Salvationist 3 August 2019

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QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

FAITH GROUPS ENHANCE ‘WELLBEING’ IN LONDON Faith groups in London can ‘enhance a sense of belonging’ in communities by reducing tensions and welcoming people from outside the community and country, the Faith and Belief Forum has said in its latest report.

Faith groups can also provide access to ‘life-enhancing services’ for isolated people, and ‘alleviate deprivation’ by helping to provide employment and housing and addressing the causes of poverty, it says.

The report, Hate Crime, Faith And Belonging… is based on a conference held at Birkbeck College, University of London… at which academics, charity directors and faith leaders discussed the impact of hate crime on faith groups and communities in London.

It was written by Jonathan D Smith, Lenita Törning, Ben Gidley and Ruth Sheldon, in partnership with the Faith and Belief Forum.

registration at GP surgeries and discharged from hospital onto the streets with no referral to primary care providers.

Mental health and substance misuse services were also deemed to be excluding those with the greatest need, with entry thresholds to these services said to ‘actively obstruct’ patients who were self-harming, including those with recent suicide attempts.

County lines drug dealers and other criminals who try to evade justice by falsely claiming to have been trafficked or enslaved will be rooted out, the new antislavery commissioner has said.

Sara Thornton said her first priority would be ensuring that slavery victims were protected but that she would also protect the system from abuse.

Concerns have been raised in recent months that county lines drug dealers could encourage children to rely on the defence of exploitation.

Separately, there have long been concerns that illegal immigrants and sex workers have made false claims to be added to the national referral mechanism, a system that supports victims.

Ms Thornton was announced as the new independent anti-slavery commissioner in February and took up the position in April. ‘I intend to ensure the system protects the most vulnerable, while we also root out those that seek to take advantage of protections designed solely for victims,’ she told The Times.

The Independent

The Times

Church Times

CHRISTIAN FOOD BANK CHARITY URGES PUBLIC TO DONATE FOOD TO COUNTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY HUNGER The number of emergency food parcels distributed to children last summer soared by almost 20 per cent, with fears of a further increase this year.

The Trussell Trust, which is a Christian charity that runs a network of food banks across the UK, distributed 87,496 food parcels for children during July and August 2018, up from 73,226 the previous year.

The charity urged the public to donate food, warning that summer holidays can mean children missing out on school meals, and the extra cost of childcare can cause difficulties for hard-pressed families.

Premier

ROUGH SLEEPERS DENIED ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, PUSHING THEM INTO ‘REPEAT CYCLES OF HOMELESSNESS’, STUDY SAYS Homeless people are being denied access to basic healthcare, according to research which suggests ‘perceived stigma and discrimination’ in health settings are pushing people with no fixed abode into ‘repeat cycles of homelessness’ and causing ‘unnecessary deaths’.

A study by researchers at the University of Birmingham found homeless people were being denied

SALVATIONIST (tel) 020 7367 4890 (email) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk (web) www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts – (tel) 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford – (tel) 020 7367 4891 EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Shanelle Manderson – (tel) 020 7367 4894 Simon Hope – (tel) 020 7367 4892 Melita Day-Lewis – (tel) 020 7367 4887 Major Margaret Bovey ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden – (tel) 020 7367 4883 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight – (tel) 020 7367 4895 Louise Phillips – (tel) 020 7367 4896 PROOFREADER Chris Horne

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Salvationist 3 August 2019

CRIMINALS CAN’T CLAIM THEY WERE TRAFFICKED, SAYS ANTI-SLAVERY TSAR

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ISSN 2516-5909

THE SALVATION ARMY FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL Brian Peddle TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant

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ABOUT GLORY THE UK’s new prime minister needs our prayers. Whichever party we support and whatever our opinion of particular politicians, we have a responsibility to pray for ‘all those in authority’ (1 Timothy 2:2). So, let’s ask God to give Boris Johnson and the government wisdom and compassion in all the decision-making that lies ahead.

Looking through some of the press coverage I read that one of Mr Johnson’s heroes is Pericles, an Athenian general and politician of the 5th century BC. The prime minister even has a bust of him in his office.

The name Pericles means ‘about glory’, which could be the theme of our prayers for people with power and influence. Those prayers shouldn’t be for the kind of glory that’s characterised by fame, honour and pride, but for our society to display the glory of God that was seen in Jesus, who was ‘full of grace and truth’ ( John 1:14).

The glory of God is the theme of Lieutenant Chris Button’s article about the Transfiguration on page 14. This incident in the life of Jesus was the moment when the presence of God was revealed in as much glory as human eyes were able to see. And, as Chris goes on to say, we are now called to be bearers of that glory as the Holy Spirit works in our lives to reveal Jesus and bring Heaven to Earth where we are.

It takes words and deeds together to reveal God’s glory, and in the last of his current series of ‘Rear-mirror views’ General John Larsson (Retired) shows how the early Army managed to do that. The ‘crowning development’ – and the crowning glory – of the years 1878-1890 was the introduction of ‘largescale social work’. The Army soon became recognised as both an evangelistic force and a movement for social action and reform – an Army fighting a ‘war on two fronts’.

That combination of word and deed still characterises the Army today and, as General Larsson points out, a significant amount of our social work is now expressed in corps ministry. An example of that can be seen in the article on pages 10 and 11, which features the work that Peterborough Citadel does with people experiencing homelessness. Partnering Hope into Action, a charity that provides homes for vulnerable people, the corps has volunteers who mentor and support the tenants.

If the glory of God is to be revealed in our mission of word and deed then it needs to be underpinned by prayer. Lyndall Bywater emphasises this in her article on pages 12 and 13, where she highlights a teaching DVD called One Thing For The World. The DVD looks at ‘why prayer makes a difference when we take the good news of Jesus out into the world’ and shows how various corps are making prayer central to their outreach.

Governments cannot create societies that reflect the glory of God but they can improve people’s lives by promoting fairness, justice and peace. Let’s pray for more of those in the days ahead and let’s fulfil our calling to make our lives and service all about glory – the glory of grace and truth.

From the Editor, Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

CONTENTS

Quotes from the media News

2 4 to 8

Rear-mirror views A crowning development

9

by General John Larsson (Retired)

Feature Hope for all

10 and 11

by Melita Day-Lewis

Preview 12 and 13 Harnessing the power of prayer

by Lyndall Bywater

Reflection Glory revealed

14

by Lieutenant Chris Button

Thinkaloud Marathon man of God

15

by John Coutts

Bible study Delight in God’s law

16 and 17

by Lieutenant Rob Westwood-Payne

Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17

by Major Howard Webber

New commitments

18

Letters

19

Announcements Adverts

20 and 21 21 to 23

The Salvation Army and me

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featuring Alice Chen

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

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NEWS

Band weekend includes new YP members BEDLINGTON THE YP band welcomed nine new members at a band weekend featuring Bandmaster Andrew Blyth (Peterborough Citadel).

