13 minute read
Quotes from the media
QATAR WORLD CUP: ‘DON’T LET VIOLENCE COME HOME’
As England [prepared] for its second World Cup match … against the United States, the Church … joined an international call to kick out the domestic abuse often linked to big sporting events.
The campaign [launched] … on the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (also known as White Ribbon Day) and includes a video message from the Bishop of Tonbridge, the [Right Rev] Simon Burton-Jones, in which he acknowledges that football arouses real passions…
But, he says, people are not defined by [their] team’s losses: ‘Our self-esteem does not depend on three points by the end of Saturday … we are defined instead by how we care for those we live with.
His message is backed by White Ribbon UK, the charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls.
White Ribbon Day opens 16 days of activities, and comes as new figures from diocesan safeguarding advisers show that reports of domestic abuse increased by 37 per cent from 2019 to 2021.
A range of videos and resources is being published on the Church of England website during the campaign, and they include the voice of survivors of domestic abuse, and individuals and organisations that support those experiencing domestic abuse.
Church Times
‘THIS IS CHRIST-MAS’, SAYS ACTOR TIM ALLEN AS NEW DISNEY+ SERIES HIGHLIGHTS CHRISTMAS’ CHRISTIAN ROOTS
Actor Tim Allen, who played Father Christmas in the hit … 1994 film [The Santa Clause] says the new Disney+ series The Santa Clauses will have more Christian roots…
Allen told The Wrap… ‘It originally had a lot of otherworldly characters and ghosts and goblins.
He continued: ‘We don’t have to blow trumpets, but I do want … to acknowledge it. That’s what this is about. If you want to get into Santa Claus, you’re gonna have to go back to history, and it’s all about religion.’
Premier
TINY NATIVITY SCENE IN THE EYE OF A NEEDLE ON DISPLAY IN BIRMINGHAM
A microscopic image of a crib that is thought to be the world’s tiniest Nativity scene has gone on display.
The image was engraved by hand on a speck of gold inside the eye of a needle by Birmingham micro-engraver Graham Short…
Visitors to a Nativity festival at St Laurence Church, Northfield, can view the piece using a microscope.
‘It’s going to be the smallest in the world, it must be,’ said Mr Short… [The Very Rev] Canon Janet Chapman said it was part of an exhibition of Nativity scenes from throughout the world.
BBC News
COST OF LIVING ADVICE BUS BEGINS ITS TOUR OF LONDON
London’s first ever cost of living advice bus has set off on a three-month long tour of the capital.
The bus is run by the charity Debt Free Advice and was set up to provide debt advice and support to Londoners.
It will visit 35 locations, parking near supermarkets and library car parks and offering consultations.
This follows a recent City Hall poll showing nearly a third of Londoners are going into debt to manage increased living costs…
At the launch of the tour from Trafalgar Square on Friday, London mayor Sadiq Khan stressed the financial difficulties faced by Londoners.
He said: ‘The cost of living crisis is hitting Londoners hard and, as Christmas approaches bringing more financial strain, many Londoners will be worrying how they will make ends meet over the coming months.
BBC News
SALVATIONIST
salvationist.org.uk/magazine Issue No 1888
EDITOR Major Mal Davies
MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Simon Hope, George Tanton, Lyn Woods, Major Margaret Bovey
ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight, Louise Phillips
PROOFREADER Chris Horne
Published weekly by The Salvation Army and printed on paper from sustainable sources by CKN Print, Northampton. © The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory. ISSN 2516-5909.
CONTACT US
020 7367 4890 (main) / 020 7367 4901 (editor) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk
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DISTRIBUTION AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), 66–78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH 01933 445445 / subscriptions@satcol.org
@SalvationistOnline @SalvationistUK
The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. FOUNDER William Booth
GENERAL Brian Peddle
TERRITORIAL COMMANDER
Commissioner Anthony Cotterill
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Major Mal Davies
TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS
101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN 0845 634 0101
Love made new
I WAS 11 years old when I got my first email address and learnt how to send an electronic mail. This was back in the days of dial-up internet, before broadband – when, as I once heard it described, you had to phone up the internet to see if it was in. Fast forward 25 years and, although I only know one other person still using a Hotmail email address, it’s mind-boggling how much the digital world has changed. I’ve moved from chatting with schoolfriends on MSN Messenger to sharing things on social media. I’ve sent Snapchats, followed people on Twitter, commented on Facebook, posted photos on Instagram and even dipped a toe in TikTok.
In the past year, The Salvation Army has gone even further and started to build an online corps. Fuelled by the understanding that church isn’t defined by buildings but by people, it’s a bold, pioneering initiative. This growing community of believers cultivates discussions about faith and provides opportunities for reflection, worship, prayer and support. It seems natural that it should take its name, Plexus, from the term for a network of intersecting nerves in the body.
