Salvationist 2 May 2020

SALVATIONIST For everyone linked to The Salvation Army

www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 2 May 2020

Protecting and cheering lives in Army care homes PLUS

No.1754 Price 70p

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON CANDIDATES SUNDAY SEE PAGE 10

QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

CHRISTIANS IN SPORT URGES PEOPLE TO KEEP SHARING CHRIST AS CORONAVIRUS SHUTS DOWN SPORTING ACTIVITIES Christians in Sport is launching a new prayer initiative to help sportspeople to keep engaging [in] gospel work during the coronavirus lockdown. Almost all sporting activities have been cancelled or postponed due to the spread of Covid-19 and, as such, many of the ministry opportunities that present themselves through the playing of sport have been temporarily placed on hold…

‘Today, in this unique and challenging season, charity Christians in Sport is calling on Christian sportspeople all over the world to reach out and keep investing in the lives of their sports friends, even though sport has been cancelled,’ the charity said in a press release announcing the launch of their new prayer initiative: PraySTAYSay. The campaign is aimed at helping Christian sportspeople ‘stay faithful during this break in play by staying prayerful for the world of sport; staying intentional in sharing life with sports friends; and staying focused on saying and sharing the hope we have in Jesus’.

Graham Daniels, general director of Christians in Sport said... ‘For 40 years we have existed to reach the world of sport for Christ – equipping Christian sportspeople to live and speak for Jesus – [and] just because sport is off, the mission is not. We sense a real opportunity and a need for people to stick in the lives of their teammates.’

Premier

CHURCH WEDDINGS DROP OFF STEEPLY AS COUPLES WAIT LONGER TO MARRY A generation ago more than half of weddings took place in a church. Now barely one in five couples opt for a religious setting, according to official figures.

Religious nuptials have fallen in the past 30 years to their lowest level on record, partly because of the falling popularity of marriage itself, particularly among the young.

In 2017 there were 242,842 marriages in England and Wales, down 2.8 per cent on the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics…

Religious marriages fell by 9.5 per cent between 2016 and 2017, whereas civil wedding ceremonies dropped by only 0.6 per cent...

Experts said the cost of weddings, particularly when accompanied by a religious ceremony, seemed to deter younger couples, many of whom were... increasingly likely to cohabit.

The Times

Hundreds of thousands of people have downloaded a new coronavirus book for primary school age children, illustrated by bestselling Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler.

Independent book publisher Nosy Crow said it had been overwhelmed by the worldwide response…

The book has been written by staff within the company and has expert input from Professor Graham Medley of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who acted as a consultant, and advice from two head teachers and a child psychologist.

Kate Wilson, Managing Director of Nosy Crow, said... ‘We were very aware that many parents and carers are struggling to explain the... situation to children, many of whom are frightened and confused.’

ITV News

OVER 50,000 PEOPLE SIGN PETITION CALLING FOR NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER OVER CORONAVIRUS Over 50,000 people have signed a petition asking Boris Johnson to call the nation to prayer in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The petition, on change.org, takes inspiration from King George VI’s desperate call to the nation to join in a day of prayer on Sunday 26 May 1940, the start of the evacuation of Dunkirk, when hundreds of thousands of Allied troops risked annihilation at the hands of the Nazis.

In the end, the Nazis did not launch a full-scale assault and a heavy fog obscured the vessels transporting the troops back to safety in Britain.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill would go on to call the dramatic rescue a ‘miracle of deliverance’.

Susan Hawkes, who created the petition, said she hoped to see the same miraculous results in the face of the coronavirus.

Christian Today

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GENERAL Brian Peddle

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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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GRUFFALO ILLUSTRATOR PENS NEW EBOOK EXPLAINING CORONAVIRUS TO CHILDREN

Salvationist 2 May 2020

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CONTENTS

STILL CARING MY first visit to a care home was as a teenager. It wasn’t an Army home and I wasn’t there to visit a family member, but every few weeks Chris, Kath and I – the three corps cadets at Dunstable – would don our uniforms and visit the home to chat with the residents.

It was an odd thing for a teenager to do, perhaps, but I think we did some good. It certainly did us good as we listened to people’s stories and got to know them. It gave us a new perspective on life. I began to respect the older generation – a respect that has grown through my years of ministry. I expect to wake up one day and be part of the older generation myself, so I’m counting on that same respect being shown by younger people then.

The 20th-century American novelist Pearl Buck wrote: ‘Our society must make it right and possible for old people not to fear the young or be deserted by them, for the test of a civilisation is the way that it cares for its helpless members.’ Now, as many of you will be quick to tell me, not all older people are helpless or vulnerable. I suspect that most of our corps rely on the commitment, energy and enthusiasm of older people to get things done. Nevertheless, there are a great number of the older generation who need support from others and who are receiving it – not least in care homes.

This week’s Salvationist highlights the work of Army care homes. On pages 12 and 13 three home managers explain how they, their residents and their staff are doing during the coronavirus pandemic. Work practices have altered, visits are restricted and staff members are under greater pressure, but the quality of care is as high as ever. As Ian Bell at Davidson House in Edinburgh says, ‘There’s some pride in knowing that they’re doing essential work and looking after one of society’s most vulnerable groups of people. Their role is invaluable.’

In our latest article from the archives on pages 14 and 15 Major Alison Raybould reveals what life as an older people’s services chaplain is like in normal times. Knowing that things are different now, I contacted her for an update. She wrote: ‘Ministry for chaplains was never programme focused. Personally, I fit into any role that needs covering. Staff shortage is a challenge. I am fantastic with a mop and bucket! Staff members need to be reminded how brilliant they are. Lockdown means that virtual visits are required. Frustrations and fear can manifest into anger. Although there is grief, there is laughter and hope.’

Recent issues of Salvationist have looked at how some of the Army’s other frontline services are managing during the coronavirus crisis. There has been news from corps and centres here and in other territories, as well as features on food banks and Lifehouses. What we’ve discovered are imaginative and innovative ways to conduct ministry and an incredible effort to serve people, especially the most vulnerable. That is seen in our care homes as well.

The staff and volunteers in all the Army’s frontline services deserve our admiration and thanks. Perhaps we can think of them as we step outside to applaud key workers on Thursday evenings – and pray that God will continue to give them the strength they need to carry on.

Quotes from the media

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News

4 to 6

Prayer pointers

5

Diary of self-isolation Just keep swimming! Week 5

7

by Major Karen Sandford

A message from the Territorial Leader for Leader Development 8 Keep going!

Five marks of mission Teaching and nurturing

9

by Major Ian Mountford

Feature Candidates Sunday

10

by Major Janet Robson

Reflection Learning and living for Jesus

11

by Major Gregory Morgan

Serving in a crisis Caring on the front line

12 and 13

by Melita Day-Lewis

From the archive 14 and 15 What did Martin of Tours ever do for me?

by Major Alison Raybould

Reflection The family silver

16

by Ron Thomlinson

More rear-mirror views A soldier saint rebels

17

by General John Larsson (Retired)

Bible Study Take action!

18 and 19

by Major Steve Smith

Through the week with Salvationist 18 and 19

by Major Lynda Levis

New commitments

20

Faith in past crises 1665: The plague

21

by Major Howard Webber

Poet’s corner God’s unfailing love

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by Major Philip Nield

Reflection Begin the day with God

21

by Brian Colley

Announcements

22 and 23

The Salvation Army and me

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featuring Captain Wendy Brown

From the Editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

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

Salvationist 2 May 2020

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NEWS

Army launches coronavirus helpline HARWICH THE Army has teamed up with local organisations to launch a new support network and helpline for the community amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Harwich Helps offers practical and emotional support via a dedicated helpline. Services on offer through the multi-agency initiative include food delivery for vulnerable and self-isolating people, food bank provision for those experiencing financial hardship, prescription collection and utility top-ups.

More than 120 volunteers across the town and the surrounding areas have joined forces to support the initiative along with the town’s retailers.

Corps officers Lieutenants Shawn and Victoria Moye said: ‘The joining up of different organisations… shows the passion that people have for the area and the need to support the community during this time of crisis.’