The celebrations, which raised a total of £300 for the corps food bank, began on Saturday with an evening concert, where guest euphonium soloist Andrew Hedley (Chester-le-Street) joined the senior band. At Sunday morning’s meeting Andrew Blyth spoke on the theme Enter To Worship, Depart To Serve. The band played ‘O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing’ and ‘I Dare To Be Different’, concluding the morning with ‘I Believe That God The Father’. The songsters

brought ‘Thou Hast Called Me’ and were led by Andrew in one of his own songs, ‘Master, Speak!’ The morning also included a YP story and items by the singing company.

Members of Findochty Corps art group exhibit paintings as part of the annual Gala Day; a large number of people entered the hall to view their work

SWINDON CITADEL: Severn and Somerset Divisional Youth Band presented a variety of items at a Saturday evening concert, including ‘Daniel’, ‘Stand To Arms!’ and ‘Let There Be Praise’. Sunday’s YP celebration was led by Captain Ben Ellis (Bristol Bedminster), supported by the children, and included a presentation of prizes.

After the meeting the corps enjoyed a picnic together in the nearby Town Gardens. – K. S. 4

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The new YP band members commissioned include Adam Escritt, Adam Montogomery, Ethan Hodgson, Samuel Tasker, Milana Kozlovsky, Grace Lightley, Jacob Smith, Evie

Gibson and Aniela Kozlovsky.

Pictured with them are Andrew Blyth, corps officers Majors Randy and Sheryl Clarke and YP Band Leader Neil Lightley. – S. C.

BRADWELL-ON-SEA: Four members of Chelmsford Band played at the annual Bradwell Pilgrimage, an Essex and east London churches event. The band accompanied singing at the opening welcome meeting at the church of St Thomas before travelling to St Peter’s Chapel, where they played as pilgrims arrived after a two-mile walk. – S. W. SNETTISHAM: Afternoon teas held twice a year have become so popular that they now take place across two consecutive days to accommodate all those who wish to attend. This year 76 people enjoyed a tea of finger sandwiches, sausage rolls, scones and a selection of cakes. Those who attended were challenged by a short message about how God paid the debt for humankind. – A. K.

Bands unite for good causes BOSCOMBE A JOINT concert presented by Boscombe Band and the awardwinning Friary Brass Band raised £1,000 for the British Heart Foundation and the Big Collection.

Special guests were BBC Radio 2 presenter Frank Renton, who compèred the programme, the mayor of Bournemouth, Councillor Susan Phillips, and 2018 BBC Young Musician of the Year finalist Isobel Daws (trombone).

Supported by corps timbrelists the host band gave a bravura performance of ‘Finale From “William Tell” Overture’ before Bandmaster Howard Evans led the opening song and prayer.

After the band played ‘Celebration Of Contemporary Gospel Song’, Isobel thrilled the large congregation with a performance of Ray Steadman-Allen’s ‘The Eternal Quest’.

Friary Brass Band’s presentation, narrated by Frank, was based on a fictitious story about a princess and her admirer. Isobel brought several solos in pieces that included arrangements of ‘All You Need Is Love’, ‘Your Song’ and ‘I Wanna Dance With

Somebody’ by the band’s musical director, Chris King.

The united bands played ‘Thy Tribute Bring’ and ‘Sparkling Slides’ before Howard introduced his final choice: Ray Steadman-Allen’s devotional selection, ‘In Quiet Pastures’. He explained this was the last piece he would conduct as bandmaster before retiring from that position. The band’s soulful interpretation was received in silence before gifts and words of gratitude were presented.

For the finale Frank led the bands in William Himes’s arrangement of Wagner’s ‘Elsa’s Procession To The Cathedral’, ending an excellent evening of music. – R. C.

USK: An Alpha course at HMP Usk, organised by chaplain Captain David Womersley (HMP Usk and Prescoed), was greatly appreciated by prisoners who attended. Three prisoners made a commitment to the Lord, one man recommitted his life and others were filled with the Holy Spirit. After a Sunday meeting at the prison, in response to Captain David’s message on Faith, Hope And Love, a prisoner made three book-folding artworks based on the theme. The books are on permanent display in the prison chapel. – D. W.

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NEWS

The Salvation Army reduces employee gender pay gap THQ THE Salvation Army’s latest gender pay gap report for its UK employees reveals a reduction in the gap between men and women and shows that the gap compares favourably with other organisations.

The report, which is a snapshot of data taken on 5 April 2018 for the Army’s 2,472 female and 1,112 male employees in the UK, states that the median gender pay gap is 6.5 per cent. This means that when comparing median hourly rates, women earn 94p for every £1 that men earn.

While the mean average gender pay gap is 14.2 per cent (up from 13.9 per cent in the last report) the government regards the median average as ‘the best representation of the “typical” gender difference’ because it identifies the wage of the middle earner in the organisation.

The latest figures are an improvement on last year’s report, which showed a median gender pay gap of 9.3 per cent; women earned 91p for every £1 that men earned at the median hourly rate.

The report explains that the reduction in the gap is due to ‘an increase of 6 per cent to female median pay, as compared to a 2.8 per cent increase in median pay for male employees’.

The median gender pay gap for the whole economy is 18.4 per cent. For religious organisations, it is 10.5 per cent. The Army’s median gender pay gap is smaller than both of these but the report says this is ‘not a subject about which The Salvation Army is complacent’.

‘The Army is committed to doing everything it can to reduce the gap,’ the report adds.

The gap exists due to the differing roles that men and women have and the salaries these roles attract. A higher 6

Salvationist 3 August 2019

proportion of frontline employees are women, whereas a lower proportion of women are managers. The overall gender pay gap therefore favours male employees because there are proportionately more male employees in higher paid roles.

Since last year’s report the Army has taken a number of steps to promote gender diversity within its workforce, the report explains: it has begun a review of pay structures and strategy, with changes due to be implemented later this year; in October 2017 it awarded a larger cost of living increase to those paid under £8.45 per hour, which proportionately benefited female employees; and in January 2018 it introduced a minimum hourly rate that was above the national living wage, which also proportionately benefited female employees.

The report outlines what will be done in the coming year, including a survey to identify the barriers (and the drivers) for female employees, the introduction of an agile working policy, an increase in the number of jobs advertised as ‘flexible, part-time or a job share’ and the introduction of a development programme for potential managers and leaders with children. – J. R. O The full gender pay gap report is available at salvationarmy.org. uk/our-trustees-and-staff-pay SOUTHAMPTON SHOLING: Cameo club weekend began with a skittles evening and fish-andchip supper. Majors Lynne and Nigel Collins (Merthyr Tydfil) led Sunday worship, which was humorous and reflective. Club members read Scripture that tied in with the theme Kingdom Tales, and Majors Mike and Sheila Smith presented an amusing sketch called ‘I Will Give You Rest’. Emphasising how small they are, mustard seeds were distributed as ‘Faith As Small As A Mustard Seed’ was played. As an act of togetherness, everybody gathered for a benediction. – B. E.

