Salvationist 19 oct 2013 by The Salvation Army UK and Ireland

SALVATIONIST

Essential reading for everyone linked to The Salvation Army // www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 19 October 2013 // No. 1420 // Price 60p // Also available digitally

SINGING PEOPLE INTO THE KINGDOM Pages 12 & 13

CONTENTS 3.

FROM THE EDITOR

12.

4. PAPERS This week’s quotes from the papers and From the archives 5. – 9. 18. & 21. NEWS New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga // IHQ // Heckmondwike // Skewen // Southampton Sholing // Kilmarnock // Dundee // Maesteg // Abertillery // Sherburn Hill // Sunderland Monkwearmouth // Lockerbie // Christchurch // Cirencester // South Shields // Enfield // Cheltenham Citadel // Bourne // Birmingham Citadel // Bideford // Southsea // Woodbridge // Tunstall // Pontypool // Letchworth // Liverpool // Hadleigh Employment Training Centre // Bridgwater // Cardiff East // Sudbury // Penarth // Halifax // 8.

NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE READING CHALLENGE

10. THINKALOUD Is the Bible disappearing? 11. MISSION MEANS... Asking the right questions 12. & 13. FEATURE Singing people into the Kingdom 14. The Salvation Army Heart Songs – Volume 2

REVIEWS

15. BIBLE STUDY The three-legged stool 16. & 17. NEW COMMITMENTS 18. & 19.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

20.

LETTERS

21. – 23.

ADVERTS

24.

THROUGH THE WEEK WITH SALVATIONIST

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS Scripture quotations in Salvationist are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated 2

Salvationist 19 October 2013

FROM THE EDITOR

BREAK WITH TRADITION THE announcement that Canterbury Cathedral is going to have a girls’ choir sounds like good news, but I can’t help thinking that the wider world must think it is strange that it has taken until now for the cathedral’s leaders to make this decision. Of course, this sort of thing would not happen in the Army – or would it? I worship at Hadleigh Temple and recently, much to the delight of the corps, a YP learners band has re-emerged with a group of enthusiastic young players – predominantly girls! I am sure that I am not alone in remembering a time when the YP band would have been mainly boys. My late father used to recall his banding beginnings on the triangle in ‘the boys’ band’. A Canterbury Cathedral representative said the girls’ choir will add to ‘the historic choral tradition’. For 1,400 years the choir had been for male voices only; allowing girls to form a choir is both a break with tradition and a new opportunity. In The Salvation Army we have a tradition – much shorter in time than that of the cathedral choir – which gives us identity and a sense of security in a rapidly changing world. Some people feel concerned when tradition is challenged; others are excited by new opportunities. One tradition is the open-air meeting. Not so long ago, for corps great and small, the open-air meeting would be very much part of Sunday activities. Today, things are different. Lifestyles and Salvation Army corps have changed. However, people are still being reached – possibly more effectively – in other ways. If, like me, you have been following ‘Mission means…’

SALVATIONIST GENERAL INQUIRIES (tel) 020 7367 4890 (email) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk (web) www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist EDITOR Major Jane Kimberley – (tel) 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Stephen Pearson – (tel) 020 7367 4891 EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Laura Barker – (tel) 020 7367 4893 Kersten Rieder – (tel) 020 7367 4894 Captain Andrew Stone – (tel) 020 7367 4892 DTP DESIGNER Colin Potter – (tel) 020 7367 4895 DTP OPERATOR Denise D’Souza – (tel) 020 7367 4896 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Archie Bagnall – (tel) 020 7367 4883 ADMINISTRATOR Stella Merino – (tel) 020 7367 4881

(see page 11) you will have learnt new things to shake you out of complacency. In the 28 September issue Chick Yuill asked us to do some simple arithmetic around the way we spend our week. I was really surprised to find how much time I spend doing the ‘stuff of life’. But it didn’t end there; the next week I was challenged about being ‘the scattered Church’ inspired and equipped to live well for God every day. This week’s focus is on asking the right questions and how the work of disciple-making belongs to us all. On pages 12 and 13 International Staff Songster Kevin Fenton-Herring shares news about the International Staff Songsters at the beginning of a new season. He speaks about music being used by God to change people’s lives and that in this respect the ISS are doing much the same as Salvationist musicians throughout the world. For some time Kevin has felt that a significant part of ISS ministry is the contact made with people at various engagements. A further reminder of our mission is highlighted by Major David Cavanagh in ‘The three-legged stool’ (page 15). In the final part of his Bible study series we are helped to think about keeping our mission stable, balanced and effective.

MAJOR JANE KIMBERLEY

ADVERTISING (tel) 020 7367 4895 (email) advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk DISTRIBUTION Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), 66-78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH (tel) 01933 445451 (fax) 01933 445415 (email) keith.jennings@sp-s.co.uk DIGITAL SALVATIONIST Find Salvationist on Facebook www.facebook.com/salvationistonline

Subscribe to Salvationist via Apple’s App Store, or Google Play Store for Android devices

A registered newspaper published weekly by The Salvation Army (United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland) on behalf of the General of The Salvation Army and printed by Wyndeham Grange, Southwick. © André Cox, General of The Salvation Army, 2013. The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN (tel) 020 7367 4500 (tel) 0845 634 0101

THE SALVATION ARMY FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL André Cox TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Clive Adams EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARY Major Martin Hill

Salvationist 19 October 2013

PAPERS

THIS WEEK’S QUOTES FROM THE PAPERS CHARITIES WORRIED BY LOBBYING BILL

Thirteen religious and faith-based organisations sent a letter to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister… warning that the Lobbying Bill will ‘curtail our ability to express deeply held beliefs in the political arena’. The letter states that even after the Government’s latest amendment to the Bill, the signatories believe there is a ‘very real risk that non-biased political activity will be captured by the… Act.’ The signatories… have demanded that the Government delay the Bill to allow for better consultation. ‘Whilst we support the broad aims of greater clarity and transparency and do not wish to see large amounts of money or opaque lobbying practices distorting British politics, we fear that the Bill may lead to unintended consequences,’ the letter reads… ‘We are concerned that this Bill does not adequately safeguard the activities of religious organisations and that there is a very real risk that non-biased political activity will be captured by the resultant Act’… The group concludes: ‘We ask you to delay the passage of this Bill to allow for consultation on these complex constitutional issues.’ [Secretary for Communications Lieut-Colonel Marion Drew (THQ) was one of the signatories] The Church of England Newspaper

CARDINAL SAYS JESUS WAS THE FIRST TWEETER Jesus was the world’s first tweeter, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi has said. He was like a user of the social networking site Twitter because his messages were ‘brief and full of meaning’, the Vatican cardinal said… Christ ‘used tweets before everyone else, with elementary phrases made up of fewer than 45 characters’, such as ‘Love one another’, Cardinal Ravasi said… He added that priests should take advantage of the internet to get their message across. ‘If a cleric, a pastor is not interested in communication, they are defying their duty.’................................. The Catholic Herald

BISHOPS LAUNCH NEW DISCIPLESHIP COURSE

The house of Bishops released their first discipleship course… in reaction to the ‘scandalous’ lack of outreach in some parishes… Pilgrim: A Course For The Christian Journey was launched at Lambeth Palace… The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Rev Stephen Cottrell said: ‘For most people today becoming a Christian is like a journey. We therefore need resources that will help turn fellow travellers and interested inquirers into pilgrims.’ The Church of England Newspaper

