Salvationist 3 January 2026

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SALVATIONIST

FIGURES OF TRUST ACTING WITH INTEGRITY

STARFISH MENTORING IN SCHOOLS PAGE 10

Have you been eating chocolate?

HAPPY new year! I trust that you have enjoyed a time of celebration over the festive season. That celebration may have involved some seasonal indulgences.

Chocolate would be one within my family. For some of us, there might be an element of selective memory as to just how much chocolate we have eaten!

YouTube offers us a treasure trove of material evidence that children seem to forget that evidence is left behind on their faces when being questioned as to whether they have been eating chocolate!

Witnesses in a court of law swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The value of integrity challenges us to be the same in our dealings with one another. Being transparent wherever possible ensures that people see in our actions what we say with our words.

As we begin the year exploring the application of one of our six core values across the territory, may we each look to Jesus for our example – not only to speak truth but to live it out so that others may see him who is ‘the truth’ (John 14:6) and seek to know him themselves.

MAJOR JULIAN WATCHORN Editor

EXPLORE MORE ONLINE salvationist.org.uk/ recommended-content

Unpack integrity and update your 2026 diary with the latest events information.

8 TRUE TO OUR IDENTITY

9 BANKING ETHICALLY

11 LIVING OUT OUR VALUES

13 SPOTLIGHT ON REGENT HALL

6+7 BIBLE STUDY

SALVATIONIST Issue No 2044

EDITOR Major Julian Watchorn

FOUNDERS Catherine and William Booth

MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford

INTERNATIONAL LEADERS General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham

ASSISTANT EDITOR Stevie Hope EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Major Margaret Bovey, Major Lynne Shaw, George Tanton, Lyn Woods SENIOR DESIGNER Hannah Holden

NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE Explore faith and belonging together

£1/€1 10 January 2026

SALVATIONIST

Covenant Sunday Breaking ground Bringing hope To subscribe, speak to your corps leader or visit sps-shop.com

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Salvationist 3 January 2026

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Joseph Halliday, Louise Phillips

TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Major Julian Watchorn

PROOFREADER Chris Horne

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SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS From the 2011 New International Version (Anglicised), unless otherwise stated

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TRENDING

Picture: Courtesy of Netflix © 2025 Netflix, Inc

Perfectly impossible As Knives Out returns to Netflix, Ivan Radford considers the case for living with grace

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HIS is something even I have not experienced. A perfectly impossible crime.’ Those are the words of Benoit Blanc, who has returned to Netflix for another case in Wake Up Dead Man. The third film in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out franchise will be on many people’s watchlists, as it once again blends Agatha Christie-esque smarts with a star-studded cast and self-aware wit.

Who doesn’t love a murder mystery on a cold winter’s night? The latest outing for the unflappable detective, though, adds a new ingredient to the recipe: faith.

The whodunnit follows Blanc as he is drawn to a locked room puzzle inside a rural church – a staunch priest seemingly murdered right after delivering a noholds-barred sermon. As the puzzle pieces fall into place, secrets and grudges emerge. And that’s before the really audacious twists kick in, including a biblical spin on the film’s title that raises some extraordinary questions.

The parishioners are a typically colourful bunch of possible culprits, but their suspicion is directed mainly at the priest’s second-in-command. A former boxer turned man of the cloth, he’s an outsider in the parish, with an insubordinate past.

Yet in this small village, he ruffles more than a few feathers by attempting not to put his fists up but to spread his arms open wide in compassion.

From the moment he arrives, the clash of personalities is exacerbated by a toxic church community. Shame and bullying rear their heads in different guises, along with greed, ambition and the

corrupting pull of power. When everyone’s relationships and reactions become so evidently unloving, it’s perhaps no wonder that the cynical Benoit Blanc struggles to believe in religion – particularly as the congregation find themselves torn into different camps about how the church should move forwards.

Wake Up Dead Man, however, does something that has traditionally been rare on screen: it dares to take faith seriously.

And so, while there are miraculous events to explain and politics and disagreements to overcome, Blanc’s case becomes less about deducing a killer’s identity and more about uncovering what it means to follow God – it’s a natural conversationstarter about faith and integrity in any household with a Netflix account.

The answers that Blanc unearths remind us that Christianity is not about elevating ourselves or becoming so consumed by division that any sense of unity is lost. Rather, it’s about humility and taking things one day at a time. That really can seem perfectly impossible – and that’s because it is. Without God working in us, there’s no way we can live that out by ourselves. Zechariah 4:6 cautions: ‘You will not succeed by your own strength or by your own power, but by my Spirit’ (New Century Version). And Philippians 2:13 reassures us: ‘God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases him’ (NCV).

As an old Salvation Army song puts it, ‘he’s going to make my life into a miracle, a mighty miracle of a grace’ (SASB 857). Not a miracle of superiority

Reflect and respond Read through the lyrics of song 857 in the songbook, then read Ephesians 3:14–21, which inspired it. Who does the melody of your life glorify?

Is it possible to know God’s love without his grace? What does that mean for how you love others? or antagonism, but of grace – remembering that, when we focus on God above earthly noises, influences and distractions, God provides us with our daily bread, all that we need to continue on our journey of becoming more like him. Living with such integrity requires mutual accountability – which is not the same as human judgement – and compassion, as much as it does perseverance and courage. The result isn’t a knives-out culture of hostility, but a welcoming community rooted in a heartfelt hope in God. It’s a campaign of spiritual warfare that begins in our own hearts. And when our Christlike love is lived authentically from the inside out, it’s often something that people who encounter us haven’t experienced before. Perfect? Not yet.

Impossible? Not with God on our side.

IVAN RADFORD Managing Editor Salvationist

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Quiz Name that Bible book!

by Garry D Reed 1

Henry, George, Richard, William and Charles.

2 British award-winner who sang ‘Shotgun’.

3 Passionate expressions of grief or sorrow.

4 A Bible figure who had a whale of a time.

5 Otto Preminger’s 1960 epic

about the founding of Israel.

6 The ambitious chaplain of Barchester Towers.

7 The rock that Jesus built his Church on.

8 All roads lead to the city of who?

9 How a biblical man makes coffee.

10 Blades, Cleverly and Bond.

11 A Greek city once a key centre of the Roman and Byzantine Empires.

12 The first American to orbit the Earth.

1 Kings 2 Ezra 3 Lamentations 4 Jonah 5 Exodus 6 Obadiah 7 Peter 8 Romans 9 Hebrews 10 James 11 Thessalonians 12 John

ANSWERS 4

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TESTIMONY

‘God has given me a new beginning’ Clara Chimfamba (Coventry City) prays her life will be a radiant reflection of God’s grace

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FIRST and foremost give glory to God. I praise him for this beautiful gift of life and for salvation in his name. My enrolment as a soldier is also a celebration of my beloved mother in Zimbabwe, at Mbizo Citadel, and my family and friends.

