Salvationist 11 November 2023

For everyone linked to The Salvation Army

70p / 11 November 2023

SALVATIONIST WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Caught in the act AS corps up and down the territory pause to reflect this Remembrance Sunday, I consider myself privileged once again to participate in an act of remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall. After the main service has taken place and the veterans and officials have dispersed, for generations Regent Hall Corps has been given permission to march to this national monument and offer a service of remembrance. It is a moving tradition, made more poignant by the veterans that remain in the crowds as they take the time to meet with colleagues with whom they have served, to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In this week’s edition, we take the time to reflect on how we have sought to support those most affected by the consequences of war. Both in active service, and also those who have lost loved ones abroad and sought closure in the knowledge of their final resting place.

Remembrance in the context of war is an act of commemoration, not celebration.

War is never something to be sought and always creates casualties. As we pause once again in an act of remembrance, may our prayers be lifted to our Heavenly Father in whose Kingdom we may each find peace.

MAJOR JULIAN WATCHORN Editor

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‘God was with me’ Basildon member talks serving in the military

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70p / 11 November 2023

SALVATIONIST

MEMORIES OF REMEMBRANCE

9 ‘FAITH KEPT ME GOING IN THE WAR’

10+11 8 IRAQ WAR: 20 YEARS ON

Issue No 1935 EDITOR Major Julian Watchorn

FOUNDER William Booth

MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford

GENERAL Lyndon Buckingham

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Simon Hope, George Tanton, Lyn Woods, Major Margaret Bovey

TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill

ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Major Julian Watchorn

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight, Louise Phillips

TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 1 Champion Park, London SE5 8FJ 0845 634 0101

PROOFREADER Chris Horne CONTACT US 020 7367 4890 (main) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk

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POEMS OF REMEMBRANCE

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WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

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© The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory.

ISSN 2516-5909.

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland is SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland is CHY6399.

Published weekly by The Salvation Army and printed on paper from sustainable sources by CKN Print, Northampton.

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SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS From the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated

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TRENDING

Branching out Ahead of Inter Faith Week (12–19 November), Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts considers the importance of interfaith harmony

Reflect and respond How regularly do you listen to and learn from others in a spirit of humility and genuine interest?

How comfortable are you with the statement ‘other religions may contain elements of truth’?

Find out what’s happening near you during Inter Faith Week at interfaithweek.org.

Find an interfaith group in your area at interfaith.org.uk/involved/groups.

Lieut-Colonel Jonathan with Fatima and Imam Abdul Hasiz

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NE morning in late October I was with a group of people representing different faiths – Christians, Jews and Muslims – at the Trevor Bailey Sports Ground in Dulwich.

It is named after the former England cricketer, but we weren’t there to play cricket: we were there to plant trees.

The Faiths Forum for London organised the event as part of its year-long project to plant 100 trees across the capital. But the 15 saplings we planted that morning were as much about interfaith harmony as about the environment. In many parts of the territory Salvationists live and work alongside people of non-Christian religions. Interfaith engagement is therefore an important part of loving God and loving others. Like the saplings planted in Dulwich, it could grow to have a lasting impact for good in our communities.

The tree-planting was a significant event, especially in light of the Israel-Gaza conflict that had erupted a few weeks before, but it’s just one example of the kind of interfaith engagement envisaged by the UK and Ireland Territory’s new Ecumenical and Interfaith Strategic Plan.

The overall purpose of this plan is to ‘build relationships and partnerships with other Christians and people of other faiths’ – we’ll talk more about the ecumenical elements of the plan during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January.

There are three main branches to

working with and relating to people of other faiths.

First, respectful dialogue. This means listening to and learning from one another in a spirit of humility and genuine interest.

Dialogue can deepen mutual understanding and trust.

Second, joint social action. Interfaith engagement involves working together for the common good. Communities are often served better when people of different faiths act together. And local decision-makers are more likely to listen and respond when faith groups express concerns with a united voice.

Third, sensitive witness. Salvationists believe that Jesus Christ is the unique revelation of God and the world’s only Saviour. We also realise that other religions may contain elements of truth and, as The Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine says, we ‘trust to ... God ... all those whose life and experience, personal creed and spiritual opportunities are different from our own because he is the loving Creator of all’. These are not contradictory statements. They are complementary and mean that, while sharing the good news is a mission priority, we need to witness with sensitivity.

The territory will encourage dialogue, including involvement in national groups such as the Inter Faith Network for the UK and in local interfaith groups. To support interfaith engagement, the territory will be producing guidelines on dialogue,

Register to take part in the Inter Faith Buddies Scheme at interfaith.org.uk/ resources/inter-faith-buddies. witness and community partnerships and will organise a webinar to explore interfaith matters – look out for that in 2024!

In the meantime, on a local level, there are lots of opportunities for interfaith engagement that we can each explore as corps or individuals. For example, the Inter Faith Buddies Scheme brings two people of different faiths together to engage in weekly dialogue for six weeks. You could also get involved in interfaith community initiatives and joint activities, such as litter picks, tree planting and food banks, or approaching the council about an issue of local concern.

In our multicultural and multi-faith society, we need to witness to the love of God for all people and work for greater social cohesion. What can you do where you are?

O For more information about ecumenical and interfaith matters, visit salvationist. org.uk/ecumenical or email ecumenical@ salvationarmy.org.uk.

LIEUT-COLONEL JONATHAN ROBERTS Territorial Ecumenical Officer THQ

Salvationist 11 November 2023

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Quiz The cleansing stream Can you sail your way through this water-themed quiz?

by Garry D Reed 1

Which song by Sidney Cox is based on the words of Ephesians 3:17 and 18, reminding us that God’s love is broader and deeper than any of us can imagine?

2

Give the title of Mosie Lister’s popular song which commences: ‘Well I’ve been to the river, I’ve been baptised,/ I’ve been washed in the blood of the Lamb…’

3

Complete this verse from Isaiah 35: ‘Water will gush forth in the wilderness…’

4

Who commanded that ‘every son that is born ... you shall cast into the Nile’ (Exodus 1:22 English Standard Version)?

5

What are the last words of ‘Water of Life’, written by Christian Stover, which starts: ‘Have you heard the raindrops drumming on the rooftops’?

6

Name the Old Testament leader saved at a very young age by floating in a river.

7

Complete: ‘As the deer pants for…’

(Psalm 42:1).

8

Which famous Welsh hymn tune is associated with a song with the lyrics: ‘Open thou the crystal fountain...’?