FROM THE ARCHIVES – TEN YEARS ON The past revisited SOLDIERS, friends and corps officers Captains John and Ann Pugh attended meetings at TREHARRIS dressed in old-style uniforms when the corps revisited Army worship of a bygone age. Among songs featured were ‘Poor Bob Was A Sad Wretched Drunkard’, ‘The War Cry Seller’ and the Founder’s song. Testimony time included old choruses and gospel shots. As well as looking back people were challenged to look to the future mission and witness of the corps. The day ended with a glory march around the hall. – A. P. News in ‘Salvationist’ dated 18 October 2003

Salvationist 19 October 2013

NEWS The General calls for spiritual depth at congress NEW ZEALAND, FIJI AND TONGA GENERAL André Cox told Salvationists that he dreams of a Salvation Army that is ‘vibrant, committed and on its knees before God’. Deepening the spiritual life of Salvationists is essential to moving forward as an Army, he said. ‘If we want to see our world change, we ourselves must be changed by God.’ The General and World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Silvia Cox joined nearly 650 Salvationists and others in Auckland, New Zealand, at the end of a two-day conference called Just Action. Speakers included Shane Claiborne of The Simple Way in Philadelphia, US civil rights activist Dr John Perkins and anti-human trafficking expert Matt Friedman, alongside local experts on a range of social justice issues. The General presented the final keynote address. The conference included the launch of Set Free, a new book telling the story of The Salvation Army’s battle in New Zealand against the enslaving power of addiction. After Just Action, the Army’s international leaders were guests at a congress focused on the International Vision of One Army, One Mission, One Message and attended by around 2,500 people. Public meetings were streamed on the web for the first time. The territory is experiencing the highest attendances at worship services in its history and strong membership growth, especially in Fiji and Tonga. The next phase of the Territorial Strategic Mission Plan was launched, continuing an emphasis on making disciples, increasing soldiers and fighting injustice.

An unexpected high point was when the General admitted Major Campbell Roberts and Lieut-Colonel Ethne Flintoff to the Order of the Founder. Both officers said Micah 6:8 – with its focus on acting justly, showing

mercy and walking humbly with God – had strongly influenced their officer service. Major Roberts was recognised for his work in the field of social justice, particularly his ‘tireless advocacy and support for

Exposed – the impact of corruption and bribery IHQ EVERY year more than $1 trillion goes missing from the global economy through bribes, dishonest deals and tax evasion. This impacts the world’s poorest people most. That’s why The Salvation Army is supporting Exposed – featured in Salvationist on 28 September – a global call to action against corruption, greed, secret deals, bribery and abuse of public influence. And it’s not just money lost – corruption kills. It is predicted that illegal tax evasion will be responsible for 5.6 million children dying in developing countries between 2000 and 2015. That’s 1,000 children every day. Director of the International Social Justice Commission Colonel Geanette Seymour explains: ‘Corruption undermines good governance and the rule of law, leads to violations of human rights, distorts markets and erodes the quality of life. Corruption is a key element in economic under-performance and a major obstacle to poverty alleviation and development. It goes against the tenets of justice, human dignity, empathy with the needy and spiritual stewardship.’ With our partners, we are seeking 1 million people to sign the Global Call – a petition for integrity. You can add your voice at https://signup.exposed2013.com/p/saisj – A. R. HECKMONDWIKE: A corps family is helping to raise funds for The Big Collection by growing fruit and vegetables on their allotment and offering them to the congregation in return for donations. Corps officer Major Sharen Furlong said: ‘This idea is great as not only does our congregation get to go home with some fresh, home-grown vegetables to eat but also the donations provide help and support for people in need.’ Surplus food is used in the lunch club. – M. S.

SKEWEN: On behalf of Skewen Short Mat Bowls Club, Stephen Morris presented a cheque to the corps for £500. The club had won a competition and decided to donate the proceeds to the Army. A number of club members attended the meeting, themed Losing Is Not An Option. Corps officer Major Gordon Atter based his message on Philippians 3:14 and used the game of bowls as an illustration of team work, practice and always looking at ways to improve. – S. L.

vulnerable New Zealanders’. The Salvation Army had given him ‘the great opportunity to follow the call of God’ on his life, he said. Lieut-Colonel Flintoff was recognised as an ‘exemplary missionary in areas of great difficulty and challenge’ and for her ‘intrepid, dedicated work in the South Asia Zone, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh’. She described her officership as ‘an exciting journey, with never a dull moment’. General Cox spoke at separate youth and children’s events. He said young people were ‘the Army of today’ and urged the Army to hear their voices. Many people responded to messages given by the General and Commissioner Cox, signing their names to a pledge inspired by the International Vision Plan to ‘reach this broken world with the love of God and proclaim the transforming message of Jesus’. A large number indicated their desire to offer themselves for officer service. A territory-wide talent quest, Sallies Gotta Lotta Talent, was held prior to congress, with the semi-finals on Saturday afternoon and the finals in the evening. As well as performing arts, there was also a competition for visual arts. The congress included a farewell to territorial leaders Commissioners Donald and Debora Bell, who are shortly to take up appointments as leaders of the USA Southern Territory. They were thanked for spearheading the territory’s strategic mission plan, for the ‘clarity of their leadership’ and for supporting the call for strong indigenous leadership within Fiji and Tonga as well as in The Salvation Army’s Maori work in New Zealand. The Salvation Army partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build a house during Just Action and the congress weekend. The General’s final activity was to pray that the family that lived there would make God the centre of their home. – C. T. Salvationist 19 October 2013

NEWS ABERTILLERY: Major Carol Ainsworth led Harvest celebrations, commencing with a Harvest Supper, with participation from the male voice choir. On Sunday Garfield Thomas was commissioned as welcome sergeant. – A. B.

Imaginative Harvest displays draw people in SOUTHAMPTON SHOLING HARVEST celebrations commenced on Saturday morning when imaginative displays created by Bandmaster Brian Jones and helpers were opened for viewing. The windows had also been skilfully decorated by the flower-arranging group. Good publicity brought people in and a coffee morning held in conjunction with the event raised nearly £300. Divisional leaders LieutColonels Graham and Kirsten Owen led the Sunday meetings and the weekend concluded with a Monday evening supper and sale of produce. – B. E.

SHERBURN HILL: Harvest weekend got off to a fine start when Consett Band visited, offering a varied programme. On Sunday donations were received for the Salvation Army International Development project, Farm, which supports farmers and their families. The weekend concluded with a pie and pea supper. – H. E.

Youth chorus visits for Harvest weekend MAESTEG

Corps folk participate in a quiz at Kilmarnock after the Harvest Supper; Majors Ann and Donald Montgomery (Northern DHQ) led the weekend meetings

Residents and friends of Strathmore Lodge Lifehouse, Dundee, enjoy an afternoon tea for Harvest; later, the chaplain, Major John Swan, conducted a short service of thanksgiving 6

Salvationist 19 October 2013

SOUTH and Mid Wales Divisional Youth Chorus, Alive In Him, visited for Harvest weekend. Youth Chorus Sergeant Heather Smith led the morning meeting based on the parable of the sower – with a modern twist – and chorus members participated in an interactive Bible reading and sang ‘Father Creator’ and ‘There Is None Like You’. Youth Chorus Sergeant Paul Sass led the afternoon meeting, ending with ‘God Of My Praise’. As well as a Harvest display, corps members donated toiletries to the new Ty Ogwr development in Bridgend, which offers temporary accommodation for homeless people. – J. P. SOUTH SHIELDS: Cheryl Morris (Sunderland Monkwearmouth) led Harvest celebrations that involved a lot of participation by the children. Brownie Leader Janet Dear was also presented with a certificate of appreciation to mark 20 years’ service. – J. G.

