SALVATIONIST For everyone linked to The Salvation Army
No.1767 Price 70p
www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 1 August 2020
Thank you for the music Blessings past and present PLUS
REMEMBERING LIEUT-COLONEL NORMAN BEARCROFT
SEE PAGES 10 AND 11
QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA
POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION OF FAITH GROUPS IN SOCIAL COHESION DESERVES GREATER RECOGNITION The role of faith groups in social cohesion is undervalued, says a new joint report from the think tank Theos. The report, Cohesive Societies: Faith and Belief, commissioned by the British Academy and the Faith and Belief Forum, says that faith is too often thought of as a risk to social cohesion... While faith and belief can be a source of division, the report argues that many faith groups play a key role in social cohesion and their contributions need to be considered in the formation of cohesion policy. ‘The concern not to privilege faith groups, while also problematising particular elements of their ethos and identity, has sometimes meant that their distinctive qualities are collapsed into a general consideration of “community organisations” and the “voluntary sector”,’ the report says… Phil Champain, Director of the Faith and Belief Forum, said: ‘Faith and belief groups are best viewed as an asset to society and not as a problem to be solved. ‘This report clearly shows that integration issues are better addressed by approaching faith... communities in a spirit of partnership, recognising the positive role they can play in creating a more connected and cohesive society. ‘Many faith groups already play a central role in bettering social cohesion while also providing crucial services in their local areas.’
MODERN SLAVERY APP LAUNCHED TO PROTECT FARM WORKERS The Church of England has launched an app aimed at preventing farm workers’ exploitation. The Farm Work Welfare app was developed by the Clewer Initiative, the Church’s scheme for combating modern slavery. Aimed at the thousands of workers who assist every year with the harvest of fruit and vegetables on UK farms, the app will supply information on employment rights in eight languages, including English. It will also give advice for farmers and growers who use third-party labour providers and recruitment agencies, by listing those agencies that are licensed and providing rules about document verification and workers’ rights. Workers and employers can highlight concerns... and look for help through the app; the information is processed by the Modern Slavery Helpline. Church Times
UK FAITH LEADERS CALL ON CHANCELLOR TO CANCEL DEBT OF POOR COUNTRIES DEVASTATED BY COVID-19 A number of senior UK faith leaders have urged chancellor Rishi Sunak to commit to cancelling debt owed by the world’s poorest countries in light of [the] coronavirus [pandemic]. In their letter, more than 70 bishops, rabbis, imams and other faith leaders urged the chancellor to show ‘ambition and leadership’... with G20 finance ministers… In April, the ministers agreed to suspend debt payments for 77 countries, but faith leaders say debt payments for this year and next year must be cancelled in light of the coronavirus pandemic and its devastating impact on poor nations. The letter reads: ‘The immediate risks the coronavirus poses to poverty reduction efforts are both clear and shocking.’ Premier
CHARITIES INCLUDING RELIGIOUS GROUPS TO BENEFIT AS LEGACY GIVING SURGES, SAYS WILL-WRITING SERVICE The amount of money being written into wills that will eventually go to charities when people die has surged during the coronavirus pandemic, according to an online service. Will-writing service Farewill said that in April, over £35 million-worth of charity donations were written into wills, up from £3.5 million in February and an average of £4 million per month in 2019. In May and June, legacy donations at Farewill were on average still over £10 million collectively. International aid and religious causes also entered the top five charity causes amongst Farewill customers… Dan Garrett, chief executive at Farewill, said: ‘Our customers are incredibly generous, and want to support charities that align with their own beliefs and values. Leaving a legacy donation… means these organisations will receive much-needed funding for years to come.’
Christian Today
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Salvationist 1 August 2020
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TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARY Major Mal Davies
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CONTENTS
A GIFT FROM GOD ‘O MY heart is full of music and of gladness’, wrote Emma Booth-Tucker in the opening lines of her song ‘Climbing Up The Golden Stair’ (SASB 884). It’s a very apt description for a Salvationist. Our musical heritage is a strong one and, as a Movement, we are known for our joyful worship and optimistic outlook on life, so I could argue that all Salvationists should have hearts ‘full of music and gladness’. My story is similar to many Salvationists who grew up in the Army: Sunday school, where I learnt songs; singing company and YP band; senior band and songsters; and along the way musicals, concerts and camps. It’s been a musical life. I find myself now – not quite in my dotage but heading that way – where I’ll overhear another song or even someone speaking certain words and, suddenly, my mind goes to song lyrics I learnt decades ago! Even though I have so much to remember and know now, there’s a piece of my brain still being used for the lyrics of ‘Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam’. In this issue of Salvationist we have the first of a two-part tribute to Lieut-Colonel Norman Bearcroft, who was promoted to Glory in late June. A prolific and respected Army composer, Bearcroft had more than 180 band and vocal works published and was a highly skilled brass player. You’ll also find an article on the Salvation Army Symphonic Wind Ensemble, which has been performing regularly over the past 26 years. The ensemble’s musical director, Andrew Mackereth, says: ‘Over the years, The Salvation Army has become well known as a brass band movement, a fact that has led many to overlook a history of musical diversity. While the Army did eventually settle on brass band instrumentation, some bands have included a range of instruments.’ In 2015, Salvationist printed an article by Lieut-Colonel Maurice Cooper on the spiritual impact of music and how it ‘transcends hearts and minds’. It was a thoughtful piece and it seemed appropriate to include it again in this issue. In his regular column on Army history, General John Larsson (Retired) writes about Emma Booth-Tucker, the only child of William and Catherine to not outlive her parents. In the second verse of her song ‘Climbing Up The Golden Stair’, she wrote: ‘Every day it seems I want to love him better,/ Every day it seems I want to serve him more.’ We’re blessed to have among us people who show their love for God and who serve him by writing or performing music. I know my spiritual formation has benefited from talented musicians using their God-given gifts and, perhaps, you’ve been similarly blessed. As you read through this issue, even though current safety guidance means that we cannot play or sing together in person, I pray that you’re reminded of how blessed we are by the gift of music – a gift from God.
Quotes from the media
2
Message from the Territorial Leader for Leader Development 4 News
5 to 7
Prayer matters
7
My coronavirus story Maximising potential
8 and 9
by Lieut-Colonel Alberth Sarimin
Feature 10 and 11 Lieut-Colonel Norman Bearcroft: Home and Abroad by Major John Mott
Feature Striking a different note
12 and 13
by Andrew Mackereth
From the archive Soul-saving music?
14
by Lieut-Colonel Maurice Cooper
More rear-mirror views The only fatality
15
by General John Larsson (Retired)
Bible study 16 and 17 Simon makes his confession of faith by Major Catherine Smith
Through the week with Salvationist
16 and 17
by Major Howard Webber
Review 18 Franciscan Footprints: Following Christ In The Ways Of Francis And Clare reviewed by Major Martin Hill
Reflection In praise of poets
18
by Brian Colley
Thinkaloud Time to adapt measures
19
by John Coutts
Poet’s corner Global inequality
20
by Major Stephen Naylor
Reflection Trophies of grace
20
by Major Karen Sandford
New commitments Announcements
21 22 and 23
Adverts
23
The Salvation Army and me
24
featuring Sue Yorke
From the Editor-in-Chief Major Mal Davies
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS Scripture quotations in Salvationist are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated
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A MESSAGE FROM THE TERRITORIAL LEADER FOR LEADER DEVELOPMENT
Feeling at home
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AST week, officers moved to their new appointments, and we’re still thinking about them as they try to make themselves feel at home in their new houses and flats. They’ll be unpacking and perhaps moving the furniture a little bit. If they have a family, well, it won’t take long for the children’s toys to be scattered everywhere. Thinking back to the many times we’ve moved, I wonder what it must have been like for the neighbours seeing the Cotterill family arrive: the removal truck doors open and suddenly a drum kit comes out, along with various musical instruments, goalposts and other sporting equipment. They must have wondered who The Salvation Army was sending to be their neighbours. Feeling at home is an important thing, and I’m very mindful that there are people today who haven’t got a home. People who, for whatever reason, live on the streets, people who are refugees and have nowhere to go. I’m also mindful of people whose homes are not the safe place that they would like them to be. I was thinking about Jesus’ life, and I was reminded of one of my favourite stories, particularly when I was young. I loved the story of when Jesus went to the home of Mary and Martha. In fact, there’s a very old song, which I was surprised to see is still in the Salvation Army songbook as number 1016. The first couple of lines say: ‘Home is home, however lowly,/ Home is sweet when love is there.’ The second verse says: ‘To a little home in Bethany,/ Jesus loved to wend his way.’ I imagine Jesus just being so tired some days of the pressures of life, kicking off his sandals and thinking: ‘At last, I can just relax.’ Relax away from the frustrations, insults and requests that were part of his ministry. But it wasn’t always restful in Mary and Martha’s home. There was a squabble, noted in Luke 10:38–42, which reads: ‘As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village 4
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where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”’ I can just picture Mary soaking in every word that Jesus said, and those words suddenly becoming very real and penetrating her heart. Home is where the heart is, and there are some lovely words spoken by Jesus in John’s Gospel: ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them’ (14:23). What a wonderful thing, that Jesus Christ would want to come and make his home within us. We have the opportunity to invite him into our hearts and lives. The challenge for us is that when he comes into our lives, he wants
to change some things. He may want to cleanse us. He may want to, if you like, move around the furniture. Perhaps, for some of us, he might need to do a total re-deck, but he never forces his way into our lives – it is an invitation that he gives, and it is for us to accept. I wonder where your spiritual home might be. Wherever you are, whether you are a Salvationist who has been coming to the Army for many years, whether you perhaps once worshipped regularly with us and you’ve recently been joining in again, or perhaps you’ve never really fully understood this thing about faith in Jesus, you are so welcome. Today you have the opportunity to listen to the voice of Jesus, because he longs to make his home within your heart and life. I cannot tell you what a difference it makes to know that great hope that we have when we are able to follow Jesus. A step of faith, yes, but an invitation from one who loves us and knows us so well. I’d like to conclude with an old Army song, number 311. It’s a prayer for us all today, whatever our need is, whatever our circumstances are, whether we’re a soldier, an employee or a volunteer: ‘Spirit divine, come as of old/ With healing in thy train;/ Come, as thou did’st, to sanctify;/ Let naught of sin remain.’ And here is the chorus: ‘Come, great Spirit, come,/ Make each heart thy home./ Enter every longing soul;/ Come, great Spirit, come.’ I encourage you to connect once again with a faith in Jesus Christ who loves you.
