13 minute read
Quotes from the media
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY WHILE VISITING UKRAINE: ‘JUSTICE DEMANDS DEFEAT OF EVIL INVASION’
The Archbishop of Canterbury … Most Rev Justin Welby, who was on a three-day trip to the now wartorn country told BBC Radio 4 that although peace is ideal, evil should not be allowed to win.
‘Peace is always better than war. But there are times when justice demands that there is the defeat of what the Archbishop of York and I called, when it started, an evil invasion and I don’t regret saying that.
Archbishop Justin’s comments come as an advisor to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 13,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed so far in the war with Russia…
When the archbishop was asked if it was morally right that bad Russian soldiers in Ukraine should have been killed, he replied: ‘It’s not a good thing to kill anyone under any circumstances, but self-defence has been, since the time of St Augustine, a recognised right of states, and since the 6th century it is recognised in all the world’s major faiths as morally justified.’
Premier
SCHOOLS CALL FOR END TO ‘ARCHAIC’ DAILY WORSHIP FOLLOWING UK CENSUS RESULTS
Daily worship in schools should end, according to teachers and education experts who have branded the legal requirement ‘archaic’ now that England is not predominantly Christian.
The 2021 census revealed … that for the first time fewer than half the population in England and Wales described themselves as Christian, while 37 per cent said they had ‘no religion’.
Currently, all state schools are legally required to provide an act of ‘collective worship’ that is ‘broadly Christian’ every day…
The law on collective worship was passed in 1944, along with a requirement for all students to study religious education. Parents and sixthformers can now opt out of these.
The Guardian
COST OF LIVING: THE WOMEN DOING SEX WORK TO MAKE ENDS MEET
The English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP), which supports sex workers, said the calls to their helpline were increasingly from women going into or returning to sex work because of the rising cost of living…
Niki Adams, a spokesperson for the ECP, said about two thirds of their callers were mothers. She puts a spike in numbers at the end of August down to concerns about affording children’s school uniforms before the autumn term began.
BBC News
King Charles and Ukraine’s First Lady, Mrs Olena Zelenska, have officially opened a Ukrainian Welcome Centre at the Ukrainian Cathedral of London.
Welcomed by the bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family in London, [the Right Rev] Kenneth Nowakowski, the monarch and Ukrainian First Lady spent time chatting with families, members of staff and volunteers who have been displaced by the war.
Having already processed over 4,000 telephone and online requests, the centre is designed to help Ukrainian nationals arriving in Great Britain, providing all essential information on arriving, settling and long-term living in the UK…
During his visit, King Charles was presented with an icon, a gift from His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, featuring the Blessed Mother of God holding baby Jesus.
‘What’s unique about that icon is that it was painted on the back of a munitions box … that was taken from the front lines…’ Bishop Kenneth explained.
Premier
SALVATIONIST
salvationist.org.uk/magazine Issue No 1889
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.
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Light of the world
I RECALL holidaying with friends many years ago in an area where there were some famous caves. We decided to sign up for a tour and, at our allotted time and with safety helmets on and torches in hand, we headed underground with our guide and a small group of similarly curious vacationers.
At one stage, the guide asked us all to stop and he informed us that we were about 80 feet below ground in a large cavern. He said that we were all going to stand still and turn our torches off for just one minute to experience the darkness.
We did so … and it was pitch black. There was not a glimmer of light anywhere. I waved my hand right in front of my face and could not see it.
Then he lit a single match and began speaking, and I was amazed at how much light a single match could generate when it is so dark.
Lieut-Colonel Ann Hawkins picks up on this in our Bible study this week as she comments on how the dark sky lit up above the shepherds near Bethlehem one night so long ago. The angel said, ‘Do not be afraid’ (Luke 2:10), understanding the impact their sudden appearance would have had on the shepherds.
Ann goes on to say that even today, there are many people who live in a form of darkness, as life’s challenges can be overwhelming. At the moment, with rising energy costs, many people are finding day to day living a real struggle. As the saying goes: ‘The light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off due to budget cuts.’
Finding light in the midst of darkness, then, can be a real joy. On pages 12 and 13 we talk to staff in the Family Tracing Unit about their work of reconciling families. This is a work The Salvation Army has attended to for more than 140 years.
It’s an interesting article that offers good insight into what is, regrettably, an often forgotten area of Army mission. We all know the story of the prodigal son and we study it, sermonise on it, sing about it and quote it, but here we have a dedicated staff team who actually see the lost found, families reunited and prodigals returned home. A light in a dark world.
Light played a different role at the Royal Albert Hall for the territory’s annual carol concert Celebrating Christmas with The Salvation Army, and you can read a report and see some images on pages 9, 10 and 11.
The large crowd was treated to a light show on the walls of the hall as well as spotlights and Christmas tree lights, as we sang carols and heard Scripture readings about the Light of the world. It was a wonderful evening as we sang of how ‘glory shone around’.
I attended with three non-Army guests and they enjoyed the evening greatly. At one stage, Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant, who was hosting the evening, introduced a Christmas song that he said he knew would be unknown to many of the audience, but that we would try it anyway. The song was ‘Wonderful Counsellor’ (SASB 133) by Chick Yuill and the ISS helped the congregation with the singing of it.
One of my guests, who sang along next to me, turned to me at the conclusion of the song and said, ‘I like that. That’s a good one.’
The last line of each verse carries a Christmas promise for each of us:
To those who walked in darkness the light has come. No more we walk in darkness, the light has come. No more a world in darkness, the light will come.
MAJOR MAL DAVIES
Editor Salvationist
CONTENTS
Quotes from the media 2
News 4 to 6
Prayer matters 6
Reviews 7
Gospel Explosion
reviewed by Captain Ben Cotterill
The Salvation Army: 150 Years of Blood and Fire
reviewed by Steven Spencer
Advent reflection 8
Channels of peace
by Ivan Radford
News feature 9
Let there be peace on Earth, proclaims carol concert
by Major Mal Davies
Photo feature 10 and 11
Celebrating Christmas with The Salvation Army
Feature 12 and 13
A mission of reconciliation
by Lyn Woods
Bible study 14 and 15
The angels’ song
by Lieut-Colonel Ann Hawkins
Through the week 14 and 15 with Salvationist
by Major Philippa Smale
New commitments 16 and 17
Announcements 18
Adverts 19
Quiz 20
FRONT-PAGE PICTURE
by Paul Harmer
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated
MUSIC
West Midlands Youth Band inspire passion
READING CENTRAL
THE corps hosted the West Midlands Youth Band for a weekend of sharing the gospel in relevant and innovative ways.
Using engaging music, the band drew a large crowd in the town centre. This relaxed yet focused approach to communicating the gospel set the tone for the whole weekend as every member engaged and communicated using brass, contemporary worship, dance and personal testimony.
After sleeping overnight in the hall, the band were awake and alert for the Sunday morning meeting. Using the account of Jesus calming the storm, Divisional Youth Officer Lieutenant Corinne Seabridge reminded us that we can praise God amid every difficult circumstance when we have Jesus with us.
After the meeting members of the band helped tutor 15 new learners at the corps. – BM PRESENTATION
WHITEHAVEN The corps celebrated its 144th anniversary with a visit from Divisional Officer for Leader Development Major Inga Longmore. During the morning meeting, six songsters received long-service awards, totalling 295 years of service. The longest award was presented to Songster Louie Leishman for her 80 years of service to the corps. At the age of 97 Louie is still an active member of the songster brigade and served as YP record sergeant for many years. One of her stories is of marking the star card of a young John Gowans when his parents were the corps officers. She is pictured with Anne Roberts, Joan Ostle, Hazel Wigham, Ingrid Roberts, Dawn Quirk, Major Inga and corps officer Major Steven Watson. – SW
ANNIVERSARY
PRESENTATION
RISCA Donald Gregory, Margaret Gregory and John Gregory received long-service awards for 68, 60 and 68 years’ service to the band’s ministry respectively. They are pictured with Bandmaster Adrian Browning. – JB
COMMUNITY
WOKING The corps has opened a ‘warm space’ to help people in the community who are struggling with rising energy costs. – MH
EDITOR'S NOTE A report in the 10 December Salvationist said that a concert at Staple Hill raised funds for the Army’s schools in Moothanthara, India. The work was actually in support of Muthanthara School in Kenya. Salvationist apologies for the error. PAIGNTON A weekend of celebration marked 140 years of faithful mission and ministry. On Saturday a music event themed Ancient and Modern included a brass ensemble from members of the Wilmott family, poetry and rap from mother and daughter Major Denise Brine and Claire, and a vocal solo from Melvyn Kirby. A good number of attendees, including a family who joined the corps on Zoom during the Covid-19 lockdowns, enjoyed quizzes, food and warm fellowship. The ministry of guest leaders Captain Annette Wicks (Wimbledon) and Major Philip Garnham, who both have a close connection to the corps, was greatly appreciated. On Sunday, Tony Eastley, the oldest member of the corps in attendance, cut the anniversary cake. – AI
FUNDRAISING
NORTHERN IRELAND The Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul are teaming up again to help children experience a brighter Christmas. The joint Family Appeal has been helping parents and young people for almost half a century but, with the cost of living increasing and one in four children living in poverty, demand for support is expected to be at a record high. The Family Appeal has benefited from the generosity of the public, who have donated thousands of toys in previous years. However, the usual toy collection has been replaced by the opportunity for people to make an online donation by visiting justgiving.com/page/familyappeal2022. – AR
OUTREACH
Art studio opens doors to creativity
WHITTLESEY
LOCAL residents were invited to the corps when it transformed into an art studio. After it had been temporarily closed, corps officer Major Lorraine Chaundy reopened the hall to provide worship with a difference.
A former graphic designer, she said: ‘I felt the church needed a bit of an upgrade, so I met people in the community including headteachers and healthcare professionals to make sure I was aiming at the right need.
‘I discovered Whittlesey was far above the national average for self-harm hospitalisations, so I wanted to make sure there was provision for mental health issues. I wanted something that would help those who were struggling.’
As well as being open for worship on Sundays, the studio will provide a drop-in for people and will also offer specific activities to closed groups on occasions. – AR WOKING Major Ted Benneyworth was recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow for his many achievements and longstanding service to the Rotary Club and the people they support. He is pictured with Farnborough club president Tony Myers. – MH
MUSIC
ALNWICK Corps members Philip Stuckey and Sheila Hay, with the help of Philip’s folk band the Wild Cloudberries, hosted a candlelit concert of folk music, local stories and Christian poetry. All who attended very much enjoyed and appreciated the annual fundraiser and the sale of Sheila’s poetry books supported corps funds. – AA COMMUNITY
ITV Anglia’s Russell Hookey interviews Captain Rob Davis (Leighon-Sea) about the Army’s Christmas Appeal and the cost of living crisis
ANNIVERSARY
BRISTOL SOUTH Morriston Songsters joined in the corps anniversary celebrations. The visiting songsters participated in a prayer walk, followed by a concert at a local church. During the Sunday morning meeting, Major Yvonne Andrews (Morriston) dedicated the corps flag. Her message was themed Compelled by Love, which is part of the corps mission statement. – RC
FUNDRAISING
Major Estelle Blake (Oldham Fitton Hill) raises money for the Christmas Present Appeal through a 24-hour danceathon
REMEMBRANCE
SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS Majors Ian and Pam McCredie joined the home league for its Remembrance service. Bandsman Phillip Attrill (Rayleigh) sounded the Last Post and Major Martin Whybrow (Wickford) led prayers. Candles were lit in memory of loved ones and the fallen, and Tetyana Zinich lit a candle for peace in Ukraine and shared a moving prayer in Ukrainian. – OA PRESENTATION
KENDAL The corps celebrated its 140th anniversary with an afternoon tea, old-time singalong, and a quiz. More than 60 people from the churches in the town attended and looked at displays of the corps history. On Sunday, Preston’s young people led the congregation in an uplifting service of thanksgiving and encouragement, before sharing in lunch together. Number one on the roll and acting corps treasurer Brenda Wood retired after 50 years of service, and was presented with a certificate of recognition. She is pictured cutting the anniversary cake. – HB
FUNDRAISING
WOKING Community Manager Amanda McCloughlin arranged the annual corps Christmas fair, raising a record £2,047. Stalls included face painting, crafts, cakes and plenty of refreshments. Corps folk were available to make contact and chat. – MH
