Salvationist 30 July 2022

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SALVATIONIST

MAKING EVERYONE FEEL WELCOME

MEET THE STARS AT WINTON PAGES 16 AND 17

QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

CHRISTIAN CAMPAIGNERS FRUSTRATED AT YET ANOTHER DELAY IN GAMBLING REFORM

POORER PUPILS IN ENGLAND AND WALES LAG ‘SIGNIFICANTLY’ BEHIND, REPORT FINDS

Christian public policy charity Care has said a further [delay] to vital gambling reform plans is ‘inexcusable’ and will cause ‘untold grief’…

A white paper on gambling reform will now not be published due to the unplanned leadership contest in the Conservative Party…

The delay is the fourth since 2020, when a review of gambling laws was ordered by [the] government, given gambling-related harms.

Tim Cairns, senior policy officer at Care, which has spearheaded calls for reform of gambling laws across the UK, commented…

‘Every day in the UK a person takes their own life because of gamblingrelated harm…

‘Curbs need to be placed on advertising, on the relationship between gambling and sport, and measures are needed to ensure children are kept safe. Given the cost to society of gambling-related harm, a meaningful statutory levy needs to be put in place. The industry should be forced to pay for the harm it creates, not the NHS and taxpayers’…

The government has estimated that there are 400,000 ‘problem gamblers’ in England, with a further 2 million people at risk of developing a problem.

Public Health England has called for gambling-related harm to be considered as a public health issue.

Poorer pupils in England and Wales are ‘significantly’ behind their peers, according to a report.

The Education Policy Institute (EPI) study found that in 2019, prior to the [Covid-19] pandemic, the gap between poorer pupils and their peers was 22–23 months in Wales and about 18 months in England…

Pupils living with long-term and persistent poverty are even further behind their peers in both countries. In England, the persistent disadvantage gap was equal to about 23 months of learning, while in Wales it was 29 months…

The EPI said measures such as attracting high-quality teachers to poorer areas through salary supplements, and one-to-one and small group tutoring, had also been shown to reduce attainment gaps.

Premier

BBC News

SALVATIONIST

The Guardian

MUDEFORD: SERVICE TAKES PLACE OUTSIDE AFTER CHURCH FIRE A congregation … gathered for a service outside days after its church was severely damaged by a fire.

‘The church building burnt down ... but not the church,’ Canon Gary Philbrick said. ‘The people are the church.’

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service told the BBC ... that the fire is believed to have started accidentally…

Speaking after the service, parishioner Jane Crabb said: ‘Although we had a tragedy… there’s this coming together of people’...

Parishioner Meg Tolhurst said: ‘Mudeford is very much a community where we all stick together. After such devastation it’s so important we all come to support one another.’

CONTACT US 020 7367 4890 (main) / 020 7367 4901 (editor) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk

EDITOR Major Mal Davies

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EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Simon Hope, George Tanton, Lyn Woods, Major Margaret Bovey ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight, Louise Phillips PROOFREADER Chris Horne Published weekly by The Salvation Army and printed on paper from sustainable sources by CKN Print, Northampton. © The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory.

ISSN 2516-5909.

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Salvationist 30 July 2022

More than 1,000 Ukrainian refugees in England have been forced to ask local authorities for help with housing because they are either homeless or facing eviction from their current accommodation…

It is believed that among homeless Ukrainians in the UK, hundreds are searching for housing after their sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine scheme were considered unsuitable to offer the refugees accommodation by local authority safeguarding officers.

Charities have also warned that Ukrainians may face problems in renting their own home, which could require checks that may be impossible for them to pass.

The i

salvationist.org.uk/media/magazine Issue No 1869

MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford

UKRAINIAN REFUGEE HOMELESSNESS ON THE RISE WITH MORE THAN 1,000 IN ENGLAND ASKING FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY HELP

DISTRIBUTION AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), 66–78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH 01933 445445 / subscriptions@satcol.org @SalvationistOnline

@SalvationistUK

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL Brian Peddle TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Major Mal Davies PUBLISHING Major Malcolm Martin TERRITORIALSECRETARY HEADQUARTERS 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 0845 634 0101 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN 0845 634 0101

Seeing value in all people WHEN I was four years old, my parents were corps officers at a small corps in a country town called Kyabram in central Victoria, Australia. Busy officers that they were, during the Sunday meetings and often for an afternoon or morning during the week, I would be cared for by one of the saints of the corps, Mrs Parkinson, known to all simply as ‘Parky’.

She became something of a substitute grandmother for me and, along with Mr Parky, I spent many hours in her company. Next door to their farmhouse lived their daughter, Enid, and her husband, Vince, and I would often share meals and play with them too.

Fast forward nearly 50 years and I was appointed to the corps Vince and Enid soldiered at in retirement – I was the corps officer to my former babysitters!

At one stage, in a quiet moment over afternoon tea at their house, I said to Vince: ‘You know, when I was a small boy, playing with you at your house or at the corps, I never realised you were black. You were just Vince, the fun guy I played football with and laughed with. Somehow I was colour-blind when it came to your skin.’

Vince, an Aboriginal elder, looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, ‘Well I reckon that’s how it should be, hey? It’s a shame we grow out of it when we’re adults.’

I wonder if God – who is perfect, all-knowing and all-wise – is actually colourblind. I wonder if, when he looks at people, he sees them differently from how we do.

In 1 Samuel 16 we read of Samuel selecting the next king of Israel and looking over the sons of Jesse. Before he finally selects David, Samuel gets a bit confused about what he is looking for, and verse seven says: ‘The Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” ’ In this issue of Salvationist we focus on the good work of the territory’s Racial Inclusion Working Group, which aims to find ways to address any signs of racial inequality in our mission, structure and ministry.

One article talks about some new initiatives of the group, and the other offers a theological reflection on the group’s motivations and goals and its foundation that we are all, each one of us, made in the image of God. To that end, you will also read an article on the Steps to Active Recovery programme at Winton Corps in Bournemouth. While the course is ostensibly about supporting people through addiction recovery, it is built on the premise that all people have value and deserve a second opportunity and hope for a brighter future. The course facilitators choose to see not outward appearances but look into the hearts of people made in God’s image.

Jo Noble-Gresty writes: ‘As a Christian community, we have a role to play supporting positive changes to life and we should never underestimate what God can do.’

What a wonderful approach! It’s not about what the staff and counsellors can do, it’s about what God can do. I’m inclined to think this should be the starting point for all Salvation Army ministry – what is our role in helping God do what he wants to do? As St Francis prayed, ‘Lord, make me an instrument…’

This issue contains other helpful and informative articles, including an update on the work of the Structure Co-ordination and Design Group, an article on how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the way we do evangelism, a Bible study and news from across the territory.

I hope you can see – between the lines, between the words – what God is doing, and what he wants to do through you.

MAJOR MAL DAVIES Editor Salvationist

CONTENTS Quotes from the media

2

News

4 to 8

Prayer matters

8

Mission and the pandemic

9

Sharing the gospel

by Dr Naar M’Fundisi-Holloway

Reflection

10 and 11

Loving others Feature

12 to 14

A mission of inclusion Territorial structure update

15

Change when it’s needed

by Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant

Feature

16 and 17

A journey of hope

by Jo Noble-Gresty

Bible study

18 and 19

The Lord will provide

by Captain Wendy Stanbury

Through the week with Salvationist

18 and 19

by Major Howard Webber

New commitments

20

Adverts

21

Announcements

22 and 23

The Salvation Army and me

24

featuring Major John Carmichael

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

Salvationist 30 July 2022

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NEWS

MODERN SLAVERY

INTERNATIONAL

Help others speak out like Mo Farah THQ TERRITORIAL Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill has thanked Sir Mo Farah for his courage in speaking out about his childhood spent in domestic servitude. However, the Army has also warned that, sadly, Sir Mo’s experiences are not unusual as there are victims of modern slavery hidden in plain sight across the UK right now.

The TC commented: ‘The slavery survivors we support in our network of safe houses need time, specialist support and lots of patience and care to piece together their stories.

As Sir Mo Farah shows, it can take many years before someone feels safe enough to speak out.

‘In time, the people we care for describe enduring years of physical and mental abuse, how their families were threatened, and their documents and identities forcibly changed. I want to thank Sir Mo Farah for finding the courage to speak out about his experiences.