GILL COTTERILL COMMISSIONER TERRITORIAL LEADER FOR LEADER DEVELOPMENT O This
message is based on a video that can be viewed at facebook.com/ SalvationistOnline or youtube.com/ user/salvationarmyvideo
NEWS
EMERGENCY AID
NEWS IN BRIEF
Army helps families face coronavirus and cyclone impact SOLOMON ISLANDS THE Army has been working with community leaders and partners, as the community faces coronavirus restrictions in the wake of Cyclone Harold in April. Despite no recorded cases of Covid-19 on the Solomon Islands, the stringent disease control measures along with the aftermath of the cyclone is affecting many homes and livelihoods. The Army is working in the Burns Creek settlement in East Honiara to ensure food security and mitigate against a rise in crime. Coronavirus restrictions closed the market stalls around Honiara and community chiefs expressed ‘deep concern’ about access to food and the potential for destabilisation and illegal activities emerging from worries over how people were going to feed their families. The Army’s International Emergency Services team enabled a rapid response, with a total of 790 families across 16 communities supported. Supplies were purchased from local producers SolRice and SolTuna, who also donated
additional provisions, resulting in enough to feed the families for three weeks while they replanted their gardens. Starting in mid-June, the Army’s local emergency services personnel distributed the weekly allocations of food to each community affected, supported by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force National Crime Prevention Department (NCPD). After a donation from Christian organisation Obed Centre, approximately 3,500 cassava stems – a kind of sweet potato – were bought from local farmers to help replace crops that were lost in the April storm.
COMMUNITY
Helping at the hospice GUISBOROUGH CORPS officer Major Fiona Mugford has been using her skills as a registered nurse in her local hospice during the coronavirus pandemic. Major Fiona has been balancing leading the corps alongside her husband, Major Antony Mugford, with shifts at the hospice. ‘When I became a nurse, I never envisioned working through a pandemic,’ she said. ‘Our patients
‘The response was quite overwhelming,’ said District Officer Major Robert Evans, recalling a number of ‘very kind expressions of appreciation’ from community leaders. He added that the opportunity to work alongside the NCPD was a ‘blessing that built on the relationship we established with the [police] during the general election last year’. ‘This partnership had a real impact on those who normally see the police as the enemy in their law enforcement role,’ Major Robert explained. ‘Instead, they saw them working alongside a church in a community service role that genuinely cared for their well-being.’ – AR haven’t had as much social contact with us and only limited contact with their family, so there is much more time to sit and think and fear does take hold quicker. Phone and computer access help alleviate this, but it isn’t the same. ‘I have never been afraid to work at the hospice. I’ve never felt fearful of contracting the virus. I know I have a God who sustains me through all situations and will always be with me. My work colleagues know I’m an officer and we’ve been able to share, laugh together, question together and talk about faith when maybe they hadn’t thought about it before.’ – AR
LEAMINGTON SPA Warwick-based charity Evelyn’s Gift came to the aid of the Army’s Way Ahead Project so that it could continue supporting vulnerable people in the community. The food donation went towards lunch bags that are given to rough sleepers in temporary accommodation, as well as many of the project’s regular visitors. – AR TUNSTALL Corps officers Majors Elaine and Fred Eardley have been nominated in the Stoke Sentinel’s Our Heroes awards in the People First category for their work over the years, including picking up the pieces after the London bombings and helping in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. – AR
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NEWS
MEETING
BIRTHDAY
COMMUNITY
Virtual retreat explores choices and change
Time capsule captures life in lockdown
CWMBRAN
SCOTLAND
THE corps is always trying new ways to lead people to the saving grace of Jesus while supporting them on their journey of discipleship. At the end of June, even while under coronavirus lockdown, a virtual retreat aimed to transform lives, open minds and facilitate a closer communion between God and his people. I Choose: Stay At Home Retreat was a series of five sessions held over a weekend. It focused on the choices people make in life and how they can make better, more godly ones. Teaching was led by Matthew Dicken, Major David Williamson (Private Secretary to the General) and divisional mission enablers Majors Steve and Kim Wilson, under the direction of corps officers Majors Paula and Stuart Ashman. Chief of the Staff Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham also opened in prayer. The retreat helped people to stop, listen and think about their choices, including the ones they do not often think about that are not spiritually or mentally healthy. It stressed that, as Christians, it is never too late to make changes. The retreat videos were accompanied by a personal journey booklet and a bag of pick-me-up items such as tea, hot chocolate, breakfast bars and scented candles. – MD O The retreat video is available to watch at tiny.cc/saretreatopen O The retreat booklet is available to download from tiny.cc/ saretreatbookletcolour
SERVICE users of Salvation Army homelessness projects across the region are creating a time capsule that captures their emotions during lockdown. Photos, videos, pictures, poems and notes have been gathered over the past two months for the capsule. It will be buried once lockdown is over in the hope someone will find it in the future and look back on the experiences of those involved. Karen Good, project manager at Eva Burrows 1st Stop Project, Glasgow, said the idea came about as a way of enabling residents to feel part of a community and not shut off from the outside world. ‘Lockdown isn’t only about what’s happening now,’ she explained. ‘Many of the residents The Salvation Army supports have already gone through some sort of lockdown in their lives whether it’s been isolating from their family or their entire lives as a result of the challenges they have experienced. People have said that this experience makes them feel as though they are in the same position as everyone else, potentially for the first time.’ Resident Craig Park said: ‘I had been living by myself for two years and so coming here and having the lockdown has actually allowed me to feel part of a community and that’s something I would never have had.’ – AR
Major David Williamson 6
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Dorothy Davis from Sheffield Langsett Road celebrates her 100th birthday
EVENT DUNSTABLE With the children’s ministry celebration meetings unable to take place, prizes in the form of book tokens were sent to 32 children under the age of 13 to recognise their regular attendance at Sunday worship, Footsteps Club and Messy Church. Samual Baldock, Jacob Waddoups (both pictured) and Farouk Jawando, who would have been presented with their final YP prize, received socially distanced drive-by presentations from corps officer Major Lindsay Brevitt. – SB
OUTREACH
Bandstand permission granted STRAWBERRY FIELD LIVERPOOL council has given planning permission for the installation of a bandstand in the grounds of Strawberry Field. The iconic site, immortalised in the Beatles song ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, was operated by the Army as a children’s home for almost 70 years. The site, which is now home to a café, shop, exhibition and gardens, helps fund the Steps to Work programme. Mission Director at Strawberry Field Major Kathleen Versfeld, said: ‘We are thrilled to have received the go-ahead for the bandstand. We are looking forward to celebrity performances, performances by our Steps to Work students and, of course, by Salvation Army bands. We want the bandstand to bring great joy to our community as well as to our visitors from around the world.’ – AR
FUNDRAISING Shoeburyness corps officer Captain Rob Davis accepts toiletries and other donated items from community champion Lorraine Coman at Asda
FUNDRAISING
Prayer DIVISIONAL PRAYER FOCUS (IRELAND) Captain Annmarie Cole (corps officer and Divisional Prayer Co–ordinator)
SATURDAY 1 AUGUST – MATTHEW 19:14 Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me.’ Children’s ministry takes place through toddler groups, Babysong, Sunday schools, children’s clubs, half–term activities, young people’s band, singing groups, junior camp, and through the five family centres in the division. Lord, we pray for children and their leaders; may there be laughter and learning. Amen. SUNDAY 2 AUGUST – PSALM 55:22 A recent intergenerational partnership was established between the only care home in the division, Sir Samuel Kelly, and the Thorndale playgroup. Pray for the relationships that are being formed, that these times will be a blessing to all involved, young and elderly!
