Salvationist 2 April 2022

For everyone linked to The Salvation Army

70p / 2 April 2022

SALVATIONIST A WORLDWIDE INFLUENCE AND LEGACY GENERAL JOHN LARSSON 1938–2022

QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

HUNDREDS OF CHURCH LEADERS CALL ON GOVERNMENT TO SCALE UP RENEWABLE ENERGY

CHURCHES ‘DEPLORE’ DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MINORITY ETHNIC REFUGEES FLEEING UKRAINE

BRING BENEFITS IN LINE WITH RATE OF INFLATION, TRUSSELL TRUST URGES GOVERNMENT

The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is among the more than 200 church leaders urging the government to focus on renewable energy…

The church leaders said that a stronger commitment to renewable energy would help to address the climate emergency while leaving people in a better position to weather the cost of living crisis.

Signatories of the letter include 50 Anglican and Catholic bishops…

‘We call on you … to provide financial and fiscal support for renewable energy and energy efficiency, especially solar and wind energy and the retrofitting of homes and other buildings across the UK,’ the letter reads.

‘These measures would reduce heating bills, decrease carbon emissions and increase our energy security.’

Recommendations include a windfall tax on fossil fuel companies to address the cost of living…

The letter points to the commitment of many churches to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

‘Many of our churches … are taking action to decarbonise our buildings, including through the installation of solar panels, heat pumps and other energy efficiency measures,’ it says.

Churches have called for refugees fleeing Ukraine to be treated equally irrespective of their race or religion…

There have been reports in the media of refugees of colour experiencing racism while attempting to cross the border into neighbouring countries.

In a statement, members of Churches Together in England (CTE) said they ‘deplore the discrimination against African and Asian people and those of religious minorities fleeing Ukraine and call for every nation receiving refugees to treat all with equal care and dignity’.

The statement recognises the ‘enormity’ of the refugee crisis and says that there should be a ‘fair sharing of this burden throughout Europe’…

CTE urged the government to do all it can to develop programmes in support of those fleeing that are ‘both just and effective’…

‘Refugees come from many nations in conflict, and we pray that Britain might become a society where strangers find a welcome, whatever their origin.’

Benefits should be increased by ‘at least’ 7 per cent, to prevent more claimants being pushed into debt, the Trussell Trust said...

A survey by the charity found that two out of five British people in receipt of universal credit were forced into a downward spiral of debt last winter because their benefit failed to cover the soaring cost of living…

Almost two million people were currently going without food. Others could not afford power and heating.

The charity, which exists to end food poverty, is calling on the government to bring benefit levels in line with the rate of inflation as a matter of urgency…

The charity believes that the situation will only deteriorate, as inflation is set to reach at least 7 per cent [this] month.

The government is due to increase benefit levels by just 3.1 per cent – less than half of what would make up the shortfall. The increase amounts to just £2 a week, a level that the charity calls ‘dangerously insufficient’.

Christian Today

Church Times

Christian Today

Premier

UK CHURCHES PREPARE TO WELCOME REFUGEES As the UK prepares to open its doors to refugees fleeing the [conflict in Ukraine], Christians are already leading the way with a number of schemes encouraging people to sponsor refugees.

Welcome Churches has set up a website in English, Ukrainian and Russian to help ensure Ukrainians are offered the best welcome by churches across the country. Ukrainians will have access to information such as accessing a GP, finding a school and how to connect with a local church community.

Sue Butler ... joint CEO of Welcome Churches [told] Premier... ‘There are thousands and thousands of people already pledging … their intention to offer a home or a room in their house to a Ukrainian.’

SALVATIONIST salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist Issue No 1852

CONTACT US 020 7367 4890 (main) / 020 7367 4901 (editor) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk

EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

ADVERTISING advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk

MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Simon Hope, Melita Day-Lewis, George Tanton, Major Margaret Bovey ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden

DISTRIBUTION AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), 66–78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH 01933 445445 / subscriptions@satcol.org

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight, Louise Phillips @SalvationistOnline

@SalvationistUK

PROOFREADER Chris Horne Published weekly by The Salvation Army and printed on paper from sustainable sources by CKN Print, Northampton. © The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory.

ISSN 2516-5909.

2

Salvationist 2 April 2022

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

FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL Brian Peddle TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARY Major Mal Davies TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN 0845 634 0101

DOING WHAT WE CAN THE first Gowans and Larsson musical, Take-over Bid, included a humorous song with the chorus: ‘The up-to-date Salvationist is a man of many parts/… He’ll decorate your scullery and he’ll mend your broken hearts,/ A man of many parts is he.’ The late General John Larsson was certainly a man of many parts. I don’t know if he decorated any sculleries, but I’m sure he mended broken hearts. He inspired people as a gifted leader, musician, composer, writer and speaker – and, less publicly, gave encouragement and support to many individuals.

From a personal perspective, I was immensely privileged to have had him as my training principal and, in more recent years, have been grateful for his regular contributions to Salvationist, sharing his insights into Army history.

This week’s issue includes a tribute from the Chief of the Staff, who writes: ‘It is almost impossible to quantify the worldwide legacy and influence of General John Larsson.’ We thank God for the countless ways in which he used General Larsson in his service.

Also included this week is a four-page pull-out focusing on six Salvation Army values: boldness, compassion, passion, respect, integrity and mutual accountability. It emphasises the biblical basis of these values and shows how they can help shape our actions as individuals and as a Movement. Page 22 has details of a new booklet that explores these values and can be used for small-group study and discussion.

A report on the recent Homelessness Services Unit Conference reveals how these values are being shown in the Army’s homelessness ministry. Compassion and respect, for example, are evident in the Housing First approach, harm reduction, traumainformed care and Core Recovery Church – all of which featured at the conference.

Much of this is innovative work, demonstrating the value of boldness, which, as the delegates were reminded, reflects the words of Catherine Booth: ‘There is no improving the future without disturbing the present.’

Major Malcolm Martin begins his study of John 12:1–19 with the account of Mary anointing Jesus with expensive perfume while he was having dinner with his disciples.

The same story in Mark’s Gospel reveals that, when some complained about what she had done, Jesus said: ‘Leave her alone… She has done a beautiful thing to me… She did what she could’ (Mark 14:6–8). Mary gave what she had and, because it was an act of humility and extravagant love, Jesus welcomed it.

When we look at the life and ministry of people such as General Larsson and others who have multiple gifts, we might think that we have few gifts to use in God’s service and become discouraged. But if we do what we can, with the right attitude – demonstrating the values of boldness, compassion, passion, respect, integrity and mutual accountability – and in the Spirit’s power, he will welcome and use it. In the words of another Take-over Bid song: Though few the gifts I have that thou canst use, Make thy demands on me; I’ll not refuse; Take all there is of me, Take what I hope to be; Thy way at last I see, Thy way I choose.

(SASB 600)

From the editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

CONTENTS Quotes from the media General John Larsson A worldwide influence

2 4 and 5

by Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham

News

6 to 9

Prayer matters

9

News feature Committing to compassion at HSU Conference

10

by Deborah Toomey

Living out our Salvation Army values

11 to 14

Thinkaloud Praying for healing

15

by John Coutts

Bible study 16 and 17 Look how the whole world has gone after him!

by Major Malcolm Martin

Through the week with 16 and 17 Salvationist

by Major Sheila Smith

Viewpoint God alone on the throne

18

by Major Howard Webber

Reflection Praying by the rules

19

by Major John Waters

Reflection Being the right kind of fool

19

by Brian Colley

Announcements Adverts

20 and 21 22 to 24

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

Salvationist 2 April 2022

3

FEATURE I General John Larsson

Commissioner John Larsson with General John Gowans

The Larssons in Bangladesh

A worldwide influence Chief of the Staff Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham pays tribute to General John Larsson

B

ORN in Sweden on 2 April 1938, the son of officers, John spent his early years in Sweden, Denmark, Chile and Argentina, and by the age of 12 he was fluent in the use of the Swedish, Danish, English and Spanish languages. Following the family’s return to the UK from service in South America, he entered the International Training College from Upper Norwood as a cadet in the Faithful session and was commissioned on 17 May 1957.

His first appointment as a corps officer 4

Salvationist 2 April 2022

was at Sunderland Southwick with Washington in the northeast of England, where he served for just one year before returning to serve on the staff of the International Training College, where he remained for the next seven years. He received the rank of captain in May 1960.

