THE SALVATION ARMY MAIDSTONE CORPS Winter 2013
Dear All, In just a few days time some of our American family will be with us for the festive season. We are so excited to have them with us so we can share a ‘British Christmas’ with our daughter-in-law and the grandchildren – a roast turkey (they seem to prefer them at Thanksgiving) with all the trimmings, Christmas cake and pudding, mistletoe and holly berries, carolling in the street, church bells, a Christmas morning family service, the Queen’s Speech, and no snow (probably!). It will be wonderful. We spent Christmastime with them a few years back and it was different, but they still kept the Babe of Bethlehem central to the celebration. Gathering with family is very important to American people. It seems to bring back their historical roots as once their people moved out in family groups across the vast expanses westwards towards the Pacific Ocean. Our impression is that the family as a unit is of greater importance to them than it is to us in the United Kingdom. For many cultures family holds a strong meaning about who they are as a people – caring, forgiving, inclusive, protective, loving – often built upon deep religious significance as well as a survival instinct. But, how many times have you heard someone say, ‘This is 2
going to be the best Christmas, ever’, only for it to fall completely flat before a cracker is pulled? Consider this story: ‘Christmas was going to be different this year. The father called a family conference and challenged them to be more disciplined in the management of their time during the busy Christmas season and to curtail excessive spending on gifts. He talked about better relations between visiting relatives and a more congenial atmosphere around their home. He brought his speech to a crescendo with his final rallying cry, “Let’s make this the best Christmas EVER!” His little son countered the big motivational speech by noting, “But, Dad, I don’t see how we could ever improve on the first Christmas.” ‘
No, we will never come anywhere near improving on that first Christmas. We can, however, live in the light of it in such a way as to allow its pure joy to infect us and inspire us to good and loving deeds done in the Name of Jesus, the Christ-child. ‘From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the Law was given by Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.’ JOHN 1: 16, 17 May your family and Christmas be different – blessed with grace and truth. Yours in Christ, Grayson & Janice Williams—Majors
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E D I TO R I A L C O M M E N T
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y first words must be on behalf of Philip, Christine and myself, a Happy New Year to all our readers and thank you for all your interest and contributions. One of the things that would make our year very happy is to hear someone say, “ I’ve written something for the magazine or for Philip to get an email direct (philip hales@blueyonder.co.uk) having said that we are glad to welcome two new contributors. When I read their articles my mind went back to a situation some years ago. I was serving on a committee and we were meeting to plan our role in a particular thanksgiving service whilst waiting for some members to arrive, two of the men were discussing their respective visits to a church—both at different churches and reasons and times. I was all ears!! Rob had been a Sunday School member, but left in his teenage years and had only attended for the customary marriages or funerals. James on the other hand had never been anywhere near a place of worship, ‘other than on a bus’, I learned. Following the service Rob challenged the Vicar, “why don’t you have hymns we know”? “Well the organist, likes a change”, replied the Vicar. I cringed and interrupted. “Didn’t you ask why”, I said “Oh no! Nobody was interested in me”.. James’ reaction was very similar and they both concluded that Christian worship to them was like learning a foreign language—maybe you're good at it and maybe not and regular worshippers haven’t a clue what outsiders feel and how confusing it all is . Since that time I have often wondered how new people feel if and when they come into our Hall. Fortunately, our two new 4
contributors felt the warmth of kindness and fellowship when they attended. About 18 months ago a man came into the Hall for some reason and picked up a copy of Grapevine because of the notice, “Please help yourself ”. He later wrote to tell me that William Booth had started the Salvation Army and if I wanted any more information he would help me to find it. Those differing situations have caused me to think carefully—”What if I’m the first person they see or talk to, would my reaction cause them to feel the warmth of fellowship or like a foreigner. In one of our songs, Ruth Tracy put it more succinctly—Only as I truly know thee can I make truly known—only bring the power to others, which in my own life is shown. This edition concludes the series, “From a Goldfish Bowl”, by Colonel Pressland. Nothing I can write will adequately express our appreciation of his contribution to our magazine. If you have kept the previous copies you will have a complete explanation of our beliefs as a Christian Salvationist in the simplest, yet most profound terms—Thank You, Colonel. May 2014 be a time of reflection, refining and rewarding for us all. Happy reading
Violet E Clarke EDITOR
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THE LOOM OF TIME Tis winter now; the fallen snow has left the heavens all coldly clear; through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow, and all the earth lies dead and drear. And yet God's love is not withdrawn; his life within the keen air breathes; his beauty paints the crimson dawn, and clothes each branch with glittering wreaths. And though abroad the sharp winds blow, and skies are chill, and frosts are keen, home closer draws her circle now, and warmer glows her light within. O God, you give the winter's cold, as well as summer's joyous rays, you warmly in your love enfold, and keep us through life's wintry days.
Samuel Longfellow 1819 - 92
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IN HIS SERVICE This is by way of a thank you, to each one of you in the Corps, Many of whom, l have yet to meet, Besides your warm greetings at the door. It's Jesus‘ loving welcome, which brings in the lonely soul, His guiding light, His Love, His Truth, which makes each of us whole. I long to be more like Him; to love Him more each day, To learn to trust Him as a child, link hands in His; He leads the way. Many folk may have no idea, How Jesus used you to bring cheer. Some bring a smile, others a handshake, Some serve teas, others bake cakes. Some lead the singers with a ministry of song, Help bring us to a place of worship, join in the Heavenly throng, Of worship to the One who ung stars into space, Each one He orchestrated to occupy it's place. And so we join together, to be His hands, His feet, In guiding weary souls to find, in His presence they will meet, The only One, who can be totally relied upon to meet their deepest need, His name is Jesus; He is the Bread of Life- the Saviour of whom we read, His Word, our manual for living, ensures in Him, we will succeed. For those who've not had a mention, you're not to feel excluded, Jesus knows and loves each one of you- He'll make sure you're included. I was so glad to be given the opportunity to give thanks, since so many folk in the Corps have been used by the Lord Jesus, as an instrument of His blessing. I give thanks for the members of the band, the Songsters and an especial thank you to each member of the Singing Company. I take my hat off to you for your courage and commitment (l felt real nervous when singing up the front with the Square Mile Gospel Choir!) and appreciate all that Lisa has imparted, by way of her energy, enthusiasm and joy. There's been many a time, when Jesus has used you guys to turn my tears of sadness into tears of gladness. Last and not least, in fact it should be first and foremost, l want to give thanks to the Lord Jesus, for demonstrating his loving kindness through so many of you in the Corps. it's meant so much to me, on this my journey to wholeness. Every Blessing to you all and your Families, at such a time as this. In His Family, with His Love.
Angela Baker 7
WORDS FROM THE WORD NEHEMIAH 12:1 - 47 JOY A MARK OF QUALITY LIVING! ‘Joy to the world the Lord has come’ is the song writers proclamation that the promised Messiah has arrived. Its that time of year again when we are all expected to be joyful and happy, after all its Christmas isn‘t it. We could be forgiven though for asking what have we got to be joyful about with all the problems that millions of people are facing around the world each and every day. People are struggling with opposition and frustration, loneliness, separation from loved ones, and people are hurting and can’t sleep at night because of worry and pressure. In this chapter of Nehemiah, he and his people remind us that it is not our circumstances that make us joyous but how we respond to those circumstances A Christian writer defines joy as ’A deep settled confidence in the person, promises and plans of God.’ What an excellent definition for us to hold onto in our times of challenge. This chapter of Nehemiah 12 will help us face life joyfully and rejoice no matter what our situation may be. Our load will lighten as we see things from God’s viewpoint and as we learn his thoughts, the friction of living will lessen. Nehemiah’s people had no doubts about the source of their joy, Vs43 tells us. ‘God, had given them great joy‘? They had been prisoners in Babylon for 70 years - they had lost all hope - but God had brought them back to Jerusalem given them a great leader who mobilized them into a powerful workforce that rebuilt the walls of the city in spite of almost impossible challenges. Now, God was building them into a community of His people giving them a new direction that was to last for 400 years. God was with them, leading them and they trusted in His promises and let Him work out His plans in their lives. ‘God had given them great Joy He had fulfilled His promise in Jeremiah 29: 10 - 14 why wouldn’t they be joyful?’ These people proved that circumstances don’t produce joy. God gives joy to His people as they follow Him. Joy arises out of our relationship with Him. It does not matter how we feel about what our circumstances are, as we trust God, he will supply our every need. 8
