15 minute read
Quotes from the media
UKRAINIAN WORKERS FLEE ‘MODERN SLAVERY’ CONDITIONS ON UK FARMS
Hundreds of Ukrainians are believed to be living and working informally in Britain after escaping from farms they were working at, with many claiming to have been subjected to conditions of modern slavery.
Ukrainians made up by far the largest proportion of workers in the UK on seasonal worker visas in 2021. Of the 29,631 visas issued under the T5 seasonal work scheme, two thirds (19,920) were given to Ukrainians. The Scottish Refugee Council estimates there are up to 6,000 Ukrainians in the UK.
The farm workers are not eligible for the two main government schemes that support Ukrainian refugees – the family scheme and the community sponsorship scheme…
Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol, the director of the Work Rights Centre, said: ‘I’m extremely concerned for the safety of Ukrainians who had to flee exploitative work conditions … and have since become undocumented.’
She said many had resorted to working precariously in the underground economy.
The Guardian
MANCHESTER PUB BECOMES CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNINGS
People in Manchester can now attend church at a pub.
The Mosely Arms in Bolton has become the venue for an informal alternative to traditional weekly worship.
‘We just want local people who are often completely off church to encounter Jesus…’ Rev Ben Woodfield, the vicar of New Life Church, told Premier…
Rev Woodfield and his team came up with the pub idea while prayer walking around the area.
The project was launched in March and has already seen growth in church membership.
Premier
POPE WASHES FEET OF 12 PRISON INMATES
God never tires of forgiving anyone who asks, Pope Francis told 12 prisoners on Holy Thursday before washing their feet … at a prison in Civitavecchia, northwest of Rome…
The Pope … washed the feet of 12 inmates, men and women of different ages and nationalities…
Pope Francis encouraged the inmates to pray: ‘Lord, forgive me. I will try to serve others, but you serve me with your forgiveness…’
Pope Francis told the inmates he knows that washing someone else’s feet can seem to be ‘a strange thing’ today, but it is a reminder of Jesus, who ‘teaches us this, and it is simple: you have to wash each other’s feet, one serving the other, without selfinterest.’
The Tablet
COST OF LIVING CRISIS: VALUE OF UK UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS SEES BIGGEST FALL IN 50 YEARS
Claimants of unemployment benefits will see the biggest fall in the value of their payments in 50 years … anti-poverty campaigners have said, as Britons grapple with the worst cost of living crisis since 1972…
Since September the price of most essentials has rocketed. According to the latest UK economic outlook report from PwC, British households are set to be £900 worse off this year in a ‘historic fall’ in living standards…
Helen Barnard, the associate director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, an anti-poverty group, [said]… ‘The majority of people in poverty now are in working households. One of the problems is that too many jobs are not just low paid, but they’re insecure – you don’t know what money you’re getting one week to the next, you don’t get sick pay; you don’t get protection if something goes wrong. People are struggling to afford the basic essentials and having to rely on charities for toothpaste and toilet rolls. It’s humiliating for a lot of people.’
The Guardian
SALVATIONIST
salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist Issue No 1856
EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts
MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Simon Hope, Melita Day-Lewis, George Tanton, Major Margaret Bovey
ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight, Louise Phillips
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.
CONTACT US
020 7367 4890 (main) / 020 7367 4901 (editor) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk
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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
WALK WITH ME
I’LL tell you a secret: I’m not always great at parties. At gatherings with friends, family and people I know, I can be bright and bubbly. In a room full of people I don’t know, however, I can feel nervous, quiet and a little bit awkward. There’s something reassuring about feeling comfortable that helps when coming out of your shell. At the same time, I know that staying in your comfort zone isn’t always a good thing – I love venturing into unknown spaces, meeting new people and learning from new experiences and new connections.
Two people who have learnt a lot from years of working in communities around the world are Ian Campbell and Alison Rader Campbell. They spoke recently at Croydon Citadel about their book Walking with Communities, which chronicles their trek down the South West Coast Path. Traversing a total of 630 miles in 28 days – way beyond my fitness watch’s goal of 10,000 steps a day – they met all kinds of people, and their book links those encounters with their past lessons and experiences.
We share some of that conversation at Croydon Citadel in this week’s issue of Salvationist, and they conclude that, at the end of the day, it’s all about relationships.
Two other people sharing their testimonies in this issue are heralds from Stockport Heaton Norris, who celebrate the privilege of being able to represent the Army and the Lord on the streets. Amid the hustle and bustle of life, ‘God is always at work’, observes Margaret Tucker. One of the ways he is at work is in the relationships that begin to form, as people get to know and trust Margaret and share with her their joys and sorrows.
The word ‘trust’ appears several times in this week’s issue, and it’s essential to forming connections with others – it’s less about staying in your comfort zone and more about having the trust and faith to reach out, not necessarily to talk, but to listen as well.
