20 minute read
Quotes from the media
HOMELESS CHARITY PLEA TO MOVE SOUP KITCHEN INDOORS
A homeless charity which operates Scotland’s busiest outdoor soup kitchen has made a plea for help to find a building as winter approaches.
Homeless Project Scotland (HPS) runs a soup kitchen under a bridge in central Glasgow three nights a week, serving hundreds of meals each time.
The charity said there were often 200 people queueing for food and it needed a building as the weather got colder…
National operations manager Alan Hamilton said: ‘It’s unpredictable just how bad it could get come winter.
‘The cost of living is going up, recessions, Christmastime, that queue could be all the way to George Square’…
Colin McInnes, the charity’s chairman and co-founder ... said ... he and other members of HPS visited a potential site at the St Francis Centre in the Gorbals… [The] St Francis Centre will be used as a ‘welcome place’ for people to keep warm this winter…
‘If we opened up 24 hours a day we could be feeding hundreds more and we could be heating the elderly and vulnerable this winter,’ Mr McInnes said.
Mr Hamilton added... ‘What does a pavement give somebody, apart from hypothermia?’
BBC News
FORMER ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY SAYS SACRED TABOTS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO ETHIOPIA
Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, says that a tabot held by Westminster Abbey should be returned to its native Ethiopia…
In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, tabots are a type of plaque made of wood or stone that represent the Ark of the Covenant and the Ten Commandments.
They are considered highly sacred and can only be seen by priests. They cannot be put on display.
It follows calls by Lord Carey last month for the return of 11 tabots held by the British Museum to Ethiopia as a ‘matter of faith’.
The tabot came into the hands of the abbey as a donation … after it was looted at the battle of Maqdala (Magdala) in 1868.
Christian Today
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY SHARE PRAYERS AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH BEGINS
The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Church of England ... shared their prayers as Black History Month [began]. [The] Most [Right] Rev Justin Welby posted to Twitter and wrote: ‘During Black History Month, the Church of England remembers the challenge to turn lament into action. We pray for the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns in their work to transform churches [and] communities into places where everyone is loved [and] valued before God’…
The Archbishop of York, the Most [Right] Rev Stephen Cottrell took to Twitter to share this year’s theme for the month ... Time for Change: Action Not Words.
Premier
POPE FRANCIS PLEADS TO PRESIDENT PUTIN TO STOP ‘SPIRAL OF VIOLENCE AND DEATH’ AMIDST THE WAR IN UKRAINE
Pope Francis has given an urgent plea to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the ‘spiral of violence and death’ that’s occurred during the war in Ukraine…
Pope Francis expressed deep concern over the nuclear threat and military escalation in the war in Ukraine, issuing a powerful appeal for an immediate ceasefire…
The Pontiff went on to say that he is upset at the lives lost within the war: ‘I am saddened by the rivers of blood and tears spilled in these months. I am saddened by the thousands of victims, especially children, and the destruction which has left many people and families homeless and threaten vast territories with cold and hunger…’
Pope Francis is calling on an immediate ceasefire and expressed: ‘Let negotiations begin that will lead to solutions that are not imposed by force, but consensual, just and stable, based on respect for human life, as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country, and the rights of minorities.’
Premier
SALVATIONIST
salvationist.org.uk/magazine Issue No 1880
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
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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
Walking together
THE notion of subservience is a troubled one, and it’s become more troubled in recent years because it’s often confused with submission and even slavery.
My dictionary says that subservience is ‘a willingness to do what other people want, or the act of considering your wishes as less important than those of other people’. Another says, in part, that it is ‘the willingness to obey others unquestioningly’.
The key here is willingness – if I freely choose to submit my will, desires or life to another, that’s my decision and I’m entitled to take that course of action.
In John 20, we read of Jesus appearing to the disciples post-Resurrection. Thomas had already expressed his doubt about talk of a risen Christ, then Jesus appeared and confronted him. In a moment, Thomas fell to his knees and exclaimed: ‘My Lord and my God!’ (v28). He expressed his subservience to Christ.
Submission and slavery, on the other hand, involve imposition. Someone imposes their will or power on another and forces them to surrender or to do something unwillingly. This is not a choice – this is coercion.
This issue of Salvationist covers both subservience and slavery, and they are vastly different things. On pages 10 and 11 you will read a report of the welcome meeting for the Defenders of Justice session as they commence their officer training. These are people who have responded to a call from God to enter into full-time ministry and have willingly made themselves subservient to God and to that call.
They are not enslaved to God. They have not submitted to him due to fear or force. They have freely chosen to respond.
