Salvationist 20 January 2024

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SALVATIONIST PART OF THE BIGGER PICTURE CHRISTIAN UNITY IN ACTION

THE CHRISTMAS ROUND-UP PAGES 11-17

‘We wanna be together!’

BACK in the 1990s a leading insurance company ran an amusing advert in which a couple are outlining their plans for later life. One presents a convincing case for what they assumed to be joint aspirations. The facial expressions of the other make it clear that they have very different opinions on how they want to spend their time.

In this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18–25 January), the Church is given an opportunity to consider how, despite potential differences, we not only have an opportunity but a responsibility to be united. In a world so divided, it seems unconscionable for the people of God not to seek to come together in Christ’s name and in his service. Prayer is most certainly a means by which we can come together.

In this issue, Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts outlines the territorial strategy for engaging with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We also hear from a divisional ecumenical officer engaged in this essential component of Christian expression.

In the aforementioned advert, the final line stated: ‘We wanna be together.’

Christ’s call for each of us is to ‘go and do likewise’ (Luke 10:37).

MAJOR JULIAN WATCHORN Editor

ON THE WEBSITE Visit salvationist.org.uk Welcome to the territorial leaders Watch the livestream The Traitors Former contestant talks trust and faith

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TERRITORIAL ECUMENICAL STRATEGY

10 AN ECUMENICAL ENCOUNTER

11 ENABLED AT CHRISTMAS

Salvationist 20 January 2024

BIBLE STUDY

Issue No 1944 EDITOR Major Julian Watchorn

FOUNDER William Booth

MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford

GENERAL Lyndon Buckingham

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Stevie Hope, George Tanton, Lyn Woods, Major Margaret Bovey

TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main

ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Major Julian Watchorn

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight, Louise Phillips PROOFREADER Chris Horne

TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 1 Champion Park, London SE5 8FJ 0845 634 0101

CONTACT US 020 7367 4890 (main) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk

© The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory.

ISSN 2516-5909.

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FRONT-PAGE Ecumenical activities in 2023 SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS From the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland is SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland is CHY6399.

Published weekly by The Salvation Army and printed on paper from sustainable sources by CKN Print, Northampton.

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TRENDING

Picture: Nick Eagle / BBC / Hungry Bear

Are you ready?

As Gladiators returns to TV, Ivan Radford asks if we are united in our fight for the Kingdom

W

OLF. Rhino. Scorpio. Hunter.

Jet. What do all those words have in common? The answer, for anyone whose family watched ITV in the 1990s, is Gladiators. The physical TV contest saw members of the public sign up to compete against this wealth of gladiatorial might in a string of challenges in front of a live audience.

Now revived for Saturday teatime on BBC One, and continuing tonight at 5.50pm, the series hasn’t changed its core format and some of the games themselves have even survived. There’s Duel, in which someone has to survive being hit by a giant foam stick on top of a tiny pillar. And there’s the infamous

Reflect and respond List all the things you have in common with other people in your corps. Thank God for these.

Consider the things you don’t have in common with other people in your corps. Ask God how you can grow and learn from these.

Where in your community can you work together to bring people to Jesus?

Eliminator, which pits two public contestants against each other in a race through an obstacle course that climaxes with the Travelator – a treadmill for people who only like to run up very steep hills.

Presented by Bradley and Barney Walsh, the new series includes Gladiators with names such as Legend, Fire, Bionic, Diamond and Viper. While these are new faces greeting the competitors as they step up to each neon-lit task, one thing continues to make them a force to be reckoned with: the Gladiators don’t fight against each other.

If, for example, Wolf and Hunter disagreed over whether a kazoo would be better than a whistle to start each round, they didn’t stop mid-Duel and start hitting each other with inflatable cotton buds. Or if Bionic felt that the show’s old referee, John Anderson, should be shouting ‘contenders, ready!’ rather than new umpire Mark Clattenburg, he wouldn’t start throwing gymnastic rings at Comet during the opening credits next week.

It’s not just the muscles that make the Gladiators a formidable presence; it’s their united front. No matter which Gladiator a contestant ends up going toe to toe with, they’re in no doubt that they’re facing a Gladiator. And not just because of the colour-coded Lycra uniforms.

‘Do you have the speed, the strength,

the heart to be a winner?’ asks the show’s theme tune. As Christians, we know that our strength – our heart – is rooted in God, who is always with us. We also know that God is with us through the people he places around us. As part of the body of Christ, we can trust that we are supported by our fellow believers – ‘if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering’ (1 Corinthians 12:26 Amplified Bible) – as well as spurred on and encouraged to each do our bit.

Sometimes, that spurring on can be challenging, but our God is a God of relationships; as we grow in relationship with him, we also deepen our love for others and our understanding of God’s love for us. ‘Two are better than one,’ Ecclesiastes 4:9 reminds us. And Proverbs 27:17 observes: ‘As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.’

Together is the only way that the Church can fully make God’s love visible to others in all its richness. Going into 2024, with all the challenges this broken world holds, united is the only way we as an Army can win the fight to help build God’s Kingdom here on Earth. I’m in.

Fellow Gladiators, are you ready?

IVAN RADFORD Managing Editor Salvationist

Salvationist 20 January 2024

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TESTIMONY

seconds with...

Major Viv Prescott Forest of Dean

‘I trust the Lord to guide my life’ Arran Burr (Uxbridge) thanks God for loving him and teaching him to love others

A

Who are you and what do you do?

Major Viv, corps officer at Forest of Dean, part of the Littledean Local Ecumenical Partnership.

Why do you do what you do?

Because God said I can.

What’s your favourite Bible verse?

‘The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does’ (Isaiah 8:11 New Living Translation).

Out of context, what was the last text message you sent?

‘Wow! I think that sounds amazing. Let me run it past the leadership team, then we will meet to talk about it ’ What do you do in your spare time? Hang out with our herd of therapy ponies, sheep and goats.

S a son of officers, my life has revolved around the Lord and The Salvation Army since birth.

I have known God in some way all my life. But it wasn’t until I turned 16 that I had a proper relationship with the Lord.

Up to that point I would fake illnesses so that I didn’t have to go to church, and I would play on my phone during the meeting. This wasn’t just because my parents were preaching but because I didn’t understand what a relationship with God was like. What they preached didn’t connect with me because I didn’t know the Lord.

For a year before I met the Lord properly, the song ‘Do Something’ by Matthew West was stuck in my head.

I knew it was a message from God, but I didn’t know what he was asking of me.

I needed to do something, but I didn’t know what. One night I was praying and I started listening to the song. Soon I was

crying, asking: Do what Lord? Do what?