Dartford corps officer Captain Sue Dean and Territorial Envoy Ed Dean join Emily Champion and friends for a 5 km colour run and walk while being sprayed with paint; they raised more than £300 for Holding On Letting Go, a charity that supports parents bereaved of young children

SWADLINCOTE: Ella and Megan Johnson longed to sing and know about Jesus. Their parents, Samantha and Steven, asked about children’s work at the corps. Soon after, the Kids 4 Christ group, which incorporates Kids Chorus, was launched. The sisters, along with three other girls, regularly attend and children from nearby schools have shown an interest. Ella and Megan decided they wanted to be dedicated to God. Corps officer Major John Parrott conducted the ceremony and Major Marjory Parrott offered a prayer of blessing. Ella and Megan are pictured with their grandmother, who works in the corps charity shop, mother, father and brother, Reece. – J. P.

Volunteers serve refreshments during the hot weather at Brighouse Charity Gala

More than 30 members of Sunderland Millfield Corps take part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life

Charity invites disabled Christians to complete a survey about church MORDEN IN 2014 the Christian pan-disability charity Through the Roof conducted a survey that asked disabled Christians four questions: What one thing do you wish churches knew? What’s the most important thing your church could do for you? What do you wish your church would let you do for them? What positive benefits does your disability add to your relationship with God? The results, published in the report All Of Us Complete In Christ, found that disabled people are a source of creativity for churches, want friendship, have developed great spiritual maturity and believe that small things make a big difference.

The report has proved to be an invaluable tool for churches that want to know how to be fully accessible to disabled people and for individuals who want to encourage their churches to think about the needs of the Christian disabled community and how they can be met.

Five years on the charity is now

inviting disabled people to complete the same survey. The results will be published via their website later this year. – R. B. O A summary of the 2014 findings and a link to download the report can be found at throughtheroof.org/allofus O To complete the 2019 survey visit sur veymonkey.co.uk/r/ 5RKRSSJ CIRENCESTER: The band provided music for the Preston Village Fête, which raised a record sum for the village hall and church. Alan Baldwin, chaplain at Gloucester House in Swindon, led the Sunday morning meeting, and some residents from the Lifehouse contributed testimonies and Bible readings. – M. G.

Four American Salvationists visit Bargoed Cameo club; they shared how Jesus came into their lives and what they had been doing at summer clubs around the world

AYR: At the conclusion of its tenth year, Ayr Community Gospel Choir led a festival at Troon town hall. They raised more than £2,500 for Whiteleys Retreat, a charity that provides short breaks and support for families with cancer and other life-shortening illnesses. A wellreceived programme was presented, which included items from Edinburgh Gorgie Band and Katie Carmichael and Sophie Craig, pupils of Wellington School. – L. W. Salvationist 3 August 2019

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NEWS

CHESTER-LE-STREET: Toddler groups took part in a sponsored ‘wiggle and giggle’ to raise money for the Big Collection. At a party they received medals and certificates for taking part. A total of £500 was raised through the sponsorship of family and friends. – G. C. LUTON: Chief Secretary Colonel Lee Graves and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Debbie Graves led the 20th anniversary of the merging of Luton Citadel and Luton Temple corps. In an amazing Sunday celebration young and old and past and present members joined in the celebration. Many of the sections were on duty, blessing and enhancing worship alongside the message from the colonels. After the celebration everyone enjoyed a meal. – R. W. Please do not send your copy to any individual’s email address as this could delay publication. Copy should be sent to salvationist@ salvationarmy.org.uk

AYR: The corps was delighted to welcome Lancashire Youth Brass Band for a united concert with the YP band. A packed hall was treated to a varied programme complete with flugelhorn, euphonium, tuba and xylophone solos by musicians ranging from ages 9 to 18. The YP band provided two enjoyable sets. – L. W.

Pupils with additional support needs at Perth Academy present a cheque for £1,106.87 to Territorial Envoy Bert Kidd for the work of The Salvation Army in the area; the students created artwork, which they sold at an exhibition, and gave an informative talk about the Army to invited guests

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WOOD GREEN: Founders’ Day celebrations for North London Division took place at the corps and included a barbecue, the presentation of long-service awards to officers and the farewell to Candidate Kit MaystonKing from Leytonstone. Kit testified to a growing awareness of his call to officership as his understanding of discipleship became more meaningful. Divisional Commander Lieut-Colonel David Shakespeare reminded the congregation that God wants to put his hand on everyone for something special. – D. S.

REAR-M MIRROR

A CROWNING DEVELOPMENT With this article General John Larsson (Retired) draws his series to a close. The 36 articles will be published in book form this autumn by Salvation Books (IHQ) under the title Thirteen Astonishing Years. A new series of Rear-Mirror Views will begin in September

T

HE years that shaped The Salvation Army opened with a momentous change: the adoption of the name ‘The Salvation Army’ in 1878. They ended with a crowning development: the addition of large-scale social work in 1890.

Through the Darkest England scheme of 1890 William Booth announced to the world that his Army now officially embraced a twofold mission: it existed not only to save souls but also to serve suffering humanity. The salvation proclaimed by The Salvation Army included the temporal.

Despite the inevitable critics, the launch of the scheme and its subsequent implementation were so successful that the Army virtually rebranded itself. In the eyes of the public, the Army’s image went from that of a slightly eccentric evangelistic movement to that of a high-powered agency for social action and reform. So effective was this unintended rebranding that to this day most people think of the Army as an organisation that ‘does good work’.

However, the rebranding had more to do with perception than reality, for the Army itself had not changed. It had simply added the Social Wing. But so enormous was the scale of this new Social Wing, which encompassed the Army’s existing social work and ambitious new programmes, that it was the ‘wing’ rather than the ‘body’ that became the dominant image.

This perception has remained through the years.

That the Army has retained its evangelistic and social work under the one umbrella of ‘The Salvation Army’ is one of its major strengths. To people at large there is only one Salvation Army. And on the basis of the good work done by its social services, the Army as a whole enjoys the admiration, goodwill and support of the public.

By 1890 corps work was still growing in Britain but not at the explosive rate of the earlier years. Sensational methods of outreach had been replaced by more conventional yet still effective ways of proclaiming the message.

To its great credit, the Army had developed into a structured religious community that not only saved souls but also grew saints. Though the word ‘church’ was to remain taboo for many generations of Salvationists yet to come, this ‘permanent mission to the unconverted’, as General Albert Orsborn was to define it, had successfully transformed itself into a fully fledged evangelical church.

Rear-Mirror Views

Thirteen Astonishing Years that shaped The Salvation 1878-1890

Army

But it was a church with a difference: Salvationists were intent on fulfilling William Booth’s vision of the Army as an activist, dynamic, get-up-and-do force that proclaimed the gospel and stood up for right. They put into action the concept that everyone, according to their giftedness, has a part to play in this Army mobilised for God. They lived out the truth that a Salvation Army corps is not a flock with a pastor but a force with a captain.

The addition of the Social Wing did not greatly affect the Army’s corps-based activities, which were mainly evangelistic.

Many Salvationists became employed full-time in the Social Wing, but this was their ‘day job’ and was additional to their attendance and activities in their corps.

This series of articles ends in 1890 but, of course, nothing stopped in that year. On the contrary, the expansion of the Army continued in Britain and beyond, to the extent that the Army is now larger than it has ever been and has spread to 131 countries. In each of them the Army is at war on two fronts.

