the chapters he retells the story of Jesus in a way ec ate tthe e wonder o de o e gospe es And dG ead d by that makes me appreciate of tthe gospel a afresh.

Gilead Marilynne Robinson.. She writes beautiful prose and her novels are rooted in a profoundly Christian worldview. The only problem I have with both these writers fted it almost makes me ask, ‘Why do I bother?’ But they is that they are so gifted do remind me of the power of good writing and make r. me want to do better.

Books by Chick Yuill: We e Need Saints (1988); Battle Orders (1989); This Means s War (1994); And God Created Sex! (1995); Leadership on n the Axis of Change (2003); Others (2007); A Terrible Beautyy (2008); Moving in the Right Circles (2011); Rooks ks at Dusk (2017); The Man Who Broke into St Peter’s (2018); The Mystery of Matthew Gold (2019); To the Fourth Generation (2020); Albert Stridemore’s Lockdown own Discoveries (2020)

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BIBLE STUDY

Be holy Major Malcolm Martin reminds us to dispense with bad habits and lead transformed lives of true hope

1 PETER 1:13 TO 2:3

‘A

GLIMMER of hope!’

‘Hope on the horizon!’

‘Shot of hope!’ These were just some of the hope-filled headlines that trumpeted the start of the Covid-19 vaccination programmes. For many this news came as a considerable relief, signalling a change of outlook following a period of significant challenges. One respondent to The Guardian even went so far as to say: ‘It just suddenly felt as though I’d entered the next phase of my life.’

In a similar manner to other New Testament letters, 1 Peter moves from a discussion of doctrine to address the way in which believers commence a new phase of life, urging them to live transformed lives in the light of God’s grace.

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

by Major Jane Kimberley

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Salvationist 27 February 2021

QUESTION O Can you identify when you felt that faith introduced a new phase of life?

The tone of this passage is marked by a series of imperatives, the first of which exhorts believers to be completely filled with hope. This call is to a certain and purposeful hope, which responds to all that God has done in Christ and will do in us through grace.

It is on this hope-filled foundation that believers are called to thoughtfully prepare themselves to act differently.

‘Gird up the loins of your mind’ (1:13 New King James Version) might best be seen as a deliberate rolling up of our mental sleeves, which aligns us to ‘have the same mindset as Christ’ (Philippians 2:5). Peter further reinforces the message that our reality has been changed through Christ, obliging us to live accordingly and enabling us to serve the Lord through

a changed life that expresses true hope (see 1:21). ‘We are ordained of God to be people of hope,’ wrote Walter Brueggemann in The Prophetic Imagination.

QUESTION O Where do you find hope in daily life?

A further exhortation emphasises the obligation to ‘be holy’ (1:15), rooted in the essential nature of God (see Leviticus 19:2). All are called to holiness, to be positively separated to God’s purposes, orientated to God’s will, reflecting the character of God and different from how we used to be; this is the only proper response to God’s awesome goodness and justice.

Holiness of the heart aligned to God’s love is possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Mention of the ‘lamb without blemish’ (1:19) may call to mind the suffering servant of Isaiah, or the sacrificial system in general, but the

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Gracious Spirit, dwell with me;/ I myself would gracious be,/ And with words that help and heal/ Would thy life in mine reveal;/ And with actions bold and meek/ Would for Christ, my Saviour, speak.

(SASB 300)

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives among you?

(1 Corinthians 3:16)

Truthful Spirit, dwell with me;/ I myself would truthful be,/ And with wisdom kind and clear/ Let thy life in mine appear;/ And with actions brotherly/ Speak my Lord’s sincerity.

(SASB 300)

image probably links most strongly to the Passover celebration, with its focus on thanksgiving for the liberation provided

by God. It is this costly deliverance, effected in the past through the life-giving blood of Jesus, which enables us to be holy and to participate in the resurrection life of Christ.

‘We can love in any moment when we respond appropriately in that moment to God’s call to love,’ wrote Thomas Oord in Attaining Perfection: Love for God and Neighbour.

QUESTION O Does the idea of liberating love at the heart of holiness offer helpful clarity, or further confuse an already complex concept?

The encouragement to be holy is not primarily for our benefit, to offer us a sense of pious satisfaction or even superiority. The relationship of holy love

with God is vital preparation for the ongoing imperative to love others with intensity and true depth. The imperishable message of God’s love should kindle our love for one another, ensuring that holiness has a communal focus, recognised in John Wesley’s assertion that there is ‘no holiness but social holiness’.