I want to say thank you to those who have welcomed me and supported my spiritual journey since I first came to Coventry City Corps. Our corps leaders, Majors Jenny and Steve Forman, the retired officers, the songster brigade, all the members of the corps – I appreciate your faith and the duty of care you have given me: a voice of calmness, an anchor of peace in the sea of pain, a pillar of support.

I have been a Christian all my life, but my life has not been an easy journey. Submitting to God’s process does not necessarily mean you bypass all the pain life can bring. I was widowed as a young mum with two little children.

By hard work and trust in God, I raised them on my own. They are now well established in life and in their Christian faith, as active Salvationists.

God has brought healing to my sufferings and given me a new beginning, and I want to serve him by supporting others who go through difficult life circumstances. As my testimony, I would use some words from Scripture: ‘Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead’ (Philippians 3:13).

‘If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!’ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

My family has encouraged me and waited for me to come back to The Salvation Army. God prompted me to come here. This is my church and place of service. It is my time now to be involved in the purposes for which God raised The Salvation Army. Whatever it takes to save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity, I want to be part of it.

Heavenly Father, grant me the grace to never take for granted the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for us and called us to live a new life that truly reflects your love.

May my life be a radiant reflection of your grace. Let my heart overflow with worship and praise for you, now and for all eternity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have you got a testimony to share? We’d love to hear your faith story! Get in touch at salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk.

ARTISTS’ CORNER

GENESIS 8:22

created at Wood Green Corps Women’s Retreat Day

What does Genesis 8:22 depict?

It’s a display of paper lilies made of Bible pages. It depicts spring as a season, a rhythm, a balance and new life. As a season, spring is a period of difference and movement with the passing of time.

As a rhythm, spring is a sense of order and flow. As a balance, each change of spring is balanced in tension with others. As new life, spring is transformation and change.

What inspired it?

The territory’s five mission priorities provided our inspiration.

We are called to share the good news.

This artwork provided us with a unique way of sharing our individual testimonies.

As our hands worked together, it was a reminder that we do not work alone but we work as a team.

We are called to serve others without discrimination. People from different cultures and backgrounds worked together, helping one another and supporting one another to produce one piece of artwork that could be shared with others.

We are called to nurture disciples of Jesus. We encouraged one another to read the testimonies and grow together in faith. The process of creating the artwork played an important part in the spiritual nourishment of the women gathered.

We are called to care for creation.

Genesis 8:22 reminded us of the importance of God’s creation in our lives.

This verse is punctuated by the word ‘and’: ‘Seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.’

The Kingdom of God is here, but as long as the Earth remains we live between the ‘and’ and the ‘not yet’.

We are called to seek justice and reconciliation: ‘Think about those beautiful wild lilies growing over there.

They don’t work up a sweat toiling for needs or wants – they don’t worry about clothing. Yet the great King Solomon never had an outfit that was half as glorious as theirs!’ (Luke 12:27 The Voice).

How was it made?

We worked collaboratively to create Genesis 8:22. We had an old Bible that was damaged and could no longer be used. We each chose a page from it containing meaningful verses, drew our handprint on the page and cut it out.

Each hand was then curved around and fastened with glue dots. The fingers were curled outwards, and pipe cleaners were coiled at one end and threaded through, creating a lily. As the retreat focused on Genesis 8:22 – ‘as long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease’ – pages from this chapter were used for the background.

Others can now read the Scripture on each lily, inviting curiosity and response and allowing us to share our testimony in a public space. Our prayer is that each person will flourish where they are planted.

Have you made a piece of art, a drawing, a collage or something else inspired by your faith?

We’d love to share it in our Artists’ Corner! Get in touch with our team at salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk.

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BIBLE STUDY

Giver of strength Major Lynley Oliver encourages us to rise up by trusting God ISAIAH 40:28–31

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WONDER how often you need to be reminded of basic yet key pieces of information. For example, take those times when you’re baking something you’ve made so many times that you feel you don’t need to follow a recipe. It’s only when you get to taking the finished product out of the oven that you realise you’ve forgotten a key ingredient – pavlova made without sugar isn’t the tastiest!

In our best times, when we are most attentive to God’s word, we are aware of key truths. Yet, when faced with trying days, we are apt to forget those same truths, and that is far more costly than omitting sugar from a pavlova!

PAUSE AND REFLECT What key truths about God might you have forgotten recently?

At what point did you become aware of not having remembered them?

The prophet Isaiah is aware of this human condition. When the going gets tough, we tend to forget to reach out to God and to remember we can depend on him. Hence the rhetorical question: ‘Do you not know?’ (v28). Well, yes, we do! We might believe that God gives strength and power. Yet, when we become distracted, overburdened or stressed, we easily forget.

Isaiah writes with awareness against a backdrop of ‘powerful’ nations that surrounded Israel. These nations did what they wanted because they had wealth.

It is when we contrast earthly power with God’s power that we recognise our smallness. Prior to these verses, the prophet had asked questions that 6

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illustrate God’s power: ‘Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?’ (Isaiah 40:14).

Verses 28 to 31 of our study passage offer comfort and hope to the Israelites in exile because there is assurance that earthly perceptions of power do not compare to God’s.

PAUSE AND REFLECT When have you become aware that people hold power over you?

How did you respond?

In our study passage, we see some of the attributes of God’s power. He is ‘everlasting’ (v28) – neither his power nor his strength diminish because he is everlasting. There is nothing in this world that equates – God is Creator of all the Earth. He not only organises nature, he is also high enough and low enough to be intimately involved with his creation.

These two attributes help to remind us that God is fully involved throughout.

PAUSE AND REFLECT In which areas of life do we find it difficult to trust God? What holds us back from surrendering to him?

In verse 29, we are assured that God ‘gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak’. It sometimes takes courage to admit that.

We may feel overwhelmed and weary.

However, it is quite logical because we

are human and not the everlasting God. God does not grow weak or weary. He is aware of our limitations because he created us and, because he knows us so intimately, he caters for our needs. When we feel as if we can’t go on, he provides strength. Isn’t it ironic that we do not rely on and trust God as much as we could?

