12 minute read
Quotes from the media
AFGHAN CHRISTIANS STRUGGLE TO ACCESS HUMANITARIAN AID
Afghan Christians are facing barriers to humanitarian assistance because of persecution under the Taliban and in neighbouring countries where they have fled, a Christian charity has warned.
International Christian Concern (ICC), which monitors persecution hotspots, is calling on the international community to maintain pressure on the Taliban a year after it returned to power in Afghanistan…
The persecution of Christians in Afghanistan is detailed in a new ICC report, which documents the impact of the Taliban takeover on religious freedom in the country.
It describes how in the past year Christians have been killed, tortured to inform on other Christians, kidnapped and held for ransom…
Christians have become internally displaced persons (IDPs) within Afghanistan but because they are in hiding, they are ‘isolated from the humanitarian aid normally provided to IDPs’, the ICC warns…
Leaving Afghanistan is ‘a highly restricted privilege enjoyed only by a select few’. The elderly, widows and unmarried women are among those most unlikely to be able to leave.
Even those who have been able to flee have faced persecution in neighbouring countries like Pakistan...
In some cases, the experience of Afghan Christians there has been so bad that they have returned to Afghanistan.
Christian Today
PARISHES FEEL THE SQUEEZE AS ENERGY BILLS ROCKET
Soaring energy costs are leaving churches with a choice between keeping their buildings open for community groups or paying their fuel bills next winter.
Churches and charities are not subject to the cap on energy bills, and most are classed as business for their tariffs, which has meant that they have not been protected from price rises.
Churches report huge increases in bills; some clergy say that this has left them feeling sick with stress... One assistant curate has joined the … campaign … urging people to cancel their direct debit payments for energy bills.
Among those facing soaring costs is the Rev Andy Fitchet of Andover Methodist Church…
He has called for a social tariff to be introduced for the non-profit sector to protect organisations serving the community.
Church Times
CHRISTIANS URGED TO PRAY FOR RAIL WORKERS AS STRIKE ACTION CONTINUES
Christians are being urged to pray for rail workers as more strikes cause travel disruptions.
RMT strikes are causing difficulties across the country, and Tube strikes are causing a strain on travel around the capital.
Many have been left frustrated by the continued strike action, but Liam Johnston from Railway Mission says people of faith need to give grace.
He said… ‘There’s a lot of people … who talk about the amount of money that the average rail worker gets paid, but the reality is that a lot of people don’t get paid anywhere near that amount…
‘They are now struggling, the same as everybody else.
Premier
UKRAINIAN BISHOP THANKS THE PEOPLE OF SCOTLAND FOR INVITING REFUGEES FLEEING THE WAR
The Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic community has thanked the people of Scotland for ‘warmly welcoming’ thousands of people who fled the war between Russia and Ukraine. [The Right] Rev Kenneth Nowakowski stated the ‘generous hospitality and solidarity’ that they have shown to those seeking refuge is an example of people being united as sisters and brothers through Jesus Christ.
In Scotland, [more than] 13,000 Ukrainians have settled under visa sponsorship schemes...
Congregations and individuals in Scotland have raised more than £408,000 to help support the Ukrainian Church and churches in surrounding countries to help people seeking refuge from the war.
Premier
SALVATIONIST
salvationist.org.uk/media/magazine Issue No 1874
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.
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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
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Major Mal Davies
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It was good
IN October 2021, our territory launched new identity statements including vision, mission and intention statements. These were the product of an Identity Taskforce with representatives from across the territory, along with feedback from senior leaders. While the statement of intention – ‘Love God, Love Others’ – has especially caught the attention of the territory, there are also a range of ways that corps and programmes are seeking to fulfil the five mission priorities captured in the mission statement.
In this issue we have several articles that focus on our mission to ‘care for creation’. In the identity brochure released in 2021, we said that we are committed to changing both attitudes and practices to ensure a ‘more responsible use of our planet’, and that part of allowing people to experience ‘fullness of life’ (from our vision statement) is to ensure that God’s creation is ‘protected and cared for’.
