15 minute read
Quotes from the media
CHURCH OF ENGLAND CREATES FIRST VIRTUAL REALITY SERVICE
Believed to be the first virtual reality (VR) service created by the Church of England, an online liturgy has been designed to recreate in 3D the evening service of the Blessing of the Light.
The experimental service was filmed in St Stephen Walbrook in the City of London last month. For viewers, it simulates standing alongside the choir or moving around the church during the seven-minute rite.
The service … which [is] available on the Church of England YouTube channel, can be watched on a computer, and can be watched without a virtual reality headset…
This 3D service was a trial run, and more services might be considered if it [has] a wide appeal, the head of digital for the C of E, Amaris Cole, said. It was a natural extension to the work done during the pandemic to make prayer and worship accessible online…
Virtual reality – which usually offers viewers a simulated experience – is growing in popularity in the UK: a recent survey showed that more than a million people now own a VR headset.
Church Times
SALVATIONIST
salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist
Staff are working from home and may not be contactable by phone or able to deal with non-electronic correspondence EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts – 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford – 020 7367 4891 EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Simon Hope – 020 7367 4892 Melita Day-Lewis – 020 7367 4887 Major Margaret Bovey ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden – 020 7367 4883 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight – 020 7367 4895 Louise Phillips – 020 7367 4896 PROOFREADER Chris Horne GOSPEL ‘HAS BROUGHT HOPE’ DURING THE PANDEMIC, SAYS QUEEN
The Queen has told the Church of England’s General Synod that ‘the gospel has brought hope’ during the Covid-19 pandemic in a message read out by her youngest son, the Earl of Wessex…
‘For people of faith, the [past] few years have been particularly hard, with unprecedented restrictions in accessing the comfort and reassurance of public worship,’ she said.
‘For many, it has been a time of anxiety, of grief and of weariness.
Christian Today
CHURCH APOLOGY ON CARDS FOR WITCHCRAFT EXECUTIONS
The Church of Scotland is preparing to apologise for its role … in the ‘mistreatment and execution’ of thousands of people accused of witchcraft.
Witch-hunts were carried out from the mid-16th to the early 18th century and resulted in about 2,500 people, mostly women, being executed.
Almost 300 years after Scotland’s Witchcraft Act was repealed, a campaign is seeking a pardon for those convicted, an apology to those accused and the creation of a national memorial…
The Very Rev Dr Susan Brown, convener of the Church of Scotland’s faith impact forum, said… ‘The direct involvement of the Church in many instances is something that we look back on with ... sincere horror and sorrow.’
The Times
[MORE THAN] 4,000 REPORTS OF CRIMINAL ACTS AGAINST UK CHURCHES OVER PAST YEAR
‘Shocking’ new figures show that around 12 crimes affect churches or other religious buildings every day.
Stats released by the Countryside Alliance reveal that more than 4,000 incidents of theft, vandalism, assault or burglary were committed in the [past] year…
The figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, show that the worst-hit areas are largely in the southeast of England with Sussex police recording 367 crimes, Kent 209 cases and the Metropolitan Police 575.
The alliance has been collecting this data for four years and, while there has been a national decrease in this kind of crime during that period, areas such as South Wales, Cleveland, Cumbria, Essex, Hertfordshire and Greater Manchester have seen increases.
The Countryside Alliance is urging the government to ensure funding schemes for churches, which have been available in previous years, remain accessible now.
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MAKING THE MOST OF ADVENT
A BESTSELLING novelist made a memorable comment at this year’s Cheltenham Literature Festival. Mark Billingham, who writes the popular Tom Thorne detective series, said a crime or thriller novel ‘has got to set its stall out in 20 pages… There has to be something within the first chapters that’s got me interested or hooked or engaged or, really, what’s the point?’ If it doesn’t grip you in those first 20 pages, he added, ‘throw it across the room angrily’.
This week’s Salvationist includes the Shield Books winter catalogue, which features several recent publications to interest you. The newest is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, a book for Advent with 28 reflections on carols by different Army writers. As well as devotional books, the catalogue includes a novel, books about the Bible and the Army and a series of small-group discussion books on important issues. The catalogue calls them ‘titles to inspire and engage’ – so, hopefully, readers will not want to throw them across the room angrily.
If you’ve ever wondered where writers get their inspiration, Major Howard Webber’s article explains how he came to compose the poems in his latest book, Gift Beyond Measure. Many people find poetry helpful during Advent and Christmas – the ideas shared, emotions expressed and imagery created deepens their response to the wonder of Jesus’ coming.
Alexander John Shaia’s book, Heart and Mind, is the basis of The All Terrain Podcast, produced by the Youth and Children’s Ministries Unit. In each episode, a guest answers four questions from the book as they take part in an imaginary hike. In the second of a series of articles based on Shaia’s approach, Matt Little considers responses to the first question: How do we face change?
Advent can be imagined as a book, with each day as a different page. The number of pages varies from year to year, depending on when the four Sundays of Advent fall. There can be as few as 22 or as many as 28 – this year there are 27. Some may be tempted to ‘throw it across the room’ after a few days if it fails to grab their attention and nothing meaningful emerges. That could be a danger if we don’t approach it in the right way. In the first of four Advent reflections, Ron Thomlinson and the Rev James Macfarlane look at how the truths of Advent can become obscured so that we miss the reality of it. Using the metaphor of an old painting, they consider how Advent can be restored to its original beauty.
The meaning of Christmas has also been largely obscured, says Brian Colley in his article – so ‘the simple story needs to be told and explained to as many people as possible’. He suggests that those who will be carolling in the coming weeks have an opportunity to do just that.
In his article Major Peter Mylechreest looks at various aspects of Advent and says, ‘The greatest wonder is that he who called all things into existence took upon himself the fragility and helpless dependence of a tiny child. It leaves us speechless. We need time to reflect on that.’ Thankfully, we do have time – 27 days of Advent plus Christmas itself. So, let’s not give up after one, two or even twenty days, but make the most of each one.
From the editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts
Quotes from the media 2
News 4 to 7
Prayer matters 7
News feature 8 and 9
Army adds its voice at COP26
Advent reflection 10
Restoring Advent
by Ron Thomlinson and the Rev James Macfarlane
Viewpoint 11
Experiencing the reality of God
by Jeff Morton
Territorial structure update 12
by Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant
Shield Books catalogue 13 to 16
Reflection 17
How it came about...
by Major Howard Webber
All Terrain questions 18 and 19
How do we face change?
by Matt Little
Bible study 20 and 21
Gift of light
by Lieut-Colonel Ann Borrett
Through the week with Salvationist 20 and 21
by Major Sheila Smith
Reflection 22
Awe in the ordinary
by Major Peter Mylechreest
Viewpoint 23
Saving Christmas
by Brian Colley
Poetry corner 23
New commitments 24
Announcements 25
Adverts 26 and 27
The Salvation Army and me 28
featuring Diane Russell
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Scripture quotations in Salvationist are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated
REMEMBRANCE
Swindon Gorse Hill corps charity shop presents a Remembrance window display, created by volunteer Claire Whittingham and manager Lee Cook
REMEMBRANCE EVENT
NORWICH MILE CROSS Planned for last year but postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the luncheon club marked the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Organised by Community Manager Peter Jeffries, attendees dressed in 1940s attire sang wartime songs and took part in a quiz led by corps officer Major Susan Robinson. The singalong finished with the hokey-cokey before everyone tucked into a lunch of lentil soup and dumplings, boiled sausage and onions, corned beef hash, fish pie and cheese and onion pie. It was a time of great fun, food and fellowship for a group who know the corps is there for them. – PR
PRESENTATION
180
years of combined service
SEE PAGE 4
500
children helped through child contact centre
SEE PAGE 5
HADLEIGH TEMPLE A short service was held on 11 November in the busy high street outside the corps hall. This was followed on Remembrance Sunday by a meeting inside, where a wreath was laid on the memorial stone commemorating members of the corps who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars. Corps officer Major Steve Fripp, the band and corps members later joined other churches for a service at the cenotaph. – MW
Salvationist wants to hear your news. Corps press representatives can email salvationist@salvationarmy. org.uk. Good quality pictures will be included. SHEFFIELD CITADEL Corps officer Major Jim Duff presented bandsmen Royston Hartley, Brian Huggins and Keith Leek with retirement certificates and thanked them for their combined service of more than 180 years. He recognised their commitment to music ministry and how they have consistently used it to share the good news of Jesus. Bandmaster Keith Wileman also thanked the bandsmen on behalf of the band and the nine bandmasters and multiple officers with whom they have served. He also paid tribute to their wives, Betty, Margaret and Ruth, for the support they have provided. Pictured from left to right are Bandmaster Keith and bandsmen Keith, Royston and Brian. – AU/GB
300
people blessed by ISS
SEE PAGE 6
136
years of corps ministry
SEE PAGE 6
REMEMBRANCE
MEETING
LEAMINGTON SPA The corps celebrated the light of Christ by making stained glass windows and carving pumpkins with Christian symbols to share something of his brilliance with neighbours. The light-themed creations were displayed in the window of the prayer room. Passers-by stopped to look, including one man with whom corps officer Lieutenant Kit Mayston-King had a lengthy debate about the wrath of God versus the love of God. In the meeting corps folk learnt some history about All Hallows Day and All Souls Day and their connection with All Hallows Eve. In quiet reflection they remembered wonderful saints and people of God who had gone to Glory after impacting their lives personally. Some lit candles in remembrance of those for whom they thanked God. Using the story of the pumpkin grower, the corps considered how God sees the sin within and cleanses people inside and out, taking away sin much as folk had emptied the carved pumpkins. He then fills people with the power of the Holy Spirit so that they can shine for him. The meeting finished with singing ‘We are Marching in the Light of God’ (SASB 903). Some corps members danced around beating out the rhythm on saucepans and lids with wooden spoons while others used more traditional tambourines. – KM-K
PRESENTATION
Volunteers at Woodbridge who helped during the pandemic receive certificates and flowers in a service of thanksgiving
CORPS
GLOUCESTER The easing of Covid-19 restrictions coincided with the start of alterations to the ante-rooms and facilities of the hall. The crest also needed some renovations. Over a period of a few weeks, with several friends offering their artistic skills, the work was finished and a board explaining the history of the crest and its importance to Salvationists was prominently displayed. – AB Kilmarnock corps officer Captain Les Heal leads the annual Remembrance service at the war memorial; he was supported by the band
COMMUNITY
Child contact centre started with a doorstep chat
BIRMINGHAM CITADEL
NEARLY 500 children have benefited from closer contact with a parent through the child contact centre at the corps. The centre celebrates 21 years of operation this year and Salvation Army leaders have acknowledged the hard work, thanking the founders and its volunteers.
It is estimated by the National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC) that a million children in the UK have no contact whatsoever with one of their parents after separation. Child contact centres provide safe places where children can meet the parent they no longer live with. There are 350 child contact centres in the UK, run by a network of nearly 3,000 volunteers.
The corps opened a child contact centre in September 2000, with a handful of volunteers. That swelled to 20 in 2014 and then to 31 just before the coronavirus pandemic.
Child contact centres are usually based within local communities and the way in which the centre was born came from a simple doorstep conversation when an officer was knocking on doors fundraising for the annual appeal.
Graham Andrews, the current co-ordinator of the centre, explained: ‘Major Samuel Edgar, a past leader of Birmingham Citadel, was door-knocking, collecting for the appeal in 1999. One of the doors he knocked on belonged to Duncan Gore, the development officer for the NACCC. Duncan got chatting to the officer and explained he was looking to open a new centre in the Birmingham area and asked if he could help.’
Early Years Operation Manager Andrea Stevens said: ‘The Salvation Army is aware of the heartbreak and anxiety when children and families are unable to have contact or communicate with each other. By providing safe spaces where parents and children can start to rebuild the relationships in a caring and supportive environment, we can empower parents to get to the stage where we are no longer needed, as the parents are able to make their own contact arrangements outside the service and build lifelong relationships with their children.’ – AR
MUSIC
DONCASTER The International Staff Songsters visited the corps to give a wonderful concert with an excellent pianist and brilliant percussionist. The hall was filled with more than 300 people, who enjoyed the harmony and crystal eloquence of the songs. Staff Songster Leader Dorothy Nancekievill introduced the songs and the soloists and choir were given rapturous applause as each item concluded. Many emotional tears flowed too. The joy of having these songsters at the corps filled everyone present with love and inspired personal devotion. – CL
ANTI-TRAFFICKING
Royal touch to art therapy for modern slavery survivors
LONDON
HER Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York joined survivors of modern slavery at a Salvation Army outreach hub as they were taking part in an art therapy session.
Visiting in her role as a co-founder of the Anti-Slavery Collective, Princess Eugenie took part in a session to create artwork around how each survivor feels about freedom. The informal setting enabled survivors to share their stories freely with their guest and discuss the impact of the help they are now receiving from Salvation Army specialist support workers.
The team comes alongside recovering survivors of modern slavery to help them access support as they rebuild their lives.
Participants at the art session interpreted freedom in different ways. For one man from Sudan, freedom meant escaping conflict and enjoying peace. For a young woman from Spain, it was her university, where she finds liberty through education. Other images included a family holding hands and an idyllic beach scene. Princess Eugenie and a survivor from Albania both painted beautiful landscapes of mountains and forests as their expressions of freedom.
The London outreach hub is one of a network of safe houses and outreach work run by the Army and its partners across England and Wales. Here, through a government contract, survivors are given access to a range of support to help with their recovery, including counselling, medical help, legal advice, educational opportunities and support in finding employment and housing. – AR ARMY NEWS
The Entertainer partners Army for Christmas Toy Appeal
UKI
THE Entertainer has once again joined forces with The Salvation Army to launch the Big Toy Appeal. Providing Christmas presents for children can place additional pressure on families whose budgets are already stretched. The appeal aims to give as many children as possible the joy of opening a present on Christmas Day.
Customers are encouraged to pick up an extra toy to donate when they visit The Entertainer’s shops. For every toy donated, the retailer will also donate a toy. Online shoppers at thetoyshop. com and elc.co.uk will be able to join the appeal by adding a gift to their basket.
The Entertainer’s customers have donated more than 60,000 toys since the first appeal was launched in 2018. This year the appeal aims to reach a total of 100,000 toys donated. – AR
ANNIVERSARY
WEST CORNFORTH Captain Amanda Smethurst (Leadgate) led the 136th corps anniversary celebrations. After the worship meeting everyone enjoyed a celebration tea and No 1 on the roll Margaret Lawson cut the anniversary cake. – AR