You can read all about it on pages 10 and 11. Of course, it’s not here to replace inperson services or programmes; it’s creating a new space alongside them where, as Digital Community Mission Facilitator Sam Ellison explains, members can ‘find and develop their relationship with Jesus’.
The Army’s pioneering spirit has always led to new ways of connecting with people and sharing the gospel – whether that’s driving in a motor car from city to city, forming a pop group that made it into the charts or launching a new territorial website at salvationist.org.uk.
On pages 12 and 13 Captain Mark Cotterill studies Zechariah’s song at the Temple, a moment of realisation and celebration that God was birthing something new – a fulfilment of a promise built on years of tradition, hope and expectation.
The world today looks very different from when I sent my first email but, regardless of whether you use the internet or not, God is still inspiring new things based on the same timeless truth: a love he ultimately expressed through the gift of his Son, Jesus.
One of my favourite running jokes on social media is when people write ‘I was today years old when…’ and state something obvious they’ve just learnt or understood for the first time. Advent, a time of hope and expectation, is a wonderful invitation for us to do just that: to take the time to discover anew the reality of Christ coming into our world, both as a baby thousands of years ago and again in the future. Major Howard Webber encourages us to remember the latter on page 8, writing: ‘Whenever it is that Jesus comes, may he find us ready.’
Were you today years old when you appreciated once again the promise of Advent?
Come, O come, Emmanuel; Advent promise, life made new; Come, O come, Prince of Peace; We prepare our hearts for you.
CONTENTS
Quotes from the media 2
News 4 to 6
Prayer matters 6
Interview 7
Completing the circle
Lieut-Colonel Joan Williams talks to Lyn Woods
Reflection 8
Are you ready for the second Advent?
by Major Howard Webber
Advent reflection 9
A song of hope
by Lieut-Colonel Jayne Roberts
Feature 10 and 11
Click and connect
by Simon Hope
Bible study 12 and 13
Zechariah’s song of salvation
by Captain Mark Cotterill
Through the week 12 and 13 with Salvationist
by Major Philippa Smale
Retired officers’ 14 and 15 Christmas greetings
New commitments 16 and 17
Announcements 18
Adverts 19
Quiz 20
IVAN RADFORD
Managing Editor Salvationist
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated
ARMY NEWS
General thanks Army volunteers
IHQ
GENERAL Brian Peddle has released a video thanking Salvation Army volunteers around the world.
The message, which was timed to mark International Volunteers Day on 5 December, highlighted the many ways in which volunteers are helping people in need, including providing food and practical assistance to people fleeing conflict in Ukraine, offering shelter to people experiencing homelessness and giving support to survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery.
‘The generosity of Salvation Army volunteers across the globe continues to amaze and encourage me,’ said the General.
‘I am grateful for the realisation of 1 Peter 4:10, whereby our Salvation Army volunteers use their unique spiritual gifts to serve and support others.
‘Let me have this moment to celebrate and pray for you, our volunteers who continue to serve with all your strength and with the inspiration that the love of God provides to us.’ Watch the video online at youtube.com/SAIHQ COMMUNITY
Job scheme empowers people
LONDON
A PROGRAMME supporting people experiencing homelessness is successfully placing people in jobs.
The Army’s Employment Plus team, funded by the European Social Fund and supported by the mayor of London, is delivering the two-year programme. Eight employment development co-ordinators are supporting people, including rough sleepers, into jobs. There is also support for people dealing with addiction and mental health problems.
The project aims to get 10 per cent of the clients into work and has already helped 20 per cent find a job.
