2 minute read
Playing our part
EDITOR'S COMMENT
THE 19th-century German composer Felix Mendelssohn visited Britain a number of times and was often asked to play the organ at St Paul’s Cathedral at the end of services. After evensong one Sunday a large number of people stayed behind to listen, but the vergers wanted them to leave. They went down the aisles saying, ‘The service is over, you must go out,’ but people stayed put, mesmerised by Mendelssohn’s playing. Then, just as he was in the middle of a glorious crescendo, the music died away. In those days a bellows-blower had to pump air into the organ, and the vergers had persuaded him to go home.
That story illustrates the fact that everyone’s contribution is important, whether they are the up-front performer or the behind-the-scenes enabler.
In the Army we usually distinguish between grassroots settings – corps and centres – and the supporting functions based at headquarters, whether divisional or territorial. Both are needed when it comes to fulfilling the Army’s mission, and both are featured in this week’s issue.
Andrew Justice brings us up to date with the move of Territorial Headquarters from Elephant and Castle to a new building at Denmark Hill. Construction was about to begin when the coronavirus pandemic hit. In a couple of months, after a pause of more than a year, the work will start. Andrew gives the background and explains how working arrangements in the new building will be different as a result of the pandemic.
Moving from the head to the feet, Melita Day-Lewis highlights the work of the York Early Intervention and Prevention team, who walk the streets to find rough sleepers and help them break the cycle of homelessness. Team members outline what they do and Melita reports on an early morning street walk she did with Service Manager Charlie Malarkey to find rough sleepers.
The importance of the different roles that people play to achieve a common goal is emphasised by Major Richard Durrant, who reflects on his participation in a Covid-19 vaccine trial. He was just one of thousands taking part who, together with researchers and medical staff, helped make a new vaccine available.
People have acted in all sorts of ways to help us get through the pandemic. We preview a Thank You Day in July that’s designed to acknowledge everyone who has played a part – from NHS staff and key workers, who have been central in the fight against Covid-19, to those who have supported others in their community or simply adhered to government restrictions and stayed at home.
In the mission of God everyone’s contribution is important, whether it’s at headquarters or on the ground, up front or behind the scenes, high profile or low key. And while what we do is important, so is the spirit in which we do it. If we are highly gifted or powerful we should never look down on the efforts or positions of others and take all the credit for what’s achieved. And if we think that we are less gifted or have little influence we should never feel inferior or that our contribution is insignificant.
May our attitude always reflect Paul’s words: ‘There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work’ (1 Corinthians 12:6).
