Salvationist 28 May 2022 by The Salvation Army UK and Ireland

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SALVATIONIST

CHAPLAINCY TAKES TO THE FIELD

TALKING ABOUT SEXUALITY PAGES 10 AND 11

QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

BISHOPS QUERY GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR HOMELESSNESS, THE ENVIRONMENT AND JUSTICE Bishops [have] raised concerns … about the scope of the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda, as well as its plans for social housing and public order… The bishop of Oxford, Dr Steven Croft, noted that there was ‘scarcely a mention of the environment, climate change, and climate mitigation’ in the levelling up white paper, published in February… The bishop of Chelmsford, Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, the [Church of England’s] lead bishop on housing … welcomed the extra protections given to social housing tenants in the Social Housing Regulation Bill, but said that these ‘must be coupled with significant investment in new social housing’… The bishop of Gloucester, the Right Rev Rachel Treweek, the lead bishop on prisons, said that she was ‘perturbed’ that in the Queen’s Speech there was no reference to ‘preventive and rehabilitative measures’. ‘We are failing both victims and perpetrators of crime… Sending to prison mothers whose nonviolent offending is rooted in multiple disadvantages is failing communities.’ Church Times

TINY BIBLE RESURFACES AT LEEDS LIBRARY DURING LOCKDOWN A tiny Bible was among thousands of items rediscovered at a Leeds library during lockdown. The 1911 replica of a so-called Chained Bible contains both Old and New Testaments in text so small it can only be read with a magnifying glass. The origins of the Bible, which measures 1.9in (50mm) by 1.3in (35mm), are a mystery, library staff said. More than 3,000 new items were catalogued during lockdown, including some dating back to the 15th century. Rhian Isaac, special collections senior librarian at Leeds Central Library, said the book was billed as the smallest Bible in the world when it was printed, although this was almost certainly not true. BBC News

RELICS OF ST BERNADETTE OF LOURDES EXPECTED TO ATTRACT MILLION WORSHIPPERS The relics of one of the most revered Catholic saints, St Bernadette of Lourdes, are to tour Britain for the first time, with up to a million people expected to venerate them… The fragments of bone and tissue taken from the 19th-century French saint, locked within an ornate golden reliquary, will tour every Catholic cathedral across England and Wales, as well as churches, hospices and the Carfin Grotto shrine in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. They will also visit Wormwood Scrubs prison in west London, where a special Mass will be held for inmates. It is also hoped that they will go on display at the Church of England’s Liverpool Cathedral. The Times

CHRISTIAN AID WARNS CRISIS IN THE HORN OF AFRICA CAN’T BE IGNORED AS 80% OF BRITS UNAWARE OF IT Christian Aid has warned that the ‘cost of living crisis is global and demands urgent action’ as people in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia face rising hunger and acute water shortages [amid] the worst drought in 40 years. New polling by Savanta, commissioned by Christian Aid, shows while nine in ten (91 per cent) of the British public [are] aware of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, just two in ten (23 per cent) [are] aware of the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa. Patrick Watt, Christian Aid’s new chief executive, said: ‘Across the Horn of Africa, up to 20 million people are facing hunger. Droughts have become increasingly severe and frequent... ‘However, the war in Ukraine has turned a bad situation into a dire crisis. With rocketing food and energy costs around the globe, we are seeing people in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia facing a crisis like no other. ‘While we cannot thank the public enough for their response to humanitarian needs in Ukraine, the fact that so few people in Britain are aware of the crisis in the Horn of Africa is deeply concerning.’ Premier

SALVATIONIST salvationist.org.uk/media/magazine Issue No 1860

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Salvationist 28 May 2022

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THE CHALLENGE OF LISTENING I TOOK part in a Churches Together in England conference last week, presenting a session on The Salvation Army’s roots, beliefs and practices. I was invited to stay for the rest of the conference and thoroughly enjoyed it. One highlight was a thoughtprovoking session led by a woman from the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). It was prompted by the conflict in Ukraine and titled The Church and Peace. That’s a theme John Coutts picks up in his ‘Thinkaloud’ article this week, making reference to the Quaker ‘peace testimony’ and considering what people mean by a ‘just’ war. There was a marked contrast between my conference presentation and the Quaker’s. I did a lot of talking, but she included moments of silence in which we were asked to listen for the voice of the Spirit. This reflected Quaker worship in which silence reigns. One or two people might speak briefly, sharing an insight they have gained, but some meetings can go the whole hour without a word being spoken. Sitting in silence for that long might be a challenge for Salvationists, but we do need to spend some time listening to God and to others. That’s the idea behind the resource Let’s Talk About … Sexuality and Relationships. In our interview Major Dr David Taylor explains the purpose of the resource and how it is designed to be used. He also reveals how people have responded in sessions that he’s facilitated. The initiative might seem like it’s about talking, but it’s just as much about listening, as David explains: ‘The aim is that people who take part in a Let’s Talk session will understand other people’s perspectives and so reduce some of the heat in talking about the subject. It’s always better to listen and to understand than to make assumptions.’ The listening also involves hearing what the world around us is saying and what God is saying through Scripture: ‘It looks at the big picture of where we are in society, and then goes into a reflection on what the Bible says.’ Our series about chaplaincy in diverse settings has highlighted the importance of listening and understanding. This week we hear from three officers – Major James McCluskey, Major Cliff Allchin and Captain Ian Arthur – who provide pastoral and spiritual care as chaplains to football and rugby clubs. Their ministry is built on mutual trust, which means they can be a valuable ‘listening ear’ and are able to counsel and support players and staff through the challenges they face. David Newstead continues his series of articles exploring how the Christian faith relates to aspects of life. This week he focuses on science. Faith and science are sometimes seen as contradictory, but David shows how they can complement one another. The key is a willingness to listen for the different ways in which God can speak to us, whether through revelation or scientific discovery. It’s often said that social media can create an ‘echo chamber’ effect so that in online discussions people are only exposed to ideas with which they agree. That is not a healthy situation. We need to be open to voices that challenge our thinking. It might not be comfortable, but it might just be a channel through which God wants to speak to us.

CONTENTS Quotes from the media

News

4 to 7

Prayer matters

News feature Army mobilises humanitarian aid

Viewpoint Exploring faith and science

by David Newstead

Interview 10 and 11 Let’s talk about sexuality with Major Dr David Taylor

Feature On and off the pitch

12 and 13

by George Tanton

Thinkaloud When is a war not a war?

by John Coutts

Reflection Throwing off the old

by Major Jim Bryden

Read with us 15 Called to Be a Soldier: Chapter 4 Bible study 16 and 17 Come, take your inheritance! by Major Martin Hill

Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17 by Major Lynda Levis

New commitments

Letters

Territorial structure update

by Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant

Adverts

Announcements

LIEUT-COLONEL JONATHAN ROBERTS Editor Salvationist

22 and 23

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

Salvationist 28 May 2022

NEWS

HOMELESSNESS

Army calls for government to focus on rough sleeping causes THQ THE Salvation Army has warned that the government cannot end rough sleeping unless it tackles the causes behind it. New figures show that 70 per cent of rough sleepers in London need support for mental health, drug or alcohol problems. Assistant Territorial Director for Homelessness Services (South) Major Hilarie Watchorn said: ‘The government has made a welcome pledge to spend at least £640 million a year tackling homelessness and rough sleeping by 2024. This could be a game-changer, but only if the money is invested in the right places. ‘As a major provider of homelessness and addiction services, we know from experience that it takes more than a roof over their heads to help people break the cycle of rough sleeping. At our Lifehouses and our pop-up accommodation, we combine shelter with therapeutic and emotional support to help people transition from the streets to a permanent home. ‘Mental health and addiction problems can be both the cause and the result of living on the streets. Worryingly, more people are sleeping rough today than 10 years ago, while local authority funding to tackle mental health and addiction problems has gone down.’ The Salvation Army provides a variety of schemes for rough sleepers, as it believes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Services for mental health and addiction problems are embedded in its Lifehouses and community programmes. Housing First provides supported accommodation for long-term rough sleepers who have addictions or mental health problems. NAPpads are temporary, one-person selfcontained shelters that offer rough sleepers a warm and safe place to sleep, with technology to raise the alarm if they stop breathing. Hilarie continued: ‘The government has yet to lay out how the money it has committed to end rough sleeping will be spent. If it is to succeed in keeping people off the streets, it’s critical the government invests in the services that can change lives for good.’ – AR 4

