Salvationist 29 April 2023

SALVATIONIST

CORONATION AND KINGSHIP

With great power…

ON 6 May, we join with the UK and Commonwealth in acknowledging the coronation of King Charles III, the culmination of his accession to the throne.

After decades observing his mother carry out her duties with consummate dedication it now falls to Charles to carry the responsibilities of office.

However, beyond the pomp and ceremony will be the realities of expectation, to lead, to guide a nation with wisdom and to encourage in times of challenge and adversity.

In these times Charles, as his mother before him, and her father before her, will need to acknowledge and lean upon the supreme sovereignty of God to sustain him.

As we join in the celebrations may we also commit to pray for the King, that he may reign wisely and justly. That he may find the strength of character to oppose injustice and to continue to care for creation. As he and Queen Camilla seek to serve, may they, with each of us strive to respond to the question posed in Micah 6:8. ‘And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’

MAJOR JULIAN WATCHORN EDITOR

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EDITOR Major Julian Watchorn

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SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS

From the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated

FOUNDER William Booth

GENERAL Brian Peddle

TERRITORIAL COMMANDER

Commissioner Anthony Cotterill

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Major Julian Watchorn

TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS

101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN 0845 634 0101

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

How alert are you?

ON 23 April at 3pm the UK government ran a trial of its national emergency alert system for everyone with a compatible mobile device who had not opted out. The new system prompted much discussion and commotion. It may have stirred people into thinking about future emergencies and even privacy issues – but shouldn’t we be more concerned about our readiness for the return of the Son of Man, for which there will be no digital alert or opt-out choice?

We could well be in end times, according to scriptural accounts of how those times will be. Can we say we are truly ready? Or do we need to take immediate action and get our house in order?

Matthew 24:7 seems like it speaks to our current time: ‘Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world’ (New Living Translation). The chapter goes on to detail the persecution of Christ’s

followers, people turning away from God and their hatred and betrayal of each other with rampant sin and a lack of love. Just before the end comes, it adds, there will be preaching of the good news to the whole world and those who endure will be saved.

Jesus warns: ‘So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming’ (v42 NLT). Earlier, he says: ‘No one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in Heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows’ (v36 NLT).

In 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5, and in 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul, Silas and Timothy write to the people with great urgency, giving them further instructions and advice on being alert and ready.

It’s more than just watching and waiting, though. There is action to be taken first, including true repentance, receiving God’s transforming gift of salvation and living out a godly life. As Titus 2:12 and 13 conveys: ‘We are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, will be revealed’ (NLT).

Our sins may be few – or they may be many – but acknowledging them and giving them over to God is a great place

REFLECT AND RESPOND

How prepared were you for the emergency phone alerts?

Read 1 Thessalonians 5. Are you awake or asleep?

Listen to ‘His Mercy Is More’. Have you given over all your sins to God?

How are you building the Kingdom of God on Earth today?

to start. The words of the song ‘His Mercy Is More’ by Keith and Kristyn Getty assist us beautifully in this: ‘Praise the Lord, his mercy is more./ Stronger than darkness, new every morn,/ Our sins they are many, his mercy is more.’

It’s not too late to ask ourselves whether we are sincerely ready, or whether now is the time to prepare, receive full salvation and move forward in God’s grace to await that wonderful day.

LYN WOODS Editorial Assistant Salvationist

Continuing a series of topical reflections, Lyn Woods reflects on our readiness for the Son of Man’s return

Quiz Royal links

by Garry D Reed

1 In May 2022, Prince Charles visited a centre helping Ukrainian refugees run by the Army and other agencies. In which country was this?

2 Which composition, originally written for the coronation of King George II in 1727, is based on the biblical account of the anointing of Solomon in 1 Kings 1?

‘Zadok the Priest’ by Handel

‘Mass in B Minor’ by Bach

‘Mass No 3 in F Minor’ by Bruckner

3 The hymn tune ‘Royal Oak’ is named after a tree in which King Charles II hid during the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Name the song associated with this tune.

‘Praise to the Holiest in the Height’

‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’

‘All People That on Earth

Do Dwell’

4 Reputedly, which was the favourite hymn of Queen Elizabeth II?

5 On 4 July 1912, Princess Louise laid the foundation stone for an Army hospital in Hackney. What sort of hospital was it?

Children’s hospital General hospital

Maternity hospital

6 What did King Edward VII ask when he met William Booth in June 1904?

To conduct a band

To meet delegates from the 1904 International Congress

For his autograph

6. For his autograph.

‘I hope God is working through me to help others’

IHAVE attended The Salvation Army from a young age, being taken to Staple Hill Corps by my parents. There I became a junior soldier, joining the singing company and YP band. These activities have shaped my relationship with God and the direction my faith has taken. I went on to be a cathedral chorister and now work as a verger at Westminster Abbey. My faith is an integral part of my work. If I’m not involved in a service in some

Im not in a service in some way, I can sometimes struggle to make a connection or concentrate on the spiritual aspect of it Yet, during the early morning services, I can really feel a connection with God

It is sometimes difficult to see how God is working in my life. However, through my work at the abbey, I am available to help or enable

people to worship, pray and continue their journey with God. So, I hope God is working through me to reach others.

