Delegates encouraged to show their God colours

A DIVERSE range of people from across the territory gathered for Exploring Leadership Day, reports Territorial Communications Officer Captain Jo Moir

It was an opportunity for worship, teaching, conversation and exploration.

Territorial Candidates Directors Majors Andrea and Mark Sawyer led vibrant all-age worship, which encouraged children and adults alike to be open to God’s voice and calling.

A period of quickfire testimonies gave an insight into different people’s calling to spiritual leadership, each sharing with honesty the challenges and joys of following where God has led them –they all acknowledged that, although it hadn’t always been easy, God had never left them.

Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Jenine Main unpacked Matthew 8:23–27, the story of Jesus calming the storm, by interviewing two young leaders –Lieutenant Liam Beattie (Leicester West) and Lydia Kim (William Booth

College) – who challenged delegates to consider where they might be in the narrative. On the shore watching from a distance? In the boat but frightened, like the disciples? Trying to fight the storm? Or trusting Jesus, the peacebringer? The message echoed the earlier testimonies – get on the boat, even though there may be storms ahead, for God will be with us.

A host of people went forward in response, kneeling at the mercy seat and signing their names beside prayers.

The day continued with seminars covering different subjects, from discipleship and inclusion to wholeness and worship. There was access to a prayer space designed for visitors of all ages to reflect and engage in prayer ministry.

There was also a calling marketplace featuring zones for pioneering, Open Learning, chaplaincy and officership.

One of the busiest areas was the café, where powerful conversations were had as people engaged in meaningful discussions aided by the challenge to ‘be open’, which pervaded the day.

The day concluded with worship led by Lauren and Karl Westwood (Bromley Temple), while children shared some of their learning from the day. They focused on the day’s second passage of Scripture, Matthew 5:14, which calls everyone to shine and show their ‘God colours’ (The Message).

Colonel Jenine expanded on the text by challenging all present to bring God-colours of hope, justice, gentleness and kindness into the greyness of this broken world, saying: ‘We are all designed to bring out our unique gifts, our unique calling and our unique God colours into the places we live and the places God is sending us.’

As voices were raised in prayer and praise, banners waved and children engaged creatively in exuberant worship. There was a glimpse of just how colourful a world it can be when people are open, choose to get on the boat and live to shine for Jesus.

Why did you come to Exploring Leadership Day?

I found myself in a place where I had been putting off God’s call on my life. I knew I needed to spend some focused time listening and being inspired, giving his call some space to be heard.

Did you find that space? What’s the atmosphere been like?

Really welcoming. There’s a sense of genuine openness to God today and for honest conversation, not just the superficial stuff but deep discussion. It feels like this is a safe, comfortable space. Some might not come to an event like this, thinking it’s all just about officership and a big push for new cadets, but it’s not been like that at all; it’s been about exploring all kinds of spiritual leadership with no pressure, no push – just space to be open and ask questions.

What will you take away from today?

Knowing my worth in Christ and having a greater sense of the incredible power of Jesus to do amazing things. I’m taking away the message that I can be courageous, I don’t need to let things hold me back from his call, because Jesus is in control – he can calm the storm.

Army grows during visit of international leaders

RWANDA AND BURUNDI

SALVATIONISTS greeted General Brian Peddle and World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Rosalie Peddle on arrival at Kigali International Airport.

The international leaders attended officers’ councils and later viewed the construction site for the officer training college, where the deputy mayor highlighted The Salvation Army’s contribution to the holistic transformation of communities.

The General and Commissioner Rosalie visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where they learnt more about Rwandan history and paid respects to the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

During the visit, a concert included the enrolment of 95 soldiers by the General and many people knelt at the mercy seat in response to the international leaders’ message – ‘flee, follow and fight’ – which was based on 2 Timothy 2:22.

On Sunday, the world leaders witnessed a historic march-past of Salvationists. The holiness meeting was packed with Salvationists and friends as well as representatives from other Rwandan churches. The General commissioned 11 cadets of the Reflectors of Holiness session. – AR

Lifehouse Meeting

Homelessness

Rough sleeping at crisis levels

THQ

RECENT government figures show that levels of homelessness and rough sleeping have risen to crisis levels.

The annual Rough Sleeping Snapshot in England estimates that 3,069 people were sleeping rough on a single night in Autumn 2022 – a 26 per cent increase since 2021. Almost 40,000 households in England were registered as homeless, including those in temporary or emergency accommodation, according to quarterly government figures for July to September 2022. This is a 2.9 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

As one of the country’s largest providers of homelessness services, the Army is calling for urgent action to stem the tide of people being forced to live on the streets.

CROSSROADS A team of students rolled up their sleeves to decorate the lounge of the Accrington Lifehouse. The 16 young adults enrolled on Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service Prince’s Trust employability programme are of similar ages to the residents, which helped them understand what is going on in their community. – AR

BIRMINGHAM CITADEL Captain Richard Bradbury (IHQ) led Self-Denial Sunday, which included a song from Africa sung in four languages. A bring-and-share lunch included food from around the world representing the heritage of corps members. After lunch, Captain Richard spoke about the Army’s work in Kenya, Bangladesh and Ukraine. – RO

MACCLESFIELD A multichurch Mother’s Day Shelter service offered comfort for those struggling with the occasion. ‘We created the Mother’s Day Shelter as a safe space, where everyone is welcome to grieve, reflect and meet with God, as well as others who may be in similar situations,’ said corps leader Territorial Envoy Alice Swain. The shelter is for anyone who feels the need to use the service including those who have lost mothers or children, those who are longing to be mothers and those who have a difficult relationship with their mother or children. – AR

To help end rough sleeping by the end of parliament in 2024, The Salvation Army is calling for funding to rise in line with inflation, and a reversal of the freeze on the value of Local Housing Allowance rates.

Homelessness Services Unit Director Nick Redmore said: ‘The government’s plan to end rough sleeping by 2024 risks being derailed if it does not take action soon.’ – AR

Ecumenical

LARNE Supported by clergy from local churches, a coffee morning raised more than £100 for the Self-Denial Appeal, with information, prayers and videos available for attendees. – PC

SP&S launches Uniform Take Back Scheme

Uki

SP&S has launched a Uniform Take Back Scheme to help people pass on old Salvation Army uniforms that still have working life in them.

Community

Alan Peacock presents a cheque for almost £11,540 from Rochford Hundred Golf Club to Leigh-on-Sea corps officer Captain Robert

Youth And Children

GILLINGHAM A Salvation Army preschool has been rated ‘outstanding’ by an Ofsted inspection that highlighted its ‘nurturing environment’. Corps officers Lieutenant Martyn Bellshaw said: ‘The preschool links in with the other work the corps does, including being a warm space for families, providing presents as part of our Christmas Present Appeal and bringing the children to Cameo. Through it, we’ve connected with about 80 families.’ – AR

Recycling uniforms is not a new idea, but the innovative team at SP&S has been looking at how this can be shared across the territory. Last year, the Uniform Council started considering the practicalities of recycling formal uniform items as part of the UKI Territory’s commitment to care for creation.

Launching on 1 April, the Uniform Take Back Scheme provides a convenient and cost-effective way to return pre-loved uniform items that could be reused or recycled, while also protecting the environment, minimising waste and maximising reuse and recycling. It will take receipt of pre-loved jackets, overcoats, trousers and skirts via a prepaid postage label and garment bag. The SP&S in-house tailoring department will then assess and grade each garment for reuse or recycling.

SP&S General Manager David Hannah explained the motivation behind the scheme: ‘First, as part of our stewardship of the Earth we should be encouraging each other to recycle and minimise any waste.

‘Second, research shows that the environmental impact of reusing textiles is 70 times lower compared to producing new clothing.

‘Third, for some people the cost of a new formal uniform can be too high – giving everyone access to a quality pre-loved uniform at a greatly reduced price could make a huge difference.’

To use the scheme, people can apply for a prepaid postage label and garment bag on the SP&S website. In the future, SP&S roadshows may also be used as in-person drop-off points. SP&S is also investigating the possibility of using clothing banks as drop off points for uniform items in clearly identifiable packaging that is environmentally friendly.

‘We have already collected and assessed a number of pre-loved items ready for pre-sale,’ added David.

Items will be ready for sale from 1 April. – JM

For more details visit sps-shop.com/ uniform-take-back-scheme.

Salvationist wants to hear your news

Corps press representatives can email salvationist@ salvationarmy.org.uk. Good quality pictures may be included.

BARBARA Dempsey was attending another church when she first came to the corps line dancing group. She attended on occasional Sundays and corps social events and became more involved, sensing that the Lord could use her more through the Army. She decided to become an adherent and prayed as part of her recognition ceremony. She now helps to lead the line dancing group and has initiated a litter-picking group.

MICHAEL Smith started attending after his fiancée, Cadet Georgia Marriott-Lodge, suggested he visit his local corps. Michael felt at home and chose to become a soldier. At his enrolment he testified powerfully to how the Lord had kept him close even through the hard times when his baby niece died and his faith had been tested. Michael has since started helping at Cameo club.

ANGEL Satyr and her mum, Lizzy

Seggie, moved to Birkenhead and were looking for a church in the area. The corps officer spotted them looking at the noticeboard and invited them to the coffee morning, where they became more involved and made the commitment to become adherents. Lizzy helps with the winter warm hub as well as befriending people at corps activities. Angel helps with Safe Mission matters.

