Salvationist 27 March 2021

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www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 27 March 2021

Welcome to the family!

Bulgaria becomes the Army’s 132nd country PLUS

SIDE-BY-SIDE: THE WONDER OF ‘WITHNESS’

SEE PAGES 10 AND 11

QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

MILLIONS HAVE TUNED INTO CHURCH OF ENGLAND’S ONLINE SERVICES DURING PANDEMIC The Church of England’s national online services have been viewed 3.7 million times since restrictions on in-person church services were first imposed a year ago.

Across its social media channels, clips and content from the services have been viewed some 40 million times...

Churches across the nation were forced to move their services online during the pandemic. For many of them, it was the first time they had broadcast their services live via the internet.

For the Church of England, the pandemic prompted the launch of its first ever national online service on its Facebook page and YouTube channel, with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby streaming the Easter service live from his kitchen last April.

There have now been 54 national online services led by different clergy each week. Data suggests the online services are attracting newcomers to the faith, with a sample survey finding that a fifth (19.7 per cent) were engaging with the Church of England online for the first time.

In addition to online services, the Church of England launched the free DailyHOPE phoneline for those without internet access. The line has received more than 400,000 calls ... since it was launched last April.

Christian Today

SALVATIONIST

CHURCH URGED TO SUPPORT TRAVELLER COMMUNITIES During repeated lockdowns and the closure of public facilities, taps in churchyards have been a lifeline for Traveller communities.

Churches in some areas have actively encouraged Travellers to use their tap to collect water, as leisure centres and other facilities remain closed.

The pandemic has hit Traveller communities hard, as regulations made it illegal to take to the roads in lockdown, and they faced a shortage of pitches.

Canon Jonathan Herbert is the only funded chaplain in the UK to Gypsies and Travellers... ‘Those without access to clean water and the ability to wash are more vulnerable to Covid,’ he said…

Eighty per cent of Romany Gypsies are Christian… Many in the Irish Travelling community are Roman Catholic, and many Roma are Pentecostal or Salvation Army.

The Churches Network for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma has urged the Church to speak out in support of Traveller communities, and against hostility and persecution.

Church Times

EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts – 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford – 020 7367 4891

Church Times

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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 is a Christian church and a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

PROOFREADER Chris Horne

2

Salvationist 27 March 2021

The Times

The Children’s Society has said that it is ‘aghast’ at government plans to offer children lessons to catch up on their academic learning without more focus and resources to address the mental health problems caused by the prolonged lockdown.

The society’s chief executive, Mark Russell, said ... that it appeared that there was ‘no proper strategy or plan in place to meet the scale of the challenge we face’.

The charity is calling for the introduction of an annual measurement of children’s happiness, in line with measurement of adult wellbeing, so that it would be possible to track the impact that recovery from Covid-19 is having...

The government announced £79 million for children’s mental health – but this was only a fraction of the amount needed ... the Children’s Society said.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Shanelle Manderson – 020 7367 4894 Simon Hope – 020 7367 4892 Melita Day-Lewis – 020 7367 4887 Major Margaret Bovey

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight – 020 7367 4895 Louise Phillips – 020 7367 4896

An operation to deter archaeological thieves on the cliffs overlooking the Dead Sea has led to the first discovery in nearly seven decades of an ancient biblical scroll. It offers tantalising finds indicating much earlier inhabitation in the arid area including a complete 10,500-year-old basket, the oldest of its kind ever found.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest remnants of the Old Testament, were first discovered in a cave by a Bedouin shepherd in 1947. A more comprehensive survey of the caves in subsequent years discovered 900 scrolls, mostly in small fragments, which include parts of the Bible, other religious texts of Jewish sects that had not been known before and various pieces of ancient correspondence and legal writings.

The scrolls have been an object of fascination for researchers and scholars ever since, as well as the source of much controversy.

MENTAL HEALTH ‘MATTERS MORE THAN CATCHING UP’ AS CHILDREN RETURN TO SCHOOL

salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist

Staff are working from home and may not be contactable by phone or able to deal with non-electronic correspondence

DIG UNCOVERS NEW FRAGMENTS OF DEAD SEA SCROLL IN CAVES

ISSN 2516-5909

THE SALVATION ARMY FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL Brian Peddle TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARY Major Mal Davies

CONTACT SALVATIONIST 020 7367 4890 salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk Find Salvationist on Facebook SalvationistOnline Find Salvationist on Twitter @SalvationistUK

CONTENTS

STRONGER TOGETHER DURING the four years that I served in the Europe Department at International Headquarters we had a number of requests for The Salvation Army to begin work in additional countries. Individuals, churches or other organisations wrote to say we were needed there and sometimes offered to work with us. These appeals always reminded me of the apostle Paul’s vision of a man begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us’ (Acts 16:9).

Unlike Paul, we couldn’t always respond with a yes. But on two occasions, after careful investigation, prayer and planning, and in co-ordination with the territory that would ‘adopt’ the new country, the international secretary for Europe was able to recommend to the General that operations should commence – and they did, in Greenland and Slovakia.

This week’s Salvationist carries news of another new opening, this time in Bulgaria. It came about partly as the result of a dream in which a Norwegian officer saw an Army band playing in the country. Not quite a vision like Paul’s, but a message from the Lord nonetheless! Pioneer officers have now begun work, established partnerships with other churches and built relationships with embassy personnel and other organisations. Working alongside others is often key to successfully establishing the Army’s presence.

Some corps in this territory have long partnered other organisations, but the number seems to have increased during the pandemic. This week’s news pages have two examples of that: one corps was able to give out food parcels that included eggs given by a farmer and used visors provided by the parish council; another corps joined with a football club charity to support struggling families.

In our focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goal of zero hunger by 2030, the Army in the three countries featured works in a range of partnerships that include other churches, local and national governments, non-government organisations and businesses.

Partnerships of a different kind are at the heart of Side-by-Side, a Youth and Children’s Ministries resource introduced by Major Helen Schofield. It’s a simple idea that involves adults walking and talking with young people. The aim is to support their wellbeing – it will no doubt have a positive effect on the adults too.

The Salvation Army is a partner with other Christian groups in an organisation called Faith in Later Life. Andrew Wileman tells us how, together with Bournemouth University, the organisation has produced a report on how older people can be better supported, included and encouraged. As well as looking at their needs it highlights the positive contribution older people can make, bringing their skills and experience into corps life and ministry.

When Paul and his companions arrived in Macedonia in response to his vision, they preached the gospel at Philippi and founded a church there. A while later Paul wrote to them, remembering with joy their ‘partnership in the gospel’ (Philippians 1:5). Paul recognised the need to work with others and valued the opportunity to do so.

Partnerships prove that we are stronger together. But there are two attitudes that prevent them happening. We can think ‘I can do everything, I don’t need you’ or ‘I can’t do anything, you don’t need me’. Let’s never be so self-reliant that we fail to benefit from working with others, nor underestimate the contribution we can make.

Quotes from the media

2

Message from the territorial leader for leader development

4

News feature 5 Bulgaria becomes Army’s 132nd country News

6 and 7

Prayer matters

7

Where there’s a need...

Zero hunger

8

Interview ‘Being autistic is part of who I am’

9

Peter Hobson talks to Sarah Olowofoyeku

Resources Walking and talking

10 and 11

by Major Helen Schofield

Interview Celebrating older people

12 and 13

Andrew Wileman talks to Shanelle Manderson

Interview Walk, don’t run

14

Major Anthony Colclough talks to Maria Ball

In the face of suffering Managing the big questions

15

by Major Jim Bryden

Bible study Focus on God

16 and 17

by Lieut-Colonel Eirwen Pallant

Through the week with 16 and 17 Salvationist

by Major Melvyn Knott

Thinkaloud A place for poetry?

18

by John Coutts

Poets’ corner

19

Reflection God’s love for life

20

by Major Catherine Wyles

Review Drug of Choice

21

reviewed by Lieut-Colonel Allen Satterlee

Preview 21 Please Don’t Pray with Your Mouth Full

by Bob Swanson

Announcements

22 and 23

Adverts

23

The Salvation Army and me

24

featuring SL Hazel Edwards

From the Editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

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

Salvationist 27 March 2021

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A MESSAGE FROM THE TERRITORIAL LEADER FOR LEADER DEVELOPMENT

Planting seeds of hope

S

PRING is in the air. It’s the lambing season, apparently. I was flicking through TV channels recently and came across Countryfile. Watching the newborn lambs took me back to a few years ago when the nuns at Minster Abbey in Kent, who had a great relationship with The Salvation Army, invited us to come and see the lambs born that day. It was a great treat.

Living in the city, we don’t get to see those kind of spring scenes. The nearest we get to the countryside is Southwark Park, which is not far from our home. It was a joy to take a walk there recently and hear the sound of children playing on the swings again. That part of the park has reopened after such a long time and seeing a group of boys enjoying an impromptu game of football after school, bags and blazers becoming goalposts, was great. My spirit was lifted by the birdsong, the crocuses and the banks of yellow daffodils with their trumpet-like petals blasting out the message: ‘Spring is here! Cheer up!’

I witnessed the beginnings of new life and transformation taking place in nature, adding that splash of colour to life and giving rise to the sense of hope that slowly things are getting a little bit better.

Looking at that host of golden daffodils, I wondered who had taken the decision to plant all those bulbs that people in the park were now benefiting from. Part of that answer was in a discovery I made: a gate leading to what looked like a secret garden.

I was intrigued to find this quiet space for reflection, an English country garden created by a woman called Ada Salter as

part of her great work planting trees and giving green space to enhance the community in Southwark.

Ada, a Methodist and later a Quaker, was a slum worker and became a councillor and the first female mayor in London. She and her husband, Alfred, a brilliant doctor and bacteriologist, lived and worked in this poor community to improve health and social conditions in the early 20th century. If you walk along the Thames Path near the park, you’ll see statues of the Salters in recognition of their service.