What I needed to do was enter into a relationship with the Lord. That night I met with God and I started to know him properly. I started to read the Bible, four chapters a night, and I prayed more.

I listened to Christian podcasts, some good and some bad, and tried to learn more. I also started to understand what was being preached on Sundays.

I learnt that night that you can know everything about God and the Bible, but true understanding comes from being in a relationship with the Lord. I am so thankful to God that he wants us to be with him and enter into relationship with him.

Since then, I have trusted the Lord to guide my life. He guided me to Uxbridge Corps, where I have been blessed with brilliant officers and wonderful friends.

He has guided me to the right university and course, where I am learning so much about how I can use my gifts to serve best. He has also blessed me with him be appointment on the Territorial an app Ecumenical Council. This position Ecume allowed me to attend the National allow Ecumenical Conference, where I was Ecu blessed to hear those from other bles churches share their experiences chu Christ. of Ch these experiences have taught me All th my relationship with God is and what m can serve, love and praise him how I c am so thankful to the Lord for best. I a me and teaching me how to love loving m others. God bless you all.

If you had an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be?

Hay. Which country would you like to visit and why?

New Zealand. It looks like an unspoilt UK. Give your testimony using only one word.

Adventure!

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Salvationist 20 January 2024

Have you got a testimony to share?

We’d love to hear your faith journey! Get in touch at salvationist@ salvationarmy.org.uk.

A WORD FROM WILLIAM

Settle any differences Continuing a series of messages that William Booth sent to corps to be read in Sunday meetings 2

A U G U S T

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1 9 0 8

OMRADES and friends, I want to say something about a very important and somewhat difficult subject: quarrelling.

I need not stop to explain to you what I mean by ‘quarrelling’. Every child knows what it is, and most children have had some experience of the evil.

Quarrelling supposes the existence of such differences of opinion and feeling between individuals as lead to hatred, malice and slander. It is a wretched business.

When it occurs between strangers it is bad enough; when between kindred and friends, it is far worse; but when Salvationists fall out, that is worst of all.

Quarrelling breaks the hearts of those indulging in it. Who can eat, sleep, work or do anything else in comfort when the spirit of hatred, malice and all un-charitableness is gnawing like a canker at his heart?

Quarrelling endangers all true religion.

It is impossible for a man to love God when he hates his brother.

Quarrelling at once destroys the usefulness of our soldiers. How can comrades pray, sing and fight for souls in anything like unity when they hate and despise one another? It is impossible.

Quarrelling always brings shame to someone and in some cases is absolutely wicked and without excuse.

A Salvationist who has begun a quarrel, and refuses to end it when the opportunity rightly serves, shows that the devil of Quarrelling has got possession of him. He must use every means to get this devil cast out as soon as possible.

But notwithstanding the horrible

character of this sin, people will quarrel.

They always have done so, and always will do.

Cain quarrelled with Abel, and the difference ended in blood. His brethren quarrelled with Joseph and it very nearly led to murder.

The world is full of quarrels today.

Politicians, scientists, money-makers, religionists – nay, all sorts and conditions of men – quarrel.

Look at the dreadful wars that every few years desolate the Earth and you will realise, my comrades, what a curse quarrelling has become.

The causes of quarrelling are almost numberless. And yet they are often so trifling, not to say childish, as to be positively contemptible. It is a marvel how men and women with any common sense can allow themselves to be troubled with such paltry matters.

Let me mention some few of them.

The haughty, quarrelsome state of heart possessed by some soldiers is a common source of disagreement. There are people who live in such an irritable condition that they are ready almost to fight their own shadow, if they cannot find some unfortunate saint or sinner to quarrel with.

Quarrels often spring out of misunderstandings. Someone says that they heard someone else declare, that they heard some other persons say, that this or that individual had not done the things he should have done. Hereupon bad feelings are generated and bad words spoken. Next the matter is repeated to others with additions. Then sides are taken, and two parties are created. Lastly, retaliation is decided

upon and you have a quarrel.

Once begun, no one knows when or where it will end. The consequences may be such as will make the angels weep and the devils rejoice. And all the while, a little patient inquiry on the part of the injured individual would have shown that no one said anything of the kind asserted; or that what was said had quite a different meaning from that which had been put upon it.

Quarrels are often the outcome of petty selfishness. There are some people who would spoil their own peace for some petty personal object. They would break the hearts of any number of comrades, or drag a prosperous corps down from its onward march to victory, to gratify a purely selfish grudge.

Quarrels are often the result of envy.

Comrades don’t like to see other comrades put into positions above them; or those alongside them doing better work than they can do themselves.

Quarrels are always more or less the work of the Devil. Thus they are hellish in their origin, hellish in their consequences, and hellish in their destiny.

The angel of Peace presides over a body of soldiers whose hearts are fired with love to each other. But if the devil of Hatred has found a dwelling-place in your ranks, I exhort you, in God’s name, take measures to get him cast out.

Meanwhile, I call upon every soldier to pray with faith and zeal for a baptism of the Holy Spirit, and I beseech you, one and all, to settle any differences which may exist among you, that when you meet it may be as a happy family under the presidency of the Prince of Peace.

Salvationist 20 January 2024

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BIBLE STUDY

Hear this!

Major Vikki Burr encourages us to listen to others and God

JAMES 1:19–26

H

OW well do you know yourself?

Are you someone who likes to listen and hear what’s going on?

Do you reflect, ruminate and figure it all out before taking action? Or do you prefer to jump in with both feet, to experiment and experience and test an idea through action rather than thought?

As with so much in life and in scriptural teaching, we need a balance of both to find the best way forward. If we are to have a healthy, strong and resilient faith, we need to fully know and understand God and his word.

God reveals himself to us when we spend time with him listening to his word and as we spend energy doing what he asks of us. Jesus said: ‘Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock’ (Matthew 7:24). In other words, we need to be both listeners and doers.

Time and time again God’s word tells us we need to be slow to anger, we need to think about what we say and we need to take that moment to breathe and to think. How many times have you written a message and then been grateful that you thought first before sending it?

In our study passage, James goes even further and tells us we not only need to think, but we also need to be swift to listen (see v19). We need to hear the other’s point of view and pay attention to their story, and we also need to be able to hear God’s thoughts too.

For some people, stopping for a moment and hearing what is going 6

Salvationist 20 January 2024

on around them is quite easy. Others might find silence frightening or think best when they’re the ones talking.

Sometimes, when emotions are rising, it can be very difficult to stop and count to 10. It is a discipline that needs to be learnt in calm times so it can be used in storms.

PAUSE AND REFLECT Take five minutes to be still and to listen.

Listen to your heartbeat. Listen to the sounds around you. Listen to the whisper of the Holy Spirit.