The story of the years 1878 –1890 is, in essence, the continual outworking of ‘the great fundamental principle of adaptation’ of which Catherine Booth spoke in 1880 and which General John Gowans called the Army’s 12th doctrine. Those years laid the foundations of the Army as we know it today, and will therefore remain the most significant years in its life.

In those 13 years the twofold mission of the Army was fixed.

And by means of its innate DNA of adaptability the Army has ensured that its twin mission has kept on being accomplished.

Through continuous adaptation to changing circumstances, corps-based work has become more diverse, as has the style of worship. Social services have become less institutionbased, opening the possibility for more of them to become corps-based. With this continuous adaptation there are no limits to what the Army might yet accomplish.

And while the results of the big bang of 1878 keep reverberating around the world, there will be no end to the inspiring views they provide.

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FEATURE Hope into Action

Melita Day-Lewis discovers how Hope into Action works with Peterborough Citadel to provide homes for vulnerable people

A

BOUT four years ago Michelle found herself without a home, without support from the council and in danger of her two children being taken into care.

She didn’t know where to turn until someone put her in touch with Hope into Action, a Christian charity that provides homes for vulnerable people.

A month later she moved into one of their houses in Peterborough. ‘I thank God and I thank Hope into Action for being there when I needed them,’ says Michelle. ‘If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have my kids; I probably wouldn’t be here right now.’

Peterborough Citadel is also part of Michelle’s story. The corps is a Hope into Action partner church, providing volunteers who offer tenants emotional support and practical help on a day-today basis.

Karen Hobbs, who has attended Peterborough Citadel for 25 years, is Michelle’s mentor, walking her through the nitty-gritty ups and downs of life.

Hope into Action staff – Morgan Hobbs, Ruth Donnelly and Rachel Patterson

Ed Walker

Michelle feels that meeting Karen has been one of the best things about her two years as a tenant: ‘She’s supported me a lot – emotionally too – helping me with family problems. We see each other about once a week; she takes me shopping or we’ll go for a coffee. She’s like an adoptive mother.’

Karen has been a mentor to a number of tenants over a period of eight years, providing a listening ear, helping steer them in the right direction, showing ‘tough love’ when necessary, praying for them and helping them to meet daily practical needs.

‘It’s not a job,’ says Karen, ‘it’s more of a passion; it’s what I want to do. I have a heart for people struggling with homelessness. When I see someone sleeping rough it hurts. Being a mentor is an opportunity to put my faith into action.

‘Life is not easy for people in the benefit system; there are things that are against them right from the start. Some don’t have family relationships to fall

back on and as a mentor you’re someone they can call on for help – a shoulder to cry on, a friend, a port in the storm.’

Peterborough Citadel became a partner church when Hope into Action’s founder, Ed Walker, visited the corps in 2011. He spoke about his vision to see the Church at the forefront of leading the fight against homelessness, to engage Christians in a meaningful and relational way with people who find themselves in a vulnerable position and to share their wealth with the poor.

On the charity’s website Ed describes how he met a man in a playground who had left prison that morning with nowhere to go. No hostels would take him. He was either too old or they didn’t take ex-offenders.

‘As I looked around,’ he says, ‘I saw

‘

Some don’t have family relationships to fall back on and as a mentor you’re someone they can call on for help

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’

Karen Hobbs and Michelle

Majors Gary and Lorraine Chaundy

half a dozen churches within a kilometre of where I was standing. I thought about the skills and talents of the people in all those churches: “If only I could get these people together, we could give people like this a home.” And that is how Hope into Action began.’

Hope into Action Marketing Administrator Morgan Hobbs – also a member at Peterborough Citadel – says that since Ed bought the first house in Peterborough in 2010 the charity has opened 70 homes in 22 cities, including 17 in Peterborough.

‘Churches find out about our work mainly through word of mouth or when Ed gives talks at churches or Christian events,’ she explains. ‘This year more than 300 people attended our conference, including investors, partners, tenants, empowerment workers and volunteers.’

Partners with the charity include churches from different denominations, which provide volunteers who befriend tenants, and investors who buy houses.

Investors might be single donors, who have finance they would like to put to good social use, or several donors that come together from a church or a number of churches.

Hope into Action supports its partners

in sourcing houses and managing refurbishments as well as handling tenancies, benefits and rent collection and providing professional support.

This, they feel, enables churches to concentrate on what they do best: prayer, mentoring and discipleship.

Throughout the year there are training days to equip volunteers on issues such as drug awareness, safety and mental health. Mentors meet regularly with Hope into Action empowerment workers to talk about any issues.

Peterborough Citadel corps officer Major Lorraine Chaundy feels that the Army’s value of heart to God and hand to man dovetails very closely with the values of Hope into Action. She encourages other corps to consider becoming partner churches.

‘We don’t have to be everything to everyone; we can work with people who have resources to do the same thing,’ she says. ‘It’s wonderful to be able to house people. I’ve been in corps where we’ve given out food parcels, bought shoes, charged phones, provided a listening ear or offered shower facilities.

You can’t underestimate the value of those but to be able to offer a home through Hope into Action is wonderful.

‘In Peterborough there isn’t a

Lifehouse. We feel we must do something to help house people struggling with homelessness, and this is what we’re doing. As a partner church we can go much farther than the corps arms could otherwise reach.’

Karen feels that The Salvation Army is also in a unique position to help Hope into Action tenants: ‘The Army has avenues of employment that can help people get back on their feet. Tenants who can’t get jobs straight away can get experience volunteering for the Army, for example, in kitchens, with the elderly or in charity shops – avenues where they can be part of a community and feel valued again.’

When speaking about the partnership, Lorraine was reminded of the illustration of a lighthouse in William Booth’s In Darkest England And The Way Out, with the words ‘Hope For All’ over it.

‘This partnership is about saving people from despair, starvation, poverty and crime; about pulling people from their dark places and giving them hope.

I really would recommend that corps look into what Hope into Action is doing and find out how they can be a part of it.’

O For more information visit hopeintoaction.org.uk Salvationist 3 August 2019

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PREVIEW

Harnessing the power of prayer Lyndall Bywater shares some thoughts from the One Thing prayer school

I

SAT opposite Magdalena in the quirky surroundings of Margate’s old cinema, now the home of Armáda Spásy, the Czech-speaking Roma corps. I’d done some 50 interviews for the One Thing prayer school by that stage and was pretty sure I knew what to expect. The camera rolled and I asked my first question: ‘So, can you tell me something about the time people prayed for your eyes?’

If I learnt anything in those 50 interviews it was that adults have a tendency to talk a lot, but Magdalena wasn’t an adult. She was an 11-year-old girl and didn’t waffle. It took her 30 seconds to tell me that she had been colour-blind, that she had been prayed for at the end of a Sunday meeting and that God had ‘opened’ her eyes so she could see properly.

I sat there dumbfounded, casting around for another question, but then it hit me: that simple account was the whole story. When we pray, God hears us and is able to do miracles that change our lives. That’s what Magdalena had experienced and what she wanted to tell everyone who’d be watching the season 3 DVD One Thing For The World.

