Salvationist October 2018

Farewell to the Chief: Leaders in Transition

How to Avoid the Busyness Trap

Can a Minimum Income Lift People Out of Poverty?

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

October 2018

Salvationist.ca

Perfect Harmony

Filipino and Canadian cultures blend together in Woodstock, N.B.

TOGETHER, WE CAN END GLOBAL HUNGER

To Donate: salvationarmy.ca/giftsofhope

Give generously to the HOME MISSIONS FOCUS FUND during the month of October. Your offering will support ongoing mission initiatives, allow new ministries to begin, and enhance existing programs that are reaching people for Christ.

All money for HOME MISSIONS raised in your division is collected by your divisional headquarters and distributed to selected ministry projects in your division!

2 October 2018 Salvationist

CONTENTS

Salvationist October 2018 • Volume 13, Number 10

Departments

9

5 Frontlines 7 World Watch 16 Live Justly

Halloween Word Search

Hi kids!

G H I C R P E G X P N

On October 31, many children will celebrate Halloween.

They might dress up in a costume, carve a pumpkin or go trick-or-treating.

We’ll Fight

by John McAlister

Halloween can be a lot of fun, but it can 43 also be a scary holiday. Some people dress up as monsters, tell ghost stories and put up frightening decorations. But we don’t need to be scared, at Halloween or any other time, because Jesus is always with us. If your family doesn’t participate in Halloween, you could have a party to celebrate the harvest season, and thank God for all that He has given you.

ISSU

E

17 Not Called?

is for the people that Jesus came to save is for the unconditional love to each one He gave is for the message of Jesus that we should be sharing is for the priceless gift God showed He is caring

The Last to Know

by Ken Ramstead

M R Z L Q T G Y K P M

E X Y E L Y A P P T U

S Q G B M O M E P G T

CANDY CARVING CELEBRATE COSTUME GAMES

If you do go out trick-or-treating, remember to be kind and polite to everyone you meet.

Keep safe and always go with an adult.

Your friend, Kristin

A P A E S W M D N I E

U I L J AW R A N P U I WR A E R F H T S O

I H K T P T G N E B C

A L R E Y B X H W N U

S C A R V I N G T X V

Y D N A C X M P P H C

HALLOWEEN NIGHT PARTY PUMPKIN TREATS

Hap p y Hal l o ween !

How many words can you make from the letters in

TRICK OR TREAT ? ________________________________ ________________________________

is for the King of Kings

________________________________ ________________________________

is for insight He brings

________________________________

is for the nails in His hands

_________________________________

is for our Saviour who gave His life for us

_________________________________

So when you see a pumpkin, remember Jesus and His love for us

Just for Kids

24 Ethically Speaking

Just for Kids is an exciting weekly activity page published by The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda for children ages five to 12, packed with Bible stories, games, puzzles, colouring, jokes and more.

The Bottom Line

by Jessica McKeachie

26 People & Places 30 Salvation Stories A Quiet Voice

by Fae Sturge

Columns 4 Editorial The Upside of Downsizing

by Geoff Moulton

8 Onward An Indescribable Gift

by Commissioner Susan McMillan

25 Grace Notes Doing the Most Good

by Lieutenant Erin Metcalf

20

Features 9 Looking to the Future Colonels Lee and Deborah Graves share parting words of encouragement as they take up international appointments.

Interview by Geoff Moulton

12 Two Countries, One Corps Woodstock Community Church, N.B., brings Filipino and Canadian culture together.

by Kristin Ostensen

Email circulation@can. salvationarmy.org or phone 416-422-6119 to learn how you can receive Just for Kids in your ministry unit.

Cover photo: Kristin Ostensen

Read and share it!

Mission Toronto

THE ARMY HELPS P.5

Thanksgiving Blessings

VOLUNTEER EFFORT P.9

Voice for the Voiceless

BOB’S STORY P.24

Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G

faithandfriends.ca

18 Time Out The Salvation Army’s Cuthbert House helps youth in conflict with the law.

by Giselle Randall

20 Hope for the Hopeless Responding to the global orphan crisis.

by Brandalyn Musial

22 Avoiding Cheap Grace Repentance means more than saying we’re sorry.

by Donald E. Burke

OCTOBER 2018

Fiddles and Family MUSICIANS NATALIE MACMASTER AND DONNELL LEAHY KEEP FAITH AT THE CENTRE OF ALL THEY DO. P.18

Salvationist October 2018 3

EDITORIAL

The Upside of Downsizing

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he editorial department is on the move. This month, we will move from our second-floor offices at territorial headquarters to the fifth floor, where we will be paired with our communications counterparts in public relations and development.

As many officers know from the annual change in June, moving is not always an easy process. In addition to leaving behind a familiar space, it means paring down years of accumulated books, files, furniture and mementos. The process is both liberating and painful. It requires discipline and tough decisions.

One of the most popular downsizing books on the market is The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo. She takes decluttering to a whole new level by asking probing questions: Which items in your house “spark joy” and which don’t?

If it’s not bringing you joy, is it time to let it go?

These can be good questions to apply to our spiritual lives. Is it time we took a spiritual inventory? What do we need to keep and what should we discard? Are we hanging on to things that are cluttering up our lives? Do the ministries we engage in bring us joy? Do they honour God and maximize our earthly resources?

Theologian Frederick Buechner

Salvationist

is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory Brian Peddle General Commissioner Susan McMillan Territorial Commander Lt-Colonel John P. Murray Secretary for Communications Geoff Moulton Editor-in-Chief and Literary Secretary Giselle Randall Features Editor (416-467-3185) Pamela Richardson News Editor, Copy Editor and Production Co-ordinator (416-422-6112) Kristin Ostensen Associate Editor and Staff Writer 4 October 2018 Salvationist

wrote, “Your vocation in life is where your greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.” Lieutenant Samuel Tim has figured out how the two fit together.

It took three calls from God before Lieutenant Tim finally surrendered his life to full-time ministry as an officer, but he has never looked back. Read his story in our “Not Called?” candidates’ series on page 17.

Also in this issue, Lieutenant Erin Metcalf notes that our joy is often stolen by busyness. In a movement where we perpetually feel compelled to “do something,” do we sometimes rob ourselves of the peace that comes with Sabbath rest (see page 25)?

Lastly, we profile Woodstock, N.B., where The Salvation Army has a vibrant Filipino ministry (see page 12). Find out what a “boodle fight” is and how cultural uniqueness is being celebrated in this small community just 100 kilometres west of Fredericton.

In some ways, tidying up is in our natures as editors and designers. One of the editorial department’s key jobs is to cut the verbiage and visual clutter so that you get an easy-to-read, attractive magazine and website.

Translating that to our personal space is a new challenge, but we are learning new ways of being more

Timothy Cheng Senior Graphic Designer Brandon Laird Design and Media Specialist Ada Leung Circulation Co-ordinator Ken Ramstead Contributor Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769.

Member, The Canadian Church Press. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV) © 2011.

All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory and can be reprinted only with written permission.

efficient. Ultimately, the end goal is integration, collaboration and a stronger THQ communications team.

In the meantime, we will continue to bring you the great magazines you’ve come to enjoy. And we hope that they “spark joy” as you read about the good work that is happening around the territory.

GEOFF MOULTON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Subscriptions

Annual: Canada $30 (includes GST/ HST); U.S. $36; foreign $41. Available from: The Salvation Army, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

Phone: 416-422-6119; fax: 416-422-6120; email: circulation@can.salvationarmy.org.

Advertising

Inquire by email for rates at salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org.

News, Events and Submissions Editorial lead time is seven weeks prior to an issue’s publication date. No responsibility is assumed to publish, preserve or return unsolicited material. Write to salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org or Salvationist, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

Mission

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. Salvationist informs readers about the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. salvationist.ca facebook.com/salvationistmagazine twitter.com/salvationist youtube.com/salvationistmagazine instagram.com/salvationistmagazine

FRONTLINES

Texas Band Blesses Salvationists in Nova Scotia

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he Salvation Army in Nova Scotia was pleased to host the Texas Divisional Band (TDB) for a series of events over the August long weekend.

The tour was organized with assistance from Julia Dunn, a former resident of Sydney, N.S., who now resides in Texas and is a member of the TDB. The weekend began with a series of workshops at Sydney Community Church led by members of the TDB. These workshops included IT/AV worship, timbrels and creative dance. At the same time, TDB members who were not involved in the workshops divided into three small ensembles and visited seniors’ homes in Sydney, Glace Bay and

The Texas Divisional Band, with General Linda Bond (Rtd), at Glace Bay Corps

Ontario Central-East Division

welcome meeting

colonel shelley hill

colonel edward hill

territorial secretary for women’s ministries

chief secretary

conducted by Commissioner Susan McMillan Territorial Commander supported by Lieut.-Colonel Sandra Rice Divisional Commander Ontario Central-East Division

hosted at The Salvation Army Oshawa Temple 570 Thornton Road North Oshawa Sunday. November 4th 10:30 a.m.

New Waterford, N.S., where they provided music, worship and activities for residents and staff.

That evening, the TDB, in partnership with Celtic Chorus, hosted a public concert. “All who attended this event were amazed by the level of talent and were blessed as they were ministered to through song,” says Major Corey Vincent, corps officer, Sydney Community Church. All proceeds from the event, as well as food donations, will support Salvation Army food banks on Cape Breton Island.

On Sunday morning, Salvationists from across the island gathered at Glace Bay Corps to worship, with 300 people filling the building. The TDB conducted the service with Major Anthony Juliana, divisional secretary for program, Texas Division, delivering the message. The service was attended by General Linda Bond (Rtd), who happened to be visiting Glace Bay and graciously welcomed the band to her home town.

The band’s visit to Cape Breton concluded that evening with a policeescorted march of witness, followed by a concert at Wentworth Park.

Following this tour of the island, the TDB travelled to Halifax where they participated in the city’s Natal Day Parade and presented a concert at the Halifax Public Gardens bandstand.

“The Texas Divisional Band were a delight to host and our lives are much richer for having met them,” concludes Major Vincent. “We were impressed not only by their love for music, but also their love for Jesus, which they keep at the centre of everything they do.”

Salvationist October 2018 5

FRONTLINES

T

Ottawa Army Hosts Summer Night Market

he Salvation Army’s Bethany Hope Centre in Ottawa launched a successful new initiative this summer called the Night Market on Fox, which was held in the centre’s parking lot every Friday evening from June to August.

Unique to Ottawa, the Night Market featured a variety of vendors, offering patrons locally sourced fresh produce and food, including baked sweets, take-home curries, fudge, homemade ice cream, preserves and more. A number of local artisans also had booths at the market, providing crafts such as jewelry, candles and sewn items.

“We are pleased with our first season of the Night Market,” says Naomi Praamsma, executive director, Bethany Hope Centre. “We saw an immediate interest from the local community in the Bethany Hope Centre’s programs and in the market’s model, which brings people together to connect over food while supporting local vendors and products.”

The Night Market is the result of two programs for young families at the centre: the Nourish Family Food Centre, a multi-faceted initiative that aims to improve access to healthy,

Community members enjoy the Night Market on Fox at The Salvation Army’s Bethany Hope Centre

S

affordable and locally grown food; and Hope Ventures, an entrepreneurship and employment training program. The Night Market did not charge any fees to vendors, instead adopting a “donate what you can” model.

“The Night Market came about as part of our local poverty reduction project,” notes Praamsma. “Part of our three-year program proposal was that in the third year we would establish a small social enterprise that would create opportunities and a positive work environment for young entrepreneurs, while allowing us to reach out to the community.”

