Quotes from the media

UKRAINIAN REFUGEES HAVE A ‘TASTE OF THEIR PREVIOUS LIFE’ THANKS TO BIKE CHARITY

Ukrainian refugees have said they have experienced ‘a taste of our previous life’ because of a charity which gives refurbished second-hand bikes to those who have been displaced.

Charity The Bike Project … takes second-hand or abandoned bikes, mends them and provides them to refugees and asylum seekers living in London and Birmingham.

Kateryna Herych, 38, fled Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 26 with her eight-year-old daughter Daniella Googe…

The pair have used their bikes to explore new places in London, with a trip to Richmond Park to see deer being cited as a highlight of their visits…

Viktoriia Korneiuk, 27, a lawyer who came to London a month ago from Ukraine, was excited to receive an orange bike from the charity…

She [said] that the project is ... ‘important’ ... because it allows refugees to ‘integrate into society’…

Katherine Potsides, the events manager at Herne Hill velodrome, which has been a donation centre for The Bike Project for over a year, said: ‘Giving refugee families access to a working bike is a really important way of getting people settled into their lives here.’

ITV News

SOCIAL HOUSING: VOW TO BUILD 1,000 HOMES IN WALES AMID BACKLOG

The Welsh government has promised 1,000 new homes to help people stuck waiting for accommodation.

The £62m social housing scheme includes bringing unused properties back into use quickly, converting buildings, manufacturing modular homes and might involve turning offices into homes…

The homes will not have to meet the usual standards for new social housing…

Of the £62m, roughly £12m is being spent on bringing 400 homes back to use which are already owned by social housing providers but need significant work.

A further £12m will be spent on modular homes which are built in a factory.

BBC News

CHURCH OFFERS OVERNIGHT CAMPING TO AVOID CLOSURE

Campers are being invited to have overnight stays in a Victorian church to help save the building from closure.

St Dona’s church in Llanddona, Anglesey, is believed to be the first church in Wales to offer the experience of church camping or ‘champing’ for tourists.

The idea came about after the church was mooted for closure, so parishioners wanted to find other ways to use it…

The Right [Rev] Mary Stallard, assistant bishop in Bangor ... said... ‘There was something unique about the experience of sleeping in a church. I found an ambience of holy hospitality’.

BBC News

WINDRUSH GENERATION MAKES OUR CULTURE RICHER, SAYS PRINCE WILLIAM AS MONUMENT UNVEILED AT WATERLOO

Black men and women are still facing racism and discrimination in modernday Britain in a nation that would be poorer without the efforts of the Windrush generation, the Duke of Cambridge has said.

William was speaking as he and the Duchess of Cambridge attended the unveiling of a national monument at London’s Waterloo station to celebrate the dreams and courage of the Windrush generation who came to help Britain rebuild after the Second World War.

The monument is a 12-ft statue – of a man, woman and child in their Sunday best standing on top of suitcases – that was unveiled … to mark Windrush Day…

William said: ‘We know without question that the Windrush generation have made our culture richer, our services stronger and our fellow countrymen safer.’

William also spoke of the Windrush scandal which began to surface in 2017 after it emerged that hundreds of Commonwealth citizens, many of whom were from the Windrush generation, had been wrongly detained, deported and denied legal rights…

Communities Secretary Michael Gove described the event as a ‘historical and profoundly moving moment’ but also said ‘sorry’ for the pain which had been caused by the Windrush scandal.

ITV News

SALVATIONIST

salvationist.org.uk/media/magazine Issue No 1871

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

ADVERTISING

advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk

DISTRIBUTION AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), 66–78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH 01933 445445 / subscriptions@satcol.org

@SalvationistOnline @SalvationistUK

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

TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS

101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN 0845 634 0101

Harmony and discord CONTENTS Quotes from the media 2

I GREW up at a corps with a big songster brigade, a large singing company, very accomplished choral leaders and a dozen people you could call on for a vocal solo.

My partners in crime, Kelvin and Les, and I would sit together in meetings and by the time we were teens we would easily sing three-part harmonies and, occasionally, compete to put in the highest tenor part.

Mischievous as we were, we would also have fun from time to time by putting in the most outrageously discordant parts we could! I distinctly recall getting ‘the look’ from our corps officer as I attempted to sing every note in a song flat.

Harmony, of course, isn’t just a musical term. Romans 12:16 advises us to ‘live in harmony with one another’, and we talk about seeking harmony in our families, workplaces, churches, governments and so on.

In this issue of Salvationist you will find much evidence of harmony, and also some discord. Pages 8 and 9 include reports from the recent Territorial Music School held at William Booth College. Captain Jo Moir writes that, along with the music sessions there was Bible teaching, worship and fellowship.

