Letters

STONES CREATING MAJOR RIPPLES AS I began reading through Major Robert Stones’ responses to ‘The Salvation Army and me’ questions (Salvationist 23 February), I quickly realised that the men living in our residence needed to hear his story or, more specifically, his testimony.

First, I was hooked that he followed the Salvation Army band to the corps and stayed. My great-grandfather did that as well, and seven generations have been impacted.

Second, he heard his captain’s message on salvation and wondered whether he was really saved or not. He made it his business to become a real child of God.

Third, he and his yet unknown wife were called to officership, a call they answered, and then served faithfully until retirement. They ran the race and were deemed worthy.

Finally, he found that new ways are not always necessary, but that sometimes the tried and true ones still work.

These four topics have been taught at our centre regularly, which is why his testimony stood out and why I thought it appropriate to remind the men of this. So, for the Sunday morning holiness meeting on 10 March I taught again the necessary truths that the major outlined and has lived his life modelling.

But it didn’t stop there. I taught the men his favourite songs, ‘The Golden Stair’ and ‘I’ll Go In The Strength Of The Lord’. They really liked them both. Together we read and pondered his favourite Scripture passage: Psalm 139. We discussed his favourite books, the Left Behind novels, which I have already been encouraging our guys to read.

Finally, we discussed the importance of family, which he so thoughtfully included.

Major Stones, I just wanted you to know that your interview was our holiness meeting’s order of service that day, and 14 men went to the mercy seat at the conclusion.

Chas Engel, Captain, Adult Rehabilitation Center, Trenton, New Jersey

AFTER reading Ian Scott’s article (Salvationist 23 March) about each corps needing to develop their mission plan, we would like to share The Jesus Plan, which we are working on here in Birkenhead.

In one of our meetings the leader asked us to sit quietly and ask Jesus, what we could do for him. After a few minutes I felt and saw (spiritually) a large shiny apple in my hands, and I said: ‘What now, Lord?’ The apple split in half and lots of seeds fell out. ‘What now, Lord?’ I asked. ‘Plant them,’ was the reply. ‘What then, Lord?’ Jesus said: ‘Watch and pray.’ We knew we had to make a renewed effort to spread the gospel.

We had cards printed and these help us now in our witness; they are among our tools to spread the word of God, and we give all the glory to God.

On every fifth Sunday we have a prayer night with prayer stations, and all those who are able to, go out into Birkenhead town centre to prayer walk and make contact with people. A number of people have been spoken to directly, including a gang of young lads on cycles, street drinkers and passers-by in the main shopping street. Some people wanted to speak about faith while others voiced concerns about the needs of the community.

Joan Hubber, Birkenhead

THERE’S NOT ENOUGH CASH FOR HERALDS

I WONDER if heralds are noticing, as I am, the decline in revenue from their pub or high street goodwill donations because of the increasingly cashless society.

As a regular ‘pub-boomer’, I am finding that many people would be willing to give but, for reasons of convenience or personal safety, they do not carry cash and instead make over-the-counter payments by card.

Will the time come, I wonder, when heralds will have to consider carrying a method for card transactions as well as the traditional tin?

Stuart Gay, Divisional Envoy, Blackpool

Richard Smart, Promotions and Marketing Co-ordinator (THQ) responds: First of all thank you, and all the heralds, for the excellent work you do selling the War Cry and Kids Alive! It is really appreciated and newspaper revenues and friendly conversations are holding up well despite the move to a cashless society. There is more need for our ministry on the streets not less! Things can quieten down after Christmas and then cheer up in the summer months – so please persist.

With regards to contactless payments, as you may expect we are actively considering a pilot with new mobile technology. There are new ways of combining the traditional tin and contactless/credit card payment – so we are looking to this in the future as a great opportunity. Please watch this space! We are determined to march with the times as the War Cry approaches its 140th anniversary on 27 December 2019.

