Salvationist 27 June 2020

SALVATIONIST For everyone linked to The Salvation Army

No.1762 Price 70p

www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 27 June 2020

Focusing on families in the Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory

PLUS GOING TO THE PICTURES

SEE PAGES 12 AND 13

QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

NON-BELIEVERS SHOULD HAVE FINANCIAL STAKE IN SAVING LOCAL CHURCHES, SCOTTISH THEOLOGIAN ARGUES A leading theologian has argued that non-Christians ought to be involved in keeping local churches afloat as the coronavirus crisis continues to threaten the finances of several leading denominations.

The Church of Scotland... announced that it expects congregational giving to be slashed by £30 million this year…

As a result, senior church officials have urged the need for a ‘pruning’ of the church’s estate in order to balance the books.

The Rev Dr Doug Gay insists that Church of Scotland buildings are endowed with a unique significance among local communities and, as such, people of all belief systems should stump up the cash required to keep them open.

He said: ‘[Sociologists] talk about “vicarious Christians”. People who want the Church to be there but don’t go and don’t pay for it anymore. This is particularly important when it comes to buildings...

‘I’d like to see more opportunities for communities to rally round and work with a congregation, and for the Church to make sure chances are given to save buildings where they are valued by a community.’

‘The Church shouldn’t act like a bank or a supermarket closing down unprofitable local branches. On the other hand the Church can’t go on living way beyond its means.’

CHURCHES EXPERIENCE SURGE IN INTEREST DURING COVID-19

INEQUALITY WILL WORSEN UNLESS MINISTERS ACT, SAYS THINK TANK

Churches across the UK have experienced a surge in interest following the outbreak of coronavirus, new research from the Evangelical Alliance has found.

In a new report… 59 per cent of the 900 churches and organisations surveyed reported a marked increase in people interested in finding out more about the Christian faith...

Over two thirds (70 per cent) of church leaders reported more people attending services during the lockdown than would normally…

Evangelical Alliance UK Director Peter Lynas said… ‘Buildings may be closed, but the Church is very much open... to make Jesus known and to help the most vulnerable in our society.

‘We... encourage churches to keep being creative when it comes to mission and compassion.’

Britain risks entrenching deep class, ethnic, gender, educational, generational and geographical divides unless the government acts to tackle inequality, a leading think tank has said.

A report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said the Covid-19 pandemic threatened to make life worse for the most vulnerable groups and urged ministers to seize the opportunity to forge an inclusive recovery.

The IFS said... that would be the outcome in the absence of better education and training, moves to ensure the survival of small businesses and the provision of catch-up lessons for children from poorer households...

Robert Joyce, the deputy director at IFS... said... ministers should be laying the foundations for a strong and inclusive recovery.

Christian Today

The Guardian

DONATIONS TO BIGGEST CHARITIES DRY UP AS GIVERS TURN TO NHS Britain’s biggest charities are facing a huge shortfall despite public donations rising since lockdown because the NHS and food banks have taken the lion’s share of giving.

The fundraising income of the top 50 charities by total donation value slumped by 93 per cent in the month after lockdown as large charitable events such as the London Marathon were postponed or cancelled.

Figures from Virgin Money Giving... show that cancer charities saw donations drop by 87 per cent while those to mental health charities fell 85 per cent.

Donations to charities supporting the NHS jumped by 2,000 per cent over the same period and giving to food banks increased by 3,000 per cent...

The biggest charities... get the largest proportion of their donations from sponsored events that usually take place over the spring and summer. Many are now facing the prospect of having to reduce their services.

Premier

The Times

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GENERAL Brian Peddle

salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist

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

EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts – 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford – 020 7367 4891 EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Shanelle Manderson – 020 7367 4894 Simon Hope – 020 7367 4892 Melita Day-Lewis – 020 7367 4887 Major Margaret Bovey COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Major Godspower Anozie – 020 7367 4893 ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden – 020 7367 4883 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight – 020 7367 4895 Louise Phillips – 020 7367 4896 PROOFREADER Chris Horne

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Salvationist 27 June 2020

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

Published weekly by The Salvation Army and printed on paper from sustainable sources by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell. © The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland. The Salvation Army is a Christian church and a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

ISSN 2516-5909

FOUNDER William Booth

TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARY Major Mal Davies

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CONTENTS

REEL INNOVATION THURSDAY 2 July is Founders’ Day, our annual opportunity to remember with thanks those who laid the foundations for this Movement. We usually think of William and Catherine Booth, but there were many others – people whose names may not be so familiar – who played significant roles in establishing and shaping The Christian Mission and The Salvation Army. That’s a reminder that we all have something to contribute, even if our efforts never make it into the history books.

Looking back, I am always amazed at the imagination and innovation of early Salvationists as they tried new methods of communicating the gospel. Not only did they adopt and adapt elements of popular culture, such as the music hall and the brass band, they also made use of new technology. One obvious example is the series of motor tours William Booth began in 1904, leading meetings in towns and villages across the country as he went.

Before that, though, there had been an even more remarkable innovation. The articles on pages 12 and 13 describe how, in the 1890s, the Army introduced the magic lantern, showing coloured slides, and the cinematograph, showing moving pictures. Thousands of people would turn up to Salvation Army picture shows, seeing and hearing the message in a way they never had before. Adjutant Joseph Perry – one of those people you may not have heard of – led the way in Australia, putting the Army at the forefront of that country’s film industry in the early 20th century.

The Army not only made its own films but has also featured in many of those made by commercial studios. On page 14 Robert Smith looks at some of these films, focusing on one made in 1947: The Mighty McGurk. Unfortunately, it is not easily available, but on page 21 we highlight websites offering Christian films that are. The lockdown has given many families more time together than they’ve ever had – perhaps more than they’ve ever wanted to have! – and these films can provide wholesome and inspiring entertainment.

Families are the focus of the ‘In the zone’ feature on pages 10 and 11. This series, looking at work in the Army’s Europe Zone, now turns to the Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory, where all kinds of creative efforts are being made to reach out to children and parents. It shows that imagination and innovation are still a feature of the Army.

‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ says the proverb, and during these days when corps buildings have not been open for Sunday meetings and midweek activities, many corps have had to find new ways to provide worship and ministry. Necessity may not have led them to invent anything but they have made imaginative use of the latest online channels of communication, such as Zoom, Facebook and YouTube.

No doubt the early Army was criticised for using novel means to share the gospel, and modern ways of communicating might not be to everyone’s taste. But being creative is part of what it means to reflect the image of our creator God, so it seems fitting that we should look for new ways to make him known and to meet with each other for worship and fellowship.

Quotes from the media

2

Message from the Territorial Commander

4

News

5 to 8

Prayer matters Infinitely more

8

by Stephanie Chagas-Bijl

Campaigns Preparing for life after lockdown

by Matthew Sowemimo

In the zone 10 and 11 Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory Feature 12 Going to the Army... going to the pictures!

Feature Stepping into the limelight

13

Feature The Mighty McGurk

14

by Robert Smith

Feature Reaching out

15

by Lieut-Colonels Seth and Janet Appeateng

Poet’s corner Absolutely!

16 and 17

Reflection A heart set free

17

by Brian Colley

Bible study 18 and 19 Carefree in the care of God

by Lieut-Colonel Karen Shakespeare

Through the week with Salvationist 18 and 19

by Lieut-Colonel Brenda Oakley

Letters

20

Review 21 Praise To The Lord – With Brass reviewed by Ronald Holz OF

Resources Films for all the family Announcements

From the Editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

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21

22 and 23

Adverts

23

Quiz

24

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

Salvationist 27 June 2020

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A MESSAGE FROM THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER

Doing what Jesus says

B

ACK in the 1970s, when I was a 16-year-old living with my parents, who were the corps officers at Boscombe, The Salvation Army sent an officer from the Korea Territory to stay with us. Major Kim Suk-tai had obviously been identified as a potential senior international leader because the Army needed him to learn English.

He was a great guy and became a real friend to me. One evening there was a knock on my bedroom door. It was Kim Suk-tai. He came in and, in his broken English, asked if he could read the Bible to me. I agreed, and he read the Bible like I’d never heard it read before. Then he said a few words, prayed with me and left. But just as he was leaving he put his head back round the door, pointed at me and said, ‘One day, Anthony, you will become a Salvation Army officer.’ I can see myself now, putting my head back on the pillow and realising that yes, this was for me.

I thank God for Kim Suk-tai, who came 5,500 miles from South Korea to Bournemouth to tell me that God had sent him on a mission.

The passage he read was the story of Jesus changing water into wine: ‘On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear 4

Salvationist 27 June 2020

woman, why do you involve me?”

Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:1–5 New International Version 2001). That last line is a key to understanding the passage and what it is to be a follower of Jesus Christ: ‘Do whatever he tells you.’

Verse 6 says: ‘Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from eighty to a hundred and twenty litres.’