What do you hear? What do you notice?

What thoughts and feelings are brought to mind?

James tells his readers that God’s word is already planted within them (see v21), but they need to ‘humbly accept’ it. This means acknowledging our need to know God, to digest his word and allow it to take root within us so it can flourish and bear fruit. Humbly accepting it means taking time to listen so that we may understand, whether that is through studying, listening to a teacher or conversing and discussing it with others. It means being intentional about wanting to know and understand more as well as open to being challenged by different viewpoints.

If we are not intentional about

listening to God, then how can we expect to know what he wants of us? We can’t do what we don’t know!

I have always been amazed by Christians recalling a particular Scripture passage, which they have then obediently followed. A wise man once asked me if it was likely that the Holy Spirit would bring Scripture to mind if I hadn’t first spent time looking at it.

PAUSE AND REFLECT How well do you know and understand God’s word?

What might you do to understand it better?

When has Scripture come to mind in a particular situation?

What happened? Did it help? What difference did it make?

It’s essential that we are intentional about listening to God. James, however, does not want us to become selfcongratulatory about our knowledge.

Listening and knowing is only half the equation. In fact, James says if we stop there we are deceiving ourselves (see v22). It’s not possible to fully know God and his word unless we put into action what we learn and discover.

Rooting God’s word deeply and securely within us can only be achieved by seeing it worked out in the reality of our day-to-day lives. Having listened, we have to take it in and display God’s love and good news in whatever situation we

From January 2024, Prayer Matters is following a new prayer rhythm, to pray for renewal in this territory’s worship and mission. Each day will have a theme, based on the five mission priorities. To read the unedited Prayer Matters booklet visit salvationist.org.uk/discipleship.

SATURDAY 20 JANUARY: CARE FOR CREATION – WINTER WONDER Winter gardens are bleak – but now when the ground is hard is the time to plant for summer growth. Plant some seeds as an act of prophetic faith that God will bring newness to life where you can’t see it yet (see Hebrews 11:1).

by Captain Vanessa Coleman (Woking) SUNDAY 21 JANUARY: SABBATH PRAYER – GUIDANCE The people of Israel journeyed through the wilderness, following a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Father God, in the night-time of our lives, help us to see your fiery presence leading us through the difficult terrain. Comfort us in your tender love.

by Lyndall Bywater (UKI Boiler Room Team) find ourselves and to whomever we meet. Anything less means that we are only glimpsing the true meaning of God’s word and it’s not becoming a part of who we are; we are not allowing it to mould us into the people God created us to be.

Humbly accepting God’s word planted within us also means having an attitude of obedience and an expectation that the Holy Spirit will nudge us and use us, whether that’s through a particular action or simply through bearing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

PAUSE AND REFLECT What have we learnt about God this week that will make a difference to how we live every day?

Do we expect the Holy Spirit to use us wherever we may be and whatever we are doing? Do we want him to?

We often talk about Jesus being the rock upon which we build our lives. If that is true, and you want to be the wise person of Jesus’ parable, then do what he says – listen, put it into action and know God’s freedom and blessing.

MAJOR VIKKI BURR Deputy Head of Regional Wellbeing Services THQ

MONDAY 22 JANUARY: SHARING THE GOOD NEWS – DESIGN FOR LIFE (26–28 JANUARY) Please pray that people will respond to the invitation and hear from God as we share in worship, prayer, conversation, teaching and fellowship. Pray that each person will know God’s will for their lives, seeing more clearly their unique part in helping others to encounter Christ.

by Major Mark Sawyer (Territorial Candidates Director) TUESDAY 23 JANUARY: SERVING AND CARING – INTERCULTURAL MINISTRY Father, we thank you that all people can be included in your Kingdom. May we care enough to make room for people whose cultural background is different from ours, and may we graciously and humbly communicate the fullness of your gospel.

by Major Carol Young (Southsea) WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY: GROWING IN FAITH – WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has focused on the command to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Luke 10:27). Gracious God, as we reach out in love to others, reach into our lives with your grace, helping us reflect the love of Jesus.

by Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts (Divisional Commander, Wales) THURSDAY 25 JANUARY: INTERNATIONAL SALVATION ARMY – PAKISTAN We join with Salvationists all over the world to pray for the Pakistan Territory. We pray God’s richest blessings on territorial leaders Colonels Diana MacDonald and MacDonald Chandi, and on all those who worship and serve in Pakistan. We pray that many will be drawn to God’s Kingdom through their witness.

by Lyndall Bywater (UKI Boiler Room Team) FRIDAY 26 JANUARY: JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION – PRAYER GATHERING At this year’s Encounter Prayer Gathering, we will launch the UKI Boiler Room, a new initiative to put a furnace of prayer at the heart of our mission. When we pray, we partner God in the work of bringing justice, hope and renewal. Pray that people will be inspired and transformed by the fire of God.

by Major Gary Lacey (Territorial Prayer Co-ordinator)

PRAYER REQUESTS Do you have something or someone you’d like us to pray for?

Email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk with ‘prayer request’ in the subject line and it will be upheld in prayer.

A gift worth unwrapping During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts highlights aspects of the territory’s ecumenical strategy

B

Y now we should all have unwrapped our Christmas presents and started to enjoy them. But what if one gift were put on a shelf on Christmas Day and remained there, wrapped up and ignored? Perhaps that’s unlikely, but something similar can happen with Christian unity.

Unity is God’s gift to his people, received when we accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord. In that moment we are spiritually united to all other believers – we become part of the body of Christ, joined together by the Holy Spirit.

But that’s not the end of the story. The gift of unity needs to be unwrapped, explored, enjoyed and put to good use. When we do that, we begin to answer the prayer of Jesus that ‘all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you’ (John 17:21).

Unity as a gift to be used and enjoyed is a key principle motivating our ecumenical engagement. And there are two other important principles.

First, unity is not uniformity. We can pursue Christian unity while retaining our distinctiveness, and this diversity can strengthen and enrich the life of the Church.

Second, unity and mission belong together. They are not separate – let alone competing – activities but are two sides of the same coin. Unity is missional. As that prayer of Jesus goes on to remind us, we are called to be one ‘so that the world may believe’ (John 17:21).

To encourage us not to ignore the precious gift of unity, the UK and Ireland Territory has devised a strategic plan for ecumenical and interfaith engagement. I wrote about the interfaith element in the 11 November 2023 issue of Salvationist (see salvationist. org.uk/interfaith-harmony) and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a good opportunity to focus on the ecumenical element.

“

The ability to speak into situations at local level with the one voice of the Church is powerful. We are better together!