The helpline received more than 100 phone calls in the first four days after its launch. – AR Torquay Corps has been appointed the town’s food hub by the council, responsible for resourcing food provisions for those in need in the community

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LONDON: Editor-in-Chief Major Mal Davies (THQ) has been putting up the back page posters from the War Cry in his window to minister to passers-by. Lots of people are also putting up signs and pictures in their windows. Even if you don’t receive War Cry, you can print out the back page of the latest issue from salvationarmy.org.uk/ publications and display it in your window. – AR CHATHAM: The corps is serving hot dinners every day to people experiencing homelessness who have been housed in nearby hotels by the local authority. Every Tuesday 50 takeaway meals are also served from the corps hall door to vulnerable people and people experiencing homelessness. The corps food bank is supporting more than 100 families each week and volunteers are carrying out shopping duties as requested through the 24-hour corps answerphone and referrals from the local authority. – AR

LEEK: Before the coronavirus outbreak, the band presented its annual Last Night of the Proms concert under the leadership of BM Joe Bate. BM Gavin Lamplough and Singing Company Leader Stephanie Lamplough (both Birmingham Citadel) presented trumpet and vocal solos to a congregation

including many who were new to the Army. Everybody present took part enthusiastically in traditional Proms music. Corps members and friends celebrate the good memories created by this evening as it was the last time Joe led the band before his promotion to Glory. – LW

YOUELL COURT: Staff posted a sign outside asking passers-by to honk their car horns to send a virtual hug to everyone inside. Hearing the beeps brought the residents a lot of joy. – AR

Before the coronavirus outbreak, Cicily Clarke celebrates her 100th birthday at a home league lunch at Bangor

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Salvationist 2 May 2020

CIRENCESTER: Corps leader Territorial Envoy Kim Whyard has produced electronic meeting plans for each Sunday, including links to suitable accompaniments for the songs, a band and songster contribution, as well as a Bible reading and a message. These are distributed by email and through the corps website and newly created corps Facebook page. Sunday Club leader Corinne Walters is also continuing YP activities via email. – MG

Prayer pointers Secretary for Spiritual Life Development Lieut-Colonel Jayne Roberts introduces prayer topics for each day of the week

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URING these challenging days we are all invited to pause at noon each day to unite in prayer. This specific time will not be possible for everyone but whenever you take time to pray, the following subjects are offered, which particularly relate to concerns around the pandemic. Different topics will be published each week.

Monday The UK, Republic of Ireland and devolved governments and all who are tasked with making decisions on behalf of others.

We pray for wisdom to guide our nations in these days.

Tuesday LOWESTOFT CITADEL: Belsey Bridge conference centre donated a large amount of food to the community after it closed at the start of the lockdown. Salvationist Ruth Morey had been on secondment at the centre and helped distribute the food to local charities, including the Army. The citadel has put the food to good use through its community response work. – AR ABERDEEN CITADEL: A service for people hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic has been launched in partnership with Social Bite to ensure that vulnerable individuals in the community have weekly access to food parcels and toiletries. – AR WATFORD: The corps has prepared boxes of essential items for vulnerable families in the community. Volunteers have been working with partners in local schools and other agencies to ensure that disadvantaged families do not go without in the coming weeks. Each parcel contains a note and a craft activity for children. – AR SOUTHWICK COMMUNITY PROJECT: The project has started a ‘knock and drop’ service. This allows businesses to donate items to the emergency food supply and vulnerable people to pick up muchneeded food parcels and see a friendly face during difficult times.

Project Manager Graham Wharton said: ‘We’re encouraging people to knock on our office window and drop the food at the door, eliminating contact but still ensuring those who are struggling have what they need.’ – AR

People of all ages who live alone, especially those who cannot leave their homes for health reasons. Lord, bless them and be their comfort and strength.

Wednesday Employers and employees who are facing financial hardships during the lockdown and may continue to do so beyond it.

Thursday Hospital patients who are receiving treatment for Covid-19 and people with other conditions who need dialysis or chemotherapy during these particularly difficult days.

Friday Salvation Army officers and ministers of every denomination who are conducting funerals and ministering to grieving people at this time.

Saturday Under normal circumstances Saturday is often a day when we look forward to family visits, sports or social events and outings. Lord, help us all to be patient and stay safe as we wait for the time when we will meet again.

Sunday We pray for corps and centres that are providing opportunities to unite in prayer and worship online and via printed matter. In these days between Easter and Pentecost may we continue to celebrate the presence of the risen Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

O This

week’s link is to taketime.org.uk. Taketime is a Christian organisation that offers guided meditations, inviting us to listen to Scripture and engage with the stories of Jesus. Its founder spoke at the territory’s Encounter Prayer Gathering in January Stay home if you can, stay safe and keep praying.

Salvationist 2 May 2020

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NEWS

FURZE HILL: When the country went into lockdown and visitors to residential care homes were restricted, staff had to think outside the box to ensure life for their residents carried on as normal. Since mobile hairdressers are now unable to visit, staff members have willingly taken on the task themselves.

Christine and Maureen were the first residents to take part and agreed that the new hairdressing ‘apprentices’ did a very good job! – AR

Hospitals and clinics expand pandemic response IHQ SALVATION Army hospitals and clinics around the world are expanding their response to the coronavirus pandemic.

In Zimbabwe, a short distance from the capital of Harare, Howard Hospital has set up a tent at the hospital’s gate to triage patients before they enter – allowing potential coronavirus patients to be identified immediately.

Due to restrictions put in place to try to reduce the spread of the virus, the hospital is currently only dealing with emergency patients and those who need repeat medications.

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Salvationist 2 May 2020

Sufficient funds have been sourced to allow the hospital to purchase more PPE (personal protection equipment) and IPC (infection prevention and control) materials such as disinfectant and soap. Funds have also been provided to buy five new ventilators and other monitoring equipment to care for people who become seriously ill.

Tshelanyemba Hospital in the south of Zimbabwe has set up a phone line for villagers with symptoms to call so they can be given instructions about what to do. In the event that some of those who have contracted the virus develop severe symptoms before coming to the hospital, funding has been provided to purchase a ventilator as well as PPE and IPC materials.

New funding has also been provided to

Retired Edmonton Songster Leader Alf Knightley celebrates his 100th birthday

Army clinics across Ghana. At present there is only a low number of coronavirus cases, but preparations are in place in case the situation changes.

Evangeline Booth Hospital in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India, has been requested by the authorities to be the area’s central facility for all coronavirus patients. The hospital has designated 30 refurbished single rooms to receive patients, and other beds have been made available if this section becomes full.

The hospital has been given funds to purchase two ventilators and a BiPap machine (to aid breathing) along with other monitoring equipment. As of 7 April the hospital had admitted twenty-two patients and discharged two. So far none of the cases have been diagnosed as serious. – JG

FEATURE I Self-isolation

JUST KEEP SWIMMING! DIARY OF SELF-ISOLATION WEEK 5 Major Karen Sandford (Harlow) continues her day-by-day account of life in lockdown DAY 29 Tuesday 14 April This is the start of our fifth week in lockdown as a family. Cheryl Strayed quoted her mother in the book Wild: ‘There’s always a sunrise and always a sunset and it’s up to you to choose to be there for it... Put yourself in the way of beauty.’

So Daisy and I went on a hunt for bluebells in the woods. As if by magic, the barren landscape of a few weeks before had been transformed into a carpet of blue and green. I got hold of my mum via video call and we shared in the beauty of creation.

I think putting ourselves in the way of beauty will be more and more important as the days go by.

DAY 30 Wednesday 15 April The Testosterone Towers family meeting was tough this morning. I was a bit tearful afterwards, and reminded them: ‘It’s hard living with four men.’ Lovely as they are, that’s a lot for one woman to deal with.

An hour or so later, the bathroom, kitchen and sitting room had all been cleaned, and the grass had been strimmed.

I didn’t intend to use my tears for manipulative purposes, but you may recall the dam bursting last week, and since then tears have never been far from the surface.

I think other people are experiencing this too. As we wrestle with grief – our own and others’ – I believe tears bring healing.

Chris worked a full day yesterday, and he survived! Apart from feeling a bit weary today, there don’t seem to be any ill-effects, so that means he’s getting stronger.

DAY 31 Thursday 16 April We’ve just had the announcement that the lockdown will continue for at least three more weeks.

A friend messaged me, wondering if my

tears were a sign that I needed to take care – if Chris being ill meant I’d been running at a fast speed, and all the while the world had been changing around me. Thank God for friends who put into words what I struggle to articulate.

I haven’t really allowed myself time to process the situation we’re in – to make space for the loss and the grief. The weekly corps programme may have stopped but my responsibilities have changed and increased in unforeseen ways.

This evening I have to acknowledge that I can only do what I can do. Other people doing what they can do will fill the gaps and the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.

DAY 32 Friday 17 April I woke this morning with a sore throat, headache and general aches and pains. I decided to isolate myself as much as possible as we played the ‘Is it or isn’t it?’ game.

I had a trail of conversations via text, phone and video call that lasted the afternoon. All kinds of people in all kinds of situations – grief or joy, furloughed or working from home, key workers or completely isolated.

What does God have to say to us amid it all?

I believe he meets us where we are. Maybe we need to take a few moments to hear him and let our hearts remember.

DAY 33 Saturday 18 April My mum has been continuing my education as we ‘walk’ together. I don’t know the names of some of the trees or flowers. She knows everything.