I am thankful to God for the people I have met throughout my life and for them giving me opportunities which have led me to my current role at Westminster Abbey. I will be present at the coronation of King Charles III!

I find working at Westminster Abbey particularly fascinating. While it is a place with a lot of history, burials and memorials to many famous as well as unknown people, it is also a place steeped in faith and praise to God. And, of course, in St George’s Chapel at the west end of the abbey, is a bust of General William Booth, which watches over the Coronation Chair when it is not being used for a coronation.

hospital,

with a lot of buria memorials to many famous as as unknown a in faith and to G And, of course, in St George’s C the west end of the is a General William which w over used for a coronation. Being a has with me thr unde to others Chris come to the Many ask St Edward to pray for a cand a

Being a Christian has helped me deal with challenges, guiding me through my work in the Church and helping me be more compassionate and understanding

People from all walks of Christianity come to the abbey to worship and pray. Many ask St Edward to pray for them while others simply light a candle in prayer. I am here to help them along their way, which is a great privilege for which

I am truly thankful to God.

which is a fo I am thankful to God.

As a verger at Westminster Abbey preparing for the coronation of King Charles III, Andrew Campbell (Regent Hall) explains how his faith and work are intertwined

1. Romania, 2. ‘Zadok the Priest’ by Handel,

‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’, 4. ‘The

On 15 May 1937, the War Cry printed a special issue to mark the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. It included a message from the Chief of the Staff, a history of Westminster Abbey, an explanation of the coronation regalia, a piece on ‘The African Mind and the Coronation’, poetry, a colouring page and a songwriting competition.

Comfort me

PSALM 119:73–80

HOW often do you get the opportunity to hold hands with anyone – the trusting grip of small chubby fingers, the nervous tingle of a new love, the comfort of an old friend? Special connections happen in those moments of physical touch.

In his Enduring Words commentary, David Guzik writes of Psalm 119: ‘The sections and verses are not like a chain where one link is connected to the other but like a string of pearls where each pearl has equal, but independent value.’

The section entitled ‘Yodh’ is the 10th pearl in the psalm’s necklace. For Jewish people, the number 10 has special significance, celebrating the perfection, completeness and unfailing love of God. Throughout this psalm, letters representing the different ‘pearls’ give context and meaning to the verses that follow. The letter yodh ( ) is not only a placeholder, a number and a sound but also means ‘arm’ or ‘hand’.

Our verses begin with a reminder that we are ‘formed’ by God’s hands – hands that we can trust to be strong, good, powerful and loving. We begin by knowing that we are held.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

When are you most in danger of forgetting that God holds you?

It is this tiny letter of the Hebrew alphabet that Jesus is referencing in Matthew 5:18 – ‘Truly I tell you, until

Heaven and Earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.’

In the King James Version, the words ‘smallest letter’ are translated as ‘one jot’. Yodh ( ) is crucial to the Hebrew language. This letter is the essential pearl in the necklace of Psalm 119 that highlights the unfailing love of God and the comfort that brings.

When this psalm was written, God’s people were surrounded by nations that worshipped gods who were believed to be fickle and dangerous and whose attention was best avoided. There was no thought of love coming from such gods.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

How might taking the love and goodness of God for granted have consequences for many in our communities?

In Celtic Daily Prayer, William Broderick writes: ‘Once you’ve heard a child cry out to Heaven for help, and go unanswered, nothing’s ever the same again. Nothing. Even God changes. But there is a healing hand at work that cannot be deflected from its purpose. I just can’t make sense of it, other than to cry. Those tears are part of what it is to be a monk.’ (We might also add ‘disciple’ or ‘Salvationist’.)

‘Out there, in the world, it can be very cold,’ Broderick adds. ‘It seems to be about luck, good and bad, and the distribution is absurd. We have to be

candles, burning between hope and despair, faith and doubt, life and death, all the opposites.’

PAUSE AND REFLECT

Who in your community and sphere of influence has no sense of love and goodness in their lives?

What might it look like to burn a candle of hope for them this week?

The verses in our study passage are rooted in the certainty that God wants to be known and understood by us. He wants to share his heart with us. The psalmist’s desire is to deepen his relationship with the Lord.

He declares his intent to ‘learn your commands … put my hope in your word … meditate on your precepts … understand your statutes … wholeheartedly follow your decrees’. He does not see the Lord as a dictator on a power trip, bossing people around. Rather, the Lord offers compassionate wisdom and invites us to make good choices, leading to fullness of life and not disaster.

It is in surrounding ourselves with God’s words that we reassure ourselves of his love, goodness, power, truth and trustworthiness. When it feels as though all the evidence is to the contrary, we can offer up our hands to God in a plea for his help. We can remember that he formed us. We can recall that he holds us in his almighty, good and caring hands.

Captain Vanessa Coleman encourages us to focus on God’s unfailing love

PAUSE AND REFLECT

Take a moment to imagine yourself somewhere safe and comfortable. Picture yourself being held in the hands and arms of God, who is loving and powerful. What feelings come to you?