We’ve got used to having to wash our hands. In New Testament times it was the natural, the religious thing to do, to wash your hands and your feet on arrival so you might then enter into the hospitality of the home. Even between courses it would be necessary to stop and to rewash your hands.

There were six ceremonial washing jars, and Kim Suk-tai explained that in the Scriptures seven is a perfect number, so six is not quite perfect. He said these jars were something of the old, but that now something of the new was coming. The ritual ways were to be surpassed by something that Jesus was bringing and doing.

Jesus told the servants to fill the jars with water, and a miracle took place.

The master of the banquet tasted it and, not realising what Jesus had done, said to the bridegroom, ‘Everyone who

brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till last’ (v10).

The miracle had taken place, the taste was marvellous and the master of the banquet was amazed. Something significant happens when Jesus has his hands upon things. Regardless of our circumstances, when we do what Jesus asks of us, the best can be now.

Whether that’s a simple email, a phone call, a letter, an act of kindness to a neighbour – or whether it’s seeking his guidance for the so-called bigger things of life – when we do whatever he asks of us, the best is now.

As I heard all this as a 16-year-old, I joined in the verse at the end of that passage: ‘He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him’ (v11).

When I heard all that explained, I realised I needed to be a man of faith – a person who would respond positively to what God was directing me to do. Eventually it led me, with Gill, to the training college in 1982. And it led me to the mercy seat in the Assembly Hall, where I knelt and entered into a covenant with God: ‘To love and serve him supremely all my days; to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life; to care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love the unlovable and befriend those who have no friends; to maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army and, by God’s grace, to prove myself a worthy officer.’

The cadets of the Messengers of the Kingdom Session will sign their names to that covenant on 8 July, and I ask you to pray for them as they prepare to do that.

And may we all be obedient to what God is saying to us today, joining in with him and his plan for our lives and being determined to go forward in his name.

ANTHONY COTTERILL COMMISSIONER TERRITORIAL COMMANDER O This

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

NEWS

COMMUNITY

Officer returns to NHS front line ESSEX LIEUTENANT Daniel Holland (THQ) has returned to the NHS front line to use his expert skills to care for people who have been affected by Covid-19.

Since Easter, Lieutenant Daniel has been carrying out his role as an assistant regional officer for the Homelessness Services Unit during the week and, in his free time, has been working as a nurse at the Princess Alexandra Hospital after the NHS put a call out for trained staff to return and help.

‘I simply couldn’t stay at home at the weekends when I knew people were suffering. I had to help and will continue to help the NHS for as long as they need me,’ he said.

His Salvation Army colleagues

NEWS IN BRIEF

‘

£7,792

I SIMPLY COULDN’T STAY AT HOME AT THE WEEKENDS WHEN I KNEW PEOPLE WERE SUFFERING

and fellow officers are happy to know he is supporting not one but two essential organisations during the coronavirus pandemic.

‘Nursing is so varied’ he added,

‘and whether I am giving out medications or simply sitting by someone’s side, I don’t see a real distinction between my nursing and my officership.’ – AR

SEE PAGE 6

150

trainees learning in lockdown

OUTREACH

MERTHYR TYDFIL With no corps officer, CSM Lynne Brill is sending weekly newsletters to all members and friends, which includes information on what is happening in the corps and the Army world as well as a Bible message. Clothes parcels have been delivered to those in need and the main entrance to the hall has been decorated with Scripture verses, prayers and words of encouragement from corps folk for passers-by to read. – AR PENARTH Daily thoughts, Sunday meetings and pastoral phone calls have helped many in the fellowship feel connected during the coronavirus lockdown. Thanks to modern technology, corps members are keeping in touch with and supporting each other. While eager to return to church activities, the corps continues to trust God to see it through this difficult time. – CP

grant to help vulnerable people

SEE PAGE 6

420

supply bags distributed in May SEE PAGE 7

2.1 million

LEICESTER WEST Corps members Vava and Nyara Musiiwa and their children, Chelsea, Alicia and George, have transformed an area in the hall’s car park that was waist-high in nettles, grass and weeds. The piece of land is now a beautiful, thriving and ever-developing garden, which brings joy to the community. The garden includes a small pond as well as plants and bulbs donated by corps folk and people in the community. Many passers-by have expressed their appreciation. The family have also enjoyed the opportunity to work in the garden during lockdown. Corps officer Major Anita Purkiss said: ‘This transformation has only been possible because of the willingness of one family to dedicate their gifts, time and sheer effort to reach out to others through this ministry.’ – AR

people claiming unemployment benefits SEE PAGE 8

Salvationist 27 June 2020

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NEWS

ARMY NEWS

CORPS

COMMUNITY

Territorial leader reflects on lockdown

Trainees keep learning in lockdown

LONDON

HADLEIGH FARM ESTATE

TERRITORIAL Leader for Leader Development Commissioner Gill Cotterill shared her lockdown experience in an article for Premier Christianity magazine.

Commissioner Gill discussed her personal highs and lows as well as God’s message to us all during this challenging time.

‘God always desires to bring good out of the most difficult of circumstances. I love the fact that people have become kinder, cared for each other more and that whole communities have worked together for the good of everyone,’ she said.

Speaking of the opportunities provided despite the difficulties of the lockdown, Commissioner Gill commented: ‘Online worship services have enabled people who would never have considered walking through the doors of our buildings to join in worship and hear the word. I am thrilled to know that some people have found faith in God. Could this be the time of refreshing that we have dreamed of ? An unexpected door of opportunity has opened up for us to serve, especially the poor, the vulnerable and disadvantaged.’

She concluded: ‘Now is the time to be bold, step out and trust in God, who “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever” (Ephesians 3:20 and 21). Now that is exciting!’ – AR

ADULTS with additional support needs and their carers are continuing to find help, advice and lifeskills training from the Hadleigh training centre, even while it is closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Staff members have adapted training programmes so that the centre’s 150 trainees don’t miss out on vital learning and support for their well-being during lockdown.

Training includes weekly virtual catch-ups as well as a range of activities.

Hadleigh Estate Director Ciaran Egan explained: ‘We contact our trainees at least once a week to check on their welfare and adapt how we support them. We personally deliver a different practical activity each week for them to complete – this has included hanging baskets, cupcake baking and sanding activities. Each activity is matched to a YouTube tutorial and a set of easy-to-read instructions.’

The centre also offers online electronic activities, along with scavenger hunts, wordsearches and recipes to use at home. Staff are working via interactive Zoom meetings, including bringing the choir together for virtual practices and, eventually, a performance.

‘Our closed Facebook group for staff, volunteers, trainees, parents and carers provides an opportunity to share what everyone has been up to and show off the completed activities, as well as keep in touch… which is so important to everyone’s well-being,’ added Ciaran. – AR

Is your corps adapting to the coronavirus crisis through innovative ministry opportunities? Salvationist wants to hear from you.

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Salvationist 27 June 2020

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD Thanks to a grant from Tesco, corps officer Major Sarah Murray was able to provide ‘boredom buster’ bags for corps children. Each bag included crafts, a colouring book and pencils, a ball, a bubble blower and a copy of Kids Alive! – DM

COMMUNITY

Army keeps vulnerable people connected EDINBURGH WITH lockdown affecting people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, Niddry Street Regener8+ Project has been providing mobile handsets and data packages to help people keep in contact with support workers and access support groups online.

In addition to Army funding, the project has received a £7,792 grant from the Morrisons Foundation.

Susan Grant, who runs the centre’s programme, said the donation came at the perfect time: ‘We support around 70 people but not all of them have mobile phones, so that’s obviously something the grant… has helped with. We also received support from Scottish Recovery Network for the handsets.’

Service users have not been directly affected by the coronavirus so far, but support workers are concerned at the toll the crisis is taking on their mental health.

‘Our early intervention workers are contacting service users by phone and working through a checklist of support to ensure they have everything they need,’ said Susan. ‘Our focus at the moment is keeping in contact with everyone and ensuring no one is forgotten about.’

Support groups that now run via video conferencing include Sally’s Wow Group for women, with a virtual exercise class, and Here and Now, the centre’s psychosocial group. – AR

COMMUNITY

Food hub helps corps across West Midlands CRADLEY HEATH

OUTREACH Gloucester Bandmaster Phil Webb, Bandsman Graham Wallis and Deputy Songster Leader Alan Bell use the lockdown as an opportunity to play to their neighbours

COMMUNITY

Like our page at SalvationistOnline to keep up to date

Follow Salvationist on Twitter @SalvationistUK

HEREFORD Under the leadership of corps officer Major Pamela Johnson, the corps has been preparing up to 40 hot meals and more than 20 ‘pack ups’ every day as well as delivering food parcels and prescriptions. Major Pamela commented: ‘I am so overwhelmed with people’s generosity and care throughout this pandemic, but I have a great team beside me, and God has been good in providing just what we need when we need it.’ – MP

AS one of The Salvation Army’s regional food hubs, the corps distributed 420 supply bags across the division during May and prepared 350 bags ready for distribution to families and individuals as required.