”

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Salvationist 20 January 2024

Major Katrina Greetham Divisional Ecumenical Officer (Dorset)

United ecumenical worship at the launch of Thy Kingdom Come 2023

Central to the strategy is the concept of koinonia, a Greek word that has been translated as ‘fellowship’ (see 1 John 1:3) or ‘partnership’ (see Philippians 1:4 and 5). So koinonia is relational and missional. It is about face-to-face encounter with fellow Christians (fellowship) and side-by-side service to the world (partnership).

That dual understanding is captured in our strategic purpose for ecumenical work: ‘To support Salvationists at all levels as they build relationships and partnerships with other Christians.’

To achieve this purpose – to unwrap the gift of unity – there are several priorities we need to focus on.

The first is to enable corps members to engage more fully with Christians belonging to other churches. This highlights the significance of local ecumenism. The unity of the Church is perhaps most clearly seen when churches in the same community work, worship and witness together.

To support this crucial local emphasis, corps are encouraged to make the most of opportunities for ecumenical reflection and action. This could include being part of a Churches Together group, participating in joint outreach and joining in annual events such as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, ecumenical Lent courses or Thy Kingdom Come, the prayer initiative that takes place between Ascension Day and Pentecost – last year, the launch of this took place at Regent Hall.

Ecumenical chaplaincies are another way in which Christians work together locally. These exist in many settings, such as prisons, hospitals, airports, shopping centres, schools and colleges – and we want to encourage Salvationists to be part of them.

If unity and mission go together, then entering missional partnerships with other churches is something that corps need to consider seriously. This could involve sharing a building with

“

Be prepared to ask and answer questions about why and how things are. Be curious and humble enough to seek to understand how others see God. I have found that most disagreements on theology among denominations come from misunderstanding.

”

Captain Tracy Collis Divisional Ecumenical Officer (Lancashire)

Picture: Sarah Mensah

another church and worshipping either together or at separate times. It could involve forming missional partnerships to serve the community, such as a food bank, lunch club or children’s project. Corps are encouraged to think about these kinds of partnerships when they are working through their missional journal.

If the first priority is to enable local ecumenical engagement, the second is to ensure that DHQs support this work in the best way possible. This support will usually be given by divisional ecumenical officers (DEOs), who have this role in addition to their appointments as corps or divisional officers.

While part of a DEO’s role might be to represent the Army in regional ecumenical groups, their main responsibility is to support, encourage and resource the ecumenical work of corps.

DEOs in turn need to receive support. So there is a new online network for them to share ideas and experiences as well as individual online meetings with Territorial Ecumenical Support Officer Major David Evans.

A third priority is to enable Salvation Army participation in ecumenical and interfaith councils and networks. We want to make sure that those who represent the Army in local, regional or national ecumenical groups are equipped with appropriate information and guidance. We also want to enable and encourage them to give feedback to their corps, DHQ or THQ so that awareness is raised and good practice shared.

Finally, for the Army’s ecumenical engagement to be as effective as possible, the THQ Ecumenical and Interfaith Unit will research, develop and provide ecumenical guidelines and resources. A booklet has already been produced, A Brief Guide to Ecumenical and Interfaith Matters, which is available to download from salvationist.org.uk/ecumenical, and an ecumenical Learning

“

It’s about obeying Christ’s command to go into the world and preach the gospel, and no Salvationist can do that on their own. We need to love each other.

We need to welcome each other.

We may not like the heavy metal music of a Pentecostal worship band or the silence of a Quaker fellowship but they are part of the body of Christ.

”

Major David Evans Territorial Ecumenical Support Officer

and Development course is proposed for later in the year.

As we unwrap the gift of unity we will discover how much the Army can enrich other churches and how much we can be enriched by them. This gift will enable us to serve the world more effectively as we work together in mission.

O For more information about ecumenical matters,

email ecumenical@salvationarmy.org.uk or go to salvationist.org.uk/ecumenical.

LIEUT-COLONEL JONATHAN ROBERTS Divisional Commander Wales

Salvationist 20 January 2024

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REFLECTION

A palette of colours Divisional Ecumenical Officer Captain Tracy Collis (Lancashire) reflects on a visit to a Romanian Orthodox church

I

T was with a sense of the unknown that I drew up to a building that looked nothing like I expected a church to look. I had been invited with my fellow ecumenical representatives to share in the annual Advent Paraklesis service at a Romanian Orthodox church.

The plain exterior hid a beautifully decorated interior, with portraits of Jesus, Mary, disciples and saints. There were gold stands and ornate Bibles, which the worshippers bowed to and kissed as they entered. A gated entrance hid the entrance to the Holy of Holies and to the side was a four-sided lectern used for leading the service.

We were warmly welcomed by congregants preparing food and drink with smiles and hugs, which replaced a common language. Many women reverently had their heads covered and children in national dress were practising singing for the celebration of Great Union Day (1 December), the national day of Romania.

People were chatting and busying themselves getting ready for worship, but the laid-out chairs were mostly empty. We were called to worship with a swinging silver incense receptacle. There were no announcements, songbooks or PowerPoint slides, but a seamless hour of fast-paced sung liturgy by the two fathers and male attendants.

A few people sat in the chairs; most stood or knelt the entire time. Children played comfortably and worshippers sang purposefully, and the sign of the cross was used frequently, including 10

Salvationist 20 January 2024

touching the floor. The sense of spirituality was almost hypnotic. The barrier of language did not detract from the presence of God, as I was drawn into the worship. These were Christian disciples worshipping with all their hearts and it was a privilege to share such a sacred time and space.

As part of the celebrations, we were treated to the children singing some Romanian songs, before being invited to the traditional ‘fasting’ feast of Advent.

As we were greeted with plates of fish, rice, polenta, garlicky and herby potato fishcakes, hummus and bread, one might wonder what a non-fasting feast consists of. This was my first delicious taste of Romanian cuisine – I passed, though, on the wine!

It was a truly memorable experience of Christian hospitality, where Jesus was evident in both actions and words. It was so far away from any Christian worship I had previously been part of, it left me with so many questions, yet it was truly time spent with Christian brothers and sisters.

I greatly admired the devotion and stamina of these Christians, who perhaps truly take to heart God’s command to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength’ (Mark 12:30), having either stood or knelt for the entire service. This was closely followed with ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Mark 12:31) in their generous hospitality. There was a genuine desire to engender ecumenical understanding.

The universal Church may have many theological differences in its expression and interpretation of worship, yet at the heart of this – and all Christian worship – is our love towards God. Each differing expression of worship can give us a unique glimpse into the many differing facets of God’s character. A sung liturgical worship must surely delight God as much as communion, Quaker silence or Charismatic hand-lifting. Worship is a kaleidoscope of human expressions as individual as people, but each serves equally to draw us closer as disciples to our Creator.

