Letters

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR UNHERALDED HERALDS

I WAS reminded recently of the tremendous work that goes on gallantly ‘behind the scenes’ by Salvationists who sell the War Cry in public houses. This work has its roots firmly in the desire of William Booth to reach those who frequented these ‘institutions’, for want of a better word. Do we know about the passion behind this work as it continues today?

A recent article in my local newspaper featured an interview with a War Cry ‘pub ambassador’ Pat Simmons who has been selling papers for 46 years, Saturdays and Sundays, usually 6.30 pm till late (or early the next day!), on the streets and in the pubs of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

More importantly she is well known for her listening ear. She will listen to people’s troubles and says: ‘I enjoy meeting people, and I think the Lord sends me there because sometimes I’m in the right place at the right time.’

Pat, 76, is not retiring, because she is devoted to being there for the regular customers who look forward to seeing her each week. If the people don’t go to church, there is no doubt that Pat is taking

church to the people. I believe it is one of the many facets of The Salvation Army for which we need to pray in earnest.

May God bless and keep safe all those Salvationists, like Pat, who work tirelessly as heralds – those who sometimes venture into places where many of us would fear to go.

Angela Tyler, Royal Tunbridge Wells

VISION AND VALUES ARE NEEDED

I WAS interested to read Major Ian Mountford’s helpful article concerning effective mission (Salvationist 23 February). The major’s initial question prompted me to wonder how many corps in the UK will have a mission development plan and, where they do exist, how many can be regarded as ‘living’ documents (as opposed to lying on a shelf, gathering dust).

In this day and age, when there is probably no such thing as a typical Salvation Army corps, the provision of a tool to enable each corps to develop and deliver an appropriate mission plan must be welcome. However, and clearly my knowledge and understanding may well be somewhat lacking here, I do not detect an underlying requirement that every corps must have an appropriate mission development plan in place that can be subject to review, and against which those responsible can be held to account.

More to the point, in among all the talk of ‘mission’ and ‘mission development’, the need for a clear, inspirational vision that can be applied in every part of the territory seems to have been lost. Major Mountford’s article talks about the ‘missional journey’ but I must ask, journey to where? The vision should set out what we aspire to be and the direction of travel.

The territory’s vision can be found on its website – we aspire to be a ‘Spiritfilled, radical, growing movement, with a burning desire to lead people into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, actively serve the community and fight for social justice’ – but this needs to be visibly at the forefront of everything we do. The vision and the associated values should inform and drive all our planning and actions and it should be possible to translate this into a vision for every corps in the territory. At the risk of quoting Scripture out of context (and relative to the translation or version which is used), Proverbs 29:18 makes the position clear: ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’ (King James Version). Surely, therefore, establishment of a clear local vision (and values) for every corps, which clearly links to the territorial vision and values, is a vital first step! This will enable corps to build a mission plan and pursue a mission journey that has a sense of direction.

The Salvation Army exists because William Booth (and others who followed) had a vision that guided him in everything he did, and which enabled the Army to grow and expand its ministry.

Our vision and values need to influence everything and be evident in all the decisions that are made, even at the most senior levels. Perhaps then we might not find ourselves implementing projects which are clearly not fit for purpose, ensuring that what we change and how we change is vision focused and designed to support the delivery of the Army’s mission in our communities.

Ian Scott, Chelmsford

The following appointments and promotions, decided upon by the General, have been announced by the Chief of the Staff Effective 1 May O Major Tamotsu and Captain Kazue Nishimura, officers of the Japan Territory currently serving respectively as Social Welfare Secretary and Chief Chaplain, Booth Hospital, in that territory are appointed as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Japan Territory. Major Tamotsu Nishimura will take up his appointment with the rank of lieut-colonel. They succeed LieutColonels Kenji and Chiaki Fujii who will be taking up other appointment responsibilities in the Japan Territory. Effective 1 July O Commissioners Robert and Janine Donaldson, officers of the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory currently serving respectively as International Secretary for Accountability and Governance and Zonal Secretary for Women’s Ministries, South Pacific and East Asia, at International Headquarters are appointed as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, Australia Territory. They succeed Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd who are awaiting international appointments, which will be announced at a later date.

O Lieut-Colonels Hervé and Deborah Cachelin, officers of the Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Territory currently serving respectively as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Adult and Family Ministries in the Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory are appointed as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory. They will take up their new appointments with the rank of colonel. They succeed Commissioner Marie Willermark who will be taking up an appointment in her home territory prior to retirement. O Major Hartmut Leisinger, officer of the Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory currently serving as Secretary for Business Administration in that territory is appointed as Chief Secretary, Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory. He will take up his new appointment with the rank of lieutcolonel. O Lieut-Colonels Yusak and Widiawati Tampai, officers of the Indonesia Territory currently serving respectively as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries in that territory are appointed as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, Indonesia Territory. They will take up their new appointments with the rank of colonel. They

ENGAGEMENTS

GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE: O Sunbury Court (International Theological Council), Mon 25 Mar* O William Booth College (International Child Protection Conference), Tu 26* O Zimbabwe and Botswana Territory (Commissioner Vinece Chigariro’s retirement), Sat 30 – Tu 2 Apr* O New Zealand (women’s conference), Sat 30 – Th 4** O Peterborough Citadel (Palm Sunday), Sat Sun 14

THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM: O ICO (welcome to session), Th 11 Apr O ICO (lecture), Tu 16 O Croydon Citadel (Easter), Th 18 – Sun 21

THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL: O Sunbury Court (leaders orientation), Wed 20 – Sat 30 Mar O William Booth College (TAC weekend), Fri 5 Apr O ICO (welcome to session), O Bishop’s Stortford (Palm Sunday), Sun 14 O Nottingham William Booth Memorial Halls (Easter), Fri 19 – Sun 21

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL LEE GRAVES) AND COLONEL DEBORAH GRAVES: O Devon and Cornwall (divisional leaders retreat), Mon 25 – Wed 27 Mar

succeed Commissioners Peter and Jennifer Walker who will be taking up appointments in their home territory prior to retirement. O Lieut-Colonels Cedric and Lyn Hills, officers of the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland currently serving respectively as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries of the Finland and Estonia Territory are appointed as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Indonesia Territory. O Captain Saga Lippo, officer of the Finland and Estonia Territory currently serving as Personnel Secretary in that territory is appointed as Chief Secretary, Finland and Estonia Territory.

APPOINTED Effective 28 February O Major Heather Grinsted, Deputy Director of Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery, Mission Service

LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED O CS Joan Scott, Bellshill O CMS Allan Scott, Bellshill O CS Diane Homer, Dudley O CT Jane Lacey, Dudley

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Diamond O Bram and Maureen Skuse, Felixstowe (28 March) O Jack and Cecelia Hearn, Cheltenham Citadel (30 March) O Gordon and Gwenneth Bowyer, Canterbury (4 April) O Bandsman John and June Hockley, Gravesend (4 April) Golden O Majors Brian and Yvonne Findlay (2 April) O Reg and Christine Nicholls, Dereham (5 April)

DEDICATED TO GOD O Crystal and Ruby, daughters of Rebbeca Brader, at Market Rasen by Major Brian Slinn and Major Liv Raegevik Slinn O Arthur Freddie, son of Andrew and Jessica Newell, at Bristol Easton by Major Mark Sellers

BEREAVED O Colonel Sylvia Hinton of her husband Colonel David Hinton, Christopher Hinton, Glenrothes, and Claire Wallace of their father O Heather Watling, Doncaster, of her husband Geoffrey O Norman Cripps, Clacton, of his wife Lorna, Stuart Cripps and Michelle Bale, both Clacton, of their mother O Lieutenant Helen Dickson, Peterhead, of her father William Moffett

PROMOTED TO GLORY O Major Audrey Roebuck from South Leeds Independence Centre on 6 March O Bandsman/Songster David McEvoy, Leek O John Neville, Aylsham

OFFICIAL GAZETTE UKI Territory

LONG SERVICE 35 years O Major David Chadwick, Chaplain, Founder’s House, London (6 March)

ANTHONY COTTERILL, Commissioner, Territorial Commander

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COMMISSIONER ALAN COLES COMMISSIONER Alan Coles was promoted to Glory at the age of 94. In his youth he entered the banking profession, becoming an associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers. During the Second World War he served in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

In 1949 Alan married Heather Atkinson and they had three children, Martin, Alison and Ian. Alan and Heather were commissioned as officers in 1953. After two corps appointments, Alan was transferred to Reliance Bank at International Headquarters, where he spent 14 years, including 4 as manager/ director.

In 1972 Alan and Heather moved to the Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) Territory, where Alan served as financial secretary. They returned to England in 1976 when Alan was appointed to the International Audit Department at IHQ. His service in that department also spanned 14 years, with 4 as auditor general.

Heather was promoted to Glory in 1978, and two years later Alan married Major Brenda Deeming.

In 1987 Alan was appointed Territorial Commander, Zimbabwe, with the rank of commissioner. He is still remembered there for the vision, vigour and innovative planning he brought to the territory, which led to its expansion.

Commissioner and Mrs Coles retired in 1991 and returned to live in Hayes, Kent, where they renewed their long-standing association with Bromley Temple.

In retirement, the qualities that had characterised Alan throughout his life shone through: his boundless energy, his questing mind, his devotion to family, his sense of fun, his positive outlook and his gratitude to God. ‘I have had a good life’ was his testimony to the end.

Alan was the son of Colonel Bramwell Coles, and, when the band played his father’s march, ‘Victors Acclaimed’, at the thanksgiving service, the congregation acclaimed Alan the victor, as they sang: ‘Heaven’s acclaiming host are welcoming them home/ As, singing of the triumphs they have won,/ They wait the crowning honour/ Of the King’s “Well done!” – J. L.

COMMISSIONER MARGARET DU PLESSIS BORN into a well-known Salvationist family in South Africa in 1942, Margaret was grounded in Christian faith and Salvation Army activities. A social science degree and experience as a medical social worker at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital stood her in good stead for ministry in the Army. Her 1964 marriage to Paul was followed by commissioning as an officer in 1968. Her experiences provided the background to an ever-growing understanding and application of both individual and shared ministry.

Without formal appointment for 12 years at Chikankata, Zambia, Margaret took on roles in the hospital laundry, gardens and alongside the home league secretary of the Leprosy Corps. As missionary literature secretary at International Headquarters during the 1980s, she championed the importance of Christian and denominational literature for people in understandable language at a price they could afford. All of this was blended with the joys of family life, with the arrival of Catherine and André, and sadness with the birth and loss of Alan.

Five-year terms as a territorial leader in the India Central Territory and Southern Africa Territory and subsequently as zonal secretary for women’s ministries in the South Asia Zone saw her focus on the role of women in family life and the community. Her final appointment was director of moral and social issues. During these years Margaret contributed significantly to awakening The Salvation Army and its leadership to multiple contemporary issues, including the reality of human trafficking, recognising the organisation’s unique position to respond in practical ways by virtue of its history and organisational capacity. Throughout her years in these appointments, Margaret did much to model, promote and uphold the role of women in ministry. She is lovingly remembered, most of all by her husband and family, as a woman of action, with firm convictions and commitment to social justice, blended with sensitivity and compassion. – P. D. P.