Breathe deeply and take time for any uncomfortable questions or emotions to rise to the surface and let them settle there and be held in the goodness of God.

Sometimes, we might feel as though we are losing sight of the comfort of God’s unfailing love. Consider memorising the following as a prayer: ‘Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your Law is my delight’ (v77).

From this perspective, even afflictions can be seen as God’s faithfulness at work. To understand them as opportunities for God’s goodness to manifest itself is a tall order, not of grim determination but of positioning ourselves to receive a new perspective straight from God’s hands.

‘Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to... And let me live whole and holy, soul and body, so I can always walk with my head held high’ (vv77–80 The Message).

CAPTAIN VANESSA COLEMAN Divisional Youth Team Leader Central, Southern and Channel Islands

Prayer Matters contains daily devotions covering specific areas in the territory, current worldwide situations and personal reflection and relationship with God. A PDF of the unedited booklet is available to download from salvationist.org.uk/resources

RETIRED OFFICERS FOCUS

by Major Marta Ager (Retired Officers Support Officer)

SATURDAY 29 APRIL

Part of the Retired Officers Unit’s ministry is to encourage fellowship whenever or wherever possible. Thank you, God, for helping us encourage and inspire our retired officers to meet up with others. We pray that through these gatherings your name will be glorified. Amen.

SUNDAY 30 APRIL

Pray for the families, friends and other people who have crossed the path of a retired officer promoted to Glory, that they may feel God’s comfort. Thank you, God, for helping the unit assist the loved ones of a retired officer who has died by coming alongside them and offering support. Amen.

LIFE TOGETHER FOCUS

by Major Peter Mylechreest (THQ Chaplain)

MONDAY 1 MAY

O God, our loving heavenly Father, we want our corps to be healthy, sustainable, growing and significant to their local areas and relevant in mission, ministry and service. May we lift up the name of Jesus among those we serve and with whom we worship. Amen.

TUESDAY 2 MAY

Lord, we want to take seriously our privilege and responsibility to pray for others. Make us sensitive to any burden you wish to place upon us. Stir us whenever we become lethargic or lazy in intercession. Strengthen us in our desire to pray earnestly, relevantly and persistently. Amen.

WEDNESDAY 3 MAY

Lord, we pray that corps and centres may provide meaningful, relevant and varied expressions of worship and teaching. Help us to enlarge and support holistic, social, nurturing and discipling programmes for all ages, with new people finding our people and locations helpful as they begin to know Christ. Amen.

THURSDAY 4 MAY

Lord, help us to look outward towards our communities, expressing the gospel attractively and engagingly with relevance and innovation. Help us to open our doors to others and sense the Spirit’s guidance, to offer fellowship, practical help and friendship. Help us to listen to people and talk about Jesus as an introduction to faith through relational Christianity. Amen.

FRIDAY 5 MAY

Pray for those in, or involved with, Lifehouses, residential care homes, safe houses and other residential programmes. May the local church be involved in praying for and financing projects and sensitively encouraging individuals in their journey towards a fulfilling and useful life. May all under our care be served compassionately and with respect. May personnel feel better equipped and resourced to face life’s difficulties as Christ is shared. Amen.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Do you have something or someone you’d like us to pray for? Email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk with ‘prayer request’ in the subject line and the Territorial Prayer Network will uphold them in prayer.

Serving and leading

Tony Daniels considers the parallels between earthly and heavenly kingship

AS King Charles III is crowned on 6 May, Christians may be wondering how his kingship will compare to that of our Sovereign Lord. Earthly kingship involves a maturation process. There is a line of succession, which means the beloved Queen Elizabeth II had to pass on for King Charles’s sovereignty to be manifested. However, when it comes to heavenly kingship, Jesus has always been King. According to the letter to the Hebrews, Christ is a King without beginning and without end, according to the order of Melchizedek (see Hebrews 5:6). He is thereby the Supreme King and High Priest, the eternal Mediator between us and our Creator.

The Lord’s kingship and sovereignty are evidential; creation itself speaks of his majesty and glory. Psalm 19:2 puts it like this: ‘Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.’

This knowledge substantiates what we are told in Colossians 1:16 about King Jesus: ‘For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on Earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – such as

thrones, kingdoms, rulers and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him’ (New Living Translation).

This all sounds very grandiose, doesn’t it?! And yet we know that Jesus was, according to Mark 10:45, the ServantKing who came to serve not to be served. His earthly ministry, his servitude as the Son of Man, co-exists with his heavenly kingship. It’s not one or the other. Jesus, as Servant-King, loved God and loved others.

As Charles takes the throne, he is charged with being the Defender of the Faith, as was his mother before him. However, he does so in an epoch where the UK has a plethora of faiths, ideologies, philosophies and humanistic beliefs diametrically opposed to some of the central tenets of the Christian faith.

Will Charles’s wisdom be witnessed in skillfully, ecumenically and purposefully highlighting all the commonalities within the faith and non-faith communities, advocating an altruistic agenda of socialcommunity action?

