Salvationist 14 October 2021

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Ending slavery What the Bible says

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ARMÁDA SPÁSY: WE ARE THE SALVATION ARMY

SEE PAGES 12 TO 14

QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNMENT WARNS OF ACUTE STAFFING CRISIS IN CARE HOMES People in need are being turned away from care homes because of lack of staff, as the sector faces an acute staffing crisis, providers have warned.

Methodist Homes (MHA) joined other not-for-profit providers in publishing an open letter to government ministers which calls for immediate investment in care workers.

Without it, the government’s ‘well-intentioned plans to equip the NHS for the winter will fall flat’, the MHA chief executive, Sam Monaghan, warned.

He said: ‘We need the government to be aware that social care is experiencing the most acute workforce recruitment and retention crisis that we’ve known, with staff turnover in the social-care sector estimated to be around 30 per cent, and growing.

‘The impact of Brexit has left a smaller pool of workers for the care sector, and some good people are leaving, exhausted by the pressures of dealing with a pandemic. Others, in some cases, because of the government requirement for Covid vaccination.’

He said that staff were already having to cover tasks outside their normal sphere of work, and were forced to turn away new people in need of care.

Church Times

QUEEN CONGRATULATES SONGS OF PRAISE ON 60TH ANNIVERSARY The Queen has sent a message of congratulations to BBC One’s Songs of Praise as it celebrates its 60th anniversary.

The pre-recorded message … was filmed in Westminster Abbey.

The Queen praised the show for bringing together churches and showing Christianity ‘as a living faith’.

‘For 60 years Songs of Praise has drawn together congregations and BBC viewers throughout the United Kingdom in collective worship,’ she said.

‘During that time, the programme has shown Christianity as a living faith, not only through hymns and worship songs, but also by featuring the many people who have put their faith at the centre of their lives.

‘I congratulate Songs of Praise and all those involved in the programme’...

Songs of Praise first aired in 1961 and is the world’s longest-running religious TV programme.

Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury and other religious leaders came together at the Vatican ... for a climate-focused meeting ahead of the UN’s COP26 summit in Glasgow next month.

The one-day meeting, titled ‘Faith and Science: Towards COP26’, was organised jointly by the Vatican and the Italian and British embassies to the Holy See. A joint statement warning of ‘unprecedented challenges’ was signed at the meeting and presented to Alok Kumar Sharma, president designate of COP26, and Luigi Di Maio, Italian foreign minister.

It calls on governments to recognise the ‘deeply interdependent’ nature of the relationship between humans and nature, and speaks of ‘the necessity of an even deeper solidarity in the face of the global pandemic and of growing concern for our common home’.

Christian Today

Christian Today

‘CHURCH AT HOME’ INSPIRED THOUSANDS DURING THE PANDEMIC SAYS CHURCH OF ENGLAND The Church of England has analysed data from more than 12,000 churches to find out about worship trends during the pandemic.

Many churches offered online services at the height of the lockdowns and many have continued to offer a blend of traditional in-person worship and remote services since...

More than 9,000 churches (78 per cent) offered ‘Church at Home’ online, via email, post and telephone during the March to July 2020 lockdown when collective worship was suspended because of the coronavirus restrictions.

More than 8,000, or 69 per cent, offered live-streamed or pre-recorded services, while more than 5,000, or 44 per cent, offered services downloadable from a website or emailed. More than 4,000, or 33 per cent, offered printed and posted services and more than 2,000, or 21 per cent, provided telephone or dial-in services.

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EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts – 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford – 020 7367 4891

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The Salvation Army is a Christian church and a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

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Salvationist 16 October 2021

POPE, ARCHBISHOP LEAD CALLS FOR CLIMATE ACTION

ISSN 2516-5909

THE SALVATION ARMY FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL Brian Peddle TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARY Major Mal Davies

CONTACT SALVATIONIST 020 7367 4890 salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk Find Salvationist on Facebook SalvationistOnline Find Salvationist on Twitter @SalvationistUK

CONTENTS

YOURS FAITHFULLY IN 1807 the UK parliament passed the Slave Trade Act, abolishing the slave trade within the British Empire. It took years of effort to get to that point, spearheaded by William Wilberforce, an independent MP for Yorkshire. He had first introduced an anti-slave trade bill in parliament in 1791, but it was overwhelmingly opposed.

Similar bills were defeated 17 more times before the act was passed. During those years he suffered abuse, ridicule, rejection, threats and resulting depression. It was an example of persistent faithfulness to a cause, motivated by his Christian faith. And, of course, he was not alone. Others worked outside parliament with the same faithful determination, not least former slaves such as Olaudah Equiano, who played a key part in the abolitionist movement. After the ending of the slave trade it would be another 26 years before slavery itself was abolished throughout the empire, with the passing of the 1833 Slavery Abolition Act. Why did it take so long to abolish slavery? That’s a question tackled by the Rev Dr David Instone-Brewer in an article for Anti-Slavery Day (18 October). The Bible is sometimes criticised for condoning slavery, but he shows how the Bible set in motion God’s plan for human freedom, which included the abolition of slavery. Even so, the Church was slow to respond to that revelation, and we still need to be doggedly faithful to it in a world where millions of people are caught up in modern slavery.

The Roma people, while not enslaved, have suffered persecution for generations – sometimes at the hands of those who profess to be Christians. But many are finding a spiritual home within Armáda Spásy (The Salvation Army). The ‘We are The Salvation Army’ feature focuses on Roma corps in the South East Division, giving a flavour of their unique ministry. Having only been established in recent years they are still growing as they faithfully reach out to their community. Territorial Envoy Roman Makula (Chatham) asks us to pray that they will continue to be ‘faithful and steadfast’ in doing God’s will.

Many of those who have joined the Roma corps come from the Czech Republic.

Major Philippa Smale served there for several years, and in this week’s Bible study she mentions some of the Czech Salvationists who remained faithful to God through the years of Communist suppression. She describes faithfulness as ‘the quality of being true to our commitment to God, holding fast to what we have pledged to do and delivering on what we profess to believe’.

When difficulties come, what is it that keeps us faithful? Major Peter Mylechreest suggests that it is the assurance of God’s presence and protection. He considers the experience of Elijah who, having proved God’s power to the priests of Baal, ran away into the wilderness. It was there that the quiet revelation of God’s presence enabled him to faithfully continue his prophetic work.

Years before Eugene Peterson produced The Message paraphrase of the Bible, he wrote a book called A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, which is recognised as a devotional classic. Peterson’s biographer says, ‘Those words – a long obedience in the same direction – have become shorthand for faithfulness and a life of devotion to Jesus.’ Whatever God calls us to be and do, and whatever challenges we face along the way, may we have that long obedience, remaining faithfully committed to him and his purpose for our lives.

From the Editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

Quotes from the media

2 4 to 8

News Prayer matters

8

Reflection

9

Never alone

by Major Peter Mylechreest

Viewpoint

10 and 11

Kick-starting the end to slavery by the Rev Dr David Instone-Brewer

We are The Salvation Army 12 to 14 Vibrant disciples in Christ A word from William

15

The righteous Chaplains in... the workplace 16 and 17 Influential presence

by Simon Hope

Bible study

18 and 19

Faithfulness

by Major Philippa Smale

Through the week with Salvationist

18 and 19

by Major Melvyn Knott

New commitments Adverts

20 21 and 23

Announcements

22

The Salvation Army and me

24

featuring Janet Laird

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS Scripture quotations in Salvationist are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated

Salvationist 16 October 2021

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NEWS

COMMUNITY

CLOWNE The Sunday morning meeting included recognition of soldiers and volunteers who had carried out tremendous acts of kindness and service during the pandemic. Acts of service included making and delivering meals, hosting Messy Church virtually, delivering goodie and craft bags, maintaining the corps minibus, telephoning people, delivering groceries and collecting prescriptions.