ALDERSHOT Thirty-six soldiers from Aldershot Garrison in Hampshire ran almost 2,500 miles in May to raise more than £2,500 for The Salvation Army’s Covid-19 relief work. They each took on the challenge to run 61.5 miles in seven days or less. One completed the challenge in just a day. ‘We chose The Salvation Army because of the amazing support you’re offering people throughout the lockdown,’ said Private Conor Wolohan. – AR
ARMY NEWS
Army welcomes pledge to double work coaches UK THE Salvation Army has welcomed the government’s pledge to double the number of work coaches in jobcentres and offer more support for under-25s. However, it warns that vulnerable jobseekers, such as those who lack computer skills or have mental health problems, could be locked out of the job market for years. The Army is calling for funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to address the problem. The scheme is the government’s post-Brexit replacement for EU funding that supported the most deprived communities in the UK. Without specialist support to help those facing long-term unemployment, entire communities could be locked in a cycle of unemployment for generations. When the furlough scheme ends, the expected surge in jobseekers will push the more vulnerable even further towards the back of the queue. ‘Doubling the number of jobcentre work coaches is a big step in the right direction,’ said Director of Employment Plus Rebecca Keating (THQ). ‘The government must take urgent action to ensure economic recovery and support reaches everyone,’ she added. – AR Is your corps adapting to the coronavirus crisis through innovative ministry opportunities? Salvationist wants to hear from you. Send your news to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk. Good quality pictures will be included.
MONDAY 3 AUGUST – ISAIAH 40:29–31 Each month all–age worship happens at different corps under the banner of ‘Ignite’. The worship is led by young people. Pray for the youth of the division, that they would continue to grow in their faith and would have encouraging people around them, using their gifts as God calls them. TUESDAY 4 AUGUST – 1 PETER 4:8 AND 9 Hospitality is a key theme in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. There is always a cup of tea and a bun available! Lord, bless every conversation shared, whether it’s things to celebrate, sadness, fears, hopes and dreams. Bless the silence when nothing is said. We pray for those who are lonely. Amen. WEDNESDAY 5 AUGUST – COLOSSIANS 3:15 Pray for all the corps in the division: Ballymena, Ballymoney, Bangor, Belfast Citadel, Belfast North, Belfast Sydenham, Belfast Temple, Dublin City, Dublin South, Dundonald, Enniskillen, Larne, Limavady, Londonderry, Lurgan, Newry, Newtownards, Portadown and the new expression in Limerick. Pray as they seek to find out what God is calling them to. Pray for the communities in which they are placed as they seek to serve them. THURSDAY 6 AUGUST Pray for the Lifehouses and night shelters and for all those who find themselves in difficult circumstances and with daily challenges. ‘Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it’ (Proverbs 3:27 Good News Bible). FRIDAY 7 AUGUST – PSALM 96:11 AND 12 The division is blessed with stunning landscapes and beautiful coastline. Some of the tourist hotspots include the Cliffs of Moher and Giant’s Causeway. Lord, we thank you for the beauty of your creation for us to enjoy. May we honour it as we are entrusted with its care. Amen.
O A PDF of the Prayer Matters booklet is also available to download from salvationarmy.org.uk/resources Salvationist Salvationist Date 18 Month July 2020 Year
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FEATURE My coronavirus story
Maximising potential Secretary for Programme Lieut-Colonel Alberth Sarimin (Indonesia Territory) tells Jo Clark (IHQ) how Covid-19 has affected education
T
HE country of Indonesia is made up of many islands. We have huge cities but also remote village communities, and the experience of the Covid-19 pandemic has been completely different in these diverse locations. I am based in the city of Bandung, where I live with my wife and three children, and work at our territorial headquarters. Life in lockdown, has meant adjusting to a new routine and way of being: staying at and working from home, and just going outside once or twice per week to buy things and see what is happening. Our eldest son is 18 years old and recently graduated from senior high school, having taken his final exams online. This is the way that schooling has gone in the cities, where most people own or can borrow or rent a
computer or phone and have internet access. Our younger children are in ninth and fourth grades and have also been studying from home. These days have been particularly busy for my wife, who has been giving a lot of support to our daughter (our youngest) to use the internet properly so she can access her schoolwork. At the same time she has been managing her work and cooking for the whole family! While online learning has been a blessing for our family, as parents we
Lieut-Colonel Alberth delivers an online lecture
have also had to keep a more careful watch on how our children are using the internet and what searches they might be doing. Some evenings we will spend time looking at their search histories from that day so that we can give age-appropriate advice and direction to them. Although I am now sometimes able to work in the office three or four days per week, the majority of my work is done online, and Microsoft Teams and Zoom have become my regular meeting platforms. In my role as programme secretary, I have regular conversations with divisional leaders and the heads of our territory’s education institutions. In all these conversations, what I have come to realise is the uneven effect that the coronavirus pandemic has had throughout our country and the different responses that have resulted.
‘
What I have come to realise is the uneven effect the pandemic has had throughout our country 8
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’
Take, for example, our schools. As a territory we have more than 100 schools, most of them located in remote areas. When the lockdown first happened, all schools were shut. While city-based schools switched quite quickly to putting study materials online or sending them out via email and WhatsApp, this was not possible in remote village areas where families rarely have an internet connection or the technology needed to work with the materials. I am thankful that our government has taken good initiative with regards to education and has been releasing educational programmes and resources via television. This has been important since it has made a base level of learning accessible to children in most communities. As the pandemic has progressed, schools that are located in low-risk areas, or ‘green zones’ (mostly the more remote rural areas), have also had more flexibility in the contact they have been able to have with pupils. People in ‘green zones’ have been able to move around more freely than in the higher-risk ‘red zones’, and this has enabled teachers to physically distribute study materials to pupils. More recently, the government has announced that schools in the ‘green zones’ can take steps towards reopening, although studies for schools in other areas will remain online. This has enabled some of our smallest village schools to restart face-to-face contact and offer learning support to their students. With the Covid-19 infection rate still high – and increasing in several areas – the situation facing our schools will likely continue to remain a mixed picture in the weeks to come. Balancing public health and safety
against economic vulnerability continues to be a dilemma for all in decision-making positions. Throughout the pandemic lockdown, the economic situation of our teachers and their families has been supported. Those teachers in our schools who are government salaried have continued to receive their allowances and the community-based teachers in our schools in remote, rural areas have continued to receive some regular allowance subsidy support from THQ. In areas where allowances are paid largely from school-fee collection, the authorities have allowed schools some flexibility in the use of their governmentprovided operational grant, so a greater portion can be used to support staff salaries. My overall reflection is that this pandemic provides us with the impetus and opportunity to find innovative and new ways for our mission and our education ministry. We are thinking more about sharing ministry materials online – including those targeted for children and young people – we are maximising the potential of online registration for some of our schools
‘
Schools in lowrisk areas have been able to restart face-to-face contact and offer learning support
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and we are focusing more on improving our communications via social media and increasing our visibility. In higher education establishments we are making greater use of online teaching and lectures. The realities of working from home – not having to travel to a central location for teaching – have enabled us to be more flexible with our time, working out times for lectures and study with our students that better suit the patterns of their daily lives. This enables us all to manage our many responsibilities better. Today, for example, I will give an evening lecture to students from our theological school in Palu, Central Sulawesi, from my home, so they can make the most of the opportunity of living within what is currently a ‘green zone’ and go about their other daytime duties. Of course, this also throws up the hard reality of the inconsistencies and inequalities in information technology resource, capacity and opportunity across the different areas of our territory. Redressing imbalances such as these will continue to be one of our greatest challenges as we try to move forward.