I’ve done things I enjoy, rested and put myself in the way of beauty. A friend reminded me yesterday that I know what to do when I don’t feel right. I take care of myself. I feel like I’ve done that in the past few days.

We all feel like that at some point. You’re not alone, even if it seems like it.

DAY 34 Sunday 19 April I prepare in advance for the messages I share with the corps but it’s not unusual to be adding things at the last minute. We call them ‘God ticks’ at Harlow, when random things come together in ways we didn’t envisage. God speaks, the Holy Spirit moves and Jesus comes very near.

We had our second Zoom meeting and, after a technical problem with my laptop, we prayed together and for each other.

Even though I felt overwhelmed, I had a call just afterwards encouraging me.

It’s easy to feel discouraged when things go wrong and you see other people’s polished performances. Comparison is never a good game to play.

‘I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.

But I have calmed and quietened myself... like a weaned child I am content... put your hope in the Lord both now and for evermore’ (Psalm 131).

DAY 35 Monday 20 April As a child my first song with Liverpool Walton singing company said: ‘What blessed provision of thy grace,/ That I should find a secret place,/ Within thy presence there to dwell/ And silently, my need to tell.’ Those words captured my imagination at nine years old and speak to my heart still.

Today I found that secret place: in the woods; reading the Bible; art journaling; chatting to a lady from our corps; in Christian meditation via Zoom with 27 strangers; during pastoral calls.

I found it because God is bigger than my circumstances, and as I search for him, he’s already beside me.

O To read Karen’s daily posts in full, go to karensandford.blogspot.com

Salvationist 2 May 2020

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A MESSAGE FROM THE TERRITORIAL LEADER FOR LEADER DEVELOPMENT

Keep going!

I

AM grateful to have an opportunity to say thank you for all that so many of you are doing within The Salvation Army and in your neighbourhoods at this time.

Anthony and I want those of you who are suffering or who have lost loved ones to know that our hearts go out to you.

Everyone in The Salvation Army will want to uphold you in prayer.

Anthony and I live in the centre of London where it’s usually buzzing with people, but there’s hardly anyone around now. We go out for our daily walk in the evenings when we see rough sleepers still out on the streets, who we try to assist where we can, and we see runners – those perhaps who are trying to keep off the pounds during the days of lockdown and more serious runners who are keeping to their fitness regime.

I was reminded that last Sunday would have been the day of the London marathon. What an amazing event that is. It goes right along the end of our road, and last year, before we went out to do ministry, Anthony and I were able to watch some of the runners. It was amazing to see Mo Farah and David Weir, the wheelchair athlete, flying along. There are also other runners who want to get a good time and the wonderful people, including some Salvationists and people linked with the Army, running to raise money for different causes.

Two of our sons have taken part in the marathon and we as a family have tried to catch them up at different stages of the race. Once, when one of our sons was running, and he was about twothirds of the way through, I pushed through the crowd and could see he looked totally spent. His legs had gone and his head was down.

I shouted out his name and said: ‘You can do this, keep going, keep your head up, keep going.’ With that, the crowd around me also called out his name 8

Salvationist 2 May 2020

saying: ‘It’s your mum, it’s your mum; she says keep going, keep your head up.’ I’m pleased to say that he was able to finish the race and received his medal.

My mind went to Hebrews 12, which talks about a race where a crowd is looking on – people mentioned in the previous chapter who had gone through great trials, such as Moses, Gideon and David, who had to keep their heads up at times to keep going.

Hebrews 12:1–3 says: ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.’ It’s a word to the people of that time and to us today: keep going, God knows, he’s with us.

A few pages back, Hebrews 10:24 and

25 say: ‘Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.’

You might think those are strange verses to quote at a time of lockdown when we’re not supposed to meet with each other. But I’m thankful that we’ve found so many different ways to worship, communicate and care for each other while not being able to do church on Sunday.

I’m also grateful for our prayer warriors, for those of you who have been looking after neighbours, and for those of you who are part of the NHS and the services that keep our country going.

Thank you.

There is a wonderful atmosphere of us being in this together, so I would encourage you to spur one another on, keep on encouraging each other, keep on ringing people to make sure they are alright. And may it continue far beyond this present situation.

Thinking about the marathon again, it’s important for runners to take on water. The water I want to refer to today is the water of life, which is Jesus: the water that can refresh, revive and keep us going in challenging times.

The Lord is with us in every situation, providing the strength we need to get through: ‘Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint’ (Isaiah 40:31).

GILL COTTERILL COMMISSIONER TERRITORIAL LEADER FOR LEADER DEVELOPMENT O This

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

FIVE MARKS OF MISSION

Teaching and nurturing Major Ian Mountford explores the second of the territory’s five marks of mission

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F the first mark of mission can be summed up as ‘to tell’ then the second mark is ‘to teach’. To teach and nurture new believers is a reminder that we are not called to make it up as we go along, but that we are subject to Jesus’ authority and given a great commission (see Matthew 28:8–20).

In The Radical Disciple John Stott grapples with the words ‘Christian’ and ‘disciple’. Both suggest a relationship with Jesus, but disciple implies the relationship of a pupil to a teacher. Stott reminds us that belonging to Christ as a Christian requires nothing less than radical discipleship. We do not merely follow, we take on the family name – we know Jesus and live, learn and share our Jesus-shaped life.

In Matthew 10:5 and 6 Jesus had called the disciples to a uniquely Jewish mission. With the great commission of Matthew 28 he calls them to something more important than following and more global than Galilee and Judea. In the context of the disciples worshipping Jesus on a mountain he delivers a radical commission of invitational fruit-bearing, which starts a missional journey that over two millennia has birthed a global Church and huge societal change.

So integral to The Salvation Army is the link between teaching and faith that it is embedded in the Salvation Army Act 1980: ‘The objects of the Army shall be the advancement of the Christian religion as promulgated in the religious doctrines set out in Schedule 1 to this Act, which are professed, believed and taught by the Army.’

Our Movement’s heritage provides us with some radical and creative examples of how to communicate the gospel, lead others to confess Christ as Lord and involve them in the shared mission of disciple making.

But how do we do that today? What

does teaching and nurturing look like? Is it offered as a one-off event or is it a lifelong journey? Who has the gifting to do this?

The experience of recent weeks has been a steep learning curve for many, as some meetings have moved online.

This new norm in a season of heartbreak and fear has been helpful and refreshing. The amazing creativity and diversity demonstrated in some of the resources have not only reminded us how precious community is but, with such a wide variety of content emerging, have perhaps highlighted something of the limitations of our ‘one meeting’ Sundays.

The Jewish Law, the Lord’s prayer, the Beatitudes and the teachings of Paul all point towards an understanding that the transcendence of our worship needs to connect to our everyday journey – our equipping and empowering by the Holy Spirit for mission and ministry. All Christian worship is based on the story of God’s intervention into the human condition. It is as we retell this story, and discover how we fit into it, that worship becomes possible. Jesus lived with, worshipped with and taught his disciples so that their lives would be transformed and their priorities changed. It was in the context of worship that Jesus bequeathed to the Church his mission and ministry (see Luke 24:50–52).

In Forming The Missional Church Nigel Rooms and Patrick Keifert assert that the future of the missional Church is the laity. In Army terms the future of a missional Salvation Army is in its full membership: each of us commissioned to share the gospel, with a ministry to fulfil and a gift to use. Our apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers and shepherds are already in every congregation, from the newest recruit to the oldest saint. Consistent teaching and godly nurturing must saturate every

aspect of our communal life – not tacked on or squeezed in but central, integral and connected – with each person playing their part by using the resources available and consistently pointing to Jesus.

In response to the second mark of mission, many Anglican churches have entered into a nine-year programme called Living and Sharing a JesusShaped Life. They are seeking to embed the culture of whole-life discipleship deeply into the worship life of their churches so that they impact their work, social, professional and family settings.

THE FIVE MARKS OF MISSION O Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ O Making, teaching and nurturing believers O Responding to human need by loving action and relationships O Seeking to transform unjust structures of society O Striving to safeguard the integrity of creation What might such a long-term strategy look like for us? How does this fit with our call to save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity?

Understanding the second mark of mission should lead us back to our roots of preaching to elicit a response and an encounter with God the Holy Spirit, teaching to ensure consistency in sound doctrine, and nurturing and supporting all those with whom we journey.

MAJOR MOUNTFORD IS DIVISIONAL MISSION ENABLER, CENTRAL EAST Salvationist 2 May 2020

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FEATURE I Candidates Sunday

LOOK UP

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it.

Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ – that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

(Colossians 3:1 and 2 The Message)

I

T’S amazing how a shift in perspective can change the way we think about something or someone. When the Candidates Unit landed on the theme Be Alert!, with the first couple of verses of Colossians 3 as the key text, little did we know the perspective from which we would be viewing Candidates Sunday this year.

THE CANDIDATES FUND We have been so grateful over the years for the generosity of people contributing towards the candidates fund. While we appreciate the financial support that has traditionally been given on Candidates Sunday, today’s perspective means that we recognise a more urgent need to raise funds to support the Army’s response to the coronavirus crisis. We would therefore be grateful if those of you who are able to could make a donation to support this life-changing work.

Visit salvationarmy.org.uk to make a donation.

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Territorial Candidates Director Major Janet Robson encourages us to see things from Christ’s perspective

We had no idea that coronavirus would wreak so much havoc and heartache across our planet, that billions of people around the world would be experiencing lockdown or that a virus we’d never heard of would take loved ones from us. We had no idea that the familiar rhythms of gathered worship, service and fellowship would be disrupted or that 8 pm on Thursday evenings in the UK would become a beautiful moment of communal thanksgiving for the heroes in our midst.

I’m writing these words on Easter Saturday, a day with a perspective all of its own. As I reflect on the challenge, the encouragement and the call contained in these verses from Colossians, I’m putting my hope in the perspective of Christ. I’m putting my hope in the amazing acts of kindness that are taking place in our communities, in the innovative ways that people are finding to connect with others and in the reality that as we ‘look up’ and become ‘alert to what is going on around Christ’ we see people reaching out to each other with acts of love and grace.

As I think about officers, envoys and the amazing Army of people who continue to ‘pursue the things over which Christ presides’, I wonder where Candidates Sunday sits in all this. How might God be speaking to people about his call on their lives? Is the coronavirus crisis forcing us to focus on things in a new and better way? What will our lives need to look like if we really are ‘serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ’? I wonder how seriously we

take Paul’s challenge from Colossians to ‘act like it’. Does it mean that some people reading this article need to offer themselves for service as an officer or a territorial envoy?

The Video Production Unit has produced a short, powerful film to help us consider our perspective on Candidates Sunday. It challenges us to understand that we might have a part to play in seeing people come forward for service as officers or territorial envoys: a word of encouragement, challenge or prayer; an offer of availability; a conviction that God is raising up spiritual leaders; an understanding of the need to be obedient; a commitment to be alert to the call of God on our lives and to act on his word to us.

As we celebrate this year’s Candidates Sunday with a different perspective, I’m thankful for the people who played, and continue to play, their part in encouraging and challenging me in my response to God’s call. I’m also thankful for the incredible privilege of officership and for the many people who have offered to serve as territorial envoys – and I’m wondering who’s next.

Who is God talking to about this? What are the implications of seeking to ‘see things from his perspective’ and are we prepared to act on it?

I pray that God will bless us with a desire to be ready to play our part. I pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to ‘look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ’ and that we will be unable to do anything other than join in with the action! May God speak to us on this Candidates Sunday and give us a helpful and holy perspective.

O To

watch the Candidates Sunday video go to vimeo.com/salvationarmyuk/ candidatessunday2020 or to watch the video with subtitles go to vimeo.com/404929519

REFLECTIO REFLECTION C ON

Learning and living for Jesus Major Gregory Morgan reflects on the second of the five marks of mission, developing thoughts presented in the book Partnering With God

G

ROWING up in The Salvation Army of the 1970s and 1980s, perhaps I didn’t listen properly to all those holiness sermons but they left with me the lasting image that holiness was measured by all the things we don’t do rather than what we do. Don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t go to the wrong kinds of places and don’t hang out with others who do any of those things. The message was that you are a holy people and you should isolate yourself from the world around you.

Growing as believers, nurturing our discipleship, becoming a holy person – all these terms refer to the fact that our faith in Jesus is not simply a destination but an ongoing journey. Expressing faith in Jesus is but one step of many in living for him. If we allow isolation and separation to define our holiness or discipleship, then we minimise our potential to build the Kingdom of God in the communities in which God has placed us. It is a holiness of retreat not of transformational influence. It fails to capture the grand vision of our missionhearted God who desires fullness of life for all creation.

It is essential for us to grasp the fact that the Church of God can never exist for itself but rather exists for those still needing to encounter the love of God. As Christopher Wright puts it in The Mission Of God, ‘It is not so much the case that God has a mission for his Church in the world but that God has a Church for his mission in the world.

Mission was not made for the Church; the Church was made for mission – God’s mission.’

If that is true for the Church universal, then how much more so for The Salvation Army. We need to rediscover our missional identity and heritage so we can be the holy people God has called us to be. Discipleship in the Army was never meant to look like Church membership, nor was it meant to be

expressed solely by internal involvement in music sections or leading children’s activities.

Discipleship is a daily adventure of learning and practising. We learn more of Jesus and his deep love for us and we express more of that deep love for the world around us. Let us resist the temptation of viewing our gift of salvation as a ‘ticket to Heaven’ that requires nothing more. That is a shallow reflection of the transformational walk of a true disciple. A question for each of us to consider: Does my love for God overflow in love-infused mission for people and God’s created world? True holiness becomes love for God in action within the world.

If discipleship involves learning and practising, how are we going on the learning front? Some of us recall the challenge of corps cadets or junior soldiers classes and how they helped to mould a more mature faith within us. But what now? Our adult discipleship training within the Army is often sadly lacking. How are you being nurtured so that you might express God’s mission of holy love?

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but listening to the sermon on Sunday

morning is not enough. Your corps officer is doing a good job but if 15 to 20 minutes out of the 10,080 minutes in any given week is all you dedicate to deepening your discipleship then it is leaving you spiritually starved. Try engaging with a spiritual mentor, joining a Bible study group, reading some enriching spiritual books or listening to podcasts on discipleship. All of these are constructive steps to deepening your own journey. There are plenty of approaches and resources to nurture your missional holiness.

As Salvationists, let us step boldly into a holiness and discipleship that we have constructively nurtured – not a religion of disengagement or isolation but a faith that proclaims the love of God for all creation.

O Partnering

With God: Being A Missional Salvationist by Lynette Edge and Gregory Morgan will be available from SP&S in the near future

MAJOR MORGAN IS THE DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, SOUTHERN Salvationist 2 May 2020

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FEATURE Serving in a crisis

Caring on the front line Managers at three Army care homes tell Melita Day-Lewis about the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on their work

Chris Shields

Sharon Boyd

‘I

WOULD say that in the 14 years I have been here this is the most challenging time I have ever experienced,’ says Chris Shields, home manager of Villa Adastra care home in Hassocks near Brighton.

Chris manages about 40 staff members who care for 35 residents mostly aged from mid-70s to late 90s, including one aged 101. Many of the residents live with dementia or physical impairments and all are considered to be at risk from the coronavirus pandemic.

The excellent personal care of residents continues as it always has but there are some significant changes. One of the most difficult for residents is that relatives and friends can no longer visit them.

‘They’re missing their visits and that input from families. FaceTime and Skype at least allow them to maintain some semblance of contact,’ explains Chris. ‘But the home is definitely different. It’s not as bright and busy because we’re not having the people coming in and out that we usually do.’

Visiting entertainment has also

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Salvationist 2 May 2020

stopped, so staff members are coming up with ideas to keep residents stimulated, and the home’s Facebook page lets family members see what activities the residents are doing. Baking is still taking place and, inspired by the children in the neighbourhood, residents have put rainbows in the windows.

‘We’re hoping to get into the garden when the weather warms up to plant vegetables and flowers,’ Chris adds.

An added pressure is dealing with the staff members’ natural apprehensions, not only about avoiding coronavirus themselves but also about bringing it into the home. The management team constantly reassures them and allays their fears.

‘I’m not going to say that I haven’t had wobbly moments,’ Chris admits. ‘This pandemic is something none of us has come up against before and, while I remain positive, when I’ve finished my day there are moments when I do struggle. It’s tiring because there’s a lot of information coming in; there’s so much to consider about what we need to have in place, just in case.’

There is ‘plenty of support’, however, from the Army’s occupational health team and Older People’s Services, and Chris feels his team is dealing with the situation.

‘Despite everything we’re facing, it’s still a pleasure to be able to come in and look after our residents. It feels like we’re still doing the right thing. We do what we do for a reason – we’ve always done it for a reason – and that reason is really quite clear, particularly in these

‘

I really just live a day at a time and get enough grace to cope with whatever the day brings

’

difficult times. It’s about looking after and keeping safe our vulnerable people.’

Sharon Boyd is the home manager for Sir Samuel Kelly Memorial care home in Holywood, near Belfast. Leading a team of 55 people caring for 32 residents, she describes her role in a typical week: ‘I work together with an administrator and a head of care to ensure that every resident has person-centred care, support services are well maintained, the food is cooked and the home is cleaned.’