Writing about The Salvation Army’s work tackling modern slavery, Captain Marion Rouffet considers the biblical imperative we have to show active compassion towards others in the world today, ‘not just to love our neighbour but to act in love towards our neighbour’.
Acting in love in our day-to-day lives can be as simple as reaching out to someone else, listening to their story, offering them support and building trust. Those are the first steps in walking alongside them in fellowship. As Ian puts it: ‘When trust grows, we have not just friendship encounters but a glimpse of faith encounters.’
Come, Holy Spirit, companion divine,
Walk with me in life’s way;
By thy rich fellowship confidence give,
Walk thou with me today. (SASB 318)
From the managing editor Ivan Radford
CONTENTS
Quotes from the media 2
News 4 to 7
Prayer matters 7
Feature 8
Becoming... a servant of Jesus
by Territorial Envoy Lee Highton-Nicholls
Testimonies 9
A joy-giving ministry
with Dennis Cooper and Margaret Tucker
Reflection 10 and 11
God’s call to speak out
by Captain Marion Rouffet
Interview 12 and 13
Walking with communities
with Ian Campbell and Alison Rader Campbell
Reflection 14
Snowflakes and Scripture
by Ron Thomlinson with the Rev James Macfarlane
New commitments 15
Bible study 16 and 17
Come and see!
by Major Steven Turner
Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17
by Major Sheila Smith
Reviews 18
Reflections of a Salvationist
reviewed by Colonel Donna Evans
Powerhouse
reviewed by Bandmaster Eric Millest
Read with us 19 Called to Be a Soldier: Introduction
Territorial structure update 20
Adverts 21
Announcements 22
Letter from the Chief Secretary 23
The Salvation Army and me 24
featuring Melita Day-Lewis
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated
ARMY NEWS
Army responds to government’s refugee plan
UK
THE Salvation Army has said it is ‘deeply concerned’ at the UK government’s plans to send some asylum seekers and refugees arriving by boats to Rwanda.
Having significant experience working with people fleeing dangerous situations, the Army is very concerned that this plan will not ensure people have the appropriate care and support.
‘This is not about processing paperwork; this is about sup port ing people who may well be traumatised,’ said the Army in a statement. It warned that the proposed offshore processing facility threatens to introduce ‘an inequality of treatment that cannot be defended on any moral grounds’.
The Army has concerns about the legal provisions available to genuine refugees transported against their will by the UK government to Rwanda. It appears that they will not have recourse to the UK courts of justice.
Refugee Response Co-ordinator Major Nick Coke said: ‘Sub -contracting the UK’s inter national responsibilities to sup port refugees to a small, heavily populated African country is a dereliction of duty by the UK government and an unreasonable imposition on the people of Rwanda. This will not solve the problems of people who desperately need our help and tarnishes the UK’s reputation as a responsible global force for good.’ – AR CARDIFF Salvation Army volunteer Carole Dacey was nominated for a St David Community Spirit award. Carole supports people who use the Army’s Purple Bus in Cardiff and volunteers at the corps and charity shop in Penarth. She made more than 70,000 packed lunches during the Covid-19 pandemic, has escorted victims of modern slavery to safe houses, supports people experiencing homelessness in Cardiff and volunteers with the Samaritans. ‘When I had to stop working, I promised that I would devote all of my time to volunteer work,’ said Carole. ‘I love it and I’m so pleased to be in a position to be able to do it.’ – AR
PETERHEAD Chief Secretary Colonel Paul Main and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Jenine Main joined the corps to mark its 140th anniversary. Visitors from Fraserburgh Corps and North Scotland DHQ also participated in the celebrations. A cake was cut by the oldest and youngest members of the corps, Bandmaster Alex Sullivan and Daniel. – CB
Salvationist wants to hear your news
Corps press representatives can email salvationist@ salvationarmy.org.uk. Good quality pictures may be included. COMMUNITY
£1,023
raised for Army's work in Ukraine
SEE PAGE 5
10,800
meals given to Ukrainian refugees
SEE PAGE 6
120
people attend corps food hub
SEE PAGE 6
ANNIVERSARY
ARMY NEWS
Army wins at Charity Film Awards
THQ
THE Army’s Video Production Unit has won a bronze prize at the Charity Film Awards.
The winning film, Adapting to Change: Vanessa’s Story, profiles Vanessa Nsilu, who has worked at Barking Corps for more than 10 years. As well as showcasing Vanessa’s experiences, the film looks at how The Salvation Army in east London adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Vanessa joined the Video Production Unit’s manager, Bridget O’Leary, and creative director, Neil MacInnes, at the ceremony, which was held at the Odeon Leicester Square in London.