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FEATURE I Lieut-Colonel Norman Bearcroft
Home and abroad In the first of two articles, Major John Mott recalls the life and service of Lieut-Colonel Norman Bearcroft, who was promoted to Glory in June
N
ORMAN was the youngest of four children. His parents were Salvation Army officers, stationed at Wallsend when he was born. After many moves the family arrived in Southall, where he played soprano cornet and then cornet. He volunteered for military service and joined the Band of the Life Guards, playing French horn, and was also a state trumpeter. There was a girl at the corps who caught his eye. She was in the Life Norman and Jill
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Saving Guards and Norman peeped into the hall on one occasion to watch them drilling. They were marching, and when the command was given to turn right, Jill turned left – and Norman said to himself, ‘That’s the girl for me!’ They were married with Norman wearing his band festival tunic. Both Norman and Jill were called to officership, and the words that spoke to Norman most about his commitment were: ‘Follow thou me, he calls again,/ And I will make you fishers of men’ (SASB 637). He subsequently arranged this song to great effect for male voices. They entered the training college in 1950, and Norman was surprised not to be appointed to the cadets band. When they marched to Camberwell for their weekly meeting, he held the lamp so they could see the music. Later he was allowed to play cornet. This, he was told, was a lesson in humility. The cadets were sent out to influence people with the gospel, so Norman and a Danish cadet, Chris Jergensen, suggested they would do this by boarding a bus. Norman, in uniform, sat upstairs at the front and Chris, in civvies, called out to him, asking about the Army and his faith. This continued for some time, with fellow passengers overhearing it. As Chris grew more and more enthusiastic the conductor asked Norman, ‘Is this man annoying you, sir?’ Norman replied that he was, so Chris was put off the bus for disturbing the peace!
Norman and Jill were commissioned in 1951, Norman having written the music for their sessional song, and they were posted to Alderney. Further corps appointments followed, including Fordingbridge, Gosport, Camberwell, Maltby, Waltham Abbey and Twickenham. People at Gosport still talk about the effect the Bearcrofts had on the corps and surrounding district, and the revival that took place during their stay. Norman was appointed as National Bandmaster in 1960. This gave him the opportunity to engage with Salvationist musicians around the country, travelling to corps and divisions for training sessions and councils. He also helped organise the annual festival in June each year at the Royal Albert Hall. On his travels, Norman was hosted in many different houses. On one occasion, after he had led a corps band practice, there appeared to be no accommodation arranged for him, so the corps officer said she would find somewhere. They arrived at a small terraced house, and on entering Norman saw a group of men, smoking and grouped around a TV. ‘Would you like some supper?’ his host asked. Sensing something was amiss, Norman replied, ‘No thanks, I think I will go straight to bed.’ ‘All right, just wait a few moments,’ she said. As he waited, a man came downstairs rubbing his eyes and yawning. ‘It’s OK now,’ she said, and arriving in the bedroom Norman found the bed was still warm.
Canadian Staff Band
Norman was in this role for eight years, and was the longest holder of the office. He gained wide experience, not only musical development – including composing many pieces for bands and songsters – but also of the sometimes intricate dealings of the administration of the Army. It was the Army’s centenary in 1965, and there were celebrations in London and other parts of the country. It was Norman’s task to provide music and musicians for many of them. In 1969 Norman was appointed to Canada. One priority of the territorial commander was to revive the Canadian Staff Band, and in Major Norman Bearcroft he found a willing and capable ally. There had been a Canadian Staff Band before, formed in 1907. They had been invited to the International Congress in 1914, but after their ship, the Empress of Ireland, left the St Lawrence estuary bound for Liverpool, it collided with a Norwegian collier in fog at two o’clock the next morning. It sank in 14 minutes and only ten bandsmen survived. Norman was aware of this sad history and remained sensitive of the memories of those families who were still in Canada some 62 years later. It was not easy to re-form the band, and there was some opposition to the idea, but with typical Bearcroft determination he hand-picked the founding ensemble from the Toronto area.
During this period Norman produced Songs Of Faith, a new congregational songbook. He also organised the territory’s first Festival of Gospel Song in Toronto’s Massey Hall, with a 500-voice choir, the Canadian Staff Band and soloists. This event became an annual occasion. The staff band travelled extensively around that vast nation, with monthly visits to corps, and provided music at territorial events. They came to Britain in 1974 and played much of the music that Norman had written while in Canada, including ‘The Sound Of Britain’, ‘Golden Slippers’ and ‘The Word Of Grace’. In Canada, Norman, Jill and their three boys soldiered at Toronto Temple. For the 85th corps anniversary Norman wrote the great march ‘Temple 85’. But their stay there was almost at an end, as Norman had been appointed National Secretary for Bands and Songster Brigades in the British Territory. And so, in 1976, they returned to London. O Next
issue: ‘The man and the
music’ MAJOR MOTT LIVES IN RETIREMENT IN SOHAM
An excerpt from Norman’s Musician column, ‘On tour with the National Bandmaster’, 23 April 1966 Salvationist 1 August 2020
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FEATURE I Salvation Army Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Striking a different note Andrew Mackereth tells Simon Hope about the joys of being part of The Salvation Army’s wind band family
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VER the years, The Salvation Army has become well known as a brass band movement, a fact that has led many to overlook a history of musical diversity. While the Army did eventually settle on brass band instrumentation, some bands have included a range of instruments. Notable examples have included Chalk Farm’s famous saxophone section, which featured on many band programmes in the 1920s and 1930s, and, active today, the Salvation Army Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Saswe). Formed by Salvationist woodwind instrumentalists who wanted to perform in an Army environment, the ensemble has performed regularly over the past 26 years, giving glory to God with a less familiar, but just as powerful, musical palette. ‘Corps are always amazed and dazzled by the range and colour of a wind band,’ enthuses Saswe’s musical director, Andrew Mackereth. ‘That’s not to decry anything that a brass band does, but there are so many sounds you can get from a wind band that many Army congregation members are not used to. Even when they hear a piece that they might be familiar with, hearing it from a wind band can give it a whole new life.’ The idea of a Salvation Army wind band was first discussed by Saswe founders John Davie and Alan Laken when they met at the American School in London in 1993. Today, members attend from 52
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corps spread out across the territory, from Ashington to Worthing, as well as members from other Christian denominations. The ensemble’s current repertoire comprises original works, including pieces written by Andrew, Alan and Michael Babb. While Alan was sadly promoted to Glory in 2002, his music lives on as a reminder of his powerful contribution. Like any group that’s been together for a long time, part of what makes Saswe so successful is a strong sense of family. ‘Quite a few of our members have gone through extremely difficult circumstances, and it affects us all in a family way,’ explains Andrew. ‘We tragically lost Alan. He was key to our ministry because, as well as being principal flute, he was one of our main writers for the band. But more than that, he was a great source of encouragement to me and other members. ‘We’ve had some real joys as well, such as when band members have had babies, which gives us what we call #SasweGenerations. For example, my daughter, who used to sit in the band on a primary chair at the age of four, is now a playing member. At a recent concert, another one of our Saswe babies joined in to play on her French horn. It’s lovely because we’ve got husband-and-wife teams, fathers and daughters, and fathers and sons. We foster a strong sense of community, sharing in each other’s joys and praying for each other through the lows.’
The ensemble performing before the coronavirus lockdown Because of the dispersed nature of members, the ensemble can typically only rehearse for three hours on the day of a concert, which has been the case since the group’s first meeting in October 1994. Many of the Saswe musicians have important roles in their own corps, including bandmasters, songster leaders, pianists and members of the band. Andrew commends them for their commitment not only to the ensemble but also to their corps bands: ‘Our members are very dedicated to the band, but they’re also extremely dedicated to music-making in their own corps, usually on a completely different instrument! ‘In fact, a lot of our membership has been consistent over our 26 years. One of our strengths has been that, because we’ve worked together for such a long time, people just get it. They know what it’s about. They know what will be expected of them on performance day. And it’s not only about the performance but also about taking part with a prayer or testimony or Bible reading. ‘We deliberately make sure that we engage with our audience before, during and after concerts. There’s always a break in our programme for the band to go and mingle. Often it’s family members or friends that they’ve invited along, but it’s about making sure that nobody who’s come along on the off-chance leaves without being spoken to.’ The ensemble also works hard to engage the audience through its music,
with an intentional emphasis on worship over performance. ‘We’re overtly evangelical,’ says Andrew. ‘It’s worship first, music second. But I think that could be the mission statement of any Salvation Army band!’ This mission-focused approach can
make them as explicit as possible. ‘We’ve been really blessed by the opportunities that The Salvation Army has given us to participate in worship and we’re hopeful that we have the interest and dedication from members to be able to keep going.’