Having spent the first season of the One Thing prayer school exploring personal prayer and the second exploring how churches can grow in

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prayer, we wanted to spend the third in the three-part series looking at why prayer makes a difference when we take the good news of Jesus out into the world. We visited various Army centres to see how they were blending prayer and mission and we talked to people who are working for Kingdom transformation in the areas of politics, education, social justice and finance to see why they think prayer is vital. You’ll have to watch One Thing For The World to hear all their answers but here are just a few: PRAYER IS THE ENGINE FOR MISSION Pentecost heralded a whirlwind of mission. The apostles preached, house churches were planted and missionaries were sent out. And, underneath it all, there was prayer. Prayer was one of the four founding principles of the Early Church (see Acts 2:42). They’d been praying together when the Spirit arrived, and it didn’t occur to them for a moment that they should stop. Christ’s mission could not be accomplished without prayer.

While filming One Thing For The World we visited Ilford in east London.

Buried deep in their building is a prayer room. It’s a peaceful place but not a passive one: Ilford is involved in several social justice projects and that room is

‘

Prayer must never be an afterthought; it’s the engine that drives the mission

where people go to pray the fire of the Holy Spirit into those communitytransforming initiatives.

Prayer must never be an afterthought or a token gesture; it’s the engine that drives the mission. If we want to move out in mission, we need to fire up the engine of prayer. If we want to launch outreach initiatives in our communities, we need to make sure that there are praying people committed to spending time on their knees – metaphorically, if not literally – bringing those initiatives before God. If not, we lay ourselves open to burnout because mission without prayer is dry, exhausting and ultimately fruitless.

PRAYER ENERGISES MISSION When persecution began to bite, the Early Church simply dug deeper in prayer. Yet they didn’t pray for the persecution to stop; they prayed that the Spirit would inject even more boldness into their hearts and into their mission (see Acts 4:24–31). They drew aside for a short time to inhale in prayer, drawing strength and courage from the Holy Spirit. Then they went back into the fray, re-energised and emboldened to tell even more people about Jesus.

As I interviewed leaders for One Thing season 3 I was struck by how committed they were to developing

their own prayer lives. They were all working hard running time-consuming mission projects and any one of them could have opted to delegate prayer to the prayer group but none did. They all attested to the fact that they wouldn’t be able to do what God had called them to do if they didn’t pray.

Every single one of us is called to be missional. God gives each of us a circle of influence – people around us who need to hear about Jesus – and we can only do that effectively if we are daily energised by the Holy Spirit through personal prayer.

PRAYER IS A MISSION ENCOUNTER The first disciples certainly preached the gospel but they did more than that: they prayed with people, creating opportunities for them to meet Jesus for themselves. Sometimes the result was healing (see Acts 28:8), sometimes it was what we might call baptism in the Holy Spirit (see Acts 8:15–17) and once it was even an earthquake in a prison (see Acts 16:25 and 26).

When we visited Banbury to film the local churches’ Healing on the Streets ministry, which happens in the town centre every other Saturday, we met several people who had been introduced to God in much the same way. Courageous, compassionate Christians had taken the time to pray

’

with them, not forcing their own agenda or trying to persuade them with intellectual arguments but welcoming the Holy Spirit and asking God to make himself known to them. The resulting encounters make for powerful stories.

Our consumerist, image-obsessed society is a spiritual desert where people are desperate for a meaningful encounter with something or someone who can set them free and give them life. You and I get to have that very encounter every time we pray, so it’s not surprising that God might want us to make that same kind of encounter available to people we meet. Perhaps next time someone is telling you about the struggles in their life you could ask the very simple question: ‘Can I pray with you?’

You might be surprised at how many say yes.

For more information on One Thing visit salvationarmy.org.uk/one-thing

O

LYNDALL IS A PRAYER CONSULTANT FOR THE SALVATION ARMY PRAYER NETWORK AND AUTHOR OF FAITH IN THE MAKING: PRAYING IT, TALKING IT, LIVING IT Salvationist 3 August 2019

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REFL RE FLEC FL ECTI EC TION TI ON REFLECTION

Glory revealed Lieutenant Chris Button explores the meaning of the Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1–13

T

HE story of the Transfiguration is centred on a moment of revelation when the weight of God presses on to creation. The glory of God is the visible sign of his presence, a marker of his blessing. It is seen when the face of Jesus shines as bright as the sun. The same glory shone from the face of Moses when he came down the mountain from the presence of God (see Exodus 34:29–35). However, where Jesus shines for all to see so that we might follow him, the face of Moses was hidden behind a veil.

The glory of the Lord that hovered above the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant was hidden in the tabernacle and in the Temple by curtains and walls.

It gave the people security and hope to know that God dwelt with them, even if they could not be in that presence and know that glory for themselves. The presence of God was kept away, inaccessible and hidden.

Then, one fateful moment when the hopes of a nation fell and all that had gone before was lost in the ashes of defeat, ‘the glory of the Lord departed from over the threshold of the Temple’ (Ezekiel 10:18). The exile had begun and the people longed for a second exodus when they would be redeemed and the glory would return to their midst.

The prophets proclaimed that the glory would return, not only to the Temple but the whole world as well. The second exodus would

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encompass not just one nation but all people. Isaiah and Habakkuk promised that the knowledge, the experience of the glory of the Lord, would fill the world ‘as the waters cover the sea’ (Isaiah 11:9 and Habakkuk 2:14). We see the first tastes of that return when Jesus is baptised and the heavens are opened (see Matthew 3:16). That which hides God was torn apart to reveal God’s presence.

The story of the Transfiguration is a crowning moment in the Gospels. It is easy to dismiss it as a strange little story. It is frequently interpreted as showing how Jesus is the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets as represented by the presence of Moses and Elijah. However, the Transfiguration is about more than that: it is the moment when the glory of God is seen once again.

The God who ‘became flesh and made his dwelling among us’ (John 1:14) reveals his glory in the Transfiguration. It is the sign that the presence of God has returned to dwell with us, but transformed, just as was prophesied. No longer hidden behind curtains or walls, no longer protected by veils or accessible to only a few, but made available for all people.

In the person of Jesus the divine and human natures are united in an early indication of the new creation when Heaven and Earth shall be one (see Revelation 21). Just as the water fills the sea, so will the glory, the presence of God, fill all of creation. The Transfiguration is the mark of what is to come. It is a turning point in the narrative of the Bible, which should not

be separated from the Crucifixion and the Resurrection but considered alongside these key moments.

The final marker of the glory of God flows from the transfiguration of Jesus through his death, resurrection and ascension, and into the world through the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. As Jesus was the unity of divine and human natures, the place where the presence of God was found, so we too participate in that glory. When a person is filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit they become a place where humanity and divinity are joined.

They become a place where Heaven and Earth come together to reveal the glory of the Lord. They become a foretaste of the future promise when all shall be filled with the presence of God. The challenge for us as disciples is whether we are willing to be a place where God can be met and whether we are willing to meet God in each other.

We all need our own transfiguration into the likeness of Christ. Brindley Boon gives us words to pray in seeking this transfiguration, the revelation of the glory of God in the world: I would be thy holy temple, Sacred and indwelt by thee; Naught then could stain my commission, ‘Tis thy divine charge to me.