9

Name the flowing cornet duet composed by Erik Leidzén, based on the lyrics ‘I bring myself to Jesus, to Jesus’, sung to the tune ‘Listen to the Mocking Bird’.

1 ‘Deep and Wide’. 2 ‘I’ve Been Changed’.

3 ‘... and streams in the desert.’ 4 Pharaoh.

5 ‘Jesus gives us the water of life.’ 6 Moses.

7 ‘... streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.’ 8 ‘Cwm Rhondda’.

9 ‘The Cleansing Stream’.

ANSWERS 4

Salvationist 11 November 2023

TESTIMONY

‘I knew the presence of Christ to be with me’ Salvationist shares the testimony of Cadet Stanley Conway-Lee, a former RAF navigator, from 1946

I

AM one of the fellows back again in Civvy Street who considers himself fortunate to be alive. On more than one occasion I thought I had ‘had it’ and, during the past few weeks since demobilisation, I have had the chance to think it over. Why have I been spared? Better men than I have not returned. I believe that there is a divine purpose in my presence here, in order to give my testimony.

During the war I joined the Royal Air Force, with the knowledge that the Lord Jesus Christ was my Saviour, able by his power to keep me from sin. I knew it was possible for me to live a life that was clean and decent.

From m my childhood days, and until ntil I joined the forces, my life e had been sheltered.

The influences fluences around me were for or good, and there were kind friends who nurtured ed me in the things of God. The time me came when I had to say farewell rewell to these things, and to o face this new ew life with Christ.

Could ld God help ellp me under these circumstances? mstances?

The divine vine promise ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,’ (Hebrews 13:5 King James ames Version) was for or me. It had been ttrue rue ru e in the the past, and I knew Christ would not forsake e me in this new experience xperience now.

As a navigator in the RAF AF I knew the presence nce of Christ to

be with me in the aircraft. I know it is easy now to discuss the feelings I had that came when miles from base, but I am sure that Christ was as much with me then as he had been in the days of peace.

As I plotted on the chart and worked out the course that would keep the aircraft on track, I became conscious of this presence controlling my life. Just as my pilot would accept the course I gave him, I realised I must be willing to accept divine control, if my life was to be vital in the hands of God. I was not immune from the hardships of service life. The more I trusted Christ, the more I became aware of strength beyond own, enabling me to perform the tasks my ow allotted me with fidelity and success. allotte As a young man, new to Civvy Street, looking at the world today, I am bound to confess that it is in a sad plight. The high confes hopes we servicemen had for the postwar world seem to be slowly vanishing away. What hope is there in science, aw political theories or human reform? I po believe that the only hope is to be found in Christ and in his teaching.

He alone can save men, and nations. I believe it so much that I have dedicated my life to the proclamation of his gospel.

I have enlisted for life, and in tthis spiritual warfare I now know something of the peace of Christ, so which passeth all understanding. whic O This testimony was originally given as

part of a Salvation Army radio broadcast in 1946 1946. Cadet Stanley Conway-Lee was a member of the Warriors session w and went on to hold appointments at Marl Ma rlow ow and Egham Corps.

Marlow

Have you got a testimony to share? We’d love to hear your faith journey! Get in touch at salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk.

The picture is a stock photo posed by a model

ARMY HISTORY

Pilgrimages of remembrance George Tanton finds out how the War Graves Visitation Department ent brought solace after the First and Second World Wars

‘T

HIS service in no way fosters the war spirit,’ proclaimed Commissioner Catherine Higgins, the head of The Salvation Army’s War Graves Visitation Department in September 1924.

The department provided what Commissioner Higgins called ‘pilgrimages of remembrance’ for grieving British and Commonwealth families who could not afford the costs of travel to visit the graves of their fallen sons, brothers, husbands and fathers. Speaking to the Northern Whig and Belfast Post, she continued: ‘Instead of accentuating ... bitterness they lead to a mellowing of spirit...

Sentiments of hatred or revenge cannot survive the soul-reaching appeal of those serried rows of white headstones dotted all over northern France and Belgium.’

The department operated throughout the inter-war period, later led by Lieut-Colonel Edith Wotton, and was relaunched after the Second World War. Its service incorporated a graduated scale of assistance, according to each family’s financial means. In many cases, the Army covered the full expense of travel and board. The department’s officers offered practical support to those crossing the English Channel, as well as emotional and spiritual assistance.

This included helping them acquire travel documents and passports, providing French-language translation and finding suitable accommodation in Army hostels, located in Boulogne, Calais, Ostend, Ypres, Arras, Amiens and Rouen.

Officers travelled with families to the cemeteries and prayed with grieving relatives at the graveside, consoling

and comforting them with compassion.

‘Everywhere the party travelled its members were delighted with the kindly and attentive bearing of Salvationists who met them,’ reported a journalist in the 9 September 1921 Torquay Times, after accompanying a pilgrimage to the battlefields of Ypres, Arras and the Somme. ‘The Salvation Army representatives were the personification of helpfulness and tenderness.’

In the 17 October 1921 War Cry, a woman who lost her husband and son wrote: ‘I could never have undertaken that sad journey but for your help... If the woman officer at your hostel had been my own mother, she could not have shown her loving solicitude for me more than she did.’

In the same issue, another bereaved mother even testified to a spiritual awakening while on her pilgrimage: ‘I never attended any place of worship, nor made any pretence of religion, until I went to France, but while your officer was praying at the grave of my son ... I prayed: “O Lord, pardon my sins.” I am going to be a Salvation Army soldier.’

In March 1936, the Yarmouth Independent reported that a greater number of young people had started embarking on these visits.

Consequently, they adopted a more educational appeal to teach people about the evils of war.

‘In view of the present distracted state of Europe,’ read the report, ‘it is well that youth should see at first-hand ... the effects of the war,

Commissioner Catherine Higgins

aboutt which they know ffrom actual hi h tth h k t l experience little or nothing.’

After the Second World War, the service was extended to also include travel arrangements to war cemeteries in Holland.

‘My wife and I have recently returned from a visit to our son’s grave at Eindhoven,’ one Mr Holmes wrote to the Coventry Evening Telegraph in August 1949. ‘This visit has been made possible by the kindness and assistance of the Salvation Army War Graves Visitation Department, to whom we tender our heartfelt thanks...

It is a visit that will always remain in our thoughts.’