Believers are urged to dispense with bad habits that detract from the common good and instead hunger for good habits, such as loving one another and drawing nourishment from the living Word.

Elsewhere in the New Testament it is suggested that believers should seek to move on from an infant diet (see 1 Corinthians 3:2 and Hebrews 5:12), but in 1 Peter 2:2, ‘pure spiritual milk’ should be craved as sufficient for growth.

In Greek, ‘the Lord is good’ sounds somewhat similar to ‘Christ is Lord’. As we centre our lives on Jesus, we will experience that Christ is Lord and the

Lord is good; this new reality should be readily apparent to all.

QUESTION might you cultivate holy habits that help to centre your life on Christ?

O How

‘And this is the word that was preached to you’ (1:25) suggests that the recipients have received this teaching previously, but perhaps need a reminder. In difficult circumstances, were they perhaps beginning to lose hope, neglect holiness and fall back into bad habits? Do we, like them, need the reminder of what it actually means to be holy?

MAJOR MARTIN IS TRAINING PROGRAMME DIRECTOR, WILLIAM BOOTH COLLEGE

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

(Hebrews 12:14)

Mighty Spirit, dwell with me;/ I myself would mighty be,/ Mighty so as to prevail/ Where unaided man must fail;/ Ever by a mighty hope/ Pressing on and bearing up.

(SASB 300)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

Holy Spirit, dwell with me;/ I myself would holy be,/ Separate from sin, I would/ Choose and cherish all things good;/ And whatever I can be/ Give to him who gave me thee.

(SASB 300)

Prayer Loving Holy Spirit, may your presence in my life direct all that I think, do or say and bring glory to God.

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PREVIEW

Informed prayer, prayerful action Liz Hall introduces this year’s World Day of Prayer

A

LTHOUGH preparations for the World Day of Prayer have been disrupted, it will still go ahead on Friday 5 March.

The World Day of Prayer is a womenled, international and inter-church organisation that champions the voices of women all around the world. Men and women of all ages can participate and much effort is put into preparing resources to support children and young people’s inclusion and encourage additional exploration of each year’s highlighted country.

The day is celebrated in more than 170 countries, beginning in Samoa and continuing through countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, before finishing in American Samoa some 39 hours later – a global wave of prayer.

IN FOCUS: VANUATU This year’s service has been prepared by the women of the Republic of Vanuatu, located in the South Pacific Ocean, just off the northeast coast of Australia. It is a call to prayer for their country and an opportunity to explore the issues they face.

The pristine beauty and ecosystem of the archipelago serve its people well and Vanuatu is a great holiday location.

However, the challenges from severe weather systems and natural disasters, including frequent tropical storms, cyclones and active volcanoes, are vast.

The country also deals with a number of challenging economic and political issues. Education is not free and not compulsory. Most families can still only afford to educate their first born, and boys get priority. Even though there have been challenges to this over the past 20 years, the literacy gap remains.

The health of women and girls is a priority for the government, but physical and sexual domestic violence affect 20

Salvationist 27 February 2021

more than half the female population.

Malnutrition is also a growing problem, reflecting the global statistics on increasing food insecurity.

Through the service the challenge is given to ‘build on a strong foundation’ and live in unity, love and peace in the context of the ethnic and cultural diversity experienced in Vanuatu and around the world.

SALVATION ARMY ENGAGEMENT The Salvation Army is represented on the three committees that separately serve the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland through the England, Northern Ireland and Wales (ENIW) Committee, the Scotland Committee and the Ireland Committee.

The Salvation Army is also active in local ecumenical branches. Some personnel take the role of branch secretary and corps sometimes provide the venue for the service.

COVID-19 IMPACT Much of this year has been spent encouraging branch secretaries to adapt to new technology, and consideration has been given to different ways of engaging across the nations.

Some services will be postponed until later in the year, some will be presenting pre-recorded material via Zoom, while others are using YouTube and some will celebrate the event with friends over virtual coffee. There is information on the World Day of Prayer website regarding the services you can join, and hints and tips on hosting the service in a new way.

While much of the focus is on the service and the wave of prayer that emanates from it, the tagline ‘informed prayer, prayerful action’ encourages branches to keep researching the featured country and praying for it and the issues facing it.

Resources to support this prayerful action can be found on the website, where the magazine Together in Prayer can be purchased and a free prayer diary downloaded.

FUNDRAISING Donations given on ‘the day’ will help support the ongoing work of national committees and specifically the national committee of the nation in focus.

In 2019 more than £100,000 was granted through the ENIW Committee alone, supporting a range of services: summer camps for families in Albania, sanitary products to enable girls to attend school in Kenya, the Royal National Institute of Blind People and 28 Too Many, a charity raising awareness of and support for victims of female genital mutilation.