First-time participant Mia said: ‘They made me feel so welcome. I was scared being new at first but quickly knew that this was a place I could be myself and belong.’

This is harmony – when people come from all different directions and backgrounds and form a whole. They’re united by a common love of Christ.

On pages 12 and 13 we read about the inspiring ministry at Faversham Fresh Expression, where people are broadening their understanding and lived experience of faith, church and community. They’re finding – in new and exciting ways – how these things co-exist in harmony.

But we also live in a world that knows discord and disharmony. On page 15, Army researcher Dr Rebecca Harrocks writes about social inequalities and issues such as domestic abuse, unemployment and poverty. She advises us to respond both practically and prayerfully.

I’m reminded of the passage in 2 Corinthians 5 where Paul says that ‘Christ’s love compels us’ (v14) to engage in the ‘ministry of reconciliation’ (v18) and that we are to act as ‘Christ’s ambassadors’ (v20).

This is perhaps nowhere more needed at the moment than in our journey with people who identify as LGBTQ+. On pages 10 and 11, youth specialist Matt Perkins talks about a resource for helping people talk about identity and gender issues.

Matt writes that while the training material was created with young people in mind, it is ‘open to all, and the high engagement in the training from the wider congregation reflects the need, interest and importance for all to actively engage in the conversation around LGBTQ+ issues.’

Harmony and discord. If you asked an LGBTQ+ Christian which of these words best described the Church’s attitude to them at the moment, which word do you think they would pick?

In the Bible study, from Numbers 13, we can read about discord in the Israelite camp. Moses sent some spies into the Promised Land to see if it was safe for them. They came back with a mixed report: ‘It looks great! But the people are big and scary.’ The Israelites didn’t know what to do and dissension arose.

But their trust in God won through and they went forward and found their new home – just as God had promised. Perhaps that’s the secret to overcoming discord: trust in God, listen to God, obey God. Three-part harmony.

News 4 to 7

Prayer matters 7

News feature 8 and 9

Territorial Music School changes key but not focus

by Captain Jo Moir

Feature 10 and 11

Learning to understand

by Matt Perkins

Pioneering ministry 12 and 13

Walking testimony

by Simon Hope

Stories of transformation 14 Phil Stoddart: Help in the darkest hour

by Major Rosemary Dawson

Mission and the pandemic 15

Wicked issues

by Dr Rebecca Harrocks

Bible study 16 and 17

A crucial crossroads

by Captain Tom Dunham

Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17

by Major Jane Kimberley

New commitments 18 and 19

Letters 20

Adverts 21 and 23

Announcements 22 and 23

The Salvation Army and me 24

featuring Edgar Balfour

MAJOR MAL DAVIES

Editor Salvationist

FRONT-PAGE PICTURE

Donald Montgomery

ARMY NEWS

Army warns of ‘school holiday hunger’ fears

UK

FAMILIES could struggle to properly feed their children over the school holidays, The Salvation Army has warned.

The Army has seen unprecedented demand from worried parents in recent months as the cost of living has risen. Teachers, health visitors and GPs are referring children at risk of going hungry to the Army, and it expects to provide thousands of cooked meals and food parcels to children during the summer.

Community Manager Carol McKean (Sheringham) said: ‘I constantly hear the phrase “I’ve never had to claim benefits before”, normally said by people crying in the office, who look broken asking for help. I know that for these people, we are the last resort.’

Amanda, a mum from Swindon, used to run her own company but fell on tough times when she fled an abusive relationship.

She said: ‘The children have school meals and, when they don’t have these during the holidays all day long, they are telling me they’re hungry. Though my children are entitled to food vouchers, the amount has been halved despite prices going up. I’ve worked out I am £165 short every month, and that’s just for my bills.’

Many corps and community centres across the territory plan to provide free food for children during the school holidays. Gateshead will offer free breakfast and lunch for children, plus food to take home to their families twice a week. Glasgow City Centre will serve hot meals for up to 60 primary school-age children. Reading Central will give healthy meals to families in partnership with schools. In the South London Division a summer camp will give free places to children whose parents are struggling financially and guarantee them three meals a day.

The Army is calling for the government to introduce longterm help for people struggling with the cost of living, for the government’s 60-day ‘breathing space’ scheme to cover existing universal credit debt and for the expansion of free childcare provision.

