‘YOU’VE got an Ology – you’re a scientist.’ In 1988 Maureen Lipman appeared in an advert for British Telecom in which she was seeking to encourage her grandson who had not done particularly well in his exam results. Seeking to find the positive among the negative she homed in on a successful result in sociology and offered a different perspective to the disappointment that he was feeling. Perspective is often a challenge for those who have experienced long-term unemployment. Reinforced rejection can lead to self-doubt and low self-esteem. These are just some of the barriers that the Army’s Employment Plus service seek to enable individuals to overcome. In this week’s issue we will get a snapshot of some of the work that they are engaged in across the territory from a variety of perspectives and hear how others are seeking to tackle unemployment with individuals who might otherwise find the barriers to employment unmanageable. Philippians 2:13 says ‘for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose’.
May we each find God’s purpose for our own lives and play our part in helping others to find theirs. Back to school Access Education Sunday resources
MAJOR JULIAN WATCHORN Editor
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power returns, Ivan Radford considers the importance of the choices we make
‘NOTHING is evil in the beginning.’ Those are the thought-provoking words uttered by Galadriel at the very beginning of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The series, which is currently streaming its second season on Amazon Prime Video, is a prequel to The Lord of the Rings, expanding the universe of JRR Tolkien’s popular fantasy saga.
Set thousands of years before the events of the movies and novels, it sees a group of heroes working together to fight the rising forces of darkness in Middle-earth. Some of the characters, such as the elf Galadriel, are familiar faces, while others are new additions to the lore. But whether they’re characters viewers recognise or not, they live by the timeless truth that underpins the moral core of JRR Tolkien’s world: that
Reflect and respond
Read through 1 John 1:5–10.
How rooted in light are your everyday choices?
What steps can you take to reflect God’s light to others this week?
the path someone’s life takes, and the world they live in, is determined by the choices they make.
It’s a principle that cements the enduring appeal of The Lord of the Rings, because it so closely echoes our own experience: that every stage of our lives involves making a choice. As Christians, that journey begins with the choice to follow Jesus – we make an active decision to enter into a relationship with him. But our journey doesn’t simply stop there: we continue following Jesus, intentionally seeking to become more Christlike and to deepen our relationship with him with each step.
Every figure we encounter in The Rings of Power is similarly navigating a path filled with choices. ‘You show who you are by what you choose to do,’ reflects Nori at the end of the show’s first season. She muses on the difference between ‘head sense’ and ‘heart sense’.
As disciples, we’re called to love the Lord your God ‘with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength’ (Mark 12:30) –to start with our hearts and to let God’s love into our every thought, word and deed. It’s about actively cultivating an ongoing relationship, intentionally living in light instead of darkness. Galadriel observes at one point that ‘it darkens the heart to call dark things good ... it allows a place for evil to thrive’.
1 John 1:5 and 6 remind us: ‘God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness’ (New Living Translation). Fantasy stories about light versus darkness have always resonated with people, not only because, on some level, everyone hopes that light will triumph over darkness, but also because living in the light is something powerful and desirable. As disciples of Jesus, we know that living in hope and faith is not a mere passive state: it is an active response to the darkness in this world. It is grounded in the confidence that ‘the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’ (John 1:5).
By choosing to live in that light, we each reflect God’s hope and love to others. Our choices therefore influence the people around us, encouraging them in their own choices. Together – with every thought, word and deed rooted in God’s light and love – our choices can help shape the world we live in, building God’s Kingdom one step at a time.
IVAN RADFORD Managing Editor Salvationist
Picture: Ross Ferguson / Prime Video
Reorder the first letter of each answer to find a well-known Gowans and Larsson musical by
Garry D Reed
1 Name the ocean liner which sank in May 1914 at the mouth of Canada’s Saint Lawrence River following a collision in thick fog. The passengers included 167 members of The Salvation Army.
2 Which percussion instrument is played during choruses or on display accompanying marches?
‘I’ve
learnt to trust God’
Magdalene Thompson Gona (Dunstable) shares how her relationship with God has grown
O3 Which award was inaugurated in 1917 by General Bramwell Booth?
place to worship, but a family of believers who shared the same passion for God’s word, prayer, and the pursuit of his presence. The love, warmth, smiles and support we received from this church community have been beyond anything I could have imagined.
4 Name the Army’s oldest mission field. Work commenced in 1882. Today, there are 9 hospitals and more than 100 schools
NE of the most significant decisions I made as a teenager, in 2004, was to fully commit my life to Jesus. This came after a long struggle with a recurring, life-threatening illness. Prior to that, I was a regular churchgoer, believing that attending services made me a Christian. However, my mum recognised that I hadn’t truly accepted Christ and kept sharing the ospel with me, with an urgency that reflected how much it mattered. She was right — it did, and it still does.
5 Name the Army’s Oxford Street corps.
6 Name the country in which Army work started through the witness of just three Salvationists working on an East African railway.
7 The ‘Cairo Red Shield’ march celebrates the Red Shield Clubs for servicemen in which country?
8 Complete the words of this chorus: ‘Ever is the ar ry _______, ________’.
9 What is the surname of the Army’s 13th General? Born in Australia, she retired in 1993.
10 Name the sweet treats served by Salvation Army women to American troops in France, during the First World War?
11 Harold Bishop was a Salvationist in this country’s soap opera, Neighbours
When the opportunity to move to the UK presented itself, it was not something I had planned for or anticipated. However, since the leading came in a vision in August 2022 and was further confirmed through a series of events that could only be described as divinely orchestrated, God made it clear that this was his will for my life. When God connected me to my husband, Jeremiah, in 2023, I shared the vision with him which God also confirmed to him as his will. Doors that seemed impossible to open were flung wide open. We got married in September 2023 and planned for the relocation. At every step, we felt God’s guiding hand leading us into the unknown with a peace that surpassed all understanding.
