17 minute read
Quotes from the media
PARISHES NAVIGATE OBSTACLES TO HELP REFUGEES ARRIVING IN UK
Churches across the UK are continuing their efforts to assist refugees from the war in Ukraine…
In rural North Yorkshire, the Rector of the Whorlton Benefice, the Rev Dr Robert Opala, has been involved in helping several Ukrainian families find sanctuary.
Dr Opala ... has been working with the Middlesbrough-based charity Investing in People and Culture...
The application process, Dr Opala said, has proved ‘difficult and complicated’, and has created ‘a lot of frustration and even anger’...
In the diocese of Portsmouth, a campaign is under way to match refugees with prospective hosts. The diocese is aiming to find 50 households willing to host refugees from Ukraine...
Canon Nick Ralph, the diocesan social-responsibility adviser, said: ‘The government’s scheme was helpful, but the issue that remained was how hosts or sponsors in the UK could be linked with specific refugees who needed help...’
Individuals who were not able to host but who wished to support refugees when they arrived could do so in several ways, Mr Ralph said, such as providing help in applying for jobs or gaining access to medical services, teaching English or simply making refugees feel welcome.
Church Times
CHRISTIANS JOIN PROTESTS AT UK’S OIL TERMINALS
Anglican clergy and other Christians are among protesters who have blocked oil facilities in the UK in response to the urgent recommendations of the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change…
As climate-heating carbon emissions continue to rise, despite warnings from scientists that the world is in danger of breaching the globally agreed goal of limiting average temperature rise to 1.5C, the protesters are calling for a shift away from fossil fuels.
The Rev Helen Burnett ... said: ‘Compared to the horrific bloodshed in Ukraine, the fight for 1.5C may seem abstract, but it is, in reality, all too real. It is the fight for all those on the front line of the climate crisis.’
Church Times
NEWS BRIEFING: PRAYING FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE
Churches Together in England marked Sunday 3 April with a joint act of witness to pray for peace in Ukraine. Christians of all denominations lit candles and joined in prayer at 2pm. The organisation’s president, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, said that in praying together ‘we witness to the possibility of unity and the promise of reconciliation’. Church leaders including Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, the Ukrainian Catholic eparch, and John Sentamu, the former Archbishop of York, offered prayers outside the Ukrainian embassy. The Ukrainian colours were broadcast onto Westminster Abbey and Methodist Central Hall in London.
The Tablet
STUDY SHOWS CHURCH BUILDINGS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC DESPITE ONLINE SHIFT
Research has shown that the need for church buildings remains just as prevalent following the [coronavirus] pandemic as it did before the [pandemic] began.
A study from the National Churches Trust, as part of a debate about the future of UK places of worship, found that 80 per cent of people asked believed that the building played a crucial role...
Of the reasons given, the need for in-person meeting and community was the most common...
Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust, said: ‘Our consultation shows that people really value church buildings. That’s because they are the ultimate all-purpose building, available for everyone to use. Churches are places for worship and reflection, vitally needed community centres and are packed with history and heritage...
‘With over 900 churches on Historic England’s “Heritage at Risk Register”, and with many more in poor condition in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, more funding for the repair and maintenance of church buildings is urgently needed. The Church of England alone estimates that it will need to find £1 billion to pay for the upkeep of its churches over the next five years.’
Premier
SALVATIONIST
salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist Issue No 1855
EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts
MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Simon Hope, Melita Day-Lewis, George Tanton, Major Margaret Bovey
ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight, Louise Phillips
PROOFREADER Chris Horne
Published weekly by The Salvation Army and printed on paper from sustainable sources by CKN Print, Northampton. © The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory. ISSN 2516-5909.
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The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. FOUNDER William Booth
GENERAL Brian Peddle
TERRITORIAL COMMANDER
Commissioner Anthony Cotterill
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARY
Major Mal Davies
TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS
101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN 0845 634 0101
A WORK IN PROGRESS
AS most readers will know, Territorial Headquarters is situated in the Elephant and Castle area of London. In recent years the area has undergone significant change. When I arrived here in 2016 there was a network of underpasses beneath the roundabout, but within a couple of years the entrances were filled in and paved over, and trees were planted to create a much more pleasant environment. Around the same time, an apartment block was built on Newington Causeway, rising to 34 floors and overshadowing THQ.