He has helped shine a light on thousands of untold modern slavery stories being lived across the UK today.’

In the past 10 years, more than 15,000 survivors have been helped by The Salvation Army and its partners, supported by a UK government contract. Among these are more than 1,700 people who were forced, like Sir Mo, into a life of domestic slavery.

‘The detail that sticks out for me,’ added the TC, ‘is that it took a PE teacher to notice a frightened and incredibly vulnerable child in his class and spoke out on his behalf.

‘Please ask yourself: could I spot someone who could be a victim of modern slavery, and would I know who to tell?’ – AR O If you suspect that someone may be a victim of modern slavery, call the confidential referral helpline on 0800 808 3733 4

Salvationist 30 July 2022

General excitement from Anchorage to the west coast and Honolulu USA WESTERN TERRITORY GENERAL Brian Peddle and World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Rosalie Peddle took the gospel to Salvationists along the full length of the territory.

The world leaders began in Anchorage, Alaska, and travelled south to Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Honolulu. The rich cultural diversity of the territory was on display throughout their tour, with worship including a song in English and Tlingit (the language spoken by the Tlingit indigenous people from the coastal regions of Alaska and western Canada), a Fijian dance, a performance from a youth mariachi group and Hawaiian hula dancers. Scripture and prayers were offered in English, Spanish, Korean and Marshallese.

Enrolments were a key feature of this tour, beginning in Alaska with the swearing in of nine soldiers. A time of prayer and recommitment in San Francisco also resulted in several people moving forward to declare a calling to full-time ministry as officers.

The moving of the Holy Spirit was felt through times of testimony.

Joshua Needham (Santa Clara Corps) told the congregation in San Francisco how he had overcome addiction and found Christ through The Salvation Army.

The General told his listeners that the ‘world needs salt and light’.

‘It’s about one thing and one thing only,’ he added. ‘It’s about welcoming prodigals home. The Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth depends on each of you.’ – AR

MEETING

Nearly 50 people gather at Swindon Gorse Hill to pray for and watch the commissioning of home-grown Lieutenants Joanna and Thomas Morgan (Aberystwyth)

15,000

modern slavery survivors helped SEE PAGE 4

131

year-old painting of Salvationists SEE PAGE 6

£30

vouchers for refugees SEE PAGE 6

£600

raised for Ukraine appeal SEE PAGE 8

MUSIC

DUNSTABLE Songster Janet Stone organised a Midsummer Melodies concert as her contribution to the Big Collection, raising £255. Guests included Michelle Garrard (vocal), Matt Quick (trombone), Sophia Harris (dance) and James Banville (piano). The band and songsters brought items and a surprise guest was local ‘lad’ Jim Dawson, who delighted with his debut trombone solo. The following day the band, along with friends from Luton Corps, took part in the annual Sunday Band Concerts organised by Dunstable town council. – JB

MUSIC

FUNDRAISING BALLYMONEY Martina Hodges ran the Belfast City Marathon to raise funds for the corps. She smashed her original target of £500 and went on to raise the phenomenal amount of £3,040.50. Martina's mum, Rosie, attends the midweek drop-in and Martina wanted to raise funds as a way of saying thank you for the care and support Rosie receives from the corps. Corps officers Major Jane-Marie and Captain Tim Cook (both pictured with Martina) later welcomed Martina to a café church meeting to give the corps an opportunity to say thank you in return. – J-MC

MUSIC

SOUTHEND CITADEL At the first corps summer concert in three years, the gospel choir shared the evening with Harmonie Concert Band. The event raised more than £900 for Southend-based charity Welcome to the UK, which provides help and support to vulnerable people entering the country. A representative for the charity informed everyone at the concert that there are currently 150 families settled in the city from Ukraine. – JT BELLSHILL The band’s first Music for a Summer’s Evening concert in three years attracted a near-capacity congregation, with dozens more watching via livestream. Themed around musicals, the band presented old favourites from Army musicals and more recent West End productions. Soloists YP Band Leader Chris Shanks (euphonium) and Lynn Shanks (flugelhorn) presented ‘Locomotion’ and ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, with Songster Leader Marjory Watson singing ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’ and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. Cornet duettists Alex Ramsay and Chris Keane presented ‘Pie Jesu’. Chris Keane and Cameron Shanks led a presentation and spoke of their experiences in Ukraine supporting the Winton Corps Vision of Hope project in 2018. Band Sergeant Commissioner Ivor Telfer spoke on how Christian love changes everything, before the band played an arrangement of the Andrew Lloyd Webber melody of the same name from the musical Aspects of Love. The evening raised more than £860 in support of the Army’s work in eastern Europe and Ukraine. – MS

SUNDERLAND MILLFIELD Music Editorial Manager Andrew Blyth (THQ) led a united songster rehearsal that included singers from Chester-le-Street, Gateshead, Newcastle City Temple, Shiremoor, Sunderland Citadel and Wallsend. Andrew’s passionate and skilled leadership encouraged all who attended. Divisional Commander Major David Burns supported the evening and presented a devotional thought. – AM

REMEMBRANCE STAPLE HILL The band supported a service of remembrance marking the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. Corps officer Major Colin Hylton-Jones led the service, which was co-ordinated by the Royal British Legion. – VW Salvationist 30 July 2022

5

NEWS

EMERGENCY AID

EVENT

Voucher scheme launched for Ukrainian refugees SCOTLAND UKRAINIANS fleeing to Scotland are being given vital support thanks to a new voucher scheme by The Salvation Army.

The scheme was the idea of Major James Elliot (Prestonpans), who leads the Army’s emergency response team in the East Scotland Division. It offers refugees £30 to spend on clothes and other essentials in shops operated by the Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL).

The vouchers have been sent to councils across the country to provide support to people arriving from Ukraine as well as other parts of the world.

Nicola Crawford, regional manager for SATCoL, said: ‘Through the generosity of our donors and customers in Scotland we’re able to offer good quality clothes, furniture and other provisions, and our priority is to provide for those in the community who are in need.

‘Anyone using the voucher scheme will receive a warm welcome in our shops.’ – AR

LONDON A rediscovered work of art, painted in 1891 by Stanhope Alexander Forbes, was displayed in an exhibition at Messum’s art gallery. Titled Soldiers and Sailors: The Salvation Army, the oil on canvas piece depicts early Salvationists preaching to a Cornish fishing community in the 1880s. It was first displayed publicly 131 years ago at the Royal Academy and has since had several private owners. The work was presented as part of a wider exhibition on British impressionism in the late 19th century, focusing on the work of artists in Cornwall’s coastal towns during that period. – AR

PRESENTATION

OUTREACH

EVENT

HISTON A year on from the low-key dedication service to celebrate the extension and refurbishment of the hall, the building is used daily by the corps and groups from the village. To celebrate Founders’ Day and to encourage outreach and mission, corps officer Captain Georgina Symons gave everyone attending worship a bookmark made from the ribbons used to open the hall. These were made by corps member Daphne Watts. – JC 6

Salvationist 30 July 2022

GRANTHAM Divisional Envoys Pat and Stan Moseley initially came out of retirement when they heard the call of God again to serve him. They were appointed to Grantham where they have served for the past three years.

Divisional Mission Enabler Major Mark Price presented Pat and Stan with certificates of appreciation on behalf of the division as they re-entered retirement. The corps folk shared warm words of appreciation for their ministry and service. – SP

An ensemble from Birmingham Citadel play outside the Alexandra Theatre on press night for ‘Guys and Dolls’

Have you seen our new website?

O Devotions O Resources O Events

Visit salvationist.org.uk

PRESENTATION

EVENT

Nurturing people and plants in former Lifehouse NOTTINGHAM WILLIAM BOOTH MEMORIAL HALLS The East Midlands Division bade farewell to Majors Brian Slinn and Liv Raegevik-Slinn. Major Brian has retired after nearly 45 years of active service, while Major Liv has been appointed to the Candidates Unit at William Booth College.