A sovereign’s capital beyond the walls of their palace lies in their ability to intentionally keep in touch with their

people, to listen to their life stories, pray for them, display deep empathy and, where possible, physically be with them. Charles’s mother was an exemplar in this regard and delivered her duty and service often at great personal cost – not unlike the Servant-King of her faith.

The Salvation Army is arranging volunteer opportunities for the coronation through the Big Help Out campaign, so we ourselves are taking an active part in this momentous event, celebrating Charles’s coming of age, if you will, into his earthly kingship. As people of God, perhaps we should all simply pray for this ‘young sovereign’, that wisdom, grace, fortitude and joy be bestowed upon his head as he is crowned.

TONY DANIELS Territorial Director of Community Services

Belief in action Charles and the Army

Salvationist charts the Christian conviction shared by King Charles III and The Salvation Army

‘IT is difficult to imagine that there was once a time when there was no Salvation Army,’ said His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, during the opening ceremony of the 1978 International Congress at Wembley Arena.

It was perhaps no surprise that the future King Charles III celebrated, in particular, the Army and William Booth’s enduring determination to fight for a better world.

‘We have a great deal to learn from their refusal to be beaten,’ he observed of the Founder’s ‘steadfast conviction’, forged in the Victorian era.

Eight years before that speech, at the age of only 21, the heir to the throne gave his first major public address about the environment, warning of the ‘horrifying effects of pollution’. That would set the tone for his decades serving as Prince of Wales, during which time

he became a well-known and pioneering voice for environmental causes. He has farmed organically since 1990 and, in 2021, spoke at the opening ceremony of COP26. He has also been a vocal advocate for young people – in 1976, he founded the Prince’s Trust to help 11 to 30-year-olds with training and work experience.

Charles’s belief in action can only have been reinforced by the many times he and the Army crossed paths.

In 2022 he visited the Romexpo in Bucharest, accompanied by Princess Margareta of Romania, to see how Ukrainian refugees were being helped. He thanked the teams for doing ‘an amazing job’.

In 2007 he witnessed the Army responding to the major floods in Yorkshire – at the time described as the biggest rescue effort undertaken in peacetime Britain.

Above: Prince Charles and General Arnold Brown step out together

On 31 December 1999, he visited the reopened Pleasance Lifehouse in Edinburgh, speaking to residents and staff members. He signed a portrait that went on display and was presented with a Salvation Army crest mounted on a background of Salvation Army tartan.

In 1996 he spoke to Salvation Army personnel supporting the emergency services in the Docklands area of London, where a bomb had exploded.

‘It is what we have come to expect,’ he observed of the team’s non-stop work over several days.

The year before, he visited the Army’s inner-city project in Manchester, where he learnt about the centre’s need for quality sports equipment. Within a week, a cheque for £20,000 arrived from the Sports and Arts Foundation. He made a point of returning in 1997 and even enjoyed an impromptu game of basketball with a group of young people.

Charles’s forward-thinking outlook was evident in his address to the 1978 Congress, where he spoke about the need for ecumenical unity as well as ‘awareness of the things of the Spirit and of the meaning and infinite beauty of nature’.

‘So often … you hear people bewailing the fact that, as individuals, they cannot possibly do anything about an issue that concerns them deeply,’ he said, in words that could easily apply to today. ‘They feel powerless and frustrated.’

But he championed the Army’s simple and effective form of Christianity: ‘General Booth’s crusade is being carried on by a worldwide Army … of individuals … striving to do their duty and to set the kind of example they believe is important.’

The Congress opened and concluded with the national anthem, but not before the fitting final song, ‘Crown Him with Many Crowns’.

In March this year, Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill was part of the Free Churches Group delegation that pledged loyalty to the King – one of the 27 Privileged Bodies to do so in a tradition that dates back to the 17th century. The TC assured the King of the prayers of Salvationists, to which he replied: ‘That’s good – I need that!’

Much like the Army, Charles will need to remain non-party political in his new role as monarch. In his first address as King in September 2022, he acknowledged: ‘It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply.’

‘But,’ he added, ‘I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.’

In pictures:

1978 – International Congress, 30 June Prince Charles, flanked by General Arnold Brown and Chief of the Staff Commissioner Stanley Cottrill received the applause of Salvationists at the opening of the International Congress at Wembley Arena.

1999 – Edinburgh, 31 December

Prince Charles visited Pleasance Lifehouse, met by divisional leaders Majors Robert and Isobel McIntyre (pictured), and Centre Manager Captain Jack Middleton. He shared lunch with guests from the Army and the community.

Salvationist captures some of the King’s encounters with the Army during the past 50 years

Picture: Jack Middleton

Royal encounters

1996 – London Docklands, 13 February

Prince Charles talked to Majors Robert and Muriel McClenahan, shortly after a bomb attack at London’s Docklands. The McClenahans and other Salvationists manned Hoxton’s emergency unit non-stop for days.