However, for joy to be continuous the heart must be clean. Nehemiah highlights this in Vs27-29. All was ready for the dedication of the walls but before that could take place there had to be the rite of purification (Vs30). Whatever else they did that day, cleansing from sin and the committing of life, gates and walls to God was a very important part of it. This is not difficult for us to understand, because we all fall at times, we become careless, we try to cheat on God, we lash out in anger and we hurt and cut people. We criticise and gossip and speak ill of others, all of which kills joy quicker than a dose of diarrhoea. So how do we maintain joy, well the Bible tells us 1John 1:7 - 9. A life of joy is a life constantly cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Before there can be happiness of life there must be holiness of life. We note also that joy produces great sacrifice Vs43a. People filled with the joy of their salvation give generously. They had so much to thank God for they gave and found great joy in giving. Lives filled with joy will give cheerfully and generously, they don’t see giving as a sacrifice but as an expression of thankfulness and gratitude to God. For Nehemiah and his people it also produced great strength (Neh 8;10). They found that with joy comes a strength that is undefeatable. Why.? Because we can’t be children of God, share the life of God, be with God without obtaining His strength too. As joy flows strength flows. Nehemiah refused to let Sanballat and Tobiah and company or anyone else for that matter control his joy or conquer him. He had joy that gave him spiritual strength to overcome his circumstances and to bring glory to God. Finally it produced great surrender Vs 44 - 47. They rejoiced in living according to God’s will - scientists, school teachers, politicians, business men, traders, farmers, doctors, mothers, fathers, young people - they all surrendered to God’s will. This made their joy complete in life ad their joy made them competent to cope with life. No one could fail to experience Nehemiah and his people’s joy in Jerusalem. Our joy can be as irresistible and audible wherever we are today. Joy begins and ends with a life focused on God and nothing shows us how to do this better than Jesus (Heb 12; 2-3). What about your life - is your confidence in the person, promises and plans of God?.........
David Wakefield 9
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hen the music fades...........and we look back on an amazing achievement, I am humbled when I recall: a cast and crew of 80+ from Maidstone Corps who prayed, performed and praised together and as a result in excess of 700 people heard the Gospel in a new way the creativity of our own Lighting Director and the fact that The Hazlitt Theatre Lighting Crew asked for Jesus Folk Tee shirts that the Hippies/Hoodies stole the show and the dancing Hippy/ Hoodie deserved an Oscar! the Crucifixion scene and the precision of Jesus' hands nailed to the cross the determination to 'get it right' by cast and orchestra alike the conversations on all levels with new people and old friends that took place because of Jesus Folk the creativity and imagination that was inspired the portrayal of the characters by those in the cast as they brought them to life before our eyes the unwavering and dedicated support of the chorus the willingness of all to get involved and be involved no matter what needed to be done the scenery, costumes and make up those who started rehearsals, reserved and shy and ended the final performance, positively extrovert! the look between Jesus and Peter the many stories told by an audience that heard God speak to them those who came out of interest and left interested that Jesus said: 'Whatever you ask in my Name, I will do'.
And He certainly did!