Volunteers worked with corps officers Majors David and Joy Stephenson to pack the bags, although the number of volunteers was limited to four to enable social distancing. A coach company in the area offered the use of its drivers to deliver some of the larger orders to corps, including deliveries to Stokeon-Trent and Willenhall.

The hub is part of the territory’s food distribution network, which is providing bulk supplies on a regular basis to corps across each division, enabling them to restock food banks and help families, individuals, social services and schools.

Major David said: ‘It has been a privilege to be able to help corps within the West Midlands Division as they show God’s love in the giving of practical assistance to those suffering in these difficult times, and it has been wonderful to see the teamwork displayed by the staff and volunteers of Cradley Heath.’ – AR

COMMUNITY

SOUTHPORT Four members of the band, joined by two neighbours, accompanied local residents when they were clapping in support of NHS workers. This steadily developed into a much-appreciated community ministry with checks on neighbours’ well-being and the distribution of goody bags for children. There is anticipation among the residents for what the sextet is going to play next. – GM

Rutherglen corps officer Major Catherine Wyles makes her 30-mile round trip to ensure corps folk receive copies of ‘Salvationist’ and ‘War Cry’; this is in addition to delivering food parcels Salvationist 27 June 2020

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NEWS

ARMY NEWS

Jobcentres face overload warns Army THQ THE Army is warning that there could be one work coach for hundreds of employment seekers as newly unemployed people try and access support during the coronavirus crisis.

Before the pandemic jobcentres saw up to 130 jobseekers per coach but, with unemployment hitting 2.1 million in April, the Army is warning that jobcentres could become hopelessly swamped.

Director of Employment Services Rebecca Keating said: ‘Not only is the pandemic reshaping how and where we work but it is pushing us into recession. Jobcentres will find themselves with a new group of people faced with having to retrain, enter new industries or even just apply for a job for the first time in years.

‘We know through one-to-one support provided by Employment Plus that building up an individual relationship with a coach is how people who are long-term unemployed find work.

‘Asking a work coach to have that personal knowledge of hundreds of people means that inevitably those harder to employ will end up at the bottom of the pile in favour of those who are easier to help. Long-term unemployed people could be left with no help back into work and will feel the impact of the pandemic on their lives for many years to come.’

To address this the Army wants to see an increase in the number of jobcentre work coaches to reduce caseloads to more manageable numbers and improve the service to jobseekers. – AR

INTERNATIONAL

New film explores life for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants BRAZIL DISPL AC ED , a n e w fi l m co-produced by the Brazil Territory, International Emergency Services and IHQ Communications, has been released online. The 50-minute documentary, which was filmed on location in Roraima, Santa Catarina and São Paulo, incorporates experiences of migrants from around the world.

Much of the film focuses on the journeys undertaken by Venezuelan migrants leaving behind economic and political turmoil in search of a better life in Brazil. It includes footage from the Venezuelan border and the military-led multi-agency reception centre on the Brazilian side in Pacaraima. Passing across the border, viewers hear the stories 8

Salvationist 27 June 2020

of migrants from all sectors of society – their reasons for leaving their own country and their hopes and dreams for the future.

The documentary also follows the story of one Venezuelan family encountered by the film crew on the arduous 125-mile journey, on foot, through tracts of the Amazonian rainforest.

The crew were granted exclusive access to film inside the United Nations-managed refugee camps and shelters. More than 40 interviews include moving personal testimony from some Venezuelans formerly engaged as social workers, nurses, film producers and emergency planners. Featuring contributions from the UN Population Fund’s representative to Brazil, Jaime Nadal, officers of the Brazil military, The Salvation Army and other non-governmental organisations, the film is also intended to be a training aid for Salvation Army emergency and disaster personnel around the world. – AR Watch the film at sar.my/ displaced

Prayer The Prayer Matters booklet for July–December has not been printed due to the lockdown, so Salvationist will be publishing the prayer themes for the rest of this year

INFINITELY MORE

by Stephanie Chagas-Bijl (Resource Hub, THQ) WEDNESDAY 1 JULY When the theme of ‘Infinitely More’ was set out for the territory at the beginning of the year, no one could have imagined the toll that Covid-19 would take on all aspects of life. But amid the illness, the loss, the uncertainties, God has not changed. He continues to be and do infinitely more than we can imagine, according to his will. Rest in the knowledge of this promise.

THURSDAY 2 JULY It’s only when we look up at Christ that we can start to believe in seemingly impossible things. It makes us hungry for more of him and what he can do. Lord, make me hungry for more of you. Give us faith to believe in your power to transform the lives of our families, friends, colleagues, villages, towns, cities and nations.

FRIDAY 3 JULY If the ‘infinitely more’ we crave is an adventure with God to change the world – and there’s no reason it shouldn’t be – it’s worth knowing that it’s going to take time. Lord, help me to trust your timing, especially when I want everything to happen yesterday! You know the present and the future; give me patience to trust what you are doing.

SATURDAY 4 JULY When it comes to the ‘infinitely more’ of God, it’s inspiring to think about the good things stored up for us, and it’s comforting to think about the limitless love that forgives, heals and restores. But more of God is also bound to include things we find less comfortable. Ask God to make you uncomfortable as you journey with him. Let him break your rules.

SUNDAY 5 JULY The invitation to discover ‘infinitely more’ isn’t about being airlifted out of life’s problems; it’s about living something different and hope-filled – right in the middle of life’s problems. Only then can our lives be beacons of hope for those around us. Whatever difficulties you are facing today, be assured that God is facing them with you. Trust that by his infinite power he will make a way.

O

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

CAMPAIGNS Public Affairs Unit

Preparing for life after lockdown Matthew Sowemimo shares the Public Affairs Unit’s work in preparation for the UK’s transition out of coronavirus lockdown TESTING IN CARE HOMES IS TOP PRIORITY As has been widely reported in the media, there is still a problem with care home staff accessing Covid-19 testing.

This is particularly a problem because staff could be asymptomatic and still pass on the virus. Moreover, care home workers are more at risk than hospital staff and are twice as likely to die from the virus as the general population.

According to the Office for National Statistics, as of 16 June, 23.4 per cent of deaths in care homes in England and Wales in week 23 of 2020 were credited to the virus.

In April the Public Affairs Unit (PAU) encouraged parliamentarians to press for stronger provision of Covid-19 testing for social care workers. MPs have tabled questions and, at our instigation, one MP wrote to the health secretary expressing concern.

VOLUNTARY SECTOR SUPPORT The Army has faced increased costs arising from the Covid-19 epidemic, and there has been growing debate about the burdens placed on charities. The PAU briefed MPs who have expressed support for the voluntary sector about the work that corps are doing in their respective constituencies.

COMPREHENSIVE SPENDING REVIEW The UK government is heading for a £200 billion budget deficit – worse than any time since 1940. This creates the potential for huge spending cuts in the areas that we care about, as well as income tax rises. The PAU is working on a strategy to influence the government’s comprehensive spending review. We want to shape events rather than simply be shaped by them.

PARLIAMENTARY WORK Director of Employment Services for Employment Plus UK Rebecca Keating has given evidence before the House of Commons Work and Pensions select committee inquiry on the future of work, in which the PAU is supporting her.

Rebecca told the select committee that if people are not in receipt of benefits, then they will not be receiving mainstream employment support.

Public Affairs Adviser Ryan Gow is speaking to officers across the territory, encouraging them to build good relationships with their members of parliament. Members of parliament are much more likely to listen to their constituents than to paid lobbyists, but if we don’t go and tell them about our work they are unlikely to come to us and ask. Your MP may well become a champion for the Army and your work, so we suggest officers invite them to visit their corps.

UNIVERSAL CREDIT With 1.8 million new people now claiming universal credit as of 4 May, this is the PAU’s lead campaign. A quarter of British households have no savings. The most adversely affected groups are young people and those working in supply industries.

The PAU is working with members of parliament to raise the issue of the five-week wait. We are promoting an alternative approach that encourages a ‘breathing space’ from repayment to be given to people with debts.

We are seeking a meeting with the work and pensions secretary to discuss this proposal.

The PAU is due to give newly elected MPs an information publication on how they can support their constituents on

universal credit.

We will also be continuing Policy Analyst Annie Dell’s excellent work (which led to a mention of the Army in The Lancet) with a tracking study of the experiences of people claiming universal credit.

Our lobbying of the House of Lords inquiry into universal credit has borne fruit. The concerns that we stated in our evidence session on 3 March – about the lack of work coach capacity – are now being put to other witnesses.

HOMELESSNESS One of the reasons why universal credit is such a problem is that it deters many private landlords from renting to people who have experienced homelessness.