The past year has felt like a perpetual winter, and yet many of you have been planting bulbs and seeds of hope – kind deeds, acts of compassion, encouraging words to neighbours and words of comfort to people in distress. You have given hours of faithful work, practical service and ministry – caring for your communities, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick and elderly, offering many prayers and much more beside.

Hopefully, some of the seeds sown and bulbs planted will bear fruit and add that splash of colour to people’s lives. It is quite a thought that the Covid-19 pandemic has given us unexpected opportunities to plant those seeds of love and hope in the name of Jesus. Thank you for taking those opportunities.

What of the days to come as, we hope, the situation improves? I wonder what messages and directions the Lord may want to plant in our hearts as individuals, and in corps and centres as we continue planting seeds and bulbs of hope, and seek to bear fruit for the Kingdom in our daily lives and in our service for the Lord.

In John 15, Jesus speaks about God as the ultimate gardener of our hearts: ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing… This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples’ (vv1–5 and 8).

May the Lord help us as we continue planting seeds of salvation in Jesus’ name.

GILL COTTERILL COMMISSIONER TERRITORIAL LEADER FOR LEADER DEVELOPMENT O This

message is based on a video that can be viewed at facebook.com/ SalvationistOnline or youtube.com/ salvationarmyvideo

The Ada Salter garden

NEWS FEATURE

Bulgaria becomes Army’s 132nd country IHQ GENERAL Brian Peddle has announced that Bulgaria has become the 132nd country in which The Salvation Army is officially at work. The country became part of the Eastern Europe Territory, under territorial leaders Colonels Kelvin and Cheralynne Pethybridge, on 9 March.

The work is headed up by Regional Leader Captain Eduard Lebedev and Regional Director of Family Ministries Captain Inna Lebedeva, who are originally from Russia and Moldova respectively. They are supported by pioneer team members Captain Kathleen Johansson, from Australia, and Lieutenant Erik Johansson, from Sweden.

‘The Salvation Army’ in Bulgarian – a Slavic language that uses Cyrillic characters – is ‘Армията на Cпасението’ (Armiyata na Spasenieto). A Bulgarian Salvation Army red shield has already been designed and registered.

Although lockdown and other restrictions have made life far from easy, the new ministry is already beginning to have an influence. Partnerships have been started with local Christian fellowships, particularly Amazing Grace Church, which has a Captain and Lieutenant Johansson

longstanding relationship with several families who live in a slum area on the outskirts of Sofia. During Amazing Grace Church’s Christmas distribution of clothes and food, The Salvation Army was able to come alongside and support with small gifts for the children.

A number of individuals have been helped with simple food parcels and contact has

Captain Lebedev and Captain Lebedeva and family

been made with two Salvationists living in different parts of Bulgaria. Home visits have been possible in the team members’ quarters and in other people’s homes, and the Soldier’s Covenant has been translated into Bulgarian.

The pioneering officers have also made contact with several churches in Sofia as well as forming relationships with representatives from an embassy and other influential organisations, all to ensure that people know about The Salvation Army’s presence in Bulgaria and are aware of its mission.

The Johanssons arrived in Sofia in September and were joined by Captains Lebedev and Lebedeva and their five children in January. All four officers received their appointments in April last year from Colonel Jostein Nielsen, who was then the territorial commander of the Eastern Europe Territory.

For Colonel Nielsen, a Norwegian officer, Salvation Army ministry starting in Bulgaria is a dream come true. As the divisional commander of Moldova, he took part in the 2006 celebrations in St Petersburg, Russia, which recognised the 15th anniversary of Army ministry recommencing in eastern Europe. At that congress a Bulgarian flag was presented to recognise a country in which it was believed The Salvation Army would eventually start work.

In Norway nine years later, having just

received an appointment to return to eastern Europe, Jostein had a vivid dream in which he saw a Salvation Army brass band playing in Bulgaria. Later that year, while living in Chisinau, the Moldovan capital, he received a phone call out of the blue from Geir Joesendal, a friend of his brother, who was staying nearby. When the two men met and the potential of expanding into Bulgaria came up in conversation, Geir revealed that he had properties and contacts in the country and would be willing to provide assistance.

Jostein felt that God was opening a door.

A year later, after discussion with territorial leaders, he was in Sofia. A representative from the Bulgarian Evangelical Alliance told him: ‘Where have you been so long? We have been waiting for you for 20 years!’

In 2019 registration was granted for The Salvation Army to begin work in Bulgaria and, even though lockdown and a worldwide pandemic have caused delays, the prayers from a congress held almost 15 years ago are now being answered.

The General said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Bulgaria into the worldwide Salvation Army family. In these days of difficulty, it is fantastic to see God answer prayers made in faith so many years ago in creating this opportunity. God bless Captains Lebedev and Lebedeva, God bless Captain and Lieutenant Johansson and God bless The Salvation Army in Bulgaria.’ – AR Salvationist 27 March 2021

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NEWS

ARMY NEWS

COMMUNITY

Youth offered chance to kickstart careers UKI THE Salvation Army is offering young people the opportunity to gain employment as part of the government’s Kickstart scheme.

The initiative involves a six-month paid job placement, funded by the government. The Army is offering 85 roles for 16 to 24-yearolds who claim universal credit and are at risk of long-term unemployment.

The Salvation Army is one of the biggest organisations to sign up and will offer placements within its Lifehouses, Older People’s Services, community programmes and SATCoL charity shops. Roles will vary from marketing assistants and activities co-ordinators to catering staff members and gardeners.

Rebecca Keating, the Army’s director of Employment Services (THQ), said: ‘It’s harder than ever for young people to find jobs and so we welcome this opportunity to give them their first step on the career ladder. This is more than just paid work experience as each Kickstarter will have a dedicated professional to support them on their journey.’ – AR

FUNDRAISING

BRISTON The corps was pleased to open an emergency food bank in its 135th year, giving out 52 parcels in six weeks. Support from the villagers has been generous and humbling, including trays of eggs donated by a farmer and visors provided by the parish council. Corps Secretary Marilyn Reynolds said: ‘As a small corps we have been blessed and encouraged in starting this resource for our village. We have no corps officer but we carry on, believing that just where he needs us, our Lord has placed us.’ – AR

EMERGENCY AID

Army supports emergency services after warehouse fire DENTON

BIRMINGHAM CITADEL Junior soldiers Olivia and Molly raised funds for the SelfDenial Appeal by occupying their bathroom for 24 hours. The girls camped out using the bath and floor as beds for the night. They were carefully monitored by their parents, who provided food and drinks to keep them going and posted regular updates on social media.

The girls smashed their target of £100 within hours and raised more than £750. – RO 6

Salvationist 27 March 2021

THE Salvation Army supported more than 160 emergency service workers as they tackled a huge blaze at a warehouse.

Major Nigel Tansley (Shaw), who runs the emergency response vehicles across the Central North Division, and a team of volunteers staffed the mobile canteen for almost nine hours.

They served hot drinks and food to firefighters, police and ambulance staff and offered a listening ear and prayers.

Nigel said: ‘The 999 workers are under extreme pressure, so we are there to offer them a cup of tea, a smile and a breather. It’s 15 minutes of normality, which helps them to process what they are dealing with.

‘We’re grateful to our volunteers and corps members who help us provide this essential service. It’s a privilege to be able to do this in the name of The Salvation Army and the name of the Lord.’ – AR

PRESENTATION WELLING Corps member Gracey was awarded a commendation from the mayor of Bexley, Councillor James Hunt. The award recognises exceptional contributions and acts of kindness to individuals and communities during the coronavirus pandemic. Gracey has donated sweets to the food bank throughout lockdown and made efforts to keep neighbours’ spirits up. – KS

MEETING INTO THE WILD: WEEK 6 – LOSING FACE

by Lyndall Bywater (territorial prayer consultant) SATURDAY 27 MARCH – LUKE 4:5–8 The Devil took Jesus to two high places, a mountain and the Temple roof, but Jesus knew his route was downwards: down from Glory, through humanity, ‘even to death on a cross’ (Philippians 2:8). Go on a walk today, starting in a high place (the top of a hill, for instance) and walking downwards. As you walk, reflect on what it means to refuse the temptations of the high places – popularity, wealth and worldly success – and to choose the self-emptying way of Christ.

SUNDAY 28 MARCH Read and ponder on these words by Paul Wallace as you celebrate Palm Sunday: ‘He came in peace to give the people peace. They preferred salvation from taxation to salvation of their souls – and so in a few days they would prefer Barabbas to be freed instead of Jesus. Jesus could see that this was their mindset and so, in the midst of this praise, with people waving the palm branches like a national flag, Jesus wept.’

INTO THE WILD: WEEK 7 – HOLY WEEK

by Lyndall Bywater

CWMBRAN Guests Majors Carol and Doug Back (Leighton Buzzard) led the virtual YP annual prizegiving. The young people received books beforehand and were told not to open them until the Zoom meeting. Carol spoke about choices in life and how God will always guide people. Doug concluded the afternoon by showing the young people a Sunday school prize that was given to his father 100 years ago and asked where the children’s books might be in 100 years. – SB

COMMUNITY

Corps strikes partnership to feed families MIRFIELD THE corps has teamed up with Huddersfield Town Foundation to provide food parcels to struggling families.

The partnership has allowed the corps to reach more families than ever. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic the corps has given out more than 750 food parcels, whereas before it was typically about two a week.

The Town Foundation has delivered 30 parcels made up of Salvation Army donations to a different one of its school breakfast clubs in the North Kirklees area each week since December, helping 270 families.

