11 minute read
Quotes from the media
RACIAL INEQUALITY HARDWIRED INTO HOUSING SYSTEM IN ENGLAND, STUDY FINDS
One in three black people who have experienced homelessness have also faced racial discrimination from a landlord, six times more than the general population of those who had struggled for shelter, a study reveals.
Academics at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh found black-led households reporting discrimination also face a risk of homelessness nearly 50 per cent greater than that of a white-led household, even controlling for their socioeconomic characteristics. Housing campaigners said the findings ‘should shame our country’ and showed racial inequality was ‘hard-wired into our housing system’…
Prof Glen Bramley, a co-author of the report, which used data from the government’s 2016–2018 English Housing Surveys, said: ‘What is particularly distressing about the findings is the apparent link between homelessness and race discrimination’…
Matt Downie, the chief executive of Crisis, the homelessness charity, said: ‘Every day we see in our services that black, Asian and minority ethnic groups are experiencing higher rates of homelessness. But this research puts beyond doubt the reality and scale of the problem.’
The Guardian
SALVATIONIST
salvationist.org.uk/magazine Issue No 1887
EDITOR Major Mal Davies
MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Simon Hope, George Tanton, Lyn Woods, 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.
PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS WORLDWIDE IS GETTING WORSE, REPORT WARNS
Christians who live in parts of the world that enjoy peace and religious freedom must speak up for the suffering Church in the face of increasing persecution, a new report by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) pleads…
The countries are mostly located in Africa, the Middle East and Asia but the report finds that a factor in the worsening climate is a denial in the West that Christians are the most persecuted religious group…
A particular country of concern is Nigeria, where ACN says the level of violence against Christians ‘clearly passes the threshold of genocide’…
Christian Today
MOST CHURCHES ARE NOT FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE, FINDS CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY REPORT
The future of British churches is at risk unless they can find innovative ways of being financially sustainable, an alarming report has concluded.
The joint study was carried out by the Diocese of Ely and the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge.
A survey of hundreds of churches in the Diocese of Ely … found that only 1 in 5 was financially profitable.
A third of the church buildings cost more money to run each year than they currently bring in…
The study concludes that being useful to their community and finding innovative ways to remain financially sustainable are key to the survival of churches.
Christian Today
UKRAINIANS ARE ASKING WHY GOD ALLOWED THE WAR, SAYS BIBLE SOCIETY LEADER
The head of the Ukrainian Bible Society says that people in his country are searching for answers after months of devastating war with Russia.
Oleksandr Babiychuk lives in the ravaged city of Kherson, a key port city that is celebrating the withdrawal of Russian troops…
The Russian retreat has prompted a lot of soul-searching and people are asking existential questions about the war, he says.
‘We should continue bringing the word of God, because war shakes the very foundation of people’s lives,’ he said.
‘They look for answers to crucial questions about why this war happened and why God allowed it…
‘There are so many traumatised people who have experienced loss, of their family members, friends, their memories, their property.
Christian Today
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A Christmas welcome
FOR many corps officers and corps volunteers, December brings to mind a famous quote from Charles Dickens, and it’s not from A Christmas Carol but from A Tale of Two Cities: ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…’
We look forward to December and the festivity, joy, music, parties, presents and, of course, the celebrations focused on Jesus’ birth. On the other hand, it’s busy with events, planning, functions, late nights, pick-ups and deliveries, often in the rain and nearly always in the cold.
Often, in previous appointments as a corps officer, by the time I got to Christmas Day, I was exhausted. Celebrate? I just wanted to sleep!
Yet Christmas is also a wonderful time of year when we can openly, boldly and freely talk about Christ. People – the public! – sing songs about Jesus. People give each other cards with Nativity scenes on them, put up Nativity settings and attend church services. People even say the name ‘Christ’ every time they say ‘Christmas’.
It’s an opportunity not to be missed, and more so when people come to us for food hampers and toys and support. While we offer these things without judgement and without using them solely as a means to evangelise, it’s really not that hard to say ‘God bless you’ as we help someone.
Christmas can also be a time to start new relationships. In my last corps, when we gave out Christmas hampers and toys, we would include a copy of War Cry and Kids Alive!, a flyer with our weekly programme on, and a business card listing the corps contact details.
And – like clockwork – each January we would see new faces at our over-50s club, at our parent-and-toddler group, at our kids club, at our crafts club, at our youth group and in our church services. To misquote Field of Dreams: if you invite them, they will come.
On page 8 of this issue we have an article on building relationships at Christmas time. Deputy Director of Family Ministries Liz Hall says: ‘Lots of charities run Christmas present appeals. What’s the added value The Salvation Army can bring?’
A similar theme is picked up on page 10 where Funmilola Ayodele, corps treasurer at New Addington, tells of how her family was made welcome at the corps. She says: ‘As soon as I stepped in, I could feel the love.’
Funmilola goes on to say that she found the corps to be ‘a church where you can hear and live the word of God, where you can develop your relationship with God and with people, where you can learn to love God and love people’.
Note the phrase ‘develop your relationship with God and with people’. Could that process begin for someone in your community this Christmas? Could this December see someone in your community become part of your worshipping community?
On page 9, we have an Advent reflection by Liz Hall in which she speaks of those seeking peace – people who are feeling anxious or frightened or troubled or fearful. She reminds us that God’s peace is available to all.
Who will you encounter this December – possibly even just to give them a toy – who needs the greater gift of God’s peace? Who is God bringing to you this Christmas? How will you welcome them?
