LIFEHOUSE
FUNDRAISING CHESTER-LE-STREET Corps member Alan Taylor has organised charity concerts for a number of years to raise funds for worthy causes. This year the Durham-based St Cuthbert’s Hospice was chosen. Hosted in the hall, the large audience was treated to an excellent evening of music conducted by Houghton Brass leader, Michael Franey. Four guest vocalists also delighted those present with their contributions. Items included the band and the singers uniting to perform ‘One Day More’ from the musical Les Misérables. The band’s contributions included other songs from the shows and Alan performed an Eb bass solo, ‘The Bare Necessities’. Army compositions included Darren Shaw’s ‘Guardian of my Soul’. Pictured is Kevan Jones, MP for North Durham, presenting a cheque for £2,042 from the proceeds of the performance to hospice representative Ann Sultman. – GC
MEETING
HAMILTON Corps members gathered for a day to study the Old Testament through physical expressions and movements as part of the Walk Through the Bible project. A group of women from a church in Callander also joined in, and everyone was enthusiastic to learn. All agreed that it was a great day of fellowship and fun, while gaining important Bible knowledge. Pictured is the ‘Offerings and Feasts’ action. – JT
BookTrust NI and Thorndale Family Centre team up to inspire love of reading BELFAST BOOKTRUST NI teamed up with Thorndale Lifehouse to provide reading packs for vulnerable families. BookTrust NI promotes reading for pleasure across communities and is bringing the joy of books to children at the centre. The centre provides support for struggling families, including a homelessness resettlement scheme and a parenting assessment programme. Director of BookTrust NI Chris Eisenstadt said: ‘We know the benefits children and families get from developing a love of books early in life. This partnership with The Salvation Army enables us to put books directly into the hands of families. We’ve included a mix of old and new favourites and some in dual language representing a diverse range of cultural backgrounds.’ Chaplain Lieutenant Amanda Sewell said: ‘We’re delighted to be working with BookTrust NI to be able to give our families some much-needed inspiration and joy through the stories in these books.’ The centre plans to run a book club and reading groups to encourage families to read, not only to overcome the reading gap caused by the pandemic, but also to promote wellbeing. The dual language books also encourage children to continue to use and develop their first language as well as English. – AS
MEETING
EVENT PARKHEAD Bellshill Band presented an evening of music to raise funds for the Army’s response to the Ukraine crisis. Beginning with the ‘State Anthem of Ukraine’, items included ‘Be Still’, ‘And Can It Be?’ and ‘Triumphant Prospect’. Bandsmen Chris Keane and Cameron Shanks, who had previously volunteered in Ukraine, brought a Ukraine presentation. Soloists were Bandsman Alex Ramsay (cornet), with ‘Glory to His Name’, YP Band Leader Chris Shanks (euphonium), with ‘Locomotion’, and Songster Leader Marjory Watson, who sang ‘Glory to His Name’. During the singing of ‘Shine, Jesus, Shine’ a collection for the work in Ukraine raised £705. Allan Scott testified and Assistant Band Sergeant Dorothy Neil brought a devotional thought. – AD
MALTON A brand new weekly after-school Messy Church has opened with 21 children participating alongside their parents and grandparents. After a snack they looked at the question, ‘Who is Jesus?’ which was explored through crafts, Lego challenges and Godly Play. Great fun was had by all! – EB Salvationist 18 June 2022
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