Salvationist 25 May 2019

SALVATIONIST For everyone linked to The Salvation Army

www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 25 May 2019

Community Shares helpinghand appeal is

TR ANSFOR MING

LIVES

No.1706 Price 60p

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Quotes from the media

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News

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We are The Salvation Army Heritage isn’t everything

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says Major Mike Lloyd-Jones

Feature I Community Shares 10 and 11 Saving together in Turkana

by Violet Ruria

Feature I Herald challenge 12 and 13 Taking the challenge onto the streets

by Major Andrew Stone

Feature I Salvation Army railway station Station of the cross

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by Bill Hamilton

Feature I Cooky’s story Happy Birthday, Cooky!

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by Major Richard Durrant

Bible study 16 and 17 Be obedient – it’s time to rise up!

by Major Lindy Rose

Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17

by Major Freda Benneyworth

New commitments

18 and 19

Announcements

20 and 21

Adverts

USING WORDS WELL LAST week we heard the news that ITV had cancelled The Jeremy Kyle Show permanently after one of the guests took his own life. Many commentators welcomed the decision, not only in light of that tragic incident but also because of the general nature of the programme in which guests, along with the host, have often been confrontational and verbally abusive towards one another. It demonstrates that words – as well as sticks and stones – can hurt.

But words can also heal, build bridges and communicate good news. This week’s Salvationist features a project that will encourage people to share words – written words – that do just that. It’s the Herald Challenge, which, as Major Andrew Stone explains on pages 12 and 13, is an opportunity for corps members to take the War Cry and Kids Alive! onto the streets for four weeks in July. This is the War Cry’s 140th year, so the aim is to recruit 140 new heralds. Andrew is convinced of the value of this ministry and shows how people’s lives have been changed because of the words they’ve read in the Army papers.

Page 14 has a fascinating article by Bill Hamilton about the railway station that was once used by the Army’s Campfield Press to dispatch the printed word far and wide in the form of periodicals, books and Bibles.

St Francis of Assisi is supposed to have said, ‘Preach the gospel at all times; use words if necessary.’ It’s not certain he actually said this, but whoever did, the point was not that words are unimportant; it was that we need to communicate the gospel with actions as well as words. The two work together: words make sense of our actions, and actions put our words into practice. And, of course, actions often speak louder than words.

The gospel in practice is evident in an article in the ‘We are The Salvation Army’ series on page 9, where Major Mike Lloyd-Jones highlights the ministry of Croydon Citadel, with its ‘warmth of welcome, heart for social action and sense of belonging’.

Loving service and practical action can speak volumes. Another example of this is the Turkana project in Kenya, featured on pages 10 and 11. It’s a network of savings groups where women contribute towards a communal fund, then take loans to start or grow a business. What does this kind of project say to women experiencing ‘cultural limitations and ecological challenges’? It says: You’re not helpless, you’re not worthless; you have the means to support one another and overcome the obstacles you’re facing.

Words spoken, written or enacted have the power to make a difference – for good or ill. May we always use them well.

Finally, I have words for someone who’s retiring from the Publishing Department after 26 years. Stephen Pearson is Managing Editor of Salvationist and Production Editor of the War Cry and must have edited and proofread many hundreds of thousands of words over the years. He’s also written some, including the expressive and moving poems on our front covers at Christmas, Easter and Remembrance. So Stephen, my words for you are: ‘Thank you for all you’ve done and enjoy your retirement!’

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The Salvation Army and me

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featuring Joan Millard

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS Scripture quotations in Salvationist are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated

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Salvationist 25 May 2019

From the Editor, Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

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QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

CHRISTIAN DEBT CHARITY SAYS ONE IN FOUR PEOPLE IN DEBT WAS BORN INTO MONEY STRUGGLES A Christian poverty charity says one in four people in debt is escaping from financial worries that they’ve had since childhood.

A report by Christians Against Poverty (Cap), called Changing Perceptions, looked at the debt charity’s clients’ experiences and showed how parents’ financial circumstances affect their children’s future relationship with money.

Just over a quarter (27 per cent) of Cap’s clients grew up in a household affected by debt and 58 per cent are over 40 years old.

The annual report says money worries are an intergenerational anxiety: ‘The impact debt has on these children is far reaching, from taking a toll on their emotional wellbeing, to parents being unable to provide adequate food or clothing and feeling that their debt was affecting their children’s future life chances. Where parents are struggling to provide for their children, feelings of guilt and shame are particularly acute.’

RELIGIOUS CAUSES RECEIVE LION’S SHARE OF UK GIVING Fewer people in the UK are donating money to charity, but people who do donate are giving larger amounts – the largest to religious causes, the latest UK Giving study has found.

The annual report from the Charities Aid Foundation… is based on more than 12,000 responses to an online survey, and interviews conducted monthly over a year. In 2018, more than 6,800 respondents (57 per cent) said that they had donated to charity in the past year – down 3 per cent on the previous year (60 per cent). Sponsored giving also decreased 3 per cent, to 32 per cent.

Based on this reported giving, the overall estimate of household giving in the UK in 2018 was a steady £10.1 billion – down slightly from £10.3 billion for 2017.

Premier

Church Times

FREE SANITARY PRODUCTS ARE TO BE GIVEN TO SCHOOLGIRLS IN WALES

CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION IS ‘AS DANGEROUS AS CLIMATE CHANGE’

Free sanitary products are to be given to girls in primary and secondary schools in Wales in a bid to tackle ‘period poverty’.

The move follows reports that some pupils have been using socks and toilet paper or even staying off school when having their period because they cannot afford tampons or towels.

The Welsh government announced it would fund the £2.3 million scheme with immediate effect.

The announcement follows the Scottish government’s funding of free sanitary products in all schools, colleges and universities last year.

A similar scheme is expected to be introduced for English secondary schools from September.

[Denial of ] religious freedom is as big a threat to the modern world as climate change.

That was the conclusion drawn by the Bishop of Truro as he delivered the interim report of the Independent Review into Foreign and Commonwealth Office Support for Persecuted Christians worldwide.

First minister of Wales Mark Drakeford said: ‘We are committed to supporting period dignity and maintaining our investment in schools to help bring period poverty to an end.’

The Right Rev Philip Mounstephen said: ‘It seems to me that there are two existential, global threats to human flourishing and harmonious communities: climate change and the systematic denial of freedom of religious belief. We are quite rightly becoming sensitised to the former. We must urgently attend to the latter.’

The Independent

The Church of England Newspaper

The new Welsh government grant will provide more than 141,000 female students with a range of sanitary products free of charge.

