Quotes from the media

FOUR CHRISTIAN ORGANISATIONS ON TOP 100 MOST LOVED CHARITIES Four charities with a Christian ethos are on the top 100 list of most loved charity brands in the UK.

A poll by Savanta found Macmillan Cancer Support is the most admired, followed by Cancer Research UK and Dogs Trust.

Christian international aid charity World Vision is at number 96 and Christian Aid at 64. The Children’s Society is at 51 and The Salvation Army at 27. The list... was ranked by asking 60,000 people ‘How would you describe your opinion of the following charities?’ The top box was ‘love’ and the table is created by ranking the organisations by people’s love for each brand.

The Salvation Army, the highest ranking Christian charity, has been going for over 150 years…

Speaking about the list, Daniel Jones from Christian charity Stewardship… told Premier he felt encouraged by the household-name Christian organisations who feature on the list: ‘It’s a nice reminder that the Christian community in the UK is alive and thriving and we see that through the work of these particular ministries – and that they’ve come to the attention of the wider public.

‘I’m also reminded that there’s a lot of Christian charities doing fantastic work that wouldn’t feature on a list like this mainly because of their size. There’s thousands... of churches and Christian charities up-and-down the country who are doing amazing work.’ Premier

SALVATIONIST salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist

EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts – 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford – 020 7367 4891 EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Shanelle Manderson – 020 7367 4894 Simon Hope – 020 7367 4892 Melita Day-Lewis – 020 7367 4887 Major Margaret Bovey COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Major Godspower Anozie – 020 7367 4893 ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden – 020 7367 4883 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight – 020 7367 4895 Louise Phillips – 020 7367 4896 PROOFREADER Chris Horne

2 Salvationist 29 February 2020 UNCEASING PRAYER IS PLANNED FOR COP26 Christians in the UK and around the world are preparing to start an unbroken ten-month ‘prayer-chain’ for action to tackle climate change, from the start of Lent… until the UN climate summit, COP26, being held in Glasgow in November.

Christians will come together to ensure that, day or night, someone is praying for the climate. It has support from the Christian development charities Cafod, Tearfund, and Christian Aid, as well as the Church of Sweden, the Lutheran World Federation and World Council of Churches, among others…

A website has been set up so that individuals can book slots and log their prayer time: churches, small groups, individuals and families are encouraged to join in…

The prayer chain will begin with Christian Climate Action, holding a round-the-clock vigil outside parliament during the 40 days of Lent. Church Times

CATHEDRAL VISITORS CAN NOW COLLECT STAMPS Cathedrals are offering visitors Pilgrim Passports to celebrate the Year of Cathedrals, Year of Pilgrimage 2020 project.

The passport-sized booklets, published by the Association of English Cathedrals… contain prayers, a checklist of cathedrals by region and blank pages for visitors to have their passport stamped at each visit.

The passports are available to buy online and in each of the 42 C of E cathedrals in Britain… Special stickers can also be purchased...

Dr Dee Dyas, who is director of the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture and also director of pilgrimage studies at York university, said: ‘All of us can relate to seeing our lives as a journey… Cathedrals… offer peace, beauty, and a chance to pause and reflect along the way. The new Pilgrim Passport encourages everyone to find their own meaning through visiting these amazing buildings.’ Church Times

CHURCH OF ENGLAND LOOKS TO SPORT TO ATTRACT NEWCOMERS The Church of England is increasing its investment in sports and fitness activities in a bid to increase its reach among people who might never step foot inside a church on Sunday...

Pilot projects like fitness classes and holiday football clubs are rolling out across seven dioceses as part of the new push into sports ministry…

The Bishop of Derby, Libby Lane, has been appointed as the Church of England’s lead bishop for sport to take the plans forward.

‘Sport is such a valued and valuable part of our lives... offering opportunities for societal and personal development,’ Bishop Lane said.

‘Sports ministry has the potential to transform lives and communities... These projects are good news, sharing the Christian faith in word and action.’ Christian Today

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TRANSFORMING MISSION

I ONCE heard an Anglican bishop say that ‘ecumenical’ is an ‘aerosol word’. ‘It gets sprayed around a lot,’ he said, ‘but not everyone understands it in the same way.’

The word ‘mission’ is a bit like that. It gets used a lot and can mean different things to different people. Some think of it as just evangelism, some see it as social service or social action, while others take a more comprehensive view.

Mission statements can help clarify things. For a number of years this territory has used General John Gowans’s declaration as the basis of its mission statement: ‘Our mission is to save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity.’ It is focused and memorable. But does it include everything? In this week’s Salvationist Secretary for Mission Lieut-Colonel Drew McCombe responds to a number of questions, the first of which is: ‘How do you define mission?’ His answer reveals that the Army has adopted and adapted the Anglican Church’s five marks of mission. He says: ‘It means sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, making, teaching and nurturing disciples, responding to human need through loving action and inclusive community, seeking to change unjust structures of society and safeguarding the integrity of creation.’