On pages 10 and 11 you can read Simon Hope’s report from Forest of Dean Corps, where he’s spoken to Major Vivienne Prescott about the way in which environmentalism and mission go together in a beautiful, God-honouring celebration of life.
The fresh expression there includes ministry in a field – yes, I said a field – and Major Vivienne says the work of the Army there is organic in more ways than one, including a revitalised gated garden that provides a quiet refuge from the world.
‘It’s not only looking at our church, but also looking individually to see what we’re doing at home and in our own environments. It’s about making those changes while encouraging that as a church. Anything can have such a significant impact,’ says Vivienne.
Elsewhere, on pages 12 and 13, we have a reflection on COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference that took place in Glasgow 10 months ago.
Aside from the official talks and meetings held, it was a rewarding time for casual discussions on the environment, says Glasgow City Centre corps officer Lieutenant Scott Garman. For people who dropped by the corps for a chat, Scott made it clear that The Salvation Army was participating in and supporting COP26 because ‘Christians have something to contribute to the ecological movement’.
At one seminar, a participant asked if Christians could do anything to help with climate change and the professor leading the seminar spoke of ‘stewardship and care for creation as key themes of the Creation accounts in Genesis’. And he was an agnostic!
While you’ll find a range of articles in these pages – including information on the Big Collection, a new CD of Salvation Army songs from opera singer Brindley Sherratt, a Bible study on Numbers 21, and a fundraising climb in north Africa – there’s possibly none more challenging than the articles that discuss how we can care for creation.
I say challenging because it can be easy to abandon responsibility for our planet to corporations or governments or senior leaders in our Movement or, simply, to others. Until we each take responsibility for God’s creation and commit to doing our part, the problem will stay unresolved.
Psalm 24:1 and 2 says: ‘The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.’ It refers to Genesis 1, when God not only created but also said it was good. Is it still good? What has happened to God’s good creation?
I pray that as you read this week’s issue of Salvationist you will sense something of the urgency required to care for our world. It’s not ‘their’ job, it’s my job and yours.
MAJOR MAL DAVIES
Editor Salvationist
CONTENTS
Quotes from the media
News 4 to 6
Prayer matters
Interview
Comfort in concert
Brindley Sherratt talks to Simon Hope
Preview
The Big Collection
by Bex Turner
Letter from the territorial 9 commander
Feature 10 and 11 A wild idea: Becoming an eco church
by Simon Hope
Feature
COP26: A year later
by Major David Cavanagh
12 and 13
Stories of transformation 14
Coral and Tim Goddard: Finding inner resources
by Major Rosemary Dawson
Interview
Running the division
with Simon Gash
Bible study
Worship the real God
by Major Nigel Bovey
16 and 17
Through the week with Salvationist
by Major Lynda Levis
16 and 17
New commitments 18 and 19
Reflection
Sing a new song
by Brian Colley
Reflection
What a day should be
by Major John Waters
Fundraising 21
Trek Toubkal: Challenge complete
by Angela Carlucci
Announcements 22
Adverts 23
The Salvation Army and me 24
featuring Ann Ward
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated
HOMELESSNESS BIRTHDAY
Mural inspires hope
SWAN LODGE LIFEHOUSE
ARTIST Frank Styles has painted a stunning mural on the walls of the Sunderland Lifehouse.
The eye-catching artwork features a seascape with swans flying up the side of the building. The Lifehouse provides accommodation for up to 65 adults who are experiencing homelessness. As well as providing a place to stay, the service offers support to help them overcome the reasons behind their homelessness.
Christine Ritchie, the service manager, said: ‘We wanted the swans to be flying into the air representing a journey, as many of our residents are on their own journey; many will have been at the lowest point in their lives, but are now being supported as they make their way back up.’
Frank, whose work focuses on large scale murals, spent five weeks on the painting.