GEORGE TANTON Editorial Assistant Salvationist

Salvationist 11 November 2023

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BIBLE STUDY

Wholly his Major Cliff Allchin considers the conflict we might face in following God’s will

JAMES 4:1–12

T

HIS summer, two of my corps members undertook physical challenges to raise funds for worthy causes. One walked a million steps for Dementia Awareness. The other, aged 81, walked from his home to the start of the Great North Run – and then took part in the race!

PAUSE AND REFLECT What is the hardest challenge you have ever faced?

Elton John’s songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin, would have us believe that one of the most difficult things to do is to apologise: as the song says, ‘sorry seems to be the hardest word’.

A search on the internet reveals various lists of the hardest things in life: achieving peace in difficult circumstances, letting go of someone you love, remaining calm when falsely accused of something, speaking up after a put-down, leaving people behind.

Some lists also include life achievements: parenthood, marriage and the handling of success or failure.

However, for me, James calls it with his instruction to the early Christians to ‘submit yourselves, then, to God’ (v7).

Surely he is right, if it was submission to the will of God that saw the Son of God on his knees in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying with such fervour that drops of blood formed on his brow.

Jesus submitted with this heartfelt prayer: ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done’ (Luke 22:42).

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Salvationist 11 November 2023

PAUSE AND REFLECT Consider Jesus’ mental and spiritual journey from ‘take this cup from me’ to ‘your will be done’.

When might you have cried out to God from the depths of your heart as you faced a tough situation?

James considers that there are at least three opponents to overcome if we are to ‘submit to God’. The first: our personal desires. James says that our desires battle within us that we ‘desire but do not have’ (v2), that we are more concerned with our own pleasures than with God’s will for us.

This seems to reflect our modern world, which – as per the title of a song from The Greatest Showman – declares: ‘This Is Me!’ Or, as Popeye would say: ‘I yam who I yam!’ Yet Christ calls his disciples to put aside their own desires, to lay down their very selves and to take up a cross each day in order to follow him.

It is no wonder that Jesus identifies the gate to the Kingdom of Heaven as the ‘narrow’ gate and the pathway as being hard (see Matthew 7:13 and 14).

What can be harder than to give over your own desires, hopes, passions and longings? Yet we need to submit those personal desires to God for the greater desire of knowing Jesus.

PAUSE AND REFLECT ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me’ (Luke 9:23). How do you apply these words to your life?

The second hindrance is that of pride.

James encourages us to ‘humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up’ (v10). A few verses earlier, he cites Proverbs 3:34: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble’ (v6).

In the story of the Fall (see Genesis 3), we see that the sin of our first parents was all about pride. Adam and Eve wanted to be God. Yet God shows to us the path of humility: we must ‘seek humility’ (Zephaniah 2:3), ‘put on … humility’ (Colossians 3:12 English Standard Version), ‘clothe yourselves with humility’ (1 Peter 5:5). Marvellously, we see the example of Jesus, who, as Paul writes in Philippians 2:5–11, ‘humbled himself’ by descending from Heaven to Earth, from the highest echelons to the lowest place of death as a despised criminal, crucified upon a cross.

PAUSE AND REFLECT Paul writes that Jesus ‘emptied himself’ (Philippians 2:7 English Standard Version).

Of what did he empty himself?

How did Jesus empty himself?

What does his example mean for us, his followers?

The third enemy to our submission to God’s will is Satan. James alludes to this when he sandwiches his advice to ‘resist the Devil’ with the compelling call to ‘submit yourselves therefore to God’ and ‘draw near to God and he will draw near to you’ (vv7 and 8 Revised Standard Version).

Prayer Matters contains daily devotions covering specific areas in the territory, current worldwide situations and personal reflection and relationship with God. A PDF of the unedited booklet is available to download from salvationist.org.uk/resources.

In November prayers will be centred on Jesus, who brings healing.

SHALOM FOCUS

by Lieutenant Martyn Bellshaw (Gillingham) SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER – EPHESIANS 2:14 AND 15 Jesus, thank you for the reality that you are our peace, that through you, and you alone, we are reconciled in wholeness with God. Amen.

Satan will make every effort to stop the Child of God from doing the Father’s will. His attacks on Christ clearly illustrate this (see Luke 4:1–13; Mark 14:32–36; Matthew 27:40).

Satan’s agenda is to divide God’s people, to deceive God’s people and to destroy God’s people. He will use any means, fair or foul, to achieve that goal.

Our only hope to resist the Devil is to draw near to God, to submit to God, giving ourselves over to his will, for his glory. When we do this, we discover that God, as CS Lewis wrote in The Screwtape Letters, ‘gives them back all their personality, and boasts … that when they are wholly his they will be more themselves than ever.’

When, in order to follow God’s will for our lives, we submit ourselves to him, overcome the stumbling blocks of our own desires and pride and resist the Devil’s attacks, then we discover the incredible world that is the Kingdom of Heaven and a life that is filled with countless blessings.

PAUSE AND REFLECT Which of the three obstacles to your submission to God is, or has been, the most difficult for you?

What blessings are you experiencing because you have chosen to follow the will of God?

MAJOR CLIFF ALLCHIN Corps Officer Leeds West Hunslet

SUNDAY 12 NOVEMBER – PHILIPPIANS 4:7 God, may this be our reality, may we find your joy in the wholeness that you have given through Jesus. May your peace transcend all understanding, may it transform lives and dissipate conflict. Amen.

WORSHIP FOCUS: ‘WAYMAKER’

by Nicholas King (Music and Creative Arts) MONDAY 13 NOVEMBER – ‘YOU ARE HERE, MOVING IN OUR MIDST’ Father, help us to acknowledge your presence in the here and now. In your presence there is fullness of joy, a deep joy that cannot be stolen or replaced. May we cling to that promise today. Amen.

TUESDAY 14 NOVEMBER – ‘YOU ARE HERE, WORKING IN THIS PLACE’ Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, God can use as his instrument.

Help us, Father, to have our eyes open, ears attentive and hearts tuned into what you are already doing in us, through us and around us. Amen.

WEDNESDAY 15 NOVEMBER – ‘YOU ARE WAYMAKER’ Jesus is our Waymaker when there seems to be no way. He brings refreshing to our lives when we are surrounded by a desert. Jesus shines his light when all we can see is darkness. He sees way beyond our own circumstances. Jesus, make a way out of the darkness in our lives, we pray. Amen.

THURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER – ‘MIRACLE WORKER’ Dear Lord, thank you for the times when you have performed miracles in my life, both seen and unseen. Help me to have the faith to ask for miracles, to expect them and to praise you each time. Help us to be people who pray bolder prayers. Amen.

FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER – ‘PROMISE KEEPER’ We can fully trust in the promises of God (see 2 Corinthians 1:20). None of God’s promises in the Bible ever fail; even the Holy Spirit is a promise from God to all believers. Keep standing on the promises of God when it comes to anything that concerns you. God’s promises do not fail.

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 the Territorial Prayer Network will uphold them in prayer.

Poetry Corner Fields Without Red Flowers

The Last Post

Poppies now grow in fields Where a generation lost flowers, red.

Where white stones, aged by wind and rain, Stand still to watch and guard the dead.

Known to God, they’ve lain at peace Since on a fateful summer’s dawn Whistles blew and gave them to eternity.

In peace, but alas not yet at rest, For generations come to look and seek An answer to life’s frightened quest – Who they were? And why they’ve gone?

And how we all can wake to greet the morn And stay alive to watch the sun go down On fields that have no flowers, red?

When the Last Post sounds and in silence we stand To remember those who fought for our land The countless who died so that we may be free May we never forget them, may they always be

MAJOR DAVID RADFORD

Massacre of Innocence While women weep and kids can’t sleep; They fight.

As hunger bites, through terror nights; They fight.

When death tolls rise, hell reigns from skies, ‘An eye-for-eye’ keeps spirits high.

A promised land lies in disguise.

They fight. They fight. They fight.

While men wash hands, blood steeped in sand; They’ll fight.

As thirst for war cries out for more; They’ll fight.

When life is counted cheap as chips, The call for peace numbs silent lips. ’Til promised land is full-eclipsed.

They’ll fight. They’ll fight. They’ll fight.

MAJOR NIGEL BOVEY

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Salvationist 11 November 2023

The War to End All Wars

So scour our conscience With your flood Till we ensure that never more Shall nations let Death’s bloody dance Seduce the souls of friend and foe Like Flanders Field.

‘The war to end all wars’ they said In 1918 millions dead.

Conditions must have seemed like hell, Fighting in trenches, hundreds fell.

For many there life had to end Supported by a comrade, friend.

It seemed a victory costly earned, And what from this had mankind learned?

Were all those lives laid down in vain?

Before too long war flared again.

Men, women, children, now once more All died because the world would war.

The innocent could not escape All carnage that the Blitz would make.

With both sides thinking they were right Christians did then each other fight.

Again a costly peace was won, A husband, wife, a daughter, son Were left bereaved, their loved ones gone, For them what future? It seemed none.

But then it ended, was there peace?

It seemed that fighting would not cease, For still today the conflicts rage And countries in a war engage.

At this time God must surely weep, Creation will not his peace keep.

To have mankind in harmony His peace must start in you and me.

JAMES GILMAN

BRIAN COLLEY CLOWNE

Remembered and loved for all that they gave The trauma they went through, and all those who paid The ultimate sacrifice losing their lives Those who never returned to their children and wives.

As we take a moment to pause and reflect On this day of remembrance to pay our respects To all those to whom we owe a great debt May we always remember, may we never forget.

LYNSEY GALLOWAY CARLISLE

The Poppies Prayer The poppies fall.

Their crimson tears Like shrapnel, piercing every heart Of those who mourn the dying blood Enshrouding friend and foe alike On Flanders Field.

INTERVIEW

‘You always wondered if you would see loved ones again’ 105-year-old Maisie Allison (Ballymoney) talks to Lyn Woods about life, faith and serving during the Second World War What was your role as a woman employed during the Second World War? I lived in Glasgow and decided to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service. I was then posted to Wales and spent time training near Cardiff. After some interviews and exams, I was given the post of an interceptor of messages from Morse code in the Royal Corps of Signals. It was very interesting, and I worked alongside other women. It wasn’t easy as a woman, but we all worked together and the messages were important. It did get claustrophobic in the small area we had to work; eventually I was moved to more outside work, including cleaning of the officers’ quarters.

Do any particular memories stand out?

I have so many. The hardest part I would say was relationships: during the war you were always wondering if you would see your loved ones again. I do also have a funny memory – one day a group of us girls were on our way to clean the officers’ quarters and we had to go through a vineyard to gain access.

The grapes weren’t fully ripened, but we hadn’t eaten any for such a long time, so we gave in to temptation and suffered with sore tummies!

Maisie and Micah

How did your association with The Salvation Army begin?

Around the age of 13 I would hear the band playing at the end of Argyle Street in Glasgow. I remember going to meetings on Saturday nights with my cousin’s granny. She took a group of us, and we always enjoyed a cup of tea and an iced bun at the end of the meeting.

Tell us about your friendship with young Micah at the corps I go to the Army on Sundays and to the drop-in during the week. In the school holidays, Micah comes along to the midweek drop-in as his parents are the corps officers, and he always sits with me. I told him I can’t see very well, and he asked if he could help me play dominoes – he tells me how many dots are on them, and we play against the others and always win. He paints me pictures for my room. He also tries to teach me how to work his yoyo spinner that he brings to church! We laugh together. He visits me where I live and thinks it’s a hotel. When I ask if I can kiss him on the cheek, he says yes, but then rubs his face straight away, which makes me smile.

How would you describe your faith, both now and during the war?

From a young age I was taken to church. I always had a faith and trusted God. It was my faith that kept me going through the war, as it was hard. The things I saw and lived through required me to rely on God for strength and the church services that were held while I served were of great importance to me. When I look back, I have been through some difficult times and my faith has always given me hope to keep going.

It continues to sustain me today. God has always brought me through whatever situation I was in.

What have been your greatest blessings in life?

I have always loved being outdoors and being active – hiking and dancing as well. My mum died when I was quite young and I had to look after my younger brother a lot. I thank God for my family and the fifth generation of our family today – me, my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

What’s the best thing about making it to 105?

I can’t really believe it! I was so thrilled and blessed to receive a birthday card from Queen Elizabeth II for my 100th birthday and then one from the King on my 105th birthday just recently. And I can still get out a little and enjoy life.

Do you have any words of wisdom for our readers?

Simply take life each day as it comes.

Don’t nap in the afternoons so you can sleep well at night. Get out and about as much as possible.

