Quotes from the media

‘‘ QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA VETERANS TO USE ‘SLEEPING FLAGS’ TO HIGHLIGHT HOMELESSNESS

Former members of the [Irish] defence forces are to highlight the plight of homeless veterans by camping on the streets of Dublin in sleeping bags made of fabric in the colours of the national flag. The protest is being organised by the

STOP JEERING LIKE FOOTBALL FANS, COMMONS CHAPLAIN TELLS MPs MPs must end their ‘football terrace shouting’ in parliament, the House of Commons chaplain has said, warning that Westminster has become a ‘bruising’ place for politicians to serve. The Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, a chaplain to the Queen and the first

Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, known as One, which provides hostel accommodation for destitute former defence forces personnel, together with advice centres and lobbying more generally on behalf of former soldiers, naval personnel and members of the Air Corps… A statement from the organisation said the aim was to challenge ‘protocols around the treatment and representation of the Irish flag’.

The Irish Times

female chaplain to the Speaker of the Commons, called for greater civility in the chamber, warning that MPs already faced enough ‘vile abuse’ in public… ‘If we are going to be a truly resilient parliamentary democracy, then we are going to have to strongly resist the temptation of resorting to those defaults of behaviour that prevent us from working together in a spirit of generosity and trust,’ she told a Church of England education conference. The Times

DARWIN PLAY CANCELLED AFTER RELIGIOUS PARENTS COMPLAIN

A primary school has cancelled a play about Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution following complaints from a group of Christian parents. Several families threatened to withdraw their children from the play, which is aimed at 7 to 11-year-olds, as they felt one of the scenes ‘mocked’ a bishop involved in a historic debate on evolution. Hartford Manor Primary School, a non-religious community school in a village in Cheshire, decided to cancel the musical, Darwin Rocks, and replace it with a less divisive show following the objections. But the decision to cancel the play has provoked anger among another group of parents who argue that it is ‘unacceptable’ that their children have been denied a valuable learning opportunity... Stephen Evans, CEO of the National Secular Society, said: ‘Schools should broaden pupils’ horizons and need to be supported to do that when faced with external pressure demanding that the education their children receive conforms with parents’ religious views.’ The Independent

SCOTTISH MINISTER ‘SORRY’ ABOUT POSTERS THAT LEFT BELIEVERS FEELING TARGETED A Scottish minister has apologised for any offence caused after a poster campaign aimed at those engaging in hate crime left some people of faith feeling targeted. The Scottish government’s punchy ‘Dear Haters’ series last year included a ‘Dear Bigots poster’, with one version stating: ‘Dear Bigots, you can’t spread your religious hate here. End of sermon. ‘Yours, Scotland.’ The Evangelical Alliance (EA) said many of its members as a result were ‘worried that they, as people of faith, were being accused of being hateful, rather than being protected from hate crime’. The Christian group encouraged people living in Scotland to contact their MSP to highlight the potential negative effects of the campaign. EA also wrote to… Aileen Campbell, the cabinet secretary for communities and local government, about the issue. Campbell apologised and replied: ‘The poster was absolutely not intended to target those of faith, and I am sorry if it appeared that it did. ‘We have no plans to reuse this poster in the future.’ Premier

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THE SALVATION ARMY FOUNDER William Booth

GENERAL Brian Peddle

TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill

The Army continues its earthquake response

INDONESIA

FOUR months after a major earthquake and subsequent tsunami caused massive damage to Central Sulawesi in Indonesia, The Salvation Army’s Indonesia Territory and International Emergency Services team continue their humanitarian support to many communities.

Recently the team began the distribution of Wash (water, sanitation and hygiene) items, which included washing detergent, a bucket with a lid, jerrycans, water scoops, soap, towels, a mosquito net and personal items suitable for all family members. The first distribution was in the village of Jono Oge in the Sigi Biromaru district, where 892 appreciative families received the kits.

The earthquake destroyed many homes in this area, which suffered from saturated soil, making large amounts of land unstable. The kits were also distributed in Rogo and in Padena where a village had to be relocated after mudslides. Additional communities will also receive Wash kits, with a total of 4,500 families being assisted.

International Emergency

Church leaders discuss the importance of Christian unity

SOUTH LONDON

DIVISIONAL Commander Major Val Mylechreest was among church leaders invited by Churches Together in South London to witness to the friendship and shared purposes of churches in the area.

Discussion centred on this year’s theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the material originating from Indonesia, where there is a strong emphasis on the need for unity alongside the nation’s ethnic and religious diversity. Based on Deuteronomy 16:18–20 the words: ‘Follow justice and justice alone’ highlighted the issues of economic injustice suffered by many people. The Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark, the Right Rev Paul Hendricks, said: ‘I find the week of prayer a great inspiration. Despite our differences, we are united in prayer with Christians all around the world. At a time when many of our societies are divided over political issues, we recognise with joy that people of different Christian traditions are also faithful followers of Jesus. We renew our commitment to learn from each other as we walk the path of unity together.’ – C. C.

SWADLINCOTE: Divisional Commander Major Peter Forrest reopened the drop-in centre and charity shop, now named Living Breads and Swadlinclothes. The majority of the refurbishment was completed by volunteers. The new expressions of outreach received positive reactions and within minutes of opening to customers, many people new to the Army were being served. – J. P.

Ser vices are finding it difficult to travel to some areas because of work being undertaken to stabilise old roads or build new ones. The Salvation Army is providing continued trauma counselling and support for rural medical clinics, helping more than 3,000 patients in 26 villages. The Army’s Woodward Hospital in Palu continues to serve

residents and others arriving from rural areas.

Many schools, including some managed by The Salvation Army, now operate in tents while plans are being finalised to finance the rebuilding of classrooms. The government is providing guidelines to ensure this is achieved at a safe distance from known fault lines. – V. M./B.B.

MAIDSTONE: The children’s ministry weekend began on Saturday with a pool party for children connected to the corps. Captains John and Naomi Clifton (Ilford) led the YP prizegiving meeting on Sunday. Using the theme I Am The Vine, the captains explained how Christ ians need to be connected to Jesus, the source of spiritual power. The children received books, which it is hoped will help them connect with Jesus and produce good fruit. – G. P.

SALE: Executive officer Major Noel Wright led the morning meeting when the International Staff Band visited. Music enhanced his message, the band playing the meditation ‘Divine Communion’. The afternoon meeting, attended by a crowd of 450, was preceded by music presented by the Mission Brass divisional youth band and the divisional youth chorus. Deputy Band master Derick Kane, who is retiring after 42 years’ service, played the euphonium solo ‘The Better World’ and received a standing ovation. – E. Y.

Work progresses towards making churches dementia-friendly

CUMBRIA

introduction of dementia-friendly tea services in a number of places around the county.

Training and support are

THE Salvation Army is one of many members of Churches Together in Cumbria (CTiC) who are aiming to make every church in the county dementiafriendly by 2020.

Volunteer dementia enablers have been recruited with the aim of being aware of, and responsive to, the welcome, worship and environment in their places of worship and how these affect people living with dementia.

Initiatives that can be directly traced to the project include the

offered to enablers and a dementia project officer has been appointed to support and increase the number of enablers,

DUNSTABLE: Major Joan Burton (THQ) launched the Self-Denial Appeal, relating her experiences of serving in Brazil. Pictures of building projects that had benefited from previous appeals were shown, and many insights were shared into the practical and spiritual benefits received through support given by mission partners. Major Burton is pictured with corps officers Majors Lindsay and Stephen Brevitt. – J. B.

to establish the project more deeply in churches and make other organisations aware of the work. – D. R.

CAMBRIDGE: Supported by the band, the new charity shop was opened by the deputy mayor of Cambridge, Councillor Gerri Bird, in the presence of more than 130 people. Volunteers working in the shop provide compassionate support and a listening ear for customers; one customer, leaving after 30 minutes’ conversation, thanked the volunteer saying she was the first person he had spoken to for a month. Pictured with the deputy mayor are corps officer Major Martin Cordner, commu nity manager Jan Mott, charity shop manag er Charmaine Wilson and Divisional Com - mander Major Martin Hill.– A. R.

Prayer Gathering delegates prepare to move forward

HAYES CONFERENCE CENTRE, SWANWICK

MOVING Forward in Prayer and Mission was the theme of this year’s Encounter Prayer Gathering as 150 delegates from around the territory met for an inspirational weekend of prayer, worship, teaching and fellowship.

During the ‘icebreaker’ in Friday evening’s opening session Gary Pitt (Nottingham Sneinton) encouraged people to find someone they didn’t know and give them the change from their pockets or purses as a symbol of the giving and receiving that would take place during the weekend. He prayed that everyone would come before God with open hands. Secretary for Spiritual Life Development Lieut-Colonel Jayne Roberts (THQ) spoke about her role in helping people with their spiritual formation and of her own experiences of prayer through the years. Uplifting worship was led during the evening, and throughout the weekend, by Jo and Joel Thomas (Cheltenham Citadel).

South East Divisional Commander Major Mark Herbert led two Saturday morning Bible studies on Romans 8, emphasising that God is our Father and ‘loves us like no other can’. In the second study Mark spoke about the way God can use life’s experiences for our good and to fulfil his calling for our lives. During free time after lunch there was an opportunity to meet with the prayer ministry team for one-to-one prayer. This was followed by a series of streamed seminars. Under the theme Growing in Prayer Major Meshiel Brown (Poplar) introduced prayer journaling and Captain Lee Raggett (Stratford) spoke about how to create personal Sabbath prayer rhythms.

The Leading in Prayer stream included a seminar on how to set up

prayer stations, by Captains Vanessa and Xander Coleman (Buckingham), and on leading a prayer group, by Lyndall Bywater (Canterbury).

In the third stream, Sharing in Prayer, Major John Mclean (Maidenhead) taught and led a discussion on ministry with the gifts of the Spirit and Lieutenant Nathan Loxley (St Ives) explored the theory and practice of prophecy and words of knowledge.

Later, in the prayer evening, various interactive prayer activities took place. There was also time for testimony and an opportunity to use the prayer stations created earlier in the day. In the final session on Sunday morning Vanessa and Xander spoke about their experiences of inviting people to encounter God through prayer in various settings: on the streets, in civic events and in children’s activities. Abi and Gary Pitt Major Mark Herbert

Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill

Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill referred to Ephesians 1 and 2 in his Bible message, reminding delegates that they had the privilege of being ‘seated… in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus’ (2:6), who is himself seated at the right hand of God. ‘We receive everything in Christ not by doing but by resting in the Lord,’ he said, which enables us to ‘thrive in Christ and then fulfil the good works that have been lined up for us’. A number of delegates came forward during a time of prayer. By the end of the weekend those who had come ready to receive left with insights, blessings and encouragement to move forward in prayer and mission. – J. R.

DELEGATES’ VIEWS

Darryn Hook Sacriston WHAT I found important was the teaching about prayer, as well as being able to meet with other delegates and learn from them. What came through to me was the need to be bold – in the way we evangelise and in our prayer. I often have an opportunity to pray with people who are not necessarily Christians and sometimes I wonder how I should pitch it. But coming to places like this reminds me to just get out there and pray, and see how that impacts those who are around. One of the themes was about using prayer as mission, and I’ve found that to be true. Prayer creates missional opportunities – it speaks to people.

A SEMINAR LEADER’S VIEW

Captain Lee Raggett Stratford I LED the seminar on creating personal Sabbath prayer rhythms and spoke about when God said he wanted me to rest and give my attention to him. He gave me a picture of Sabbath being like a table that he sets every week and invites us to go and sit at. That means spending time doing what we need to do, like contemplative stuff or reading our Bible. My husband goes for a run and connects with God in that way.

We take Tuesday from 11 am until we go to bed as our Sabbath. We

The Prayer Journaling seminar

won’t go shopping, we won’t talk about work or have our phones on, and we’ll be really intentional about connecting with each other and with God. Some days we can’t do that so we do two hours or half an hour. People find their own way of connecting with God, and in the seminar I tried to present things that anyone can do. I had a conversation with someone who said the seminar helped her understand what Sabbath looks like. I was really overwhelmed for her to have learnt that. It will make a huge difference.

Valerie Chaplin Dereham I HAVE been to about seven prayer gatherings and every year it’s different. The highlights are listening to the speakers and hearing the testimonies of people. I also had the opportunity to be in the prayer ministry team when a number of people came for one-to-one prayer.

The Prayer Journaling session was interesting. It was something I hadn’t done a lot of. We were able to write a text on a card and, as we coloured the card, to think of the person we were going to send it to and pray as we did it. Major Annette Allen Failsworth THIS was my first prayer gathering. It’s been good. It was lovely to be in the presence of so many people wanting to pray. I guess for a lot of people it was about being together with others who are dynamic in prayer, but I think we can be dynamic in prayer in lots of ways that suit our character. I found looking through Scripture, thinking about Romans 8, and doing it in a kind of prayerful way, was beneficial. What I appreciated was the space to be able to think and develop what prayer means for me.

SALVATION ARMY CARE HOMES

CARDS were delivered to Army care homes, day centres and a dropin centre for those experiencing homelessness as part of a Red Letter Days campaign to help combat loneliness and share love with people who may not otherwise receive a card.

With more than one fifth of the UK’s population saying they are always or often lonely, Red Letter Days encourage the public to write a card to a total stranger whose day could be brightened by a thoughtful message, good wishes or a funny story.

Pop-up boxes were placed in shops, galleries and offices in London, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.

At Villa Adastra, an Army care home in West Sussex, a group of residents gathered in the lounge for refreshments and each person was invited to read the contents of their card aloud. Having visited the home at Christmas, a television broadcaster returned to cover this event, prompting a resident to ask reporter Tom, ‘Do you come here often?’ causing both to break into laughter. – A. R.

HUCKNALL: As part of the 140th corps anniversary, songsters from Boston presented a Saturday evening festival and conducted Sunday worship. Corps officer Captain Gayner Ward and Divisional Envoy Colin Ward, both former members, are pictured with the songsters. – C. W.

PENTRE: A celebration cake to mark the beginning of the 140th corps anniversary was designed and cut by Catherine Halligan and Olive Hosking. After a service at the hall, they joined with Oasis Church, who meet in the Siloh Chapel where, to the very day 140 years ago, Kate Shepherd started the work in the Rhondda Valley. – A. S.

WORTHING: When a half marathon was held in the town, the corps provided refreshments and activities in the community café. The band played close to the finishing line, balloons were distributed and the opportunity was taken to speak with spectators. – S. H.