Chief Secretary Colonel Paul Main and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Jenine Main paid tribute to the Slinns for their vision, energy and pastoral ministry. During the service, music items were offered by Nottingham William Booth Memorial Halls Band and Derby Central Songsters. In accordance with Major Brian’s wishes, Lieutenants Emily and Joel Watson (Teddington and Twickenham) presented him with his retirement certificate, as they now carry the baton of ministry. Major Brian gave a challenge from Psalm 84, referring to his beginnings in the Army at Bolsover Corps and how he quickly fell in love with the Lord, before finding his calling in the Companions of Christ session. Divisional Mission Enabler Major Sarah Price acknowledged Major Liv’s work as divisional leader for leader development, with the initial faith goal of 20 people into spiritual leadership by 2020 far exceeded. The majors are remembered for their excellent service and prophetic ministry. – SP

EDINBURGH SECRETARY for Business Administration Lieut-Colonel Alan Read opened a new chapter in the history and ministry of Ashbrook House.

Owned by The Salvation Army since 1928, the Victorian villa has formerly been a home for older people and a Lifehouse. Now it has opened to the public, offering a dementia-friendly café serving homecooked food, with meeting rooms available to hire.

The gardens will also soon be opened to provide a space for therapeutic recovery gardening in formal, allotment and woodland spaces. People experiencing homelessness or struggling with addiction or poor mental health will be able to enjoy the gardening, alongside volunteers from the community who will be able to enjoy the health benefits of nurturing people and plants.

Edinburgh City Band provided music at the opening event, where Lieut-Colonel Alan cut the ribbon on the new project along with Colonel Mary Smith, a resident at the Army’s adjacent Eagle Lodge care home who has spent many years in senior positions within Army social services. – KR

PRESENTATION

EVENT

MUSIC GUISBOROUGH The band were joined by North Shields Songsters for a summer music festival. Band pieces included ‘Let There Be Praise’, ‘The Break of Day’ and ‘Dance Like David’ and songster pieces included ‘Bow the Knee’, ‘Rock Eternal’, ‘Under His Wings’ and ‘All My Life’. The festival closed with the host band joining members of North Shields Band to play ‘To Regions Fair’. Voluntary donations raised £139 for the Army’s work in Ukraine. – SS

CLOWNE The corps farewelled corps officers Majors Elaine and Mark Holder with gifts and thanks for their dedication and service. Among many other achievements, the majors were thanked for helping the corps clear the mortgage relating to a hall refurbishment. They are pictured with Pauline Rowland, Autumn and Songster Reservist Val Straw. – GH

George Cooper raises a new corps flag at Norwich Mile Cross in honour of his wife, luncheon club cook Marjorie Cooper Salvationist 30 July 2022

7

MUSIC Commonwealth Games focus

by Rob Moye (Sports Mission Specialist) SUNDAY 31 JULY – ATHLETES Working towards a goal or event takes time, dedication and determination. Pray that the hard work the athletes have put into their training is turned into success, but also pray for grace and resilience when things don’t go as planned.

BIRMINGHAM CITADEL In the last of a three-concert series, the band invited Tredegar Town Band for a partnership festival. Tredegar excited and thrilled the audience with a selection of classical and pop music, and Birmingham Citadel Band played a range of pieces from contemporary and established composers. The bands united for ‘Goldcrest’, during which Tredegar sang, and ‘Shine as the Light’ served as the finale.

Another series of partnership concerts is planned for 2023. – RO

MUSIC

MONDAY 1 AUGUST – OPPORTUNITIES Events are brilliant opportunities to meet new people and begin new relationships. However, we need to make the event part of the mission we already do, rather than what we do part of the event, because it doesn’t stop there! Pray for mission opportunities that are not just confined to the Games and go beyond them.

TUESDAY 2 AUGUST – EQUALITY AND INCLUSION In the community called sport everyone is included. This provides us with fantastic opportunities to achieve amazing things, regardless of ability or background. Pray that everyone who comes together during the Games will feel welcome, valued, loved and accepted for who they are. May we be an expression of God’s love and compassion in every community, loving the people God has placed before us.

WEDNESDAY 3 AUGUST – FAIR PLAY In sport everyone’s goal is the same – to win, although many will unfortunately lose out. Pray for grace in defeat and also for humility in coming second. Pray that everyone competes with their God-given ability. Only God has given us what we need, and it’s enough!

BROMSGROVE A near-capacity crowd felt richly blessed by the Music for a Summer’s Evening concert presented by Droitwich Spa YP Band. Introducing themselves with ‘Blaze’, the congregation spontaneously joined in to sing the familiar words of ‘Sing Hosanna’.

YP Band Leader Stuart Farmer reminded those gathered of how greatly God loves and cares for them, and that everyone is chosen but no one is coerced into the Kingdom. For some of the congregation it was their first taste of Salvation Army worship, and they made enquiries about future events as they left. – HE

BATLEY Children from the corps raised more than £600 for the Army’s Ukraine appeal in a sponsored two-hour singalong and coffee morning.

The Kingdom Kids were accompanied by anyone who wanted to join in, many reliving their singing company days. – MC 8

Salvationist 30 July 2022

THURSDAY 4 AUGUST – LOCAL IMPACT May the Commonwealth Games spark a fresh expression of God in our country and may people be brought into an understanding of what the Kingdom of God can look like in their communities.

Lord, may people have a burning desire to want to know more about you.

FRIDAY 5 AUGUST – COMMUNITY Pray for the development of meaningful, inclusive and mutually beneficial relationships between our communities and churches.

May the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing of individuals and families improve as a result. We can’t truly be church until we are a community. Pray for these opportunities to be present in people’s lives pre, post and during the Games.

SATURDAY 6 AUGUST – SUPPORTERS Supporters come in many forms: trainers, coaches, family and friends, spectators on the sidelines. Pray that words and actions will always be affirming and encouraging – not just to those competing, but also to each other.

O A PDF of the Prayer Matters booklet is also available to download from salvationist.org.uk/resources Salvationist Salvationist Salvationist28 11 23May June July 2022 2022

77

FEATURE I Mission and the pandemic

Sharing the gospel Dr Naar M’fundisi-Holloway continues a series of weekly articles in which Research and Development personnel reflect on how our approach to mission has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic

L

AST week’s article in this series explored the theme of discipleship. This week, we move to the theme of evangelism.

Evangelism is a natural progression from discipleship – it is what a believer is able to do when they are empowered by the Holy Spirit. The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity states: ‘There is a direct connection between whole-life discipleship and evangelism. Lives which consistently display Christ create a hunger for Christ in others. Evangelism without discipleship borders dangerously on hypocrisy.’

Evangelism means sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. All Christians are qualified to share this good news without being ashamed of it (see Romans 1:16).

There is great importance in any church member being empowered to pray, speak, give and invite people to Christ without depending on ordained leaders to do so. All Christians are in ministry as co-workers with God in his mission to reconcile the world to himself (see 1 Corinthians 3:9). This ministry may have looked different during the height of the pandemic, and it may again look different now.

The Research and Development Unit found that 16 per cent of corps officers believe that corps and centres need to prioritise sharing the gospel. Responding to needs and supporting people in their immediate day-to-day lives shouldn’t come at the cost of evangelism. In 2 Corinthians 3:1−6, Paul describes Christians as living letters communicating the word of God; how they lead their lives is testament to Christ. Paul does not propose a sacred versus secular divide in the way Christians live. This is because Christians represent Christ regardless of their environment, whether among other Christians or non-Christians.

During the height of the pandemic, Salvationists represented Christ within and despite the restrictions in place. How might this representation be different now that we are living with a virus that is here to stay?

For a start, the sharing of the gospel does not always occur in conventional ways, such as witnessing on the streets. The lockdown measures imposed by the pandemic caused many corps to transition to technology, live-streaming worship via social media, Zoom, Facebook Live, Microsoft Teams and Facetime.

The pandemic made the Church realise the importance of being equipped with evangelism tools that are relevant and effective. Furthermore, it proved the importance of intentionally showing an interest in people using the technological tools that enable access, albeit remotely. This is one way we can remain relational in influencing people for Jesus at a time when gathering physically isn’t always possible.

We share the gospel not in our own strength but with the understanding that we rely on God and the Holy Spirit to help us. This means that we must live as a ‘sent’ people. Matthew 28:18–20 serves as a mandate and confirms that Christians are to share the gospel wherever they are and beyond.

Before Jesus ascended to Heaven he said to his disciples: ‘As the Father has sent me, I am sending you’ (John 20:21).