PAUSE AND REFLECT What stops us from seeking God sooner or more frequently?

How might we live in God’s strength and power, rather than running to him for a new supply now and then?

Isaiah reminds us that we all have human limitations – even the strongest and most resilient of us will experience fatigue. Regardless of what stage of life we are at, we recognise that our human condition is that we are each capable of stumbling or falling. ‘Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall’ (v30). We could find ourselves in a potentially dangerous situation.

The apostle Paul recognises the need for us to become mature in our faith.

He identifies times when we are being ‘tossed back and forth … and blown here and there’, and how by ‘speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ’ (Ephesians 4:14 and 15).

The hope described by Isaiah is intertwined with trust in God. It is a promise to receive and believe: ‘Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles’ (v31). Acknowledging our vulnerabilities is a first step to receiving God’s strength.

A shortened version of Prayer Matters will continue to be published weekly in Salvationist in 2026. January’s entries are inspired by the Blueprint for Better Choices.

To read the full, unedited Prayer Matters booklet, visit salvationist.org.uk/discipleship.

THURSDAY 1 JANUARY – THE RESOLUTION TO TRUST For January, we’re pausing our usual prayer rhythm to explore the subject of discernment. These words from Minnie Louise Haskins’ poem ‘The Gate of the Year’ are an excellent place to start: ‘“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”/ And he replied:/ “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God./ That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”’

PAUSE AND REFLECT In what ways can we deepen our faith and trust in God’s promises and character?

The imagery of soaring like eagles illustrates the way in which, when we trust God, we can see a divine perspective that gives strength to rise above challenges.

So, too, the picture built of running and walking gives us the assurance that God is the source of all we need. Although some experiences we have may cause us to feel weak and helpless, we can totally rely on God. Receiving his strength and power makes all the difference.

PAUSE AND REFLECT Identify areas of life where you feel weak or weary.

How might you actively place your hope in God? How might you receive strength from him?

We have been reminded of God’s personal interest in us, his care and his compassion, and that he provides all the strength and power we need. His energising power – the Holy Spirit at work in us! I wonder how we might impact someone else’s life today by sharing these truths.

MAJOR LYNLEY OLIVER Spiritual Formation Coordinator William Booth College

FRIDAY 2 JANUARY: HARD GROUND – FEAR As we dig the ground of learning to trust in God, one of the blockages we might encounter is fear that our trust will end in disappointment. 1 John 4:18 says: ‘Perfect love drives out fear.’ Let’s keep reminding ourselves that we can completely trust the One who loves us.

SATURDAY 3 JANUARY: FOCUS AREA – BEING A PROPHETIC VOICE God, thank you that you speak to us and through us. Show us how to be a prophetic voice, echoing in public and private your just and righteous intentions.

May we do the things that reflect your holiness, speaking up for justice and reconciliation and caring for this creation you spoke into being.

SUNDAY 4 JANUARY – THE RESOLUTION TO BE OPEN Help us open our hearts and minds to you. As we pray for transformation in others’ lives, help us surrender to your transformation in ourselves and in our corps. Show us what we need to let go of, so we might welcome the new and different things you are doing.

MONDAY 5 JANUARY: HARD GROUND – BUSYNESS Sometimes it’s tempting to make decisions based on our busyness. Gentle Spirit, forgive us when we slip into survival mode, doing whatever it takes to get by, or cramming as much into our days as we can. Help us find ways to step aside from the activity and be still in your transforming presence.

TUESDAY 6 JANUARY – PRACTISING OPENNESS An action: What are the things in life you hold most tightly? Find an object to represent each thing on your list. On labels write: ‘I put this in the hands of God.’ Stick a label to each object and notice how it feels to hand that person or situation to God. WEDNESDAY 7 JANUARY – THE RESOLUTION TO GROW COMMUNITY We only hear the fullness of God’s message when we hear a range of voices. God, teach us togetherness, that we might hear your whole word to us, and speak that word with boldness.

THURSDAY 8 JANUARY: HARD GROUND – SELF-SUFFICIENCY Lord, forgive us when we take short cuts in discerning your will. Help us when we lack courage to ask others what they think you are saying. Give us determination to share the work of listening.

FRIDAY 9 JANUARY – PRACTISING COMMUNITY Reflect on the spiritual health of your team or community. How do you make time to recognise and respond to the presence and activity of God? How do you make room to strengthen relationships, build trust and grow a culture of love?

PRAYER REQUESTS Do you have something or someone you’d like us to pray for?

Email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk with ‘prayer request’ in the subject line.

INTERVIEW

Added value Head of Business Development and Tendering Anna Farrell tells Stevie Hope about how the Army retains its identity and values while bidding for contracts What is tendering?

Tendering is the process by which public sector contracts are procured.

In short, if the government or a local authority wants a provider to run a service for them – let’s say an employability or homelessness service – they will put together a tender with a specification of what they want delivered, details about how they want it delivered and a price. We respond by telling them the story of how we as The Salvation Army would deliver it and explaining why we’re better placed to do so than anyone else. The Business Development and Tendering Unit aren’t in control of what we choose to bid for, but we provide advice and guidance to the Mission Service.

Is there any tension between the services the Army is paid to deliver and its Christian mission?

Personally, I don’t see a tension: I see added value. When we’re delivering public sector services, we cannot discriminate and we cannot be discriminated against. The way we talk about our faith-based approach is that we provide spiritual pathways, pastoral care and chaplaincy to people of all faiths and none. This can’t be paid for by the core service delivery, but it’s added value that we budget for and provide. For example, we often budget a certain amount of time for chaplaincy work, which is paid directly from the Army’s mission support.

How might the Army be better placed to deliver certain contracts?

Do the Army’s Christian values or identity ever disrupt the tendering process?

We’re already present in hundreds of communities across the country and people in need already come to us for support. We consistently find that corps have been in places that historically have the greatest need for 100 years! There’s also the wraparound organisation.

We’re one of the biggest providers of homelessness services in the country and we have the government’s Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract.

To my knowledge, there’s no other organisation that’s a specialist provider of homelessness services and an accredited employability service provider with an overlay of addictions specialism, about 550 community centres and everything else the Army has to offer.

There have been occasions when we’ve decided not to proceed with a bid for a contract. For example, there was once a pilot where the commissioning body wanted to test whether a certain approach was going to work or not: out of 100 participants, 50 would receive support and 50 would not, as a control.

