Letters

League officers at work in camp – ‘War Cry’, 1900 MISSING ON PURPOSE

READING ‘A Conflict of Opinion’ (Salvationist 2 July) reminded me of my dad, who was 19 when the Second World War broke out and who was in effect an only child after his sister had died of tuberculosis two years earlier.

His parents had been officers until they resigned for health reasons and they must have agonised over Neil being called up to serve King and country. They accepted that he had to go and left him in God’s hands.

Dad had poor eyesight all his life, but dutifully accepted a rifle and aimed at the targets in basic training. ‘Cochrane!’ barked the sergeant. ‘How many rounds have yer fired?’ ‘All of them, sir,’ replied the hapless Neil. ‘Give us yer rifle back, lad, you’ve missed every one.’ His rifle was exchanged for a radio and he joined the Royal Corps of Signals, gaining high marks in Morse code exams and spending the next six years passing messages from the front line back to headquarters.

He was in God’s hands indeed, and more than once escaped death or serious injury by inches. He went on to serve God at Bradford West Bowling – later Bradford Citadel – until he was called Home at the age of 90. He used his musical talents in the band and songsters and as corps pianist and never lost his sense of gratitude to God, his sense of humour – or his ability to communicate in Morse code.

It is only in the past couple of years that I have wondered if he missed the targets on purpose.

Mary Tyler Knottingley

FAITH IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA

CHOLERA is a pernicious public health issue, but the history of the fight against it offers some interesting insights into the relationship between faith, belief and science. Filippo Pacini originally embarked on theological studies before switching to medicine. By the mid-19th century, he and his London-based physician colleague, John Snow, were part of an international community fighting cholera, albeit working independently.

Theologian John Haught proposed the so-called confirmatory approach towards the relationship between science and faith. Scientists derive theories – often quite intuitively – and test them against empirical evidence. This requires a logical way of thinking. Logical thinking ultimately relies on the human brain. In faith we believe that the human brain is the design of God. So, good science research is arguably an act of faith.

GOALS WITHOUT CONFLICT

THE article in 2 July Salvationist, dealing with the Army’s attitude to war, referred to Shaw Clifton’s Crown of Glory, Crown of Thorns. I read that book soon after its publication and was gratified to learn of the attitude of our three Generals who were in office through the Boer War, the First World War and Second World War. I remember being told at school about the formation of the United Nations, with 51 countries pledging their support for its aims. Its number has now increased to 193 member states. It is gratifying seeing more countries having gained independence and freedom to manage their own affairs. Most of this was achieved without conflict. That indicates that conflicts are not necessary to achieve worthy goals.

One has to wonder how things would have been handled if Evangeline Booth had not retired before the Second World War.

Michael Bennett Thame

IS YOUR CORPS ONLINE?

MY family have had the good fortune to be invited to partake in a few Bible studies over Zoom led by Willenhall Corps, which we had no previous connections with, mostly because of chatting to one of its members on social media. This prompts me to ask: where possible, could corps running Bible studies or prayer groups using Zoom or similar facilities please advertise it outside their Facebook pages? I am sure that there are plenty of corps who continue to use online means to share God’s word.

Morvyn Finch Woodbridge

LETTERS

Many years ago General Frederick Coutts said letters in the Army’s press should be ‘carefully thought out and charitably expressed’. Letters may be edited and should ideally be no more than 300 words.

BOARD MEMBER AND INDEPENDENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBER

Remuneration: Board member £4,000 per annum / Operations committee member £2,000 per annum

We have two leadership vacancies where you have the opportunity to come and join us on either our board or our newly formed Operations Committee, where you will play a key role in strengthening our governance framework on our mission to transform lives.

The Salvation Army Housing Association (Saha) is a registered provider of social housing that is part of the wider Salvation Army family. We started developing housing and services in 1959. We currently own more than 4,000 homes and are a specialist provider of support and housing across England. We’d love to hear from you if you have strong housing sector experience, have held a senior leadership position in another registered provider, have experience of overseeing high quality services to those in greatest need in our society, and are able to commit up to approximately 15 days / 8 days per year respectively to this work.

