News

TC signs church leaders’ statement

UKI

TERRITORIAL Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill has joined other national church leaders in signing a statement issued by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.

Referring to the hope of Easter, the statement offers the prayer that ‘the world today might know this hope in place of despair’ during the coronavirus pandemic.

The statement reads: ‘God’s world is in the midst of an unprecedented crisis. In the nations that make up Britain and Ireland the Covid-19 virus continues to affect people at an alarming rate. Health services, along with many of our institutions and organisations, both local and national, are under extreme pressure and people are getting used to living in a very different way, many in extreme isolation. As with all such crises, there is a danger that the most vulnerable in society will be most badly affected.

‘Christians the world over are entering an important time in the Church year as we look to the events of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. At the centre of our common faith are both the depths of despair and the heights of joy. In the Bible and in the songs and liturgies of the Church, we see Jesus entering fully into human suffering. In his rising again, that suffering is redeemed and transformed into hope and joy. After Jesus’ death his disciples were afraid and all seemed lost and hopeless, but the risen Christ met them in their despair and restored hope through his victory over death. We pray that the world today might know this hope in place of despair.

‘In the book of Daniel we read about God’s people being taken into exile in Babylon. Daniel could not pray in the Temple in Jerusalem, but he continued to pray in exile – opening his window to face Jerusalem. Though he was on his own he joined with the prayers of the people wherever they were. Now we too are separated from each other physically but when we pray in our homes we join in with this ancient tradition of our home as a place of prayer.

‘Wherever we are, whenever we pray, when we speak and think of Christ, there he is in the midst of us. We join our prayers with all those who pray in our own churches and communities and around the world.

‘As church leaders from across the many and varied churches of these islands we urge all people to join us in prayer this Holy Week and Easter; to pray for those who suffer, those who face untimely death and all those who care for them; to celebrate our common faith at a difficult time; to help and support our neighbours in need; and to observe all the safeguards in place to slow the spread of disease.’

The statement concludes with the prayer: ‘Loving God, in Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for our salvation, cast out the darkness of our anxiety, fear and mourning, enfold us in your love and give us joy and hope this Easter. Amen.’ – JR

Other signatories to the statement are: Archbishop Justin Welby (Archbishop of Canterbury), Cardinal Vincent Nichols (Archbishop of Westminster), Very Rev Dr William Henry (Moderator, General Assembly, Presbyterian Church of Ireland), Rt Revd Colin Sinclair (Moderator, General Assembly, Church of Scotland), Archbishop Eamon Martin (Archbishop of Armagh), Rev Nigel Uden (Moderator of General Assembly, United Reformed Church), Archbishop-elect John McDowell (Archbishop of Armagh), Bishop Hugh Gilbert (Bishop of Aberdeen), Revd Dr Barbara Glasson (President of Methodist Church of Great Britain), His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas (Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain), Rev Lynn Green (General Secretary of Baptist Union of Great Britain), Bishop Mark Strange (Primus, Scottish Episcopal Church), Archbishop John Davies (Archbishop of Wales), His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos (Coptic Archbishop of London), Pastor Agu Irukwu (Redeemed Christian Church of God), Mr Rheinallt Thomas (President of Free Church Council of Wales), Rev Hugh Osgood (Moderator, Free Church Federal Council), Rev Brian Anderson (President, Irish Council of Churches), Gavin Calver (CEO, Evangelical Alliance), Rev Sam McGuffin (President, Methodist Church in Ireland), Paul Parker (Religious Society of Friends)

CHELMSFORD

In response to restrictions on public gatherings, the audiovisual team put together a ‘virtual’ worship meeting that was streamed live on Mothering Sunday morning on Facebook and YouTube. The message was filmed in the hall and the broadcast included new video presentations and music items as well as congregational singing from previous weekly podcasts. Corps officers Majors Macdonald Chandi and Diana Macdonald received a positive response from corps folk and others. The meeting was viewed more than 600 times within five days of broadcast and is still available to watch on YouTube. – MC

GOVAN

The corps has been working with Govan Housing Association, Govan Youth Information Partnership and Make Do and Grow to make sure those hit hardest by the coronavirus have regular access to hot food. Volunteers have been knocking on doors and, with the help of the emergency food van, have been supporting around 60 people each day by handing out hot meals, drinks and food parcels. So far they have provided between 300 and 400 hot meals and a similar number of food parcels. – AR

Periodicals available online

THQ

THE UKI Territory’s periodicals, 'War Cry', 'Salvationist' and 'Kids Alive!', will be available to read online during the coronavirus emergency. This is being done because the crisis has made it impossible for many corps to distribute printed copies in the usual way.

Secretary for Communications Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant said: ‘A digital version of all three papers will be freely available from the territorial website.’

He also stressed, however, that printed copies are still available: ‘There has been an increasing demand for copies from prisons and people confined to home – particularly older people without internet access. The printing and distribution processes are working according to government directives. Therefore, the decision has been made to continue the printing of the papers.

‘Corps officers can change their order of papers by emailing subscriptions@satcol.org. All orders changed in response to the pandemic will automatically revert to pre-shutdown quantities as soon as restrictions are lifted.’

The papers will be available through the digital publishing platform Issuu and can be downloaded as PDFs. Each issue will be online from 3 pm on the Thursday before its publication date. – AR

To access the periodicals go to salvationarmy.org.uk and follow the link to the publications

BOURNE

The corps hosted a drive-in Sunday meeting in a nearby car park on Mothering Sunday. Churchgoers in the area whose services had been cancelled joined corps folk and everyone was encouraged to stay in their cars to observe social distancing. Corps officer Lieutenant Sarah O’Grady led the meeting with the aid of portable sound equipment, and worship was accompanied by recorded Army band music. Due to restrictions on public gatherings, another drive-in meeting cannot take place, but the corps continues to serve those in need through social media. – CG

Prayer pointers

Secretary for Spiritual Life Development Lieut-Colonel Jayne Roberts introduces prayer topics for each day of the week

DURING these challenging days we are all invited to pause at noon each day to unite in prayer. This specific time will not be possible for everyone but whenever you take time to pray the following prayer subjects are offered. They particularly relate to concerns around the coronavirus pandemic. New topics will be published each week

Monday

NHS staff and all healthcare professionals who are working under dangerous and difficult conditions, often with limited resources.

Tuesday

Care workers and support staff who care for elderly and vulnerable people in residential and community settings.

Wednesday

All who are working to ensure food supplies and essential services, delivery drivers, refuse collectors, shop workers and those who maintain power, water and postal services.

Thursday

People who are struggling financially through lost income, job insecurity and anxiety about keeping a roof over their head.

Friday

Families who are experiencing stress, children who miss their friends and family members, grandparents who are separated from grandchildren.

Saturday

People in hospitals and care homes who are unable to receive visitors during the current crisis, especially those whose frailty leaves them unable to understand what is happening.

Sunday

Each Sunday, prayers are invited for the many ways in which corps and centres throughout the territory are providing opportunities to unite in prayer and worship online and through printed materials.

This week’s link is to a series of prayer reflections from Maidenhead, which can be accessed at youtu.be/ uBZMQ4fAQig