‘I hope it will inspire those who need inspiration and praise those who make the effort to help those in trouble,’ he said. – AR BARRHEAD Despite her not wanting a fuss, the home league celebrated the 100th birthday of loyal member Anna Lawns with singing, prayer, laughter, strawberries and sweet treats. Anna, a member of the group for many of her 100 years, is pictured seated behind her birthday cakes. – GW
FUNDRAISING FUNDRAISING
Outgoing mayor Councillor Christopher Krelle presents Prescot CSM Rob Long with a donation from the Mayor’s Charity Fund towards the corps community work
ECUMENICAL
NEWCASTLE CITY TEMPLE Nine-year-old Oliver, who is taking junior soldier classes, did a five-mile sponsored walk to help raise funds towards the new corps building, which is nearing completion. After completing the walk Oliver and his mum, Rosey, organised a stall at his school’s summer fayre to raise funds and awareness of his campaign. The combined result has raised a whopping £725. The corps is delighted and grateful for his enthusiasm and support. Oliver and his mum are pictured with corps officer Major Liz Hancock and her dog, Caleb. – BI WRAGBY Market Rasen Bandmaster John Barrett attended All Saints Church to play the organ for a joint service. He is pictured with Church of England Reader Peter Dalby, Patricia Barrett, the Bishop of Grimsby, the Right Rev David Court, and the Rev Mark Holden, Rector of the Wragby Group of Parishes. – GB
MUSIC
PAIGNTON The band ministered and provided all the music for a Songs of Praise concert at the Quay in Stoke Gabriel, as part of Carnival 2022. The village, on a creek of the River Dart, is a popular location and a good crowd gathered for the event. – AI
MUSIC
Anglia Fellowship Band mark the end of rehearsal season with an informal concert at Ipswich Citadel
MEETING
LLANELLI Corps officer Captain Karen Symonds, her husband Mark and their family were warmly received by the corps at a welcome meeting led by Divisional Mission Enabler Major Steve Wilson. Captain Karen testified to her joy at being appointed to the corps and is looking forward to serving the fellowship and community and winning souls for the Kingdom. – TC
BRISTON On Sunday afternoon Major Michelle Wheeler (East of England DHQ) welcomed Territorial Envoy Alison Parker to the corps, with friends from Snettisham, Fakenham, Sheringham, Aylsham and Norwich Mile Cross joining to worship and give thanks for Alison’s appointment. – MR PRESENTATION
BRADFORD CITADEL Corps officer Captain Claire Whybrow presented Michael Spargo with a certificate of appreciation as he retired as songster leader after 38 years of faithful service, initially at West Bowling and then at the corps. The corps also recognised more than 800 years of combined service between members of the songsters. – CW HOMELESSNESS
THE ORCHARD An open day at the Lifehouse brought together agencies from across Bradford that support rough sleepers. More than 70 people attended including representatives from the city council, Hope Housing, Bradford Homelessness Outreach Partnership, Emmaus Bradford and Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust. Lindsey, a community worker who attended the open day, helps the Lifehouse’s clients access education and training. She said: ‘You need everybody working together to help people. There’s that phrase “it takes a village to raise a child”, and it takes a community to help an adult in crisis move forward. That’s what this open day is about.’ – AR
EMERGENCY AID
ARDLEIGH The Emergency Response Team attended an incident where fields were alight due to the high temperatures, dry conditions and high winds. In attendance were representatives of Chelmsford Corps, led by corps officers Majors Ian and Tracey Mountford. From one of the Army’s mobile canteens, the team provided the emergency personnel with sandwiches, tea, cold soft drinks and water. – AR
OUTREACH
PAIGNTON The band engaged in open-air ministry near the seafront during the summer, supported by members of the corps. Such was their commitment to this outreach that Melvyn Kirby, who plays euphonium, even supported on his 80th birthday. Good conversations took place with holidaymakers and residents. – AI
Salvationist wants to hear your news. Corps press representatives can email salvationist@salvationarmy. org.uk. Good quality pictures may be included.
