Reflection

REFLECTION RE REFL LF ECTI T ON N REFLECTION

A gentle embrace

by Ron Thomlinson with the Rev James Macfarlane

JIM, let me tell you about Bert. Although Bert is obviously not the man’s real name, he personified all that is nasty about some ex-military corps sergeant-majors. Now in the great garrison in the sky, Bert was also a frequent testifier in Sunday meetings, addressing us as though we were a bunch of hapless squaddies. He aggressively rubbed spiritual scouring pads over our souls.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, a large, heart-shaped neon-light creation above one of the majestic staircases at an Amsterdam art gallery stated: ‘You forgot to kiss my soul.’ How I would have loved to have seen that writ large in our old corps hall!

That fluorescent statement led me to make a list of moments when on Sunday mornings, through other people, my soul has gently been embraced by the Spirit. The warm greeting from the welcome sergeant making me feel I belong. The pianist prayerfully setting the spiritual scene before a meeting and choosing just the right music for the collection. Hearing the thoughtfully spoken prayer of a fellow pilgrim leading me into God’s presence, comforting and encouraging me. Listening to the words of testimony inspired by the Holy Spirit to meet some silent, hidden need in me or someone else. Spirit-led pieces from the music sections and a sermon that was seemingly just for me. The benediction, the handshake and ‘God bless you’ from the meeting leader at the door. Being among fellow disciples after the meeting drinking coffee. All these moments enable the Eternal to kiss my soul.

Rationally, it is impossible to kiss a soul. But in the realms of literature, music and spiritual experience we know it is possible. I can recall some unforgettable moments when I have felt God embracing me. How deeply disappointing it is if I leave a meeting without that experience.

Ron, we all have stories of special moments when something almost incidental in a service becomes the vehicle of the inexpressibly wondrous.

As a young captain I was stationed at a small Scottish corps in a tough neighbourhood. My spirits were in no way dampened by my duties, but large gatherings at territorial level meant a move from my customary improvisation to pin-sharp precision. At the end of one such event, when everyone was heading home, a songster brigade were singing a blessing.

Still stuffing books and programmes into a briefcase at first I didn’t notice the background farewell. But a few strains began to sink in. It was then that I sat back in my seat and listened. The songsters were singing ‘The Greatest of These’.

To use your phrase, Ron, it was not just that my soul was kissed, it seemed that the very heavens opened and my soul was engulfed by sheer beauty. The very angels of Bethlehem could not have transported me to a higher realm than I knew in those moments.

The embrace of the Spirit also comes in the midst of the ordinary, even in places we might consider spectacularly hostile. In one of my career ‘gaps’ I found myself teaching religious education at a large secondary school. Teaching reluctant fourth-year pupils can be like giving lessons in etiquette to mafiosi. On one occasion the lesson was proceeding routinely. An excellently illustrated book on the teaching of Jesus was holding interest. I was almost on autopilot as the lesson unfolded. Then came the light bulb moment. The pupils noticed nothing. I continued with the lesson, but the words in a large dramatic caption struck home with irresistible force: ‘Love your enemies and do good to those who persecute you.’

There was no escaping the power of that command. Years later I learnt that the renowned economist EF Schumacher had made the same discovery. He wrote, ‘What is the best method of education?… You must love the little horrors.’

Such high moments of illumination are, of course, the sole prerogative of God. They are given in the depths of divine providence. But we can put ourselves at the disposal of such gracious incursions of the Spirit. That beautiful songster piece speaks directly of such an attitude:

Love never faileth;

Love still prevaileth;

Lord, in me thy love enthrone!

Whatever we do in that spirit, however humble, opens channels through which God can gently embrace everyone’s soul.

RON IS A CHRISTIAN WRITER IN THE NETHERLANDS AND JIM LIVES IN RETIREMENT IN DUNOON. THEY BECAME FRIENDS IN 1966 WHILE CADETS AT DENMARK HILL

Delegates in listening mode at

HAYES CONFERENCE CENTRE, SWANWICK

FOCUSING on the question ‘What is the Spirit saying to the Church?’ delegates experienced a weekend of prayer, worship, teaching and fellowship at the Encounter prayer gathering, reports Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts.

Assistant Secretary for Spiritual Life Development Major Christine Kingscott welcomed everyone, explaining that the gathering was ‘all about listening to God’. In her introductory remarks Territorial Prayer Consultant Lyndall Bywater expressed the hope that they would not only hear a word from God for themselves and their local setting but also for the wider Salvation Army. Everyone’s contribution to the weekend mattered, she said, in the same way that every piece of a jigsaw puzzle is important in completing a picture.

In a creative dialogue, and using a mix of images and readings, territorial leaders Commissioners Anthony and Gill Cotterill focused on the early Army and pointed to several ‘significant things to remember and hold on to’. These included the place of young people, the priority of holiness and discipleship, reliance on prayer, the importance of innovation and boldness, and a vision of ‘the world for God’.

The Saturday sessions introduced ways of listening to God.

Captain Vanessa Coleman (Buckingham and Central South DHQ) demonstrated Godly Play and explained how God can speak through it. Delegates then had the opportunity to try Godly Play in small groups using a script and objects from a box on their tables.

Major Beverly Baker (THQ) explained a way of listening to God through Scripture – called Lectio Divina – by using the acronym ‘Soap’: Scripture, observation, application and prayer. Everyone was invited to reflect on 1 Peter 2:4–10, thinking particularly about what God was saying to the Army.

Major Meshiel Brown (Poplar) highlighted another way of listening to God: prayer journaling, including drawing and colouring as well as writing. Everyone had the opportunity to ‘get creative’ in this way and allow God to speak to them.

There was also an opportunity for people to go outside and find a place to listen to God by meditating on what they could see in the world around them.

Saturday evening was set aside for ‘listening through empathy’ as delegates heard the stories of people involved in Core Recovery Church – worshipping communities designed specifically for those struggling with addiction. Three speakers talked about people experiencing ‘hurts, habits and hang-ups’ and how Jesus is at work in their lives: Captain Teresa Conway (Stroud), Major Mary Wolfe, a