HAZELL BALL 10
Alpine Glory
15 – 28 July 2014
Based in the splendour of the Austrian Tirol and Alpine countryside, Keith and Pamela Thomas are planning to return with a group of friends to the Park Hotel in St Johan in Tirol, which served their groups so well during their holidays following attendance at the Oberammergau Passion Play in 2010. In conversation, Keith and Pam have indicated that if anyone from the Corps would like to join them they will be most welcome to do so. The holiday will include a visit behind the scenes at the Passion Play Theatre before travelling to St Johan for the remainder of the holiday. Accommodation at the hotel will include: Breakfast 4 course evening meal to include drinks Free transfer to a mountain zither afternoon Coffee and tea during the afternoons Weekly barbeque with music Free use of the public tennis courts Free bike – hire Free use of public leisure centre In addition the cost of the holiday will include excursions to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Salzkammergut (of The Sound of Music fame), the Grossglockner, Krimml Falls and many other interesting alpine locations – even an opportunity to travel into a salt mine! All you will need to budget for will be lunches, entry to attractions and any personal expenditure. If this is of interest please see Keith for further information and details. 11
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DOREEN HARDMAN
his series began with the lady who was no. 01 on the roll – Margaret Bevan. Since then many have shared their story with us, sometimes those who have served a long time and others of comparatively short service and here in Doreen we have another lady who has given time and energy in faithful service. She is no. 4 on the roll. Doreen with her elder brother was born to Salvationist parents in Millom, Cumbria. Her childhood was spent involved in the usual activities which the Army provide and on leaving school worked in a factory making handbags. However, she moved to another factory to learn needlework. Following marriage, and her husband’s job change, she moved to Maidstone in 1959 and soon settled in the Corps. Bandmaster, Bert Upjohn offered her employment in the Crown wallpaper business and she worked there for nine very happy years, until her Son Martin was born. Martin arrived at a very appropriate time for that year Doreen was Mary in the Christmas pageant with a very real and lively baby, Jesus. Seven years later Rachel was born. Martin now has his own electrical business in Gravesend and Rachel is at the Canterbury Oast Trust caring for animals and when she comes home at weekends her enthusiasm for Army activity is an inspiration for us all. Whilst in these latter years Doreen has worked behind the scenes her contribution to the Army’s Service has been phenomenal in so many ways. For a long time she was the only pianist, playing for the Singing Company, Songsters and Corps. 12
Of those years she says – “overall my playing I was never under any illusion of my ability, enough to say I was the only one available at the time and that was it. I was never Stuart Atkinson’s calibre, more like Les Dawson, but I did my best and only the Lord knows what it cost me. We were fortunate that we had transfers in and I remember there were at least three pianists. Then of course our youngsters grew up and excelled so I, thankfully for everyone, faded into the sunset”. Doreen’s other valuable contribution was that of Corps Treasurer, a position she held for sixteen years, and still helps the financial section in any way she can. Apart from normal activities her real expertise lies in cooking. She has catered for a number of Corps weddings over the years, as well as a normal run of meals for all section activities. On the two occasions we had a week of guided prayer in 2007 and 2009, ably assisted by Christine Gerring, she prepared two meals a day for the ten Guides and all were surprised at the excellent quality of the food she provided. Doreen has experienced many difficulties in life and at present is coping with quite severe health problems, but her faith is strong, and though sometimes she wonders why, but she is quite content to believe that God knows, so she leaves it with him. It is people like Doreen who have made the Army the strong organisation it is today, and is an example to us all that faithfulness brings it’s own reward.. 13
Always do right: This will gratify some people and astonish the rest....Mark Twain Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. Be like a postage stamp - stick to one thing until you get there. Be true to your teeth, or they'll be false to you. Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away, and you have their shoes too. Cooking lesson #1: don't fry bacon in the nude. Drive carefully. It‘s not only cars that can be recalled by their maker. Eat a live toad in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day. Eat your spinach and you‘ll grow up .big and strong like Popeye. You'll also end up with a girlfriend that looks like Olive Oyl. Growl all day and you'll be dog tired at night. If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments. It is better to keep your mouth shut, and look like a fool, than to open your mouth, and remove all doubt. It‘s nice to be important, but more important to be nice. Take the time to be right. It's faster than being wrong. The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement. Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody is looking. Gill Paxton 14
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s a newcomer to the Salvation Army Church, I was very interested to learn about each person’s role in uniform, and how they assist the public in need. Whether in this country or abroad. I thought it may be useful for a list of this type to be shown in the reception area of our church, along with all the activities also advertised in the Weekly Bulletin, so that if I wished to volunteer my time to the Army, then I may know who to approach in charge of whatever service. There is apart from this suggestion one of the things I would like to see is a club for single people, at some time – possibly on a weekday. Where those who live alone, and are so often isolated, could meet for just a coffee and a chat. I think most of the activities at the Hall are for a specific purpose. I can honestly say any newcomer to the church would receive a very warm welcome by members as I was given. If they wish to be a volunteer I know through my own experience, it can be a very rewarding way to use spare hours of the day.
