Announcements

Army People

The following appointments and promotions, decided upon by the General, have been announced by the Chief of the Staff

Effective 1 July

Colonels Knud and Lisbeth Welander, officers of the Norway, Iceland and the Færoes Territory, are appointed as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, Norway, Iceland and the Færoes Territory, with the rank of commissioner

Effective 1 August

Lieut-Colonels Morris and Wanda Vincent, officers of the Canada and Bermuda Territory, are appointed as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Caribbean Territory

Lieut-Colonel Ireen Hachamba, an officer of the Zambia Territory, is appointed as Chief Secretary, Zambia Territory

Captain Gerald Walker, an officer of the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory, is appointed as Chief Secretary, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory, with the rank of colonel. He will succeed Colonel Suzanne Fincham who, along with Colonel Melvin Fincham, will take up appointments at IHQ

APPOINTED

Effective 1 November

Lieut-Colonels Jenine and Paul Main, Croydon Citadel (pro-tem)

RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations

Lieut-Colonel Janette Smith (80 on 26 April)

BEREAVED

Major Jean Dimbylow of her brother John Dimbylow

Shirley Bate, Leek, of her husband BM Joe Bate, SL Gillian Jennings, Leek, of her father, David Bate, Southport, of his brother

Territorial Envoy Tony McClure, Strood, of his mother June

Parent-and-Toddler Club Ldr Barbara Turnbull, Gateshead, of her husband BM Tom Turnbull

Major Cathy Roe, Downham Market, of her sister Ruth Dent

Major Jean Button of her husband Major Anthony Button, Lieutenant Christopher Button, Wandsworth, Adrian Button and Carl Button of their father

Major Ruth Gray, Clapton, Stoke Newington and Dalston, of her brother John Drake

Sheila Bovey, Exeter Temple, of her husband Laurie

PROMOTED TO GLORY

Major Anthony Button from Queen’s Hospital, Romford, on 5 April

TRIBUTES

MARGERY KNIGHTS, HADLEIGH TEMPLE

MARGERY was born in 1920, and from her earliest days attended Dartford Corps. She found great joy in Army music, becoming the corps pianist and developing a lovely alto voice. A lifelong songster, she met and married another Army music enthusiast, Hugh Knights, the music leader at a number of corps.

After many years at Dartford they moved to Reading Central and, after retirement, to Hadleigh Temple and Winton. Later, Margery moved back to Hadleigh. Sadly, it was here she lost her daughter, Avril, in 2005. Her strength of faith and determination to carry on saw her through these hard times.

She always gave of her utmost in her corps service, and was known for her cheery manner and welcoming smile.

Margery was comforted by music right until near the end, singing Army songs at her Army care home beyond the stage where spoken communication had ended.

Margery loved the Lord, her family and The Salvation Army. – MR

GEORGE THOMAS, LURGAN

GEORGE grew up in Ballymena, where he attended the corps with his family. He met his future wife, Myrtle, while taking part in an open-air meeting, and they enjoyed 66 years of marriage.

They moved to Lurgan in 1950, where George continued to serve in the band and songsters. Over the years he also held a number of local officer positions.

With a passion for music George used his talents for ministry and encouraged many young people to develop their skills. In 2012 he retired from the band having served for more than 70 years.

George had a generous, caring heart and was always proud of his family and their achievements, particularly his daughters, Major Elizabeth Maddern and Major Judith Daniels.

He never stopped singing and his positivity was truly inspirational. He is sorely missed by everyone blessed enough to have known him. – SD

MAJOR ANNE IRELAND ANNE

was the eldest of seven children living at home in Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, when she was invited to a joy hour at The Salvation Army. So began Anne’s faith journey, and, aged 19, she entered the International Training College in the Shepherds Session. That name and the training she received had a profound influence on the rest of her life.

In 1958 Anne married Lieutenant David Ireland and from then they worked in partnership, in marriage and in officership. They were appointed to Berwick, where their daughter, Pauline, was born, then to Aberdeen Woodside, where the family was completed by the birth of their son, David.

Anne’s faith always had a practical application. She led meetings and preached but was also comfortable in background roles where she could get to know people and encourage them in their faith. This was her way: gentle encouragement, inspiration and shepherding. Her care for people was very real and shown in her words and actions.

Anne delighted in her family. Her five grandchildren were born and grew up during her retirement years. She enjoyed the times they spent together and had a good sense of fun.

During retirement Anne soldiered at Brighton Congress Hall and then at Nottingham William Booth Memorial Halls, where she was much loved.

After she was diagnosed with myeloma, Anne struggled at times with the side effects of treatment but she kept positive and her faith in a risen Saviour remained resolute. She was comforted by the knowledge that she would meet with him one day.

Anne is missed but her family and friends rejoice that she is now free of illness, reunited with David and in the house of the Lord for ever. – PM

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

This update, issued by Secretary for Communications Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant, is correct as of 3 pm on 9 April

The lockdown continues and it is unclear how long the restrictions will remain in place. Whatever happens, the impact of the coronavirus will be around for some time and our communities will increasingly need the support of The Salvation Army in the coming weeks and months. We can be encouraged by the generous response of the UK public to our appeals for financial support. With increasing demands on us, it is important we have the funds to help people who urgently need our support.

However, we must not forget our own health at this time. Many of us are already mourning the loss of family and friends and are concerned about those who are unwell. These burdens, added to increasing pressures at work and home, will affect us. It is important we look after our own well-being as we seek to serve others.

SHARING PERSONAL NEWS

With so many of us self-isolating and working from home, social media platforms are more important than ever to keep us connected. Many of you have been sharing inspiring stories of how you or your colleagues and corps members have responded in recent weeks or have offered up thoughts and prayers.

However, please be very careful when sharing news about people who are unwell – even if it is to ask for prayer on their behalf. If they have not explicitly given permission, we must not pass on information that may not be accurate or timely. Whenever we share personal news and photos on social media we must adhere to The Salvation Army’s data protection and confidentiality polices. This is especially important to protect the privacy of our service users and Salvation Army personnel.

FUNDRAISING

Last week we shared guidance from the Community and Events Fundraising Unit about setting up local JustGiving pages. It’s encouraging to see that within a few days 58 corps had signed up and raised £45,167 in total. If your corps or centre has not started local fundraising using JustGiving, please consider it. However, please do not approach trusts or foundations before consulting with the THQ fundraising team.

ONLINE MINISTRY

Thanks to everyone who has sent through links to online worship meetings across the territory. Captain Ian Haylett (Thirsk) has been tasked with bringing these links together in a directory. If you would like to be included, please email ian.haylett@salvationarmy.org.uk with the following information:

-Corps or centre producing the content

-Brief description of what is being produced

-Platform plus link (YouTube/ Facebook/ Lifesize/ Zoom, etc)

-The day and time it is published

-How long it is available for

-Contact details

The THQ Resource Hub, with support from other departments, has created a web page to advise, resource and support our mission and our church communities as they move their ministry online. It contains guides to help leaders who have little or no experience to get started. The intention is to update it with stories from the practice across the territory to inspire further innovation.

So whether you’re looking to kick-start online ministry at your corps or simply maximise the impact of what you’re doing by getting some new ideas, the hope is you will find these resources helpful. Go to salvationarmy.org.uk/ moving-ministry-online

HELPING-HAND CHALLENGES

Each week, the Family Ministries Unit and International Projects Office will be setting a challenge for all the family to help people engage with this year’s helping-hand appeal, Unseen Promise. The challenges offer families some ideas for activities they could try together while staying at home.

Join in with the weekly challenge, learn more about the appeal and find out ways you can support by following them on social media:

-‘Salvation Army Family Ministries’ on Facebook at sarmyfm and Twitter at @UkiFamily

-‘The Salvation Army International Development’ on Facebook at salvationarmyid and Twitter at @salvationarmyid

More information about Unseen Promise, as well as resources for corps groups that would usually meet during the week, can be found at salvationarmy.org.uk/ unseenpromise.

Key information is on the territorial website: salvationarmy.org.uk/coronavirus-and-internalinformation