Upon arriving the UK in December 2023, we were blessed to find a community that truly felt like home. By God’s divine leading, Jeremiah was directed to the street which had he Salvation Army building on it. This was the first time seeing or hearing about the church, for both of us. A sense of peace and connection overwhelmed him as he took notice of the days and times of the weekly activities. From the very first service, we knew that this was not just a
Have you got a testimony to share? We’d love to hear your faith journey! Get in touch at salvationist@ salvationarmy.org.uk.
When our corps leaders, Lieutenant Jacqueline and Territorial Envoy Roger Coates, announced they were beginning a series on ‘exploring what we believe’, Jeremiah and I thought it would be good to be a part of it, as this would help us understand better what the Army is about. We never expected that we would be called to serve as soldiers, but once again, God’s plans were higher than ours.
Over time, being in the Army has developed my relationship with God. I’ve learnt to trust God more fully and my spiritual practices have grown richer and more meaningful as I give myself to serving in the songsters and volunteering in other ways within the corps.
I am particularly thankful to God for blessing my family with a home away from home that has taught me to love others just as I’ve received unconditional love from Christ: this is how God is currently working in my life and Jeremiah’s. home that has me to love s as I’ve received unconditional rom God is ng in my life eremiah’s.
Protector of widows
George Tanton explores how the Army provided financial advice and employment opportunities to servicemen’s widows during
the First World War
THE First World War was a social leveller. While it paved the way for greater women’s inclusion and recognition within the national workforce, specifically within the munitions industry, it also hastened the demand for universal suffrage. However, the widows of deceased servicemen received the brunt of economic hardship during and after the war. By mid-1917, the Poor Law figures estimated that the number of war widows was at around 45,000.
Acknowledging this, The Salvation Army recognised war widows as being especially socially and economically vulnerable. In November 1916, the Widows’ Counsellors Department was placed under the command of Colonel Philip Kyle, having been established the year previously. Recruiting from the Army’s network of social work officers, its head office was in London and its work was conducted from 30 branches across Britain. Typically, each branch was administered by 12 counsellors who worked closely with their respective divisional headquarters to identify the most vulnerable widows and their children.
Widows’ Counsellors, explaining that ‘on the death of a soldier a young widow too often finds herself the victim of unscrupulous tradespeople.’
Continuing, the paper suggested: ‘Perhaps the instalments due on the furniture are in arrears. The goods are removed and the widow, friendless and griefstricken, has no one to go to for advice. Perhaps it is a widow whose only son, well below military age, has enlisted. She wants him back. What can she do? Work has to be sought. What kind? In all these matters The Salvation Army is going to prove itself a real friend to women.’
Offering financial planning, debt assistance and employment opportunities, the new scheme was intended to support ‘widows of soldiers and sailors by giving them advice on matters of business,’ according to a report by the Wimbledon Borough News in January 1916. A similar report in the Lewisham Borough News from November 1916 indicated that the scheme would ‘give counsel and advice to women who have been left widows by the war’.
The Woolwich Gazette and Plumstead News from January 1916 indicated the moral necessity for the work of the
The Army also contributed to the ‘patriotic economy’ of supporting servicemen’s wives and widows by obtaining permits to collect wastepaper. Its aim was to provide employment opportunities to these women by giving them the job of sorting through recyclable paper. General Bramwell Booth, writing in 1917, explained that ‘employment under kindly conditions has been found for some of the wives and widows of the soldiers.’
Much of this work was completed at the Army’s ‘elevators’ – Army-run salvage factories that had previously been used by the Men’s Social Work Department. From Worth from Waste: Being a Brief Account of Some Aspects of The Salvation Army’s Work Against Poverty, Misery, and Crime, 191617, the Movement was offering paid work at the elevator sites to both war widows and servicemen’s wives. ‘In the cases of the mothers,’ read the account, ‘the [work] hours are so arranged that it is possible for them to see their children off to school in the morning before commencing their
daily labour.’ Indeed, General Bramwell Booth, as reported in the West London Gazette in March 1915, insisted that the aim of the Widows’ Counsellors scheme was to ‘preserve the family life of the bereaved’ and ‘prevent the disintegration of the home’.
Interestingly, the Movement also supported widowers during the war. A 1917 report from an Army news journal, Gatherings: The World Our Field, provided two examples of British servicemen being supported by the Widows’ Counsellors scheme. ‘In one such case, the wife of a soldier at the front died, and the five children were left helpless,’ it read. ‘The counsellor took charge of affairs and communicated with the husband.’ The second report offered a similar story: ‘The wife of another soldier, serving in India, died, leaving eight children. Immediately, the local counsellor assumed responsibility, notified the husband [and acted] guardian to the flock.’
GEORGE TANTON Editorial Assistant Salvationist
Deliver me from my enemies
Captain Michael Hutchings urges us to rely on God
PSALM 59
IN July, a horrific knife attack at a dance workshop in Southport caused several deaths and left a number of children and adults in a critical state. The following evening, thugs attacked the local mosque, inflicting further pain on a community in mourning.
Such events can provoke angry prayers that are more resemblant of an incensed stream of consciousness than a polite dialogue with God. How do we process the accompanying emotions, and how do we approach God in such circumstances?
In Praying the Psalms – A Personal Journey through the Psalter, Ian Stackhouse describes the Psalms as ‘like an anatomy of the soul’; to pray them is to express ‘a whole gamut of emotions’ and ‘it is precisely the rawness of them that makes them so universally appealing’.
Psalm 59 is a case in point. It’s loaded with impassioned language that might shock God if he didn’t have broad shoulders and didn’t already know what we were going to say.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
Have you ever felt so enraged that you have ‘let it all out’ to God in an uncensored outpouring of emotion? Did you feel relief at a burden shared, or shock at the candid nature of your prayer?
The title of Psalm 59 links it to 1 Samuel 19:11, where ‘Saul sent men to David’s house to watch it and kill him in the morning’. In a deteriorating,
dangerous relationship with Saul, David’s life is at risk, as reflected in the opening words: ‘Deliver me from my enemies.’ His feeling of vulnerability is accompanied by his protestation of innocence. The conspiracy against him is ‘for no offence or sin of mine’ (v3) – ‘I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me’ (v4). Elsewhere in Psalm 59 the perspective appears more national than personal (see vv5; 8; 11 and 13), suggesting that the original psalm may have undergone adaptations after David became king, with its final form and language reflecting subsequent events in the life of Israel.