During a visit to a corps in the north west of England in November 2018, I was told about four Christian landlords who used to rent to people experiencing homelessness but felt they could not continue because of the problems associated with universal credit.

We and many other organisations called for the government to act on its pledge to eliminate rough sleeping by 2024. We are delighted that ministers have now made commitments to provide transitional housing for people who were sleeping rough before the coronavirus crisis began in March and were then housed in hotel rooms. Our attention now turns to making the case for long-term investment in homelessness support.

In Scotland, we will be commissioning a study that gets under the bonnet of where homelessness funding has flowed at a Scottish local authority level.

This will be for publication.

MATTHEW IS HEAD OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THQ Salvationist 27 June 2020

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IN THE

ZONE Family ministry Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory

makes an impact

How well do you know The Salvation Army’s Europe Zone? This month we give an overview of the Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory*

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ALVATION Army work in Germany began in Stuttgart on 14 November 1886 through the persistent sale of the Swiss War Cry by Staff-Captain Fritz Schaaf. After being converted in New York, he was stationed in Switzerland and could not resist the call to take the message over the border into his fatherland.

The Army was first registered as a limited company in Berlin in 1897 and was recognised throughout Germany as a church and public corporation by law on 10 October 1967.

Salvation Army work in Lithuania began in 1998 and, in September 2005, the Germany Territory was redesignated the Germany and Lithuania Territory.

That same month, Project Warsaw was

THE TERRITORY AT A GLANCE

Simply Organized

Simply Organized

787 Soldiers 442 Adherent members 88 Junior soldiers 39 Corps 3 Outposts 124 Officers (68 active, 56 retired)

5 Auxiliary-captains 3 Envoys 2 Cadets 666 Employees * Photos and events described on these pages are from before the lockdown 10

Salvationist 27 June 2020

Games Carriage, Lübeck launched to begin the Army’s work in Poland (under IHQ). On 1 July 2008 the Germany and Lithuania Territory took responsibility for the work in Poland and a regional office was established in Dresden.

GERMANY The purposes of the Army in Germany can be characterised as non-profit, charitable and ecclesiastical. Its work is recognised as particularly worthy of support, especially its work with children and their parents.

One such programme is the Salvation Army Berlin Nursery. Founded 32 years ago, the nursery normally cares for 45 children between the ages of one and six. Being near to a corps has been a bonus, and children and parents from all backgrounds have been welcomed.

In August 2019, Quality for Education and Child Care auditors particularly commended the nursery for its expansive outside space, the quality of its homemade meals, its trademark climate of appreciation and care, and the resulting social competence displayed by many of the children. The auditors rated the educational quality of the nursery as ‘high’.

In 2001, the Army in Chemnitz created the McTurtle project, which aims to reach out to children from surrounding communities through music, movement, play, theatre and prayer. These provide a vital experience of togetherness and help children develop skills and a sense of self-worth. Through sharing faith and Christian values, the team seeks to encourage the children to discover new perspectives and ethical principles that can contribute to a solid foundation for their lives.

Events are prepared by a team in Chemnitz, which focuses particularly on the preparation of short theatre sketches on themes of friendship, forgiveness, honesty, grace, emotions and conflict resolution. The team normally travels around six locations in the region, using a vehicle that unfolds into a stage. In 2018 the concept was extended to Guben Corps and a year later to the three corps located in the Ruhr region.

In 2009, the corps officer and hostel manager in Lübeck created the Games Carriage, a minivan full of outdoor games and toys that is driven to Eichholz. Up to 50 children typically take part, playing ball games, walking on stilts, competing in board games,

McTurtle Camp

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These festivals help to break down barriers and bring outsiders into contact with the Army

Super Parents, Poland reading biblical comics, singing and painting. This has been a new and welcome experience for the children, who all too often suffer under poverty and rejection.

Through the Games Carriage, the team has established links with parents, many of whom have fled from their home countries because of persecution.

They can open up in a climate of respect and acceptance, which, in time, can lead to conversations about world views and beliefs.

Five corps have also taken part in a winter playground scheme. During cold winter months playgrounds are often deserted, and small children miss out on activity and exercise. The five corps that take part usually open their doors throughout the winter, allowing children to have fun while parents watch on with a cup of tea and share fellowship with

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other parents and Salvation Army volunteers.

The Limelight Collective is another project in Berlin. It combines high-quality performing arts with Christian spirituality, while offering pastoral care along with professional development opportunities for performing artists. These have included open stage nights, Babysong, children’s dance courses and street performances. Soul Space and weekly artistic meditation also offer opportunities for spiritual development.

To adapt to the way many people now communicate, a new online publication, Heilsarmee Aktuell, has replaced the magazine. The hope is that it will reach out to younger people and those on the fringe of corps activities.

LITHUANIA The Salvation Army in Klaipơda hosts family festivals for young and old. The October 2019 Pumpkin Festival involved games, quizzes and creative works. A puppet theatre dealt with ideas around Halloween and alternatives to trick-ortreating. These festivals help to break down barriers and bring outsiders into contact with the Army and its values in a relaxed and easy way.

Twice a year the hall has been turned into a picture gallery, where pictures donated by Salvation Army supporters have been displayed and sold.

This has helped the corps link up with people in town and raise funds for the Army’s work.

POLAND A programme for children and parents was opened at the Praga-Północ Corps in Warsaw in 2015 and immediately became one of the most popular. This would usually include a wide range of activities, such as an after-school programme helping children with homework three times a week. Many of the children come from poor families affected by addiction or prison, and some of them can only get hot food through The Salvation Army.

A babies club has provided different activities for younger children while also giving a safe space and friendly atmosphere for parents to share experiences and challenges as well as seek specialist advice.

In August 2019, the Super Parents Club launched, providing family picnics, neighbourhood meetings, workshops for parents and integration events for whole families.

Through all these programmes – by teaching children to pray before meals, by counselling parents and by leading Bible classes at summer camps – the Army is sharing the gospel with the people of Poland.

Salvationist 27 June 2020

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FEATURE I Army history

Going to the Army… going to the pictures!

As more corps engage in online ministry due to the coronavirus lockdown, Salvationist features the early Army’s pioneering work with visual media

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N the late 19th and early 20th centuries both the magic lantern and, later, the cinematograph were used for educational and entertainment purposes, becoming popular attractions all over the world. The Salvation Army played a pioneering role in projecting slides and films to advance its mission.

In 1891, following a magic lantern display at the Crystal Palace on Catherine Booth’s life by her youngest son, Herbert, the Army opened a lantern department on Clerkenwell Road, London, where lanterns and slides were produced and sold.

Lantern-slide meetings were held at corps across the UK. In April 1892 The Field Officer reported on a lecture

by Colonel Pearson in Camberwell, attended by 2,000 people, where ‘powerful limelight dissolving views on

social branches of our work were shown’, and stated that 50 to 60 souls were saved ‘for purity and salvation’.

An article in The Officer in March 1893 stated that, before Herbert delivered his lecture about his mother, the Army hierarchy had disagreed about whether they should be using lantern slides, ‘due to the evils associated with their use’.

Headquarters later agreed to change regulations but warned that use of the lantern would be prohibited in case of abuse and that it should not become ‘just a mere exhibition or entertainment for children’.

Five types of slides were approved for use by corps: 1. Salvation Army social and foreign views 2. Scriptural subjects 3. The life and history of Joseph 4. Gustave Doré’s biblical pictures 5. Pilgrim’s Progress (based on John Bunyan’s book) The Social Gazette in February 1895 described a lantern-slide meeting conducted by Major Mildred Duff ‘in the slums’ of London on the subject of the evils of drink.

In the November 1898 issue of The Officer cinematograph machines of different makes were advertised for sale, including the Army’s own ‘speciality’ model for £15.

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Salvationist 27 June 2020

On his return from a visit to the USA and Canada in 1902, William Booth was afforded a reception at the Royal Albert Hall, which included a ‘Grand Cinematograph and Lantern Display illustrating… principal scenes of the General’s glorious campaign’.

The 1906 Salvation Army catalogue listed 23 films from the International Congress in 1904, filmed by Henry Howse, who had been instrumental in starting the Army’s Lantern and the Cinematograph Departments.

Popular Saturday Nights, or ‘PSNs’ as they were called, became the vogue at a number of corps where the ‘Cineo’ was the featured attraction – among them Glasgow City Hall, Tottenham Citadel and Clapton Congress Hall – drawing congregations of up to 3,000 and resulting in many conversions.

Orders And Regulations For Field Officers Of The Salvation Army, published in 1904, included a section on magic lanterns, but there was no specific mention of the cinematograph.

It stated: ‘The use of lanterns or any other special attraction in our meetings must be kept in harmony with the principles and aim of the Army – the glory of God in the salvation of souls’.

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article appeared in The Officer (May–June 2016) and is based on information in the book The Salvation Army And The Cinematograph 1897–1929 by Tony Fletcher

Stepping into the limelight How The Salvation Army in Australia started the cameras rolling

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N its early days The Salvation Army was certainly progressive in its approach to spreading the gospel. In Australia the Army showed particular innovation in the area of multimedia presentations.

The Salvation Army Limelight Department unofficially began in 1891 when Adjutant Joseph Perry (pictured) started a photographic studio in Ballarat, Victoria, to supplement the income of the Army’s prison gate home where he was the manager. At this stage he was using lantern slides, projecting hand-coloured photographs onto a large screen to emphasise his sermons and lectures.

The Limelight Department was officially established in Melbourne the following year when the adjutant was called to headquarters to produce a set of lantern slides advertising William Booth’s forthcoming visit to Australia.

By 1895 Adjutant Joseph, with his Limelight equipment, had visited nearly every corps in Australasia, journeying almost 29,000 miles presenting religious illuminated shows to more than 500 astounded audiences.

In 1897 Commandant Herbert Booth was appointed as Australasian Territorial Commander. Upon meeting Joseph, he saw the possibilities for expansion into

the newly developing medium of film. He enthusiastically authorised the purchase of more equipment, including three gramophones and, importantly, a Cinématographe machine. This led to the establishment of Australia’s first permanent film production unit and saw a number of astonishing pioneering achievements.

Joseph began working on Social Salvation in 1898, which was one of the first presentations of its type to integrate the traditional lantern slides with film segments. In December 1899 the Limelight Department premiered a series on the Passion. The novel presentation portrayed the life of Jesus in 13 sections, each lasting 90 seconds.

The major innovation would come with Soldiers Of The Cross. It premiered at Melbourne Town Hall in September 1900 and fortified the Limelight Department as a major player in the early film industry.

The Limelight Department was then commissioned to film the Federation of Australia – the inauguration celebrations for the birth of the country – on 1 January 1901. It was the hope of the New South Wales government that the 35-minute film would prove an imperishable record of the event, though very little footage still exists. Joseph set up five cameras along the procession route and had to use a fire carriage to move quickly from one camera to the next. Inauguration Of The Australian Commonwealth was the first Australian film to exceed the 90-second

reel limitation. It was six times the length of any earlier Australian film and the first one to use simultaneous multiple-camera coverage; it was the most widely distributed Australian film of its time.

Between 1901 and 1905 the Limelight Department produced nearly 80 per cent of all films made in Australia. With more than 300 films to their credit, and with many ‘firsts’ in production and technique, the Army withdrew from the film industry in 1909 to concentrate on other areas of ministry. Visitors to the Salvation Army Heritage Centre in Melbourne can see the original studio restored.

Inauguration of the AustralianCommonwealth O This

article appeared in The Officer magazine (March–April 2015) and was first published in the Australian War Cry Salvationist 27 June 2020

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FEATURE I Screening salvation

The Mighty McGurk Robert Smith takes a look at a little-known film with a Salvation Army theme

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S an amateur student of film and recent volunteer at Southsea Corps charity shop before the lockdown, I felt it would be worthwhile to write about the treatment of The Salvation Army in films.

There are those that include the Army as a central theme, such as Major Barbara (1941), and those that feature it incidentally. Some of the earlier works, such as The Belle Of New York (1919), are missing or only exist in part. A decent number of films have survived, however, and are available thanks to independent distributors and internet sites.

Extant titles include The Salvation Army Lass (1909), Salvation Nell (1915, 1921 and 1931) and Laughing Sinners (1931), all of which have significant Salvation Army content. There are also films with Army characters and scenes, varying from Pandora’s Box (1929) and The Phantom Carriage (1921) to Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy (1972). Some of these characters and scenes are important plot points, others are part of the atmosphere and scene-setting, as in Raoul Walsh’s The Bowery (1933).

There are even films which are not exactly Salvation Army-related, but which feature similar themes, such as Soul Of The Slums (1931), which has a preacher providing help for those down on their 14

Salvationist 27 June 2020

luck, and getting grief for his pains.

The Salvation Army is more central to She Done Him Wrong, a 1933 film set in turn-of-the-century New York. Like The Bowery, it was made before the 1934 Motion Picture Production Code came into force, which set guidelines for moral content. The two films are more frank than the milder, more sentimental The Mighty McGurk (1947).

The Mighty McGurk isn’t a well-known title and, watching it today, comes over as a B-movie – one of a number Wallace Beery starred in towards the end of his career. It features Beery in a similar role to The Bowery; he is teamed with a youngster, which raises the question of how suitable a character he is to bring up a young lad on his own.

The film follows Roy ‘Slag’ McGurk, an ex-boxer in the Bowery district of New York. Early in the movie he is lumbered with an English orphan, Nipper (Dean

Stockwell), who hates the idea of living with his unpleasant uncle and nearest relative, Milbane (Aubrey Mather).

However, McGurk continues to look after the lad in the hope of a $2,000 reward. He also has to look after the stray pooch the lad has rescued. For a while, Nipper and the dog share McGurk’s modest but clean room, which is an indication that he has little in the way of material goods to show for his 60 years.

The Children’s Protective Society starts looking into his suitability as a guardian, which results in his decision to join The Salvation Army, albeit reluctantly. He is given the task of playing the big drum, much to the amusement of some of the locals who offer unwelcome comments and opinions.

The other thread in the story concerns his saloon keeper boss, who is being pressurised by the brewers to force the Army out of the district, although their presence does not seem to be harming business that much. In charge of the Army corps is another ex-boxer, ‘nice guy’ Johnny Burden (Cameron Mitchell), who is much smitten with the saloon keeper’s daughter. It would not spoil things too much to say that a reconciliation occurs between Burden and the saloonkeeper, albeit after a brawl in which the corps leader temporarily abandons his peaceloving ways.

Also worth mentioning is character actress Aline MacMahon playing pawnbroker Mamie, who is McGurk’s ex-sweetheart and is forever despairing of the irresponsible fellow. We feel she still has a soft spot for him and will help in his redemption, which is implied at the end of the film. As Nipper’s disreputable uncle is planning on doing a bunk, Mamie and McGurk marrying – and adopting the boy – seems to be the best option for all concerned.

The Mighty McGurk may be a minor and nearly forgotten movie but it is certainly interesting, and still reasonably entertaining.

O The

original trailer for The Mighty McGurk is available on YouTube and the full film is available on DVD from amazon.com

FEATURE My coronavirus story

Reaching out Command leaders Lieut-Colonels Seth and Janet Appeateng (Rwanda and Burundi Command) share how their ministry has transformed during the pandemic

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N Rwanda it is almost three months since we first went into lockdown – although some restrictions have been lifted since 4 May. Life hasn’t been easy but at least we have been able to go out to the supermarket or pharmacy for essentials throughout. The lockdown has been effectively policed, with checks being made on the street as to where you are going if you are outside.

With restrictions on movement, people who have small businesses, and who earn money to buy and eat on a day-to-day basis, have particularly struggled as our time in quarantine has gone on. There are many in the city of Kigali – such as traders, pikipiki motorbike riders and drivers – who haven’t been able to work but who are also not able to go home to their villages because of the travel restrictions that were put in place to stop the spread of the virus.

Although for the past few weeks some traders and daily workers have been able to find employment, pikipiki riders still could not operate, and travel between provinces was prohibited until 1 June. Masks must be worn at all times, and the number of passengers in public transport vehicles has been reduced as a preventative measure.

This makes it difficult to plan journeys.

Our employees are often not able to report to work on time because of these restrictions.

We have two corps in the city and the people in their areas have been continuously asking the corps officers for support. This has been difficult for the corps officers who were also struggling themselves and did not have

Lieut-Colonel Seth and a local government leader distribute aid

the means to help even those in their immediate communities, despite a deep desire to do so. We are thankful that International Headquarters has been able to support us in accessing project funding so that we can prepare packages of food items for some of the most vulnerable people, especially those close to our city corps.

We have also been able to contact the executive secretaries of local government – those with administrative governing responsibility for sectors and cells – who gave us additional lists of people known to be among the most vulnerable in their areas.

During three days at the end of April we were able to distribute 350 packages of food containing rice, maize flour, beans and oil to vulnerable families in Batsinda and Kimironko within the Gasabo district. In addition to the food we were able to share soap and some Covid-19 educational flyers. Additional flyers were also given to the government for its awareness efforts.

To avoid a large gathering of people, teams of around ten – comprising Salvation Army officers, sector executive staff and community cell leaders in Gasabo – went from house to house, distributing the packages according to the lists. In a few cases where people couldn’t be reached, the packages were given to the local chief to be distributed.

Some were also kept to be distributed by corps officers in other communities.

Recently we were able to extend our support by supplying hand-washing materials to corps and centres, since we have come to realise that much more awareness is required in terms of sanitation in times like these. As things stand, however, our schools will remain closed until September and there is no news concerning when churches will be allowed to reopen for services and other gatherings.