For more information about Saha, and to view our recruitment packs for these roles, please visit our website (saha.org.uk/ recruitment-packs). In the recruitment packs, you will find more information about these positions and how to apply. Closing date: 12 noon on Friday 19 August Operations committee member interview date: Tuesday 13 September Board member interview date: Tuesday 20 September

ADVERTS

RECRUITING NOW

COMMUNITY MANAGER

BROMLEY TEMPLE

Bromley Temple is looking for a community manager to be responsible for the day-to-day running of a busy and vibrant community programme. This will include creating a warm welcoming place, working with corps activities, employees, volunteers and outside agencies to ensure a safe and healthy environment. As the successful candidate you will be highly motivated with excellent administrative, communication and organisational skills as well as being able to develop appropriate community work and line manage staff members and volunteers as necessary.

To be successful in the role you will be able to demonstrate:

Experience of developing effective community projects for a diverse range of participants The ability to prioritise, organise and manage a busy workload to meet objectives Experience of managing the physical infrastructure of buildings that are accessible to the public Experience of working with volunteers

There is an occupational requirement for a practising Christian for this post and the successful candidate must be able to work within The Salvation Army’s Christian ethos and key values: integrity, accountability, compassion, passion, boldness and respect.

SALARY

£27,217– £29,650 per annum dependent on experience

WORKING HOURS

35 hours per week minimum

CONTRACT

Permanent

DETAILS

25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time); a contributory pension scheme; an employee assistance programme

CLOSING DATE

2 September

INTERVIEW DATE

12 September

As a disability confident scheme employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

For further details and to apply please visit: salvationarmy.org.uk/jobs PERSONAL

MAJOR BRIAN SLINN would like to express thanks to all those who have sent cards and greetings on his retirement from active service. Your kindness and generosity in all that has been expressed is greatly appreciated and more than can be individually acknowledged. We press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (see Philippians 3:14).

TO LET

ALTEA, SPAIN Modern two-bedroom, two-bathroom heated apartment, pool, tennis, garden, garage. Shops, restaurants, beach close, hillwalking. Warm winter area. Airport transfers available. Tel 02920 759314 or email dee.jones@virgin.net. TOPSHAM, DEVON Two-bedroom cottage overlooking Exe Estuary and hills. Local shops, inns, teashops, walks. Coast, moors, Exeter nearby. Tel 02920 759314 or email dee.jones@virgin.net.

LISTINGS

ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING For help solving problems and to make progress in your life with an experienced mentor. Please text Jenny on 07955 222 055 or email jennymann18@outlook.com. I am an experienced leader and Salvation Army adherent. HND Business and Finance, Dip. Counselling, qualified weight loss leader.

MGS MGS works professionally providing works professionally providing COUNSELLING THERAPY MEDIATION

MGS works with relationships and other life experiences MGS is confidential, experienced and free Contact Major Jorgen Booth and the MGS team Tel 07711 148538 or email mgscounselling@yahoo.com

(Based in Worthing – MGS works throughout the UK) (Based in Worthing – MGS works throughout the UK)

ADVERTS

RECRUITING NOW

COMMUNITY PROGRAMME MANAGER

NEWPORT CITADEL

We are looking for an experienced community programme manager. We aim to serve and support those in the local and SALARY wider community irrespective of their background. With a view £13.73 per hour to growing our engagement with the community, we have WORKING HOURS created this role to help us deliver a wider and more exciting 25 hours per weekrange of programmes within our hall, café and charity shop.

CONTRACT

As the community programme manager, you will: Permanent Be accountable for all people-related activities of your direct reports (recruitment, performance management, DETAILS learning and development) – it is essential that you can 25 days’ annual leave demonstrate experience of this plus bank holidays; a Oversee and run all aspects of the drop-in service, contributory pension charity shop, food bank service and café scheme; season ticket Provide ongoing pastoral and spiritual support to loan; an employee members of the community, and lead regular worship assistance programme and prayer sessions CLOSING DATE Contribute significantly to the development, monitoring 21 August and reporting of overall operational objectives Be an active and visible leader within the corps and the wider community INTERVIEW DATE To be confirmed Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders Be accountable for the effective management of the corps finances Be responsible for ensuring that the corps buildings are suitably managed, maintained and equipped Managing an effective volunteer programme As a disability confident scheme employer, we This role has an occupational requirement guarantee to interview that the successful candidate is a committed all disabled applicants and practising Christian in sympathy with the who meet the minimum doctrines of, and supportive of the purposes and criteria for the vacancy.

the aims and objectives of, The Salvation Army. For further details and to apply please visit: salvationarmy.org.uk/jobs

Appointment subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in the UK, and an enhanced DBS disclosure. CVs will not be accepted. Promoting equality in the workplace.