SUNDERLAND MONKWEARMOUTH: Majors Antony and Fiona Mugford (Newcastle City Temple) led the Harvest Festival. Many people from the corps and the community attended a Saturday night Harvest Supper and An Evening With Anthony, featuring vocal soloist Anthony Harris (Bromley Temple). – J. D. LOCKERBIE: Harvest festivities began with a thanksgiving service based on the parable of the rich fool. On Monday evening a Harvest Supper and auction raised £93. – K. R. CHRISTCHURCH: Commissioner William Cochrane (IHQ) led Harvest celebrations and encouraged corps folk to think about the Army’s work overseas. Other festivities included a Harvest Supper, auction and display and the visit of Boscombe YP sections. – M. L. CIRENCESTER: During the Harvest assembly at Chesterton School, corps member and teacher Corinne Walters explained how the Army uses produce the school donates each year. Also, as part of The Big Collection, a collection was taken while the band played to shoppers and tourists in the centre of Tetbury. – M. G.

NEWS Corps presents a cross-section of the community ENFIELD CORPS members took the opportunity to join other churches, organisations and groups at the town show. The two-day event brought together many different people to explore a variety of activities. An emergency services van provided welcome refreshments and gave Salvationists opportunities to chat with members of the community and share information about the Army’s worldwide ministry. Younger people (pictured) were invited to make prayer bracelets, play with toys, colour in pictures and help create a 3D Noah’s Ark. A small brass group, singers and timbrelists provided musical interludes each day. On Sunday afternoon the sections took part in an open-air meeting and red balloons and Salvation Army bags were handed out, resulting in a new family attending the parent-and-toddler group. – C. F. CHELTENHAM CITADEL: Divisional Children’s Officer Richard Prescott conducted YP anniversary Sunday. Members of Kids’ Church received books, including two-week-old baby Joseph. An animated version of the story of the paralysed man emphasised the importance of being a good friend and the songsters reminded the congregation ‘What A Friend We Have In Jesus’. Luke Smith assisted Richard Prescott in a sleight-ofhand presentation that illustrated the ever-present love and saving grace of Jesus. – R. G. BOURNE: Corps folk took part in a sponsored walk, raising around £200 for Andy Peddle’s appeal. All the funds raised for Andy’s walkathon will support the Army’s homelessness and anti-human trafficking services. – C. G.

Past and present band members unite to celebrate BIRMINGHAM CITADEL The Lord Mayor of Birmingham presents pin badges to Birmingham Citadel YP Band members at the Kings Norton farmers market; the young people had provided music for the occasion

The North Devon Harmony Choir presents an afternoon of song at Bideford

Volunteers’ service is recognised BOURNE MAJORS Iris and Peter Leech led Volunteer Sunday and presented volunteers from the youth clubs, parent-and-toddler group, lunch club, Cameo

WELL-WISHERS, past bandmasters and band members filled the Adrian Boult Hall to celebrate the band’s 120 years of service for God. Guest soloist LSO principal trumpet Philip Cobb played ‘Flourish’ and ‘The Golden Pen’. Much of the music had been commissioned for the occasion and included Paul Sharman’s poignant ‘Everlasting Hope’ in memory of the late Bandmaster Graham Lamplough. The festival, genially compèred by Assistant Territorial Music Director Andrew Blyth, concluded with ‘Renaissance’. – F. C.

and the charity shop with certificates of appreciation for their many hours of service to the community. There was also a special presentation for Maurice and Pearl Dickinson for 12 years’ faithful service in the charity shop. – C. G. Salvationist 19 October 2013

NEWS

Solent Male Voice Choir and Southsea Band take part in a music evening that raised £526 for The Big Collection

WEEK 34 Monday 21 October Galatians 4 – Paul is concerned for the Galatians O v15: is this further evidence that the ‘thorn in the flesh’ referred to in 2 Corinthians 12 was his bad eyesight? Would this possibly be a result of being blinded when first called? (Acts 9) O vv8–20: Paul talks about the reality of backsliding – losing the joy of holiness and turning away from salvation. Is it possible for us to backslide today?

WOODBRIDGE: Former corps officers Majors Ann and Iain Stewart (Horsham) returned to lead meetings as part of 130th corps anniversary celebrations. After a Saturday night cabaret by Marc Harry and his son Lewis (Southampton Shirley), Major Iain Stewart led the Sunday morning meeting. Major Ann Stewart preached in an afternoon praise meeting that included request

items for Marc. The small corps band, reinforced by the visitors, played an anniversary march composed for the occasion. – M. F. PONTYPOOL: A concert featuring Pontypool Male Voice Choir, Leah Browning (flugelhorn) and Sarah Boor (piano) celebrated the choir’s 50th anniversary and raised £211 for The Big Collection. – I. B.

Tuesday 22 October Galatians 5 – Paul speaks about freedom in Christ O vv1–6: the gospel of Christ is based on being saved by grace through faith in Jesus. Circumcision was a sign of turning away from faith and relying on the Jewish law instead. Paul argues that such rituals are unnecessary. Are there any rituals today that we may be tempted to feel are necessary to being a Christian? O vv22 and 23: can you memorise the nine fruit of the Holy Spirit which we should each be cultivating in our lives? Wednesday 23 October Galatians 6 – ‘God cannot be mocked’ O v11: is this further evidence that Paul’s eyesight was particularly

bad (see also Galatians 4:15)

Cornet trio Laura Sharp, Sally Crago and Megan Caddy play at

O vv7–9: do you find these verses reassuring when considering

Tunstall’s social evening in celebration of gaining places at

justice within the world? Do you think we ‘reap what we sow’ immediately, in God’s time, or in eternity?

university; the YP band and Hal Walker (euphonium, Longton)

Thursday 24 October Ephesians 1 – Paul gives thanks to God for the Ephesian believers O In verse 13 Paul says we have the Holy Spirit and in verse 17 he is praying for the Spirit to be given. How would you reconcile these verses? O vv22 and 23: in what sense is the Church the ‘body’ of Christ?

also took part

At Letchworth, a flower festival – with displays provided by corps folk and

Friday 25 October Ephesians 2 – Saved by grace, not by works

other organisations

O v8: how are we saved? O v9: do rituals, ceremonies, good deeds, church attendance and

– draws people

loyalty to corps sections save us? O v10: as Christians with the promise of eternal life through faith in Christ, can we sit back and not worry about our behaviour?

to the hall; on Sunday Majors Gill and Keith Manning led the meetings

Salvationist 19 October 2013

NEWS Prayer at heart of the community LIVERPOOL A COMMUNITY prayer breakfast, supported by councillors, police and community representatives, celebrated six years of churches standing together in North Liverpool. Community Chaplain Territorial Envoy Lynette Skutt contributed prayer stations on the theme Prayer At The Heart Of The Community and Captain Jonathan Hamilton, Lieutenant Sam Hamilton and Alan and Kathy Roper (all Bootle) provided refreshments from the emergency response vehicle at two busy family fun days. The territorial envoy also distributed Kids Alive treat bags from a stall sharing information about the Army’s work. – L. S.