APPOINTED Effective 14 March O Major Lynne Clifton, Fresh Expressions Leader, Sheerness Effective 28 March O Lieutenant Emma Jones, associate officer Thornton Heath Effective 4 April O Major Kathryn Woodhouse, additional appointment, Area Safeguarding Adviser, Anglia O Major David Emery, Chaplain to the Welsh Assembly Members Effective 11 July O Lieut-Colonel Anwyn Mingay, Pokesdown O Major Estelle Blake, Oldham Fitton Hill and Territorial Chaplaincy Officer (Anti-trafficking and Modern Slavery)

LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED O YPSM Hannah Potter, Addlestone O BM John Barrett, Market Rasen

MARRIAGE O Scott Watson to Esther Sellers at Leek by Captain Nicola Brooksbank

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Blue Sapphire (65th) O David and Enid Kennard, Worthing (19 April) Golden O Bandsman Brian and Helena Hillson, Peterborough Citadel (12 April)

DEDICATED TO GOD O Rafael, Matthew, Michael and Favour, sons and daughter of Gboloahan Ishola and Ayusola Odunsi, at Middlesbrough Citadel by Lieutenant Naomi Kelly

RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Lieut-Colonel John Dangerfield (85 on 21 April) O Major Nina Turner (80 on 22 April) O Captain Joyce Stott (85 on 26 April)

BEREAVED O CS Margaret Harris, Malvern, of her husband Rtd CSM David O Janet le Tissier, Guernsey, of her husband Kenneth O Jack Moore, Belfast Citadel, of his wife Pat, Barbara Moore, Belfast Citadel, and Valerie Thompson, Kirkwall, of their mother

PROMOTED TO GLORY O B/Reservist John Wiseman, Chester-le-Street O Ethel Carlisle, Belfast Citadel O Brenda Benest, Guernsey

OFFICIAL GAZETTE UKI Territory

LONG SERVICE 35 years O Commissioner William Cochrane, Norway, Iceland and the Færoes Territory O Major Susan Walters, Ringwood

RETIREMENTS FROM ACTIVE SERVICE Effective 1 April O Major Antony Godwin out of Cheltenham in 2003 and last

ENGAGEMENTS

GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE O Peterborough Citadel (Palm Sunday), Sat Sun 14 Apr O India South Western Territory, Wed 24 – Sun 28 O Budapest (European Zonal Conference), Mon 29 – Fri 3 May O Sunbury Court (ICO session 241), Th 9

THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM O ICO (lecture), Tu 16 Apr O Croydon Citadel (Easter), Th 18 – Sun 21 O USA (National Advisory Board meeting), Tu 23 – Sun 28

THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL O Bishop’s Stortford (Palm Sunday), Sun 14 Apr O Nottingham William Booth Memorial Halls (Easter), Fri 19 – Sun 21 O William Booth College (spiritual day with cadets), Th 25 O Budapest (European Zonal Conference), Mon 29 – Fri 3 May O Pentre (140th anniversary), Sat Sun 12

appointment Tiverton O Major Pearl Thomas (née Sheppard) out of Cwm in 1981 and last appointment Pentre O Major Christine Whittingham (née Worraker) out of Canvey Island in 1992 and last appointment Bury St Edmunds

ANTHONY COTTERILL, Commissioner, Territorial Commander

TRIBUTES

MAJOR JACK LAWRANCE BORN in Ipswich in 1927, Jack linked up with The Salvation Army in his twenties and was converted in a meeting led by Major David Hazelwood. He became a soldier and then a bandsman at Bramford Road, Ipswich, and leader of the corps cub pack. He also enjoyed sailing and running in his spare time.

He felt an unexpected call to officership and entered the Ambassadors Session, beginning 41 years as a corps officer. He was married in 1957 to Margaret Ford, also from Bramford Road, and their three children, Wesley, Jacqueline and Kelvin, each played their part in family life.

In retirement Jack undertook many tasks in the corps and loved sharing the vegetables he produced on his allotment. He was saved to serve. – J. F.

CYRIL AMBROSE, CLACTON CYRIL linked up with the corps during the Second World War when he was posted with the Royal Marines. Here he met and married Eileen. Their early years of marriage were spent at Cyril’s home corps, Bradford West Bowling, before they returned to Clacton. Along with other bandsmen, Cyril played a significant part in the rescue operation after the 1953 east coast floods.

He would encourage many of the young people on the estate where he lived to attend the Sunday school, which resulted in him bringing carloads of children to the hall every Sunday. When the corps purchased a minibus Cyril

became one of the main drivers, spending much of his Sunday transporting people to the meetings. As a military man, Remembrance Day was an important annual event for Cyril. In later years, when he was unable to march, he would still be there to lay a wreath on behalf of The Salvation Army. – V. R.