Salvationist Aidan Grills, who is leading the project, said: ‘We want to thank Huddersfield Town Foundation for their support in what has been a tough year for many. This partnership has allowed us to deliver more food parcels to struggling families this winter than ever before. We also want to thank the community as without their generous donations, none of this would be possible.’ – AR

MONDAY 29 MARCH – HOLY MONDAY The wilderness experience depleted Jesus’ resources considerably. Matthew’s Gospel tells us that angels came and attended him before he returned home (see 4:11). Spend some time journaling today, writing about several moments when you’ve seen God’s supernatural provision over the past six weeks, either in your own life or in the lives of those around you.

TUESDAY 30 MARCH – HOLY TUESDAY In Week 2 of this Lent journey, we considered what it must have been like for Jesus to choose to set out from home, leaving friends, family, work and worship rhythms to go wherever the Spirit might lead him. Go for a walk and a ponder today. Where has the Spirit led you over the past six weeks?

What have you discovered about yourself and about God? WEDNESDAY 31 MARCH – HOLY WEDNESDAY In Christian tradition, today is the day when we remember the story of the woman who gave up her most precious possession for the sake of worship.

She broke her jar of priceless nard, the heirloom that would have secured her future, and anointed Jesus with the perfume in an extravagant demonstration of her love. Meditate on her story from Mark 14:3–9. What might costly, sacrificial worship look like for Jesus’ Church today? What might we need to be ready to let go in order to love with that same joyous extravagance?

THURSDAY 1 APRIL – MAUNDY THURSDAY Read these words from The Forgotten Desert Mothers: The Sayings, Lives, and Stories of Early Christian Women by Laura Swan and reflect on what it means to live simply in the midst of God’s abundance: ‘Desert spirituality is characterised by the pursuit of abundant simplicity – simplicity grounded in the possession of little – and the abundance of God’s presence.’

FRIDAY 2 APRIL – GOOD FRIDAY Good Friday is the day when we remember that Jesus relinquished all control, allowing himself to fall into death, in order that we might fall into the arms of everlasting love, forgiven, healed and renewed. Over the centuries, Good Friday has also been a day when God’s people would fast.

Now that we mark it as the start of a bank holiday weekend, it’s easy to forget its significance. Can you find a way to fast from something today, to remind yourself that love holds you, even when you feel out of control?

O A PDF of the Prayer Matters booklet is also available to download from salvationarmy.org.uk/resources Salvationist 13 March 2021

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WHERE THERE’S A NEED...

ZERO HUNGER

In the second of five articles Salvationist highlights The Salvation Army’s contribution to some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

T

HE second SDG seeks to end all forms of malnutrition and hunger by 2030 and to double agricultural productivity in the next 15 years to ensure that all people, especially children, have sufficient and nutritious food all year round. This goal involves promoting sustainable agriculture, supporting small-scale farmers, and ensuring equal access to land and technology.

The number of people suffering from hunger has been on the rise since 2014.

It is estimated that 821 million people still suffer from hunger today, with the highest prevalence in Africa, where one fifth of the population is affected. Despite important progress and new initiatives, the current pace of work means zero hunger is unlikely to be achieved by the target date.

THE ARMY’S CONTRIBUTION The majority (80 per cent) of territories report that they have implemented new strategies or programmes in the past five years relating to preventing hunger and malnutrition, achieving food security in communities or ensuring minimum food wastage. Initiatives include but are not limited to: free meals for people who are experiencing homelessness, community cooking lessons, access to fresh drinking water, sustainable farming programmes, meal delivery services for older people, free school lunches, partnering local farms to provide access to fresh and organic produce for vulnerable populations, distributing fresh fruit and vegetables in communities, and establishing minimum food wastage policies for Salvation Army locations.

AROUND THE WORLD Nigeria In 2019, conflict in the northeast had a devastating effect in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. During this time The Salvation Army helped about 4,000 individuals by providing essential food supplies, sleeping mats, blankets, cardigans and other items of clothing, as well as soap and washing detergent as 8

Salvationist 27 March 2021

required. These relief efforts were undertaken jointly with Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency and with the support of the Baptist Church and Christian Council of Nigeria. The distributions were seen by many in the community as a practical demonstration of love.

USA The USA Southern Territory opened a grocery store in Baltimore, Maryland, in March 2018. Called DMG Foods – from the motto ‘doing the most good’ – it expands food availability for the community while meeting the immediate needs of customers and promoting healthy eating. The store is believed to be the first in the nation to combine social services with a traditional grocery shopping experience. The Army in central Maryland worked with the Baltimore Development Corporation, Baltimore Food Initiative and Maryland Food Bank to design the store.

Kenya In 2017 drought and crop Nigeria failure caused a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions, particularly in east Africa. In Kenya the crisis was declared a national disaster in 23 counties.

In Turkana, which borders South Sudan and Ethiopia, officers from the Kenya West Territory provided 8,000 men, women and children with emergency food supplies, directly addressing the acute malnutrition experienced in 13 separate communities.

Co-ordination with other agencies in the region ensured immediate assistance to the most vulnerable residents.

In the Kenya East Territory a feeding programme in Kitui County ensured that the children attending seven primary schools received at least one nutritious meal a day.

In Isiolo – the worst-affected county in Kenya – The Salvation Army drilled a borehole, which provided access to safe drinking water and enabled members of

the community to use the new, reliable supply to irrigate their crops and ensure their livestock were well cared for.

A further needs assessment was undertaken in other drought-stricken areas to explore how the Army could best respond in co-ordination with national and local authorities and other non-governmental organisations.

THE ARMY’S COMMITMENT International Emergency Services Co-ordinator Major Alison Thompson (IHQ) says: ‘We are often called upon to respond in disaster or conflict situations to provide immediate food support to the affected communities. Follow-up

agricultural and livelihood programmes will enable people to help meet their future nutritional and economic needs. Disaster Risk Reduction awareness-raising and training can strengthen local capacity and preparedness for communities that are particularly vulnerable to disaster, reducing dependence on outside intervention.

‘We will continue to work with local and international colleagues who can offer ongoing support as people rebuild lives with a more sustainable future.’

O This article is based on the report Where There’s a Need..., published by the Army’s International Social Justice Commission and available to read at salvationarmy.org/isjc Next week Good health and wellbeing

INTERVIEW

‘BEING AUTISTIC IS PART OF WHO I AM’ To mark World Autism Awareness Week, Peter Hobson talks to Sarah Olowofoyeku about being autistic and wanting to ensure others like him are accepted

B

EFORE leaving school, Peter Hobson was told that he would never get into university, would never have a full-time job and would never live independently. The reason?

Peter is autistic.

A little over a decade later, he has graduated from university, has a full-time job and lives independently. He is one of the 16 per cent of autistic adults who are in full-time employment, a figure that has remained static since 2007. It is a statistic that Peter wants to see change.

Ahead of World Autism Awareness Week, which begins on 29 March, I spoke to Peter about his experiences.

‘Growing up, I spent most of my school life out of the classroom,’ he recalls. ‘I was bullied because of the differences in how I interpreted people and understood things that were happening.

‘At home, I didn’t want to be around people for long periods of time, so I spent a lot of time in my room. I wanted things organised, so if things got moved around in a room I became very agitated and distressed. I also didn’t want anyone to hug me.

‘My mum and dad loved me, but it was not an easy road. My mum fought for me so much throughout my childhood and beyond, and I’ll never forget that. My family is such an important part of my life.’

Despite poor grades at school Peter achieved things he never thought he would. It wasn’t until 2018, at the age of 29, that he was officially diagnosed with autism.

‘Autism is a neurological condition that impacts the way someone interacts with the world around them,’ he explains. ‘It’s wide-ranging so everybody is different.

Usually someone who is autistic like me may have difficulties communicating, may need routine and structure and may have certain special interests.’

When he received his diagnosis, ‘life started feeling normal’, he says.

‘Everything started making sense. It was a special moment for me, when I realised that I wasn’t this strange person.’

Motivated by his experiences, Peter works as part of the equality and diversity team at THQ. He is keen to emphasise that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning about autism and supporting those who are autistic.

‘Everybody is an individual, so what works for me might not work for other people. One of the most critical things is not to pre-empt what the support might look like for someone. It’s important to have a conversation with the autistic person directly to find out how you can support them or what changes you could make.

‘My line manager and I have an excellent working relationship because I can be open with her about things I find difficult. I’m not good with uncertainty, and she knows to advise me of changes well in advance so I can prepare myself for them.’

‘More than being aware of autism,’ he adds, ‘it’s about trying to understand and accept the person. It boils down to being compassionate and understanding.’

Peter hopes that greater understanding will improve the number of autistic people in full-time employment.

‘A lot of autistic people want to work,

and there is a lot that they can give to organisations. Companies are missing out on talent by not giving more autistic people an opportunity in society as a whole.’

He encourages people to see an autistic person’s diagnosis positively.

‘We must look at the person’s abilities, rather than seeing what the person finds difficult and that being the most important thing. If you’ve ever seen a diagnosis, the paperwork says “Peter can’t do this, Peter can’t do that, Peter may struggle with this”. And while some of those things are true, the diagnosis never says anything like “Peter can do this”.

‘I had to try to see the positives of my diagnosis. By going to university, living independently and working full-time, I made the impossible possible. Being autistic is part of who I am. It’s not going away, but I have a lot to offer.’

Peter’s work is driven not only by his experiences but also by his beliefs, and faith has helped him personally.

‘Though I don’t always feel it, like sometimes when I’m upset, there are times when I am able to feel that unconditional love from God. There are times in my life when I’ve struggled, and without my relationship with God I don’t think I would’ve got through half of them.

Sometimes the help I need comes from the most unexpected place. I’m not always sure where it has come from, but I know it’s there.’

