15 minute read
Quotes from the media
LIVERPOOL PASTOR ASKS FOR PRAYERS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE AMID FURTHER ARRESTS OVER DEATH OF 9 YEAR OLD
Following three fatal shootings in seven days, a pastor in Liverpool is urging Christians to pray for peace and justice…
The death of [nine]-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel was the third death involving a gun to rock the city [in August]…
Pastor Luke Bryant, who leads Liverpool One Church on the edge of Everton, told Premier how the events of recent days have shaken their community…
‘It’s heartbreaking and people are devastated, yet determined, because they’re adamant that we’ve got to move forward but with a sentiment of “enough is enough, something’s got to change”…
‘We are praying for the wider families, and that sense of peace that surpasses all understanding that Paul writes about in Philippians 4 would even be known by them in what is an unbelievably traumatic time…
‘When shootings like this happen that result in murder, Liverpool is not too dissimilar to any other city ... its communities often go very closed shop.
‘There is a deep-rooted sense of loyalty that families and friends of offenders have towards one another and that can oftentimes result in them withholding information…
Premier
CHURCH STEPS UP FOR REFUGEES ACROSS THE UK
Eight dioceses have committed themselves to finding homes for 50 or more Ukrainians by becoming strategic partners of the communityorganising group Citizens UK, one of the government’s recognised providers of support for Ukrainian refugees…
Citizens UK’s strategic partners include the dioceses of Exeter, Oxford, Chelmsford, Portsmouth, Hereford, Guildford, Leicester, Southwell and Nottingham, and Llandaff, as well as Peterborough Cathedral, Baptists Together, and the Roman Catholic charity Father Hudson’s Care…
Since the spring, around 2,168 churches have signed up with Sanctuary Foundation, a refugee charity set up by the Baptist social entrepreneur Dr Krish Kandiah, to pledge their support of Ukrainian refugees.
Church Times
CHILDREN OF PROBLEM GAMBLERS ‘MORE LIKELY TO BE BOUGHT SCRATCHCARDS’
Children whose parents are problem gamblers are more likely to have been bought scratchcards, according to research from the GamCare charity, which is warning that early exposure risks setting young people on a pathway to addiction in later life.
More than a third (38 per cent) of Britons who were problem gamblers had bought scratchcards for their children, compared with 22 per cent of those who had a low-level problem, 8 per cent of non-problem gamblers and 5 per cent of non-gamblers, according to a YouGov survey commissioned by GamCare, which runs the National Gambling Helpline.
Alexa Roseblade, a senior programme manager at GamCare, said scratchcards can ‘often be an entry point into other forms of gambling’.
The Guardian
RECORD NUMBERS SEEK SUPPORT IN COST OF LIVING HUNGER CRISIS
A Salvation Army minister, Major Ralph Walker, has been serving in Luton for seven years. Over the past few months in particular, he has seen dramatic increases in demand for the emergency support that his church offers…
The Salvation Army in Luton runs a food bank, a debt advice centre, and other groups, providing food, clothing and advice for those who are struggling or isolated…
The need is soaring, Major Walker says, and he fears that what his church can offer is only touching the edges…
‘We’ve experienced growing demand for fuel vouchers and food and clothes… Our debt advice service has a massive waiting list, people are just sinking into debt’…
Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant said: ‘When I hear Salvation Army officers report that “people are on the bones of their knees” and they have seen children who are “anorexically thin”, it sounds like something from 1865, when The Salvation Army was founded, not 2022.’
Church Times
SALVATIONIST
salvationist.org.uk/media/magazine Issue No 1875
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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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
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Are you still learning? CONTENTS Quotes from the media 2
ABOUT 20 years ago, my son, Ben, started school. It’s always a tense time for a parent and I remember being distracted throughout the day wondering if he was OK, making friends and remembering his manners.
He came home happy and full of energy. He’d loved the day and – wonder of wonders! – he had homework. He was so excited. He had to draw a picture of a family member or pet and write their name above the drawing. One drawing, one word. He did it and put it in his bag.
When he came home from school at the end of his second day, he was miserable and dragging his feet. He had homework again. I’ll never forget his words: ‘But I’ve done homework! I did homework yesterday and the teacher said it was good. Why are they making me do homework again?’
I smiled and said: ‘Welcome to the next 12 years of your life. Doing homework and questioning the education system.’
This Sunday is Education Sunday and we pray for all those involved in the education system, as teachers or staff members – paid or voluntary – or as students. We pray across all forms of education, from preschool and school to university and adult education.
On page 11 we have an article by student Grace Moir about the challenges of studying through the Covid-19 pandemic, a class collectively referred to as the ‘Covid cohort’. She writes of how God stuck by her through an anxious time and says: ‘It was a real comfort to know that I could put my faith in a faithful God.’
