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SALVATIONIST

No.1721 Price 60p

For everyone linked to The Salvation Army www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 7 September 2019

Time for creation Putting the environment on the agenda See pages 10 and 11

PLUS THE BIG COLLECTION 2019

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QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

WHY CURIOUS STUDENTS PUT THEIR FAITH IN CHAPEL VISITS

You might think the peal of chapel bells ringing across the college on a Sunday morning would be the stuff of nightmares for students… but those at Oxford, Cambridge and Durham beg to differ. At the three universities, where most constituent colleges have their own chapels, students are more than twice as likely to attend Sunday services as the wider population, chapel attendance figures seen by The Times show. Chaplains have said that students flock to their chapels fuelled by an ‘academic’ curiosity about faith, particularly because their parents were less likely than previous generations to have taken their children to church. Students have also spoken of having a ‘place of calm’ away from the hurly-burly of student life.

CHRISTIAN CHILDREN’S CHARITY CONDEMNS TEMPORARY LIVING ACCOMMODATION FOR THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN

The results of a new poll suggest that half of the people in Britain do not believe that acts of religious worship are appropriate for state-school assemblies, Humanists UK have argued. In a survey of 1,613 British adults, conducted by YouGov... 50 per cent of the respondents thought that acts of religious worship were not appropriate for school assemblies, while 28 per cent thought that they were. Of the 241 parents of school-aged children in the survey, 51 per cent thought that religious worship was inappropriate for assemblies. Only 46 per cent of those who identified themselves as Christian said that religious worship would be an appropriate topic… The chief education officer of the Church of England, the Rev Nigel Genders, said that collective Christian worship in non-faith schools was not ‘indoctrination’, but a chance for children to explore and develop spirituality.

Thousands of children are living in shipping containers, cramped office blocks and B&Bs, according to the children’s commissioner for England. A new report from the office of the children’s commissioner has found that 210,000 young people in England were put up by councils in temporary housing… Such accommodation could be unsafe, disruptive and overcrowded, with no room for children to play or do homework. It was frequently in poor condition, far from family support networks and schools and often in isolated locations dogged by crime or antisocial behaviour. CEO of Spurgeons Children’s Charity Ross Hendry told Premier… ‘What this report highlights is that there’s been an 80 per cent increase in the number of children who are homeless or sofa surfing since 2010… ‘The Bible tells us we all have responsibility for these issues and when we see injustice or need we have to tackle them.’

Church Times

Premier

The Times

CATHEDRALS BOOST NUMBERS WITH NEW IDEAS Mini-golf and helter-skelters have contributed to a huge rise in the numbers attending English cathedrals this summer. Rochester Cathedral reported a 100 per cent increase in people visiting their ninehole mini-golf course and Norwich Cathedral reported that their helter-skelter welcomed 10,000 riders during its 11-day stay… The Rev Canon Andy Bryant said: ‘Many will want to focus on the sheer numbers… However the things I will most carry away from this time are the individual conversations, people sharing stories of connecting with the cathedral, enjoying seeing the building from a new perspective, finding a welcome distraction at a difficult time in their lives, asking questions about faith and gaining new encouragement in their relationship with God.’ The Church of England Newspaper

SCHOOL WORSHIP QUERIED

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

Salvationist 7 September 2019

ADVERTISING (tel) 020 7367 4883 (email) advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk DISTRIBUTION Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), 66-78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH (tel) 01933 445445 (option 1) (fax) 01933 445415 (email) subscriptions@satcol.org TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN (tel) 020 7367 4500 (tel) 0845 634 0101 Published weekly by The Salvation Army and printed on paper from sustainable sources by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell. © The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland. The Salvation Army is a Christian church and a registered charity. The charity number in England and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. ISSN 2516-5909

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

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CONTENTS

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PLANET FIRES are raging in the Amazon rainforest at a level not seen before. The alarm was raised when leaders of the world’s richest countries gathered for the recent G7 summit in Biarritz, with the realisation that it was not just an issue for Brazil and its neighbours but an international one. President Macron of France said, ‘Our house is burning... The Amazon, the lungs of our planet, which produces 20 per cent of our oxygen, is on fire. It is an international crisis.’ The G7 leaders agreed to provide the Brazilian government with $20 million to help put out the fires. The government said no thanks and has now begun to take its own action. Blame for the crisis was laid at the feet of illegal farmers and loggers who had started fires to clear land for lucrative cattle ranches, crops and non-native timber. The problem of the environment falling victim to commercial exploitation is nothing new. Joni Mitchell highlighted it back in 1970 when she sang ‘Big Yellow Taxi’, which features the memorable lines, ‘They paved paradise/ And put up a parking lot.’ Churches around the world express concern for the environment by observing the Season of Creation – also known as Creation Time – from 1 September (the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) to 4 October (St Francis of Assisi Day). As the Season of Creation website says, ‘Some of us pray, some of us do hands-on projects, some of us advocate.’ Of course, some people do all three. On pages 12 and 13 we feature a corps that addresses environmental concerns, not just for a season but throughout the year. Lieutenant Callum Newton describes how Stornoway became an ‘eco-congregation’ and started taking steps to be more environmentally friendly. He says: ‘I would encourage all corps to consider making a commitment to put creation on their agenda, in teaching and in practice.’ During the Season of Creation many churches celebrate the Harvest Festival, when the focus is on God’s provision and our gratitude for it. But that provision goes well beyond what God supplies in nature. As Captain John Clifton writes on page 9, God has given us all the resources we need for the work he has called us to do. So, instead of focusing on what we lack, we need to realise what we’ve been given and make good use of it. The article applies that thinking to various situations, but it could easily be applied to our approach to the environment. We sometimes feel that there’s little we can do, when in fact we can make a difference, whether it’s by praying, doing handson projects or advocating. The world is more than our house; as Lieutenant Newton says, creation is ‘God’s great cathedral’. And if we were horrified by the fire in Notre Dame Cathedral earlier in the year, how much more horrified ought we to be by the fires in the Amazon. Such a reaction must spur us to action: the environment needs to be firmly on the Christian agenda. This is God’s world and we are responsible to him for what we do with it.

Quotes from the media News

2 4 to 7

Resources Tools for interpreting the Bible

Viewpoint 9 A choice for the Army: Scarcity or abundance by Captain John Clifton

Feature 10 and 11 If you knew how scary it was... by Christine Thomas

Feature 12 and 13 Worshipping in the cathedral of creation by Lieutenant Callum Newton

Review 14 The Life And Legacy Of William Booth reviewed by Lieut-Colonel Jenty Fairbank

More rear-mirror views Sung into the Kingdom

by General John Larsson (Retired)

Bible study 16 and 17 Focus on the right path by Lieutenant Naomi Kelly

Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17 by Major Melvyn Knott

New commitments

Letters

Announcements

Adverts

21 to 23

The Salvation Army and me

featuring Ray Saunders

From the Editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

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

Salvationist 7 September 2019

NEWS

World leaders share in Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings USA EASTERN GENERAL Brian Peddle challenged delegates at the annual Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings in Maine to embrace ‘the significance of the glory of God in every aspect of life and liberty as we know it’. He said definitively that ‘we cannot, we must not diminish the glory of God and the sense of awe and wonder’. Speaking in the Army’s pavilion on Union Avenue, the General and World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Rosalie Peddle offered powerful words of praise to God. The General also expressed great hope for the Army’s ability to succeed where work still needs to be accomplished. He restated with passion his and the Army’s abiding commitment to serve the territory and the world for Christ. During the week, the General spoke at leadership meetings at the University of New England, marched through the streets of the town and participated in a fun-filled Pier Ministry Festival. Diverse audiences saw aerialists, illusionists, timbrelists and instrumentalists perform. Actors, singers,

hip-hop lyricists and praise dancers ministered. Some people experienced The Salvation Army for the first time. Seekers responded to Bible messages by moving forward and kneeling in prayer. The Salvation Army has ministered in the popular summer destination for 131 years.

Year 9 students win £1,000 for The Salvation Army WICKFORD WELLING: The corps held the second week of its family fun drop-in, themed around Genesis 2:15. Attendees thought about the Creation story and used unwanted items to create a range of useful and beautiful things, such as paper gardens and bird feeders. Many families helped create flowers using old copies of Kids Alive! and the War Cry, which were distributed to friends and neighbours. – K. S. 4

Salvationist 7 September 2019

STUDENTS from Gable Hall School donated £1,000 to the corps as part of First Give, a secondary school programme that encourages students to engage in social action. Class 9 Indigo, along with their English teacher, Miss Marley, decided to study the issue of homelessness, choosing The Salvation Army as their dedicated charity. The team of Hollie, Alice, Lena, Emma,

‘We have heard of Old Orchard Beach for many years, but this is our first visit,’ Commissioner Peddle said at one of the meetings. ‘It’s incredible and we are grateful for this opportunity.’ ‘I think we step away with a sense of “It’s OK; God is here and using The Salvation Army!”’ said the General. – W. M.

Dani-Ella and Amy were picked by their class to give a presentation to the year group as part of a competition with other English classes. Their presentation, which included original poetry and drama, was awarded the winning prize money of £1,000 by a panel of impartial judges. The donated funds will go towards the conversion of the corps disabled toilet into a wet room so that rough sleepers can have a shower. Corps officers Majors Carol and Martin Whybrow were invited to meet the class and engaged in a question-and-answer session about the Army’s work. – C. W.

Salvation Army scout leader admitted to Order of the Founder

First Global IT meeting plans future infrastructure

Philippe Clément admitted to the Order of the Founder by Commissioner Johnny Kleman

IHQ

FRANCE PHILIPPE Clément, National Scout Leader of The Salvation Army in France and Belgium, was admitted to the Order of the Founder during a centenary celebration in France. Around four hundred scouts from fifteen countries gathered for the ten-day jamboree. It celebrated 100 years since Major Schumacher created the Salvation Guides and Scouts in France, as well as 90 years of Army scouting in Belgium. At the celebration ceremony, Philippe was admitted to the Order of the Founder in recognition of his commitment to Army scouting. He is the first scout leader to receive the Movement’s highest honour. The citation, signed by the General, said that for nearly 40 years Philippe ‘has skilfully and enthusiastically served young people through the scouting programme… impacting their lives as a positive role model, teaching and discipling young people as a faithful servant of the Lord’. ‘He embodies the motto “Burning zeal to serve God and Scouts from around the world enjoy a day trip to Paris

neighbour”,’ the citation added. International Secretary for Europe Commissioner Johnny Kleman presented the award. The jamboree took place in the grounds of Château de Jambville. Held every three to four years, the gathering gives Army scouts the opportunity to live in the heart of nature, discover its benefits, get to know each other better and experience camaraderie. Salvation Army centres, particularly in Strasbourg, have been welcoming children from disadvantaged families from eastern Europe. The camp is an ideal way for these young people, including refugee children, to

integrate into society, enjoy a holiday or have a break from difficult situations. Asterix-themed activities at the event included campfires, an outdoor banquet, building projects, a market day and a visit to Paris. On Sunday everyone took part in a massed worship meeting, supported by five French cadets who originally linked up with The Salvation Army through scouting. The different groups marched into the meeting behind the Army flag and the flags of their own countries, before joining in worship, singing and praying in their own languages. – A. R./S. M.

TECHNOLOGY For Mission was the theme of the first in a new quarterly series of online meetings for The Salvation Army’s global IT teams, which included participation from practitioners around the world. International Secretary for Business Administration Commissioner Merle Heatwole opened the interactive event, saying: ‘We want to work together and make the future of our IT infrastructure something that we can all be very proud of, and something that we can see as providing a real benefit to the mission of The Salvation Army.’ Project manager Mark Bennett spoke about the significant and demanding process of migrating the organisation to Microsoft’s Office 365 product, and provided a high-level update. Currently 32,000 Office 365 mailboxes have been assigned, approaching half the number of the legacy IBM Notes accounts. Lessons learnt from pilot implementations in places such as the Mozambique, India South Eastern and Latin America North territories were shared. Demonstrating the power of connecting every part of The Salvation Army, Head of IT Clarence White (USA Southern) gave a remote presentation. Software Development Manager Tim Siney (IHQ) spoke on plans to migrate legacy IBM Domino applications into new platforms, taking participants through an easy-to-understand flow chart. Trisha McDonald, from Microsoft’s Tech for Social Impact Team, said: ‘We’re delighted to be working with The Salvation Army … and [to] help achieve mission through technology.’ The 45-minute meeting was wrapped up with an open question-and-answer session. – A. R.

Salvationist 7 September 2019

NEWS

International leaders review first year in office IHQ A YEAR after they were welcomed to IHQ to take up leadership of The Salvation Army, General Brian Peddle and Chief of the Staff Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham recorded a short, informal video about their time in office so far. In the video, the Chief posed questions to the General about his experiences as the Army’s world leader. The General revealed that, during the visits he and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle had undertaken, he was ‘surprised by… innovative expressions of the Army’. He has also been impressed with the Movement’s young people, whom he sees ‘at the front line of mission’ and is encouraged that ‘God is still at the centre of what the Army is and does’. He reflected on his growing awareness that at least half of Salvationists serve in countries

where ‘it is not easy to be a follower of Jesus Christ’, calling on Salvationists and friends to pray for the Army in these places. He also discussed his Call to Mission and its challenge to ‘be ready, be engaged and take

Wallsend Band, Songsters and Timbrelists make music in the bandstand of a nearby park; the gospel reached many families, and funds were raised for the Big Collection

Salvationist 7 September 2019

responsibility’, and invited Salvationists worldwide to be ‘part of the best Army that has ever existed’. The Chief echoed this in his closing words, calling on God to bless The Salvation Army, especially its ‘faithful soldiers and

volunteers who are giving themselves to the task passionately and enthusiastically’. – A. R. O The video is available at sar.my/oneyearin O The General’s Call to Mission can be viewed at sar.my/ calltomission

CARLISLE: For the second time this summer, corps folk took cold drinks, cake, tea and coffee to people in Bitts Park as a random act of kindness. Members of the corps joined with the public for open-air games and fellowship. One feature was hair painting, led by soldier Eileen Warwick. The event was well attended, with more than 160 people taking part. – S. S.