“We hired young people through the Youth Services Bureau to work at the Night Market, helping them gain work skills and build their resumés,” says Dennise Yarema, co-ordinator of the Nourish Family Food Centre. “The money that we received through donations all goes back into our Hope Ventures program.”

Along with vendors, the Night Market had entertainers on site, as well as picnic tables and a children’s playground, to encourage patrons to stay and learn more about the centre.

“The number of people walking through the market this year was wonderful,” says Yarema. “There were lots of kids and most of the people I spoke with said they visited the market every week, so the community engagement was huge.”

The Bethany Hope Centre wrapped up the Night Market for the summer with a free community party called Rock the Block, hosted by Sam Laprade of An Hour to Give on 1310 News, with performances by Grace Bakker, Molly Henderson and Matt Chaffey.

Looking to the future, the Bethany Hope Centre hopes to find opportunities to grow the market next summer.

“We appreciate the support we’ve received and we want to continue to reach out and find ways to engage over things that are meaningful, not just to the people we serve but to the whole community,” says Praamsma.

New Divisional Leader for Bermuda

alvationists and friends from across the Bermuda Division gathered at North Street Citadel in Hamilton in August for the installation of Major Sandra Stokes, divisional commander, divisional director of women’s ministries and divisional secretary for spiritual life development. The welcome service was conducted by Colonel Lee Graves, chief secretary, and Colonel Deborah Graves, territorial secretary for women’s ministries. Musical support was provided by the Bermuda Divisional Band, divisional worship team and a men’s chorus from the Army’s Harbour Light centre.

Henrietta Bean, corps sergeant-major, West End Community Church, offered words of welcome. In a moving moment, Bean held Major Stokes’ hands heavenward as a sign of support for the new divisional leader, calling to mind how Aaron and Hur held Moses’ hands up in order to win a battle (see Exodus 17:8-15).

Colonel Deborah Graves read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, which was the focus of Major Stokes’ message. Sharing first about her ordination and commissioning as an Ambassador for Christ (1987-1989), Major Stokes encouraged all who attended to 6 October 2018 Salvationist

partner together in the ministry of reconciliation. “It’s our purpose and it’s our calling as followers of Jesus Christ,” she said.

Local dignitaries attend the installation service: from left, Canon Norman Lynas, representing the Anglican bishop of Bermuda; Colonel Deborah Graves; Colonel Lee Graves; John Rankin, governor of Bermuda; Mjr Sandra Stokes; Lovitta Foggo, member of Parliament; and Constance Dierman, U.S. consul general to Bermuda

WORLD WATCH

IHQ Bids Farewell to Retiring Leaders, Welcomes New Team

O

n August 3, 2018, General Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle began their service as the international leaders of The Salvation Army following the retirement of General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox, World President of Women’s Ministries.

On the Coxes’ final day of service, The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters (IHQ) held a farewell meeting in London, England. Various members of the IHQ staff paid tribute to the outgoing leaders, commending them for their commitment and character.

A clearly moved Commissioner Cox said the past five years at IHQ and travelling the world had been “a time of challenge, joy—everything!” but added that she was thankful to God for all his blessings.

The farewell meeting included the unveiling of a portrait of General André Cox, which will be displayed alongside portraits of his predecessors. The General explained that he had requested that the portrait include a globe and symbols from the 2015 Boundless International Congress. As Chief of the Staff, then Commissioner Brian Peddle presented the General and Commissioner Cox with their retirement certificates, saying he did so “on behalf of a grateful Salvation Army.”

The General responded by saying that he and Commissioner Cox had been on “an incredible and unexpected journey.” Then he had words of challenge for the congregation. “Christian witness,” he told them, “is not just about spoken words but how we live our lives.”

He warned against looking down on people and referred to the religious authorities who complained about Jesus spending time with tax collectors and other undesirables. “I wish The Salvation Army was known for its association with the ‘wrong type of people,’ ” he said. “We have to roll up our sleeves and get involved in the messiness of life.”

When it was time for the international leaders to take their leave, IHQ staff and officers gathered at the door to bid them a fond farewell. After greeting each person in turn, the General and Commissioner Cox walked out of IHQ and into a well-earned retirement.

Incoming General Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, World President of Women’s Ministries, received an official welcome to IHQ on August 6. The meeting also served as a welcome for Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham, Chief of the Staff, and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, World Secretary for Women’s Ministries, who, along with the Peddles, began their new roles on August 3.

Giving a prayer of dedication to God for the new leadership team, Commissioner Benjamin Mnyampi, international secretary for Africa, recognized that the Lord had “been in the business of preparing them.” He prayed: “Hold their hands, Lord, and may they see you working in and through them.”

Commissioner Rosalie Peddle spoke about the “incredible privilege and honour” she and the General felt in taking charge of The Salvation Army. She added that she couldn’t think of a better place to be than “here, with our IHQ family.”

General Brian Peddle paid tribute to his predecessor, General

General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox leave IHQ as they retire

General Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle take the salute during a welcome meeting at IHQ

André Cox, and Commissioner Silvia Cox, and introduced Commissioners Lyndon and Bronwyn Buckingham as “people of character and value.” Then, looking back on his 41 years as a Salvation Army officer, he made clear that the potential he was now realizing was only possible “because I said ‘yes’ with no conditions.”

Referring to the promise in Isaiah 41:10 where God told his people not to be afraid or dismayed because he would strengthen, help and uphold them, the General declared: “I am not afraid! And I don’t anticipate being dismayed!”

Salvationist October 2018 7

ONWARD

An Indescribable Gift As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s rededicate ourselves to God.

BY COMMISSIONER SUSAN McMILLAN

8 October 2018 Salvationist

Photo: © skynesher/iStock.com

W

e live in an age of entitlement. We believe we have a right to what we have, and what we don’t have is owed to us.

We think we worked or fought for what we have or accomplished, and have only ourselves to thank.

It’s a dangerous attitude, isn’t it? To demand satisfaction only gives others the right to make such demands upon us, however unreasonable they may seem.

Society becomes more litigious and less forgiving, more retaliatory and less considerate of others.

The Book of Nehemiah is a beautiful story of leadership and teamwork, culminating in thanksgiving. This gem has a lot to teach us.

Consider the determined leadership of Nehemiah, who heard about a significant need and did all he could to rectify the situation. Nehemiah was part of a group of Israelites who had been exiled and were living in Persia. He was an employee at the king’s palace when he received word of the desperate state of Jerusalem. The walls surrounding the city were in ruins, leaving this holy place and the inhabitants exposed to constant ransacking and violence.

Nehemiah’s first act was to pray and place himself at God’s disposal. He then travelled to Jerusalem to meet with the people, and laid out plans to rebuild the city walls. They faced many obstacles, including threats from those who didn’t want to see the Israelites prosper in this endeavour, but under Nehemiah’s godly leadership, they persevered and got the job done.

Once the wall was completed, God’s people held a service of dedication and thanksgiving. One might think they dedicated the wall and thanked themselves for all the hard work, but no. They dedicated themselves and thanked God for all his wonderful blessings.

The dedication service resulted in a revival. They listened as the Word of

They brought offerings to God in thankful worship, and praised his mighty works.

God was read and explained for the first time in a long time by the scribe, Ezra.

His Spirit-inspired speaking reached the hearts of the people with the life-bringing Word of God. They were inspired to recommit themselves to Jehovah and to live faithfully, according to his will— hence the dedication. The head of each family signed a covenant, confirming that the people would follow the law of God and obey him only from that day forward.

The service of dedication for the wall was a thanksgiving service, when the people praised God for his faithfulness in working through them to build the wall. It must have been quite an event.

Scripture tells us of not one, but two large choirs singing from the ramparts of the wall, one answering the other in song, and a band to accompany the singers.

The people rejoiced and the sound of their jubilance could be heard far away from Jerusalem. They brought offerings to God in thankful worship, and praised his mighty works.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this month, shouldn’t we take the opportunity to rededicate ourselves to God and thank and praise him for all that he has done? Let’s not sit around the table after dinner and say: “I’m thankful for….” Let’s say: “I praise God and thank him for….”

And wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could each say: “Lord, I rededicate myself to you. Lead me in your righteous paths.”

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Commissioner Susan McMillan is the territorial commander of the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Follow her at facebook.com/ susanmcmillantc and twitter.com/ salvationarmytc.

Looking to the Future Colonels Lee and Deborah Graves share parting words of encouragement as they take up international appointments.

A

What thoughts went through your minds when you first received your new appointments?

Colonel Lee Graves: After receiving word of the appointment change my immediate thought turned to covenantal availability. When we became officers we said that we would be available anytime and anywhere that we were asked to serve—and we meant it. Then my mind went to children and grandchild naturally. There’s a renewed dependency on the Lord as we trust in his plan.

Colonel Deborah Graves: The word “surreal” comes to mind. It was the furthest thought from my mind. What an awesome privilege to be asked to serve in another territory. It’s reassuring to realize that we already know a number of people in London, England. Though the countries and cultures are different, we are one Army.

What are you most looking forward to in your new roles?

DG: Mine is a newly created role as territorial secretary for leader development, so it will take time to understand the needs of the territory and how I can contribute. Being at the heart and hub of the international Army is also exciting—it

Photo: Timothy Cheng

s of November 1, Colonels Lee and Deborah Graves, currently serving respectively as chief secretary and territorial secretary for women’s ministries and integrated missions secretary in the Canada and Bermuda Territory, will be taking up new appointments as chief secretary and territorial secretary for leader development in the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland.

In anticipation of this change of appointment, Geoff Moulton, editorin-chief, sat down with the Graves to discuss fond memories of Canada and Bermuda, hopes for their future ministry and the legacy they want to leave behind.

Colonels Lee and Deborah Graves

doesn’t get any closer to the beginnings of our Army roots.

LG: It will be exciting to serve in a territory where the Army has its deepest roots. It will mean learning unique cultures, recognizing that the territory is comprised of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Canada and Bermuda Territory has invested in me for more than 35 years as an officer, for which I am grateful. This is an opportunity to apply my practical learning in another territory. I look forward to finding my way in a new context, meeting officers and soldiers, visiting corps and ministry units, and supporting the territorial commander in the fulfilment of the mission.

What will you miss most about the Canada and Bermuda Territory?

DG: The diversity of the people, from Newfoundland and Labrador to Bermuda to British Columbia to the northern territories and all points in-between. We’re

all the same in our focus on mission, yet the differences in culture are refreshing.

LG: I would add that we’ll miss family, friends, ministry relationships and work colleagues—people we interact with every day who bring so much to the territory and who have spoken so much into our lives.

Can you list highlights of your tenure as leaders in the Canada and Bermuda Territory?

LG: In a very short period of time, we’ve had the joy of experiencing two wonderful congresses, one in the Newfoundland and Labrador Division in 2017 and more recently in the Ontario Central-East Division. It was a joy to watch committed people come together to celebrate their faith journeys and to witness the commissioning of cadets. I was thrilled to attend the Officership Information Weekend in October 2017 at the College for Officer Training in Winnipeg where 90 people were encouraged to seek the Salvationist October 2018 9

Photo: Yves Montoban

Colonel Graves, Salvationists and members of the community cut the ribbon to open the new Salvation Army primary health centre and social services office in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

What territorial initiatives would you like to see flourish in the days ahead?

LG: I would list a number of important 10 October 2018 Salvationist

areas where we are making progress.

We have made it a priority to be highly inclusive and collaborative in our conversations all across the territory at every level. We have been designing territorial leaders’ and executive leaders’ conferences in a highly participatory way as we consult on agendas. The territory also launched a complexity workgroup, a team of leaders from all levels that will

Photo: Matthew Osmond

will of God, making that a priority. We’ve also enjoyed officer and leaders’ retreats and visits to ministry units. Corps and ministry unit visits have allowed the inspiration needed to keep the focus on the mission.