This applies to all Christians because we have all been enabled to go and be witnesses to Christ’s saving grace. In Acts 1:8 Christians are assured of the power that comes with the infilling of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to be witnesses for Christ.

We must also embrace a culture of evangelism – a culture in which prayer is cultivated. Nothing strengthens evangelism more than a culture of prayer. Alongside and through prayer, it is important that corps and centres declutter activities that focus solely on befriending and not making Jesus known. This links back to the first article in this series, encouraging us to be spurred by Covid-19 to prayer and lament, with an emphasis on spending time with God before moving forward.

Finally, we must listen to the people with whom we want to share the gospel. In the words of Major Howard Webber: ‘Before we speak about Jesus we need to listen, and not only listen to what troubles them. God is at work in the hearts of the people we meet long before we arrive on the scene, and we need to listen to them and what he may be revealing to us through what they say. We are very junior partners; he is the Great Evangelist.’

O For

resources that delve more deeply into the themes of this series and how to explore them using the Faith-Based Facilitation model, visit salvationist.org.uk/resources

DR NAAR M’FUNDISI-HOLLOWAY Action Researcher Research and Development Unit, THQ

Salvationist 30 July 2022

9

REFL RE FLEC FL EC CTI TION O ON REFLECTION

Loving others A theological reflection on racial, ethnic and cultural justice, equity, inclusion, hospitality and welcome

T

HE Salvation Army in the UK and Ireland Territory believes the fundamental truth that humanity is made in the image of God, and the human race – in all its beautiful diversity – evidences aspects of God’s character and demonstrates the multifaceted nature of God’s creation (see Genesis 1:27; Ephesians 2:10).

Every human being has intrinsic worth and is precious and valuable in God’s sight (see John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:4−6; Galatians 3:28 and 5:14; Ephesians 4:1−6; Colossians 3:11). There is therefore no moral, social, biological or theological justification for any racial, ethnic or cultural group to be considered inferior or superior to any other (see Psalm 139:13–15).

God alone has power, authority and dominion over creation, and the whole of creation is subject to his lordship (see 1 Chronicles 29:11; Job 33:12; Psalm 95:3; John 3:31; Colossians 1:15–17).

The Church is called to demonstrate God’s grace and love for humankind by being hospitable and welcoming to and inclusive of people of all racial, ethnic and cultural identities (see 2 Chronicles 6:32-33; Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 19:34; Deuteronomy 10:17–19; 1 John 3:18).

This is only possible when doors, arms, hearts and minds are open to welcome all into fellowship and full participation with warm hospitality.

It is God’s design and desire that people of all backgrounds worship and serve him (see Revelation 7:9) and every person has a part to play for

Humanity in all its diversity evidences aspects of God’s character 10

Salvationist 30 July 2022

the Church and, indeed, for the world to function as God intended (see 1 Corinthians 12). We therefore seek to promote and facilitate inclusion of people from diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds at all levels and in all contexts.

Racism in all its forms is sinful and contrary to God’s nature and will. It evidences a disregard for the image of God in which humanity was created, and a lack of love for those God created (see 1 John 4:7).

Therefore, we celebrate diversity and are committed to inclusion because people of all racial, ethnic and cultural groups should be welcomed, valued, respected and treated with dignity (see Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12−27; Galatians 3:28; 1 John 3:23).

God’s vision for creation has no place for powers, systems and structures that marginalise and exclude people on the grounds of race, ethnicity or culture. We therefore oppose and seek to expose, challenge and correct stereotypes, prejudices and practices, which result in exclusionary behaviours towards some people, or unfair positions of power or privilege for others (see Micah 6:8; Matthew 21:12; James 2).

Prejudice, discrimination and flawed perspectives of others’ worth can be both individual and institutional, intentional and unintentional. We confess and repent of times we have fallen short of God’s standard (see Romans 3:23), and we commit to seek out and proactively address practices, behaviours or systems that are directly or indirectly incompatible with God’s call to inclusion, hospitality, welcome, equity and justice.

Inclusion, hospitality, welcome, equity and justice are central to God’s nature, the ultimate expression of which is found in Christ (see Galatians 3:28; Romans 5:10–11), in whom we are reconciled to God and to one another, so we are ‘no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION The following questions are intended to facilitate reflection on the issues raised by this statement and assist in identifying potential changes to practice which may be required as a result.

O Are

there ways in which aspects of this theological reflection statement apply or relate to you personally?

O How do you respond to the word ‘racism’?

O Focusing on your work or corps setting, what might the following statements look like in practice?

The Church is called to demonstrate God’s grace and love for humankind by being hospitable and welcoming to and inclusive of people of all racial, ethnic and cultural identities (see 2 Chronicles 6:32–33; Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 19:34; Deuteronomy 10:17–19; 1 John 3:18). This is only possible when doors, arms, hearts and minds are open to welcome all into fellowship and full participation with warm hospitality. Every person has a part to play for the Church and indeed the world to function as God intended (1 Corinthians 12). We therefore seek to promote and facilitate inclusion of people from diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds at all levels and in all contexts.

How might we lovingly address practices, behaviours or systems which are directly or indirectly incompatible with God’s call to inclusion, hospitality, welcome, equity and justice?

O How might we (as individuals, corps, teams, departments, an organisation) seek to expose, challenge and correct stereotypes, prejudices and practices that result in exclusionary behaviours towards some people, or unfair positions of power or privilege for others?

O What are the implications of the issues raised above as we seek to love God and love others?

O

household’ (Ephesians 2:19).

We believe God calls us to pursue justice, and challenging injustice is fundamental to this aim. However, where obstacles to justice persist, the achievement of equity may require measures which encourage and facilitate the inclusion and participation of those who might otherwise be excluded (see Deuteronomy 16:20; Psalm 9:7–9; Psalm 67:4; Psalm 99:4; Proverbs 29:14; Isaiah 11:4).

Scripture states that the greatest commandment is to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew

22:37–40; Mark 12:30–31; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8).

It is our privilege and responsibility under God, who extravagantly loves and welcomes us, to live out that same love, expressed through racial, ethnic and cultural justice, equity, inclusion, hospitality and welcome (see 1 John 3:18, Deuteronomy 6:5).

For more information and resources or to talk to someone about inclusion and welcome, email racial.inclusion@ salvationarmy.org.uk

O

WRITTEN BY A SUBGROUP OF THE RACIAL INCLUSION WORKING GROUP

Salvationist 30 July 2022

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FEATURE I Racial Inclusion Working Group

A mission of inclusion Salvationist outlines new initiatives introduced by the territory’s Racial Inclusion Working Group

A

LL of humanity is created equally in God’s image. That is the fundamental starting point for the Racial Inclusion Working Group (RIWG), which aims to identify and find ways to address any form of racial inequality within The Salvation Army in this territory. Moving from this theological principle to implementing it in practice, however, is not a simple step. That is where the RIWG comes in.

Following a recommendation from the Territorial Advisory Council, territorial leadership initiated the RIWG in 2021.

The group comprises a diverse array of people from across the territory, all working together to prayerfully promote and facilitate the inclusion of people from all racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds at every level and in every context.

‘It’s very difficult, because if there was a blueprint, we would all be following it!’ says RIWG member Raj Gill (Guildford), who describes the group as ‘passionate advocates’ all determined to get things done.

‘The corporate world has taken a lot of

Jennifer Laurent-Smart, Major Jonny Smith join a racial inclusion discussion panel at Together 2022

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Salvationist 30 July 2022

measures to address inclusion already and we’re behind,’ he admits.

The group has met many times online to discuss suggested ways forward, with subgroups focusing on specific issues and feeding back ideas to the main group, before progress reports are presented to senior leaders in Cabinet and to the Territorial Advisory Council.

Fittingly, it was only at Together 2022 that some of the group’s members met in person for the first time. As well as raising awareness of the group’s work through a stand at the event, and hosting a panel with the Moral and Social Issues Council on racial inclusion, the group used the weekend to launch a number of initiatives: WELCOME AND BELONGING SURVEY Including everyone requires understanding how welcome people feel. To achieve this the RIWG has created a survey that will provide a way to listen to how the Army is experienced by different groups of people and different protected equality groups.