We decided that didn’t fit with The Salvation Army’s Christian values – we don’t believe in turning people away.

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Where do you see integrity in your work?

I think we’re incredibly good at not following the money. When contracts go to the board, the conversations are almost never about money but about

missional fit and Kingdom values.

In the private sector, companies might put financial targets on what they’re working towards. If they could make £5 million from a service, that might change their approach. Some even use ‘bid candy’, something to make their bids more attractive but then isn’t actually provided. What we will never do is promise the world and under-deliver. If we don’t believe we are the best possible organisation to fulfil a contract – while ensuring our territorial mission priorities are not compromised – we don’t have any business doing it.

Integrity is very important to me.

I’m not a Salvationist, and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t really believe that we can deliver the best service – it’s not an accident I choose to work for The Salvation Army!

STEVIE HOPE Assistant Editor Salvationist

INTERVIEW

People over profit Nikki Fenton from The Salvation Army’s Reliance Bank talks to George Tanton about its commitment to ethical banking

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RIGINALLY founded in 1890 as The Salvation Army Bank, Reliance Bank celebrated its 135th anniversary last year. Holding deposits for more than 30 territories, the bank is completely owned by the Army, donating £8 million to its parent organisation over the past 15 years.

Up to 75 per cent of its profits go directly back into The Salvation Army International Trust to fund the Army’s evangelical and charitable projects around the world.

Reliance Bank prides itself on being an industry pioneer in ethical banking.

The term applies to any financial industry service that makes a conscious effort to align its lending policies and investments with positive social and environmental impact.

‘Unlike traditional banks, ethical banks are guided by principles or goals that improve the environment and society,’ says Nikki Fenton, Chief Executive Officer for Reliance Bank.

‘This could be, for example, a bank that provides loans to charities or refuses to invest in the mining of fossil fuels.’

Ethical banking involves refraining from any dealings that could harm people or the planet. That can include refusing to invest in alcohol, gambling, pornography, tobacco, weapons, conflict minerals, human rights failures and lack of labour rights, animal testing, factory farming, deforestation, fossil fuel energy and corruption.

Many high street banks have links to such ethically problematic businesses, with customers unaware of where their money is being invested.

‘When you deposit money into your current account or savings account, it doesn’t just sit in a vault – it gets invested,’ Nikki explains. ‘The bank makes a return by investing your money, or by providing loans to businesses. If ethical principles are important to you, it’s worth taking the time to research a bank’s investments and ethos to ensure you’re happy with how your money is being used. For instance, does it

Chief of the Staff Commissioner Edward Hill, Nikki Fenton, Chair of the Board for Reliance Bank Justin van Wijngaarden, Major Tara McGuigan (IHQ) and Commissioner Garth B Niemand (IHQ) celebrate 135 years of Reliance Bank finance fossil fuels or invest in weapons manufacturing?’

Corporate social responsibility and integrity are consequently at the forefront of Reliance Bank’s operations, putting people before profit and being transparent with their customers on where their money is being invested.

‘Because of our size and our shareholders, we can be selective about our customers,’ Nikki expresses. ‘We want depositors to be confident that their money really is going to support a positive impact in society.’

In 2025, Reliance Bank’s funding has helped reduce hunger for 6,140 people, provided 366 healthcare bed spaces and supported 6,400 people with community centre facilities. Reliance Bank aligns its lending policies to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a blueprint that helps reduce poverty, protect the environment and improve people’s lives.

In 2025, for the second year running, Reliance Bank was awarded Community Lender of the Year by the UK-based National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers. This was in recognition of its commitment to funding health and social care providers, affordable housing projects, food banks and

treatment centres for individuals affected by gambling-related harm.

Furthermore, Reliance Bank has signed HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter to encourage fairness and gender balance at all levels of the financial services industry.

Currently, the bank offers personal savings accounts as well as business and charity current accounts.

‘Being an ethical bank does not mean our borrowers do not have to repay their debts,’ says Nikki.

‘Our values are reflected in how we deal with customers who get into financial difficulties, our partnership with them – to work through difficult circumstances – is what sets us apart.’

‘Social good is at the heart of the bank’s mission, delivering positive societal outcomes aligned to the mission of the Army,’ she adds. ‘We are a small bank, an unsung hero striving to do the right thing in a complex landscape.’

GEORGE TANTON Editorial Assistant Salvationist

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INTERVIEW

Holding space

Sarah Robinson (Boston) talks with Major Lynne Shaw about the importance of trust in Starfish mentoring

That’s a great question. It really empowers them, doesn’t it?

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TARFISH is The Salvation Army’s schools mentoring programme, and has a profound impact on young people aged 9 to 16. Sarah has been working full-time as a Starfish coordinator since May. She is one of four coordinators in the country and currently mentors seven young people each week.

Starfish uses a tool called My Mind Star, which helps identify needs, wellbeing and progress in several key areas around mental health.

What’s the importance of trustworthiness as a Starfish mentor?

It’s all about building relationships with the young people. They tend to have quite big burdens and, until they trust you, they won’t share those. I mentored one young lady who’d been with me for about six weeks when she asked if she could ‘do that Star thing again’. It had taken her time to build that level of trust and she shared something that was really major in her life.

At the beginning, we talk a lot about confidentiality, the fact you’re not going to gossip their business. We obviously work within the context of safeguarding, which the children understand, but if they don’t trust you they won’t share.

You’re not there to solve their issues, but to facilitate and help them. It’s about holding space and giving them that sense of being able to share.

How do you build trust?

The tool we use is nationally recognised and we’re trusted to use it competently and wisely. With young people it’s dripfeeding. I spend the first session getting to know them. They’ll tell you something one week, and the next week you pick 10

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It’s all about empowering them. We don’t belittle their experience, and we’re not there to say it will be all right. We’re there to acknowledge how they feel and, when they’ve calmed down, they might see other points of view.

Young people usually know if someone is genuine or not. How do you show them you’re real and you value authenticity?

Sarah Robinson that up and they know you haven’t spoken with anyone. So they get that security – it’s building that relationship slowly, sometimes very slowly.

Working with another young lady, the first time we used My Mind Star everything appeared fine. When we revisited it, she said: ‘I told you something, but I didn’t tell you the truth.’ The fact that she chose to be more honest was indicative of that level of trust.

So you don’t pile on pressure to tell you things, and respond carefully when they do?

Absolutely! One mentee says, ‘You’re going to say, “That’s interesting!”’ She knows that’s a stock response. And then I’ll ask them to tell me a bit more. Sharing has to be on their terms.