Patricia Day 15
THIS month’s viewpoint from a member of the Corps:
Terry Wakefield BAND PIECE — ‘The Eternal Quest’ by Lieutenant Colonel (Dr) Ray Steadman-Allen As a trombone player, this is my obvious choice for a band composition. Many would have played this challenging, demanding solo, by getting all the right notes in the right order, but few would have performed it, so conveying the original idea and thoughts of the composer. I find it a most moving description of life’s journey as quest to be more like Christ, to arrive at the last couple of triumphant last bars.
SONGSTER PIECE - ‘His Provision’ Words; John Gowans, Music; Ivor Bosanko I have no over-whelming choice of songster composition. All are beautiful, in their time and place. We are blessed by pre- meeting music by our songsters, and 16
again as part of our worship. I have never been disappointed. OK if you twist my arm for long enough, I would have to say “His Provision,” A rare example of song and poetry, beautiful with or without the music.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG - ‘Number 59’ by General Albert Orsborn My choice of congregational song is also wide open, I am easily pleased, just dip into any Albert Orsborn song, and find scripture, sound doctrine and teaching, poetry and challenge. I have a special place in my heart for song No. 59 and a part of the last verse, “bring me at last to see, the courts of God, that city fair, and find my name is written there”. Then my Eternal quest will be over, I would have proved His provision.
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e have already seen how important it is to know what we believe - our beliefs shape what we are, determine our behaviour, enable our witness to others to be clear and unambiguous. As we come to the last three of our Salvation Army Beliefs (Doctrines) let us ask ourselves what the Christian “Journey” should look like:Our last three doctrines broadly focus on the Christian journey as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ:Doctrine 9. LIFE AFTER WE ARE “SAVED” On the journey of
life, how do we keep the experience of our conversion alive and fresh? Is it possible to “lose” this experience and go back to being “unsaved”?
On this journey we will be under attack, we will face the danger of gradually absorbing and following the ways of the world which we renounced at conversion. God has made it possible for us to make our own choices. He has given us His “Workshop Manual”, the Bible, the life, teaching and example of His son Jesus and His Holy Spirit to guide us. We can choose to disobey this guidance, we can become less keen to study His Word and keep close to Him in prayer, we can face our old and several new temptations to sin and sadly find it possible to go back (We call this “Backsliding”) “Our
salvation is not an inert condition to be preserved, nor an insurance policy which needs no further investment” It is the beginning of a
pilgrimage, a ‘faith’ journey inviting us to a life of discipleship which will make itself evident by the way we live. The investment options for every Christian are to grow in obedience to our Lord Jesus not by some superhuman strength of our own, but with His help (Which we call “Grace”) or to deceive ourselves into thinking that we can ignore all guidance He gives, coast along in our own 18
strength and find ourselves lost in the confusing maze of doubt and despair.:-
“We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ”
Doctrine 10. WHAT DOES SPIRITUAL GROWTH LOOK LIKE? How do we make progress? What is “Holiness”? Is it really
possible to live without sinning?
When we consciously set out after conversion to invest in a journey of spiritual growth and adventure, we find that we are becoming open more fully to the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit begins His work of equipping us to follow the teaching and example of our Lord Jesus, to recognise that this process is a “Journey” and not a ”Destination” nor an automatic process, but one in which we are open to changes in our lifestyle as we try to live in harmony with God’s purposes not our own. We become willing to allow the Holy Spirit to work with us to make this possible, and to obey the command of God to be Holy (see 1 Peter 1:16). We use several descriptions of this spiritual growth:- “sanctification” being the most common, but also “Full Salvation”, “Holiness” etc. The word “Sanctification” comes from the Greek and Hebrew words which describe God’s Holiness and the way in which His people are “Made Holy” and “set apart”. As we discover the power of the Holy Spirit to help us we can see that it is related to that first experience of “Saving Faith” which led to our conversion but which also takes us forward in our journey. The challenges which face us as Christians (powerlessness, disillusionment and guilt) which come as we find ourselves facing temptations we thought were left behind when we were saved, help us to realise that being saved does not free us from the attacks to our faith 19