The results will help identify any

barriers that might be excluding people and any potential areas of discrimination, as well as understand people’s perceptions and experiences of equity, inclusion and belonging. This will then help determine practical ways in which the Army can improve inclusivity and inform the development of future initiatives.

Its scope is not limited to the protected characteristic of race, but looks more holistically, recognising that people may experience exclusion based on many different aspects of who they are.

The survey is anonymous, comprises approximately 20 questions and is available in multiple languages, including Portuguese, French, Czech and Welsh.

‘I strongly encourage everyone to complete the survey, which focuses on inclusion for all protected groups. Your views will help us better understand the experiences and needs of all of our people and will help to shape our work going forward,’ says Equality and Diversity Manager Jennifer LaurentSmart (THQ).

Major Marjory Parrott (Swadlincote) and Major Beverly Baker (THQ) at Together 2022

TAKE THE SURVEY The survey is available to everyone in the Army, including employees, members, officers, service users and volunteers. For a printed version to fill in and return by post, email racial.inclusion@salvationarmy.org.uk. Once completed, send your form to: Racial Inclusion Working Group, THQ, 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN. O Take the survey by visiting surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Welcome_and_Belonging

INCLUSION MISSION ADVOCATES The Army spans many different settings and expressions, which means that promoting positive attitudes and inclusive practices can look different in different situations. A new volunteer role of Inclusion Mission Advocate has therefore been created to work on a local level and help communicate the realities of the equality, diversity and inclusion challenges that are being experienced by people in their agreed area.

Inclusion mission advocates will help to identify behaviours that need to evolve and any associated training needs. They will work alongside

divisional and corps leaders, as well as senior and service managers, to monitor current equality and inclusion practices, and support the implementation of policies and procedures. They will champion equality, raise awareness of inclusion and ensure that diverse voices are heard and that marginalised and minority experiences are understood.

Initially, the role will focus on issues relevant to racial inclusion, but in the long term its remit will expand to relate to wider protected groups.

‘If you want to do something, we are giving you the structure to empower you to help,’ affirms Raj. Inclusion mission advocates are not

expected to be experts and will be fully supported with training and guidance by the territory’s Equality and Diversity Team.

‘The Equality and Diversity Team provides specialist advice and guidance to leadership and the wider Salvation Army on all aspects of equality diversity and inclusion,’ explains Jennifer. ‘We are passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion and are advocates in ensuring that this is at the heart of everything we do. To this end we work collaboratively to develop guidance and resources that promote and embed good equality and inclusion practice in employment, service delivery and mission.

‘We understand the important role equality legislation plays in enabling us to tackle discrimination and address inequalities and this, together with our values, provides a framework within which we operate. Our aim is to help create and sustain an inclusive culture CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 X Salvationist 30 July 2022

13

Delegates at Riverbank women’s conference

W CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 where people are respected and valued for the diversity they bring.’

LISTENING SPACES The RIWG is also exploring and developing the use of Listening Spaces, which will be safe environments with trained facilitators where people can share their thoughts, lived experiences and concerns, so that these can lead to positive transformation and change.

The survey responses will help to determine what level of need or demand there is for such spaces and, if there is interest, they will provide another avenue for voices to be heard.

‘It’s not about saying “we think you need this”,’ explains Personnel Officer Major Beverly Baker (THQ). ‘This is about trying to facilitate a safe space for people who want the opportunity to

WHO CAN BE AN INCLUSION MISSION ADVOCATE? Inclusion mission advocates will need a good appreciation of issues that relate to race, difference, inclusion, access and diversity, either from lived experience or personal interest. It is not a standalone role and will include working with other advocates to ensure that learning is shared.

O For more information, email racial.inclusion@salvationarmy.org.uk

process out loud and be able to share something of their experience. Hopefully we will be able to collect themes and stories and experiences that can speak into the change that needs to happen.’

From 30 September to 2 October at King’s Park Conference Centre, Intercultural Mission Enabler Major Jonny Smith is leading an Intercultural Conference with guest speakers and worship leaders, and people from all parts of the territory who represent numerous backgrounds and cultures.

There will be Listening Spaces available NeXus Youth Chorus perform at Together 2022

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Salvationist 30 July 2022

to people who attend, if they want to use them, which will be the first time they have been tried in practice.

‘The spaces will also be confidential,’ Major Beverly adds, ‘because we want them to be a safe space. If group members agree together that the anonymised themes that emerge can be shared with the RIWG, then this can contribute towards the change required.’

To attend the Intercultural Conference, speak to your corps officer, who will have received application details.

WELCOME AND BELONGING VIDEO In addition to all this the RIWG hopes to introduce a Welcome and Belonging video in the next few months for use around the territory. The group is looking for people from different ethnic backgrounds and cultures who would be willing to tell their stories of how they may or may not have found a welcome and belonging at The Salvation Army.

These stories can be made anonymous if requested.

If you are interested in being involved in this project or have any other ideas or suggestions, email the racial inclusion maildrop at racial.inclusion@ salvationarmy.org.uk.

TERRITORIAL STRUCTURE UPDATE

Change when it’s needed Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant presents the July update on the work of the Structure Co-ordination and Design Group THE Structure Co-ordination and Design Group (SCDG) has been developing an initial implementation plan while waiting to hear how International Headquarters and the SATCo Board respond to the ‘direction of travel’ that was approved by the Cabinet earlier this month. We will continue to update you, but we are now into the summer months and understandably the pace will slow while people take well-deserved holidays.

One section of the report to IHQ and SATCo focused on the important question: ‘Why is change needed now?’

The biggest ‘why’ we do what we do is because we are part of God’s mission to the world. Our longing is for people, communities and nations to flourish and we do this through our mission priorities: sharing the good news of Jesus; serving without discrimination; making disciples of Jesus, caring for creation; and seeking justice and reconciliation.

That’s the mission we want to deliver even more effectively across our territory, and the SCDG has been exploring, with your input, how we can better achieve this goal.

WHAT WILL CHANGE LOOK LIKE? We will prioritise local mission flourishing. Salvation Army people need systems that help them do their work. There have been concerns for years that the administrative burden placed on corps is too great – which was also confirmed during the Listening Phase of the project. People want to be released from this burden and focus on their local mission and for any support and oversight to help not hinder mission.

Our Army must help people flourish.

Change is a constant in life. However, the speed of change in the past decade has been remarkable. These days, large corporations are only business planning for the next 400 days because three to five-year plans can quickly become out of date. This context impacts our own work. We need processes, structures and an organisational culture that are adaptable, organic and flexible – without losing our mission focus to love God and love others. Therefore, we need to streamline and integrate our processes.

We will empower people for mission.

After a turbulent few years, many people are tired in our communities and in our

IS CHANGE REALLY NEEDED RIGHT NOW?

Yes! It’s important we act now because:

1 2 3 4

We must prioritise local mission flourishing. This is God’s mission and we know our loving Heavenly Father wants people and communities and The Salvation Army to flourish.

We need to help people flourish and we do this by focusing on our five mission priorities (see left).

The people delivering The Salvation Army’s mission have told us they find many of our current processes and structures a burden. We must integrate and streamline the way we work.

Our costs for support and oversight must be kept realistic, prudent and effective so we can spend/ release more money on local mission delivery. We must ensure that we have the data to prove that donations from the general public, as well as our loyal members, are always being used effectively.

territory. Some corps life is fragile as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Integration is one of the desired outcomes for this work, and what better time to strengthen The Salvation Army by increasing interaction, integration and collaboration between all expressions of our mission within a geographical region to improve our support of each other in the work?

We must be good stewards of our people and financial resources.

While finances haven’t been the driver for organisational change, we must, of course, be good stewards of the resources we have been entrusted with.

Mission and people have come first because we know that God will meet our ‘needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:19).

We do not approach this task with a mentality of scarcity but with the promise of abundance.

The greatest risk for the future of this territory is a lack of covenanted disciples of Jesus who are called to serve through The Salvation Army – whether that is through officership, soldiership, adherency or local officership. Therefore, ensuring

that we have processes and structures that help people serve God through The Salvation Army now is critically important.

Equally, we must make sure that our people are well cared for. Previous organisational changes have been extremely painful for many dedicated, faithful Salvation Army people.

HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED? While much of the preparatory work has now been completed by our Divisional Design Groups and Service Design Groups, you can still tell the SCDG about how mission is flourishing where you are. The SCDG continues to be grateful to those who have contacted us by emailing transformation@ salvationarmy.org.uk. We read and respond to every message.

Please do continue to pray for the project as it begins to move into the implementation stage. Thank you for your prayers and continuing patience as we work through this process.

LIEUT-COLONEL DEAN PALLANT Secretary for Communications THQ

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FEATURE I Winton Star programme

A journey of

hope Jo Noble-Gresty shares how Winton Corps is walking alongside those in recovery

W

HEN you think of addiction, what comes to mind? Maybe alcohol, nicotine, recreational drugs or gambling. Add pornography, sex, prescription drugs, caffeine, gaming, social media, mobile phones, shopping, compulsive behaviours, over-eating, under-eating, self-harm, exercise and work and you can see the size of the problem affecting society.

Contrary to public opinion, addiction is not a choice. It’s a chronic illness accompanied by struggle, shame, stigma and stereotyping. Biological, behavioural, environmental and psychological factors contribute to its complicated nature. Emotional pain from trauma, regret and isolation compound the problem. The result alters the structure of the brain and – whether it’s substance misuse, compulsive behaviour or secret habits – the bottom line is the destructiveness addiction brings, which has a negative impact on physical health, mental health and relationships.

For every person struggling with addiction, 10 people are affected. That makes it a community problem and one that can’t be ignored.

While Bournemouth is no different to many other places across the country when it comes to addiction, it does have a highly active recovery ministry shared across its churches. In the past eight years, more than 1,000 people have attended church-based recovery courses.

The recovery ministry journey at the corps began in the summer of 2019, at an information session on the Recovery Course – a well-established programme based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous that incorporates Christian principles. There we identified that we could be part of the churches working 16

Salvationist 30 July 2022

together across the area to support those affected by addiction to help them find freedom. It was a challenge that we felt God was leading us to accept.

We offered to host the Recovery Course in January 2020, and an invitation from the platform during Sunday worship in September 2019 attracted 22 people who were keen to become involved. A further eight people with lived experience of addiction joined us from other churches to create an enthusiastic team willing to share their gifts to welcome, inform, support, cater for and pray for our guests. A series of information and training sessions followed, and we were able to witness first-hand how the course worked, which was invaluable.

When January 2020 came we were pleased to welcome guests to the course. These people became our friends as we learnt something of their stories. We were blessed and encouraged to hear from our group

leaders and guests the most amazing testimonies of journeys from addiction to freedom. They shared how God had brought about that transformation.

But then the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020 and put a stop to our in-person meetings.

The isolation that came with that, and its effect on people in recovery, was immense. Their access to much-needed support groups suddenly stopped.

In July 2020, we could meet outside in groups of six, and so started a weekly Recovery Coffee and Conversation

Major Lynden Gibbs and Jo receive a Star Approved Community certificate from the charity’s representatives Emma and Lynn

meeting in the corps garden. We met for much-needed mutual support and socialising and the sun shone on us each week.

This activity – which was just one part of a weekly programme available to those in recovery in the area – continues to take place, with people meeting inside every week. Continuity is so important when you are on a recovery journey.

Some of those who attend are from our first Recovery Course, so we have been able to build on those friendships.

Others have been affected by addiction

– for example, losing their children to drugs – but want to help and support others. We chat about all sorts of things over coffee and treats. We celebrate success and encourage each other when we’re struggling and each session concludes with a positive thought, Bible verse and prayer.

We have been blessed to be part of the Steps to Active Recovery (Star) community pilot and have helped to mould the Star charity, set up by Emma Heath, our good friend and supporter who leads the recovery ministry in the Bournemouth area.

Star believes in transformation, bringing hope, building community, boosting confidence, being broad and being inclusive and so aligns with the Army’s mission.

From January to April this year, we were privileged to run the Star Life Course in person. The new, free course has been written by an experienced team and provides a holistic approach to recovery that considers body, mind and spirit.

We welcomed 22 guests over the 12 weeks and our team was a wonderful example of collaborative working between churches. We have all been encouraged by positive feedback.

Star wants to give churches and organisations the confidence to deliver recovery ministries safely, to equip and help churches in providing a recognised standard of support for those with – and those affected by – destructive habits and behaviours and to offer a unified community approach that helps break down fear and stigma.

Our plan is to continue and grow the current recovery ministry and put in place ongoing education and training for

ANONYMOUS FEEDBACK ‘I used to get drunk and it caused me a lot of pain and suffering and screwed me up. Now I am eating and sleeping better. Also, my mind is clearer than it was. A lot of anger and turmoil has gone.’

‘I have been given the tools. I am putting them into practice and feeling much healthier, choosing the right people to be around me. This course has opened my eyes to other people who have been through worse situations and have fully recovered.’ the corps and community centre to break the stigma around addiction and increase knowledge on how to support those affected by destructive habits.

In recent weeks we have met with Core Recovery Development Officer Major Lynden Gibbs (THQ) and we are looking forward to being part of the Army’s Core Recovery Church.

Recovery ministry is messy – we see people at their absolute lowest. But by showing them that we care, and that God wants the best for them, they can know that there is hope, that recovery is possible and that he can transform their lives. It is wonderful to see our friends moving forward on their journeys and to see just how far they’ve come.

As a Christian community, we have a role to play in supporting positive changes to people’s lives. We should never underestimate what God can do.

JO NOBLE-GRESTY Winton

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BIBLE STUDY

The Lord will provid Captain Wendy Stanbury reminds us that God listens to his people

NUMBERS 11:4–35

I

F we ever needed evidence that human nature has changed little over the past 3,000 years, the story of the Israelites in Numbers 11 is it. We pick up this story as the people of God are wandering the desert, having left Egypt many years before.

Throughout their wanderings, God has provided for his people, clearing a way through the Red Sea for them to leave their Egyptian oppressors, guiding them through the desert with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, and providing manna for them to eat – no mean feat.

By this point the Israelite population has grown to such an extent that it is like trying to feed the population of Birmingham on a daily basis. Nonetheless God faithfully gives his people what they needed.

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

by Major Howard Webber

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Salvationist 30 July 2022

QUESTIONS O What are you grateful for?

O How does God provide for your needs?

The first 10 chapters of Numbers are a generally positive account of obedience.

However, as we come to chapter 11, there is a distinct change. The people rebel against Moses and God. They are no longer content to eat the manna that miraculously appears each day. For 40 years, this grain-like substance was ground, like flour, and baked into loaves, providing a staple, if somewhat monotonous, diet. The disgruntled Israelites forget that manna was once described as the ‘grain of Heaven’ and the ‘bread of angels’ (Psalm 78:24 and 25). Instead they look back to the halcyon days of Egypt, when their diet was plentiful and varied.

As they discontentedly whine for the meat and wonderful food they ate

in Egypt, the Israelites conveniently forget the harsh oppression of the slave owners and the merciless killing of their children.

QUESTION O Are we also in danger of looking back with rose-tinted glasses instead of seeing what God has provided for us, here and now?

It has often been said that misery loves company. What begins as the complaints of a few gains momentum until Moses finds himself inundated with wailing and whining people.

Eventually it all becomes too much for him. The burden of carrying these unhappy, ungrateful people is so overwhelming that he finally breaks down and cries out in desperation to God: ‘I’ve had enough. Let me out of here’ (Numbers 11:15 The Message).

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

O Jesus, Saviour, hear my cry,/ And all my need just now supply!/ New power I want, and strength and light,/ That I may conquer in the fight./ O let me have, where’er I go,/ Thy strength to conquer every foe!

(SASB 779)

Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief... Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails... Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.

(Psalm 143:1–8)

Unto thee will I cry,/ Shepherd, hear my prayer!/ Poor and needy am I,/ Shepherd, hear my prayer!/ Deep is calling unto deep,/ Rugged are the heights, and steep;/ Guide my steps and keep;/ Hear, O hear my prayer!/ Hear, O hear my prayer!

(SASB 794)

de God reassures Moses that he does not have to do this all by himself. He identifies other leaders to help him and promises: ‘They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone’ (v17).

QUESTIONS O When have you felt overwhelmed while trying to lead others?

O Who are the people that God has shown you who could share the burden of responsibility?