O Read the full interview in this week’s War Cry at salvationarmy.org.uk/ publications/war-cry

SARAH IS ASSISTANT EDITOR OF WAR CRY Salvationist 27 March 2021

9

RESOURCES

Walking and talking Major Helen Schofield introduces Side-by-Side, a resource to help support young people during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond

E

SSENTIAL to every relationship is the connection that comes from being ‘with’. This past year our connections have looked very different, but we’ve discovered that they are just as important as they’ve always been. In the midst of disruption, the thing we need more than ever is ‘withness’.

‘Withness’ is an unfamiliar but beautiful word that describes this essential connection to God and others. It is a closeness that shows our friends and family that we care, that we can get through any situation together. By listening to each other’s fears, being honest about our anxiety, celebrating moments of happiness and sharing good news stories of those who have found God in times of hardship, we can offer hope and witness to our faith.

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Salvationist 27 March 2021

We see what it looks like throughout the Bible. Ruth refusing to leave Naomi’s side (see Ruth 1:16) and Elisha telling Elijah ‘I will not leave you’ (2 Kings 2:2) are just two examples. God made withness with himself possible through Jesus, ‘God with us’ (Matthew 1:23).

At this time no one needs withness and a genuine offer of hope more than our children and young people. Experts are predicting that the coronavirus pandemic will define this young generation, even giving them a label: the Covid generation. It’s becoming clear that children and young people are likely to face the consequences of the pandemic for many years – potentially their whole lives. Some recent headlines and reports highlight the issue: ‘Behind closed bedroom doors, a teenage

mental health crisis is brewing’ (The Guardian 29 January); ‘I fear a loneliness epidemic among young people’ (The Independent 18 January); ‘Young people have told us that they often feel afraid, sad or bad about themselves’ (The Mental Health Foundation 31 January); ‘This is a universal crisis and, for some children, the impact will be lifelong’ (Unicef October 2020).

What should our response be to this ‘universal crisis’? While we all look forward to a gradual easing of restrictions, it may be many weeks or months until our youth and children’s programmes are fully functioning again.

How can we support young people right now as they face these unprecedented challenges in their lives?

I would like to encourage all our corps to respond to the heart of withness – simply to be with, to come alongside a young person in friendship, saying: ‘I care about you; you still matter.’

That’s what Side-by-Side seeks to do.

Working safely within social distancing restrictions and safeguarding procedures, Side-by-Side is a walk-andtalk befriending model, in which a committed and consistent adult befriender from outside the family home will meet regularly with a young person for a short walk and a talk.

There is no agenda to move from ‘A to B’, to see improvements in behaviour or to measure progress on a scale. The aim is simply to walk, have some fun, get some fresh air and exercise and chat about anything. Young people may want to talk about how they are feeling or what is happening in their home and family – or they may not. They may simply value the opportunity to chat to a different human being than the ones they have been stuck with every day.

‘Withness’ is an unfamiliar but beautiful word that describes this essential connection to God and others

The befriender is there to promote positive emotional and physical wellbeing and extend the young person’s support network, signposting to further support where necessary.

The befriender’s purpose is to listen, encourage and be there at a time when young people need connection more than ever.

One youth worker said this about what they had done as a befriender: ‘Last Saturday I spent an hour doing something I once took for granted. I met with a young person from my youth group who I hadn’t met with physically for a year. We walked, sat and walked some more as we caught up on what had been the strangest year of our lives. We spoke about experiences of lockdown and home learning. But importantly, we spoke about films, sports, birthday parties and past youth group socials. This brought a smile, laughter and much-needed hope and distraction. We simply walked and talked, side by side. But that hour brought so much joy to both of us. It was an hour on a Saturday morning truly well spent.’

The point of all this is withness. The beauty is in the friendship.

The target age group for Side-bySide is seven to seventeen, and the model can be used with children and young people already in the corps, as well as those in the community who are usually in contact through corps programmes.

This is not a new concept. A quick search for ‘walk and talk’ online shows the approach is used by professional counsellors and coaches as well as walking groups. It is used to promote physical health and emotional and social wellbeing in people of all ages. It joins together people who have experienced bereavement, disability or heart attacks.

Side-by-Side is not some huge project that will need paid personnel and a complicated infrastructure; it simply requires some volunteers willing to walk alongside young people. However, it must be done safely. There can be no shortcuts to safe working practices. From the recruitment of befrienders and obtaining permission from parents to setting up walk-and-talk routes, we must stay mindful of the protection of young people and volunteers. A set of documents will soon be available on the Youth and Children’s Ministries webpage to help you launch Side-by-Side in the safest possible way in your setting, including essential safeguarding and safe mission checklists.

The Salvation Army is committed to ‘going’, to being where the need is. So let’s go, let’s walk side by side and let’s be with.

O Side-by-Side

will be available at salvationarmy.org.uk/youth-and-children MAJOR SCHOFIELD IS TERRITORIAL YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S SECRETARY

Salvationist 27 March 2021

11

INTERVIEW

Celebrating older people

Andrew Wileman talks to Shanelle Manderson about a report advising how churches can better value older people

‘P

AST your prime’ and ‘over the hill’ are phrases you may hear more often as you age. But becoming older is a normal part of life.

Even as you read this sentence you are 15 seconds older – give or take – than when you first opened this page.

It is no secret we are an ageing population. In 2019, there were 11.9 million UK residents aged 85 and over.

Known as the ‘fourth age’, this group represents 18 per cent of the total population and is likely to increase over the next 40 years to 26 per cent. Across the denominations this brings a great opportunity for churches to nurture, 12

Salvationist 27 March 2021

develop and value older members.

Bournemouth University has partnered Faith in Later Life, a church-wide ministry organisation that advocates for older people across denominations, in writing a report to help churches and Christian organisations consider how they might better support, include and encourage older citizens.

The Salvation Army is an active ministry partner of Faith in Later Life.

‘The Army is the only denominational member,’ explains Assistant Director of Older People’s Services Andrew Wileman (THQ). ‘Elaine Cobb, the retired director of Older People’s

Services, and I are also trustees of the organisation. So, although we didn’t write the report, we saw a lot of the text and agree with the final version.’

Guidance for Christian Faith Organisations in the Support and Value of Older People is divided into eight sections, which each include reflections and questions, so readers can consider what is already known or in place and how to improve it.

Section one stresses the importance of celebrating the fourth age and valuing the contributions, wisdom, experience, biblical knowledge and spiritual maturity of older people. It offers guidance on how readers can acknowledge and value them; how to minister, serve and support the development of their faith; and how to reach out and share the gospel message.

It also suggests that churches may be able to help with the spiritual needs of older people, such as experiencing God, accepting loss and having awareness of the end of life.

‘There are all sorts of spiritual issues around loss, stress and health that perhaps become a little more relevant when you get older,’ says Andrew. ‘From that point of view, I think a corps being able to be the hub of spiritual and pastoral support for older people is so important.’

Unintentionally, ageism can manifest itself in society and churches, as the second section explains, leading the spiritual and pastoral needs of people living in the fourth age to sometimes be overlooked or forgotten.

Andrew agrees: ‘Despite many of our corps being predominantly older, we still have a very first-half-of-life culture about the Army and the Church in general, which focuses on families and children. We very often don’t listen to,

seek out or value the needs of older people in our congregations, communities or society.’

The report goes on to say that Christian faith organisations can have practices, services and policies that discriminate against older people, without being explicitly ageist. Churches need to develop more pastoral ministries that focus on bringing together age groups and better recognise the rights of older people to be heard and valued, otherwise opportunities for Kingdom work will be missed.

‘We can’t make assumptions that older people have reached the end of their spiritual journey, simply because of their age. Our needs for spiritual support don’t stop just because we enter older age,’ stresses Andrew.

‘We believe that ageing well is possible, rather than passively waiting for our bodies or minds to fail us. This is something that The Salvation Army can promote. We believe there is a creative and Kingdom-focused reason for our later years, and our corps and centres can play a unique role in equipping and enabling all its members in a more focused way.’

According to one study published in 2015, loneliness can have the same negative impact on health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Many people have struggled with enforced social isolation and experienced loneliness during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, for many living in the fourth age, this is an everyday norm. Section three of the report calls on churches to identify those most at risk of loneliness in their congregations and communities, set up networks of social engagement and activities appropriate for older people, reach out to those living alone through befriending and visiting, and share the gospel at every opportunity.

‘I think every corps has a role to play around tackling loneliness and isolation,’ adds Andrew. ‘There are organisations and faith-based ministries in most towns and cities looking at this, so it could be more beneficial to work in collaboration and partnership with others.’

Section four acknowledges older people in care homes. It encourages churches to get to know the different care homes in their neighbourhoods and arrange regular visiting. It also recommends involving members living

in care homes with church activities, meetings and decisions about church life so they do not feel isolated and cut off from the fellowship. Advance care planning, end-of-life care and protecting older adults at risk also feature in later sections.

‘It is important that corps understand their older people and the risks that they perhaps face around safeguarding, fraud and scams, and make sure that they’ve got the right access to support,’ adds Andrew. ‘Perhaps there may be isolated older people who are financially challenged. Older age poverty is quite a growing trend as pension funds and those sorts of things are under more pressure. So that’s something for corps to think about.’

The final section provides ideas for specific Christian ministries among older people.

‘This report highlights the fact that churches have many opportunities to show appreciation for and celebrate older age,’ enthuses Andrew. ‘One of the straplines we’ve always had for older people’s ministry is “just because we’re an older corps, it doesn’t mean that we’re a failing corps”. I want to reiterate the importance, value and the role of older people in our mission and our ministry week in and week out.’

O To

download the report, visit faithinlaterlife.org/resource-hub and search for ‘Guidance for Christian Faith Organisations’

INTERVIEW

Walk, don’t run Maria Ball discovers how Major Anthony Colclough (Derby Central) learnt a valuable lesson about wellbeing

M

ANY people have been working long hours during the past year to serve communities in desperate need. It has taken its toll on some, reminding them that they are human and need to build in rest time too.

When the first lockdown was imposed in March last year, Derby Central corps officers Majors Anthony and Jill Colclough mobilised with other faith and community groups to respond to the widespread need across the city. Corps folk created a makeshift food bank in the hall, taking over the space normally used by the Sunday school. Since then they have delivered almost 2,500 food parcels to families and individuals, with up to 20 going out most days. Members and volunteers at the corps have prepared deliveries and gone into the community to make sure people have enough food on their plates. At Christmas the corps distributed more than 1,200 gifts.

Anthony says: ‘Like many other corps e e helped e ped a lot ot o e in need. eed we’ve of peop people

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We even bought a microwave oven for a man who had no cooking facilities. He is now able to have hot meals. It didn’t seem like a big thing to do, but he had been eating cold food for 27 years, so the story had a phenomenal response on social media. It featured in Salvationist and was even reported by The Salvation Army in Australia.

‘We’ve also been packing parcels for rough sleepers who were accommodated in hotels – not just food, but toiletries, bedding and towels. We supplied 40 parcels in a two-week period for those in hotel accommodation.’

Added to this was a highly successful online worship presence organised by the officers and the media team, which included weekly worship meetings, Bible studies and other activities. All these took extra time and preparation.

Anthony worked without a break for a long time after having three scheduled periods of leave cancelled. He also co ducte a series of funerals in short conducted successio succession.

Then a minor accident took place involving his granddaughter, Esme.

Fortunate Fortunately, she wasn’t hurt, but the shock of it caused Anthony’s body to start shut shutting down.

‘I felt like lik I had been hit over the head he explains. with a brick,’ bri After a hospital check-up, with no concerns from hospital staff, Anthony was told to t take a break and rest.

‘I’d never nev felt like that before,’ he says.

‘The last decent break we had was more year ago. Maybe it was my body than a ye forcing me to stop.’

A Anthony is now back at work but do doing things differently. Whereas b before he was too busy to exercise, he now makes sure he finds the time to do so.

‘My GP advised me to lose a bit of weight, so I decided to start walking regularly,’ he adds.

‘It’s done me good, and as a result I raised m money for the Christmas toy appeal – £1,700 in total.’

Since then Anthony has carried on walking. In January he set off on a virtual trek of 874 miles – the distance from Land’s End to John o’ Groats – with an app tracking his equivalent progress along the route. He gave himself a year to do it, aiming to complete five miles a day. So far, however, he has averaged eight miles a day, and expects to finish well before the end of December.

‘Twenty-one people have joined me on the virtual walk, with the oldest aged 70, and we are raising funds for the corps and a leukaemia charity. Between us we will walk more than 19,000 miles. We plan to meet up and walk the final length together in person.’

The incident that landed Anthony in hospital has taught him some valuable lessons about wellbeing.

‘The biggest lesson,’ he reflects, ‘is that I need to make space for myself and Jill.

‘I’m so thankful that I have family and friends in my life and I’m in a privileged position to help people, working with others to do this. As long as people need help, we will keep the food bank going, and we aim to give out 15,000 Easter eggs – one for every child in Derby. But I also know there’s a danger of overdoing it and becoming unwell as a result.

‘For my own sake, for my family and for the people we serve, I need to look after myself. I’ve learnt that lesson the hard way!’

MARIA IS COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, BIRMINGHAM SERVICE CENTRE

IN THE FACE OF SUFFERING

Managing the big questions

L

IFE as we live and know it is full of unanswered questions. The search for answers is relentless. Where suffering occurs the boundaries of knowledge are constantly being expanded on scientific, philosophical and pragmatic grounds. And when answers are hard to find, the pace made to seek them out usually increases.

Humankind refuses to stop searching, and that’s great. It’s the way God made us. It’s the route to fresh and creative discoveries that, if properly applied, can add to the wellbeing and progress of society.

However, when humans are faced with an impenetrable wall and exercising belief without proof is the only alternative, many stop right there. These are the ‘don’t knows’ (agnostics) and the ‘unbelievers’ (atheists).

Recently, while doing my rounds as a hospital chaplain, I entered a room of four male patients. After an informal introduction, I asked if I could be of any assistance.

‘Look,’ replied one man, ‘I’m a pagan and I’m not interested in God. I don’t want anyone telling me what to do.’

The other men’s silent glances suggested complete disinterest in anything to do with God. When I got home I shared what happened with my wife, who asked if I was upset.

‘No, I’m not,’ I replied, ‘just disturbed that there was such defiant disbelief in God.’ The problem of suffering seeks out every person. No one can remain unaffected by it.

Its impact rouses people to search for a cause and that may lead to a cure, such as we have seen during this global pandemic.

When the reason can’t be found, there are different responses.

One response is to deal with it in a fatalistic manner, treating it as a great mystery to which there is no answer and just getting on with life. Another response, shown by many with faith in God, is to trust his power and love to work everything out for the good. Even so, faith can be tried and tested, and people may carry scars, shed great tears and question deeply the extent of God’s concern and power to change things for the better. Either way, we’ve all encountered those who, despite horrendous personal suffering, radiate a godly glow.

Major Jim Bryden concludes a threepart series reflecting on the problem of human suffering

Gethsemane portrays God’s silence in response to his Son’s desperate prayer, and that sound of silence is confirmed at Golgotha by Jesus’ heartbroken cry: ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’

(Mark 15:34). This is the shout of his unfathomable anguish at being abandoned by his Father. Here is a death like no other.

He became a ‘curse for us’ (Galatians 3:13).

His Father ‘made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God’ (2 Corinthians 5:21), or as The Living Bible puts it, ‘For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us!’

This was suffering beyond any ever experienced. More than the nails and the shame of the cross, his severance from the Father was the Son’s chief agony. It was equally that of the Father’s in that he, out of love, gave up his one and only Son to death.

What we have here is the indescribable anguish of God. Oh, how the Father felt the loss of his Son. Martin Luther gets to the heart of it when he writes: ‘There God died to God.’ Theologian Jürgen Moltmann describes the event of the cross as ‘an event within God’. The Father and the Son voluntarily accepted the horrors of forsakenness.

These three reflections have explored the pathway of life’s eternal truths. The Son submits to his Father’s will. The Father sacrifices his only Son. Both undergo depths of suffering beyond understanding and beyond measure. Whatever haunting darkness smothers humankind, God knows all about it.

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him’ (John 3:16 and 17).

MAJOR BRYDEN LIVES IN RETIREMENT IN BELLSHILL Salvationist 27 March 2021

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BIBLE STUDY

Focus on God Lieut-Colonel Eirwen Pallant considers Peter’s advice on coping with stressful situations

1 PETER 5:6–11

W

E are already a few months into 2021 and yet any hope of a coronavirus-free world still seems distant. If you’re like me, you are longing for a respite from being ‘locked down’, so you can visit friends and family again.

Peter wrote to fellow Christians in a situation where they too had felt besieged on all sides. His letter, probably written from Rome shortly before his execution, was sent to a church scattered across a diverse geographical area, full of different peoples and cultures. The one thing they all had in common was their faith in Christ, and it was on this basis that he wrote to them, encouraging them to take heart and find their strength in God.

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

by Major Melvyn Knott

QUESTION O What from Peter’s letter can you apply to your situation today?

Peter could have written a very bracing letter. ‘What are you complaining about?

I’m here in prison; the food is awful, what little there is of it. The accommodation is cold, filthy and shared with rats. I hardly see any of my friends; I’m lonely, isolated and depressed. And the future doesn’t look too good either!’

But he didn’t. He recognised that his fellow Christians were suffering and needed to be encouraged not chastised.

His letter starts with a greeting to a special people set apart for God who in his generous mercy has brought salvation to them. This deserves celebrating! The whole letter gently encourages them to continue on their way, and to know and follow Christ more nearly.

QUESTIONS O When you have a problem, do you approach people with encouragement or criticism? Which works best?

As Peter comes to the end of this letter, he has a few words of wise advice about how to keep going in a difficult situation.

Be humble. God is awesome and knows what he is doing. This comes almost as an echo of God’s admonition to Job, who complained about his suffering.

Be assured. God is over all and has the ultimate power. Make a list of your favourite Bible readings that give reassurance that God is with us.

Stay focused. As a sports coach would say, don’t take your eye off the ball. Keep your attention on where you are going and don’t get distracted by other things.

Keep your focus on Christ.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

No other friend so keen to help you;/ No other friend so quick to hear;/ No other place to leave your burden;/ No other one to hear your prayer.

(SASB 427)

When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

(Psalm 94:18 and 19)

All your anxiety, all your care,/ Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there,/ Never a burden he cannot bear,/ Never a friend like Jesus.

(SASB 427)

Prayer

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Father God, sometimes we have concerns and anxieties which weigh us down. Help us to cast our cares upon you and learn what it means to rest and trust in you.

QUESTIONS O What takes your focus from Christ in difficult times?

O What helps you regain it?

The Passion Translation says: ‘Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you’ (5:7). Whatever the situation, keep calm and pray! God is always there to support you. He will anchor you firmly in your faith no matter what persecution comes or however dire your situation is. It is always a temptation to take those worries back. Leave them with the Lord.

QUESTION O How has your confidence and trust in God grown through your faith in difficult times?

Be encouraged. You have a family in Christ who understand what you are going through and will stand with you. Never underestimate the power of a praying Christian community. A church is not just a club, but a fellowship whose members support one another, pray for each other and together help keep the focus on Christ.

of self-pity. If you want an alternative, look for a little bit of Heaven in your life, look for glimpses of God’s Kingdom here on Earth.

QUESTIONS O How does your fellowship measure up to this description?

O Are you fully committed to being part of that praying, supportive group and not just a recipient?

Finally, don’t forget the prize that is before us. We have a loving, gracious God who will restore us, set us firmly in place and build us up. He is calling us to share in his eternal glory in Christ. Wow!

It can be easy to feel like a victim when life isn’t going well and fall into a litany of complaints. Advice to ‘always look on the bright side of life’ can feel insensitive and thoughtless. And yet Job was chided for falling into that trap

LIEUT-COLONEL PALLANT IS ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR PERSONNEL (DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH), THQ

QUESTION O Where have you found goodness, kindness, love and compassion recently?

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

(Hebrews 4:16)

Are we weak and heavy laden,/ Cumbered with a load of care?/ Precious Saviour, still our refuge:/ Take it to the Lord in prayer./ Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?/ Take it to the Lord in prayer;/ In his arms he’ll take and shield thee,/ Thou wilt find a solace there.

(SASB 795)

‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.’

(Matthew 10:29–31)

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer,/ That calls me from a world of care,/ And bids me at my Father’s throne/ Make all my wants and wishes known;/ In seasons of distress and grief/ My soul has often found relief,/ And oft escaped the tempter’s snare/ By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.

(SASB 787)

Salvationist 27 March 2021

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Thinkalou d b y John Coutts

Picture: DOD PHOTO NAVY PETTY OFFICE 1ST CLASS CARLOS M VASQUEZ II (CC BY 2.0)

EADE EA DERS RS mayy have e no notitce ed th t at Salvationistt now finds a pla lace ce for o ‘Poets’ corner’. So let’s ask: What is poetry? And what use is it fo or Ch C ristian fa aitith h and daily livi viing ng? ?

F r some Fo me peopl ple pl e po oet etryy is a no-n no.

‘If we’d ’d known n it was a poet poetry ry reading g we would dn’ n t have ve booked d you,’ sa aid a club secretary in Tu T nbridg ge We W llllss, whi hille handing me a mod dest esst ch cheq eque forr my perf pe rforrma m ncce (w ( hich wasn’t po poe etry). ).

Others find con ntempo ora rary ry poetryy baffling.

The writer Alan Bennett rema ark rked that he couldn’t und derstand som me of the poems published d in the h London Review off Books. If he can’t, who can?

And An d yet bards of byg gon o e days hav ave e made hig igh h claims for their art. In hiss 1821 essay ay, ‘A Defence of Poet etrr y’, Pe ercy Bysshe By h She elley claim med tha at po oets were ‘the ‘t he unackno owl wled edged d legislat ato ors of the e world’. A book by Elizabethan courtier Sir Philip Sidney, An Apology for Poetrry, declared in 1595 that the goodness of God iss sho hown in nothing so muc uch h as in poet etrr y. Coulld th that at rea eally be true?

RHYTHMIC SPEECH Let’s try a definition: poetry, also known as verse, is a form of rhythmic speech.

Po oet e ryy in the En Engl g is gl ish langua uage age de epends on n stressed tr d syll syyllllab ables ass, for ab fo or exxample, in SA SASB 453 3: Amazing grace!! how sweet the sound, That savved a wretch liike ke me! e I once e was lost, but now am found d, Was blind Was d bu butt no ow I se see ee. e.

The Th e writer off th hiss hyymn, Joh o n Newton on,, on ch hose a sim mple ver mpl mp erse se e for orm m to t mak a e his hiis profoun nd perso nd onal nal expe peri rien e ce e ava vaililab able fo or congrega atitio onal singing g. He wrote in comm mmon on n metre, a simple le ver erse s form wi w th t fourr stresses in n the h first line e an a d three in i th he seco ond nd, plus altltter erna natte te rhyymi m ng g lin ines.

Commo on metre was one of the many metr triical ic verse forms that held sway in En English from Geoffrey Chaucer’s time in the 14th century. in FREE VERSE OR METRICAL? A hundred years ago, though, with the 18

Salvationist 27 March 2021

rise of the Mo Mode d rnist move ve eme ment nt, the ol nt old d poet po etiic et ic con onvvent ntio io ons werre co ons nsid idered outd ou tdat ated ed and restr tric tr ictititivve. So-called ‘free ic verse’ or ‘moderrn po p et etrry’ became popular. Since the en, poets no longer ha ave to rhym hy e orr use regular lar rhy h th hms m .

W att’s Wh ’s the h dififference? f e? ? Unless yyo ou wish to sp pe eci cialise, e, you don’t have to know w th the e technical stuff to enjoy poetry of any kind. te in nd Consider the he close ely rel elat ated ed art of musi sic. I lea earnt to play the trombo bone in the YP ban and, but never studied harmony ny in detailil. Th T is handicap hasn’t stopped me enjoying all sorr ts of music, from ‘See e

wiith w t th th he ed diction iction n of older o der poetry ca ol ca an n help hel elp p us feel at home in the wor o ld of our an ncest ce estor torrs. s. And d there’’s ’s no o need d to fe feel stupid if, aftter car aref eful ef ull read u ding g, th the e meaning of a poem stilll el me elud ud des us. Poetrr y is oft ften e a hig ighl h y cond dense en ed ar artt, so o mayb ma ybe e there th h e’s a conte extt with whiich we aren’tt familiarr. Or ma mayb ybe the e po poem is just st no good.

GLIMPSES OF GOD? What of Sidn ney’s high claim that poetry can bring us closer to God? Let’s cons co ns sid i err ‘God’s Reckless Son’ by Ca ath heriine Ba Bair ird, d whom m it was my grrea e t privvilileg e e to kno eg ow. Thiss p po oem reflectts herr p pa aci cifism – unpopu ularr with some fellow w Chr hristian an ns during and after the Seco con nd Worrld War. If I hav a e fe ellow ow wsh hip with h hiim I sha alll pu urssue A wa ay un untrrod o den by the multitu ude d s And loved by few!

Poet Amanda Gorman at President Biden’s inauguration Saw Ma arg rgeryy Da Daw’ w’ – my favourite lullab by as a yo ou ung g fat atherr – to o the he ora rato tori rios oss of Jo ohann Se ebastian an Bac ach. h I ha ave be b en encouraged by a grran andcchi hild to sa s mp mple le t e late th est s pop p mus usic ic and, while myy memo memo mory ry ban ankk is ful ulll of class la assic sssic hymns, I can still join in contempo orary worship p song so ngss – al a th thou ough gh I wis i h th hat som ome of ome them weren’t so repe petittive e.

So too with poetry: we can enjoy what wh atev ever er giv ives es us pl p easure. Pe Perh rhap haps ‘Hum umpt p y Du pt Dump mpty ty’ wa w s gr grea eatt fun n wh when en we were young and d ‘The Owl wl and the Pussy-cat’ seemed pu ure magic when we were a little older. Why not move on to Sir John Betjeman, Seamus Heaney or John Keats?

Words such as ‘thee’ and ‘thou’ don’t have to be a barrier. Becoming familiar

My lot shall be to speak a word That, seeming new, Makes me a stranger in n the e house of friends – And ass he wa w s, too!

I wo woul u d adventure re reckle ess s ly, O reckle le ess Son n, Who st Who stak aked ed d thy lifife againsst th the wo worl rld d, An nd lo lost – an nd d won n!

Even Ev en wititho hout ut kn no owl wled edg ge of the context, the th e po poem em m str trik ikess a cho ord in my m min ind d.

I’ve e bee een n there e to oo! Cathe eri r ne ne’ss per erso sona ona n l tesstimony st leads he herr in into to prra aye y r – and helps me to prray as well.

JOHN IS A SOLDIER AT STIRLING Next time Let’s take a look at the psalms

Pallm Someday

Loving g Jesus

Go od’s Voice

Wher Wher ere e we were re the h cro rowd wdss wh w en you rode in nto o tow wn?

Th he bu b sttling and the pus ushi h ng of th the e t ro th ong n ?

What Wh at hap at ppe p ned to to the h prais rais ra ises to the King Ki King n ?

Whyy si Wh s le lenc nce, ce, e inste nsste tead ad d of sw wee eett ho h sa s nna so song ong ng? ?

Can be sun un ng to the e tune ‘T Trus ru ust st in God’ (S SAT ATB B 90 90 03) 3)

I’ve I’ ve ask sked ed God to spea sp ak wh w en I’ve prray aye ed all alo lone ne e, But no Bu nott he hear ard ar d hi hiss vo voic ice e in n a big ig boo ooming oo to one e.

I’ve e nev ever e bee er een n ca allled on to mak ake ea ma ad ru rush sh To hea ar an anyy so soun und fr un from a fa as st-b burning b sh bu h.

Did Di d yo you ou se see e th the e pe eop o le throu hrrou o gh g the heir ir wind wi ndow nd ows? ow s?

The pa pallm lm tre ee pi pict pict c ur u es es,, pr pe essse ed ag agai ains nstt the th e gl glas ass? s?

And did you se ee tw two me metres left metr be etw tween us us? ?

The fear on faces off the e few tha hatt pass pa ssed d?

Will yourr do donk nkey nk ey tak ake ke yo you to the we eep epin ng?

To o tho ose who h can anno no ot br brea eath the, and to the, th th he dy dyin ing? in g g?

Willll you in yo Wi your ur mer ercy ercy y bri ring ng us th hro oug u h th his i ?

The worl The Th wo orl rld d ha hass ne neve verr be ve een mor ore e terr te err rrif riff yi ying ing ng. g Th hough the he pa allm br bran anch an ches ch es are sti tilllll on the tre th ees, ee s, ‘H Hos osa anna,’ we wi an willll cla aim im, ac acro ross ro s the ss h b eeze. br R AIN RA IN NE A AR RCH C ER

L vi Lo ving ng Jesus, Savi viou ou ur of o alll peo eo eople, You we were r born in sililen re en nce c in a st stal a l, Knowing from Kn om thiss hu om humb mble mb le,, sm le smal alll begi be g nning, g, You Yo u be beca cam ca me the man me an who gavve his all.

Ange elss tol old d th the e sh shep ephe he erds rd ds to come worship, Wiise W s men tra rave velllled e follo lowiing a star, r, A d we An w too are cal alle le ed to t lov ove e an nd prai pra se you, yo u, Know Kn owin ing g ju j stt how won onde derf rfull you are.

You Yo u we were e rai aise sed d by

by Jossep e h an and d by Mary, y An nd gr grew e up p to o be a lo oving g ma an n.

God Go d yo your Fathe he er to told ld d you of yo your ur pu urp pos o e An nd th the e path to lead ad d you to hi h s pl plan lan.

You sp spen ent all your ent en ur days in n helping p ople, pe Te eac achi hing hi ng love and d te tellllin in ng of God od’s ’ss grace.

Th hou ough gh you ourr lilife f was end nded ed d by be betr etr t ay a al, Resu su urr rrec ecti ec tion tion ti n put you ur po powe w r in we n pla l ce.

Ever Ev e y da er ay we e cel ele leb ebra bra rate te e your ou ur pr pres esse ce, esen From you our bi b rtth to t whe en yo you di you d ed for us; Thou Th o gh g two thousan an nd year ye ear arss have ha ave v now depa de depa art rted ed, ed In you ou ur na name me we st s illl put all ou ur tr trus u t. t S we So e th t an nk yo you no n w our precious Jesu us, Givi Gi v ng vi g us yo yourr lov ove e to to sh ho ow th the e wa way; y In our u liv ives es your ou ur wo ords st still ne neve ver fa ail uss And An d yo your u lig ur ight ht sti ht tillll lea eads d our dar arke ke est day ay..

MARK MA RK AYL Y IN ING G

I’ve I’ ve not even n he hear a d ju ust the stilles st sm mal al voicce – vo T att would be my Th m own way iff I ha had da choiice choi e.

I’vve ve never hea eard ea d wordss from th the e he heart off a cloud ud d, Alth tho ough h I hav ave e waitted and much ti tim me allo al owe wed. d.

But I ha have v hea ard God o ’s voi o ce e in al alll kinds of ways, T ro Th ough ugh ma ug many an ac acti tion o , a sight or a on phra ph rase ra se;; se L ke Li k whe hen n a ch hilild d hu h gs me an and d sa s ys, ‘I love lo ve you,’ Or the bre Or eat a ht h ak akin ing si sigh ght of a bea eaut utiful ul viiew w.

Wh W When h a cho hoir of men’ n s voic ices e in h rmon ha rm m ny blen end, d d, In the e smile and nd advicce from an old d trus tr uste us ted te d friend n . nd G d’ Go d’ss vo v icce ca c nb be e heard in the be beat of a dr d um u m, um, In the singing of birds an nd wh when the e bees hum.

Our Fa Our Fath th ther her wililll al a wa ways ys reveal the righ ghtt way, wa y, By bei e ng g awa wa are r we ca an in his wililll st s ay y.

So listen an and d le ear arn n wh what he’ss pl plan a ni ning ng g fo or yyo ou, He e’lll fi find nd the rig ight htt cha h nn nnel e for truth th h to get th ge t ro oug ugh. h.

BRIA BR IAN IA N CO COLL LLEY LL EY

Salvationist 27 March 2021

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REFLECTION REFL RE FLEC FL ECTI EC TION TI ON

God’s love for life Major Catherine Wyles shares a lesson learnt from a shopping bag

I

S your cupboard full of shopping bags? Mine is. It seems that I always forget to take a bag with me when I pop out to the shop, and I buy more than I intended to, so end up needing another bag. I agree that using the old-style plastic bags is not good for the planet, so I buy another ‘bag for life’.

I was made to think about this when I read Psalm 136. In this song of praise the psalmist continually repeats the phrase ‘his love endures for ever’. I can just imagine the priest singing the lines and all the people joining in that refrain.

It’s a promise that God’s love is for life.

Let’s take a closer look at that promise.

LOVE God’s love is embedded in creation. He made the world and he loved it. The first chapter of Genesis repeatedly tells us that ‘God saw that it was good’ (vv10, 12, 18, 21 and 25). He delights in his creation and loves everything – animals, birds, mountains, lakes. His love brought our planet to birth.

The idea that God delights in his act of creation comes through clearly in his 20

Salvationist 27 March 2021

challenge to Job: ‘Where were you when I laid the Earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?

On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone – while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?’ (38:4–7).

Psalm 19:1 says: ‘The heavens declare the glory of God.’ This concept is taught by Paul when he tells the church in Rome: ‘For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made’ (Romans 1:20).

From the very beginning his love is evident. When we understand that and begin to see the world through the eyes of its loving creator, we appreciate it all the more and realise that we have a responsibility to it. More than that, we have the knowledge that the love promised to us has been there since the dawning of time and is given to every generation – past, present and future.

ENDURANCE When we buy a bag for life we know that the likelihood of it lasting a lifetime is pretty remote. Not so with the love of God. The psalmist says God’s love is enduring.

God is described throughout the Bible by his actions, with the ultimate gesture being his own Son’s death and resurrection: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son’ (John 3:16).

God’s motivation is love, which has the character of ‘always’ about it. As Paul writes: ‘It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres’ (1 Corinthians 13:7). We often think of this verse describing the love we have for God and for others, but it is equally his love for us. His love is for always.

OWNERSHIP Most shopping bags bear the name of the supermarket we shop in, giving them free advertising and encouraging our loyalty. We bear God’s love in our lives by his Holy Spirit. Paul says God is the one ‘who has placed his mark of ownership upon us, and who has given us the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the guarantee of all that he has in store for us’ (2 Corinthians 1:22 Good News Bible). The Holy Spirit is the expression of the enduring love of God that then opens our lives to receive all he has in store for us.

Psalm 136 says God recognises our frailty and feeds us: ‘He remembered us in our low estate… He gives food to every creature’ (vv23 and 25). Just as we fill our bags full of food, God wants to fill our lives with good things, supplying our needs and nourishing our spirits.

The psalmist keeps repeating one phrase so that people remember it and, whatever happens, will be assured of their creator’s love. In these uncertain days may we too remember that God holds us and that his love endures for ever.

MAJOR WYLES IS CORPS OFFICER, RUTHERGLEN

REVIEW

Inspiring creativity Lieut-Colonel Allen Satterlee reviews Drug of Choice by Jim Knaggs and Stephen Court

I

N this book dedicated to Commissioners Doris and Joe Noland, retired but still active innovators from the USA Western Territory, Commissioner Jim Knaggs and Major Stephen Court have drawn together a series of essays that reflect the couple’s ministry priorities and passions.

With a preface by General Paul Rader (Retired), the collection includes contributions from such Salvation Army notables as Colonel Richard Munn, Chief of the Staff Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham, Commissioner Mark Tillsley, Commissioners Dick and Vibeke Krommenhoek, Major Robert Birks and Danielle Strickland, as well as Knaggs and Court.

The curious title reflects the hallmarks of the Nolands’ ministry. Their ‘drug of choice’ is creativity, which has been demonstrated throughout their service

as corps officers, at various levels of Salvation Army headquarters and into retirement.

General Rader comments: ‘Commissioners Doris and Joe Noland are not only grandly gifted, they are also a gift of God’s creative and redeeming grace… The Army is, after all, one of the riskiest, most radical and innovative ventures ever to flame out from the creative mind and heart of God.’ A sampling of the chapter titles is intriguing: ‘No Limits Together’; ‘The Holiness Dilemma’; ‘Lean Right, Love Left’; ‘A Little Greatness’; ‘God Beat in Time’; and ‘Out of the Rubble …

Revolution’.

The book will inspire and inform readers, not only because it reflects the ministry of two exciting leaders but because it will fan the flames in any Salvationist who wants to bring all tools

and gifts to bear in winning the world for Christ.

t

Drug of Choice is available as an ebook from amazon.co.uk priced £4.19 or as a hard copy by emailing use.trade@use.salvationarmy.org

PREVIEW

Please Don’t Pray with Your Mouth Full

by Bob Swanson

B

OB Swanson, from Oakbrook Terrace Corps in the USA Central Territory, is a successful graphic designer and lifelong cartoonist.

This collection of cartoons, as the back cover explains, is one Salvationist’s light-hearted, not-at-all serious look at the church in which he was raised. You’ll find cartoons about Salvation Army

officers, even though he is not an officer, and cartoons about brass bands and songsters, even though he can’t play a horn or sing too well.

Swanson created his Mustard Seeds cartoon strip in 1997 and it has appeared monthly in his territory’s publication, Central Connection. Since 2016 it has also appeared in The Officer, an international publication for Salvation Army officers distributed in 131 countries.

Colonel Dennis Phillips, a retired officer and former territorial commander of the Caribbean Territory, writes: ‘With

this collection of cartoons, Bob Swanson surfaces as our much-needed comic relief extraordinaire. His combination of Salvation Army knowledge, along with his one-of-a-kind and off-handed humour, brings laughter along with a refreshing look at the Army we love so much.’