A few pages earlier we have a different sort of education story: an article on the Growing Leaders course run in several divisions. Major Mandy White says the course covers spiritual disciplines, Christian leadership, character development, teamwork, spiritual gifts and other topics.
One participant, Lieutenant Elliot Kervin, says that the course ‘encouraged me to explore the type of leader that God had designed me to be’ and taught ‘leadership principles based upon the life of Jesus’.
Pages 12 and 13 focus on the value of being coached or mentored. Learning and Development Officer Major Tracey Davies speaks about the coaching programme that’s available to any officer or Army employee in the territory with a view to equipping and empowering them.
The article contains some anonymous quotes from people who have received guidance from a coach. One of them says: ‘The sessions have prompted and encouraged me to be braver and more proactive.’ Another says: ‘To sit down for an hour each month and create a space where I can stop and examine my walk with God has been transformative.’
We can all learn something new; in a way we’re all lifelong students, especially when it comes to the life of faith. I’m reminded of my grandfather who read his Bible daily throughout his life and said, in his 70s, ‘I’m still learning about God.’
On pages 14 and 15 you’ll find an article about prayer – including an invitation to the Encounter Prayer Gathering in January – and on pages 16 and 17 our Bible study for the week. And, just to finish off the learning theme, there’s a quiz on the back page! (You don’t have to hand it in – the answers are on page 23.)
As we pray for all those involved in education, we also pray for our own desire to keep learning about our amazing God. May we continue to be, to quote Alice from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, ‘curiouser and curiouser’.
MAJOR MAL DAVIES
Editor Salvationist
News 4 to 7
Prayer matters 7
Interview 8 and 9
Growing Jesus-centred leaders
with Major Mandy White
Feature 10
Embracing the new together
by Lieutenant Wan Gi Lee
Reflection 11
The forgotten class
by Grace Moir
Feature 12 and 13
The value of being coached
by Major Tracey Davies
Feature 14 and 15
Prayer is mission
by Captain Gary Lacey
Bible study 16 and 17
Born again!
by Major Linda Govier
Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17
by Major Lynda Levis
New commitments 18 and 19
My dissertation explained 20
Music-making: Then and now
by Captain Leanne Wallis
Adverts 21 and 23
Announcements 22
Quiz 24
Bible maths
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated
ARMY NEWS Rise in energy bills 'will devastate' families in poverty
UK
THE Salvation Army is calling for immediate action to help people struggling with the cost of living.
Responding to the announcement by Ofgem that the energy price cap will rise in October, Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant said: ‘We really fear for families this winter. People are coming to us for essentials such as food, clothes and bedding because they are already at breaking point, and soaring energy costs will devastate them unless government action is taken now.
‘Those in deprived communities have been hit the hardest. We are also seeing people up and down the country who never thought they would need our help.’
The Army is calling for long-term, sustainable support to lift people out of poverty for good. Its suggestions include an increase in housing benefit to cover the full cost of rent, expansion of free childcare provision so that parents are able to work and a cross-government task force to tackle – with empathy and compassion – the reasons why people are not earning and are trapped in poverty. – AR
COMMUNITY
COEDPOETH Launderette Super Suds is helping struggling families by washing donated school uniforms for the corps school uniform bank. Demand is expected to be higher this year due to people struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. Leftover uniforms from last year needed freshening up and the launderette owner offered to wash them all for free. – AR INTERNATIONAL
Newly enrolled Guinean soldiers
Salvation Army commences work in 133rd country
GUINEA
GENERAL Brian Peddle has confirmed that Guinea will be the 133rd country in which The Salvation Army is officially at work.
The country will be part of the Liberia and Sierra Leone Command, under the leadership of Lieut-Colonels Mary and Samuel Mkami.
Guinea has a population of more than 13 million people. It is differentiated from Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea by the use of its capital city, Conakry. It achieved independence from France in 1958 and has retained French as its national language. It is a predominantly Muslim country, with a Christian population of less than 10 per cent.
Preliminary exploration of ministry potential in the West African country took place in 2018. The first expression of interest was received from a Canadian Salvationist working in Guinea.
The Liberia and Sierra Leone Command indicated its willingness to explore opening the doors of ministry and by January 2019 – in co-operation with the Congo (Brazzaville) Territory – Captains Benarde and Thomas Mbouabani were appointed to initiate the new ministry. Their work led to the official registration of Armée du Salut on 15 November 2021.
The work has grown rapidly since those first days, with one corps and five outposts now established.
In their visit to Liberia in February, the General and World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Rosalie Peddle noted more than 100 people had come from Guinea to participate in the celebrations.
Commissioner Keith Conrad, International Secretary for the Africa Zone at International Headquarters, said: ‘The Africa Zone celebrates this confirmation as the mission of God continues to advance through The Salvation Army in Africa. Hallelujah!’
The General said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Guinea into the worldwide Salvation Army fellowship. It is fantastic to see God answer prayers made in faith so many years ago in creating this opportunity. God bless The Salvation Army in Guinea.’ – TH
300
children given clothes and shoes
SEE PAGE 5
£400
raised for the Big Collection
SEE PAGE 5
50
children attend summer club
SEE PAGE 6
500
clean-up kits distributed after floods
SEE PAGE 7
MUSIC
PAIGNTON The corps hosted a weekend visit from Salvation Brass, including a Saturday night concert supported by the songsters. There were two opportunities to march, which resulted in customers and staff members rushing out of shops and restaurants to watch and listen to the music. On Sunday a large crowd waited on the seafront for the band and corps folk to arrive. Literature was distributed and positive conversations took place. The whole weekend brought much blessing and encouragement to the corps. – AI
EVENT
COMMUNITY Children given clothes as cost of living bites
GATESHEAD
MORE than 300 children received coats and shoes in time for the new school term as part of the corps Every Child Warm scheme.
Now in its sixth year, the initiative provides coats, blazers, shoes and items such as backpacks and pencil cases to children who would otherwise go without. It is supported by the Army’s Philanthropy department and the Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd, which provide a majority of the items.
Many of the volunteers who operated the three-day event were asylum seekers who had previously linked up with the Army for help and wanted to give something back to the community.
The children and their families were referred to the scheme by schools, Gateshead food bank, a local asylum and refugee charity and the corps Roma fellowship. – AR
READING CENTRAL John Lewis donated £1,000 towards the corps Lunch Bunch initiative, which provided hot food and fun activities for families throughout the school holidays, especially those struggling financially. Shelley Griffin and Helen Saunders from the nearby store are pictured with Corps Secretary Jan Scott and corps officer Major Beth Maddern. – BM
COMMUNITY
READING WEST Corps members Derek and Elaine invited friends, family, corps folk and people from the community to a garden party and Songs of Praise afternoon. Everybody was served coffee or tea along with homemade scones, sandwiches and cakes. The event raised £400 for the Big Collection. – PS-M
ECUMENICAL
MUSIC
FELIXSTOWE A Churches Together Songs of Praise meeting attracted a near-capacity congregation. The band and songsters provided pre-meeting music and took part in the service. Alongside a contemporary Anglican music ensemble, the band accompanied hymns and songs chosen and introduced by members of the congregation. The meeting was followed by fellowship in the community hall. – DA
COMMUNITY
HASTINGS TEMPLE The corps collected in a nearby Sainsbury’s to support its food bank. Employment Plus and Christians Against Poverty representatives were also on hand to advise people where necessary. – MS. Dunstable bandsmen take centre stage at the family day out organised by the town council
COMMUNITY
HASTINGS CITADEL The corps ran a school uniform bank in partnership with Tesco Extra. Within three days of opening, the bank had supported 100 children with items including stationery, lunchboxes and school uniforms. – D-AH.
EVENT
NEWBIGGIN-BY-THE-SEA A service of blessing took place for the lifeboat Richard Wake Burden, operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The band participated in the service at Newbiggin lifeboat station, the oldest operational lifeboat house in the UK. – EP
OUTREACH
Clowne Band support a summer fayre at Millfield Nursing Home, raising more than £800 for the residents’ comfort fund
CLOWNE A four-day holiday club for children coincided with the para sports at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Children participated in games, made gold medals and used blindfolds and other restrictions to understand disabilities and how all things are possible with God’s help. Children and parents also wrote Bible verses in braille. – GH EVENT
SWINDON GORSE HILL More than 50 children journeyed with Joseph across Egypt at the summer kids club. The children made their own Technicolor dreamcoats and there was a visit from ‘Cleopatra’, who helped them design Egyptian costumes and pyramids. Corps officer Captain Theresa Torr led the amazing two-week journey. – HP
RISCA The annual summer holiday club for children in the community took the theme Showstoppers, which followed the stories of people in the Bible used by God for great purposes. Pictured is ‘Mr Trooper’, a daily special guest who read the children’s jokes and showed pictures they had made. – JB
EVENT
Isle of Wight Salvationists enjoy a beach picnic at Cowes
EVENT
SKEWEN The ladies fellowship held an indoor garden party, including flowers, a garden swing, sandwiches, cakes and a cream tea with homemade strawberry jam. Everyone was asked to come wearing hats, so a number of wedding hats made an appearance! A great time was had, thanks to the efforts of fellowship leader Lynette Williams and her two main helpers, Angela Cullerton and Lynette Abbott. – SL OUTREACH
