FROM THE EDITOR
TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioner William A. Bamford III Commissioner G. Lorraine Bamford CHIEF SECRETARY Colonel Philip J. Maxwell COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY Lt. Colonel Kathleen J. Steele EDITOR IN CHIEF Warren L. Maye MANAGING EDITOR Robert Mitchell EDITOR / HISPANIC CORRESPONDENT Hugo Bravo ART DIRECTOR Reginald Raines PUBLICATION MANAGING DESIGNER Lea La Notte Greene GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Keri Johnson, Joe Marino, Mabel Zorzano STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Lulu Rivera CIRCULATION Doris Marasigan
THE SALVATION ARMY MISSION STATEMENT The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Member since 2015 Award winner 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020
SACONNECTS is published six times per year by The Salvation Army USA’s Eastern Territory. Bulk rate is $12.00 per issue for 25–100 copies. Single subscriptions are available. Write to: SACONNECTS, The Salvation Army, 440 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994–1739. Vol. 7, No. 4, 2021. Printed in USA. Postmaster: Send all address changes to: SACONNECTS, 440 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994–1739. SACONNECTS accepts advertising. Copyright ©2021 by The Salvation Army, USA Eastern Territory. Articles may be reprinted only with written permission. All scripture references are taken from the New International Version (NIV) unless indicated otherwise.
In God’s pocket WARREN L. MAYE Editor in Chief
“Drumming ‘in the pocket’ means three things: having great timing, great groove, and serving the music. Playing in such a way allows you to create a ‘pocket’ that gives other musicians in your band space to play. Striking a great balance between these sometimes–subtle concepts is what separates a good drummer from a great drummer,” wrote Mike O'Connor, a noted author at Electronic Drum Advisor. The problem is that, in life, most of us have been taught to “march to the beat of a different drummer” in pursuit of primarily personal desires and dreams, as writer Henry David Thoreau so famously suggested in his book Walden in 1854. Thoreau makes an argument in favor of individualism when he asserts, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” This school of thought has found a lasting place in American culture and is the plotline of many iconic movies and books. But I believe our ultimate sense of wellbeing comes from finding that wonderful place, that “pocket,” that “great balance” where in the rhythm of life, our contribution to humankind comes together with one accord. In this issue of saconnects magazine, you’ll read stories about people who have found that balance in their lives—such as Zoro the Drummer and his ministry of music, Barbie Rodriguez and the hope she brings to people living along the Hudson River, and James Hall through his amazing recovery from drug misuse, to name a few. They are people like you and me who’ve committed to being in God’s pocket, in His spiritual groove, and who serve humanity in His name. This Thanksgiving and Christmas, may you slip into God’s pocket and strike that great balance between work, family, and self.
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