Salvationist 6 January 2024

For everyone linked to The Salvation Army

70p/80c 6 January 2024

SALVATIONIST

I promise!

WELL, here we are! Day six of a new year.

I wonder if you made a resolution. I wonder if you have broken it already. The concept of making resolutions, or promises to ourselves, at the start of the year is a longstanding tradition, thought to originate more than 4,000 years ago with the Babylonians seeking to appease their gods.

Covenant Sunday (7 January) is not about making promises that we cannot or will not keep in order to appease God, but rather about acknowledging and giving thanks for the amazing and undeserved promises that God has made to us, and in response renewing our commitment to seek to be more like him. It is about living every aspect of our lives in the context of that covenant of love as a faithful response to the unconditional love shown to us.

In this week’s edition, new territorial leader Commissioner Jenine Main offers us her reflections on the significance of this special day.

Our God is a God of new beginnings, of fresh starts, of forgiveness and renewal.

His promises are sure. In a world of uncertainty and turmoil, God’s love is certain. I promise!

MAJOR JULIAN WATCHORN Editor

ON THE WEBSITE Visit salvationist.org.uk Testimonies Inspiring faith stories 2024 events Latest updates and information

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70p/80c 6 January 2024

SALVATIONIST

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8 GETTING INTO GOOD HABITS

9 FOLLOWING AND BELONGING

10+11 GOD’S COVENANT: OUR RESPONSE

Salvationist 6 January 2024

ARTISTS’ CORNER

SALVATIONIST Issue No 1942 EDITOR Major Julian Watchorn

FOUNDER William Booth

MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford

GENERAL Lyndon Buckingham

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Simon Hope, George Tanton, Lyn Woods, Major Margaret Bovey

TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main

ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Major Julian Watchorn

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight, Louise Phillips PROOFREADER Chris Horne

TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 1 Champion Park, London SE5 8FJ 0845 634 0101

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

© The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory.

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

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

@SalvationistUKI

TRENDING

What’s your faithful response?

Lieut-Colonel Jayne Roberts introduces Covenant Sunday 2024

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S a covenanted people, we live in relationship with God, and the beginning of a new year offers us an opportunity for reflection and renewal of that commitment.

Living in God’s Covenant – Our Faithful Response is this year’s theme for Covenant Sunday (7 January). A wealth of resources has been prepared to enable everyone to explore the importance of making and keeping covenant. Covenant Cards have been sent out to corps and centres, including adult and

Reflect and respond Sign the Covenant Card and keep it in your Bible or prayer journal. Return to it throughout the year.

Use Prayer Matters on page 7 of Salvationist each week to shape your personal prayer rhythm, or download the booklet at salvationist.org.uk/discipleship.

Listen to Laura Rowsell’s adaptation of the song ‘Take My Life and Let It Be’ at salvationist.org.uk/ resources/covenantsunday2024.

How can you respond to God’s covenant of love?

Watch the video message from Commissioners Jenine and Paul.

Pray for our new territorial leaders as they seek to serve and minister in the name of Jesus.

child-friendly versions, and are available to download online. A reflective prayer video can also be used to accompany the text on the card. It is a prayer that everyone is invited to make: Loving Father, The depth of your unconditional and unceasing love is beyond my understanding, but today I respond to that love.

As your love lives in me, may my thoughts, words and actions reflect you at all times and in every place.

May my soul be a place we meet – where all I am becomes all that you want me to be in heart, mind and spirit.

That in being one with you, I might see you, know you, and show you in every part of my life.

That in me and through me your Kingdom may come now.

May this Covenant of Love draw me deeper and bring others closer to you.

An online video message from our new territorial leaders, Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main, encourages us to reaffirm our commitment to God and make the values of his Kingdom the standard for our lives. Let us remember to pray for our leaders – they are people of prayer who will value our support.

This year we consider some practical ways to make our response to God part of daily life as disciples of Jesus – praying and serving are just two examples that can be unpacked as we celebrate on the day.

Covenant Sunday resources include an exciting invitation to join the new UKI

Boiler Room prayer rhythm. You may already be familiar with Prayer Matters, the daily Salvation Army prayer focus, but you are invited to join forces in a new way to pray for The Salvation Army that started on 1 January. We want to pray for renewal in our worship and mission, and we want to pray for the people God is sending us to.

Each day of the week has a theme based on the territory’s mission priorities: Monday is focused on sharing the good news, Tuesday on serving and caring, Wednesday on growing in faith, Thursday on the international Salvation Army, Friday on justice and reconciliation, Saturday on caring for creation and Sunday on Sabbath prayer.

You can use the themes as a general guide for your prayers, or you can use the Prayer Matters prayer calendar to give you a specific prayer request for each day. The important thing about a prayer rhythm is that you pick a time each day to pray, and then get into the habit of doing it.

If you attend a Salvation Army place of worship, this is only an introduction to what Covenant Sunday will hold! Find out more and access the resources, including prayer and creative worship ideas, at salvationist.org.uk/resources/ covenantsunday2024.

LIEUT-COLONEL JAYNE ROBERTS Spiritual Life Development Secretary THQ

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TESTIMONY

seconds with...

Joan Foster Histon

‘Jesus is with me in the everyday’ Outgoing Kids Alive! Editor Justin Reeves is grateful that he’s always had Jesus in his life

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Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Joan, aged 94, number one on the roll and a Salvationist for over 70 years! I write and send out prayer cards each month to corps folk and the wider church family.

How did you first get involved in the Army?

A friend invited me and, after attending a Billy Graham rally, I gave my heart to God. I found love at the Army too and was married to Ron, a lifelong Salvationist, for 51 years.

What's your favourite Bible verse or passage?

Psalm 121 – it gives me reassurance of God’s presence.

What is your favourite hymn or song?

‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind’ (SASB 456).

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Always be loyal and persevere.

What are you praying for at the moment?

Peace.

Give your testimony using only one word.

Christian.

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Salvationist 6 January 2024

OMETIMES I feel my testimony is a Salvation Army cliché. I was born into a Salvationist family, taken to the Army as a baby and dedicated. I attended primary until the age of seven, when I moved up to juniors.

At the age of eight, I knelt at the mercy seat in the young people’s hall at Plymouth Congress Hall on Decision Sunday and asked Jesus into my heart. I was eight and I didn’t really understand what I was doing.

