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.

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

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

Editor's note: The news reports on this page are from events and meetings that took place before the current safety advice relating to the coronavirus outbreak. Please send in news of how your corps is adapting to the situation through innovative ministry opportunities. Copy should be sent to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk. Thank you.

Clacton Home League Treasurer Rita Means receives her retirement certificate from corps officer Major Maria Sampson after 30 years’ service

BEDLINGTON

Guided by the theme His Strength Is Perfect, Sunderland Millfield Songsters brought an inspiring weekend of music, personal testimony and biblical reflection, including witness at a nearby garden centre. The meetings also featured the recognition and retirement of Bedlington Songsters Dora Doyle and Hilda Storey, who had each given 66 years of exemplary service to the brigade. The delightful and refreshing weekend strengthened friendship, fellowship and faith. – GS

New journal launches to inspire Salvationists

WILLIAM BOOTH COLLEGE

THE latest issue of the WBC Journal has been published. The journal is an online resource that contains academic articles and book reviews representative of recent studies by Salvationists.

The journal covers theology, pastoral care and leadership, and aims to raise awareness, inform thinking and inspire people to delve deeply into the subjects presented.

The latest issue includes an analysis by Major Lindy Rose of Jackson Pollock’s ‘action painting’ as a method of theological reflection and an investigation by Colonel Deborah Bungay into the benefits of continued professional development to pastoral practice. Alongside these articles, Captain Rebecka Cotterill reviews Graham Tomlin’s The Widening Circle and Lieutenant Helen Froud reviews the collaborative work Invitation To Research In Practical Theology. – AR

The WBC Journal is available by visiting salvationarmy.org.uk/ william-booth-college/wbc-journal

SOUTH NORMANTON

Under the long-term leadership of Divisional Envoy Ruth Sheppard, corps folk celebrated the 25th corps anniversary and enjoyed lunch in the hall. After regular meetings began in 1992 an outreach centre was established in 1993, which became a corps two years later. – RS

CLOWNE

The Salvation Army Boys Adventure Corps held a coffee evening and bring-and-buy sale, raising £431 for the charity When You Wish Upon A Star, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. A number of parents, friends and corps members attended. The event was a credit to the boys and their leaders. – GH

DUNSTABLE

Seventy people attended a vintage afternoon tea, enjoying music from a guitarist and Kempston Hammers Choir. The event, which was organised by Debt Advice Co-ordinator Fiona Simpson, Lesley Cope and Mark Drummond, and supported by a team of volunteers, raised £1,400 towards the Army’s debt advice service. Corps officer Major Lindsay Brevitt congratulated Fiona on the event’s success and said it was a wonderful way to publicise the service and its contribution to improving people’s lives. – JB

CORRECTION: The report about the distribution of children's craft materials (page 6, 28 March) took place at Bristol South not Chalk Farm. Salvationist apologises for the error.