The psalm divides into two sections. Verses 1 to 10 describe David’s predicament and his initial plea to God, while verses 11 to 17 cover David’s specific requests to God.
In Psalms for Everyone, Part 1, John Goldingay hits the nail on the head when he states: ‘There’s a lot of anger in Psalm 59’. David’s thoughts and feelings spill out of him like an uncontrolled emotional roller coaster.
David’s enemies are ‘evildoers’ who are ‘after my blood’ (v2), and ‘fierce men’ who ‘conspire against me’ (v3). They ‘lie in wait’ (v3) and they are ‘ready to attack me’ (v4).
David’s language is particularly graphic in two corresponding sections (see vv6 and 7; 14 and 15), in which he depicts his enemies as ‘snarling like dogs’ that ‘prowl about the city’ (v6; v14), and who ‘howl if not satisfied’ (v15). The fact that their words, ‘as sharp as swords’, are spoken with apparent impunity (v7), suggests a real fear of both weapons and words.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
Have you ever come under unjustified attack at the hands of another person or group?
How would you describe that attack and how did you handle it?
David’s plea to God is that he might intervene. He calls on God to ‘deliver me’, to ‘save me’ and to ‘be my fortress’ (vv1 and 2); to ‘arise to help me’ and ‘look upon my plight (v4), and to ‘rouse yourself’ (v5). David’s conviction is that God can, and must, act.
How exactly should God treat David’s enemies? David’s requests seem a little inconsistent, and his motives – including a desire to gloat over those who slander him (see v10) – perhaps less than admirable. The demand that God should ‘punish the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors’ (v5) is echoed in verse 11, which calls on God to ‘uproot’ and ‘bring down’ David’s aggressors.
David’s request: ‘But do not kill them … or my people will forget’ (v11) suggests a hope that they might become a living example of what happens when you attack God’s people. And yet, the demand that they might be ‘caught … in their pride’ (v12) is swiftly followed by a contradictory call for God to ‘consume them in your wrath … till they are no more’ (v13). Why? So that it will be known that God rules.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
Have there been times when, in your prayers, you have almost dictated to God the action he should take?
What motivated those prayers?
While David’s requests of God may seem somewhat inconsistent and conflicting, his ultimate faith in God is unquestionable. Both the first and second sections of this psalm conclude with a powerful statement of reliance upon God (see vv9 and 10; 16 and 17).
Perhaps we can relate to David, as we attempt to process and express angry emotions to God, and as we struggle with the motives and desires that are revealed in our prayers. Psalm 59 shows that sometimes the best thing we can do is to ‘let it all out to God’. The greater challenge may be for us to leave it all with God.
Ian Stackhouse comments: ‘What looks on the surface like a psalm full of curses turns out to be a psalm full of faith … Psalm 59 teaches us that by praying our vindictiveness it is possible to get to a place where we exhaust our anger and learn instead to trust.’ Whatever threat we may perceive in the evening (see vv6; 14), may we proclaim in the morning: ‘I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble’ (v16).
As of January 2024, Prayer Matters is following a new prayer rhythm, to pray for renewal in this territory’s worship and mission. Each day has a theme, based on the five mission priorities. To read the unedited Prayer Matters booklet, visit salvationist.org.uk/discipleship
SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER: CARE FOR CREATION - PUTTING ON THE PLANET GOGGLES
In Genesis 1:28 God invites us to share in the responsibility of conserving the world. We are encouraged to be more resourceful and appreciate creation for what it is. Lord, help us today to take seriously our responsibility to conserve the world. Teach us to look through ‘planet goggles’, seeing the value of all that we have, and becoming more reflective and conscientious in the way we use the resources at our disposal. by Lyndall Bywater (UKI Boiler Room Team)
SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER: SABBATH PRAYER - THE BIG CONNECTION
Formerly known as ‘The Big Collection’, this fundraising focus has been renamed, in recognition of the fact that our connections are just as important as what we collect. Lord, forgive us for the times when we have valued money more than people; resources more than individual lives. As we gather for worship today, remind us of the precious privilege of sharing our lives with other people. by Lyndall Bywater (UKI Boiler Room Team)
MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER: SHARING THE GOOD NEWS - NEW LIEUTENANTS – BETH AND DAVE PERKINS
Pray for the new community where we will be serving, that we will have eyes to see where God is already at work, and the courage and creativity to join in with his mission there. Pray for us as a family as we navigate the transition to a new corps and community. Pray for our extended family as they continue to support us in our ministry. by Lieutenants Beth and Dave Perkins (Maidstone)
TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER: SERVING AND CARING - NEW LIEUTENANT – ALICE SWAIN
Please pray that I will continue to follow God’s call on my life, wherever it may lead me. Pray that God will continue to use our family in his mission, and that we might witness to others about God’s goodness. Pray that I will simply continue to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.
by Lieutenant Alice Swain (Macclesfield)
WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER – GROWING IN FAITH - NEW LIEUTENANT – JOHN MELIA
Pray that my transition back into full-time corps ministry will be smooth, and that the patterns and habits that I have learned whilst training will continue to be a part of my ongoing spiritual journey. Pray that God will use the new things I have learned to further the Kingdom in Street, and wherever he may send me.
by Lieutenant John Melia (Street)
THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER: INTERNATIONAL SALVATION ARMY - MEXICO TERRITORY
We pray for The Salvation Army in Mexico and for its leadership team. We pray for the many ways in which Salvationists all over the territory are making a difference in local communities. We pray particularly for the Army’s work with refugees and displaced people, for provision and wisdom.
by Lyndall Bywater (UKI Boiler Room Team)
FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER: JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION - OLDER PEOPLE – ELDER ABUSE
Pray for those who are living very difficult lives in older age, who are frightened, lonely and isolated. Pray for light to shine in the darkness. Pray that all corps, churches and communities will open their eyes to this often hidden crime, to break the taboo of talking about elder abuse, and for God’s people to offer safety, comfort and support to those who are victims of this crime.
by Ali Thornton-Dean (Older People’s Ministries)
CAPTAIN MICHAEL HUTCHINGS Corps Officer Southport
PRAYER REQUESTS
Do you have something or someone you’d like us to pray for? Email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk with ‘prayer request’ in the subject line and it will be upheld in prayer.