Salvationist 11 November 2023

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Compelled by Twenty years after the beginning of the Iraq War, George Tanton explores the work of the International Emergency Services in modern conflicts

Picture: Major Nigel Bovey

‘A

Captains Peter and Ruth Hammond, 2003

Major Paul Westlake

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Salvationist 11 November 2023

FEATURE of our modern world … is the sudden explosion of “complex humanitarian emergencies”’, wrote Major Roland Sewell, then co-ordinator of the International Emergency Services (IES), in The Salvation Army’s 1997 yearbook. ‘These frequently result from civil war and are typically associated with widespread starvation, economic collapse, genocide and mass displacement of people.’ He continued: ‘In recent years the Army has endeavoured to respond to these major, complex, international disasters with professionalism and skill, but more particularly with Christian compassion.’

In September 1994, General Paul Rader commissioned a team of officers to respond to the refugee crisis in Rwanda.

That work led to a decision in June 1996 to establish the IES as a distinct unit at International Headquarters. It would rapidly mobilise to provide crucial humanitarian support to people affected by war and natural disasters.

The first official deployment of the IES was to Bosnia following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. Here, it was involved in establishing programmes to provide psychological support to displaced children, as well as rebuilding war-damaged homes. Salvationists were involved in what Roland described as the ‘spiritual process of recovery and reconciliation’ between the opposing sides in former Yugoslavia.

compassion He explained in the September 1995 issue of The Officer that the Army had played a similar role in Rwanda: ‘Following the horrors that neighbour had inflicted on neighbour there was glaring need for the message of reconciliation to be addressed… It was essential if real healing, recovery and ultimate development of a whole community was to take place.’

After the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the IES was again mobilised to provide humanitarian aid. This deployment included Captains Peter and Ruth Hammond. Their prior assignments with the IES had been to Bosnia and Kosovo.

‘Within a few days of the Saddam Hussein statue being pulled down, IHQ contacted us,’ explains Peter. ‘We had been following all the events in Iraq and, quite honestly, we were hoping that we would be asked to go out there and help.’

Ruth adds: ‘Peter and I really prayed that we’d be able to help in some practical way.’

The couple were deployed to Kuwait, where they received formal training from the World Food Programme. Crossing the border into Iraq, they were stationed at a supply depot in Nasiriyah.

‘Our job was to monitor the handling and distribution of food aid,’ explains Ruth. ‘This included deliveries of wheat, rice, cooking oil, soup, sugar and soya beans to civilians.’

Major Paul Westlake was also deployed to Iraq with the IES. Previously a corps

officer in York, his call-up at the start of the conflict simultaneously induced feelings of excitement and trepidation: ‘I knew what the situation was like, but it seemed to me to be quite an interesting experience to have.’

In a similar role to Peter and Ruth, Paul worked alongside the US military distributing food and cooking oil to the starving civilian population.

‘These are quite valuable commodities in wartime,’ he explains, ‘so we were sent in to manage food depots to stop any potential corruption.’

Ruth found her faith was challenged and strengthened during their time in Iraq: ‘On one Sunday, I was feeling dire after a particularly tough week. I had this little transistor radio, and I happened to tune into BBC World Services, and the Christian programme was on playing familiar worship songs. Through this, the Lord Jesus spoke to me, saying: “Don’t worry, bring all these worries to me. I am here with you.” I had this reassurance that God was with us.’

Paul also felt the protecting presence of the Lord. His fortitude in Jesus was found in regular prayer.

‘One day I was sitting in my billet, and all of a sudden there was this gunfire,’ he reminisces. ‘In Iraq at the time, everybody had a gun in their house. If you heard shooting, you never knew whether it was people celebrating, such as at a wedding, or whether it was something else. I didn’t know what was

happening and I was shaken by the whole thing.’

He adds: ‘When you’re in difficult situations the only thing you can do is rely on the Lord to protect you. That was the thing I prayed for most of all, God’s protection.’

Indeed, danger was always lurking around the corner during Paul’s deployment: ‘A day after I met the Iraqi chief of police for the area that I was deployed to, he was shot dead.’

Despite the dangers of conflict, the IES continues to operate in war zones and areas of civil unrest across the globe. In the past 10 years it has been engaged in peace-building initiatives in Kenya (2017), Zimbabwe (2018) and Burundi (2020), assisted internally displaced peoples in the Philippines (2017) and Nigeria (2019).

It is currently supporting the victims of the war in Ukraine, still bringing the light of Christ to those lost in the fog of war.

As Roland wrote in 1995: ‘I am not embarrassed to state that a major motivation in responding to all emergencies is straightforward compassion… Without compassion the Christian gospel would be hollow.’

GEORGE TANTON Editorial Assistant Salvationist

Salvationist 11 November 2023

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have shared the gospel and reached out to their communities. But we don’t only want to celebrate our heritage, we also want to thank God for where we are now and look to the future, trusting him for what’s to come. We would love to inspire and encourage people to see their place in the future of the story of our Movement. We look back and celebrate, yes, but we also look ahead with hope and excitement.

What’s being planned for the year?

Dyma Gariad Captain Kathryn Stowers talks to Major Jo Moir (THQ) about celebrating 150 years of mission and ministry in Wales

W

EDNESDAY 15 November marks the start of a year celebrating the 150th anniversary of The Salvation Army in Wales. The theme for the year of prayer, worship and evangelism is Dyma Gariad, which translates as ‘here is love’. It is taken from the hymn written by William Rees and traditionally set to the tune of ‘Lowry’, which reminds us of the vastness of God’s love, mercy, justice and kindness. As the division and the wider territory join to remember God’s faithfulness throughout the years in Wales, Divisional Ecumenical Officer Captain Kathryn Stowers (Newport Citadel) shares some of the vision for the year.

How has the division been preparing for this anniversary?

We felt it was vital that our celebrations were rooted in prayer. Over the last year the Dyma Gariad prayer box has been travelling around the division, giving opportunities for corps and communities 12

Salvationist 11 November 2023

to reflect, share stories and seek God’s voice. Collecting the various prayers and stories of God’s faithfulness has been truly inspiring. We have seen huge blessings and outpourings of the Holy Spirit.

We believe that this time of celebration will also be a time of blessing to our communities. For example, when the prayer box landed in Newtown, the corps used seed cards to write prayers for their community. They also gathered at Costa Coffee in Welshpool, using the resources from the prayer box to cover that community with prayer.

The tagline for the year is ‘God’s story, our story, your story’. What does this mean to you?

We want to celebrate God’s faithfulness first and foremost, his vast love and grace towards us. Within that we want to celebrate the mission of The Salvation Army in Wales over the past 150 years, to thank God for the faithful servants who

Some of the focus over the year will be on collective celebration; worship events, concerts, a presence at Welsh festivals (eisteddfodau) and the first ever commissioning in Wales as part of Together 2024, which will be held in Newport in July.