In May 1966 he returned to corps leadership, first at Hillingdon and then at Ealing, and it was while here that he married Captain Freda Turner on 5 July 1969. Together they moved to Bromley Temple in May 1970, where they served for the next four years, receiving the rank of major in August 1971.

In January 1974, they were appointed to the Scotland Territory, where Major John served as territorial youth secretary before returning to the British Territory in October 1976. Here, he

served first as assistant national youth secretary and then, from April 1977 until May 1980, as national youth secretary.

A term of overseas service commenced in May 1980 with Lieut-Colonel John’s appointment as chief secretary in the South America West Territory. This was followed in 1984 by a return to London and to the International Training College, where Colonel John served as principal for the next four years.

July 1988 brought a move to International Headquarters, where Colonel John was appointed as assistant to the Chief of the Staff for United Kingdom administrative planning.

This role involved the complex task of researching and planning for the separation of the Army’s international and national administrations in the UK and which ultimately led to the

Book signing at the 2015 Boundless Congress with Commissioners Marilyn and William Francis

He was a faithful and humble servant of God who shared his Godgiven gifts of writing and music throughout the Army world

The Larssons meet Pope Benedict XVI

establishing of the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland (now the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory) in November 1990.

With the rank of commissioner, John Larsson was appointed the first territorial commander of this new territory. This was followed by further territorial leadership, firstly in the New Zealand and Fiji Territory (1993–1996) and then in the Sweden and Latvia Territory (1996–1999). In October 1997 Commissioner John Larsson was appointed as a member of the Advisory Council to the General, becoming its chairman in March 1998.

General John Gowans appointed Commissioner John as his Chief of the Staff – this appointment commencing on 1 August 1999, and it was while in this appointment that he was elected to

serve as the Army’s 17th General.

General John Larsson served in this appointment from 13 November 2002 until his retirement from active officer service on 2 April 2006.

It is almost impossible to quantify the worldwide legacy and influence of General John Larsson. He was a faithful and humble servant of God who shared his God-given gifts of writing and music throughout the Army world. He was the author, among other literary works, of Doctrine without Tears, The Man Perfectly Filled with the Spirit, Spiritual Breakthrough, 1929 and Those Incredible Booths.

Known throughout the Salvation Army world and beyond for his collaboration with General John Gowans in the writing and production of 10 full-length musicals, the impact of General John

Larsson’s contribution to Salvation Army heritage cannot be underestimated. His music, both in the context of the musicals and in his composition of words and music for many other songs, has had a significant spiritual impact on people of all ages. Those who had the privilege of hearing him play his own compositions at the piano will also surely not forget that experience. However, it should be remembered that the influence of General Larsson’s own character, his gentle and unassuming nature and his depth of spirituality also remain an integral part of his legacy.

In giving thanks to God for the gift that was General John Larsson, we offer our condolences and assurance of our prayers to Commissioner Freda Larsson, to their sons Karl and Kevin and to their wider families. To them we offer these words, set to beautiful music by General Larsson, and based on Philippians 4:6 and 7. We pray that the experience of this truth will surround and enfold Commissioner Freda Larsson and her family at this time.

The Lord is near; have no anxiety, Make your requests known to God in prayer.

Then the peace of God, Which is beyond our understanding, Will keep guard o’er your hearts and thoughts.

(SASB 793)

A private funeral service for General Larsson will take place on Friday 8 April, 4.15pm, at Beckenham Crematorium, conducted by Majors Iain and Alison Hudson (Bromley Temple).

A thanksgiving service will take place on Friday 8 April, 7.30pm, at William Booth College, led by Commissioner Keith Banks and Divisional Commander Major Valerie Mylechreest (South London). The thanksgiving service will be live-streamed at youtube. com/salvationarmyvideo.

Salvationist 2 April 2022

5

NEWS

EMERGENCY AID

Army supports women and children in Kyiv subways UKRAINE SINCE the crisis in Ukraine began, at least 20 babies have been born to women fleeing the violence who are sheltering in the subways under Kyiv.

More than 15,000 people – mainly women and children – are thought to have taken refuge in the city’s subways to escape the fighting. The Salvation Army has provided nappies, hygiene products and formula for the mothers, who are often giving birth prematurely because of the stress.

The Army has also provided emotional support, as the women and their families seek refuge from the conflict.

Corps in eastern Europe are using cash donations from supporters all over the world to source food and drink, clothes and blankets and other necessities locally. The Army has advised that donating cash rather than goods remains the best way to help, as goods from elsewhere in Europe have to be sorted and cleaned, and delivery to distribution points has to be paid for.

Women and children are particularly vulnerable as the crisis unfolds, and there is a danger of them being targeted by human traffickers in the guise of people coming forward to help. Expectant mothers are especially in need of support.

A Salvation Army officer, who cannot be identified due to security concerns, said: ‘We are fasting, praying and reading the Bible. I found an image on the internet where a young girl … said: “We have no one to rely on except for God alone.” That has become my motto.’ – AR O To help the Army's work on the ground to support those affected, donate to the Ukraine crisis appeal by visiting salvationarmy.org.uk 6

Salvationist 2 April 2022

EVENT MERTHYR TYDFIL The Cameo club celebrated St David’s Day with Welsh cakes and bara brith, as well as Welsh music and singing and a Welsh quiz. Some members brought a daffodil and others, including Lottie the dog, dressed for the occasion. – LB

15,000 people take refuge in Kyiv subways SEE PAGE 4

£1,000

donated to corps food bank SEE PAGE 5

400

ECUMENICAL STAPLEFORD Fifty members from seven churches met at the corps to celebrate the World Day of Prayer. Crafts, a quiz and refreshments were followed by a thought-provoking service. – FT

EVENT

food vouchers for parents in need SEE PAGE 5

60

people attend peace vigil SEE PAGE 7

WALLSEND Thirty-three people attended the first Messy Church at the corps, which was organised by YPSM Gemma Parkin. Attendees included families from Brownies, Rainbows and Jam club. Everyone had a great time exploring the theme of God’s love. – LC

EVENT

COMMUNITY

SOUTH LONDON Friends from across the division gathered over two days at Catford and Croydon Citadel for the spring celebration and tea party, which were based around the theme Stars. Various ‘stars’ were featured, including residents from Glebe Court care home, a guitarist, a vocalist, singing groups, the DHQ kazoo band and someone who gave their testimony. Divisional Mission Enabler Captain Kevin Stanbury’s All Stars band also contributed. Divisional Mission Enabler Major Susan Woodgate and Divisional Youth Specialist Rachel Gash contributed solos. Divisional Commander Major Val Mylechreest led and spoke in both sessions. Other items included a magic show from Major Richard Welch (Bexleyheath) and a drama from Major Stewart Grinsted (Southwark). Collections were taken in aid of the Ukraine crisis. – IW

NORWICH MILE CROSS For more than six years members of the Rotary club of Norwich St Edmund have been helping children to read with weekly sessions at Nelson Infant and Wensum Junior Schools. Over the past couple of years, with help from its sister club in Mainz, Germany, and the corps, the club has also regularly provided food items to a school Honesty Shed. Rotarian and corps officer Major Paul Robinson recently presented 400 food vouchers, valued at £50 each, to Wensum Junior School's headteacher, Victoria McConnell, for parents most in need. – GW

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY

SALISBURY The corps opened its hall for prayer and financial donations in support of people affected by the Ukraine-Russia crisis. The Salisbury Journal and Greatest Hits Radio helped spread the word and people have been visiting to talk and share concerns about the situation every day since the space became available. This hub facility will remain open as an ongoing opportunity to share with the community. – MD

FUNDRAISING

SHIREBROOK Frasers Group’s warehouse reward manager, Mark Smith, contacted the corps to donate items that could help the community. The corps was amazed by the number of carrier bags and boxes that were given over the Christmas period, which has enabled the corps to be more generous with its food parcels. Wanting to do more, Mark and his colleagues set up a giving scheme, which led to a donation of £1,000 to the corps. The corps is incredibly encouraged by their efforts. – LW

ENFIELD Moved by the crisis in Ukraine, Bush Hill Park Rotary club donated funds towards the work of The Salvation Army as it supports refugees in eastern Europe. Rotary club President Steve Everett presented a cheque for £2,050 to corps officer Major Glenn Furlong, who has friends and colleagues working in Moldova. – GF

Salvationist wants to hear your news Corps press representatives can email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk.