Salvationist 28 May 2022

Pop-up pods help tackle homelessness in Sheffield SHEFFIELD POP-up accommodation to house entrenched rough sleepers is helping to tackle homelessness. Each sleeping pod provides a bed, a chemical toilet and charging facilities. They help people who have been sleeping on the streets and have complex needs so might struggle in hostelstyle accommodation. As part of a pilot scheme, The Salvation Army has provided two pods, made by Amazing Grace Spaces, with Sheffield city council providing support to the clients to help them move into more permanent accommodation. The Salvation Army runs two Lifehouses in Sheffield – Charter Row houses up to 57 single men and Lincoln Court houses 11 women. Service manager Andy Parkinson, who manages both Lifehouses, said: ‘In just a couple of months, we have seen a real difference in the two clients who have been placed in [the pods]. They are more engaged with mental health and housing services. One has now been offered a flat and the other has been referred into long-term supported housing.’ One client, who had been sleeping on the streets for more than a year, said: ‘It’s stopped me from being cold. It’s basically kept me and helped me find myself again. Because of this I’m actually now getting my own flat. I’m hoping to get back to trying to have a normal life. They should have thousands more of these pods, as they would help a lot of people.’ – AR

FUNDRAISING TEDDINGTON AND WATFORD The removals and storage firm Pickfords teamed up with corps members to distribute surplus toys to safe houses and families in need in the Birmingham area. Pickfords also donated extra care packages to be provided along with the toys. The arrangements were made through Captain Mark Scoulding (Watford), as a result of his work with Employment Plus. – EW

70%

of London’s rough sleepers need added support SEE PAGE 4

£2,000 raised at concert for Ukraine SEE PAGE 5

140

years of Chatham Band SEE PAGE 5

OUTREACH

BIRMINGHAM CITADEL When the European Brass Band Championships took place in the city, the band played outside the competition venue, witnessing to hundreds of passers-by. They selected music well regarded within the Army and brass band community. – RO

MUSIC

EXETER TEMPLE A concert raised funds for the Army’s work with Ukrainian refugees. Items included ‘There Will Be God’ and ‘Endless Victory’. The vocal group Response presented several pieces including ‘Let’s Get Together’ and ‘The Voice of Hope’. The band performed ‘Great and Glorious’ and ‘Easter Morning’. Kenneth Downie and Songster Leader Patricia Downie played a piano duet. The items were interspersed with several videos highlighting the Army’s humanitarian work in Ukraine. The offering raised more than £2,000 for people affected by the conflict. The evening concluded with the band playing a prayer with ‘Peace in Our Time, O Lord’. – AB

EVENT

CHATHAM Band members from across the South East Division joined the corps band for an open practice. Originally planned to recognise the band’s 140th anniversary in 2021, it was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Led by Assistant Director of Music and Creative Arts (Brass and Choral) Paul Sharman, members were blessed to share fellowship with friends from Maidstone, Gillingham and Sittingbourne. – IP

COMMUNITY

SHETLAND A community polytunnel project has opened in Cunningsburgh. The venture came about through collaboration between Lerwick Corps and a local businessman who felt called by God to support the Army’s work. The polytunnel, along with a portion of land, will be used to grow produce, which will be circulated among the community. The land will also house an honesty shed, containing a small space for people to reflect and ask for prayer. Corps officer Major David Womersley said: ‘We pray that it will be a place of growth in terms of food but also in relationships.’ – DW

GATESHEAD Captains Richard and Valentina Wearmouth (Braintree) led an international weekend, which began with a session for Spanish speakers – a new experience for the Salvadoran members of the corps. This enabled the sharing of testimony and singing in Spanish, as well as the presentation of Spanish Bibles to each family represented. The whole congregation shared in a supper with members presenting food from their home countries. A children’s session on Sunday involved them making scones using different recipes. The evening meeting was also translated into Spanish and songs were sung in English and Spanish at the same time. Captain Valentina is pictured with Leonor, holding her Spanish Bible. – AH

Have you seen our new website? l l l l l

Devotions Courses Articles Resources Events

Visit salvationist.org.uk Salvationist 28 May 2022

NEWS

EVENT

PRESENTATION

Austin House welcomes Keir Starmer SOUTHWICK LABOUR Party leader Sir Keir Starmer visited The Salvation Army’s Austin House Family Centre during his visit to Sunderland, where he met community manager Graham Wharton. Austin House operates a number of projects, including the Daily Bread Café – providing nutritious food to the wider community, a food bank and community days and trips out – and Employment Plus. The Labour leader also spoke with representatives from Sara (Southwick Altogether Raising Aspirations), a multi-agency initiative tackling issues of crime, mental health and unemployment, and met young people who have benefited from the project. Sir Keir said: ‘It was brilliant to join The Salvation Army at the Sara centre. Their amazing work bringing together the police, council services and neighbourhood groups is a great example of working together in the heart of the community.’ Graham said: ‘Our aim is to give people a hand up and the opportunity to thrive. I described it to Sir Keir as a “smorgasbord” where we have different options, so people have a choice and agency over the decisions they are making and the help they receive.’ Kim McGuiness, Northumbria police and crime commissioner, said: ‘The Salvation Army brings life-changing support to Sunderland, and it was great to show Keir how this works on the ground.’ – AR

KILMARNOCK Hugh Fraser retired as bandmaster after almost 31 years in the role. During this time, he led the band from strength to strength and rejuvenated it by bringing in young people and others who were keen to learn. In celebration of Hugh’s commitment and contribution to the band, a well-attended concert was held in the hall, also featuring the Aeolian Male Voice Choir, of which Hugh is a member. A surprise farewell dinner was held at a nearby hotel, attended by past and current band members. There were congratulatory messages and expressions of appreciation for Hugh’s tireless work and service. He will continue playing as a member of the band. Succeeding him as bandmaster will be his daughter, Katrena McDonald. – EF

EVENT

MUSIC

Growing leaders gather CROYDON CITADEL

WILLENHALL Charlie Green kicked off a new initiative of Wednesday lunchtime concerts. More than 100 people gathered for the free concert and enjoyed the eclectic programme. Charlie sang music ranging from ‘La Bamba’ to ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’. Many new people from the community – including more than 30 from the town’s weekly tea dance, and staff members and residents from a care home – accepted the invitation, alongside friends and family of corps folk. The event was supported by Morrisons, who not only donated all the refreshments but also released their community champion to help serve on the day. Entry was free but donations raised more than £350. – LH-N 6

Salvationist 28 May 2022

MORE than 20 people took part in the Church Pastoral Aid Society’s Growing Leaders Course via Zoom, exploring leadership and discipleship over eight months. This culminated in a weekend to meet face-to-face at Croydon Citadel. Delegates contributed alongside the music sections and a number of people used the mercy seat at the conclusion of the meeting. Delegates also engaged in open-air ministry with the band and corps members before returning to the hall for a final session where they considered their development plan and asked, ‘What next?’ In closing moments, delegates used the mercy seat to give their offering to God and to ask his Spirit to seal his calling on their lives. – IW

BIRTHDAY ASCENSION FOCUS by Major Simon Clampton (Overseas Services Unit) SUNDAY 29 MAY To conclude our reflections on the ascension of Jesus, let’s join in praise with the words of Walter Chalmers Smith (SASB 37): ‘Immortal, invisible, God only wise,/ In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,/ Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,/ Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.’

FOCUS ON THOSE WHO HELP OTHERS by Wendy Wasels (Volunteer Development Manager)

May Woodfield celebrates her 100th birthday with flowers and an afternoon tea at Guisborough’s Golden Years over-60 club

MODERN SLAVERY

Army responds to Nationality and Borders Bill THQ THE Salvation Army has said it is ‘deeply disappointed’ to witness the passing of the Nationality and Borders Bill with a failure to accept important amendments proposed by the House of Lords. These amendments – based on listening to survivors and experts in the modern slavery sector – would have minimised barriers that now exist for potential victims of modern slavery trying to access the support they need and are entitled to. The Army fought for amendments that would have ensured the removal of time limits on potential victims telling their story and measures preventing people who have committed criminal acts from receiving support. Other amendments fought for would have guaranteed the right to live in the UK (leave to remain) for 12 months for confirmed survivors of modern slavery and ensured that children who have been exploited were protected from the impact of this legislation and treated separately from adult survivors. An Army spokesperson said: ‘Despite this setback we are committed to continuing our work with survivors and other partners to ease access to the specialist support available to help survivors recover and build resilience so they can move on with their lives. We will continue to pursue the routes we believe could make a positive impact, such as improving quality and consistency of training for all first responder organisations and decision makers in the Home Office.’ – AR

MONDAY 30 MAY Father, we thank you for the gifts of our volunteers and ask that they can use those gifts well in their service to others. We pray that you continue to give them the strength and energy to cope with the challenges that are presented to them. Everything they do will bring glory to God through Jesus. TUESDAY 31 MAY Father, we thank you for the commitment of our volunteers who get involved with running our vital services, from helping those experiencing homelessness and assisting in a charity shop to supporting service users and making coffee in a community café. May they not become weary of doing good. WEDNESDAY 1 JUNE – VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK Father, as we start our celebrations for Volunteers’ Week, we thank you for the millions of people in the world who contribute to the lives of so many through volunteering. Please bless them all and give them the encouragement to carry on as the pandemic eases. THURSDAY 2 JUNE Father, as we celebrate the achievements of our volunteers this week, let us also give thanks for those who manage, support and work alongside them in order that they can give of their best. May those that refresh others also be refreshed.

