NEWS IN BRIEF

MERTHYR TYDFIL The hall is open through January and February to provide a warm space for people struggling with the cost of living crisis. It also offers a place to meet and enjoy friendship. – LB

GUISBOROUGH More than 300 people gathered for the band’s Carols Round the Christmas Tree. The corps also helped families through the toy appeal. Special thanks go to Niki Reed, who tirelessly raised £2,500 for the appeal. – SS

KILBIRNIE Staff members and passers-by at Morrisons in Largs welcomed the band as it played Christmas carols there for the first time in recent years due to Covid-19 restrictions. – JM

Counselling Service celebrates 50 years

Regent Hall

FOR 50 years the Army’s Counselling Service has supported the wellbeing of those involved in its mission and ministry. To celebrate this landmark anniversary, past and present staff members were joined by Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill, who opened the Well Being Department’s newly refurbished rooms on Princes Street.

Major Sarah Evans, director of Well Being, shared words of welcome and Colonel Jenine Main (THQ) led the opening song ‘Now Thank We All Our God’, before Head of Counselling Service Major Carole Harries offered a prayer of thanksgiving.

Counsellor Major Richard Gaudion traced the roots of the service back to William Booth’s 1890 book In Darkest England and the Way Out

After a brass ensemble from Regent Hall and THQ played ‘Jesus Loves Me’, the TC reflected upon Psalm 23 and offered a prayer of dedication for the new facilities. Counsellor Melissa

Curson joined the TC to cut an anniversary cake.

The transformation of the premises at Princes Street reflects the service’s shifting requirements, offering both online facilities and a welcoming space for those coming in person to be listened to and learn more about themselves. – SE

Event

Environment

WATFORD Head office staff from Pickfords gave up a weekend to volunteer at the corps community allotment. The team brought their families along to help build new compost heaps and paths. The corps and Pickfords have piloted a strong local partnership, which is now being encouraged in other regions where the Army and Pickfords have nearby centres. The allotment is an important mission arena and is visited by up to 120 students, teachers and parents a week between February and October. – MS

STAPLE HILL The band presented a concert themed The Miracle of Christmas, with cornet soloist Beth Ewins playing ‘Away in a Manger’. The singing company presented two items before joining the band and congregation for ‘Super Duper Christmas’. Singing company member Isabella Lyons brought the vocal solo ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas’, Michael Blowers played a Christmas piano medley and Naomi Blowers sang ‘Somewhere in My Memory’. The band played ‘Who Is He?’ as the young people presented a Nativity play. Bandmaster Marc Willets shared a thought, asking if people had room for Jesus, before Philip Jones brought the vocal solo ‘Do You Have Room’. At the toy service people donated many gifts for distribution to children across South Gloucestershire. At a Light up a Life service led by St Peter’s Hospice, people received candles to remember their loved ones. – VW

WALTHAM ABBEY After three months of major renovations, an afternoon of worship and thanksgiving reopened the main hall, welcoming a capacity congregation for the celebrations. The mayor and deputy mayor, Councillor Jeane Lea and Councillor Shane Yerrell, attended along with Divisional Area Officers Majors Jo and Tim Justice and Territorial Community Engagement Lead Debbie Charles. The Bible was read by the oldest soldier in the corps, Don Cramp. During the afternoon a mercy seat – which was remodelled from the old one by carpenter Andrew Tuffnell – was dedicated. Everyone received a wooden cross that was made from offcuts of the old mercy seat. Refreshments were then served from the new purpose-built coffee bar. The refurbishment of the hall has been in the works for the past seven years and the corps is pleased to see it come to fruition. – SK

Oakengates

DAVID Clougher was welcomed as an adherent by corps officer Major Vaughan Bovan. David was let down for his Christmas dinner just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, and a friend suggested he try the Army. He arrived on Christmas Day in time for worship and was invited in by corps folk. David was made to feel welcome and stayed for dinner. He has never looked back, finding Jesus and a spiritual home. – VB

Welling

TIM Shubotham was re-enrolled as a soldier by Divisional Commander Major Val Mylechreest. Tim testified that he had previously been a soldier, but things happened that meant he strayed from the path. He testified to being back on the path and having his eyes firmly fixed on Jesus. Tim was supported by the corps and his family. His daughter spoke of seeing how happy her dad was upon recommitting himself to God. Tim and Major Val are pictured with corps officer Captain Katy Shubotham. – KS