WIMBLEDON: The corps was invited to attend Wimbledon fire station’s family open day. There was much excitement as children climbed over ambulances, fire engines and police cars. In contrast the Army gazebo presented an oasis of calm. Children coloured in cups for firefighters as corps members explained what support the Army gives to the emergency services, with slides of local fire scenes where the Army had provided tea and refreshments. ‘It was very exciting!’ said corps council member Richard Smart. ‘We were invited because of the good relationships we have built up with the fire service over the years. We handed out many copies of Kids Alive! and the War Cry, and spoke to a lot of people we otherwise never would have met. We hope the open day might become an annual event.’ – A. R.

Kathleen Beck receives a certificate of recognition and letters of appreciation from Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill and Divisional Commander Major Brian Slinn for 53 years’ service selling Army papers in pubs around Derby Central; she is pictured with the team of volunteers who accompany her every Friday

MAIDSTONE: Twenty-two children enjoyed a summer adventure with their families at Messy Church. Focusing on Jesus and his disciples by the Sea of Galilee, the day included folding origami boats, decorating fish and a shared picnic, when the children fished for ducks and sang the chorus ‘I Will Make You Fishers Of Men’. The children were also taught the Breton fisherman’s prayer: ‘Dear God, be good to me; the sea is so wide, and my boat is so small.’ Through this they can remember to pray when life gets scary. – G. P.

DEREHAM: The corps knitting group made scarves in response to a request from St Martins, a charity that supports people experiencing homelessness in Norwich and Norfolk. The scarves will form part of a giant knitted house that St Martins plans to construct and display in Norwich Cathedral on World Homelessness Day (10 October) to help inform people of the issues around homelessness. A total of 4,677 scarves will be displayed to represent every person who slept rough last year. – D. B.

Hazel and John Martin transfer to the Clowne songster and band reserves respectively after serving for 57 and 56 years; John’s service included time as bandmaster

SNETTISHAM: Thirteen Cameo members took part in a Cameo’s Got Talent event before the summer break. Everyone enjoyed the entertainment, which included poetry, timbrel presentations, comedy, vocal and piano items, a brass duet and drama items. Homemade crafts by members were also on display. – A. K. Salvationist 7 September 2019

RESOURCES I Bible Tools

Tools for interpreting the Bible The Salvation Army International Theological Council recently outlined five practical steps to help people interpret the Bible. Salvationist reproduces them here by permission STEP 1: INTRODUCTION Begin with prayer. Whether on your own, with a friend or in a group, spend time asking God to help you better understand him through his word. STEP 2: CONTEXT Read the passage in its entirety two or three times. Use your senses as you read. What are you hearing, seeing, smelling? Make notes of your findings. Take a few moments to consider the passage through the following contexts: Immediate What comes before and after this passage of Scripture? If possible, read through the entire book in a single setting to get the ‘big picture’. Historical What was the cultural backdrop in which this was written? Consider any facts that can be verified. Book background Who wrote it? What was the occasion? Who is the audience? How is this setting different from your own? Literary What kind of literary style is the passage or book you are studying written in? Historic narrative – writing history in a story-based form (Genesis, the first half of Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Jonah and possibly Acts) O Law – teaching and direction for life (the second half of Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy) O

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Salvationist 20 7 September Salvationist July 2019 2019

Wisdom – statements from wise individuals that offer teaching about God and his rule of the world (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes) O Prophetic – calling humanity to be the people of God on behalf of the redemption of the world (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi) O Apocalyptic – expressing an author’s vision of the end times (Daniel, Revelation) O Gospel – a primary source of information on the life of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and possibly Acts) O Letters – written either to an individual or audience addressing particular moral issues with theological and/or doctrinal teaching (Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John) O

How does this change the way you view the passage? Is there anything you should be looking for in light of its literary genre? List any observations. STEP 3: CROSS-REFERENCE Check other passages of Scripture that deal with the same topic or issue. Scripture helps interpret Scripture. Compare interesting words or thoughts with the other Scripture passages – do they provide further proof or explanation? Consider doing a word study. Commentaries, Bible dictionaries, atlases and The Salvation Army

Handbook Of Doctrine are all helpful resources. Consider other translations, not paraphrases. STEP 4: CONSIDER IMPLICATIONS AND APPLICATIONS Answer the following questions when considering how this passage applies to the Christian life: What example am I to follow? What sin am I to avoid? O What promise am I to claim? O What command should I obey? O What action should I take? O How do these relate to my relationships at home, work and in my community? O O

Try to summarise what you believe to be the main point of the passage in one sentence. Does this passage link to a major theme in Scripture? If yes, which theme and how? STEP 5: CONCLUDE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TO SELF Find someone to hold you to account for what you have learnt. Write down your discoveries and end with a prayer of gratitude.

DIGGING DEEPER FURTHER RESOURCES The Salvation Army International Theological Council website sar.my/itc O The Salvation Army Handbook Of Doctrine sar.my/hod O An example of a word study sar.my/wordstudy O

VIEW POINT

A choice for the Army: Scarcity or abundance? Captain John Clifton challenges us to stop thinking we don’t have enough to do God’s work

Malachi with Mindaugus Peculionis, who volunteers at the Ilford shelter

SAW this quote recently from Christian author Eugene Cho, who spoke at USA Central Territory’s Regeneration 2014 conference: ‘The Salvation Army will die if it loses the commitment it exhibited in the past for being creative.’ My immediate reaction? Oh no! The Salvation Army cannot die! We need it! My second reaction? Well, if it’s not creative, then it’s not having the impact on the world we would desire it to have, which means it’s not The Salvation Army, which means it’s dead already. My third reaction – admittedly after more reflection than the first two – was to consider the phraseology: ‘The Salvation Army will die… if it loses… in the past…’ Although Cho is not a Salvationist, he has captured a mindset that seems quite common. Theologian Walter Brueggemann posits that we can operate on the basis of two possible assumptions about the world and God’s provision: scarcity or abundance. Scarcity is a constant anxiety that there isn’t enough. I’m sure Cho did not intend for his quote to come across as an example of scarcity, but it really struck a chord with a perspective that seems to have become too normal. We’re scared of the death of the institution. We haven’t got enough money. Corps are closing. We don’t have enough officers. We haven’t got enough soldiers. I haven’t got enough time. Fear, death, trepidation: we never have enough. Brueggemann credits Pharaoh with introducing scarcity into the world economy in Genesis 47 when he dreamt of famine throughout the land. This introduced a fear of there not being