LOOKING FORWARD FOCUS FRIDAY 3 JUNE – MAJOR DAVID EVANS, TERRITORIAL ECUMENICAL OFFICER Dear Heavenly Father, show us as believers how to be open to the freedom your Holy Spirit provides. As people of faith help us to look forward, accepting your power and the gifts and fruit of your Spirit, and to take every opportunity to share your good news to all those around us and to our needy world. SATURDAY 4 JUNE – REV PHILIP BROOKS, NATIONAL ECUMENICAL AND INTERFAITH OFFICER, URC (ENGLAND AND WALES) God of new beginnings, we look back to the time of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came in wind and flame, giving birth to the first Church. In our prayers we look forward to a time when we can truly live out the example of those first disciples, sharing all they had and having the goodwill of all people. l A PDF of the Prayer Matters booklet is also available to download from salvationarmy.org.uk/resources Salvationist 28 May 2022

NEWS FEATURE

Army mobilises humanitarian aid EUROPE ZONE THE Salvation Army has maintained its wide-reaching response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding across Europe as the conflict in Ukraine continues. According to the United Nations International Organisation for Migration, 600,000 additional people were internally displaced in the first 17 days of April. In total, nearly 12.8 million people have been displaced internally or across borders since 24 February. The Salvation Army has responded to the needs of refugees in all but two of the European countries in which it operates, by providing food and hygiene supplies, practical advice and spiritual care. The Eastern Europe Territory has also developed posters and flyers in a variety of languages, which are now in use in all locations as part of the Army’s anti-human trafficking work.

UKRAINE

The number of people leaving Ukraine has fallen, and unconfirmed numbers of people are reported to be going back into the country. The Salvation Army in Ukraine is providing relief to internally displaced people. The Eastern Europe Territory and International Emergency Services are in daily contact with corps officers in Lviv, which has received many displaced people. There are plans to implement a ‘care for the carers’ package to provide all responders with additional spiritual support. Officers remain largely in their corps locations and are serving where they are appointed. Female officers and children were given the opportunity to evacuate to Moldova, but most decided to stay.

SWITZERLAND

In Switzerland the Initial Reception Centre is now entirely managed by The Salvation Army, along with four other short-term shelters for approximately 280 people. The largest shelter, with capacity for 1,000 rooms, has been established in a container village in Bern’s Vierefeld development area. The Army now operates a ‘civil protection facility’ in the city, with 500 places in addition to existing refugee shelters. In Zurich the Hope clothing drop-off centre has opened and 453 vouchers have been used, with each voucher allowing a person to collect 10 8

Salvationist 28 May 2022

Romania items of clothing. The Brocki thrift store has produced 10,000 vouchers for a one-time 50 per cent shopping discount intended as emergency aid for qualifying refugees.

EASTERN EUROPE

More than 500,000 refugees have crossed the border into Hungary, with countless volunteers providing for people in need. The Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Territory has supported the Hungary Region in its response both with personnel from within the territory and basic relief items. In partnership with local government, Ungheni Corps in Moldova continues to provide daily refugee services for Ukrainian women and children. In addition to community rooms and an outdoor playground, there is a classroom programme for Russian-speaking children to continue their education. The Czech Republic is already home to some 200,000 Ukrainians and therefore anticipates many more refugees will seek support from family and friends there. The Salvation Army has capacity in its existing social services, so since February has been ready to provide support. Two Russian-speaking officers from Bulgaria went to the border with Romania in April to join with the Red Cross in distributing food parcels and hot meals and to offer a listening ear to refugees and those wanting to reunite with relatives. More than 400 people were assisted. In Romania tens of thousands of refugees have passed through the Siret camp. The Army’s emergency team helped to complete asylum seekers’ documents, assisted with the emotional aspects of family reunifications and co-ordinated the distribution of relief material with other organisations.

WIDER EUROPE

Greece has launched The Meeting Point, a project to assist people who have fled the conflict in Ukraine. Based at Athens Corps in Agios Panteleimonas, it provides practical and essential material needs, and assistance and advice to provide a pathway for meaningful integration. The Greek Salvation Army has also provided mobile phone Sim cards and supermarket vouchers to Ukrainian refugees. Latvia has provided food, water and bedding to refugees arriving from Ukraine, while in Lithuania an increasing number of Ukrainian families have been applying for essential items. The Salvation Army in Klaipeda and Vilnius is helping in any way it can, with food and hygiene articles, bedding, supermarket vouchers and clothing vouchers for the Salvation Army second-hand shop. Many existing children’s activities have been expanded to include refugee children. In Norway the Army has taken on responsibility for one of the country’s largest refugee emergency accommodation centres, which can house 700 Ukrainian refugees for two to three months, before they are offered permanent housing. The centre offers four meals a day, health services, activities for children and primary and elementary school teaching, in co-operation with the town authorities. The Salvation Army has a one-year contract with the government for the operation of the centre. The Salvation Army in the Netherlands is providing support to families hosting Ukrainian refugees and is managing several temporary shelter locations, including those on cruise ships that have been made available for this purpose. – AR

VIEW POINT

Exploring faith and science David Newstead continues a monthly series looking at how the Christian faith relates to aspects of life

N the early months of 2020 countries around the world went into different forms of lockdown in an effort to stop the spread of Covid-19. Christians and non-Christians asked the same question: where is God? The best answer in my view was given in a paper to Christian leaders at Duke University Divinity School, North Carolina, in August last year by the eminent scientist and Christian, Francis Collins. He wrote: ‘Science has really risen to this challenge most notably with the development of safe and effective vaccines that have saved countless lives because of the ability of those vaccines to protect people against severe illness from Covid-19.’ To Francis the tools of science are a gift from God. He has said: ‘You get the chance once in a while, as a scientist, to discover something that no human knew before, but God knew it. It’s a little glimpse of God’s mind.’ Science and its many disciplines have often been seen as polar opposites to the Christian faith. The Bible has been treated by many Christians throughout history as the infallible word of God. However, it is important to remember that the books attributed to Moses in the Old Testament were written about 1,400 BC for a people who had spent about 400 years in slavery in Egypt. It is very unlikely for them to have been scientifically informed or for them to have anything more than a rudimentary knowledge of the natural world. What they needed most was to be taught the basic truths about God and the human condition. Through Moses, God spoke to the Hebrews in a manner in which

they could understand at that time. Many centuries later Jesus spoke in a similar manner to his followers when he said: ‘I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear’ (John 16:12). Revelations can only be made to minds that can accept them. Albert Einstein characterised himself as ‘devoutly non-religious’ but, in his book Ideas and Opinions, expressed the view that ‘science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind’. Probably the most famous dispute between science and religion was between Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) and the Church. Galileo had studied an earlier model of the skies by Copernicus and concluded that the sun, not the Earth, was the centre of the universe. The Church, however, interpreted the Bible as teaching that the Earth was at the centre of the universe and that everything else moved in relation to it. Galileo did not intend to challenge God’s existence or the authority of the Bible, but he did seek the truth through observation and logical deduction. His findings closely resembled the laws of planetary motion established by his contemporary, Johannes Kepler. The Church leaders wanted to maintain the position that faith in God was more important than any of the conclusions finite human minds could reach based on observations and theories that were not in keeping with Church traditions or teaching. Despite Galileo’s scientific breakthrough, even today we speak about the sun rising in the morning and setting in the evening, although we know it is the Earth revolving on its axis.