clearly be seen in the way the band makes its concerts accessible to everyone in the audience, whether they are longstanding corps members or curious passers-by who have stepped in from the street. The meaning and context of the music presented are made overtly clear, with slideshows and other tools used to amplify the lyrics of songs. ‘We’ve often had curious military musicians come along,’ Andrew explains. ‘A lot of people don’t come to the Army for any other reason than special events. They often won’t have associations with the Scripture verses or words from the songbook so we try to
Like musicians the world over, the ensemble is currently unable to rehearse or perform in person because of the coronavirus pandemic. But that did not stop members from recording their parts individually (pictured) to present a digital concert in place of a recent scheduled visit to Morley – a video excerpt can be found on the ensemble’s Facebook page. Even in the face of lockdown and isolation, this woodwind family remains committed to glorifying God in music. O Visit saswe.com to learn more, book the ensemble for an engagement or find out how you can take part
Salvationist 1 August 2020
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FROM THE
ARCHIVE
SOUL-SAVING MUSIC? Music has its own language, says Lieut-Colonel Maurice Cooper
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OR some 80 years I have heard the call for more ‘soul-saving music’ – but what is really meant by this term? As a corps and headquarters officer with service as a corps bandmaster, divisional youth bandmaster, member of the International Staff Band, director of many music schools and, more recently, as bandmaster of the Amsterdam Staff Band, I have found music to be a powerful medium in worship. In planning programmes, I have always included music that I felt had a strong spiritual content. Music with associated words provided that medium, but what did this music have to say to anyone who did not know the words? Recently on the TV programme University Challenge a team was asked to identify three well-known hymns, including ‘Abide With Me’. The contestants could not name one song. I asked myself what message our Army music would hold for them. This could be repeated numerous times as the larger percentage of our population have little or no church background. How many of our own young people know the words associated with the band selection, ‘Constant Trust’? Indeed, we sing heartily ‘There is power, power, wonder-working power’ – however, when I was in the Armed Forces this tune was used with words that certainly wouldn’t find a place in any hymnology! Today there is a lot of music played and sung in band and songster programmes that has not 14
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been published by The Salvation Army. Is there a soul-saving element in such music? Eric Ball’s ‘Resurgam’ – a moving piece of music – was written for a band contest in Manchester. There are no Salvation Army words for it, but after the ISB played this in the Royal Albert Hall there was a deafening silence. It was a deeply spiritual experience – a contest piece with no words, yet the message of the music was powerful and moving. Classical arrangements are included in many of our programmes. Is there any spiritual message in ‘Melodies Of Dvorák’ or ‘Themes From The Italian Symphony’? Tchaikovsky wrote some wonderful
‘‘
IT WAS A DEEPLY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE – A CONTEST PIECE WITH NO WORDS
’’
music that finds a place in our programmes. Ray Steadman-Allen’s ‘Lord Of The Sea’ is one of my favourite Salvation Army pieces but it was only after the piece was written that Miriam Richards added words. What about Salvation Army music used in countries where English is not the native language? How can
our music be heard and interpreted there? I have always stressed that music transcends hearts and minds because it has its own language. For example, at Bromley Temple we often sing the chorus, ‘I’m In His Hands’; however, in the Netherlands there is not an easy translation of these words to fit the music metre. ‘Ik ben in zijn handen’ will not fit, so the words used are ‘he is nearby’ – which changes the entire emphasis of the chorus. I encourage all Salvationist musicians to continue to embrace their important ministry and to share the good news of the gospel because people need Christ. Please continue to sing and play music and pray that it will have some spiritual impact. This is what I did in Holland and I prayed that the Bible message or testimony included in the programme would have the desired effect. All music has a message and, if pressed to name a piece of music that moves me, I would choose Verdi’s ‘Requiem’. What type of music do you embrace and how does music aid your worship experience? May God continue to bless and use his Army for his glory!
LIEUT-COLONEL COOPER WORSHIPS AT BROMLEY TEMPLE O This article was first published in the 18 April 2015 Salvationist
MORE REAR-M MIR RRO OR Emma Booth-Tucker
THE ONLY FATALITY General John Larsson (Retired) shares fascinating glimpses of the early Army
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ILLIAM and Catherine Booth were blessed as parents in never having to stand by a graveside to bury one of their children – a frequent, sad experience for Victorian parents. In fact, all of the Booths’ children outlived them, except for one: Emma, who died in 1903 under tragic circumstances at the age of 43. With her husband, Commissioner Frederick Booth-Tucker, Emma was joint National Commander of the Army in the USA. In October 1903 they set out from New York for a tour of Missouri and Illinois. As they waved goodbye to their six children, the youngest of them, Muriel, being only five months old, neither they nor Emma knew they would not see each other again. The parents were to conduct separate campaigns and then meet up in Chicago. Emma was her usual poised and happy self when she arrived in St Louis, and even found time between engagements to buy a pair of red shoes for baby Muriel. At the end of her stay there she boarded a train headed for Chicago, accompanied by Colonel Thomas Holland, a senior staff officer. Due to a change of scheduling the train she boarded was not the one originally planned. On the evening of Wednesday 28 October, Emma discussed business with Colonel Thomas in the empty tourist coach at the front of the train. They concluded the conference just as the train was approaching Dean Lake station, Missouri, and stood up to head for their sleeping berths at the rear of the train. The engine and
baggage car safely passed the switch, but the front passenger coach, in which Emma and the colonel were the only passengers, hit it and was flung against a large steel tank near the track. The car was totally wrecked and the two passengers were completely buried in debris. A number of passengers in the next coach were injured, while those in the rear coaches, although shaken, were unhurt. Rescuers laid Colonel Thomas unconscious by the railroad track. A few moments later Emma was released from the wreck. She was unconscious too, and it was clear that she had suffered two life-threatening blows to her head, one of which had fractured her skull. She lingered for two and a quarter hours and then died. The colonel, although severely injured, survived. The only passenger who died in the accident was Emma. Unaware of what had happened, Frederick reached Pennsylvania Railroad’s depot in Chicago to meet Emma’s train the next morning. He was met by the officers in charge of the work in Chicago who hurried him back to headquarters. There they broke the news of the accident and shared with him that Emma ‘had passed to her heavenly reward’. Adding to the emotion of the moment, they brought him the two tiny red shoes that she had bought for baby Muriel. Frederick was devastated. ‘The blow fell on me with crushing force,’ he later wrote. ‘For hours I lay upon the office floor in an agony of grief.’ Emma’s death traumatised their children, and indeed the whole Army
family. It was so unexpected, and the fact that she was the only fatality in the accident added to the sense of shock. How could God allow this to happen? The tragedy seemed to touch a chord in the heart of the nation. Hundreds of messages poured in to Frederick – from Salvationists in the USA and around the world, from leading American citizens and from many others who had no connection with the Army. In London, William Booth confided his grief and confusion to his diary: ‘I am, I suppose, like unto some military general who has suddenly been deprived of some valiant leader, not in a fair fight, but by some ambush, or in some midnight fray. Had only a poor night… the moment I wake this sorrow rushes in on me… and I continue in a more or less stunned condition.’ Frederick Booth-Tucker conducted the three funeral services that were held for Emma – one in Chicago and two in New York. The high emotional point came in a private service for Salvationists in national headquarters’ Memorial Halls. Frederick came down from the platform and, placing his hand on Emma’s open coffin, sang Ruth Tracey’s words, now more poignant than ever: All in my heart, Lord, thou canst read; Master, thou knowest I love thee indeed. Ask what thou wilt my devotion to test, I will surrender the dearest and best. (SASB 607) Salvationist 1 August 2020
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BIBLE STUDY
Simon makes his confession of faith Major Catherine Smith reflects on the impact of a new name
MATTHEW 16:13–28
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N Matthew’s Gospel, the emphasis is always on building a community of disciples. In our study passage, Jesus and his disciples are approaching Caesarea Philippi – a city built on a huge rock, where people worshipped other gods and engaged in pagan practices. It had Caesar’s own name in its title. There, they worshipped the god Pan. He was associated with fear, panic and fertility. Matthew’s Jewish readers would have reacted with revulsion towards this place. God’s community was to have a different identity. Jesus names Simon – Peter. Traditionally, this has been interpreted as meaning ‘the rock’. It is God’s strength through Simon Peter that makes him the ideal candidate for this repurposing. He continues to be a headstrong, impulsive character yet Jesus gives him this new name to
Through the week with Salvationist – a devotional thought for each day by Major Howard Webber
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remind him to be rooted and established to give foundations to God’s new community. QUESTIONS passage begins with Jesus asking how people identify him. Do you know what people around you think of Jesus? O What do they say about him? O The
The disciples’ answers point to those who have come before Jesus. This reminds us of the importance of those who have accompanied us on our faith journey and the impact they have on who we are now. QUESTION steps are you following?
O Whose
Jesus doesn’t comment on the disciples’ responses but asks a more personal question: ‘Who do you say I am?’ (v15). Simon, who is always quick
to respond, gives an impressive answer: ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’ (v16). It is a political and theological answer. Jesus was a Jewish citizen in the Roman Empire. He lived in a particular context. Simon points out that Jesus is the anointed one. Perhaps, in doing so, he is expressing the Jewish expectation of a new political leader. Jesus had been teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven. Life in this Kingdom would be so different from the conditions under which they were currently living. In renaming Simon as Peter, Jesus indicates an identity that is simultaneously exciting and terrifying. It is an identity that is initiated in Heaven and lived out on Earth. It is a vision of God’s community that, through the Church being in sync with Heaven and unlocking God’s plans, will have a world-changing impact.
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
‘But what about you?’ he asked, ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ (Matthew 16:15 and 16)
When you asked the simple question,/ ‘Who do men say I am?’/ So many answers surfaced in my mind:/ They say you are a good man,/ A prophet, one who saves;/ Then you asked, ‘Who do you say I am?’ (SASB 280)
‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.’ Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’ ( John 1:48 and 49)
It must have been mind-blowing for Simon that Jesus was telling him that he would be instrumental in building the Church: ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in Heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it’ (vv17 and 18). Simon Peter still needs to process this life-changing identity. QUESTIONS O How do you relate to Jesus? (Notice the words you use and the feelings that are evoked as you reflect on your relationship with God.) O How do you see God’s Kingdom lived out? O When different powers challenge the ways of God how does your church community respond?
Jesus goes on to explain how, in the coming days, he will suffer and die. Simon Peter can’t accept this. Jesus rebukes him for thinking of human ways rather than seeking God’s heart: ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ (v23). God’s purposes are accomplished by God’s ways. Jesus teaches his disciples that obedience to God involves a life of self-denial, sacrifice and hope. To understand ourselves, we need to seek God’s ways, live in his strength and guard against distractions from Satan. Simon Peter’s example reminds us that this is an ongoing process. Following Jesus helps us live out the best version of ourselves. QUESTIONS O Think about when you have wanted to shield someone from a difficult time. How have you known God’s ways through?
O How
has the church community been important during such times? As you continue to reflect on Simon’s life, think about how it helped him to know that Jesus named him Peter – the rock. Is there a natural element with which you identify? Spend some time with it. Ask God to reveal something more of his thoughts about you, his Church and his Kingdom. In this way, he might show you some keys with which to unlock Heaven on Earth.
MAJOR SMITH IS A PRACTITIONER TUTOR AT WILLIAM BOOTH COLLEGE AND ASSOCIATE OFFICER, CAMBERWELL
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
King of kings, majesty,/ God of Heaven living in me./ Gentle Saviour, closest friend,/ Strong Deliverer, beginning and end:/ All within me falls at your throne./ Your majesty, I can but bow;/ I lay my all before you now./ In royal robes I don’t deserve,/ I live to serve your majesty. (SASB 376)
The woman said, ‘I know that Messiah’ (called Christ) ‘is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’ Then Jesus declared, ‘I, the one speaking to you – I am he.’ ( John 4:25 and 26)
I know thee who thou art,/ And what thy healing name;/ For when my fainting heart/ The burden nigh o’ercame,/ I saw thy footprints on my road/ Where lately passed the Son of God. (SASB 79)
Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.’ ( John 6:68 and 69)
Prayer Lord Jesus, I know you are my Saviour and you know I love you; I want to know you more and to love you with a greater love, a reflection of your love for me. Help me, Lord.
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REFL RE FLEC FL ECTI EC TION TI ON REFLECTION
REVIEW
Lives that inspire Major Martin Hill reviews Franciscan Footprints: Following Christ In The Ways Of Francis And Clare by Helen Julian CSF
Brian Colley (Clowne) concludes his first series of reflections on verses from Psalms Let everything that has breath praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6)
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AINT Francis and his spiritual companion, Saint Clare, have given more than 800 years of inspiration to Christians of all ages and backgrounds who yearn for pure and unadulterated devotion to Christ. In Franciscan Footprints, Helen Julian reminds us that ‘Francis and Clare set examples of community life, of a deep spiritual life, of care for others in their need and for creation, of pastoral care, of preaching the word and taking it to places where it had not been heard, of simply living in the mundane reality of life and of being willing to lay down their lives even unto death.’ St Francis’s own story is one of transformation from seeking pleasure to embracing poverty, the poor, prayer, liturgy and lepers. Franciscan Footprints contains brief biographies of individual lives shaped by Francis, Clare and the Franciscan ideal. Their stories prove that a passionate desire to follow Christ can be deeply attractive. They include thinkers, writers, mystics, carers, campaigners, martyrs, missionaries, preachers and pastors. Be inspired by Giles, a farm labourer and early companion of Francis, who was also a perceptive pastor, or by Duns Scotus, the eminent 13th-century theologian and philosopher. Admire Ramon Llull, who believed in converting Muslims through prayer, not crusade, and promoted dialogue between Abrahamic faiths. Meet royalty like Elizabeth of Hungary and orphans like Angela Merici. Read about Rosina Rice, a ‘slum sister’ 18
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In praise of poets
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in London from the late 19th century, or Jack Winslow and Algy Robertson, who in the 20th century developed a Christian ashram in India. Discover John Bradburne, who served lepers in Zimbabwe, Sister Ruth and Colin Wilfred, who served HIV/Aids sufferers in the USA and UK respectively. Reflect on the thoughts of contemporary teacher and writer Richard Rohr, who combines spirituality, social justice, action and contemplation. Helen highlights unsung heroes, as well as acknowledging some well-known names. We see the footprints of men and women who rarely make the footnotes. It means there is every likelihood that somewhere in the pages of this book you will meet someone to relate to or even emulate. It proves ‘how many different ways there are to please God’. O Franciscan Footprints is available brfonline.org.uk priced £8.99 (plus postage and packing) or as an ebook from amazon.co.uk
HE book of Psalms appropriately ends with a call for every living creature to praise God. The psalmists wrote from personal experience about what they had suffered, what they had seen, what they knew, what God had done for them and what God wanted them to say to his people – in that generation and those to come. These writers were not the last poets to write in such a way – many more since have written beautiful, inspired words. The writer of the book of Revelation is one of them. In a vision Christ said to him: ‘Write, therefore, what you have seen’ (1:19). Catherine Baird, a 20th-century Salvation Army poet, was led to pen a verse on that instruction. In this we can see that inspiration can breed inspiration, and so God-inspired words are given to every generation. When strong men lie divested of their power, When youth is robbed of beauty’s early flower, When silver tones like echoes slowly die, And useless riches all corroded lie Thy work shall teach the beauty of his will When thine own heart is cold and thy lips still; For unto thee, most honoured among men, As to another one, he gave – a pen; His hidden secrets halo in new light, To thee he whispers, then he bids thee: ‘Write’. Praise the Lord for psalmists ancient and modern.
Thinkalou d b y John Coutts
Time to adapt measures In the second of two articles John Coutts examines the Army’s structure and makes ‘a modest proposal’
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ID our Lord give his followers any instructions about organising his Church? Did he prescribe government by bishops or appoint Peter to be the first Pope? As I mentioned in last week’s article, Catherine Booth argued that Jesus set his followers free to adopt whatever system suited the needs of the day. And so, as The Christian Mission was transformed into The Salvation Army, her husband William became ‘General Booth’ at the head of an autocratic, military-like structure. This was modified in 1904 by the proposal of a High Council of senior officers – which first met in 1929 – to elect successive Generals. This top-down structure has advantages. Through control of the Army’s press, divisive issues can be kept under wraps. In the past, such hot topics have included the nature of biblical inspiration, apartheid and nuclear disarmament. Thank God that difficult questions of human sexuality – once almost taboo – are now more freely and thoughtfully discussed. Until recently Salvationists, whatever their views, have been expected to march on together – unless they vote with their feet and leave. A WISH LIST OF CHANGES Of course, a soldier could always write to the General about personal concerns, and a reply would certainly come. Our Army has adapted, but the pace of change has been painfully slow. Here, in rising order of importance, are a few examples of questions that have mattered to me over years gone by. (Readers may rightly point out that all of these have now been addressed.) Can’t we revise the soldier’s covenant, keeping the great truths, but removing the obsolete, long-winded language? Why am I still expected to wear a stand-up
uniform collar when the military and police adopted open-neck tunics years ago? Why aren’t married women officers eligible for separate appointments? Why do we still follow a social custom that required women to give up independent work upon marriage, which went out of wider society during the Second World War? Why should spouses – usually women – lose their commission if their officer-spouse resigns? Why is it compulsory for Salvation Army officers to marry officers? We seem to have adopted this practice from the Bible Christians – a 19th-century Methodist group, whose male and female local preachers were ‘connexionally advised to marry’. Advised, not compelled. CHANGE IS ON THE WAY – BUT SLOWLY Instead of writing to the General, I can now make representations to the Territorial Advisory Council (TAC), the workings of which were explored and explained by the Editor of Salvationist in the 15 February issue. Members of TAC, which meets twice yearly, are nominated by divisional commanders and selected by a steering group so as to maintain a balance of age and ethnicity. In the Salvationist article Stuart Bate, the chair, said that TAC is ‘a useful sounding board for territorial leadership to get a lay perspective on any initiative or any issue’. Recently, for example, members discussed support for refugees and asylum seekers, as well as the Army’s approach to community engagement. Stuart said he would like to see ‘more input from people involved in corps life’ because we ‘need to be better’ in our ‘upward communication’ and ‘we need to increase engagement and understanding’.
A MODEST PROPOSAL So far, so good, but we also learnt that TAC’s work ‘remains a mystery to many Salvationists’. For ‘many’ I would read ‘most’ and suggest that communication from below will not improve as long as membership of TAC is nominated from above. So here, from below – and in the spirit of Catherine Booth – is my modest proposal for a modern adaptation of measures: The Territorial Advisory Council becomes the Territorial Representative Council (TRC), elected on the basis of one Salvationist, one vote. (I would give the vote to adherent members as well.) The TRC remains advisory, not executive, but its recommendations – along with the Territorial Commander’s responses – are minuted and made available to the rank and file. One member per division is elected by secret ballot conducted at corps level, after candidates have circulated a brief statement about themselves and their interests. Should there be a landslide in favour, for example, of revolutionary young activists – if only we had more of them – then the Territorial Commander would have power to nominate a limited number of additional members to address age, gender or ethnic imbalances. Let’s be clear: constitutional change on its own will never bring spiritual renewal. But I believe that a more democratic and open Salvation Army, bridging the gap between so-called ‘lay’ people and leadership would enable us to respond more swiftly to the wind of the Holy Spirit, instead of drifting slowly with the tide of secular opinion.
JOHN IS A SOLDIER AT STIRLING Salvationist 1 August 2020
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Poet’s corner Global inequality
REFL RE FLEC FL ECTI EC TION N REFLECTION
Trophies of grace by Major Karen Sandford (Harlow)
VIRTUAL V IRTUAL C HANNEL S WIM CHANNEL SWIM
Karen K aren Sandford Sandford They shout, they scream it out, but no one seems to listen to their cries, their pain, their longing. They want to be heard, they want to belong, they want equality! They are marginalised by colour, culture, bigotry, discrimination, social injustice, mis-guided opinion. They are tired and weary, their hope for a better world fast fades into obscurity. What they need is a voice a thousand strong, to champion their cause, to stand alongside them, to speak out and be the difference. Together change will come, hope can reignite, inequality be defeated! God sees it so differently. He looks at everyone through gracious eyes and compels us to do the same. They are still shouting, still screaming out for their cries to be heard. We must hear their cry and join hands to erase global inequality, to see each other through gracious eyes and embrace equality forever. MAJOR STEPHEN NAYLOR (HULL ICEHOUSE) 20
Salvationist 1 August 2020
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UR house is full of sports trophies. Three sons and a husband who all played football for clubs means that we have awards of all kinds, sizes and varieties gracing most rooms in the house. Players’ Player, Supporters’ Player and Manager’s Player – we have them all, along with several Golden Boots. If you look closely, you’ll find a snooker trophy from Bexleyheath Corps youth club in the 1980s. I, however, don’t have any awards. Unless you count Top Timbrelist, Liverpool and North Wales Division, 1979. I no longer have that trophy, though, so apart from a Race for Life medal and a couple of Polar Bear medals, I have nothing. When I wrote my ‘Just keep swimming’ articles for Salvationist I may have mentioned once or twice that I completed a virtual Channel swim during lockdown – 21 miles in a paddling pool, tethered to our washing line. It was a fundraiser for the corps and, after 30 hours and 3 minutes of swimming, I reached the shores of France, virtually. People have encouraged me mainly by donating. I also received a custom-made card and a cushion emblazoned with my rules for living – ‘Eat, Swim, Sleep, Repeat’ – from those who are particularly proud of me. The other day, though, I went online and ordered myself a swimming medal. I had it engraved too: ‘Karen Sandford, Virtual Channel Swim, Lockdown 2020’. I wanted a trophy. You might think it’s really sad and pathetic of me to order myself a medal. I did too at first, and even concocted a plan with my youngest son to pretend that he ordered it. But
LOCKDOWN LO L OCK CKDO DOWN WN 2 20 0 020 20 20 2020
then I gave it some thought. We have lived through incredible times these past few months. We have faced circumstances that we never could have imagined at the turn of the year, and survived. We have faced illness, bereavements, and people taken too soon. We have missed social interaction and family and friends. We have been unable to worship together as before, to share a cuppa and a chat, to pray with and for each other as we would usually. And we have been unable to hug people outside our households, until very recently. Grief and loss have been the order of the day in one way or another, and yet here we are, in August – still hoping, still praying. We are changed people. We can’t have gone through the past few months and not be. I wonder if, amid the frustrations and limitations of the present, now is a good time to pause, breathe and appreciate all that we have been through. We may not have learnt to ride a unicycle or mastered a new language, but we have endured. Maybe we can even hear God’s ‘Well done!’ that we often pronounce about a person only at their funeral service. Zephaniah 3:17 says: ‘The Lord your God is with you; his power gives you victory. The Lord will take delight in you, and in his love he will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you’ (Good News Bible). As we take time to remember who God is, what he has done and who we are because of him, may we hear his song over us. Listen! It’s everywhere. He loves you. You are his trophy of grace.
NEW COMMITMENTS
EXETER TEMPLE During a Sunday Zoom meeting Mark Elliott was welcomed as an adherent member by corps officer Major Gordon Fozzard. Major Sue CampRichards introduced Mark to the corps. Mark began attending during a very difficult time in his life and was the recipient of a cooked meal provided by the corps. He offered to help with community meals and has attended ever since, testifying to the work of the Holy Spirit in his life. Mark acknowledged the encouragement he had received from Major Sue, corps members, especially those involved in the community care team, and Majors Gordon and Margaret Fozzard. He gave a powerful testimony and knows that God will reveal his plans for him in the days and years ahead. – JW
LIVERPOOL STONEYCROFT Tony Poole was welcomed as an adherent member by corps officer Lieutenant Sam Tomlin during a corps meeting on Zoom. Tony has been attending the corps for the past few years and felt he wanted to take this step as a public declaration of his desire to follow Jesus. – ST
CARDIFF CANTON Aled was enrolled as a junior soldier in a virtual meeting by corps officers Majors David and Elizabeth McCaw-Aldworth. The enrolment was recorded the previous week in Aled’s back garden observing social distancing, where the YP bass drum was used as a makeshift mercy seat. Major David explained that in the early Salvation Army a bass drum was used this way in open-air meetings, and during the current lockdown this proved to be a suitable substitute. Aled knelt with his mother to pray and signed his junior soldier’s promise. Family and friends from across the UK were able to join with him virtually to celebrate. Aled has received many messages of encouragement. – DM-A
BURTON-ON-TRENT Corps officers Majors Julian and Julie Rowley enrolled Kath Gee and Helen Wilkinson as soldiers in the car park of the Baptist church where the corps held its meeting. Kath and Helen wished to be enrolled before the majors’ farewell. Members of the pastoral care council and invited supporters gathered, socially distanced, to witness the event. The uniqueness of the occasion reinforced the vows that were made as Kath and Helen step forward in their Christian journeys. – KA Salvationist 1 August 2020
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
ARMY PEOPLE APPOINTED Effective 16 July O Territorial Envoy Roger Coates, Reading Lower Earley Effective 23 July O Lieutenants Faith and Keith Scales, additional appointments, Area Candidates Officers, North East England O Major Kim Wilson, additional appointment, Divisional Candidates Officer, South and Mid Wales O Lieutenant Nick Pryor, additional appointment, Area Candidates Officer, South and Mid Wales Effective 20 August O Major Dawn Evans, additional appointment, Bromsgrove O Major Ria Campbell, additional appointment, Chaplain, Lincoln Court Lifehouse Effective 1 September O Major Dawn Mizon, support officer, Burton-on-Trent Effective 3 September O Territorial Envoy Claire MarriottLodge, Northwich Effective 20 September O Territorial Envoy Mathew Griffiths, Malvern WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Golden O Majors Rik and Christine Pears (1 August) O Majors Colin and Rosemary Cowdery (8 August) RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Mrs Brigadier Mary Lewis (90 on 1 August) O Major Margaret Docksey (85 on 5 August) O Commissioner Patricia Bird (85 on 7 August) O Lieut-Colonel Janice Sapsford (80 on 10 August) O Lieut-Colonel Alan Bateman (80 on 12 August) O Major David Arnott (80 on 15 August) Please note that soldiers’ and adherent members’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 150 words. Please do not send your copy to any individual’s email as this could delay publication. Copy should be sent to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk
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Salvationist 1 August 2020