Good quality pictures will be included.

Salvationist 2 April 2022

7

NEWS

ARMY NEWS

ARMY NEWS

Army warns spring budget is ‘short-term’ fix ENGLAND THE Salvation Army has welcomed the support announced in the government’s spring budget to help people cope with the rise in the cost of living, but warned that these measures are a short-term fix and won’t stop the cycle of poverty in the UK’s most deprived areas.

Secretary for Communications Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant said: ‘The rising cost of living has hit the poorest the hardest and we are pleased the government is taking steps to reduce this financial burden.

‘However, while we are relieved there are measures to tackle the cost of living in the short-term, more needs to be done to help people escape from poverty in the long-term.

‘Our research shows that there must be investment in helping people into secure jobs. That means helping people retrain in areas where old industries have died and investing in childcare to ensure parents can afford to work.

‘Without these measures, people living in the areas that the government has pledged to “level up” will struggle to escape the poverty trap.

The cost of living crisis will only make them more dependent on emergency measures to make ends meet.’ – AR

ANNIVERSARY LIMAVADY The corps gathered over two days to celebrate 30 years of ministry in the town, first as an outreach centre and then as a corps.

Divisional Mission Enabler Major Paul Wright and Safeguarding Officer Major Jacqueline Wright led the weekend. They are pictured with corps officer Captain Sue Whitla, No 1 on the roll Margaret Williams and Jack, who attends with his mother. – SW

COMMUNITY RAMSGATE Corps members and residents at Yoakley House care home showed solidarity for people affected by the Ukraine-Russia crisis by wearing blue and yellow ribbons made by friends of the corps.

A donation of £1,000 was received in support of The Salvation Army’s work in Ukraine. – CW 8

Salvationist 2 April 2022

LONDON Divisional Commander Lieut-Colonel David Shakespeare (North London) attended a London church leaders breakfast hosted

by Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski at the Ukrainian Cathedral of the Holy Family and joined by faith minister Kemi Badenoch. The gathered leaders shared their support for a letter to the government calling for the extension of the visa programme to all Ukrainian refugees. – AR

NEWPORT After working together to help the community during the Covid-19 pandemic, the corps and homelessness charity Eden Gate teamed up to provide a new defibrillator for the city centre. Corps leader Territorial Envoy Raymond Baynes said: ‘We hope the defibrillator is never needed, that would be the best scenario, but if an emergency situation arises, we are now one step closer to saving a life.’ – AR

FUNDRAISING

WOKING Community Service Manager Amanda Mcloughlin and Toddler Group Leader Janet Thurston organised a vintage afternoon tea, raising £757 for corps funds. The event was a success, with attendees from the corps and community ranging in age from 11 months to 85 years. Funds were boosted by the sale of goods and work by the corps craft group. Some of those present had attended worship in the past and the next day attended once again. – MH

EVENT LENT FOCUS

by Lyndall Bywater (Prayer Network) WEEK 5 – KNOW YOURSELF SUNDAY 3 APRIL – JIGSAW PIECES When we listen to God together as a Christian community, every person matters.

We can only fully know the word of God to us when every voice is heard. Give everyone a piece of a jigsaw puzzle and ask them to write a word or draw a picture on the back of it, something they think is important for the church to remember.

Then assemble the jigsaw and flip it over so that you no longer see the jigsaw picture but the words/pictures on the back. Leave it somewhere where everyone can see it.

WEEK 6 – LISTENING TO GOD TOGETHER

CLAPTON More than 60 people joined together at a vigil for peace in response to the conflict in Ukraine.

Led by corps officer Captain Ben Cotterill, the event raised £250 for the Army’s work in eastern Europe.

Hackney councillors Ian Rathbone and Sade Etti spoke and leaders from nearby Anglican and Methodist churches led prayer. Listening to a Ukrainian version of ‘The Blessing’, each person lit a candle, which formed a large peace sign. People were also encouraged to write their thoughts on paper sunflowers – the national flower of Ukraine – and hang them from a tree. Captain Ben said: ‘One of the things The Salvation Army does is seek justice and reconciliation, and the vigil helped us express that. We continue to pray for peace.’ – TG

MONDAY 4 APRIL – GOD CONVERSATIONS At its simplest, listening with others is talking to our family or friends about the things we’ve been hearing God say or asking them to pray with us when we’ve got an important decision to make and we need to hear God’s word on it. Make time this week for some ‘God conversation’ with someone you’re close to.

TUESDAY 5 APRIL – LISTENING COUNCIL If you need to hear God’s voice in relation to a particular decision you need to make, gather a ‘council’ of trusted voices around you. Explain the situation to two or three of them and ask them to listen to God. Ask two or three others to listen to God without knowing the situation. Then invite them all to feed back to you, committing to hear and welcome every voice.

WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL – LISTENING FOR OTHERS Do you know someone who particularly needs to hear God’s voice at the moment?

Pray for them today and ask God to point you to a Bible verse that will encourage them.

THURSDAY 7 APRIL – DROPPING OUR AGENDAS Listening to God together becomes very difficult when everyone holds tight to their own agenda. It’s important to be honest about how we feel, but then to let go of our own fixed view of how things should move forward. You can’t make anyone else drop their agenda, but you can practise doing it yourself. Next time you notice a strong opinion in yourself about how something should be done, stop for a moment and open your heart and mind, reaffirming your trust in God and your desire to listen.

FRIDAY 8 APRIL – TELLING OUR STORY When we’re praying together to discern the right way forward, it can be useful to start with thankfulness, looking back over the journey we’ve travelled and marking the moments when we’ve heard God in the past. If you’re part of a group who are listening to God for future plans, take time to remember the journey so far and give thanks.

ARMY NEWS DENMARK HILL Construction is under way and on target on the new THQ building, with piling, ground works and foundations all completed. Mild weather conditions – apart from the recent storms – have allowed the contractor to proceed, and work on the columns and floors has already reached the upper ground floor level. This superstructure work will continue through to the summer and the next stage of cladding is being prepared for. – AJ

SATURDAY 9 APRIL – POWER DYNAMICS Wherever there’s a bunch of human beings in community, there will be power dynamics; some will be more powerful than others. As we listen to God together, we need to be mindful of where the power lies, so we can be sure that no one’s voice is drowned out. Whatever you’re doing today, practise the art of listening out for the quietest voice or the least powerful person in a room and help them to be heard.

O A PDF of the Prayer Matters booklet is also available to download from salvationarmy.org.uk/resources Salvationist Salvationist Salvationist 29 26 5January March 2022

75

NEWS FEATURE

Committing to compassion at HSU Conference SWANWICK THE 2022 HSU Conference cemented the feeling of togetherness within the Homelessness Services Unit, writes Booth House Lifehouse Service Manager Deborah Toomey. All the sessions linked into hope, togetherness, acceptance and relationships, with Territorial Director of Homelessness Services Lorrita Johnson introducing the theme of Diamonds, in terms of ‘discovering, refining and honing’ as well as thinking about how precious we are to each other and God. The conference began with a look at Housing First and harm reduction. The Housing First approach focuses on respect and compassion for everyone, while harm reduction aims to reduce the negative consequences of drug use through safer substance use rather than abstinence. It includes the use of a needle exchange and education on safe injecting and the disposal of needles.

Territorial Addiction Services Officer Lee Ball and Assistant Territorial Addictions Services Officer Captain Dr Will Pearson gave talks on the Army’s Harm Reduction Strategy, which aims to serve others without discrimination and focuses on relationships, not equipment.

Thinking about the loss of lives, love, connection and togetherness throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, delegates offered each other a sign of friendship, shaking hands and saying, ‘Peace be with you.’

The acceptance and non-judgemental thinking behind harm reduction was echoed in a passage from John 8, which talks about

10

Salvationist 2 April 2022

people who came to Jesus with different mindsets. The Pharisees and Scribes were able to see that they were sinners through the words of Jesus, like the woman they were accusing. The woman, expecting punishment for her error, received a lovely acceptance from Jesus, which must have left a lasting impression on her.

The highlight of the conference was a trauma-informed care session led by Dr Mandy Davis. Trauma-informed care is a strengths-based approach that seeks to understand and respond to the impact of trauma on people’s lives. The approach emphasises physical, psychological and emotional safety for everyone and aims to empower individuals to re-establish control over their lives.

The training session included the sharing of a hand model of the brain, illustrating how people make decisions and regulate emotions. Dr Mandy explained the concept of dysregulation, which refers to an inability to manage emotional responses. This can include sadness, anger, irritability and frustration. Along with an explanation of behaviours and a reminder about not blaming or shaming others, Dr Mandy shared knowledge of staff taking time away from work and explained how a dysregulated

Lorrita Johnson

Dr Mandy Davis person cannot support another dysregulated person.

Dr Mandy also talked about toxic stress, which is the body’s response to lasting and serious stress without enough support from a caregiver. Delegates were invited to think about their own toxic stresses, how they present them to others and what the signs might be.

The session emphasised that being trauma-informed is a way of being. It is not a manual, but one piece of the puzzle in the support that the HSU offers. Delegates were encouraged to always look through a trauma lens and deal with situations with compassion. They also had time to think not only about what the HSU team do, but also why they do it.

Core Recovery Development Officer Major Lynden Gibbs spoke about core recovery and understanding that long-term recovery is more likely when someone has a spiritual element in their lives. He spoke about the story of Jesus on the road to Emmaus (see Luke 24:13–35) and how it offers today’s disciples a parallel opportunity to rediscover Christ’s presence, gain fresh understanding of his transforming grace and form friendships that foster faith and support spiritual maturity.

Other sessions touched on homelessness accommodation plans such as Malachi Place in Ilford and the NAPpads piloted by the Army in York. A cultural competence speech was marked by the words of Catherine Booth: ‘There is no improving the future without disturbing the present.’

The conference left everyone present with a feeling of being part of something both powerful and inspiring.

Living Out Our Salvation Army Values ‘Our identity, vision and God-given mission as disciples of Jesus Christ are shaped by the values of the Kingdom of God as we love God and love others and seek fullness of life for all in Jesus.

‘As part of this we want to affirm our Salvation Army values. We need, together, to work our values out in our behaviour – so they are no longer aspirational but owned and held to. They help us to underpin and put into action and show what loving God and loving others means. It starts with us and needs to be lived out in us.’

Commissioners Anthony and Gillian Cotterill Territorial leaders Everyone involved in The Salvation Army is encouraged to embody our mission and develop and improve how we express our values. Our values and the behaviour that flows from them help us develop good relationships, contribute to a sense of wellbeing and help us integrate what we do with how we do it.

The basic standard of Christian behaviour, derived from our understanding of the character and action of God, is love. We need to continually be drawn back to understand how God is asking us to live and work together, so as to help us be faithful to our calling to be God’s people.

VALUE Our identity and God-given mission as disciples of Jesus are shaped by the values of the Kingdom of God.

THEOLOGICAL AND BIBLICAL BACKGROUND Deuteronomy 6:5 Matthew 22:37–39 Love God Love Others

BOLDNESS We will courageously and confidently seek to fulfil our five mission priorities: share the good news, seek justice and reconciliation, nurture disciples of Jesus, serve others without discrimination, care for creation.

Hebrews 11:1 Acts 4:31 Philippians 2:1–7 Matthew 12:18 Joshua 1:7

COMPASSION We will serve with the unconditional love and grace of God as the pattern for our behaviour, with a bias to the poor and marginalised.

Colossians 3:12–14 2 Corinthians 1:3 and 4 1 John 4:18 Matthew 25:31–46

PASSION We will bring our best selves, our God-given energies and our convictions to our work, service and learning, whether as officers, members, employees or volunteers.

Matthew 22:37–39 Ephesians 6:7 1 Samuel 14:7

RESPECT We will welcome each person with the dignity of those created in the image of God, valuing their diversity, seeking to serve each other’s flourishing and transformation within God’s love.

Galatians 3:28 Romans 12:3 Romans 12:10 1 Corinthians 12:26 Luke 10:29 Philippians 2:1–7

INTEGRITY We will be honest and transparent in all our dealings with each other and those we serve, being open about our motives and agendas.

John 1:47 James 5:12 James 2:17

MUTUAL ACCOUNTABILITY We will willingly and freely give full account for our actions to those we interact with and expect the same in return, recognising the link between individual responsibility and mutual accountability.

Philippians 2:5, 8 Ephesians 4:15 Romans 14:10–12 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 Matthew 18:15–17

DESIRED BEHAVIOUR Behaviour that we want to move towards

UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIOUR Behaviour that we want to move away from and challenge

DESIRED RESULT Fullness of life for all with Jesus (see John 10:10)

Demonstrate faith. Creative missional experimentation. Honesty about mistakes. Courage for hard conversations. Act on injustice (including systemic) and co-create solutions. Voice in public debate. Celebrate learning, innovation and growth.

Complacency.

Unhealthy riskaversion preventing innovation. Bullying, arrogance. Timidity.

Missional culture of faith, boldness and inclusion, promoting co-creation and sustained impact.

Demonstrate love, compassion, curiosity, empathy, kindness, self-discipline. Forgiveness. Calm, nonanxious, trustworthy presence, promoting safety.

Generous. Appropriate boundaries.

Blame, shame, fear. Judgemental.

Condemning.

Blame-free culture in an environment of safety where people and mission flourish.

Demonstrate hope. Desire to say yes. Enthusiastic, committed and empowered to join in God’s mission to the world. Reflective practice and iterative development through learning. Radical discipleship.

Cynicism. Failure to listen to and consider views and experience of others.

Culture of innovation and learning leading to iterative change.

Value and make visible the ability, contribution and potential in others (asset based and capability approach). Humility. Practising inclusion. Building deeper relationships characterised by the fruit of the Spirit. Servant leadership.

Exclusion and discrimination.

Contempt and egotism. Treating people as instruments.

Culture of respect, inclusion, collaboration and servant leadership.

Transparency, reliability, honesty, fairness, trustworthiness, authenticity, openness. Power used wisely for Godly purposes.

Dishonesty, duplicity, covering up, misplaced loyalty. Selfishness.

Culture of integrity and trust where we listen to and speak with deep respect.

Willing to receive and offer feedback, to apologise and forgive, empowered and enabled to serve together. Faithful stewards of time and talents.

Collaborative. Evidence-based approach.

Defensiveness, denial.

Silo-working. Misuse of power or status.

Micromanagement.

Culture of accountability at all levels, where we empower, encourage, equip and support each other to give our faithful best.

Background Our current territorial values were identified and listed in 2009 to describe how biblical principles could shape our behaviour. They are reaffirmed in the light of recent challenges, both internal (eg the need to restructure and the call for culture change) and external (eg the Covid-19 pandemic and the global response to racism).

Why values are important to us Having an aligned set of values allows us to set the tone and pulse in helping us all become ambassadors for the Christlike culture and Kingdom values we want to promote. They can outline the habits for us all to adopt. Our values and desired behaviours can help us learn lessons, inform an expectation of how we behave as a Salvation Army community and help us when things go wrong, as they inform our approach to taking appropriate action when expectations are not met.

Values and behaviours framework The table is offered to support our conversations, along with our individual and collective reflections as to how we embody our values as we seek to fulfil our mission together. It identifies behaviours which need to flow from our values to shape a culture where all people are able to flourish and experience fullness of life.

Behaviours that we want to move away from are also outlined. Feedback on behaviour came through sources including officer and employee surveys and consultation at Territorial Leaders Conference and Territorial Advisory Council. A biblical and theological background is offered in the table to aid our reflection on and application of our values.

Learning and culture change in The Salvation Army are possible when we engage more in reflective practice, become better at inviting and receiving feedback, and continue working out how to be more accountable to living our values, motivated and evidenced by love. As culture changes, it will be necessary to continue seeking God’s heart for how he leads The Salvation Army in living and loving.

Thinkalou d b y John Coutts

Praying for healing

F

OR family reasons, many friends have been praying for me and my wife. I am truly grateful. Their concern certainly helps to reduce my stress. But does it do anything more?

Does prayer for the sick provide anything better than a spiritual morale boost? I think it does, even if I don’t know how.