Faith for the future…
Rebecca Keating talks to Major Julian Watchorn about how Employment Plus is loving people into work
SINCE its earliest days The Salvation Army has been seeking to address the challenges of unemployment. In his book In Darkest England and the Way Out, published in 1890, William Booth attacked the three greatest social evils of his day: poverty, homelessness and unemployment. Booth planned a great scheme for social and spiritual regeneration. Its keystone – ‘Work for All’.
Well over a century later and these same social evils are still evident. Although the intervening years were not devoid of efforts to help others into employment, the work did not begin again in a formal sense until 2006 when Lieut-Colonel Roland Sewell was appointed as the first Director of Employment Services. What has followed has been a protracted but ultimately fruitful journey to what is now an integral part of the mission service within the territory.
In a marketplace of big corporate companies seeking large government contracts simply to sub-contract out, Employment Plus has established a niche but well-respected service to those often deemed hardest to help.
Contracts are usually driven by challenging Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), however in an industry where engagement is often found to be one of the most challenging aspects with many providers achieving less than 60% engagement with clients, Employment Plus are consistently achieving levels of more than 95%.
Often delivering their service out of small corps halls with less than adequate facilities by industry
standards, this unique provision has earned a reputation for being person-centred and approachable, prioritising building relationships before targets and performance. Seeking to establish who an individual is as a starting point is key to understanding what might be preventing them from finding employment.
Evidence that people benefit from the service they receive is the affirming statistic that 90% of people using the service attest to feeling better about their mental health because they are engaged.
At the heart of this gentle revolution is current Director Rebecca Keating. First making contact with The Salvation Army and its employment services in Australia 20 years ago, Rebecca was one of the earliest employees and has seen and been a major part of the growth and development of the service in this territory. Establishing a high bar for quality and employee training, with an accredited in-service qualification, Rebecca has continued to strive to ensure that those that we serve receive the best possible provision and are made to feel welcome and most importantly loved.
As a practising Catholic, Rebecca feels a strong affinity with Salvation Army values and the vision to ‘Love God, Love Others’ and this is evident in the passion with which she speaks about the journey that she and the service have been on over the years.
As she prepares a business plan for another five years, Rebecca reflects on how the appetite for the service has changed across the territory as corps have engaged locally.
‘The best advocates for Employment Plus are the corps officers who have welcomed and integrated the service into their mission programme. I genuinely believe that the opportunity that
Employment Plus offers locally is a means not only for the transformation of the individual but also for the growth of the Kingdom.’
In the early days, one of the key criteria for establishing a service was the availability of funding through government contracts. This remains a key component of the overall service and has enabled The Salvation Army to become a respected and established voice within the employment sector, now operating about 25 contracts across the territory. However, one of the key developments of the service over the years has been the establishment of mission-funded roles, whose primary focus has been to integrate employment services within corps and social settings. From humble beginnings with just one Employment Development Coordinator in Liverpool, there are currently 134 Employability Practitioners all across the territory, with more enquiries as others see the impact and opportunity to engage with and serve their local communities, winning hearts and minds on the front line.
Another opportunity that is developing organically is working in prisons, and more importantly with prisoners being released back into the community. The Salvation Army is uniquely placed with its network of corps with employability practitioners to offer continuity and support as prisoners seek to integrate back into society and communities that they may have left behind some years
Rebecca Keating
ago, seeking to find employment and break the cycle of repeat offending. With other faith-based organisations within the sector going out of business because of limited funding being offered, Employment Plus has thrived as it is not dependent upon government funding to offer a meaningful service.
Rebecca is infectiously passionate about the possibilities that are presented for mission through Employment Plus. She says ‘although it is not a requirement for Employability Practitioners to be practising Christians, it is fundamental that they embrace our Values and our Mission Priorities, which include discipleship. Understanding who we are and signposting to people with whom they can have conversations about faith is central to what we do. Unsurprisingly, seeing the impact of this has led some to explore their own faith journey.’
From humble beginnings God has taken this keystone of Booth’s vision and has, in this most recent iteration over the past 13 years, enabled us to engage with and assist over 90,000 people. Rebecca and those that have led the service in recent years have never lost the vision of transformation and as more corps see for themselves and engage with people where they are on their employment journey, so they too are given the opportunity to bring people into the knowledge of fullness of life for all with Jesus.
• For more information on Employment Plus, visit salvationist.org.uk/employment-plus
MAJOR JULIAN WATCHORN Editor Salvationist
Making changes together
Four Employment Development Coordinators share what they do with Lyn Woods
Sue Park North East Division
How long have you been with Employment Plus and which area(s) do you cover?
I’ve been working in the Sunderland area for almost three years at multiple locations.
What do you do and who do you help?
Some people come to me for help with Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or other forms, some for budgeting and money management help, some to access online learning where they can complete development modules or an accredited learning course or to improve their IT skills. Others visit to receive support in overcoming barriers to employment and developing towards gaining sustained work.
Monitoring progress
In a recent six-month period, I supported 125 customers. Of those who came for the structured employability journey, almost half of them were helped into sustained employment. This compares very favourably with programmes commissioned by the DWP or local authorities.
Why are you an EDC and what is the best part?
The opportunity to use my skills and knowledge and being in a face-to-face role in the community. I also get to see direct results, which is very rewarding. I love being part of the community spirit and work with some amazing organisations and corps officers that make the job enjoyable. The support received from managers and colleagues is astounding. The best part is the trust I receive to get on with the day-to-day job, and the feedback from happy clients whom I have supported in transforming their lives.