I did know it meant I could become a junior soldier, wear a uniform, learn to play a brass instrument and join the YP band.

Corps youth groups, divisional music schools, youth councils and the divisional youth band were other important stepping stones. Around the age of 15, I decided I wanted to become a senior soldier. However, that had more to do with a desire to join the senior or band in time for a weekend kend away than wanting to o make a further commitment tment to Jesus.

To reduce myy testimony to a list of rites of passage e and suggest it’s a cliché liché does a disservice to the work God was doing g in my life. It also doesn't sn't acknowledge those who loved, ed, encouraged and nd nurtured me in my faith. All the time I was turning up and joining in, so much more was going on.

I was in the right place seeing, hearing g and learning faith habits and d behaviours. God d was speaking to me through those ose

he’d placed around me – at home and at the Army.

When I became a senior soldier I started to take my faith more seriously. Soldiership classes helped. I listened to sermons more intently, considering what the teaching meant for me in my everyday life. I began reading the Bible of my own accord, prayed more regularly and started to develop my theology.

I’ve never felt as though I had one of those road-to-Damascus experiences when I encountered God and my life changed.

Rather, Jesus has been a constant in my life that I’ve been aware of, attuned to or in step with to varying degrees at different points in life.

On occasions I’ve felt sad that I can’t pinpoint a conversion moment – I may even have been jjealous of others who can. But a close friend who can do just that often reminds me how fortunate I am to have for grown up in a Christian home, to have Chris always gone to church and to have chu always had Jesus in my life.

My faith is relati relationship-based and Jesus is with me in i the everyday. I feel his presence most mo in the relationships I have with tthose I journey through with: the support we offer life wit each other in the tough eac times, the celebrations ti we enjoy in the good times and everything in between.

O Justin took up his

new role of Head of Design and Print at the beginning of this month.

H Have you got a te testimony to share?

W We’d love to hear your fa faith journey! Get in touch at salvationist@ to sa salvationarmy.org.uk.

ARTISTS’ CORNER

FIND ME IN THE RIVER

by Corps Sergeant-Major Adrian Gotobed (Morley)

In this occasional series, Salvationists share artwork inspired by their faith

What does Find Me in the River depict?

It shows someone walking by the banks of a river that flows through a lush green landscape. The person leaves footprints behind them and falls to their knees at the bank of the river, almost in despair.

That’s Sometimes Thorny’ (SASB 441), then we had the Bible reading and then the worship group sang ‘Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)’. I thought that would give me loads of time, but it was like they were on double speed!

What inspired it?

How was it made?

We’re unofficered at the minute and I have delegated meetings to other people.

I had to lead one at some point but standing up and preaching is just not me, so I thought I’d paint a picture.

It’s a watercolour, which is what I tend to use. I did some groundwork before the meeting like putting the sky and some of the outlines in. When it came to the meeting, I just had the trees, the river, the person and the footsteps to add.

I apportioned part of the meeting to do it, so I asked my wife to lead ‘There’s a Path

I heard the Delirious? song ‘Find Me in the River’ for the first time at Together 2023 and, as I was listening, I could see a picture forming in my mind. I thought it would make a great painting – if only I knew an artist who could paint.

When I got home, I listened to the song over and over again and this picture came into my mind again, so I thought I’d try painting it. It depicts the lyrics of the song. There are many times when you seem to be hitting a brick wall and you just need to get on your knees and wait for God to come and sit with you.

People liked it and everybody came up afterwards and started looking at it. I’ve been tempted to tinker with it since, but I thought, no, just leave it as it is because that’s how it was meant to be.

Find me in the river, Find me there.

Find me on my knees, With my soul laid bare.

Even though you’re gone, And I’m cracked and dry, Find me in the river.

I’m waiting here for you.

Have you created something inspired by your faith that you’d like to share in Artists’ Corner?

Email salvationist@salvationarmy. org.uk to find out more.

19January August 2023 SalvationistDay 6 Salvationist Month 2024

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BIBLE STUDY

The good shepherd Major Mark Rose explores Jesus’ way to lead

JOHN 10:1–21

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HEN I was a cadet, I used to travel home on Saturdays to play football for Sheffield Citadel in the local league. It meant getting up at 5.30am to catch the first train to Chesterfield, having breakfast with Mum and Dad, travelling into Sheffield to play the game and then heading home again. I would often get back so late that the college was locked, and I needed to sneak in over the wall or through a window that was left open to avoid getting caught out after curfew.

John 10:1 reminds me of those days: ‘Anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.’ I was not a thief, but I was selfishly breaking the rules and putting my love of football above the needs of my wider community.

PAUSE AND REFLECT When have we been guilty of putting our wants before the needs of those in our community?

In verse 1, Jesus emphasises the importance of his words with ‘very truly’.

In the Old Testament, a prominent leadership metaphor is that of a shepherd. In John 10, Jesus addresses those who saw themselves as the shepherds of the day – the Pharisees.

Rather than commending them for their pastoral care, he condemns them as ‘thieves and robbers’.

John 9 ends with the Pharisees throwing a healed blind man out of the synagogue, effectively cutting him off from society. In verse 41, Jesus tells them that they are wrong. In John 10:1–5, Jesus 6

Salvationist 6 January 2024

tells them how they are wrong. They are using their position to boost their own esteem and not for the benefit of those who need them. Like thieves, they have come to take and not to give.

PAUSE AND REFLECT How can we spot wall-climbing leaders in our world and in our fellowships?

In verse 2, Jesus shifts his metaphor from the negative to the positive. He paints a picture of how a true leader enters the sheep pen. Jesus is not talking about himself but highlighting how servant leaders work among their communities. By entering via the gate, they show that they are leaders who are in relationship with their sheep. They have taken time to get to know their flock, so much so that they know their names and the sheep recognise the shepherd’s voice. Unlike the western idea of shepherds driving sheep, these shepherds lead their sheep by treading the terrain before ever expecting their sheep to go that way.

PAUSE AND REFLECT Who are the shepherds we have followed and why?

In verse 7, Jesus gives us another ‘very truly’ statement: ‘I am the gate for the sheep.’ Good leaders are shepherds who are prepared to come between their sheep and the things that threaten them. They give themselves to their community.