Her responsibilities also include financial administration, appraisals, weekly management meetings and

Ian Bell

auditing every aspect of care and administration.

‘We need to make sure that the care we’re delivering is up to a really good standard and never slips, and that it is always moving forward. Every day is exciting, different, challenging and diverse.’

Thrown into the mix are the challenges and demands that come with the coronavirus outbreak.

‘It’s a lot of extra work,’ says Sharon.

‘There are daily updates from my line manager, the Salvation Army pandemic task force and THQ, and I’m constantly looking for public health updates. As a management team we need to make sure we’re on top of regulatory guidance, because things are changing every day in terms of processes and procedures. It’s important that we’re always reading emails and making sure our team is well informed.’

To make sure residents and staff members are protected from infection, processes such as hand-washing and the correct use of personal protective equipment have to be reinforced at all times. Staff members have also taken on entertainment activities after these were cancelled due to the lockdown.

‘We are working hard so that life

continues the same for residents, especially when their loved ones can’t visit. We are making an extra effort to do nice things and make sure they’re still getting all the attention they need.’

As a team, they are also working hard to keep morale up.

‘No one has said they don’t want to work in case the virus comes in,’ says Sharon. ‘Everyone is saying, “What can we do to help, to make this better?”’

Asked how she is coping with these challenges, Sharon declares: ‘I’m a great believer that you’re not given more than you can cope with. I feel responsibility as a manager, of course, and I do worry about what will happen if coronavirus does come into the home, but I really just live a day at a time and get enough grace to cope with whatever the day brings.’

The team is currently managing to get everything done that needs to get done, delivering a high standard of care for the residents and giving a little bit extra.

‘That’s just what we do,’ Sharon concludes. ‘The staff members all give whatever they can and it’s always more than enough!’

Ian Bell is standing in as home manager at Davidson House care home in Edinburgh. His team of 41 cares for

40 residents, most of whom are living with dementia or cognitive impairment.

Although, in many ways, it’s business as usual, Ian says staff members are more anxious and concerned about the risks associated with the pandemic.

‘I have been so impressed by their commitment to come to work,’ says Ian. ‘There’s some pride in knowing that they’re doing essential work and looking after one of society’s most vulnerable groups of people. Their role is invaluable.’

Part of Ian’s responsibility during this time is to keep staff members encouraged: ‘I have more conversations with staff now than I’ve ever done and that’s helped. I’m out and about even more than usual to make sure people are doing OK. We’re keeping things as normal as we can.’

Another challenge they face is adhering to government guidelines on social distancing. Ian admits it’s logistically difficult to do so when the nature of their work is to come alongside residents, including helping many of them wash and get into bed. Residents are also missing visiting entertainers, to say nothing of the visiting hairdresser.

Fortunately a staff member who was a hairdresser by trade is filling the gap.

‘A few years ago I discovered how much I underestimated the importance of a woman’s hair,’ Ian laughs. ‘I am now well educated!’

He sums up how he feels about working as a care home manager, especially at this time: ‘This is one of the most difficult management jobs I’ve ever had, even before the coronavirus outbreak. But it is probably the most enjoyable. You make a real difference in somebody’s life.’

Salvationist 2 May 2020

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FROM THE

ARCHIVE

WHAT DID MARTIN OF TOURS EVER DO FOR ME?

N

EVER ask a chaplain what they do, unless you are ready to listen to a long-winded answer, or are content with the cliché: ‘It’s not about doing, it’s about being.’ If you are offered that platitude, ask them: ‘What do you be?’

If you are wondering about chaplaincy, then check out Martin of Tours, who, as a young, reluctantly enlisted Roman soldier, impulsively cut his military cloak in two and wrapped one half around an Athens beggar. Then read all you can about the life of ‘Woodbine Willie’, a wacky chaplain during the First World War. Then immerse yourself in the last few hours of the life of Mychal Judge, chaplain to the New York City Fire Department and the first certified fatality of the 9/11 attacks.

These inspiring life stories may seem a million miles away from contemporary chaplaincy, but, in part, they sum up what a chaplain does. We are a varied bunch, found in unusual places, through grace alone ministering to God’s people.

Major Alison Raybould Raybould Major Alison writes about life writes about lifeasasanan Older People’s Services Older chaplainPeople’s prior to the Services coronaviruschaplain outbreak

‘‘

We are a varied bunch, found in unusual places, through grace alone ministering to God’s people

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Salvationist 2 May 2020

’’

BUT WHAT DO I DO? It would be handy if I could offer you a neatly defined answer. I’m not one for clichés. I can’t even talk of a normal week.

I’m the chaplain at Davidson House, a home for 40 residents, most of whom are living with dementia. I work as part of a committed team to offer personcentred care, endeavouring to meet physical and spiritual needs.

We work hard, play hard, cry and laugh a lot, sometimes get it wrong but on wonderful days get it right.

There are the regular services: Thought For The Day every weekday, as well as Sunday worship. There is a changing congregation of staff, residents and families, but I attempt to facilitate ‘age appropriate’ worship. I’ve come to realise that in worship you have to place personal aspiration aside and recognise and celebrate ministry moments.

There is much singing. The familiar hymns of childhood are unashamedly

sung. Even if words are forgotten, the emotions and embedded faith they evoke are not. We enjoy learning new songs, although painful experience has taught me it’s best to issue the health warning of ‘Hold on to your false teeth and don’t try anything that means I’ll have to fill out an accident report’ before we attempt action choruses. At the moment, to the enjoyment of one resident, we end most songs with ‘bumdiddly bumbum’.

We study the Bible together and discuss and argue great theological topics. I am humbled that I worship with people who have forgotten more about the Bible than I could ever learn. We find comfort in the stories of Jesus. We try to engage all our senses. The Last Supper equates to sharing bread and juice together; discussing ‘anointing’ we smell perfumed oils; ‘discipleship’ means we get to play with fishing nets!

I do a lot of handholding, waiting, walking, playing and listening. People want company, to participate in normal things with someone who has nothing better to do, nowhere more important to be, than to be with them.

I MAKE THE TIME It’s humbling, inspiring, difficult and fun.

Recently I played ‘hide and seek’ while having a conversation about funeral plans. I make tea and drink coffee and pinch biscuits. I am told off for not ironing my blouse. My hair is combed flat and there is the regular threat of my backside getting ‘skelped’ for being cheeky.

Dementia presents so much opportunity to do the stuff that is really

important, to have the conversation that unites the family. Although much is lost, so much is discovered. The mother laughing with her daughter about the time she had two boyfriends because ‘well, your dad wasn’t much of a dancer’. I enable families to say goodbye however they want to. No judgment, no sermons, just prayers and handholding. Funerals are just as person-centred as life should be.

I journey with people who minister to each other. Because of our environment, we love deeply and grieve painfully. I get to be the person who is shouted at: ‘Why did God let this happen?’ I’m allowed to cry in public, cuddle and be held, to share my faith in an honest, confused way. But I get to laugh deeper than I ever thought possible, wheezing as if I’ve run a marathon.

I MAKE AN OFFERING TO GOD Basically I get to do what Martin of Tours did: to offer that which I have to try and cover the needs of another. In other words, I don’t do very much, except make an offering to God, enabled through grace because of his great love.

I just follow the advice of Paul: ‘So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering.

Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him’ (Romans 12:1 The Message).

MAJOR RAYBOULD IS CHAPLAIN AT DAVIDSON HOUSE CARE HOME, EDINBURGH O This article was first published in the 22 October 2016 Salvationist

Salvationist 2 May 2020

15

REFL RE FLEC FL ECTI EC TION N REFLECTION

The family silver Ron Thomlinson treasures the lessons learnt from past sermons

B

EING the proud custodian of the family silver, I’m in a bit of a pickle. I cannot sell it or pawn it, as it has no visible hallmark. In fact, to the naked eye, my family silver is just a pile of old papers waiting to be thrown away.

A recent purge of our attic revealed three thick packets of sermons my mum and dad had preached during a combined total of nearly 80 years as corps officers. What do officers’ kids do with their deceased parents’ sermons?

Orders And Regulations is silent on the matter.

I am not lobbying for my parents to receive a lifetime achievement award for their preaching. They, too, had feet of clay. Like many a contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest, some of their meetings will undoubtedly have received nul points from congregations.

It took me several days to read them all. Though they were words from and for a previous generation, they constituted a treasure trove of all kinds of information. What I discovered affected me deeply.

Though Mum sometimes played the ‘I’m only a simple mill girl from Batley’ card, she was a clever woman with a

spiritual presence and authority on the platform. She knew how to lead a meeting. Her sermon material carried the signature of a teacher. She wrote her talks out in full and in longhand without crossings out or alterations – an amazing display of self-discipline. After Dad died, she took over his sermons, preaching them with her own life experiences and illustrations added to his text in tiny letters. It was beautiful to observe.