Employment Plus Assistant Regional Manager Sarah-Joe MohunSmith said: ‘We are seeing people whose anxiety has decreased, they are having aspirations again and their wellbeing has improved. The project is holistic, and we take the time to understand someone’s complex barriers rather than simply reaching targets.’ – AR
MUSIC
SUNDERLAND CITADEL Songsters past and present joined in a day of celebration and prayer, led by corps officers Majors David and Meshiel Brown, celebrating 750 years of combined service in praise to God. Sunday morning’s songster pieces included ‘I’ve Been Changed’ and ‘The Wondrous Story’. During the meeting Kenneth Johnson was welcomed into the songsters and thanks were given to God in recognition of Brenda Hall as she transfers to the songster reserve. – JJ
MEETING
CIRENCESTER Divisional leaders Majors Paul and Gillian Billard led a Sunday morning meeting based around journeys, both physical and spiritual. The evening meeting, arranged by Songster Leader Helen Grace, was themed God So Loved the World and included items from the musical sections. There were practical activities for the youth members and drinks and hot dogs helped provide energy for line dancing. – MG
FUNDRAISING
WELLING The corps hosted its annual Christmas sale with a mixture of new, homemade and pre-loved items to buy and the opportunity to sit with Santa Claus and share Christmas wishes with him. The next day at worship one of the visitors to the sale attended for the first time. – KS SUNDERLAND MONKWEARMOUTH Ukrainian refugee support group Sunderland for Ukraine began its therapy and counselling programme in co-operation with the corps. The group numbers between 20 and 30 people of all ages and meets every Sunday afternoon. The corps provides a support team of volunteers and arranges activities and meals. Sunderland for Ukraine provides a trained Ukrainian-speaking therapist who supports the group members. – JC
COMMUNITY
REMEMBRANCE
Chelmsford Band participate in the city’s Remembrance Sunday parade with Deputy Bandmaster David Wright, a British Army veteran, sounding the Last Post
Corps leader Territorial Envoy Terence Carpenter lays a poppy wreath at the Market Rasen war memorial
CARDIFF CANTON Chief Petty Officer Gary Kaunhoven of the Royal Navy, pictured with corps officer Major David Woodman, attended a service of Remembrance at the hall. On display were 5,000 poppies knitted by the ladies’ fellowship group and their family and friends, which formed a ‘river of peace’. The songsters and members of the band also provided an evening of music and meditation. – DW INTERNATIONAL
Celebrating 15 years of Army ministry
GREECE
GENERAL André Cox (Retired) and Commissioner Silvia Cox returned to Greece to celebrate 15 years of Salvation Army mission in the country. Attending a reception in Athens, he spoke about The Salvation Army’s commitment – being rooted in the Christian gospel – to serve the marginalised, highlighting the amazing work undertaken at the height of the refugee crisis.
He also attended The Meeting Point at Athens Corps, where people mingled for coffee and children enjoyed face painting in the garden as Salvationists reached out to the community. The evening celebrated contemporary work, including worship, dance and a series of videos.
In an interview on Saturday evening, Commissioner Silvia emphasised that her best advice to a young Christian looking to the future would be to ‘read the Bible’.
At the subsequent Athens Corps holiness meeting on Sunday, André spoke about God’s call. He said: ‘God’s message to The Salvation Army in Greece is “I have chosen you”, and we cannot get alongside people if we do not have God at our side.’
The weekend was a stimulating, faithbuilding time that encouraged participants to look to the future. – IG
MUSIC
STAPLE HILL Severn and Somerset Divisional Youth Chorus and Songster Leader Andrew Wicker (Swindon Citadel) joined the band to present a programme in support of the Kenya Trust, which began with ‘Joy on the Hill’. The chorus then joined the band for the reflective ‘Siya Kudu Misa’. Andrew, well known for his piano playing, added to the enjoyment with ‘I’ve Got Rhythm’ and ‘Nimrod’. A youth chorus member dressed as a dinosaur joined celebrations during ‘All Creatures Praise’. The evening raised more than £3,000 to support the rebuilding of classrooms and toilet facilities at the Army’s schools in Moothanthara, India. – HB EVENT
PERTH All Scotland Youth Councils saw Captains Vanessa and Xander Coleman (Buckingham) help young people and leaders explore the theme Glow, centred around 2 Corinthians 3:17 and 18. The weekend included a praise party on Saturday evening and interactive worship and reflection on Sunday, including live art created by Corps Treasurer Adam Howie (Edinburgh Gorgie). – JG
REMEMBRANCE
SOUTHPORT The band presented a concert on the eve of Remembrance Sunday. Based on the Festival of Remembrance held at the Royal Albert Hall, pieces included ‘The Dam Busters March’, the theme from Saving Private Ryan, ‘The Red Shield’ and ‘Faith Reborn’. The marrying of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and the Last Post brought the concert to a moving conclusion. More than £1,000 was raised for the Royal British Legion and the Warm Welcome campaign. – PW
CIRENCESTER The band provided music for Remembrance Sunday services at war memorials in Barnsley and Ablington and at St Mary’s Church in Bibury. Bandsman David Grace and Songster Leader Helen Grace sounded the Last Post and Reveille and Maxwell, one of the youngest members of the corps, read a poem during Down Ampney’s Remembrance service. – MG
EVENT
CLOWNE The Christmas fair and coffee morning welcomed 99 people through the doors, with many visiting the hall for the first time. New and pre-loved items were on offer alongside tea and coffee, bacon cobs, mince pies and Christmas cake. The event raised £825 for corps funds. – GH
COMMUNITY
TWICKENHAM In response to the cost of living crisis, the corps has opened a free-to-use ‘living room’, offering a warm, welcoming and safe space to the community during the winter months. – EW