Online and phone donations are being encouraged this year. Any amount can be donated up to £40 by including the sum in a text message.

For example, to donate £5 simply text 2021WDP 5 to 70085. Texts cost the amount donated plus the standard message rate.

O Further information can be found on the websites wwdp.org.uk, wdpscotland.org.uk and wwdpi.com O If you are a branch secretary or involved in a local branch it would be great to know who and where you are, so please send your contact details to family.ministries@salvationarmy.org.uk

LIZ IS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FAMILY MINISTRIES AND THE ARMY’S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE ENIW COMMITTEE

LETTERS

HALLOWED GROUND THANKS are due to Chloe Wilson for the slice of Army history in her article ‘Tales from the theatre’ about the early use of non-religious venues (Salvationist 16 January). In more recent times much use has been made of ‘outside’ buildings for events such as music festivals and carol concerts, but not perhaps for meetings, although there may have been exceptions.

When I was a young bandsman at Brighouse in 1945, the then corps officer, Major Holloway, had the vision to hire the Savoy Cinema for the Sunday afternoon and evening of the corps diamond anniversary, conducted by Colonel Robert Hoggard.

My parents, who had been away from the Army for many years in Guernsey and Yorkshire, and for whom I had prayed, were in the evening salvation meeting during which the colonel delivered a powerful message based on 1 John 1:8 and 9. During the ensuing prayer time I was made aware that they were kneeling at the improvised mercy seats in front of the stage, which became hallowed ground. The

William Booth at the East London Theatre rejoicing that night was not only in Heaven! They resumed consecrated service to the Lord at Brighouse and Hemel Hempstead to the end of their days.

Len Roberts Hemel Hempstead

THE SOLDIERSHIP A SMALL PRICE DILEMMA TO PAY

SOMETHING OF VALUE

I READ with interest ‘The soldiership dilemma’ (Salvationist 23 January) and was particularly drawn to the next but last paragraph. I was left wondering what comes under the term ‘a few lifestyle choices’ that would be acceptable to become a soldier in The Salvation Army. Also what, indeed, ‘few lifestyle choices’ would not be acceptable to become a soldier? Until these questions are answered then I fear that there will be no satisfactory answer to ‘the soldiership dilemma’.

IN response to ‘The soldiership dilemma’, I prefer to keep living with our Salvation Army rules, which from start to finish have been about living a Christlike life and seeking to save lost souls. William Booth always knew that not all of God’s soldiers would sign up as Salvationists. He did hope to inspire others to imitate us, and he taught us not to criticise others who, in their own way, were seeking the same goals.

I have always considered it a privilege to give up small ambitions and even some habits that can have a negative effect on our witness. It is a small price to pay for the joy of reaching out to the lost with all our time and energy.

AS the DPD delivery driver put a parcel on my front doorstep, he said he’d brought similar parcels before and asked me what was inside. I told him they were Salvation Army magazines, to which he replied, ‘Oh, nothing of value.’ I had to tell him they were very much of value as far as we were concerned: they keep us up-to-date with what’s happening in the Army world while providing encouragement and comfort in these uncertain times.

Thank you to everyone concerned – the editorial staff, contributors, printers and distributors – for keeping them in our hands for the past 11 months. Your efforts are much appreciated!

Jaime Revadeo Reidsville, USA

Mary Tyler Pontefract

Barbara Lucas Stockton Brook

NOT WEARY YET

LETTERS

I FEEL I must express my gratitude to Salvationist for highlighting the opportunity to purchase the book Not Weary Yet by Jim Wilson. During these days and living alone I’ve been reading a great deal and, as I soldiered at Leighton Buzzard, knew Jim and his family some years ago. I’ve really enjoyed this very interesting book of one family’s service in The Salvation Army. As a Salvation Army officer’s kid, my family moved every two years and I was born in Paisley, Scotland, so reading about this lovely Christian family and the Scottish corps referred to in this book has been uplifting.

Joyce Barnett Bedford

Readers’ letters are a popular and well-read section of Salvationist.