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God has given us everything we need for what he has called us to do

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enough, leading Pharaoh to try taking control of everything. The ripple effects of this were numerous as he got into a mindset of constantly coveting what his neighbour had. Cho’s quote inadvertently seems to capture this in some ways: assuming that death is the outcome we need to fight against, fearing loss of creativity, coveting what we had in the past. Abundance, on the other hand, is a confidence that we have more than enough for our needs. It’s like that meme: the pessimist says the cup is half empty and the optimist says the cup is half full. The child of God says, ‘My cup runneth over.’ Brueggemann outlines how abundance runs as a theme right from Genesis 1 with the repeated refrain ‘God

saw that it was good’. Matthew 25:31– 46 also demonstrates an attitude of abundance: I have enough food to give to someone who is hungry, enough water for someone who is thirsty, enough space to welcome a stranger, enough time to visit the sick or imprisoned. Salvationists are good at practising abundance. At Ilford we are working on Project Malachi, based on an initial donation of £5 by a boy called Malachi, which shows we have enough to be able to build accommodation for people sleeping rough with no recourse to public funds. At Raynes Park and other corps, Salvationists are working on community sponsorship, which shows we have enough to be able to welcome people seeking refuge from other countries. The Salvation Army’s emergency response work supports the fire service during crises, which shows we have enough to help provide relief for the firefighters and victims. There are too many examples of this in the Army to name. We can do abundance when we decide we want to. Why, then, do we get into a mentality of ‘not enough’? I confess to being guilty of it as well, but I am committing now to do my utmost to view things from a perspective of abundance. God has given us everything we need for what he has called us to do. So, in considering this, I wonder if we might rephrase Cho’s quote: The Salvation Army will change the world and win it for Jesus by exhibiting its commitment to being creative. That’s something that captures my imagination. O This article first appeared as a post on the Match Factory blog at matchfactory.org

CAPTAIN CLIFTON IS CORPS OFFICER, ILFORD Salvationist 7 September 2019

FEATURE The Big Collection

If you knew how Christine Thomas introduces this year’s Big Collection and encourages us to do our bit

ANY people work tirelessly to raise money for the Big Collection, which provides money for the Army’s social and community programmes. The 2018 Big Collection raised a total of £1.45 million – a tremendous accomplishment by everyone involved! The theme for this year’s Big Collection is: ‘If you knew how scary it was to be in this situation, you’d help.’ That ‘situation’ can be any of the day-to-day difficulties people helped by The Salvation Army find themselves in. People are scared and feel unsafe because they have lost their home, or because they feel alone and can’t get out to see their family and friends anymore or because they think they need their next fix and don’t know where

it will come from. People are scared and feel unsafe when they are being abused by their partner and don’t know where to turn or when they are exploited and forced to work against their will. The Salvation Army does what it can for those who need our help to feel safe again. You may be asking yourself what you can do. If your corps is involved in house-tohouse collecting but you are unable to take part, you could offer to help count the money, babysit while someone else is collecting or make the collectors a cup of tea when they return.

If your corps organises standing days, you could offer to collect for an hour. At work, you could take a cardboard personal giving box and put it on your desk or somewhere else suitable for people to contribute. You could organise a coffee morning or other event at your corps or in your home and donate the proceeds. Why not have a bake sale, throw a party or run a marathon! You could also donate towards the Big Collection yourself or offer to stand at the shops and sell the War Cry and Kids Alive! in aid of the appeal. The War Cry is featuring the Big Collection for three weeks in September. The editor, Major Andrew Stone, believes that selling papers presents a good opportunity for sharing the Christian message, informing people

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Why not have a bake sale, throw a party or run a marathon!

Making a big difference

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Thousands of people benefit from the work the Big Collection supports. The experiences of Mary and Vera highlight the difference it makes MARY A former resident of William Booth Lifehouse in Birmingham, Mary slept on the streets for 20 years. The Lifehouse provided the sanctuary that she needed to help her focus on healing and to get free of her addiction to drugs and alcohol. She says: ‘I feel like I went to sleep when I was 19 and woke up at the age of 40.’ Facing mental health challenges, including anxiety, Mary tried heroin with the hope it would make her feel better. Sadly, taking the drug led to a long-term addiction and cycle of homelessness. When Mary turned 40, an epileptic fit caused her to break both legs and she 10

Salvationist 7 September 2019

realised she had reached rock bottom. She was referred to the Lifehouse. The Lifehouse team helped Mary develop skills to look after herself, including preparing healthy meals, doing laundry, budgeting her income and managing her bills. The team also helped her claim the benefits to which she was entitled. William Booth Lifehouse Service Manager Edward Dixon says: ‘Mary made the decision that something had to change. Working closely with her support worker we sought to provide a nurturing and caring environment to journey with her as she got back on her feet. Mary’s physical and personal

Mary transformation has been remarkable. We’re so proud of everything she has achieved.’ Mary has now left the Lifehouse and is living in second-stage supported accommodation. She is on the way to getting her own place. She wants to move on and repair relationships with her family, but knows it will take time. O The Army provides more than 3,000 places every night for people

scary it was...

about the Army’s work and raising funds. Major Andrew says, ‘There are a number of corps around the territory who use the sale of the Army papers to generate funds for the Big Collection. One corps in Scotland sells them in a nearby supermarket every Monday morning with a team of ladies who take

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Mary’s physical and personal transformation has been remarkable

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experiencing homelessness in 67 Lifehouses across the UK O More than 8,000 people experiencing homelessness receive help and support at weekly drop-ins VERA Living with dementia, Vera has resided in the Army’s Youell Court Care Home in Coventry for the past four years. The centre caters for up to 40 older people and offers specialist dementia care accredited by Dementia Care Matters under the Butterfly Household Model of Care. Vera is surrounded by loving staff, who bring out her character through chatting, music, singing, affection, group activities, spiritual reflection and worship.

their turn each week. They have built up friendships with the people they meet and new people have started to attend the corps as a result. They even have some people who just go to the supermarket so they can collect their Army paper! ‘The money raised is split between the corps and the Big Collection. For some of these ladies it is the only way they can help and it means that money is coming into the corps throughout the year, which gives it a good start when September comes round.’ Please speak to your corps officer if this is something you might be able to do. The Salvation Army is my church and I feel passionate about it. My corps does wonderful things in the community during the week but because the Army doesn’t have a Lifehouse or older people’s care home nearby, it’s easy to forget about the social work and the wider, amazing services it provides. Raising money for the Big Collection enables that work to continue. If we stopped the Big Collection today, The

Her daughter, Susan, who visits regularly, says: ‘With the Butterfly model they have found a way to stimulate people. There’s lots of fun and laughter and there’s a huge amount of affection. Mum was a farmer’s wife who got on with the job and was dead practical. She had lots of friends and a lovely social life, and to see her enjoying herself is just beautiful, it’s lovely.’ Among a number of changes, Youell Court has abolished uniforms, created cosy home environments and implemented a more relaxed schedule of activities and events. The biggest investment of time has been in staff training. The care home is decorated in vibrant colours, with familiar settings such as a post office and a small old-fashioned shop, lovingly created by Nigel, the care home’s handyman. Each resident has a front door created for them that might help them identify with a previous home, so they can sense familiarity with their

Salvation Army would have to cut back on the services it provides and more people would continue to be scared and feel unsafe, or that they have nowhere to turn. I don’t want that to happen. We can all do our part. What can you do? ‘There will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, “You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land”’ (Deuteronomy 15:11 English Standard Version). O The Big Collection takes place throughout September in England, Scotland and Wales. For more information about the work it supports visit salvationarmy.org.uk/ BigCollection

CHRISTINE IS TERRITORIAL APPEALS OFFICER

Vera and Susan

own room, adding to that safe space. The Army also offers spiritual leadership, pastoral care and worship at the care home. Youell Court Chaplain Hayley Peaple says, ‘We can bring that faith to people, right where they need it. Instead of feeling isolated from church life, church comes to them.’ O The Army provides more than 400 beds for older people across 12 care homes in the UK and Republic of Ireland Salvationist 7 September 2019

FEATURE Eco-congregation

Worshipping in the cathedral of creation Lieutenant Callum Newton explains how Stornoway became The Salvation Army’s first eco-congregation in Scotland

HEN you live on the Isle of Lewis it is very easy to appreciate the wonder of creation. We are surrounded by spectacular and unspoilt beaches, which you can often have all to yourself. We have beautiful mountain scenery towards the Isle of Harris and even more beautiful beach scenery over the other side of Clisham mountain. We have amazing sea life around our coastline with regular sightings of dolphins and whales close to the island and friendly seals in Stornoway harbour. People here have always had a strong connection with nature and make great use of the available natural resources, with crofting and fishing a major part of island life. The vast, desolate moorland is not ignored either, as people cut the peat on the moor into bricks, dry them 12

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out and use them as fuel for fires in winter; the smell of peat fires burning when you pass by homes is fantastic. This cultural appreciation of creation, and God’s hand in it, is reflected in Stornoway’s town motto: ‘God’s providence is our inheritance.’ Because creation is so important to island life, the protection of it is always valued. My wife, Emma, and I arrived in Stornoway in 2015. It wasn’t long before we heard about Eco-Congregation Scotland, which is a movement of Scottish churches committed to addressing environmental issues through their life and mission. It is free to register as an eco-congregation, and a church doesn’t need to have done any

environmental work. Instead, registration is a statement of intent to be concerned about and aware of environmental issues, with a desire to act. I was surprised to find that no Salvation Army congregations were part of this initiative and even more surprised to find that not a single church in the Western Isles was a member. I consulted our corps council and proposed that we become the first in our area to make a public commitment to having a concern for the environment by becoming an eco-congregation. We signed up and Eco-Congregation Scotland sent us a certificate to display and a checklist to work through so we

‘

As people reflect on the beauty of nature, I hope they will find a new and special closeness to God could audit how environmentally friendly we already were. There were tips to help us improve. Some of the steps, such as ensuring recycle bins were available alongside general waste bins, were relatively simple. Others took a little more work, such as reducing plastic and electricity waste. Increased awareness of plastic waste since the broadcast of BBC One’s Blue Planet II has been noticeable in our community, which is on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. As we have a Salvation Army emergency vehicle based on the island, conversations with the THQ Procurement Team to ensure that we are able to use biodegradable cups and cutlery have been an important aspect of our commitment to being an ecocongregation. Having the certificate on prominent display serves as a good reminder to everyone of this commitment. It means we are constantly in conversation about reducing waste and recycling. Our food waste is now used to feed animals or for compost heaps. The compost is then

’

used on an allotment that produces vegetables for our luncheon club. We have people who bring in empty glass jars to take soup home and they are encouraged to reuse the jar, allowing us to send out food without disposable plastic containers. As officers, we are committed to including teaching on creation as a regular part of our ministry. Living in such a beautiful place makes this easier, but it is good to encourage people to look more intentionally for God in the majesty of creation. I read once that the natural world is like God’s great cathedral, a place of worship where there is special closeness to God because he created it. That thought really challenged me and changed my perspective. We have been given God’s masterpiece of a cathedral not only to look after but to use as a place of worship as well. Spoiling that cathedral would only hinder people seeing the majesty of God through what he has made. Emma and I have been blessed to be

in such a beautiful place for our first appointment and to have the support of the corps in being an ecocongregation. I would encourage all corps to consider making a commitment to put creation on their agenda, in teaching and in practice. As people reflect on the beauty of nature, I hope they will find a new and special closeness to God by realising it is special because it was made and touched by his hand. What a place to worship! O To find out how to get involved visit ecocongregation.org LIEUTENANT NEWTON IS CORPS OFFICER, STORNOWAY Salvationist 7 September 2019

REVIEW

The Founder speaks for himself Lieut-Colonel Jenty Fairbank reviews The Life And Legacy Of William Booth by Gordon Taylor

O you think you know all there is to know about the life and legacy of William Booth? After all, you are part of that legacy and have probably been imbibing Booth ‘stuff’ for as long as you can remember. But, as lifelong Salvationist Gordon Taylor has discovered, it is impossible to find, let alone read, everything that has ever been written about William Booth. ‘Even while this book has been in preparation, more resources have become available on the internet,’ Taylor writes. Nevertheless, here’s a book – or rather, two books – to be reckoned with! Taylor attributes the seed for his biography to the publication of Roy Hattersley’s Blood And Fire: William And Catherine Booth And Their Salvation Army in 1999. In my opinion Taylor’s is the superior of the two works. Could it be that Hattersley’s book, which had not a few inaccuracies, launched Gordon Taylor upon a mission of setting the record straight? Either way, after almost ten years of exhaustive research, the two volumes (The Man And His Mission 1829-1878 and The General And His Army 1878-2015) will be the author’s lasting legacy for generations to come, and not only among Salvationists. In the well-worded Foreword, General Brian Peddle writes: ‘Part 1 and Part 2 fuse the anxiety of a life of intentional living, love, marriage and family with the ultimate reality of Booth punctuating history because he responded to a divine call to bring into existence God’s raised-up Salvation Army.’ We begin to see through fresh eyes how Booth punctuated history as the author attempts to convey what it was 14

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actually like to be the Founder, by letting him speak for himself through his public addresses, personal writings and responses to his critics. In July 1987 the Founders’ eldest grandchild, Commissioner Catherine Bramwell-Booth, approaching the end of her long life, took the step of bequeathing to the nation the William and Catherine Booth papers held by their family, as distinct from those reposing in various Salvation Army archives. More than a decade later, Australian David Bennett extracted, edited and published from these papers The Letters Of William And Catherine Booth, providing an invaluable source for Taylor’s work, along with Bennett’s The Diary And The Reminiscences Of Catherine Booth. The early chapters of Part 1 will delight fans of BBC One’s Who Do You Think You Are?, plumbing such resources as The Date-Book Of Remarkable And Memorable Events Connected With Nottingham And Its Neighbourhood, 1750-1850 by John Sutton and the Nottingham Pawnbrokers Association’s minute book, not to mention various parish registers. As in Part 1, so in Part 2: ‘As far as possible, the sources have been left to speak for themselves, without imposing preconceived ideas on the narrative, or prejudging the conclusions,’ writes Taylor. Most helpfully, throughout this mammoth work these sources are detailed in the footnotes so that the reader can see at a glance where the information comes from and explore further to discover additional material and insights.

‘William Booth was a complex character. He worked at a high level of intensity. Few people of his generation travelled so extensively,’ says Taylor. The acknowledgements and footnotes in the second volume give evidence of that extensive travelling, not only from British newspapers but from overseas reports as well. As might be expected, Part 2 contains more pages than Part 1, but only just over 100 more. Don’t be disappointed, therefore, if the index fails to yield an entry for your corps – after all, this is a William Booth biography, not a history of The Salvation Army. Take heart, however: the final two chapters, together with the Epilogue, cover events within living memory for many of us, including the stirring 1965 centenary celebrations and the unforgettable Boundless 2015 international congress marking the Army’s 150th anniversary. But for me, the greatest attractions of these two volumes – and it must be said that, visually, Jooles Tostevin-Hobbs has done a great job on the appealing cover and photo section design – are the passing gems of references hinting at Booth family relationships, which to my knowledge have never been explored in any depth before. Perhaps I shan’t be the only reader of this important work who can feel the idea for another book being born. O The

Life And Legacy Of William Booth is available from SP&S: Part 1 The Man And His Mission 1829-1878 priced £15 and Part 2 The General And His Army 1878-2015 priced £16 (plus postage and packing)

MORE REAR-M MIR RRO OR

SUNG INTO THE KINGDOM General John Larsson (Retired) shares fascinating glimpses of the early Army – 1890-1912

HEN Christian missioner James Dowdle amazed the crowd with his fiddle playing in Pullan’s Theatre, Bradford, he gave an impassioned address on the Prodigal Son. Among those who responded to the mercy seat appeal was John Lawley, a 17-year-old engine lad. When James Dowdle went down to counsel him, he was prompted by an inner urge to sing the lad into the Kingdom. Kneeling beside him, he quietly began to sing into John’s ear: ‘There is a fountain filled with blood,/ Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;/ And sinners plunged beneath that flood/ Lose all their guilty stains’ (SASB 202). James didn’t know it, but John had an innate love for music and had been a singer from childhood – as a returning prodigal himself, he remembered the song from his early years. Hearing the gospel story sung to him personally therefore touched him to the very depths of his being, and by the end of the song it was John who sang out: ‘I do believe, I will believe,/ That Jesus died for me;/ That on the cross he shed his blood/ And now he sets me free.’ This young man who was sung into the Kingdom was destined to sing thousands to faith. John Lawley enrolled as a missioner. When The Christian Mission became The Salvation Army he became a captain. With his warmth and sunny nature, it was well said of him as a corps officer and divisional leader that ‘the common people heard him gladly and loved him much’. In late 1890 he was summoned out of the blue to meet William Booth. The General was grieving the loss of his wife and felt that for his remaining years he

should leave more of the administrative side to Bramwell and return to being an evangelist campaigner – this time with the whole world as his parish. But he needed someone to journey with him and to lead the mercy seat appeal after his preaching. ‘I want someone to help me pull when it comes to the prayer meeting,’ he said to John. ‘Someone who will give his life up to help me to capture souls. I believe you’re the man. Will you come?’ Awed but pleased, John Lawley – now aged 30 – could only say yes. After the General had prayed for his new helper and their work together, he put his hand on his shoulder and exclaimed, ‘Lawley, I’ve annexed you.’ For the next 22 years – until the Founder laid down his sword in 1912 – John was at William Booth’s side in his worldwide work to win souls. Colonel John Lawley was more than an aide-de-camp: he became a key member of William Booth’s ministry team and often led the singing in meetings. When the General had preached he would end with these words: ‘Now, Colonel Lawley will invite you to Jesus.’ From that moment to the end of each meeting John Lawley was in charge. Together they made a ‘Booth and Lawley’ duo. John knew the power of song. He wrote many songs himself. Seven of his are still in the 2015 Song Book Of The Salvation Army, and include such gems as ‘O Happy, Happy Day’ (883) and ‘Wanted, Hearts Baptised With Fire’ (936).

He also knew the power of solo singing. Seeing and hearing John Lawley standing with outstretched arms and singing words of entreaty, seemingly directly to each person in the hall, had an irresistible impact. When John, as a commissioner, later reflected on his life, the man who was sung into the Kingdom said, ‘I think 50 per cent of my best work for many years was done by solo singing.’ The thousands who came to Jesus through his voice will have said ‘yea and amen’ to that.

BIBLE STUDY

Focus on the right path Lieutenant Naomi Kelly encourages us to steer clear of distractions and be ready to do good work STUDY PASSAGE: 2 TIMOTHY 2:15–26

HAT does it mean to be ready to do God’s work? In our study passage, Paul is teaching Timothy that we are to use our lives in a way that honours God. Paul writes about steering clear of situations that might take us away from doing so. Sometimes, this is easier said than done. Paul writes from prison and this is his last letter. Therefore, it is his final opportunity to offer words of wisdom, encouragement and instruction. Paul reminds Timothy that it is important to hold on to sound doctrine, reject error and foolish talk, correctly explain the word of truth and keep his life pure. Paul speaks of ‘God’s solid foundation’ (v19). The Greek word themelios is used to describe the

Through the week with Salvationist – a devotional thought for each day by Major Melvyn Knott

foundations of a building or the founding of an institution. In this instance, it is used to show that God has founded the Church. Paul tells Timothy that this foundation stands firm, sealed with these words: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness’. Like an artist or an architect stamping their work, God has added an inscription that indicates what he intends the Church to be. The initial statement reflects a similar phrase in Numbers 16:5 said by Moses: ‘The Lord will show who belongs to him.’ It indicates that the Church comprises those who belong to the Lord – people who have given themselves wholly to him and are ready to submit to his will.

QUESTIONS O What do you think it means to give yourself wholly to God? O Have you given yourself wholly to the Lord? O What does this look like in your own life? In verses 20 and 21, we see an illustration of different household items and how they are used. Many of us have our best china that is used only on special occasions and an old towel that is used for drying the dog or mopping up spillages. We put different values on the things that we have. Paul encourages us here to value ourselves fully. Paul often urges his readers to stay away from immorality and gives another reminder of it here. He feels that God has made us for great things and that we should not devalue ourselves. Instead, we should be readily available to God.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

All that I am and have,/ Thy gifts so free,/ In joy, in grief, through life,/ I yield to thee./ And when thy face I see,/ My ransomed soul shall be/ Through all eternity/ All, all for thee. (SASB 519)

‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.’ (Matthew 5:16)

It is not with might to establish the right,/ Nor yet with the wise to give rest;/ The mind cannot show what the heart longs to know/ Nor comfort a people distressed./ O Saviour of men, touch my spirit again,/ And grant that thy servant may be/ Intense every day, as I labour and pray,/ Both instant and constant for thee. (SASB 626)

Prayer

Salvationist 7 September 2019

Dear Lord, help me to be a better person. May I walk in your footsteps. May my eyes be open to discover your ways, my mouth speak what is right and my ears be attuned to your guiding voice.

QUESTIONS O What value do you place on yourself? O How would others know that you value yourself? O How do you try to reach your full potential?

What could running towards righteousness, faith, love and peace look like in your life?

Ultimately, Paul sees that some people are out to distort the truth, tell lies and twist words. He warns us not to get caught up in In verse 22, instead of the word ‘flee’, the this but to hold on to the firm foundations of New Living Translation uses ‘run’. I like this. God’s Church and his words instead. Paul warns us not to get involved in It suggests that fleeing from what tempts us quarrels, but rather focus on what is is not always easy. I’ve recently started an important. Lies and different ways of doing NHS Couch to 5K programme and I can certainly testify that running requires effort. things will fade, but God’s firm foundations will never end. Perhaps Paul uses the idea of fleeing/ For example, over the past few years, running to indicate that we need to come away from what tempts us intentionally and the Army in this territory has gone through a number of changes, such as the urgently. Paul’s words here are helpful, as introduction of Fit for Mission, a new he instructs the reader to pursue accounting system and the launch of ‘righteousness, faith, love and peace’. rebranded clothing. We might hold different views on such QUESTIONS changes – and it would be easy to become O Is there anything you need to run away consumed by arguments – but if we are to from?

follow Paul’s teaching, it is important that we do not let such organisational matters distract us from our firm foundations. QUESTIONS Have you ever entered into an argument that you can now see was pointless? O Are there any ideas or words that distract you from God’s firm foundations? O How can you realign your focus? O

As with much of Paul’s writings, he offers us helpful advice on how to live a life built on the firm foundations of God. Time to get the trainers out and run towards righteousness, faith, love and peace.

LIEUTENANT KELLY IS CORPS OFFICER, MIDDLESBROUGH CITADEL

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11 and 12)

Show me your ways and teach me your paths./ Guide me in truth, lead me on;/ For you’re my God, you are my Saviour./ My hope is in you each moment of the day. (SASB 684)

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. (2 Peter 1:5–7)

Make me a channel of blessing today,/ Make me a channel of blessing, I pray;/ My life possessing, my service blessing,/ Make me a channel of blessing today. (SASB 659)

Salvationist 7 September 2019

NEW COMMITMENTS

CARDIFF CANTON: Jessica Brown was enrolled as a soldier by corps ofﬁcer Major David McCaw-Aldworth. She was supported by three generations of Salvationists from both sides of her family. – D. M-A.

CLITHEROE: Danielle Walton, Alma Haydock, Douglas Taylor and Doreen Gillon were welcomed as adherent members by associate leader Territorial Envoy Brenda Wise. Danielle linked up with the corps through the craft class, Alma and Doreen through a Journeys course at St Anns Court, and Douglas through the Cameo club at the invitation of CS Glynis Buller, also pictured. They are all active in the corps and very much part of the family. – E. S.

SOME PHOTOS REMOVED SCUNTHORPE: Dave and Jackie Cowie were welcomed as adherent members by corps ofﬁcer Major Gary Rockey-Clewlow. Jackie returned to the corps after walking past the hall for 40 years, bringing her husband with her. They work hard tending the hall’s garden and keeping the inside pristine. The congregation were thrilled to hear Dave say: ‘This is the ﬁrst step. Who knows what the future holds!’ – E. H.

CUMBERNAULD: Corps ofﬁcer Major Gillian Jackson enrolled Eddie and Muriel McMillan as soldiers. The couple had returned to The Salvation Army after a period of 35 years. They spoke of coming home. – G. J.

BUCKINGHAM: Kamile Kersnaukite, Alex Lott, Summer Malin, Freddie Malin and Chloe Russell were enrolled as the ﬁrst junior soldiers in 19 years by corps ofﬁcer Captain Xander Coleman. 18

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GILLINGHAM: Heather and Steve Goldsbrough were welcomed as adherent members by corps ofﬁcer Major Haris Giannaros. Heather was a member of the corps many years ago and, when the church they attended as a family closed, the couple decided to make the corps their spiritual home along with their son, Nathaniel. – J. M.

Tony Bryant was also welcomed as an adherent member by Captain Xander. Tony loves playing the drums and is happy to have found a spiritual home. – V. C.

LETTERS

ARMY CAPS: PAST THEIR PEAK?

KEEP YOUR HAT ON I AM also aware of the Gloucestershire Constabulary headgear changes but I cannot agree with Polly Fox (Salvationist 17 August) that adopting the baseball cap would be appropriate for the Army. Yes, it is ‘of the moment’, but that is the problem. It is only a fashionable fad that will quickly go the way of kipper ties and flared trousers. I may be in a minority but I regret the decision to phase out the bonnet. It was an iconic and instantly recognisable symbol that served us for more than 100 years, whereas this trend is transitory and will soon be forgotten. Also, we have to remember that we are an ‘army’ and should dress accordingly. Our public image is vital to our spiritual effectiveness. Let’s not throw it away on a passing whim. Cal Cooper Newent

UNIFORM REMAINS A UNIQUE PRIVILEGE CAPS or caps? The recent letter was, I fear, missing the point. Why wear anything on the head as part of uniform at all? Generally speaking, headwear is no longer used among the population of today. At one time, a woman never went anywhere without a hat, and men of varying classes wore either a bowler hat or a cloth cap. The Army bonnet ceased to be fashionable long before it was discontinued. It never was a fashion statement, but it was instantly recognisable and respected. It stood for something.

Does a baseball cap or a hat do that? I remember as a 16-year-old walking through a London council estate, wearing an Army bonnet – nervous, yes, but proud to be a soldier of Christ. We are not human beings going through a temporary spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings going through a temporary human experience. What I am is more important than what I wear, but Salvationists have a unique privilege of proclaiming the gospel through our uniform. Margaret Garland Basingstoke

FOR CASUAL USE ONLY I WAS reading the letter in Salvationist about whether we should wear hats or baseball caps with our uniforms. I have to admit I approached the idea during the paper ministry I used to do in Cardiff. The baseball cap was a lot more comfortable, but I also found that the response from the public was a lot lower. I would say think twice about the baseball cap unless in casual dress. Gwyn Morgan Penarth

IN response to Polly Fox’s letter, I think she makes a pertinent comment on the matter of uniform headgear. There was a time when I would have strongly resisted any suggestion of change in this area, but times change and we need to move on. The peaked cap does not appear to be at home in 21stcentury Britain and I am sure Polly is right in suggesting that the Founder would have welcomed a move to something that is ‘immediately recognisable and relevant’. I have one of those white baseball caps produced for the 2015 Boundless congress with the words ‘The Salvation Army’ clearly visible, and when I go to the corps in warm sunny weather I wear this. In the winter I wear one of those woolly hats available from SP&S with the red shield. I find that both get me recognised as belonging to the Movement. Both are abundantly more comfortable than the peaked cap, more practical and very much cheaper. However, I do recognise that there may be occasions when the formal peaked cap might be more appropriate. David Pickard Major London

DARING TO BE DIFFERENT I AM using the title of a song as the main point of my reply to the letter about caps: I dare to be different. I like the uniform headwear. I don’t see why the Army should copy everyone else and start using baseball caps. I dare to be different, to stand out from the norm. One thing I would say: lots of people have asked me in the past what happened to the bonnet. People even today still link the Army with the bonnet. I am sad they are no longer used. I am not saying bring them back, but they made us stand out. Richard Boryer Havant Salvationist 7 September 2019

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE LOCAL OFFICER APPOINTED O CS Flora Muir, Parkhead MARRIAGE O Greg Waters to Sonia Roberts at Boscombe by Major Richard Mingay WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Golden O David and Irene Payne, Bolton Citadel (20 September) O Majors Brian and Janis Lowndes (20 September) O Majors Alan and Carole Richards (20 September) RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Major Henry Wellman (85 on 15 September) O Major Christine Hird (80 on 19 September) BEREAVED O Nancy Harpum, Gillingham, of her husband Bandsman Reginald Harpum, BM Derek Harpum, Gillingham, of his brother O Fred Simms, Mablethorpe, of his wife Christine O Christine Wilkinson, Louth, of her husband Geoffrey

PROMOTED TO GLORY O Songster Jean Wharton, Darlington O Derek Deacon, Wellingborough O Hazel Mitchell, Southsea OFFICIAL GAZETTE UKI Territory LONG SERVICE 35 years O Major Kevin Rand, Guildford (28 August) ANTHONY COTTERILL Commissioner Territorial Commander

TRIBUTES TOM SELBY, NOTTINGHAM WILLIAM BOOTH MEMORIAL HALLS TOM was born in 1960 into a Salvationist family in Grantham, where he spent many happy years at the corps. He met Lesley when her parents were appointed as corps officers, and so began a lifelong bond. They married in 1982 and were blessed with two children and three grandchildren. Tom adored his family.

ENGAGEMENTS GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE O Uganda Territory, Th 12 Sep â€“ Tu 17 O Finland and Estonia Territory, Th 19 â€“ Sun 22 O Sunbury Court (Generalâ€™s Consultative Council), Tu 24 â€“ Th 26 O IHQ (Family Day), Sat 28 O New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory (congress and commissioning), Mon 30 â€“ Mon 7 Oct THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM O South London divisional celebration, Sat Sun 15 Sep O Renaissance Hotel (Generalâ€™s Consultative Council), Tu 24 â€“ Th 26 THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL O Herts and Essex divisional celebration, Sat Sun 8 Sep O Manchester (Homelessness Services Partnership Trophy), Wed 25* O William Booth College (welcome to the new session of cadets), Sat Sun 29 O Warwick (territorial leaders conference), Mon 30 â€“ Th 3 Oct THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL LEE GRAVES) AND COLONEL DEBORAH GRAVES O IHQ (leaders orientation), Tu 3 Sep â€“ Fri 13 O Leigh-on-Sea (Harvest weekend), Sat Sun 15 O Hadleigh Farm Estate, Th 19 O Cradley Heath (installation of divisional leaders), Sat 21 O William Booth College (welcome to the new session of cadets), Sat Sun 29 O Warwick (territorial leaders conference), Mon 30 â€“ Th 3 Oct INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND O USA Central Territory, Tu 17 Sep â€“ Mon 23 INTERNATIONAL STAFF SONGSTERS O Leicester South, Sat Sun 22 Sep *Territorial Commander only

Salvationist 7 September 2019

Appointed bandmaster in his early twenties, Tom served for 21 years before transferring to Nottingham William Booth Memorial Halls. There, he was recognised for his people skills and spirituality and was appointed as CSM, a position he held until his promotion to Glory. Tomâ€™s commitment to God, his family, the corps and his work remained strong throughout his life. He was a shining example to all he knew, particularly during his last few months. This was evidenced by the crowds that attended his celebration service. â€˜Strength for today, hope for tomorrowâ€™ was his motto. â€“ L. S. PAUL BAKER, GILLINGHAM BORN in Wolverhampton in 1952 to Majors Eva and Leslie Baker, Paul was a keen YP band member and an enthusiastic scout at many different corps. In 1979, after 14 years at Thornton Heath, he married Janette Brodie of Aberdeen and they moved to Gillingham. Their son, Calum, was born several years later. Paul was corps treasurer for a time and a bandsman for 50 years. He was quiet and unassuming, showing his love of God through the way he lived. He struggled with many health problems, having numerous operations on his feet in childhood and a heart bypass in 2006. During the past year he battled illness, undergoing intensive treatment. He was always kind, humble and cheerful despite severe pain, and his faith helped him through the difficult days. His positive outlook left a lasting impression on hospital staff and others. He is greatly missed by his family and friends. â€“ J. B. SALVATIONIST PRICE INCREASE After careful consideration the price of Salvationist will rise from 60p to 70p a week from the 5 October 2019 issue. This is the first increase since April 2006, when the price rose from 50p. Production costs have not stood still over the past 13 years and, while a price increase has been resisted for some time, it is now unavoidable If Salvationist kept pace with inflation since 2006 the price would now be 86p!