Guest speaker urges Christians to unite HADLEIGH EMPLOYMENT TRAINING CENTRE CHRISTIANS from across the area attended a prayer breakfast at the tearooms in conjunction with Lighthouse prayer groups. Speaker Jonathan Oloyede, the convenor of the 2012 National Day of Prayer, called upon Christians to work together to bring people to Christ, ignoring denominational boundaries. – B. N.

Sunderland Monkwearmouth corps members join with families linked to the parent-and-toddler group and a recent holiday club for a barbecue and Messy Church evening as part of a new venture to link with families in the community; a two-hour concert in the park preceded the event

SKEWEN: Divisional leaders Majors Derek and Susan Jones led the Sunday morning meeting themed Go Deeper, based on Ephesians 2. The DC spoke on the Resurrection and God’s great love, concluding that God’s intention is for everyone to live life to the full and be happy and productive. – S. L.

Children celebrate Messy Church with birthday cakes BRIDGWATER MESSY Church celebrated its second birthday with children decorating cakes ready for a birthday party. Using the story of Lazarus, the young people were told how Jesus loves all people, even when they get things wrong. At the end of the story, ‘Lazarus’ distributed chocolate pennies, reminding everyone of the change in his life because of his meeting with Jesus. Finally, everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’. During the two years since it started, more than 250 people have attended a Messy Church session. – N. D. Staff and volunteers gather in Cardiff East’s newly renamed community café, A Taste Of Heaven; volunteer Rowan, who chose the winning name, is pictured with corps officer Captain Paula Hubbard

Salvationist 19 October 2013

THINKALOUD – his parables, poetry and astonishing sayings – speak to our own time as to every age. The commandment to ‘love your enemies’ is as relevant – and as difficult – today as it was under Pontius Pilate, and the One who was condemned for dining with tax collectors and sinners makes the same offer of friendship to the dropouts and no-hopers of our own day.

IS THE BIBLE DISAPPEARING? asks John Coutts

A DIFFICULT TASK

WHEN I was a child, the Salvation Army Sunday school was known as the ‘company meeting’. My dad – the future General Frederick Coutts – used to write the lesson plans, though some company guards (teachers) got away with reading out the corresponding story from The Young Soldier instead. Those Bible stories were at the heart of each lesson: we followed the Israelites to the Promised Land in weekly instalments, and on one Sunday afternoon they reached the bank of the River Jordan. (For what happened next, read on to the end of this article!) CHANGING TIMES

Then came the Swinging Sixties. In day school, the Scripture lesson was ousted by World Religions, and nowadays Sunday school struggles to survive as ‘junior church’. Even the brainboxes who appear on TV’s University Challenge are often baffled by simple biblical questions. Such changes are part of a general trend, for we live in an age of video clips and soundbites, and big old books are out of fashion. But Christians face a more serious challenge: the Bible – once the foundation of our culture – is often thought to be irrelevant or even downright harmful. SCHOLARS IN DEBATE

Times have changed in the world of scholarship too. In my student days, the field of biblical studies was commanded by three scholars whose names just happened to rhyme: W. F. Albright’s From The Stone Age To Christianity provided archaeological backing for the general reliability of biblical history. John Bright wrote A History Of Israel 10

Salvationist 19 October 2013

and G. Ernest Wright published God Who Acts, offering a practical theology for preaching, living and social action. Since then, however, biblical scholarship has been challenged by the so-called ‘minimalist’ school which contends that much of the Old Testament is wishful thinking composed to provide the downtrodden Jews with a glorious past. ALL IS NOT LOST

So far, so depressing. But gloom and despair are not inevitable. For starters, the ‘minimalists’ have by no means won the academic day. I see no reason to doubt, for example, that Luke was a thoughtful travelling companion of Paul, or that ‘Anonymous’, who recorded the tragedy of David and Absalom in 2 Samuel 18 was describing events that really happened.

‘‘

THE WORDS OF OUR LORD... SPEAK... TO EVERY AGE

’’

What’s more, if only you can get people to hear them, the great truths of the Bible never lose their power to leap across centuries and languages. And at the heart of the Old Testament – for all its battles and massacres – is hidden the sensational message summed up in Micah 6:8: ‘What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’ Above all, the words of our Lord

Believers face the uphill task of sharing the good news of the Bible with a public that hasn’t read it and doesn’t get the point. So let’s get on with learning, singing, acting, praying, texting and living our wonderful message. This means serious work for both heart and head, because our own search for spiritual challenge and enlightenment will call for background knowledge as well. Not all are called to grapple with technical stuff about the Synoptic Gospels or the Priestly Code, but you will not interest today’s children, let alone adults, by simply reading the story from Kids Alive! And as we commend the faith, we will need clear ideas on tricky questions of interpretation. Luke 8:2 tells us that Mary Magdalene had been ‘delivered from seven demons’. Do we take this literally or explain it in modern terms as symptoms of depression or mental illness? Lastly, let’s go back to that Sunday school lesson. We read the verses and got as far as Joshua 3:15: ‘As soon as the priests… reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing.’ Somebody – probably it was I – asked how this could happen. ‘Well,’ said my revered YP band leader, ‘there may have been a landslide upstream.’ Will such an explanation do? Those who put their trust in the God who acts need to think hard about the mysterious ways in which he works in the world he loves so dearly.

JOHN LIVES IN STIRLING

FEATURE

ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS Chick Yuill concludes a six-part series entitled Mission Means... JOHN is a committed Christian and when his new job meant he had to relocate to a town more than 60 miles from where he’d been living, he sought out a church and began attending regularly on Sundays. After a month, the minister invited him for a meal and, over dinner, assured John that he was delighted to have him as part of the congregation. Then he asked him two questions: ‘Now what can we get you to do?’ and ‘Do you sing tenor?’ John told me that story with just a touch of sadness in his voice. It wasn’t that he thought the church leader was entirely wrong to ask him those questions. He recognised the importance of accepting a role in the life of the church and he appreciated the part that the choir played in engendering an atmosphere of worship, drawing the congregation into the presence of God on a Sunday morning. What troubled him was the fact that these were the first questions he was asked. John knew the maths that we referred to in the third article in this series: of our approximately 120 waking hours, we spend only about 10 in church-based activities and the remainder of our time in getting on with the business of life. That being the case, he reasoned, surely the first questions should have been: ‘What are the opportunities and challenges of your everyday life?’ and ‘How can we resource you to face them well as a disciple of Jesus?’ I’m convinced that John is right. If we don’t constantly ask those questions about all we are doing, we might manage to make good Salvationists who work faithfully in their corps; we might develop some very effective

programmes that serve our communities well; we might even succeed in building larger congregations. But we will not be making whole-life, mature disciples who show the life and love of Jesus to their family and friends, their neighbours, their work colleagues and their fellow students. And if we fail to do that, we will be failing to reach our towns and cities with the good news about Jesus expressed in our everyday living.

‘‘

WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE?

’’

In fact, you can boil all this down to one very blunt question and two very short words – two words that should be asked of everything we do: SO WHAT? Whoever has the responsibility for preaching should be asking: ‘So what difference will this make to this congregation on Monday morning?’ They will recognise that their task is not just to share some reflections on a text or even to expound the word and stop at that, but rather to explore a passage of Scripture in such a way that their hearers are inspired and equipped to live well for God in the coming week. The leaders of music sections will ask the same question, seeing their responsibilities as going beyond developing an effective group of musicians and providing a contribution to worship on a Sunday morning.