One of my mentees was really upset, which a teacher had already made me aware of. Her body language told me she was agitated. I said, ‘It’s good to see you.

Breathe.’ Through the session, you could see she started to relax and was able to share what was going on. Sometimes I’ll chip in advice or ask: ‘Would you like to look at it in a different way?’

It’s about being prepared not only to listen but also to share about yourself in a way that's appropriate. It’s a two-way street – I admit my failings to them when it affects them.

Part of integrity is using power for godly purposes. Could the role of mentor exist without it?

That’s key. We’re in such a privileged position. It’s about using it really carefully and acknowledging that our first responsibility is to these young people.

Do you see yourself as a Kingdom influencer participating in the work of Jesus?

Yes! None of my current mentees goes to church – I might be the first Christian they’ve spoken to. It’s a cliché but I’m the Bible they’re reading. Starfish isn’t about getting children into faith, it’s about being like God with that young person. It's a responsibility, but it's a joy.

• Find out about being a Starfish mentor at tsa.link/starfish.

MAJOR LYNNE SHAW Editorial Assistant Publishing Department

INTERVIEW

Who we say we are Major Beverly Baker (THQ) talks to Ivan Radford about acting with integrity

T

HE Salvation Army’s six values – boldness, compassion, passion, respect, mutual accountability and integrity – were identified about 17 years ago. They intersect in a way that together seeks to describe what putting God's love into action might look like, helping the diverse group of people who serve within The Salvation Army to better live out Kingdom culture.

Acting with integrity involves being honest and transparent in all our dealings with each other and the people we serve, being open about our motives and living out all six values. In today’s inauthentic world, that authenticity stands out.

Tips for the new year Reflect on last year When did your actions demonstrate integrity? What contributed to that?

Were there situations where a lack of integrity drifted from who you aspire to be? What did you learn?

Commit to small wins Building integrity isn’t about grand gestures, but small, consistent actions where you commit and follow through.

Practise active listening Intentionally listen more to others to build stronger, more authentic relationships.

Model transparency Even when it’s difficult, commit to being transparent to build trust and a culture of openness.

Find a mentor Seek out an accountability partner who will challenge and encourage you.

Why do we have the values?

Our five mission priorities are about what we live out, and our values give us clarity in how we will go about that.

Our values can help us reflect Christ’s example through boldness in fulfilling our mission, compassion that uplifts others, passion that fuels excellence, respect that honours all, integrity that builds trust, and mutual accountability that deepens community. Together, these values enable us to serve faithfully and contribute to an environment where people can experience the transforming love of God. These values can be understood and shared by anyone involved in the many different aspects of our mission, whether they are of Christian faith, other faiths or no faith.

What does living and serving with integrity mean to you?

Integrity is when who we say we are, what we say we believe and how we speak and act, align and don't contradict each other. It’s about being honest and consistent and reliable and trustworthy.

It’s closely connected with mutual accountability, because, despite my best intentions, I mess up and am imperfect: if I’m criticising the speck in someone else’s eye when I have a plank in my own (see Matthew 7:3–5), I need to be humble enough to recognise and address my shortcomings. It’s difficult and takes time to rebuild trust when it’s damaged.

We’re called to ‘let your light shine before others’ (Matthew 5:16) and sometimes our lamp needs polishing.

What does integrity mean for the wider Salvation Army?

The six values are grounded in Scripture, and work has been done to outline the kind of behaviour that demonstrates the values well, and also the kind of behaviour that clearly goes against the values, to help us be more faithful in our shared life, mission and ministry. People who connect with The Salvation Army need to experience that we are who we say we are, that wherever they are

and whoever is representing the Army reflects this in their words and their actions. That’s a big responsibility for all of us.

The values can help give us clarity about standards and expectations of behaviour, even when our motivations are different or when we are at different places in our journeys of faith. Having integrity is integral to that – it’s like letters that run through the centre of a stick of rock. It’s a big challenge in a lot of areas. From our understanding of the character and action of God, the basic standard of Christian behaviour is love.

We need to continually be drawn back to understand how God is asking us to live and work together, to help us be faithful to our calling to be God’s people.

• Read about the theological grounding of all six values in Living Out Our Salvation Army Values at salvationist.org.uk/ our-values.

IVAN RADFORD Managing Editor Salvationist

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Territorial calendar Key dates for 2026 Events and dates to put in your diary this year, some to attend and some to pray for.

Note: Some information may change. For an up-to-date list, visit salvationist.org.uk/calendar.

January

April

August

11 11–15

3 5 6–10 10–12 17–19

9–16

Good Friday Easter Day Easter Music Course Territorial Advisory Council William Booth College Assessment Conference 25 Exploring Leadership Day 27–29 Homelessness Services Conference

Covenant Sunday Territorial Appointments Conference 23–25 Design for Life 30 Jan – 1 Feb Design for Life Youth pilot

February 1–3

Divisional Leaders Learning and Development Days 4 Divisional Leaders Consultation Day 6–8 William Booth College assessment conference 12–13 Mission Conference A 14–15 Mission Conference B 16–20 Territorial Youth Band and Territorial Youth Choir 17 Shrove Tuesday 18 Ash Wednesday

May 2 10 15–17 19–21 24

June

6 6–8 15 21 29

September 15–18 17

Territorial Leaders Conference Partnership Trophy (Homelessness Services football tournament) 18–20 Design for Life 26–27 Welcome to new cadets 27 International Day of Prayer for Victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

October 9–11 12–15

Territorial Advisory Council Flourishing in Ministry and in Life 18 Anti-Slavery Day 20–22 Chaplaincy Conference

5–7

Riverbank Women’s Conference 9–17 Brengle Institute 12–14 Intercultural Mission Conference 21 Father’s Day 26–28 Design for Life 27–28 Sport Faith Life

March 1

Musical Theatre Day Candidates Sunday William Booth College Assessment Conference Space for Grace Pentecost

Enabled Summer Extravaganza

Self-Denial Appeal altar service World Day of Prayer Encounter Prayer Gathering Mother’s Day Children and Youth Conference Palm Sunday

July Picture: Paul Harmer

1 3–5 16

Covenant Day Together 2026 Officers move to new appointments

25 Jul –1 Aug Territorial Music School

November 8 13–15

Remembrance Sunday William Booth College assessment conference 14–15 SA Worship Conference 23–26 Flourishing in Marriage and Ministry 29 First Sunday in Advent

December 2 25 26

Territorial Carol Concert (date TBC) Christmas Day Boxing Day

SPOTLIGHT ON…

Regent Hall A place of welcome Alert and expectant We’ve been officers for a long time, but never in a place with such footfall and so many mission opportunities and resources. The community work taking place here is phenomenal, and the thrill of seeing new people coming to worship through all the outreach is such a blessing.