Secretary for Communications Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant said: ‘Emergency government payments to help low-income households with rising energy costs will certainly bring desperately needed relief to struggling families. But these short-term measures only provide a temporary sticking plaster on a long-term crisis. To protect people from sinking further into poverty over time we are calling for all benefits intended to help people on low incomes to keep up with inflation.’ – AR

COMMUNITY

READING CENTRAL The Lunch Bunch is serving free healthy meals and offering fun activities for children to help struggling families this summer. Corps officer Major Beth Maddern said: ‘It is a friendly, inclusive, welcoming group and that is important to us as part of the Church, demonstrating that we love God and love others. Reading is a welcoming place for new families from places such as from Ukraine and Hong Kong, and The Salvation Army want to help make everyone feel included.’ The corps is providing 50 spaces for families to join in activities such as crafts as well as enjoy a healthy lunch. – AR EMERGENCY AID

Army supports emergency workers amid heatwave

UK

THE Army has been providing refreshments and emotional support to fire and rescue services, as they respond to incidents triggered by the hot weather.

As a member of the Voluntary Sector Emergency Group, the Army works closely with government and voluntary sector colleagues to respond to major incidents, as well as heatwaves and other severe weather events.

Territorial Emergency Response Officer Adrian Clee said: ‘Our fire and rescue services face horrendous conditions during hot weather. Our teams are always ready to roll their sleeves up and come alongside the emergency services, supporting them [and affected communities]. It enables them to have the chance to relax their tunics, cool down and rehydrate before going on with their vital work.’ – AR

PRESENTATION

BANGOR Lilian Colvin received a long-service award as she retired after 57 years as a songster. A few weeks earlier she retired as a helper for music and movement group Sally’s Songs. She is pictured with her husband, Henry, and corps officers Majors Linda and Scott Cunliffe. – LC

PRESENTATION

Hythe Bandmaster Richard Carroll receives a retirement certificate from Divisional Commander Major Mark Herbert, after almost eight years with the fellowship band

PRESENTATION COMMUNITY

Lieutenant James Pegg (Feltham) celebrates his first year of officership with cake and a card from corps folk

READING WEST The fellowship recognised Bandsman Stan Harris with a long-service award for his 74 years as a drummer, while also celebrating his 90th birthday. Corps officer Lieutenant Portia Stirling-Mack presented the award and Stan’s son, David, prayed with him. Everyone was invited to lunch in the community hall afterwards. – PS-M

EVENT

BIRKENHEAD The corps teamed up with Churches Together in Merseyside to provide 10 chaplains to Wirral council as part of a joint effort to tackle knife crime. The famous Knife Angel sculpture, which comprises 100,000 confiscated knives and weapons, was on display at the entrance to Birkenhead Park throughout July, and the chaplains offered spiritual and emotional support to anyone coming to see the 27-foot statue. Corps officer Captain Samantha Hamilton said: ‘The partnership being forged between the Army, Wirral council and other churches in the area is an important one for us and a great opportunity for our support and presence to help provide healing to those involved in knife crime.’ – AR

EVENT

HYTHE An evening of fellowship, scones and songs of praise featured music from the South East Fellowship Band and Shepway Voices Community Choir. Marilyn Simpson, Mave Bradley and corps officer Lieutenant Sue Shorland-Compton kindly prepared the cream teas, which were enjoyed at the interval. – SS-C

OUTREACH

Brighton Congress Hall members begin weekly open-air witness in the car park after Sunday morning meetings

EVENT FUNDRAISING

Nine-year-old Leon (Southport) donates his hair to the Little Princess Trust, raising £1,000 for the children’s cancer charity

EVENT

BRADFORD CITADEL More than 20 people enjoyed the first Messy Church at the corps in two and a half years. They explored the story of Jesus calling the first disciples and, through various ‘fishy’ crafts and games, considered what it is to be a follower of Jesus. The time concluded with an intense game of flappy fish and a meal. – CW

COMMUNITY

HEDNESFORD A friendship café is offering people in the area the opportunity to chat and enjoy tasty food. Predominantly for social interaction, the café is also helping people during the cost of living crisis. There are no charges, but collecting boxes are available for people to ‘pay as they feel’. David, who is homeless, said: ‘There aren’t many places that have somewhere like this. You can come here and get a conversation and a hot meal. I leave with a smile on my face … [and] the food is amazing!’ – AR CLEVEDON The corps celebrated the 50th anniversary of its ladies fellowship group. This group has only had one leader during this time, Hilary Tinkling, and she received a long-service award to honour her 50 years of faithful service. – LC

MAIDSTONE The young people and Acting YPSM Nathan Cripps organised a YP celebration featuring Bible-themed fun and games. These included pass the parcel to signify the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and pin the tail on the donkey to represent Jesus healing a blind man. There were quizzes and Bible stories illustrated by pictures and puppets. The Family Brass Band performed and the wider corps took part in singing and other activities. The young people were then presented with a Christian book or CD to take home with them. The fun continued later with a picnic lunch and games in a park – an opportunity to relax in God’s fresh air. – GP