I’m encouraged that this territory, under the leadership of our territorial commander and with the support of the Chief of the Staff, had the wisdom to appoint an assistant chief secretary for organizational development to help us move strategy forward in practical and tangible ways, tackling major undertakings such as organizational complexity.

I believe we are the only territory in the Army world with a lay Salvationist in an assistant chief secretary role. This is progressive and strengthening to the territory.

DG: For me, the highlight has been travelling and meeting so many amazing people across the territory. I think about the opportunity to visit the new Salvation Army corps plant in the north end of Winnipeg and to see how their small group of committed people has reached out and embraced their community. I also think of the Hobiyee event for Nisga’a new year in Gitwinksihlkw, B.C., where the Army has learned from our Indigenous members.

make recommendations regarding how the Army can maximize resources and minimize the administrative workload.

Leadership development is undertaking work that will help us understand what skill sets we want officers to acquire by their eighth year of officership. I am also pleased to see more and more lay Salvationists bringing their expertise to key employment and lay leadership positions in the territory. Finally, I am pleased that we are seeing kingdom gains as a result of the continued focus on the outcomes related to the seven territorial priorities.

DG: I’d like to mention SALT, an integrated mission initiative that equips people to engage in their community.

We read in Matthew 5:13-16 about being salt and light in the world. SALT training is being made available to Salvationists across the territory. The second initiative that is being released early next year is Mission 7-17, a new women’s ministries resource that focuses on girls aged 7-17 to address current issues such as antihuman trafficking and self-respect. Girls in our territory were surveyed last summer to find topics that are relevant and current to them. Women’s ministries will be working with the children and youth ministries department to develop this resource that engages girls through community and family services programming and in the wider community.

Colonel Graves and Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, at the 2017 Officership Information Weekend in Winnipeg with delegates who are considering God’s call to be officers in The Salvation Army

What’s the most important thing you have learned in your current role that you will carry forward to your new appointment?

DG: The importance of team has been affirmed for me—working together with others to accomplish a common goal.

We are so much stronger when we work together and hear other perspectives.

And of course the comfort in knowing that I can’t go anywhere that the Lord can’t find me or use me!

LG: The importance of a strong working relationship with the territorial commander, which I have enjoyed.

There has to be a rhythm because our two roles hold each other accountable.

The need for careful attention to be given to the focus on General André Cox’s (Rtd) call to accountability in finance, governance, impact measurement and child protection is increasingly important for us today. It is also crucial to develop working relationships with International Headquarters, other territories, territorial executive and department head leaders. Lastly, I think of the importance of connecting with soldiery, friends and employees across the territory in order to listen and learn together.

What would you say to the incoming chief secretary and territorial

secretary for women’s ministries?

LG: I would say enjoy every day, and maximize the skill and talent and resources that will be all around you. Embrace the vastness of our geography, the diversity of our people and the depth of commitment evident in our officers, employees, soldiers, volunteers and many friends.

DG: Love and embrace the people. You’ll be stronger and accomplish more for the kingdom with them on your team.

Do you have any parting words of encouragement for Salvationists?

DG: Sesame Street had a segment on the show that asked, “Who are the people in your neighbourhood?” My encouragement is to take a walk through the neighbourhoods where you worship.

Engage with people, learn their names and find out what they contribute to your community. Find people who you can share life with and, in doing so, spread the love of Jesus. As the Bible says, be salt and light.

LG: In the complexity and busyness of life, the continual temptation is to yield to the distraction of worldly living. But don’t do it! Keep the main thing the main thing: a vibrant relationship with Christ and holy living. Don’t sacrifice what it means to be The Salvation Army. Let’s be everything God needs us and calls us to be today.

Photo: Ken Ramstead

Photo: Pamela Richardson

How has the concept of integrated mission taken hold in the territory?

DG: People are talking about it and starting to understand that integrated mission is not a program, but a way of life. As one of the territorial strategic priorities, it’s always in front of people and championed from the territorial commander down to the local divisional champions. It is different from collaborative ministry, which is when we bring ministry units together under one roof to further mission. Simply bringing community and family services into the corps building is not enough. Integrated mission is about intentionally building new bridges into our communities.

We’re also learning from our partners in Latin America through ELAMI, an acronym which translates as Latin America Integrated Mission Team.

I’ve had the opportunity to attend their conference for the last four years, together with representatives from our territory. We have a lot to learn from our friends in Latin America. They can teach us so much about how we connect with our neighbours and how we embrace our communities—focus on the strengths of people, not on their needs.

With integrated mission we choose to emphasize what is strong, not what is wrong.

Colonels Graves support the Christmas kettle effort in Toronto

Colonel Graves, Commissioner McMillan and Hector Hill G’yax, from the House of Wiiseks, Gitsegukla, B.C., with the Army’s eagle staff at the 2017 Celebration of Culture: A Journey of Reconciliation event at Pine Lake Camp, Alta. & N.T. Div

Salvationist October 2018 11

Two Countries, One Corps Woodstock Community Church, N.B., brings Filipino and Canadian culture together.

Answer to Prayer In 2015, when Majors Angel SandovalSilva and Marlene Sandoval became corps officers in Woodstock, there were no Filipino families attending the church. With the arrival of Eleanor and Armando, that number has grown to 10 families who are now dedicated members of the corps, serving in various ministries.

Located an hour’s drive from Fredericton, Woodstock is home to around 5,000 people. It’s not a place where you would expect to find a significant Filipino population, but the Tiams and many other families have come there for work.

That source of work is Jolly Farmer, which operates a 10.3-acre greenhouse just south of Woodstock and 12 October 2018 Salvationist

Photos: Kristin Ostensen

E

leanor Tiam eyed the building with curiosity. Having recently immigrated to Canada from the Phillipines, she had never heard of The Salvation Army before. Yet two words on the sign jumped out at her.

“It said ‘community church’ and that caught my attention,” she recalls with a smile.

At first, Eleanor and her husband, Armando, thought it might be a church just for people in the military. But every time she passed the building, Eleanor felt a tug on her heart, telling her to check it out.

“We needed to be in a place where we could grow and mature in our faith, and we’d been praying about which church we should go to,” she says. “The Lord directed us to this place.”

When the Tiam family walked through the doors of Woodstock Community Church, N.B., one Sunday in July 2016, it was a new beginning for the Tiams—and for the church, as well.

BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN

Leah and Ariel Abiertas are members of the worship team at Woodstock CC

employs up to 250 people during peak season. The company brings in many Filipino workers, and has a partnership with a Christian denomination in the Philippines that sends members to the farm in Woodstock.

This context makes Woodstock Community Church a good fit for Majors Angel and Marlene, who immigrated to Canada from El Salvador 32 years ago, escaping the country’s brutal civil war.

Intercultural ministry comes naturally to them “because we know what we faced as new immigrants,” says Major Marlene.

Armando has worked at Jolly Farmer since 2007, returning to the Philippines for one or two months each year. Eleanor and their daughter, Alisha, joined him in Woodstock in 2016.

When the family started attending the Army, they immediately found a

warm welcome. “The group touched our hearts,” says Armando.

“We started simply fellowshipping with the majors,” says Eleanor. “We would talk with them and they were very open, very accommodating. We didn’t expect that.”

“There are similarities between their culture and ours, so we can easily interact with each other, even though with our English and their English—there are some barriers,” Armando says with a laugh.

Within a few weeks of attending the corps, Eleanor and Armando were eager to serve, beginning with the Sunday morning worship service.

“When the Tiams first came, we didn’t have any musicians so we were using CDs or YouTube,” explains Diane Schriver, corps sergeant-major.

“The Lord touched us to use our talents as we had done in the Philippines,” says Armando, who plays the guitar while Eleanor sings and leads worship.

Over the past two years, they have built up a thriving music ministry.

“It was definitely an answer to prayer,” says Diane. “We were praying for a piano player, and as it turns out, we were limiting God because he sent us a whole worship team!”

Gathering Space Once Eleanor and Armando became involved at the corps, they wasted little time in inviting their friends. They found the perfect opportunity to bring people in with Eleanor’s birthday party—Majors Angel and Marlene had offered the church hall as a gathering space.

“I said, ‘Lord, if I make food for them, they will come to the church, and probably they’ll be curious.’ This was my hidden agenda,” says Eleanor with a smile.

About 80 people came to the party and met the corps officers and The Salvation Army. A subsequent New Year’s Eve party hosted by the Tiams offered another opportunity for the officers to meet members of the Filipino community.

“They came and spent the whole night with us,” notes Eleanor. “That’s an asset of the majors—they don’t limit themselves to time; if you are with them, time is unlimited.”

The party was a significant turning point for the church’s relationship with the Filipino community. “It was the icebreaker for them to start knowing us and

“We’re so thankful that the Army embraced us with open arms,” says Eleanor Tiam, with her husband, Armando, and their daughter, Alisha

coming to the church,” says Major Angel.

“Afterward, they said to us, ‘Why don’t you visit us individually, as a family?’ ” adds Major Marlene. “So we took the time to visit every family, and we organized a group gathering where they could ask all the questions they wanted to know about The Salvation Army.”

Within a few months, Woodstock Community Church was full of new faces.

Settled In The Paways were one of the first families to join the church after an invitation from Eleanor and Armando.

“As you come in this church, they embrace you and let you feel that you are

“We were looking for a church, and with this church, our prayers were answered,” says Leonardo Arogante, with his son, Jessie, and Mjrs Angel Sandoval-Silva and Marlene Sandoval

a part of it,” says Joseph Paway. “There is no racism. Whoever you are, you are welcome here. They don’t see where you are from, what is your colour, what is your language, but all are welcome.”

Joseph first came to Canada to work for Jolly Farmer in 2007. His wife, Naty, and their sons Richwill and Lemuel joined him in 2016. It was a difficult transition for the family, and the support they’ve received from the corps has been invaluable.

“Majors Angel and Marlene visited us and they said, ‘Whatever you need, just tell us and we will see if we can help,’ ” Joseph says. “And that’s what they’ve done. We needed some encouragement, especially my family, because, the first time they came here, they really wanted to go back to the Philippines.

They felt homesick, missing our loved ones there. When we asked for help, the majors came and comforted us, prayed for us, and hugged us. They didn’t say, ‘We are busy, can you wait?’ They came when we needed them.”

Their relationships-first approach to ministry has been key to the church’s growth. “We have many people asking us, ‘What is happening in The Salvation Army now?’ ” says Major Marlene.

“And we say, it’s simple,” continues Major Angel. “We don’t do anything special. We pray, we ask God for guidance, and we visit the people.”

Now settled in at the church, the Paway family have been active with the Christmas kettles and the Army’s Partners in Mission campaign, and Joseph has joined the worship team.

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Joseph Paway and his sons Richwill and Lemuel enjoy a game of foosball in the youth room at Woodstock CC

Beautiful Music Music ministry has been a common entry point for many of the new Filipino members of the church. Ariel and Leah Abiertas, who also work for Jolly Farmer, are involved with worship at the corps and beyond. Leah leads worship, alternating Sundays with Eleanor, and the couple has occasionally performed at other local churches.

“Some churches have invited us to go and sing if they are having a fundraiser, and the majors go with us,” says Ariel.

“Every time we go, we introduce ourselves as part of The Salvation Army,” adds Leah. “We tell them, this is our church.”

Participation in the worship team is also a family affair for Leonardo Arogante, who attends the corps with his wife, Lourdes, and five children. He sings on Sundays and three of his children are playing and learning to play instruments at the church.

“They love to come to church every Sunday because of the music ministry here,” says Leonardo.

“It’s so nice,” agrees Leonardo’s son, Jessie, who plays drums with the worship team.

Involvement with music ministry has given the new members a way to take ownership of the church, and their contributions have been greatly appreciated by the congregation. “When they’re up there, they’re not just singing, they’re worshipping,” says Diane. “It’s amazing.

They’re such an example to all of us.”

14 October 2018 Salvationist

Children’s Time With so many new families attending, the corps suddenly had need of a Sunday school program. Leah initially spearheaded the effort, which has since been taken over by other members.

Ning van Rhijn, who attends the church with her husband, Remko, and their daughters Lianna and Tala, is one of the Sunday school teachers. She and her family first came to the church in December 2016 after Eleanor invited them to a children’s Christmas pageant.

“The kids liked it and they wanted to keep coming,” Ning smiles.

One of the highlights of the Sunday service for the young ones is Children’s Time, which includes a short, kidfocused devotional message.

“Children’s Time, when we all go to the front of the church, is my favourite thing to do,” says Lianna, 10. “We learn about God, but it’s the kids way, instead of the grown-up way.”

“The church is really nice and it inspires me to be a better person than I already am,” adds Tala, 8. “It gives you a nice feeling in the morning because it’s so many friends in this one place, gathering to worship the Lord. It’s amazing.”

Finding the right environment for their children is a priority for Ning and Remko, who immigrated to Canada from Belgium in 2013. “Canada is one of the best countries in the world to live in and grow up in,” says Remko. “It gives them a good start in life.”

Life in Woodstock does have its challenges, however. Remko is a long-haul truck driver, which means he is on the road most of the time and home only four or five days a month. Having a supportive church and corps officers makes a significant difference for the family.

“It’s more than a church; it’s a community,” says Remko. “I like the fact that it does more than just preach the Word.

They are actually there for each other, try to help each other. It’s more than going to church on Sunday, and then living

Prayers for Home In March 2017, it was Woodstock Community Church’s turn to host the local World Day of Prayer service. “Every year, they focus on a different country, and that year, it was the Philippines,” says Diane. “If that’s not a God thing!”

Major Marlene asked Eleanor to spearhead the organizing of the event, and she recruited many volunteers to cook traditional food, and perform Filipino dances and songs while wearing traditional costumes. “It was a beautiful celebration, and we were so proud to present the Philippines for the first time,” says Eleanor.

A World Day of Prayer event at Woodstock CC focused on the Philippines. From left, Mjr Angel SandovalSilva, Naty Paway, Mjr Marlene Sandoval, Eleanor Tiam, Vilma Canilao, and Mjrs Cavell and Wayne Loveless, ACs, Maritime Div

“It’s more than a church; it’s a community,” says Remko van Rhijn, with his wife, Ning, and their daughters Lianna and Tala

your own life the rest of the week. Majors Angel and Marlene are doing an incredibly good job when it comes to that.”

Ning agrees. “The compassion and the genuine care that they have for everyone is inspiring and touching.”

Growing Together As more newcomers have joined the church, there have been many opportunities for practical ministry, whether it’s helping people find housing and furniture, or obtain a driver’s licence.

“We learned how the system works in Canada from the majors,” says Eleanor.

“When it comes to money and taxes, it is extremely different from the Philippines, so that has helped us a lot.”

One key area of concern for Majors Angel and Marlene is workers’ rights, as they’ve educated their newcomers about issues such as vacation time and over-time pay. “If you don’t know the laws, people will try to take advantage of you,” notes Major Angel.

For the families that work at Jolly Farmer, coming to church on Sunday requires a special effort, as the farm’s official “day off” is Saturday.

“They made an agreement with Jolly Farmer to start early in the morning, stop at 10 a.m. and come back at 1 p.m. because they want to be in church,” says Major Angel.

“Coming to church is a big help for growing spiritually,” says Leonardo.

“There is a good message every Sunday, and if you feel like you’re struggling, that message is going to be a big bless-

ing for you.”

Along with Sunday services, many newcomers have joined the church’s adherency classes.

“Those classes have opened our eyes to know the doctrines of The Salvation Army, so it’s very helpful for us to understand the reason why we are here,” says Armando.

“It’s very informative,” adds Leah. “I didn’t know that The Salvation Army was so big!”

The adherency classes are an important part of helping the new families integrate with the corps, along with various special events that have allowed existing members to become familiar with Filipino culture (see boxes “Prayers for Home” and “Ready! Set! Fight!”).

But one of the most effective ways that the corps has brought its Canadian and Filipino members together is also one of the simplest: coffee hour.

“It’s nice because that way we can be closer,” says Ariel. “It’s not just go to church and go home. You want to mingle with people, share something, and if you see somebody’s too quiet, maybe they need a word of encouragement that you can give.”

Now a member of the corps council, along with her husband, Armando, Eleanor is grateful that God led her to that “Army church” near her house.

“The Lord is moving in this place,” she concludes. “We’re so thankful that the Army embraced us with open arms, with no limitations. We don’t take it for granted. We are a part of the family here.

We love it.”

Ready! Set! Fight!

Most people would want to avoid a food fight. But what about a boodle fight?

Woodstock Community Church hosted its first boodle fight in July 2017, which is a meal that is consumed by hand, with no dishes or cutlery. It’s a military-style meal, served on banana leaves that are spread out on one long table. Diners stand shoulder to shoulder while they eat—there are no chairs.

Canadian Salvationists at Woodstock CC experience their first boodle fight

While culturally educational, the meal was a fun experience for both Filipino and Canadian corps members. “That’s one event that bridged the gap between our cultures. We were laughing, trying to fight over the food, like, ‘Give me that one!’ ” Eleanor says with a smile. “Some people found it exciting, some found it hard, but most people enjoyed it.”

Salvationist October 2018 15

We’ll Fight The Salvation Army’s social justice heritage remains relevant—and necessary—today.

BY JOHN McALISTER

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ocial justice is not a new initiative or catchphrase for The Salvation Army. From its earliest days, the Army has sought not only to meet people’s most basic needs, but also to address the root causes of their distress.

When the Army’s co-founder, William Booth, learned about the plight of people sleeping outside under bridges in London, England, he challenged his son, Bramwell, to “Go and do something!” While this lively discussion between father and son sparked the early development of the Army’s longstanding emergency shelter ministry, it seems clear that the original intent was to quickly address the immediate and unsatisfactory living conditions of London’s homeless population. The provision of emergency shelter was not viewed as an end in itself, but rather as a way for the Army’s leaders to better understand and then address the social ills that plagued the people in their care, such as alcohol addiction, unsafe working conditions, inadequate housing, low wages and generational poverty.

For example, some of the people helped by the early Army were employed in match factories that paid low wages and required them to work with white phosphorus, which caused an occupa16 October 2018 Salvationist

tional disease called phossy jaw that was painful and disfiguring. In response, the Army opened its own match factory that not only used the much safer, but more expensive, red phosphorus, but also paid higher wages to its employees, provided tea breaks and ensured the facility was adequately lit. In addition, the Army launched a public campaign to encourage local retailers to buy their matches instead of the cheaper versions produced by other factories. Once other match factories adopted similar working conditions, the Army closed its match factory, as its social justice goals in this instance had been met.

As the early Army spread around the world, it carried this spirit of social justice with it. At the start of the last century, the Army in Canada recognized the challenges faced by people caught in the justice system. Perhaps foreshadowing the later words of William Booth, “While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight,” the Army believed that more needed to be done to help people reintegrate into society after being released from prison.

This cycle of repeated incarceration was negatively impacting the offenders, their families and society as a whole. As such, the Army recommended the adoption of

a prisoner probation system to the federal government, which then led to the creation of Canada’s first parole program.

With any fighting force (even a nonviolent one such as The Salvation Army), there are many roles required for battle.

Some soldiers are called to actively fight on the front lines, effecting change, while others are needed to serve as stretcher bearers, dressing wounds and carrying hurting people to safety. The Army has a rich history of not only meeting people’s most basic and immediate needs, but also of fighting for lasting social and spiritual change. As noted in the mission statement for the Canada and Bermuda Territory, the Army exists to “share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world” (italics added). The Army isn’t simply called to help hurting communities, but to seek justice in order for these communities to be transformed into healthy and vibrant expressions of God’s kingdom here on earth.

While we can celebrate the fact that more than 130 years have passed since the Army first provided emergency shelter to people experiencing homelessness, we should also take a moment to lament the fact that this ministry (and our other social services ministries as well) is still needed today, particularly in countries so rich and well developed as Canada and Bermuda.

Questions for Reflection: • If adequate housing in Canada existed tomorrow, would the sight of empty emergency shelter beds cause celebration or panic for The Salvation Army?

• The Salvation Army is good at caring for people and meeting their basic needs, such as providing food, clothing and shelter. In some communities where we do not have the capacity or willingness to also actively engage in social justice initiatives, how can we work in partnership with other community stakeholders who are fighting for social change and support them in this work?

• Is the Army (and its members) still willing to risk its reputation in order to address the social ills of our time?

John McAlister is the national director of marketing and communications.

Illustration: © Abscent84/iStock.com

LIVE JUSTLY

NOT CALLED?

The Last to Know It seems everyone knew that Lieutenant Samuel Tim had what it took to be an officer— except Samuel himself.

BY KEN RAMSTEAD

Lt Samuel Tim is the corps officer at Yorkton CC in Saskatchewan

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feel li ke Samuel in the Old Testament,” laughs Lieutenant Samuel Tim. “God had to ask the prophet three times to do his bidding.

“I heard God’s voice in Nigeria, in Vancouver and in Winnipeg, and it took three times for me, too, to answer: ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’ ” Serving God Originally from Nigeria, Lieutenant Tim is a third-generation Salvationist who was born at the training college when his parents were cadets there.

“Being in The Salvation Army all my life, this is all I know,” he says. “I’ve sung in the singing company, I’ve played in the band, I’ve gone the whole nine yards!”

He was enrolled as a junior soldier when he was seven and became a senior soldier at 17.

Lieutenant Tim put a great deal of thought into his decision to enrol.

“I wanted to make it my own personal journey,” he says, “and at that point in my life, I knew it had to be personal in order to have meaning. When it came down to it, I wanted to serve God.”

Journey to Vancouver That desire to serve led him from Nigeria all the way to Vancouver.

While searching online one day, Lieutenant Tim stumbled across the War College.

“I saw what they were doing in Vancouver, ministering to the Downtown Eastside,” he relates. “God put it in my heart that this was what he wanted me to do.”

He prayed about it because this would involve a huge shift in his life. He would have to leave his family, friends and printing business in Nigeria—life as Lieutenant Tim knew it—without any assurances and travel to a different land, life and culture.

“But I also knew this was where God wanted me to be,” he says, “so I moved to Vancouver in 2003.”

Even more than when he was in Nigeria, the War College taught Lieutenant Tim what it was like to be in full-time ministry. And at Southmount Citadel, he met Mary, whose parents were officers in Vancouver, and they were married in 2005.

New Home In 2012, Lieutenant Tim was chatting with a friend who lives in Winnipeg.

“Something clicked,” he says. “I got off the phone and said to Mary, ‘We should move to Winnipeg.’ She immediately agreed. Mary is a Prairie girl and she was literally jumping up and down with excitement!”

The move was an act of faith. They didn’t have jobs to go to, but they trusted that God would provide.

And he did. Mary got a job working as a bookkeeper and he was hired as the youth outreach co-ordinator at the Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre, where he had the opportunity to work with immigrants and refugees.

And within 30 seconds of the Tims walking into Weston Community Church, they knew they had found their new spiritual home.

Step by Step “My friends kept asking me, ‘When are you going to the training college?’ ‘You should be an officer,’ ” says Lieutenant Tim. “I’d reply, ‘No, no, no!’ I went to Winnipeg to get a good life, not to become an officer.”