SEEKING HEALING THROUGH SAINTS St Albans Abbey, which stands 20 miles north of London, commemorates and celebrates the first Christian martyr of Britain, put to death for his faith in Roman times. The abbey was my school chapel and on Friday mornings I would sit in the huge nave and wonder at the great pillars with their faded medieval paintings.

I would sometimes wander round the abbey and gaze at the battered remains of Alban’s shrine, which attracted pilgrims throughout the Middle Ages. They came in needy faith, often seeking healing, until the shrine was smashed as a monument of superstition at the Reformation in the 16th century.

The abbey authorities rebuilt the shrine some years ago and have now also restored the smaller shrine of St Amphibalus, the priest Alban allegedly helped to escape when Roman soldiers came to seize him. The restoration took place during the Covid-19 pandemic and, to mark the occasion, the restorers added an extra detail: one of the carved figures on the reconstructed monument is wearing a face mask.

HEALING IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA Sadly, it seems that the cult of St Amphibalus was a fundraising fraud.

His alleged remains were conveniently ‘rediscovered’ in the 12th century and the name Amphibalus is thought to be a misreading of a Latin word meaning ‘cloak’. So pious pilgrims of that time entrusted their prayers and donations to this fictitious ‘St Cloak’.

Many then would have attributed their diseases to attacks by evil spirits. Some people today still do. When cholera broke out in Zambia in 2017 the churches’ response was divided. The government minister for religious affairs and national guidance called for nationwide prayer and fasting. Some churches backed the call, while others pointed out that cholera was due to unhealthy living conditions and lack of clean water and not a demonic issue.

Pointing to sanitary arrangements prescribed for the ancient Israelites in Deuteronomy 23:9–14, the theologian Jonathan Kangwa discusses some of the implications of these events for Christians worldwide. Zambian Christians, he notes, were called on to ‘pray with wisdom, so that we can eliminate this problem quickly’.

PRAYING WITH WISDOM... BUT HOW? Testing the medical effects of prayer can be tricky. Can it be right to pray for patients in Ward A while ignoring those in Ward B? An article in The Indian Journal of Psychiatry summarises numerous studies of prayer and reports uncertainty about the results.

The medical profession is divided on this but Dr Pamela Wartian Smith, the founder of the Fellowship in Anti-Ageing, Regenerative and Functional Medicine, has said: ‘Prayer is one of the greatest

stress reduction techniques. Prayer helps you let go and let God – whatever religion you may be.’

LOVING THOUGHTS For me, prayer is loving thought, directed to and through God. And so, in praying for sick people and those who care for them, we link up with a circuit of supernatural love. As we pray in love, we ask that skilled medical care may be provided in love as well.

We are not, I believe, asking God to cast out demons, because every advance in the scientific understanding of disease is a new reading in God’s book of nature.

PILGRIMS IN PRAYER The souls who sought the help of the dodgy St Amphibalus were really asking for direct action by God. Nowadays most of us – in the West at least – seek God’s help in healing illness through the skill and service of medical professionals.

But what are we asking for? Restoration to good health? Strength to face our inevitable ends? ‘Wise prayer’ on behalf of John Coutts the schoolboy would be very different from wise prayer for me today. Do we still hope for miracles in the strict sense of the term – acts of God, transcending ordinary events?

Please share your thoughts, because I’m still searching.

JOHN SOLDIERS AT STIRLING Salvationist 2 April 2022

15

BIBLE STUDY

Look how the whole wo Major Malcolm Martin considers two events that divided opinion about Jesus JOHN 12:1–19

A

CCOUNTS of Jesus being anointed by a woman and entering Jerusalem on a donkey are found in all four Gospels. The differences and similarities between the depictions of these events often reflect the aspects of faith that the Gospel writers seek to emphasise.

John frequently focuses on how people actively respond to Jesus, as a means of illustrating whether they merely see a miraculous teacher or genuinely believe in a Saviour.

EXTRAVAGANCE Anointing an honoured banquet guest with perfume was not unusual, but the degree of extravagant devotion exhibited

by Mary clearly made this a memorable event. The abundant quantity of perfume could have allowed the anointing to extend from the head (see Mark 14:3) to the feet, where Mary wiped the excess off with her

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

by Major Sheila Smith

16

Salvationist 2 April 2022

hair. Her act of humility foreshadows the way in which Jesus later wipes the feet of his disciples (see John 13:5).

This act has been viewed by some as scandalously intimate, associating unbound hair with loose morals, and the whole scene does suggest allusions to the love poetry of Song of Songs, incorporating feasting, fragrance and mutual devotion. But an unmarried woman, such as Mary, might well have worn her hair loose or lightly bound, so any scandal primarily stems from the extravagance of her actions. Unbound hair was also often associated with grief and this is certainly the connection that Jesus makes when he refers to his burial in verse 7.

QUESTION O ‘The house was filled with the fragrance’ (v3). What acts of gratuitous devotion might saturate the world today, bringing fullness of life for all?

EXUBERANCE Some within the crowd that then forms appear to have been motivated partly by the desire to gawp at Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, but even this imperfect motivation serves as a means of drawing them towards deeper faith. The next day, their numbers are further bolstered by the great throng of enthusiastic pilgrims visiting Jerusalem for the festival – a period when the population of the city might double or treble in size.

The waving of palm branches and their shouts of praise echo the similarly triumphant entry to the city made by Simon, the brother of Judas Maccabeus, in 141BC. The use of a donkey, however, is a clear demonstration that Jesus is to be praised as an envoy of peace rather than a military victor. The crowd acclaims this vision of peaceful and tolerant kingship, which is in stark contrast to the oppressive use of power that would have

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Lo! he comes with clouds descending,/ Once for favoured sinners slain;/ Thousand thousand saints attending,/ Swell the triumph of his train;/ Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!/ God appears on Earth to reign.

(SASB 260)

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding round him and listening to the word of God… He got into one of the boats … sat down and taught the people from the boat.

(Luke 5:1–3)

Every eye shall now behold him/ Robed in dreadful majesty;/ Those who set at naught and sold him,/ Pierced and nailed him to the tree,/ Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,/ Shall the true Messiah see.

(SASB 260)

orld has gone after him! been on display when Pontius Pilate entered the city accompanied by Roman troops.

No one present seems to understand the significance of what they are seeing, but the crowd exuberantly continues to ‘spread the word’ (v17), leading even more people to seek Jesus.

QUESTION first his disciples did not understand all this’ (v16). How has your own understanding of Jesus grown over time?

O ‘At

EXASPERATION Judas is a complex character. Although John clearly highlights darker motives behind his faux outrage over the use of the perfume (see vv4–6), Judas’s indignation raises a legitimate point about the scale of charity that could have been achieved with the proceeds from selling the perfume.

This negative appraisal of Judas’s

motivation is undoubtedly shaped by his later act of betrayal against Jesus, but there is nonetheless a marked contrast between his response and the devoted, loving discipleship exhibited by Mary.

Judas was trusted by Jesus and had spent considerable time in his company, but never seems to have reached the point of understanding his teaching. Generosity towards the poor was an enduring commandment (see Deuteronomy 15:11), but it needed to flow from true devotion, like a spreading fragrance.

The chief priests and Pharisees are similarly exasperated by their inability to curb the growing popularity of Jesus.

He threatens their political power and religious authority, challenges the validity of their teaching, upsets the delicate balance of the status quo and keeps winning arguments against them. Even some of those who had

previously opposed him were becoming followers. It is little wonder that the Pharisees feel as though ‘the whole world has gone after him’ (v19) – an exaggeration that nevertheless anticipates the spread of the gospel.

QUESTION O ‘Be sure that nothing you do for him is ever lost or ever wasted’ (1 Corinthians 15:58 JB Phillips). How might committed devotion to Christ make an impact on your motivation and shape your character as a loving disciple of Jesus?

MAJOR MARTIN IS TRAINING PROGRAMME DIRECTOR, WILLIAM BOOTH COLLEGE

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

‘Look, he is coming with the clouds’, and ‘every eye will see him, even those who pierced him’; and all peoples on Earth ‘will mourn because of him’.

(Revelation 1:7)

Those dear tokens of his passion/ Still his dazzling body bears;/ Cause of endless exultation/ To his ransomed worshippers;/ With what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture/ Gaze we on those glorious scars!

