10 minute read
Quotes from the media
RE SUFFERS AS GOVERNMENT STARVES IT OF FUNDS, NEW IT OF FUNDS, NEW REVIEW FINDS
A spike in GCSE entries for religious studies since 2010 is tailing off rapidly, owing in part to zero government funding for the subject in the past five years, new research suggests…
During this period … the government did not spend any money on RE, compared with the large sums spent on English (£28.5 million), science (£56 million), maths (£154 million) and music (£387 million).
In addition, the 2021–22 teacher-training bursary for RE was scrapped, despite a failure to meet RE teacher-recruitment targets in nine of the past ten years. One quarter of RE lessons were taught by teachers with no post-A-level qualifications…
Teaching RE is a legal requirement for all schools in England. Currently, all maintained schools (local authority) have a statutory duty to teach RE; academies and free schools are contractually required to do so through the terms of their funding agreement with the Department for Education…
Deborah Weston, a National Association of Teachers of Religious Education research officer … said ... ‘It is a great shame that RE is being neglected by the government and marginalised by some schools.’
Church Times
CHURCHES URGED TO BE VIGILANT AFTER RISE IN METALTHEFT METAL THEFT
A Christian insurer has warned of a rise in metal thefts at churches as the UK emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic…
Churches are targeted by criminal gangs for their metal, including lead and copper.
The gangs ruthlessly strip metal components from historic church buildings, leaving them in need of thousands of pounds worth of repairs.
Ecclesiastical fears a spike in criminal activity driven by the end of restrictions and a challenging economic climate...
Ecclesiastical is calling on churches to review their security arrangements and consider installing measures like anti-climb paint, security lights and roof alarms.
Christian Today
PEOPLE ARE TURNING OFF FRIDGES TO MAKE ENDS MEET SAYS CHRISTIAN FOOD BANK SAYS CHRISTIAN FOOD BANK MANAGER
A food bank manager in Cornwall has said some people are turning off their fridges overnight to help cut down on bills as the cost of living rises.
It comes as inflation has reached 9 per cent – its highest level for 40 years…
Amidst the uncertainty, more people are turning to food banks to help feed their families.
Simon Fann from Truro Foodbank told Premier… ‘People that were very kindly able to give donations in the past are now struggling and questioning themselves whether they can actually donate’…
He also said some people are switching off their appliances, including fridges, overnight to save money.
Premier
SIR JOHN MAJOR: ‘THE CHURCH MUSTN’T BE PUSHED INTO THE SIDELINES OF LIFE’ AMIDST GOVERNMENT’S RWANDA DEPORTATION PLANS
Former prime minister John Major says ‘the church must not be pushed into the sidelines of life’ amidst the government’s Rwanda deportation plan.
Speaking at Newcastle Cathedral at the National Cathedrals Conference ... Sir John defended the right of church leaders to comment publicly on matters of politics.
Sir John said: ‘The Church mustn’t be pushed into the sidelines of life... Politics is about how we live; that cannot – and should not – be ignored by the Church.’
Sir John went on to say that the government’s Rwanda deportation plan, will put ‘a stain on the country’s reputation’ if it is not reversed.
He said: ‘In England, in 1763, Lord Chancellor Henley said, “If a man steps foot in England, he is a free man.”
‘Today … if that man is a refugee in a rubber boat, he receives a chilly welcome and the threat of deportation to Rwanda.
Premier
SALVATIONIST SALVATIONIST
salvationist.org.uk/media/magazine Issue No 1861
EDITOR EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts
MANAGINGEDITOR MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford
EDITORIALASSISTANTS EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Simon Hope, George Tanton, Major Margaret Bovey
ARTDIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden
GRAPHICDESIGNERS GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight, Louise Phillips
PROOFREADER 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 FOUNDER William Booth
GENERAL GENERAL Brian Peddle
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Commissioner Anthony Cotterill
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Major Mal Davies
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SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE
THIS week’s Salvationist includes a list of officers who have reached significant milestones in their active service – 25 years, 30 years, 35 years and even one, Major James Williams, who has achieved a remarkable 50 years of service. It would be interesting to add them up and see their combined years of service. I haven’t tried it – if you do, please let me know!
Our lives are marked by various milestones as we celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other special events. This weekend people up and down the country are celebrating the Platinum Jubilee. It is a historic anniversary. Queen Elizabeth II is already the longest-reigning British monarch, having overtaken Queen Victoria in September 2015 – now she has become the first to reach 70 years on the throne.
This weekend the Church also celebrates a special occasion. It is Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the Church, when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit to the first disciples, which bound them together as a community of Christ and empowered them to serve him.
Major David Alton makes connections between Pentecost and the Platinum Jubilee as he reflects on the coming of the Holy Spirit. But unlike the Platinum Jubilee, which primarily celebrates the past, he stresses that Pentecost is a continuing experience making an impact every day of our lives: ‘It is a personal, dynamic relationship to be experienced by followers of Jesus.’
Captain Andrew Hammond continues the Pentecost theme in his Bible study by focusing on the words of Jesus: ‘Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them’ (John 7:38). The infilling of the Spirit is a transforming experience, Andrew says, but it isn’t just for our own benefit. The Spirit’s work of making us more like Jesus should attract people’s attention so that they see ‘something desirable and the source of true hope and life’.
The thought that God’s work in our lives enables us to serve others also comes across in Lieutenant Chris Button’s reflection. He considers how Jesus gives us freedom from sin so that we become a ‘new creation’, and says: ‘We are set free from sin so that we can love other people.’