This is not the case for those who are experiencing modern slavery, as we discover on pages 12 and 13 in an interview with Jo Taylor. She is a youth specialist in discipleship and explains a new student advocate scheme to promote awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking among young people.
She reminds us that we need to learn to identify the signs of someone being held in slavery and where to get help for victims: ‘Modern slavery is happening all around us and not just in the darkest places imaginable.’
People trapped in modern slavery are not exercising their right to express subservience to another; they are being forced to submit control of their lives to another. And that’s not right.
On page 24, in this week’s ‘The Salvation Army and me’, Marlene Clarke from Poole names ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ as her theme song. First penned in 1945, it serves as a fitting theme song for The Salvation Army’s work with survivors of modern slavery. As we seek to live out our mission statement priorities of serving others and seeking justice and reconciliation, we also seek to show those in need that we will journey with them and offer what love and support we can.
We pray for the Defenders of Justice as they actively seek to be subservient to God and make his will theirs. And we pray for victims of modern slavery who have been enslaved against their will.
To both we say: we will walk with you.
MAJOR MAL DAVIES
Editor Salvationist
CONTENTS
Quotes from the media 2
News 4 to 8
Prayer matters 8
William Booth College update 9
Outlining a new vision
by Lieut-Colonel Judith Payne
News feature 10 and 11
Cadets’ welcome weekend
by Captain Jo Moir
Interview 12 and 13
Educating the new front line
Jo Taylor talks to George Tanton
We are The Salvation Army 14 and 15
We are a faithful community
says Captain Darren Hampton
Bible study 16 and 17
Are you satisfied?
by Captain Andrew Manley
Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17
by Major Melvyn Knott
New commitments 18 and 19
Review 20
More Than Conquerors
reviewed by Lieutenant Gill McCredie
Review 20
Blessings
reviewed by Major Malcolm Westwood
Adverts 21
Announcements 22 and 23
The Salvation Army and me 24
featuring Marlene Clarke
FRONT-PAGE PICTURE
Andrew King Photography
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated
INTERNATIONAL
International leaders head home
CANADA
‘WELCOME home!’ was a common refrain from the moment General Brian Peddle and World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Rosalie Peddle arrived in the country. They both grew up on Newfoundland, but this was their first official visit as international leaders.
Territorial Commander Commissioner Floyd Tidd highlighted the theme of the visit – Mobilise NL – saying that the weekend’s events signalled an opportunity to ‘mobilise again’ following the Covid-19 pandemic.
A highlight of the meeting was a report from Lieutenant April Ward (Buchans Corps), who shared how territorial innovation grants had sparked new ministries with young and older people.
The second meeting took place in Blaketown, which the General affectionately referred to as his ‘backyard’, having grown up a short distance away.
The leaders then returned to St John’s, where a festival of praise showcased the music ministry of young people’s groups.
The Sunday morning meeting began with a moment of silence to mark the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on the USA. Images of The Salvation Army’s response to the tragic events showed the work in New York as well as the caring ministry to stranded passengers that took place in Newfoundland.
Calling Salvationists to give themselves in service to God, the General asked: ‘Can God count on you? Surrender your all – the Kingdom is at stake!’ – KO
EVENT INTERNATIONAL
Report calls for more media faith coverage
UK
A NEW report has revealed a strong demand across the world for more news media coverage on faith.
The largest ever global faith and media study looked at the portrayal of faith and religion in the media and found that journalists and editors admit coverage of the topic is rarely encouraged in newsrooms.
The study was commissioned by the Faith and Media Initiative (Fami) and captured the views of 9,000 global citizens as well as journalists and editors in 18 countries covering the world’s major religions.
It reflected the feeling among the general population that media coverage can perpetuate faith-related stereotypes rather than protect against them. It also laid out some factors that journalists and editors think can lead to religious and faith stereotypes in news coverage.