CONTENTS
Quotes from the media 2
News 4 to 6
Prayer matters 6
Feature 7
God sees – so should we
by Amy Quinn-Graham
Feature 8
So ... what’s next?
by Simon Hope
Advent reflection 9
Peace of mind
by Liz Hall
Testimony 10
‘They allowed him’
by Funmilola Ayodele
Feature 11 Collaboration and new opportunities
by Colonel Jenine Main
Reflection 12 and 13
‘God’s a what?’
by Ron Thomlinson with the Rev James Macfarlane
Bible study 14 and 15
Mary’s song
by Captain Vanessa Coleman
Through the week 14 and 15 with Salvationist
by Major Philippa Smale
Feature 16
‘Let your politics be Jesus Christ’
by George Tanton
New commitments 17
Announcements 18
Adverts 19
MAJOR MAL DAVIES
Editor Salvationist
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated
EVENT
REMEMBRANCE
RIPLEY Eighty-seven-year-old soldier Roy Havill joined local dignitaries to lay poppy wreaths in memory of the fallen. Roy has continued to represent The Salvation Army on Remembrance Sunday since he transferred to the corps eight years ago, following the closure of Ilkeston Corps. – IB
COMMUNITY
UK More than 4,000 community spaces, churches, libraries, local authorities and businesses have registered with the Warm Welcome campaign to open their doors and provide a safe and welcoming environment for people struggling to heat their homes. The milestone has been reached despite registered spaces themselves facing an average £2,000 increase in costs. David Barclay, the Warm Welcome Campaign Manager said: ‘At the start of October, we had 350 open spaces. The response has shown just how strongly community organisations want to help the estimated seven million people who will be in fuel poverty this winter.’ – AR
FUNDRAISING
Sheringham’s Christmas Fair raises £1,400 for corps funds
Corps and Lifehouses shine a light
DUBLIN
A WEEK of intentional mission brought together two corps and six Lifehouses under the theme Be the Light.
The initiative began with discussion and celebration at Granby Lifehouse’s Recovery Church. Monday saw light parties held throughout the Lifehouses, with Houben House hosting approximately 60 children. Tuesday involved pumpkin painting at Greencastle, while York House Lifehouse made lanterns.
On Wednesday, Dublin South Corps developed the theme of Light further with creative activities. Granby’s quiz night and burgers finished the day off nicely. For Thursday, Greencastle Parade Family Hub had an evening of colouring and chatting about light and Clonard Road Family Hub hosted a film night.
Friday saw Dublin City Corps host a time of prayer and meditation. Finally, on Sunday, a meeting at Dublin City Corps reminded everyone present of how they can be the light.
The continual focus on the theme of Light brought about a positive and successful week of conversation, creativity, prayer and worship. The corps and Lifehouses give thanks to God for all who participated to make the diversity of the week happen. – IS
REMEMBRANCE
PRESENTATION
Brixham CSM Thelma Evans receives a certificate from divisional leaders Majors Steve and Mandy White as she retires after 16 years’ faithful service SUNDERLAND MILLFIELD Bandsman Mark Warrington visited Hylton View residential home to support Jim Fox, a member of the corps Silver Screen Film Club and former songster leader at Hendon. Jim led a short service of Remembrance and is pictured (centre) with Mark and residents of Hylton View. – MB
REMEMBRANCE
ANNIVERSARY
STAPLEFORD Territorial leaders Com missioners Anthony and Gill Cotterill led the 135th corps anniversary weekend, which had been postponed for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A Saturday evening concert by Stapleford Band and Songsters included the march ‘Stapleford Citadel’, with guest soloists Andy and Karen Ward (Derby Central). Commissioner Anthony read an article from the War Cry in 1885, which outlined the first day the work of the corps commenced. Sunday included a junior soldier enrolment by Commissioner Anthony and an afternoon praise meeting, with Commissioner Gill sharing a message based on Joshua. Number one on the roll Margaret Burton is pictured with the TC cutting a celebratory cake. – FT
REMEMBRANCE
Teddington Band join with the Royal British Legion and other churches for a Remembrance Sunday service
ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE
Matt and Jayden (Bognor Regis) lay a wreath at the town Remembrance service
BEFORE AFTER
RIPLEY The corps marked 141 years in the town with a rededication ceremony led by Chief Secretary Colonel Paul Main alongside the mayor of Ripley, Councillor Nigel Weaving, and the Rev John Wigram. The hall has been on Heath Road since 1911. Colonel Richard Wilson, the Chief Secretary in 1911, was present at the original dedication ceremony and laid the original foundation stone which, due to erosion, has now been replaced. Today the corps programme includes a weekly fellowship group, Messy Church, a monthly community café and a drop-in that runs in conjunction with the food bank. Corps officer Major Vincent Wall said the event was ‘a wonderful opportunity for our church to thank God for the last 141 years of service’. – AR
HULL CITADEL The Yorkshire, Tees and Humber Youth Band led morning worship. Kieran, Katie, Harry and Claire shared testimonies and Gen brought a vocal solo she composed with her father. – MK
MUSIC
BIRMINGHAM CITADEL The band represented The Salvation Army alongside Divisional Commander Lieut-Colonel João Paulo Ramos and corps officer Major Adrian Allman at the Birmingham Remembrance Sunday ceremony. – RO REMEMBRANCE
MOTHERWELL The band provided the music for the town Remembrance service and Major June Rorie laid a wreath on behalf of the corps. Divisional Mission Enabler Major Dean Logan led a service of Remembrance at the hall. He is pictured with ex-service personnel Bandmaster William Friend, Ian Hay and Major James Rorie. – JR
Salvationist wants to hear your news. Corps press representatives can email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk. Good quality pictures may be included.