We have an alert expectancy and excitement of being in God’s wide-open spaces and trying to catch what he’s pouring out. We want to see what God’s doing and discern what we should be putting our energy into.

Committed to community The No 10 drop-in centre is a joint project between the corps and Homelessness Services. Mornings offer light refreshments and lunch for everyone. In the afternoons, there’s often a film, quiz or karaoke and a church service and singalong. Every day has a different theme. Associate officer Captain Rona Mutcha is also chaplain for the Westminster Homelessness Project, works in No 10 and at St Ann’s

Fast facts DIVISION London CORPS LEADERS Majors Lindy and Mark Rose and associate officer Captain Rona Mutcha FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/ RegentHallSalvationArmy

short-term supported housing project, and runs our café church.

We recently welcomed a new adherent, Martin, whose first engagement with us was through No 10. He’s now on our welcome team and takes minutes for some board meetings.

Our community wardrobe is in partnership with Westminster city council and offers general clothing needs and special clothing for particular occasions. Community Wardrobe Coordinator Sonya Knight gives individuals personal appointments with 100 per cent focus on them.

They’re made to feel a million dollars – that’s powerful!

This summer, the wardrobe did two pop-up shops at the family centres in Westminster. We gave out new school uniforms and school shoes in partnership with Clarks. We understand that other children can be cruel, and we don’t want anyone who uses the wardrobe to feel ‘less’ in any way.

There’s always a listening ear in our welcome hub as you never know who’s going to walk through the door. Corps members and volunteers serve hot drinks and biscuits, and Employment Plus partner us too.

Guests from No 10 often attend the hub’s Discovery Café, which is a bit like café church, informal and relaxed with a different theme each month. We bring together Safer Neighbourhood partnerships and regularly have a cuppa with a copper drop-in. Community Engagement Lead Emma Neill has built

up good relationships in her five years with us.

Boldly opening doors Our theology of welcome is paramount.

Previous corps leaders worked hard on it and the corps has kept it going. It’s embedded in everything we do, and we continually see the fruit of it. The corps is inclusive, open and welcoming to anyone who comes in.

Weekly Friday lunchtime concerts are an amazing evangelistic tool. We see an average of 200 people attend. We invite them to church, and several have started attending. At the end of each concert, we speak to everyone, make connections and engage in theological conversations.

As leaders, we try to live out Scripture with our community and at every first encounter, we read Romans 5:1–5 to people. ‘We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing … out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory…

We continue to shout out praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles… We can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives’ (The Message).

In Joshua 3:5, Joshua says to the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.’ That’s where we are. Sunday is only a tiny percentage of our lives. We’re exploring faith on our individual front lines and encouraging people to be bold and very courageous.

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ARMY UPDATES

EVENT ANNIVERSARY

Chief of the Staff joins corps celebrations BELLSHILL THE Chief of the Staff Commissioner Edward Hill and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries Commissioner Shelley Hill led an inspiring weekend of worship and ministry to celebrate the 130th corps anniversary.

The weekend began with a joyful Saturday evening festival featuring all four music sections, filling the hall with a spirit of unity.

The Sunday meetings were marked by powerful ministry from the commissioners, who shared challenging messages. Commissioner Edward spoke about hope for all, emphasising how hope found in Jesus brings forgiveness, purpose and eternal love.

In the afternoon, the corps marched to witness to the community. The concluding time of worship featured a Q&A session with the commissioners.

It was a truly special celebration of 130 years of God’s faithfulness and expectation for the years ahead. – MS

STOCKTON Proms night raised money for the Big Connection, helping fund community events to help older people make connections. It was a night of performances by the band, songsters, young people’s band and singing company. Guest singer Marjory Watson brought songs from Broadway shows and a talented young person, Lillie, performed a monologue from Wicked. – TB

EVENT LLANELLI The charity shop celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Scarlets and Scotland rugby player Alec Hepburn and town mayor Councillor John Prosser dropped in for the celebration, which featured a buffet and cake. Former staff were also present, with many local people stopping by. Shop manager Antony Chappell is pictured with the mayor. – AR

MUSIC

ECUMENICAL LONDON The farewell to the Right Rev Bishop Sarah Mullally took place at Interchurch House. Speaking with Christian Aid staff, Territorial Ecumenical Officer Major Paul Robinson received appreciation for the Army’s work. Major Paul is pictured with Bishop Desmond Greaves and Archbishop-designate Sarah. – PR

INTERNATIONAL RINGWOOD Four brass instruments were presented to Corps Sergeant-Major Gifts Nyoni from Beitbridge Corps, Zimbabwe. The Nyoni family are living in Ringwood and Gifts travels frequently between Zimbabwe and the UK. Donated by Divisional Envoy Ruth Barlow, the instruments will be put to very good use when Gifts returns to Zimbabwe. – EC 14

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HADLEIGH TEMPLE Birmingham Citadel Band brought an uplifting weekend of music and ministry. A training session for local learners offered encouragement and practical guidance before a festival that truly had something for everyone. On Sunday morning, the band led worship with corps leader Major Ian Standley exploring the theme Christ in Me. After lunch, the band presented another thrilling programme joined by the training band, which showcased a cornet quartet and baritone solo. – MC

MUSIC FELIXSTOWE Seventeen brass musicians from other corps and secular brass bands joined an open band rehearsal led

by Music Editorial Manager Andrew Blyth (THQ). The band rehearsed a number of Andrew’s arrangements, some of which were unpublished. He also explained the gospel message and what motivated him for these works. – DA

CHRISTMAS

LEICESTER SOUTH As part of 20th corps anniversary celebrations, a Christmas tree festival saw more than 200 people visit the hall. The sparkling display of trees was created by groups within the corps, organisations that regularly use the facilities, and a number of supportive local businesses. The tree pictured was presented by the corps coffee shop team. – CN

CHRISTMAS RISCA The band led carol singing at St Margaret’s Church.