People of faith from the 16th century to the present day have contributed greatly to scientific and medical knowledge, which we now take for granted. Commissioner Harry Williams OF, for example, was acknowledged as a pioneer in plastic surgery. The former Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks wrote in his book, The Great Partnership: ‘Science speaks with expertise about the future, religion with the authority of the past. Science invokes the power of reason, religion the higher power of revelation. Science takes things apart to see how they work. Religion puts things together to see what they mean.’ That thought is echoed by John Coutts in a verse from the Army songbook: What secrets of life new knowledge can tell! How strange is the strife of microbe and cell! Yet Christ is the friend of the tiniest flower. Rejoice without end in his goodness and power. (SASB 33)

DAVID NEWSTEAD Cannock

Salvationist 28 May 2022

INTERVIEW

Let’s talk about

sexuality Major Dr David Taylor, North West divisional commander and chair of the territory’s Moral and Social Issues Council, talks to Salvationist about conversations based on the resource Let’s Talk About … Sexuality and Relationships

WHERE DID THE LET’S TALK RESOURCE COME FROM? A few years ago an international leaders conference discussed human sexuality. It recognised that several conversations were happening around the world about a range of issues – different subjects that related to particular cultures. For example, same-sex relationships is the number one issue in Western nations. It was agreed that material should be produced to facilitate conversations. The International Moral and Social Issues Council has had a key role in facilitating its development and a number of people have worked on bringing together the material on each theme.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE INITIATIVE? The material enables people with differing views to hold a facilitated conversation. The subject of same-sex relationships can be divisive, but the aim is that people who take part in a Let’s Talk session will understand other people’s perspectives and so reduce some of the heat in talking about the subject. It’s always better to listen and to understand than to make assumptions. We need to think issues through carefully and weigh up the value of different perspectives and arguments. Each session has a facilitator whose role is not to steer the conversation in one direction or another but to ask questions about how we are faithful to God, the Christian faith and the Bible. 10

Salvationist 28 May 2022

HOW HAVE PEOPLE RESPONDED? My experience of the conversations is that people do have quite different perspectives. Clearly one of our aims as the people of God is to find the right sense of being in unity, and if we can’t fully agree then to disagree well. The sessions have clear ground rules of respect and a willingness to listen and enter into a mature conversation. That has very much been the case. People want to talk this subject through and genuinely want to try and understand where we are in this conversation. HAVE PEOPLE CHANGED THEIR VIEWS AS A RESULT? I’m not aware that people’s viewpoints have dramatically changed. But people do go away saying that it’s been an education to hear another point of view, to assess it and go away and reflect on it – and to see a slightly bigger picture. We do come with our assumptions, and a Let’s Talk session is a good place to be humble enough to allow those assumptions to be challenged and to think more carefully about what we believe and why. Having personal experience of a subject such as same-sex relationships can be informative. It’s interesting to hear parents say that they had a particular point of view but when they discovered that one of their children had a very different perspective, that informed and changed their minds. I think that’s worth reflecting on.

is orientated in their sexuality and how they actually live it out in practice. Those are two aspects that need to be given careful consideration. There are undoubtedly many people in The Salvation Army – among our congregations, soldiers and officers – who would say they are orientated with same-sex attraction, and that is not an issue. However, The Salvation Army has a traditional expectation that marriage is between a man and a woman and that human sexuality is heterosexual. That fundamental question is inevitably at the heart of the Let’s Talk conversations.

DO DIFFERENT GENERATIONS RESPOND DIFFERENTLY? Yes, there is quite a generational divide in views on same-sex relationships. Younger people have a much more accepting and open engagement with the issue. It’s much more a normal part of life for them than for older generations. Generally our young people wonder why we need to have these conversations and older generations feel uncertain as to why we are even contemplating a change in perspective. But that’s not absolute. There are younger people who come with a traditional expectation and there are older people who have changed their minds. As a society we’ve come a long way and Christians are recognising that the world we live in is quite different from the way it was 10, 20 or 30 years ago. SHOULDN’T WE TAKE OUR LEAD FROM THE BIBLE? A Let’s Talk session is a faith-based facilitated conversation with various steps. It looks at the big picture of where we are in society and then goes into a reflection on what the Bible says. What

we discover is that people have come to different perspectives because they interpret the Bible differently, which makes the conversation more complex. When you hear someone interpreting the Bible in a different way from you, it comes as a surprise. So part of listening to each other is recognising that people interpret the Bible on different grounds. There is a big difference between interpreting the Bible simply as a literal document and recognising a whole range of different genres. Some of it is poetry, some of it is history, some of it is theology – and you have to handle different genres differently. The truth is that, from the very beginning of the Christian Church, the Bible has been handled in more ways than just the literal way. There is also room to differ on what the Bible text first meant to readers in the culture within which it was written and how that meaning translates for today’s world. DO YOU THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE ARMY’S CURRENT POSITION? There is definitely a lack of recognition of the distinction between how someone

HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER SOMEONE WHO SAYS THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO FOCUS ON? The reality is that, as a culture, we are quite hung up on sex, beyond what is healthy. We see it on our TV screens, in films, in newspapers, in literature – it’s a major preoccupation for us. We’ve allowed that preoccupation to creep into the life of the Church, but we do need to take a bigger, broader perspective on what issues are most critical. That is not to belittle the subject, but to call people to step back and look at the nature of where our culture is at the moment, and not just be drawn in by strident voices calling us in particular directions. That can help to balance our perspective so that we aren’t preoccupied with particular areas. As Christians we are living in God’s Kingdom and trying to see and respond to God’s priorities. WHAT MIGHT THESE CONVERSATIONS LEAD TO? There is a benefit to having these conversations but, depending on where they stand, people want there to be an outcome. The problem is we’re not at the place where we’re all totally agreed on what the outcome should be. That’s definitely the case internationally. A human sexuality symposium is being held in Singapore later this year and undoubtedly these subjects are going to be discussed further. It will be interesting to see what the outcomes are from that. l To

explore this and other challenging topics, the book To Be Like Jesus by Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant is available from sps-shop.com priced £10 (plus postage and packing) Salvationist 28 May 2022

FEATURE I Chaplaincy in... sports

ON AND OFF THE PITCH Continuing a series on Salvation Army chaplaincy in diverse settings, three sports chaplains tell George Tanton they are not only there for the players

Major James McCluskey

Salvationist 28 May 2022

‘C

HAPLAIN, I buried my mother this week.’ Those words met Major James McCluskey as he sat down among the home supporters at Forfar Athletic FC, one of Scotland’s League Two football clubs. Sports chaplains hold a unique position in Britain’s sporting landscape. Usually working within football and rugby communities, they are a reassuring presence on and off the pitch, not only to players but also to the groundskeepers, coaches, supporters and executive board. Impartial and usually unpaid, they feel they are called to provide pastoral and spiritual care to all those involved in their club, which is typically embedded in the community they represent. Sports Chaplaincy UK, the governing body, explains that many of these chaplains also undertake ‘traditional functions’ for their clubs, such as conducting funerals and weddings. Major Cliff Allchin (Leeds Central) is chaplain to the Dewsbury Rams, a semi-professional rugby league club in West Yorkshire. Cliff provides guidance to the whole club, including staff members and their families. ‘Near the start of the Covid-19

pandemic I conducted the funeral of the club president,’ he says. ‘The club secretary is from Ukraine, so she has gone over to Poland to try and get her family back safe. When she does get back, I’ll be making a beeline for her to make sure she’s OK.’ Unusual circumstances led Cliff into sports chaplaincy: ‘I was stationed at Mirfield Corps, which is near Dewsbury, and the chaplain asked for our worship group to lead a carol service at the club. That fell through but he and I became friends. When he was diagnosed with terminal cancer he asked if I would take on the chaplaincy.’ Some chaplains, such as James, already have an emotional investment in a particular club. A Forfar Athletic season ticket holder before he began as chaplain, chaplaincy became an attractive proposition when he retired as a corps officer. James is now dubbed ‘the 12th man’ at the club. ‘As far as supporters are concerned, I was quite well known around the stands as “the Salvation Army officer”,’ he says. ‘But now they recognise me as the chaplain of Forfar Athletic Football Club as well.’

Major Cliff Allchin

Captain Ian Arthur (centre)

They need someone to place a value on them as people and not only on what they can do at 3pm on a Saturday For Captain Ian Arthur (Port Glasgow), playing at Glasgow Rugby League Club provided a natural route into sports chaplaincy. Being a member of the squad allows him to gain a greater insight into the worries and concerns of its members. ‘On the rugby field there is a levelling. I am not Captain Ian Arthur of The Salvation Army, I’m Ian and I’m the number 10,’ he says. ‘After the match I’ll have a pint of Coke with them and we’ll put the world to rights.’ Building bridges of trust is paramount for a chaplaincy to be successful. ‘The important thing for me is building up a relationship with the players and just being there,’ explains James. ‘I’m not here to preach at them. I say hello to all the players and I then watch them training. The captain is particularly good. He will say “How are you doing, chaplain?” or “Nice to see you, will you be there on Saturday?” If the players want to come to me and have a chat, which some of them have done, then I am available.’ At Cliff’s rugby club, building that bond of trust involves being a constant presence: ‘Relationships take time to build and the players, apart from a few, change every year. They must learn that you are always there, which is why I go to the training even when it is freezing. I’ve stood by the side of the pitch in

minus four and minus five degrees for an hour. They have to know that you are there, whatever the weather, and that you are part of the group.’ ‘Sometimes players need a sounding board independent from their employers,’ adds James. ‘They need someone to place a value on them as people and not only on what they can do at 3pm on a Saturday.’ Player welfare and mental health issues are the bread and butter of sports chaplaincy work. Sports Chaplaincy UK works with several mental health, bereavement, gambling, addiction and debt charities and its chaplains are usually experienced in dealing with these issues. Ian emphasises how important it is for sporting communities to take care of their players, especially in high contact sports such as rugby: ‘We need to be making sure that mental health is looked after because professional sports bring potential issues, particularly around gambling and substance abuse. These problems can arise in both amateur and professional sports.’ He believes that mental health remains a difficult conversation topic for most people. Discussions around men’s mental health are therefore encouraged at Glasgow Rugby League Club. ‘When we started the club one of the