They too will be asking how they can model the kind of leadership and relationships that will offer their members a pattern for discipleship beyond the activities of the corps. The people with responsibility for the various outreach programmes will remember that the volunteer helpers who give up their time also have a wider and equally valid ministry in their daily lives and occupations. And if we’re really serious about making whole-life disciples, it will mean that ultimately everyone in the congregation will be asking the ‘so what’ question: So what can we do to help each other grow as disciples? Of course, our corps officers have a significant role as the appointed leaders in creating a culture in which disciple-making can take place. But it isn’t possible for one or two people – however gifted they are – to disciple 50 or 100 people. Even Jesus himself confined his ministry of disciplemaking to 12 close followers. No, the work of disciple-making belongs to us all. Just how we might begin to do that will be discussed next week, in the first of a three-part epilogue.

CHICK IS A FREELANCE WRITER AND SPEAKER Salvationist 19 October 2013

FEATURE

Singing people into the Kingdom by International Staff Songster Kevin Fenton-Herring

‘I

DON’T know how you do it!’ exclaimed a woman at a recent staff songster festival, as I told her some of the requirements of the weekly THQ rehearsals and the engagement and recording schedule facing members of the group this season. Yet again, I found myself replying that it is not about how members of the ISS do it – but why members of the ISS do it and what a fulfilling privilege it is to sing people into the Kingdom. September is marked as the beginning of the new season for both the ISS and ISB and, while containing much excitement for the year ahead, it is also a time for reflection on the previous season. At the first rehearsal after the summer break there was much excited conversation about the visit to the Norwegian Congress that we had been privileged to attend in June and the letters and emails that we had received following our visit. Yet again, when travelling internationally, we were reminded of the fact that music crosses language barriers. The joy on the faces of the massive

congregations was plain for all to see. By the second rehearsal of the season we were in possession of two new ISS recordings, which are now available through SP&S and at any of the staff songsters’ engagements.

‘‘

THROUGH THIS SERVICE WE CAN WIN SOULS FOR THE KINGDOM

’’

Responding to public requests, the songsters have recently recorded Heart Songs – Volume 2 containing many of The Salvation Army’s classic songster pieces. These automatically transport some listeners to special moments of their past service. Already we are receiving many emails and letters containing the common theme that songs have brought fresh blessings to many people. The second recording is a compilation released by SP&S to mark the 20th

anniversary of the Sing To The Lord songster publication and is made up of recorded songs from within this book. As the ISS is a relatively small group, personnel changes always have an effect. Deputy Staff Songster Leader Kerry Sampson (Regent Hall) is presently on maternity leave having recently given birth to a new daughter and Gemma Hinchliffe (Staines) is also on maternity leave with the imminent birth of a new baby. We have been pleased to welcome back Suzanne Rose (Kettering Citadel) to the ISS to cover this maternity leave. The new season has also seen a change of pianist within the group. Elliot Launn (Regent Hall) is entering the final year of his double first degree studies at the Royal College of Music and so has stepped down from the group. The ISS are pleased to welcome back Bandmaster Richard Phillips (Kettering Citadel) as our pianist. Richard is well known throughout the Army world, not only as an outstanding pianist but also as a composer and arranger. The staff songsters have benefited from Richard’s support for many years and

Picture: KAI-OTTO MELAU

Norway, Iceland and The Færoes Territorial Congress June 2013

ISS ITINERARY FOR THE 2013-14 SEASON 2013 SHERINGHAM Saturday, Sunday 20 October TERRITORIAL CONGRESS (SCOTTISH EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE CENTRE, GLASGOW) Saturday, Sunday 3 November CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS WITH THE SALVATION ARMY (ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON) Monday 25 November

Rooftop concert at Oslo Opera House Pictures: HEIDI GOODREID

2014 HORSHAM Saturday, Sunday 19 January RUTHERGLEN Saturday, Sunday 16 February CWMBRAN Saturday, Sunday 16 March REGENT HALL Saturday, Sunday 6 April L’ISLET Saturday 24 – Monday 26 May

Oslo Cathedral

GOSPEL ARTS CONCERT (SYMPHONY HALL, BIRMINGHAM) Saturday 7 June MUSIC LEADERS COUNCILS (ADRIAN BOULT HALL, BIRMINGHAM) Sunday 8 June Staff Songster Susan Turner and acting Bandmaster Ray McLeish at Hawick October 2012

are pleased that his new work schedule allows him to commit to the group. The forthcoming season offers some fantastic opportunities for mission as the accompanying itinerary shows. The ﬁrst weekend visit of the season has already passed and the ISS enjoyed a fantastic welcome at Warrington. The refurbished hall provided a great venue for a Spiritﬁlled weekend. Every seat was taken on the Saturday evening and more chairs had to be sourced to accommodate the crowds of people who had arrived to welcome us. As well as monthly weekend engagements the ISS are supporting territorial leadership at the Territorial Congress in Glasgow in November and will be taking part in The Salvation Army’s carol service at the Royal Albert Hall. Arguably this annual event provides the Army with its biggest opportunity to remind a mainly

non-Army congregation of the real meaning of Christmas, and it is our privilege to contribute again. As well as ﬂying to Scotland to minister at Rutherglen we shall also be ﬂying over to Guernsey to support Salvationists there for a long weekend next May. As members of the ISS we know from the many instances that we have witnessed, as well as numerous letters we receive, that music changes lives and vocal music – sung by people who believe the words they’re singing – is used by God wherever it is heard. Whether we are able to meet you personally in the coming months or whether you are able to share our ministry through the medium of recordings, we pray that your experience of God’s love will be deepened through our ministry. And if you are serving God in your own corps songsters, we hope the ministry

of the ISS might inspire and encourage you to continue to sing people into the Kingdom just where you are. Revisiting the words of the woman who exclaimed: ‘I don’t know how you do it!’ – when I had a chance to think more deeply on this remark, I realised that her words don’t just apply to members of the ISS, but to all Salvation Army songsters throughout the world. Being a songster is an extra commitment of service in a world that doesn’t recognise commitment any more. But wherever we may be, we do it because we believe that, as Christian musicians, through this service we can win souls for the Kingdom. In future articles, I look forward to sharing stories of people whose lives have been changed through our ministry – and, throughout this coming season, I pray that people will come to Christ through our singing – and that is worth every bit of effort it takes! Salvationist 19 October 2013

REVIEWS

FACTS BEARING TESTIMONY TO THE EMPOWERING GRACE OF GOD Colonel Margaret White reviews The Salvation Army by Susan Cohen THIS slim book of 64 pages answers the serious inquirer who questions how The Salvation Army, born in the degradation of 19th-century London, in so short a time became a worldwide movement known for its distinctive worship and good works. Fact upon historical fact informs, tantalisingly concise and well researched. Starting from the religious convictions and passionate energies of William and Catherine Booth, their course is charted from Methodism to their calling to take the saving power of Christ to ‘that vast continent of vice, crime and misery’ around them in East London. The genius of William Booth’s leadership is apparent as he – and the many he inspired to work with him – identified their war against evil as a ‘salvation’ army, with military language, uniform and discipline. This new Army countered evil after evil, need after need, with a rich variety of practical services, aiming always to challenge corruption and change lives through the power of Christ. A comprehensive plan to reform society is outlined in Booth’s In Darkest England And The Way Out.