The final step for him was when he was asked to lead the service one morning. After he preached, he heard God ask him, “How do you feel?”

“I felt peaceful,” he reflects. “I realized that, looking back, God had a plan.”

Step by step, he’d prepared him for officership as he undertook greater and greater responsibilities. Whether singing with the songsters in Nigeria, ministering in Vancouver or leading worship in Winnipeg, he realized he’d been in fulltime ministry since he was 17.

“I was ready to be an officer, but I was the last to know.”

Lieutenant Tim became an officer in 2015.

Answering the Call “You can serve God as a layperson or as a soldier,” Lieutenant Tim believes.

“There’s no difference in my faith now that I am an officer as opposed to when I was a layperson.

“If you are fulfilled with what you are doing, that’s fine, but if God wants something more from you, listen. He may have to ask you three times, but when he does, answer!”

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Photos: Giselle Randall

Time Out

The Salvation Army’s Cuthbert House helps youth in conflict with the law.

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BY GISELLE RANDALL

hen Jason* was 16, he made a mistake that changed a family’s life forever. He stole a car, which was later used by some of his friends. There was an accident, and a little girl was killed. Jason was charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and sentenced to time in custody and community supervision. After four months at a secure facility, he was transferred to The Salvation Army’s Cuthbert House, an open custody and detention centre for male youth aged 12-17, in Brampton, Ont. “We provide a home and programs for each young person based on their needs,” says Andrea Randall, director of Cuthbert House, often known as “jail mom.” “Our goal is to address the behaviour that brought them into conflict with the law, and help them return to the community successfully—to give them the tools they need to change their life.”

18 October 2018 Salvationist

A Clean Slate They start with a clean slate. While Randall reads each incoming resident’s file, she doesn’t focus on their charges.

“It’s not my job to worry about that— they’ve already been sentenced,” she says.

“My focus is, what do you need to be a better version of you? How do we get you there?”

The first step is to put together a case management plan outlining their goals, and form a circle of support—a parent or guardian, or any important person or community in their life, and their primary worker from Cuthbert House. Depending on their needs, they are referred to outside resources for mental health care, addiction treatment or counselling.

A typical day begins at 7:30 a.m. with wake up and breakfast. Residents attend an alternative school in the community, with the first period of the day at the YMCA for physical education.

Julie Corona, chaplain, and Andrea Randall, director of Cuthbert House

Afternoons are for appointments and programs, such as anger and emotion management, financial literacy and life skills, building healthy relationships and employment readiness. In the evening, there is recreation and leisure time.

Throughout the week, they use a level system, from one to five, to track goals and behaviour. Each level comes with privileges: phone calls, trips to the gym

or time home with family. Once a month, the team meets with each resident to review his plan.

“Different kids need different things,” says Randall. “ ‘One-size-fits-all’ doesn’t work, so you have to think outside the box, and be creative. How can I make this impactful? The program has to be tailored to each individual youth for their success.”

When a youth is released, they can continue to receive support—help finding a place to stay, furniture, bus tickets or just getting to appointments on time—through an aftercare program.

Repairing the Harm Cuthbert House’s approach is based on the principles of restorative justice, which emphasizes repairing harm and healing relationships. In a traditional restorative justice circle, the victim is able to address the offender to express how the crime affected them, and have a voice in how the matter should be resolved.

While Cuthbert House doesn’t facilitate meetings with victims, it does give youth the opportunity to reflect on the impact of their actions on victims, their family and the wider community.

“It’s important they see the harm that was caused, and learn how their behaviour affected others,” says Randall.

“Sometimes it’s being able to show them patterns. We’ve had them write things on cards and stick them to the wall, so they can see the big picture. When you steal something, you’re not just taking something from the store—prices go up for everyone. And the lightbulb will come on.”

Dwayne Sewell is a restorative justice co-ordinator at Cuthbert House. “We want to get them to the place where they look at it from the victim’s point of view,” he says. “What would you want to say to them? We give them an opportunity to write an apology letter, and they can decide to give it to their probation officer or judge.”

It’s not only victims who are harmed.

“When they’re in custody, the people at home are affected. Your sibling doesn’t have you around, or your mom needs to leave work to spend time with you here,” says Randall. “They need to understand that.” The team invites family members to case management meetings, to begin re-establishing those relationships.

“Working with youth in the justice system, restorative practices allow us to

separate the behaviour from the person, and work toward positive change,” says Randall.

A Good Plan Another way they work toward change is through the Positive Lifestyles Program, an eight-module course with topics including stress, depression and selfesteem.

“That one is powerful—it gets them to really look at themselves,” says Julia Corona, the chaplain at Cuthbert House, who leads the program. “You guide them through, but they do the work and come to their own realizations. One young man, who came across as arrogant, was surprised to find he actually thought low of himself.”

On Monday evenings, Corona leads a devotional time, often using interactive materials such as the “I Am Second” video testimonies. She takes those with approval to a church youth group on Friday nights, a basketball program on Saturdays, and sometimes even to church on Sundays. She has had youth ask to learn how to pray and come to faith.

A

“I have a love for these young men,” she says. “I tell them all the time—God has a good plan for your life. These are words right from God, from Jeremiah 29:11: ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘ … plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’ ” (NLT).

Part of the Journey Residents at Cuthbert House are often struggling with big obstacles—mental health, addiction, homelessness—and the team doesn’t always see change. But sometimes they call, or show up, even years later, just to let the staff know they’re doing well.

“I tell our residents, this is a part of your journey, a necessary step along the way. There’s a lesson to be learned from coming here,” says Randall. “You made a mistake—don’t let that define who you are. You don’t have to be stuck.

You can change your life and be productive. There’s so much more ahead of you.” *Not his real name.

Restorative Practices

s a custody facility, Cuthbert House works with youth in the justice system, but it also seeks to help youth before they come into conflict with the law through a community development program.

“What happens before they get here?” asks Dwayne Sewell, one of the program co-ordinators, along with Greg Hall. “There are probably already signs at school, so if we can have some influence at that stage, then we’re being true to the spirit of restorative practices—of a holistic, whole-community approach.”

Sewell and Hall run programs in seven schools, as well as offer support to all middle and high schools in Peel Region, to help establish a culture of restorative practices. Students are identified for the program by their leadership potential, or because they need support.

Each week, they meet in a community circle. They start by checking in and sharing their highs and lows from the week. As they build relationships, it becomes easier to address conflict when it does arise.

“Restorative practices aren’t just something you do when something happens—it’s the lens through which we view everything,” says Sewell.

Dwayne Sewell and Greg Hall lead a community development program at Cuthbert House

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Hope for the Hopeless Responding to the global orphan crisis.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”—James 1:27

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aving the love and protection of a family is a gift that many of us take for granted. But around the world today, there are nearly 150 million orphans—children who have lost one or both parents through death, abandonment or separation.

This crisis isn’t just an overseas problem. In Canada, 80,000 children are in the care of child welfare agencies, and 30,000 children are awaiting adoption.

As Christians, we are called to look after orphans, and one way we can do this is through Orphan Sunday.

Church Challenge Now a global movement, Orphan Sunday is an annual event held on the second Sunday of November. It began with a Zambian pastor in a poor, AIDS-ravaged 20 October 2018 Salvationist

community and an American visitor, Gary Schneider. While visiting, the pastor gave a sermon calling his congregation to support the orphans around them. In response, the people gave what they had—some even placing their shoes on the altar for the orphans. Schneider was so inspired by what he witnessed that he decided to help local leaders coordinate what became “Orphan Sunday” across Zambia. Since then, the Orphan Sunday movement has spread to more than 60 countries worldwide.

While this movement was developing and growing from Zambia, a separate but related God-inspired initiative began in the United States with a Texan pastor named Aaron Blake. One Sunday in 2004, as he reflected on his experiences as a foster parent, Blake challenged his congregation to consider the plight of foster children in Texas and across America, many awaiting homes, by asking, “Who will stand with me for these kids?” That challenge was the beginning of Stand Sunday, which launched as a global movement along with Orphan Sunday in 2016.

Personal Conviction Until recently, I was unaware of the global orphan crisis. That changed in 2014 when I read a story about a girl named Katie, an orphan from Bulgaria who was born with Down syndrome and had many special needs. The article shared the story of the suffering she experienced at the orphanage in her home country and the transformation since her adoption by an American family.

With Katie’s story, God opened my eyes and broke my heart for the needs of vulnerable children. He clearly showed me that he wanted me to quit my career as a marine biologist and dramatically shift my life focus. I knew that in this new state of enlightenment, I had to do something. And I wanted everyone to know about the plight of orphans worldwide.

When I learned about Orphan Sunday in the fall of 2014, I was excited to discover that churches around the world were linking their biblical mandate to protect the vulnerable with practical actions to support orphans and vulnerable children.

Photo: © start08/iStock.com

BY BRANDALYN MUSIAL

To the Corps After learning about Orphan Sunday, my husband and I asked our corps officers here in Parksville, B.C., if Mount Arrowsmith Corps could host a service.

The first year, we introduced the concept of Orphan Sunday, educating our congregation about the global and local needs of vulnerable children and our call as Christians to respond. This first Orphan Sunday was well received by our congregation, many of whom told us that they had never considered this topic and thanked us for sharing it.

In subsequent years, we have looked more at some of the tangible ways that we can engage in caring for vulnerable children, including supporting Salvation Army child sponsorship and children’s homes overseas; offering financial support to Canadian families who are adopting (by supporting the organization ABBA Canada); and engaging in the Safe Families Canada movement where churches support at-risk families to hold them together and keep kids from unnecessarily ending up in foster care.

In 2016, we surveyed our congregation, asking them to consider where they might engage in the care of the fatherless.

The results were astounding! We have a small, older congregation and yet the answers weren’t focused on baking cookies, knitting mittens and praying. Many people were interested in being trained and screened as respite providers, providing for the physical needs of children and families, building connections and providing training to the community.

This was the foundation for our James 1:27 ministry. We started hosting information sessions and training events.

Last year, we focused on Stand Sunday and looked at engaging with foster care. We highlighted the Safe Families program in more detail, and discussed opportunities to step into the lives of hurting and struggling families in our community. We also took time to pray specifically for families at our church—one family in the process of adopting and another who takes in teens recovering from alcohol and drug addictions. These are families who started attending our corps after we got engaged in the Orphan Sunday movement.

The Bigger Picture One of the themes that emerged as our corps learned about orphans and vulnerable children is the impact of trauma and “hard pasts” on their development, and

how understanding and appropriately responding to their needs could impact our ministry more broadly.

Trauma is a big factor in the lives of most vulnerable children, be it through abuse, neglect, difficult pregnancy or birth, early childhood hospitalization, loss of a loved one, adoption or foster care. If left unaddressed, the trauma can have lifelong impacts, including the inability to have healthy relationships, higher instances of mental or physical illness, higher risk of addiction, homelessness, incarceration, or becoming a victim of human trafficking.

Learning this, I realized that the Orphan Sunday message connects with almost every other area in which we endeavour to change the world. If hurting and broken children become hurting and broken adults, then the biggest way we can change the world around us is to protect and restore children from the effects of trauma.

It only takes one consistent, caring adult in the life of a child to make a difference.

Consider the impact on The Salvation Army’s social services. What if we saw our clients through the lens of their childhood traumas? Would we approach our lives, ministries and integrated mission differently? I think so.

Or consider how Orphan Sunday links with our children’s ministries and other Salvation Army initiatives such as the Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking in September. Behind every victim is a story of unmet needs and hurts. How can we pour into the lives of vulnerable children now so that they do not become victims of trafficking later?