A portion of the profits from the collection will go towards supporting the Army’s mission worldwide.

t

Please Don’t Pray with Your Mouth Full is available from amazon.co.uk priced £8.58 (plus postage and packing) Salvationist 27 March 2021

21

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE APPOINTED Effective 1 July O Captains Filipa and Luis Viriato, Colchester Citadel and Colchester Mount Zion WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Platinum (70th) O Janet and Rtd BM Les Routledge, Carlisle (22 March) O Jean and Rtd CT Stuart Holmes, Eastbourne Citadel (30 March) Blue Sapphire (65th) O Majors Percy and Ruby Hatcher (2 April) Diamond O S/Reservist Pauline and B/S/Reservist Robert Perkins, Staple Hill (1 April) O Majors Brian and Pamela Edwards (1 April) O Ladies Fellowship Treasurer Daphne and Dep BM Trevor Middleton, Norwich Mile Cross (1 April) Golden O Audrey and Wilson Le Page, Guernsey (27 March) O Songster Margaret and Bandsman/ Songster Ray Bennett, Darlington (27 March) RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Major Jean Farrer (80 on 4 April) O Major Christine Whittles (80 on 4 April) O Major Rosemary Dickens (80 on 6 April) PROMOTED TO GLORY Ruth Barber, Staple Hill O Archie Crookston, Sheffield Citadel O Jean Prestwich, Swindon Citadel O Olwyn Restall, Chippenham O Alan Richardson, Staple Hill O Brenda Valentine, Chelmsford O Trevor Watson, Malton O Nora Northcott, Teignmouth, on 2 March O Aux-Captain Cyril Eighteen from his home in Reading on 4 March O Doreen Rutt, Bexleyheath, on 6 March O Major Robert Dalziel from his home in Beckenham on 12 March O Aux-Captain John Garbutt from his home in Cliftonville on 13 March O

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Salvationist 27 March 2021

BEREAVED Ted Barber, Staple Hill, of his wife Ruth O Dorothy Crookston, Sheffield Citadel, of her husband Archie O Vic Restall, Chippenham, of his wife Olwyn O Marion Richardson, Staple Hill, of her husband Alan, Susan Hadfield and Sally Richardson of their father O Eileen Watson, Malton, of her husband Trevor, Heather Hilder and Malcolm Watson of their father O Lindy Chadwick, Teignmouth, and Tracey Pavey of their mother Nora Northcott, Edna Aplin, Teignmouth, of her sister O Aux-Captain Marianne Eighteen of her husband Aux-Captain Cyril Eighteen O Major Cynthia Dalziel of her husband Major Robert Dalziel O Rtd CT/Bandsman Raymond and Sylvia Snell, both Plymouth Congress Hall, of their son Wesley O

WHAT’S ON DEVELOP PODCAST In the latest episode Hayley Still highlights the work of Tres Arroyos Corps, Argentina, where women experiencing domestic violence are given comfort, support and hope through group therapy sessions.

O Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud or Google Podcasts

TRIBUTES GWEN MORSE, NORTH WALSHAM GWEN first attended the corps as a young child. After giving her heart to God, she was enrolled as a soldier aged 15. She immersed herself in activities, becoming YP treasurer and later songster librarian.

Marrying Cyril, she supported him when he voluntarily managed the charity shop. She also helped at coffee mornings, lunch clubs and parent-andtoddler groups and played in the band.

She loved attending New Horizons with Cyril at Bognor and Skegness and became friends with Salvationists from around the UK. Gwen’s strong faith helped her through this last, very difficult year.

Diagnosed with fibrosis of the lungs – a terminal condition – she needed oxygen almost constantly.

She managed bravely and positively and stayed at home with Cyril until the day before she died. Now free from pain and distress, Gwen is missed by Cyril, her daughter, Joann, her son, Garry, and those at the corps. – RD JAMES ANDERSON, CLYDEBANK BORN in 1931, Jim was raised by his mother following his father’s death. Having lived through the Clydebank Blitz, he was proud to work for John Brown’s Engineering for most of his life.

Jim was happily married to Agnes for more than 40 years. They had two daughters, Carol and Elaine. Following Agnes’s death, he found love again and married Mary, his family growing to include Fiona, Colin and Kenneth. They enjoyed 18 happy years together.

Jim had a deep love for the Lord, serving God in various local officer positions at Clydebank. He was well known for his organisational skills and his great love of banding – in the RAF, YP, corps and fellowship bands.

Cherished by all who knew him, Jim was a loyal Salvationist, a man of integrity and a gentleman. He was a loving husband, devoted dad and wonderful papa. He loved greatly and was greatly loved. This world is richer because of him. – CT PAMELA SHARPE, SALISBURY BORN in 1935 to a Salvationist family in Cheltenham, Pam’s commitment to God saw her involved in corps activities from an early age until ill health prevented active participation.

Marriage to Don and the arrival of sons Graham and Kevin and grandchildren completed Pam’s personal happiness, which was shared with all who knew her.

Her quiet but infectious witness touched many lives during Don’s RAF career, which saw the couple connect with corps in the many places where they were stationed, including Liege in Belgium.

A move back to the UK led to 20 years

of local officership at Cheltenham, followed by 30 years of retirement in Fordingbridge, where she and Don were stalwarts whose service and witness were unstinted. This only concluded when a change of mission emphasis necessitated a final transfer of soldiership to Salisbury.

Pam’s family, the Fordingbridge community and countless Salvationists praise God for a true soldier of Christ. – GP MAJOR DOROTHY GRAHAM Dorothy was born in Hexham and introduced to The Salvation Army by a relative. At the age of 14 she enjoyed the fellowship of the young people and began attending Sunday school.

Enrolled as a junior soldier, she attended YP councils in Newcastle,

where she heard the leader encouraging people to consider officership.

On leaving school she worked as a clerical assistant at what is now Royal Mail, which offered a secure and promising career. Nevertheless, Dorothy responded to the call of God to become an officer and, in 1956, she became a member of the Faithful session aged 20.

After her commissioning she was appointed as second-in-command to Major Lily Robson. Their joint ministry at 16 corps lasted 26 years until Major Robson’s retirement.

Captain Dorothy served in South Wales during the Aberfan disaster in October 1966 and was the first officer on the scene of the tragedy, where she gave comfort and aid to families of the victims.

Dorothy and Lily were appointed to Sunderland Millfield in 1975 and, in addition to platform ministry, Dorothy focused on the young people, who affectionately knew her as ‘Captain Dot’.

She oversaw activities and events to attract newcomers.

In 1986 Major Dorothy became assistant national home league secretary and, in 1992, divisional secretary for South Wales, from which she entered retirement.

Returning to Sunderland Millfield, she became a loyal soldier. In addition to platform ministry when needed, she served as home league treasurer and recruiting sergeant.

A source of great encouragement to her was when junior soldiers who had been enrolled during her tenure as corps officer became senior soldiers and local officers.

Dorothy was promoted to Glory in December. The congregation at her funeral was reminded that, as a member of the Faithful session, her covenant made to God at that time embraced 63 years of faithful leadership as a Salvation Army officer. – RB

ADVERTS PERSONAL JIM ANDERSON Mrs Mary Anderson, Commissioner Carol Telfer, Mrs Elaine Scott and Major Fiona Broom would like to express their thanks for all the cards sent following the promotion to Glory of Jim Anderson (Clydebank), husband, dad and stepfather.

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The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in his name without discrimination.

The International Business Administration Department is looking for a full-time administrative secretary to facilitate the smooth running of the office, organising and prioritising the work of the international secretary and the wider team. This is a varied and challenging position requiring a high degree of confidentiality.

If successful, you would have general responsibility with others for the administrative tasks of the department. You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills and will have no problem in multi-tasking or planning and prioritising your workload.

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SALARY £43,860 per annum (Grade 6) plus travel to work allowance up to £3,300 per annum WORKING HOURS 35 hours per week CONTRACT Permanent BENEFITS Contributory pension scheme; generous travel allowance 25 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays pro rata.

CLOSING DATE Thursday 1 April INTERVIEW DATE TBC

For an application pack please visit: salvationarmy.org/ihq/jobs Promoting equality in the workplace. The Salvation Army is a registered charity.

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Salvationist 27 March 2021

23

‘‘‘

No power of Hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from his hand

All kinds of people attend, join, volunteer with or work for The Salvation Army.

We’ve asked some to tell us about themselves.

This week…

SONGSTER LEADER HAZEL EDWARDS Tunbridge Wells How did you first come into contact with the Army?

When I was seven days old I was taken to a meeting at Southend Citadel.

What made you want to become a soldier?

I became a soldier when I was 19 years old, as I knew that it was what God wanted me to do.

What is your day job?

I am a bursar at a large primary school.

What is the most interesting thing about your job – and the most frustrating?

No two days are the same and that makes it both interesting and frustrating.

I love talking to the children and seeing them grow in confidence and ability.

What is your favourite kind of holiday?

I love visiting Canada and America but would like to see other parts of the world.

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

Mary Poppins. I would love to click my fingers and have all the housework done.

What is your favourite meal?

Southern fried chicken or a roast dinner.

’’’

(SASB B 861)

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

Be happy.

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

I am not sporty, so I would be an adjudicator or umpire.

If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be?

Tea. What do you do in your spare time?

I don’t get much spare time, but I do like to read when I’m on holiday.

What is your favourite Bible verse?

I have many, but a Bible verse I learnt at a Salvation Army camp when I was working as a counsellor has remained with me: ‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!’ (2 Corinthians 5:17 New International Version 2001).

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

Paul. I would like to know more about his travels.

What is your favourite hymn or worship song?

‘In Christ Alone’ (SASB 861).

If you could invent a gadget, what would it be?

Something that collects leaves in autumn without any effort on my part.

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

Something from The Sound of Music, which is my favourite film.

Is there something about life or the world you’ve never understood?

Wars, especially when they are started because of religion and people’s beliefs.

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

Poverty.

If you had to be handcuffed to one person for a day, who would it be?

Her Majesty the Queen.

Apart from the Bible, which book would you want on a desert island?

A mystery or romance novel.

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

Always see the positive in all situations.

What is the most valuable thing you possess?

I don’t have anything of much monetary value, but photos are a valuable thing I possess as they can’t be replaced.

Something interesting that people might want to know about you is…

I worked for The Salvation Army’s Reliance Bank for more than 20 years and was a member of the International Staff Songsters for 23 years.