(SASB 260)

Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’

After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. ( John 20:19 and 20)

Yea, amen, let all adore thee/ High on thy eternal throne;/ Saviour, take the power and glory,/ Claim the Kingdom for thine own;/ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!/ Everlasting God, come down!

(SASB 260)

Prayer Lord, as we join with the crowd and gaze upon the beauty of your face, may we reflect your beauty in our lives each day so that others may know the beauty of your life in their own lives.

Salvationist 2 April 2022

17

VIEW POINT

God alone on the throne The third in a series of articles in which Major Howard Webber considers the question: Am I being punished?

I

N the second commandment, when God condemned the making of ‘an image in the form of anything in Heaven above or on the Earth beneath’ (Exodus 20:4), he wasn’t condemning the making of an ‘image’ per se. In fact, on two occasions, God actually commanded Moses to make images: the two cherubim in Exodus 25:18 and the bronze snake in Numbers 21:8.

What God was condemning was making an image for the purpose of worshipping it.

The Israelites kept that bronze snake for centuries as a continual reminder of God’s providential care in the wilderness.

Yet King Hezekiah smashed it to pieces because the people had made it an object of worship by burning incense to it (see 2 Kings 18:4). It is a warning to us all about how precious symbols and items associated with the worship of God can become as important as the object of worship himself. One can even become more preoccupied with the Army, with publicising and promoting it, than with God himself.

God sees the worship of anything or anyone other than himself as idolatry.

An idol is anything that we honour and love as much or more than we honour and love God. To do so is to insult the majesty of God and treat him with contempt – something God sees as hatred.

In Exodus 20:5, God describes himself as ‘a jealous God’. Whenever the Bible speaks of him as being a jealous God it doesn’t mean that he is envious of someone or that he covets something.

No, God is jealous for, zealous for and protective of what is right.

18

Salvationist 2 April 2022

He alone is God Almighty, and he makes it clear that nothing can compete with or deny that fact. In Isaiah 42:8 he states: ‘I am the Lord; that is my name!

I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.’ God created the universe and you and me in such a way that we are only fully at peace, fulfilled and contented when we put God where he ought to be: at the very centre of our lives. In other words, we are the beneficiaries of God being who he is and of our treating him as such. With God alone on the throne, all other things will have their rightful place.

In Job 21:19 we read: ‘It is said, “God stores up the punishment of the wicked for their children.”’ Job couldn’t accept that, stating: ‘Let him repay the wicked, so that they themselves will experience it!’ The people of Israel came to believe that any suffering they experienced was due to the sin of their parents and not their own sin; that they were innocent.

Finding themselves exiled in Babylon, with Jerusalem destroyed, they cried out: ‘Our ancestors sinned and are no more, and we bear their punishment’ (Lamentations 5:7). It was a view they summed up in a proverb they created, ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’ (Jeremiah 31:29).

That thinking may have developed from Exodus 34:7 and Numbers 14:18, which, like Exodus 20:5, speak of God punishing the children to the third and fourth generations for the sins of the parents. Jeremiah made it clear that the proverb was wrong: ‘Everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes – their own teeth will be set on

edge’ (Jeremiah 31:30). And, through the prophet Ezekiel, God condemned the proverb: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel… The one who sins is the one who will die’ (Ezekiel 18:3 and 4).

Most Babylonian exiles might have considered themselves innocent victims, but Nehemiah didn’t. He cried out to God: ‘I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly against you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses’ (Nehemiah 1:6 and 7).

It is a prayer that challenges me – as does this verse from the Army songbook: We have not loved thee as we ought, Nor cared that we are loved by thee; Thy presence we have coldly sought And feebly longed thy face to see.

Lord, give a pure and loving heart To feel and know the love thou art.

(SASB 630)

MAJOR WEBBER LIVES IN RETIREMENT IN BOURNEMOUTH

Next week God is patient

RE EFL FLEC LEC CTI TION TION O REFLECTION

RE EFL LEC CTI TION TION N REFLECTION

Major John Waters continues a series of reflections on classic prayers

Being the right kind of fool

I

REMEMBER dramatic newspaper photographs of the Battle of Monte Cassino during the Second World War. That such a site was the object of assault by the Allies was to some extent controversial. But its defended and commanding height proved to be an obstacle delaying the advance towards Rome that was necessary for victory over the Axis forces. Like much else it was the victim of circumstance.

The monastery of Monte Cassino was founded there in the 6th century by St Benedict, who also devised the discipline called the Rule of St Benedict, which led to the formation of an order of monks known as Benedictines. Several centuries later the Cistercians, whose notable founding members included Bernard of Clairvaux, also based their practice on the Rule of St Benedict.

Benedict’s outlook was marked by prudence and moderation and was aimed at ordinary men.

It prescribed warm clothing, sufficient sleep and adequate nourishment. Benedict would have liked to ban alcohol but it was so ingrained in Italian culture that he settled for no drunkenness.

The monastic day was divided between three activities: liturgical prayer, sacred reading and manual

labour. His legacy was a monastic order that was renowned for learning, agriculture, hospitality and medicine.

There is an active Benedictine community at Buckfastleigh in Devon that attracts many visitors.

Here is a prayer attributed to St Benedict that may profitably be used by Christians of any tradition: O gracious and holy Father, Give us wisdom to perceive thee, Diligence to seek thee, Patience to wait for thee, Eyes to behold thee, A heart to meditate upon thee, And a life to proclaim thee; Through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

We may not belong to an order in the monastic sense but the petitions in this prayer supply us with a rule or a discipline that, if followed with a sincere application, will surely lead to a greater likeness to Christ, whom we profess to follow and by whose merits we make our prayer.

MAJOR WATERS LIVES IN RETIREMENT IN BIDDULPH MOOR

Picture: Damiano Lingauri / Unsplash

Praying by the rules

Brian Colley (Clowne) continues a series of reflections on verses from Psalms The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’ (Psalm 14:1)

W

HEN the psalmists composed their poems they often called a spade a spade.

In Psalm 14, David pulls no punches. It is not usually polite to call someone a fool, even if we might think they are, but here it could not be put any more plainly: those who deny God are considered fools.

This is only the start. David goes on to say: ‘All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one’ (v3). They have taken themselves out of God’s will and are well away from the standards he expects. But there is a hope that God will save them from the captivity of evil.

Some fools who have said there is no God have been quick to call on him when in danger.

One man who served in the merchant navy during the Second World War told how some fellow sailors, when under attack, were seen and heard praying out loud to be kept safe. On another occasion a man who had said the Bible was just a collection of fairytales was trapped while working down a mine. It was said he was the first one on his knees praying.

There are many people today who say there is no God. There are also people who could not care one way or the other and people who once believed but have been brainwashed by modern thinking to change their minds. Worst of all are the believers who, by their words and actions, deny God’s existence. They are indeed fools.

True Christians will always show that God exists by the way they behave, by being like Jesus in word and deed.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: ‘We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ!’ (1 Corinthians 4:10). Let us be the right kind of fools – trying to convince the wrong kind by showing them that God does exist.

Salvationist 2 April 2022

19

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE APPOINTED Effective 24 March O Majors Carol and Eric Pearce, Ashington (additional appointment, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea effective 21 April) Effective 14 July O Majors Janet and Malcolm Martin, Thornton Heath O Majors David and Katerina Lennox, Clacton O Captains Robert and Clare Davis, Leigh-on-Sea LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED CSM Richard Secker, Norwich Mile Cross O CSM Major Eddie Arnold and Youth Team Ldr David Smith, Sunderland Millfield O

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Blue Sapphire (65th) O Lieut-Colonels Christopher and Shirley Parker (13 April) Diamond O Keith and Wendy Wilkinson, Dudley (31 March) Emerald (55th) O Majors Brenda and John Irvine (1 April) Golden O Majors Linda and Paul Hoad (1 April) O Bandsman Fredrick Alvar and CT Janet Cook, Wellingborough and Wollaston (15 April) RETIRED OFFICERS’ BIRTHDAYS Major Barbara Morgan (85 on 3 April)

O

Major Bert Roper (85 on 10 April) O Lieut-Colonel Ivan Croucher (85 on 11 April) O Major David Kidd (80 on 13 April) O