We continue to be concerned for our officers in the field who, with the lack of tithing income, are struggling to manage yet also want to serve their communities.

In a time when isolation is increasing due to the fear and stigma associated with potentially having the virus, more than anything they desire to visit their comrades as a means of encouragement.

But without protection, and under strict quarantine rules, they have not been able to do so.

We have been able to reach out to some people with Bible messages and church services via social media and other online platforms, particularly during the Easter period, but internet connection is limited outside the city and fewer people now have money to buy mobile phone data to stay connected.

In the meantime the telephone continues to be our lifeline, with regular calls to colleagues, staff and corps members enabling us to keep together and to check on each other.

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Poet’s corner

Absolutely!

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HE 23 May Salvationist included a message from Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill called ‘God loves us absolutely’. He said: ‘I recently discovered that the word “absolutely” never appears in the Salvation Army songbook.

So, poets and song writers, I need you to write something about “absolutely”.’

These are the responses we have received.

Gordon Taylor (Croydon Citadel), author of the 1989 Companion To The Song Book Of The Salvation Army – and The Life And Legacy Of William Booth – wrote to the TC saying the word ‘absolutely’ was in the original version of song 747 by Augustus Toplady: Compar’d with Christ, in all beside No comeliness I see: The one thing needful, dearest Lord, Is to be one with thee.

The sense of thy expiring love Into my soul convey: Thyself bestow; for thee alone I absolutely pray.

(Gospel Magazine, February 1772)

Alison Perry (St Albans), who recently became an adherent member, wrote a song: Can Jesus save me?

Absolutely!

Has Jesus saved me?

Absolutely!

Am I forgiven?

Absolutely, and now he lives within my soul.

Does Jesus love me?

Absolutely!

Does Jesus guide me?

Absolutely!

Does he transform me?

Absolutely, and now I follow at his call.

Shall I tell others?

Absolutely!

Shall I help others?

Absolutely!

Will he empow’r me?

Absolutely, his will is now my guiding rule.

Going to Glory?

Absolutely!

Going to Glory?

Absolutely!

Going to Glory?

Absolutely, with all who’ve gone that way before.

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Commissioner Keith Banks took up the challenge to write lyrics on the theme ‘absolutely’: When I’m anxious and unsettled, when confused by what I hear, And the ‘comforting familiar’ disappears; When my future is foreshadowed by uncertainty and fear, Can I trust that God is listening to my prayers?

Absolutely! Absolutely!

God is love, God is good, God is just, What God says he will do you can trust; Out of love he will make all things new, And confirm every promise in you.

Look to him with a prayer from your heart, And you’ll find grace to make a fresh start.

When I’m facing searching questions and the answers seem obscure, And I need some reassurance for my soul; When my faith is deeply shaken, my commitment insecure, Can I trust that God is really in control?

When I’m rocked by circumstances and my world starts caving in, And the things that seemed so certain fade and fail; When I feel alone and helpless and my courage seems so thin, Can I trust the grace of God to still prevail?

When I feel as if my living does not match what Christ requires, And I shrink from what discipleship demands; When I lose my grip on things to which my longing heart aspires, Can I trust that God forgives and understands?

Charity Shop Manager Tony Chappell (Llanelli) sent in a poem. Here are selected verses: It’s absolutely wonderful To see a bright new day; The sky so blue, with clouds of white Chase all our doubts away.

It’s absolutely beautiful To see a new flower bloom, From tender shoots and growth within, New life comes pushing through.

It’s absolutely true you know, It’s written in God’s word, He loves and cares for each of us And knows just what we’re worth.

So now, today, when life is tough And pain is all around, I talk to God who’s there for me, In prayer I humbly bow.

REFL RE FLEC FL ECTI TION TI REFLECTION EC ON Major Richard Durrant (North Walsham) was inspired by Romans 8 to write lyrics that can be sung to the tune ‘Blaenwern’.

There are times our faith is tested And despair seems all around, God is always there beside us, Vict’ry will at last be found.

Nothing now can separate us, From God’s love giv’n out for thee, Absolutely, absolutely We shall more than conquerors be.

There are times we need to trust him And allow him total sway, We can know his grace sustaining Absolutely, every day!

His empowering presence round us From our fears will set us free, Absolutely, absolutely We shall more than conquerors be.

When we live in isolation And our fears seem very real, Will corona e’er be beaten Will our faith claim back its zeal?

None of this will ever faze us God’s rich love we’ll always see, Absolutely, absolutely We shall more than conquerors be.

Steve Parks (Deal) was moved to write the following words: Absolutely glorious, Trinity of Love, Equal all in majesty, Grace flows from above.

Absolutely wonderful, Father God looks down, Sacrificed his Son for us, We may wear a crown.

Absolutely beautiful, Jesus, Lord and friend, Overwhelming love for us, Prayers to him ascend.

Absolutely powerful, Spirit of the fire Stir in us, awakening Your will, our desire.

Absolutely faithful Must our service be, Rooted in his grace and love, Reborn to be free.

A heart set free Brian Colley (Clowne) continues his series of reflections on verses from Psalms He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains (Psalm 107:14)

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N this psalm there are illustrations likening the salvation of Israel to other situations: lost travellers in the desert who are about to perish, prisoners suffering in a dungeon, sin-sick men who are close to death and sailors facing shipwreck in a frightening storm. All these people cry out to God from their distressing situations and are saved.

Walter Sandford was a young Welsh miner, made tough in body and heart by the very nature of his work and his mates. He was one of the boys, who could swear like the next man and quickly knock back a pint or two. Walter became a member of the Communist Party and an agitator – on one occasion leading the men out on an unofficial strike. Following an accident in the mines he moved to work in Birmingham.

Walter never found peace and happiness in his political beliefs. One night in the Swan pub in Yardley, a suburb of Birmingham, a young woman selling the War Cry invited him to a meeting at The Salvation Army. He laughed at this, but went along and was impressed by what the officer said in her address. The following Sunday he went to the evening meeting at Birmingham Sparkhill and continued attending for the next seven months.

After one Sunday morning meeting Walter felt so challenged that he just walked the streets in thought, until he decided to seek God’s forgiveness. That night he cried out to God and was saved. God brought him out of the darkness and broke away his chains.

Charles Wesley wrote words that are sung heartily today by congregations who know the joy of being freed from the bondage of sin. Those who have truly had a salvation experience will often add a ‘hallelujah!’ when these words are outlined: Long my imprisoned spirit lay Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray; I woke; the dungeon flamed with light.

My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

(SASB 241)

Coda: Glorious and wonderful, Beautiful and powerful, Absolutely in love I am, And faithful I will be.

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BIBLE STUDY

Carefree in the care of God Lieut-Colonel Karen Shakespeare reminds us that God’s provision is sufficient in all circumstances

LUKE 12:22–34

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S you read our study passage, which words stand out to you?

So often when we read these verses we focus on three words – ‘do not worry’ (v22) – and, depending on our circumstances and personalities, we read them in different ways. For some people, they are a source of comfort – an assurance that we can trust God, who is Father and Creator, to provide for our security and protection. For others, they come as a command or a rebuke – a reminder that worrying does not solve our problems and that we should trust God to provide for our security and protection.

Yet, as I write, many people are gripped by a deep anxiety that cannot easily be set aside. They are afraid of

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

by Lieut-Colonel Brenda Oakley

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Covid-19 or they are fearful of the impact that it will have upon them, their loved ones, the Army and society. Our lives have been restricted and, at least temporarily, we are finding new ways to live. Fear, anxiety and worry are all prominent in people’s thoughts and emotions, and are shaping their actions and reactions.

What is Jesus saying to us in this situation? It is not a command to stop worrying, but a deep reassurance that the God of creation cares for all that he has created. That includes every one of us. God’s provision is sufficient in all circumstances, even now.

QUESTION O Read the verses again and notice the repeated references to God’s care and provision at all times. What does that mean for you?

The point Jesus was making to his disciples was not primarily about worrying, but a reminder that when we forget or ignore God’s provision for us, our focus in life can become misplaced.

When this happens, we can find ourselves giving too much attention to those things that are not of God. The picture Jesus draws makes a simple contrast between creation, which lives ‘carefree in the care of God’ (v24, The Message), and human beings, who can become distracted from their primary purpose – seeking the Kingdom of God – by anxiety about things that are of secondary importance.

This does not encourage us to be irresponsible and fail to make proper provision for our physical needs. We need food and clothes, and many of us have the means to provide for ourselves and our families. If we neglect our

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

God speaks to us in bird and song,/ In winds that drift the clouds along,/ Above the din and toil of wrong,/ A melody of love.

(SASB 21)

Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!’

(Luke 12:22–24)

The birds without barn/ Or storehouse are fed,/ From them let us learn/ To trust for our bread;/ His saints what is fitting/ Shall ne’er be denied,/ So long as ’tis written:/ The Lord will provide.