Many years ago General Frederick Coutts said letters for publication in the Army’s press should be ‘carefully thought out, logically presented and charitably expressed’. Letters may be edited and should ideally be no more than 300 words.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE APPOINTED Effective 31 January O Major Anne Read, Weymouth and Portland, pro tem to 15 July Effective 11 February O Major Ian Emery, additional appointment, project lead, online corps O Captain Lynley Oliver, additional appointment, cadet welfare officer, WBC Effective 1 March O Captain Marion Rouffet, additional appointment, public affairs officer, THQ Effective 4 March O Major Mary Wolfe, Fresh Expressions Neath, Core Recovery Effective 1 April O Major Karl Gray, divisional support officer, North London DHQ O Major Ruth Gray, divisional support officer, North London DHQ Effective 29 April O Captain Keely Standley, training co-ordinator (Regional Learning and Leadership Development Framework), WBC Effective 5 August O Major Liesl Baldwin, additional appointment, territorial godly play support officer, THQ LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED CSM Frank Riddle, Andover O SL Carole Towers, Newcastle City Temple O

AWARDED O David Stanley, Leigh-on-Sea, appointed BEM RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Major David Wakefield (80 on 8 March) O Major Muriel Irvine (85 on 8 March) PROMOTED TO GLORY Christine Walker, Croydon Citadel O S/Reservist Maureen Ayling, Eastbourne Citadel O Ray Woods, York O Jean Spooner, Sutton-in-Ashfield O Eric Shakespeare, Sutton-in-Ashfield O John Denyer, Eastbourne Citadel O Peggy Booker, Southampton Sholing O Barbara Carre, Guernsey O Brian Hopkins, Exmouth, on 30 January O Joan Randall, Kettering Citadel, on 31 January O John Town, Driffield, on 16 February O

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Salvationist 27 February 2021

BEREAVED O Malcolm Walker, Croydon Citadel, of his wife Christine, Colin Walker, Caroline Baker, Christopher Walker and Catherine Spokes of their mother, Rosemary Wooldridge, Mark Pursglove and John Pursglove of their sister O SL Mark Ayling, Eastbourne Citadel, Denise Waldren, Reading Central, and Paula Alavi of their mother S/Reservist Maureen Ayling O Richard Woods, York, of his father Ray O Mary Denyer, Eastbourne Citadel, of her husband John O Major Linda Booker and Janet Clark, both Southampton Sholing, of their mother Peggy O Paul Carre, Guernsey, of his mother Barbara, Audrey Robins, Peter Mudge, both Guernsey, Margaret and Joan of their sister O B/Sec David Randall, Kettering Citadel, of his wife Joan O Major Lois Town, Driffield, of her husband John OFFICIAL GAZETTE UKI Territory LONG SERVICE 25 years O Major Kenneth Sandison, chaplain, Edinburgh and Midlothian Homelessness Services ANTHONY COTTERILL Commissioner Territorial Commander

TRIBUTES COLONEL JOY COOPER JOY Smith was born in 1939 to officer parents at Leamington Spa. Throughout her early years she moved with them around the territory. Leaving Carlisle Citadel in 1957, she joined her parents at Cradley Heath where she met her future husband, Robert Cooper.

They married in 1961 and in 1963 entered the International Training College in the Proclaimers of the Faith session. Following commissioning in 1965, Joy enjoyed the life and work at three corps in East Anglia, during which time Sarah and Anna were

born. This was followed by service overseas in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, where life was rewarding and challenging, and where Jonathan was born.

Her appointments included confidential work, such as being involved in the reorganisation of International and National Headquarters, setting up the Russia Command and being personal assistant to three world secretaries for women’s ministries.

Joy loved people, especially young people whom she served for many years.

This included six appointments related to youth work at corps level – she was a corps cadet guardian twice. She had an affinity with youngsters. They understood that she loved them unconditionally and would champion their causes come what may.

While she was without an appointment, Joy undertook two counselling courses and spent 12 years counselling out of Thornton Heath Corps.

In retirement she served for four years as a patient governor at King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill. At Bromley Temple she took on the role of assistant home league secretary for five years and worked with the parent-and-toddler group.

Joy was aptly named as she was a joy to all who met her. She was a warm, open person with whom people were content to share their innermost thoughts and feelings. Words are insufficient to describe how the family feel at the loss of such a happy, positive and loving person.

– RDC RAYMOND DUQUEMIN, GUERNSEY RAY was born in Guernsey in 1933.

During the island’s occupation in the Second World War, Ray was evacuated to south Doncaster, where he was eventually reunited with his aunt, uncle and cousin who looked after him until he returned to Guernsey.

Becoming a grower like his parents, Ray specialised in cultivating tomatoes, potatoes, daffodils, freesias and irises.

Later in life he changed career and worked for Barclays Bank.

With his wife, Sheila, Ray started worshipping at The Salvation Army more than 35 years ago. He was a tremendous

supporter of everything that happened at the corps and served as welcome sergeant, alongside other duties.