After the Covid-19 lockdowns, staff members returning to THQ were surprised to see that a Travelodge had shot up right next door to the building. And, next to the railway station, where there used to be a shopping centre, was a massive hole in the ground ready to be built on as part of a new ‘town centre’ with shops, an upgraded Tube station and nearly 1,000 homes. Changes are also happening elsewhere in the capital, with cranes dotted along the skyline. Someone joked, ‘London will be nice when it’s finished!’ Like many other towns and cities, it is in the process of becoming.
Becoming was the theme of Exploring Leadership Day at William Booth College, which is featured in this issue. Those who attended were reminded: ‘You are a work in progress.’ Through worship together and seminars on a range of topics, they were given opportunities to explore what that meant and what next steps God might be calling them to. Closing the day, Principal Lieut-Colonel Judith Payne said: ‘It’s exciting to know that God isn’t finished with any of us yet.’
Major Vivienne Prescott is also excited about the idea of ‘becoming’. She contributes the second article in our series on that theme as we approach Candidates Sunday, and says every day is ‘an opportunity to discover more about who I am becoming in my ministry’. Past experiences have helped make her who she is now and prepared her for ministry – but she is convinced that God has more work to do, not just in her but in all of us. Echoing Lieut-Colonel Judith, she says: ‘He has not finished with you yet.’
That was certainly the case with the apostle Peter, who features in Major Roger Batt’s Bible study. Having denied Jesus before the Crucifixion, Peter may have wondered whether the risen Lord would have any further use for him. But Jesus invited him and the other disciples to share breakfast on the seashore, a sign of acceptance and grace. Peter’s experience shows that, in the process of becoming, there are sometimes lapses and missteps, but God still has a purpose for us.
The development of the Elephant and Castle area is not haphazard – it has been thought through. There’s a vision of what the area can become and a plan for the builders to follow. There’s also a pattern to our process of becoming. The ‘who we are to be’ part of that is clear – we are to be like Jesus. But the ‘what we are to do’ part often needs to be discovered as we grow in our relationship with him by listening, learning and responding. May we always be ready to hear and willing to become, with the understanding that he hasn’t finished with us yet.
From the editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts
CONTENTS
Quotes from the media 2
News 4 to 7
Prayer matters 7
Feature 8 Becoming... who God made us to be
by Major Vivienne Prescott
Viewpoint 9
Exploring faith and spirituality
by David Newstead
News feature 10 and 11
Exploring Leadership Day asks what God has in store
by Ivan Radford
Feature 12 to 14
In greenest India
by Ruth Macdonald
Stories of transformation 15
Sheree Osborne: Finding peace
by Major Rosemary Dawson
Bible study 16 and 17
Come and have breakfast
by Major Roger Batt
Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17
by Major Sheila Smith
Review 18
Comfort in Uncertain Times
reviewed by Major Catherine Wyles
Preview 18 Together 2022: Love God, Love Others
by Colonel Paul Main
Interview 19
Unveiling our values
Major Beverly Baker talks to Emily Bright
Letters 20
Adverts 21 and 23
Announcements 22
The Salvation Army and me 24
featuring Emma Bryan
FRONT-PAGE PICTURE by Captain Petr Janoušek
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated
INTERNATIONAL
World leaders wow in Washington
USA SOUTHERN
GENERAL Brian Peddle and World Pres ident of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Rosalie Peddle visited the Potomac Division in Washington DC.
Supported by the territorial leaders, Com missioners Willis and Barbara Howell, and accompanied by divisional leaders Lieut-Colonels Allan and Fiona Hofer, they visited Landmark (Korean) Corps and Fairfax Corps in Virginia. The internationalism of these two corps was evident as parts of the meeting were in Korean, Spanish, Gujarati and English.
The General shared a brief outline of the Army’s work around the world, including in response to the Ukraine-Russia crisis.
After music numbers by Landmark Songsters and Praise Band, Commissioner Rosalie brought the morning message.
‘With the Holy Spirit helping us, God sends us into our neighbourhoods, our workplaces, our schools and our families to live as holy people in an unholy world,’ she said.
Hundreds of Salvationists crowded into Schlesinger Hall for an area-wide soldiers rally with the theme Battle Ready on Our Knees. The General enrolled 39 junior soldiers and 51 senior soldiers.
Many prayers were answered as the mercy seat was crowded several rows deep. The USA Southern Territory, including the Potomac Division, declared it was ‘battle ready’ for the mission ahead. – AS MUSIC
STAPLE HILL The band joined Leweston Choral Society for a concert in Leweston School’s concert hall in Sherborne. The band presented ‘Be Still’, ‘Living Power’ and ‘All Creatures Praise’, with soloists Mark Dickens and Haydn Brown playing ‘Glorious Venture’ and ‘You Are Always There’ respectively. A moment of reflection for people affected by the conflict in Ukraine followed the piece ‘World in Union’. The band were invited to take part after the society’s musical director heard a recording of them playing ‘And Can It Be?’ from a previous concert. The programme concluded with the choir and band performing the song together. The evening raised almost £2,000, which was divided between a nearby hospice and the Army’s Ukraine crisis response appeal. – VW
EVENT
PLYMOUTH CONGRESS HALL Nearly 40 people of all ages gathered for an evening of skittles, food and fun at the first fellowship night in a number of years. Several people attended for the first time. – MB
NEWS IN BRIEF
TWICKENHAM Corps officers Lieutenants Emily and Joel Watson visited a primary school to speak to a Year 1 class about what it means to be a Christian and why Jesus is important to them. They shared a Bible story, taught the class an action song and five children had a go at playing the cornet. The children were engaged and had the opportunity to ask questions. – EW
MORRISTON The emergency response unit supported a multi-agency training exercise at Severn Tunnel Junction station. With the help of five volunteers from the corps, they provided refreshments for more than 100 firefighters from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. – AR
GATESHEAD Thanks to financial support from Gateshead council, the corps has launched a free community podiatry service. The need for this service was identified after talking to members of the community, including people who attend events at the corps. A translation service is also provided where necessary. – AH
EMERGENCY AID
Army expands Ukrainian refugee work
EUROPE
SALVATION Army teams are continuing their work to support Ukrainian refugees across Norway and Denmark.
In Norway the Army took on the responsibility for one of the country’s largest refugee emergency accommodation centres. It will shelter 700 refugees for two to three months at a time. They will then be offered permanent housing in the surrounding towns.
The centre, situated in a recently closed college, offers four meals a day, health services, children’s activities and primary and elementary education. The Salvation Army has a one-year contract with the government for the operation of the centre.
Corps across the territory have welcomed refugees into their fellowships and continue to support them with essential material needs.
The Army in Denmark is preparing to extend its project for disadvantaged families in Tønder, a city on the border with Germany. Many Ukrainian refugees have arrived there seeking assistance. The Army is supporting them through social programmes and the provision of basic aid. – DF COMMUNITY
SLEAFORD Sleaford Speaks, an initiative that encourages community welfare projects, has awarded a grant for new toys and craft materials to Play and Stay, the corps parent-and-toddler group. Group leader Recruiting Sergeant Lynda Tasker and volunteer Florence Ormesher are pictured receiving the cheque for £500 from a police representative. – NM
MEETING
OUTREACH
PLYMOUTH CONGRESS HALL To celebrate Mother’s Day, the corps partnered Plymouth Vineyard Church to give out 300 bunches of daffodils to women in the city. Along with the flowers there was a card attached with the simple message: ‘Jesus loves you, and so do we.’ – MB READING WEST The newly appointed corps prayer co-ordinator, Julie Meek, led themed prayers during a meeting based on Psalm 139, which is her favourite. She and corps officer Lieutenant Portia Stirling-Mack sang ‘How Precious Are Your Thoughts’. Julie leads a fortnightly prayer time and prays for individual needs that are placed on a prayer board in the hall. ‘We are so blessed by her anointed prayers and encouraged when we see answers to those prayers,’ said Lieutenant Portia. – AR
FUNDRAISING
WELLING Corps officer Captain Katy Shubotham was invited to a primary school to talk about the Army. The students tried on uniforms, looked at flags and played timbrels. They asked about how being a Christian impacted daily life and if The Salvation Army only helped Christians. There was also a conversation about homelessness. The corps hopes to build a deeper relationship with the school in the future. – KS
BELLSHILL The band played in the arrivals hall at Glasgow airport and raised more than £460 for the Army’s work in eastern Europe, including Ukraine. They presented a programme of up-tempo and reflective music, with items including ‘Love Changes Everything’, ‘Every Time I Feel the Spirit’, ‘Be Still and Know’, ‘The Ashokan Farewell’ and ‘The Prayer’. Soloists Alex Ramsay (cornet) and YP Band Leader Chris Shanks (euphonium) presented ‘Share My Yoke’ and ‘Annie Laurie’ respectively. Parts of the morning were livestreamed, reaching a much wider audience. Airport Chaplain Major Chris Connelly and band members had a number of meaningful conversations with people who stopped to listen, including a Ukrainian woman whose parents are in Ukraine. – MS
ANTI-TRAFFICKING
Army protects Ukrainian refugees from human traffickers
MOLDOVA
SALVATION ARMY workers are protecting people seeking safety from the Ukraine-Russia crisis from further abuse and exploitation by human traffickers.
Teams from Moldova rushed to the Ukraine border in the first days of the conflict and have remained in place, providing accommodation, transport and food.
Galina Chetroi, modern slavery and human trafficking response consultant for the Army’s Eastern Europe Territory, said: ‘What we have seen during this crisis is that human trafficking is real and it is high risk. First, we saw whole families fleeing Ukraine but after a few days it was just women and children coming across the border to safety.
‘Many of these women were leaving Ukraine for the first time, didn’t know where they were going and had no contacts outside the country. They were scared, anxious to protect their children and worried for their husbands, dads and brothers who were left back home – in all that the last thing on their minds was human trafficking and that it could happen to them.’
As well as providing practical assistance and sharing information translated into Ukrainian to alert those fleeing to their rights and the risks, Salvation Army teams have been sharing updates from the front line with antitrafficking networks and using their contacts to get women and children to a safe place.
Major Kathy Betteridge, the UK and Ireland territorial director of Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery, said: ‘Conflict places people at greater risk of human trafficking. The impact can continue long after war has ended as traffickers prey on displaced people. In recent years we have supported hundreds of people from places like Sudan, Eritrea and Iraq.’ – AR
FUNDRAISING
LYMINGTON Churches Together in Lymington held a concert that raised more than £2,600 in support of the Army’s work in response to the Ukraine-Russia crisis. This was in addition to more than £3,000 raised in a street collection and the Rotary club donating £3,500, bringing the total raised last month to more than £10,000. – DB/RB CLOWNE The corps hosted an evening concert to raise funds for the Army’s work in response to the Ukraine-Russia conflict. A packed hall heard a range of music from the East Midlands Fellowship Band, led by Bandmaster Dean Coates, and two items from the songsters. The band pieces included ‘Finlandia’, ‘Highland Cathedral’, dedicated to a bandsman recently promoted to Glory, ‘Jubilation’, ‘The King of Kings’ and ‘He Lives’. Divisional Mission Enablers Majors Mark and Sarah Price attended in support and Major Paul Hilditch (William Booth College) acted as compère. The soloist was Keith Lawson (cornet), and a thought was shared by Band Sergeant Brian Colley. Corps officer Major Elaine Holder spoke about the work of The Salvation Army in and around Ukraine. A total of £1,200 was raised. – GH
PRESENTATION
KETTERING CITADEL Bandmaster Richard Phillips was presented with a retirement certificate by corps officer Major Nigel Govier. He also received a framed score of his band composition ‘Lord, with My All I Part’, which had been signed by the band members. Before they played this favourite piece of his, Richard expressed his thanks to the many people who had influenced and supported him through the years, especially his parents. His mother and two sisters, along with friends and associates from other corps, were among the congregation. ‘Music has given me enjoyment, employment and not least an avenue of service for the Lord,’ said Richard. That service included more than 26 years as a bandmaster, first at his home corps of Chatham, then at Enfield and – for the past 17 years – at Kettering Citadel, where he is also the corps pianist. – TH
INTERNATIONAL
CARNFORTH Councillor Rowland Parker made a visit to the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, and took with him the wreaths laid by the corps and the council at the town cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. The corps remembers the men and women of Carnforth and The Salvation Army who gave their lives for people's freedom in the First World War. – GT MUSIC
MEETING
STAPLE HILL The corps held a service of celebration to provide an opportunity for the corps family to commemorate loved ones lost during the Covid-19 pandemic. Between March 2020 and December 2021 corps officer Major Colin Hylton-Jones supported 24 bereaved families within the corps fellowship who were unable to say goodbye surrounded by family and friends due to the restrictions in place at the time. The service included hymns, Bible readings and medleys of music that were used at the funerals. The band and songsters presented ‘Guardian of My Soul’ and ‘Just Where He Needs Me’. Each person’s name and photograph were displayed on a screen for the congregation to remember them, and the families were presented with spring bulbs for their gardens. – VW