(SASB 738)

Prayer Lord, we are human, and worrying seems to be a part of our make-up. Help us to put aside our fears and to understand that, if we get our priorities right, we will have everything we need.

legitimate responsibilities and yet still expect that they will be provided, we do not honour God. At the same time, our attitude towards the things that we need, or believe that we need, should not be all-consuming. This is not only about food, drink and clothing, but anything that we own. As God’s people, we should use what we have for Kingdom purposes (see vv32–34).

The parable of the rich fool, in Luke 12:13–21, reminds us that when we invest all our energy in pursuing our own ends, we risk losing sight of the needs of others. When, however, we make the Kingdom of God our priority, we find that we have enough to share – our resources, time and energy.

Therefore, if we can trust God to care for us, we can also be generous to others.

The first step is an act of trust. As we seek God’s Kingdom (see v31), and ‘his righteousness’ (Matthew 6:33), the other things will fall into place.

For many people, such trust is counterintuitive. Our natural instinct is to ensure that we have everything we need to live a comfortable and rewarding life before we give what is left of our time, our energy and our possessions to God. But determining our needs in this way can lead to a continuous cycle of acquisition in which we always need something else to satisfy our wants.

We can break the cycle only by acknowledging our dependence on God and making his Kingdom our first priority. Then, as people of the Kingdom, the riches we gain have eternal value.

We have no need to worry. The

significance of our lives lies not in what we acquire or the energy we invest in acquiring it, but in learning to hold on lightly to what we have, sharing it with others and, above all, placing ourselves in the generous and loving care of God. QUESTIONS O What are those things to which you need to hold on lightly?

O What do you have to share?

LIEUT-COLONEL SHAKESPEARE IS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, WILLIAM BOOTH COLLEGE

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

‘Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin.

Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these… And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his Kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.’

(Luke 12:27–31)

There are hundreds of flowers, thousands, millions,/ And flowers fair the meadows wear for all to see;/ There are hundreds and thousands, millions of flowers,/ But God knows every one and God knows me.

(SASB 396)

‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in Heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’

(Luke 12:32–34)

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God/ And his righteousness;/ And all these things shall be added unto you;/ Allelu, alleluia!

(SASB 675)

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LETTERS

KEEP ’EM COMING THANK you Major Howard Webber for your inspirational article ‘Prayer songs for our time’ (Salvationist 16 May). You never fail to bring one closer to God by reminding us of his sovereignty. Another page of Salvationist in my file for future use! Keep them coming.

Mavis Blyth Captain Ramsgate

SALVATION IN THE POST WHAT WOULD WILLIAM DO? ALTHOUGH The Salvation Army is apolitical, I think William Booth would have joined the marching crowd to protest against police brutality in the USA and that Catherine Booth would have marched right along with him.

William was unafraid to condemn any act of violence committed against humanity. He was unafraid to lead the fight against London’s loathsome prostitution of 13 to 16-year-old girls, and collected 393,000 signatures that resulted in legislation aimed at stopping this ‘white slavery’.

On 9 May 1912 the Founder gave his final and passionate address to a packed crowd at the Royal Albert Hall, saying: ‘While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now, I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight; while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight, I’ll fight to the very end!’

In a prophetic statement, William Booth once said: ‘The negro personally is as yet an unknown quantity.

His moral character, intellectual ability and spiritual capacity are as yet comparatively undiscovered... Even now, where in individual cases he has had equal opportunities, he will favourably compare with the white man. It is quite possible for us to argue, therefore, that after years of civilisation, education and Christian influence he will equal, if he does not actually surpass, the white man in those things which now make the latter so much the superior’ (excerpt from Field To Field, 1890).

Today, when I see thousands of white people joining their black brothers and sisters to denounce their unfair treatment, I also remember the words of Martin Luther King Jr that ‘one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers’.

Daniel Diakanwa Captain USA Eastern Territory 20

Salvationist 27 June 2020

I WAS chatting to some of my friends just two days ago, and saying how I missed my copy of Salvationist, now we can’t meet together at Winton Corps. We both have family and friends who do our shopping and look after us, but it’s Salvationist we want to read. Gwen suggested I rang and asked about having a copy delivered – why didn’t I think of that! A most helpful lady organised for me to have a copy delivered each week, and just one day later the postie delivered my first copies. What amazing service! Thank you so much – I am now catching up with our Army news.

Mary Randell Bournemouth

WE’RE IN HIS HANDS AFTER the joy of 39 years of officership – the last 22 years being in prison ministry – my husband, Paul, and I were looking forward to our retirement on 1 April. We had planned a big weekend of celebrations, but the coronavirus took hold and life as we knew it changed. So we postponed our celebrations and settled into our new house.

The area in which we live is new to us and we are anxious to explore it to find the coffee shops and cosy little garden centres but, alas, we are self-isolating. But however locked in we are, the Lord is not and he brought to me a portion of Scripture: Psalm 23.

‘The Lord is my shepherd.’ It had been with me for many years yet it came to me anew. It’s true I live in a comfortable house, I have a loving husband and family, my Army corps ‘Zooms in’ many things for my spiritual growth and stimulation and I have my groceries delivered by my daughter. It’s true I do have all that I need. As we have prayed, the Lord has blessed us and assured us all will be well.

The psalmist continues to reassure me that my future is secure in my Father God. As we all move cautiously into the future, however that will look, may we all grasp the assurance that we are in the hands of a loving, gentle Shepherd.

Rita Conley Major Ormskirk

AN INSPIRING READ I WOULD like to express my gratitude to SP&S and the THQ teams.

Throughout the lockdown I have faithfully and regularly received War Cry and Salvationist delivered to my house! War Cry’s hearth-and-home approach is great. It was also heartening to read the cadet’s testimony in the 23 May Salvationist – this was an inspiration. Excellent!

Dean Rowell North East

RESOURCES

REVIEW

AN ENGAGING ACCOUNT OF A UNIQUE STORY Ronald Holz OF reviews Praise To The Lord – With Brass by Gernod Kumm

FILMS FOR ALL THE FAMILY As families spend more time together during lockdown Salvationist highlights websites offering Christian films

T

HE author of this engaging history of the German Staff Band (GSB) has been an integral, guiding light in recent decades, serving as band secretary then band sergeant, while contributing as a cornet player.

The GSB’s story falls into three main periods, interspersed with times when the band could not play regularly. The GSB was established in 1910 and flourished until 1914. During and after the First World War the band had to cease its main ministry, restarting in 1925 and reaching another high watermark in the period to 1932.

Since its revival in 1989, the GSB has flourished again, in no small part thanks to the efforts and talents of Bandmaster Heinrich Schmidt. He has developed the band into a polished ensemble and explored a wide range of the Army’s brass music repertoire – all of which Kumm chronicles in fine detail.

The book provides insight into German culture and politics that at times presented the Army with major obstacles. That the GSB survived the extreme difficulties of war – and, for an extended period, a divided country – is to the band’s credit. It also tells of interesting responses from the general public to the band through the years, even the charming reception they used to receive in some churches where applause was not allowed. The waving of programmes became a great substitute!

As the book unfolds, the reader gains more appreciation for what this band has achieved, and continues to achieve, even when faced with daunting challenges.

Initially written in German and published in 2015, this 2018 English-language edition – translated by Hans Knutzen – includes translation notes and a glossary of Army terms, providing helpful information about German locations and musical practices.

Students of brass band culture and Army music will particularly enjoy it, but the general reader will gain much as well; the level of detail, whether in the chapters or supplementary lists, is very satisfying. History is indeed found in the details and Kumm has done a fine job in putting this history together. It will bring enlightenment and enjoyment to all who read it.

To The Lord – With Brass is available from bod.de/ buchshop priced €20 or direct from the author by emailing geemka@kabelmail.de

O Praise

christiancinema.com SERVING FAMILIES OF FAITH As a group, Christians are watching more content than ever before. Christian Cinema’s aim is to provide a one-stop shop for consumers to buy and rent Christian and family movies.

newfaithnetwork.com UNLIMITED CHRISTIAN STREAMING New Faith Network offers a wide range of Christian films and TV series. All titles have been viewed and checked in advance to offer a safe, Christian environment for the whole family.

jesusfilm.org SHARING THE STORY OF JESUS Since the inception of the Jesus film in 1979, new films, strategies and resources have been pulled together to help people share in the Great Commission. In short, it is about helping the watching world to engage with Jesus.

ethosmedia.org SEEING BEYOND THE SCREEN Through activity books, perspectives, movie moments and more, Ethos Media enables people to enrich their lives by engaging with popular films.

For example, explore the idea of being created for love through Toy Story 4.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Diamond O Graham and Sheila Hinsley, Birmingham Citadel (18Â June)

some of the steps the Army can take to embed a resilience approach in the way it works across the world.