What, then, does this mean for our ecumenical working relationships?

We become much the richer in our relationship with God as disciples if we embrace the diversity of the universal Christian Church – and much the poorer, spiritually and missionally, if we limit our denominational vision to our own activities.

Ecumenical working must begin with a firm belief that the Church is not a one-dimensional, black-and-white drawing. It is a palette of colour that paints the whole picture of God to the world. It will, however, remain unfinished unless we dip the brush in all of his colours. The challenge for each of us is how to learn to paint ecumenically.

CAPTAIN TRACY COLLIS C Corps Officer Car Carnforth and Morecambe

ENABLED AT CHRISTMAS REPORT

Faith, fellowship and festive fun UKI MORE than 120 people took part across the Enabled at Christmas 2023 weekend, reports Learning Disability Inclusion Development Manager Chris Stringer (THQ).

With activities hosted on Facebook, YouTube and Zoom, this number typically increases later, as people who were busy during the weekend catch up on sessions.

My welcome session included a time of singing and prayer, a message on the birth of Jesus and some games. The now-obligatory scavenger hunt had participants finding six items related to Christmas. Tori Gardner (Horden) brought a Christmas quiz, with a Guess the Carol round played live on cornet.

Saturday morning’s Godly Play, led

by Captain Georgina Symons (Histon), shared the Christmas story based on the journey to Bethlehem and the Advent wreath.

Disability Engagement Adviser Joanne Graham’s Fit in 15 session led us through a series of exercises, including a wonderful Twelve Days of Christmas, and Sara Scotney (Boston) showed us how to make Christmas gift bags in a craft session.

Hosted by Wendy Keller (Boston) on Zoom, Wendy’s Winter Wonderland brought stories and songs to remind us of the wonder of Christmas. The final session of the day, Saturday Night with Jonny, saw Jonny Searle (Boscombe) share his talents through singing, playing the timbrel and drawing.

Sunday started with worship on

Zoom led by Enabled Support Officer Major Richard Knott. As well as singing carols, listening to Bible readings and sharing in prayer, Richard reminded us that we needed to prepare, not just for Christmas but also for the return of Jesus.

A drama session, hosted by Sarah Grace, had us pretending to be Christmas trees, Santa’s sleigh, tree lights and more. We also acted out emotions, from sad to ecstatic, and combined these with the objects to make things like ecstatic Christmas lights.

The session finished with us choosing objects to put in a Christmas cracker.

We made crowns with a word that was important to us before adding a joke and a prayer to complete our crackers.

David Stanley (Leigh-on-Sea) and the

Music Man Project Essex entertained us with a Christmas concert, before a mindfulness session by Julie Taylor (Hamilton) encouraged us to relax amid the busyness of Christmas – I might have fallen asleep during this session as I became so relaxed!

Enabled at Christmas ended with a carol service hosted by Outreach Mission Partner Dan Elson (Music and Creative Arts). We enjoyed singing carols, learning to sign along with a new Christmas song, a performance by the Music Man Project Lancashire and a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

It was a wonderful weekend that gave Enabled members the opportunity to share faith, fellowship, friendship and fun in their homes across the territory.

Salvationist 20 January 2024

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CHRISTMAS ROUND-UP

Oscar donates 250 gifts bought with pocket money and collected from friends and family to Batley’s Christmas Present Appeal

SWINDON GORSE HILL Swindon Wildcats donated about 500 teddy bears collected during an ice hockey game. They are pictured with corps officer Captain Theresa Torr, her husband, John, and grandson, Lewis. – TT

STEPNEY The corps and different expressions of the Army in Tower Hamlets held their annual Christmas on the Farm Nativity at Stepney City Farm. More than 100 people gathered to listen to the Christmas story and sing carols as they journeyed around the farm. – HS

EXMOUTH Encouraged to dress as Nativity characters, the congregation engaged in the spirit of the Festive Fred Pop-up Nativity play. As well as fun and laughter, the true meaning of Christmas was unmistakably proclaimed. Home-made mince pies and the joy of Christ were shared with people of faith and those still seeking. – JH

Salvationist wants to hear from you!

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

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Salvationist 20 January 2024

PARKHEAD The corps carol service, supported by the band and songsters, featured a children’s Nativity play and a visit from Santa. Major Fiona Partland (DHQ) led the first part, with YP workers reading a script prepared by Evangeline Kingsley. Corps Mission Secretary Russell Chalmers led the second part, featuring vocal solos by Gareth Merser and Miriam and Suen. – AD

STORNOWAY People dressed as favourite Nativity characters to take part in an unrehearsed Nativity play. The congregation also got involved, shouting out sound effects and singing along with carols. Corps officer Lieutenant Christopher Thompson explained that the original Nativity story was unrehearsed and messy, and that Jesus came down to everyday life. – CT

BRIEF UPDATES WATERBEACH About 60 pupils from year 6 at Waterbeach Community Primary School spent time learning about Christmas traditions around the world at an exhibition displaying nearly 300 Nativity scenes. Corps folk also led Messy Church at the school with about 80 pupils from the reception class. They listened to the Christmas story and took part in crafts. – DC-H

Welling Corps is joined by Rudolph to spread Christmas joy on the streets

STAINES About 300 people attended Christmas with The Salvation Army.

Guests were greeted with warm fruit punch and marshmallows toasting on an open fire. They requested favourite carols by raising handmade ‘tokens of joy’. Actor and producer Elizabeth Bright sang traditional favourites and the community Come and Sing Choir joined the songsters. The YP band played ‘Walking in the Air’ and the children’s Unison Choir sang ‘When Children Rule the World’. The evening ended with the congregation joining the choir in singing the words from ‘Wonderful Counsellor’: ‘No more a world in darkness, the light will come.’ The truly joyous occasion shared the joy of Jesus’ birth with all who came to listen. – MJ

BARRHEAD Parent-and-toddler Group Leader Mel made up goody bags for the children, which included Our Daily Bread for Little Hearts: This Is Christmas, a little knitted mouse, a chocolate selection box and a copy of the Christmas Kids Alive! issue. Pictured is Aiden reading the Christmas narrative with his mum. – GW

SELBY The Craft and Chatter group spread Christmas joy by making 600 knitted angels to be dropped off around the community. Each angel carried the message ‘do not be afraid’ from Luke 1:30. – AR

TWICKENHAM The corps and community united for carols in the car park. The Toddlersong group also celebrated with a Christmas party. – EW