To mark the Platinum Jubilee we publish photos from occasions when the Queen has visited Army centres or encountered Salvationists and we reprint a December 2020 article by General John Larsson about ‘two words’ from the Queen that Salvationists should treasure. We also look at how the Army periodicals featured the Queen’s accession in 1952 and coronation in 1953, and there is a royalty-themed quiz to enjoy.
Amid all the media interest in the Platinum Jubilee, not much is said about the Queen’s Christian faith. However, a new book by Mark Greene looks at how her faith is reflected in her speeches. We include an extract in which he focuses on her commitment to Christlike service.
People sometimes celebrate milestones frivolously. But the two occasions we celebrate this weekend have a depth of meaning that we ought to reflect on carefully. The Queen’s 70 years of faithful service can prompt us to consider the strength and extent of our own service to God, and Pentecost can inspire us to seek a fresh infilling of the Spirit that will empower us to serve as Jesus did.
LIEUT-COLONEL JONATHAN ROBERTS
Editor Salvationist
CONTENTS
Quotes from the media 2
News 4 to 8
Prayer matters 8 A word from William 9
The unchangeable Saviour
Reflection 10 and 11
An occasion to celebrate
by Major David Alton
Preview 12
The Queen’s Way
by Mark Greene
From the archive 13
Two words to treasure
by General John Larsson
Photo feature 14 and 15
Royal encounters
Feature 16 and 17
God save the Queen!
by Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts
Reflection 18
Free from sin
by Lieutenant Chris Button
Reflection 19
Filled with joy
by Lieut-Colonel Gilbert Ellis
Poetry corner 19
Bible study 20 and 21
Come to me and drink!
by Captain Andrew Hammond
Through the week with Salvationist
by Lieut-Colonel Ray Oakley
20 and 21
Reflection 22
Living a life of love
by Major Jim Bryden
Read with us 22
Called to Be a Soldier: Chapter 5
Quiz 23
A right royal quiz
Announcements 24 and 25
Adverts 26 and 27
The Salvation Army and me 28
featuring Austin Burn
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated
ARMY NEWS
TC congratulates the Queen
UKI
TERRITORIAL Commander Com mis sioner Anthony Cotterill has sent a letter of congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
The letter reads: ‘On behalf of The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and Ireland may I wish you many congratulations on your Platinum Jubilee.
‘We are enormously grateful for your service to the country and, in particular, the support you have given to The Salvation Army over the years of your reign. The Salvation Army has been on the scene of numerous floods, fires and other tragic emergencies but so have you. We are deeply grateful that you have often made time to share a supportive word with our officers and Salvationists as they serve.
‘Happily, you have also been able to share moments of celebration with us, visiting, for example, our services for homeless people and attending the 1965 centenary celebration at the Royal Albert Hall. More recently, Salvationists across the world were especially proud when you again kindly received the Regent Hall Salvation Army Band, this time at Windsor Castle, to play carols for you and your family. It was an honour for my wife and I to meet you on that memorable occasion.
‘During the Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend our corps and social service centres will be praying for you and your family and celebrating your long and fruitful reign. Many of them are arranging special community events to bring people together at this glorious time of thanksgiving to God and celebration. Our social media feeds will also be sharing a video that celebrates the many times you have offered your support to us.
‘We thank God for you and pray God’s blessing upon you as you celebrate this remarkable milestone.
‘I write on behalf of The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom, who have the honour to be, Madam, your Majesty’s humble and obedient servants.’ – AR MUSIC
ISB perform at sold-out concert
LEEK
THE International Staff Band performed at a sold-out concert to more than 200 people.
Under the leadership of Bandmaster Stephen Cobb, the evening opened with ‘Legacy of Faith’, which featured music from classic Salvation Army tunes. This was followed by a prayer time accompanied by ‘Thy Tenderest Blessing’ and ‘Rhapsody on “St Francis”’. This included the tune associated with the words of ‘All Creatures of Our God and King’. ‘Toccata Fire!’ and ‘Powerhouse’ ended the first half.
The second half began with Stephen reminding the congregation that the band was made up of Salvationists and their main purpose was to play music to glorify God. This was followed by pieces that were in the process of being reviewed and published, including ‘A La Manera’ by Paul Sharman, ‘Christ is All’ by Martin Cordner and ‘Prelude on Ascot’ by Geoffrey Nobes.
The evening concluded with a look back at the legacy of Salvation Army music. The march ‘Praise’ was performed, followed by ‘So Glad’ featuring soloist Richard Woodrow (flugelhorn). Major Paul Kingscott, executive officer of the ISB, gave a Bible reading and thought. These led into the final piece, ‘The Kingdom Triumphant’, which reminded everyone present that, whatever happens, God will be triumphant. – RJ
FUNDRAISING
CARLISLE Soldiers Lynsey and Marilyn Galloway were determined to do something to encourage donations to The Salvation Army’s Ukraine crisis response appeal. Lynsey decided to sew felt hearts in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, while her mum, Marilyn, cut them out. Visitors to the hall then exchanged a donation to the appeal for a heart. A total of £280 was raised. – MS
70
years on the throne
SEE PAGE 4
£500
raised for community centre renovation
SEE PAGE 5
£295
raised towards Ukraine crisis response
SEE PAGE 6
600+
Asda stores selling Army T-shirts
SEE PAGE 8