ARMY PEOPLE

LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED

CT Caitlin Morton, Airdrie RS DE Gerry Ranachan, Govan

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Platinum Derek and Myrtle Hillier, Bangor (8 August) Emerald (55th) Majors Lynda and Maurice Hunt (26 August) Golden Eileen and Howard Marshall,

Reading Lower Earley (19 August)

RETIRED OFFICERS’ BIRTHDAYS

Major Rodney Beacham (80 on 21 August) Major Maureen Baxter (85 on 22 August) Major Elizabeth Gauton (80 on 24 August) Major Joy Webb (90 on 27 August)

PROMOTED TO GLORY

Dorothy Tonks, Douglas, on 27 July Major Jessie Cotton from

Emberbrook Care Home on 29 July

BEREAVED

TE Andrew Tonks, Carnforth and North West DHQ, of his mother Dorothy Tonks

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

RETIREMENTS FROM ACTIVE SERVICE Effective 1 August Major Carol Back out of Farcet in 1982 and last appointment

Leighton Buzzard Major Diana Bennetts out of Torquay in 1996 and last appointment Dereham Major Joan Burton out of Goole in 1978 and last appointment IHQ Major Anthony Colclough out of Droitwich Spa in 1991 and last appointment Derby Central Major Richard Durrant out of

Lowestoft South in 1986 and last appointment North Walsham Major David Evans out of

Maidenhead in 1984 and last appointment Territorial Ecumenical

Officer, THQ Major Margaret Fozzard out of Bristol

Easton in 1979 and last appointment

Dublin South and Dublin HSU Family

Services Major Haris Giannaros out of Regent

Hall in 1997 and last appointment

Gillingham Major John McCombe out of

Burton-on-Trent in 1977 and Major

Jennifer McCombe (née Hart) out of Fordingbridge in 1977 and last appointment WBC Major Ian McCredie and Major Pam

McCredie (née Davis-Chamberlain)

out of Leicester Castle in 1993 and last appointment Consett Captain Nicola Muir out of Winton in 2010 and last appointment AO, Winton Major Gerald Nicoll and Major

Jayne Nicoll (née Rowlands) out of Blackpool Citadel in 2000 and last appointment Stapleford Lieut-Colonel Karen Shakespeare out of Catford in 1980 and last appointment Assistant Principal, WBC Major Brian Slinn out of Sheffield

Citadel in 1977 and last appointment

DC, East Midlands DHQ Major Philippa Smale out of Regent

Hall in 1981 and last appointment

Cardiff Ely Major James Williams out of

Liverpool Belle Vale in 1972 and last appointment Chelsea

ANTHONY COTTERILL

Commissioner Territorial Commander

ENGAGEMENTS

GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE

Malawi Territory, Mon 8 Aug – Sun 14 Zambia, Mon 15 – Sun 21 Ghana, Mon 22 – Tue 30

TRIBUTES

RUTH EVES, WREXHAM

RUTH was born in 1932 in Saskatoon, Canada, into a family of Salvationists, who returned to Liverpool Dingle Corps in 1933. The family were evacuated to Prestatyn during the Second World War.

Ruth worshipped at the following corps: Wallasey in 1944, Edge Hill in 1956, Kensington in 1960, Clubmoor in 1970 in the Liverpool area, and finally Wrexham Citadel in 1977.

Ruth was active in the songsters, band and as YPSM and over-60 club secretary. She married Ted in 1953 and over the next 10 years had three boys and a girl, David, Brian, Keith and Gilly. Ruth enjoyed flower arranging, lace, poetry and prose, and self-published three books.

The sales of her first book financed the provision of clean water for a boy’s home in India. Further proceeds were donated to the Army’s anti-trafficking work.

Ruth was promoted to Glory on 15 June aged 89. – GT

RUTH THOMAS, RHYL

RUTH was born in Leigh, Lancashire, in 1933. She attended Sunday school, later becoming singing company leader, then songster leader. She responded to God’s call to officership, entering the training college in the Courageous session. She was appointed to Bedlington and Winterton.

When she was appointed to Holyhead she met Eifion Thomas, who became her husband. They became envoys at the corps. In 1970 they moved back to Lancashire, where Ruth and Eifion were active local officers at Leigh. By this time they had two children, Christopher and Sian. They returned to their beloved Wales in 1980, worshipping at Rhyl. Ruth became YPSM then singing company leader. Later she became home league secretary, taking part in the band and songsters.

Ruth’s faith never wavered. She was promoted to Glory on 4 May 2020. She is sadly missed by her family and many friends. – CT