There will also be gatherings and prayer events in the smaller regions (cynefins) with something for everyone to get involved in. A craft display is planned for the 2024 Royal Welsh Show in July. It will be made from knitting and other crafts, and will depict the Christian journey in Wales.

We are really encouraging each corps and centre around the nation to reach out to their community in a way that will best connect in their area, sharing the good news of the transforming power of Christ. This special year is a wonderful opportunity not just to gather internally but also to share ‘God’s story, our story and your story’ with communities in innovative ways, from fun days in parks to community songs of praise (cymanfa ganu) at bandstands. We also encourage connecting with other Christians in the community for joint outreach activities.

How can we get involved as a territory?

Pray with us and pray for us. Ask that God will open doors of opportunity and that we will have courage and grace as we share this anniversary with our neighbours and our communities.

You can join us, come and support us at one of our events or book your place at Together 2024 – watch this space for more details in the new year.

Be part of this celebration and this move of the Spirit in our nation.

O For more information, visit salvationist. org.uk/dyma-gariad-24 or email dymagariad24@salvationarmy.org.uk.

PREVIEW

Time to shine Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts introduces a national ecumenical initiative

H

ERE’S a pop trivia question. Who was the last UK winner of the Eurovision Song Contest and what was their song?

Sam Ryder almost won in 2022 with ‘Space Man’. He topped the jury vote only to be overtaken by Ukraine’s entry in the public vote. You have to go back to 1997 for the last UK winner – Katrina and the Waves with ‘Love Shine a Light’. I used the song title as the theme for our corps carol service that year because it resonated so well with the Christmas message.

It could also be – but isn’t – the theme song for a national ecumenical initiative this December. Shine Your Light invites churches to take the Christmas message to the streets on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 December, with an emphasis on community events and activities on the Saturday. Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill has endorsed the Army’s involvement, saying: ‘Carols, community and Christmas: three words that go together. I was excited to hear of plans to see these unite as churches across the Isles take the message of “God with us” onto the streets. I’m in!’

Light is an evocative symbol.

John’s Gospel uses it to describe the Incarnation: ‘The true Light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world’ (John 1:9). Jesus described himself in the same way: ‘I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12). So, ‘shine your light’ could

be a prayer that Jesus would shine his light into the hearts of men and women this Christmas.

Jesus also used it to describe the witness of his followers: ‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house’ (Matthew 5:14 and 15). So, ‘shine your light’ could also be a call to the Church to go out into the world and give light to everyone.

That’s the thought behind Shine Your Light. One of the organisers, Dr Jonathan Oloyede from the National Day of Prayer and Worship, says: ‘The vision for Shine Your Light is that the whole Church across England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic stands united to share the gospel to the whole of society this Christmas. Every local church and believer is being encouraged to be a light to shine to brighten up the whole country like a Christmas tree.’

Salvation Army corps shouldn’t need any encouragement to spread the Christmas message that weekend, as many will already have their carolling planned. But how about making it an ecumenical effort? Members of local churches could be invited to join in with carol singing and outreach. Or, if other churches are planning events, corps members could join them.

This December, let’s pray ‘shine your light’ and respond to the invitation to do so ourselves.

5 ways to join in 1 Take the Christmas message outside your hall.

2 Pray for and bless your community.

3 Share a testimony, story or gospel presentation.

4 Update your salvationarmy. org.uk webpage to promote your local activities.

5 Register on shineyourlight.org.uk and share your plans there too!

O For information, resources and to

register for Shine Your Light, go to shineyourlight.org.uk

LIEUT-COLONEL JONATHAN ROBERTS Territorial T Ecumenical Officer THQ

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SPOTLIGHT ON…

Reading Lower Earley Planting with passion FAST FACTS DIVISION: Central, Southern and Channel Islands CORPS OFFICERS: Captains Roelof and Tanyia Vermeulen FIND US ONLINE: facebook.com/ lowerearleysalvationarmy

EARLEY BIRDS AWARDS As corps officers, we are new to Reading Lower Earley, having arrived in July. We are delighted that, in the preceding three years, Corps Secretary Margaret Mortlock and Eco Church lead Myra Finch have done some amazing work, especially with the corps garden and other environmental endeavours.

The corps is one of the first in the UKI Territory to be awarded Eco Church silver status by A Rocha UK. It also received an It’s Your Neighbourhood Level 4 – Thriving award from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and Thames and Chilterns in Bloom for the corps garden – a key component in the silver Eco Church award.

GOING FOR GOLD On the practical side, Margaret and Myra believe they can realistically work towards gold status now, by looking at things such as how stationery is sourced, how food is bought and ensuring all lights are upgraded to efficient LED fittings. There are some things that they won’t do, though – there will never be a compost toilet!

Their next challenge will be to get the congregation, senior leadership and hall hires to buy into the Eco Church ethos. If they can do that, gold status should be achievable.

CARE AND SHARE Weekly prayer meetings on Sundays focus on the Army’s mission priority of caring for creation, and Sunday worship is regularly given over to the subject of caring for our world, not just at Harvest time.

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Salvationist 11 November 2023

The corps garden includes an apple tree and a plum tree. The plum tree produced some fabulous fruits this year, which were shared with the community.

The corps community gardening group meets many people’s needs, and they enjoy refreshment and fantastic fellowship in the coffee hub. When they first started on the garden, a gentleman passed by, and Margaret and Myra mentioned that, if he had a couple of hours to spare, they could use some help. That was three years ago, and he has attended every week since! He painted the fencing around the building, cuts the grass and is really involved.

Val, a very creative member of the team, designed the new sensory garden and, with the support of a grant from the council, the landscaping was carried out professionally. The sensory garden includes a pergoda, which is used daily by coffee hub customers, and the herbs such as parsley are given to members of the community.

People regularly visit the garden and take photos.

WE NEVER REFUSE – WE RE-USE! In the garden there is a compost heap, bird boxes, a bug hotel, bee-friendly plants and a Mediterranean area. The group is looking at different ways of planting, other than what would usually be found in an English garden, and continually develops its knowledge through links with the RHS. One of the volunteers is very handy with woodwork and makes all sorts of things out of reclaimed materials. The nearby Wickes, B&Q and household waste recycling centre help with donations of building and gardening materials. The corps upcycles and recycles all the time and never refuses a donation.

GOD’S GARDEN IS MISSION Margaret and Myra believe that planning and organisation are key to progress and success, with a spreadsheet to record and track accomplishments.