The soundly based social work of The Salvation Army developed strongly in the 20th century into services ‘from the cradle to the grave’. There is a contemporary ring about Booth’s great concerns – unemployment, human trafficking and dangerous working conditions. With its non-political stance, the Army now works in 126 countries today as an Army of love and peace. Its denominational structure and effective administration systems are outlined, as is the importance of its music. Many illustrations help to flesh out the nature and spirit of Salvationism. Susan Cohen has used concisely presented facts to introduce the reader to the history of The Salvation Army. The facts bear testimony to the empowering grace of God. She concludes: ‘Today’s Army marches on, as the 2012 Year Book observed, because it has never depended on one man or one woman – however visionary gifted. It depends on God.’ O Published

by Shire www.shirebooks.co.uk

WORDS AND MUSIC TO INSPIRE Songster Leader Tina Shepherd, Enfield, reviews Heart Songs – Volume 2 by the International Staff Songsters THIS new recording by the ISS contains a variety of songs both reflective and up-tempo, which flow nicely from track to track. These include classics such as Eric Ball’s ‘Torchbearers’ and Brindley Boon’s ‘I Dedicate Myself To Thee’ and more contemporary settings such as ‘I Surrender All’ arranged by John Martin and ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’ by Clifford Matthews. ‘A Great Salvation’ gets us off to a rousing start with a lively setting by Peter Graham of words of testimony by Thomas Plant. There are many mood changes, from ‘Your Grace Still Amazes Me’ and ‘By His Hand’, to Kenneth Downie’s ‘The 14

Salvationist 19 October 2013

Mighty River’. I remember being introduced to this piece as a young songster, finding it different and challenging. I loved it then and still do. Songsters need songs that are vocally demanding and this definitely fits the bill. I was pleased to see the inclusion of ‘Be Thou My Vision’ by Bob Chilcott, whose music is becoming more and more popular. It contains unusual harmonies at times but, once mastered, I am sure the singer and listener will find it rewarding and inspiring. Two all-time favourites are ‘I Bring Them To Jesus’ (Ivor Bosanko) and ‘All That I Am’ (William Himes). ‘All That I Am’ has now become a

much-used congregational song, but I hope this doesn’t deter leaders from continuing to use it as a songster piece in its own right; no one could fail to be moved by its powerful message. A song that really caught my attention was ‘A Light Came Out Of Darkness’, an amazing arrangement of ‘Down By The Salley Gardens’ by Philip Lawson, a member of the King’s Singers. It has some wonderful harmonies and is beautifully sung. We are so privileged in the Army to have music and words such as these that inspire and bless the performer and listener. O Heart Songs – Volume 2 is available from SP&S priced £13.95 (plus £2.95 postage and packing)

BIBLE STUDY

The three-legged stool Major David Cavanagh concludes his three-part series entitled The Whole Gospel For The Whole Man

PEAKING with characteristic verve at the 2000 International Millennial Congress in Atlanta, General John Gowans compared The Salvation Army’s mission to ‘a threelegged stool’. The Salvation Army exists to ‘save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity’ and – like a threelegged stool – is fit for purpose only when all three elements are present and equal. Attempts to define the Army’s mission have often suffered from a polarisation between preaching the gospel and helping our fellow man. The genius of John Gowans’ memorable restatement of our mission is that it offers a way beyond this dual approach. Summaries of the Christian faith which explain the gospel in terms of God sending Jesus to die so that those who believe in him can be forgiven and enjoy eternal life are telling the truth and nothing but the truth. But they are not telling the whole truth. There is something missing: an account of the purpose of Christian life in this world. Such accounts have no real answer to the question of why God has left us on this planet instead of transporting us instantly to Heaven. Holiness, with its emphasis on the transformation and development of a character shaped by divine grace, provides a broader account of the gospel and supplies a comprehensive rationale for our earthly life. Although they may express it in different ways, the various authors of the New Testament share a common belief that Christians are people who are being radically changed.

Christians share the life of the risen Christ. They are born again because the Spirit of Christ has filled them with the life of the resurrected Lord (John 3:3). They are children of God (John 1:14) who live in Christ, and he lives in them (Galatians 2:20; John 15:18–24). They are renewed people who have been transformed by a second act of divine creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). They are citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3:20), on a mission to establish a foothold in the world for that full abundant life that Jesus offers, and which those who believe in him will enjoy fully when he returns to inaugurate God’s Kingdom (John 10:10; Romans 8:19; Colossians 3:4; 1 John 3:2).

‘‘

OUR MISSION IS TO REMAIN STABLE, BALANCED AND EFFECTIVE

’’

This promise of transformation and hope of renewed character is the pulsing heartbeat of Christian mission. Although not always recognised, the wider context of 2 Corinthians 5:17 is Paul’s defence of his apostolic mission. Paul is explaining that he is animated by a vision of what people can become through faith in Christ. It is because he sees people not as they are but as they can be that he is impelled to preach the gospel. This is the dynamic of mission in a Wesleyan perspective and provides the common ground that unites the sometimes apparently disparate

expressions of our ministries in the ecclesiastical and social spheres. The Army employee helping a guest in a social centre and the Army officer dealing with an inquirer in the hall are both animated by a vision of what people can become. The Wesleyan understanding of holiness as transformed and renewed character is a natural bridge between the gospel and the social sciences’ concept of rehabilitation. Both are rooted in a vision of people as they can be, and both operate on the conviction that people can be more than they are – however low they may have sunk. Saving souls and serving suffering humanity converge in the biblical vision of human life renewed and transformed by God’s grace. Full salvation includes the development of character through a process of spiritual renewal and growth, which culminates in reaching the full stature of Christ. Social rehabilitation can be a vital first step towards the restoration to full humanity, which is pioneered and exemplified in Jesus himself. The gospel mandate that we love God and our neighbour requires us to engage in both, and we need to do so if the ‘three-legged stool’ of our mission is to remain stable, balanced and effective.

MAJOR CAVANAGH IS GENERAL SECRETARY, ITALY AND GREECE Salvationist 19 October 2013

NEW COMMITMENTS

1. 3. 7.