Some commentators believe the ‘gatekeeper’ of verse 3 refers to the Holy Spirit. Putting these pictures together,

we see Jesus tending and protecting his sheep through the power of the Holy Spirit. Under such pastoral care, the sheep enjoy the freedom to ‘come in and go out’ (v9) in the secure knowledge that the shepherd will protect them.

Here, the words of Psalm 23 come readily to mind: ‘He makes me lie down in green pastures… Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.’

Secure and nourished within a sheepfold, in which Jesus is the gate and the Spirit is the gatekeeper, the flock enjoys a place of abundance – a place where they can have ‘life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10 Good News Bible).

PAUSE AND REFLECT Where do we see this abundance or fullness of life in Christ Jesus?

If we don’t, what attitudes or situations do we need to change to realise this?

From verse 11 onwards, Jesus sets out what he has said in the previous metaphor: ‘I am the good shepherd.’

Jesus is the ultimate shepherd who loves his sheep so much that he is prepared to lay down his life for them. He is not afraid of the predator. Unlike the hired hand, he does not abandon his sheep when they need him the most.

In verses 14 and 15, Jesus emphasises personal relationship – his relationship with his Father and his relationship with his sheep. Christians do not follow a philosophy; we follow a person.

Personally, I want to be a shepherd who follows the example of the Good Shepherd.

From January 2024, Prayer Matters is following a new prayer rhythm, to pray for renewal in this territory’s worship and mission. Each day will have a theme, based on the five mission priorities. To read the unedited Prayer Matters booklet, including the devotions for 1 to 5 January, visit salvationist.org.uk/discipleship.

SATURDAY 6 JANUARY: CARE FOR CREATION – WINTER WONDER It’s the darkest part of the year, with the sparkle of Christmas now past. ‘The Earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters’ (Genesis 1:2). Take time to linger in the dark on a night walk and listen to what brooding creativity God wants to initiate from the darkness.

by Captain Vanessa Coleman (Woking)

PAUSE AND REFLECT As you read verses 11 to 15, what song comes to your mind?

Use it as a starting point for prayer.

In verse 16, Jesus says that he has ‘other sheep’. They belong to him but are not yet part of this sheep pen. They will listen to his voice, follow him and become part of the ‘one flock’ with the ‘one shepherd’.

Isaiah says that God’s flock will become ‘a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the Earth’ (Isaiah 49:6). Daniel looks to a time when all ‘nations and peoples of every language’ will worship God (Daniel 4:1).

PAUSE AND REFLECT What can we do to help people in our community hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and discover life in all its fullness?

As I type these words, I find myself singing the words of Arch Wiggins’s ‘Thou Art the Way, None Other Dare I Follow’ (SASB 628). My prayer is: ‘O take me, and my calling seal!’

MAJOR MARK ROSE Divisional Commander East Midlands

SUNDAY 7 JANUARY: SABBATH PRAYER – COVENANT FAITHFULNESS God, you made a covenant with Abraham and sealed it with fire. Then, centuries later, you ratified your new covenant with tongues of fire. As we renew our covenant with you today, help us to draw courage from your unfailing faithfulness. Help us to open our lives again to the presence of your Holy Spirit.

by Lyndall Bywater (UKI Boiler Room Team) MONDAY 8 JANUARY: SHARING THE GOOD NEWS – NEW TERRITORIAL LEADERS Lord Jesus, we bring Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main and Chief Secretary Colonel Peter Forrest and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Julie Forrest. Guide them, protect them from the enemy, and may your wisdom flow through them, along with your mercy and grace. Fill them with expectation and hope as they lead us to share the good news.

by Major Meshiel Brown (Sunderland Citadel) TUESDAY 9 JANUARY: SERVING AND CARING – CORE RECOVERY As Core Recovery teams around our territory serve their clients in love, we give thanks for hope in Jesus and for lives in recovery from addictions. Lord, pour out your protection over all who minister, and around all who enter our doors to find acceptance, practical help and spiritual healing.

by Major Jill Miller WEDNESDAY 10 JANUARY: GROWING IN FAITH – PRAYING FOR OUR INTERNATIONAL LEADERS Today we pray for the Army’s international leaders General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, and Chief of the Staff Commissioner Edward Hill and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries Commissioner Shelley Hill. Give them wisdom, discernment and spiritual power in their leadership.

by Captain Xander Coleman (Woking) THURSDAY 11 JANUARY: INTERNATIONAL SALVATION ARMY – USA EASTERN TERRITORY In our Worldwide Prayer Meeting we pray for the USA Eastern Territory. We pray God’s wisdom and insight for territorial leaders Commissioners Ralph and Susan Bukiewicz, and that every corps and centre will experience the renewal of the Spirit.

by Lyndall Bywater (UKI Boiler Room Team) FRIDAY 12 JANUARY: JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION – REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS Father, whose eyes see the hurt and injustice mirrored in those fleeing to our safe haven, melt our indifference. Flood us with your compassion to show compassion, seek justice and love lavishly.

by Major Adrian Lee (Huddersfield) 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 and it will be upheld in prayer.

REFLECTION

Habits of faithfulness Lyndall Bywater asks how you are living in response to God’s unfailing love

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DEVELOPED a new habit last year.

At time of writing, I have a 133-day unbroken streak on Duolingo, the popular language-learning app. Before you applaud my dedication, let me tell you that learning languages is one of my favourite things, so this habit has been very easy to form: I’ve simply found something I love and I do it every day.

This year, Covenant Sunday invites us all to consider our faithful response to God. It’s had me pondering what it means to develop a habit. After all, faithfulness is built on habits, isn’t it?

Being faithful to a much-loved sports team involves making a habit of following their progress, going to games,

4 faithful habits Hebrews 10:11–25 suggest four responses we might make to God’s faithfulness. Which will you try to build into your 2024?

A habit of prayer (see vv17–22) A habit of hope (see v23) A habit of kindness (see v24) A habit of unity (see vv24 and 25)

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mourning their losses and getting ludicrously excited at their victories.

Being faithful in our relationships means making a habit of spending time together, going out of our way to support each other and doing the things that we know help the relationship to flourish.

God has made all sorts of habits of faithfulness towards us, not least because he remains faithful even if we are faithless (see 2 Timothy 2:13). At the start of this new year, as Christians we pause to consider what habits we might like to build into our lives as a response to that unfailing, unending faithfulness.

If you can already feel the ‘must try harder’ guilt settling on your soul, take heart: this isn’t a lecture on how we should all be doing better. Consider in Hebrews 10 how the letter to the church encourages us to make some faithfulness habits, but at no point does it say we should do it all in our own strength or out of an oppressive sense of duty.

‘This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds’ (Hebrews 10:16 New Living Translation).

The writer talks about God imprinting God’s ‘law’ – God’s ways of doing things – on our hearts. That means we don’t do good things because we have to; more

and more, we do them because we want to and because they’re what seems most right to our hearts.

We form habits around things that matter to us. Learning languages matters to me because I love it; there are other things that matter to me because I want to express my care for my loved ones, or because I want to help make the world a fairer place. If we try to form a habit because we feel guilty or because someone else says we should, it’s very unlikely to stick, but if we form habits around the things imprinted on our hearts, we stand a much better chance of keeping them.

What brings you joy? What matters to you? What changes do you want to help bring about in 2024? The answers to those questions may just help you work out which habits of faithfulness you want to begin building today.

O For Covenant Sunday resources, including Bible reflections, prayer ideas and a video from Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main, visit salvationist.org.uk/resources/ covenant-sunday-2024.

LYNDALL BYWATER UKI Boiler Room Team

REFLECTION

Called into relationship Major Steve Dutfield reflects on how a shared sense of belonging is connected to discipleship

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S I have sought to follow Jesus, my home has been in different parts of the UK and even on the far side of Europe. In all circumstances, being part of Christian fellowship has often kept me following Jesus and seeking to confirm my covenant with God as a disciple.

I was speaking recently to a woman who, in her old age and since being

Belonging and Believing: The Big Conversation A weekend for all ages to explore belonging, discipleship and membership within the Kingdom of God and The Salvation Army in the UK and Ireland Territory. Across the weekend there will be opportunity for creative worship, discussion, Bible study and prayer. It runs from 1 to 3 March at Warwick University.

The event is free to attend, but booking is required. Book your ticket via salvationist.org.uk/belongingand-believing.

widowed, has found herself leading a life full of different experiences. She leads a busy life, attending groups for older people, a craft club and coffee mornings, as well as Sunday meetings at her corps.

As part of our conversation, she told me about her sister, who hardly ventures out of the house. The woman observed: ‘Her trouble is that she doesn’t belong to anything.’

It is a basic human need to belong, to have companionship on our journey. It is essential to human flourishing. For some of us, this might be about identifying with our favourite sports team, wearing our team’s colours, sitting in our usual seat in the cold draught of a wet Tuesday evening, surrounded by others who share that sense of belonging.

As a Salvation Army soldier of more than 40 years, I have been blessed to share with people from a wide spectrum of human life and shades of belief.

Sometimes this has been a real pleasure, occasionally a challenge. Usually, we have sung from the same hymn sheet.

Sometimes any music we may have been trying to make has been rather on the discordant side. Nonetheless, there has always been this shared sense of belonging.

It is sometimes said: ‘May you live in interesting times.’ There is no doubt that adjective applies to today, when so many things are up for grabs and the very basis of our faith is no longer taken for granted in our world. And yet God still calls us into covenant relationship with him and, for me, as a soldier in The Salvation Army.

In these days, I know that there are many who are considering what belonging might mean for them. There will be those who are not even sure that they want to be, or if they can be, soldiers in The Salvation Army. I am looking forward to the beginning of March, when there is an opportunity to continue the territory’s exploration of what membership and belonging might look like for The Salvation Army in this territory in the 21st century.

If you haven’t yet signed up, the event might help you in your ongoing journey of discipleship.

MAJOR STEVE DUTFIELD Divisional Leader North Scotland

Salvationist 6 January 2024

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TERRITORIAL LEADER’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE

Eternally loyal

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HROUGHOUT Scripture we see God entering into covenant with his people – making eternal promises that will enable his people to flourish and know they are loved by a faithful, eternal God. Since his very first covenant with Noah – promising that he would never again flood the Earth – and his covenant with Abraham – promising that he would become the father of many nations – God continued to covenant with his people with promises of compassion, faithfulness and forgiveness. The Old Testament is full of God promising to always be with us, showing his steadfast, faithful love. The New Testament sees the fulfilment of these promises in the gift of Jesus – his birth, death and resurrection. Jesus is the ultimate covenant that God made with us, revealing his faithful, eternal love.

God is eternally loyal to his promises and one repeated promise we read in Scripture is the promise of God’s khesed to us.

Khesed is the Hebrew word describing God’s steadfast, generous, faithful love and kindness. God forgives because of his khesed – it’s who God is. He is loyal because of his khesed – that’s who God is.

God cannot step outside his khesed – it is his covenant to us, his children.

There are too many verses to quote that refer to God’s khesed, but you will know them well and I am quite sure that, if you were asked for a favourite verse from the Bible, you might quote one of them. ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love’ (Jeremiah 31:3). ‘My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed’ (Isaiah 54:10). ‘Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments’ (Deuteronomy 7:9).

So, if God is consistently, undeniably steadfast, faithful and kind to us in love, what is our faithful response? I would suggest our response is to love, obey and serve him supremely all our days. Of course, there are plenty of people we could cite who evidence this faithful and loving response to our faithful,

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At the beginning of this new year, I encourage you to reflect on God’s covenant to you – his eternal promise of faithful, steadfast, generous love and kindness – and consider what your response will be.

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compassionate God – George Müller, Susannah Wesley, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, St Francis of Assisi, Thomas Merton, William and Catherine Booth, Phoebe Palmer, Joy Hixon… Who? Oh, that’s my mum! You see, it’s not only those whose names have gone down in history books around the world: God’s covenant of his faithful, generous love and kindness is for ordinary people like you, me and my mum. We need to consider our response to his covenant and what our daily lives look like as we do so.

My mum sadly died very unexpectedly during the Covid-19 restrictions in October 2020 and was therefore not able to have the funeral her life really deserved – we were limited to 30 people in total. Somehow, we overlooked writing a tribute for Salvationist. I can’t take the liberty of writing her tribute now, but my mind turned to her when I started writing about God’s covenant and our faithful response. You see, I know for sure that she personally experienced the khesed of God, the promise of his generous and steadfast love and kindness, and her faithful response was to show unconditional love and dedication to others through faithful prayer and practical service. She was an evangelist and introduced many people to the Kingdom of God. She was a committed intercessor, a gifted fundraiser and offered pastoral care to many. This was

her faithful response and how she lived in God’s covenant.

It is in knowing and personally experiencing the promise of God’s steadfast, faithful love – his khesed – that compels a response from us. It is the promise of his khesed that enables us to flourish, to find fullness of life with Jesus, to have the confidence to proceed in life when the way ahead seems perilous. God’s promise of his faithful, steadfast love enables us to navigate a path through the difficulties of life, through heartbreak, disappointment, grief, loneliness and illness, and also through moments of joy and celebration.

Our response can be one of gratitude to God at all times as we join with the psalmist in saying: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures for ever’ (Psalm 106:1). His khesed is everlasting.

At the beginning of this new year, I encourage you to reflect on God’s covenant to you – his eternal promise of faithful, steadfast, generous love and kindness – and then consider what your response will be. What will living in God’s covenant look like? How will your response be evident? Will it affect the way you have or receive those difficult conversations? Will it affect the way you manage your finances? Will it be evident in the way you love your family? Will it affect the way you listen to and try to understand others? Will it affect what you prioritise and how you spend your time? Will it be evident in your giving, your social media interactions and your relationships?

God’s promises are eternal and do not depend on our response – he will go on loving us generously and faithfully whatever we do or say. But you may want to consider your response to his loving kindness and allow it to influence your intentions in 2024.

COMMISSIONER JENINE MAIN Territorial Leader

Salvationist 6 January 2024

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SPOTLIGHT ON…

Neath A hub of hope DEVOTED TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE I’ve been at this fresh expression and core recovery centre for more than a year, but the centre has been running since November 2021. Prior to this, I was stationed at Carmarthen for 11 years and spent a further year at Llanelli. All my ministry has been in Wales.

The Haven is three-pronged in its outreach: we have our community café and drop-in downstairs, multi-agency hub and training suite upstairs, and the core recovery work and spiritual journeying at the centre is the third part.

Our approach and provision are very client-led.

IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH LEARNING We are authorised to provide Agored Cymru-accredited courses for adult learners who face homelessness or are in temporary accommodation. Subjects include budgeting, managing stress, managing anxiety, cooking skills, settling in and maintaining a tenancy, confidence building, independent living and office administration – which we’ve put in place mainly for our volunteers who input data or work on the reception.

We recently held an awards ceremony where 33 certificates were presented to

FAST FACTS DIVISION: Wales FRESH EXPRESSION LEADER: Major Neil Duquemin FIND US ONLINE: salvationarmy.org.uk/neath

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Salvationist 6 January 2024

The Haven Volunteers

learners for different courses they’ve undertaken. Those who are working towards an accredited course were given an engagement certificate to recognise their journey and encourage them to keep going. That’s important.

Major Neil Duquemin

SUPPORTED TO SERVE We are blessed with a wonderful team of volunteers and employed staff including our programme development manager, Christina, and our café supervisor, Rachel.

We are supported by the territory’s Core Recovery Development Officer Major Lynden Gibbs and Assistant Core Recovery Officer Major Nicky Watson. We also keep close links with Skewen, which is just a mile away. One of our centre volunteers is a soldier at Skewen and sells the Army papers in the town here, which is well received and provides that valuable witness for the Army as a church and not just a charity.

We work closely with the council, which funds our provision of educational courses, and with other Welsh agencies, including Platfform – a charity that specialises in mental health and social change – and homelessness charity The Wallich. We often open our hub to local agencies to raise awareness of their services in the community.

Our building is a central place for people to work on all aspects of their health – mental, physical and spiritual.

We plan to develop the core recovery aspect of our programme, now that we are established, with discussion groups and more intentional mission opportunities. This follows a consultation with our clients that revealed many are open to exploring matters of faith.

TRANSPARENCY IN TRANSITION We believe in being open and honest with our service users; we provide only what they each individually need and, although we are still in a period of learning and growing at the centre, God is richly blessing what we do.

Please pray for the outreach work at Neath and that God will continue to direct our path, so that we can continue to bring hope in Christ to our community.

In 2024 The Salvation Army in Wales celebrates 150 years of mission and outreach. Find out more about the anniversary at salvationist.org.uk/ events/dyma-gariad-24.

ARMY UPDATES

INTERNATIONAL

Coventry Cross of Nails on display IHQ A COVENTRY Cross of Nails has been put on display at IHQ, after it was gifted to the office of the General.

Forged from medieval handmade nails, the cross was rescued from the ruins of the city’s cathedral, which was bombed during the Second World War. In 1959, it was presented to Brigadier James Gilman, in appreciation of him being the first minister to preach in the new cathedral.

The crosses are rare: one was presented to Winston Churchill and another to Queen Elizabeth II. In 2022 the Archbishop of Canterbury presented Pope Francis with a replica, as there were no original crosses left.

James, the son of Brigadier James and the grandson of Hartlepool corps officer Adjutant William Avery, the first civilian to be killed on British soil during the First World War, recently gifted this Coventry Cross to the office of the General.

It is now mounted at the entrance to the chapel in IHQ. – JG

ANNIVERSARY

FAKENHAM The hall opened for three days to celebrate the 140th corps anniversary. A display of old photos and memorabilia was put together over many weeks by Ann and David Smith and Gwynn Cross. Majors Fiona and Martin Sayer (East Midlands DHQ) led Sunday’s meetings with a full hall enjoying a celebratory Songs of Praise accompanied by Fakenham Fellowship Band and the newly formed timbrel group. The anniversary cake was cut by number one on the roll Ann Sayer and the newest soldier, Carolyn Masters. Councillor Tom Fitzpatrick and Fakenham town mayor Angela Glynn attended, along with Divisional Commander Major Howard Russell. – AP

COMMUNITY

OUTREACH

MARKET RASEN Middle Rasen Scout Group visited to work towards their Faith badges. They watched a film explaining the work of the Army, saw uniforms and instruments and learnt about William Booth and how the Army worships.