(SASB 591) LIEUTENANT BUTTON IS CORPS OFFICER, WANDSWORTH

Thinkalou d b y John Coutts

Marathon man of God R

ECENTLY I recorded an interview with the Rev Barry Hughes, the new minister at St Mark’s Church of Scotland, just down the road from The Salvation Army in Stirling. The Kirk and The Salvation Army have very different pasts but face similar challenges in the present.

JOHN: Barry, what was your line of work before you entered the ministry?

BARRY: I worked in life insurance and banking for 25 years, mostly in human resources.

JOHN: And now you’ve changed direction.

BARRY: That’s right. I left the financial services in 2015, went back to university and studied at Highland Theological College, got my theology degree and I am now minister at St Mark’s in the Raploch area of Stirling, which the Church of Scotland sees as ‘a priority area’ – a place with a high level of social deprivation.

JOHN: Churches haven’t been doing too well lately. Aren’t you trying to swim against the tide?

BARRY: I hope so. I’ve been encouraged by the number of people entering the ministry. At St Mark’s we have a small but growing congregation and we are hugely involved in the local community. That’s important for any church nowadays.

JOHN: You made a rather unconventional start – by running in the Stirling Marathon on a Sunday morning.

Just a few years ago that would have been unheard of. Shouldn’t you have been in church, preaching the gospel?

BARRY: I’m a runner and most marathons take place on a Sunday, so I took one of my Sundays off and used the occasion to raise £900 for our new scout group. I was also featured in the

local paper, before and after the race, which brought a lot of publicity for the church and helped to raise the profile of my ministry. We now have 18 youngsters in the beavers – that’s the youngest section of the scouts – including boys and girls.

JOHN: This brings us to the question of Christian work with children, which has declined greatly over the past 30 years.

There are so many more counter attractions and Sunday school is a shadow of what it was. How can churches respond?

BARRY: Don’t measure things by Sunday mornings. Engage in other ways. At St Mark’s we are fortunate to have an open door to the nearby primary school, and recently I went away with a class on their Outward Bound week. And, like many churches, we run Messy Church. Ours meets in the nearby Sainsbury’s on a Tuesday, at teatime. We have crafts, games, songs and Bible stories followed by a meal together. It’s still church, but at a different time and place.

JOHN: Do you attract people who wouldn’t normally go through the door of a traditional church building?

BARRY: Yes. One mother and daughter have been coming to our Sainsbury’s meetings for several years. On a recent Sunday morning they were both baptised at the normal service. Their main connection may remain at Sainsbury’s but they are part of the church fellowship.

JOHN: That takes us back to Christians in the Early Church, who didn’t have buildings to meet in. But all today’s churches, including The Salvation Army, have their past hanging round their necks. It can be a glorious heritage – but also a millstone.

BARRY: That’s certainly true of the

Church of Scotland, with our large buildings and complicated administration. I’ve noticed that the churches that flourish are often independent – less encumbered by the past.

JOHN: But how should the Church respond to new challenges that previous generations never thought of? Take climate change for instance. Which should come first, saving the planet or saving souls?

BARRY: Sometimes in the Church of Scotland we can come across as more interested in social and political issues that we rightly campaign on. Climate change is one of them. But we must always make clear that Jesus Christ is at the front and centre of everything we do.

JOHN: Finally, you’ve chosen to come to St Mark’s, a ‘priority area’, when you could have gone to a parish where everything is big and bright…

BARRY: In a leafy suburb with a big manse and a well-to-do congregation!

But God wants me here, where I’ve found that the church is welcome in all parts of the community.

JOHN: Have you got an encouraging word for struggling congregations with an older membership and declining numbers?

BARRY: I think we need to listen for God’s plan. It may be that a small fellowship has to merge with something bigger. Let’s not be afraid of change.

God says in Isaiah 43:19, ‘I am about to do a new thing’ (New Revised Standard Version).

JOHN: Thanks, Barry.

JOHN IS A SOLDIER AT STIRLING Salvationist 3 August 2019

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BIBLE STUDY

Delight in God’s law Lieutenant Rob Westwood-Payne encourages us to become avid readers

STUDY PASSAGE: PSALM 1 I LOVE books. They have always been more than just words to me. If you ever catch me reading a good crime novel, for example, you will quickly notice that I have no idea what’s going on around me. I love the adventure, the imagination of the author and the exciting plot twists. I believe that a good book has the power to change us.

QUESTIONS O What was the last book you got lost in? Why? We are what we read Research shows that we are what we read. The act of reading about, and identifying with, a fictional character can lead us subconsciously to adopt their behaviour. The theory is based on ‘experience taking’ – using our imagination to assume the identity of

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

by Major Howard Webber

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the character we’re reading about and simulate their thoughts, emotions, behaviours, goals and traits as if they were our own.

If that’s true, perhaps we ought to avoid characters such as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho and read about someone like Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird.

QUESTION O When you read fiction, do you place yourself in the shoes of the main character?

Right at the beginning of the book of Psalms, the author of Psalm 1 also makes the claim that we are what we read: ‘Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night’ (vv1 and 2).

Blessed by God or sneering at God? This psalm is deliberately placed at the beginning of the book of Psalms to make an audacious claim. There are two ways we can shape our lives: one leads to life and flourishing, the other ends in insignificance and death. We can be happy and blessed by God or we can sneer at God and be judged by him. It’s our choice.

The psalmist presents a black and white world. We can follow God’s teaching and prosper or we can perish like wind-blown chaff. There are only six verses to this psalm, but it is full of black-and-white contrasts – streams of water and driving wind, fruitful trees and discarded chaff, prospering and perishing, the congregation of the righteous and ultimate destruction. And it’s our choice.

QUESTIONS O Is today’s world as black and white as the psalmist makes out? Do you think God allows areas of grey?

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

(Psalm 119:1 and 2)

Deepen in me thy work of grace,/ Teach me to do thy will,/ Help me to live a spotless life,/ Thy holy laws fulfil.

(SASB 800)

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

(Psalm 1:1 and 2)

Prayer

Dear Father God, in a world of busyness, with all manner of things clamouring for my attention or demanding my time, help me to be ever focused on you; delighting in you, your law, your will and your ways. Protect me from the subtleties of Satan’s deceptive, counterfeit ways.

The one difference between these groups The difference between those who are blessed and the wicked is just one thing: blessed people are ‘people of the book’. They delight in God’s law. They are what they read. They love God’s word. They engage with it. They meditate on it. In fact, the Hebrew word used here, hagah, means to murmur or mutter. In other words, they talk God’s word to themselves, under their breath, and it is something that is ongoing.

QUESTION O How can we keep up with modern life and still ‘delight in the law of the Lord’?

Being ‘people of the book’ must be intentional This is a choice. We have to be intentional about it. Our human inclination is to make the wrong choice.

That’s why the psalmist begins not with the positive example of the happy and blessed person but with a reminder

about who we shouldn’t be: ‘Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers’ (v1).