To address this issue, Mount Arrowsmith Corps will host a two-day Empowered to Connect trauma training conference this fall—our third time doing so. We will also run a nine-week parent training course, a more in-depth version of a course we hosted last fall.

This material has helped us to see how Orphan Sunday and Stand Sunday are just one part of the big picture of who we are and what we do in our community. These initiatives are giving us the tools to be more effective in all that we do.

More Than a Day Designated days of prayer and action, such as Orphan Sunday and Stand Sunday, are powerful. But to truly have their desired effect, they must be something that we think about more than once every 365 days.

In sharing my conviction and passion that it is our responsibility to care for vulnerable children, I have sometimes heard responses such as “We can’t do it all” and “We can’t participate in every initiative.” Although there is some truth to this, it can be an excuse that puts our conscience at ease as we decide we need not invest the time and energy.

Sometimes, we get overwhelmed by the magnitude of needs in our world, thinking that we are being asked to address them by our own means and forget the immeasurable power and authority of our heavenly Father who desires to equip us for his work. I believe that if we’re willing to open our hearts to hear his voice, he will show up, he will speak and he will lead. And where he leads, he will provide.

Not everyone is called to foster, adopt or spend their lives focused on global orphan care, but if we read our Bibles, we see that we are each called to do something. It only takes one consistent, caring adult in the life of a child to make a difference. As Billy Graham said, children who experience love find it far easier to believe in a God who loves them.

This year, I encourage Salvationists to take part in Orphan Sunday or Stand Sunday, and consider how this day of prayer and action can lead to intentional opportunities to share the gospel in all our ministries.

Visit orphansunday.ca and standsunday.ca for more information about these initiatives.

Brandalyn Musial is a soldier at Mount Arrowsmith Corps in Parksville, B.C. Salvationist October 2018 21

Photo: © RyanJLane/iStock.com

Avoiding Cheap Grace Repentance means more than saying we’re sorry.

G

od’s grace and forgiveness are free and available to all.

God is ready—even eager— to accept our repentance.

That’s the good news.

Yet sometimes, I wonder if we’ve fooled ourselves into thinking that repentance is just a matter of saying “I’m sorry.” Unless our sorrow is matched with reforming action, empowered by the Holy Spirit, it is simply regret—with no real substance or effect. It quickly becomes a sham, perhaps even a mockery of grace. Sin is much more deeply engrained in us than a simple apology can remedy. Let me explain.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term translated most often as “repent” or “repentance” comes from a verb meaning “to turn around.” Repentance understood in this way involves more than sorrow for past sins; it requires turning around, a change of direction, going a different way. It requires more than saying a formula—even the “sinner’s prayer”—and more than making a public profession of faith. That’s because it’s too easy for 22 October 2018 Salvationist

BY DONALD E. BURKE words to become worthless, hollow pronouncements unless they are backed up by action.

We find precisely this situation arising in the time of the Old Testament prophet Hosea. Hosea was deeply concerned about the state of Israel in his day. In the second half of the eighth century BC, the hidden rot at the heart of Israel was now becoming obvious, as the kingdom endured a series of political assassinations; as violence wracked much of the population; as economic injustice consigned many to slave labour in their own land; and as international power politics threatened to suck Israel into the vortex of the rising Assyrian Empire.

In the midst of this swirling chaos, when Israel briefly came to its senses and realized what was happening, they mouthed a moving liturgy of repentance: “Come, let us return [i.e. repent] to the Lord; for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us

know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth” (Hosea 6:1-3 NRSV).

These are all the right words. With the exhortation to return to the Lord, they acknowledge that Israel has wandered away from God and has broken the covenant relationship established centuries earlier. They articulate Israel’s awareness that God both tears down and builds up, and that any future Israel might have rests on the hope that God will raise them up. They express confidence that God will accept their repentance and hope that God will bless them.

By all accounts, this should do the trick.

However, when the Lord speaks in the following verses, he calls Israel’s penitential words fleeting, at best. “Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early” (Hosea 6:4 NRSV). As it turns out, Israel’s repentance endures no longer than the morning dew in the heat of the mid-morning sun. Their words ring hollow. Israel’s devotion to

God melts away and its repentance is exposed as bogus.

What does the Lord require of Israel?

“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6 NRSV). Two expressions are critical here: steadfast love and knowledge of God. For Hosea, steadfast love is a critical component of Israel’s relationship with God. It requires loyalty and consistency—rock-solid love.

Knowledge of God refers to more than knowing what words to mouth; it speaks of a deep-seated understanding of God that sinks into the soul of Israel and shapes every aspect of its life together.

But, according to the words of God spoken through the prophet, these are missing. Israel’s turning toward God was a matter of convenience in the face of a crisis, like a deathbed confession. It was a fleeting response—a last resort—that had no substance, no durability, no effect.

As soon as the crisis passed, Israel would go back to its old ways. God saw right

power of the Holy Spirit.

Repentance does not mean saying we’re sorry and then going on with our lives with no noticeable change or alteration. Repentance means turning around, a change of direction, a radical transformation in how we live, what we value and whom we serve. Saying we’re sorry may be a first step, but unless it is accompanied by such a radical change, it is useless.

Repentance that leads to following Jesus makes demands on us. It will inconvenience us; make us uncomfortable; spur us to make changes. Things that were once important to us will fade away and we will learn new values and priorities. We will begin to trust God more and seek less to secure our own lives. We will take the sayings of Jesus seriously, as though he really meant what he said about following him.

John Wesley frequently spoke about the need for “works meet for repentance,” following Jesus’s exhortation to the Pharisees and Sadducees (see Matthew 3:8) and Paul’s exhortation to King Agrippa (see Acts 26:20). In more recent phrasing, we would refer to “actions consistent with repentance.” However we phrase it, the Bible is consistent in its expectation that true repentance will produce changed behaviour.

It’s easy to say we’re sorry. It’s much harder to match those words with true repentance. But this is what the Bible teaches us, and it is what God expects from us. God does not leave us as orphans to effect this repentance all on our own.

The Holy Spirit works both with us and within us to empower our change.

Dr. Donald E. Burke is a professor of biblical studies at Booth University College in Winnipeg.

When Jesus summoned people to repent, he expected more than expressions of sorrow; he expected changed lives. through this feigned repentance.

In the Gospel of Mark, even before Jesus began his public ministry, John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a “baptism of repentance” (see Mark 1:5) and people responded by confessing their sins. A few verses later, when Jesus began his public ministry, Jesus proclaimed the coming of the kingdom of God and called the people to repent and believe the good news (see Mark 1:15). A careful reading of the Gospels will show that when Jesus summoned people to repent, he expected more than expressions of sorrow; he expected changed lives. Lives that were lived according to different values, priorities and goals; lives that were lived through the transforming Salvationist October 2018 23

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

Illustration: © erhui1979/iStock.com

The Bottom Line Could a guaranteed minimum income help lift people out of poverty?

BY JESSICA McKEACHIE

I

n July, the Ontario government cancelled a pilot project that provided a basic income for 4,000 people across the province, suggesting it discouraged them from finding work. Supporters argued there wasn’t enough data to gauge its success, since the three-year project was scrapped after only a year.

A wide variety of studies and proposals about universal basic income (UBI) are circulating throughout Canadian and international policy conversations today. So what is it?

Essentially, exactly what it sounds like: unconditional cash payments to help lift people out of poverty.

Although there are many different ways to implement a basic income program—including the amount, the source of funding, the nature and size of reductions in accompanying assistance programs—most have five main characteristics.

The payments are: 1. Regular—a set amount at fixed intervals.

2. Cash—rather than a voucher or other services.

3. I ndividual—not per household.

4. U niversal—with no means test to qualify.

5. Unconditional—with no requirement to work, willingness to work or demonstration of some other need.

The concept of a guaranteed minimum income is not new.

In the 1970s, a small town in Manitoba tested out the theory.

In a bold social experiment—aptly nicknamed “Mincome”— the federal government provided 30 per cent of Dauphin’s population with a guaranteed level of income. The goal of the program, which ran from 1974 until 1978, was to find out whether a stable income would improve health and community life. The program was designed so that if a household’s income dropped below a certain amount, the program would top it up to the same amount as the welfare rates at the time.

The results indicated positive social outcomes—hospitalizations for mental health decreased, there was a higher graduation rate among young people, and accident and injury rates generally declined.

Since that 1970s experiment, the idea of providing a basic income has been raised now and again, most often by academics and community advocates, and is now gaining another hearing.

In Finland, the government recently concluded a two-year experiment. A random sample of 2,000 unemployed people between the ages of 25 and 58 were given a monthly payment of 560 euros, with no requirement to seek or accept employment. Participants who began working continued to receive the payments.

24 October 2018 Salvationist

Although this program was not a full UBI experiment, as the monthly amount was not enough to live on, advocates hoped it might still provide information on whether an unconditional payment would reduce anxiety among recipients, and allow the government to simplify the complex social security system that struggles to cope with the fast-moving and insecure labour market.

Closer to home, the British Columbia government has announced an interest in trialling a UBI program. With so much interest in UBI, but not a lot of traction, the question becomes: What are the pros and cons of such a program? Here are three of the main arguments for and against:

Pros

Cons

UBI can help reduce poverty and income inequality and improve health in communities.

UBI is universal, meaning money that would otherwise only be available to those in need is spread out to all, including wealthier individuals.

UBI leads to lower school dropout rates and has demonstrated positive job growth.

UBI may remove the incentive to work for some, which has a negative impact on the economy and may lead to a labour and skills shortage.

UBI means that non-working parents and caregivers have a guaranteed income and therefore empowers those in unpaid roles, especially women.

UBI can be very expensive.

There is also a concern that in order to reduce costs governments will eliminate other social programs designed to target specific social issues.

There are still questions associated with UBI. For Canadians, many of the answers will not be known until after pilot programs and more studies are completed in the coming years.

Regardless of whether UBI is the answer, one of the biggest advantages of this government interest and pilot projects is that they demonstrate people are becoming more aware of the needs in our communities. Unfortunately, poverty is a reality experienced by too many Canadians. Bold and innovative programs may provide some new and effective solutions for reducing inequality.

Jessica McKeachie is the public affairs director for the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

GRACE NOTES

Doing the Most Good Have we turned busyness into an idol?

BY LIEUTENANT ERIN METCALF

Photo: © neirfy/iStock.com

I

t’s 2 a.m. and I am wide awake. I don’t remember waking up, but I am fully alert—heart racing and every cell in my body tingling. I’m sure it’s fear that has roused me, but not fear of an intruder or an ominous presence; no, it is an internal fear.

I begin to mentally unpack the emotion. Family—OK. House—safe and secure. Pet—quiet. Nothing urgent outstanding. What? And then it hits me, a swinging wrecking ball of truth—I’m not doing enough.

As the minutes tick by, my mind sinks deeper into the abyss of comparison.

Colleague “A” has several employees and appears to be running a lot of programs. Colleague “B” is asked regularly to speak at different events. Colleague “C” mentioned returning after vacation to 300 emails. I have 300 unopened emails, too—coupons from retail stores and online ministry sites.

My mind keeps sinking, comparing myself to other women and men who are always busy, parents who are on committees and participate in extracurricular activities alongside their children. I replay conversations in my mind and wonder if my busy is equivalent to their busy.

Am I busy? I chauffeur my children around to various activities. I visit people as often as I can. I have paperwork deadlines and ministry goals and Sunday mornings and special events and new program dreams and … I sigh in relief.

Good. I am busy. I am important. I close my eyes.

What is it about being busy that makes us feel important? When we can produce a “to do” list as long as our arm, why does that bolster our ego?

Often, the response to invitations is, “I’d love to, but I can’t—I’m too busy.”