Colchester Citadel

JANE Carter was enrolled as a soldier by corps officers Majors Filipa and Luis Viriato. Jane was encouraged to attend by the bandmaster at Harlow Corps, where she volunteered. Moved by the example of her daughter, Emma, who was enrolled as a soldier at Harlow, Jane now attends faithfully. She is an essential part of the fellowship and volunteers in the Open House programme. Emma and family and friends from Harlow came to support Jane’s commitment and she shared how God has gracefully been working in her life. – FV

Exmouth

CHARLES Jackson, 97, was welcomed as an adherent by Divisional Mission Enabler Major Fiona Broom. Charles has been faithfully attending the corps for some months and, although already part of the family, he wanted to make this further commitment. The joy of Jesus shines out of Charles. He is a great encouragement and example and proves that age is no limit to following Jesus. Also pictured are Corps Mission Secretary Julia Chapple and Major Ian Harris. – JH

Joan Howlett Middlesbrough Acklam

JOAN was born in Stockton-onTees where one afternoon she followed the Army band back to the hall for the praise meeting. It was not long before Joan found the love of Jesus and she wanted to follow the Lord wherever he led her.

Joan went to work in a men’s hostel in Newcastle, where she worked alongside Major Laura. She was then called to go to Blackfriars Hostel in London, where she worked with Major Maxine. It was there she got married to Rodger Howlett.

A return to Middlesbrough a year later saw the birth of their daughter, Maxine Laura. Joan was a committed soldier of Thornaby, Stockton and Middlesbrough Corps, where she would help in any way she could. Joan always had a lovely smile right up to the day God called her Home.

As Joan would say with a cheerful voice and a beaming smile, ‘God bless you.’ – BG

LIEUT-COLONEL HEATHER BLURTON

HEATHER was born in Cape Town where her officer parents, Lieut-Colonels John and May Hebden, served, firstly in South Africa and then in Kenya. With her brother and sister, she lived in remote areas which necessitated all three attending boarding schools in Nairobi. Heather learned Kenyan culture and traditions and spoke their languages fluently.

After seven years in Kenya, Heather’s parents decided that the family should spend time in England. Heather soldiered at Hastings and Catford where her parents were stationed. After three years she returned to South Africa.

In 1957 Heather received the call to officership, which meant leaving Johannesburg City Corps, to enter the International Training College in London from Edmonton as a cadet in the Greathearts session in 1959.

Commissioned in 1960, Heather was appointed to Whitchurch, Hedge End, Midsomer Norton with Shepton Mallet and Norton before marrying Lieutenant Geoff Blurton and being appointed to Atherstone.

Officer service took them to Kenya with their two small children, where she cared for the needs of 120 children at Kibos School for the Blind.

Back in the UK, Heather served at Sacriston and Southend Southchurch, after which she returned to her homeland, South Africa, serving in the Territorial Youth Department.

Further appointments in the UK were at Wakefield, Kettering and Boscombe before divisional appointments in Ireland and Yorkshire. Heather’s final appointment was as territorial secretary for women’s ministries in Zambia.

Heather was truly a Greatheart. A devoted wife, mother to Karen and Adrian, grandmother and a dedicated servant of God. To countless Africans she was Mama. In Indonesia, where Geoff was serving in post-tsunami recovery, she became Oma to young officers. Heather had the gift of hospitality, and it was always a joy for family and friends to visit. Kwa heri

Army People

Local officers appointed

CSM ALISON DEARLOVE, Hemel Hempstead

Dedicated to God

AUTUMN KEMI CULLEY, daughter of Paul Culley and Kemi Hammond, at Clowne by Majors Mark and Sarah Price