Many volunteers quickly became friends of the corps and 50 meals were delivered each week, partly funded by the parish council.

Thanks to donations, 60 virtual Messy Church bags were prepared and delivered on three separate occasions. Special thanks were given to Kirstie Patrick, John Wood and Peta Coates for cooking and organising deliveries each week alongside a small team of volunteers.

The meal delivery even included dinner on Christmas Day. – GH WELLING Two people who have been accessing the corps food bank for almost a year after losing their jobs have found new employment.

The food bank aims not just to give food but also support people as they get back on their feet. They sent a message of gratitude to the food bank team: ‘Thank you. You kept us from starving more than once, but more than that you believed I could be more. Thank you for helping me apply for jobs – it finally paid off !

You took your time to highlight jobs that fitted what I needed. You were my eyes and ears. You are so much more than a food bank, and I may not need food anymore but I’ll stay in touch.’ Corps folk continue to pray that these people will one day join them in worship. – KS 4

Salvationist 16 October 2021

MUSIC CAMBRIDGE CITADEL One element of the corps pastoral focus in the past 18 months has been the songsters, who continued to meet weekly after the start of the first lockdown. The leaders – Annie, Chloe, Phil and Marilyn – were aware of the limits of meeting online but were keen to make singing part of any gathering. The group quickly grew to include friends, family and folk from neighbouring corps and became known as Camsa (Cambridge Salvation Army) Connect Sings. Singing along to tracks while muted – and, when appropriate, an unmuted ‘Happy Birthday’ – became the norm. With occasional guests and themes, fun was always in the mix. Many who attend have found the gatherings to be a highlight of their week. Keen to keep energy levels up, the leaders embarked on organising an extended invitation for other corps to join an evening titled It’s Virtually the Albert Hall. Nearly 120 people gathered to sing along to a range of songs, including ‘God of My Praise’, ‘More Than Wonderful’, ‘Let a Little Sunshine in Your Heart’ and ‘A Song of Praise’. An illustrative map was created to identify where all the singers were from. Corps folk were thrilled that people came to share, worship, pray and laugh. – AH-F

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virtual Messy Church bags delivered SEE PAGE 4

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people attend Harvest lunch at Bath Citadel SEE PAGE 7

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teams compete in homelessness football tournament SEE PAGE 7

134

years of ministry at Leek OUTREACH SALE Every third Sunday in the month Sale Makers Market brings all aspects of the town community together. After links were made with the organisers of the event, they were keen for the corps to be involved. The band, led by Bandmaster Jonathan Evans, had a prime spot in the centre to witness through music. Corps members joined them to hand out invitations and information, and share in conversations and words of testimony and prayer. A highlight of the day was when a community police officer asked to join the band on the drum kit. – AM

SEE PAGE 8

FUNDRAISING

TROWBRIDGE The corps raised more than £200 towards corps funds at the town’s boot fair in the park. As a result of conversations and leaflets given out, two new families attended Sally Anne Tots the following week. – ML

NEWSIN

BRIEF

DUNSTABLE LieutColonels David Shakespeare (North London DHQ) and Karen Shakespeare (WBC) led Harvest worship. They invited people to consider what they had missed during the lockdowns and how different life is now.

Lieut-Colonel David reminded people about Habakkuk’s encouragement to rejoice in the Lord, even when things are going badly, and how Paul learnt to be content in all circumstances while living close to God. The congregation was delighted to hear the songsters taking part for the first time since Covid-19 restrictions eased. In the afternoon the band accompanied hymns at the annual Whipsnade Tree Cathedral service. The plantation was created by Edmund Blyth in the 1930s as a memorial to three of his friends who lost their lives in the First World War. Later the band visited Doris Cook, No 1 on the roll, at her care home and played tunes for some of her favourite songs. – SB

PRESENTATION Waltham Abbey corps officer Major Sharon King presents retiring Parent-and-Toddler Group Leader Brenda Square with flowers in recognition of 30 years’ dedicated service

EVENT

EVENT ROCK FERRY Building on the connections made with families and schools in the area over the past 18 months, the corps ran Messy Church for three weeks before the September school term started.

With the generous support of Transforming Lives Together, the corps provided food parcels to each family that attended, including a recipe book and ingredients for meals. The corps was pleased to reconnect with families who had previously attended the Jam club and parent-and-toddler group. Other families also linked up with the corps for the first time. The response was so positive that those who had only booked in for the first week immediately signed up to attend the other weeks as well. – AW/SW

MEETING

CHESTER-LE-STREET Corps officers Captains Angelique and Cor van der Woude centred the Sunday morning meeting around remembrance for those who had passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic. Members of the congregation were invited to light a candle and write on a petal the names of people they had lost over the past 18 months. This was a reminder of God’s love and protection in times of trouble. The songsters concluded the meeting by singing ‘We Have Peace’. – GC

SOUTHAMPTON SHOLING Harvest festival weekend was led by Majors Allison and Andrew Gaudion (Eaton Bray) and commenced with a supper and quiz on Saturday evening. The Sunday celebrations were thoughtfully prepared and relevant. Produce given by corps members was imaginatively presented in displays by Retired Bandmaster Brian Jones and the team. The produce was later sold and the non-perishables were donated to the local food bank. The beautiful window displays by the flower-arranging team were the perfect tribute to their late leader, Pat Jones, who was recently promoted to Glory. – BE Salvationist 16 October 2021

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NEWS

ARMY NEWS

EVENT

People of Peace awards go international STRAWBERRY FIELD TO mark what would have been the 80th birthday of John Lennon in 2020, the team at the centre launched a local search for Liverpool’s most inspirational People of Peace. The awards have returned for 2021, but this time the search is international.

Nominations remain open until 9 November, with winners to be announced in December.

They will have their photos and stories on display at Strawberry Field for a year.

Fresh Expression Leader Captain Louise Brown said: ‘We asked for nominations from across Liverpool for our very first

People of Peace awards in 2020.

With a high standard of truly inspiring nominations, it was a tough decision. All nominations were anonymously reviewed by a panel who agreed our five winners.’

This year’s judges are Strawberry Field Mission Director Major Kathy Versfeld, BBC Radio Merseyside broadcaster Paul Beesley and childhood friend of John Lennon, Charlie Roberts. – AR O To nominate a Person of Peace visit strawberryfieldliverpool. com/peopleofpeaceawards-2021 or call 0151 2526130

MIDDLESBROUGH A new donation centre has been opened in the town by the Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL). The store on Newport Road was opened with a little help from Middlesbrough FC mascot Roary the Lion. Roary was on hand to help shoppers find their way around and even helped on the till. The store will stock affordable items, including household furniture, electrical goods, clothing and bric-a-brac. It is the 18th store of its kind to be opened, following new stores opening in Chesterfield and Hull. It will help raise vital funds for The Salvation Army’s work across the UK and Ireland. Gareth Wadsworth, the store manager, said: ‘We’re really excited to welcome the people of Middlesbrough to our new store. Customers can expect a safe and friendly experience while shopping with us.’ – AR

EVENT

OUTREACH

READING LOWER EARLEY Harvest weekend celebrations started with a supper of bangers and mash then crumble and custard. A barn dance followed, with caller Major Sue Pegram (William Booth College) leading everyone through the dances. Major Sue and Gary Robb led Sunday worship, looking at the different parts played by people in the story of the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew 14.