SALVATIONIST (tel) 020 7367 4890 (email) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk (web) www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts – (tel) 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Stephen Pearson – (tel) 020 7367 4891 EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Shanelle Manderson – (tel) 020 7367 4894 Simon Hope – (tel) 020 7367 4892 Melita Day-Lewis – (tel) 020 7367 4887 Major Margaret Bovey DTP DESIGNER Hannah Holden – (tel) 020 7367 4883 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight – (tel) 020 7367 4895 Louise Phillips – (tel) 020 7367 4896 PROOFREADER Chris Horne

ADVERTISING (tel) 020 7367 4895 (email) advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk DISTRIBUTION Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), 66-78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH (tel) 01933 445445 (option 1) (fax) 01933 445415 (email) subscriptions@sp-s.co.uk TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN (tel) 020 7367 4500 (tel) 0845 634 0101 Published weekly by The Salvation Army and printed on paper from sustainable sources by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell. © The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland. The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

ISSN 2516-5909

SALVATIONIST ONLINE Find Salvationist on Facebook www.facebook.com/salvationistonline Find Salvationist on Twitter twitter.com/@SalvationistUK

THE SALVATION ARMY FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL Brian Peddle TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant

Salvationist 25 May 2019

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NEWS

West Midlands divisional family enjoys exciting celebration LICHFIELD GARRICK THEATRE THERE was great excitement as the West Midlands gathered for their divisional family ministries celebration.

Divisional leaders Majors Peter and Julie Forrest hosted the event, supported by the DHQ team, and Director of Family Ministries Major David Betteridge (THQ) spoke on the theme Love 19. Students from

St Thomas More Catholic School, Willenhall, presented vibrant and dynamic song and dance items, bringing youth and exuberance to the afternoon.

Assistant Director of Music and Creative Arts (Creative Arts) Stephanie Lamplough (THQ) blessed everyone with her singing and introduced Dance Fit FM in a way that all the audience were able to join in.

The West Midlands Divisional Fellowship Band supported the day.

The altar service raised £4,704 for the helping-hand appeal.

A great day of excitement and spiritual challenge made Jesus central throughout. – J. F.

Artist depicts changing town from corps roof BARROW-IN-FURNESS WHEN London-based artist John Duffin visited his brother, Paul, who is a volunteer at the corps, he decided it would be a good idea to produce an art exhibition of the rooftops of the town as seen from the roof of the hall.

That exhibition, which shows the changing social history of the town, is now on show at the Dock Museum, and will be seen by thousands of visitors during the coming months.

A picture of the hall is a focal point of the exhibition, and John has donated a copy of the picture to the corps.

Corps officer Captain Martin Davison said: ‘It was great to see the positive reaction to the picture at the show’s preview; I listened to so many beautiful stories about the corps while people admired the picture.’

The exhibition has encouraged fresh interest in the corps with many people visiting to discover what goes on inside. Paul is pictured with Captain Martin. – M. D.

SOUTHERN DIVISION: Representatives from nearby businesses joined the DHQ team, corps officers and soldiers to take part in a short open-air meeting to commemorate Anzac Day, a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that honours those who have served and died in conflict and peacekeeping operations. Major Ian Urmston (Southsea) led the meeting and shared the story of Salvationist chaplain Commissioner William McKenzie MC, who was attached to the 4th Battalion, Australia Imperial Force during the First World War. New divisional leaders Majors Gregory and Priya Morgan (pictured either side of Ian), who are from Australia, also participated. – R. J. 4

Salvationist 25 May 2019

Corps Secretary John Judges of Bristol Citadel retires after serving in the role since 1979; he is pictured with corps officers Captains Alison and Gavin Friday

MIDDLESBROUGH ACKLAM: Jaffa (Sunday school) children, along with parents and corps folk, took part (between them) in a 150-mile bike ride to raise money for Butterwick House Hospice and the Chemo Daycare Unit. The children raised more than £400. – L. B.

Ceremony celebrates corps hall reopening LEIGH-ON-SEA AFTER more than a year of major refurbishments a ribboncutting ceremony, held on the date The Salvation Army was founded in the area in 1902, celebrated the official reopening of the hall.

Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant (THQ) conducted the ceremony with help from Vera Dolby, a senior member of the corps, and William Stanley, one of the youngest members.

Corps folk then took part in a dedication service, which was supported by divisional leaders Majors Norman and Margaret Ord, Southend West MP, Sir David Amess, the mayor of Southend, Councillor Derek Jarvis, and clergy from nearby churches.

A buffet was provided, and many people from the community later attended a praise meeting.

The next week members of the public were invited to join in some of the available activities and view the new facilities. – P. J. MORRISTON: Salvation Kids Rock, a music programme for young people of all ages and abilities, has been established. Up to 20 youngsters, many of whom have no previous connection with the Army, attend each week, where a choice of activities includes singing, brass, percussion and piano. Sections and individual members of the corps have supported the initiative financially, which has helped to purchase keyboards and instruments enabling the youngsters to continue practising and learning at home. The group also contributes an item every Sunday. – S. R.

MIDDLESBROUGH CITADEL: Newly elected mayor of Middlesbrough, Councillor Andy Preston, visited the corps drop-in service, speaking with volunteers and service users and offering words of encouragement. He is pictured with corps officer Lieutenant Naomi Kelly, Irene Turnbull and Margaret Ord. – N. K.

STAPLE HILL: Four delegates from the 241st session of the International College for Officers shared in fellowship and worship at the corps. Corps officer Major Colin Hylton-Jones was also a delegate in this session. In the evening Major Jean Laurore Clenat (Caribbean Territory), Major Marina Zueva (Eastern Europe Territory), Major Yesupadam Vampugudi (India Central Territory) and Captain Andrew Lo (Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory) shared something of their work and background. They each requested ongoing prayers for specific areas of need. – V. W. Salvationist 25 May 2019

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NEWS

Chelmsford Band, pictured with corps officers Majors Macdonald Chandi and Diana Macdonald, receive a recognition award from the mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Yvonne Spence; Bandmaster Alexander Campbell attended a civic reception and accepted the honour

facebook.com/ salvationistonline twitter.com/ @SalvationistUK Shoeburyness Corps raises £500 at a gift and craft fair selling items made by corps folk and members of the public

SOUTHEND CITADEL: Delegates from The Salvation Army’s International College for Officers, hailing from America, Argentina, Australia, Malaysia, Canada, Georgia, Latvia, Russia, Africa, India and the UK, led inspiring and uplifting multicultural worship. Corps folk were taught to praise God in several languages, before everyone shared in a well-attended fellowship meal. After a walk along the world’s longest pleasure pier the delegates returned to Sunbury Court, leaving the corps encouraged and re-energised. – A. B.

CIRENCESTER: The monthly family service, led by Sunday Club Leader Corinne Walters, included a church parade by the corps brownie pack. In addition to contributions from members of the Sunday Club, the brownies produced their Good Turn Chain, made up of things they could do to help people. Members of the congregation were given the opportunity to add to the chain, which will be kept in the hall and can be added to in the future. – M. G. 6

Salvationist 25 May 2019

MORRISTON: To increase links with the community the corps opened its doors for an Easter craft day. Corps folk engaged and made new links with children and their parents, many of whom were visiting for the first time. Activities included decorating eggs, making Easter chicks and cards and face-painting. A range of cooked breakfasts and homemade cakes was also available, raising funds for the newly established Salvation Kid’s Rock initiative. – S. R.

