VOL. 8 NO. 2, 2022
Discover how giving back helps you become stronger, healthier, and happier. p. 8
Who were the children of William and Catherine Booth? p. 12
Erin Morgan teaches YogaFaith. p. 30
Kurt Warner
NFL Hall of Fame quarterback talks about faith, family, and being an underdog.
CONTENTS
WHAT’S INSIDE
VOLUME 8
WHO WE ARE
page 5
People Eric D. Hall helps others find the treasures within themselves. page 6
FEATURE
page 20
LIVING
page 28
Holding the family together
Spiritual Life Development
No one can fathom the depth of commitment some grandmothers have today.
Every time you read a novel or watch a movie, you identify with a character without even realizing it.
page 20
NUMBER 2
page 28
Programs The Salvation Army is easing the process of adoption and foster parenting in Pennsylvania. Plus: What is TBRI? page 7
Faith in Action
RECOVERY
page 23
The ARC saved my life Roger Kauffman’s life took a dramatic turn when he entered the Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation (ARC) program.
A family–owned gym teams up with a Salvation Army church in Lebanon, Pa.
page 23
page 8
Sisters Honesty and Brittin recieved help through the Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program, and today, give back whenever they can.
History The children of William and Catherine Booth, founders of The Salvation Army, were also deeply involved in life– changing ministries.
Giving Back
Health Erin Morgan’s YogaFaith ministry shows how you can stretch and deepen your connection with Christ. page 30
VOLUNTEER
page 32
Ada and Amy Amy and her grandmother Ada serve together in Pottstown, Pa. page 32
page 24
Thrift Store Finds Former news anchor Paula Ann Mitchell bought most of her “on air” clothes at Salvation Army thrift stores.
page 8
page 27
Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner’s outspoken love for Christ is a story for the history books. page 14
Courtesy of Lionsgate / Mike Kubeisy
COVER STORY
Zachary Levi depicts Kurt Warner in the film American Underdog: the Kurt Warner Story. After Warner is overlooked during the 1994 NFL draft, he subsequently takes a job as a grocery clerk to make ends meet.
Cover illustration of Kurt Warner by Joe Marino.
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If you or someone you know needs help, call: 888-373-7888
FROM THE EDITOR
TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioner William A. Bamford III Commissioner G. Lorraine Bamford CHIEF SECRETARY Colonel Philip J. Maxwell DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS Joseph Pritchard EDITOR IN CHIEF / DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS Warren L. Maye MANAGING EDITOR Robert Mitchell EDITOR / HISPANIC CORRESPONDENT Hugo Bravo ART DIRECTOR Reginald Raines PUBLICATION CONTENT MANAGER AND DESIGNER Lea La Notte Greene GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Dave Hulteen Jr., Keri Johnson, Joe Marino, Mabel Zorzano STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Lu Lu 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 by The Salvation Army USA’s Eastern Territory. Bulk rate is $12.00 per issue for 25–100 copies. Subscriptions are available. Write to: SACONNECTS, The Salvation Army, 440 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994–1739. Vol. 8, No. 2, 2022. Printed in USA. Postmaster: Send all address changes to: SACONNECTS, 440 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994–1739. SACONNECTS accepts advertising. Copyright ©2022 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.
When life puzzles you WARREN L. MAYE Editor in Chief
Recently, 80–year–old Denyse Holt of Illinois, a grandmother, failed to send her Wordle puzzle result to her daughter in Seattle, Washington, something she always does every morning. Her daughter was alarmed by the break in routine and asked the local Illinois police to conduct a “wellness check” at her mom’s house. Upon arrival, they discovered that she was dealing with a much more serious puzzle than Wordle—a deranged home invader had locked Holt in the basement for 21 hours and he was holding her hostage at knife point. In this issue of SACONNECTS, we include the stories of other grandmothers who are dealing with life’s puzzles. Some are having the time of their lives, like Ada Jarrett, 84, known as “The General” at her Salvation Army church in Pottstown, Pa., (see page 32), while others are going through tumultuous times, such as 80–year–old Pam Rivet of Rochester, N.Y. (see pages 20–21). Grandmothers like Rivet are being “held hostage” by poverty, tragedy, and uncertainty brought on by circumstances beyond their control. Those chronic problems have invaded the peace and sanctity of their homes. These courageous grandmothers are “holding the family together” as one observer describes it, but they’ve slipped through society’s loopholes and need help. Fortunately, you’ll also read how The Salvation Army is rescuing these families through its many care programs as it continues to “do the most good” for people who are in the greatest need. By the way, you’ll be happy to know that Holt survived her ordeal and is back to doing the many wonderful things that her family has grown to expect from her, including that morning Wordle puzzle, of course. Let us pray that the other grandmothers will see their problems solved too because they deserve it. Proverbs 16:31 reminds us, “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”
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WHO WE ARE
PEOPLE | PROGRAMS | FAITH IN ACTION | HISTORY
NATIONAL DONUT DAY, celebrated on the first Friday in June, is a tradition that honors Salvation Army volunteers who supported the troops overseas during World War I. These volunteers provided writing supplies, stamps, meals, and delicious doughnuts for the soldiers. Sometimes the volunteers used soldiers’ helmets to deep fry the doughnuts. In honor of these volunteers who became known as “Donut Lassies,” The Salvation Army hosted its first National Donut Day in June of 1938, in Chicago, IL.
From Walking with Communities, a memoir by Alison Rader Campbell and Ian Campbell, Salvation Army workers in Africa.
ation A
We are different and better today only because we have walked with communities worldwide and have been awakened all the time to God’s healing grace.”
The Salv
In 2020, the U.S. poverty rate was 11.4 PERCENT. That year, the U.S. Census Bureau said 37.2 MILLION people lived in poverty. The founder of The Salvation Army, William Booth, said, “You cannot warm the hearts of people with God’s love if they have an empty stomach and cold feet.” Are you in need? Scan the code to find a location near you.
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iSto
Whether you’re thinking of taking up Pilates or hitting the weights, The Salvation Army can help you reach your health goals this summer or any time of year. Salvation Army Kroc Corps Community Centers, known as KROC CENTERS, have state–of–the–art gyms and fitness rooms, along with basketball
PATHWAY OF HOPE is the Salvation Army’s
courts, pools, and nutrition classes.
initiative that provides individualized services to families with children. These families desire to take action to break the cycle of crisis and vulnerability freepik
that repeats generation after generation. Pathway of
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Hope seeks to address the root causes of poverty.
Scan this code to find a Salvation Army location or Kroc Center near you.
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WHO WE ARE PEOPLE
Finding your Treasures My definition of life skills is seeing what you need in life to live truly happy, not just to exist day–to–day. You could have a job making great income and paying every bill, but if you hate where you work, you will never be as happy as the guy making a little less money but who walks into work smiling every day. Life skills will show you what’s already inside you, and how to use that to take ownership of your process. It’s the difference between floating and swimming; do you want to just lie motionless in the water, or do you want to kick your feet, move your arms, and decide where to go?
Interview by HUGO BRAVO
Eric D. Hall, life skills coach for the Culinary Arts Training Program at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Boston, talks about the meaning of life skills, the importance of financial literacy, and seeing the culinary arts students he mentored succeed.
When Chef Timothy Tucker started the first culinary arts training program for The Salvation Army in Kentucky, he wanted to include life skills as part of the curriculum. He knew it would be key to being a part of the culinary industry. When he brought the program to the Boston Kroc, I was a guest speaker for its first class, officially began working at the Kroc at the time of the the second class, and 27 classes later, I’m still here. While Chef Tucker works with them inside the kitchen, I work with them on everything they will need to be successful outside of the kitchen. They learn how to turn their skills into a real career, making their name known in the industry, and becoming their own brand.