2003 – Cardiff, 5 June

The Prince of Wales visited the newly refurbished Ty Gobaith Lifehouse and spoke with residents. He was in the Welsh capital with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for the opening of the second Welsh Assembly.

1997 – Manchester, 19 September

Prince Charles took part in an impromptu basketball game during his visit to the Salvation Army’s inner-city centre. This was his first public engagement following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

2007 – Carcliffe, 29 June

Prince Charles stopped at the Salvation Army van during a visit to the village of Carcliffe in South Yorkshire, where he met emergency service personnel and residents affected by the severe flooding.

Managing well

Captain Helen Froud shares an update on a Management Data Project pilot which will support and enable local mission flourishing

RELIABLE information or data is key to making any good decision, in whatever context. Data helps us survey our options, choose the best way forward and review what we have done. As a church we do this by discerning the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Mission Service team at THQ has spent a lot of time in listening to local experience around the impact of mission. We’ve collected vast amounts of data from our mission expressions to provide useful insights into what we’re doing as a territory. However, there is a need for a systematic collection of consistent information that can help us easily see the outcome and impact of mission. From this we can learn what we are doing well and where we can enhance our work to be more effective. Even better, is having data we can all access and easily understand ‘in the moment’ with ‘live’ information driven by a common data set.

Our data collection processes have been frustrating for corps and centres, particularly when they receive multiple requests at different times asking for more or duplicate information. Too often in the past, data has been collected by headquarters and local expressions have seen little evidence of what we have done with it. As part of a management data project, R&D is working with other THQ services to ensure local information is captured once and is immediately available locally, as well as at all levels of the organisation.

WHAT’S THE PLAN?

At present, we collect information for a number of reasons. To ensure good governance, for the protection and welfare of our people, or to evidence how we use our resources. Sometimes we collect it because we’ve always collected it!

We realise our way of collecting data needs updating – our working/ministry practices aren’t all desk-based so we

need to be able to input and access information while on the move. So, in future, a local leader can quickly check any key data for their ministry on a handheld device with little hassle. We are working with our colleagues in IT on how best to do this.

THE EAST OF ENGLAND PILOT

Using data from a pilot in the East of England Division we will gain a better understanding of our information culture. This also provides an opportunity for us to really interrogate our data – what do we need, why do we need it and how will it impact mission flourishing? This will take place in a series of workshops this summer. Additionally, the workshops will provide qualitative information, such as what people are doing with data, and what additional information they are currently collecting. Mission flourishing will not look the same in all contexts or in different seasons. We need a nuanced understanding of missional information which respects the diversity of every local setting and their challenges.

As part of the work in East of England, the Atlas IT system, which is most-used in our Lifehouses, is being rolled out with a new programme diary module to corps. This system is now live, capturing data and providing real-time feedback to local and divisional leaders on what’s currently happening in an area.

The feedback from the pilot and local opinions from the Structural Coordination and Design Group’s earlier questionnaire, which reached more than 1,400 people, will add depth to our research.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The work in the East of England Division will provide a large amount of information for analysis and the R&D team expect to begin interim reporting from autumn. It’s hoped we can

1. Central and Southern Scotland

2. Central, Southern and Channel Islands

3. East Midlands

4. East of England

5. Ireland

6. London

update you towards the start of 2024 on our progress.

The SCDG reminds people to focus on continuous learning and improvement as we all adapt and flex in our ministry. It is the hope that accurate data collection will help people make better evidenceinformed decisions in their settings and make their ministry more responsive to their context. Quality data will help The Salvation Army confidently achieve our vision: ‘Fullness of life for all with Jesus’.

CAPTAIN HELEN

Assistant Director Research and Development

Research

Shetland Crofting for Christ

FAST FACTS

DIVISION: North Scotland

CORPS OFFICER: Majors Bev and David Womersley

FIND US ONLINE: facebook.com/ shetland salvationarmy

STEWARDS OF GOD’S GIFTS

WE have been at Shetland for just under two years and it really is a unique set-up. God led the Army to place us here after the corps at Lerwick closed. We don’t have a building or an established congregation, yet we feel immensely privileged to minister to the island community in a new and environmentally friendly way. We quickly realised that we just needed to be open to using the gifts he has blessed us with. Having previously had an allotment, this soon became our focus for prayer.

PRAYER AND PRODUCE

When we arrived, we were literally starting from scratch, but God’s handprint was all over it. Prayer and produce were the words that kept coming to us and so we explored what these meant. A local crofter and his wife, who were complete strangers, approached us and kindly offered us land and to build us a polytunnel and provide the necessary items to get us started. We were blown away by that. We now work in partnership with them and, in blessing us, they tell us that they have also been blessed by seeing all the work being done for God’s Kingdom. This weekend is the first anniversary of the opening of that polytunnel and there are plans for a second.

PALLETS AND PLANTING

The produce we grow from the donations of seeds and plants is for the benefit of the community. This year we’ve introduced an area of raised beds that schools, a local church and others are overseeing with the support of Major Dave. On Saturdays in our fridge there are home bakes available, and in the shed food produce and items made using leftover pallet wood are all available. Everything is on a donation basis, nothing is priced. Dave has been making planter boxes and these have been used to encourage families who might not have a garden or an allotment plot, so they can sow a few carrots or onions and watch them grow. Woodcraft items are sold locally to raise funds for our mission. We have a prayer table and library in the shed too and we’re looking to add extra facilities. It’s evolving all the time.