Mission event features model railway exhibition

Lily Eastham, No 1 on the roll at Macclesfield, celebrates her 100th birthday; corps folk and friends shared in the day with a special cake and photographs of Lily’s many years as a local officer at the corps

SELBY AS part of its mission strategy, the corps moved a model railway exhibition from a central church location to the corps building. More than 250 people visited the event, including parents and children who have attended Messy Church.

The exhibition, organised each year by enthusiasts Majors Ian and Irene Kerrison, raised £1,360 for community work and the Big Collection.

People enjoyed looking at model railway layouts and watching demonstrations of planning and painting that will enable them to create or enhance their own model railways.

Rides on a miniature steam train on the front lawn attracted children and adults alike, and refreshments were served in a marquee on the back lawn. Corps officers Captains Jeremy and Wendy FergusonSmith were on hand as chaplains. – R. K.

Scottish politician sees how scheme is reducing rough sleeping EDINBURGH SCOTTISH Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie visited The Pleasance Lifehouse to meet people who are no longer sleeping rough thanks to new rapid access accommodation provided

by The Salvation Army, working with Streetwork, to cut rough sleeping in the Scottish capital.

The 40-bed centre had been catering for single adult males, but in August last year a rapid access pilot scheme was rolled out by the Scottish government and Edinburgh city council. As a result, The Pleasance was reconfigured to also support women,

couples and people with dogs.

Mr Rennie said: ‘It’s fascinating to see the way it’s changed in terms of provision of services.

It’s much more accessible to people. The rules have been changed to be more about rights and responsibilities. That’s changed the atmosphere and approach.

‘It’s getting more people off the street and under a roof for the night, and making sure they transition to the next phase of their lives.’

Regional manager for the Homelessness Services Unit Scotland Region, Andrew McCall, said: ‘Through the rapid access accommodation scheme we have been reaching out to the most vulnerable people, many of whom have been sleeping rough for a long period of time.’ – A. R.

Portsmouth Citadel corps officer Major Julian Watchorn abseils down the Emirates Spinnaker Tower; he raised £1,355 to support The Salvation Army’s work in the city

LOCKERBIE: Rutherglen Band and Singing Group led worship at the corps with songs and testimonies around the theme Lord You Are So Good To Me. Major Catherine Wyles (Rutherglen) spoke of God’s unfailing goodness and reminded everyone of the need for forgiveness. – A. D. Salvationist 25 May 2019

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NEWS

Territorial Operations Board is launched THQ A NEW board has been formed to oversee the operational matters of The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom. The Territorial Operations Board (TOB), which is chaired by Chief Secretary Colonel Lee Graves, will meet fortnightly with the aim of speeding up decision making in support of effective mission on the front line. It also hopes to foster a culture of mutual accountability across the territory in how the work is carried out, how the work makes an impact on the Army’s mission and how resources are used appropriately and efficiently.

The TOB is an executive board with powers delegated by the territory’s trustees, who form the Salvation Army Trustee Company (SATCo) and are legally responsible for the Army in the UK. The trustees are approved by the General, and include the Territorial Commander, senior leaders and some external specialist volunteers.

While they focus on governance, oversight and strategy, the TOB will attend to day-to-day operational issues. For financial matters TOB replaces the

Territorial Finance Board.

Members of the TOB, who have been appointed by the trustees, represent a wide variety of roles to ensure the right mix of skills, experience and expertise in order to make the board effective.

They include senior leaders and officer and employee managers.

Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill attended the TOB’s inaugural meeting, telling the members: ‘There is a significant delegated responsibility to this group and a widened responsibility that is shared together. The operations board is first and foremost a spiritual body because this is The Salvation Army and the operation of the Army is in God’s hands. While there is much business that you will attend to, I hope and I pray that, as you come to these board meetings, you’ll discover that God in Christ is with you.’

The TC read the account of the gathering of the early disciples from Acts 2:42–47, which concludes: ‘And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.’ He expressed his hope that as a result of the board’s meetings ‘we might see that happening across the territory as you take the delegated responsibility to see that the Army is ever efficient and effective in all that we seek to be and do for his glory, and for his glory alone’. – J. R.

Bedfordshire firefighters and medics visit Kisumu KENYA MELVYN Stevens (Bedford Congress Hall), a retired retained Bedfordshire firefighter, recently spent time in Kisumu, situated on the shore of Lake Victoria in western Kenya. He was part of a group of volunteers who went to train the Kisumu fire crew in the use of a fire engine that had been donated by Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service last year.

While there, Melvyn was privileged to go to The Salvation Army’s Joyland School for Physically Impaired Pupils to present the school with seven laptops that had been donated by Arriva UK Bus. Doris Ombara, city manager of Kisumu, chose Joyland School to be the recipient of this donation.

Melvyn was moved when he saw the standard of equipment the children were using, such as broken wheelchairs and damaged equipment. The site’s water borehole needs a new pump, so water has to be bought from the local water board; this puts further strain on financial resources. School funding has been cut by 90 per cent, meaning dedicated staff have gone without salary for more than six months.

Although there is a lot of repair work to be done around the school, the children are well cared for under the chaplaincy of Captain Samuel Kidiya and his wife. Joyland is a place of hope, where many are given the means to change the course of their lives. – F. R.

The London North East Fellowship Band and Farleigh Hospice Community Choir present a varied evening of brass and vocal music at Chelmsford, raising more than £1,400 for the work of the hospice 8

Salvationist 25 May 2019

There are hundreds of corps and centres up and down the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland, but what makes them The Salvation Army? In this series, Salvationist discovers just that

HERITAGE ISN’T EVERYTHING says Croydon Citadel corps officer Major Mike Lloyd-Jones

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ROYDON is one of the most diverse boroughs in the United Kingdom. It’s an expression of global community, with all the challenges that this brings. As a worshipping fellowship and community service programme, we are continuing to develop our services to meet these challenges in our area.

When he became aware of people sleeping under railway arches, William Booth told Bramwell to ‘do something’.

We did something, and we continue to do something as we approach Croydon’s needs with the desire to serve Jesus and share his good news.

The corps has now been involved in locally based mission for 150 years, and we are still serving today.

Under the strapline Your Church In Our Community, the corps runs a variety of programmes, including a drop-in for people experiencing homelessness, support for people with additional needs, activities for children, families and the elderly, food parcels, postal services, Employment Plus, Alcoholics Anonymous, Slimming World and much more.

Through all this we aim to offer the love, grace and compassion of God to everyone who walks through our doors.

For us, building relationships is fundamental in accomplishing this. Our relationships with God, each other and the people in our area are key if we want to see impacts of a practical, emotional and spiritual nature. In living this way, we see the transforming grace of Jesus in action – in our interactions outside our fellowship, in our journeys with each other and in the way that love is served. The reality of God moving is endless!