Ray was much loved and his friendship and interest in others were an encouragement and Christian support to many over the years. – JH DAVID McMARTIN, AIRDRIE FROM his first hallelujah to his last amen, David was a man of God. His faith came first, which was reflected in his love for his family and their love for him.

David’s love of God was shown in his commitment to serve at Airdrie, where bringing others to know the Lord was his priority.

He studied God’s word and was a true prayer warrior, praying for anyone he came in contact with – prayers that were valued by all on his list. He served as songster leader, and his well-known love of music, expressed through brass banding and singing, enabled him to reach more people with the gospel.

He asked that no tribute be given when he was promoted to Glory, but that the gospel be preached instead. No better sermon could be preached than his life of love for his Saviour. – SM BERYL WALKER, BURTON-ON-TRENT A GRACIOUS Christian lady, Beryl transferred to the Army from a church background and soon became assimilated into corps activities. She was enrolled as a soldier and got involved in the songsters, thoroughly enjoying her singing.

Beryl’s forte was flower arranging.

She made many arrangements for the holiness table and was fully involved when the corps organised a flower festival. Many a comrade was blessed by a gift of a posy supplied by Beryl.

As time went on she became more disabled and relied upon transport to the corps, but often used her mobility scooter to travel the considerable distance from her home to attend the over-60 and luncheon clubs – often in all kinds of weather.

Beryl’s quiet influence is sorely missed but her reward is in Heaven. – KA

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COUNSELLING O THERAPY O MEDIATION

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

salvationarmy.org.uk/resources

Government Disability Survey The Disability Unit at the Cabinet Office has launched a public survey to gather views and experiences for the National Strategy of Disabled People which is planned for the spring.

The strategy aims to make practical changes to policies which strengthen the ability of people with a disability to participate fully in society. It is hoped that the survey will help the government understand what barriers people with a disability face and provide practical solutions that could improve their quality of life.

The survey will cover aspects such as: O Employment O Accessible public services O Experiences of discrimination and abuse O Ways to access further support The survey is seeking the views of: O People with disabilities O Carers O Charities O Stakeholders There is also opportunity at the end of the survey for people to state if their life has changed notably due to Covid-19, and in what ways.

By taking part in this survey people everywhere can help shape the national strategy, ensuring that the interests of people with disabilities are front and centre.

The survey, which is open until 23 April, is fully accessible to ensure as many people as possible have their voices heard.

O Take part in the survey at disabilityunit.citizenspace.com O If you are unable to complete the online survey you can send a statement of no more than 250 words to ducitizenspace@ cabinetoffice.gov.uk or the Disability Unit Cabinet Office, 10 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0NB

Salvationist 27 February 2021

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Happy World Book Day! Find fresh faith inspiration ahead of the celebration on Thursday 4 March

PRAYER

IN DARKEST ENGLAND: 130 YEARS ON

BROWSING THE BIBLE

With grace and humour, Lyndall Bywater’s Prayer explores some of the big questions and tries to tackle some of the seemingly illogical bits too. Helpful for virtual small-group discussions and individual study.

Part of the Big Questions for Small Groups series.

Coming soon, The Bible.

William Booth’s In Darkest England and the Way Out was released in October 1890. It presented his proposals for creating social and welfare services, which had a lasting impact on The Salvation Army’s work. In Darkest England: 130 Years On reflects on this influential bestseller.

Major Nigel Bovey gives chapter and verse on Scripture, with a concise overview of all 66 books.

Each entry offers context, highlights themes and ends with a crafted prayer. Use it for individual study and online groups, as a signpost for sermons or an introduction for new Christians.

Buy now for

£3

Buy now for

£8

Buy now for

£8

THAT CONTENTIOUS SPIRITUALITY Diversity, unity and spirituality. How do these three things go together? In this sequel to That Contentious Doctrine, Major Melvyn Jones says the Church doesn’t have to be one-size-fits-all. Rather, there is unity in diversity.

O Discover

how recognising and celebrating our differences – including our spirituality – are God-honouring O Explore how to celebrate the distinctive diversity of Salvation Army spirituality while building wider church unity O Find out more about the history of the Army and the deeply felt spiritual teachings of the Founders O Investigate contemporary spiritual movements within the Army and the importance of imagination in shaping the future of its spirituality Why not shake up your virtual group discussions with a fresh take on Salvationist spirituality or delve into it as part of your devotional time? Either way, don’t miss out!

Buy now for

£8

All these and more are available from sps-shop.com/books or as Kindle ebooks from amazon.co.uk