The three elements of General Gowans’s statement are still there and two others are added, although you could argue that tackling injustice is simply an aspect of serving suffering humanity. After Easter Salvationist will begin a series on these five marks of mission. (I’m resisting the temptation to ask five people called Mark to write them.) In the meantime, this week’s issue includes examples of mission in action.

On pages 12 and 13, Bo Christoffer Brekke highlights the work of Others, The Salvation Army’s Fairtrade organisation. ‘Fairtrade’ is definitely not an aerosol word – it’s a ‘Ronseal word’. It ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’. Fairtrade tries to ensure that producers in developing countries are paid a fair price for their work and their goods. It includes supporting them in improving their skills to improve standards of living and create secure livelihoods for the future.

Bo Christoffer gives good examples of this happening in Bangladesh. And we can play our part. As he says: ‘The choices we make as consumers can directly impact others, for better or worse.’

Closer to home, Charis Tomlinson looks back at her time as an intern at Stepney Corps on pages 10 and 11. She says it wasn’t what she originally had in mind for last year but it was definitely the right decision. Getting involved in all kinds of mission activities at the corps and in the community allowed her to make a difference and learn many lessons along the way. She shares those lessons with us. It is an inspiring article.

The aim of mission is to transform lives and communities. That’s happening through the work of organisations such as Others, as well as through the commitment of individuals like Charis. But the transformation isn’t all one-way – we can be transformed too. Our outlook and actions change as we make buying choices that support Fairtrade, while Charis certainly had a life-changing experience during her internship.

As we reach out to others, in whatever way God calls us to, may we also find that he reaches and transforms us. CONTENTS

News 4 to 7

Prayer journey for Lent 8

Lent reflection 9 Head, hands and feet: A request by Commissioner Robert Street

Testimony 10 and 11 Lessons learnt and faith restored by Charis Tomlinson

Feature 12 and 13 Trading for hope by Bo Christoffer Brekke

Interview 14 and 15 Engaging in mission with Lieut-Colonel Drew McCombe

Bible study 16 and 17 Be like Jesus! by Major Martin Wheeler

Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17 by Major Howard Webber

New commitments 18

Letters 19

Announcements 20 and 21

Adverts 21 to 23

The Salvation Army and me 24 featuring Joyce Moore

World leaders witness celebration and service INDIA WESTERN TERRITORY

GENERAL Brian Peddle and World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Rosalie Peddle brought challenge and encouragement to Salvationists and friends from Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Welcome and hospitality were the trademarks of each location as the world leaders travelled around the territory. Cultural dances and traditional expressions of welcome, including shawls, paaghadi or safa turbans and

ENFIELD: Members of Chace Community School’s student council presented a cheque for £839 to corps community support worker Tanya Orr and soldier Fiona Justice for the Rescue Rucksack project. The project, set up by Fiona in 2018, helps people experiencing homelessness by providing rucksacks filled with essential items. The students raised the money by holding a non-uniform day and collected a large number of items to go in the rucksacks. – TO

flowers, featured in each welcome ceremony. Officers in both states benefited from and appreciated time spent in councils with the international leaders.

In a gathering, the General addressed officers, encouraging them to respond appropriately to his Call to Mission.

The General and Commissioner Peddle also gained first-hand experience of the challenges faced by the Army in these regions of India. They had the opportunity to visit Emery Hospital (Anand) and Evangeline Booth Hospital (Ahmednagar), where they were able to meet staff, tour the facilities and dedicate a new X-ray machine and other new equipment to the glory of God and the service of humanity.

Cadets enjoyed some quiet moments with the leaders during visits to both training colleges, where the visitors brought words of affirmation.

Youth rallies and public meetings also allowed thousands to join together for worship and hear God’s word, with numerous people moving forward for prayer in response to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

There was much to celebrate during the visit and it was clear there is still a real need for the ministry of The Salvation Army. – AR

International Projects Office develops new podcast THQ

THE International Projects Office has launched a podcast called Develop. Hosted by International Projects Team Leader Ben Gilbert, it features conversations with practitioners from around the world as they grapple with the complexity of tackling poverty and injustice.

The United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland funds extensive programmes, including anti-trafficking, water and sanitation, and education and health projects, as well as emergency relief in several territories. Ben says: ‘You may already be familiar with the magazine Develop. This podcast goes deeper into conversations about how a faith-based organisation tackles poverty around the world.’