first partnerships we established was with a mental health charity,’ he says. ‘People now are a lot more mindful of health and aware of their own mortality.’ As part of his duties at Dewsbury Rams, Cliff actively promotes player welfare, which involves taking individual players under his wing and discussing their personal issues. ‘In one season we had a player who was having a lot of problems,’ he recalls. ‘He was very capable, but he wasn’t applying himself, and so the coach at the time asked if I would take him in hand and talk through the problems he was experiencing. I contacted player welfare at the Rugby Football League headquarters to work out some further education for the lad and possibilities of future employment. ‘During my time as chaplain, we have had players who have experienced unemployment, lost a baby or had a parent with a serious illness. Longterm injuries are another big problem, because depression often follows.’ Being a sports chaplain is not about telling the players how to perform on the pitch or instructing club officials on how to manage a winning team. Instead, chaplains are a listening ear that hears above the roar of a crowd and clamour of a stadium. They counsel and inspire supporters and players alike. As James puts it: ‘It’s about encouraging them when they don’t win and congratulating them when they do.’

GEORGE TANTON Editorial Assistant Salvationist

Salvationist 28 May 2022

Thinkalou by John Coutt

When is a war not a war?

HE Russian government claims that the current conflict in Ukraine is not a war, but a ‘special military operation’. This surprising news sent me back to 1967, when the Eastern Region of Nigeria declared itself the independent Republic of Biafra. In reply the federal government promised a short ‘police action’ to restore order. The bitter conflict, in which my former students fought on both sides, was to last three years. And back in the 1920s, after Britain took over the government of Iraq, Winston Churchill described the bombing of resisting Arab villages as ‘air policing’. So when is a war not a war? This question takes us to the heart of Christian attitudes towards violence and armed conflict. PROGRESS OF A KIND? Many ancient civilisations glorified war. Egyptian pharaohs were depicted as smiting their conquered foes. The Roman emperor Trajan erected a column showing his defeated enemies committing suicide. But nowadays war memorials no longer feature grovelling prisoners, and most countries have a Ministry of Defence rather than a Ministry of Attack. The claim that a war is not really a war is progress of a kind, because it implies that war is wrong and only justifiable as the lesser of two evils. However, the weaponry deployed in armed conflict has made grim advances too. Bows and arrows have given way to guns. Poisoned wells have been replaced by poison gas. The invention of nuclear weapons has made it horribly possible to exterminate the entire human race. CAN THERE EVER BE A ‘JUST’ WAR? Our growing understanding that war is 14

Salvationist 28 May 2022

wrong must surely be in debt to the teaching of Jesus, who told his followers to love their enemies. ‘Whoever can reconcile ... “resist not evil” with “resist violence by force” ... may be supposed ... to have found a way to reconcile God with the Devil,’ wrote the Quaker Robert Barclay in 1678. Since then, Quakers – members of the Religious Society of Friends – have maintained a ‘peace testimony’, which means they ‘utterly deny … all outward wars and strife and fightings with outward weapons’. Some Christians of other denominations have joined them in maintaining a pacifist position, sometimes facing jail or even death for the sake of their beliefs. Can you imagine our Lord leading a bayonet charge? Of course not. ‘Do not resist an evildoer,’ says Jesus. ‘If anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well’ (Matthew 5:39 and 40 New Revised Standard Version). But how does his revolutionary teaching apply in a world of greed and sin? What if those aggressive neighbours try to grab your shoes as well? Or attempt to kidnap or abuse you? What if a large armed group wants to conquer your country? Would it be right – or the lesser of two evils – to resist with force? In the Middle Ages, St Thomas Aquinas developed the concept of a ‘just’ war – permitted only for a just cause, fought with limited objectives, aiming at a just peace and providing for the humane treatment of prisoners and civilians. Fast forward through the centuries and this theory has been codified into the Geneva Convention of 1949, ratified by members of the United Nations. (For a summary of international humanitarian law see the website of the International Committee of the Red Cross: icrc.org.)

A CHALLENGE TO EVERY CONSCIENCE When I was a schoolboy, conflict was raging in Korea and French Indo-China (now Vietnam). The Cold War was at its height and the threat of the atom bomb hung over us. Those were the days of national service and I had to decide whether to accept a call-up or register as a conscientious objector. I decided that the use of force could be justified in some circumstances, and that weapons like the hydrogen bomb were so terrible that nobody would dare to use them. And so, with an uneasy conscience, I decided to sign up. Since then, thank God, life on Earth has not been obliterated by the use of nuclear weapons. Instead, the world has suffered far too many ‘small’ wars, some in which the United Kingdom has taken part. Did we meet the conditions required for a just war? British intervention in Sierra Leone in 2000 helped to bring frightful cruelty to an end, but can we say the same about military involvement in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan? Now the UK government is supplying weaponry to Ukraine – but what weaponry and for how long? The rights and wrongs of warfare continue to challenge the consciences of everyone, especially those who follow the Prince of Peace.

JOHN COUTTS Stirling

READ WITH US

REFLECTION

Throwing off the old

Called to Be a Soldier

Major Jim Bryden begins a series of three reflections on verses from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians

CHAPTER FOUR

Fling off the dirty clothes of the old way of living, which were rotted through and through ... put on the clean fresh clothes of the new life which was made by God’s design (Ephesians 4:22–24 JB Phillips)

International Headquarters invites us to share in a worldwide reading and reflection plan, focusing on one chapter of Called to Be a Soldier each week

NE cold winter’s day, my wife helped peel off the foulsmelling rags of a gentleman sleeping rough, while her friend bathed his swollen, wounded feet. A hot meal, new clothes and his eyes shone with hope. In these verses Paul is dealing with two kinds of life. One is futile, without meaning, promise or even reality. Pride and self-centredness have pushed God out of the picture. The result is that the light has been turned off. ‘They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion’ (Ephesians 4:19 The Message). The other life is one transformed in union with Christ. Those living it walk in the light of God, their minds renewed. They have stripped off the old way of living and put on the clean fresh clothes of the new life, made by God’s design. Ideally, the believer is one who has thrown away the old sinful life and put on the new. In reality, a tug-of-war exists between the two. We live in a society that values popularity and pleasure more than sacrifice and service. The media industry both informs and shapes us through news, films and TV shows. Singers, actors, talk-show hosts and sport celebrities occupy centre stage. Sadly, sexual promiscuity and violence to women and children are all too common. Self-centredness rules too many people, with untamed desires craving more and more satisfaction. Sexuality and pleasure are gifts from God to be used in ways that honour him, but wrongly used they can become masters that exert a tyrannical power. What’s the answer? It is to sign up for learning at the feet of Christ and become a new person by his power. God calls us to throw away the old and put on the new, to exchange rags for royal robes. This way the old me gives way to the new me. And what is the new me? The very character of God, in me! TO PONDER l Take time to focus on Colossians 3:9–11 and Romans 6:3–6. l What steps must you take if there’s to be less of the old you and more of the new you in Christ? l What do you make of the fact that God is reproducing his character in us so we can be like him?

MAJOR JIM BRYDEN Retired Bellshill

‘I

WILL make the values of the Kingdom of God and not the values of the world the standard for my life.’ God is at work in the world. And he invites us to partner him in building his Kingdom here on Earth. This is a call to live differently. To live in the world but not be of the world. To make the values of the Kingdom of God the standard for our lives. When we look at the life of Jesus, we see what this means in practical terms. Jesus’ life is the template for living as human beings were designed to live. The values of the world are not all bad, there is certainly room for goodness. But a task of God’s people has always been to challenge those aspects of society that are unhealthy, exploitative or oppressive and to offer in their place practices that bring life and hope. As followers of Jesus, we need to be thoughtful and prayerful in our interactions. We can celebrate and affirm what is good and have courage to call out, challenge and oppose anything that works against the values of God’s Kingdom. Our commitment to God makes us who we are and whatever we do must be consistent with that commitment. This means acting with new motivation and it’s not always easy. We won’t always get it right. But we are a transformed people. And because of our relationship with Christ, we can each be a transforming influence in our own situation. In our actions and our reactions, in our relationships with those we know well and our interactions with those we don’t know at all, at home, at church, at work, at rest – we all have the privilege and responsibility to embody the values of the Kingdom of God, now, in every aspect of our lives. l For

more details find The Salvation Army International Spiritual Life Development on Instagram and Facebook @SalvArmySpiritualLife Salvationist 28 May 2022

BIBLE STUDY

Come, take your inheritance! Major Martin Hill reminds us what Jesus requires of us MATTHEW 25:31–46

O NOT read this Bible study if you want a comfortable read and can’t accept a challenge – you won’t like it and you’ll be wasting your time!