‘These new findings shine a light on the urgent need to offer faith leaders improved access to the power and reach of the news media, and media a direct line to faith leaders for enhanced understanding of beliefs in the context of modern society,’ said Vice President of Fami Brooke Zaugg. ‘By joining forces, we can better serve humanity by ensuring a more accurate, balanced representation of all faiths in journalism and entertainment worldwide.’ – AR Read the report now: index.faithandmedia.com/data
PRESENTATION
BRISTON Corps Secretary Marilyn Reynolds received flowers and gift vouchers during the Harvest festival meeting in thanks of her work running the corps while unofficered, and for always being there for corps folk. – AK
OUTREACH
WILLENHALL For the first time in many years the corps ran a three-day holiday club themed Seaside Rock. Children learnt about the importance of following the example of Peter and building their lives on Jesus, who represents a solid rock. There were Bible stories, crafts, games and times of reflection. Many volunteers of all ages from the corps supported the holiday club and helped provide lunch for all the children attending. Since the holiday club, two new families have come along to Sunday children’s worship. – LH-N FELIXSTOWE To celebrate the history of the town, the Felixstowe Society organised a heritage weekend, which included an exhibition depicting the history of the corps and its Christian mission in the community. This coincided with the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust’s annual sponsored cycle ride. Many participating cyclists joined corps folk for refreshments and to view the exhibition. – DA
ARMY NEWS
EMERGENCY AID
MISSISSIPPI Heavy rain and flooding caused damage to the main water treatment facility in Jackson, leaving more than 180,000 residents without clean drinking water. The USA Southern Territory worked in co-ordination with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to arrange its own distribution plan with support from Walmart. Army response teams from Tupelo and Hattiesburg transported water to underserved communities and people unable to get to the city’s distribution points, including the Jackson Institute for the Blind and a dialysis centre. In total, the Army distributed 14,417 cases of water, 15,130 meals, 480 boxes of cleaning supplies, 2,600 hygiene kits and 10,368 pairs of socks. – AR
MUSIC
CLITHEROE The corps had a fantastic day when David Stanley presented a Music Man taster day with his team. Everyone joined in with great enthusiasm, playing instruments, learning songs and gaining confidence as they performed. The day was full of fun and new experiences, and attracted new people to the corps. The corps plans to open a Music Man group in the future. Pictured is Becky Walsh singing ‘Music is Magic’. – ES
EVENT
Members of Merthyr Tydfil and friends from Cameo begin the Harvest weekend with a supper and quiz in support of the local food bank
Back of the net for Blue Nile
MANCHESTER
BLUE Nile from the Refugee Resettlement Service in the North West won The Salvation Army’s annual Partnership Trophy football tournament for people experiencing homelessness.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and former football manager and England captain Terry Butcher joined the players for the tournament, which brings together more than 20 teams from Army services across the UK.
Players taking part came from Lifehouses, outreach programmes and Salvation Army Housing Association services. This year’s tournament also included refugees and survivors of modern slavery from Army safe houses.
The tournament was supported by the Guardiola Sala Foundation, a humanitarian charity set up by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and his family, who attended in 2019, and supported travelling expenses.
Terry hosted a passing skills workshop and presented the trophy to the winning team.
He said: ‘The challenges players have overcome – and are still overcoming – is testament to their hard work and commitment to being the best that they can be.’ – AR
EVENT
DUNSTABLE Chief Secretary Colonel Paul Main and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Jenine Main visited the corps, saying it ‘felt like coming home’. In the afternoon, over coffee and cake, the territorial leaders hosted An Audience with... sharing opportunities, challenges and blessings of officership and answering questions from the congregation. – JB
CLITHEROE The town’s annual heritage event included a reading of a poem about the Army and the work of the corps over the years. Read outside the hall by its author, Richard Jackson, the poem fitted the tune ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’. – ES
Editor's note In the 8 October issue of Salvationist, Major Cliff Allchin’s role was described as ‘divisional leader’. His role is divisional mission enabler. Salvationist apologises for the error.
ARMY NEWS
VANCOUVER
LEADERS of 58 territories and commands gathered for the Army’s International Conference of Leaders (ICL). Even though some attended via video, this was the first in-person gathering of leaders since 2017 and the first under the leadership of General Brian Peddle – supported by World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, the Chief of the Staff (Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham) and World Secretary for Spiritual Life Development Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham.
In his keynote opening speech, the General declared: ‘My faith in the Almighty drives me to shout into our unknown future that, with you, I can be certain… The best is yet to come!’
He spoke of the Devil and division in today’s world, saying: ‘I hear in my heart the words of Joshua: “Be strong and courageous.” If there was ever a time for Booth’s vision of a worldwide One Army to flourish … it is now.’
A day of worship at Cariboo Hill Temple Corps in Vancouver began with a Land Acknowledgement, recognising the traditional territory of the Indigenous people(s) who first called the land home before the arrival of settlers. Delivered by Verna Benson, she spoke first in her native tongue and followed this with a sung prayer of blessing for the international leaders.
Commissioner Rosalie read Psalm 100, Commissioner Bronwyn led prayer for victims of human trafficking and Commissioner Man Hee Chang (Korea Territory) offered prayers for the international Salvation Army. The General gave a reading from Ephesians 3:14, then introduced the theme of the ICL: Limitless God.
Sharing stories of growth around the world, the General underscored that the Army today is larger than at any time in history. ‘Do not lay down your sword just yet!’ he encouraged.
During the week’s sessions, the leaders heard about and considered topics including identity, governance, officer training, the role of employees in Army mission and the need to train key personnel for the future.