PROMOTED TO GLORY O Joan Jackson, Coventry City O Joyce Kay, Stowmarket O Dep BM Keith Johnston, Hadleigh Temple O Andy Kinnear, Chester BEREAVED O Territorial Envoy Martyn Jackson, Nottingham Meadows Outreach Project, Pauline Andrew and Shirley Wallis of their mother Joan Jackson O Pam Johnston, Hadleigh Temple, of her husband Dep BM Keith Johnston, Bandsman Stuart Johnston and Duncan Johnston, both Hadleigh Temple, of their father O Jean Kinnear, Chester, of her husband Andy Kinnear, Captain Michael Kinnear, Chalk Farm, of his father OFFICIAL GAZETTE UKI Territory PROMOTIONS To major O Captain Christa Beeldman, Eastbourne Citadel O Captain Peter Beeldman, Eastbourne Citadel O Captain Julie Bovan, North West England and North Wales DHQ O Captain Vaughan Bovan, Warrington O Captain Chris CarrÊ, secondment to RAF chaplaincy O Captain Paula CarrÊ, secondment to RAF chaplaincy O Captain Carolyn Clampton, WBC O Captain Simon Clampton, Personnel Service, THQ O Captain Ian Davis, Wrexham O Captain Sandra Davis, Wrexham O Captain Lynne Davis, West Cornforth O Captain Karen Davison, Bedworth O Captain Annette Guest, Harpenden O Captain Lisa Hanover, secondment to RAF chaplaincy O Captain Nick Hanover, secondment to RAF chaplaincy O Captain Pauline Milner, Territorial Commander’s Office, THQ O Captain Rachel Price, Yorkshire North with Tees DHQ O Captain Wayne Price, Yorkshire North with Tees DHQ O Captain Joanne Thompson, High Wycombe O Captain Mick West, Swinton with Salford Development Project O Captain Verity West, Swinton with Salford Development Project
Captain Beverley Womersley, Merthyr Tydfil O Captain David Womersley, Merthyr Tydfil ANTHONY COTTERILL Commissioner Territorial Commander O
WHAT’S ON LIEUT-COLONEL NORMAN BEARCROFT: FESTIVAL OF THANKSGIVING Govan presents an online Festival of Thanksgiving for the life of Lieut-Colonel Norman Bearcroft on Sunday 2 August at 7.30 pm. Led by the Bearcroft family, it will be a time of music, memories, laughter and joy. O Join the event by signing into Zoom using the meeting ID 393 078 4231 and the password 313200
TRIBUTES AUX-CAPTAIN CLARA WILSON CLARA, known as Bunty, was born in Glasgow and brought up in Dunavon children’s home from birth until she started work in domestic service at the age of 15. During her time at the children’s home she became friendly with the cook, Lily Craig, who attended The Salvation Army and so Bunty went along with the family to Strathaven, becoming a soldier and Sunday school teacher. In 1970, due to the death of her employer, Bunty found herself out of work and out of a home as she had lodgings with the family. When she was unemployed she contacted the Army to see if there was any work for her. She was initially appointed to Lanark as an envoy in January 1970 and in April was promoted to auxiliary-captain, moving to Johnstone later that year. Bunty had various corps appointments before transferring to social services in both Scotland and England. Her final appointment in 1993 was at Methlan Park, Dumbarton, as the warden. On retirement Bunty moved back to Strathaven to the first house she called her own and to be near her family, Lily Craig. The corps had closed at Strathaven by the time Bunty retired and, because of the lack of transport,
she attended a local church until they amalgamated. By this time Bunty was housebound and decided that she wanted to go back to have her name on the roll of Hamilton Corps, where she had many friends. On 23 May Bunty was called home to her Lord, whom she loved and served. – WL BILLY STANGER, KIRKWALL BILLY was a fourthgeneration Salvationist, born in Orkney in 1932. Following national service in the Royal Air Force he returned home and worked for Royal Mail, retiring as the sorting office manager. He married Isa in 1953 and they had five children, eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Billy served as corps bandmaster, sounding the Last Post at Kirkwall’s Remembrance Parade for 61 years. In 2008 he was appointed MBE in recognition of his services to the community. His faith was steadfast and in his final days he asked for ‘Welcome Home’ to be played for him. Our loss is most certainly Heaven’s gain. Due to coronavirus restrictions the funeral service was private, but the hundreds of people lining Kirkwall’s streets as the hearse passed was testament to Billy’s character and witness. He was a one-off, with warmth, great humour and unconditional love. He is greatly missed by all. – SS ROBERT EBDON, BASINGSTOKE BOB, born in 1935, was the third of five children and was brought up at Catford Corps after the war. As a teenager he enjoyed being a torchbearer and was a bandsman and songster for 65 years. In 1957 he met Mollie Gulston, and in 1960 they married. They celebrated 60 years together just a month before his death following 18 months of ill health. As a family with two sons, they spent five years at Gillingham and Bromley before settling in Woking for thirty-two years. Bob became the songster leader for four years until work commitments
overseas made it difficult for him to carry on. In retirement there was a final move to Hampshire and Basingstoke Corps, where Bob enthusiastically joined the sections as a loyal Salvationist always ready to speak for the Lord. A devoted husband and father, he is greatly missed by Mollie, Mark, Jeremy and his six grandchildren. – ME LILIAN GIBBS, GUERNSEY LILIAN King was born in Guernsey in 1932. Her parents were Salvationists at St Sampson’s Corps. Lilian was evacuated to Bolton, then to Wigan in 1940 during the island’s occupation. Returning to Guernsey in 1945, she worked in a shop and helped the shopkeeper’s wife in her home. In 1957 she married Albert Gibbs and together they were active members and hall keepers at the corps. Lilian took an active part in the home league and enjoyed helping with the annual sale of work and other events. Lilian and Albert also entertained friends and Salvationist visitors from the UK. They remained at St Sampson’s until it closed in 1998 and transferred to L’Islet (now Guernsey) to join Albert’s daughter. Lilian lived a simple life, loved her Lord and was ready to join Albert and her parents in Heaven. She is missed by her stepdaughter and wider family. – JH/AL ELSA GILLSON, AIRDRIE ELSA had a caring heart and was the epitome of ‘heart to God, hand to man’. She grew up in Port Glasgow and loved her Lord, singing his praises at every opportunity. After training as a nurse and specialising as a midwife Elsa was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer in the Proclaimers of the Faith Session. Her first appointments were to unmarried mothers’ homes and eventide homes, where she served as a nurse, drawing on her caring nature. After leaving officership, Elsa moved to Thurso, where she soldiered for
several years, and continued nursing in the community. She was commissioned as the community care ministries secretary, which allowed her to introduce audio ministry for the housebound. Upon her retirement, she moved to Cumbernauld and soldiered at Airdrie. When Elsa became housebound, she held meetings in her home, which included Airdrie Band. Even then her carers spoke highly of her witness for her Lord. – MS
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Salvationist 1 August 2020
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I’m in his hands, I’m in his hands; Whate’er the future holds I’m in his hands
All kinds of people attend, join, volunteer with or work for The Salvation Army. We’ve asked some to tell us about themselves. This week… SUE YORKE
(SASB 848)
What do you do in your spare time? Walk my dog, Murphy, watch TV, read and spend time with my friends.
Plymouth Exeter Hall Whitleigh How did you first come into contact with the Army? My mum was a uniformed soldier and took me to the Army as a baby. What made you want to become an adherent member? I was a junior soldier and YP band and singing company member, then became a senior soldier and joined the songsters when I was 19. However, I realised I was gay and so I decided to step down from being a soldier and became an adherent member. What is your favourite kind of holiday? A two-week holiday where I can relax in the sun, swim in a pool, read a lot and sightsee for three or four days. If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be? Cadbury chocolate. I’m not really allowed to eat it, though, as I’m diabetic. What sport would you compete in if you were in the Olympics? Table tennis. I represented Devon when I was much younger.
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose? Florence Nightingale. She was a lady of vision who put what she believed into practice. If you could be in a film, which would it be and what character would you play? The Sound Of Music. I’d play Maria (not that I can sing very well). What is your favourite Bible verse? ‘In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths’ (Proverbs 3:6 King James Version). It’s the best way to live. What is your favourite hymn or worship song? ‘I’m In His Hands’ (SASB 848). The beautiful lyrics are a constant reminder of who is looking after me. Which Bible figure would you like to meet and what would you ask them? Jesus – I have so many questions I’d like to ask that I can’t single one out. Do you have any hidden talents? I write poetry.
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What was the first record, tape or CD that you ever owned? My first 45 RPM record was I Think I Love You by the Partridge Family, released in 1970. Did you have a nickname growing up? If so, what? Yorkie. My friends still use it today. If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be? Always find time to laugh and enjoy whatever life brings to you. If you had to be handcuffed to one person for a day, who would it be? Author and presenter Sandi Toksvig. Which book (apart from the Bible) would you want on a desert island? The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. If you had a ‘theme song’ that played whenever you walked into a room, what would it be? ‘New York, New York’ by Frank Sinatra because my friends in the police used to change the lyrics to ‘Sue Yorke, Sue Yorke’. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? My dad used to tell me, ‘If you can’t say something nice then don’t say anything at all.’ What is the most valuable thing you possess? Murphy, who is a beautiful black cocker spaniel. Something interesting you might want people to know about you is… I once played on a beach with Prince William and Prince Harry when they were little.