QUESTION does God say to you that makes you uncomfortable? l What

In Matthew 25 you won’t meet a gentle Jesus meek and mild, but an uncompromising Jesus tough and terrifying. He shares two parables and one prediction. The first parable – the ten virgins (vv1–13) – describes how the foolish five, with no oil left in their lamps, were refused entry to the wedding banquet when the bridegroom arrived. Their pleas made no difference. The second parable – the bags of gold

Through the week with Salvationist

– a devotional thought for each day by Major Lynda Levis

(vv14–30) – tells of how a master left three servants in charge of his wealth. The two who invested the money were rewarded, but the one who buried his bag of gold was severely punished, thrown out into the darkness without any hope of reprieve. The arriving bridegroom and the returning master allude to Christ returning as judge after a period of absence. Jesus predicts his and their future. He throws off his usual reticence about his role, describing his majesty rather than his modesty. He refers to the Son of Man who will come as King in all his glory, sitting on a throne surrounded by angels. His role will be as judge, deciding the fate of all humankind. The reward is God’s Kingdom, an inheritance prepared for his children. How we treat our family members, our brothers and sisters, is the only consideration. Jesus could be referring

Salvationist 28 May 2022

QUESTION l Who are your ‘brothers and sisters’? Jesus divides people into one of two categories, blessed or cursed – sheep or goats. He is the shepherd separating the flock. The conditions are clear. Did you give food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty, did you invite the stranger, clothe the ragged, or visit those who were sick or in prison? Did you look after the needs of those awaiting trial? Yes or no? Jesus does not ask us to defend ourselves, make excuses or offer a rationale as to why our good intentions never became actions. He knows the answer. His judgement is

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

My Father’s own Son, the Saviour of men,/ Once wandered on Earth as the poorest of them,/ But now he is reigning for ever on high/ And will give me a home in Heaven by and by./ I’m the child of a King;/ I’m the child of a King;/ With Jesus my Saviour,/ I’m the child of a King! (SASB 877)

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:16 and 17)

Prayer

to all humankind, but more likely to the ‘family’ of Christians. As we are ‘the body of Christ’, if we do these things for the least of part of his ‘body’ then we are doing it for him.

Lord, help us never to lose the wonder of what it means to be your child, as we journey with you and as we remember your glorious promise of Eternity.

tough – those who are cursed are banished and condemned to fire. Even if we interpret that metaphorically, it’s brutal. QUESTION l Are you a sheep or a goat? The criteria for judgement will not be whether you have been baptised or enrolled, received the sacraments, attended weekly worship, tithed and prayed, or whether you know your Bible or can show evidence of regret. The criteria will be what you have done. This appears to contradict the Bible’s teaching elsewhere about faith alone being sufficient for salvation (see Romans 3:22–24), and says nothing about forgiveness, mercy and redemption. Faith requires actions and actions are the arbiter. A similar message can be found in James

2:14–24, where James says that ‘faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead’ (2:17). Even the faith of Abraham was proved through his deeds (see James 2:22). Repentance means changing what we do now, not apologising later. It can mean swapping the comfort of compromise for the fulfilling discomfort of serving someone else’s need. Do I hear Jesus saying, ‘I was stressed and you calmed me down, I was bereaved and you comforted me, I needed a lift and you took me there, I was desperate to get out and you babysat for me, I had an unexpected bill and you paid it for me, I was bullied and you defended me, my furniture arrived flat-packed and you built it for me, I was a refugee and you offered to house me, I needed time and you gave it to me’? Jesus says the rewards prepared for us are either the Kingdom or eternal fire,

suggesting motivation by prize or punishment. But I interpret it as a description not a motivation, otherwise we are living by law and not by love. Remember, Jesus said to his disciples: ‘A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’ (John 13:34 and 35). Maybe the sheep were those who loved enough to really care. QUESTION l When is love toughest?

MAJOR MARTIN HILL Retired Midlothian

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

No condemnation now I dread;/ Jesus, and all in him, is mine./ Alive in him, my living head,/ And clothed in righteousness divine,/ Bold I approach the eternal throne/ And claim the crown, through Christ, my own. (SASB 241)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. ( James 1:12)

They shall come from the east, they shall come from the west,/ And sit down in the Kingdom of God;/ Out of great tribulation to triumph and rest/ They’ll sit down in the Kingdom of God./ From every tribe and every race,/ All men as brothers shall embrace;/ They shall come from the east, they shall come from the west,/ And sit down in the Kingdom of God. (SASB 1011)

‘Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.’ (Revelation 22:12)

Salvationist 28 May 2022

NEW COMMITMENTS

GUISBOROUGH Four young people were enrolled as junior soldiers by corps officer Major Fiona Mugford. Gracelyn began attending the corps with her family a few years ago. They had previously attended local churches looking for somewhere to worship. Nicola has been attending the corps with her older siblings since she was young. Her family were first attracted to the Army after hearing an open-air meeting near their home. Sienna was brought along to Sunday school at The Salvation Army by her grandma some years ago. Chloe was born into a Salvationist family. Her grandparents and great-grandparents all attend the corps and her dad is the percussionist in the band. They are photographed alongside Luke, who is holding the YP flag, and Major Fiona. – SS

WILLIAMSTOWN The congregation were thrilled to welcome Josh Davies as a soldier and Hayley Vincent as an adherent. Having grown up in the area, Josh was originally made a soldier in 2011 but left the Army a few years later. He came back to the corps in recent years and felt God moving in his life. He found that the corps is where God wanted him to be and that it was the right time to rededicate his life.

STOTFOLD Captain Nicola Brooksbank welcomed Kate Hendra as an adherent. Kate has been attending the corps for six years and has felt welcome and supported through some difficult times. She enjoys singing with the songsters and attending the Lyfe Bible study group. Kate testified to her love of the Lord and readiness to take this step of commitment. Recruiting Sergeant Roy Scott offered prayer for Kate in her continuing spiritual journey. – HT

Josh’s testimony indicated his determination to proclaim God’s love. Hayley has been coming to the Army for a number of years and wanted to make a public declaration to become part of God’s family at the corps. Josh and Hayley are pictured with Majors Gill and Tommy Rogers (Pentre). – EB LEEK Maisie Anger was enrolled as a soldier after being a junior soldier for eight years at the corps. Maisie testified that she found a sense of belonging at the Army when she came as a child with her family. Maisie has attended junior camp and summer schools and is a member of the divisional youth sections, which has helped develop her faith. Members of Maisie’s family, as well as her friends from school and summer school, joined the corps to support her in the enrolment. She is pictured standing next to corps officer Captain Leanne Wallis. – RJ 18

Salvationist 28 May 2022

CARDIFF CANTON Bethan was enrolled as a junior soldier at the YP annual. On Palm Sunday, she received her junior musician commission to become the newest member of the singing company. She is pictured with Singing Company Leader Clare Keates and corps officer Major David Woodman. – DM

LETTERS

THROWING THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER MY sister and I celebrated birthdays this month. She is now 82 and I have reached my 74th year. We were both born in the Salvation Army Mothers Hospital in Clapton. Although my sister left the Army when she married, I have remained within its ranks and currently worship at Middlesbrough Citadel, where God is clearly at work. The changes currently being made within the fellowship have not always been easy for me to embrace, especially having grown up within Salvation Army tradition for over 70 years. My pride about this tradition and my long-term service have sometimes resulted in a misplaced allegiance to the organisation rather than to God. This has often led to me being blinkered to the necessity or possibility of change. The following comment said to me recently has made me think: ‘Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!’ Collins explains it: ‘If you throw the baby out with bath water, you lose the good parts of something as well as the bad parts, because you reject it as a whole instead of just removing what is bad.’ I wonder if people fearful of change are afraid of losing valuable ideas or things when attempts are being made to get rid of what is not wanted. I remember being in a meeting many years ago when General Wickberg encouraged us to: ‘Let go, let God!’ I believe his words offer much to us in these times of change. For me, these times are not only challenging but also exciting. Kate Cousins Middlesbrough