ECO AND ECUMENICAL ENDEAVOURS

Being positioned at the southern end of the island – where there are fewer church expressions compared to the town – has opened different opportunities. We have the best of both worlds now. We join on Sunday afternoons for worship with a charity group in town and Major Bev supports many other areas of work in the

community, making and maintaining connections.

We are registered with EcoCongregation Scotland and last year their chaplain, the Rev David Coleman, spent an afternoon with us at the polytunnel. We are awaiting confirmation of our bronze award for our ongoing sustainability initiatives and skills. We also work closely with groups from areas such as Orkney and Aberdeen.

NEW WINE IN NEW WINE SKINS

Our mission was never to replicate or continue what had traditionally taken place at Lerwick Corps. When the division were praying for guidance on the Army’s future ministry on Shetland, it was felt that it needed to be totally new and fresh. Our God is definitely one of surprises and creativity – we can vouch for that!

INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ECO CHURCH?

Caring for creation is one of the territory’s five mission priorities. Find out more by emailing environment@salvationarmy. org.uk or visiting salvationist. org.uk/environmentaloffice

EASTER

EASTER

Cwm Band hold a short service on the mountain above the village on Easter Day, after assisting Churches Together in Ebbw Vale on Good Friday

EASTER

LURGAN Cadets Rachel Abbott, Dave and Beth Perkins with baby Levi, Elizabeth Kitchenside and Luke Furlong campaigned in the town over Easter. Energy, joy, friendliness and commitment to their calling radiated from them. They proclaimed the Easter message with a clear, relevant and challenging approach. The corps is stronger in their faith because of this Easter campaign. He is risen, indeed! – JP

CARDIFF ELY Twenty children attended a treasure hunt on Holy Saturday. Together with their families, they looked for clues in neighbouring streets and the corps hall before enjoying hot dogs and Easter egg prizes. Families responded to an invitation to Messy Church the following day and expressed interest in the corps relaunching Kids Club. – JS

EASTER

SWINDON CITADEL The corps was missional in its focus during Easter. A Palm Sunday Messy Church saw many families join in the fun. Songster Leader Andrew Wicker led a Holy Week music meditation and, after a thought-provoking Good Friday service, the band and members of the congregation took to the streets for a short time of music and song. Easter Day began with breakfast, after which the band performed ‘Christ the Lord Is Risen Again!’ to people passing by the hall. The hall was almost full as people celebrated the risen Lord. – SR

EASTER

Twenty-four children take part in an Easter Messy Church day organised by Market Rasen Programme Co-ordinator Ida Franklin

Stapleford’s charity shop wins first prize in an Easter window display competition

EASTER

EXETER TEMPLE The band took part in the well-attended Good Friday ecumenical service at the cathedral. They also witnessed by playing on

EASTER

DUNSTABLE Lieut-Colonels Jayne and Jonathan Roberts (THQ) led Holy Week services, which started on Maundy Thursday with a meditation. The band accompanied a Churches Together open-air meeting on Good Friday. More than 40 people attended the Sonrise service on Dunstable Downs on Easter Day. Back at the hall, corps officer Major Steve Brevitt reminded the congregation of the question posed to the women at the tomb: ‘Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?’ Lieut-Colonel Jonathan led the week’s final meeting, encouraging the congregation that Resurrection power is available to all. – JB

EASTER

DERBY CENTRAL Holy Saturday saw children and adults revisit parts of the Easter story through crafts. Activities included two depictions of the tomb, one a collage and the other made from biscuits and chocolate. Hot cross buns were provided and each child went home with a bag full of Easter things they had made. – EH

EASTER

BIRTHDAY

Perth corps folk prepare Easter blessings bags for Skinnergate Lifehouse residents and staff members

HECKMONDWIKE Arnold Walker celebrated his 100th birthday. Friends from the corps and members of Batley Band visited him at Linson Court care home. Arnold, a former bandsman, enjoyed keeping time with the band and joined in with the singing of some of his favourite songs. A great achievement! – JD

CLOWNE Families at Messy Easter enjoyed making crafts, sharing food and focusing on the message of The Awesome Easter Surprise. The children made newspaper pots in which to plant bulbs and tissue paper stained glass crosses. The awesome power of God was portrayed in prayer art. Many new families joined to celebrate the true meaning of Easter. – GH

SKEWEN On Maundy Thursday corps folk celebrated the last supper, sharing in bread and fruit juice and thinking about Jesus washing the feet of Peter. On Good Friday the cross in the hall was draped in purple cloth. Corps officer Major Carol Back spoke about the cross of rebellion, repentance and redemption. In the evening corps officer Major Doug Back thought about the last words spoken on the cross. On Easter Day the purple cloth was replaced with white and the bare windowsills filled with flowers. The congregation reflected on how Jesus lights up the darkness. After the meeting corps folk shared in fellowship, hot cross buns and hot drinks. In the evening Major Carol reminded all present that they must die to live. Everyone received a hand-knitted basket containing an Easter egg. – SL