Dad’s talks were quite different from hers: they were full of human interest.

His material came alive with stories about the people he had met or read about in the Bible. His listeners could easily identify with the portraits he painted. He signalled changes in society and tried to find a Christian response to scientific discoveries. Newspaper cuttings were essential.

Perhaps his most challenging sermons were created in the face of human tragedy. One holiness meeting in 1961 wrestled with the issue of a 20-year-old Jamaican building worker being persecuted for Christ’s sake. For six months the young, shy man had been so viciously victimised for his faith that, in a moment of desperation, he killed one of his tormentors with a seven-pound hammer. When the newspapers reported the trial Dad dealt with this spiritual dilemma without any sense of judgment on his fellow believer.

Reading Dad’s material, I was captivated by his ability to bring Old

Testament stories to life and apply them to a congregation. Incidents in the lives of Josiah, Ezekiel, Elisha and King David were combined with fascinating, lesser-known stories, such as Absalom’s handsomeness and vanity, and Michal in 1 Samuel.

Dad’s love for the Army hall and worship was reflected in a text from Leviticus 6:13: ‘The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out’ (King James Version). When some Salvationists started to miss meetings he pointed out that the citadel was their temple ‘and not a Holiday Inn’.

My father’s self-confessed passion was for the backslider: ‘For me, there is a greater regret in my heart for backsliders than for those who have never known… Your heart must break if you are to win souls.’

He was always grateful for his experiences of God’s presence.

Occasionally he spoke of his failures as a leader, his fear of public speaking, his anti-establishment behaviour and the fact he had never forgotten his humble beginnings.

In the corner of the talks are small letters, such as ‘SH’ for Seaham Harbour and ‘K’ for Keighley. As corps were recalled, people whom I know are still alive and heard those words came to mind: Connie White, Brighouse; Mary Fowler, Willenhall; Bob Batchelor, Halifax; Alf Ward, Birmingham Citadel.

Precious memories.

Though this is all true, the question still remains: What on earth am I to do with these pieces of paper?

I have decided to save a few of these talks in my ‘special memories’ box. Then I will hold an altar service. I will light a candle to help me become quiet, after which I will slowly and thoughtfully put the papers in a shredder. Upon completion I will pray a gentle, silent ‘Amen – so be it’.

Why this ceremony? It is because this family silver, though made of paper, bears the hallmark of the Holy Spirit.

RON LIVES IN THE NETHERLANDS 16

Salvationist 2 May 2020

MORE REAR-M MIR RRO OR

A SOLDIER SAINT REBELS General John Larsson (Retired) shares fascinating glimpses of the early Army – 1890-1912

E

VERYONE loved Commissioner George Scott Railton. They loved him for his simplicity and because he was an original. So, when the second international congress was moving to its climax with a great rally in London’s Queen’s Hall on Friday 6 July 1894, his absence from the platform did not go unnoticed.

But Railton did not disappoint. His biographer Bernard Watson takes up the story in Soldier Saint: ‘Railton entered at the last moment and took his place on the platform barefooted and dressed in sackcloth – just like a friar, just like Railton! With no hint of what was to follow William Booth joined in the general applause. Everyone loved Railton’s eccentric gestures; all knew that he was a holy man. Dear Railton!

One never knew what he would be doing next!’

Railton, by then aged 45 and the Territorial Commander for Germany, was not a happy man. He was distressed by the commercialism that had crept into the fundraising for the Darkest England scheme, with whole pages of The War Cry advertising wares sold by the trade department, and officers being set aside for collecting money. And he disapproved of Salvationists being offered shares in the Army’s building association. To him it all smacked of laying up treasures on Earth – in direct contradiction to our Lord’s command.

His distress boiled over at the congress when flyers were handed out inviting Salvationists to take out life insurance with the recently formed Salvation Army Assurance Society. The

papers were signed by Colonel Bremner, the first director of the society.

When the meeting was opened for testimony, Railton moved forward to speak. He began by thanking the General for emphasising self-sacrifice in his morning address, before adding: ‘Judge then my surprise when I found lying at my feet a dirty piece of paper,’ at which point he held up the life insurance advert for all to see.

He continued: ‘It is inviting our officers to pay 20 shillings of the Lord’s money and offering to give them 33 farthings yearly in return – a farthing for each year of Christ’s life on Earth! Worst of all, this dirty piece of paper bore the signature of a staff officer, bearing the commission of our General and professing to be issued with his authority. Therefore, when I heard the General say this morning that he still believed in the necessity of a life of self-denial and sacrifice such as enabled The Salvation Army to win its victories in the past, I was glad.’

With that, Railton placed ‘the dirty piece of paper’ on the floor and trampled on it before returning to his seat.

An embarrassed silence followed.

Such things did not happen in Army meetings.

William Booth saw Railton some days later. It was a painful interview. The General hoped for a public apology, but Railton held his convictions too strongly for that. The official line became that Commissioner Railton was stressed through overwork and would therefore farewell from his appointment and take sick leave.

Following a brief rest he was

appointed Travelling Commissioner and as such journeyed to the far corners of the Earth to become the General’s eyes and ears. Apart from a period as Territorial Commander for France, he held this appointment until his death 19 years later. During these years the bond of affection that William and Bramwell Booth had with Railton was sometimes strained because of his divergent views but was never broken.

Railton died at the age of 64, prematurely worn out. His disregard for comfort was legendary. He always travelled third class because there was no fourth. And on 19 July 1913 he died alone at the railway station in Cologne, Germany.

In his pocket was found a handwritten document that stated his name and gave his address as ‘101 Queen Victoria Street, London’. Its content was pure Railton: ‘If found anywhere dead, please bury on the spot as quickly and cheaply as possible, reporting as above. If any church close by will bury, good. If not, do not trouble. But report.

‘You can rely on The Salvation Army to pay any really needed costs, as of a poor man – no flowers. 101 will report to my dear wife and family; but I do not want any of them to have the cost and misery of coming to bury me.

‘My love to everybody. Amen. I am going to Heaven. Meet me there.’

Commissioner George Scott Railton was buried in Abney Park cemetery next to General William Booth, who had been promoted to Glory the previous year.

The funeral services were conducted by General Bramwell Booth.

Salvationist 2 May 2020

17

BIBLE STUDY

Take action!

Major Steve Smith challenges us not to let past failure deter us from being involved in God’s plan EXODUS 2:11–22

I

N the 1988 Olympic Games, West German decathlete Jürgen Hingsen, a world-record holder with an excellent chance of winning a gold medal, had three false starts in his first event, the 100-metre sprint. He was disqualified and his games were over before they had begun. But a bad start does not always mean instant disqualification.

QUESTION you sometimes think that some kind of false start might have disqualified you from life’s race?

O Do

When we think about Moses, a number of defining moments likely come to mind: Moses, the baby who escaped Pharaoh’s order of death only to be rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter; Moses, the man who encountered God at the burning bush; Moses, the reluctant leader who, for some

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

by Major Lynda Levis

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Salvationist 2 May 2020

40 years, led his people out of oppression and captivity and on their journey towards the Promised Land; Moses, the one who encountered God face-to-face and received the Ten Commandments.

We know very little of Moses between his rescue on the banks of the Nile and his first significant act, at the age of 40, which was to kill a man and bury the body. Could we agree that this was not the finest start to his recorded adult life?

It was not a premeditated act but, when Moses saw an Egyptian taskmaster beating one of his own countrymen, his sense of anger at the injustice was such that he snapped and committed the most serious of crimes.

QUESTION what extent is it better to do the wrong thing with the right motive than nothing at all?

O To

The following day, things were to get even worse for Moses when he spotted another situation – a fight between two of his fellow Hebrews – that moved him to action. Moses stepped in to break up the fight only to be confronted by the news that his heinous crime of the previous day had been witnessed.

Any credibility that Moses might have had was now completely ruined. To top it all off, Pharaoh was now seeking revenge for the Egyptian’s death. Moses fled to the desert, where he made a new life for himself. He married, had a son and lived in obscurity.

QUESTIONS O If you were Moses, how might you have felt at this point?

O Would you risk stepping up and taking action again?

O To what extent might our actions affect an opportunity to do something significant?

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

(Romans 3:23 and 24)

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,/ Forgive our foolish ways;/ Reclothe us in our rightful mind;/ In purer lives thy service find,/ In deeper reverence, praise.

(SASB 456)

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

(Psalm 139:23 and 24)

It’s worth noting that it was not until Moses was approximately 80 years old that he encountered God at the burning bush and received his assignment to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of his people. Moses spent the last 40 years of his life as the mighty leader for which he is remembered.