MIRACLES ARE STILL POSSIBLE IN his ‘Thinkaloud’ column (Salvationist 2 April) John Coutts raised the issue of faith healing and invited people to share their thoughts. I believe that miracles are possible because Jesus Christ is ‘the same yesterday and today and for ever’ (Hebrews 13:18). What he did in his ministry on Earth, he can still do today. That does not imply that miracles are probable or provable! Although I do have experience of several amazing answers to prayer that seemed like miracles. In his article John writes about modern medicine changing how we think about disease. I too value modern medicine but that does not undermine my confidence in the healings recorded in the New Testament. The people of those times may not have understood the nature of disease, but they knew when someone was healed. When Lazarus died, his sister, Mary, clearly knew he was dead. She told Jesus that Lazarus had been dead four days and that his body would now smell (see John 11:39). She also knew that when Jesus raised him to life, it was a miracle. We must keep in mind that all prayer is a request. We cannot demand the answer we want. We certainly cannot manipulate God. Jesus told us to pray to God as our Father. We come to a Father who loves us. He will listen to our requests. He will have compassion on us in our pain, but he may know much better than we do the best answer to our prayers. Sometimes we may find that answer difficult to accept and sometimes we may be amazed by what happens. I hope my few comments will be helpful. For a more robust discussion I suggest two books by CS Lewis: Miracles and How to Pray. Kay Roper Kilmarnock

SCIENCE AND RELIGION IN the recent paper Building Enthusiasm and Overcoming Fear, Dr Lydia Reid said that ‘in popular culture, the relationship between science and religion has often been portrayed as one of “conflict”’. UK-wide TV programmes that deal with hot potato issues such as human evolution can spawn local media programmes. It’s possible that a local church leader could be asked to contribute to a community radio studio debate on evolution. Lay folk might have opportunities to debate with their contacts in the world. Here are a few proposed guidelines for Christians who would debate with others. First, recognise that concepts and ideas in science are often not static and clear-cut. Anthropologist Professor Alice Roberts might point out that Neanderthal people had large eye sockets. Were they fashioned by natural selection/evolution to possess good eyesight in low-level light? This would be a useful survival adaptation to the relative darkness of the Ice Age. Not necessarily. It might be simply an inherited feature of the race. Professor Roberts is an atheist. Second, recognise that science cannot address all issues. Professor Alister McGrath, as a young atheist, realised that science does not have all the answers. Indeed, it was this dissonance that led to his conversion. Atheists and agnostics must contend with Romans 1:19–22. All have a knowledge of God and spirituality – even if they deny it. Kevin Chubb Barry

THE COST OF SALVATION IN two issues of Salvationist (22 January, 5 March), Major Cliff Kent and Major Ken Bartlett broached the subject of Hell and punishment for the wicked. The only place we find the balance is in the Scripture of the Old and New Testaments. From Genesis to Revelation we find a thread of God’s expectations for humankind. He lovingly created us in his image to live in his glory and expects us to obey him and worship him. To disobey him, ignore him or scorn him has consequences, leading to judgement, punishment, separation and death. God is gracious, merciful and patient, yet justice must be done. The tendency in all of us (as people’s favourite verses prove) is to embrace the parts of Scripture that make us feel comfortable and secure. There is nothing wrong in that, yet we choose to close our eyes to God’s anger, as though it were not there. I don’t like to dwell on these things. I don’t like reading them. I do not fully understand them. However, in faith, I believe them, for the same Bible that inspired me to faith and led me to salvation has all these things in it and they, too, are part of the reason I fled to Christ. We will never know the whole mind or purpose of God. We believe Jesus suffered the punishment we all deserve, to save us by the shedding of his blood. It’s gruesome, terrible, it horrifies us. However, this is the cost of salvation. You can’t have one without the other. Ray Hobbins Major Aberystwyth Salvationist 28 May 2022

TERRITORIAL STRUCTURE UPDATE

Reviewing recommendations Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant presents the May update on the work of the Structure Co-ordination and Design Group

HE Structure Co-ordination and Design project is entering an important few weeks. At the end of May the Territorial Leaders Conference – attended by all divisional leaders, Cabinet members and a number of senior THQ employees and officers – will meet at William Booth College. The majority of the time will be devoted to reflecting on the project and recommending next steps. In early June the Cabinet will meet with the members of the Structure Co-ordination and Design Group (SCDG) to review the recommendations of the conference and decide next steps. Your prayers are needed and will be deeply appreciated by everyone involved in this process. To inform your prayers, here’s a quick reminder of how we got here – it’s been a long journey and some readers may be wondering what is taking so long! The SCDG started work in January 2021. It built on the work of the Fit for Mission Review from 2018 and the Structure Design Working Group, which met in 2020. Three desired outcomes of the project were approved by Cabinet: l Transformation Increase the capacity of locally based Salvation Army work to contribute to the territory’s five mission priorities (share the good news; nurture disciples of Jesus; care for creation; serve others without discrimination; seek justice and reconciliation) l Integration Build strong and effective collaboration between all aspects of Salvation Army work in a geographical area l Streamlining Design appropriate, effective, efficient and sustainable structures and processes that enable local mission to flourish To achieve these outcomes, the SCDG broke the task down into four project stages: Stage 1, Listening, from 20

Salvationist 28 May 2022

May to December 2021 (see salvationarmy.org.uk/local-missionflourish for more information); Stage 2, Design, from January to May 2022; Stage 3, Impact Analysis, from April to October 2022; Stage 4, Implementation, is ongoing. The month of May has been very busy as the SCDG has reviewed and analysed feedback from the 13 Divisional Design Groups (DDGs). These DDGs have all completed their tasks of identifying process and structure issues that are hindering local mission flourishing and proposed solutions. They have also discussed the size and shape of divisional headquarters’ support and oversight by using information gathered in the Listening stage, as well as sharing their own experience, insights and wisdom. A sincere word of thanks must go to all DDG members who have invested much time, energy and prayer into this work. The DDGs have identified 304 processes that they want reviewed so that local mission can flourish. The five Service Design Groups at THQ are analysing these processes, identifying duplication and clustering them into themes. Some processes can be fixed quickly but most are complicated and will take time. The SCDG has continually stressed that we expect this to be an evolutionary change process, not a revolution that is finished on a specific date. There has been progress since the Fit for Mission Review in 2018 and this is the culture of continuous improvement that we, as a territory, need to embrace. WHAT WILL THE TERRITORIAL LEADERS CONFERENCE BE DISCUSSING? The conference will review the work undertaken as part of Stage 1 (Listening) and Stage 2 (Design).

There are three main areas for discussion: 1. From all the processes identified by the DDGs, which need priority attention? 2. In light of the recommendations from the DDGs, what further changes are needed to divisional boundaries? 3. How should support and oversight of corps be provided in an efficient and sustainable manner that helps local mission flourish? A week after the Territorial Leaders Conference finishes, the Cabinet will have a two-day meeting to reflect on the discussions and decide on the next steps. Any significant recommendations will need approval from the Salvation Army Trustee Company directors and International Headquarters, which might happen in July at the earliest. HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED? Part of the Territorial Leaders Conference will be spent hearing good news from across the territory. There are many reports of transformation and local mission flourishing. If you have a good news story that could be shared please email transformation@salvationarmy. org.uk. It’s encouraging to see how God is at work and to hear from those who have found their way to Jesus because of the ministry you are enabling locally. You can also email this address to share further feedback. Thank you for your continuing encouragement, patience and prayers as we work through this process. May God continue to bless you in your life and ministry.

LIEUT-COLONEL DEAN PALLANT Secretary for Communications

& ADVERTS BANBURY

66 George Street OX16 5BH Sunday 12 June 10.30am

RETIREMENT CELEBRATION for TE Malcolm Anderson and Prayer Co-ordinator Lin Anderson

Led by Majors Mike and Lisa Lloyd-Jones Video greetings and messages to Major Lisa Lloyd-Jones lisa.lloyd-jones@salvationarmy.org.uk

CLACTON-ON-SEA 103 Old Road CO15 1HN Saturday 18 June 7pm

SALVATION ARMY SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE (SASWE)

LISTINGS AN ARMY SUPPRESSED In May 1940 German forces invaded the Channel Islands. This is an account of the banned Salvation Army during evacuation, occupation and finally liberation. £11.50 including p&p. Details: michael.thierry@ icloud.com. Tel: 01425 479095. TO LET MAJORCA Beautiful, well-equipped apartment. Two double bedrooms (sleeps two to six). Walk-in shower, second toilet. Large balcony, lovely view, quiet area. Competitive prices. Email carol@ckendall.co.uk or tel 01274 678889 / 07308506064.