Outside of the Kroc, my favorite thing to teach is financial literacy to young people. I partner with local organizations in the community to hold workshops for kids, and we use games to learn the meaning of terms like compound interest, budgets, credit reports, and mortgages. Children pick up the information so quickly; they all love learning about these topics. Sometimes, I use the same curriculum on financial literacy for kids that I use to teach grown–ups. If you grew up like I did, our parents didn’t talk to us about money. There weren’t local business owners to show us how to start a business. There was no talk about mortgages if you lived in housing developments. So, when I do these workshops with adults, I never hold it against them that they’re learning this for the first time. None of us knew, and someone should have taught it to us.
I wrote a book called The Diamond Project: Find and Develop Your Hidden Treasures. There are treasures inside all of us put there by God. We are responsible for finding them and making them work for us in our lives. I also talk about my own adversities in life, and how I worked through them to find my own treasures too. Many of the principles in the book are what I use with the students at the Boston Kroc. My next book will be a children’s book called Diamonds R Us. I wrote it with my daughter Nalani Hall. It’s aimed for younger readers and includes the lessons taught in The Diamond Project.
What I love the most about the work I do is seeing the students take the information I’ve given them further than where I could see. Hearing someone tell me about their restaurant, their new food truck, or the cookbook they just wrote, makes me sleep so well at night. Being a small part of someone’s testimony on their road to success is priceless. I have an aunt who always asks if I’m ever going to go into preaching and work for a ministry. I tell her, “Auntie, this is my ministry.”
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Volume 8 Number 2, 2022
WHO WE ARE PROGRAMS
Partners in Foster Parenting freepik
by HUGO BRAVO
The Salvation Army’s Children’s Services Foster Care & Adoption Program is different than any other Salvation Army ministry, but the goal of the ministry is the same: to meet a need that can transform lives and provide the tools to help a family become self sufficient. In Pennsylvania there are almost 3,000 children in need of an adoptive family and more than 13,000 children in foster care. The Salvation Army Children’s Services Foster Care & Adoption Program, based in Allentown, Pa., is working to place children in safe homes and to eliminate myths plaguing the adoption process. “Many think that adoption is something financially unaffordable,” says Angie Gillen, outreach coordinator at the program. “The truth is, the high costs you hear about is from international adoption or private infant adoption, neither of which we do. Aside from basic clearance fees, a clean water test of the home, and physicals, adopting a child from the child welfare system is almost free.” “Another myth is that most of the children waiting for families are very young, but they actually range from 8 to 21 years old,” says Gillen. “A family can adopt someone who is legally an adult. In fact, those older kids who have been waiting for years are the ones who need someone right now.” Real adoption is different from how it is portrayed in TV and movies, where a family brings a child home, and the agency shows up weeks or even months later to check in. In reality, Children’s Services help the family and the foster child to adjust every step of the way. The Salvation Army hosts training programs to help these families learn how to develop trust with their foster child. This includes creating an
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environment of predictability, parental integrity, and letting the child know what to expect while living in their home. “The children we help have all dealt with trauma, even as infants. Some were exposed to drugs in utero, lived homeless for part of their lives or witnessed domestic violence,” explains Gillen. “They have lived through
Trust–Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) techniques to use with children: Respond immediately. A child hearing the phrase, “I see you are upset. What do you need?” can sometimes be enough to calm a tantrum. Be direct. Don’t simply glance up from your phone or call to children from across the house. Respond with closeness, direct eye contact, and warm comfort. Ask yourself questions to better understand the behavior. “What is this behavior saying?”, “What does this child need?”, and “How can I teach them to get these needs met?” Don’t fight anger with more anger. This makes you an adversary in the situation. Engage in calming ways by asking the child to sit next to you and remind them that you are ready to talk when they are. Offer a do-over. Instead of punishing or scolding for misbehavior, say in a calm voice, “How about we try that again?” This creates an instructional path to better behavior, and a positive memory of the event. Source: The Karyn Purvis Institute
things that no child should. Because of this, a lot of work goes into making a child feel safe in a new home, even if that home is the safest place in the world. We work as partners with the foster homes, not as their overseers.” Another technique that Children’s Services teaches to the foster families is Trust–Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). It is specifically designed for children who have experienced trauma or neglect and caters to their unique needs. When children from a traumatic past feel unsafe, the resulting behavior can be baffling and frustrating for parents. “TBRI helps foster children regulate their emotions and themselves, but it can be used for any child, and even adults. We use it in our own workplace. It’s at the heart of what we do and what makes us unique,” says Gillen. The program also serves parents whose children have been removed from their care and placed in foster care. Gillen says that when talking to those parents, it becomes evident that they also needed a capable foster care system in their own young lives. “Very few children get out of such bad situations without real outside help,” explains Gillen. “Think of it like being trapped under a boulder. You need someone’s help to push that boulder away. Now, there might be someone strong enough to push it themselves. But many times, doing all the pushing alone has left them tired, angry, and broken on the inside. “Those broken parents were our kids at one point. We need to give back to them the things they also missed, and at the same time, help their children now,” says Gillen. “This is a ministry that impacts all of us as a society today, and in the future.”
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WHO WE ARE FAITH IN ACTION
‘STRONGER, HEALTHIER,
&HAPPIER!’ by HUGO BRAVO
LJ’s Fitness is a beloved gym in Womelsdorf, Pa., run by a couple that knows the importance of both spiritual and physical health.
W
hen you walk up to the doors of LJ’s Fitness in Womelsdorf, Pa., a sign that reads “Stronger, Hea lt hier, Happier ” welcomes you. There are similar inspirational quotes and verses on the gym walls. Workout machines are marked with QR codes that show you how to properly operate them. A Salvation Army red kettle, borrowed from the nearby church in Lebanon, is sometimes seen at the front desk where passersby deposit donations for victims of natural disasters such as Hurricane Ida, which hit in 2021. Lynn Kreider, owner of LJ’s Fitness, and her husband Tim, have a genuine love for their clients and their health. The gym is their work, and their ministry. “We believe that, if your business is focused on doing the right things for others, not simply to make money off them, but to be truly intentional in serving them, then the world opens up to you,” says Tim. “Everything we do is intentional,
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from the inspirational words we put up, to the colors we paint the walls, to the charities we support and work with, such as The Salvation Army.”
A fitness fundraiser The partnership between The Salvation Army and LJ’s Fitness began in 2017, as the Kreiders prepared to launch an addition to the gym with a celebration and a ribbon cutting. At the same time, states such as Louisiana and Texas were being devastated by tropical storms. “We couldn’t throw a party like this knowing that there were so many people suffering,” says Lynn. “As our lives and business was going up, there were other lives in pain, and businesses being destroyed.” Two weeks before the ribbon cutting, the Kreiders changed the celebration to a donation event for hurricane victims. To raise money, local churches prepared and sold food, and gym members held a silent auction. Tim and Lynn also asked The
Salvation Army in Lebanon for a red kettle to collect money directly. “We’re very selective of the charities we choose to work with, and we asked The Salvation Army to be a part of this for a few reasons,” explains Lynn. “First, we wanted to have a strong visual representation of helping others. We also wanted to work with a group that had a direct connection to helping the people who were affected by storms. The Salvation Army has both of those things.” “We needed as much money as possible to go directly to the cause, and the Army is known for that too. Finally, we wanted people to be able to give whatever they felt comfortable giving; a red kettle would allow that,” says Lynn. Lynn and Tim said they would have felt happy to raise any small amount from the event. Instead, when they opened the kettle, they found checks written for hundreds of dollars. In total, the event brought in close to $8,000. “It was amazing. We were in tears to see that people trusted us and gave so much to help others, and so suddenly,” says Tim. Since then, the Kreiders have been involved in various ministries, such as the Angel Tree and overseas adoption programs. Lieutenant Marlon Rodriguez, pastor at Lebanon, is still taken aback by the Kreiders’ generosity.