The psalmist contends that blessing comes when we resist our natural inclinations and make a choice to delight in God’s law – when we make an intentional choice to be what we read.

Love God’s word If we love God, if we want to become more like Jesus, then an important sign is that we hunger for his word. The bottom line is we must spend time in God’s word. It’s the only way. We cannot be deeply influenced by something we don’t know.

One of the greatest living actors is Sir Anthony Hopkins. He says that when he gets a script before filming he reads through it between 100 and 200 times.

He makes notes in the margins. He scribbles and doodles and imagines what it will look like on the screen. By

the time he’s been through all of this, he has internalised the script. He knows his character. He’s a personification of the script. He is what he reads. We need to treat God’s word in the same way – to look at it long enough to see its beauty, to ponder it deeply enough that our hearts catch fire and to meditate on it until we become ‘people of the book’.

Until, in fact, we become what we read.

QUESTIONS During this past week, has your life felt more like a planted tree or windblown chaff?

O How long did you spend delighting in God’s law? Can you see any connection?

O In what ways are you ensuring that God’s word is a necessary part of your daily living?

O

LIEUTENANT WESTWOOD-PAYNE IS CORPS OFFICER, BASINGSTOKE

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

When we walk with the Lord/ In the light of his word,/ What a glory he sheds on our way;/ While we do his good will,/ He abides with us still/ And with all who will trust and obey.

(SASB 690)

I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

(Psalm 119:14–16)

Come, Saviour Jesus, from above,/ Assist me with thy heavenly grace;/ Empty my heart of earthly love,/ And for thyself prepare the place./ Nothing on Earth do I desire/ But thy pure love within my breast;/ This, only this, do I require,/ And freely give up all the rest.

(SASB 579)

The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbour.

Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.

(Romans 13:9 and 10)

Salvationist 3 August 2019

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NEW COMMITMENTS

CAMBRIDGE CITADEL: Corps officers Majors Leanne and Martin Cordner enrolled Isaac Dunn as a junior soldier. A keen reader, Isaac helped preach a sermon on ‘the big, bright, brilliant book of books’. He is pictured with Leanne, Martin and YPSM Davinia Irvine. – M. C. DUNSTABLE: The morning meeting included the enrolment of Rhys Cox as a junior soldier by corps officer Major Stephen Brevitt.

Rhys excelled in his preparation classes.

When asked if he would like to be a junior soldier, he immediately replied ‘yes’. He is pictured with Stephen and Colour Sergeant Mark Edmonds. – J. B.

HISTON: Daphne Watts and Beryl Day have been friends of the Army for a long time, attending Sunday worship at Willingham Corps for several years. After the corps closed, following much prayer and consideration, they decided to officially transfer to Histon, and, in a wonderful example of how God works through all things, Beryl made the decision to become an adherent member. She was welcomed by corps officer Captain Georgina Symons. They are pictured with Captain Rob Symons. – R. S. 18

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LANGLEY MOOR: Tanya Curtis linked up with the corps in October last year when she moved into the area with her children.

She has now been welcomed as an adherent member by corps officers Captains David and Lorna White. Tanya shared how she has found her spiritual home and feels happy and welcomed. She also volunteers at Sanctuary 21, the drop-in centre in Durham. – L. W.

MARKET RASEN: Marion Tuplin and her daughter, Carolyn Brader, have been attending worship and volunteering during the weekly corps programme. They were welcomed as adherent members

by Major Merle Garrad. – T. C.

BELFAST CITADEL: Having completed junior soldier classes with Songster Leader Jayne Moore, Cynthia Lin was due to have been enrolled a few weeks earlier with three of her friends. While unable to attend on that occasion, she was keen to be enrolled at the next available opportunity. She is pictured with YPSM Major Jim Cunningham and corps officer Major Mark Waghorn, who conducted the enrolment. – N. M.

LETTERS

TIE OR NO TIE IF the front cover of Salvationist dated 6 July is anything to go by, then congratulations! For too long the Army has been guilty of sexual discrimination when it comes to dress code, with women allowed to wear open-necked blouses while men have to wear ties. To see a male cadet without one is a step forward!

Trevor Middleton Norwich Editor’s note: THE official Minute states that informal uniform for men can be ‘with or without official tie’. With regard to the photo mentioned in Trevor’s letter, readers may also be interested to know that women may wear ‘navy blue tailored trousers’ with informal uniform and ‘navy blue full length smart trousers (not jeans)’ when wearing formal uniform without a jacket.

SALVATIONIST For everyone linked to The Salvation Army

No.1712 Price 60p

www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 6 July 2019

MOVED WITH COMPASSION

Four Messengers of Compassion tell their stories

FUNDRAISING ON A SUNDAY? IT is not my usual habit to write letters expressing my views on any subject.

However, I have become alarmed at the number of times in copies of Salvationist that readers have been encouraged to get their communities to take part in fundraising activities for the Army on a Sunday. Surely we should be encouraging our communities to attend a place of worship on a Sunday, not following the secular trend of filling the day with everything but thoughts of God. Shirley Griffiths Torquay

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE CLEVER I READ with some concern Major Rosemary Dawson’s letter regarding calling to officership (Salvationist 13 July). As I understand it, multiple criteria are taken into consideration when selecting candidates for training and it is not based solely on the evidence of young people coming forward to offer themselves for full-time service.

I still believe that people are called to officership proportionate to the needs, scope and extent of our Movement. However, experience has it that not all who are called are eventually chosen.

Although based on an individual’s calling, acceptance for training is subject to a high standard of screening for suitability. I am aware of cases where rejection has frustrated and confused people who were convinced of their calling but were turned away.

Being called by God into full-time ministry is a very sensitive issue and needs to be nurtured in such a way that a sincere commitment can be realised rather than discounted on academic criteria – a group of Galilean fishermen can bear witness to that!

Richard Sheppard Stapleford

‘The Calling Of The Apostles Peter and Andrew’

by Duccio di Buoninsegna

LETTERS Readers’ letters are a popular and well-read section of Salvationist. Many years ago General Frederick Coutts said letters for publication in the Army’s press should be ‘carefully thought out, logically presented and charitably expressed’. Letters may be edited and should ideally be no more than 300 words.

Salvationist 3 August 2019

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE The following appointments and promotions, decided upon by the General, have been announced by the Chief of the Staff Effective 1 September O Lieut-Colonel Eugène and Brigitte Bamanabio, officers of the Congo (Brazzaville) Territory currently serving respectively as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries in that territory, are appointed as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, Congo (Brazzaville) Territory. They will take up their new appointments with the rank of colonel. They will be succeeding Commissioners Onal and Edmane Castor, who will be entering honourable early retirement on medical grounds.

O Lieut-Colonel Brit Knedal, officer of the Norway, Iceland and the Færoes Territory currently serving as Assistant Chief Secretary in that territory, is appointed as Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Norway, Iceland and the Færoes Territory. She will be succeeding Colonel Birgit Fosen, who will be retiring from active service.

Effective 1 October O Majors Dieudonné and Philippine Tsilulu, officers of the Democratic Republic of Congo Territory currently serving respectively as Regional Commander and Regional President of Women’s Ministries, Mali Region,

are appointed as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Congo (Brazzaville) Territory. They will take up their new appointments with the rank of lieutcolonel.