1. MARY CONLEY Adherent member NORTHAMPTON EAST AFTER living in London and attending the Methodist Church for more than 30 years, Mary felt that God was calling her to something different. Since her first visit to the corps, she knew that this was where God wanted her to be. During the past year, Mary’s faith has grown deeper and the Bible has become alive and meaningful. Mary, is pictured with corps officer Captain Carl Huggins, who welcomed her as an adherent member. – N. R. 2. SANDRA EDSER Soldier LEEDS CENTRAL SANDRA was invited to the Army by her neighbour and friend Corps Mission Secretary Pauline Dean, who helped her in her faith journey. After attending Bible study, Sandra wanted to know more, eventually making a commitment as an adherent member. During a time of illness, Sandra showed depth of faith and became an inspiration to those around her. Wanting to make a further commitment, Sandra, pictured with Pauline, was enrolled as a soldier by corps officer Major Valerie Spivey. – A. S. 3. MATHEW GRIFFITHS, JEAN HIPKISS Soldiers CRADLEY HEATH FAMILY, friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate as Mathew and Jean were enrolled as soldiers by corps officer Captain Liz Hancock. The pair testified to God’s faithfulness and encouraged others to follow Jesus. – L. H. 16

Salvationist 19 October 2013

4. 4. CAROL CROFT Soldier WOKING CAROL felt at home from the first moment she walked into the hall. She appreciates the non-judgmental atmosphere in worship. Carol testified to knowing that the Lord is guiding her and wanted to make a commitment as a soldier. – D. C. 5. JACKIE LITCHFIELD Adherent member OLDHAM ROUNDTHORN JACKIE received friendship from the corps following a friend’s funeral and started to regularly attend and volunteer. She chose ‘Amazing Grace’ to illustrate her testimony. Supported by family and friends, Jackie was welcomed as an adherent member by corps officers Lieutenants Ian and Wendy Hall. – I. H. 6. SHEILA SMITH Soldier SAFFRON WALDEN SURROUNDED by family and friends, Sheila was enrolled as a soldier by corps officer Captain Carol Baker. Sheila decided it was time to make a further commitment and is full of enthusiasm to serve the Lord. – C. B. 7. MATTIAS HILLS Junior soldier HARPENDEN FRIENDS and family came to support Mattias on his enrolment as a junior soldier by his grandfather, Commissioner Carl Lydholm. The band played the piece ‘For You’, especially dedicated to him that day. – R. W.

8. & 9. REBECCA GIBLETT Soldier CAROLE WILDE Adherent member NORWICH MILE CROSS CORPS officer Major David Murray enrolled Rebecca as a soldier and welcomed Carole as an adherent member. Rebecca has been attending the corps for several years with her family and is involved in many activities. She wanted to make a further commitment and radiantly testified to everything God is doing in her life. Carole came to the corps through Employment Plus and has attended ever since. When the programme ended, she volunteered in the charity shop before becoming its manager. Impressed by what she had seen, she wanted to make a commitment. – D. M. 10. JEMMA LAY Adherent member BRIDGWATER JEMMA was welcomed as an adherent member by corps officer Major Cheryl Davies. Having been a junior soldier, Jemma regularly attends the evening meetings and has supported The Big Collection each year. She is involved in corps activities as much as her college studies allow. – N. D. 11. MAURICE EDWARDS Soldier PAIGNTON MAURICE has had links with the Army since childhood. He felt that soldiership was the next step for him in faith and commitment. Following his enrolment, Maurice shared words of testimony. – D. B.

12. CLARRIE BURDETT Soldier EVESHAM CORPS leader Territorial Envoy Paul Stanford enrolled Clarrie as a soldier. Having been an adherent member for two years, Clarrie works in the charity shop and makes important links between the shop and the corps. He is also a member of the lunch club catering team. Following a rededication, he made a further commitment as a soldier. – P. S. 13. DAVID MITCHELL Adherent member CAMBORNE DAVID attended as a child. After a number of years, he returned to the meetings and volunteers in the soup kitchen. He decided to make a commitment as an adherent member and is pictured with corps officer Lieutenant Andy Toby. – A. T. 14. COLLEEN COBB Soldier TAVISTOCK COLLEEN first came to the corps after her husband died and she wanted the Army to conduct the funeral. She testified that she has always been on a journey, but since attending regularly she knows more about God’s direction for her life. Colleen is an active member of the corps and following a visit from Plymouth Exeter Hall Whitleigh Singing Company and learners band she wanted to make a deeper commitment. She was enrolled as a soldier by corps officer Major Dawn McGarvey. – L. P.

10.

9. 11.

14.

13.

12. Salvationist 19 October 2013

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS ARMY PEOPLE LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED O YPBL Sam Roberts, Staple Hill O CSM Ian Jones, SL Brenice Tebbutt, Rugby

O Harvey

Casper, son of Andrew and Kirstie Westwood-Hilbert at Willenhall by Captain Deanna Dougan

BEREAVED MARRIAGES O Bandsman Steven Pearson (Consett) to Emma McKenna, at All Saints Catholic Church, Lanchester, by Canon Robert Spence O Ryan Coubrough to Kimberley Launn at Winton by Lieut-Colonel Carol Bailey O Bandsman Paul Dymott to SCL Helen Johnson at Staines by Majors Paul and Jenine Main WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Platinum: O Bill and Jennie Hardington, Sudbury (31 October) DEDICATED TO GOD William Robert, son of Christopher and Shelley Deacon at Regent Hall by Major Mervin Baker O Alfie Ted, son of David and Caroline Smith at Sunderland Millfield by Major Hilary Naylor O Tanaya Angel, daughter of Simba and Brenda Chatikita at Leicester Central by Major Rudi Bruinewoud O Elis, son of Jo and Annette ChildsHill at Penarth by Captain Dani Mayo O James

At Halifax Bandsman Cyril Holdenby, 95, collects for The Big Collection with his wife, Margaret

Salvationist 19 October 2013

O Bandsman

Steve Gallagher, Sunderland Millfield, of his mother O Captain Kathleen Myers (Southern DHQ), Dep BM Philip Hawkins, Risca, and Bandswoman/Songster Margaret Thomas, Abertillery, of their mother Rtd CT Joyce Hawkins O Doreen Andrews, Brighton Bevendean, of her husband Colin O Major Colin Stevens (Yorkshire DHQ and Wakefield), of his father Tom O Jim Dawson, Dunstable, of his father Norman RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations: O Mrs Brigadier Phyllis Liptrott (103 on 31 October) O Colonel Martha Pressland (80 on 31 October) PROMOTED TO GLORY Robert Waddams from Hassocks on 8 October

O Lieut-Colonel

Please note that soldiers’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 120 words. Good quality pictures will be included with tributes.

TRIBUTES MAJOR DOREEN ELAND DOREEN ELAND entered the 1950 Ambassadors Session from Southport and was an officer for 62 years. Her first appointment to Dublin Abbey Street was followed by numerous corps commands in Scotland from 1951 to 1966. While at Kingston in Glasgow, she took a special interest in the 32 teenage girls referred to the Army’s nearby home, and once requested the officer-in-charge to exercise less discipline and more love! In 1966 a move to England brought further corps appointments – including Ware, Southampton Citadel, St Peter Port and Branksome – before transfer to IHQ’s Harleith Holiday Home in 1977. From 1982 to 1989 the major served in the head office of the Public Relations Department. She was pleased and proud to represent The Salvation Army at large public events and on one occasion was presented to the Queen. She worked tirelessly at fundraising events and in particular was very involved with the successful Birdies And Babes events run in conjunction with the wives of professional golfers, with whom she established an excellent rapport. Thousands of pounds were raised for the Army’s children’s work – Strawberry Fields being one beneficiary.

At the request of General Eva Burrows, the major later worked as her assistant in what was dubbed ‘the General’s kitchen’. Her last appointment in 1990 was Americas and Caribbean Recorder, IHQ. A soldier at Edinburgh Gorgie in retirement, she soon found a ministry at Eagle Lodge Eventide Home where she was a great support to the officers-in-charge. She often borrowed a piano accordion and led the residents in community singing. Everyone loved ‘Major Doreen’; she is remembered for her compassion, her gracious loving spirit and infectious smile. She never spoke ill of anyone and had a wonderful ability to communicate with people of any age or circumstance. It was life-enriching to know this lovely Christian lady and great encourager. Major Eland lived her life by Christ’s attitudes and brought honour and glory to his name. – L.C.

RETIRED BAND SERGEANT ALEXANDER (ALEC) PURKISS, KETTERING CITADEL BORN at the Army’s Mothers’ Hospital in Hackney in 1927, Alec grew up in Tottenham and Hertford before his family settled in Surrey. He was band sergeant at Sutton for more than 30 years and then acting CSM. He took every opportunity to share his faith and put it into practice. He often wrote for The Musician as ‘AWGP’. After he retired from the pensions industry the family moved to Kettering, where Alec found a new ministry as a prison chaplain at HMP Gartree – a role he fulfilled for 12 years. His inﬂuence and wisdom was significant in that environment. Alec’s life was lived for the Lord and his family, who miss him greatly. – T. P.

SONGSTER MRS THELMA WILLIAMS, PENTRE PROMOTED to Glory aged 91, Thelma was a lifelong Salvationist who, with her beloved sister Rosetta, progressed from junior into senior soldiership. Thelma took particular pleasure in YP work as company guard and YP treasurer and was also singing company and songster pianist for many years. Despite declining health since 2002 she

remained a faithful soldier, home league member and songster to the end of her long life. She was blessed with an alert mind; her Christian inﬂuence, vast experience and sound advice encouraged many people. Thelma endured the death of her beloved husband Stanley in 1992 with great fortitude. She was devoted to her daughter Olive – who gave her exceptional care – and took immense pleasure from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. – M. H.

RETIRED CORPS TREASURER ALFRED WILLIS, LEICESTER CENTRAL THE son of missionary officers, Alfred was born at Nagercoil in India in 1918. The family returned to the UK when he was two years old. During the Second World War Alfred served in the UK, France and Germany. He met his late wife Ethel at Hayes in Middlesex; they married after his demobilisation and settled in Leicester. An accomplished tenor horn player, Alfred became YP band leader at North Evington before moving to Leicester Central, where

he was corps treasurer for almost 30 years. Sadly missed by his only sister Mary, Alfred is remembered as a loyal, faithful and kind Christian gentleman who was always ready with a word of encouragement. – B. R.

MRS JOAN WARNER, BOSTON BORN in 1923, Joan was an active soldier for many years at Chatham, serving the Lord as a songster and YPSM for a number of years before the family moved to Boston, where she again joined the songsters. Joan had five children of her own and fostered and helped many disadvantaged children. During the war Joan was a nurse and drove delivery vehicles and tanks in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. She also worked as a double-decker bus driver in London. An active over-60 club member, she baked pies and helped with jumble sales to raise money for the corps building fund. Joan is greatly missed by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.–V.W.

ENGAGEMENTS GENERAL ANDRÉ COX AND COMMISSIONER SILVIA COX: O USA Southern (Pan-American Conference), Wed 16 Oct - Mon 21 O Kenya East, Fri 1 Nov - Tu 5 O Kenya West, Wed 6 - Sun 10 O ICO, Sun 17 THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER WILLIAM ROBERTS) AND COMMISSIONER NANCY ROBERTS: O ICO, Tu 29 Oct O Germany, Fri 8 Nov - Sun 10** O Brazil, Fri 15 - Tu 19 THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER CLIVE ADAMS) AND COMMISSIONER MARIANNE ADAMS: O Swanwick (officers councils), Mon 14 Oct - Wed 30 O Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow (Territorial Congress), Sat Sun 3 Nov THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL DAVID HINTON) AND COLONEL SYLVIA HINTON: O Swanwick (officers councils), Mon 14 Oct - Wed 30 O Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow (Territorial Congress), Sat Sun 3 Nov COMMISSIONER WILLIAM COCHRANE: O International Doctrine Council, Mon 21 Oct - Th 24 O South Korea (World Council of Churches 10th Assembly), Wed 30 - Fri 8 Nov COMMISSIONER GILLIAN DOWNER: O Hong Kong and Macau (including China Task Force), Th 10 Oct - Sun 20 COMMISSIONERS TORBEN AND DEISE ELIASEN: O USA Southern (Pan-American Conference), Wed 16 Oct - Sun 20 COMMISSIONERS JOASH AND FLORENCE MALABI: O Rwanda and Burundi (installation of command leaders), Th 17 Oct - Mon 21 COMMISSIONER JOHN WAINWRIGHT: O USA NHQ, Mon 4 Nov - Wed 6 INTERNATIONAL STAFF SONGSTERS: O Sheringham, Sat Sun 20 Oct O Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow (Territorial Congress), Sat Sun 3 Nov INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND: O Birmingham Citadel, Sat Sun 27 Oct O Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow (Territorial Congress), Sat Sun 3 Nov **husband will not accompany

Salvationist 19 October 2013

LETTERS and NEWS HIGH WYCOMBE WILL WELCOME ANDY HOME AS Andy Peddle nears the completion of his 7,900-mile walk, plans are being made for a public celebration at his home corps at High Wycombe on Saturday 16 November at 6 pm. Having endured all extremes of weather including heatwaves, blizzards and thunderstorms, Andy has walked on, and has sung his own version of the well-known anthem everywhere he has visited, changing the words to say ‘with God in your heart, you’ll never walk alone’. During the course of his walkathon, which commenced in Shetland in May 2012, Andy will have visited every Salvation Army corps and centre in the UK. More than anything else, other people have supported Andy’s efforts, having been inspired by him and galvanised into action. This has helped Andy raise more than £80,000, at present, towards his target of £100,000 to go towards the Army’s efforts to combat human trafficking and help its work with homeless people. Andy has also taken the opportunity to raise awareness right across the UK – and spread the message that inspired his efforts. Thanks to all those who have helped in any way, including those that have provided support and accommodation, the drivers, the backup/admin team and those who have raised funds to support this amazing walkathon.

Although Andy will conclude his walk with the last mile or so taking him from IHQ to THQ on Monday 18 November, the public celebration party at High Wycombe will give anyone who wants to celebrate his massive achievement a chance to share with him. Captain Hilary McClintock (High Wycombe) says: ‘Although Andy says “to God be the glory”, we want to thank God for Andy and for what he has done. We are delighted to host a celebration party for him and to welcome anyone who has supported him in any way.’ If you plan to attend, it would be useful to know numbers in advance, and where you are from, so please email Hazel Morris hazelmorris349@btinternet.com or phone 07578 226547. Richard Durrant, Major, Bourne

Andy Peddle visits Penarth as he approaches the final stages of his walkathon; he also visited Maesteg, Skewen and Treharris

HAVE I GOT THE RIGHT BAND? ON reading my copy of Salvationist (12 October), I spotted the picture on page 19 and the letter asking if anyone could identify the band. Although I am a Salvationist, I am not a bandswoman; however I immediately noticed that the bandsmen in the photo were wearing caps with white tops. I immediately thought of Southsea, as I seem to recall having seen them in the past wearing caps with white tops. Having started at the back of Salvationist and working forward, I then came across a picture of Southsea Band on page 9 which would support this suggestion. I am sure you will get plenty of other suggestions, but I wonder if I’ve got it right! Chris Payne, Eastbourne Readers sending letters by email should include their name, full rank if applicable and full postal address

Sudbury corps folk take part in a sponsored walk to support Andy Peddle’s walkathon, raising £240 20

Salvationist 19 October 2013

O Write to Salvationist (Letters), 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN or email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk