3 minute read
The Salvation Army and me
All kinds of people attend, join, volunteer with or work for The Salvation Army. We’ve asked some to tell us about themselves. This week…
CATHERINE LACEY
Stotfold
How did you first come into contact with the Army?
A college friend was a committed Salvationist. She got involved with Canterbury Corps and I went along with her.
What made you want to worship at the Army?
The handshake and warm welcome.
What did you do before retirement?
I was a primary school teacher.
What was the most interesting thing about your work – and the most frustrating?
The most interesting thing was analysing children’s learning and studying challenging behaviour to try and help them. The most frustrating was knowing that my influence was limited by their circumstances.
What one thing would you change about the Army?
Narrow attitudes that limit people’s perception of God. God continues to reveal himself and his written word needs to be creatively interpreted by each generation.
What is your favourite kind of holiday?
Exploring an area of the UK by car, including nature, art, architecture, music and history, and meeting up with friends and family en route.
What was the first record, tape or CD that you ever owned?
An early Beatles single, either Love Me Do or She Loves You.
(Romans 8:38 and 39)
If you could be in a film, which would it be and what character would you play?
The Sound of Music – lavish scenery,c adorable children, plenty of singing, a bit of religion thrown in and Christopher Plummer. I’d be Maria, of course.
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose?
Jane Austen. She was such a witty and astute observer of humankind. I’d love to people-watch with her and listen to her comments.
What is your favourite food?
Potatoes – roasted, sautéed, boiled and, best of all, triple-cooked chips.
What do you do in your spare time?
I sing, do gardening, read, visit historic houses, gardens and churches, play Scrabble, walk, volunteer as a befriender and help to lead school assemblies.
Apart from English, what languages do you know?
A little French, a tiny bit of Russian, anything Latin related to the Mass (the ‘Agnus Dei’, etc) and Italian words linked to food or musical directions.
What is your favourite Bible passage?
Romans 8:38 and 39. It’s so reassuring. Whatever happens to us, whatever horrors afflict our world, we are held in God’s love.
Which Bible figure would you like to meet and what would you ask them?
The writer of John’s Gospel. I would ask him to read it to me. It’s so beautiful, deep and poetic.
What is your favourite hymn or worship song?
‘Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending’ (SASB 260). It speaks of the glorious day of Christ’s coming again. The language Charles Wesley uses is rich, potent and exhilarating.
Is there something about life or the world you’ve never understood?
How some people have no interest in the spiritual aspect of life.
If you could rid the world of one thing, what would it be?
Hatred.
If you had to be handcuffed to one person for a day, who would it be?
Chris Packham. He could give me a guided countryside walk.
Apart from the Bible, which book would you want on a desert island?
Peter Abelard by Helen Waddell.d
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t lie. (‘If you do wrong you’ll get one smack, if you lie about it, you’ll get two.’ My mother’s way of enforcing the advice!)
What is the most valuable thing you possess?
Old family photos. They are priceless and irreplaceable.