SUE Bryers was part of a small church and would pass the Army hall many times, before one day being led to walk in. For a while she attended both churches but felt drawn to the Army, where she volunteered at coffee mornings. She became more involved in the corps and decided to become an adherent. When the programme altered due to Covid-19 lockdowns, she volunteered in the charity shop and is now fully involved in corps life, splitting her time between the shop, the corps and her family.

SUE Williams was on holiday in Bath when she witnessed the love The Salvation Army showed towards a vulnerable person. Sue volunteered at the corps and began serving breakfast at Saturday coffee mornings. She got involved with corps social events and attended occasionally on Sundays. After finding God again, Sue chose to become an adherent and now helps at the charity shop and is fully involved in corps life.

BRENDA Sewell tried several churches with her husband, Jim, but he wasn’t happy until he came to The Salvation Army, which he instantly loved. Brenda tried the Army after Retired Over-60s Secretary Marjorie Bailey joined the same slimming club and witnessed to her. Sadly, Jim is now in a home, but Brenda continues to attend the corps, choosing to become an adherent.

JUNE Watt first came to the Army for a meal while experiencing homelessness. She started volunteering to serve tea and coffee at the meals, then helped at other activities, such as coffee mornings, Cameo and the charity shop. She started attending on Sundays and made the commitment to become an adherent. – LC

Frances Cook Maidstone

FRANCES grew up in Somercotes, Derbyshire, from where she entered the Defenders of the Faith session in 1964.

Appointed to Bildeston with Whatfield, Saxmundham and then Raydon, Frances left officership to undertake social work studies in Oxford, along with another former officer, Violet Clarke. Their companionship was to last more than 50 years.

After returning from work in the USA, Frances moved to Kent and served as corps cadet guardian at Gillingham, before finally settling at Maidstone, where she and Vi were a gracious influence. Their shared home in Larkfield was a centre of hospitality and great fun.

Frances was small of stature but a great thinker; she worked privately as a counsellor following retirement, ministering to many in personal difficulty. Despite the challenges of very poor health over many years, Frances maintained a strong faith in God and was a faithful friend to many, including Vi who survives her. – AA

Marjorie Bailey Birkenhead

MARJORIE was born in Birkenhead and all her life she attended the corps there. She loved working with young people, first in Sunday school and then in the corps cadets.

Following her death, the family have been blessed by the messages of thanks to their ‘Auntie Marjorie’ from those who are now reaching retirement age themselves. In later life she became the over-60 club secretary and faithfully fulfilled the role for more than 30 years until just a few years ago.

In the corps, Marjorie was the last remaining ‘Army Auntie’ to the post-war generation of children and her death marks the end of an era. She was ready to meet her Lord as well as her late husband, Fred, and her two daughters who had recently died. She now leaves just three sons and their families, who love and miss her. – DB

Margaret Warburton Swanage

MARGARET was born in Swanage in 1944. Her mum was a uniformed Salvationist and took all her children along to the corps with her. Margaret was involved in much of what was going on, and in due course was invited to singing company practice, even though she would always confess she couldn’t sing!

Margaret spent nearly all her life in Swanage, apart from a few years in Bolton where she married Graham. Margaret and Graham welcomed Sarah into their family, followed by Colin. They returned to Swanage and Margaret became timbrel leader, as well as serving for many years as corps treasurer.

She also led the friendship club and loved to raise money for the HelpingHand Appeal. When the corps was without officers, Margaret stepped into the breach and gave faithful leadership. Testament to Margaret’s influence, at her thanksgiving service every church in the town was represented.

Servant of God, well done! – KG

Army People

International appointments

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

Effective 1 May

LIEUT-COLONELS ZOTHANMAWIA AND VANLALNUNGI, officers of the India Eastern Territory, are appointed as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, India Western Territory

MAJORS GABRIEL AND CHAYA DEWRI , officers of the Bangladesh Territory, are appointed as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries in that territory

Wedding anniversaries

Blue sapphire (65 years)

BM JOHN AND PATRICIA BARRETT, Market Rasen, on 15 March Golden (50 years)

GRAHAM AND JANET COOK , Leigh-on-Sea, on 31 March

Dedicated to God

LUSIANA , LITIA , EMILIA and ZAC, children of Epi and Jennifer Vukicea, at Inverness by Majors Bruce and Isobel Smith

AURELIA ELIZABETH RUDDOCK, daughter of Matthew and YPSM Talitha Ruddock, at Birmingham Citadel by Captain Clare Allman

