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Quotes from the media
‘‘ QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA GAMBLING FIRMS’ ADS BANNED FOR TARGETING CHILDREN
Five online gambling companies have had their adverts banned for breaking strict rules about targeting children. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) used child avatars to find gambling ads that were being displayed to under-18s.
The watchdog found adverts from 43 gambling firms displayed in non-loggedin environments, meaning the age of those viewing them could not be verified and they could be shown to children.
Five of those gambling operators, including Aston Villa sponsor Unibet, had a total of 23 ads banned for breaking rules that prohibit gambling ads being targeted at under-18s. The others were Vikings Video Slot, RedBet, Multilotto and PlayOjo. The Independent
A rise in the number of children living in poverty has been condemned by the Bishop of Durham, Dr Paul Butler. Figures released last week by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed that 4.1 million – almost one third of the country’s child population – were living in homes experiencing relative poverty: a measure defined as earnings, after housing costs, below 60 per cent of the median income of £507 a week. Of those, 70 per cent were in working families. Dr Butler said: ‘It is surely wrong, in a just and compassionate society, that so many children are growing up in poverty. The early years are crucial to a child’s development, so it is imperative that we do all that we can to support families to give their children a good start in life. ‘That is why we are calling for an end to the two-child limit, as this policy will push even more children deeper into poverty over the next few years. We can and should redesign the welfare system around the needs of children.’ Church Times DR BUTLER CONDEMNS RISE OF CHILDREN IN POVERTY
HUMANISTS TELL CHRISTIANS NOT TO COMPLAIN OVER EASTER EGGS
Shoppers should not be ‘duped’ into believing criticism that marketing and packaging for chocolate Easter eggs do not go far enough to promote the season’s Christian roots, humanists have said.
Humanists UK warned people against yielding to ‘eggsaggeration’ among Christian groups it says have been behind a long line of attempts... to accuse others of sabotaging the ‘true Easter message’.
Director of Public Affairs and Policy, Richy Thompson, said: ‘While Christians celebrate Easter for different reasons, for the vast majority of us Easter is just a fun celebration where we enjoy extra days off work and school, spend time with our families and eat more chocolate than usual.
‘If a company wants to promote a Christian message on its Easter eggs then that’s fine, but this reality is not justification for a false “Christian persecution” narrative and really does harm to appreciating the much more serious persecution many people face around the globe.’ Premier
The Methodist Church has joined the Church of England in welcoming a change in the law which means that British couples in England and Wales will now be able to include their mothers’ names on their marriage certificates... Previously, marriage certificates only included space for fathers’ names – something which had been unchanged since 1837. The churches said the previous system ‘demeaned women’ and was out of step with modern times. A statement by the Methodist Church said: ‘A marriage is a partnership of equals and the Methodist Church welcomes this change which recognises both parents.’ Methodist Recorder WELCOME FOR MOTHERS’ NAMES ON MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES
SALVATIONIST
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THE SALVATION ARMY
FOUNDER William Booth
GENERAL Brian Peddle
DO NOT BE AFRAID
WHAT causes you to be afraid? Is it the dark? Spiders? Illness, heights, confined spaces, money problems or the future? A myriad of things are understandable causes of fear, and often that fear is accompanied by anxiety. However, there is a recurring theme throughout Scripture where God tells us not to be afraid.
At Christmas we noted the words from the angel Gabriel to Mary as she was told she would be the mother of Jesus: ‘Do not be afraid’ (Luke 1:30). Remember that, according to the Bible, angels are not quite the same as the helpless, beatific, tinsel-adorned young girls and boys who portray them in nativity plays – Psalm 103:20 describes them as ‘mighty’. The shepherds were comforted by the same phrase with the appearance of an angelic host (see Luke 2:10). In Matthew’s account of the resurrection morning, the first words of the angel at the tomb are: ‘Do not be afraid’ (28:5). Just a few verses later, the women meet Jesus, and his first words are: ‘Do not be afraid’ (v10).