At the conclusion of the visit, all the Scouts received their Faith badges. – GB

EMERGENCY AID USA SOUTHERN Extreme storms and tornadoes caused fatalities, injuries and significant damage to buildings in Middle Tennessee last month. The Salvation Army served more than 815 hot meals, 595 snacks and 1,188 drinks to people impacted and provided emotional and spiritual support. – AR

BRISTOL SOUTH The corps has started a Lego club for children with special educational needs (SEN) and hidden disabilities, including converting one of the side rooms into a sensory space. The initiative provides a safe space and brings the gospel to neurodiverse children through Lego. It was launched in response to high need in the community and the first club was well attended with great feedback. The corps felt driven through compassion to provide support to SEN families in the area and is taking part in training with Alma Autism this month. – SN

C CHRISTMAS STAPLE HILL Christmas with The Salvation Army, in the nearby St Michael’s Centre, was well supported by the community. For many it was their first contact with the Army.

The band and soloists delivered music expressing the joy of the season and the personal challenge of the birth of the Saviour.

Soloists included Emily Elliott, Naomi Blowers and Phil James (all vocal), Beth Ewins (cornet) and Michael Blowers (piano).

Bandmaster Marc Willetts challenged the congregation to make room for Jesus, and proceeds were shared between St Michael’s Church missionary outreach and the Big Collection. – VW/HB Salvationist 6 January 2024

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ARMY UPDATES

C CHRISTMAS

Dunstable Band accompany carols at the town’s treelighting celebrations in front of 4,000 people

CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS

SUNDERLAND MILLFIELD The corps teamed up with the Silky Striders Running Club for their annual Christmas charity fun run, raising more than £1,000 for the Army. The corps also hosted its annual Christmas jumper morning and carol concert raising money for Red Sky Foundation, a children’s cardiac charity. The concert featured the band, songsters, musical guests the Woods Family, and the musical , performed by the young people. The concert raised £1,855 and the charity’s founder, Sergio Petrucci MBE, spoke during the event and donated a defibrillator to the community. – AM

CHRISTMAS

DUBLIN CITY More than 40 Tamil Indian Salvationists came together for a Tamil carol service organised by Corps SergeantMajor Felix Gnanasekar. Each family presented a music item along with timbrels, a children’s Nativity, carols sung in Tamil and a Bible message presented by corps officer Major Mark Waghorn. A time of fellowship and food followed. – MW

Corps officers Captains Lillian and Rodney Bean lead the Isle of Wight Corps Christmas carol service

CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS HARLOW Corps administrator Lorraine Evans handed over toys from the Christmas Present Appeal to Marina Dunejeva, the chief executive officer of the charity Integration Support Services. Songster Leader Liz Harrod led the service, which included items from the singing company, junior band, songsters, band and timbrel brigade. To the packed hall, Marina spoke movingly of the children who will benefit from the gifts. – CH CLOWNE Families at Messy Christmas had a great time crafting, eating and singing with the puppets. Crafts included Nativity suncatcher baubles, print-your-own wrapping paper, paper plate angels and Christingles. A pop-up Nativity introduced Festive Fred, who discovered that Jesus is the greatest gift. – GH 14

Salvationist 6 January 2024

Prescot Band provide music for a well-attended evening of ecumenical carol singing outside the parish church SOUTHAMPTON SHOLING Corps member 83-year-old Brian Jones charmed the community with his 20th annual Christmas grotto. The display – featuring animatronic penguins, polar bears and reindeer – has become a beloved tradition, drawing in more than 300 children each year, with all proceeds going to the Army. – AR

CHRISTMAS

BRIEF UPDATES SUFFOLK Major Glenys Askew, chaplain at Suffolk police headquarters, attended the county’s Emergency Services Carol Service at St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds. Stowmarket Band provided music alongside the Suffolk Rock Choir and the county high school chamber choir. The bishop of Dunwich gave the address. – DA

WOKING An unusual Sunday meeting themed Brunch at Bethlehem helped the community in journeying towards Christmas. Aimed at families, the Nativity story was explored through storytelling, crafts and dressing up, all while enjoying bacon baps and croissants. More than 67 first-time visitors joined the congregation, and the corps hopes to build on these connections in the new year. – XC

C CHRISTMAS

CLOWNE For the first time, the corps served as a collection point for Christmas toy donations. Working alongside social services and Tesco, a huge collection of toys for all age groups was amassed. The collection also forged new links with a nearby housing estate, which led to a carol service to say thank you. – GH LEEK More than £1,000 was raised during the civic carol service for Horton Lodge Community Special School.

The band, songsters, Sunday school choir and timbrel group provided a varied programme. Corps officer Captain Leanne Wallis led the service and presented a cheque alongside the mayor of Leek, Councillor Matt Swindlehurst, to school governor Rebecca Ecclestone. – RJ COLCHESTER CITADEL A lunchtime concert from the Anglia Fellowship Band got the festive season off to a great start with guest International Staff Songster Juliet Parker. It was greatly enjoyed by the audience, some of whom travelled from Norwich. Pieces included Joy Webb’s ‘The Surprise’. – AL

CARLISLE More than 300 people attended the corps carol service at St Aidan’s Church. Music was provided by the band, songsters and children who attend the Mainly Music programme held at the hall. Corps officers Captains Mel and Steve Scoulding were delighted with the response, with many people unknown to either the corps or the church. A collection and other corps initiatives raised more than £800 for Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland. – WJ

CHRISTMAS

SHERINGHAM The North Norfolk Veterans Hub banded together for the fourth consecutive year to promote the corps Christmas appeal. Two teams approached supermarkets in Cromer and Sheringham. They allocated space to collect donations from shoppers and allowed ‘trolley dashes’, donating the items collected and discounting items bought with the money raised. – MG SUNDERLAND MILLFIELD Young People’s SergeantMajor Caroline and Youth Team Leader David Smith led the Christingle and toy service. The longstanding tradition sees the community attend and support the annual toy appeal. – AM STAPLE HILL Almost 200 people gathered for Light Up a Life, in conjunction with St Peter’s Hospice, raising more than £500 for the centre. It was incredibly moving as those gathered wrote the names of people who had passed away and hung them on a remembrance tree. – VW/HB

ROYAL COURTS OF JUSTICE An ensemble from Music and Creative Arts and Regent Hall supported the Judicial Office Choir at a carol service. Solo items included ‘The Stable Door’ sung by choir leader Rhoda Atkinson (Croydon Citadel). Readings were brought by the Lady Chief Justice, the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, the chancellor of the High Court, Sir Julian Flaux, and the president of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane. More than £370 was raised for Alzheimer’s Society and the Army. – RA

LEIGHTON BUZZARD Everyone enjoyed the first Christmas wreath-making afternoon, in support of the toy appeal. After a demonstration by corps member Hazel Foster, everyone made a wreath to take home. – DM TEDDINGTON The community carol service included the band and Teddington Wind Orchestra. It was a fantastic evening with many visitors and guests. – EW

Salvationist 6 January 2024

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NEW COMMITMENTS

BRIDGWATER

LYNDA Tailor and Sandra Harvey were welcomed as adherents by corps officers Lieutenants Heather and Jon Culshaw. They chose their favourite songs and shared their testimonies.

Holding the flag is Recruiting Sergeant Alan Crawford, who prayed for them during the meeting.

– HC

HYTHE

DUNSTABLE

DAWN Wood was welcomed as an adherent by corps officer Lieutenant Jacqueline Coates. As her testimony Dawn chose the song ‘Lord, I Come to You’ (SASB 601). She knelt at the mercy seat with Lieutenant Jacqueline to sign her certificate.

Later, another adherent knelt there, accompanied by a soldier – a lovely and moving experience. Also pictured are corps leader Territorial Envoy Roger Coates and Adherents Secretary Sue Leadbeater. – RC

OLDBURY

ADAM Massey, who lives in the Czech Republic, was enrolled as a soldier by corps officer Lieutenant Sue ShorlandCompton. Adam joins the corps worship services and weekly discipleship group online and has chosen the corps as his church and spiritual home, proving that the family of God has no boundaries! His family travelled to be with him for the occasion, and he testified that he is following God’s guidance for his life and is excited at what God has in store for him as a soldier. Adam and Lieutenant Sue are pictured with Assistant Corps Sergeant-Major Graham Hayler and Bandmaster Richard Carroll. – SS-C

FREDRICKA Omaboe, Jo Ball, Jonathan and O’Tega Esekobe were welcomed as adherents by corps officer Lieutenant Jon Hampton. They are all pictured with Lieutenant Deborah Hampton. – JH

IPSWICH CITADEL

BARBARA Palfrey was welcomed as an adherent by associate officer Major Joanna Todd, assisted by Adherents Secretary Major Julia Partridge. – DC 16

Salvationist 6 January 2024

ARTHUR, Benjamin, Maria, Joel, Alice, Penny, Anastazie and Beatriz were enrolled as junior soldiers by corps officer Lieutenant Deborah Hampton, along with Young People’s Sergeant-Major Claire Highton-Nicholls, who arranged the day and supported them as they made their commitments to follow Jesus. – JH

LIVERPOOL STONEYCROFT

GUISBOROUGH

TRACY Fenwick, Lynn Alexander, Cerys Alexander and Amanda Long (front row) and Stephen Johnson and Nick Alexander (back row) were welcomed as adherents by corps officers Majors Antony and Fiona Mugford. Major Antony read some words from Amanda, who connected with the corps through the Jolly Tots group with her baby son, Frazer.

From there she attended a carol service and felt welcome, which led her to start attending on Sundays. She chose the song ‘In Christ Alone’ (SASB 861) and the songster piece ‘He Sought Me’. – AM

BROMLEY TEMPLE

SHOLA and Lara Fadahunsi were welcomed as adherents by Major Mark Spencer-Arneaud (Homelessness Services). Both spoke passionately about what it means to follow Jesus and why they have chosen to make the corps their church. – ST

WOODHOUSE

BRITNEY and Nicole were enrolled as junior soldiers by corps officer Major Alison Hudson. Together with their mum, Bernice, who is an adherent, the family came to the corps through its community work during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Both girls are delightful additions to the children’s ministries, including the singing company. Also pictured is Young People’s Sergeant-Major Luke Nunn and holding the flag is Singing Company Leader Julia Minton. Corps Sergeant-Major Lynn Nunn, who took the girls through their classes, offered prayers. – IH

MURTON

GWEN Chapman was welcomed as an adherent by corps officer Major Gary Rockey-Clewlow. Gwen came to the Army when it reopened after the Covid-19 lockdowns and has made the corps her spiritual home. Pictured with Gwen and Major Gary is Vanessa Britton, who has returned to the Army and rededicated her life to God at the corps. Gwen and Vanessa both play an active role in corps life and are much appreciated. – GC

TERRY Cook was welcomed as an adherent by corps leader Territorial Envoy Mark Simpson. Terry started attending with his wife and soon got involved in the corps. Terry and Territorial Envoy Mark are pictured with Corps Secretary Ruth Cook, Colour Sergeant Dorothy Sufrin and Corps SergeantMajor Ronald Harper. – MS Salvationist 6 January 2024

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE

ENGAGEMENTS

Retired officers’ birthdays

KARAGINTA, Indonesia

MAJOR ELEANOR TEASDALE, 90 on 12 January

CAPTAIN SRI WULANDARI TUMANDUK, Indonesia

MAJOR NANCY DRUMM, 85 on 14 January

MAJOR JOHN NGUI MATHEKA, Kenya East

MAJOR EDNA ROWLEY, 90 on 17 January

CAPTAIN JI-SUN YOO, Korea

MAJOR HELEN STONE, 85 on 17 January

CAPTAIN ASTRID MARIELA CARRILLO RAMÍREZ, Latin America North

Promoted to Glory

MAJOR CHRISTA BEELDMAN, The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Slovakia*

DOREEN THOMPSON, Prescot GLORIA BONE, Newcastle City Temple JANE LEMM, Hove, on 9 December PATRICIA MORRIS, Romford, on 13 December

CAPTAIN RICHARD VAN LAMBALGEN, The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Slovakia CAPTAIN CHRIS COLLINGS, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa MAJOR GRACE UKEME JONATHAN, Nigeria

Bereaved

MAJOR SULEMAN GULRAYS, Pakistan

SL STUART THOMPSON and Bandsman Graham Thompson, both Prescot, of their mother Doreen Thompson

CAPTAIN DOMINADOR SALVADOR, Philippines

MAJOR RUTH STANNETT, Romford, of her mother Patricia Morris

ICO delegates The 256th session begins on 10 January CAPTAIN MARCO LUPIS, Australia MAJOR KELLY WALKER, Australia MAJOR YOULLIYA DIPTI MURMU, Bangladesh MAJOR ANGÉLICA HERNÁNDEZ ESTÉVEZ, Canada and Bermuda CAPTAIN WOUSDEL LOUIS, Caribbean MAJOR GALINA KORENIVSKA, Eastern Europe MAJOR RICHARD WIAFE ASANTE, Ghana CAPTAIN RAJASREE KAGITA, India Central LIEUT-COLONEL SILUVA RAJU MARPU, India Central* MAJOR AMRIK MASIH, India Northern CAPTAIN ARUL SASI BALAN SUBANANHARAJ, India South Eastern MAJOR SANTHINI SH SINGH, India South Eastern MAJOR AJI PANAMOOTTIL PATHROSE, India South Western MAJOR SULEMAN PARMAR, India Western MAJOR SUNIL DADABA SALVE, India Western MAJOR MELTI ADILANG 18

Salvationist 6 January 2024

CAPTAIN JEANNE D’ARC NYAMPINGA, Rwanda and Burundi CAPTAIN DAVID ACOSTA, South America East MAJOR SIBONGILE MUYANGA, Southern Africa MAJOR JENNIE FRANZÉN GALLARDO, Sweden and Latvia CAPTAIN DAVID GOSLING, United Kingdom and Ireland MAJOR RICHARD THOMPSON, United Kingdom and Ireland MAJOR ANDEW SHIELS, USA Central MAJOR KEVIN ZANDERS, USA Eastern

Chief of the Staff Commissioner Edward Hill and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries Commissioner Shelley Hill Thu 11 Jan ICO Welcome Meeting

Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main Wed 10 Jan WBC (Spiritual Day) Thu 11 Jan ICO Welcome Meeting Sun 14 Jan WBC (Territorial Appointments Conference) Tue 16 Jan Westminster Abbey (Thanksgiving Service for Baroness Boothroyd)* Sat 20 Jan Regent Hall (Sing in the New Year) Sun 21 Jan Regent Hall (Welcome to the territorial leaders)

Chief Secretary Colonel Peter Forrest and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Julie Forrest Sun 14 Jan WBC (Territorial Appointments Conference) Sat 20 Jan Regent Hall (Sing in the New Year) Sun 21 Jan Regent Hall (Welcome to the territorial leaders) *Commissioner Paul Main only

NOTICES

Grants for Christmas meals Eligible corps and centres can apply for reimbursement for the cost of providing Christmas meals in their community (seated, takeaway and delivered) but not food parcels. The deadline for applications is 26 January – email communityservices@salvationarmy. org.uk with any questions.

SOUNDS

Sunday Worship

CAPTAIN JETHRO MUNAMADYANKA, Zambia

On Covenant Sunday (7 January), Sunday Worship is led by Territorial Leader Commissioner Paul Main.

Can’t join us at 11am on Sundays? Catch up with the weekly podcast of Sunday Worship highlights, including music, prayer and a Bible message. Each week’s broadcast is also repeated in full on Sundays at 6pm, Mondays at 12am and Thursdays at 9am.

*Serving outside home territory

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

MAJOR BENITA MORRIS, USA Southern MAJOR VICKIE HARVEY, USA Western

The All Terrain Podcast Official Gazette Retirements from active service Effective 31 December 2023 COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL and COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL, out of Regent Hall in 1982 and last appointments Territorial Commander and Territorial Leader for Leader Development COMMISSIONER EDWARD HILL Chief of the Staff

The guest for the latest episode is singer, songwriter and worship leader Steph Macleod. Sketch notes accompanying the podcast are available at salvationist.org.uk/media/all-terrain-podcast.

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

Sing to the Lord with the ISS Enjoy favourite recordings from the International Staff Songsters chosen by a special guest. This week’s guest is Emma Davis. Can’t tune in at 5pm on Sunday?

The episode is repeated in full on Tuesday 9 January at 10am and on Saturday 13 January at 3pm.

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

PRESENTATIONS

STOCKPORT HEATON NORRIS

RINGWOOD

BAND Secretary David Smith was presented with a gift to mark his retirement from the band after 28 years, during a Last Night of the Proms festival at the corps. – NY

CORPS officer Major Emanuele Carpagnano presented Roy Newland with a retirement certificate, after 46 years of service as bandmaster. Family and friends witnessed the joyous celebration. Roy began as YP band leader in 1963 and then became deputy bandmaster in 1969 and finally took on the leadership of the band in 1977. Roy’s wife, Joy, was thanked for her support of her husband and others gave thanks for his spiritual leadership. – EC

WELLING

FELIXSTOWE

THE corps food bank team was nominated in the Outstanding Team category at Bexley’s Faith in the Community Awards 2023. The nomination spoke of the love, support and encouragement every client receives. The team was absolutely delighted to win the award, presented by the mayor, Councillor Ahmet Dourmoush, and celebrations continued at the Friday coffee morning, where every member of the team received their own certificate. – KS

CORPS officer Captain Lizette Williams presented Band Colour Sergeant Robert Versey with a retirement certificate to mark 64 years’ service. Robert became a well known figure leading the band with his presentation of the colours, along with his control of the band while marching. He also became well-known for his presentation in parading the colours at funerals and assisted with this at several corps by request, both locally and in other parts of the country. – DA

CARLISLE

CORPS officer Captain Mel Scoulding presented Major Liz Harvey with a certificate of appreciation following her retirement as ladies fellowship leader. Major Liz initially agreed to take on the position for a year, but her passion for the role led her to continue doing it for 16 years! During that time, up to 40 ladies attended the monthly fellowship and were regularly impressed with the high standard of activities and the amount of effort that Major Liz put in.

During the Covid-19 lockdowns, Major Liz remained in contact with the ladies to provide pastoral support. The group continues under the leadership of Judy Holton.

Major Liz and Captain Mel are pictured with corps officer Captain Steve Scoulding. – WJ Salvationist 6 January 2024

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