Everyone was encouraged to look at what they could offer, however big or small, and reminded that God could use that for his glory and to build his Kingdom. – RC/JC 6

Salvationist 16 October 2021

STRAWBERRY FIELD The Fresh Expression Team invited people to a time of live worship in the grounds. Visitors could engage in meditation, creativity and shared reading, or wander the grounds listening to the music. An open mic session provided an excellent time of sharing. Friday evenings have also seen a group of local women gathering to enjoy time around the fire pit, contemplative walks around the grounds and a short meditation and blessing. In September Strawberry Field worked with people in the neighbourhood to prepare for Great Big Green Week in Woolton. Together they created a nature trail on Camp Hill, a stall with information and materials to make bird feeders, an interfaith prayer gathering in Reynolds Park and a Recycles workshop and sale. – AR

FUNDRAISING OAKENGATES Corps officer Major Carole Loveridge completed the Swim22 challenge at Oakengates Leisure Centre, swimming the width of the English Channel to raise money for Diabetes UK. So far she has raised £1,272, exceeding her original target of £1,000, by swimming 34.55 miles, which is farther than planned. Major Carole said: ‘I am diabetic so one reason for swimming the Channel was to support this charity. However, swimming has always been a part of my life. My father, who has passed away, always wanted me to attempt to swim the Channel, so I set the challenge to be completed by his birthday.’ – AG/CL O To sponsor Major Carole visit swim22. diabetes.org.uk/fundraising/carole1473

MEETING BRIGHTON CONGRESS HALL The lifting of Covid-19 restrictions meant plans were made to reopen the hall for worship, the charity shop, café and community work. The building was never shut completely, as food parcels were organised by Community Programme Co-ordinator Lyn Back and the prayer room was available for use. In recognition of the hall opening for worship the band played outside while corps folk socialised and made their presence felt in the community. A short meeting was led by corps officer Captain Kate Gregory to rededicate the hall. The meeting, themed Rebuilding, began with a period of remembrance for corps folks who had died during the lockdowns. – BW

Salvationist wants to hear your news Corps press representatives can email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk.

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COMMUNITY

Merson and Mata cheer on homelessness football tournament MANCHESTER FORMER Arsenal and England player Paul Merson and Manchester United star Juan Mata cheered on players at the 10th annual Salvation Army football tournament for people experiencing homelessness.

The five-a-side Partnership Trophy tournament held at Goals in Manchester brought together 15 teams from Salvation Army Lifehouses and homelessness services across the UK, with the aim of celebrating their achievements on and off the pitch.

Paul played in a couple of the matches and spoke movingly about his career and

EVENT

TADLEY Corps folk began Harvest weekend celebrations with a barbecue and quiz on Saturday. Forty-five people attended, some of whom had only visited the coffee and chat mornings. On Sunday some of them also returned for worship. The Harvest items donated were given to Willow House Lifehouse in Reading. – SM

experiences with addiction. Juan and Paul presented trophies to the winning team, Wallace of Campsie House from Glasgow, and medals to the runners-up: Swan Lodge Lifehouse from Sunderland, The Orchard from Bradford and moving and storage company Pickfords, which sponsored the event.

Juan said: ‘It was a great experience. I enjoyed seeing what The Salvation Army does and witnessing the power of football to make people happy.’

Paul said: ‘Many of the players have been or will still be going through a tough time, so I wish them all the best for the future. I know from my own experience that having people you can turn to is a huge help. The staff and the volunteers at The Salvation Army are doing a wonderful job in supporting them, and bringing everyone together for this tournament is a great example of that.’ – AR

MEETING

Eighty people enjoy a Harvest lunch at Bath Citadel cooked by corps officer Major David Wise after a Sunday meeting led by Major David Betteridge (THQ) Salvationist 16 October 2021

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NEWS

ANNIVERSARY SCRIPTURE FOCUS: PSALM 107

by Lieutenant Rob Westwood-Payne (Basingstoke) SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER – CONFESSING OUR REBELLION (VV10 AND 11) Today we seek God’s forgiveness for the times we have rebelled against his purposes for us by rejecting his word and going our own way. Praise him that when we turn back to him, he is always there for us. He dispels the darkness and breaks the chains of our sin so we can come home.

Celebrating 134 years of ministry LEEK THE 134th corps anniversary began with afternoon tea and a display of corps history, providing an opportunity for members to gather and celebrate the past. They were able to reminisce over photographs, news headlines and memorabilia, which were left out for people to see on the Sunday.

Sunday’s meeting included items from the sections and favourite songs from some of the youngest and oldest people in the corps.

The band played ‘Daniel’ and the songsters sang ‘I Have Seen the Glory of the Lord’.

The worship group, Kerygma, took part in worship and Recruiting Sergeant Steve Williams brought a solo. Corps officer Captain Leanne Wallis presented the media team with certificates thanking them for their hard work ensuring the corps ministry could continue online during the pandemic.

The meeting was followed by refreshments and another opportunity to see the corps history. – RJ

MEETING

SUNDAY 17 OCTOBER – MY CHAINS FELL OFF (VV14 AND 15) As we join in worship today, we sing: ‘Long my imprisoned spirit lay/ Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;/ Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;/ I woke; the dungeon flamed with light./ My chains fell off, my heart was free,/ I rose, went forth, and followed thee’ (SASB 241).

MODERN SLAVERY FOCUS

by Major Estelle Blake (Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Unit) MONDAY 18 OCTOBER – ISAIAH 58:6 Father God, we thank you for our freedom. At the beginning of this week, we turn our thoughts to those who are trapped in modern slavery. We ask that you come close to them and open our eyes to them in the world around us. Amen.

TUESDAY 19 OCTOBER – ISAIAH 58:12 We turn our hearts to those who are helping the survivors of modern slavery rebuild their lives. Today we pray for the Army’s international anti-human trafficking strategy led by Priscilla Santos. Lord, we want to partner those rebuilding their lives in a place of safety and trust. We pray for those in our worldwide Salvation Army who are working together across international boundaries and cultures to help individuals be restored and have hope in their brokenness. Amen.

WEDNESDAY 20 OCTOBER – ISAIAH 58:7 AND 8 We pray for our safe houses in the UK. May they be places of refuge for those who have survived and are now awaiting more support. May they be aware of their own strength and the strength that they have in God. We pray that they will feel safe in our safe houses. We pray for the staff in the safe houses who journey with them in these strange days. Amen.

THURSDAY 21 OCTOBER We pray for the chaplains in our safe houses and volunteers who respond when called. May they know that they are part of the plan of God to bring hope and refuge to those who may feel frightened and alone. We pray for their unseen ministry in the wider world.

Amen.

BRISTON Major Susan Robinson (Norwich Mile Cross) led Harvest festival celebrations. The afternoon began with a ploughman’s lunch served to 30 friends, followed by a meeting that included the altar service, during which corps members thanked the Lord for his everlasting provision. – MR 8

Salvationist 16 October 2021

FRIDAY 22 OCTOBER – ISAIAH 58:10 AND 11 We pray for the Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Unit and the sections within it. We pray that you will guide each individual to understand that they are a part of your plan and call for freedom for the enslaved in our country. May we be courageous in our dreaming and believing in a slavery-free world. Amen.

O A PDF of the Prayer Matters booklet is also available to download from salvationarmy.org.uk/resources

Salvationist 2 October 2021

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REFL RE FLEC FL ECTI EC TION TI ON REFLECTION

NEVER ALONE Major Peter Mylechreest reflects on the experiences of the prophet Elijah

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EARS ago, when tobacco companies were allowed to advertise on television, I remember a commercial for a new brand of cigarette called Strand.

The advert was filmed in black and white and had a haunting soundtrack.

It featured a solitary man, with his raincoat collar turned up and wearing a trilby hat, walking a rain-soaked city street at the dead of night. He stopped to light a cigarette, and the voiceover said, ‘You’re never alone with a Strand.’

It was highly memorable, yet few people purchased the new Strand cigarettes and they were later withdrawn from the market. It was probably the biggest TV advertising flop at that time.

People didn’t want to be associated with loneliness. It was too depressing.

Being alone can be off-putting. The prophet Elijah knew that. In front of a huge crowd he had bravely and successfully shown that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was the living God – but afterwards, on his own, he was in the doldrums (see 1 Kings 18 and 19).