To that end, our mission is to save

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For us, building relationships is fundamental

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souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity through the foundations of worship, mission, evangelism, fellowship and social justice, and we look to fulfil our purpose practically by building connections. We continually hear good feedback on our warmth of welcome, heart for social action and sense of belonging. We continue to strive to be a fuller expression of the people of God serving in our area because we want to be known – rather than remembered – as followers of Jesus.

We see God moving in our fellowship through the presence of grace and compassion, the continued expressions of diversity and a deep sense of blessing. As a fellowship we are always searching for the Holy Spirit’s leading, with a deep willingness to engage.

This year Croydon Citadel is celebrating 150 years of presence and witness in the town. Catherine Booth first held a mission in Croydon in 1866, before returning three years later to make Mission Station No 9 the first evangelistic outreach for The Christian Mission outside the East End of London.

We’ve been around a long time. Today, the large, diverse worshipping

community is committed to growing in its understanding as followers of Jesus within the heart of Croydon.

While we have a heritage as Mission Station No 9, we are also integrated into the contemporary, challenging and beautiful community of today. As our journey has progressed, we have evolved into a broad, diverse group of people who share a common desire to follow Jesus.

We worship in the oldest purpose-built Salvation Army hall and our history can amount to being just as frustrating as it is interesting! This heritage has shaped us and brought us to today, but we still aim to be a progressive expression of God’s people connecting to our contemporary society.

This year we are focusing not so much on our history, but on the way in which God is calling us and challenging us to be the people of God today and beyond. Our youth programme has a consistent strand of empowerment and leadership development, with a number of people from the fellowship involved in a divisional Growing Leaders course.

We believe in the priesthood of all believers, so a wide range of people is included in leadership, pastoral ministry and practical expressions of service.

Our shared worship is age-inclusive and increasingly relaxed and interactive, with moments of fun and humour alongside moments of reflection and silence, which allow the Holy Spirit to move. We worship to bless God and to bless all who share with us.

Recently, Julian, a corps member, likened his feelings about being part of the corps for 40 years to being a piece in a jigsaw puzzle – it was only complete when he was there. When our oldest junior soldier, 11-year-old Grace, was asked what her greatest wish for the corps was, she confidently declared: ‘For everyone to get closer to God.’ We couldn’t agree more!

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FEATURE Community Shares

SAVING TOGETHER IN TURKANA In a previous issue of Salvationist Hayley Still introduced the Community Shares helping-hand appeal, which supports The Salvation Army’s international incomegeneration projects; in this article Violet Ruria focuses on a project in Kenya where women work together to lift themselves out of poverty in the face of cultural limitations and ecological challenges 10

Salvationist 25 May 2019

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URKANA County is one of the poorest and most marginalised counties in Kenya. Prone to persistent drought and unpredictable rainfall, the community faces the recurring challenge of food shortages.

According to the World Bank ‘when women control more of the household income… children benefit as a result of increased spending on food, healthcare, home improvements and education’. Yet for the women of Turkana, the realisation of their God-given potential is hindered because of limiting cultural norms, low access to education and the burden of providing food for their households despite the harsh environment in which they live.

The Salvation Army is supporting 15 women’s savings groups to bring transformation to the lives of families and communities living in Turkana County. Through these groups women regularly contribute a small amount of money to build up a communal fund.

They can then each take loans from this shared pot to start or grow their businesses.

Naanam is a small, rural and marginalised village located approximately 50 miles from Lokichogio town in northern Kenya and bordering South Sudan. The majority of people depend on keeping livestock for their livelihood. It was here that, five years ago, I first met Esther Akiru when the women’s savings group project began.

With temperatures in Naanam reaching around 30C for most of the year, Esther is well acquainted with the harshness of living in a dry and dusty environment. In her community water is rare and women and girls have to walk long distances in search of it.

Esther does not allow the challenges she faces to hinder her dream of a better life for her family and community.

As chairwoman of the Naanam women’s group, Esther is actively involved in trying to improve the experiences and

Esther and her children

Esther’s grocery shop

opportunities for people in the community. She explains the progress her group has made: ‘From the women’s savings, we have now accumulated funds of more than KSH 200,000 (£1,500). We have also registered our group with the government ministry of social services to ensure we are legally recognised.’

Esther says the training sessions the group have received through the project have equipped the women to gain confidence and start investing in small businesses. Group members also work together on a collective business creating and selling ornaments, the profits from which are shared among themselves.

Over the years the savings group has been a stable and constant source of comfort and practical support for the women in a climate of change and uncertainty. As the women spend time together making the crafts, relationships have been strengthened. Together they discuss their home lives and family health, as well as teach each other how to perfect their bead-making and talk about the challenges that they may be facing. This safe space also enables the women to discuss some of the cultural practices that inhibit their progress, and how to address them.

Reflecting on the difficulties of the hot and dry conditions in her location Esther says: ‘Despite the drought since last year, we have been able to make some progress in our lives. We purchase

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Esther does not allow the challenges she faces to hinder her dream of a better life for her family and community

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beads as a group and make jewellery, which we sell and share the profits. We also purchase goats when they are young and rear them to sell when they are mature. This also gives us some profit.’

As part of the group, Esther was able to take a loan of KSH 20,000 (£150) from her group and repaid this in addition to 10 per cent interest of KSH 2,000 (£15), which also helps to grow the communal fund. ‘I used the money to purchase grocery items at a wholesale price,’ she says. ‘Later, I sold these to the people in my community, making some profit.’ Esther also tells me she is now able to provide food, school fees and medical fees for her children.

She says this was not possible in the past before joining the group.

Esther, as a strong and resilient woman, is an important role model in her group as she works hard and overcomes challenges to make progress in her life. She is also a source of empowerment to women as she provides leadership in a community that is patriarchal.

Another savings group in Turkana is the Narikodapal women’s group, where Ingolan Ekai is one of the fifteen members. Highlighting the benefits, she says: ‘When my child is sick, I do not have to worry much because I can get some money from the group and purchase medication… Since I joined the group, I have been able to make a profitable business of selling flour, maize and cooking oil in my small grocery shop. My children have never lacked food or school fees since I joined the group and learnt how to start my small business.’

Major Agnes Lorua is in charge of The Salvation Army’s women’s ministries in the Turkana District. She plays a key role in encouraging women to join and participate in the savings group project.

She says: ‘These saving groups are uniting the women as they help and support each other. Their lives are improving.’

The Salvation Army continues to support savings groups around the world and, during 2019, corps and family ministries groups across the territory can raise money for incomegeneration projects through the Community Shares helping-hand appeal. You can stand alongside communities as they work to overcome poverty together.

O Order a free Community Shares fundraising pack by calling 020 7367 4956 or download the resources from salvationarmy.org.uk/ communityshares O This article first appeared in the spring 2019 issue of Develop magazine

VIOLET IS THE PROGRAMME ADVISER ON SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS, THQ Salvationist 25 May 2019

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FEATURE I Herald challenge

Taking the challenge War Cry Editor Major Andrew Stone explains how you can be part of a ministry that has been effectively proclaiming the Christian message for 140 years

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HIS year the War Cry celebrates 140 years of reaching millions of people with the Christian message through the written word – and this ministry is as relevant and vibrant today as it was when it first started in December 1879.

More than 1,000 heralds at some 600 corps distribute around 1.5 million copies of the magazine to the general public every year.

Additionally, members of corps midweek activities receive copies and thousands of prisoners avidly read the War Cry every week.

And it is changing people’s lives.

As well as the contacts and converts the heralds regularly tell us about, here in the War Cry office we receive hundreds of requests every year from people asking for prayer and for information about the Christian faith.

But we want to reach even more people. So, in this anniversary year, we have set ourselves a bold challenge. We want to recruit 140 new heralds, starting with this year’s Herald Challenge.

During July individuals at corps can sign up to give one hour a week for the four weeks of the month to sell the War Cry and the Army’s comic with Christian content, Kids Alive! These publications give you a unique opportunity to witness for Jesus on the streets or at shopping centres in your community.

The War Cry is published with members of the public in mind, whether Christian believers or not. It promotes Christian belief, values and lifestyle through articles that cover the latest TV programmes and films, sport, public events, such as the Chelsea Flower Show, and always includes stories of faith in practice.

Kids Alive! contains Bible-based cartoons, competitions and jokes as well as addressing issues that affect children today. It’s great for children who already attend a church or understand about being a Christian but also provides a Christian influence for those who know little about the faith.

WHO CAN TAKE PART IN THE HERALD CHALLENGE? Any soldier or adherent member from 16 years and upwards, who has the approval of their corps officer, can take part. We are keen to encourage 12

Salvationist 25 May 2019

people from a wide age range to have a go. The timing is ideal for students who have just finished exams and for people encouraged by the warmer weather and lighter evenings.

HOW DOES IT HELP MISSION? A herald is a visible presence, letting people know God and his church are still active. You become the friendly, approachable face of faith.

Selling papers provides a context for conversations. People often appreciate someone to talk to.

It is also evangelism. You don’t need a degree in theology or a certificate in public speaking – the message is in the papers. You can add to this by telling your own story.

Finally any profits from the sales go to supporting the corps.

HOW YOU CAN TAKE PART First of all, corps will be invited to sign up to the Herald Challenge. By doing so they will receive 20 additional copies of the papers free of charge for the four July issues. These are specifically for those taking part in the challenge.

Your corps officer will then encourage individuals to sign up, forwarding their names and details to the Publishing Department so that we can send them some basic information and keep in touch.

If you want to take part make sure you tell your corps officer. Or it may be that you are a herald already and, utilising your experience, are able to encourage others in your corps to take up this valuable ministry.

We are excited at the prospect of even more people being reached through the ministry of the Army publications as Salvationists sign up to be missionaries in their own towns. So, go for it and be part of the 140th anniversary challenge!

If you would like further information please email richard.smart@salvationarmy.org.uk

O

Major Andrew Stone

onto the streets WHAT THE HERALDS SAY

It’s a blessing ‘There are many times when people approach with a donation and say: “I can never pass The Salvation Army.”

They or their family were personally helped by the Army, or their parents or grandparents emphasised the Army’s goodness. It is wonderful that the Army continues today to help in so many ways.’

John Smith, Sunderland

It’s an honour ‘Take the bull by the horns and go and do it. It’s an honour and a truly humbling experience, and I shall continue to do it while I still can.’

Major John Mott, Cambridge

It’s a great read ‘War Cry addresses important issues and always carries a message of compassion and hope. It wonderfully complements the work of The Salvation Army!’

Manjula Mahendra, London

It’s enjoyable ‘I am enjoying selling the papers and meeting people in my community. I have had positive feedback from everyone who has seen me in my own town and would love to carry on selling the papers every week when the challenge is finished.’

David Wilkinson, Wakefield

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FEATURE I Salvation Army railway station

STATION OF THE CROSS The Salvation Army has its own station again, but where are the trains?

Bill Hamilton experiences a piece of railway nostalgia

The Salvation Army Printing Works at Campfield Road in St Albans

M

ORE than half a century since rail services were permanently withdrawn from the area, The Salvation Army has suddenly found it has its own station again along one of Hertfordshire’s prettiest branch lines.

Alas, though the old railway halt has emerged from the ashes, there’s one thing missing – there are no plans to reintroduce trains on the route.

Instead, the Hatfield to St Albans line has been transformed into an idyllic path known as the Alban Way, shared by cyclists and pedestrians alike. Volunteers have been hard at work restoring many of the old features and explaining the fascinating history of the line. This has included erecting name boards at all the former stations, including one simply called Salvation Army.

The halt, overlooking Campfield Road, once had a special purpose. The Founder was determined that all Army literature should be produced on its own presses, so in 1879 he set up a small printing office in Fieldgate Street, behind the organisation’s headquarters in Mile End. Even though the presses were capable of producing 15,000 impressions per hour, such was the rapid expansion of work that it soon became evident that larger premises were required.

Therefore, in 1901, The Salvation Army moved its printing and musical instrument businesses to St Albans, to what previously had been a high-quality 14

Salvationist 25 May 2019

Tank engine and box wagons moving goods to and from The Salvation Army Printing Works in the early 1900s

Derailment at Salvation Army Halt in 1955

Salvation Army railway station full-colour printing works opened eight years earlier by Orford Smith. A siding allowed the delivery of paper and the export of millions of song sheets, tracts, prayer books, Bibles in multiple languages and the weekly issues of the War Cry, The Young Soldier and The Musician.

In its heyday, Campfield Press employed more than 350 people. To get to work many of them used a platform constructed of sleepers, which is still visible today, albeit a little overgrown!

The little halt was a hive of activity. The nearby orchid nursery exported its rare and expensive flowers across the globe, thousands of bunches of bananas were delivered to a cold store close by and as many as eight railway boxcars moved Salvation Army publications for distribution at home and abroad.

Just behind the siding, a large mound of grassland proved a popular play area for children but, in 1955, one of their games got out of hand. As they clambered onto the track under cover of darkness, they pulled the lever that controlled the points, resulting in the derailment of a locomotive and 25 wagons. Fortunately no one was hurt, but the culprits were never caught.

The branch line also became a target during the Second World War, with the nearby siting of the de Havilland aircraft factory, which produced the Mosquito fighter-bomber. Anti-aircraft

guns stood near the tracks but, though camouflaged, the Luftwaffe succeeded in disrupting the site when they dropped four bombs in 1940.

During the same year the next halt on the line, Hill End, became extremely busy after the Dunkirk evacuation. In one week alone, the hospital situated immediately behind the station received 600 injured servicemen. Air-raid casualties from the London Blitz soon followed them.

Today, cyclists and walkers have the opportunity to clamber onto the old Salvation Army platform, although the sights, sounds and smells of those days of steam are all gone. Those celebrated workhorses, the tank engines and the goods trucks of the Great Northern Railway, have long since been consigned to history. A fate too, which befell The Salvation Army’s printing works, as the Campfield Press was demolished in 1993.

Lieut-Colonel Ernest Coupe, Director of Campfield in the Eighties, was amazed to see the re-emergence of the station. ‘It is a very great reminder of all that has gone before,’ he observed. ‘Just think of the tens of thousands of people across the world who were first introduced to the word of God through the millions of papers and magazines dispatched from such a tiny railway halt.’

BILL IS AN ADHERENT MEMBER AT ST ALBANS

FEATURE Cooky’s story

Happy Birthday, Cooky!

Major Richard Durrant recalls a special occasion that reminded him of the need to have ‘double vision’

I

N one of my corps appointments it soon became apparent that we had a number of ‘friends’ who would frequently congregate in the parking area behind the hall. Some were rough sleepers and some lived in nearby flats or bedsits, and this was a natural gathering point for them to share their drinks, stories and company.

The Army hall had a coffee lounge, open daily, which many shoppers and city-centre workers supported.

However, the group of people who congregated out back were not ignored.

We would often take them sandwiches

we did try to befriend and support him in the best way we could, especially in providing food and, sometimes, a change of clothes.

One day, something special happened, which I will never forget and will always resonate with me. We had a special weekend at the corps with the visit of a drama group from a church some distance away. On the Saturday evening they were putting on a presentation. The youngsters were enthusiastic and talented, and a good number of people attended the evening to support them.

pack of biscuits and sang ‘Happy birthday, dear Cooky’. There were more than 100 people present and everyone enthusiastically joined in with the song and applauded as we presented him his card and a little gift. Tears flowed down his cheeks and he said that it was the first time in many years anyone had acknowledged his birthday. He took the card and gift with a real sense of pride.

I was grateful to the young woman who had encouraged me to allow Cooky to stay so we all could experience that special moment.

Although he still had his difficulties, and

and hot drinks but they tended not to mix with our regular customers. We got to know them, and they all had a story to tell. Although they had their problems – most were alcohol dependent – many of them were friendly, supportive people who showed real care and concern for each other.

Among these guys was a man we got to know as Cooky. He had a dishevelled appearance, including a long, filthy beard – and had a chronic drink problem. On occasions he received help and was offered a place in the local authority hostel; they did manage to clean him up and dry him out but often, within a few weeks, he was back on the streets because he didn’t comply with the way of life expected at the hostel.

Cooky was doubly incontinent, slept rough most of the time and, consequently, didn’t smell too good.

Nonetheless, he was a gentle man, and

During the interval we provided refreshments for the audience. Cooky came in at that point, and his odour was particularly strong. I got him something to eat and a cup of tea but then I told him he needed to get on his way, as it was a special event. One of the visiting drama group overheard and pleaded with me to let Cooky stay. With mixed feelings, I agreed and found Cooky a seat.

Just then, the chorus ‘Happy Birthday’ broke out as it was someone’s birthday that day. Cooky said to me: ‘I think it’s my birthday soon.’ I asked him his date of birth, and when he told me I realised that it was his 50th birthday that very day! This was a total shock to me as, by appearance, I would have placed him at around 70. But he was not much older than me.

We quickly dispatched someone to get a birthday card, found a nice big

his problems continued, it was lovely that, for just that evening, we were able to see something of God’s love touch him in a special way and bring real blessing to this child of God. Jesus said: ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’ (Matthew 25:40). That verse sums up how important we all are to God. Yet how easy it is to be dismissive and jump to conclusions about others. Jesus had ‘double vision’, seeing people not just for what they were but for what they could become with God’s touch upon their lives. This story of Cooky will always remind me how we need to learn to look at people with Christlike eyes.

MAJOR DURRANT IS CORPS OFFICER, NORTH WALSHAM Salvationist 25 May 2019

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BIBLE STUDY

Be obedient – it’s time to rise up!

STUDY PASSAGE: ESTHER 4:12–16

I

T is the time of year when young people might be taking GCSE, A-level and university exams. In some subjects boundaries are clear-cut – right or wrong. However, increasingly today the search for the right answers often raises more questions.

In this week’s study passage we find testing of another kind. Caught up in circumstances beyond their control, Mordecai and Esther, who are Jews, are subject to the life and laws of the pagan King Xerxes. Issues of human trafficking for sexual purposes and the abuse of power fuelled by antisemitic views leaves them, along with the Jewish nation, under the threat of annihilation.

Read the preceding chapters for a fuller picture and consider how your own circumstances impact your answers to the following questions.

QUESTIONS O In what ways do those around us shape our status in life?

Through the week with Salvationist – a devotional thought for each day

by Major Freda Benneyworth

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Salvationist 25 May 2019

What questions are we wrestling with the most today, and why?

O

Although Esther had no choice in being taken to the king’s palace and being sexually exploited, her status, although appearing very low, offered opportunities to get close to the king in ways others could not.

Mordecai was trying to get Esther’s attention to highlight the plight of ‘her people’, who were under threat. She, however, misinterpreted the situation and gave a wrong answer in sending him fresh clothes, rather than seeking to ask the right question.

QUESTIONS When faced with confusing circumstances, what is our first course of action?

O How ready are we to respond, or do we prefer to question more deeply?

O

When Esther realised that something more disturbing was going on with Mordecai, in her quest to find a more effective answer she sent Hathak to

learn the full details of the problem.

What she learnt from this research opened up a hugely complex situation whereby Mordecai not only offered her an answer but also suggested she could be the answer.

QUESTIONS To what extent might we be the answer to our own problem and the issues of those around us?

O In pointing out a legal technicality to the answer Mordecai proposed, Esther also added a comment on the reality of her accessibility to the king. How does Esther’s response compare with those of others, who were also reluctant to respond when God called them: Moses, Gideon, Jeremiah and Saul?

O Why do you think Esther hesitates to obey?

O How might a sense of unworthiness or fear hinder a person’s response to God’s call and how might this be resolved?

O

Mordecai’s response to Esther is perfect and draws the examination to a head by not providing the answer.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Just where he needs me, my Lord has placed me,/ Just where he needs me, there would I be!/ And since he found me, by love he’s bound me/ To serve him joyfully.

(SASB 944)

‘For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?’ Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai…

‘I will go to the king, even though it is against the law.

And if I perish, I perish.’

(Esther 4:14–16)

I will be a warrior, fighting the good fight,/ Battling ’gainst all evil in the cause of right;/ Jesus, give me courage, make me true and brave/ That the lost and dying I may help to save.

(SASB 597)

Major Lindy Rose encourages us to be who God meant us to be

Instead, he makes a statement that poses a question: ‘And who knows?

Perhaps you have been made queen for such a time as this’ (Esther 4:14 The Voice).

Whatever was in Esther’s heart, she exemplified the wonderful scenario portrayed beautifully by Dustin Hoffman in the film Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium as his character announces: ‘Life is an occasion, so rise to it!’

Esther not only rises to the challenge set before her, but also moves beyond it. Her Jewishness, previously hidden within the palace, is soon to be revealed in the practice of fasting.

Calling her maids and all the Jews in Susa to join her, their fasting for three days and nights suggests their dependence on God and identification with a faith still under threat.

QUESTION O How hidden is our faith to those around us?

Esther found herself in a situation beyond her control but she chose to

respond and identify herself. She appeared to take her life in her hands by being obedient to Mordecai’s prompting in seeing the king. She stepped up to the plate. She was tested and she passed with flying colours, not by any great knowledge or power, but simply by being who she was called to be ‘for such a time as this’. That’s a real test!

QUESTION we ready to respond in obedience and be who we are created to be?

QUESTION In what ways is God’s presence evident in our lives?

O

We live in a world where faith is hidden and people are exploited or even persecuted. So, if you believe that God could be calling you to make a positive difference in some way, then be obedient, step up to the plate and be who he created you to be. Life is an occasion, so rise to it!

O Are

QUESTIONS Why not you?

O Why not now?

O Why not ‘for such a time as this’?

O

Nowhere in the book of Esther is God mentioned, not even once. Yet, he’s there. He’s always there. We recognise him as he weaves his way through the story of Esther. He works through the lowly, beautiful girl, who was trafficked for the sexual pleasure of the king, and secures the life of ‘her people’ – God’s people. The absence of God’s name speaks powerfully to underline his presence, which is hidden only from those who choose not to notice or recognise it.

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Paul… began his defence… ‘So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from Heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.’

(Acts 26:1 and 19–22)

Be strong in the grace of the Lord,/ Be noble and upright and true,/ Be valiant for God and the right,/ Live daily your duty to do./ Be strong! Be strong!/ And God will your courage renew.

(SASB 948)

MAJOR ROSE IS CORPS OFFICER, HENDON, AND ASSOCIATE DIVISIONAL CANDIDATES OFFICER, NORTH LONDON

FRIDAY

‘Be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your Prayer Lord, grant courage heart and with when obedience is costly and all your soul.’ dangerous. Help me to speak ( Joshua against injustice, speak up for the 22:5)

marginalised, defend the weak and deliver your truth. By your grace make me brave, yet sensitive in all things and obedient to your will.

SATURDAY Lord of all power, I give you my will,/ In joyful obedience your tasks to fulfil./ Your bondage is freedom, your service is song,/ And, held in your keeping, my weakness is strong.

(SASB 380)

Salvationist 25 May 2019

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NEW COMMITMENTS

LURGAN: Jessica Johnston and Zara Jackson were enrolled as junior soldiers by corps officers Major Adam and Captain Christine Morales. – G. W.

GOVAN: Corps officer Major Mark Bearcroft welcomed Gerry Ranachan as an adherent member. Gerry has been attending worship for many years and acknowledged the huge influence God has had on his life. Gerry, who gave thanks that his spiritual journey is not over, is pictured with Majors Mark and Tracy Bearcroft. – D. G.

SWINDON GORSE HILL: Corps officer Captain Sandra Hall enrolled Tracey Stuart as a soldier. Tracey chose the song ‘God Will Make A Way’ and testified to the fact that, even through the difficulties she had faced, God had always been with her and helped her. Tracey is pictured with Captains Sandra and Chris Hall and CSM Peter Booth. – S. H.

GUERNSEY: Aliantha Pattimore was enrolled as a junior soldier by corps officer Major Claire Hill. Pictured with Aliantha are Majors Claire and Jamie Hill and, holding the flag, Aliantha’s grandfather, Colour Sergeant Ted Garnham. – J. H.

DARTFORD: After attending the corps for six months Ian Hendrie decided to make the Army his place of worship. Corps officer Captain Sue Dean and corps leader Territorial Envoy Ed Dean welcomed Ian as an adherent member. – E. D.

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Salvationist 25 May 2019

HILLINGDON: Corps officer Major Kevin Pitt welcomed Denise Steele as an adherent member. Denise was invited to the corps by friends, Denise and Peter Tottman, and wanted to take this step of faith as she has found her spiritual home. Denise is pictured with Major Christine Perkins, Sarah Jane Woodgate, Denise Tottman and Major Kevin. – K. P.

Some photos removed

FAULDHOUSE: Joshua Francis was enrolled as a junior soldier by his mother, corps officer Lieutenant Emma Francis.

Pictured with Joshua and Lieutenant Emma are Robin Campbell and Children’s Advocate Margaret Gall. – E. F.

CHELTENHAM CITADEL: Jamel Makonye, Emeka Nkeme, Alfie and Alex Munemo, Mia Burnett and Heidi, Ned and Evan Thomas were enrolled as junior soldiers by corps officer Major Mel Smith. Older junior soldiers assisted in their classes. Each new junior soldier read a promise and was prayed for by the young people. – M. S.

DERBY CENTRAL: Seven new adherent members were welcomed by corps officer Major Anthony Colclough. Pictured with Major Anthony and Recruiting Sergeant Ruth Watson are Andrew and Kathleen Seeds, David Simpson, Derek Reynolds, Irene and Alan Brown and Keith Fox. – A. C.

FALMOUTH TEMPLE: Gary Thomson was welcomed as an adherent member by corps officer Lieutenant Andrew Hammond. Feeling unfulfilled, Gary decided to attend the corps and find out about the claims of Jesus. He testified to the ongoing transformation Jesus is making in his life. – A. H.

LYMINGTON: Outreach unit leader Divisional Envoy Ruth Barlow welcomed Christine Humphrey as an adherent member. Christine started attending through the coffee morning and has been witnessing by distributing leaflets on her train journeys.

Divisional Envoy Doug Barlow is pictured holding the flag. – R. B.

SWANSEA: Sandra James was welcomed as an adherent member by Major Gordon Atter. Sandra has attended the meetings for some time, and her family and friends were thrilled to see that she has now made this commitment. – G. A.

MOSBOROUGH: Stuart Neil was welcomed as an adherent member by Corps Secretary Linda Foster.

Stuart has volunteered at the Oasis Café and worships at the corps.

His favourite song is ‘How Great Thou Art’, reflecting his love for the Lord. – L. F.

Salvationist 25 May 2019

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE APPOINTED Effective 29 July O Major Geoff Chape, Training Principal, Officers’ Training College, Bangladesh Command O Major Liz Chape, Secretary for Spiritual Life Development, Bangladesh Command LOCAL OFFICER APPOINTED O CSM Lieut-Colonel Alan Read, Penge WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Diamond O Majors Jack and Jean Middleton (4 June) O Majors Kenneth and Lilian Hawken (6 June) Golden O Len and Pat Walker, Gloucester (30 May) DEDICATED TO GOD O Reuben George, son of Matthew and Collette Poore, at Hythe by Lieutenant Berri McKenna RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Major Katharine Grimshaw (85 on 4 June) O Major Margaret Williams (95 on 4 June)

Major Betty Drake (95 on 6 June) Major Marlene King (80 on 6 June) O Major Howard Sercombe (80 on 7 June) O O

BEREAVED O Eric Culley, Swindon Citadel, of his brother Terry PROMOTED TO GLORY O S/Reservist Greta Niel, Chester-leStreet

WHAT’S ON ON THE AIR ONLINE O Simon Tuck speaks to Major Melvyn Jones about the life and legacy of General Evangeline Booth from 27 to 31 May This five-part series can be heard live on DAB radio (by tuning into UCB 2) or by visiting ucb.co.uk/listen at 2.45 pm

Please note that soldiers’ and adherent members’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 150 words.

Good quality pictures will be included with tributes. Please do not send your copy to any individual’s email address as this could delay publication. Copy should be sent to salvationist @salvationarmy.org.uk

ENGAGEMENTS GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham Citadel, Sun 2 O Pewsey (Robert Pilon Concert), Sat 8 O Indonesia Territory, Wed 12 – Sun 16 O Canada and Bermuda Territory (congress and commissioning), Mon 17 – Mon 24 THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM O USA Eastern Territory (commissioning), Wed 12 Jun – Tu 18 THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL O Myanmar (divisional leaders development), Mon 20 May – Fri 31* O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham (Music and Creative Arts Leaders Councils), Sun 2 O St Albans (135th corps anniversary), Sun 9 O Sunbury Court (Brengle Institute retreat), Tu 11 O Stirling (Into Officership seminar), Th 13 THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL LEE GRAVES) AND COLONEL DEBORAH GRAVES O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham (Music and Creative Arts Leaders Councils), Sun 2 INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham (Music and Creative Arts Leaders Councils), Sun 2 INTERNATIONAL STAFF SONGSTERS O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham (Music and Creative Arts Leaders Councils), Sun 2 * Territorial Leader for Leader Development only

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Salvationist 25 May 2019

TRIBUTES MARY HOLLAND, ABERTILLERY MARY was born in Abertillery in 1937 and attended the nearby grammar school. She linked up with The Salvation Army through the youth club and became a uniformed soldier and corps cadet.

Her chosen career took her to Darlington College of Education, where she studied to be a teacher, and while there she attended Army meetings. A teaching post in Manchester and marriage with two children saw her drift away from the Army, returning to her roots when the marriage ended. She remarried to become Mrs Holland and spent the next 40 years teaching in the area.

Retirement enabled her to contact the nearby corps again, and in 2012 she was enrolled as a soldier. Failing health meant she could not be as active as in her younger days, and further health deterioration necessitated a long stay in hospital, from where she was promoted to Glory. – A. B. VAL STILL, HOVE VAL was first taken to Hove Corps by her Salvationist parents when she was two weeks old and, by the time of her promotion to Glory, was No 1 on the roll having been a soldier for more than 70 years.

Initially an active member of the YP sections, Val held a variety of positions, including home league secretary and over-60 club secretary, and the membership rose to 250 under her leadership. She was also one of the first women to join the senior band.

While Val was in nursing training she met Roy, who was one of her patients.

They were married for 35 years before Roy’s death in 1990 and had five children, two of whom are serving Army officers.

Remembered for her commitment and sense of humour, Val is greatly missed. – A. S.

REG PRICE, COVENTRY CITY REG was born in 1936 in Easington, Co Durham. A lifelong Salvationist and son of a bandmaster, he met the love of his life, Doreen, in his teens. They were married in 1956 and had two daughters.

Reg loved serving the Lord and was always willing to take on positions of service if he thought it was the Lord’s will. In his early days he was singing company pianist and youth club leader at Easington Colliery Corps. After a move to Luton for work, he was assistant YP band leader. In 1973 the family moved to Coventry City and Reg was commissioned as recruiting sergeant, corps secretary, corps sergeant-major, Cameo leader (along with Doreen) and band librarian for 40 years. Music played a huge part of his faith journey as a songster and as a bandsman for 67 years.

Reg was a faithful influence to many and is missed. – V. S.

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WE UPDATE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, GIVING YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO

Catch sneak peeks at upcoming features O See the new cover early O Comment on articles O Ask us questions O Get advance notice on important news stories O Link to the Editor’s comment and our article of the week Like our page at facebook.com/salvationistonline to keep up to date!

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ADVERTISEMENTS

Salvationist 25 May 2019

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‘ Employees, friends, members, officers, volunteers – we have them all in The Salvation Army!

We’ve asked various people to tell us about themselves. This week…

JOAN MILLARD

Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine; O what a foretaste of Glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood

’

What sport would you compete in if you were in the Olympics?

Tennis.

Adherent member, Colchester Citadel How did you first come into contact with the Army?

I came into contact with the Army through Sunday school.

What made you want to become an adherent member?

I was experiencing difficult times and The Salvation Army helped me. Then I began to volunteer at the Army and decided to become a member.

What is the most interesting thing about your volunteer role?

Helping vulnerable people who need support.

What is your favourite food?

Italian, such as pizza and pasta carbonara.

If you could bring back any fashion trend what would it be?

The fashions of the 1960s.

What was the first record, tape or CD that you ever owned?

The Jackson 5 single, I Want You Back.

It was released in October 1969 and became their first No 1 hit in America in January 1970.

If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be?

Never give up! Keep hoping because hope does not disappoint.

If you could rid the world of one thing, what would it be?

Hate.

Do you have any hidden talents?

Writing poems.

If you had a ‘theme song’ that played whenever you walked into a room what would it be?

‘Love Is All Around’ by Wet Wet Wet.*

What is your favourite kind of holiday?

Holidaying with my family in America and sightseeing.

If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose?

Joan of Arc because she was bold enough to follow her dream.

This is my story, this is my song.

Praising my Saviour all the day long.

(SASB 455)

Which book would you want on a desert island?

Nights Of Rain And Stars by Maeve Binchy.

… and the most frustrating?

Not having enough time.

If you could be in a film, which would it be and what character would you play?

A film about Nelson Mandela, and I would like to play the character of Mandela.

What is your favourite hymn or worship song?

Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine; O what a foretaste of Glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Always take the time to think before you make a decision.

What is your favourite Bible verse?

‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13 New Revised Standard Version).

Which Bible figure would you like to meet and what would you ask them?

I would like to meet Paul and ask him how he managed to pursue his vision and purpose through such harsh persecution.

What do you consider to be the most valuable thing you possess?

My family. *Editor’s note: Readers might be interested to know that ‘Love Is All Around’ was written in 1967 by Reg Presley, lead singer of the Troggs, and was inspired by a TV broadcast of the Joystrings singing Bill Davidson’s song ‘Love That’s All Around’. The Wet Wet Wet version was used on the soundtrack to the 1994 film Four Weddings And A Funeral.