and the power of sin, but also make us aware of the power of the Spirit to enable us to overcome. We may have victory over sin, and may grow in spiritual maturity becoming more and more like our saviour Jesus.:-
“We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”
Doctrine 11. WHAT IS OUR ULTIMATE GOAL? Where will
our “Journey” take us? What happens after death? What do we mean by “Heaven” and “Hell” ? “The SA Handbook of Doctrine” entitles this last of the eleven articles of faith as “Kingdom of the risen Lord” (the doctrine of last things.”) Jesus rose from death, His resurrection is at the heart of our faith. It tells us that death does not have the last word over our destiny; God does. “When we die, we die into the life of God” We use the expression “The immortality of the soul” to express our belief in life after death. This is an extension of the relationship which we have already developed with Him during our life on earth. This “eternal life is not simply unending time, but a quality of life in the presence of God” We cannot imagine what this will look like, but God’s Word describes it as abundant, everlasting life with no end and love with no end. Our biological death is real, it is a God-given “Limitation on fallen human existence” but because of Jesus it is not the end, and whilst at death everything that is physical dies, whether we are saved or unsaved, what we essentially are remains until God brings us to participate in the general resurrection and final judgement of Christ. ( Matt 25:31-46; Romans 2:511;1Cor 15: 50-54; 1 Tim 6: 13-16) The “Resurrection of the body” means, not that we will become disembodied spirits, but recognisable as having the essential characteristics of our earthly personality and relationship with Christ - whole persons, fully alive with Christ in God. The doctrine book points out that Jesus died a 20
real death on a real cross, “His resurrection was a re-creation, not a resuscitation!” Not for instance like Lazarus who was raised only eventually to die again. Our resurrection, too through Christ, will be a total “re-creation” But what about our ultimate accountability? Sin, to our Holy God, is totally unacceptable, his ‘wrath’ is directed towards it, He takes it seriously enough for Him to have sent His Son Jesus to die for us “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself ” (2 Cor 5:17-21) What wonderful Love - summed up by Charles Wesley’s song (SASB 283) “No condemnation now I dread,
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine. Alive in him, my living head, and clothed in righteousness divine. Bold, I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own” (v 4 I suggest that you read the whole song!) Our eleventh Doctrine reminds us that in the final analysis, the nature of our life after death will depend upon the conscious choices we have made during our earthly life. God, in His love and mercy, has provided for our salvation. But He has left us to make our own choices about His provision. May we each make the best and right choices - it is in our hands.
“We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgement at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked”
Colonel Michael Pressland This concludes an excellent series from the Quill of the Colonel. — we need a lobby group to request the Colonel to produce something for the future!!! 21
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e have our Christmas traditions in the West, decorating a pine tree – do you know why? (Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.), hanging up stockings in the hope that some loved one will fill it with goodies! However, after watching some TV programme over Christmas where it was mentioned that in Poland in some homes - some hay is put under the tablecloth (it is connected with Christ's manger) I began thinking that you may find it interesting to know what other curious happenings take place in other regions. Additional to the hay thing special tasks are carried out during Advent, the baking of the Christmas Piernik or honey cake, and the making of Christmas decorations. Pierniki, which are made in a great variety of shapes, including hearts, animals and St Nicholas figures. In Argentina houses are decorated with red and white garlands; on the door Father Christmas's Boots are placed. On Christmas Eve, they open the presents under the Christmas tree. That day is very special for because they are Christian and celebrate Jesus' birth on the 24th of December. In Egypt, in the Coptic Church, Christmas is celebrated on the 7th January. Advent is observed for forty days and during this period people are expected to fast eating no meat, poultry or dairy products. 22
Some people only do this during the last week of Advent. On the Eve of Christmas everyone goes to church wearing a completely new outfit (this is a common tradition in many places). The Christmas service ends at midnight with the ringing of church bells, then people go home to eat a special Christmas meal known as fata, which consists of bread, rice, garlic and boiled meat. On Christmas morning people in Egypt visit friends and neighbours (this too is quite common behaviour). They take with them kaik, which is a type of shortbread, which they take with them to give to the people they visit and eaten with a drink known as shortbat. Christmas Day is a public holiday for Christians. In Greenland there is a lot of visiting of families, drinking coffee and eating cakes, as well as giving of brightly wrapped presents, which might consist of a model sledge, a pair of tusks, or even a sealskin mitt. Everyone in the village gets a gift and children go from hut to hut, singing songs. Christmas trees are imported (owing to the fact that there are no appreciable sized trees growing there) and decorated with candles as well as bright ornaments. There is dancing most of the night. After the coffee, cakes and carols everyone is given Mattak, which is whale skin with a strip of blubber inside is given to everyone. The taste of it is much like coconut, but is tough to chew and is usually just swallowed. Another food that is eaten is Kiviak which consists of raw flesh of an auk (bird, similar to penguins), which has been buried whole in sealskin for several months until it has reached an advanced stage of decomposition. This is the one night when the women are waited on by the men. In Portugal the tradition of gift-giving was defined mostly by the strong Christian religious beliefs of the people. Children await the coming of the Three Wise Men during Christmas time. On the eve of January 5th children place their shoes along windowsills and doorways and fill them with carrots and straw. They do this hoping that this will 23
lure the wise men's horses to their houses during the night and that they will find their shoes packed with gifts and treats in the morning. The treats left are more likely to be candied fruits and sweet breads. In Russia the religious festival of Christmas is being replaced by the Festival of Winter, but there are some traditions that are still kept up in some parts of the country. In the traditional Russian Christmas, special prayers are said and people fast, sometimes for 39 days, until January 6th Christmas Eve, when the first evening star appears in the sky. Then begins a twelve course supper in honour of each of the twelve apostles - fish, beet soup or Borsch, cabbage stuffed with millet, cooked dried fruit and much more. Hay is spread on the floors and tables to encourage horse feed to grow in the coming year and people make clucking noises to encourage their hens to lay eggs. On Christmas Day, hymns and carols are sung. People gather in churches, which have been decorated with the usual Christmas trees or Yelka, flowers and coloured lights. Christmas dinner includes a variety of different meats - goose and suckling pig are favourites. Babushka is a traditional Christmas figure who distributes presents to children. Her name means grandmother and the legend is told that she declined to go with the wise men to see Jesus because of the cold weather. However, she regretted not going and sets off to try and catch up, filling her basket with presents. She never found Jesus, and that is why she visits each house, leaving toys for good children. In Yugoslavia, children celebrate the second Sunday before Christmas as Mother's Day. The children creep in and tie her feet to a chair and shout, "Mother's Day, Mother's Day, what will you pay to get away?" She then gives them presents. Children play the same trick on their father the week after. Those Yugoslavs who live in the country fear bad luck if their Christmas log burns out and so someone has to stand over the log all Christmas night to ensure it stays lit. A Christ24
mas cake called chestnitsa, contains a gold or silver coin and it is said that whomever gets it can expect lots of good luck. The Yugoslavs eat roast pig as their Christmas dish and it must be carved a particular way, according to old customs. Every household has a Christmas crib. According to old customs they go on an expedition to the forests to gather moss with which to line the crib. Also families would have an old-fashioned music box that plays Christmas carols. In Sicily the Sicilians fast from December 23rd at sunset to the December 24th at sunset. They then have a great Yule log which is kindled. After prayers and songs are done around the Presepio or crib the feast begins.
The foods that might be served are eels and larks, boiled pasta, fish, sweet bread and Torrone a type of nougat. The children are visited by La Befana on January 6. She was said to have been so busy cleaning her house that she missed out on going with the three wise men to Bethlehem (observe the likeness to Babushka, in Russia). She was also considered to be a witch. Children hang up their stockings so that she will fill them with toys and gifts.
