NEWS
Salvation Army joins YourNeighbour UK THE Salvation Army has joined the YourNeighbour initiative, which helps churches across the UK to be good neighbours to others. The YourNeighbour.org website exists to support churches in responding to the challenges and opportunities arising at a time when the Church has a vital role to play in serving the country, rallying communities and supporting people who need help. YourNeighbour provides several services: a team of experts to help and advise local churches on how to engage with and support their communities and congregations via telephone and email; a point of connection between churches, government and other statutory agencies; and a website that provides daily updates, new models of community care, good practice and stories of hope for local churches. The website is also a place where vulnerable individuals can ask for help from nearby churches. Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill said: ‘I am delighted The Salvation Army is a part of an even larger army, the Church of Jesus. Together we can ensure every person and family in our neighbourhoods are looked out for and provided for at this critical time. The Salvation Army was born on the street and again this is where God calls his people to be!’ – AR
Corps encouraged to make contact with Morrisons UKI CORPS officers running food banks are being encouraged to get in touch with the community champion in their local Morrisons after the supermarket chain announced it would make large quantities of non-perishable food available to charities to help restock food banks. ‘We have been working hard to forge a link with Morrisons and I would urge you, if possible, to make face-to-face contact with them so The Salvation Army is at the front of the queue for this support,’ said Territorial Emergency Response Officer Adrian Lee. ‘We are keen to do our bit to help,’ said Morrisons’ head of corporate services David Scott. ‘The Salvation Army is an important partner with whom we have worked for a number of years. Thanks for everything you are doing to help those in our communities who need it most.’ – AR
Supermarket stocks up food bank SKEWEN THE corps food bank has had its prayers answered by a major supermarket chain after almost running out of supplies. The food bank is the only facility of its kind left in the village after five others had to close. It was facing an uncertain future after the unprecedented demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic meant its cupboards were almost bare, despite donations from local businesses. However after the announcement by Morrisons of a £10 million support package for food banks across the UK, Skewen can continue to help people in the Neath Port Talbot area. Corps officer Captain Jo Walters said: ‘I was praying all weekend, asking God to direct me to the right organisations I could approach to purchase the large quantities of groceries we needed. I had even prepared a list of numbers of companies to call on Monday morning, but before I could do that this email arrived in my inbox about Morrisons and my prayers were answered. ‘I am so grateful to Morrisons for this act of kindness because it means that we will still be able to provide food for the people in this area who are cut off and struggling.’ – IR FRODSHAM: Unity Brass, under the leadership of Bandmaster Brian Johnson, presented a concert at St Laurence church, making valuable ecumenical links with Churches Together. ‘Let There Be Praise’ and ‘Jubilation’ were among items enjoyed by the audience, as well as cornet and vocal solos. A rendition of the classic ‘In That Beautiful Land’ was met with a standing ovation. More than £800 was raised for the Army’s anti-trafficking and modern slavery work in the region, bringing the total raised by Churches Together in the town in recent years to more than £7,000. – BJ
Editor's note: Some of these news reports are from events and meetings that took place before the current safety advice relating to the coronavirus outbreak. Please send in news of how your corps is adapting to the situation through innovative ministry opportunities. Copy should be sent to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk. Thank you.
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Salvationist 18 April 2020