O This and previous episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud and Google Podcasts

PROMOTED TO GLORY O Ray Aldworth, Darlington O Bandswoman/Songster Joy Kilgour, Govan O Bob Cowen, Ipswich Citadel O Aux-Captain Jean Partridge from her home in Blisworth, Northampton, on 10Â June O Lilian Gibbs, Guernsey O Major Irene Pocock from Leeds General Infirmary on 15Â June O May Dixon, Stockport Heaton Norris O Jean Parker, Snettisham

MUSIC MAN LIVE Music Man Live sessions with David Stanley are 45 minutes of music and fun, which take place every Wednesday at 2 pm.

O Tune in by visiting the Enabled Facebook page: SalvationArmyFell owshipofEndeavour

BEREAVED O Iris Aldworth, Darlington, of her husband Ray, Stephen Aldworth, Major David McCaw-Aldworth, Cardiff Canton, and Leanne Healy of their father O Bandsman Kenneth Kilgour, Govan, of his wife Bandswoman/ Songster Joy Kilgour, Major Cora Joy Tucker and Ian Kilgour, Govan, of their mother O Teresa Cowen, Ipswich Citadel, of her husband Bob O Audrey Le Page, Guernsey, of her stepmother Lilian Gibbs, Alfred King and George King, both Guernsey, of their sister O Major John Pocock of his wife Major Irene Pocock, Iain Pocock and Caroline Pocock, both Southport, David Pocock, Swadlincote, and Joy Pocock of their mother, Major David Jepson of his sister O Peter Parker, Snettisham, of his wife Jean, Nigel Parker and Rodney Parker of their mother

JOYCE, known to many as Joy, attended Purley Baptist Church before becoming a soldier at Croydon Citadel. She later transferred to New Addington, where she started a Bible study and prayer meeting, and is remembered for bringing laughter to corps social events.

In 2005 she moved to Eastbourne Citadel, where she enjoyed the Bible fellowship and home league.

Joy brought happiness and blessing to all who knew her. She was a caring and discerning person, who knew when something was wrong without being told and always had the right words to say.

Her strong and joyous faith amid many trials was an inspiration to others. – IO

WHAT’S ON DEVELOP ‘Resilience’ is a word that is neither positive or negative. What is it exactly, and why would taking a resilience approach be important to The Salvation Army? In this International Projects Office podcast Ben Gilbert asks Captain Ben Cotterill about his experience in the UK as a corps officer and how it relates to his work in international development, as well as 22

Salvationist 27 June 2020

TRIBUTES JOYCE HAMMERSLEY, EASTBOURNE CITADEL

HAZEL MACHIN, BRISTOL EASTON HAZEL and her husband, Len, became part of the corps family when the nearby Felix Road Corps closed.

She was enrolled as a soldier relatively late in life and did not wear uniform, but always played a central part in corps life.

Hazel was an encouraging and positive influence across all age groups, gifting handmade blankets to mothers of newborns, being a friend to the young people and organising a Self-Denial collection team. As well as attending faithfully on Sundays, she supported the

home league – later Cameo – and over-60 club meetings. She also helped at the Monday day centre and assisted at the Thursday luncheon club.

As a widow, Hazel spent her last years in a nursing home. She was promoted to Glory aged 90.

Hazel was a lovely, compassionate and caring woman with a smile that lit up the room. She is missed by friends, family and corps members, but is remembered very fondly. – MG

LESLIE URCH, BRISTOL EASTON BAND Reservist Leslie Urch was a lifelong member of the corps and was No 1 on the roll when he was promoted to Glory at the age of 92.

Les was one of three brothers who played in the band; the brochure for the band’s tour of the Netherlands in 1966 described him as a solo horn player of outstanding ability. Les also served as deputy bandmaster for many years.

Younger players paid tribute to his encouragement and guidance.

When Les worked as a driver at BOC (British Oxygen Company), the management were so impressed that they asked if there were any others like him at the corps.

Les was married to Eileen and later found life difficult as a widower but attended Sunday meetings until health issues meant that he could no longer drive. He enjoyed good conversation and reminiscing about his time serving in the band. He was calm and gentle, often described as a fine Christian gentleman. – MG

JUNE TONES, NEWCASTLE CITY TEMPLE JUNE was born in 1940 at Blackhill, Consett.

Encouraged and supported by her parents and Salvationist grandparents, she joined the Army at Blaydon at an early age and soon became a singing company member.

Following redevelopment, the corps moved to nearby Winlaton where June became the envoy in charge in 1988 until it closed in 2012. June transferred

to Newcastle City Temple and became an established part of the corps. For most of her working life she worked in the post office in Winlaton. She was well known as a kind, welcoming person and a good listener.

In recent years June suffered a number of health setbacks, which prevented her attending the Army she loved so much.

June was a lovely Christian lady who is missed by her son and daughter-inlaw, Graeme and Zarlene, grandson, Ruaridh, and her sister, Carol Purvis, together with corps folk. They give thanks for June’s dedication to the Army and her Lord over so many years. – BI

Please note that soldiers’ and adherent members’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 150 words. Good quality pictures will be included with tributes. Please do not send your copy to any individual’s email address as this could delay publication.

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

Did you know Salvationist is now online?

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ANSWERS TO FOUNDERS’ DAY QUIZ (PAGE 24) 7. b. The Isle of Wight 6. c. Talking with her in a cab 5. a. A pawnbroker’s apprentice 4. b. Eight times 3. c. Wesley Chapel, Nottingham 2. c. Ashbourne 1. b. 10 April 1829

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14. c. Whitby 20. c. George Scott Railton (‘General Booth’)

13. a. The People’s Market

19. a. Norway

12. a. Croydon

18. b. Aberdeen

11. c. Tent meetings in Whitechapel

17. a. Don Quixote

10. b. Cornwall

16. a. A bill to raise the age of consent

9. b. Female Teaching

15. b. The Army bonnet

8. a. The Converting Shop

FOUNDERS’ DAY QUIZ To mark Founders’ Day on 2 July, test your knowledge of William and Catherine Booth William Booth was born to parents Samuel and Mary on what date? a. 1 March 1824 b. 10 April 1829 c. 20 May 1834

1

In which Derbyshire town was Catherine Mumford born? a. Ripley b. Matlock c. Ashbourne

2

Which church did William attend as a teenager? a. St Stephen’s, Sneinton b. Cross Street Baptist Church, Arnold c. Wesley Chapel, Nottingham

3

How many times had Catherine read the Bible through by the age of 12? a. Six b. Eight c. Ten

4

What did William become when he left school at the age of 13? a. A pawnbroker’s apprentice b. A librarian c. A chimney sweep

5

William and Catherine first met in 1852.

What made William fall ‘head and ears in love’ with her? a. Reading one of her letters b. Listening to her preach c. Talking with her in a cab

6

After their wedding in June 1855, where did the Booths go for a week’s honeymoon? a. The Isle of Dogs b. The Isle of Wight c. The Isle of Skye

7

In 1858 William was ordained a Methodist minister and appointed to Gateshead.

While there his chapel earned what name? a. The Converting Shop b. The Salvation Factory c. The Hallelujah Machine

8

What is the name of the pamphlet Catherine wrote in 1859? a. How To Train New Converts b. Female Teaching c. Practical Religion

9

After William left the Methodist New Connexion in 1861, where did he conduct revival meetings for 18 months? a. Wales b. Cornwall c. Yorkshire

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11

What events in 1865 made William say to Catherine, ‘I have found my destiny’? a. Marches through West Ham b. Open-air meetings in Wapping c. Tent meetings in Whitechapel

16

12

Where did Catherine conduct services in 1869 that led to the first Christian Mission station outside the East End? a. Croydon b. Watford c. Staines

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13

William opened the People’s Mission Hall on his birthday in 1870. What was the building’s previous name? a. The People’s Market b. The People’s Theatre c. The People’s Palace

18

William was called ‘General of the Hallelujah Army’ in a report of his visit to which town in 1877? a. Grimsby b. Maltby c. Whitby

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14

What made its first appearance at the Booths’ silver wedding anniversary on 16 June 1880? a. The Army flag b. The Army bonnet c. The Army crest

15

Which parliamentary bill did Catherine write to Queen Victoria about in 1885? a. A bill to raise the age of consent b. A bill to protect the Army’s freedom to march c. A bill to outlaw music halls

When William outlined the Darkest England Scheme in 1890, to whom did Punch magazine liken him? a. Don Quixote b. King Arthur c. Robin Hood In 1904 William’s first motor car campaign started at Land’s End. Where did it finish 29 days later? a. Newcastle b. Aberdeen c. Wrexham In March 1912 William made his last overseas visit. Where did he go? a. Norway b. Canada c. New Zealand

Who wrote the first biography of William? a. Harold Begbie (The Life Of William Booth) b. St John Ervine (God’s Soldier) c. George Scott Railton (General Booth)

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O Answers on page 23