Deputy Bandmaster Phillip Hawkins and band member Margaret Gregory presented readings. During a devotional period, the band played ‘Mid-Winter’. – JB

CHRISTMAS BEDFORD CONGRESS HALL Corps Advent celebrations for children commenced with a junior carol service, led by stars ‘Sparkle’ (corps leader Major John McLean) and ‘Shine’ (corps leader Captain Lydia Bartlett), who brought the very first Christmas story to life. Sunday afternoon continued with the live Nativity event A Starry Night, led by Corps Mission Secretaries Hayley and Simon Bailey and their team, which included live animals, bright lights, hot chocolate and many community connections made. The children and songsters joined together to sing ‘Celebrate the Child’. – JM

EVENT STRAWBERRY FIELD The centre has been accredited by VisitEngland’s Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme. Achieving a score of 91 per cent, the result places Strawberry Field among the top-performing attractions nationwide. The assessor said: ‘Strawberry Field offers a thoughtful and engaging visitor experience that blends Beatles history with a meaningful social purpose.’ Its combination of heritage storytelling and social purpose through the Steps to Work programme was noted as a distinctive strength that sets it apart – MH

CHRISTMAS RISCA Children gathered for a day of festive fun. A day full of songs, dancing, crafts and games, served as a reminder that Jesus is the reason for it all. Pictured are the children with their snowman, which they built in relays for one of the games. – JB

CHRISTMAS LEIGH-ON-SEA A parent-and-toddler Christmas party included a bouncy castle and soft play area. After, Father Christmas visited to give each child The King and the Shepherd Boy, which highlights that Jesus is for everyone. – RD/CD

CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS LEIGH-ON-SEA The band led Rochford Hundred Golf Club’s carol service with vocal soloists Amy and Songster Leader Siobhan Fraser. Corps leader Major Rob Davis compèred and a collection raised funds for St Andrew’s Church, who hosted. – RD/CD

CHRISTMAS NUNHEAD The corps supported a local school’s Christmas fair to repay their kindness of donating to the corps food bank during Harvest. Corps members served food and helped Santa make a special visit. The school told the team: ‘This really showed The Salvation Army at its best!’ – KS

IPSWICH CITADEL The annual corps Christmas concert included items from the band and timbrelists. The evening featured Broke Hall Primary School choir and dancers from Suffolk Academy of Dance and Performing Arts. It raised £442 to be shared between East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and the Big Connection. – DC

CHRISTMAS RUGBY The band and Major David Stephenson (Nuneaton) attended Warwickshire Joint Emergency Services Christmas carol service. Also present were lord lieutenant Tim Cox, Bishop Sophie Jelley, Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Sercombe, Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith and members of Warwickshire police and emergency services. A retiring collection was held for Rugby, Nuneaton and Leamington Corps to help vulnerable people. – GJ Salvationist 3 January 2026

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ARMY UPDATES

CHRISTMAS BELFAST CITADEL The children’s carol service took the form of a Nativity trail. People journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem through storytelling, drama, crafts and song. The corps were reminded that sometimes the smallest gift is the most valuable, that Jesus our Saviour came as a small baby and that his love is the greatest thing we can accept this Christmas. – EW

CHRISTMAS DUNSTABLE As with many years, the band supported the big switch-on of the town’s Christmas tree lights. They also accompanied 15 school choirs for carols. There were thousands of proud families in attendance. – RC

CHRISTMAS ABERTILLERY The corps Christmas programme commenced with a Christmas fair at the hall. The following week, the Allsorts toddler group’s carol service gave us the usual chaotic mixture of lambs, shepherds, angels, wise men and Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. It was good to see the hall full and nobody minded if the little ones wandered off to explore the far reaches of the platform! Mince pies and squash followed. – AB

CHRISTMAS PAIGNTON There was no mistaking the theme of the first Sunday in Advent. Corps leader Major Matt Elsey had created a stable scene embellished with the words ‘Love Came Down’. As well as excellent support from the band and songsters, the meeting included Christmas songs from the choir of Preston Primary School. The toy service was a further feature of the meeting. – AI

CHRISTMAS CLOWNE Mark Porter (Doncaster) was a guest vocalist at the carol service. He sang four pieces: ‘Saviour’s Day’, ‘Mary’s Boy Child’, ‘A Starry Night’ and ‘Thorns in the Straw’. The evening concluded with ‘sing the sermon’ using ‘A Boy Was Born in Bethlehem’ (SASB 98). – GH

CHRISTMAS DUNSTABLE Corps members brought toys as part of their giving towards Christmas hampers that will go to families in the area.

Children aged 3 to 13 who attend CoreKids once a month planned the service, which took inspiration from Toy Story 4.

Led by Children’s Ministry Team Leader Colleen Edmonds, the meeting included From Trash to Treasure, a video from the young people that affirmed that we are loved and cherished by God. The new corps worship group made their debut, providing pre-meeting worship and leading us during the meeting. As an alternative to sending Christmas cards, since 2009 corps folk have donated to WaterAid. Organised by Major Laina Geleit, £1,100 was raised this year to help the construction of sand dams. – RC

CHRISTMAS LEIGH-ON-SEA As part of a growing partnership, the corps collaborated with Shoeburyness Corps on the Christmas present appeal. This year, the corps held a toy service – supported by a choir from West Leigh Junior School – to collect presents for Shoeburyness’s appeal. Everyone was encouraged to wear a favourite Christmas jumper. – RD/CD 16

Salvationist 3 January 2026

CHRISTMAS Rain doesn’t stop Bath Citadel Band bringing the message of Christmas to the city centre

CHRISTMAS NORWICH MILE CROSS After a glorious autumn day, the first ever Carols by Starlight was rained off. Everyone adjourned to the young people’s hall, where the congregation enjoyed a multitude of carols – the first of the season. This was followed by homemade soup and rolls. – GW

CHRISTMAS LEIGH-ON-SEA The first Sunday in Advent included a visit from the Lower School Boys Choir from West Leigh Junior School, with many of their families supporting. The annual toy service involved Leigh, Shoeburyness and Rayleigh Corps working together to ensure the needs of youngsters in the area are met. The congregation sang ‘A Starry Night’, the first verse of which was soloed by former Joystrings member Thelma Beacham. – PJ

NEW COMMITMENTS

HISTON

ENFIELD

KOBY Ford was welcomed as an adherent by corps leaders Captains Dawn and Glenn Roden. Koby testified to his journey with the Lord, along with encouragement and support from his family and friends. – GR