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Supported by Clacton Songsters

LEIGHTON BUZZARD

Sunday 19 June 10.30am

Sunday 26 June 10.30am

CELEBRATION OF SERVICE AND RETIREMENT of Majors Barrie and Maria Sampson

Conducted by Divisional Commander Major Howard Russell Please send greetings and messages to: vaughan.rowland@salvationarmy.org.uk

RETIREMENT CELEBRATION for Major Carol Back

Led by Major Linda Watson Video greetings and messages to Major Lisa Lloyd-Jones lisa.lloyd-jones@salvationarmy.org.uk

EXETER TEMPLE

Friars Walk Sunday 12 June 3.30pm

TEMPLE PRAISE BM Howard Evans – Piano Exeter Temple Band and Songsters

Come and Study at London School of Theology

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Join us at an LST Open Day on 10 May or 18 June, or an online open event on 10 June. Register free at www.lst.ac.uk/home/open-days. We will also be at Big Church Day Out, New Wine and David’s Tent. London School of Theology | t: 01923 456000 e: enquiries@lst.ac.uk | w: lst.ac.uk

Followed by refreshments (10.30am meeting led by Howard and Heather Evans) Park at ‘Cathedral and Quay’ EX1 1DE Exit at the top and turn right

MERTHYR TYDFIL

Glebeland Place CF47 8BU Sunday 26 June 5pm

RETIREMENT CELEBRATION MEETING of Major Kevin Rand

Led by divisional leaders Majors Roger and Noreen Batt Messages and greetings can be emailed to lynnedurham@btinternet.com or mailed c/o CSM Lynne Brill at the corps address

Salvationist 28 May 2022

+ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED l CPR CS Edward Beach, Williamstown l CT Sue Ferguson, Middlesbrough Citadel l CS Samantha Brooking, Bristol Citadel WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Diamond l Majors John and Nina Turner (2 June) l Majors John and Lilian Sandford (9 June) l Lieut-Colonels Joyce and Mervyn Woodman (9 June) l Daphne and David Weston, Redditch (9 June) Golden l Majors John and Sylvia Randle (3 June) l Majors Ann and Cliff Ashworth (10 June) l Majors Graham and Maureen Kinsley (10 June) DEDICATED TO GOD l Samuel Peter Chagas-Bijl, son of Christiaan Bijl and Stephanie ChagasBijl, at Sutton by Lieut-Colonels Edgar and Sara Chagas l Ezra James Brooking, son of James and CS Samantha Brooking, at Bristol Citadel by Major Christa Beeldman

RETIRED OFFICERS’ BIRTHDAYS l Major Malcolm Holt (85 on 1 June) l Mrs Major Joan Padfield (95 on 3 June) l Major Eileen Shankster (80 on 5 June) l Mrs Major Joyce Bentley (95 on 6 June) PROMOTED TO GLORY Jean Stokes, Burton-on-Trent l Ron Ablewhite BEM, Stowmarket l Songster Dorothy Coxon, Oakengates, on 5 April l

BEREAVED l Major Marlene Bishop of her sister Agnes Johnstone l Pamela Cobbold, Stowmarket, of her father Ron Ablewhite BEM l David Coxon, Oakengates, of his wife Dorothy Coxon, Anne Johnson, Oakengates, of her mother

TRIBUTES MAJOR RAY BATES RAY Bates was born in Rainton on 10 January 1942 and was nurtured at the corps. After time as a police cadet, Ray entered the International Training

ENGAGEMENTS GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE l Norway, Iceland and the Færoes Territory, Sat 28 May – Mon 6 Jun l Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Territory, Thu 9 – Sun 12 THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM l Commissioning (USA Central Territory), Tue 7 Jun – Sun 12 THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL l God’s Messengers reunion, Sat 28 May l Territorial Leaders Conference, Sun 29 – Wed 1 Jun l Woking, Sun 5 l Messengers of Grace Into Officership seminar, Mon 6 l Riverbank women’s conference (The Slate Conference Centre), Fri 10 – Sun 12* THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL PAUL MAIN) AND COLONEL JENINE MAIN l Territorial Leaders Conference, Sun 29 May – Wed 1 Jun * Commissioner Gillian only

Salvationist 28 May 2022

College in 1961 as a member of the Servants of Christ session. There he met his wife to be, Dawn Tout. Commissioned in 1963, Ray was appointed to Stockwell, then Tooting, in the South London Division. Ray and Dawn married in 1965 and took up their first appointment together at Caterham, then Morden, also in the South London Division. New appointments took Ray and Dawn to Chippenham, Yeovil, Swindon Citadel and Bristol Easton. Ray’s next appointments were as divisional youth secretary in the Liverpool and North Wales, South West and East London Divisions. Appointments as assistant national youth secretary and territorial youth secretary, followed, recognising Ray’s superb organisational and administrative skills, combined with his ability to connect with people just where they were in life. Ray was then tasked with establishing the Pastoral Care Unit, which he headed until his retirement in 2015. Ray was the epitome of servant leadership, working tirelessly in a wide-ranging ministry. A keen Scout, he was always prepared. Ray always went the extra mile to support others, as he did in the Toxteth riots when he ministered to firefighters and the police. Ray’s example of Christian leadership and discipleship continues to influence the many lives he touched. His teaching and training are long remembered and still used. Hiding his humility behind a smile, Ray gave each person his full attention, while always crediting the team for their work and never taking the credit for himself. Ray was a much loved husband, father and grandfather, leader, minister, Christian gentleman and trusted friend. Well done, good and faithful servant of Christ. – BT MAJOR FRED BLUNDELL FRED was born in Leyland in 1930 to Salvationist parents. He served for two years in the RAF and in 1951 responded to God’s call to officership, joining the Intercessors session, a name he truly lived up to. He served as a corps officer for a good number of years in the United Kingdom, until he met and married Josephine Henderson in 1962. Together they served in Hong Kong for seven years and the Philippines for 12 years, working mainly

with corps and community programmes. Due to the various disasters that took place in the Philippines, such as typhoons, floods and earthquakes, Fred and Josephine were instrumental in setting up several social programmes, working closely with the Philippine government. Before they returned to England, both were presented with significant awards in relation to their personal service to the country. Returning to the British Territory in 1980, Fred worked within the social services programme, including men’s and women’s hostels and a residential care home for senior citizens. This was followed by several years as a provincial officer in Yorkshire. His last appointment was as social services secretary before the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland was set up. He retired to Warrington in 1995, joining the fellowship at the corps and at various other local churches, where he thoroughly enjoyed worship and ministry. His final years in residential care with Josephine were hard to come to terms with, but he endeavoured to live in his own gentle and quiet way, leaning on his Lord.

Fred will be sadly missed but remembered by all who knew him, not least his sons, Andrew and Edmund, and his sister-in-law. – MH BRIAN SHARP, BASINGSTOKE BORN in 1939, Brian was known as ‘Mr Salvation Army’ in Whitchurch. At the age of 19, he became bandmaster for 25 years, followed by 17 years as CSM. Brian met Heather at youth councils and they married in 1960. Their family was involved in all the sections. In 1990, Brian carried the flag in a march celebrating 100 years of ‘Liberty at Whitchurch’. When Whitchurch closed, Brian transferred to Basingstoke. In his fifties he was diagnosed with progressive MS but still played tenor horn, using his left hand. He had a lovely voice and often sang solos. A few months after their golden wedding anniversary, Heather died but Brian remained independent until 2021, when he moved into a nursing home. In

December he was diagnosed with cancer but was determined to hear the band play carols on Christmas Eve. A quiet man with a strong faith, Brian is missed by his five children, eight grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren. – ST Please note that soldiers’ and adherents’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 150 words. Good quality pictures will be included. Copy should be sent to salvationist@ salvationarmy.org.uk.

MGS works professionally providing

l COUNSELLING l THERAPY l MEDIATION MGS works with relationships and other life experiences MGS is confidential, experienced and free Contact Major Jorgen Booth and the MGS team Tel 07711 148538 or email mgscounselling@yahoo.com (Based in Reading – MGS works throughout the UK)

ADVERTISING RATES ALL PRICES EXCLUDE VAT LISTINGS: Single line advert – £5 CLASSIFIEDS: Corps events NUMBER OF WEEKS

UP TO 15 WORDS

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Extra words over 35 – 30p per word BOXED ADVERTISEMENTS: Single column – 32.5 mm (w) Double column – 69.5 mm (w) SIZE

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ADVERTS CANNOT BE TAKEN OVER THE PHONE. ALL ADVERTS CARRIED IN SALVATIONIST ARE SUBJECT TO HOUSE STYLE AND ARE CARRIED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE EDITOR. For further information email advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk

Salvationist 28 May 2022

‘CLIMB’ THE TALLEST BUILDING

IN 30 COUNTRIES IN 30 DAYS Climb the equivalent height of some of the world’s tallest buildings anywhere you like: at home, at the gym, on your favourite flight of steps; all the while raising funds to help individuals and families in need OR raise funds for a local Salvation Army project.

June 2022

For more information and to sign up for your pack, please go to bit.ly/30TallestBuildingsChallenge or scan the QR code below.

bit.ly/30TallestBuildingsChallenge or email: 30tallestbuildings@salvationarmy.org.uk Copyright © The Salvation Army 2022 The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (214779), Scotland (SC009359) and the Republic of Ireland (CHY6399). The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters, 101 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6BN

Salvationist 28 May 2022

Articles inside

Adverts

Territorial structure update

Interview 10 and

Thinkaloud

Feature 12 and

News feature

Letters

Called to Be a Soldier: Chapter

Viewpoint

New commitments