Edmund Burke was right when he said: ‘The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.’ Perhaps many a good intention has not been acted upon because good men and women feared doing what should be done – or saying what should be said.

American evangelist DL Moody received widespread criticism for his unusual methods of evangelism.

Many of the established Christian leaders of the day referred to him as ‘Crazy Moody’.

His response to one of his critics should resonate with anyone who has received, or given, criticism: ‘It is clear you don’t like my way of doing evangelism. You raise some good points. Frankly, I sometimes do not like my way of doing evangelism. But I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it.’

People who take action, especially leaders in times of crisis, will often be criticised or misunderstood. Being active in a passive world will make us stand out from the crowd, but it’s typically better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing perfectly.

how they can respond, I often give the same piece of advice: ‘If it’s not illegal or immoral then give it a go.’

The road to success is almost always paved with multiple failures, but the most common failure of all is to do nothing.

QUESTION what situation do you feel compelled to take action?

O In

Pray that God will give you the wisdom to respond correctly – to listen to what he says, step out in faith and take action.

QUESTION O How might fear of misunderstanding, failure or loss of popularity affect us?

When people talk to me about the opportunities, injustices or frustrations they are facing and want to think through

MAJOR SMITH IS DIVISIONAL MISSION ENABLER, SEVERN AND SOMERSET

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Depth of mercy! Can there be/ Mercy still reserved for me?/ Can my God his wrath forbear?/ Me, the chief of sinners, spare?/ God is love, I know, I feel,/ Jesus lives and loves me still.

(SASB 457)

What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’

(Romans 9:14 and 15)

I have no claim on grace;/ I have no right to plead;/ I stand before my maker’s face/ Condemned in thought and deed./ But since there died a Lamb/ Who, guiltless, my guilt bore,/ I lay fast hold on Jesus’ name,/ And sin is mine no more.

(SASB 463)

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ( Jeremiah 29:11)

Prayer Lord God, we thank you that no experience in our lives is ever wasted. Thank you that even our greatest mistakes can be redeemed by the grace and mercy of our loving Saviour, Jesus Christ.

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NEW COMMITMENTS

SOUTHPORT: Corps officer Captain Alison Hutchings enrolled Tyler Sargent and Cara Cobham as soldiers. They both grew up in the YP corps and have already proved themselves to be talented musicians.

They are keen to contribute to the ministry of winning new souls for the Lord. – GM

CLACTON: During the junior church meeting, sisters Abi and Ellie were enrolled as junior soldiers by corps officers Majors Barrie and Maria Sampson. Holding the flag is Abi and Ellie’s grandad, CSM Robert Fisher. – VR

OPENSHAW: Corps officer Captain Jane Bishton welcomed Liz, John and Julie as adherent members. Liz’s faith was rejuvenated when she linked up with the corps after her granddaughter attended the divisional summer school. John first experienced the Army when he stayed in a London hostel; he later volunteered in the corps charity shop and started attending meetings. Julie, who had previously attended Crewe, became an adherent member after moving back to Manchester, her home city. – JB

SOUTHAMPTON SHOLING: Major Sheila Smith enrolled junior soldiers Melissa, Victoria, Isobel and Leo, as well as Ellie and Grace (not pictured). They each received a badge and certificate and knelt together at the mercy seat to sign the junior soldier’s promise. Also pictured are corps officer Major Granville Myers and flag bearer Terry Lane-Smith. – SC

Editor’s note: These reports are from meetings that took place before the current safety advice relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

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REDRUTH: Corps officer Major Lisa Goble enrolled Angela Jago as a soldier. Angela’s family and friends, many attending the Army for the first time, were present to support her. Also pictured are CSM Paul Green and CS Barbara Trevena. – LG

FEATURE I Faith in past crises

REFL RE FLEC FL ECTI EC TION TI ON REFLECTION

A selfless decision

Begin the day with God

Major Howard Webber continues his series recalling how people of faith have acted in past crises

I

N August 1665 George Viccars, a tailor’s assistant in Eyam, Derbyshire, received a parcel from London containing cloth that turned out to contain plague-carrying fleas. Within a week he was dead and, in the following two months, a further 28 villagers died.

With the coming of winter the situation improved and there were no deaths. The disease appeared to have abated. This gave the villagers false hope, for the following May saw two further deaths before a dramatic increase in the number of fatalities in June.

So as to be able to concentrate on the needs of the suffering, the newly appointed rector, William Mompesson, wanted to send his wife, Catherine, and family away from the village to safety.

But Catherine refused to go. Having ensured the children were safely dispatched to Yorkshire, she remained

POET’S CORNER

to support her husband by visiting the sick.

It was in June 1666 that Mompesson and another clergyman, Thomas Stanley, made the momentous decision – with the reluctant agreement of the villagers – to quarantine the village, cutting it off from the outside world in an effort to stop the disease spreading northwards. They knew that it could mean certain death for many villagers, including their own family members.

People from the surrounding area would leave food for the villagers on the boundary stones, and the villagers would leave money washed in vinegar to pay for it, ensuring there was no contact between them. In quarantining themselves for 12 months they saw their death toll rise. Of a population that historians place between 350 and 800, more than 260 villagers died, including Catherine.

One survivor, Elizabeth Hancock, buried her husband and six children within eight days. There wasn’t one family unaffected by tragedy.

Amazingly, only two people in all that time broke their commitment to the quarantine. The selfless sacrifice by those villagers may well have saved the lives of thousands.

GOD’S UNFAILING LOVE

IF every grain of sand Should wash up on the shore; If every cosmic star Should shine its light no more;

If pillars of the Earth Should crumble at the core, If rolling rivers ceased To roll towards the shore –

If every drop of rain Stopped falling from the sky, And all the oceans deep Were one day to run dry;

If all these things came true, Of this we can be sure: The boundless love of God Will last for evermore.

If every ray of sun No longer shed its light, And every single day Became as dark as night;

Major Philip Nield (Bury St Edmunds and Lavenham)

Brian Colley (Clowne) begins a series of reflections on verses from Psalms In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice. (Psalm 5:3)

I

T is good to pray in the morning when our minds are fresh, for often evening prayers can be interrupted with thoughts of the day or fatigue dulls the brain.

When we love and serve God, each new day starts in conversation with him.

The psalmist appears to have written this psalm for the morning, and his opening plea – ‘Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament’ (v1) – suggests he recognises that God not only hears vocal petitions but also knows the desires of the heart.

The psalmist seems to believe that God does not like people who sin: ‘Banish them for their many sins’ (v10). The New Testament tells us that Jesus Christ hates sin but loves the sinner. Today we know that, because of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice and his pleading on the penitents’ behalf, God will save those whom the psalmist here asks God to turn away.

Although it is good to pray in the morning, all prayers are heard and answered at any time of the day.

Though millions pray, you understand The mother-tongue of every land; From dawn of day to setting sun, Amazing God, you hear each one.

You answer with ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘wait’, Your care for us is truly great; Though we at times impatience show, You never let us down, we know.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Emerald (55th) O Lieut-Colonels Jean and John Pearce-Haydon (15 May) RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Lieut-Colonel Howard Grottick (80 on 11 May) O Major David Hart (85 on 14 May) BEREAVED O Captain Angela Wilson, Peterborough Ortons, of her mother Sheila Starling O Shirley Bate, Leek, of her husband BM Joe Bate, SL Gillian Jennings, Leek, of her father O Territorial Envoy Ann Lovie, Brechin, of her brother Jim Burnett O Major Leslie Pearce of his wife Major Peggy Pearce, Sarah Oliver, Margate, of her mother, Jonathan Pearce of his sister O SL Glynis Bromage, Dundee, and Songster Beverley Yule, Springburn, of their father Robert Moir O Captain Peter Simpson of his wife Major Christine Simpson O Eleanor Dickson, Belfast Sydenham, of her husband Bandsman/Songster Sandy Dickson, Ian Dickson, Robert Dickson, Belfast Sydenham, and Lieutenant Barry Dickson, Peterhead, of their father O Major Derek Jones, Anglia DHQ, CT Charles Jones, Hereford, and Alison Abbott of their brother Andrew O Major Stephen Whittingham of his mother O Bob Cameron, Northampton, of his wife Songster Gwen Cameron O General AndrĂŠ Cox (Retired), Pierre Cox and Yvette Cox of their mother Mrs Commissioner Hilda Cox PROMOTED TO GLORY O S/Reservist Florence Laverick, Chester-le-Street

ENGAGEMENTS All engagements have been postponed until further notice

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B/Reservist Cyril Turner, Brighton Congress Hall O Major John Morton from Fitzwarren House care home, Swindon, on 14 April O Major Peggy Pearce from Lewisham hospital, London, on 14 April O Major Christine Simpson from Royal Stoke University Hospital on 16 April O Mrs Commissioner Hilda Cox from Hampton Lodge care home, Southampton, on 23 April O

WHAT’S ON DEVELOP PODCAST: ARE WE PERFECTLY POSITIONED TO RESPOND TO THE PANDEMIC? O The Salvation Army is currently present in 131 countries. The breadth of work and contexts in which it operates is enormous. So how do we stay connected and true to our core mission values despite having to operate in a multitude of cultural contexts and languages?