BEA Kirkland and Lisa Lowndes were welcomed as adherents by corps leader Major Georgina Symons. Bea has been a member of our church family for many years, and Lisa was recently employed as part of our Ladybirds Preschool staff team. A couple of weeks later we welcomed our recently retired charity shop manager, Flory Ringer, as an adherent. We used the song ‘Goodness of God’, which means a lot to her, and Psalm 100, reminding us that the Lord is good, his love endures for ever, and his faithfulness continues through all generations. Flory and Major Georgina are pictured with corps leader Major Rob Symons. – GS

HALLE, Kerwyn, Evelyne and Waisley were enrolled as junior soldiers by corps leaders Captains Dawn and Glenn Roden. They are pictured with Singing Company Leader Nicola Hill and Recruiting Sergeant Alyson Hicks, who both led the young people through their junior soldier classes. – GR

POOLE HOWARD Clark was enrolled as a soldier and Diane Simpson was welcomed as an adherent by corps leader Major Katrina Greetham. Howard, a former officer, had been away from the Army for many years but, upon moving to the area with his wife, Pamela, quickly linked up with the corps and testified to ‘coming home’. Diane has worshipped at the corps for about three years and felt ready to take this step in her journey of faith. – KG

BRINLEY Samuel was welcomed as an adherent by corps leader Captain Glenn Roden. Brinley testified to his journey with the Lord, along with encouragement and support from his wife, Beauty. Brinley has attended the corps for eight years and is excited to see what the Lord will do next. – GR

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE

Local officers appointed RECRUITING SERGEANT BEVERLEY REVELL, Staveley CORPS TREASURER DARRYL MURRIN-FOYLE, Leamington Spa DEPUTY SAFEGUARDING LEAD CHRISTINE MURRIN-FOYLE, Leamington Spa DEPUTY SAFEGUARDING LEAD MAJOR MARGARET ORD, Leamington Spa

Promoted to Glory MARJORIE SCALES, Bolton Citadel JEAN BREMNER, Wick, from Caithness General Hospital on 5 December RAY COPLEY, Parkgate, on 6 December RETIRED CORPS TREASURER EDWARD BRILL, Merthyr Tydfil, from Greenhill Manor nursing home on 11 December COLONEL IAN BOOTH from Graysford Hall care home, Leicester, on 16 December

Bereaved ARTHUR SCALES, Bolton Citadel, of his wife Marjorie Scales, Geoff Scales and Captain Keith Scales, Shiremoor, of their mother ANGELA ALGOO and Gillian Bennett, both Parkgate, of their mother Ray Copley

NOTICES

Help shape the Army’s response to domestic abuse The Family Ministries Department is inviting survivors of domestic abuse within The Salvation Army to share their experiences and shape the future of the Army’s response to domestic abuse.

This is part of the next phase of PhD research into domestic abuse led by Amy Quinn-Graham (Research and Development Unit), building on last year’s study into attitudes, beliefs and experiences. To find out more, visit tsa.link/da-research-take-part or email amy.quinngraham@salvationarmy.org.uk or praqg@leeds.ac.uk.

Covenant Sunday 2026 Covenant Sunday (11 January) will be themed Break Ground, Bring Hope. It provides an opportunity of challenge in which we promise to learn, train, focus and follow. Resources are available at tsa.link/covenantsunday26.

In memory: Online wall of remembrance The Salvation Army has introduced an online wall of remembrance that allows people to share memories and photos of loved ones. This virtual wall is free to use and a donation to the Army is optional. Access the page at thesalvationarmy.dedicationpage.org.

Artists’ corner Have you made a piece of art, a drawing, a collage or something creative that’s inspired by your faith? We’d love to share it in our Artists’ Corner! Get in touch with us at salvationist@ salvationarmy.org.uk.

One Body As people set resolutions and look for fresh rhythms at the start of the new year, why not share One Body with your community? This video-based resource from Sports Mission helps leaders – whether in discipleship, church or community outreach – explore how faith, sport and community can come together in life-changing ways. Jesus isn’t confined to four walls: his Kingdom is showing up on beaches, in boxing gyms and in parks across the UK and Ireland.

Where could be next? Download it at salvationist.org.uk/one-body.

SOUNDS

Sunday Worship Join Salvationists across the territory in worship, with music, prayer and a Bible message from a guest speaker. This week’s message is from Captain Rob Westwood-Payne (Maidenhead). Can’t join us at 11am on Sundays? Catch up with the weekly podcast of highlights. Each week’s broadcast is repeated in full on Sundays at 6pm, Mondays at 12am and Thursdays at 9am.

• Listen online at salvationist.org.uk/radio.

No Age Limit Salvationist Radio’s show reminds listeners that there is no age limit to what we can do for God or what God can do for us. Join Andy and Ali from Older People’s Ministries for an hour of music, chat and testimony. This month features Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Julie Forrest. Listen live on Sunday 4 January at 5pm. The episode is repeated on Friday 9 January at 11am.

• Listen online at salvationist.org.uk/radio.

Morning Praise with Kids Alive!

BANDSMAN GRAHAM BRILL, Cwm, and Ralph Brill of their father Retired Corps Treasurer Edward Brill

Get your day started with half an hour of music, prayer, a thought and lots of giggles! Listen on Saturdays from 7.30am to 8am. Can’t tune in on Saturday morning? The broadcast is repeated in full on Sundays at 9am and Mondays at 7.30am.

• Listen online at salvationist.org.uk/radio.

COLONEL RUTH BOOTH of her husband Colonel Ian Booth, Svend Booth, Rachel Dockerill, Peterborough Citadel, and Yanette Read of their father

Battle Drill with Captain Rob

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Salvationist 3 January 2026

A daily devotional from Captain Rob Westwood-Payne (Maidenhead), sharing hope and encouragement as we read the Bible together. As well as the podcast, Salvationist Radio broadcasts Battle Drill at 8am, 1pm and 6pm from Monday to Saturday, and at 10am and 8pm on Sunday.

• Listen online at salvationist.org.uk/podcasts.

ADVERTS

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Tel 02920 759314 or email jonesda19@outlook.com.

TOPSHAM, DEVON Two-bedroom cottage overlooking Exe Estuary and hills. Local shops, inns, teashops, walks. Coast, moors, Exeter nearby.

Tel 02920 759314 or email jonesda19@outlook.com.

Major Ken Lawson sends thanks to the many relatives and friends who sent messages and cards to mark his 100th birthday. He is sorry he cannot answer them all individually but thanks you for your generous messages and thoughts.

God bless you.

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Focus on these things: true, holy, just, pure, lovely, lovely worthy of praise. praise PHILIPPIANS 4:8 COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE

SALVATIONIST