Two episodes have already been released: ‘Introducing: Develop Podcast’ and ‘Should Clean Water Be Free?’ – BG O The Develop podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or by visiting castbox.fm and searching for ‘develop’

PARKHEAD: Paisley Fellowship Band began the 134th corps anniversary celebrations on Saturday with ‘Shine On Us’. Soloists included Russell McGregor (piano), Jennifer Scott (vocal), Audrey Paul (cornet) and Audrey McCrone (euphonium). The songsters presented two items and the

male timbrelists performed to ‘Star Lake’. In his Bible thought Major Samuel Edgar spoke about making choices. To conclude, the visiting and host corps and band flags were marched into the hall to ‘Victors Acclaimed’. On Sunday, Major Samuel reminded everyone to go forward and serve. – AD

Corps leader Territorial Envoy Terence Carpenter and John Franklin receive a potato rumbler for Market Rasen’s luncheon club from Lions Clubs International representatives Mary Anne Aitkin and Alastair Upton

STRAWBERRY FIELD: A music workshop for people with learning disabilities from the Liverpool area launched the Music Man Project at Strawberry Field. Music Man Project founder David Stanley and Music Man ambassadors led the fun-filled day, which included singing, playing instruments, dancing and signing. – CS

Taunton corps officer Lieutenant Theresa Torr receives the High Sheriff Community Award from the High Sheriff of Somerset Johnnie Halliday for the Army’s homelessness work in the area

WINTON: Sanjay, the owner of a nearby fish-and-chip shop, along with his wife and two daughters, provided pots of curry as well as side dishes for the corps meal run. Thirty-nine people enjoyed

the meal. Sanjay first heard about the meal run from Hazel, who asked the shop if they could cook and deliver food for folk who come to the corps for meals. – MR

WREXHAM: Twenty people, including those living with disabilities, their carers and friends, took part in a workshop run by the Music Man Project. The day included music, singing, playing instruments and a time of fellowship. The Enabled group in northern Wales, which was launched by the corps last year, organised the event. Corps officer Captain Sandy Davis encouraged group members to maintain their passion and a clear vision for their activities. – PM

BRISTOL EASTON: The Sal vation Army Youth group hosted Quizine, a combination of a Sunday lunch and family quiz. Group leader Lynsey Greenwood and her husband, Jon, cooked the meal, while assistant leaders Mikhaila Faries and Kevin Simmons presented the quiz. The event raised £186 for the group. – MG

KIDDERMINSTER: More than £200 was raised for the AntiTrafficking and Modern Slavery Unit at a meeting with guest speakers Dave Yair and Katherine Riley. Katherine is a first responder in the Bristol area who interviews suspected victims. Dave, a local youth worker, will run the 2020 London Marathon to raise money for the Army’s anti-trafficking work. – GM

NEWCASTLE CITY TEMPLE: People experiencing homelessness took refuge from Storm Ciara at the Soup on Sunday initiative, set up by Bandsman Les Richardson some years ago. Volunteers offered spiritual and practical support, providing sandwiches, pies and many other items. Members of Brunswick Methodist Church, where corps folk currently worship while awaiting a new hall, have also supported the initiative. – BI

Major David Arnott presents Trevor Jones with a certificate of appreciation on his retirement after 30 years’ service as a local officer at Kirkcaldy

BURGESS HILL: Corps folk completed a two-hour prayer walk around the town, praying for schools, businesses and families in the area. A prayer team from South East DHQ supported, and a prayer station was set up in the town centre. The corps plans to organise

regular prayer walks throughout the year. – DH

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Young people encouraged to ‘live on purpose’ MAIDSTONE

CAPTAINS Graeme and Zoe Smith (Tunbridge Wells) led the YP annual celebrations. They encouraged everyone not to drift along but to ‘live on purpose’ for God.

A science experiment, forming different patterns with pepper particles, helped to demonstrate that each person has a unique purpose. The young people also considered what they were passionate about.

Building a jigsaw puzzle together illustrated how everyone fits into God’s plan in the same way individual puzzle pieces join together to make up a whole picture.

The year-old youth band, Harmony Brass, played ‘Righteousness, Peace And Joy’, which featured solos by some of the musicians. The singing company brought ‘May Your Joy Be In My Heart’ and ‘Do Something Beautiful (We Are A Shining Light)’.

Caitlin Smart and James Walters spoke about what it means to be a Christian before the young people received prizes. – GP

CHALK FARM: The corps hosted a Junior Citizenship Scheme run by Transport for London (TFL). More than 1,000 year six students from schools in Camden participated in short sessions on topics relating to good citizenship, and tested their ability to make responsible decisions in real-life situations. Corps officers Captains Lorraine and Michael Kinnear spoke about the work of the Army, and TFL gave a donation to the corps for its homelessness work. – MK