Letters

VISION AND VALUES ARE ADDRESSED BY MISSIONAL JOURNAL QUESTIONS

I WAS encouraged by Ian Scott’s letter (Salvationist 23 March) and his question ‘journey to where?’ in relation to the Missional Journal. Ian asked this question in relation to vision and values. When a corps engages with the Missional Journal they will discover that these are some of the first questions asked in Step One. Discovering how your vision and values, in your context, reflect and build on the territorial vision and values; understanding mission; understanding the health of your corps; taking responsibility for vision setting;

giving time and priority to the missional conversation; engaging widely and grounding the whole process in prayer are all vital first steps for any corps reviewing its mission using this approach. I would also offer encouragement to Ian in that the Missional Journal is also rooted in the accountability framework and territorial TIDE strategy, and seeks to provide a clear framework for regular reflection and review.

Ian Mountford, Major, Central East DHQ

OUR LOGO SHOULD REFLECT OUR MAIN FUNCTION THE MOST REWARDING MINISTRY I HOPE and trust that I am not unique in the very positive ministry I have as a herald. Every week I stand on the street and share this ministry with others, and rarely a week goes by without a request for prayer, or someone needing a few minutes of my time to help with a problem or a bereavement.

While selling my copies of the War Cry and Kids Alive! I’ve found that the giving shows no sign of decreasing; in fact the opposite is true, which, in turn, enables us to assist the increasing

I FULLY agree with John Stimpson (Letters, Salvationist 6 April). I have recently purchased shirts and blouses with the red shield logo – not my choice I have to say, but as it will be the uniform worn by the songsters, I will conform to the standard required.

However, this logo does not show in any way that we are a church. With the previous logo ‘The Salvation Army’ was shown in red with the letter T in yellow representing the cross.

Throughout the week many people who enter my corps building say they hadn’t realised we were a church. Fortunately we have people at hand who can tell them about the Army and explain our beliefs.

It seems to me the shield logo is selling us as a business (dealing with social work) and a charity. Yes, we do these things, but they are not our main function.

The Salvation Army tells the gospel message in various ways, and our Christian teaching means we believe in ‘heart to God and hand to man’. Let us continue to be proudly known as The Salvation Army that serves God in this way.

Vivien Wallington, Bristol

number of people in our town needing community relief in different ways. Over the years I have conducted many funerals through contacts on the street, seen new members and worshippers at our corps and have been the recipient of many donations of clothes and bric-a-brac for the charity shop.

Being a herald is, for me, one of the most rewarding ministries I have experienced in my busy retirement.

Alan Hart, Lieut-Colonel, Bishop’s Stortford

The following appointments decided upon by the General, have been announced by the Chief of the Staff Effective 1 October O Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd, officers of the Canada and Bermuda Territory currently serving as the territorial leaders of the Australia Territory, are appointed as the territorial leaders of the Canada and Bermuda Territory with Commissioner Floyd Tidd as the Territorial Commander and Commissioner Tracey Tidd as the Territorial President of Women’s Ministries. O Commissioner Susan McMillan. We are grateful for the excellent service Commissioner Susan has given as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries in the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Although concluding her service in these roles, Commissioner Susan will take up new appointment responsibilities with the business section of International Headquarters. The commissioner will be based in Canada. APPOINTED Effective 8 July O Lieut-Colonel João Paulo Ramos, Divisional Commander, West Midlands O Lieut-Colonel Karin Ramos, Divisional Leader for Leader Development, West Midlands

LOCAL OFFICER APPOINTED O BM Matthew Miles, Bromley Temple

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Diamond O Bandsman Geoff and Pam Jordan, Chelmsford (16 May) O OSCS David and Pamela Snowling, Ipswich Citadel (16 May)

DEDICATED TO GOD O Olivia Anesu and Grace Chiedza, daughters of Samuel and Esther Kamuzonde, at Leeds Central by Major Cliff Allchin

RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Mrs Major Mary Hartley (90 on 13 May) O Major Margaret Tucker (80 on 15 May) O Commissioner Harry Read (95 on 17 May)

ENGAGEMENTS

GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE O Sunbury Court (ICO session 241), Th 9 and Sun 12 May O Buckingham Palace (garden party), Wed 15 O Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow (International Appointments Board), Fri 17 – Sun 19 O Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow (General’s Consultative Council), Mon 20 – Wed 22 O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham Citadel, Sun 2

THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM O ICO (farewell to session), Fri 17 May O Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow (General’s Consultative Council), Mon 20 – Wed 22

THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL O Pentre (140th anniversary), Sat Sun 12 May O Sheraton Skyline Hotel, Heathrow (SATCoL conference), Tu 14 O Swanwick (chaplains conference), Fri 17* O Leek (YP anniversary), Sat Sun 19* O Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow (General’s Consultative Council), Mon 20 – Wed 22* O Myanmar (divisional leaders development), Mon 20 – Fri 31** O Prestonpans (centenary weekend), Sat Sun 26* O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham (Music and Creative Arts Leaders councils), Sun 2

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL LEE GRAVES) AND COLONEL DEBORAH GRAVES O Regent Hall (Musical Theatre Day), Sat 4 May O Penge, Sun 5 O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham (Music and Creative Arts Leaders councils), Sun 2

INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND O Norway, Fri 10 May – Sun 12 O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham (Music and Creative Arts Leaders councils), Sun 2

INTERNATIONAL STAFF SONGSTERS O Castleford, Sat Sun 19 May O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham (Music and Creative Arts Leaders councils), Sun 2

O Mrs Major Nadine Cleaves (85 on 17 May) O Major Joyce Dixon (80 on 17 May)

BEREAVED O Margaret Gomersall, Swindon Citadel, of her brother Alfred Ives O Sharon Swinfen, Albany, New Zealand, Philip Kirby and Andrew Kirby of their mother Mrs Major Phyllis Kirby O Carol Davey, St Albans, of her mother Win Bradley O Bill Hamilton, St Albans, of his wife Veronica O Sandra Spivey and Stella Ellis, Heckmondwike, of their sister Vera Spivey O Major Grayson Williams of his wife Major Janice Williams O Rtd S/Ldr Michael Babb, Brighton Congress Hall, of his wife Songster Rita, Rosalyn Northmore, Nicola Babb, Penny Babb and Timothy Babb of their mother

PROMOTED TO GLORY O Margaret Batten, Leighton Buzzard O Mrs Major Phyllis Kirby, from Auckland, New Zealand, on 13 April O Jean Ozols, Newcastle City Temple O Major Margaret Hall from Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, on 19 April O Major Maurice Porter from Cheltenham General Hospital on 20 April O Major Janice Williams from Eastfield Nursing Home, Liss, on 21 April

TRIBUTES

VERA SPIVEY, HECKMONDWIKE VERA was brought up in the Army at Kirkburton, where she was a member of the singing company. After her enrolment as a senior soldier, she held various local officer positions and was a member of the band and songsters.

Vera loved door-to-door collecting and running the coffee morning and charity shop. When the corps closed she transferred to Heckmondwike. Sadly Vera’s health deteriorated but she remained faithful to God until her promotion to Glory. – S. S.

HARRY PEMBERTON, SUNDERLAND MILLFIELD HARRY joined the Army at the age of ten through the youth groups, which led him to attend Sunday school. He became a junior soldier and joined the YP music sections. He was enrolled as a senior soldier aged 15 and joined the senior band and songsters.

National Service brought challenges to his Christian upbringing, but he maintained his faith and witness and returned to the corps after his military discharge.

Harry met his future wife, Shirley, at youth councils and benefited from Shirley’s and her family’s Christian example. He became a policeman and remained so until retirement.

Harry, who had been for a time the band secretary, was promoted to Glory after 67 years as a soldier. He is sadly missed by his family, friends and the many people on whom he had a Christian influence. – E. F.

ADVERT 

REX BOUGHTON, CHATHAM REX was born in Canterbury in 1938, and attended the corps as a child. A soldier all his life, he held many local officer commissions, including quartermaster and corps sergeant-major. He served as a bandsman for 64 years and loved playing the euphonium.

Rex married Dorothy and they had three children, who, along with their families, thank God for Rex’s faithful service. His motto was ‘get involved’ and he used his many gifts at Canterbury and latterly at Chatham. Although being deeply saddened, his family praise God for a great man who lived the Christian life in every respect, and feel it is a privilege to be a part of his legacy. – K. B.

IRIE SYMONDS, WILLIAMSTOWN IRIE was converted and baptised in the Elim Pentecostal Church, Pontypridd. She met her future husband, Ken, at The Salvation Army in Treharris, and they eventually transferred to Williamstown. Irie joined the music sections and loved working with young people. She worked with the guide group for 27 years, becoming their captain.

Irie visited a nearby school, helping children with their reading, and she and Ken looked after children with disabilities and fostered for 30 years. Irie was a wonderful Christian woman whose faith remained strong and she is missed at the corps and by her whole family. – K. S.

Please note that soldiers’ and adherent members’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 150 words. Good quality pictures will be included with tributes. Please do not send your copy to any individual’s email address as this could delay publication. Copy should be sent to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk