Feature 12 and

There is no typical searcher. It’s not always someone searching for a long-lost relative; often it’s a vulnerable person, such as a prisoner, a refugee or someone receiving other interventions. A sense of belonging is important and sadly not every search will result in the desired outcome.

The level of enquiries remained consistent throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and the team often find themselves the first port of call for overseas enquiries, especially when searchers do not have the facility available to them in their own country. Unfortunately, about half of enquiries cannot be progressed due to insufficient information, geographical limitations or restrictions relating to protected data in adoption cases.

In all enquiries, the team are resolute in providing high standards of care and ensuring that, where possible, searchers are signposted to and supported by their local Salvation Army.

‘It’s so important to connect people to The Salvation Army as a church,’ explains Karen. ‘We talk with people in the reality of their experience and it’s imperative that we treat that encounter with integrity, equal interest and in the spirit of loving others. In all these interactions we are the voice of The Salvation Army, and I am mindful that a person will always remember how they felt, even if they couldn’t receive the outcome they hoped for.’

Search application fees remain at a nominal amount and can be waived in some circumstances, although additional donations are welcomed where applicants can afford to contribute more.

The team are also receiving more enquiries relating to modern issues and an increase in calls from support workers and advocates for young people in their late teens. Billy confirms this is especially true in relation to people who have fled conflict and become separated from their families, often travelling through many countries before arriving in the UK, and from families trying to trace relatives they believe have arrived here. These cases are particularly challenging and may require onward referral to consultants or agencies specialising in refugee support.

Karen highlights the need for the service’s profile to be raised significantly, especially among other agencies who could share information and refer clients.

‘There are so many who don’t know about the work we do,’ she says.

In these times of international conflict, displacement and social need, keep the work of the Family Tracing Service in your prayers as they continue to bring people back together.

For more information, contact the team on 020 7367 4747 or at family.tracing@salvationarmy.org.uk

ROBERT’S STORY

A family holiday turned sour when Robert awoke one morning to be put in the car by his father, leaving his mother and sister behind, following a family argument. He was seven years old. Robert, now in his 40s, was brought up by his loving father but had to learn to live without a mother or sister. Although he got on with his life, his wife of 20 years knew that he would not be fully settled until he had tried to make some contact with his mother. She persuaded him to get in touch with the Family Tracing Service and both were delighted when Robert and his mother, who actually live only 30 miles apart, were put in touch. Robert soon learnt that his mother had tried to make contact throughout his childhood.

HOW THE SERVICE WORKS

1. An application form is submitted.

You can download it from

salvationarmy.org.uk/family-

tracing or request it via phone or email.

2. Basic information is provided, including full name, date of birth or exact age and last known address or location.

3. The team begins locating and contacting the person. Contact is often made by letter with an assurance that personal information will not be disclosed unless permission is granted.

4. The person is told the identity of the person seeking contact and is given options to respond.

They may correspond via the

Family Tracing Service until trust is established. Whatever the decision of the person sought, this will be fully respected.

LYN WOODS

Editorial Assistant Salvationist

The angels’ song

Lieut-Colonel Ann Hawkins reflects on the difference light brings to our world

LUKE 2:1–21

WORKING quietly on the dark, silent hills, as they did night after night all year round, a group of shepherds are suddenly startled when the entire sky is lit up. An angel appears to them in bright light. The shepherds are in shock. They have never had the experience of anything like this before.

Many of us have experienced being asleep in a dark room, when someone suddenly comes in and switches on a light. Our hearts beat faster, our mouths go dry, the lights blind us and we feel disorientated.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

Have you ever experienced total darkness?

So often today, our villages, towns and cities are never in total darkness. At night, even the countryside might be illuminated by the orange glow of a nearby town.

I have lived in Africa for 11 years and have experienced total darkness around me. I remember nights when we were staying at a village near Chikankata Mission in Zambia. We couldn’t see anything beyond our hands unless we had a torch. Deep darkness at night can inspire fear, because of what you can hear but can’t see and the worry of what could be lurking in the bushes around you.

The shepherds in our study passage work in darkness, possibly only aided by the dim embers of a small fire. Their job is to guard sheep. Every sound would make them alert and nervous. When the angel of the Lord appears to the shepherds, they are terrified as they are surrounded by the brightness of God’s glory.

Into the darkness and fear experienced by the shepherds, the angel speaks words of comfort and reassurance: ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people’ (v10).

The angel’s message is restated in the words of the well-known carol ‘While Shepherds Watched’: ‘Fear not! said he; for mighty dread/ Had seized their troubled mind;/ Glad tidings of great joy I bring/ To you and all mankind’ (SASB 132).

Having told the shepherds not to be afraid, the angel gives them the good news: ‘Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord’ (v11). Then, after the proclamation, the company of angels grows in number. They praise God and say:

‘Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and on Earth peace to those on whom his favour rests’ (v14).

Through the week with Salvationist

– a devotional thought for each day

by Major Philippa Smale

SUNDAY

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (Luke 2:4 and 5)

MONDAY

Once in royal David’s city/ Stood a lowly cattle shed,/ Where a mother laid her baby/ In a manger for his bed./ Mary was that mother mild,/ Jesus Christ her little child.

(SASB 121)

TUESDAY

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (Luke 2:8 and 9)