I’ve said it myself, often genuinely upset that my commitments keep me from doing things I love to do. But it would be dishonest to deny that, at times, saying “I’m just too busy” gives me a sense of importance.

Somehow those words give me status.

They demonstrate that I am needed, sought after and useful. There is work that can only be done by me and me alone.

We all want to be important. But can our worth be measured by how much we accomplish in a day? Has busyness become a status symbol? When the number of tasks and events and hobbies and social outings and projects we tackle in a week generates bragging rights, perhaps there is something wrong. Maybe we need to take a step back.

My days are full and being busy is just part of life. But do I buy into the dangerous idea that because I have so much to do, I have somehow elevated my status within society? Even more so, do I make my role as a busy person into an idol?

Don’t be fooled—this is not just a “world” problem. We in the church are also susceptible to equating those who are busy with those who are doing the most for the kingdom. This is dangerous. We admire the doers, the ones who say yes. Perhaps we ought to look more closely at those who are brave enough to say no. If being busy is the new status symbol, and as Christians we are called

to move away from a life of idolatry and status, maybe we need to move away from busyness, too.

Jesus intentionally built rest, solitude and time spent in prayer into his ministry. The Bible does not show us a busy Jesus, a busy God—rest and Sabbath are woven throughout. Psalm 127:2 reminds us, “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night … for God gives rest to his loved ones” (NLT).

Walking away from the status symbol of being busy is hard because it forces us to stop and think about what really matters—and what really matters is not usually what people see. The thrill of “busy” is that it makes us look good.

It shouts, “Look at me, I’m important.”

But our worth is not measured by our busyness.

God continually calls us into deeper relationship with him. That is where we find our worth. The status symbol of being busy is an idol, an idol that will keep us from the God of rest and peace.

Lieutenant Erin Metcalf is the corps officer at Niagara Orchard Community Church in Niagara Falls, Ont. Salvationist October 2018 25

PEOPLE & PLACES

SYDNEY, N.S.—These are exciting days at Sydney CC as seven senior soldiers are enrolled under the flag held by CSM Linda Simpson. From left, Mjr Corey Vincent, CO; Sandra Gates; Colin Adams; Sarah Ann Adams; Jacqueline Adams; Ray Adams; Brent Wareham; Amber Wareham; and Mjr Charlene Vincent, community ministries officer.

NEW LISKEARD, ONT.—Two senior soldiers are enrolled and another is reinstated at Temiskaming CC. From left, Mjr Warrick Pilgrim, CO; Edwin Wabie and Adriana Wabie, senior soldiers; Karen Woods, holding the flag; Trudy Woods, reinstated as a senior soldier; and Mjr Lucy Pilgrim, CO. FENELON FALLS, ONT.—Karen Gill and Brian Gill are enrolled as adherents at Fenelon Falls Corps. With them are Mjrs Roy and Charlene Randell, COs.

SYDNEY, N.S.—Sydney CC welcomes 10 new adherents to the corps family.

Front, from left, Mjr Charlene Vincent, community ministries officer; Sharon MacPherson; Carrie Boutilier; Frances Manning; Cheryl MacDonald; Adesta Nickerson; and Mjr Corey Vincent, CO. Back, from left, Carol Ann Marusiack, Joel Wiseman, William Jeddore, Delores Barnes and Rick Nickerson.

Ending Global Hunger ALBERTON, ONT.—Lt-Col Brenda Murray (right), director of world missions, and Elaine Bumstead of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries share a moment with farmer Scott Brooks who farms 72 acres for the Seeds of Life Growing Project in partnership with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB). The Salvation Army has been an active member of CFGB since 1996. “Our visit kicked off the growing season and highlighted the importance of ending global hunger in the community,” says Lt-Col Murray. This year’s crop of winter wheat will be used to produce cake and pastry flour, and animal feed. All proceeds will go to CFGB to support projects in the global south and will be matched by a government grant. To support this initiative, visit foodgrainsbank.ca and specify your donation to The Salvation Army.

SYDNEY, N.S.—Five young people publicly declare their commitment to God as they are enrolled as junior soldiers at Sydney CC. From left, Mjrs Corey and Charlene Vincent, CO and community ministries officer; Robby Hussey; Gracie-Lea Wareham; Emma Hussey; Brandon Dyer; Benjamin Wareham; and CSM Linda Simpson.

The Salvation Army Gambo Citadel

120th Corps Anniversary Celebrations October 26-28 October 26—Anniversary Banquet October 28—11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Worship Celebrations With Lt-Colonels Eddie and Genevera Vincent

Divisional Leaders, Newfoundland and Labrador Division 455 J.R. Smallwood Blvd, Gambo NL A0G 1T0 709-674-0028

26 October 2018 Salvationist

PEOPLE & PLACES

ABBOTSFORD, B.C.—Cascade CC rejoices as two adherents and six senior soldiers are enrolled. Front, from left, Carla Banbury, senior soldier; Theresa Jenkins, adherent; Terry Hartwick, senior soldier; Chrissy Hartwick, adherent; and Cpt Jodi Dunstan, CO. Back, from left, Cpt Mark Dunstan, CO; Jason Banbury, senior soldier; Mjr Ken Bonnar, holding the flag; Damon Wease, Chris Kendall and Greg Taylor, senior soldiers.

OSHAWA, ONT.—Front, from left, Lauren Rowney, Cassie Pritchett, Sarah Stayner, Catherine Burt and Wilson Burditt, along with Luke Stayner (right), are enrolled as junior soldiers at Oshawa Temple. Supporting them are, from left, Shona Burditt, director of youth and young adult ministries; Alexandria Gerard, children’s ministries co-ordinator; Jory Hewson, holding the flag; Charlie Ball, junior soldier preparation sergeant; and Cols Lynette and Lindsay Rowe, then COs.

GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.—Three people are commissioned as band members during Park Street Citadel’s 80th anniversary celebrations. From left, CSM Lorraine White, Vera Hayward, Thomas Barry, Madison Braye, and Mjrs Judy and Larry Goudie, COs. Led by Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, and supported by Lt-Cols Eddie and Genevera Vincent, DC and DDWM, N.L. Div, weekend events included a visit with Grand Falls-Windsor Mayor Barry Manuel, a public musical event, an anniversary banquet and two Sunday services. A highlight of the weekend was the enrolment of five senior soldiers.

TORONTO—Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, and Colonel Lee Graves, chief secretary, stand with two pieces of art that are displayed in the newly renovated and dedicated lobby at territorial headquarters. The painting on the left, by Indigenous Salvationist Michelle Stoney, acknowledges that all Salvation Army ministry units across Canada sit on the lands of Indigenous peoples, and reflects our desire to walk softly on the land that is now home to us. The painting on the right, by Lisa-Anne Rego, acknowledges the contributions Bermudians have made to the Canada and Bermuda Tty.

The Salvation Army Drumheller Community Church

100th Anniversary & Homecoming Celebration and

Grand Opening of New Ministry Centre

90 Railway Avenue South, Drumheller AB T0J 0Y6 PETERBOROUGH, ONT.—Doug Leach retires following 30 years of faithful service as deputy songster leader at Peterborough Temple and Davida Calderwood is recognized for 60 years of ministry as a songster. Both remain as active songsters. With them are, from left, SL Heather Robertson and Mjrs Kathleen and Herbert Sharp, COs.

October 13-14

For more information:

drumsa.org • Ph: 403-823-2215 isobel_lippers@can.salvationarmy.org

Salvationist October 2018 27

PEOPLE & PLACES

Accepted for Training

Emily Newbury Scarborough Citadel, Toronto, Ontario Central-East Division Officership means making myself available to God’s leading through The Salvation Army. By becoming an officer, I am willing to go and take the good news while I journey with people as they experience the joys and hardships of life.

Messengers of the Kingdom (2018-2020) College for Officer Training, Winnipeg Robert Roffel Belleville Citadel, Ontario Central-East Division Officership is an opportunity to serve God in a movement centred in holiness and work within the body of Christ to fulfil his greatest commandments—to love God and my neighbours on his behalf. As an officer, I will represent God to those around me, care for their needs and make disciples.

Susan Roffel Belleville Citadel, Ontario Central-East Division Hearing an invitation at an open-air meeting to have a friend that would never leave me is when I first heard God’s call. Throughout my life the yearning to serve humanity through The Salvation Army was always there.

Doors opened and closed along the way because of life’s choices, but God used me where I was to be his hands and feet. I believe he is answering a desire of my heart to serve within the ranks of the Army.

Andrew Sweet The Willows—A Community Church of The Salvation Army, Langley, British Columbia Division When I was 17, I told God I wanted a deeper relationship with him, one that would take me into the unknown where I have to trust him fully. Officership is my response to God when he said, “Come, follow me.” He is bringing me to a place where I have to fully trust and obey, where I can serve people who are lost and hurting.

Olivia Campbell-Sweet The Willows—A Community Church of The Salvation Army, Langley, British Columbia Division After a radical encounter with the Lord at 18, I realized that my dream of becoming a lawyer would be modified when he revealed that I was called to officership. I let the Lord soften me over three years and he has revealed that my future, my true calling as an officer, is better than I could dream.

Kathryn Dueck Heritage Park Temple, Winnipeg, Prairie Division My family has always been supportive of my often difficult journey. I especially credit one late-night talk with my mother when I suddenly and clearly knew that I was called to be an officer. This was the culmination of many years of hedging, questioning and longing. My journey has rarely been easy, but God has treated me with great kindness, faithfully equipping me for this call one step at a time.

Stephen Frank Harbour Light Community Church, Toronto, Ontario Central-East Division Officership is about allowing God to guide me to do what is required to build the kingdom of God. It is about listening to those around me and preparing for the unexpected and to be amazed at the work God will do in my life and our world.

28 October 2018 Salvationist

Kyron Newbury Scarborough Citadel, Toronto, Ontario Central-East Division My call to officership started when I was 13. God spoke to me through a youth leader at my corps at the time, Bracebridge Community Church in Ontario, when he was urged to pray with me at the altar over my call to ministry. Though that was a defining moment in my calling, there have been many other conversations, Bible verses, sermons and songs that have spoken to me at different times to show me that this is what God wants me to do.

Alecia Barrow Pathway Community Church, Paradise, and Park Street Citadel, Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador Division Discovering my call to officership took several years.

Looking back, I can see that God has given me opportunities and people that have stepped into my life to guide and shape my path. Even when I didn’t see the potential in myself, others were there to gently push and support me to discover the direction in which God was leading me.

GAZETTE TERRITORIAL Appointments: Lts Peter/Lorri-Anne Mitchell, South Burnaby Corps Plant, B.C. Div; Cdts Matthew/Whitney Reid, Pathway CC, Paradise, N.L. Div; Mjr Robert Russell, AC, Lake Ontario Region, Ont. GL Div; Mjrs Paul/ Kelly Rideout, executive director/associate executive director, Windsor Community Services, Ont. GL Div (designation change) Reaccepted as lieutenants: Peter/Lorri-Anne Mitchell Long service: 25 years—Mjr Betty Ann Pike Retirement: Oct 1—Mjr Johannah Sessford Promoted to glory: Col Kenneth Rawlins, from Aurora, Ont., Jul 27; Mjr Arthur Creighton, from Burlington, Ont., Aug 2; Lt-Col Dorothy Brown, from Toronto, Aug 4; Mjr Ronald Butcher, from Surrey, B.C., Aug 16

CALENDAR Commissioner Susan McMillan: Oct 13-14 officership information weekend, CFOT; Oct 17 singles’ spiritual retreat, JPCC; Oct 18-19 5th Year Institute, JPCC; Oct 21-23 divisional review, Ont. GL Div; Oct 24 Emerging and Arrow Sharpening Leaders, JPCC; Oct 25-26 Evangelical Fellowship of Canada President’s Day and denominational leaders day, Crown Plaza Toronto Airport Hotel Colonels Lee and Deborah Graves: Oct 11 Ethics Centre board meeting, Winnipeg*; Oct 12-14 officership information weekend, CFOT; Oct 18-19 5th Year Institute, JPCC; Oct 21-22 CFOT (*Colonel Lee Graves only) Canadian Staff Band: Oct 13-14 125th corps anniversary, Thunder Bay CC, Ont.

PEOPLE & PLACES

TRIBUTES TORONTO—Don McKenna was born in 1937 in Long Branch, Ont., to Roy and Edith McKenna, the fourth of six children. Don was associated with the Baptist Church growing up where he sang in the choir as a young boy. One of Don’s first jobs was delivering milk and he later worked at Campbell’s Soup. For 10 years before his retirement, Don worked for City Buick as a shuttle driver. In this role, he always enjoyed interacting with people and helping out. He met Betty in 1972 and they were married in 1996. They started attending North Toronto Community Church, where they have many cherished friends, and were enrolled together as senior soldiers in 2002. Don volunteered every year with the Christmas kettle campaign and was a familiar face on Sundays at North Toronto Community Church as a greeter and usher. Promoted to glory from Toronto at the age of 81, Don was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Edith; brothers Bob and Norm; and sister, Doreen. He leaves behind sisters Joan and Marg, and his loving wife, Betty.

TORONTO—Alice Emms was born in Kirkland Lake, Ont., in 1939, and was a longtime resident there until her health started to decline and she moved to Toronto in 2012 to be closer to her sister, Darlene. Alice was a lifetime member of The Salvation Army, first attending at the age of three. She became a soldier at the age of 14 and, in 1958, received the first “Mail Award,” which was awarded to cadets who, among other things, had completed six years of study with The Salvation Army. As well as her full-time job, Alice continued her involvement as a corps cadet teacher, pianist, organist, band member, young people’s timbrel brigade member, home league member, volunteer bookkeeper, thrift store helper, kettle worker and aide to fire victims. She also started a Salvation Army Brownie Pack and attended many Salvation Army camps. Before Alice left Kirkland Lake, she was presented with a 60-year volunteer award with The Salvation Army. She will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her family members and many friends.

WINNIPEG—Evelyn Gladys Scott was born in Winnipeg in 1921 and promoted to glory two months before her 97th birthday. Evelyn was a lifelong Salvationist, first at Winnipeg Citadel and most recently, at Living Hope Community Church of The Salvation Army in Winnipeg. She was involved for many years in Sunday school, home league, league of mercy, songsters, missionary group and prayer chain.

Evelyn was a prayer warrior with a deep-rooted faith in God that brought her through difficult times. She prayed daily to God on behalf of her family and many special people in her life. Evelyn loved to laugh and always brought a smile to the face of anyone she encountered. She is remembered and deeply missed by her son, Fred (Marcia) Merrett; daughters Marilyn Anderson and Sandra (Fred) Blackburn; 17 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

HARE BAY, N.L.—Katherine Collins/Wilkins was born in 1923 in Dover, N.L., to Maude and Simeon Preston. She married Fredrick Collins and had 11 children. After Fredrick’s passing, Katherine remarried and had three more children. She was blessed with 27 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. Katherine gave her heart to the Lord and was enrolled as a senior soldier in 1976. She loved being a songster and attending home league, people’s club, 55+ and the Golden Sentinel, the Ladies Orange Benevolent Association. Living a very active life before dementia began in 2003, Katherine moved to a seniors’ home where she resided for 15 years. Her favourite chorus was I’ll be True Lord to Thee, which she sang until the last stages of dementia. Katherine longed to be promoted to glory and will always be remembered.

TORONTO—Lt-Colonel Dorothy Rose Brown was born in Toronto in 1932 as the eldest child of Salvationists Fred and Dorothy Boycott. Predeceased by her husband, Lt-Colonel Edwin Brown, in 2001, Dorothy was promoted to glory from The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre. Commissioned in 1953 as a member of the Heralds Session, Dorothy was a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. Her grace and elegance were demonstrated in all aspects of her life and her love of Scripture was evident as she strove to live it out each day. The hallmarks of Dorothy’s ministry were her care and compassion for others, especially children and youth, as she and her husband, Ted, served as corps officers and divisional and territorial youth leaders. Other ministry included divisional leadership in the Maritime Division as well as appointments at territorial headquarters in Toronto. In retirement, Dorothy composed choruses, learned to paint and entertained family, friends, fellow officers and new acquaintances. She is remembered by her children Ted (Dalene) Brown, Darlene (Jim) Stoops and Lt-Colonel Brenda (John) Murray; brother, Fred (Eva) Boycott; sisters Marion Bowes and Kath (Bob) Samways; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a large extended family.

PETERBOROUGH, ONT.—Muriel Isabel Smith was born at home just outside Peterborough, Ont., in 1918. She attended Peterborough Temple from childhood and was always actively involved. Muriel married Louis Cox in 1937, and they had their son, Neil, in 1939. Following Louis’ death during active service in the Second World War, Muriel married Milson Smith in 1952. In 1953, Muriel gave birth to another son, Calvin.

Known for her caring and compassionate nature, she was the manager of the Army thrift store in Peterborough for many years. Muriel was passionate about volunteering with the league of mercy, women’s ministries and Partners in Mission, and donated her time and talents of knitting, sewing and cooking to many Army events. Even in her 100th year, Muriel remained active by praying for all those on the weekly prayer list. Her love for the Lord was evident in all that she did and she was a Christian example for many, especially her family who meant so much to her. Muriel was predeceased by her husband, Milson; son, Neil; her brothers and a sister. She is lovingly remembered by her son, Calvin; sister, Jean Ward; daughter-in-law, Marion Cox; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

WINNIPEG—Roy Harold Jewer was born in 1947 in Cape Breton, N.S., where he was also raised. Roy was promoted to glory at the age of 71. The son of Solomon and Annie Jewer, Roy was the youngest of 16 children. He was employed at the Grace Hospital for 32 years in materials management before spending 10 years as a health-care aide at Deer Lodge Centre. Roy’s enjoyment was cooking and baking for the love of his life, Sharon. A soldier of The Salvation Army since he was a young boy, he participated in many activities. A faithful soldier of Heritage Park Temple, Roy was a Sunday school teacher, assistant young people’s sergeant-major, colour sergeant and senior youth group leader and assisted in corps cadets and participated in dramas. Roy had a positive influence on young people and is remembered as a sweet, loving, caring and generous man whose passion was to serve the Lord.

Guidelines for Tributes Salvationist will print tributes (maximum 200 words), at no cost, as space permits. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Tributes should be received within three months of the promotion to glory and include: community where the person resided, corps involvement, Christian ministry, conversion to Christ, survivors. A high-resolution digital photo or high-resolution scan of an original photo (TIFF, EPS or JPG; 300 ppi) should be emailed to salvationist@ can.salvationarmy.org; a clear, original photograph mailed to 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4 will be returned.

Salvationist October 2018 29

A Quiet Voice In the midst of life’s uncertainties, God whispered words of peace to my heart.

BY FAE STURGE

Fae Sturge is the community and family services worker at Agincourt CC in Toronto

I

was born in 1947 in Barrie, Ont., to Salvation Army officer parents.

I gave my heart to Christ when I was just seven years old during the Sunday morning meeting at music camp at Jackson’s Point Divisional Camp in Ontario, where my parents were stationed for the summer of 1954. We moved frequently over the next few years, and by the time I finished high school in Edmonton, I had gone to 13 different schools. I returned to Ontario, eventually settling in Toronto in 1967, and was married a year later. My husband and I were blessed with two wonderful daughters.

My parents set very strict standards for my two brothers and me. As the middle child, I struggled with low self-worth for most of my life. My older brother is an extremely talented musician and I was expected to be like him. When that didn’t happen, I believed I was a disappointment to everyone. I never felt that I 30 October 2018 Salvationist

measured up, and I became known only as my father’s daughter or my husband’s wife, never as myself. I stood back, afraid to speak up, and allowed others to make decisions for me and dictate what I was going to do, and when.

It was a long time before I started to state my own opinions. God showed me that I was more than good enough for him and gave me strength for what was to come.

The pain and financial hardship that I experienced when my marriage failed were overwhelming. When I was diagnosed with a brain tumour, it was devastating to hear the doctors tell my daughters that I might not survive the surgery that was required. But God had other plans. A pre-surgery CT scan revealed what the surgeon referred to as a miracle. The tumour had dissolved and surgery was no longer needed.

With a new lease on life and God’s

provision of strength for each day, I eventually started working at The Salvation Army’s Florence Booth House, a women’s shelter in Toronto. For almost 10 years I had the privilege of serving as the assistant director, where I met individuals who had lost everything. I realized all the things I had gone through were preparing me to help the women who came through our doors. One client in particular made an impact on me. A series of strokes had left her partially paralyzed, but she had such a positive attitude. Even while living in a dorm with 46 other women, she was determined to have the best life she could and taught me there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome.

With that encouragement behind me, I raised my family and worshipped at Agincourt Community Church in Toronto, my corps since 1977, and completed a bachelor of arts in social work.

Nothing could have prepared me for the day when I learned that my position at the shelter was no longer needed.

Although I was able to secure employment as a supervisor and social worker at VHA Home HealthCare in Toronto, my old feelings of worthlessness came back and I turned away from God, my faith and my church.

God tried to get my attention through a quiet voice that spoke to my heart every day, and through my youngest daughter, who regularly asked why I wasn’t going to the corps. It took several years before I realized I couldn’t keep going down that path. I knew I had to talk to someone, so I called Major Wendy Johnstone, Agincourt’s corps officer at that time.

She reminded me that I am precious and worthy in God’s sight and encouraged me to forgive those who had hurt me, not for their sake but so I could be free to let God work in my life. When I renewed my covenant with him, I felt whole and ready to do what he wanted of me.

Since that day, I have known that God is in control, even when I was diagnosed with cancer three years ago. Many people prayed for me and encouraged me as I underwent surgery and radiation, and I praise God that my cancer is in remission.

I now work as the community and family services worker here at the corps, where I feel privileged to meet and serve the people of our community. I thank God for saving me and being with me, no matter what life may throw at me.

Photo: Timothy Cheng

SALVATION STORIES

WHEN THE WORLD O P E N CLOSES ITS EYES, THEM.

BOOTHUC.CA

ED UC ATI ON FOR A BETTER WO RLD

Catch up on the latest Salvation Army books from Across an Ocean and a Continent Brass bands, Christmas kettles, thrift stores—these are what most Canadians commonly associate with The Salvation Army. Few know, however, that between 1904 and 1932, the Army was an official immigration agency, approved and financially sponsored by Canada’s Department of Immigration.

During that time, the organization brought to Canada approximately 111,000 British settlers, most of them juvenile male farm helpers and young female domestics.

Across an Ocean and a Continent is an account of the Army’s immigration work that includes reports of trips across the Atlantic and Canada in its chartered ships and trains, its dealings with Canada’s Department of Immigration, and the public’s perception and reception of its efforts.

Also from Triumph Publishing Glory! Hallelujah! The Innovative Evangelism of Early Canadian Salvationists by R.G. Moyles It Is Written: The Collected Works of Bramwell H. Tillsley

by Bramwell H. Tillsley Convictions Matter: The Function of Salvation Army Doctrines

by Ray Harris

To add these books to your reading list, visit store.salvationarmy.ca, email orderdesk@can.salvationarmy.org or phone 416-422-6100.

For address changes or subscription information contact (416) 422-6119 or circulation@can.salvationarmy.org. Allow 4-6 weeks for changes. PM 40064794