APPOINTED Effective 1 August O Captain Beverley Womersley, Cardiff Ely and Cardiff Cathays O Territorial Envoy Pam Ripper, Worksop and Staveley Effective 12 September O Major Andrea Sawyer, additional appointment Area Candidates Officer, Anglia Division Effective 3 November – 20 December O Major Hendrik Hoitinga, Wick and Thurso LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED O SL Kathrine Smith, CS Sue Cole and CT David McManus, Bristol Bedminster O CS Paul Brearley, Wisbech O BM Darren Willis, Derby Central WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Golden O Dennis and Pat Brook, Guisborough (9 August) DEDICATED TO GOD O Coco-Valentine, daughter of Colin and Hannah Hill, at Guisborough by Major Fiona Mugford O James Richard, son of Paul and Kirsty Brearley, at Wisbech by Major Neville Andrews

GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE O Zimbabwe (regional home league conference), Wed 7 Aug – Sun 11* O ICO, Th 8 and Sun 11** O Ayr, Sat Sun 18 O Sunbury Court (Right at the Heart conference), Mon 26 and Sat Sun 1 Sep

THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM O Zimbabwe (regional home league conference), Wed 7 Aug – Sun 11*** O New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory, Sun 11**** THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL O Bath (Territorial Music School final festival), Sat 3 Aug THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL LEE GRAVES) AND COLONEL DEBORAH GRAVES O Bath (Territorial Music School final festival), Sat 3 Aug O South and Mid Wales (divisional visit), Th 29 – Sun 1 Sep

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BEREAVED O Dep SL Janette Baker, Gillingham, of her husband Bandsman Paul Baker, Calum Baker of his father O Marion Welsby, Lurgan, of her husband Eric, Major Susan McFerran, Thorndale Lifehouse, of her father O Major Michael Stannett, France and Belgium Territory, of his father Raymond O Lieutenant Rob Westwood-Payne, Basingstoke, Chris Payne, Carolyn Hampton, Stowmarket, and Michelle Allen, Norwich Citadel, of their mother Sandra Payne, Major Katharine Grimshaw and Ken Grimshaw, Norwich Mile Cross, of their sister, Roger le duc Barnett of his stepsister O Dep BM Malcolm Taylor, Abertillery, of his sister Gillian O Captain Gavin Friday, Bristol Citadel, of his father Colin O Muriel Carter, Cambridge Citadel, of her brother Gordon Paul O Rtd CCMS Bernice Newman, Sittingbourne, of her husband Rtd CSM David Newman, Dep SL Paul Newman, CSM Philip Newman and Andrew Newman, all Sittingbourne, of their father, Major Joyce Holmes, Songster Freda Wray, Blackpool Citadel, and CSM Marion Swingler, York, of their brother

TRIBUTES

ENGAGEMENTS

* World President of Women’s Ministries only ** The General only *** World Secretary for Women’s Ministries only **** Chief of the Staff only

RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Major Annie Clough (90 on 17 August)

JOHN COLE, BRISTOL BEDMINSTER JOHN was brought to the corps at a very early age and was No 1 on the roll.

He held the positions of corps cadet guardian, corps sergeantmajor and recruiting sergeant.

An influence on many young people and a man of great faith, John was able to quote parts of the Bible and would give his testimony, sharing his many adventures throughout life.

He is sadly missed by his family and all those in the corps who knew him or had the privilege of meeting him. – R. C.

CYNTHIA HASWELL, LINCOLN BORN in Lincoln in 1940, Cynthia became the fifth generation to serve the Lord in her Salvation Army family. She decided to become a junior soldier in 1948, which began her lifelong service within the corps.

In 1954 Cynthia was enrolled as a soldier and was a songster for more than 50 years. She took on many other roles, including timbrel group leader, company guard, registrar for weddings at the corps, corps secretary and corps treasurer, a position she held for 33 years. She was also a pub-boomer for many years.

In recent years ill health required Cynthia to give up many of the things she loved but she was still a regular attendee at the home league, until a fall meant she had to live her last years in a residential home.

She is missed at the corps but her legacy will live on in the lives she touched. – H. D.

CATH CLOSE, DISS CATH was brought up in Hanwell Corps before transferring to Marylebone, where she met Ron. They married and had three children before becoming auxiliary-captains.

Cath was an accomplished singer and sang about her faith throughout her life, often quoting songs and choruses when she felt it would help or encourage someone else.

After Ron retired they moved to Spain for 16 years, but returned to England in 2014 because of ill health. Despite not being able to attend the corps, she always wanted to know what songs were sung and what the address was about.

In the last few months of Cath’s life she celebrated her 70th wedding anniversary and 91st birthday. – L. T.

GEOFFREY PIDGEON, BIDEFORD WHEN the congregation remembered Geoff at his funeral service, the common thread was how he always had a smile and a kind word for all, loved to be in company and enjoyed cheerful conversation with everyone.

Geoff did not have an easy life in his youth, but he became a uniformed Salvationist and developed a faith that kept him positive. He loved God and the Army and when the opportunity arose for testimony he always had a ready word.

Divisional Envoy Mary Craigie assured the family that Geoff’s legacy of happiness and laughter would live on for a long time to come. – Y. R.

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

Salvationist 3 August 2019

21

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Salvationist 3 August 2019

22-23

‘

Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colours, He made their tiny wings

Employees, friends, members, officers, volunteers – we have them all in The Salvation Army!

We’ve asked some of them to tell us about themselves. This week…

ALICE CHEN

(SASB 3)

’

What do you do in your spare time?

Cut the grass, go for a walk or visit my elderly neighbours.

What is your favourite hymn or worship song?

‘All Things Bright And Beautiful’ (SASB 3).

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

Bell-bottoms.

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

Poverty.

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

Tragedy by the Bee Gees, released in 1979.

Did you have a nickname growing up?

Alice in Wonderland.

(Stornoway) How did you first come into contact with the Army?

My friend, Betty Grigor, introduced me.

What made you want to volunteer?

I had so much time on my hands and was asked if I wanted to help out.

What is the most interesting thing about your role?

The pleasure I get from meeting people and helping them.

What one thing would you change about the Army?

Nothing, as they are doing a great job!

What is your favourite kind of holiday?

Going to visit my grandchildren.

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

Grease. I would play one of the lead characters, Sandy.

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

Mother Teresa – she was like a mother to everyone.

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

The marathon.

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

Gala apples.

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

Moses. I’d ask: ‘How did you manage to part the Red Sea?’ and ‘How did everyone get across safely?’

What is your favourite Bible passage?

‘The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever’ (Psalm 23).

If you could invent a gadget what would it be?

Something to ease the pain older people experience that existing medicines do not help with.

Which book would you want on a desert island?

Any with a good love story.

If you had a ‘theme song’ that played whenever you walked into a room what would it be?

‘Oh, Pretty Woman’ by Roy Orbison.

What’s the most valuable thing you possess?

My health.

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

‘Do to others what you would have them do to you’ (Matthew 7:12).