JOAN JEFFERY, NEWCASTLE CITY TEMPLE BORN to Salvationist parents, Joan grew up in Aldershot where she met and married Alec. Eventually they moved to Southsea, where Carole and Malcolm were born. Subsequently they moved to Germany as envoys where they served at various appointments on red shield work for more than 20 years, returning to look after Devonport House, Plymouth, where Alec was promoted to Glory.

After another spell in Germany, Joan retired and returned to England and linked up with Carole at Newcastle City Temple, where she became a valuable member of the corps family.

Joan was well known for her happy smile and her impish sense of humour. She was a dedicated fundraiser, usually through her knitting, and many corps members now possess her lovely knitted dolls.

Her service at Newcastle City Temple also included managing the charity shop and distributing periodicals.

Joan maintained her faith despite her frailty in later years and was loved by all at the corps as a quiet, unassuming lady with a great sense of humour and full of joy. – B. I.

CATHERINE MILLAR, KIRKCALDY CATHERINE was born in 1929, and gave a lifetime of service to Kirkcaldy Sinclairtown (latterly Kirkcaldy) Corps, serving 32 years as singing company leader and 22 years as corps secretary.

Catherine was a songster for 75 years, and after marrying Andrew in 1951, supported him as songster leader for 32 years. Catherine and Andrew celebrated their blue sapphire (65 years) wedding in 2016.

Catherine worked in the medical records department of Victoria Hospital for many years, and both there and in the corps she was a constant witness and encourager. She is remembered for her resolute faith, positive attitude, genuine interest in people and a sincere and devoted love for her family and friends. Catherine is fondly remembered by daughters Margaret, Linda and Janis, son-in-law Greg and grandchildren Emma and Martin. – M. D.

GORDON WINCH, NORWICH CITADEL GORDON was born in 1932 and attended Sunderland Citadel when he was 12, developing a keen interest in brass bands. While on national service with the RAF, he conducted a number of station bands. Returning to the North East, he soldiered at Sunderland Millfield, Horden, where he was the young people’s band leader, and Sherburn Hill, moving to Norwich in 1978.

In retirement, Gordon established a video/DVD ministry at Norwich Citadel, a resource that has become invaluable to those people unable to attend Sunday meetings.

Gordon leaves his wife, four children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. – D. W.

JOYCE NEASHAM, GUISBOROUGH JOYCE was enrolled as a soldier in 1941. She was a bandswoman during the war and in later years became songster sergeant, YP worker, leader of a woman’s craft group and helper in the Golden Years meetings. She was an excellent baker and was always found in the kitchen whenever any catering was required.

Joyce was a quiet lady but made her presence felt in a useful and hands-on way that will be greatly missed. Her simple but remarkable faith assured her of the home in Heaven that Jesus promised to those who trust and follow him. – S. S. OLIVE CHARLTON, KIRKCALDY OLIVE was born in 1923 and taken to the Army as a baby. She went on to become a lifelong Salvationist, serving the Lord as a soldier for 80 years. In 1946, after being a member of the band and songsters at Knottingley, Olive married Bob and moved to Hetton-le-Hole where she continued to serve the Lord in the corps. In 1991, Olive and Bob moved to Glenrothes, attending the corps at Kirkcaldy until her promotion to Glory.

Olive was a loving, caring person, who helped many people. She loved reading her Bible and sharing precious prayer time with the Lord, often testifying about his presence in her life.

She is greatly missed by her family and friends, who take comfort in knowing Olive is now safe in the arms of Jesus. – T. J.

MARGARET MORRIS, PENTRE MARGARET came into contact with the Army in Cardiff when she was in less than favourable circumstances. Moving to Pentre, she remained an active and loyal soldier working at the over-60 and luncheon clubs and attending the Bible study group.

Alongside a friend, Margaret spread the word through War Cry sales in 33 pubs and clubs. In 1993 the local press said of her efforts, ‘She took her bonnet, not bullets, and her Bible rather than bayonets into the beery world of pints and parties. Her lovely smile was her only offensive.’

Margaret is remembered for her kindness to people young and old, especially at birthdays. Her life was one of service and dedication to the Lord, her family and her friends. – G. T.

Please note that soldiers’ and adherent members’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 150 words. Good quality pictures will be included with tributes. Please do not send your copy to any individual’s email address as this could delay publication. Copy should be sent to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk