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‘At first it was difficult hearing different voices and recognising them, but eventually we all learnt to respect each other, not override one another, listen to whoever was talking, pause and wait for the next person,’ Janet enthusiastically explains. ‘It was a great success and it kept the fellowship going!’
Margaret adds: ‘I think the continuity has been so important over the months. Every Wednesday morning we could talk to each other on the telephone, and now we can meet face to face. It’s kept us all in touch and supporting one another right through.’
The writers were eager to share why the group is important to them.
Margaret feels that the process of creative self-expression as a Christian is an important way of sharing faith with others: ‘Being creative is so important to us, especially when we’ve all been isolated for a while.’
Kathleen Roos agrees: ‘Putting down on paper the many thoughts and feelings that I forget to express or that come up at an inappropriate time means a lot to me because it’s an extension of myself.’
‘I’ve always written and it’s a way to express and arrange my thoughts,’ adds new member Ray Guffick, who made the group laugh with his comic poem. ‘When I first became a Christian I was given the gift of writing poetry and, although I haven’t written for many years, I would like to get back into it again.’
Dorothy Sparrow writes evocative poems about experiences from her youth. She says diffidently: ‘I hadn’t really written creatively – I’d written letters in offices, but I hadn’t thought about writing in this way. It brings back a lot of memories that I’ve not thought of for a long time.’
‘I just love writing!’ enthuses Joyce. ‘When I was a girl I used to learn things by heart and enjoyed speaking them out. I became a teacher and still loved writing.’
‘Since retiring I’ve written and published a book – a very ordinary romance novel called Once Bitten, after the saying “once bitten twice shy”,’ she laughingly adds.
Author Linda K Sienkiewicz said: ‘The act of writing is closely tied to empathy and the inner connectedness we have as human beings.’ The Doncaster writers’ group reflect this. They not only enjoy the opportunity to express their writing talents and share their Christian faith with others in a creative way, they encourage and care for one another, as well as support the corps with the funds they raise.
KNOW YOUR TANKAS FROM YOUR PANTOUMS
Tanka A Japanese poem with a set pattern of 31 syllables Haiku A three-line Japanese poem with a set pattern of 17 syllables Limerick A five-line comic form of verse, with lines one, two and five rhyming Villanelle A poem with 19 lines, with two lines recurring throughout and each line ending with one of only two rhymes Sestina A poem with six stanzas of six lines each, followed by a triplet, and each line ending with one of six words Pantoum A poem with four lines for each stanza and lines two and four of each stanza repeated as lines one and three in the next
The group’s booklet of creative writing
Email doncaster.corps@ salvationarmy.org.uk or telephone 01302 538248 to buy a copy of the Christmas booklet
MELITA IS EDITORIAL ASSISTANT, SALVATIONIST
An exciting adventure
COLUMN FROM THE COLLEGE
Cadet Jon Hampton reflects on his first term at William Booth College
WHEN looking at social media at the end of 2021, I often saw posts about how people were glad that the year was coming to an end, normally followed by a list of all the negative things that had happened. The past two years have been difficult for everyone, with many of us missing regular contact with family and struggling for lots of other reasons.
When reflecting on a year just gone I have always been intentional about looking at the positives – finding the incredible and exciting things that God has done. This gives me the lift I need and the enthusiasm to push on and see what God has in store for the next year. Last year brought an abundance of blessings to me and my family, which included moving to a little oasis in London called William Booth College.
In Joshua 1:9, God says: ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’ God called me and my wife, Debs, into officership and it’s fair to say I had some real fears about the idea of leaving things behind and following my calling. I had the best job in the world, lived in the sunshine city of Manchester and had a wonderful corps family at Sale. However, God knew what he wanted us to do, and I am reminded when I read Joshua 1:9 that God is with us! The adventure we have embarked on as a result of this has already been nothing short of exciting and inspiring.
We arrived at WBC at the end of August and the first term has been full of insight, laughter, love, challenges and some long nights working. But at the centre of it all has been the overwhelming presence of God.
Within the first few days we met the members of our session, the Reflectors of Holiness, and we have all become good friends who enjoy fellowship with each other. This started early on with our barbecues in the quad, where everyone brought an abundance of food to share – so much so that we had to have extra barbecues to use it up! The session is a diverse group of ages and personalities, which has given it the feeling of a big family at times. Everyone has loved congregating in the quad for social times and games.
We had an amazing welcome week, which included worship, Walk through the Bible sessions and introductions to the WBC staff team. There were also