MARKET RASEN The corps supported more than 30 families, including 72 children, by providing seasonal supplies to help make their Christmas special. Staff from the local Co-op store assisted corps members wrapping and packing donated items. Corps leader Territorial Envoy Terence Carpenter thanked all those who donated for their generosity. – GB BRIDGWATER Chilton Trinity School supported the corps Be a Star! appeal by wearing Christmas jumpers and donating items for food parcels. Two Christmas meals served almost 100 local people, and children enjoyed nibbles and a bouncy castle at the annual Babysong Christmas party. Many people attended the Carols by Candlelight service to listen to the message of God’s glory and share in fellowship. – HC KILMARNOCK As part of the outreach programme, members of the band and others shared the Christmas message and carols at four nursing homes. This included passing on the love of everyone at the corps to Captain Dorothy Adams on her 90th birthday. – EF DUNSTABLE Twenty-eight corps members and volunteers prepared food hampers and toy parcels for 305 families, including 677 children. Town mayor, Councillor Liz Jones, stopped by to encourage the volunteers. – RC

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CHRISTMAS ROUND-UP

PAIGNTON Beginning with a treelighting ceremony in sub-zero temperatures, the band’s festive period included a primary school fête, carols in the car park, an outdoor carol service and regular carolling slots. They were joined by corps folk, including four-year-old Arthur, who sang carols and thanked everyone who donated. During the children’s carol service, an incomplete manger scene prompted a hunt for baby Jesus, and YP worker Claire Brine talked about the importance of remembering Jesus. Children decorated a tree, wrapped presents and showed off Christmas jumpers. The congregation also enjoyed A Noisy Nativity, a prayer time and lively contributions from the band and songsters. – DW/CB

Soon-to-be Pearly Queen of Bexley Gail Griffiths presents a donation to Lieutenant Hannah Borrett (Dartford)

STANSTED AIRPORT Retired Bandmaster Don Jenkins (Bishop’s Stortford), accompanied by corps officer Major Alan Frederiksen on the keyboard, played Christmas music on the trombone for busy travellers in the departure lounge. Also present to chat and collect was Carol Creswell. It was a meaningful time spent pointing thousands of people to Jesus. – AF

SUNDERLAND CITADEL Christmas celebrations included carolling, a lunch club Christmas meal and a carol service. The blessings received by the corps through conversations, prayers and fun were far greater than the busyness. On Christmas morning, the Nigerian church family joined together to celebrate. – JJ

Clowne Band visit Amberley House care home on Christmas morning SWAN LODGE Lifehouse residents shared in a carol service at Sunderland Citadel.

Swan Lodge Choir sang ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ and the northern corps de ballet performed. Residents enjoyed a gingerbread and cake competition, games and a Christmas Day meal. Sunderland AFC’s Luke O’Nien dropped in for a visit and a team-up with the local restaurant Sambuca offered youngsters the opportunity to meet Santa and footballer Julio Arca. – JJ 14

Salvationist 20 January 2024

Malton Band brave minus 4 degrees to raise funds for the Christmas toy appeal and help 190 children receive presents

FELTHAM After the busyness of the toy appeal and carolling, the corps came together on Christmas Eve for carols by candlelight . The hall was full, with some folk joining in worship for the first time. – JB

BRIEF UPDATES

BURTON-ON-TRENT For the first time in several years the corps took music ministry into the community. The community choir and newly formed timbrel group were gratefully received at community centres and residential complexes and took part in the corps Christmas Songs of Praise alongside the new Open Brass Group. The choir sang to a capacity audience during a united church carol service with churches that share the building. Christmas Eve carols by candlelight and New Year’s Eve services were well attended.

God is blessing the ministry of the corps. – CM

BELLSHILL Alongside the carolling programme, the band played four fundraising concerts in eight days. The Giffnock South Church Community Choir’s annual Christmas concerts supported the Christmas Appeal. The band’s annual Music for a Christmas Evening raised almost £1,000 for ACCORD Hospice, and their 25th annual visit to Angus for a full Sunday of ministry raised a large sum for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland. A civic reception by the provost and council honoured the band’s years of ministry. Soloists included Alex Ramsay (cornet), YP Band Leader Chris Shanks (euphonium), Lynn Shanks (flugelhorn) and Marjory Watson (vocal). – MS DERBY CENTRAL When there were not enough gifts for all the teenagers referred to the corps, Smarter Managed Buildings – where Bandmaster Darren Willis is operations director – donated 25 footballs. Overall, gifts were provided to almost 800 children through the Christmas Present Appeal. – EH PERTH The carol concert was well attended, with Provost Xander McDade in the congregation. Items included very young people singing,‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ and ‘Away in a Manger’, as well as the Rock Choir. – GA STAPLE HILL Several hundred people took part enthusiastically in Christmas Eve carols at Fountain Square. Led by corps officer Major Colin Hylton-Jones, the band played a prominent part. On Christmas Day, more than 100 people and many volunteers joined in a full day of fellowship. – VW STOCKTON A group of bandsmen supported the chaplaincy team at the University Hospital of North Tees in their carol service for patients and staff. – SD

BRIDGWATER For the second year, corps members joined the South West Fellowship Band at Hinkley Point C nuclear power station to bring the Christmas message to workers. The band finished by joining with the on-site Romanian choir. – HC

IPSWICH CITADEL The band accompanied carol singing at Kesgrave community centre, led by corps officer Captain Andrew Jarrold. – DC COLCHESTER CITADEL The corps joined the Colchester Chinese Christian Church for worship on Christmas Eve. The church uses the hall on Sundays, serves the city’s Chinese community and supports corps community work. – AL CLOWNE People attached written stars to a memory tree to honour their loved ones. – GH LIVERPOOL WALTON The community joined the corps for two fabulous Christmas concerts, which included carols, dances, readings, a Nativity play and music by the band, songsters and timbrelists. The events raised £1,600 for Marie Curie. – LH

BEDFORD CONGRESS HALL Joystory, a foot-tapping musical written by Hayley Bailey and Phil Jackson-Bailey, brought the true message of Christmas in a fun and creative way to the church family and community. – JM

BURNLEY Corps officer Major Lorraine Kreuiter led a carol service at the SATCoL store. Corps members together with corps officers from Nelson joined with SATCoL staff, volunteers and customers to celebrate Christmas. – LK

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CHRISTMAS ROUND-UP

MAIDSTONE The band carolled in the town, villages, community centres and churches. Events included Carols by Candlelight led by the songsters, an evening featuring the Music Man Project and the band, an informal All-Age Nativity – including a character who wanted to be a leopard but was meant to be a shepherd – a corps carol service that reflected on the gifts brought to Jesus, and Croissants and Carols on Christmas Eve. The Christmas Day family service was followed by dinner for people experiencing homelessness or feeling lonely. – GP

WESTON-SUPER-MARE A team of volunteers served 40 Christmas lunches at the lunch club. The Thursday food parcel volunteers also had a buffet lunch before giving out over 60 Christmas food bags. – DL

FELIXSTOWE Forty-seven organisations and charitable groups took part in the corps Christmas tree festival, attended by more than 1,000 visitors. Many of those attending shared in fellowship and refreshments. – DA 16

Salvationist 20 January 2024

NEWPORT CITADEL Eight-year-old Rowan, pictured with corps officer Captain Kathryn Stowers, collected toys for the toy appeal, setting himself a target of 370 – the number of children in care in the city. He collected a total of 412 toys and gifts. – KS

KNOTTINGLEY A Christmas Eve carol service followed the Nativity story through carols. The congregation included four new people, who joined in by placing blocks after each carol to build up a Nativity scene. The second candle on the Advent wreath remained unlit to show solidarity with Christians in the Middle East affected by the war. – MT

SNETTISHAM The corps and Friends of St Mary’s Church welcomed the Ukuleles of the Third Age for a fun-filled concert that entertained more than 100 people. Members of St Mary’s Church supplied homemade refreshments. A team of volunteers then lovingly put together a Christmas tea for more than 60 people. The two events raised over £600. – EH

BRIEF UPDATES

WORCESTER The hall welcomed more than 100 people during the Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre. The music sections were in the city’s heart every weekend and ministered in retirement homes, shops, prisons, streets, village halls, the hospital and even a red telephone box! The toy appeal expanded its operations when a shopping unit (pictured) became a central point of contact. The local SATCoL Donation Centre provided a donation point and offered practical support.

The hall was full for the carol service, which included a Strictly Come Dancing-inspired Nativity play. – HT

HYTHE Corps officer Lieutenant Susan ShorlandCompton, Shauna Carroll and Lesley Varndell worked tirelessly to ensure many children received gifts at Christmas. Toddler group families were reminded about the Christmas message at a family-friendly café church Christmas service and shared in a Nativity play and a time of worship and craft, all while enjoying refreshments. On Christmas Day, volunteers from the community gave up time to serve the Lord and over 40 diners, who shared in a three-course lunch. – SS-C LEIGH-ON-SEA As well as the normal Advent activities, members and groups for the first time decorated the hall windowsills. Advent services included a visit from a local school’s boys choir, who shared in the toy service, the young people presenting a new version of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, concluding with a Nativity presentation, a thoughtful Christmas reflection from soldier Margaret Parkhill, and the corps carol service on Christmas Eve. – PJ CIRENCESTER The hall was filled for an evening meeting. In addition to readings and carols, the recently formed learners group of adults and young people joined the band, young people from the Gap Sunday club joined the songsters, and a young people’s group, with guitar, ukulele and drums, contributed.

Written by Sunday Club Leader Corinne Walters, the Nativity was portrayed as a TV show. – MG

CIRENCESTER The band provided music for a Christmas carol event in St Lawrence Church for Hope Cirencester. It included Bible readings by police cadets and carols from Chesterton Primary School. The band and songsters also led carols at Watermoor House and Barclay Court care homes, as well as playing in Tetbury town centre and in Kempsford, where the landlord of The George offered his premises as a warm, dry venue. – MG

SOUTHAMPTON SHOLING Christmas Eve saw more than 100 people walk through the doors for community carols, with new faces welcomed. The band performed almost non-stop, playing many impromptu requests. Everyone enjoyed hot chocolate and mince pies. – JH WILLENHALL About 90 people attended a free community lunchtime carol concert. The music was provided by a composite band from local corps, including trombone soloist Gemma Potter (Coventry City). Corps folk also welcomed St Giles Church of England Primary School choir for a morning of music and mince pies. Parents and grandparents came along to support, with many coming to the Army for the first time. – LH-N HARLOW The corps carol service raised £289.54, which was donated to Pets’ Corner, a council-funded community project. – CH CIRENCESTER Working with Cirencester and District Round Table, the corps helped identify families in need for approximately 200 Christmas hampers that were given out. – AR

Teddington Band bring festive cheer to patients at Teddington Memorial Hospital Salvationist 20 January 2024

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE

Appointed Effective 1 April MAJOR ALEC STILL, Divisional Commander, Yorkshire and Humber MAJOR JANE COWELL, Assistant Chief Secretary, with the rank of lieut-colonel MAJOR CAROLINE HEWARD, Assistant Divisional Commander, Yorkshire and Humber

Dedicated to God GRACELYN and JAMES, children of Cerys Alexander, at Guisborough by Major Fiona Mugford

Retired officers’ birthdays MAJOR THOMAS CALDER, 85 on 29 January

ENGAGEMENTS

Promoted to Glory EDIE HARWOOD, Eston

Chief of the Staff Commissioner Edward Hill and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries Commissioner Shelley Hill

SYLVIA EVANS, Hillingdon, on 5 December 2023

Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main

CAPTAIN MAY SEMANS from her home on 27 December 2023 MAJOR MARGARET LAWRANCE on 28 December 2023 MAJOR JOHN MERSER on 31 December 2023 AUX-CAPTAIN LESLIE WALGROVE from The Grange University Hospital, Cwmbran, on 31 December 2023 BANDSMAN PETER BARLOW, Basingstoke, on 31 December 2023 MAJOR DAVID ARNOTT from his home on 4 January

Official Gazette Long service

MAJOR LINDA WATSON, Ayr, from Ayrshire Hospice on 5 January

MAJOR DEANNA DOUGAN, Chaplain, Centenary House Lifehouse, Belfast, on 19 December 2023

Retirements from active service Effective 1 January MAJOR ELIZABETH SANDISON (née Ryder) out of Sheffield Citadel in 1984 and last appointment Chaplain, Edinburgh Homelessness Services MAJOR MAGGIE CADOGAN (née Heins) out of Romford in 1989 and last appointment Chaplain, George Williams House, Fleetwood COMMISSIONER PAUL MAIN Territorial Leader

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Sun 21 Jan Regent Hall (Welcome to the territorial leaders)

ESTELLA HAYES, Batley and York, on 29 November 2023

MAJOR ANN KIDD, 80 on 1 February

25 years

General Lyndon Buckingham and World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham

DEREK JONES, Maidenhead, on 6 January

Tue 23 Jan ICO Lecture

Sat 20 Jan Regent Hall (Sing in the New Year) Sun 21 Jan Regent Hall (Welcome to the territorial leaders) Tue 23 Jan – Sun 28 Jan Caribbean Territory (Holiness Convention)

Chief Secretary Colonel Peter Forrest and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Julie Forrest Sat 20 Jan Regent Hall (Sing in the New Year) Sun 21 Jan Regent Hall (Welcome to the territorial leaders) Fri 26 Jan – Sun 28 Jan Warwick University (Encounter Prayer Gathering)

NOTICES

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Resource Calendar The 2024 EDI resource calendar highlights key dates to help you with planning and raising awareness of cultural, religious, or social events to reach out to your communities. The calendar is available on OurHub for anyone with a UKI Salvation Army email address. To request a copy of the calendar or for more information, email equalityandinclusion@salvationarmy.org.uk.

Christmas activities survey All corps and community settings are invited to contribute to an online survey of their 2023 Christmas activities. Please only provide one response per setting to avoid duplicate entries. The survey closes on 26 January. Email communityservices@salvationarmy.org.uk for more details.

Self-Denial Appeal Bereaved CPR SUSAN SIMPSON, Guisborough, of her mother Edie Harwood JACKIE FINCHAM, Felixstowe, and Wesley Lawrance of their mother Major Margaret Lawrance MAJOR VAL MERSER of her husband Major John Merser MAJOR GRACE ARNOTT of her husband Major David Arnott MAJOR SUE HEWARD of her father Derek Jones CAPTAIN PENNY PALMER-TAYLOR of her sister Sally Brown

Salvationist 20 January 2024

Ahead of the launch of the 2024 appeal, the poster, leaflet and worship resources are available to download from salvationist.org.uk, with videos arriving online throughout February. Email territorial.appeals@salvationarmy. org.uk with any questions.

Jump IN! The latest five-session Jump IN! series for preschoolers and carers explores different types of weather through Bible stories, song and sensory play.

A music video is available to download and use with each session from salvationist.org.uk/resources/discipleship/jump-in.

SOUNDS

Sunday Worship Sunday Worship will be led by Captain Rob Westwood-Payne (Maidenhead).

Can’t join us at 11am on Sundays? Catch up with the weekly podcast of Sunday Worship highlights, including music, prayer and a Bible message.

Each week’s broadcast is also repeated in full on Sundays at 6pm, Mondays at 12am and Thursdays at 9am.

O Listen online at salvationist.org.uk/radio.

ADVERTS

NOTTINGHAM WILLIAM BOOTH MEMORIAL HALLS, KING EDWARD STREET NG1 1EU Sunday 28 January Were you ever a singing company member at the Halls during the last 50 years? You are invited to a special reunion Sunday for the

RETIREMENT OF SINGING COMPANY LEADER KRYSTYNA PARRY (51 years’ service) 3pm buffet tea, 4pm meeting (we hope all members past and present will join to sing together) Please let us know if you are coming. Contact Majors Robert and Julia Jepson: nottingham.wbmh@salvationarmy.org.uk

BATH TEMPLE, OOLITE ROAD Sunday 28 January 3pm

VALEDICTORY MEETING ‘A celebration of God’s faithfulness’

TO LET ALTEA, SPAIN Modern two-bedroom, two-bathroom heated apartment. Pool, tennis, garden, garage. Shops, restaurants, beach close, hill-walking. Warm winter area. Airport transfers available.

Tel 02920 759314 or email dee.jones@virgin.net.

TOPSHAM, DEVON Two-bedroom cottage overlooking Exe Estuary and hills. Local shops, inns, teashops, walks. Coast, moors, Exeter nearby.

Tel 02920 759314 or email dee.jones@virgin.net.

RECRUITING NOW EDITORIAL ASSISTANT THQ

RECRUITING NOW YOUTH WORKER RAMSGATE, KENT

This is an exciting opportunity to join our editorial team as part of Kids Alive!, the world’s longestrunning children’s magazine.

Salary £29,955 per annum

Your duties will include: O Writing Christian material suitable for children between the ages of 7 and 12, including cartoon scripts and articles relating to faith and lifestyle O Proofreading pages in support of the publication process O Updating a dedicated webpage and social media O Administrative support of a Christian correspondence and activity course for children O Correspondence with readers O Liaising with companies supporting our prize competitions

Working hours Minimum of 35 hours per week Contract Fixed term for 12 months

Details 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time); This is an excellent entry-level post for someone contributory seeking to get into publishing with a supportive, person-focused employer. pension scheme; season ticket loan; As it is a Christian magazine, and you will be expected employee to write Christian material, there is an occupational assistance requirement that the successful candidate will be programme a practising Christian.

This is currently a fixed-term post based at our new, modern headquarters at Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8FJ. Employees are expected to attend the office a minimum of 40 per cent over the course of the month.

Closing date Sunday 28 January

The corps is looking for a youth worker to develop and lead its Salary Unqualified: £23,186 youth and young adults' ministry. You will be a practising Christian with experience to lead youth and inspire volunteers – £26,121 per annum Qualified: in activities involving an age group of 11 to 30 years. You will £27,667 – £29,647 have the support of the corps leaders, divisional youth team and church leadership to implement the vision of nurturing and per annum Working hours encouraging young people in their Christian faith.

35 hours per week Key responsibilities: including Sundays O Develop and deliver the youth programme and activities in and some evenings the church for young people (11-18) and young adults (18-30) (but time taken back O Provide pastoral care of the young people associated with for this) the corps Applications for O Recruit, inspire and lead a team of volunteers to help provide part-time or job a varied programme of activities share interest in this O Provide an environment and activities that nurture and role will be considered encourage young people in their Christian faith Contract O To pioneer and implement new youth ventures and Fixed term for 3 years ministries resulting from community consultation Details O To network with local agencies, schools, colleges and other 25 days' annual leave churches to deliver detached youth work provision in response plus bank holidays to community needs, such as the Starfish programme (pro rata for part-time); The successful candidate(s) will be able to demonstrate: contributory pension O A Christian faith with a passion for working with young scheme; season people to bring ministry to the community of young people O A qualification in youth work or willingness to study towards ticket loan; employee assistance a qualification, or evidence of transferable qualifications programme O Excellent communication skills and ability to engage with Closing date young people in different settings O Previous experience of organising and leading a wide range Sunday 28 January Interview date of youth activities Week commencing The role has an occupational requirement that the successful Monday 5 February candidate must be a practising Christian. Please ensure you use the correct job profile when completing your application form and clearly mark down whether you are qualified or unqualified.

For full details and to apply, visit: salvationarmy.org.uk/jobs

For full details and to apply, visit: salvationarmy.org.uk/jobs

Appointment subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in the UK. CVs will not be accepted. Promoting equality in the workplace.

Appointment subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in the UK, Enhanced DBS Disclosure. CVs will not be accepted. Promoting equality in the workplace.

‘ The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind.’

JOHN 17:21 The Message

SALVATIONIST