NEWS
Bible reading initiative launched UKI IN response to the isolation that many people are experiencing, Major Phil Layton (Upper Norwood) has launched a free service to deliver an email twice a week containing a chapter of John’s Gospel and some simple but searching questions. Major Phil said: ‘The email will also contain links to a worship hymn and a contemporary worship song, as well as other helpful videos to encourage people who would like to strengthen their faith through apologetics and evangelism.’ Within days of the initiative being announced more than 1,000 people had signed up. The first email was sent out on Sunday 29 March. O To take part, email philip.layton@salvationarmy.org.uk with the word ‘YES’ in the title DUNSTABLE: Despite the Mothering Sunday meeting being cancelled, corps officer Major Lindsay Brevitt thought there was no reason that mothers should miss out on their traditional flowers. Despite her family being in self-isolation, Major Lindsay organised for the collection and distribution of 80 pot plants to ladies who are members or regular attenders of the corps. The plants were left on doorsteps or handed over, and recipients appreciated the extra mile that the volunteers went to remind them that they weren’t forgotten. – SB CIRENCESTER: Although the Mothering Sunday family meeting had to be cancelled, corps leader Territorial Envoy Kim Whyard and Sunday Club leader Corinne Walters delivered flowers, with a newsletter and a short message, to corps members at their homes. A recorded message from each Sunday Club member, which was going to be shown during the meeting, was sent to the mothers online. – MG
READING CENTRAL: Reading Football Club Conference and Events donated almost 100kg of fresh fruit and vegetables to the corps after having to postpone events due to the coronavirus outbreak. The donations were redistributed to families and various charities within the town, and allowed corps folk to prepare fresh meals for those in need. ‘When we talk about our club’s identity being entrenched in community, this is what we mean. And this is when community matters,’ said the club’s chief executive Nigel Howe. – AR
Fortress radio unites listeners UKI MORE than 5,000 people from the UK and beyond tuned into Fortress radio station on each of the two Sundays after the government’s announcement that all public gatherings were to be suspended. Making sure listeners would not miss out on Sunday meetings, Fortress ran programmes based on a day of Army activities: knee drill, open-air, holiness, praise and salvation meetings. On Mother’s Day Major Tim Lennox and Lieutenant Charlotte (both Dublin City) and Stephen Poxon began the day with prayers for everyone affected by the virus as well as staff caring for them. Major Andrew Stone (THQ) and Major Alison Stone (Regent Hall) brought everyone together in a holiness meeting. BM Marc Harry (Lincoln) later hosted the salvation meeting, finishing an unusual day for many when corporate worship was achieved through radio. The following Sunday Major Keith White hosted the knee drill and Andrew, Alison and Marc again hosted the holiness hour and salvation meeting. ‘God bless you. This radio channel is a lifeline for Salvationists self-isolating. Thank you,’ said one listener. ‘I thoroughly enjoyed the holiness meeting. I remembered my cap in time for the open-air meeting! A big thank you to all at this very difficult time. God bless your ministry,’ said another. – SH O Tune in every day at fortressradio.online SWINDON CITADEL: Corps officers Captains Ian and Keely Standley have introduced a weekly ‘Worship at Home’ document for Sunday mornings that is emailed or posted to corps members. A prayer letter and a Bible study will be sent out weekly, while craft packs are being distributed to the parent-and-toddler group. Takeaway Messy Church bags with Easter activities for families were prepared for Holy Week. Other resources are being shared on social media, including calls to prayer and calls to respond. The officers also plan to set up a video podcast on Facebook and YouTube. – KS
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Salvationist 4 April 2020