PROMOTED TO GLORY O Sheila Bishop, Wellingborough O Brenda Bullock, Penge O Molly Hackling, Abertillery, on 17 March O Major Margaret Goulding from her home in Street on 18 March O B/Sec Keith Standley, Ramsgate, on 19 March O Colonel Grace Napier from Edinburgh hospital on 19 March O Commissioner Bill Rivers from Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington, on 22 March BEREAVED Aubrey Bishop, Wellingborough, of his wife Sheila Bishop, Sarah Woodward and Carol Anderson of their mother O Roy Bullock, Penge, of his wife Brenda Bullock O Edwin Hackling, Abertillery, of his wife Molly Hackling O CT Meg Standley, Ramsgate, of her husband B/Sec Keith Standley, Captain Ian Standley, WBC, and Joy Watson of their father O Colonel David Napier of his wife Colonel Grace Napier O Major Karen Rivers, North London DHQ, of her father Commissioner Bill Rivers O

ENGAGEMENTS THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM O Sweden and Latvia Territory, Fri 8 Apr – Mon 11 O ICO welcome meeting, Thu 14 THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL O East Midlands divisional retreat, Mon 4 Apr – Wed 6 O Boscombe, Thu 14 – Sun 17 THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL PAUL MAIN) AND COLONEL JENINE MAIN O WBC (Celebration of Officership), Mon 4 Apr O Peterborough (Palm Sunday), Sun 10 O Staines, Thu 14 – Sun 17

20

Salvationist 2 April 2022

ICO DELEGATES The 249th session of the International College for Officers begins on 13 April O Captain Karyn Wishart, Australia O Captain Kati Kivestö, Finland and Estonia O Major Ramhmuzauvi, India Eastern O Major Rebek Lalrohnuni, India Eastern O Major William Masih, India Northern O Captain Raj Selvam, India South Eastern O Major Jastin Raj V, India South Western O Major Sarala Macwan, India Western O Captain Luca Longo, Italy and Greece O Captain Loyda Coj, Latin America North O Major Angela Pertuz, Latin America North O Captain Jorge Contreras, Latin America North O Captain Humberto Triviño, Latin America North O Captain Grace Mbindyo, Kenya East O Captain Saeng-yon Lee, Korea O Major Edith Kandoje, Malawi O Major Margarita Avila, Mexico O Major Janet Gutierrez, Mexico O Captain Arcênio Macamo, Mozambique O Major Vitalie Chiriac, The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Slovakia O Captain Willeke van der Woude, The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Slovakia O Captain Bryant Richards, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa O Major Veronica Okpalaihedia, Nigeria O Captain Martins Uzoho, Nigeria O Major Trine Kristiansen, Norway, Iceland and the Færoes O Major Asif Masih, Pakistan O Captain Marion Mae Tandayag, The Philippines O Major Beatrice Ayabagabo, Rwanda and Burundi* O Captain Fiona Loh, Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar O Major Santiago Evans, South America East O Captain Inés Gadea, South America East O Major Porfirio Patzi, South America East O Major Margarita Rosas, South America East O Major Ana Figueroa, South America West

O

Major Heriberto Jara, South America West O Major Gilda Valencia Flores, South America West O Major Alfredo Marquez, South America West O Major Santiago Carreño, Spain and Portugal O Major Luis Romera, Spain and Portugal O Major Sepali Solomon, Sri Lanka O Major Daniel Imboden, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary O Captain Gideon Mtelah, Tanzania O Major Lorraine Chaundy, United Kingdom and Ireland O Captain Carl Wardley, United Kingdom and Ireland O Captain Roselyn Mafuta, Zambia O Major Ruxton Nyamutara, Zimbabwe and Botswana The translators are O Captain David Acosta, South America East O Major Clifford Scott, Latin America North O Major Eric Heerlien, The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Slovakia O Major Virginia Bermeo, USA Eastern

in 1955 and appointed to Falkirk Corps.

Further appointments included Portobello, Shotts, Campbeltown and Ayr with Prestwick, as well as appointments in the Glasgow and Northern Divisional Headquarters. She served as divisional commander first in the Durham and Tees Division and then in the Glasgow Division. She was also greatly involved in organising large events such as the Scottish Congress.

Bessie retired in 1992 and returned home to Hamilton. Early in 1992 Tom Hamilton came home on holiday from Australia. He proposed to Bessie, but she didn’t say ‘yes’ until December. They were married at the then Salvation Army conference centre, Balvonie House, Wemyss Bay, on 13 April 1993. They asked the Lord for 15 years and he gave them 10 glorious years together. During the early years of her marriage Bessie served as home league secretary, which she found a most enjoyable experience.

Bessie said: ‘God has been good and I have no regrets in responding to his call and all the other experiences that God has given me.’ – BH/IM

*serving outside home territory

ROBERT PERKINS, STAPLE HILL BORN in Bristol in 1938 to a loving family, Bob joined the neon sign trade before training in scientific glassblowing. He worked for Long Ashton Research Station and met Princess Anne twice.

He met Pauline in 1957 and they married in 1961. They had two children, Simon and Janine, four grandchildren and recently welcomed a great-granddaughter.

Bob’s unwavering service included 25 years as corps treasurer, 49 as a bandsman, 35 as a songster and 21 as Cameo leader. He was still maintaining the corps history book in his final days and witnessed more than 82 weddings as corps registrar.

In his twilight years, he became ‘DJ Bob’ at Babysong.

He was known for his hard work and good humour and enjoyed painting, fishing and his garden.

If Bob were here, he would say: ‘Thank you, Lord. I’ve had a great life and lived every moment to the full.’

He is missed by his family and corps.

– VW

WHAT’S ON SUNDAY WORSHIP Major Alison Stone (Regent Hall) will be the guest speaker on BBC Radio 4’s Sunday Worship on 3 April at 8.10am.

The service is from the chapel of St Peter ad Vincula in the Tower of London, and takes as its theme I Was in Prison.

O Listen live on Radio 4 or catch up on BBC Sounds within 30 days

TRIBUTES LIEUT-COLONEL BESSIE HAMILTON BESSIE McNaughton was introduced to The Salvation Army aged seven by her mother.

She became a junior soldier, singing company member, life saving guard, corps cadet and assistant YPSM under the direction of YPSM Tom Hamilton, which provided excellent training for officership.

She entered the International Training College in 1954 as a member of the Soulwinners session, was commissioned

DERYCK POOLE, CHESTERTON BORN in 1930, Deryck grew up in the Methodist Church before becoming a soldier at Tunstall at the age of 18. In 1952 he married Eva and they had two children, Christine and Marvin.

In 1966 the family moved to Chesterton, where he became corps sergeant-major.

Deryck played trombone in the band and sang solos, accompanied on the piano by his daughter.

He had good organisational skills, often keeping the corps going when there was no officer. He also had a sense of humour and, like most people from the Potteries area, he was rather outspoken! His hobbies were gardening and making dolls’ houses.

Deryck had a deep faith and lived by Salvationist principles all his life. He continued to attend worship even in his later years when struggling with dementia.

He will always be remembered with love and gratitude by all who knew him. – CC 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.

Did you know Salvationist is online?

WE UPDATE SALVATIONARMY. ORG.UK/PUBLICATIONS WEEKLY, GIVING YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO O Read through the latest issue

from 3pm on Thursdays O Catch up on news you missed O Read the editor’s comment and

our article of the week O View archived issues

Like our page @SalvationistOnline to keep up to date Find Salvationist @SalvationistUK

Salvationist 2 April 2022

21

ADVERTS

DIRECTOR OF RETAIL SALVATION ARMY TRADING COMPANY LTD Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL) is the trading arm of The Salvation Army in the UK and Republic of Ireland, established in 1991 to help fund The Salvation Army’s vital work. Today we raise money and encourage reuse and recycling through a network of more than 220 retail outlets, including charity shops, superstores and donation centres, our clothing collection division and SP&S. We are a rapidly growing and developing company.

What does The Salvation Army stand for? Last year, the territory’s leadership published a new framework defining six of its key values. In study guide Big Questions for Small Groups: Our Values, authors associated with The Salvation Army unpick the practical applications of: O Boldness O Compassion O Passion O Respect

We are looking to appoint a director of retail who will be part of our senior management team. The post-holder will report to the managing director and provide strategic direction and leadership on all our retail operations activities.