God responds to the whining Israelites and gives them exactly what they asked for … and more. This outcome is not what they were expecting. After wading through three-feet high piles of quail, before they even get the chance to digest their dinner, the Israelites are promptly struck down by a plague. Their rejection of God and their disregard for

his provision have dire consequences as ‘the anger of the Lord burned against them’ (Numbers 12:9).

Thus continues a pattern of disobedience and discontent that we see repeated throughout the Old Testament.

Paul tells the early Christians that ‘these things happened to [the Israelites] as examples and were written down as warnings for us’ (1 Corinthians 10:11). ‘The same thing could happen to us,’ he writes.

‘We must be on guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way as they did’ (1 Corinthians 10:6 The Message).

In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray ‘give us today our daily bread’ (Matthew 6:11). This reminds us that, just as he did for the Israelites in the wilderness, God provides for us today and in the future.

QUESTIONS O To what extent do you trust that God will provide what you need?

O Do we refuse to be satisfied with what God gives us and demand more? Why? Paul warns that we must be on our guard so that we do not get caught up with wanting our own way. A fulfilled life is available to us all when we find true satisfaction in God’s provision for us and recognise Jesus as the bread of life (see John 6:32–35).

CAPTAIN WENDY STANBURY Unit Head for Foundational Learning William Booth College

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears...

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.

(Psalm 18:6–16)

Meet my need, Lord,/ Meet my need, Lord,/ Meet my need just now;/ I am waiting and thou art coming/ To meet my need just now.

(SASB 776)

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:19)

Pass me not, O loving Saviour,/ Hear my humble cry;/ And while others thou art calling,/ Do not pass me by./ Trusting only in thy merit,/ Would I seek thy face;/ Heal my wounded, broken spirit,/ Save me by thy grace.

(SASB 782)

Prayer Lord Jesus, there are times when I am traumatised by life and I feel so alone, abandoned even. Come, beautiful Christ, answer my heart’s cry. Come, weep with me and heal my wounds.

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NEW COMMITMENTS

DUNSTABLE Elen Kusema grew up as the daughter of Salvation Army officers in Zimbabwe. In her testimony she said that it felt good to return to the Army following her move to the UK, and that she felt blessed by the kindness and welcome she has received from corps folk. Elen shared Joshua 1:7 and 8, which have helped and guided her. She is pictured with Adherents Secretary Sue Leadbeater and corps officer Major Stephen Brevitt. – JB

HARLOW The 65th corps anniversary saw several new commitments at the corps: Maisie-Jai, Jessica, Amelia and Henry were enrolled as junior soldiers and Carol and Pete Hurn, Charles Muteweri and Emma Banks were enrolled as soldiers. The new junior soldiers are already keen YP band learners and members of the singing company and the YP puppet group, which presented the song ‘Believer’ during the anniversary celebrations. Pictured with Carol, Pete, Charles and Emma are Divisional Mission Enablers Majors Tim and Jo Justice. – CH BELFAST CITADEL Corps officer Major Mark Waghorn welcomed Vivienne Harper and Danielle Woosey as adherents. Danielle had been a junior soldier at the corps and later attended the Little Acorns parent-andtoddler group with her first child. She expressed an interest in becoming an adherent and encouraged Vivienne, a family friend, to join her. – NM

PENGE Millie was enrolled as a junior soldier by her grandfather Major Graham Lumm and supported by friends and family. After signing the junior soldier’s promise Millie sang a duet with her mum, testifying to her faith. She is pictured with Major Graham. – JS 20

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WELLING Dave Barnes was welcomed as an adherent. Dave testified to being a faithful member of the corps for many years and spoke of his excitement at being in a season of growth. He thanked two fellow church members in particular, saying how their words during a recent time of sharing gave him the strength and courage to make his commitment. After his enrolment the corps sang ‘In Christ Alone’ (SASB 861), which was chosen

by Dave. He is pictured fifth from left with some of the corps folk. – KS

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REFLECTIVE READING WITH WAR CRY-INSPIRED NSPIRED BOOK Defined by a striking image age and challenging quote about bout the Christian life, War Cry ry back pages are a beloved ed ve part of the paper. They’ve been stuck up on corps noticeboards, office wallss and home fridges and highlighted by our heralds. ds.

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RECRUITING NOW

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COMMUNITY MISSION MANAGER

RECRUITING NOW

ADVERTS

COMMUNITY MANAGER HARWICH, ESSEX

WANDSWORTH BOROUGH

An exciting opportunity to be actively involved in developing and overseeing areas of mission and ministry SALARY within the borough of Wandsworth, South London Division. £30,483 per annum

We are seeking to appoint a community manager who will continue to build on the networks with others in the local community and support local people.

The community mission manager will be actively involved in the delivery of the spiritual ministry throughout the borough, including developing children’s and youth ministry. The community mission manager will also work closely with divisional headquarters to develop existing mission expressions and identify other potential for future consideration.

Key responsibilities: O Acting as a visible and accessible representative of The Salvation Army, you will regularly review and evaluate programmes to ensure they are effective for the local community and in keeping with the mission priorities of The Salvation Army.

O You will develop effective working partnerships with local churches and community members to align with The Salvation Army’s vision statement of ‘love God, love others’ and further develop the partnership within the Wellbeing Lounge which is a Christian spiritual space. The ability to lead prayers and develop prayer initiatives is essential.

The role will also include pastoral and spiritual support, administration, management of property, finance and employees/volunteers. There will also be the importance of networking with other local organisations, charities and churches, and engagement with opportunities provided by the South London Division.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate: O A willingness to work within and be an enthusiastic advocate of our Christian values and ethos in the community.

O Experience of leading worship, providing spiritual guidance and pastoral support; experience of developing effective church and community projects and activities for a diverse range of participants.

O Good organisation; excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office; excellent level of English, both written and spoken.

O Understanding of health and safety and safeguarding policies and procedures within The Salvation Army.

WORKING HOURS 35 hours per week CONTRACT Fixed term contract (2 years) DETAILS 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time); a contributory pension scheme; season ticket loan; an employee assistance programme CLOSING DATE 7 August INTERVIEW DATE To be confirmed

Appointment subject to satisfactory references, proof As a disability confident scheme employer, we of right to work in the UK and an enhanced DBS. guarantee to interview all There is an occupational requirement for the disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria post-holder to be a uniformed Salvationist. for the vacancy.

For further details and to apply please visit: salvationarmy.org.uk/jobs

The successful candidate will: O Have experience developing effective community programmes for a diverse range of participants and will be willing to work in a range of different community spaces.

O Be able to use their own initiative and operate without direct supervision, prioritising, organising and managing a busy workload.

O Have excellent communication skills with the ability to influence others and develop effective working relationships with established partners, community participants and external stakeholders.

SALARY £24,994 per annum WORKING HOURS Minimum of 35 hours per week CONTRACT Fixed term to July 2025 DETAILS 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time); a contributory pension scheme; season ticket loan; an employee assistance programme CLOSING DATE Midnight, 28 August INTERVIEW DATE Early September

This role has an occupational requirement that the successful candidate must be a committed and practising Christian and will be in sympathy with the doctrines of, and supportive of the purposes and the aims and objectives of, The Salvation Army.

As a disability confident scheme employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who Appointment subject to satisfactory references, proof meet the minimum criteria of right to work in the UK and DBS check. CVs will not for the vacancy.

be accepted. Promoting equality in the workplace.

For further details and to apply please visit: salvationarmy.org.uk/jobs

Salvationist 30 July 2022

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Diamond O Lieut-Colonels John and Moragh Rowlanes (11 August) Golden O Jackie and Stewart Taylor, Dudley (12 August) RETIRED OFFICERS’ BIRTHDAYS O Major Kenneth Monk (80 on 10 August) PROMOTED TO GLORY O Edward Delves, Swindon Citadel O CT Albert Sinclair, Darlington, on 6 July O Major Leslie Pearce from Lewisham Hospital on 15 July

ENGAGEMENTS GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE O ICO, Thu 4 Aug O Malawi Territory, Mon 8 – Sun 14 THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM O Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory and International Symposium on Human Sexuality, Tue 2 Aug – Mon 8 THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL O WBC (Territorial Music School final festival), Sat 30 Jul O North Scotland Division Summer Campaign (Kirkwall, Thurso, Inverness, Buckie, Arbroath, Aberdeen), Wed 3 Aug – Wed 10 THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL PAUL MAIN) AND COLONEL JENINE MAIN O WBC (Territorial Music School final festival), Sat 30 Jul O National Star College, Cheltenham (Enabled Summer School of Arts Final Festival), Fri 5 Aug

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Salvationist 30 July 2022

BEREAVED O Major Fiona Mugford, Guisborough, and Jeanette Mundy, Ilford, of their mother Elizabeth Lawrie O Margaret Bennett, Darlington, Mizpah Humphries and Alan Sinclair of their brother CT Albert Sinclair, Elizabeth Shapcott of her father O Sarah Oliver, Margate, of her father Major Leslie Pearce OFFICIAL GAZETTE PROMOTIONS To captain – effective 8 July O Lieutenant Emma Gorin, St Mary Cray ANTHONY COTTERILL Commissioner Territorial Commander

TRIBUTES LIEUT-COLONEL MAY RICHARDSON WHEN May Derrick left her south Wales home and sailed to Jersey in August 1945, it was the beginning of a life of adventure and faith.

After a friend invited her to The Salvation Army, May accepted Jesus as her Saviour and found her soulmate in another new Salvationist, Arthur Le Feuvre. They married in 1949 and, after officer training and commissioning as part of the Ambassadors session of cadets, they served in corps across south Wales and England and welcomed their children – Phil, Steve, Cathy and Tim. In 1967 the family moved to Kenya, where Arthur managed the Salvation Army Farm and Training Centre at Thika. May also embraced life in that rural community, caring for the physical and spiritual wellbeing of the families living there. Ten happy years followed, but God had more in store and, after another couple of UK corps appointments, by 1982 the Le Feuvres were in Paris, sharing a two-year ministry at La Villette Corps.

In 1985, while serving as the corps officers at Folkestone, Arthur was promoted to Glory, and May retired from active service and returned to Jersey. In 1988 she met and married Lieut-Colonel

Arthur Richardson, and so began a new adventure in London, including their shared ministry supporting fellow retired officers.

After Arthur’s promotion to Glory in 1995, May remained in London, where she loved being part of the Regent Hall fellowship. Then in 2008 she returned home to Jersey, where she adored being surrounded by many of her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, enjoying the beauty of the island and being part of her home corps.

May leaves a wonderful legacy of love, compassion, care and Christian witness, which will be forever cherished by her family and the many friends across the world who were privileged to share her journey. – CLF MOIRA CAIRNS, AYR MOIRA was a well-known face in The Salvation Army across west Scotland. She was corps secretary for 20 years, cooked for many in the village and ran the home league. Anyone who lived in the village knew her from her days as a pub boomer.

Moira had the gifts of hospitality and cooking. She used to bake and sell her goods to raise money for the Army. She travelled to London on many occasions for international events, congresses and events at the training college. On one such occasion she was given a tour of IHQ and was allowed into the General’s office. This was a day that she never forgot.

Moira is now out of pain and dancing in Heaven with the Lord she loved and served. Her friends celebrate her life of Christian service. She has heard the words, ‘Well done good and faithful servant!’ – SB BILL OSBORNE, ELLESMERE PORT BILL was promoted to Glory earlier this year and is sorely missed.

He was an extremely musical gent who took great delight in accompanying singing at the corps by beating on the bass drum that took its place alongside him at the start of most

meetings. Bill’s favourite pastimes were eating biscuits or, better still, cake and drinking tea, but most of all reading the Bible he treasured so dearly.

Bill was friends with everyone. He cared for them and, I have no doubt, they were also the subject of his prayers. He lived, breathed and spread God’s love wherever he went. The memory of his personality, friendship and faith – and laugh – will go on pointing hearts and minds to a God who loves them, whether they realise it or not.

Bill has left a great legacy behind him, most of all in the hearts of the people he met. – LS MAUREEN RUSHFORTH, REGENT HALL MAUREEN was born in Kingston upon Hull in 1936 to Ernie and Gwen Hutchinson.

They attended Hull Icehouse Corps where Maureen spent her early years. After the Second World War the family moved to Fleetwood and attended Blackpool Citadel, where she

became a soldier, serving as a primary teacher and songster and running a Salvation Army Red Shield mobile canteen. In 1956 Maureen married Alan Rushforth.

In 1969 the family, now including Gillian and Michele, moved to London, where Ian was born. They attended Regent Hall, where Maureen subsequently served the Lord as a faithful soldier for 53 years. Cradle roll sergeant, welcome sergeant and songster were some of the responsibilities that she undertook and enjoyed.

Maureen, who was promoted to Glory suddenly, will be remembered for her loving influence upon her family and for her practical faith and service in her corps and neighbourhood. – GC KEITH STANDLEY, RAMSGATE KEITH was born to Salvationist parents in 1947 and was a lifelong soldier of Ramsgate Corps.

Keith married Meg in 1973 and they had two children, Joy

and Ian. Keith loved his family and took great delight in his two grandchildren, Niamh and Matthew, to whom he was affectionately known as ‘silly grandad’.

Keith was always busy with corps life, holding various positions over the years, including pub boomer, torchbearer youth club leader, bandsman, songster and band secretary. He also drove the corps minibus for well over 30 years, always with a smile for those he picked up and an encouraging word for anyone he met.

Keith’s sudden promotion to Glory has left a huge void in many people’s lives, both at the corps and especially for Meg and the family. But they take comfort in the fact that he is with his Lord, whom he served all his life. God bless you, Keith. – CW

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‘‘

Your majesty, I can but bow; I lay my all before you now.

In royal robes I don’t deserve, I live to serve your majesty

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…

MAJOR JOHN CARMICHAEL DONCASTER How did you first come into contact with the Army?

I was taken to Histon Corps in my pram by my officer parents and dedicated to God. I grew in my commitment to Jesus and was made a junior soldier, then a senior soldier, and eventually an officer. I retired from full-time officership in 2015.

What made you want to become an officer?

In my late teens and early 20s I was aware of ‘a divine niggle’ that would not go away. Corps officers guided me, my friends encouraged me and then I fell in love with an officer candidate. The rest is history.

What is the most interesting thing about your role?

In my current role as community services administrator, I am responsible for the finances and accounts of six charity shops. Some of the profits are put back into the community by providing items for families in need in and around Doncaster.

This is the most rewarding part of the job.

What is the most frustrating thing about your role?

Reconciling the daily amounts with the Salvation Army accounts system.

(SASB 376)

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

A Hercule Poirot film. I would play the part of Captain Hastings.

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

Glad All Over by the Dave Clark Five.

What is your favourite Bible verse and why?

‘All things work together for good to them that love God’ (Romans 8:28 King James Version). We have a lot of family concerns and knowing that in all things God is working for my and our good is a great comfort. When things do not pan out as I would have liked, I go back to this verse.

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

Peter. Before Jesus’ death and resurrection, I would ask him how it felt when Jesus gave him the keys of the Kingdom. And, after the Resurrection, I would ask: ‘How did you feel when Jesus kept on asking you if you loved him?’

What do you do in your spare time?

Support and encourage my family, read, garden, visit garden centres and drink coffee. Just recently I have started to build a model railway with great support from my seven-year-old grandson.

’’

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

General William Booth. I’d like to know how he thinks the Army is doing in the 21st century.

What is your favourite hymn or worship song?

I love many songs in the Salvation Army songbook for their richness and depth of meaning. For example, ‘Give Me a Holy Life’ (SASB 704). I love many of the newer worship songs too, in particular ‘King of Kings, Majesty’ (SASB 376). It’s impossible for me to choose just one.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I have been known to do a bit of composing, having written vocal music for a number of songs, especially for cadets, while stationed at William Booth College. ‘Greater Things’ was very popular and has been used by quite a few youth choirs in the UK and the USA – but sadly, never published!

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

‘If you pray – don’t worry.’

What is the most valuable thing you possess?

Apart from my family, it would have to be my MG sports car.

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

When my wife and I were appointed to DHQ in the early 2000s we fulfilled a long-held dream of cutting a CD of our favourite duets – titled Great is the Lord! – with professionally produced backing tracks. The profits supported new expressions of Army work in the Northern Division.