Listen to Elise Belcher (International Development Office, Sweden and Latvia Territory) reflect on the role of IHQ in co-ordinating responses around the globe, especially during disasters. Can we utilise the Salvation Army networks, which are deeply embedded in local knowledge and understanding, to respond effectively to communities that are most affected?

This episode and previous episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Castbox.

TRIBUTES MAVIS STONE, STAPLE HILL BORN in 1940 into a loving Army family, Mavis grew up at Stapleford with five sisters and a brother. She loved the Lord and, at the age of 19, entered the training college in the Greathearts Session, serving for 13 years in Glasgow, Bath, Hemsworth, Eckington, Staveley, Belfast and Pill. She made many friends along the way and later settled at Bristol Kingswood, where she became a songster and was

involved in pastoral care.

In 1972, Mavis married Gordon.

They had two children, Kevin and Helen, four grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.

In 1998, Mavis and Gordon transferred to Staple Hill, where she joined the songsters, home league, Cameo and over-60 club and took leadership of the gardening club. She loved singing and was a songster for 60 years. Helping whenever she could, her crafts raised funds for the Kenya Trust.

Missed by her family and corps, Mavis is reunited with Gordon and singing in the heavenly choir. Servant of Christ, well done! – VW

CHRIS CLARIDGE, STAPLE HILL BORN in Bristol in 1925, Chris left school at 14 to work as a printer’s assistant. In 1940, he joined the home guard, then the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm, where he trained as an aircraft mechanic.

Stationed near Padstow, he met Joan, who became his wife in 1945, and they had two sons, Glenn and Robin.

Following Joan’s passing, Chris visited Staple Hill Corps in 1990 and

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WE UPDATE SALVATIONARMY.ORG.UK/ PUBLICATIONS EVERY THURSDAY AT 3 PM GIVING YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO

O View and download new and archived issues O Catch up on any news you missed O Follow our weekly Bible studies O Share issues with others Like our page at SalvationistOnline to keep up to date Find Salvationist on Twitter @SalvationistUK

never looked back, becoming an adherent member in 1997. He attended the over-60 club and weekly luncheon club and was part of the community care ministries team.

Chris was said to give ‘golden handshakes’, for when people took their

hand away they would find a Werther’s Original in its golden wrapper. A loving and caring gentleman, Chris is greatly missed by his family, including four grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren, his friend Brenda and the corps. He is now in God’s care. – VW

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

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE This update includes information from the four THQ services: Business Administration, Communications, Mission and Personnel

Unit at atms@salvationarmy.org.uk. If there is an immediate danger to the suspected victim or if you think that the suspected victim is under 18, call the police on 999.

THE FURLOUGH PROCESS Significant steps have been taken to furlough individual roles over the past weeks. This is an incredibly difficult time, and people managers have been provided with additional resources to help them support furloughed individuals and teams.

DO YOU NEED SOMETHING PRINTED? The cancellation of many events and corps activities has caused a decline in work for the THQ Print and Design Unit.

Some staff have been furloughed but the unit manager, Paul Fowler, is still working and available for consultation if there are jobs he cannot do but for which you need a quote from a local printer. He has decades of experience in the printing industry and can help with the outsourcing of print jobs if the unit cannot currently complete them.

Some corps may want to print cards or flyers for letterbox drops offering support, or corps promotional material to go into food parcels. You may even want a poster to go on the front door or window of your hall notifying people of your closure and contact details. Email paul.fowler@ salvationamy.org.uk to submit a job or seek Paul’s advice.

WAR CRY IN THE WINDOW Lots of people are putting signs and pictures in their windows at the moment – how about using the poster page that comes on the back of every War Cry? Encourage others to do this to help minister to those passing by. If you don’t receive the War Cry, visit salvationarmy.org.uk/ publications to download the latest issue.

DIVISIONAL FOOD DISTRIBUTION NETWORK Final plans are being put into place to open divisional food distribution hubs as a strategic response to support corps and centres. The hubs are in DHQs or corps buildings that can house large supplies to be used to bolster existing support for food banks. Financial or in-kind donations permitting, bulk supplies of food from wholesalers will be delivered to the hubs, then distributed to corps as required.

LOOK OUT FOR VICTIMS OF MODERN SLAVERY People helping at food banks are asked to keep a particular lookout for potential victims of modern slavery. Some tell-tale signs are physical: O They may look uneasy, unkempt or malnourished O They may have untreated injuries Some signs are less obvious: O They may have someone speaking for them or watching over them O They may be fearful of another individual who appears to be controlling their interaction with others O They don’t have referral documentation for the food bank O They may be unwilling to engage O Someone may be dropping them off, picking them up and controlling their movement O They may not be sure of their own address If you have come into contact with someone who you suspect may be a victim of modern slavery and in need of help, phone our 24/7 confidential referral helpline (0800 808 3733) and email the Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery

FUNDRAISING The fundraising team and Business Development and Tendering Unit are working to identify sources of external funding for the Army’s work managing the impact of Covid-19 on vulnerable individuals and communities, and to provide funds to assist the organisation through this challenging time.

Sources of funding include governments (via local authorities), foundations, trusts and other grant-making bodies. Corps and centres can engage with local businesses for funding up to £5,000. Larger amounts are being sought from businesses by THQ on behalf of the whole territory.

It is not yet clear how the UK government’s £750 million support package for charities will be distributed, but leadership is looking to see how the Army could benefit.

The fundraising team is working with the Homelessness Services Unit to apply for funding from the Scottish Wellbeing Fund and funds such as the In This Together fund operated by Crisis.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT THQ’s Research and Development Unit has been commissioned to undertake research during the coronavirus crisis to understand how the Army is doing, will do and will reimagine mission differently as a result of the pandemic.

Key information is on the territorial website: salvationarmy.org.uk/coronavirus-and-internal-information O

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

We’ve asked some to tell us about themselves.

This week…

CAPTAIN WENDY BROWN Gainsborough How did you first come into contact with the Army?

My sister took me along to the Torchbearers youth club.

What made you want to become an officer?

It was never in my plans but God had a different plan for me. He called me and I couldn’t ignore him, so here I am.

What is the most interesting thing about being a corps officer?

The variety it brings. Every day is different and I have met so many lovely people. … and most frustrating?

Unfortunately, there is quite a lot of admin and ‘red tape’.

What one thing would you change about the Army?

For more decisions to be made locally.

If that isn’t possible, then more consultation.

What is your favourite kind of holiday?

I have just recently discovered cruising. I love the idea of visiting different places and having access to the five-star service and entertainment that are provided on board. But I also like going to Norfolk for a quiet caravan holiday.

You alone are my strength my shield, To you alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my heart’s desire And I long to worship you.

’

(SASB 571)

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

Star Trek – one of the Next Generation films. I would have to be Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

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

General Eva Burrows. I would like to ask her how she felt being a woman in what has been a predominantly male role.

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

Live simply, love deeply and laugh often.

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

Hockey – I loved playing it at school.

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

Time. There is so much I don’t seem to have time to do.

to feel and be filled with that love so I can demonstrate it to others.

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

One of the 12 disciples. I’d ask what it was like to be in the presence of Jesus, listening to his teachings and being one of his close followers.

What is your favourite hymn or worship song?

‘As The Deer Pants For The Water’ (SASB 571), particularly the words of the chorus.

If you could rid the world of one thing, what would it be?

All incurable diseases.

Did you have a nickname growing up?

Lanky, because I was taller than most at school.

What is your favourite meal?

Sweet and sour pork, Hong Kong style, with egg fried rice.

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

Paul O’Grady. He makes me laugh and I could relax and enjoy his company.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love doing jigsaws, mostly 1,000 pieces, and reading murder mystery novels.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I make delicious scones (so my husband, Kevin, tells me).

If you could bring back any fashion trend, what would it be?

Flares.

Which book (apart from the Bible) would you want on a desert island?

The complete works of Agatha Christie.

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

Probably a single by Cliff Richard.

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

Just be yourself.

What is your favourite Bible passage?

Ephesians 3:14–21, particularly verses 18 and 19: ‘To grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.’ I want

What is the most valuable thing you possess?

My wedding and eternity rings.

Something interesting you might want people to know about you is …

I am an identical twin.