O Integrity O Mutual

Get a glimpse of what it looks like to live out these values in a church context. Buy your print copy of BQSG: Our Values for £3 from SP&S or as a Kindle ebook.

If you want to be a part of our success and to play a part in helping others while working for a fantastic company, then read on!

The role: O Promote the values and work of Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd – established to create jobs, benefit the environment and through profitable trading help fund The Salvation Army’s work in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland O Own and further develop our retail growth and propositions as part of the company’s strategic plan O Provide leadership to the field team to ensure that we are recognised by our customers as best in class O Ensure that consideration of our environment and the wellbeing of colleagues are at the heart of what we do and that a culture of continuous improvement and development exists across the division O Develop strategies, plans, targets and initiatives to further improve our sales performance O Evaluate new site opportunities in partnership with the property team and develop the business case for new investments O Further develop our online platforms to ensure growth and an appropriate profit level for the business stream O Develop new retail formats to ensure that we are recognised as an innovator in our sector O Build strong working relationships with other Salvation Army retail operations within Europe and other relevant territories O Assume an active role with the charity sector’s membership organisation – Charity Retail Association The ideal candidate will have: O Experience gained at a senior level within a multi-site national retailer O Good balance of being able to work with the ‘big picture’ and interpret it as well as effectively work with detail O An understanding of the charity and donation sector O Excellent interpersonal skills O Strong numeracy skills with demonstrable profit and loss account responsibility O Strong analytical skills, able to test theory in a constructive and logical manner O An understanding of IT and management information systems O A strategic mindset; comfortable operating both strategically and operationally, with the ability to engage and influence at all levels O Experience and ability to multitask, work in a busy environment and be comfortable with rapidly changing priorities. Ability to work calmly under pressure If you would like to apply for the role or have a confidential discussion, please contact Korn Ferry via oliver.casanova@kornferry.com.

Closing date for applications: Friday 22 April Appointment subject to satisfactory references and proof of right to work in the UK. Promoting equality in the workplace.

22

Salvationist 2 April 2022

accountability

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

UP TO 15 WORDS

16 – 25 WORDS

1

£6.40

£9.00

26 – 35 WORDS £11.60

3

£15.45

£21.70

£27.80

Extra words over 35 – 26p per word CLASSIFIEDS: Non-corps events NUMBER OF WEEKS

UP TO 15 WORDS

16 – 25 WORDS

1

£9.00

£12.50

26 – 35 WORDS £14.00

3

£22.50

£31.25

£35.00

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

SINGLE COLUMN 1 ISSUE

SINGLE COLUMN 3 ISSUES

DOUBLE COLUMN 1 ISSUE

28 mm

£15.00

£36.00

£30.00

DOUBLE COLUMN 3 ISSUES £72.00

61 mm

£26.00

£65.00

£52.00

£130.00

94 mm

£55.00

£137.50

£110.00

£250.00

127 mm

£65.00

£155.00

£130.00

£315.00

PAGE ADVERTISEMENTS: Quarter page – 127mm (h) X 88 mm (w) Half page – 127 mm (h) X 181 mm (w) Full page – 258 mm (h) X 181 mm (w) SIZE

1 ISSUE

3 ISSUES

QUARTER PAGE

£180.00

£450.00

HALF PAGE

£340.00

£850.00

FULL PAGE

£675.00

£1,687.00

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

LISTINGS

NOTTINGHAM WILLIAM BOOTH MEMORIAL HALLS King Edward Street NG1 1EU

RUSHDEN CORPS Salvo Brass. Friday 6 May, 7.45pm. Tickets £5

Sunday 26 June 6pm RUGBY Bennfield Road CV21 2AS

RETIREMENT OF DIVISIONAL COMMANDER MAJOR BRIAN SLINN

Sunday 3 April 10.30am

AND FAREWELL TO DIVISIONAL LEADER FOR LEADER DEVELOPMENT MAJOR LIV RAEGEVIK SLINN

RETIREMENT CELEBRATION for Major Anne Myers

Led by Chief Secretary Colonel Paul Main and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Jenine Main

Led by Majors Mike and Lisa Lloyd-Jones

Anyone wishing to send their greetings to Major Brian Slinn may do so by sending by post to East Midlands DHQ for the attention of Carol Beardall or via email to carol.beardall@salvationarmy.org.uk

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

BATH CITADEL Green Park Road Saturday 14 May 7pm

Sunday 16 October 10am – 5pm

CHALK FARM You are invited to a reunion of ALL for whom The Farm always will be a very special place Contact chalk.farm@salvationarmy.org.uk 020 7485 1605

140th CORPS ANNIVERSARY AND REUNION led by Lieut-Colonels Anne-Flo and Massimo Tursi

MORRISTON SONGSTERS AND AFRICAN PRAISE 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.

(SL Chris Lear) Sunday 15 May meetings 10.30am and 2.30pm Tickets £5 from Eventbrite Further information bath.citadel@salvationarmy.org.uk

Print and Design Unit Sacriston Church North Scotland Division

HOLY SPIRITCONGRESS

Drop inside D Youth for a Cafe chat today! Table Tennis c Saturday turday y 14 14 and Sunday Sunday y 15 May M ay 2 ay 2016 016 0 16

Please call: 020 7367 4789 or email: or print.and.design.unit@salvationarmy.org.uk email: paul.fowler@salvationarmy.org.uk

Flyers from Single sided 100 A5 - £20* Double sided 100 A5 - £30*

ar e 1 her e ar T her n peopl e iin bi l l i on people billion

goi n g l d going w or ld ou r wor our day.. ever y day. hu n gr y ever hungr

A Another not her b billion i l l i on aarr e u under nder nou nourr iished. s hed .

T he he major m aj or ity i t y of of those t h os e goi n g hungr going hu n gr y ar ar e actually act u a l l y poor poor far faa r mer m er s. s.

w www.salvationarmy.org.uk/growinghope w w. w. s a l v a t i on a r my.or g.u k /ggr ow i n ghope SSupporting uppor t i ng

from f r om

Matt, Silk or Gloss paper

EDEN DE EN COURT COURT RT THEATRE THEA EA EAT ATRE – INVERNESS S

Led byy General André André ré Cox ox and Commissioner Commissioner Silvia Sillviia Cox Co ox x

at The Sal vation Ar my, High St reet, Langl ey Moor

with Special eccial Guests Gue Gues uests stss sts

Coventry ryy City Cittyy Band

Pool

Marjory ryy Watson Watson on

Chat Crafts Film nights Wii Games

2nd d Mile Miille Worship hiip Group Group p

11 - 16 year olds (01224) 496 000 6Tel: - 7.30pm

Email: aiil: lynda.nazareno@salvationarmy.org.uk lyn1s da.nazareno@salvationarmy.org.uk tW ednesd ay ofevery mo nth We eb: salvationarmy.org.uk/northscotland salvationarmy.org.uk/northscotland Web:

ntr e ance Deer D eer Road, Ro£1.00 Ro ad, Woodside, Aberdeen. AB24 2BL Snacks & rinks d available

Registered Charity No. 214779 147 779 and and in n Scotland Scotland SC009359; Social Trust Registered Charity No. 215174 and in Scotland SC037691 General: André Cox. Territorial rrittorria al Commander Commander for the United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland: Commissioner Clive Adams

Leaflets (DL size) from

100 A4 - £40* Matt, Silk or Gloss paper

T el: David & LornaitWh e - 0191378 3813 Allvolunteers are DBS chec ked & fully rained t in ea h lth &asfety Registered Charity No. 214779, and in Scotland SC009359

Large Posters A2 - £10* A1 - £12.50* A0 - £15* Gloss or Satin paper

Roller Banners £47*

* Artwork and postage not included.

2000 x 800 or 850mm

Salvationist 2 April 2022

23

Commissioning, Commissioning g Congress and Symphony Sounds

Friday 15 – Sunday 17 July International Convention Centre, Birmingham

Tickets available from 4 April Friday 15 Prayer event and International Staff Band and International Staff Songsters in concert Saturday 16 Sports Mission, Bible study, family worship and fringe events Sunday 17 Commissioning of the Messengers of Reconciliation and celebration worship

For tickets and more details visit salvationarmy.org.uk/Events/Together22

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity in England (214779), Wales (214779), 9), Northern Ireland (214779), Scotland (SC009359) and the Republic of Ireland (CHY6399)