The Old Testament addresses the same issue, as Joshua is about to succeed Moses. We read Moses’ encouraging words in Deuteronomy 31:8: ‘The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave
you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’ There is also the promise from God in Isaiah 43:1: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.’ And at the end of the New Testament, as John sees Jesus in his vision and falls at his feet, Jesus again says: ‘Do not be afraid’ (Revelation 1:17).
So we see that throughout Scripture God says to us: ‘Do not be afraid.’ In the life of Christ, even from the foretelling of his birth, to the announcement of the same, to that first Easter morning, we hear those same words: ‘Do not be afraid.’ It seems clear to me that God is inviting us to move from a place of fear to a position where we implicitly trust this ‘immeasurably more’ God who never fails.
These words from God are not just trite advice. For those who know God and share life with him, there is no need to be afraid because God has overcome the world (see John 16:33), defeated sin
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on the cross and conquered death – as revealed by the empty tomb! We need to remember this when fear takes hold of us.
God is not a distant powerful deity; he is an ever-present God who seeks to live with and in his people. We need to couple the instruction of ‘Do not be afraid’ with the recurring promise we read before: ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ When fear takes hold, we should remember not only the omnipotence – all-powerfulness – of God; we should remember that he is right with us, beside us and in us. God’s perfect love ‘drives out fear’ (1 John 4:18).
What is happening in your world and in your life this Easter?
Anyone who is struggling with sin and recurring cycles of behaviour that they feel unable to break can choose not to be afraid, but to trust in the God who broke the power of sin on the cross.
Anyone who is facing significant challenges in life within the family, at work or with health, for example, can choose not to be afraid, but to trust in the God for whom nothing is impossible. Anyone who is experiencing grief and loss can choose not to be afraid, but to trust in the God who conquered death and promises eternal life.
So, this Eastertide, do not be afraid. Remember – God is with you. Do not be afraid. Remember – God is bigger than the situation you are facing. Do not be afraid. Our God is victorious, and he invites us to share in his victory!
BRIAN PEDDLE, GENERAL
Salvationist 20 April 2019 ‘‘ Anyone who is experiencing grief and loss can choose not to be afraid, but to trust in the God who conquered death and promises eternal life
’’
Concert raises funds for Trek The Alps challenge SOUTHSEA
AT a Trek The Alps fundraising concert, to support the Army’s anti-human trafficking and modern slavery work, Solent Fellowship Band and Southsea Songsters provided music that blessed, encouraged and inspired. Their items were interspersed with introductions and comments by former Chalk Farm bandsman and celebrity chef Brian Turner. Territorial Director of Antitrafficking and Modern Slavery Major Kathy Betteridge spoke about the work of her department, describing how the need is growing rather than diminishing. Salvation Army Trading Com - pany Ltd (SATCoL) Managing Director Trevor Caffull introduced ‘Guardian Of My Soul’ and spoke of the broad spectrum of SATCoL’s enterprise, showing how it supports other Salvation Army prog rammes and functions as a form of ministry in its own right. A fund of £860 was raised on the night but this increased to £2,100 with donations from the fellowship band and SATCoL. Pictured with the cheque are Major Alec Still (DHQ), Brian Turner, Bandmaster Dan Redhead and event organiser Mike Stubbings. – M. S./J. B.
6 Salvationist 20 April 2019 The Bishop of Carlisle, the Right Rev James Newcome, and the Bishop of Penrith, the Right Rev Emma Ineson, visit Barrow-in-Furness as part of their Mission Community Lent Walk; they shared prayers and visited the town to learn about people’s concerns
PENTRE: Members of the corps are prepared for the 140th corps anniversary by making a film about the start of the Army’s work carried out by Kate Shepherd, daughter of the well-known Mother (Pamela) Shepherd. The scene in the park represents an open-air meeting where hundreds of people gathered to hear Mother Shepherd preach. Salvationists continue to be inspired to be the people of God today. – G. T.