Volume 8 Number 2, 2022
“Who thinks of canceling an important promotional event for their business to turn it into a chance to bless others?” asks Rodriguez. “Only people with a wonderful, Christlike heart.”
Healthy bodies and spirits
Photo by Lu Lu Rivera
For the Kreiders, who are also certified personal trainers, exercise is medicine for the mind, body, and spirit. Lynn says that there is a direct connection between spiritual and physical health. “Strong spiritual health enables individuals to better deal with the inevitable challenges and hardships that life brings,” says Lynn. “They are not derailed because of the understanding that all of this is temporary. It is understood that to be God’s hands and feet we need to be healthy and strong – taking care of the ‘temple’ we have been provided is an important part of living a fulfilling and complete life. “Oftentimes, optimum health is expressed through the mind/body connection. When the mind is strong, and someone is in a good place, it translates into also taking care of the body,” says Lynn. The Kreiders are happy to share their faith with their gym members and view the teachings of the Bible as a key component in the success of the business. “Jesus said to love your neighbor as you love yourself,” says Tim. “In our gym, and especially our fitness classes, we welcome everyone, whether they move fast, slow, sit, stand or need a cane.” “We will never deny anyone an opportunity to better themselves,” says Lynn.
Barbells and ringing bells As members leave LJ’s Fitness after a workout, they are invited to ring a bell by the door. The Kreiders got that idea from a local fast–food chain that had a bell in its restaurants that customers would ring if they had enjoyed their meal. At LJ’s Fitness, hearing the bell signals that members enjoyed a good workout. The hope is that the sound will inspire others to do the same. “I think it’s very inspirational to have that in their gym,” says Rodriguez. “I like how bells are part of both their business model and the Salvation Army’s history.”
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In a time when a quarter of all fitness facilities have closed due to COVID–19, the Kreiders’ approach to making their business a ministry has touched the hearts of their clientele. When Pennsylvania was in lockdown, gym members brought food to the door of the gym. (The Kreiders live in an apartment above LJ’s Fitness). When they offered to refund the membership fees collected during the lockdown, some members insisted that the Kreiders continue billing them, and would happily return
when LJ’s opened again. They had learned to trust the promise—that it would bounce back “Stronger, Healthier, and Happier.” “Two things that we get the most from our members are compliments on how clean our facility is, and how kind and friendly we are to everyone who comes in,” says Tim. “I love knowing that. I tell our employees, ‘These are the two things that are always 100 percent within our control.’ People look at how you behave, how you treat them, and what you do to make them feel wanted and loved.”
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WHO WE ARE SNAPSHOT
“Jianzi” Chinese seniors play “Jianzi” (kicking shuttlecock) at The Salvation Army senior center in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, N.Y. This group includes Joyce Lin, Tiger Wong, Wah Chen, and Feng Wang. The senior center, which is on three floors, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week. As many as 150–200 seniors can take part in ping pong, karaoke, badminton, tai chi, dancing, orchestra, and other activities before and after lunch. The center also offers worship services on Sundays. “They can participate in various activities to keep them more active,” said Kelly Chui Wah Kong, the center’s administrator. “It gives them a place to hang out and socialize with other seniors and not just staying at home. A lot of seniors get depression through just sitting at home.” Many Salvation Army churches provide programs for seniors. To find one near you, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org
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The Salvation Army / Ryan Love
WHO WE ARE HISTORY
The Booth Family Legacy by WARREN L MAYE
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it,” Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) asserts. But how that outcome manifests can be complex and complicated. Take for example the family of William and Catherine Booth, founders of The Salvation Army. This Methodist couple had eight children. Each became involved in life–changing ministry, but also endured great struggles. Two of the children grew up to be international leaders of this historic church, yet three other children eventually left the movement to establish their own heartfelt ministries. William Booth was a passionate fighter for the poor and disenfranchised. He once said, “While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while little children go hungry, I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight—while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, where there remains one dark soul without the light of God—I’ll fight! I’ll fight to the very end!” However, his passion for fighting frequently made for rather spirited interpersonal relationships. Emma Booth–Tucker, one of the eight children, died tragically in October 1903. She was killed in a major train disaster near Dean Lake, Missouri. Several passengers were injured, but Emma, 43, was the only fatality. At the time, Emma and her husband, Frederick Tucker, served as the Army’s national leaders in the United States.
Bramwell Booth (1856–1929). By his teens, he was his father’s right–hand man, and was to become the Army’s Chief of the Staff. In 1912 he was appointed General. In later years and declining health, his leadership was questioned, resulting in a bitter struggle.
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Ballington Booth (1857–1940) preached at Army meetings from an early age. In 1887 he was appointed with his wife Maud to command work in the USA. In 1895, they left the Army to establish the Volunteers of America (VOA).
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Another layer of pain came when Herbert Booth, a close brother to Emma, was denied a role in her funeral. That was because, just a year earlier, he had had a bitter disagreement with his father and brother Bramwell. As a result, Herbert, and his wife Cornelie, sent a “broken–hearted” resignation and officially left the work. Herbert’s exclusion from his sister’s funeral further broke his heart and stayed with him for the rest of his life. Herbert Booth’s ingenious offerings were many. In 1896, he developed an interest in motion pictures. On September 13, 1900, Booth premiered “Soldiers of the Cross,” the Army’s first ministry in multimedia. It combined slides, movies, music, and narration and was seen by an audience of 4,000. As a result, Army media bureaus sprung up around the world. As a prolific songwriter, he composed more than 187 songs, was credited for having started the Army’s brass band culture of the 1890s, and for establishing successful business models for trade and financial departments. Booth spent his later years as an evangelist. He traveled to many nations and presented the gospel in word, music, and pictures. He also founded the Confederacy of Christians, a non–denominational evangelical group. When Booth was laid to rest in 1926, his gravestone in Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, N.Y., was intentionally placed away from the
Catherine Booth–Clibborn (1858–1955). As a teenager, she excelled at preaching. She pioneered the Army in France so effectively she became known as ‘La Maréchale.’ She married Arthur Clibborn and they worked together across Europe but became unhappy with the Army’s restrictive teaching and resigned in 1902.
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Emma Booth–Tucker (1860– 1903). At 20, she became the principal of the first Army training home for women. She married Frederick Tucker, pioneer of work in India, where they worked together for some time. They were posted to the USA in 1896. In 1903, aged 43, Emma was tragically killed in a train accident.
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Army’s burial section, and faced the opposite direction. This was done to mark his turbulent resignation from The Salvation Army amid the family dispute that could not be reconciled. On Memorial Day, May 27, 2002, resolution finally came. Surviving members of the Booth Family attended the service in Valhalla to celebrate their forefather’s life. Together with Salvation Army leaders, and soldiers, they gazed upon a symbolic act—the Army had turned Herbert Booth’s gravestone around so that it now faced the same direction as all others in the Army’s famous burial section. “This is an historic Day of Reconciliation for The Salvation Army,” said Colonel William W. Francis. “Herbert Booth’s contribution to the Army’s worldwide mission must not be diminished, even symbolically.” Colonel Marilyn D. Francis delivered a powerful message from 1 Peter 2:1–12, “Let us never forget” and pointed to the gravestones of others. Francis spoke passionately about how Christians should be “living stones,” those that are functional, active, and designed to fit into a larger structure. She alluded to Christ Himself when she quoted verse 6 and said, “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and purchased cornerstone and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
Herbert Booth (1862–1926). A talented musician, he wrote many songs for the Army. At 27, he commanded the Army in the British Isles. With his wife Cornelie, he worked in Canada and Australia, where he pioneered the development of the Limelight Department, a Salvation Army film studio. They resigned in 1902.
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Marian Booth (1864–1937). Known as Marie, the third daughter of William and Catherine, she suffered from poor health and was unable to work regularly for the Army. She was however given the permanent rank of staff–captain. Her sister Evangeline often took care of her. She died in 1937 aged 72.
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Evangeline Booth (1865– 1950). Know by her father as “the fixer.” Whenever a problem arose, his remedy was to “Send Eva” and she would invariably solve the problem. She led the Army in Canada, before becoming U.S. commander in 1904. Evangeline spent 30 years in America, before serving as General from 1934–1939.
Lucy Booth–Hellberg (1868– 1953). In 1890, she served in India. In 1894, she married Colonel Emanuel Hellberg. They commanded the Indian Territory, and worked in France and Switzerland. After her husband’s death, Lucy served as territorial commander in Denmark, Norway, and South America. She received the Order of the Founder Award.
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Volume 8 Number 2, 2022
“JESUS!
”
THANK YOU, by WARREN L. MAYE
Kurt Warner’s outspoken love for Christ is a story for the history books, and a most unlikely scenario that demonstrates how od works in mysterious ways.
Getty Images Sport / Michael Zagaris
T
he Christian faith of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner is woven into the plot of “American Underdog.” Following its initial theatrical debut on Christmas day, 2021, it is now available to stream from your couch. Critics said, “American Underdog sticks to the standard inspirational sports drama playbook—and proves once again that it can be very effective in the right hands,” alluding to brothers Jon and Andrew Erwin who directed the film and also wrote “I Can Only Imagine.” The screenplay describes how Warner (played by Zachary Levi, “Shazam”) is overlooked during the 1994 NFL draft. His darkest moments seemingly come when he then must take a job as an aproned–clad grocery store clerk. His inspiring comeback begins when he becomes an Arena Football League quarterback, is later discovered by, but is cut from the Green Bay Packers, and then is hired by the St. Louis Rams. Miraculously, he goes on to become a two–time NFL MVP (1999, 2001), Super Bowl champion, and is later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after a stunning 12–year career. Today, he is the only undrafted NFL player to have accomplished these distinctions.
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Defining the film Many critics debate whether “American Underdog” is about football or family or faith. In response, Jon Erwin, screenwriter and director of the movie, says the film is as much about faith as it is about football. The PG–13 movie is designed to inspire and to bring families together rather than separate them by secular movie ratings. “It is really meant for people to laugh and cry, and to come out of the theater saying, ‘You know, maybe my dream is possible too. Maybe I shouldn’t give up. Maybe I shouldn’t quit.’ Because one of the great things the story shows is that Warner never gave up.” Warner himself said in an interview with the Evangelical Press Association (EPA), “I love the title. Being an underdog is really what the movie is all about. It’s about a family of underdogs. Take my wife Brenda’s story. When we met, she was a single mom with two kids and going through many challenges. Our oldest son, Zach, had suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was just four months old.” The film also tells how Brenda (played by Academy Award winner, Anna Paquin), lost both her parents in a horrific tornado. Kurt’s parents are also part of the movie’s backstory.
In the final scene of the movie, Warner’s character kneels in the endzone after a touchdown and prays for a moment before standing to receive the cheers of the crowd and congratulations from teammates. However, Warner is known for the unabashed thanks he gave to Christ after the 1999 Super Bowl when he held up the winner’s trophy and said, “First things first— I’ve got to give praise and glory to my Lord and Savior up above—Thank you, Jesus!” At the time, critics wondered what he was thanking Jesus for or what role faith played in his career. So, when Warner was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 after taking two teams to Super Bowl appearances, he further explained, “Now, many felt I was thanking Him for orchestrating a Super Bowl win or making my passes fly straighter or causing my opponents to make more mistakes. But those people had it all wrong.
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Getty Images Sport / Elsa
Behind the story
Warner rushes to celebrate with wife Brenda and daughter Jesse after winning Super Bowl XXXIV.
Getty Images / Ronald Martinez
Warner kneels and prays with players and team members from both the Saints and Cardinals after an NFC divisional playoff game in 2010.
“The gesture was my way of acknowledging how fortunate I considered myself for the moment He had given me. Thanking Him for the trials, which prepared me for this platform, for showing me that, with Him, the impossible becomes possible, and for choosing me as the lead in this once– in–a–lifetime role. “Now, love it or hate it, that opening scene captured the imagination of the sports world, and those words became the heart of my story. The rest, as they say, ‘is history.’ “That brings us to this, the famous last words, and the only place this extraordinary journey can end. You know, His final moment was for me; mine is for Him. Thank you, Jesus!”
A difficult childhood Warner’s life as an underdog began when he was a child. “Playing sports allowed me to feel like a kid, which was nice, because in some ways I had to grow up quickly. My parents divorced when I was four, and the way I remember it, I didn’t see my dad for a while after that happened,” Warner wrote in his autobiography All Things Possible: My Story of Faith, Football, and the First Miracle Season. “It was a tough transition for me, as I’m sure it is for all kids in that situation. The divorce made me feel extremely protective toward my mom, and I became very self–motivated. “Even today, I don’t depend on other people to tell me how well I’m doing because I measure myself against my own
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standards,” Warner continued. “My mom, Sue Warner, is a strong woman whom I love very much. She sacrificed a lot to raise my brother and me in a positive manner, and I believe that she gave us the best life she could under the circumstances.” Warner’s mom sometimes worked more than one job to make ends meet. “After the divorce, Matt and I had sort of an us– against–the–world mentality.” In his EPA interview, Warner continued, “There is an underdog story in each one of us. Yet, we can overcome and accomplish some incredible things. That is what excites me about this movie.”
In the right hands As the film was in production, another aspect of Warner’s personal story evolved; something that no audience, be they football fans, movie viewers, or readers of Warner’s biography had ever seen. Despite Kurt’s success and even his devotion to Christ born out of his relationship with Brenda, he still felt like an underdog when it came to this. He still measured himself against his own standards. He still depended on himself rather than on others. Deep in his mind, it was still him against the world. That ultracompetitive feeling was driving Kurt to call Jon at 4 a.m., to ask that he rewrite some dialog or change an action in one of the movie scenes. At the time of the filming in March 2020, blizzard conditions covered much of
Middle America. Oklahoma and Texas were particularly hit hard. It was also the height of the pandemic. Whole industries were being shut down, including the film business. The situation gave the Erwin brothers pause. They wondered if their movie would get snowed under. “We called the Warners and said don’t come because flying in and out could be dangerous,” said Jon. “I thought that message got through until I woke up the next morning and a member of the crew at the hotel, called and said, ‘There’s a guy out shoveling snow in the parking lot, getting cars out. We’ve investigated and it’s NFL legend Kurt Warner. He’s literally out in the snow.’ He’s like, ‘I can do this, you know!’ “So, Kurt had that level of commitment,” Jon remembers. “He was literally shoveling cars out to get my people to the movie.” That force kept Kurt going; kept him proving himself to himself and to everyone around him. One could sense that he still had something important to learn and share.
Trusting the process “I love that word trust because Brenda and I talk about it a lot,” said Kurt during a recent interview with SACONNECTS. “We would see different renditions of the movie along the way. It was so personal to me when I watched them. You know, the first time, I’m like, ‘Oh, they put that into the script!’ or I’d say, ‘Zach actually said it like this, not like that!’ I also got hung up on, ‘Oh, you didn’t say it exactly like I would have said it!’ So, it was hard for me in the early process of making this film because I was so connected to it. “At one point, Brenda said, ‘OK, this time we watch it, you’re gonna forget that it’s your story and you’re gonna sit back and just watch the movie. You’re going into a theater; you got your popcorn; just watch the movie!’” Kurt followed Brenda’s advice and gradually realized that to successfully share his precious story with the world, he first had to let it go, put it in good hands, and trust the process. “When I finally did that, it really took on
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a life of its own,” said Warner with excitement. “I realized how powerful it was. The vision that these two brothers had, you know, through that collaboration, they said ‘trust us; we got this!’ “When I stepped back and realized what they were doing, I saw the talent and I saw the gifts. They made the characters ‘us,’ but it was ‘them’ making it ‘us.’ It was ‘them’ being ‘them’ and how special ‘they’ are. “That was the moment where I said to myself, Now, I get it. I could finally sit back and be proud of everybody’s role in this. Not because they made the movie that I necessarily wanted to make in the beginning, but because we made the right movie. It was the right movie because everybody’s doing ‘them’ while connecting ‘our’ story to it.” Kurt Warner learned to “stay in the pocket” the way he had done so many times on the field.
Building a treasure house
while being part of a larger family. The Warners want to establish the Treasure House model as the ideal way to help adults with cognitive disabilities realize their full potential.
Learn more about Treasure House, a unique active living community for young adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities, launched by the Warners in August of 2018. Visit treasurehouse.org to see what the residents are up to or follow their facebook page at @treasurehouseaz.
Getty Images / Jon Kopaloff / Stringer
Today, Kurt and Brenda Warner are reaching out to help adults who struggle with
intellectual and developmental challenges as does their son Zachary. To that end, they’ve launched Treasure House, a residential program based in Glendale, Arizona. They believe that all people, regardless of ability, have a purpose and call on their life. When provided with appropriate supports and opportunities, they can participate in meaningful and challenging activities, establish personal relationships, and contribute to society. The Warners said that they have been inspired and amazed by all that their son Zachary has accomplished, despite the diagnoses and labels given to him. It is their love for him that gives them the passion and the vision to create an environment that will allow other people with such challenges to thrive as they share their gifts. Treasure House encourages a strong emphasis on independence, respect, and community integration that will provide an optimal environment for residents to live, work, and enjoy recreational activities
Kurt and Brenda Warner with their seven children at the American Underdog movie premiere. Brenda and Zach are in the front row, left.
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Holding the Family Together by ROBERT MITCHELL and WARREN L. MAYE
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No one can fathom the depth of commitment, sacrifice, and sometimes despair many grandmothers experience today in their pursuit of a deferred American Dream. But despite advanced age, and meager resources, they press on for their families, determined to mend the jagged tears in our socio– economic fabric.
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mid great change and frequent turmoil, grandmothers have helped hold down the fort in their families. Some are “having the time of their lives,” writes Linda Eyre, author of Grandmothering: The Secrets of Making a Difference While Having the Time of Your Life. They are examples of those who live comfortably with their extended families in multigenerational settings. Eyre continues, “The nice thing is that we are usually no longer responsible for the nitty gritty everyday discipline and character building of these children.” However, statistics show that about 20 percent of grandmothers are living below the poverty line and are struggling to build a legacy of hope against challenging odds. For instance, U.S. Census data reveals almost 3 million grandparents are raising grandchildren. That number has been rising and has drawn considerable media attention in recent years. Today in the United States, many grandparents are dealing with the “nitty gritty” responsibilities of family life; often borne out of tragedy or society’s failure to help meet their basic needs. Their lives are anything but normal and, to the larger society, appear invisible.
A family in need One of those families belongs to 80–year– old Pam Rivet of Rochester, N.Y. She moved in with her 52–year–old son, Norman Jr., who suffered a stroke and is paralyzed. Pam cares for him and her 13–year–old grandson, Norman III. “Pam is a strong woman who is dedicated to caring for her loved ones,” says Jaden Towner, the children’s care manager for The Salvation Army in Rochester. Pam, a former hairdresser who lived a middle–class lifestyle for most of her life, has known her share of heartbreak. She
lost her first husband 30 years ago and her second husband swindled her out of her life savings. Along the way, she has survived colon and breast cancer and a broken hip. In 2017, Norman Jr., after overcoming drug problems, had back surgery and then suffered a massive stroke while still in the hospital. He spent two years undergoing physical therapy in a nursing facility before returning home just before COVID–19 struck. Pam then became the sole provider for Norman Jr. and Norman III. She retired eight years ago, and her only income now is Social Security. But she needs much more. “Although Pam is frail and in recovery from cancer, her spirit doesn’t show this,” Towner said. “She made sure to visit her son every week while he was in the nursing home, encouraged him to work hard, and fought with providers to get him back into their home.” The family now lives together in a one– bedroom apartment. Norman III bunks in the bedroom, while Norman Jr. sleeps in the dining room. Pam also sleeps in the dining room, but on a reclining couch. Norman Jr., is in a wheelchair and paralyzed on his right side. He can walk some, but needs help. A home health aide comes in daily to help with Noman Jr. Pam is the one who schedules doctor appointments, does the grocery shopping, communicates with providers, and ensures that all the needs are met for her son and grandson. “I’m here for them,” Pam says. “I take care of them. I make their meals. I’m here if they need someone to talk to.” A friend takes Pam and Norman III to the laundromat and to the grocery store. The two
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do their best to care for Norman Jr. and are dedicated to ensuring that he stays at home with them and out of the nursing home. “Pam is the glue that holds this family together and sets the precedent for the family’s morals, work ethic, and expectations,” Towner said. Towner is the care manager for Norman III, who needed help when his father was in the nursing home. Pam says he also hasn’t seen or heard from his mother in two years. Towner said Pam prioritizes education and it has rubbed off on 8th grader Norman III’s outstanding academic success and dedication to schooling. “I adore him. He’s my one and only grandchild,” Pam says. “He’s doing well and he’s in the honors program and does a lot of 9th-grade work.” Pam is Episcopalian, but attending church is difficult because the family doesn’t have transportation. She does receive Bible verses on her phone each day and credits “The Guy upstairs” for her resilience. “I pray every day and evening,” she said. Despite all the setbacks, Pam says she simply puts one foot in front of the other. “I just do it. I do what I have to do,” she says. “I keep talking to God and I keep asking Him to help me and to please guide me. I have my days where I’m not functioning well, but I think everyone does. I just try to move forward and try to think positive.” Towner said the family is an inspiration. “Pam always pushes her family to do and be better while lending a helping hand to whatever they may need to bring this success,” she said. “In all, this family has shown that no matter what happens, they will continue to overcome anything.” Pam is aware of the trend of grandparents playing a larger role in helping so many struggling American families survive. “I think they do it for the benefit of the family and to keep the families together and keep them from falling apart,” she said.
Resilience in the face of loss The Salvation Army also helps another multigenerational family in Rochester with a similar story. In 2016, Grandmother Connie Thomas
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had her leg amputated. She moved in with her daughter, Cherie Boswell, and her three children, JhVari, 18, Acacia, 15, and Chione, 9. The family cared for Connie until she could relocate to her own home. In August, Cherie lost her job at a pharmacy and the family had to move into grandma’s house. “It’s been a good transition for the family since grandmother needs help caring for herself and mother and children are able to do so right in her home,” Towner said. “In addition, the family has been able to spend more time together and learn different recipes, techniques, and forms of communication from each generation.”
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of grandparents living with grandchildren in 2019 were women. Towner is the care manager for Acacia, who has had behavioral issues. Her mother said Acacia feels comfortable being mentored by Towner. “They talk about things she’s not comfortable talking to me about,” Cherie said of her daughter and Towner. “It’s more of a big sister–type relationship.” Cherie said living with her mother has its “ups and downs,” but “you learn as you go.” “She raised me, so she has her way of raising children and I have mine and we blend both aspects,” Cherie said. The family lives in a two–bedroom apartment and the living spaces are tight, but Grandmother Connie helps with cooking and raising the kids. “She spoils them,” Cherie says. “They enjoy being around grandma.”
A nationwide phenomenon Since the start of the devastating recession in 2007—the longest one since World War 2, and the cause of millions of people losing their life savings, their jobs, and their homes—more children have been raised by their grandparents, which include all racial and ethnic groups, according to the Pew Research Center. As in Pam Rivit’s and Connie Thomas’ cases, almost half of children being raised by grandparents also live with a single parent. Pew Research revealed that grandparents in such families have limited financial resources and are over represented among seniors who live below the poverty line. Hispanics, blacks, and Asians make up a larger share of grandparents with grandchildren at home than does the 50–plus group overall. Despite the onslaught of problems these courageous women face today, they remain resilient, hopeful, and intrepid in their pursuit of the American Dream for their families. When Thomas says that the kids “enjoy being around grandma,” her observation is indicative of how most grandparents in these situations give themselves high marks for the role they play in their grandchildren’s lives.
Now and the future Eyre wrote this advice to grandmothers, “I have recently realized that most of us are going to be grandmothers much longer than we were mothers with children in our homes. Hover over your life as a grandmother for a moment. Look down from above as you see yourself with your present and future grandchildren and ask: • What will they remember about me? • How do I become a champion for them? • W hat legacy do I want to leave that will help light the path ahead of them in this jarring but joyful world? “These are sobering questions that we’ll ponder together…even though we’re a bit wrinkled up, we can shine.” This self assessment is a good one, but at a time when so many other daily factors seem insurmountable, greater help from organizations and churches such as The Salvation Army will continue to be needed.
source: www.retireguide.com/guides/self-care-raising-grandchildren
RECOVERY
TESTIMONY | FEATURE | THRIFT STORE FINDS
The ARC saved my life By ROBERT MITCHELL
Growing up in rural Chambersburg, Pa., Roger Kauffman said drinking was ingrained in the culture. He remembers going out with his older brothers and friends to party and it just seemed the thing to do. “It just got out of hand when I was 19 or 20,” he said. “But I just kept at it.” From 2004 to 2011, Roger was drinking heavily, 24 hours a day. “I didn’t even drink water or coffee or soda or anything,” he says. “It was just mainly beer. That was all I drank. “I woke up one morning and hated the way I smelled. I stunk, literally. I wanted to live. I got down on my knees and prayed to God to end it or get me help.” That winter, Roger was homeless and living in his truck. He would occasionally go to The Salvation Army for lunch. When his truck broke down, Roger went to a warming shelter and was told about the Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation (ARC) program. “I was a full–blown alcoholic,” he said. “I just got sick and tired of being sick and tired. I was to the point I knew if I didn’t do something, I was going to end up dead.” In 2011, Roger said Major Duane E. Harris talked him into going to the ARC in Harrisburg, Pa. “My attitude when I first went down there was, I’m not going to leave here some Bible thumper. I told them straight up, I’m not coming here to get religion. I’m here to get help. I want to get sober. I’m a full–blown alcoholic and I’ll do the program, but don’t expect me to leave here with my credentials to be a pastor or anything like that.” Roger would soon learn that the key to his recovery was found in the pages of that Bible he scorned.
“It saved my life,” he says. “That’s what I tell people. You’ll come closer to God by going through this program. It’s a miracle I’m even here. If it wasn’t for The Salvation Army, I wouldn’t be here today. “If you’re sincere, going into the program, and you stick it out for six and a half months that they ask you to, you’ll be sincere with God and with yourself. I’m still an alcoholic. I’m just an alcoholic who doesn’t drink. It’s by the grace of God I’m here and that’s who saved me.” Today, 61–year–old Roger formerly handled maintenance for The Salvation Army corps and family store back in his hometown of Chambersburg, but he now works in a warehouse. He and his wife, Laura, who is also an ARC graduate, attend church. “We stay sober through church and the people we associate with now,” he said. Roger, who relapsed briefly during the holidays last year but believes he has turned the corner, is not shy about sharing his story. “I’m not afraid to walk up to somebody who smells like a brewery or is strung out and talk to them about their addiction,” he says. “I’ve been there and done that. It breaks my heart to realize that was me. It hurts sometimes to admit that, but now I know there’s a better way. “The ARC pretty much saved my life. I talk to a lot of people and if they have an alcohol problem, I tell them if they’re interested in getting sober and getting straight, get into an ARC.”
What makes the ARC program so successful? “I think the ARC is awesome and one of the better programs out there. To me, there’s no other program that’s going to work unless you do six months or more. You’re not going to get clean and sober in 30 days. Do I have the urge to drink anymore? No. Because I think about what I went through and how I felt and what I lost, which was all material things and myself somewhere along the way. The ARC in Harrisburg helped me find God and find myself. I know what I want in life now and the ARC helped me figure that out. I want peace for one thing, but I want the friends I have now and not the friends I thought I had. It made me realize I need these kinds of people in my life.”
Illustration by Dave Hulteen Jr.
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RECOVERY FEATURE
They have servant
HEARTS by ROBERT MITCHELL
photography by HEATHER SCHMADER
“ He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” —2 CORINTHIANS 1:4 (NLT)
Volume 8 Number 2, 2022
Honesty and Brittin Winters know what it’s like to be in need. Their family is finishing up two years in the Salvation Army’s successful Pathway of Hope (POH) program, an experience that has these teens on fire about giving back. It’s not uncommon to see Honesty and Brittin teach in the after–school program, pass out free coats, or volunteer in the soup kitchen at The Salvation Army in Oil City, Pa. “The Pathway of Hope program helped to get me and my sister new beds,” says 18– year–old Brittin, a senior at Oil City Senior High School. “They also gave us winterwear. They helped my parents when we didn’t have enough money for the mortgage. We’re grateful.” Brittin was only in 3rd grade and her sister in 4th when they started going to the Salvation Army’s after–school program for homework help. It wasn’t long before the girls were invited to a church service there, and they began attending in 2012. “I started going and I actually liked it a lot,” Brittin recalls. “I basically built a family there. They are all a big part of my life.” The girls invited their mother, Jessica, to attend a service on Mother’s Day in 2013, and she’s also been attending ever since.
Goals set and met Major Laura Duesenberry, pastor of The Salvation Army church in Oil City, said the family fit in well and was willing to volunteer. “We recognized there were some specific needs there as far as breaking the generational poverty,” Duesenberry said. Kimberly Harned, the regional case manager for Pathway of Hope (POH), said her predecessor, Molly Minman, approached Jessica two years ago and asked if she would be interested in the program. POH, according to the Salvation Army’s USA Eastern Territory website, “uses an intensive, client–centered case management approach to empower families and address root causes preventing them from becoming more self–sufficient. By breaking the cycle of crisis, in conjunction with our extensive community partners, it offers
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a hand up as opposed to a handout and enables a path out of poverty.” Clients can find help, which includes job training, health services, childcare, education, housing options, and legal services. The case managers act as mentors and provide long–term case management. Harned said the Winters family was perfect for POH. Jessica is on disability and her husband, Brice, works in a scrapyard. The family often struggled financially. POH participants set goals. Jessica’s were to improve her health and fitness, improve family relationships, get a reliable car, and see both of her daughters obtain their driver licenses and graduate from high school. “The goals are almost met,” Jessica says. “There’s just one more goal and that’s to see Honesty graduate.”
God’s furry creatures Duesenberry said the intensity of the POH program kept the family focused and, “I think they have worked really well in that program.” Brittin and Honesty said the POH program helped the family get a mechanical part for its furnace in the winter and made Christmas gifts possible during a time of financial need. “They helped in many ways, not only financially, but they were there to listen when I was having a hard time,” Jessica said. “I’m glad I didn’t give up when things got tough. I now know that when you need help, don’t be afraid to ask.” Honesty, 19, who graduated from high school last spring, said Harned wrote a referral that helped her land a job at the Venango County Humane Society in nearby Seneca, Pa. She hopes to someday be a veterinary assistant and is taking online courses at Penn Foster College to learn those skills. The sisters love animals. Brittin, who currently works in a nursing home but wants to be an animal control officer, said the family has two dogs, two Guinea pigs, a tree frog, an Eastern newt, and a cat. Honesty and Brittin may have been
young when they started attending The Salvation Army, but they have only gotten more involved as they’ve grown. The girls were part of the church’s successful Bible Bowl team and Jessica said she saw an immediate difference in their behavior once they started attending. “They wanted to go,” she said. “They weren’t home wondering what to do. They were involved and doing things at the church. That opened them up socially and made them more outgoing. “It was a stress release for me because I just didn’t understand some of their homework.”
Seeing themselves in others The sisters also began assisting other children with their homework at the after–school program. They see a lot of themselves in the kids they help. “I like being one–on–one with the kids and just talking with them,” Brittin said. “I went there for homework. I struggled with it, but I had a lot of mentors who would help me. They taught me that it’s all about achieving my goals. So, I want to help these kids achieve their goals. Some of them don’t want to do their homework.” Honesty agreed. “Sometimes I get joy from teaching the kids, but other times I get angry because they don’t listen,” she said. In 2016, both girls joined their mother as volunteers in the church kitchen and assisted her in the lunch program. “She is always volunteering, whether it’s in the kitchen or the front office or unloading food,” Harned said. “Anything they need, she helps with.” The girls are also involved in women’s ministry, which Brittin especially likes. “They ’re basically all my grandmothers,” Brittin said.
The greatest part Honesty and Brittin are often asked around the church about their unique names. Honesty got hers from a bridesmaid in a wedding her mother attended, and she simply liked the name. Brittin (pronounced
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RECOVERY FEATURE
bright–tin) got her name after her father was momentarily blinded by the sun while driving to the hospital the day she was born. He saw a metal roof and commented, “That’s some bright tin!” They found love, support, and material help at the church, but most importantly, Brittin and Honesty became Christians there. “Christ means everything to me and has helped me through my struggles,” Honesty said. “He’s blessed me every day as I build a new future.” Brittin agreed, adding, “Christ means a lot in my everyday life. He helps me through my struggles and my everyday being. He just lets me see the better in the day.” Duesenberry said Brittin and Honesty are “a huge help to us.” They particularly like helping with Project Bundle Up, which provides winter outerwear for people in need. “They always volunteer and want to be a part of that,” she said. “When they’re not working, they’re here volunteering. Despite their need, they’re willing to give of their time and their efforts. They want to be able to give back. For them, it’s not always about receiving or taking. “They very much have servant hearts.”
MORE ABOUT
PATHWAY OF HOPE salarmy.us/poh
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The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope (POH) initiative provides individualized services to families with children. These families desire to take action to break the cycle of crisis and vulnerability that repeats generation after generation. POH seeks to address the root causes of poverty while continuing the Army’s history of compassionate serving. By helping families overcome challenges such as unemployment, unstable housing, and a lack of education, POH leads families down a path toward increased stability and self–sufficiency. POH is offered in several Salvation Army corps. It introduces families to both The Salvation Army and to other services that are available within their community. These services offer a network of support, a sense of belonging, holistic programs, and spiritual
guidance. POH is also a service connector to job training, health services, childcare and education, housing options, legal services, and much more. Kimberly Harned, a regional case manager for Pathway of Hope (POH) in The Salvation Army’s Western Pennsylvania Division, said the program’s clients appreciate everything. “I think it’s reassuring for them to know that somebody cares, and we’ll help them with what they need,” she said. “I don’t do everything for my clients, I help them with resources; I refer them to resources; I also help them gain confidence to advocate for themselves. I think it just gives them a little more confidence in helping themselves and knowing that somebody cares.”
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RECOVERY THRIFT STORE FINDS
Camera Ready by PAULA MITCHELL
However unfair it may seem, when you’re a woman in broadcast news, visuals count. You learn that early in your career. Fans send messages about your lipstick, hairstyle, jewelry, and clothing. You can’t be caught on camera in that same black blazer you wore last week. You get frustrated because you want the content you deliver to matter, but you quickly learn that without the proper visuals, the content gets lost. So, your wardrobe matters. Women news anchors need to be thrifty and stylish at the same time. When I was an anchor at Time Warner Cable 6 News in Middletown, N.Y., my husband and I were raising a family, so judicious spending was important. Most of my jackets and blouses were purchased at Salvation Army family stores in Kingston and Middletown. I found fabulous bargains. Many of the blazers were gently used designer labels that I quickly added to my cart. I would visit these stores several times a year and walk out with great treasures. The bonus was that I had a different outfit almost every night during our live broadcast at 5:30 p.m. Even more importantly, I knew that my money was going to a great cause. Through my husband’s job at The Salvation Army, I learned how these thrift stores operate and what they support. What could be better than purchasing a wardrobe and knowing that my money would go toward helping people who struggle with addictions find hope and healing? It’s rewarding to know that I am supporting those who need a second chance. I left the television industry about a decade ago, but I still shop at The Salvation Army and have passed that habit down to my children.
YOUR PURCHASES ARE FAR–REACHING
DRESSING FOR SUCCESS Suit separates can be expensive items to come by at a department store. I picked up this blue blazer for $7.99 and paired it with a black pencil skirt for $5.99, both from the Kingston, N.Y., Salvation Army thrift store. I am now ready for my next assignment.
Saving money at a Salvation Army thrift store is great, but your purchases also help change lives. Proceeds fund local Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARCs) where people who struggle with drugs and alcohol find help and hope. Visit SARehab.org to learn more.
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Go to ARCstores.org to locate a Salvation Army Family thrift store near you.
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LIVING
SPIRITUAL LIFE DEVELOPMENT | HEALTH
Find yourself in the story
by MAJOR LAUREN HODGSON
Every time you read a novel or watch a movie, you identify with a character without realizing it. It might be a personality trait or how a character reacts to a situation, but something about that person resonates with you. It may be the passion of the hero, a weakness in the antagonist, or the reaction of a supporting character that draws you in and causes you to find yourself in the story. When you do this, the narrative comes alive, and you become more engaged, more involved in the story, which conjures up a reaction. This is the focus of the director and actors of the movie or the book’s author—to get you to think, feel, and bring about a change within you. Finding yourself in the story is a centuries–old way of engaging in a narrative. Jesus was a master at drawing His listeners into a story by getting them to identify with a wayward son making his way home (Luke 15:11–31), a landowner hiring workers to harvest his crops (Matthew 20:1–16), or a good Samaritan helping a traveler in distress (Luke 10:25–37). He wanted his listeners to identify to the point of bringing about change within themselves and their world. In a desire to help others engage in scripture for transformation, St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556) further developed the idea of finding yourself in the story. This spiritual exercise encourages the reader to pay attention to every detail of a gospel story: the setting, people involved, gestures, words, time of day, and customs of the time. Readers use their imagination to recreate the scene in their minds, making it as real as possible. The reader is to ask: What do I see?; What do I hear?; What fragrances drift through the air?; Who is gathered around me?; What are
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they doing?; Where is Jesus in the story, what is He doing, and how are others reacting? This spiritual exercise encourages people to insert themselves into the scene. Don’t just read the account; participate. Can you imagine yourself as a disciple or a person in the crowd? What is it like to experience these unfolding events? If, in your imagination, you are no longer a passive observer but an involved participant in the scene, how does that affect your perception of the story? Ignatius counseled others to pay close attention to the emotions that would surface; what do you feel? Our emotional responses often give us important clues about how the story directly touches us; where we struggle with or rejoice in the gospel message. They will shape the way we respond to what Jesus is doing and the direction He is taking us. In other words, once we encounter a story in this way, we are changed. This is the Lenten season. It is a time to reflect on Jesus’ greatest act of love and sacrifice. Maybe we have heard the story of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection so many times that it doesn’t penetrate our soul as deeply as it had in the past. Try engaging the account by using your imagination to find yourself in the story. Spend some time reading any or all of the following accounts: Matthew 27:32–66;
Mark 15:33–47; Luke 23:26–56; John 19:17– 42. As you meditate and pray through the passages, consider the following steps: Imagine the scene as clearly and vividly as you can. Involve all your senses; imagine sounds, smells, any tastes, and touch. Place yourself in the shoes of one of the characters – a crowd member, an onlooker, a disciple, a questioner, or an adversary of Christ. Allow the events of the narrative to run through your mind. Pay attention to the details of what people say and do. P ay attention to your reaction. How do you want to respond to Jesus? A t some point, allow your reaction to become the starting point of a conversation with Jesus. Christ truly longs to speak with you.
Can you find yourself in the story? The painting provided, What Our Lord Saw from the Cross, is a circa 1890 watercolor painting by the French painter James Tissot. The painter has used his imagination and displays the crucifixion and resurrection account from Jesus’ perspective and included the characters in these accounts. Can you find yourself in this story? Have a conversation with the Lord about your findings. He is longing to talk to you.
For further study, consider reading The Fire of the Word, by Chris Webb
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LIVING HEALTH
MEDITATION in movement by HUGO BRAVO
YogaFaith combines traditional yoga exercises with prayer and worship, allowing for a new way to connect with Christ. In March of 2020, Erin Morgan was in Atlanta, Ga., to complete 100 hours of face–to–face training needed to become a certified yoga instructor. She had already finished the required 100 hours of online training. Now, she looked forward to bringing YogaFaith, a yoga practice that exclusively incorporates Bible scripture meditation, to The Salvation Army. “While in Atlanta, COVID–19 shut everything down, but I was able to finish the training and get my certification,” says Erin, who is also the dance ministries specialist at The Salvation Army’s USA Eastern Territorial Headquarters. “I returned home on an empty flight and didn’t leave my house for months.” With plans for in–person yoga classes no longer viable, Erin set her phone on a tripod in her living room and began streaming live yoga lessons on Facebook. “I felt that, even if it couldn’t be done in a yoga class, people right now could use YogaFaith to help them with their breathing, calming down, and learning to be still in these hard times,” says Morgan. YogaFaith is like other yoga variations, such as vinyasa, which emphasizes constant motion and smooth transitions. It is characterized by stringing postures together so that one breathes intentionally and moves seamlessly. YogaFaith also incorporates worship music that is played softly while participants recite scripture verses as tools of meditation.
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“Traditionally, the goal of practicing yoga is to still the turnings of your mind to see more clearly,” explains Erin. “YogaFaith is the same, but in that still mind and clarity of vision, you allow yourself to see the presence of God. It’s another way to pray and speak with Him.”
Christian Perspectives For some, yoga is seen as foreign and associated with non–Christian religions. Erin says that some of those views are valid, because of the way that yoga evolved and is practiced in many parts of the world. “But YogaFaith is taught from a Christian perspective. I always say, call it ‘Meditation in Movement’ if you are hesitant about using the term yoga,” says Erin. However, when teaching lessons she still insists on calling it yoga. “I don’t want anyone to be caught off guard when I ask
them to get into a position like downward dog,” says Erin, referring to a pose in which the body assumes an inverted V shape, with hands and feet on the foor. Every Wednesday morning, she posts YogaFaith sessions on Facebook, either live or through a previously taped lesson. During the height of the pandemic, there were 50 to 60 people with her every session, some from as far away as Australia. “Today,” she says, “there are more viewers saving and bookmarking the videos to do them at their own time, such as right before bed.”
A new way to teach Last January, Erin hosted a two–day virtual retreat for her viewers, where over 100 people registered to meet her and talk about their experiences with YogaFaith. Many of them said that they prefer Erin’s
Volume 8 Number 2, 2022
Beginner positions for YogaFaith COBRA Lie on belly while supported by elbows. Raise torso slowly by extending forearms until arms are gently locked. Keep chin up, legs straight.
Child’s Pose Kneel with both arms stretched forward and palms flat against the floor. Forehead should also gently touch the floor.
Savasana Lie on back with legs extended, arms by the side, and palms facing upwards, and relax. This is also known as the Corpse Pose. Facebook classes to going to a yoga studio for in–person lessons. “This was something I did not consider when I was training to teach,” she admits. “There’s a whole population that would love to try yoga, but prefer to do it by themselves, with no one watching them. They saw my YogaFaith classes online as the right time to start.” Teaching via social media had also become ingrained in Erin. When COVID– 19 restrictions eased and she was finally able to host a class in–person, she saw how different it is to teach live rather than virtually through a screen. “With actual people in yoga positions in front of me, I had to explain things a little differently and change a few lessons around,” says Erin. “It’s been a whole new learning experience for me too, but it’s also been a lot of fun.”
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Use the following verses to enhance your yoga practice. Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.” Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Matthew 11: 28–30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
by HUGO BRAVO
W
hen Ada Jarrett was a child, she was introduced to The Salvation Army by a friend whose family attended the Army’s church in Pottstown, Pa. They were involved in many aspects of the ministry, and Ada became involved too. “Over the years, some members of my family stopped coming, but I stayed. The Salvation Army became my church,” says Jarrett, now 84. Jarrett eventually married and left Pottstown for Rhode Island, but when she returned with her husband some years later, she became heavily involved in the corps once again. She retired in 1999. “I worked in the Army store, became part of Women’s Auxiliary, ladies’ Home League, and I got back to feeding the community.” Jarrett’s granddaughter, Amy, also became a Salvation Army volunteer. Jarrett lives with Amy and they are very close. “I went to visit Amy when she was three months old, and I never left,” she says. Jarrett had been bringing Amy to the Pottstown church since she was a baby. When Amy was five, she was the only child allowed to be inside the church kitchen to see volunteering behind the scenes. As she got older, volunteering became a permanent part of Amy’s activities, just as it had with her grandmother. They sound more like sisters when they talk about their work in the Army and lovingly joke about each other’s ages. “As a teenager, I always left Wednesdays free to volunteer at the corps,” says Amy. “This started when I worked at McDonald’s in high school, continued after I came back from college, and while I worked in a bank.” Though Amy started attending a different church in college, she maintained her connection with the Army in Pottstown. Members from Amy’s church come to the
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corps on the 3rd week of the month to help prepare meals. Jarrett and the Ladies’ Home League come in on the 1st and 2nd week. During the holiday season, Amy works directly with Major Jeny Shurtleff, the pastor at Pottstown. Amy rides with Major Shurtleff to pick up food, toys, and count the money collected from the kettle. “At the corps, they call my grandmother ‘The General,’ because she’s been doing this so long, and she knows the ins and outs of volunteering here,” says Amy. “But during Christmas, I’m ‘The General.’ Grandma can have the rest of the year,” says Amy, laughing. Amy took on more volunteer duties during the COVID–19 pandemic, helping prepare take-out meals for the community. Jarrett, who had to stay home, admits that it wasn’t easy seeing her granddaughter go to the corps without her. Still, it was important that they take the pandemic seriously; two of Jarrett’s children tested positive for COVID–19, and one died due to complications from pneumonia. “That was a difficult time for all of us, but we had a lot of support from our family, as well as from the people at the Pottstown Corps,” says Jarrett. Eventually, Jarrett was allowed to volunteer inside the building once a week, and masked up. “The Lord has been very good to me,” she says. “I’m so thankful to still be here and to give my time.” Says Amy, “At Pottstown, everyone knows me and my grandmother. Coming here to serve always feels like coming home. Just like grandma, I’ll be doing this as long as I can.”
Volume 8 Number 2, 2022
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