It was not that this man of God had

failed badly, or was full of remorse over some personal lack of integrity or some flagrant act of immorality. Elijah had obeyed God’s instructions as he understood them. He should have been elated that he had fulfilled God’s will by standing up to the powerful King Ahab and the hundreds of priests of Baal, the Canaanites’ storm god, and Asherah, their goddess of fertility. With God’s help, he had won the dramatic contest on Mount Carmel.

Elijah had wanted to crush idolatry and restore Israel to faith in the living God, yet he had run in fear of his life when Queen Jezebel had issued a death threat. He fled to Beersheba. It seems that he withdrew into a shell and shunned human society.

He was probably overcome with physical exhaustion, mixed with concern for his personal safety. Perhaps he temporarily doubted God. After all, how could God be Lord if Jezebel’s power was still undiminished? What a contrast to the serenely confident Elijah on Mount Carmel, who had called people to choose whom to serve with heart, soul and strength; Elijah, who had laughed at

the activities of the Baal worshippers and taunted them with jests and jibes, witnessing that, despite all their ranting and raving, their gods did not answer.

And then the living God had answered his prayer request with fire! Elijah had shown great trust in God – but sometimes despair shadows faith. Away from Mount Carmel and in Beersheba, Elijah went into the wilderness and told God he wanted to die.

He felt totally alone, broken and fatigued. Yet in his darkest hour, God did not desert him. Elijah was mercifully supplied with strength for a long journey that would lead to a new sense of God and his purposes. He walked 40 days to Sinai, the sacred place of covenant, the source of Israel’s faith, the place where God had visited Moses.

While Elijah was holed up in a cave, the Lord spoke to him, asking what he was doing there. Elijah replied that the people of Israel had broken their covenant and that he was the only one left. In the middle of his bout of self-pity, however, he had a fresh vision of God. He had expected to experience God in the natural phenomena of earthquakes, hurricanes and fire – traditional mediators of God’s presence – and in the empty void there seemed to be a noticeable absence of God. God sometimes follows a pattern of revealing himself, then silence. He has not left us; he is giving us opportunity to reflect on what we believe and the freedom to follow in faith and act with fidelity. Isolation can be difficult, yet solitude can be the chance to sense God, free from other distractions.

Then, in a murmuring whisper like a gentle breeze, Elijah is reassured of God’s presence and protection, recommissioned to continue as a prophet and reminded that he was not alone in worshipping God. Despite widespread defection to other gods, there were 7,000 people in Israel who were still loyal to the Lord.

As we walk by faith we all need reassurance from time to time that God is never distant. To adapt the Strand slogan, you’re never alone with God!

MAJOR MYLECHREEST LIVES IN RETIREMENT IN LONDON AND IS THQ CHAPLAIN Salvationist 16 October 2021

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VIEW POINT

Kick-starting the end to To mark Anti-Slavery Day (18 October) the Rev Dr David InstoneBrewer considers how the Bible presents God’s plan to bring freedom to all

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NE of the most devastating criticisms of the Bible is the accusation that it condones slavery, and even that it was to blame for its continuation. Proponents argue the Bible sanctioned slavery because of the regulations surrounding it in the Old Testament. They also cite the New Testament’s instruction to slaves to behave respectfully towards their masters. Paul even sent the runaway slave Onesimus back to his Christian master, asking that he should be treated well for Paul’s sake (see Philemon 1:15–18).

The Church certainly took a long time to outlaw slavery. You’d think it would have happened when Constantine became the first Christian Roman emperor, but it continued for hundreds of years. In England, it wasn’t until the time of William the Conqueror that the fight against slavery really began to get started.

It is a misunderstanding, though, to believe that the Bible commends slavery. Regulations do not mean approval. If they

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Salvationist 16 October 2021

did, we’d conclude that the UK condones child labour because it has so many laws that regulate it. These laws give limitations – children can’t be forced to work, they must do so in a safe environment and their hours of work are restricted. And just as child employment in this country is not forbidden but highly controlled, the Law of Moses strictly regulated the treatment of slaves.

Slaves had to be fed properly, and if they were Jews or converts it was even expected that they would eat with the family at feasts like Passover (see Exodus 12:44).

Most slaves in Israel were volunteers.

That might sound like an oxymoron.

However, in the days before banking, volunteering as a slave was the normal way to borrow money. If you needed a dowry for a daughter’s marriage, you agreed with a local farmer to work for him for the next six years in return for your wages upfront. During that time you weren’t given any pay, because you’d already received it, and the farmer was responsible for feeding and housing you – though he might not mind you sleeping at your own home. At the end of six years – the maximum allowed for this arrangement – some people decided they liked this life and asked to stay on; there was even a special ceremony for it (see Deuteronomy 15:16 and 17).

Occasionally the Israelites obtained slaves by defeating their enemies in nearby nations. The enslavement of these captives didn’t end after six years, but they still had to be treated properly.

If you hit your slave and knocked their tooth out they could go free, and if you killed a slave you were treated in the same way as if you’d murdered a free person (see Exodus 21: 20 and 27).

Remarkably, a slave was allowed to run away from a master and find a better

slavery one – it was illegal to force a slave to return to a master (see Deuteronomy 23:15 and 16). We know the Israelites didn’t keep all these laws all the time, but the rules set them apart from other nations whose treatment of slaves was very different.

In New Testament times Jews were subject to Roman law, which regarded slaves as property without any individual rights. After AD70 the Jews passed a new law that forbade any Jew from ever becoming a slave, voluntarily or through debt. They couldn’t end non-Jewish slavery but they did treat non-Jewish slaves in accordance with Old Testament rules.

WHY NOT FREE SLAVES? The apostle Paul couldn’t go as far as telling Christians to release their slaves because this was illegal in Roman law for slaves below the age of 30. Instead, he told them to treat slaves with respect, like other workers, and if the slave was a Christian they were to be thought of as a ‘brother’ (Philemon 1:16).

Presumably this respect included the normal Roman practice of manumission – legally freeing them when they were 30 so that they became proper Roman citizens with a citizen’s rights and earning capacity. This practice was wide-ranging, and some of the biggest and richest tombs along the Appian Way in Rome were built by slaves who founded thriving businesses after they were freed.

What Paul could do was to utterly condemn slave trading – as he did in 1 Timothy 1:9 and 10, where he said that slave traders were ‘lawbreakers and rebels’. This became the key text for Wilberforce’s abolition of slavery campaign in the early 19th century.

GOD’S PLAN Instead of condoning slavery, the Bible shows us that God’s plan was to gradually push the Jews and then Christians towards renouncing it, first by establishing rights for slaves and then by pointing out that all humans are equal (see Galatians 3:28). This should have resulted in the ending of slavery as soon as Christians had the political power to do so, but it didn’t happen like that. The Church didn’t recognise God’s plan.

Any coach knows that you can’t produce a perfect athlete in a single training session. You have to deal with each flaw gradually. This often means that in the meantime the coach will

put up with other faults because they know that at the end of the process, they will finally all be dealt with. Through the Bible, God has been gradually showing us how to live with each other.

Understanding his plan helps us understand the Bible. We shouldn’t dismiss Old Testament law as irrelevant and we shouldn’t view it as his final aim: it is part of a process. Along with the New Testament, it forms God’s training manual for societies and individuals.

In some processes, like the abolition of slavery, the trajectory of God’s plan is especially important, because if we don’t recognise it we miss the end point.

Slavery and other subjugation of fellow humans was too engrained to be abolished in New Testament times, so the Bible stated that the end point was equality for all humans and began the process the Church inherited.

The task isn’t finished yet! Slavery might be illegal throughout the world, but an estimated 25 to 40 million people are still enslaved. The scope of international human trafficking is greater than ever.

Through movements such as Stop the Traffik, the Church still has a vital role to play in helping to fulfil God’s plan to bring freedom to all.

O This

article was first published in Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. You can request a free copy of the latest issue at premierchristianity.com

DAVID IS AN HONORARY SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW AT TYNDALE HOUSE, CAMBRIDGE

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There are hundreds of corps and centres in our territory, but what makes them The Salvation Army?

In this series we discover just that

Vibrant disciples in Christ Leaders of the blossoming Armáda Spásy pioneer congregations in the South East Division speak to Major Kathryn Blowers (Gravesend and Roma Team Ministry) JSME UÿEDNÍCI (WE ARE DISCIPLES) says Territorial Envoy Roman Makula, Chatham BEFORE the Covid-19 pandemic our programme consisted of discipleship teaching and training married couples for ministry, in partnership with Gravesend Armáda Spásy. Alongside the usual programme of Bible studies, youth activities, children’s ministry and women’s ministry, we were actively

involved in planting the congregation in Dover. Most of what we do is in Slovak and Roma languages.

When the first lockdown began we turned to Facebook and Zoom. Through these, our teaching and influence did not diminish but grew. When The Salvation Army called us to daily prayer at noon, we held a prayer meeting on Facebook Live. These meetings took place for 42 days and saw hundreds of people joining and asking for prayer. We saw lives healed and transformed.

As we continued to preach and teach through Facebook and Zoom, we saw more communication – not less – as more people began to follow and join us.

People joined in from Belgium, Slovakia, Germany and all over the world. During the lockdown, five new married couples joined our church with their families.

We are not unique – like other leaders, we spend a lot of time caring for and looking after our people through visits, phone calls and whatever is necessary Chatham primary

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to build up and encourage people to become the disciples Jesus calls them to be. The youth and children’s work also focuses on teaching and discipleship – it is not just a club for children. We train them to become active disciples of Jesus, and they have joined in our ministry by serving in the children’s programmes and worship band.

We are The Salvation Army in that we wear the uniform and embrace its rules, doctrines and teaching – it’s who we are. We don’t just do what we want – we are part of the mission of The Salvation Army.

We see God moving through his gifts and his giftings in people and the church.

God is adding to his people and he is adding to the spiritual gifts he has given.

He always brings something new. He is building his disciples and he has given us the vision to plant churches and preach the gospel.

Readers can pray that we will be faithful and steadfast in what God has called us to do and that the Holy Spirit would fill us to do God’s will, not our own.

Patrik Herak

Chatham ‘Superheroes’

Chatham youth worship band

The installation of TE Roman Makula by Divisional Commander Major Mark Herbert with Major David Blowers

TEs David and Julia Fraterovi at their installation

JSME V KRISTU (WE ARE IN CHRIST) says Territorial Envoy David Frater, Gravesend BEFORE the Covid-19 pandemic there were many activities and many opportunities for meeting and spiritual growth. These included Bible studies, house groups, visitation and activities for children, men and women.

Suddenly, everything had to be done through media like Zoom, WhatsApp and Facebook. People grew, but it was very difficult without the fellowship they were used to, and they missed meeting together.

Our fellowship is different because of our language and the way we worship.

But it isn’t just about the words we use.

The whole experience of our worship is in our culture.

We see God moving – he is bringing in new families, and people are renewing their relationships with him.

We are beginning to meet and visit again, and all this leads to spiritual growth.

We pray that we would be steadfast and faithful in his will. Christ is in The Salvation Army and we are in Christ – and this is what makes us The Salvation Army.

JSME ŽIVU (WE ARE VIBRANT) says Patrik Herak, Margate WE are a Czech, Slovak and Romaspeaking expression of the Army in Margate. We worship and meet in Czech and Roma so people living in the surrounding area can worship in their own languages. As such we have many of our own songs written in Roma and

played in a Roma Gypsy style, making our worship unique in the UK. We have a worship band that includes a guitarist, bass guitarist, keyboards and five vocalists.

Our building has seating for 130 people, and before the lockdowns we had about 40 adults and 60 young people and children. We had a thriving Bible study and prayer group, with 15 people attending prayer meetings and 22 going to Bible studies. We would have had more but one parent usually had to be home with the children while the other attended.

We had plans to begin a new children’s outreach before the pandemic and we hope that, once the world returns to ‘normal’, we will be able to welcome new young people into our hall with the goal of introducing them to Christ.

We haven’t allowed these difficulties and restraints over the past year to prevent our ministry. We still found a way to reach people. We didn’t stop evangelising or contacting and encouraging. As a young corps agewise, the technology was not a problem for us.

We have always been able to minister to Czech and Roma people in the community. We have a drop-in service, where we provide translation and paperwork assistance to all who need it.

Through this we have met a lot of new families. We also actively meet people in the community by holding large events. We hosted a corps barbecue and gave out food to anyone who wanted it. We fed more than 100 people that day and kept in contact with many of them.

These activities have brought several families into the corps. And we don’t only meet people in the Margate area.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 X Salvationist 16 October 2021

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Margate youth trip to London post lockdown

Margate worship band

We are a loud congregation. We love to sing, dance, jump and shout W CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 We have also been meeting Roma communities in Dover and Folkestone, having already planted the Czechspeaking expressions in Chatham and Gravesend.

We are a loud congregation. We love to sing, dance, jump and shout to the glory of Jesus – but we couldn’t do these things during the lockdowns. With the introduction of the one-way system and 30-person limit, a church that was once full of children running around and enjoying fellowship together fell quiet.

A congregation that could be heard up and down the high street was no longer permitted to join in song.

We had to stop everything and learn to do things differently. We quickly realised the need for a comprehensive online ministry, not just for the Sunday meeting but also for the youth group, 14

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children’s ministries, Bible studies and prayer group. Zoom became a lifeline as we learnt to navigate the challenges of online ministry. We first started Sunday ministry on Facebook before adding youth and children’s activities. We also made videos with testimonies, which we sent out and posted as encouragement for people.

Despite these huge changes we have still seen people come to Christ. Through our online ministry, eight people have received Christ and we cannot wait to welcome them to our live meetings once the world returns to some form of normality.

The online ministry has been so successful that we plan to live-stream all our main meetings, Bible studies and prayer meetings in the future.

We are The Salvation Army through the way we help families who are physically or socially poorer to know

Jesus by offering them help and assistance – heart to God, hand to man.

Our mission is to go out into the community and bring people to Christ.

We teach them to be true disciples of Christ and nurture them to be apostles, teachers, prophets, pastors and evangelists so they can do the same with others. Our vision is to create new churches and corps for Christ.

God has taught us many things during these past months. We have learnt to be more open to others – not to be hidden away but to stand out. It is as if God is giving us a new garment to wear. We are to be visible not just in our charitable serving but also in our preaching of the gospel, in our active evangelism and in being who we are called to be.

Please pray that we would have the wisdom to achieve God’s given vision.

Pray for his power and leading. And pray for unity and love among us.

A WORD FROM WILLIAM

The righteous Salvationist begins a monthly series reproducing messages that William Booth sent to corps to be read in Sunday meetings

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NOV EM B ER

1907

HAVE been thinking recently of the happy condition of the righteous. The Bible, as you know, contains many references to their blessedness. It is to be well with the righteous man living, well with him dying, and it is to be well with him for ever.

No matter, then, what sorrow or tribulation or persecution they may be called on to endure, the righteous have the best of it in the long run. The knowledge that we belong to those whom God regards as the righteous will be a strength to us amid all the storms of this life. It will comfort us in the valley of the shadow of death and it will enable us to stand without fear before the great white throne.

It will be quite clear to all that several things go with, or are included in, this confidence.

First, there must be the conscious realisation of the character which belongs to the righteous. Some people are always putting the best possible construction on their own actions and magnifying their own virtues; and yet all the time they are tormented with the horrid remembrance that something is wrong in their lives. They do not belong to the righteous.

You cannot separate the character of the righteous from doing right, and you cannot possess the character of the righteous, and lay claim to the promises that are theirs, unless your conduct is in harmony with righteousness.

It is not a matter of profession, but of action. For example, a man may say, ‘I am a student of the Bible and am familiar with its commandments and its

promises. I am joined in fellowship with the righteous. I belong to the Church or I belong to the Army.’ He may do all this, and yet he may not be counted by God among the righteous.

If a man is right, his thoughts will be right. He will love right things and hate evil things. He will act rightly towards God, towards his neighbour, towards his parents, his wife, his family, his friends, his master or his servant.

In a word, the righteous do nothing, wear nothing, eat nothing, go to no place, enter into no partnership, form no companionship, engage in no labour which is not in keeping with what they know to be true and right.

They neither touch, taste, handle nor read anything calculated to injure their body, mind or soul, or that is likely in any way to damage their influence as children of God or lessen their zeal in his service.

The righteous think of others. They have pity for the poor, they have mercy for the prodigals, they weep over the backslidings of God’s people and they strive and fight for the honour of the Lord and the salvation of sinners.

Do you, my brother, my sister, belong to the righteous? If you do, rejoice and be exceeding glad. But at the same time let your moderation be known unto all men.

1. Beware of the temptation of trusting in your own righteousness. It is the work of God; you must trust only him.

2. Beware of imagining that because you have attained, by the good mercy of God, to your present experience, that you can afford to neglect any

one condition by which you were first brought into the full favour of God. You must believe, you must pray, you must deny yourself and take up your cross daily.

3. Beware of thinking that you can maintain your righteousness without increasing in the faith, love and knowledge of God. There can be no standing still.

4. Beware of judging others, especially the ignorant, the poor and the degraded, by the standard that you have set up for yourself. Where much is given, much shall be required.

5. And beware of neglecting to ascribe all honour and praise and glory to the Holy Ghost, to whose aid you owe all that is good, pure and Christlike within you.

But if, on the other hand, you cannot say that you are among the righteous, my brother and sister, what shall I say? a. Honestly acknowledge before God that you are wrong. That is the first step towards getting right. b. Put your finger upon what you know in your life to be contrary to the dictates of your conscience and be done with it once and for ever. c. Claim the forgiveness of God, and hand your life over to him to spend and be spent in doing righteousness.

If you faithfully carry out these instructions it will be well with you here and it will be well with you hereafter.

For thus saith the Lord: ‘Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well with him’ (Isaiah 3:10 King James Version).

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FEATURE I Chaplains in… the workplace

Influential presence Continuing a series on Salvation Army chaplaincy in diverse settings, Major Peter Mylechreest and Commissioner Debbie Graves share with Simon Hope about pastoral support and spiritual care in the workplace

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HEY are available for everyone, to come alongside through the hills and valleys of life and to give a caring ear to anyone in need.

Chaplains fill all sorts of roles in care homes, Lifehouses and prisons, but beyond that are those who pastor on the streets, in hospitals and elsewhere.

Commissioner Debbie Graves and Major Peter Mylechreest live out this ministry in the office as chaplains for International Headquarters (IHQ) and Territorial Headquarters (THQ) respectively.

Peter sees workplace chaplaincy as having a threefold emphasis: providing pastoral support to staff, overseeing weekly family prayers and encouraging social cohesion across departments. A familiar face to many at THQ, not even a pandemic could halt Peter in his fervent ministry, and he quickly adapted to an online environment.

‘Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic,’ he says, ‘I visited personnel at their desks, listening, sharing and speaking about a whole range of subjects. During the lockdowns I’ve tried to fulfil this part of my role through emails and phone calls and by visiting the THQ building once a week for the few staff who continued to work there. While our weekly gathering for Christian teaching, singing and prayer had to be curtailed, I now produce virtual family prayers every week.’

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Starting her role mid-pandemic, Debbie had to build relationships from scratch remotely. Working her way through the staff list, she has been offering IHQ officers and employees the opportunity to meet for an online coffee and chat.

‘It was wonderful,’ she beams. ‘People were so willing to join and share about themselves. I got to know a lot of people even though I’d never met them in person.’

This proved especially useful when people began returning to the office.

She was no longer a stranger but a friendly face.

‘Part of my role is to organise IHQ’s family prayers,’ she continues. ‘Each week we would gather online over Microsoft Teams to worship together.

The attendance was incredible, and a good variety of people took turns leading us through. In September we went back to meeting in person, which brought a totally different dynamic.

‘Although I was available via a computer screen, being back in the office makes me more accessible. I can now wander around and check in with people and I’m reachable on a more personal level. I also host visitors to the building and organise hospitality.

‘As City of London liaison officer I also have the opportunity for community engagement. This allows me to connect with churches, schools, businesses and

government and police services in the neighbourhood.’

Peter agrees that presence in the community is a core element of chaplaincy. In a world that’s largely undecided on spiritual matters, chaplains can share God’s grace in word and deed through their personal encounters.

‘There is a rich cultural assortment in the THQ community,’ he says, ‘with more than 40 countries of family origin represented. The staff are a combination of officers, Christians who see their work as their vocation, others who don’t profess a Christian faith but deliberately chose to work for a charity, and a few for whom this is just a job. Working with such diversity is both a joy and a challenge.’

One of the things that Debbie loves about her role is the opportunity to wander the building and connect with people where they are. ‘For some it’s just a “Hello! How are you?”,’ she says.

‘For others it can be a 10-minute conversation. Sometimes even half an hour over coffee.

‘Another joy is the internationalism of IHQ. I get to know people and their stories from all around the world, learning about different cultures and traditions while also celebrating the one Army that we are all part of. IHQ has been referred to as a global village, and it very much is.’

Prayer stations at IHQ

Summing up what this ministry is all about, Peter shares an example of how chaplains come alongside people through all sorts of situations.

‘An employee asked to speak to me because they had frightened themself by their illogical reaction to something.

Reflecting to them what they had told me, they could see that they felt out of control because the incident created a renewal of hurt from a previous unhelpful situation.

‘Recognising that this was a positive step, we discussed possible ways forward and I allowed them to decide for themself what to do next. With new personal insight they looked hugely relieved, and I sensed that the grace of God had been with us.’

The need to have someone come alongside has been especially prevalent during the lockdowns. While Covid-19 has commanded the spotlight for almost two years, many people have continued

to face trials unrelated to the pandemic that are also destructive.

Debbie remembers Captain Eugenia Dunbar: ‘Captain Dunbar became very ill with cancer. She was in hospital and only a couple of people could visit her.

In my role I kept the prayer chain going and supplied updates. In the end she caught coronavirus and, shortly after Christmas, was promoted to Glory.

‘I led a memorial service for her through Microsoft Teams. People from around the world participated and paid tribute. Even though we were all sitting in our own homes, we could celebrate her, her life and her contribution to the mission.

‘It was a very moving time. An inperson funeral was held by her corps and I was invited to attend and offer a prayer. It was such a privilege.’

‘Chaplaincy is about influence,’ Peter concludes. ‘Sometimes through an explicit expression of faith but, at other times, it’s implicit in sensitivity, listening and practical support.’

SIMON IS EDITORIAL ASSISTANT, SALVATIONIST Salvationist 16 October 2021

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BIBLE STUDY

Faithfulness Major Philippa Smale considers the attribute of being true to our commitment to God GALATIANS 5:22 AND 23

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WORKED in the Czech Republic for six years. For three of those, I was a FRUSV RIILFHU LQ +DYtĜRY D WRZQ QHDU the Polish border. After a five-year term in London, I returned as training officer for six months before coming back to the UK. It was my privilege to meet Salvationists who had worshipped in The Salvation Army before it was proscribed by the Communist regime in 1950.

I didn’t get to meet Brigadier Josef Korbel – who was imprisoned by the Communists for 10 years because of his Christian beliefs. However, I did meet Major Stranovsky. When The Salvation Army reopened, she was overwhelmed to be able to put on the uniform once more without fear of reprisals. They are both on my faith-hero list.

Through the week with Salvationist – a devotional thought for each day

by Major Melvyn Knott

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When I read the story of Major Hladikova, who was the corps officer in Prague at the beginning of the 1950s, she also joined the list. The secret police went to the corps, confiscated the instruments, flag and drum and sealed the hall, telling the major she was forbidden to enter the property again. She followed them to the second-hand shop where the confiscated items were sold and, when the police were out of sight, she went and bought the precious items back.

Against incredible odds, these officers remained faithful to God and to their calling.

QUESTIONS are your heroes of the faith?

O Why have you picked these particular people?

O Who

Another faith hero of mine, who will likely never find her way into the history books or even a Wikipedia entry, is someone I will call ‘Anne’. She was one of my soldiers in the early days of my officership. One of the first things that Anne said to me was: ‘If there is anything I can do to help you, just ask.’ Over the months, I learnt that Anne was married to a man who made her life extremely difficult and that the corps was basically her lifeline. Her philosophy was: ‘Anything I can do for the Lord, I will do with all my heart.’ On the surface, her life appeared anything but fulfilling, yet she exhibited much of the fruit of the Spirit in an extraordinarily gracious way.

QUESTIONS O Do you know any people who are unlikely heroes? Why are they ‘unlikely’?

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

I dare to live the life of faith,/ The life of challenge God has planned:/ Of holiness and victory,/ For truth and righteousness to stand.

(SASB 321)

I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

(Ephesians 4:1–3)

Reckon on me following thee,/ Living for ever thy servant to be;/ Cloudy or fine, Lord, I am thine/ Until thy face I shall see.

(SASB 670)

Faithfulness can be described as the quality of being true to our commitment to God, holding fast to what we have pledged to do and delivering on what we profess to believe.

It might be a hidden kind of faithfulness that only comes to light in retrospect or is only known to God. It might shine like a beacon to lead others along the right path. It might be a golden thread running through a life that is otherwise painted in sombre colours. It might be the sort of faithfulness that turns barren wastelands into fertile valleys.

QUESTION would you define faithfulness in the context of being an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit?

O How

Someone described faith as ‘a tether to something that is so purely true that we can’t even fully understand it with our finite minds’. Faithfulness is how we live out and express our belief in this pure truth.

God has always been faithful to us.

He has never wavered in considering us his beloved children who are of infinite worth to him. Faithfulness helps us to show people who do not believe in Christ that our faith in such a God is something worthy of full commitment – even if it comes at a cost.

I heard the story of a cadet who arrived at the training college with absolutely nothing except the clothes she was wearing and an unshakeable conviction that God wanted her to be an officer. When she told her parents about her calling, they disowned her.

Regardless, she faithfully obeyed God.

It took years, but she was eventually reconciled to her family.

QUESTION O Has your faith ever cost you something in terms of relationships or people’s good opinion?

Faithfulness is a beautiful attribute.

Let’s be sure to allow the Spirit to cultivate it in us.

MAJOR SMALE IS CORPS OFFICER, CARDIFF ELY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.

(3 John 1:3)

Lord, may your love translucent shine/ Through every loving deed of mine,/ That men may see the works I do/ And give the glory all to you.

(SASB 1003)

‘Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the Law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practised the latter, without neglecting the former.’

(Matthew 23:23)

Will you come and follow me/ If I but call your name?/ Will you go where you don’t know/ And never be the same?/ Will you let my love be shown,/ Will you let my name be known,/ Will you let my life be grown/ In you and you in me?

(SASB 695)

Prayer Lord Jesus, help us to keep our focus on you.

Forgive us for when we give too much time and attention to other things. Help us to reflect on you and project your great faithfulness to others.

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NEW COMMITMENTS Editor’s note In-person meetings were held in accordance with Army safety guidance, following a risk assessment.

GRANTHAM Divisional Envoys John and Pat Moseley welcomed Susan Stagg as an adherent and enrolled Gordon Fry as a soldier.

Susan was invited to the Cameo group by her friend Janice, who was an adherent at the corps. In early 2020 Janice was enrolled as a soldier and Susan came to support her. Shortly afterwards she made the decision that she would like to make The Salvation Army her church. During lockdown Susan read Called to Be a Soldier and other information on Salvation Army beliefs and practices. She testified that the phrase ‘we believe in the priesthood of all believers’ confirmed her decision. Gordon moved from the West Midlands to Grantham and responded, with some family members, to the 2020 Christmas Toy Appeal. He received a copy of the weekly devotional produced during lockdown and soon made the decision to renew his soldier’s covenant after many years of absence from Salvation Army worship.

He testified of his welcome into the fellowship and how God had sustained him through the years. – JM

BRISTOL SOUTH Allie was enrolled as a junior soldier by her grandparents, Majors David and Diane Kinsey (Taiwan Region), in the same meeting that her sister, Cerys, was dedicated to God by her other grandparents, Majors Neville and Yvonne Andrews (Morriston).

Pictured with Allie are Diane Cheeseman and Major Diane. – RC

MARKET RASEN Divisional Commander Major Brian Slinn welcomed Mary and Peter Skeat and Babs Wright as adherents. All three are lunch club members at the corps. – TC

BROMLEY TEMPLE Serena Strickland was enrolled as a soldier by corps officer Major Alison Hudson. Supported by corps family and friends, Serena testified to the influences in her life that brought her to the moment she realised God was calling her to make the commitment. The ceremony was live-streamed so that Serena’s extended family in the USA Western Territory could share in the occasion. Pictured are Serena, Major Alison and Serena’s father, Major Derek Strickland, who is holding the flag. – IH 20

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SOUTHEND CITADEL Christine Kirkham was enrolled as a soldier.

Looking for an avenue of Christian service, Christine assisted in drop-in sessions, then began attending on Sundays. Her preparation for soldiership was carried out by email and telephone because of coronavirus restrictions. Christine gave an inspiring testimony of her faith and desire to serve God through the Army. Family and friends enjoyed tea and cakes together afterwards. Pictured with Christine are corps officers Major Andrew and Captain Tracey Bale and Recruiting Sergeant Major John Turner. – JT

ADVERTS 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.

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF ADDRESS! As from 28 September 2021 Majors Jorgen and Libbet Booth can be contacted at: Emmbrook Court, Apartment 36 Woolacombe Drive, Reading, Berks RG6 5TZ Tel 01183 437472

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY 2022 22 to 29 July 2022 5 nights’ holiday in Austria 2 nights in Bavaria for the play Full colour brochure and itinerary: johnturner40@hotmail.co.uk Major Nina Turner: 07854 982481

A FAIR WAY TO CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS E-CARD COMPETITION

To mark the launch of the 2021 Real Advent Calendar the Meaningful Chocolate Company is offering free delivery to churches and schools if they buy a case of 18 calendars.

Wondering how to keep the kids entertained during half term while channelling their excitement about Christmas? We have a solution for you: the fundraising team have teamed up with Kids Alive! to launch a Christmas e-card competition.

The Real Advent Calendar is designed to support outreach work and is a great way to share the Christmas story. Each calendar includes a 24-page Christmas story activity book.

The chocolate is Fairtrade, and it supports charitable causes, including a baby clinic in Kenya and Fairtrade farmer community schemes.

Real Advent Calendars cost £4.5 £4.50 each. Buy yours at realadvent.co.uk.

O Children

can submit their design for an opportunity to win £100, £50 or £20 vouchers for The Entertainer O The winning design will be available as an e-card on dontsendmeacard.com and will feature on the cover of the Kids Alive! Christmas special O It’s not only an environmentally friendly way of sending Christmas greetings, but you’ll also be supporting The Salvation Army’s Christmas appeal by donating an optional entry fee on JustGiving O The competition, which has different age categories, finishes on 29 October Find out more at salvationarmy.org.uk/ fundraise-christmas/christmas-cardcompetition

Salvationist 16 October 2021

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE APPOINTED Effective 1 January 2022 O Major Amaro Pereira, training principal, Officer Training College, Angola Command O Major Susan Pereira, education officer, Officer Training College, Angola Command LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED O CT Michael Wise, Lincoln WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Platinum (70th) O Frances and Pat Leeks, Stowmarket (18 October) Diamond O Bill and Glenys Cross, Merthyr Tydfil (21 October) O Majors Alwyn and Harold Jones (28 October) Golden O Elaine and Peter Russell, Staple Hill (16 October) RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Major Les Cook (80 on 29 October) PROMOTED TO GLORY O Edna Aplin,Teignmouth O S/Reservist Jean Roberts, Hemel Hempstead O Marjorie Kimberley, Hadleigh Temple O Songster Pamela Price, Morriston, on 18 September

ENGAGEMENTS THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL O Gainsborough, Sat 16 Oct – Sun 17 O Birmingham (SATCoL Conference), Mon 18 – Tue 19 O Harrogate (territorial officers councils), Mon 25 – Wed 27 THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL PAUL MAIN) AND COLONEL JENINE MAIN O Harrogate (territorial officers councils), Mon 25 Oct – Wed 27

22

Salvationist 16 October 2021

Pat Browne, Bath Citadel, on 24 September O Rtd CSM Arthur Roper, Kirkcaldy, on 28 September O Major Brian Watts from Petersfield Community Hospital on 29 September O Bandsman/Songster Derek Bennett, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, on 1 October.

O

BEREAVED O Rtd BM Fred Aplin, Teignmouth, of his wife Edna, Kay Saint, Teignmouth, and Graham Aplin of their mother O Bandsman Len Roberts, Hemel Hempstead, of his wife S/Reservist Jean Roberts, Ian Roberts, Steven Roberts, Hemel Hempstead, Mark Roberts and Neil Roberts of their mother O Brian Price, Morriston, of his wife Songster Pamela Price, Wayne Price and Georgina Price of their mother O Evelyn Roper, Kirkcaldy, of her husband Rtd CSM Arthur Roper, Brian Roper, Joyce Jones, Cowdenbeath, and Major Katrina Greetham, Swanage, of their father, Major Bert Roper, Hillingdon, and Sheila Michie, Etobicoke, Canada, of their brother O Major Beryl Watts of her husband Major Brian Watts, Julie Norris, Portsmouth North, of her father O Sylvia Bennett, Newbiggin-by-theSea, of her husband Bandsman/ Songster Derek Bennett, Ann Richardson, Kettering Citadel, Lyn Martin, Ina Kinghorn and Eva Bennett of their father OFFICIAL GAZETTE UKI Territory RETIREMENTS FROM ACTIVE SERVICE Effective 1 October O Major Norman Ord out of Peterborough Citadel in 1994 with Major Margaret Ord (née Read) out of Nunhead in 1977 and last appointments Herts and Essex DHQ O Major Diane Steadman (née Edwards) out of Port Talbot in 1985 and last appointment Bristol Kingswood

ANTHONY COTTERILL Commissioner Territorial Commander

TRIBUTES BOB ARMER, WHITBY BOB spent the last 29 years of his life serving God through The Salvation Army.

He was a loyal Christian, evangelist and faithful herald who visited many people in their homes. He became the first soldier at Whitby Outreach Centre, where he worshipped along with his wife, Rene.

Bob loved Jesus first, but also loved his family and classical music, which was evident at his funeral service.

As his health failed, Bob had to relinquish many of his areas of service. He continued living with Rene at Peregrine House care home and was loyal to God to the end of his life.

His favourite song was ‘I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene’ and, although semi-conscious, Bob responded to the words of the final verse as it was sung to him.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant! – PC GORDON QUINN, SUNDERLAND MONKWEARMOUTH BORN in 1943, Gordon was the son of Elizabeth and Robert Quinn and brother to Rob, Audrey, Joan, Keith and Neville. He was dedicated to God at The Salvation Army.

Gordon was a committed Salvationist and a dedicated bandsman and songster.

He married Joan in 1981 and, after soldiering at Sunderland Millfield, they made Sunderland Monkwearmouth their spiritual home.

Gordon was a tireless worker in his business and for many charitable projects over the years. Despite devoting a great deal of time to Joan’s care in the past 20 years, he continued to undertake voluntary work on behalf of charities, including Age UK and The Salvation Army.

Gordon and Joan leave behind wonderful children, Mark, Kerry and Lisa, and grandchildren, Gracie, River and Freya. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Gordon was promoted to Glory on 5 August and joined Joan at peace with their Lord. – BW

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Salvationist 16 October 2021

23

‘‘‘ All kinds of people attend, join, volunteer with or work for The Salvation Army.

We’ve asked some to tell us about themselves.

This week…

SONGSTER LEADER JANET LAIRD Croydon Citadel How did you first come into contact with the Army?

My mum was a Salvationist in Jamaica, so when she came to England and married my dad we attended Holloway Corps in London.

What made you want to become a soldier?

Growing up in the Army, it was the most natural thing to do.

What is your day job?

I am a primary school teacher.

What is the most interesting thing about your job – and the most frustrating?

The most interesting thing about my job is watching children develop and grow in confidence. The most frustrating g thing g is returning each day and d not knowing whether my bub bble will be sent home becaus se of a Covid-19 scare.

Outside of the pandemic, my frustrations are that the jo ob is never done and there isn n’t a ‘switch off’ button.

What is your favourite kind k of holiday?

Exploring new places with family or friends.

If you could be in a film, which would it be and what character would you play?

I love Marvel movies, so any of the films in the Avengers s serries. I would play Black Widow/Natasha Ro omanoff, because she shows no fe ear.

Name above all names, worthy of all praise; My heart will sing: how great is our God

(SASB B 64)

’’’

If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose?

Katherine Johnson, an AfricanAmerican mathematician who worked for Nasa.

power that is at work within us’ (Ephesians 3:20). This verse talks about someone far greater than me, who is supreme and strong, yet is interested in me. The power talked about is in me!

If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be?

‘Yes, I can!’

Which Bible figure would you like to meet and what would you ask them?

Noah. My question would be: ‘How were you so sure God wanted you to build the ark?’

What sport would you compete in if you were in the Olympics?

Gymnastics.

If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be?

Cheerfulness.

What is your favourite food?

Potatoes – roast potatoes, mashed potatoes with cheese, crisps...

What do you do in your spare time?

I run and have progressed to running g 10km. I also enjoy watching g the TV programmes Life Bellow Zero and Restored by the Fords.

F Apart frrom English, what langua ages do you know?

A little e French.

What w was the first record, tape o or CD that you ever owne ed?

Ladie es’ Nightt by Kool and the Gang, released in 197 79.

Wh hat is your favourite Bible verse?

‘N Now to him who is able to o do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his

What is your favourite hymn or worship song?

‘How Great Is Our God’ (SASB 64).

Is there something about life or the world you’ve never understood?

Why people turn on each other and focus on differences instead of focusing on what they have in common.

Did you have a nickname growing up?

Moany Minny.

If you had to be handcuffed to one person for a day, who would it be?

Michelle Obama.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I used to be able to tap-dance.

Apart from the Bible, which book would you want on a desert island?

Any book by Patricia Cornwell.

If you had a ‘theme song’ that played whenever you walked into a room, what would it be?

‘Gonna Fly Now’, the Rocky y theme tune.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Take the time to listen, then reflect.

What is the most valuable thing you possess?

My memories.