Carlisle ladies fellowship celebrates Commonwealth Day with food, fun, quizzes, games and a singalong; some participants brought food from Commonwealth countries and some dressed to represent other nations
The Salvation Army condemns mobile game, Virtual Beggar THQ VIRTUAL Beggar, a mobile game that features a bearded avatar portraying a street ‘beggar’, has been condemned for trivialising the complexities of homelessness and fuelling stereotypes. It encourages users to tap their screens in order to have coins tossed at the avatar, which ‘help him out of poverty’. The Army will be calling for the game to be taken down as it is degrading to the thousands of people who struggle with homelessness in the UK.
Assistant Territorial Director of Home lessness Services (North) Malcolm Page said: ‘Home lessness is a serious social issue with vulnerable people at its heart; unfortunately, games like Virtual Beggar only serve to reinforce stereotypes and are utterly counter-productive in tackling the issue of homelessness.
‘The game does nothing to help people’s understanding of the root causes of why some people fall into homelessness and – crucially – how to support people out of their situations. ‘What’s particularly concern ing is that the age rating for this game is approved for children as young as four. We wil l be asking for the game to be taken down from download sites.’ – A. R.
CIRENCESTER: Sunday Club leader Corinne Walters led the family service on Mother’s Day. A multimedia presentation featured photographs of members of the congregation and their mothers, some going back many years. There was a united reading of 1 Corinthians 13 by Sunday Club members, who distributed flowers to all mothers present, and small wooden hearts in memory of mothers no longer with us. – M. G.
Rutherglen lunch club welcomes home bronzemedal winner Leann Woolf, who had been at the World Games Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi representing Great Britain in basketball
Updated website for Regal Zonophone’s historic Salvation Army recordings UNITED KINGDOM IAN Barton founded the Regal Zonophone website in 1998, building a database of early Salvation Army recordings from various sources.
Citadel Promotions have acquired Ian’s website and, working with Ian, are keen to continue maintaining the heritage of Salvation Army music through the two sites.
More than 1,000 albums in the database will be available by visiting www.regalzonophone .com – A. R.
Meal-run team is nominated for award WINTON THE meal-run team was successfully nominated for the second time to receive a grant from the Wessex branch of Contractors Mechanical Plant Engineers (CPME). The branch raises funds during the year and holds an annual dinner where representatives of charities receive donations.
The meal run helps people experiencing homelessness and is organised by Mary Randell, who, accompanied by Glenda, a member of the corps, attended the Hilton Hotel to receive the donation. A member of the branch promised to match the value of the amount given. Glenda and Mary are pictured with CPME’s national chairman and Wessex branch chairwoman, branch members and representatives of other charities. – G. T.
To celebrate the Easter holidays Bristol Kingswood Musical Tots enjoy a fish finger lunch and make Easter cards; each child was given an Easter egg and palm cross to take home
Visitors and congregations encounter God NEW ZEALAND
WORLD President of Women’s Ministries Commis sioner Rosalie Peddle, World Secretary for Women’s Ministries Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham and Captain Krista Andrews (Australia Territory) undertook a four-day visit to New Zealand.
The visit was a ‘homecoming’ for Commissioner Rosalie, who served in the Northern Territory for two years, and Commissioner Bronwyn who is a Kiwi.
The Army develops new outreach resource IHQ
A NEW series of mini-films, being developed by the IHQ Com munications team, will encourage Salvationists and friends to share the gospel message in creative and engaging ways. Building on the success of the Whole World Mobilising initiative, it is intended that the Living It videos will inspire meaningful conversations about God and the importance of living out the Christian faith in the modern world by using materials that are cheap and readily available.
The first of the films records a team from IHQ creating a colourful chalk montage of Bible verses, Christian lyrics and inspirational thoughts on the pavement outside their offices. Passers-by engaged with the work and commented on how positive the message was compared with some darker world events. Co-ordinator Joseph Halliday said the video shows ways in which people can get out and about in their communities with a range of ideas.
