19 minute read
Quotes from the media
WHAT WILL ANOTHER FIVE YEARS OF XI BRING FOR CHINA’S CHRISTIANS?
Xi Jinping [was] waved through as secretary general of China’s Communist Party [CCP] … for another five years…
Commentators are saying that Xi has the tightest grip on the reins of power of anyone since the days of the notorious Chairman Mao, a man responsible for the deaths of tens of millions.
While Xi’s rule is far from the barbarous reign of Mao, the two men have much in common, in particular, a strong aversion to religion. And, in the last few years especially, China’s roughly 100 million Christians have felt their already-limited freedoms slowly being erased…
Open Doors’ persecution analyst for Asia, Thomas Muller, said, ‘The CCP is increasingly paranoid in its control of China and its citizens.
‘You need to see everything they do through the lenses of security and control… You can see it in the way that religious communities are restricted, harassed or even shut down…
However, he adds, this does not necessarily mean that the growth of Christianity in China will necessarily be stemmed.
Christian Today
HUNDREDS MORE HOMELESS FAMILIES REHOUSED OUTSIDE LOCAL AREA
Hundreds more homeless households across England are being uprooted and rehoused miles from their jobs and schools amid mounting concern about the legality of the practice and the number of lives it is disrupting.
Figures obtained by The Guardian under freedom of information reveal more than 6,000 households were shunted more than 20 miles from their local neighbourhood in out-ofarea placements by 53 councils in the last four years…
The housing charity Shelter said the lack of affordable housing was making it difficult for councils to find suitable homes for homeless families. But it warned that out-ofarea placements left councils open to legal challenge.
The Guardian
POOR COUNTRIES NEED TO BE RESCUED FROM CHOKE HOLD OF DEBT, SAY CHARITIES
Christian Aid is among a consortium of agencies who are calling on the government to support programmes for debt relief and restructuring to reduce the ‘choke hold’ that sovereign debt has on countries in the global south…
The worldwide economic downturn is making debtrepayment more expensive, and this has a knock-on effect on the money that indebted countries have available for services such as health and education…
At the Lambeth Conference in August, six Anglican Primates added their voices to a call to the UK government to cancel sovereign debt owed by Zambia and other low-income countries.
Church Times
UKRAINE BIBLE TRANSLATORS RESILIENT DURING WAR
Despite the havoc of the war in Ukraine, Bible translators in the country are continuing their work for dozens of minority language groups in the region.
International Bible translation organisation Wycliffe Associates is helping translators with emergency supplies, including food, clean water, shelter and even evacuations. The charity said Bible translators are among those in Ukraine who have been under siege since Russia invaded in February…
‘This is a time of extreme crisis for our brothers and sisters in Christ,’ said Stephen Martin, vice president of field development for Wycliffe Associates…
Wycliffe Associates is raising funds to provide emergency relief for their Bible translation partners in Ukraine who have suffered catastrophic personal losses due to the war.
Premier
SALVATIONIST
salvationist.org.uk/magazine Issue No 1883
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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Different but the same
MANY readers will know that I’m an Australian officer currently serving in the UKI Territory. For nearly three years, my wife and I have held appointments here and have enjoyed playing our part in Salvation Army mission delivery.
One of the interesting aspects of serving here has been observing what is the same and what is different about Salvation Army mission, ministry and culture. For anyone who has had involvement in the Army in different countries, you’ll know this is a natural interest to pursue.
The Salvation Army has always been an international movement that maintains lines of consistency – most notably in our doctrines, structures, mission and terminology – and yet there has always been room for variation in local mission expression and culture.
If, for example, a British Salvationist was to move to Samoa and attend the Army there, they would still recognise it as being distinctly Salvation Army and yet they would still notice some startling differences.
On pages 10 and 11 of this issue you’ll read of an Army ministry in Sheffield and on pages 12 and 13 you’ll learn something about our work in Japan.
Andy Parkinson and Paul Huggins, both from Charter Row Lifehouse in Sheffield, tell us about the new accommodation pods they are deploying. Provided by the charity Amazing Grace Spaces, each pod offers emergency, secure shelter for one person.
The pods are used to accommodate those who might be a risk to others in shared accommodation. Andy says to put some individuals into that sort of living arrangement is like ‘lighting a match at a petrol station’, and they need their own space, for their good and the good of others.
George Tanton notes that ‘Paul and Andy’s work is part of The Salvation Army’s mission to serve others without discrimination’. Paul Huggins adds that the more we ‘build a community around people suffering from homelessness and addiction, the better chance they stand’.
Turn the page and you’ll read Japan’s Major Makoto Yamaya speak of The Salvation Army’s responsibility to show ‘love in action’ and to seek to meet the needs of the Japanese people.
The Army’s work in Japan was commenced in 1895 by some British Army officers, and today there are four divisions with more than 2,000 soldiers and 140 officers. Apart from corps and social programmes, the Army there also manages hospital and medical services.
Lyn Woods writes that The Salvation Army remains hard at work in Japan, despite the prominence of Buddhist and Shinto religions and it being a country where ‘Christianity’s representation nationwide is just over 1 per cent’. For the sake of comparison, surveys and census figures in the UK suggest that about 50 per cent of people identify as Christian.
In his helpful Bible study on pages 14 and 15, Major Nick Coke focuses on Psalm 141, with reference made to Hebrews 12. In the psalm, David writes: ‘My eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord’ (v8). The writer of the book of Hebrews says: ‘Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith’ (12:1 and 2).
So whether it’s England or Japan – or Australia or Samoa! – the secret is to fix our eyes on Jesus, the best example of a life where ‘love in action’ was clear to see.
As you minister to others this week – no matter where that is – I pray that you keep your eyes on Christ. He will help you to love God and love others.
MAJOR MAL DAVIES
Editor Salvationist
CONTENTS
Quotes from the media 2
News 4 to 8
Prayer matters 8
Christmas mailing list 9
Feature 10 and 11
Seeking sanctuary in Sheffield
by George Tanton
Feature 12 and 13
Love in action
by Lyn Woods
Bible study 14 and 15
My eyes are fixed on you
by Major Nick Coke
Through the week with Salvationist 14 and 15
by Lieut-Colonel Brenda Oakley
New commitments 16 and 17
Announcements 18
Adverts 19
Fundraising 20
Be a Star
FRONT-PAGE PICTURE
by David Cross / document-now.com
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated
HOMELESSNESS MUSIC
NAPpad pilot proves vital
YORK
A PILOT scheme for pop-up accommodation for rough sleepers has helped more than 30 people stay off the streets.
The NAPpad (Night-time Accommodation Project) uses microwave technology to ensure rough sleepers seeking shelter are safe. Each unit is self-contained with toilet and wash facilities, a security door, a window and a power point. It is lined with insulation panels and equipped with a small electric heater and LED light.
Development Manager Amber Sylvester (Homelessness Services Unit) said: ‘The pilot has been more successful than we could have imagined. The NAPpad has been full most nights and the feedback we’re getting from clients has been really positive.
‘It’s been an invaluable part of the provision in York, offering a quarter of the beds as part of the severe weather emergency protocol, which provides accommodation when temperatures drop below a certain level.
One of the things that makes the NAPpad unique is they are fitted with non-invasive ‘vital life signs’ sensors that can detect whether someone has stopped breathing so emergency services can be alerted.
The Army worked with Protectal Ltd to design the pods and is looking at other locations that might benefit from them. – AR
COMMUNITY
BRIGHOUSE The corps has seen need increase in recent months as the cost of living pushes a growing number of people into poverty. Initiatives include a food bank, an affordable parent-and-toddler group, a crafts group, job club, community café and charity shop. Catherine Cutts, who runs the corps with a leadership team, said: ‘The Army in Brighouse wants people to know we are there for them this winter, for those struggling with their bills, feeling lonely and in need of company or wanting somewhere to explore their faith.’ – AR BURTON-ON-TRENT A new community choir is helping widen the ministry of the songster brigade to include non-Salvationists who have an interest in singing. Seventeen people – including four who had not previously been to the corps – attended the first rehearsal under the leadership of Hazel Dukes. They sang a mixture of secular and religious songs and had a great time of fun and fellowship, getting to know each other. The second rehearsal welcomed five more new people. The corps thanks God for this positive new ministry and prays that people will continue to be brought into its fellowship in this way. – CM
MUSIC
EASTBOURNE CITADEL The Royal British Legion Band (Bexhill and Little Common) gave a concert with proceeds shared between The Salvation Army and the Poppy Appeal. Many turned up to hear the music being played, which included ‘The Salvation Army March’ during which the audience were invited to join in singing ‘O Boundless Salvation’. Other pieces included cornet solo ‘Morning Has Broken’ and euphonium solo ‘Toreador Song’. Guests included Eastbourne’s deputy mayor, Councillor Candy Vaughan, and Caroline Ansell, MP. The concert raised more than £500. – JW
EVENT
ANNIVERSARY
HOUNSLOW To mark the 140th corps anniversary, local corps joined in a celebration meeting. Musicians from Feltham, Teddington and Twickenham accompanied congregational songs and a group of Staines Songsters contributed meaningful, well-fitting songs. It was clear that God had his hand on the meeting. Divisional Envoy David Walker shared some of his own reflections on the faithfulness of God and his people, during his time of leadership. He challenged those gathered with Scripture from Jeremiah 29:11–13, urging them to consider God’s plan for the future. David is pictured with his wife, Hong, two members of the congregation and Staines Songsters. – IW NORWICH MILE CROSS The corps held a 1950s-themed luncheon club, supported by actor Graham Cole OBE. Staff members and some of the guests were dressed in 1950s outfits with American diner food served. Members sang songs from the 1950s and were assisted to dance by the staff. It was a shared time of fun, laughter and love in action. – PR
EVENT
BOURNE Corps folk held a film night featuring a Greatest Showman singalong with an interval supper. A total of £200 was raised for the Big Collection. – CG
OUTREACH MEETING
CATERHAM Essendene Lodge School and Audley Primary School welcomed corps leader Territorial Envoy Ailsa Flinders for their Harvest festivals. The schools sang Harvest songs and met Ginger the puppet, who gave a message of sharing and thanks. The schools gave a generous harvest donation, which will go directly to help local people in need. Ailsa is pictured with Essendene Lodge year 6. – JB
MUSIC
PARKHEAD West Scotland Divisional Youth Band helped celebrate Harvest weekend with a concert – a fitting way to recommence worship in the hall after refurbishment. Fiona Henderson (cornet) played ‘Pater Noster’, Sarah Gibb played the horn solo ‘Demelza’ and Ruby Whitaker played the fiddle solo ‘Lament for the Death of the Rev Archie Beaton’. Harvest gifts will support food parcels and the corps drop-in centre and more than £390 was raised for the Big Collection. – AD WOKING Harvest weekend commenced with a fish and chip supper attended by 38 people, followed by a quiz. Sunday took the theme A Harvest of Hands, where people displayed things that represented their work or talents. The beautiful display featured paintings, cakes, blankets, wooden chairs, music, CDs, flower arrangements, laptops, gardening gloves and jam. – MH
MEETING
AYLSHAM Major Chris Mulryne (IHQ) led the Harvest festival meetings and gave an update on the Ukraine crisis, sharing a video of the Army’s work in Eastern Europe. After a good lunch Major Chris led a Songs of Praise meeting and many friends chose their favourite songs. – SB
CUMBERNAULD Divisional Mission Enabler Major Dean Logan and Major Alison Logan led Harvest weekend. The Saturday night fellowship meeting included a music programme by Majors Dean and Alison's daughter and son-in-law, Bethany and Philip. – NM
EVENT
STAPLE HILL About a hundred people attended a Saturday Harvest supper and quiz. On Sunday, corps folk gave tins towards the food bank. About 70 people attended the first Messy Church, as the Harvest theme continued. People enjoyed a meal and showed interest in corps activities. – VW
GLASGOW Divisional Commander Major Ray Brown, aged 66, took part in the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon to raise funds for the East and West Scotland Summer School of 2023. Attending similar summer schools as a young person, Ray realised that such events can be spiritually life-changing. Accompanying him for the 13.1 miles of what Ray called his ‘long retirement run’ was his youngest daughter Catherine. The pair raised more than £1,300 in sponsorship and Ray has donated his first pension payment to the cause. – RB
FUNDRAISING
EVENT
BOGNOR REGIS Territorial Prayer Network Support Officer Captain Gary Lacey led Harvest with the theme Praying in the Harvest. Forty people enjoy a meal on Saturday, after which Gary led a time of story and teaching on prayer. During the Sunday meeting the congregation shared testimonies of prayer encounters and opportunities to pray for others. Donated food was given to a local food bank. – AH
MUSIC
ISB brings blessing
CROYDON CITADEL
THE International Staff Band led a Sunday meeting, beginning with the congregational song ‘O Worship the King’ before playing ‘Soli Deo Gloria’ as part of prayer time.
The band presented ‘I Know Thou Art Mine’ before the Bible message from Executive Officer Major Paul Kingscott, based on Philippians 2. He pointed to Jesus as the greatest example of service. The congregation reflected as the band played ‘Thy Tenderest Blessing’.
After the meeting the ISB and the corps band conducted an openair meeting in the high street, where dozens of people stopped to listen. – JR
INTERNATIONAL PRESENTATION
FAITH HOUSE Centre Manager Captain Annmarie Gifford was awarded a Metropolitan Police borough commander commendation for ‘commitment, dedication and devotion to duty’ by the North Area Borough Commander DCS Caroline Haines. The citation recognised the Army’s work, including the pastoral care and safeguarding of vulnerable women in the borough. Captain Annmarie is pictured with Divisional Mission Enabler Major Janine Lewis and Programme Co-ordinator Temitope Otesile. – DS
MUSIC
CLACTON Corps member Ken Aldis travelled to Warsaw and made contact with Captain Oleg Samoilenko to present a donation of £635 from the congregation at Clacton towards the corps work with Ukrainian refugees. Ken and his group also visited the Ukrainian support centre to see the work of Warsaw Corps first-hand. Ken is pictured speaking to the Warsaw congregation at their Sunday morning meeting. He is determined to go back to offer more support in the future. – VR
PRESENTATION
BARROW-IN-FURNESS Allan McClure retired from volunteering after 19 years’ faithful service. Allan has met and served thousands of people in various roles, from helping in the kitchen and working in the shop to chatting to those who come in and getting the vacuum cleaner out. Corps officers Lieutenants Jonny and Kathryn Whitmore said: ‘As well as the practical ways he helps, his cheeky smile and jokes will be missed by the team.’ Allan is pictured with Lieutenant Jonny. – AR EXETER TEMPLE Temple Praise was well attended. The congregation appreciated the soloist artistry of David Daws (trombone), accompanied by Michaela Menary, as well as his on-the-spot improvisation of Army songs with Kenneth Downie. Pieces by the band and songsters included ‘The Pilgrim Way’ and ‘When the King Returns to Reign’. Majors Alan and Carolyn Read provided a gospel message. – NGW
FUNDRAISING
WOKING The corps held a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. The event was well attended by members of the corps and community, with some attending for the first time. Conversations were shared and leaflets about the Army were distributed. More than £330 was raised from the sale of cakes and drinks as well as a silent auction. – MH
MEETING
READING LOWER EARLEY High Wycombe YP Band led Harvest. It was a delight to see God at work and the young people used their God-given gifts to greatly encourage the congregation. The Harvest display supported the Woodley food bank and the Wokingham Corps homelessness project. The altar service will be used to support mission outreach with the Warm Welcome campaign. – RC
LIFEHOUSE
CHARTER ROW The Lifehouse hosted a celebration to show support for people who have overcome addiction to mark the end of National Recovery Month. The event, in partnership with Kickback Recovery, was attended by representatives from alcohol recovery community Project 6, Shelter, Sheffield council, Street Pastors and Chocolate Box – a Christian community for vulnerable women. Guests included the High Sheriff of South Yorkshire, the deputy chief executive of Sheffield council and the Lord Mayor. Service Manager Andy Parkinson said: ‘Tackling issues that lead to people becoming homeless in the first place, including addiction, is vital. Part of that is reducing the stigma surrounding addiction by hosting events like this.’ – AR
MUSIC
GORSEINON More than 50 musicians from all parts of southern Wales gathered to remember the life of Bandmaster Raymond Richards, who was promoted to Glory during the Covid-19 pandemic, when only a few could gather to salute his life and memory. Many friends also joined in the salvation meeting, thanking God for Ray and rejoicing in his life and service. During his childhood and youth in Merthyr Tydfil and then in Gorseinon with his wife, Merle, Ray influenced many people in their faith and taught juniors to play brass instruments. It was a great evening of memories, music, and faith as Major Keith Johnson reminded everyone that Ray’s life was about sharing his faith in Jesus. – MC
PRESENTATION
ENFIELD After several years of ‘looking after’ the band in retirement, Bandmaster Don Jenkins handed the baton to Chris Ford. Corps officer Major Glenn Furlong thanked Don for his service and especially for the encouragement and support shown to the younger musicians who are part of the music ministry of the corps every week. – SF COMMUNITY
Major Ian Payne (Chatham) receives donated Harvest groceries from Lordswood School’s headteacher, Jayne Lusinski, and the head boy and head girl
FUNDRAISING
Fifteen ‘crafty’ people at Bath Citadel make Advent calendars and cards to be sold at the Christmas fair
EVENT
WELLING As part of Harvest celebrations, the corps hosted The Great Welling Bread Off. It was an opportunity for people to create a Harvest loaf or showstopper out of bread. People entered a range of baked creations, from chocolate hedgehog buns and honey and apple loaves to figures that were made entirely of bread. The celebration also included an opportunity to help restock the food bank and celebrate all the good gifts around us. – KS
RESOURCES
SALISBURY The Rev Neil Robinson, a chaplain to the deaf community in Salisbury, has released a training resource in British Sign Language, with subtitles and a voice-over, to help church congregations welcome and include deaf congregation members. The idea came from the Christian charity Through the Roof. Watch the training video online at youtu.be/bNQfFO6Pa7U. – AR
Salvationist wants to hear your news
Corps press representatives can email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk. Good quality pictures may be included.