Steve Connor Wales Division
How long have you been with Employment Plus and which area(s) do you cover?
I’ve been with Employment Plus for almost three years in the South Wales area.
What do you do and who do you help?
My focus is on providing tailored and person-centred support for people who present with visible and invisible barriers. Recently I have specialised in support for ex-offenders and/or people in the justice system, either inside prisons or at specific job centres.
I have delivered tailored training, coaching, employability support. I also support people in confidence building, digital inclusion, budgeting, CV building and help with application forms and job seeking. My support continues into employment to help people retain their jobs through kindness, empathy and understanding of needs and barriers.
Monitoring
progress
I have supported 37 ex-offenders with employability support, of which five have gone on into full-time employment. In a recent six-month period, I helped a further 19 individuals into self-employment, employment or volunteering.
Why are you an EDC and what is the best part?
In my role I take great satisfaction from making a positive difference to people’s lives. As an EDC, I can work for The Salvation Army, an organisation with strong values and a reputation for helping everyone from all walks of life. Seeing people progress in their journeys and receiving positive feedback from customers, your manager and colleagues helps to reassure you that you are on the right track.
Caitlin Crocker South West Division
How long have you been with Employment Plus and which area(s) do you cover?
I’ve been working for Employment Plus for 18 months, across multiple locations and community spaces in Exeter and the surrounding area.
What do you do and who do you help?
Qualifications, basic skills training, benefits support, confidence building, CV creation, job searching, money management and housing sustainment are all part of what I offer. I have a versatile approach, aimed at making a significant impact in the Exeter community, supporting individuals in overcoming barriers to employment and achieving their life goals. My support continues after participants gain employment to ensure sustained success. Within Dartmoor, I focus especially on men in the last 20 weeks of their prison sentence, preparing them for release and supporting their reintegration into society.
Monitoring
progress
In a recent six-month period, I worked with 117 participants, providing both short-term and long-term support. Of these, 43 participants were helped into employment.
Why are you an EDC and what is the best part?
I like helping people to achieve their goals, and the Army’s Employment Plus allows me to do just that. The best part is the satisfaction of supporting someone who believed they could never get into work becoming employed and to be a part of that journey is a privilege. My work reflects the Army’s core values, continuously seeking to improve and make a difference in people’s lives.
Annette Hurst South West Division
How long have you been with Employment Plus and which area(s) do you cover?
I’ve been with Employment Plus for more than three years. I work from different locations around the Bath area and have an office at Bath Citadel.
What do you do and who do you help?
I help people to write job-ready CVs. Participants come to me primarily for employability help but I also support them holistically with all-round advice. I support refugees and those seeking asylum. Some have come from extremely challenging backgrounds and do not yet have a right to work. I support them with accessing training. I also help them prepare to look for work. Giving them focus helps with their mental health, which can be a significant barrier to recovery.
Monitoring progress
In a recent six-month period, I supported 52 participants. Of those on the employability pathway, almost half have moved into employment. Others have been helped into volunteering.
Why are you an EDC and what is the best part?
I became an EDC to help and support individuals who have the greatest barriers when it comes to accessing work and training opportunities. I can work with them on a one-to-one basis at their pace for as long as they need my support. The best part of my job is when a participant, who might have written themselves off, tells me they are about to start work or have achieved a qualification. There is so much we do, and no two days are ever the same. I love the fact that I am part of a wonderful team, and I couldn’t do the work I do without their support.
Opening the door of opportunity
George Tanton explores how Steps to Work is changing perceptions of the neurodiverse workforce
STEPS to Work is employment programme for young adults aged 18 to 25. Situated at Field, Liverpool, it empowers students with neurodiversity, physical or learning difficulties, as well as mental health issues, to break down barriers to paid work. Its goal is to help individuals thrive in the world of work, while changing perceptions of disability and neurodiversity among employers.
Steps to Work commenced in 2018 following research by the Army into the economic life of people with learning disabilities.
Trainees are recommended to the programme through a number of avenues, particularly local special educational needs and disability (SEND) schools and Jobcentre Plus, but also through Strawberry Field’s outreach services.
‘A lot of the people that we work with are deemed as economically inactive,’ explains Major Kathy Versfeld the Mission Director at Strawberry Field. ‘They may be on benefits, which suggests that they don’t need to work, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to.’
Trainees are appointed a dedicated work coach who supports them for the duration of the programme. They also receive emotional and pastoral care from the team while they complete an eight-week work readiness course, followed by three work placements.
As a person-centred service, the programme allows the student to consider a whole range of industries in which they could build a career. This is achieved through liaising with a number of community colleges and partner organisations, opening dialogue around vocational courses and
work placements. ‘It’s all about sitting down with the individual and exploring their hopes and dreams,’ expresses Strawberry Field’s Employment Development Co-ordinator Adele Murphy. ‘Our role is to explore the job market for the trainee and open that door of opportunity for them with an employer.’
‘It’s about building confidence,’ she continues. ‘For some trainees, they have been told their whole life that they will never get a job or amount to anything. Then we show them, step by step, that they can work, and they will work, and they do great work.
We call the programme Steps to Work because there’s lots of different steps you can take. We are creating a foundation for a person to move forward in their lives.’
The end goal is paid, sustainable employment. So far, trainees have successfully achieved this in a array of industries, from agriculture, conservation and construction to customer service, retail, hospitality and finance.
Steps to Work have established a variety of active partners across Liverpool including John Lennon Airport.
‘Think of every job there is in an airport,’ Kathy says. ‘There’s no industry that we’re not willing to explore.’
Steps to Work prides itself on championing neurodiversity, challenging potential employers to recruit from a more neurodiverse workforce and recognise the potential of all people regardless of their experience or ability.
‘By offering a supportive and inclusive environment to explore what those barriers are to work, we help students transition into not just employment, but inclusive working environments,’ explains Adele.
‘We want to change work culture,’ echoes Kathy. ‘We want employers to understand just how wonderfully gifted these young people are. Just because they’re different, doesn’t mean they have less value. They enrich our shared places of work and our shared community life. We want to educate employers that what they gain from employing people who are different far outweighs the reasonable adjustments that they would have to make in hiring them.’
Kathy considers the future of the Steps to Work programme, taking into account its resounding success across Liverpool and the Merseyside area. ‘We are the pilots,’ Kathy asserts. ‘All cities in this country need a Steps to Work programme. And, if the UK needs the programme, other countries around the world will need it. We don’t just want to change Liverpool; we want to change the world!’
Hastings Citadel Encouraging and empowering
Helping hands
I’ve been the corps officer here for four years, my first appointment after my commissioning. The corps is in the town centre, where I’m blessed to work closely with Employment Plus staff, including Regional Manager Laura Guy and Assistant Regional Manager Sam Sorrenti. Collectively, with our two employment development coordinators (EDC) we aim to help people improve their situations through advice and practical assistance in finding work and managing life’s challenges. There’s a big demand.
Deprivation is evident through job instability, addictions and a lack of opportunities for young people. The housing crisis has worsened, impacting both the buying and rental markets. Homelessness is an issue and our focus is increasingly with families.
We don’t benefit from good transport connections to London and are overlooked in terms of major funding, investment and building of new housing. Despite this, during the Covid-19 pandemic many people decided to move here. The changes have contributed towards widening the gap between rich and poor which is quite visible now.
Due to the pandemic people have had to relearn skills. Our twice-weekly community café has a relaxed atmosphere. Employment Plus are on hand along with other provisions such as our food bank, baby bank and pet food bank. In August we also hold a school uniform bank.
Life skills and tools
Employment Plus is not about forcing people into work, instead it’s showing them the opportunities available and understanding the ways that they can mould their skills into something new. As a team we’re keen to ensure that we’re helping people to help themselves into a better situation.
Some people will require one appointment to compile a CV or receive advice and some will be with us for a longer period.
Employment Plus is about showing people we can give them this support for now, but ultimately we need to equip them with tools to improve life for themselves, so that in the future they don’t need to come to us for these things. We want them to become more resilient and to thrive not simply survive.
Making a day of it
We recently held our second employability community day. It’s an annual event which shows what’s on offer in terms of support, including other local services to signpost people to. It’s that joined up working which is so important when we are working toward the same goals.
It has been a great outreach in terms of people knowing that the Army is more than a church, or even that we are a church. It’s increased awareness on so many levels, which in turn increases footfall and attendance through word of mouth.
We’re a safe space where people can learn and grow and move confidently with our support into paid or voluntary work and
gain other valuable skills as we journey with them.
Flourishing in adversity
ourney with we ed we jou
cifically w y needs w nterested xiety. ntice gh a m.
Through a service who work specifically with young people with mental health needs we were introduced to a lad who was interested in finding work but struggled with anxiety. He’s now our Employment Plus apprentice supporting the work of the corps through a range of different tasks. Watching him flourish and develop has been nice to see, we have seen such a positive change in him. Sarah is a young girl that came through on a Build Yourself project and did some decorating. After that project ended, she wanted to give her time to the Army and volunteer where she felt most comfortable, at the corps. She’s worked with Sam through Employment Plus and volunteers within our community café and our lunch club.
Another part of the joined-up working has seen Laura and Sam join forces with the Army as part of the corps emergency response team, stepping up twice in 2023 in response to flooding. We’ll keep serving this community by God’s grace for as long as we’re needed.
Fast Facts
DIVISION: South East
CORPS OFFICER: Lieutenant Debbie-Anne Hogarth
FIND US ONLINE: facebook.com/ 100064524196736
Knitted display tells God’s story
BUILTH WELLS
TO commemorate the Movement’s 150 years of ministry in Wales, a 12ft by 4ft 3D knitted display was on show at the Army’s stall at the Royal Welsh Show.
Located at the Cytûn - Churches Together in Wales – pavilion, the display featured scenes depicting Army mission tents, small chapels and groups of Salvationists in open-air ministry.
It also featured Bible scenes from Noah’s Ark, the birth of Jesus, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. Officers were on hand to answer questions about the display from members of the public.
Dorothy Keates, from the Cardiff Canton crafts group responsible for the display, said that when they brought their vision to life, they faced one other challenge: ‘Once we started work on the display, controlling our creative enthusiasm was difficult. Our passion for the project meant the display could have been double the size!’
Using different materials, including Welsh slate, and utilising their skills in knitting, appliqué and cross stitch, the group added an interesting dimension to each scene. The intended result was that the viewer could see something new each time and encourage people to think about their journey with God. In August the display was on show at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, with plans for it to move around Wales in the autumn. – JC
COMMUNITY
NORTH WALSHAM The success of the Community Fridge at the corps continues due to the generous donations from local retailers and the community. The Community Fridge has been in operation for 3 months and supports over 120 families each week. The fridge is manned by teams from local Churches Together and the Army and meaningful conversations are taking place with those who attend. Several families have connected with the Army and local churches, some are now regularly attending Sunday worship and midweek activities. Corps leader Territorial Envoy Ruth Morey is forging links in the community and building strong partnerships with local agencies and businesses and the corps are very grateful and excited to see how this partnership develops in the future. – RM
EVENT
CWMBRAN The corps annual retreat was shared for the first time with Pontypool Corps as they continued the journey of team ministry. Major Tracey Palmer (William Booth College) led the day along the theme of God in the Silence and corps officers Majors David and Diane Kinsey led a children’s stream on The Kingdom of God, which involved geocaching and creating treasure chests. – DK
EVENT
the Millfield Care Home Summer Fayre in Bolsover. A reward of Victoria sponge followed and a good time was had by all. – GH
COMMUNITY
WELLING The corps recently launched its new Community Pantry with support from ‘Your Local Pantry’ and Churches Against Poverty. The Pantry offers fresh, frozen, and long life food, clothing, toiletries, and more. It was an incredible opportunity to welcome people to the corps and begin to build new relationships within the community. One shopper shared that she hadn’t realised how lonely she had been until she sat and shared conversation with people. Each attendee received a small goody bag and were shown around the Pantry by a volunteer. The corps hopes that over time this will allow them to support people in a more personalised way. – KS
WALES
CLOWNE Members of the band were invited once again to entertain the residents and guests at
COMMUNITY
IPSWICH Suffolk’s police and crime commissioner, Tim Passmore, visited the Army’s Priory Centre. After meeting with Christian Youth Ministries community worker Beth Ambrose and CEO Simon Scott (not pictured), Tim met with Major Andrew Jarrold (Ipswich Citadel) and Centre Manager Shamaila Waddle. Shamaila said he ‘was delighted to learn of our contributions to community engagement through volunteering opportunities, faith in action and community integration initiatives.’ – TG
COMMUNITY
RIPON A wellbeing group is helping tackle isolation by offering women of all ages a safe space to enjoy company and crafts. Corps Assistant Alison Hewitt started the monthly group in 2022 when she identified a need for women looking after children or caring for older relatives during the Covid-19 lockdowns to take care of themselves too. Alison said: ‘The format of Uplift is craft activities, a piece of Scripture and a prayerful activity. I wanted it to be a safe space that was supportive, nurturing and fun.’ – AR
COMMUNITY
DERBY CENTRAL The Cameo group celebrated the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by competing in a flapping fish race (pictured), blow football, hoopla and ping pong. Everyone shared in a French afternoon tea, and took part in a sports quiz in French. A short clip from Chariots of Fire was also shown, reminding everyone of Eric Liddell’s Christian witness at the Paris 1924 games. – EH
International leaders visit United Nations Headquarters
NEW YORK
GENERAL Lyndon Buckingham and World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham made their first visit to the UN for meetings. Accompanied by Colonels Ian and Wendy Swan (Directors of the International Social Justice Commission) and Major Victoria Edmonds (ISJC Senior UN Representative), the meetings marked the first occasion on which a Salvation Army General in office has met with high-level UN officials since the ISJC was established in July 2007.
Discussions highlighted the current state of the world and how the Army might continue to support and partner with the 193 UN member states in caring for the world’s poorest and marginalised. Focus was given to gender-based violence, domestic abuse, the girl child, poverty alleviation, and migration and displaced peoples – areas of mission and ministry dear to Salvation Army community engagement. The importance of interreligious and multi-faith dialogue was reinforced, identifying effective partnerships and common platforms for faith-based organisations.
Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham met with UNICEF’s Director for Gender Equality Lauren Rumble, sharing common concerns and challenges of young adolescent women around the globe. The assembled UNICEF team identified the Army’s strength in front line community work and expressed interest in partnering with the Army in a number of initiatives.
These meetings with high-level UN representatives continue to solidify the importance of the Army’s contribution in global settings, as well as confirming the need for the creation of a body of work that will contribute to world bodies as they make life-altering decisions for the welfare and flourishing of God’s people and creation. – AR
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Summer special toddler song sessions at Twickenham bring the community together in song and play
ABIGAIL was enrolled as a soldier by the then corps officers Majors Chris and Lin Herbert. Abigail grew up in the Army and testified that she came to the point in her life where she felt God was calling her to make a further decision about her walk with him. Abigail chose the worship song ‘No Longer Slaves’, which features the words ‘I’m no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God’. Also pictured are Recruiting Sergeant Jeanette and Ray holding the flag. – LH
CARDIFF ELY
DAN Moores was welcomed as an adherent by corps officer Major Julian Short. Dan has been worshipping regularly at the corps with his wife, who is an adherent, and felt the time was right to make a further commitment. – JS
LAUREN, Chloe, Annabel, Peter, Jackie, Norma (all front row), Ste, Alex, Magalys, Joy, Beth, Ken (all back row) and Jack and Samuel (not pictured) were welcomed as adherents by the then corps officers Majors Chris and Lin Herbert. We thank God for their different journeys into faith. Some have been part of the fellowship for many years, others have come through our community work. We continue to pray and live out God’s word, that this corps will be a house of prayer for all nations and that in this place God will bring peace. Also pictured are Recruiting Sergeant Jeanette and Ray holding the flag. – LH
ADDLESTONE
FIONA Ndoda was enrolled as a soldier by corps officer Major Graham Bailey. Fiona moved to the area through work and linked up with the corps, saying that ‘it was like coming home’. She is pictured with Majors Angie and Graham and corps member Julie Kitchenside, who welcomed Fiona on behalf of the corps family. – GB
STEVE and Zoe Newcomb were welcomed as adherents by corps officer Major Tim Johnson. Steve and Zoe have attended since last year and are already assets to the corps and the Kingdom. Adherents Secretary Helen Outteridge chose Scripture from Romans 5:1–11 for them. Also pictured is Corps SergeantMajor Paul Attrell holding the flag. – TJ
DEE and Charlie were enrolled as junior soldiers by Major Alison Raybould (THQ) who led the YP anniversary celebrations. The weekend started with a Friday sleepover at the Army’s Ashbrook community project. On Saturday morning the adults and children spent time in worship and prayer, and on Sunday morning there was a café style church. The recently re-formed YP band played ‘Jesus Loves Me’ and congregational songs were accompanied by the new YP worship band. Prayer partners were appointed for Dee and Charlie, supported by their family and friends. – LC
EDINBURGH GORGIE
GOSPORT
LIVERPOOL WALTON
ROMFORD
LUCY was enrolled as a junior soldier by her grandmother, Captain Angela Wilson (Waterbeach) and Benjamin was enrolled as a junior soldier by Lieut-Colonel Wendy Caffull. They are pictured with children’s ministry leader Ella Goldsmith. – RG
SIMON Cayley, Lauren Chimes, Jake Sutherland and Pete Lines were welcomed as adherents by Territorial Leader Commissioner Jenine Main during corps anniversary celebrations. – JS
STOCKTON
SARA was enrolled as a junior soldier by corps officer Major Ian Davis, who encouraged everyone to support her commitment in prayer and by being good role models. Sara is a joy to have in our church and has a beautiful smile, she shines for Jesus! Sara was prayed for by her older sister, Erin, and Young People’s Sergeant-Major Nicola Tapster and supported by Junior Soldiers Sergeant Beverly Appleby. – SD
SWINDON GORSE HILL
MEMORY and Innocent McGabe and Yeukai Koronga were enrolled as soldiers and Phil and Mary Deaves, Wendy Burrows, Dennis Puffett, Dot Jesson and Reg Paddon were welcomed as adherents by corps officer Captain Theresa Torr. Memory, Innocent and Yeukai have been attending for some time and felt it was the right time to make their commitments. Phil and Mary, Wendy, Dennis, Dot and Reg have been friends of the church for some time and felt ready to take the next step in their spiritual journey. – HP
BRIDLINGTON
JANE Dickinson was enrolled as a soldier by corps officer Major Barbara Jeffery, supported by Corps SergeantMajor Val Lunn, who led Jane through the To Serve course. Family and friends came to support Jane in a meeting of celebration, with refreshments served afterwards. – BJ
JAMES Morris and Samantha Thomas were welcomed as adherents by then corps officer Lieutenant Sarah O’Grady. In his powerful testimony, James told how he was part of a Salvationist family – his grandparents had been officers –and how he had always found the corps, where he had spent his younger years, the place he needed to be. Samantha said that when she linked up with James, she also found the corps as her spiritual home. Also pictured are Corps Treasurer Charles Green and Colour Sergeant Iain Hards. – CG
BOURNE
PENGE
ARMY PEOPLE
Wedding anniversaries
Blue Sapphire (65 years)
BERYL AND BAND
SECRETARY DAVID MORRIS, Southsea, on 19 September
Diamond (60 years)
GERALD AND JOYCE
BIRKETT, Letchworth, on 5 September
BRAM AND MARY MOATE, Stockport Citadel, on 5 September
RETIRED BANDMASTER
MICHAEL AND RETIRED SONGSTER
SERGEANT PATRICIA BAKER , Stowmarket, on 19 September
MARGARET AND PHILIP VIDLER , Leigh-on-Sea, on 19 September
Emerald (55 years)
BANDMASTER ENID AND SONGSTER LEADER MAX WEAVER , Barking, on 13 September
Promoted to Glory
JOHN MURRAY, Parkhead
COLIN WARD, Morley
DAVID WALKLEY, Winton
CHRISTINA
ECCLESTONE, Winton, on 6 April
JUNE SHARRATT, Burton-on-Trent, on 14 July
Bereaved
CAROLINE MURRAY, Parkhead, of her husband John Murray
CYNTHIA WALKLEY, Winton, of her husband David Walkley, Clare Walkley, Winton, and Adam Walkley, Winton, of their father
ABIGAIL SHEEHAN, Exeter Temple, of her mother
ENGAGEMENTS
General Lyndon Buckingham and World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham
Sat 7 Sep – Sun 8 Sep Kettering Citadel (140th anniversary)
Salvationist is bringing back Poetry Corner for Harvest! If you have a Harvest-inspired poem you would like to share, email it to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk for consideration by 9 September.
Wales 150: 150 Days of Prayer
The Salvation Army began working in Wales on 15 November 1874. To mark this 150th year, join in 150 days of prayer leading up to the anniversary in November. Each day also features a story of faith and service. Follow along with each day’s prayer focus at salvationist.org.uk/wales150
Education Sunday resources
On Education Sunday (8 September), spend time celebrating and praying for everyone involved in education. This year’s theme is Learning Together: Education in Our Community. Find resources on salvationist.org.uk for you and your congregation to prepare for the new school year.
Help with updating your corps webpage
Join one of the Digital team’s one-hour training sessions for useful tips and guidance on editing your corps webpage. The team will answer any questions on accessing your account, logging in and making changes to content. To register your interest, email digital@salvationarmy.org.uk
SOUNDS
The Mission Shaped Podcast
Major Lynne Clifton (Sheerness) talks to podcast host Mark Robinson about the fresh expressions journey in action, as she listens and explores where God is leading her and her ministry on the Isle of Sheppey.
• Listen online at freshexpressions.org.uk/podcast
Sunday Worship
Join Salvationists across the territory in worship, with music, prayer and a Bible message from a guest speaker. This week, Bethany Munn (Faversham) shares a Bible message for Education Sunday (8 September). Can’t join us at 11am on Sundays? Catch up with the weekly podcast of highlights. Each week’s broadcast is also repeated in full on Sundays at 6pm, Mondays at 12am and Thursdays at 9am.
• Listen online at salvationist.org.uk/radio
Evening Jazz with Richard Mingay
Major Richard Mingay (William Booth College) shares the good news through his love of jazz and gospel music. The episode is broadcast at 7pm on Sunday 8 September and repeated in full at 9pm on Friday 13 September.
• Listen online at salvationist.org.uk/radio
Morning Praise with Kids Alive!
Get your day started with half an hour of music, prayer, a thought and lots of giggles! Listen on Saturdays from 7.30am to 8am. Can’t tune in on Saturday morning? The broadcast is also repeated in full on Sundays at 9am and Mondays at 7.30am.
• Listen online at salvationist.org.uk/radio
TO LET
ALTEA, SPAIN Modern two-bedroom, two-bathroom heated apartment. Pool, tennis, garden, garage. Shops, restaurants, beach close, hill-walking. Warm winter area. Airport transfers available. Tel 02920 759314 or email dee.jones@virgin.net.
TOPSHAM, DEVON Two-bedroom cottage overlooking Exe Estuary and hills. Local shops, inns, teashops, walks. Coast, moors, Exeter nearby. Tel 02920 759314 or email dee.jones@virgin.net.
Studying in York?
Be sure to link up to our corps , where a warm welcome awaits. Meals and transport provided and student/young adult fellowship. Email york.corps@salvationarmy.org.uk or contact Cynthia Smith: 07961 586465
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