Retired officers’ birthdays

MAJOR BRENDA SPARKES, 90 on 19 February

Promoted to Glory

CHRIS BECK, Rugby

PHYLLIS IRVINE, Belfast North

BRYAN JUBB, Brighouse

S/RESERVIST JOAN CROMBIE , Brighton Congress Hall, on 22 December

DAVID WALLER , Bolton Citadel, on 12 January

PETER TAIT, Carlisle, on 16 January

DIVISIONAL ENVOY JEAN TOMKINSON from De Lucy House care home on 22 January

LIEUT-COLONEL ROY GIRLING from his home on 22 January

MAJOR MIRIAM DODDS from Brooklands Nursing Home on 22 January

Bereaved

BANDSMAN DANIEL CROMBIE, Brighton

Congress Hall, of his wife S/Reservist Joan Crombie

KATHLEEN WALLER , Bolton Citadel, of her husband David Waller, Jason Waller of his father and Robert Waller of his brother

MAJOR LOUISE DAVIS, Hedge End, and Nick Tait, Carlisle, of their father Peter Tait

LIEUT-COLONEL JILL GIRLING of her husband

Lieut-Colonel Roy Girling

ROAR JORGENSEN, Lillestrom, Norway, Iceland and the Færoes, of his wife Lena Jorgensen, Captain Lillian Bean, Isle of Wight, and Jens Jorgensen, Lillestrom, of their mother

Official Gazette

Long service

25 years

MAJOR ANITA PURKISS, Leicester West

COMMISSIONER

ANTHONY COTTERILL

Territorial Commander

Engagements

General Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle

Mon 30 Jan – Tue 7 Feb India Eastern Territory

Sun 12 Feb – Mon 13 Feb International College for Officers

Wed 15 Feb – Mon 20 Feb Rwanda and Burundi Command

Chief of the Staff Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham

Fri 17 Feb ICO Farewell Meeting

Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill and Commissioner Gillian Cotterill

Wed 8 Feb WBC (spiritual day)

Sun 12 Feb Bristol Kingswood

Sun 12 Feb – Mon 13 Feb Forest of Dean

Fri 17 Feb Poole (TYB/TYC Final Festival)

Chief Secretary Colonel Paul Main and Colonel Jenine Main

Thur 16 Jan – Fri 17 Feb Raven Hill (Going Deeper)*

Fri 17 Feb Poole (TYB/TYC Final Festival)

*Colonel Jenine Main only

Notices

Cost of living crisis: A call to prayer

Christians Against Poverty invite you to join online or in person on Wednesday 8 February at 7pm at Westminster Chapel for the ecumenical prayer event Lament to Hope to consider how God is calling the Church to prayer and action. On the same day the chapel is also holding three ‘listening and prayer’ sessions at 2pm, 3:30pm and 5pm. For details go to capuk.org/ calltoprayer

Artists’ forum

Anyone involved in visual arts in The Salvation Army is invited to join a free Music and Creative Arts online forum on 9 February. Choose between two sessions – at 11am and 8pm – to talk about how to support each other and develop the use of art in ministry and mission. For more details and Zoom codes, email music@salvationarmy.org.uk

Sounds

Salvationist Radio

Update for Fortress Radio listeners

Salvationist Radio will launch at the end of February. As part of our preparations for launch, we are redeveloping some of the Fortress Radio services. This means that, currently, people can only listen to the station via the Fortress Radio website (fortressradio.online) – they can’t listen via the apps, podcasts or Amazon Alexa devices while we get them ready to switch to the new station.

SKEGNESS, 42 HIGH STREET PE25 3NW

Saturday 18 February, 4pm

Fundraising Concert

with Swineshead Silver Band Director of Music John Lyon

Sing along with the band

Free entry – proceeds of retiring collection for the work of The Salvation Army in Skegness

SOUTHBOURNE, BOURNEMOUTH SOUTHERN BREEZE LODGE (adults only)

Salvationist-owned guest house close to shops and beaches

For more information please call 01202 427459 email enquiries@southernbreezelodge.co.uk or visit southernbreezelodge.co.uk

DROITWICH SPA, OMBERSLEY WAY WR9 0AB

Saturday 18 March, 7.30pm

Evening Concert

Staffordshire Band and Charlie Green

Tickets £8 from Richard Campbell: 07387 308718

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.

To Let

MAJORCA Beautiful, well-equipped apartment. Two double bedrooms (sleeps a total of two to six). Walk-in shower, second toilet. Near seafront amenities. Large balcony, lovely view, quiet area. Competitive prices. Email carol@ckendall.co.uk or tel 01274 678 889 / 07308 506064.