Letters

PETER OF THE PRIMARY

MY dear mum (now in her 94th year and still enjoying the War Cry) has often wondered what happened to Peter of the Primary and whether any other readers remember him.

As a child in Eccles, she recalls the War Cry being delivered each week to her family’s sweet shop. Peter was a character that featured in The Young Soldier and Mum would read the ‘interesting’ life that he led. She remembers he always seemed to be dashing about doing good deeds. He had a mop of blonde hair and shiny shoes.

Of course, Mum outgrew Peter and went on to have her own family. Whatever happened to Peter? Although forgotten over the years, I suppose he will always be that busy little boy with blonde hair and shiny shoes! He certainly proved to be a good example to a little girl 85 years ago. Thank you, Peter!

Vicky Welch Atherton

MICHAEL AND PEGGY LOSE ‘PETER’

Above: 16 March 1940 Left: 15 August 1942

LOOK ONLY UNTO JESUS

I AM disappointed with the lack of discernment when it comes to unbiblical things mentioned in Salvationist, such as Christian yoga (Salvationist 1 January), Lectio Divina (Salvationist 12 February) and a book celebrating Henri Nouwen (Salvationist 19 February). New things and ideas are not always a good thing if they cannot be measured up by the standard of Scripture.

I love reading in Salvationist about all the wonderful things God is doing through The Salvation Army for his glory and seeing the gospel being proclaimed through the lives of our corps with the ultimate goal of seeing people coming to a saving and life-changing faith. This is The Salvation Army I signed up to be a part of. Keep looking only unto Jesus!

Jenni Mayo Carnforth

LETTERS

Many years ago General Frederick Coutts said letters in the Army’s press should be ‘carefully thought out and charitably expressed’. Letters may be edited and should ideally be no more than 300 words.

AN INSPIRING READ

WHAT inspiring words from William McDonald in ‘The Salvation Army and me’ (Salvationist 5 February)! His honesty and willingness to share some of the difficulties he has experienced were extremely moving.

In her article ‘Love God, love others’ (Salvationist 12 February), Colonel Jenine Main suggested we need to be more intentional about welcome, inclusion and hospitality. While it is heartening to know The Salvation Army as an organisation is thinking more intentionally about welcome, hospitality and inclusion, I would suggest that within our fellowships we should be asking whether we invest time and energy in getting to know others and realise their value. Croydon Citadel certainly do and have demonstrated great love towards William, who now lives in hope rather than despair.

Many within our fellowships may not be aware that The Salvation Army recently launched the Race Inclusion Working Group (RIWG). I have been personally challenged by the words of Colonel Main and I pray that all Salvation Army fellowships will move towards not only loving God but also demonstrating, through inclusion, our love for others.

Kate Cousins Middlesbrough

DRESS CODES

THERE is a growing tendency these days for participants in sections to dress how they like. The responses are often ‘it’s the heart that counts’, ‘motivation is all that matters’ or ‘the Army needs to be all-inclusive’. But why can’t discipline and uniformity go along with those reasons?

People who belong to a team generally conform to a dress code. I can’t imagine a footballer having a say on his outfit and saying, ‘I will choose my own kit.’ Even non-Army bands and choirs seem to favour a standard dress code. A friend said to me: ‘No caps, no headgear, no uniform, no Army.’

Cliff Kent Major Beckenham

Apest: Teacher

Major Ian Mountford encourages us to identify Major Ian Mountford encourages us to identify those called and gifted by God to teach those called and gifted by God to teach

MATTHEW 5 TO 7

‘We don’t need no education, We don’t need no thought control, No dark sarcasm in the classroom, Teacher, leave them kids alone… All in all, it’s just another brick in the wall.’

SO goes Pink Floyd’s 1979 hit song ‘Another Brick in the Wall’. The lyrics in part summed up my own childhood experience of school. Thankfully, learning is a lifelong process and, over the years, gifted teachers have blessed me with their patience and encouragement and have helped me to develop.

My respect for teachers has grown even more during the Covid-19 pandemic. Teachers rapidly adapted to the crisis by teaching remotely, then, upon returning to the classroom, faced yet more daunting challenges. Despite this, so many remain faithful to their vocation. They need our thanks, support and prayers.

When it comes to whole-of-life learning, contexts and subjects will vary, but gifted teachers know and communicate their subject well. Whether it is creating curiosity, developing resources or employing active-learning experiences, teachers seek to develop a systematic and comprehensive understanding in their pupils, suspending any bias while encouraging self-development.

QUESTIONS

Whose teaching has inspired and equipped you? What was it about them that enabled learning to take place?

The Gospels refer to Jesus as teacher – ‘rabbi’ – 45 times. Jesus confirmed this assessment: ‘You call me “Teacher” and “Lord”, and rightly so, for that is what I am’ (John 13:13).

Jesus – the Way, the Truth and the Life – provides light for our path. Beginning with the Beatitudes, his Sermon on the Mount is considered to be the most authoritative moral teaching on record. It is Jesus’ Kingdom manifesto – the shape of things to come.

‘Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountain (as Moses had done before him) and he sat down (as Jewish teachers of his day usually did). His disciples gathered around him. And he began to teach them’ (Matthew 5:1 and 2 The Voice).

As Jesus taught in this open-air classroom near Capernaum, crowds gathered, hearts and minds were captivated and his hearers recognised his authority.

QUESTION

What was authoritative and radical about Jesus’ teaching and approach?

Whether on a mountain, from a boat or during mealtimes, Jesus immersed his pupils in the learning process. He asked questions, gave tangible examples,

Through the week with Salvationist

– a devotional thought for each day

by Major Melvyn Knott

SUNDAY

Not only was the teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.

(Ecclesiastes 12:9)

MONDAY

Teach me how to love thee,/ Teach me how to pray,/ Teach me how to serve thee/ Better every day;/ Teach me how to serve thee/ Better every day.

(SASB 624)

Prayer

Good Teacher, who has taught us your ways, help us to teach your wisdom and truth to shape the character of others. Enable us to teach with vision and love to enable a more Christlike world. TUESDAY

Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ (Isaiah 30:20 and 21)