Neil said the award was for all the Video Production Unit team. He commented: ‘The main thing is we are enabling other people to see these great stories. We are giving a voice to the people that we meet and Vanessa is one of the heroes. It’s our privilege to go along to churches, gather the stories and put them into shape.’ – TG The film can be viewed by going to youtube.com/ salvationarmyvideo and searching for ‘Vanessa’s Story’
ECUMENICAL FUNDRAISING
New partnership supports Ukraine crisis appeal
UK
ALL proceeds (excluding VAT) from selected Mattel products sold in The Entertainer toy shops are being used to support the British Red Cross and The Salvation Army as they respond to the Ukraine-Russia crisis.
Brands including Barbie, Scrabble, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price will all help raise funds for the organisations’ work supporting the victims of the conflict in Ukraine, and The Entertainer is providing the funds upfront to ensure that the people affected can receive urgent help.
International Projects Office Team Leader Ben Gilbert said: ‘We are on the ground in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, offering urgently needed practical and emotional support for people fleeing danger. We’re so grateful for this generous donation, which will help us provide emergency accommodation and provisions such as food, water and blankets. We are also committed to helping the people of Ukraine through the process of rebuilding their lives.’ – AR
BRISTON A farmer from Edgefield in Norfolk offered his field of daffodils to St Peter and St Paul Edgefield Church for fundraising. Joy and John Hardiment, who live in the village and attend Norwich Citadel, gladly picked and tied together the daffodils for selling. They asked if they could set up a stall in Briston Corps car park and, with the coffee morning and food bank in full swing, the flowers soon sold out. The day proved to be an excellent example of churches supporting each other. – MR FUNDRAISING
STREET A week of fundraising generated £1,023 to help the Army’s work in Ukraine. Cakes were decorated and sold at the parent-andtoddler group, the band played at the town market and a community coffee morning was held. Freshly baked wood-fired pizzas were also sold at the front of the hall. – JM
MUSIC
SOUTHAMPTON SHOLING A large, appreciative crowd greeted the Solent Fellowship Band at an evening of music to raise funds in response to the Ukraine-Russia crisis. The varied programme included old favourites such as ‘Great and Glorious’ and ‘Canadian Folk Song Suite’, which contrasted with the more contemporary ‘Mountain Valley’ and ‘Prelude on “Lavenham”’. Soloists Faye Williams (cornet) and John Hanchett (euphonium) were well received. During the interval, Bandsman Gordon Birch celebrated his 80th birthday by cutting a cake. The band’s executive officer, Major Alec Still (Portsmouth Citadel), gave a short message and the evening ended with ‘Swedish Folk Song’. A total of £570 was raised. – BE
ENVIRONMENT
EMERGENCY AID
Army provides aid to refugees
EASTERN EUROPE
THE Salvation Army in Europe continues to support refugees fleeing the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
From the end of February to the beginning of April more than 10,800 cooked meals and 6,900 food parcels were distributed, and more than 3,000 people, including children, were accommodated in Salvation Army buildings.
The Praha Corps Family Centre in Warsaw, Poland, distributed clothing, hygiene items and food vouchers to between 10 and 80 refugees a day.
Working with UPS, International Emergency Services transported five pallets of provisions from Poland to Lviv, Ukraine, which were then transported to Vinnytsia and Kropyvnytskyi. Officers and volunteers in Kropyvnytskyi, where supplies are limited, saw more than 100 people per day. In Dnipro officers helped many people needing shelter.
Two Russian-speaking officers from Bulgaria travelled to the border to assist the Red Cross with the distribution of food parcels and hot meals and to provide a listening ear. More than 400 people have been served and helped.
In Batumi and Tbilisi in Georgia, the Army provided food, hygiene supplies, clothes and blankets.
The Central and Laloveni Corps in Moldova distributed food parcels to an increasing number of displaced people. The Army also sent two officers and a cadet to the border with Romania to help with communication and translation and distribute food and information.
In Romania teams continued to work at the border. More than 3,050 vouchers have been given to approximately 1,889 families. The Army has also helped to give out vouchers, food and clothing at Romexpo, a government site in the capital, Bucharest. In two and a half weeks they served almost 5,000 people. Ukrainians also approached The Salvation Army for referrals and information about employment and education for their children. – DF BALLYMONEY A newly formed litter-picking group met at Riverside Park to put into action one of the Army's mission priorities: caring for creation. Junior soldier Daniel wanted to form the group to help make the area a safer and cleaner space. Everyone shared in refreshments afterwards. – J-MC
Like our page @SalvationistOnline to keep up to date Follow Salvationist on Twitter @SalvationistUK ECUMENICAL
Shoeburyness corps officer Captain Rob Davis is invited by the Rev David Pierce to speak at St Mary’s Church about the Army’s work in the community
OUTREACH
GUILDFORD During the Easter school holidays, families identified by school link workers were invited to attend the corps food hub. As well as receiving food and Easter eggs, about 120 people enjoyed refreshments and Easter crafts. Many corps folk volunteered to assist and be a listening ear, and great contacts were made. The corps hopes that this event can be built upon, the contacts maintained and that everyone who attended will feel part of the corps family. – WMA