Updates were shared from the International Theological Council and the International Social Justice Commission. Times of small group discussion included reflection based on John 13:33–38 and The Heart of God by Commissioner Robert Street.
Officers worked together at tables while delegates from around the world participated remotely.
Colonel Julie Forrest updated delegates on the recent symposium on human sexuality and concluded by saying that there will be serious consequences of not addressing the issues.
She said: ‘These issues will be considered at the General’s Council and I hope we can have respectful conversations about encouraging the wider use of the Let’s Talk About… documents.’
Commissioner Lyndon thanked leaders for their willingness to re-engage with some areas of work that may have been interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Echoing the General’s keynote speech, he said: ‘There is more yet for us to engage in for the Kingdom. The Lord has more in store for the future of The Salvation Army.’ – AR EVENT
Fun and sunshine in Devon and Cornwall
FALMOUTH
THIRTY-ONE young people from across the Devon and Cornwall Division gathered at Penryn Campus, Falmouth University, for a week of fun and sunshine, writes Youth Development Worker Alice Hodge.
It was brilliant to see the young people reunite after not having Summer School since 2019 and we also welcomed 14 newcomers. We explored biblical themes of freedom and what freedom in Christ means. A large percentage of our young people had never gone to church before, so this was a great opportunity for them to start exploring and asking those big questions.
The young people enjoyed two days at BF Adventure, where they did rock climbing, rafting, zip-lining and many more activities. Throughout the other days they took part in streams including dance, survival skills, sports, art and discussion. They thoroughly enjoyed learning new skills and exploring the theme of freedom in different ways.
The days were busy but everyone still had energy for fun social evenings, including watching movies, an escape room, a Taskmaster evening, a care for creation night and an inflatables evening. Many young people said yes to starting their journey with Jesus and stepped out of their comfort zones. What a fantastic week!
EVENT
REMEMBRANCE
Villa Adastra’s residents and staff members celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth II with a street party-style lunch, including prayers and songs
ECUMENICAL
KNOTTINGLEY Nearly 40 people from the corps and United Reformed Church – who are using the hall for weekly activities and services – joined together for a Harvest supper and quiz. Donations raised more than £200, which was split between the two churches. The local food bank gratefully received the groceries displayed throughout the weekend. – MT MARKET RASEN Harvest celebrations included a music afternoon that attracted an audience of more than 65 people. Music teacher Ellen Gannon brought 20 pupils, who performed with great confidence. For some, this was their first time in front of an audience. – GB
MEETING
SKEWEN Harvest celebrations included Scripture from John 15 – the vine and the branches. In the morning meeting Major Carol Back challenged the congregation to consider whether their lives have produced a good harvest. Corps officer Major Doug Back continued the theme in the evening speaking about being fruitful disciples. He explained how everyone is on full-time ministry as branches of the vine. The congregational songs were all Harvest favourites and the bountiful Harvest display was full of products to be used in the food bank. – SL MUSIC
EVENT
Almost 60 people enjoy a Harvest Ceilidh at Lurgan
EVENT
Despite not having a working cooker, Leighton Buzzard corps folk enjoy Harvest lunch, fun and fellowship
Belfast North presents its Harvest display, which will help stock its community food cupboard
Salvationists take part in World Council of Churches assembly
GERMANY
SIX Salvation Army officers were among more than 3,500 church leaders and representatives who gathered for the 11th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC).
The delegation was headed by Secretary for International Ecumenical Relations Commissioner Jane Paone (IHQ), a member of the WCC Central Committee. It also included Officer for European Ecumenical Relations Commissioner Vibeke Krommenhoek (IHQ), Secretary for Capability Development and Training Lieut-Colonel Bishow Samhika (IHQ) and, from the UK Territory, Lieut-Colonel Karen Shakespeare, Territorial Ecumenical Officer Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts and Lieutenant Jonny Whitmore (Barrow-in-Furness).
The nine-day gathering had the theme Christ’s Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity. Each day began with morning prayers reflecting the rich diversity of cultures and spirituality of the 352 churches that were represented. Daily plenary sessions addressed current concerns, such as the war in Ukraine, the climate crisis, the Church’s common witness and social justice and human dignity. Participants then met in small groups to reflect on these themes.
Groups also met to discuss and make recommendations on 23 issues, ranging from evangelism and creation justice to interreligious dialogue and theological education. A Unity Statement issued at the end of the assembly referred to an ‘ecumenism of the heart’ in which ‘Christlike love … moves us to walk honestly and wholeheartedly beside one another’.
On Sunday the Army delegation was made welcome at Mannheim Corps, taking part in worship and sharing a meal. – JR