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In The Philippines - the only Asian nation in which Christianity is the religion chosen by the people. Christmas celebrations start nine days before Christmas with a mass known as Misa de Gallo. At this mass the story behind the birth of Christ is read from the Bible. The Panunuluyan pageant is held each Eve. A couple is chosen to reenact Joseph and Mary's search for shelter. Mass is held hourly on Christmas Day so that everyone can attend. Religious services include pastore, or play, based on myth of the birth of the Christ Child. The pastore closes with a star from the upper part of the church sliding down a wire and coming to rest over the church's Nativity scene. Christmas celebrations may have evolved from old tribal customs mixed with other influences. Serenading cumbancheros, or strolling minstrels, end their performances by singing Maligayang Pasko to the tune of "Happy Birthday". In Greece, on Christmas Eve, children, especially boys, often go out singing 'kalanda' (carols) in the streets. They play drums and triangles as they sing. Sometimes the will also carry model boats decorated with nuts which are painted gold. Carrying a boat is a very old custom in the Greek Islands. If the children sing well, they might be given money, nuts, sweets and dried figs to eat. Christmas Trees are becoming more popular in Greece, but they aren't traditional. Instead most houses will have a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire which is suspended across the rim. A sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross hangs from the wire. Some water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day, someone, usually the mother of the family, dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house. This is believed to keep the 'Killantzaroi' (bad spirits) away. The Killantzaroi are meant to appear only during the 12-day period from Christmas to the Epiphany (January 6th). They are supposed to come from the middle of the earth and get into people's house through the 26
chimney! The Killantzaroi do things like putting out fires and making milk go off. Having a fire burning through the twelve days of Christmas is also meant to keep the Killantzaroi away. Every December, in Aristotelous Square in the city of Thessaloniki (which is the second biggest city Greece) a huge Christmas Tree and three masted sailing ships are erected. It's a popular tourist attraction. Going to a Midnight Mass Service is very important for most Greeks. After the service people can go home and end their Advent fast. The main Christmas meal is often Lamb or pork, roasted in an oven or over an open spit. It's often served with a spinach and cheese pie and various salads and vegetables. Other Christmas and new year foods include 'Baklava' (a sweet pastry made of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey), Kataifi (a pastry made from a special form of shredded filo dough and flavored with nuts and cinnamon), Theeples (a kind of fried pastry). A traditional table decoration is loaves of 'christopsomo' (Christ bread). It's a round sweet loaf and the crust is often decorated with what the family do for a living (if you're a fisherman there would be fish, etc.).
Would You Believe it – (but didn’t want to know) Americans eat 10 billion doughnuts a year. Britons drink 60 billion cups of tea a year. Heinz sell 2 sachets of Ketchup each year for every person on earth. Over a lifetime the human heart pumps enough blood to fill a football stadium. A garden snail would take 3 years and 2 months to travel from John o’ Groats to Lands End. The faint trace of perfume left in the wake of a person passing another is known as sillage!!
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An Ode to the English Plural We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes, But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes. One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese, Yet the plural of moose should never be meese. You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice, Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice. If the plural of man is always called men, Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen? If I speak of my foot and show you my feet, And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet? If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth, Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?
Then one may be that, and there would be those, Yet hat in the plural would never be hose, And the plural of cat is cats, not cose. We speak of a brother and also of brethren, But though we say mother, we never say methren. Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him, But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!
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God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2 v6 - 8 Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided, Urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way, Sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided: Lord for the years, we bring our thanks today. Lord Self Past Lord
for ourselves; in living power remake uson the cross, and Christ upon the throne, put behind us, for the future take us: of our lives, to live for Christ alone.
Songs of Fellowship 892 v 1 & 5
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Our Weekly Services
Contact Information
You are welcome to join with us for worship & praise:
Maidstone Salvation Army 74-80 Union Street, Maidstone ME14 1ED
Sunday Worship: Family Service (Sunday School) Prayer Meeting Evening Service Youth Group
10.15 10.45 17.15 18.00 19.30
1st & 3rd Monday in month (to be confirmed) The Living Word Bible Fellowship 19.30 Tuesday: Ladies Meeting (Home League)
13.30
Wednesday: The Parkwood Fellowship Ladies Meeting (held at the Rosemary Graham Centre Sommer Walk, Parkwood). 14.00 Wednesday: Held Fortnightly, please contact the office for the next date Cameo & Crafts 10.00 3rd Wednesday: Ladies Fellowship
20.00
Thursday: The Over 60’s Club
13.30
Corps Officers: Majors Grayson & Janice Williams Captain Lynne Clifton Administrator: Mrs Lorraine Munn Address as above. Telephone: 01622 681808 Email: Maidstone@salvationarmy.org.uk Weekly Community Events: Monday & Friday SAM’s Tots (Salvation Army Maidstone) Parent & Toddler Group 10.00 For information on other mid-week activities please telephone the administrator on the above number. Please telephone 01622 681808 for further information and/or to check
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Closing date for next issue is 15th Mar, 2014 to be sent to the Editor or Philip Hales at email: philiphales@blueyonder.co.uk 32