It’s lovely to see how far the corps has come in three years. God isn’t done with his garden yet!

ARMY UPDATES

OUTREACH

Army’s origins told at new faith museum BISHOP AUCKLAND A NEW museum exploring 6,000 years of faith in Britain features the origin story of The Salvation Army.

The Faith Museum explores how faith has shaped lives and communities across Britain through rarely seen objects, treasures and testimonies. The Army donated a 1905 tenor horn, a song book, a bonnet and a porcelain cup from the early 1900s, and a print of the ‘Salvation Army Social Campaign’ image from In Darkest England and the Way Out, for part of the exhibition focused on faith and charity.

The display tells of the ‘soup, soap and salvation’ origins of the church and charity, explaining William and Catherine’s aim to ‘save souls and help those in need’ by running soup kitchens, shelters and women’s refuges.

International Heritage Centre Director Steven Spencer said: ‘It was a great privilege to share some objects with the Faith Museum from our collection. We thought carefully about what items really represent The Salvation Army and its history. The items chosen will be recognisable to people and we hope will help evoke memories of The Salvation Army.’ – AR

COMMUNITY

NORWICH MILE CROSS To celebrate the centenary of Mile Cross estate, the corps joined a community get-together. The band played rousing melodies, the community choir sang songs from the newly performed Mile Cross musical and corps folk marched around the estate parading the corps colours. The corps continues to support the estate through the food bank, its furniture store and by supplying clothing. – PR

HARVEST CATERHAM Essendene Lodge School warmly welcomed corps leader Territorial Envoy Ailsa Flinders to their Harvest assembly.

The children sang with enthusiasm and gave generous donations of food to be shared in the community. – JB SKEWEN Coedffranc Primary School donated food from their Harvest celebrations to the corps food bank. Food Bank Co-ordinator Lydia Rise gratefully received the items from two teachers and two children who visited the hall. – SL CHIPPENHAM Major Gareth Heward (Gloucester) and Major Susan Heward led the Harvest thanksgiving meeting. It was a time of enrichment and challenge. Items for use by the food bank were brought for the display and a corps fellowship meal followed worship. – JD

MUSIC

OUTREACH BECCLES The worship band brought Praise in the Park to the quayside. Folk gathered to share modern worship songs, Scripture, a thought from Corps Assistant Harry Woods and a testimony from corps member John Barker. – LW

CANNOCK CHASE DISTRICT The Nexus Youth Chorus provided a musical weekend for Cannock and Hednesford Corps. Led by Territorial Envoy Lee Highton-Nicholls, 48 young people gave a programme at Hednesford on Saturday evening, and the two corps united at Cannock for Sunday worship with the youth chorus. Divisional Youth Officer Lieutenant Corinne Seabridge shared the meaning of ‘nexus’ – connecting with God, each other and The Salvation Army.

This connection was evident throughout the weekend. The youth chorus concluded their weekend by visiting two older persons residential centres in the area. – RC

MUSIC FUNDRAISING CLOWNE Soldier Chris Hockley and her volunteers raised more than £650 for Macmillan Cancer Support at the corps coffee morning. – GH

HOVE Canterbury Band and Songsters visited to share worship and fellowship, followed by a roast dinner. The day ended with a praise meeting and testimonies, with the two corps bands and songsters uniting to conclude. – LH Salvationist 11 November 2023

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ARMY UPDATES

EVENT

EMERGENCY AID

FedEx delivers new Incident Response Unit ROCHESTER FIRE STATION

Cardiff Canton members enjoy fellowship, fun and food at Merton House Holiday Hotel in Ross-on-Wye

HOMELESSNESS

CAPTAIN Gary Robb (South East DHQ) was presented with a new Incident Response Unit (IRU) at Rochester Fire Station by Alun Cornish, FedEx Express Operations Managing Director.

The IRU will strengthen the Army’s support of the emergency services across Kent and Sussex.

This is the 23rd vehicle FedEx has donated to charities across the world since 2006.

Captain Gary said: ‘FedEx has worked with The Salvation Army for many years across the globe and together we have been able to provide vital support to communities at times of crisis.

Thank you supporting our work in such a tangible way.’ – AR

MODERN SLAVERY

Army welcomes Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner UK GLASGOW CITY CENTRE The fifth anniversary of Glasgow Housing First was recognised with reflection and celebration, as well as a staff development day. Major Lynn Farmer, chaplain at Greenock Floating Support Service, led a moment of remembrance for Lifehouse clients who had passed away, with staff members placing name plaques on a remembrance tree. This was followed by remembering all clients who have travelled the Housing First journey, as the service looks forward to further developing the path ahead. – LF

EVENT

FALMOUTH TEMPLE The hall was transformed into a theatre as the Az2B Theatre Company performed Grandma on the Moon. The community was blessed by this free performance, which enabled many to experience live theatre for the first time. – KT 16

Salvationist 11 November 2023

THE Salvation Army has welcomed the appointment of Eleanor Lyons as the new Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC).

The position plays a crucial role in ensuring survivors of modern slavery, including those who are trafficked, are protected and receive the support they are entitled to.

Director of Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Major Kathy Betteridge said: ‘Recent analysis by The Salvation Army shows that, for every person successfully rescued from the clutches of modern slavery and given the opportunity to receive support, at least seven more remain trapped and exploited. The need for action is urgent.

‘We are pleased to have an additional ally to work alongside us and survivors to ensure they are properly consulted on the services they need to rebuild their lives and to make sure their voices are central to key debates.

‘We look forward to working hard with the new IASC to bring about positive change, particularly in the light of recent legislative changes through the Nationality and Borders Act (2022) and Illegal Migration Act (2023). New laws make it more important than ever to protect survivors’ rights and push for improved support and protection within and outside the National Referral Mechanism.

‘The IASC must act as a centre point for stakeholders to come together to improve the modern slavery support structures within the UK. This includes statutory bodies such as the Home Office, local authorities and law and immigration enforcement.’ – AR

NEW COMMITMENTS

CONSETT

MALCOLM Charlaw was welcomed as an adherent by Divisional Commander Major David Burns. Malcolm was introduced to the Army through the Connections and men’s fellowship groups. He thanked the corps for his warm welcome and acceptance into the fellowship.

Malcolm frequently testifies, giving thanks for God’s guidance within his life. – HM

GUISBOROUGH

MAISIE was enrolled as a junior soldier by corps officer Major Fiona Mugford. Maisie first came to Messy Church with her younger sister then started attending Sunday school. She has been known to hold prayer meetings with her friends at school. Fellow junior soldier Gracie is holding the flag. – SS

NUNEATON

MURTON

JAMES Bruce was enrolled as a soldier by corps officers Majors David and Joy Stephenson. James testified that, at Harvest time, he was giving his life as an offering to God. Holding the flag is Corps Sergeant-Major Doug Annals. – DS

SHEFFIELD LANGSETT ROAD

RACHEL Harper was enrolled as a soldier and Kimberley Harper was welcomed as an adherent by corps leader Territorial Envoy Mark Simpson. Rachel originally intended to become an adherent, but the Lord called her into soldiership and she responded. The sisters were supported by their father, Acting Corps Sergeant-Major Ronald Harper, with Acting Colour Sergeant Dorothy Sufrin holding the flag. – MS

JANET Hubbard was welcomed as an adherent by Lieut-Colonel Goff Payne, adding extra joy to the corps Harvest festival. Janet returned to the Army after being persuaded by a friend. She realised it was the place she wanted to call her spiritual home.

In recent years Janet has endured many challenges in life and testified to having felt God’s presence with her. She looks forward to sharing her new life in Christ with her new-found friends. Holding the flag is Tony Harris. – AT Salvationist 11 November 2023

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE

Local officers appointed CMS DOUGLAS DEVEY, Darlington CS LOIS DEVEY, Darlington CSM MARILYN WALDOCK, Darlington

Marriages SIMEON DYKES TO TAMMY JONES at Darlington

by Major Shirley McKenzie HANNAH HATFIELD TO LUKE DEVEY at Blackwell Grange Hotel, Darlington, with blessing by Major Shirley McKenzie

Retired officers’ birthdays MAJOR DOREEN COTTELL, 95 on 20 November

ENGAGEMENTS Chief of the Staff Commissioner Edward Hill and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries Commissioner Shelley Hill Fri 17 Nov ICO Farewell Meeting

Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill and Territorial Leader for Leader Development Commissioner Gill Cotterill Sun 12 Nov Whitehall (National Service of Remembrance) Sat 18 Nov – Sun 19 Nov Chatham (150th anniversary) Wed 22 Nov High Leigh House (pre-retirement seminar) Tue 21 Nov Lambeth Palace (Churches Together in England)**

Chief Secretary Colonel Paul Main and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Jenine Main Sun 12 Nov Whitehall (National Service of Remembrance)* Sat 18 Nov – Sun 19 Nov Clydebank (130th anniversary) *Colonel Paul Main only **Commissioner Anthony Cotterill only

AUX-CAPTAIN FAITH PERRY, 90 on 20 November COMMISSIONER MARGARET HARRIS, 95 on 23 November

NOTICES

Promoted to Glory

Warm Welcome

DOREEN TISSIMAN, Dudley

Last winter 122 corps and centres signed up to be Warm Welcome spaces as part of a UK-wide collaboration to turn poverty and isolation into warmth and local connection. Why not register this year to provide a warm, welcoming environment for your community? Visit salvationist.org. uk/warmwelcome for more information. If you have any questions before registering, email jo.moir@salvationarmy.org.uk.

GEOFFREY FISHER, Droitwich Spa BANDSMAN STEPHEN PAYNTER, Kidsgrove, on 23 October AUX-CAPTAIN GOWANS MCHUTCHON from University Hospital Wishaw on 29 October

Bereaved MAJOR ALLEN BATE of his brother William Bate JOHN TISSIMAN, Dudley, of his wife Doreen Tissiman, Mark Tissiman, Ruth Riley and John Tissiman of their mother CAROL FISHER, Droitwich Spa, of her husband Geoffrey Fisher, SL Lee Fisher, Droitwich Spa, of his father SL TERESA PAYNTER, Kidsgrove, of her husband Bandsman Stephen Paynter, Matthew Paynter and Rachel Bell of their father VERONICA KIRK, Birmingham Citadel, of her daughter Emma Kirk MOIRA McMANUS, Shotts, of her mother Aux-Captain Gowans McHutchon

Official Gazette Retirements from active service Effective 1 November MAJOR MARK BEARCROFT and MAJOR TRACY BEARCROFT (née Bounden) out of Penge in 1993 and last appointment Central and Southern Scotland DHQ COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL Territorial Commander 18

Salvationist 11 November 2023

Advent and Christmas Themed Comfort and Joy and based on the carol ‘God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen’, these new teaching materials and creative prayer and worship ideas help bring the Christmas story to life. Download the resources from salvationist.org.uk/resources.

Membership survey The Membership Working Group wants to understand how people in this territory feel about belonging and membership in the Army – and they want to hear from everyone. For more information and to take part in the online survey, visit salvationist.org.uk/membership-working-group. The deadline for survey responses is 15 November.

SOUNDS

Sunday Worship This week’s Sunday Worship is led by Cheshire Army Cadet Force Chaplain Major Donald Montgomery. 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.

O Listen online at salvationist.org.uk/radio.

Evening Jazz with Richard Mingay Sit back and relax as Major Richard Mingay shares the good news through his love of jazz and gospel music. Can’t tune in at 7pm on Sunday? The episode is repeated in full at 9pm on Friday 17 November.

O Listen online at salvationist.org.uk/radio.

ADVERTS

HYTHE, KENT

Sunday 26 November, 4pm

SHORTSTAYAWAY

VALEDICTORY MEETING for Bedworth Corps at Nuneaton Salvation Army, Victoria Street CV11 5QE. Supported by Nuneaton Band and Songsters.

For further information, or to send greetings, please email wmd-dhq@salvationarmy.org.uk

HOLIDAY COTTAGE TO LET Two double bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and lounge Country and sea views 15 mins to Ashford and 15 mins to Dover 5 mins to Channel Tunnel

All adverts carried in Salvationist are subject to house style and carried at the editor’s discretion.

shortstayaway.co.uk enquiries@shortstayaway.co.uk 01303 238298

For more details email advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk.

HADLEIGH TEMPLE CORPS, 146-148 LONDON ROAD SS7 2PN

ADVERTISING RATES

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 November Hadleigh Temple welcomes the

INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND Saturday concert at 7pm Tickets: £10 Tickets from Corps Sergeant-Major Wayne Johnson Email: wjohnson15@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07801 107365 Sunday worship and praise at 10.30am and 2pm

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ADVERTS CANNOT BE TAKEN OVER THE PHONE. For further information email advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk.

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