The pavement art video is available to view and download by visiting sar.my/livingit where future films will be published as they are produced. – A. R.
Women from all over the South Island attended meetings in Christchurch, where, on Sunday morning, the tour party paid their respects and prayed outside the
MAIDENHEAD: John Davie was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence 2019. In addition to his involvement with music across a wide sphere outside The Salvation Army, John was one of the founding members of the Salvation Army Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Saswe). – I. K. Al Noor Mosque where 42 people died recently.
Commissioner Rosalie preached with passion and zeal, whether with overflowing congregations, smaller officer gatherings or even ing meetings in Wellington and A uckland. Mercy seats were well used by people responding to the Holy Spirit, which reflected the hunger for more of God in the territory.
Commissioner Bronwyn shared her testimony, speaking of her personal experience of the cost of saying ‘yes’ to God.
Captain Krista ministered with a mixture of singing, sign language and dance.
Territorial President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Yvonne Westrupp said: ‘Women came with expectation and encountered God.’ – S. D.
WELLING: Corps folk recently teamed up with council officials, church, community and youth groups for a litter-picking event. More than 145 people took part. – K. S.
Ripley corps officer Lieutenant Zsófia Vecsey thanks John Stamp of the Amber Valley Rotary Club for financial support in refurbishing the food bank
Young people from Ipswich Citadel raise more than £260 at a cake sale in aid of the ‘Big Adventure’ to be held for young people in East Anglia
Victory Programme students graduate SOUTHWICK COOKING meals in a thrifty way – Second World War style – was taught at a six-week course run by The Salvation Army and supported by a gift from Kavli Trust.
Victory Programme co-ordinator Julie Foster said: ‘The students on our first course have been incredible. Some of them have, in the past, felt they’ve underachieved so we were pleased they had committed to the six sessions.’
Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear Margaret Fay, who presented the graduation awards to the first six graduates, said: ‘The Victory Programme is inspirational.’
The students shared their experiences with Margaret. One, on a tight budget, said she usually cooked at home for herself, but the programme got her out of the house, improved her confidence and helped her meet other people. – C. A.
Ivor Burgoyne celebrates 80 years of service as a faithful and committed bandsman at Redruth Corps; he testified that his greatest joy has been seeing God’s work during meetings
The Salvation Army urges vigilance as fraudsters target vulnerable people UKT
GAIL Millar, Regional Specialist for Older People’s Services, (West Malling Service Centre) recently supported Sussex Police in Operation Signature, which was aimed at identifying and supporting vulnerable victims of fraud within Sussex. They found that nearly 50 per cent of adults had been targeted by fraudsters. Gail said that the numbers were shocking and believes that fraud can be tackled through raising awareness and giving advice.
Andrew Wileman, Assistant Director (Older People’s Ministries) said: ‘Most of us will know somebody who has been a victim of a scam but we find that people are often ashamed to admit this… It is a very real issue that allows us to minister with spiritual and practical concern.’ – A. R.
CAMBRIDGE: A festival in the Wesley Methodist church, promoted by the Rotary Club of Cambridge in aid of the corps building fund and End Polio Now, raised more than £1,000. The band played ‘Temple 125’, ‘Servants Of God’ and ‘Love Unknown’. Soloist Gemma Hinchcliffe blessed and charmed the audience with her singing, and the programme included a clarinet solo and a trombone feature. The evening concluded with the band and Gemma combining to present ‘They Could Not!’ – J. M.
Trampoline event is a success MORLEY
A DONATION made it possible for the corps to hire a trampolining venue and invite people in the area to join with them in an activity some would not normally be able to take part in. Many worthwhile conversations took place and corps publicity was distributed.
Corps members were greatly encouraged by the opportunity and response and look forward to developing relationships with the families they met. – R. W.
President of the Lewisham and Penge Rotary Club John Smith presents a £300 cheque to corps officer Major Paul Robinson for the work of Penge Corps