Retired officers’ birthdays

MAJOR HESLEY JOHNSON , 80 on 11 April

MAJOR SHEILA WARDEN , 80 on 13 April

MAJOR DAVID YOUNG , 85 on 15 April

CAPTAIN BARRIE COX , 80 on 17 April

Promoted to Glory

JUNE BOWN , Bromley Temple

DEREK GIRLING , Stowmarket

BANDSMAN STAN HARRY, Risca

JEAN CHARMAN , Luton, on 22 November

JOY BROPHY, Staines, on 7 March

DIVISIONAL ENVOY BRYN SUTTON from University Hospital of Wales on 12 March

MAJOR RAYMOND ATKINSON from his home on 18 March

Bereaved

MAJOR ALWYN HOCKLEY of her father Derek Girling

JULIE NEWMAN , Staines, Cheryl and David of their mother Joy Brophy

DIVISIONAL ENVOY MYRTLE SUTTON of her husband

Divisional Envoy Bryn Sutton

MAJOR MAVIS ATKINSON of her husband Major Raymond

Atkinson, Ruth Unwin, Alton, Miriam Boniface , Rhoda

Atkinson , both Croydon Citadel, and Eunice Newing , Morriston, of their father

Engagements

Chief of the Staff Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham

Thu 6 Apr – Mon 10 Apr Belfast Sydenham

Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill and Commissioner Gillian Cotterill

Mon 3 Apr IHQ (Holy Week Prayers)

Thu 6 Apr – Sun 9 Apr Stornoway

Fri 14 Apr William Booth College (Territorial Advisory Council)

Sat 15 Apr Methodist Central Hall, Westminster (United Reformed Church 50th anniversary)

Chief Secretary Colonel Paul Main and Colonel Jenine Main

Fri 7 Apr – Sun 9 Apr Reading Central

Thur 13 Apr – Fri 14 Apr Missenden Abbey (Going Deeper)*

* Colonel Jenine Main only

Notices

Connect Planning for the home league or other midweek groups? Connect is now available as a downloadable resource on salvationist.org.uk . New sessions include Spring Forward! and Pentecost Confusion! For further information please email familyministries@salvationarmy.org.uk

Easter Charts: Vote for your Top 10!

This Easter, Salvationist Radio is presenting a special chart show, featuring the top 10 brass band, vocal and contemporary Christian music songs, as voted for by you! Have your say by visiting salvationist.org.uk/radio

Sounds

Sunday Worship podcast

Can’t join us at 11am on Sundays on Salvationist Radio? Catch up with our weekly podcast of Sunday Worship highlights, including music, prayer and a Bible message from a guest speaker. Each week’s broadcast is also repeated in full on Mondays at 12am and Thursdays at 9am.

Listen at salvationist.org.uk/radio

The All Terrain Podcast

This episode’s guest is Lee Ball. Lee has worked for The Salvation Army for over 20 years and is currently the director of addictions and advises all expressions of Salvation Army mission in this territory, giving guidance on how to work with the causes and consequences of addictive behaviours.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and PodBean

BOSCOMBE, 76 PALMERSTON ROAD, BOURNEMOUTH BH1 4HT

Friday 7 to Sunday 9 April

Easter Celebration Weekend

Special guests General Brian and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle

Good Friday – Services, 11am and 7pm

Easter Saturday – Concert by Una Voce, 7pm

Tickets: £5 (children free)

To reserve tickets, please email boscombe@salvationarmy.org.uk

Easter Sunday – Services, 10.45am and 6pm

For more details of the weekend’s events, please visit salvationarmy.org.uk/boscombe

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, BAYHALL ROAD TN2 4UT

Saturday 22 April

International Staff Songsters

Vocal workshop, 4pm

Open to concert ticket holders (reservation required)

Concert, 7pm

Tickets: £12 (under-12s free) from Eventbrite (fees apply) iss-tunbridgewells.eventbrite.com

Sunday 23 April Family worship, 10.15am

Open-air meeting, 12.30pm (Millennium Clock, Five Ways) Free Praise Festival, 3pm

SHERINGHAM CORPS, CREMER STREET NR26 8DZ

Saturday 13 May, 7.30pm

Jonathan Veira Live

An audience with Jonathan Veira –an evening of contemporary music, opera and chat. Adept at keyboard and guitar, he will delight you.

Tickets £12

Available from eventbrite.co.uk/e/552654553647 (or search eventbrite.co.uk for ‘Jonathan Veira live’) or from the SA hall on 01263 826059

WOKING, SYTHWOOD GU21 3BE

Sunday 23 April, 11am

Retirement Of Majors

David And Margaret House

Led by Majors Mike and Lisa Lloyd-Jones

CASTLEFORD, BOOTH ST WF10 1SA

Saturday 22 April, 7pm

AN EVENING WITH CASTLEFORD BAND AND CROFTON SILVER BAND

Tickets: £8 (£6 concessions)

Available on 07510 517567 or email sarahshep87@gmail.com

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