Feature 10 and

goodwill

as Willie, sings hymns in English and another prays in German.’

The Dundee Courier in December 1947 ran a similar column titled ‘German PoW chooses Salvation Army’. It reported that, at Perth Citadel, 27-year-old prisoner of war Eric Fuhlrott had offered to play the piano for 150 children. The report explained he had ‘come to this country in 1944, having been captured while serving in the [German] army’ and that ‘he thought so much of Scotland he decided The Salvation Army was a means of expressing his gratitude’.

Upon a visit made by Dover Corps Band to 250 German PoWs at Langdon in 1946, the Dover Express reported that: ‘[Through] the German translator, Major Goldsmith, of The Salvation Army, spoke a few words to the PoWs, saying that nationality did not matter in God’s sight [and] all were brothers in Christ.’ Major Goldsmith’s message of serving others without discrimination remains central to the Army’s mission today.

As Salvationists commemorate those who have fought and died in conflicts around the world, it is also important to remember that prisoners of war, as well as civilians, are victims of human suffering too. In the past year the experiences of PoWs in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have been seen and heard on the news, inspiring many to pray for their safety and for mercy and decency to be shown by their captors.

This year also marks 40 years since the end of the Falklands conflict. Archive footage of young Argentine soldiers – nearly all of them conscripted – huddled together to stay warm with fear etched into their faces, has come to encapsulate that conflict in modern memory.

JRR Tolkien, a Catholic and a veteran of the First World War, wrote in The Lord of the Rings of one character looking upon the face of an enemy: ‘He wondered what the man’s name was and where he came from; and if he was really evil of heart, or what lies or threats had led him on the long march from his home; and if he would rather have stayed there in peace.’

This quote could be applied to the Russian soldiers being conscripted into the conflict in Ukraine. From relief work in Eastern Europe to supporting people displaced by the conflict elsewhere, Salvationists remain first and foremost ambassadors of goodwill.

GEORGE TANTON

Editorial Assistant Salvationist

Celebrating Christmas together

Lyn Woods catches up with Enabled members to find out how Christmas celebrations and activities can be inclusive for everyone h out ns sive

MANY people look forward to Christmas as a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with a spirit of togetherness. But it can also be a difficult and tmas as a time rist with a spirit lonely time for some, especially for people who live alone or have a disability. It is therefore crucial that Salvation Army practices and activities are accessible and welcoming to everyone. To help corps and centres achieve this, Enabled s members share suggestions of ways that Christmas celebrations can be made as inclusive as possible.

For more tips around accessibility, download the Be a Star Christmas Christmas toolkit at salvationist.org.uk/resources/christmas/christmas-present-appeal as-present-appeal

JOY POCOCK (WAKEFIELD)

There are many ways to ensure that everyone feels welcomed and included.

Look out for people who live on their own and those with disabilities.

Ask people how they plan to spend Christmas and, if there are corps activities, offer them a lift if you have a car and space. Go out of your way if you can. Many people don’t have transport to go to worship on Christmas Day because buses are not running.

Show interest in others all year around, not just at

Christmas. People can be overly cautious in getting to know others. Take time to engage with members of your fellowship. Extend a helping hand. It can often be very difficult for people to ask for help. Make activities integrated not segregated. Church is meant to be a family with everyone joining together so that there is no feeling of ‘these are for people with disabilities’ or ‘those who do not have families’. Being integrated means making everyone feel loved and included, and not out of sympathy. Help everyone feel part of the family. Corps could arrange for people who will be alone to have dinner together and, if possible, book a table for Christmas meals at a restaurant and help people meet the costs.

Give people responsibilities and find opportunities for them to be

fully included. So much can be done to make people with disabilities feel included, not just by helping them, but by empowering them to be active participants and contributors.