Cathedral Green. – JW

BRIDGWATER Jacobs construction manager Mark Earwaker donated a box of warm waterproof jackets. The company’s management team also donated £100. – HC

MATTHEW, Antoni, Danny, Ellie and Ethan were enrolled as junior soldiers by corps officers Captain Jan and Major Keith Sebbage. Families and friends gathered to witness the five young people make the Junior Soldier’s Promise. Pictured left to right are Captain Jan, YPSM Emma Dove, Corps Secretary Louise Hazzledine, Matthew, Antoni, YP worker Maureen Theobald, Danny, Peter Cursley, Ellie, Major Keith and Ethan. – KS

GAINSBOROUGH

FABIAN Bott was welcomed as an adherent by corps officer Major Colin Bradshaw. This step in Fabian’s Christian pathway marks the third generation of Fabian’s family making a commitment: his grandma, Lorraine, was the first to become a soldier, then his mum, Zoe, became a soldier and later corps treasurer. Fabian plays euphonium in the band and, during the meeting, played a solo. – PH

LEEDS WEST HUNSLET

SHIREBROOK

LISA Fairhurst was welcomed as an adherent by corps officers Captains David and Lorna White. Lisa had been attending the corps for 18 months and came through outreach in the market square. After many conversations and questions, Lisa came along one Sunday and found her spiritual home, a church family and peace through Christ’s blessings. Lisa is a valued member of the church and always has a smile for everyone. – LW

WHAT DOES BEING A SOLDIER OR ADHERENT MEAN?

Find out more about membership in The Salvation Army and the different ways in which you can make a spiritual commitment at salvationist.org.uk/ membership.

JUDITH Husbands, Dianne Brooks and Lauren Dobinson were welcomed as adherents by corps officer Major Ralph Walker. They all took this step as part of their Christian journey and faithfulness to God’s calling. They are special and central in God’s family at the corps. – RW

KINSLEY Amiche was welcomed as an adherent by corps officer Major Cliff Allchin. – CA

CHATHAM

DURING the 150th corps anniversary General Brian Peddle presented Group Scout Leader Rob Christie with a certificate of appreciation, acknowledging his 25 years of service in many different ways, including in technology and children’s work.

TEDDINGTON

DIVISIONAL Commander Major Mark Herbert expressed thanks for 27 years of service given by Corps Secretary Andrew Pennington. He said that Andrew had set a standard for how professionally the corps secretary’s work is done and thanked him for his faithfulness in service. Major Mark commented on how much Andrew’s interesting prayers over the offerings would be missed. General Brian Peddle presented Andrew with a certificate of retirement and the congregation sang ‘What a Work the Lord Has Done’. – IP

CHESTERFIELD

JENNIFER Walker received a certificate of retirement from corps officer Lieutenant Joel Watson. Jennifer has served in local leadership positions for over 49 years. Although she has now retired from leadership roles, the corps thanks God that she continues to be involved in mission and ministry. Jennifer is well known within the community and the corps is grateful for all she has done for so many years. – EW

DROITWICH SPA

MAJORS Les and Ruth Taylor and Beryl and Bill Snook received certificates of recognition thanking them for their service on the corps council, and Bill for his service on the pastoral care council and as corps sergeant-major for the past three years. – CD-P

CAROLYN Gomersall received a certificate and an Easter egg from the Community Voluntary Support group in recognition of all the great work she does in the corps and for the community. Carolyn was one of 10 people selected to win an award after an Easter shout-out for people to be nominated for shining a light in the community. – MM

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE

Marriages

LIEUTENANT REBEKAH CLARK , Associate Officer Cannock and Hednesford, TO MATTHEW FROST on 15 April

Wedding anniversaries

Diamond (60 years)

MAJORS HELENA AND ROBERT BOYD on 11 May

Golden (50 years)

ANN AND GRAHAM ROGERS, Wellingborough, on 19 May

Dedicated to God

GEORGIA IRENE DICKIE , daughter of Craig and Kirsty Dickie, at Parkhead by Major Alex Still

RETIRED OFFICERS’ BIRTHDAYS

MAJOR MOLLY WARD, 90 on 10 May

MAJOR CONNIE HIGH , 90 on 10 May

MAJOR CLIFF ASHWORTH , 80 on 11 May

Promoted to Glory

SHIELA MIDDLETON , Hexham, on 14 April

AUDREY JAMES, Sittingbourne, on 17 April

MARY MARSHALL , Gateshead

MARGARET NUNN , Edinburgh Gorgie

SONGSTER JEAN (MICKIE) KEMP, Sittingbourne, on 19 March

AUDREY WATSON , Consett, on 30 March

LIEUT-COLONEL ANITA CROUCHER , from West Suffolk Hospital on 12 April

Bereaved

MAJOR JULIE BEARCROFT, Hartlepool, of her mother

Shiela Middleton

MAJOR PHILIP JAMES, North East DHQ, of his mother

Audrey James

MAJORS JACK AND JEAN MIDDLETON of their daughter Fiona Middleton

SONGSTER VALERIE WEBB AND MICHAEL WEBB, Sittingbourne, of their son Jonathon Webb, Major Maxine Walker, Luton, and YPSM Janine Barney, Sittingbourne, of their brother, Alfie and Isaac Webb, Sittingbourne, of their father

LIEUT-COLONEL IVAN CROUCHER of his wife

Lieut-Colonel Anita Croucher, Andrew Croucher, Isle of Wight, and Adrian Croucher, Stowmarket, of their mother

ENGAGEMENTS

Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill and Commissioner Gillian Cotterill

Tue 2 May – Fri 5 May William Booth College

(Territorial Leaders’ Conference)

Chief Secretary Colonel Paul Main and Colonel Jenine Main

Tue 2 May – Fri 5 May William Booth College

(Territorial Leaders’ Conference)

Sat 13 May – Sun 14 May Kettering Citadel

NOTICES

Salvation Army uniform recycling scheme

A new recycling scheme for pre-loved Salvation Army uniforms has been launched. The Uniform Take Back Scheme receives old formal uniform items so they can be recycled or re-used. Find out more, and learn about the territory’s mission priority to care for creation, at salvationist.org.uk/uniformtakeback

Dying Matters Week

Without communication and understanding, death and terminal illness can be a lonely and stressful experience. Dying Matters Week (8 to 14 May) can help to encourage all communities to talk together about death, dying and grief. For missional, practical and pastorally focused support, download the Journeying Home resource on salvationist.org.uk

Local elections

Many areas of England and Northern Ireland have local elections in May. If you’re keen to engage with your local candidates, or they’re looking to engage with you, the Public Affairs Unit can provide guidance and support. Email public. affairs@salvationarmy.org.uk or call 07825 265105.

National Sports Sunday

Use the power of sport to unlock new possibilities for mission with the millions of people who regularly take part in sport each week, including parents, trainers, fans and volunteers. National Sports Sunday (14 May) offers resources and ideas to pray for and engage with people in your community. For more information, email Rob Moye at rob.moye@salvationarmy.org.uk

SOUNDS

Sunday Worship podcast

Can’t join us at 11am on Sundays on Salvationist Radio? Catch up with our weekly podcast of Sunday Worship highlights, including music, prayer and a Bible message from a guest speaker. Each week’s broadcast is also repeated in full on Mondays at 12am and Thursdays at 9am.

Listen at salvationist.org.uk/radio

Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 May

CENTENARY

Coedpoeth Corps in the Wales Division will be celebrating 100 years of ministry in the local area.

We would love to hear any stories that readers, their friends or relatives may have of their involvement with the corps at any point in our history.

Please contact Corps Sergeant-Major Vernon Smallwood at vernon.smallwood@sky.com with any information, or alternatively call the corps office on 01978 757509

GOVAN CORPS, 44 GOLSPIE STREET G51 3EW

Sunday 25 June, 4.30pm

Preliminary announcement

VALEDICTORY SERVICE FOR THE WEST SCOTLAND DIVISION

Incorporating the retirement from active service of Majors Pat and Ray Brown and Major Dean Logan

Conducted by Commissioner Keith Banks and featuring the Divisional Youth Band and Youth Chorus

Messages of appreciation by email to westscotland@salvationarmy.org.uk or by mail to West Scotland DHQ, 4 Buchanan Court, Stepps G33 6HZ

BECCLES CORPS, 68–72 BLYBURGATE NR34 9TQ

140TH ANNIVERSARY A WEEKEND OF CELEBRATION

Friday 16 June, 7.30pm

Anglia Fellowship Band concert with guest soloist ISS Juliet Parker St Michael’s Parish Church

Saturday 17 June, 12pm

March and open-air with Norwich Citadel Band Beccles town centre

Sunday 18 June 10.30am

Service of celebration

Tickets are available via BecclesCorps140years.eventbrite.co.uk or contact corps for Friday. Each ticket costs £14.25 and includes buffet and drink

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ADVERTS CANNOT BE TAKEN OVER THE PHONE. For further information email advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk.

mccabe-travel.co.uk

BRIGHTON CONGRESS HALL, 1–6 PARK CRESCENT TERRACE BN2 3HD 24 and 25 June

140TH CORPS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Led by Commissioners Charles and Denise Swansbury

For details contact Bram Warren on 01273 883658 or email bramwellwarren3@gmail.com

All adverts carried in Salvationist are subject to house style and carried at the editor’s discretion. For more details email advertising@ salvationarmy.org.uk.

SCUNTHORPE, 187 ASHBY HIGH STREET DN16 2JT

Saturday 13 May, 6.30pm Concert by YORKSHIRE FELLOWSHIP BAND Tickets £4 corps funds and the Big Collection Tel: 01724 861044 (Mon–Thu 9am–1pm)

COEDPOETH, PARK ROAD LL11 3SE