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Indian takeaway gives cooking classes to Lifehouse residents

BRAINTREE

RESIDENTS of The Salvation Army’s New Direction Lifehouse were shown how to make a perfect classic chicken Bhuna curry by head chef Hamid Uddin and his son, Mohim, from The Ruby Indian takeaway.

Hamid said they wanted to give something back to the community as part of a Curry for a Cause campaign and, as the Lifehouse is helping people to develop life skills, he felt that the classes were a way to help. ‘It’s been a lovely experience meeting the residents – they get really involved,’ he said.

After observing Hamid, the

residents were given ingredients and equipment so they could make their own dishes.

Resident Bob said: ‘It was superb and the best bit was eating the curry! It was kind of them to spend time showing us how to do it.’

Pictured are Hamid, support worker Anthony, residents Grant, Andrew and Bob and Mohim. – B. G.

Young people’s bands unite to raise funds for divisional music school BIRMINGHAM CITADEL

AFTER an afternoon of rehearsals with guest Jonathan Evans (Sale), Derby Central and Birmingham Citadel YP Bands presented a concert taking turns to present a variety of music. Two bands were then formed in younger and older age groups and Jonathan conducted them in pieces rehearsed earlier. Jonathan contributed two trombone solos and the bands united to present the concluding items of the evening. – R. O.

Corps devotes 11 days to prayer

STAPLE HILL

FOR 11 days the corps has focused on prayer using the Lord’s Prayer. A daily reflections book was used for personal prayer.

All music sections held open practices, during which devotional time took place. Prayer stations were set up around the hall and were available throughout the week. The Bible study groups united to take a closer look at the Lord’s Prayer. Many people enjoyed a Lord’s Prayer supper and fellowship.

On Saturday evening the band and songsters presented a musical celebration of the prayer. Soloists brought ‘Don’t Doubt Him Now’ and ‘I Surrender All’. Many people attended through - out the week, engaging in prayer in a variety of ways. – V. W.

4 Salvationist 6 April 2019 Colonels Widiawati and Yusak Tampai, Commissioners Jennifer and Peter Walker and Commissioners Joan and Mike Parker – future, present and past leaders of the Indonesia Territory – meet at the public welcome of the South Pacific and East Asia College for Officers in Bandung; Mike was principal and Joan chaplain and pastoral care officer of the three-week college

MAIDSTONE: The Music Man project led the March salvation praise meeting, the members brightening the hall not only with their yellow T-shirts but also with their enthusiasm and joy. The visitors played various instruments, including John Redding who performed the first movement of a Schubert piano sonata. Everyone had opportunity to take part learning songs and actions. – G. P.

Joan Codd retires after 61 years as corps secretary at Barton-upon-Humber and her dedication to the work is recognised; Joan is pictured with corps officers Captains Althea and Alan Bawden

Lifehouse residents and staff visit Ipswich Town Football Club IPSWICH THE Salvation Army’s Lyndon House Lifehouse football team was invited to the Portman Road practice pitch as part of the English Football League’s day of action to highlight some of society’s biggest problems. The Lifehouse football team, comprising residents and staff, were able to join in a training session and chat with Ipswich Town’s captain, Will Keane. Will said it was great to meet the lads and hear their stories, and hoped that the experience had been beneficial to them.

Stephen Gray, a specialist support worker, started football training at the Lifehouse to promote a sense of community and a healthy lifestyle. He said: ‘The Salvation Army recognises that it’s not just food and shelter that are needed to help people rebuild their lives.’

Lifehouse resident Stephen said it was

Members of Snettisham Band receive long-service awards from Head of Music Editorial Andrew Blyth (THQ); they are Jim Stollery (64 years), Ian Goddard (60 years), Michael Ward (60 years), George Kirby (71 years) who transferred to the reserve, Alison Kirby (33 years), Wendy Ward (56 years) and Rachel Ward (28 years)

Newcastle City Temple Band and Songsters unite with the music sections from North Shields to present a festival at Brunswick Methodist church, Newcastle, to aid the Newcastle City Temple building fund

good to visit their local stadium and see support for what the Lifehouse was doing. Pictured are (back) Warren, Will, participant Robin and resident Karl; (front) resident Stephen and support worker Stephen. – A. R.

Concert raises £1,000 towards The Salvation Army’s anti-trafficking and modern slavery work BOSCOMBE

THE proceeds from this concert, featuring the band and timbrelists and the Epiphany School Choir, helped exceed the target of £2,500 set by the organiser Deputy Bandmaster Kevin Whittingham. The band opened with ‘Born Free’ followed by the choir bringing two songs from The Greatest Showman. The trombone section and flugelhorn contributed ‘I Will Follow Him’ from Sister Act. Stephen Main played the soprano cornet solo ‘Ladies In Lavender’ and the choir sang two songs from Mary Poppins. A multimedia presentation showed the signs to look for in situations where people may have been exploited by trafficking or slavery, before Bandmaster Howard Evans’ piano solo ‘Clair De Lune’.

The band and timbrelists performed ‘Finale From “William Tell” Overture’, which was followed by a final thought from corps officer Major David Alton. – R. C.

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Minister for housing and homelessness sees the support and accommodation offered by the Army LONDON THE Minister for Housing and Homelessness Heather Wheeler, MP, visited The Salvation Army’s Lifehouse for women, Riverside Complex.

Heather was taken on a tour of the recently renovated buildings that make up Riverside Complex before meeting residents and staff to hear some of the issues they face and how The Salvation Army supports those who have experienced homelessness.

Riverside Complex offers support to 81 women who are referred from Tower Hamlets local authority. On admission to Riverside Complex, a personcentred approach supports residents in a holistic way addressing their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Staff made the case for Heather to make representations to HM Treasury for homelessness services to be considered when they make their case for local authority financial sustainability. Heather said: ‘The vital work The Salvation Army does to support women out of homelessness is so appreciated and I would like to commend them for such a welcoming and comfortable facility. By allowing women to stay here and rebuild their lives, it gives them an opportunity to break the cycle of homelessness and ensure they are able to stay off the streets for good.

‘This government is committed to ending rough sleeping through our comprehensive Rough Sleeping Strategy, backed by £100 million. However, we cannot do it without the hard work and dedication of groups such as The Salvation Army, who work tirelessly to support society’s most vulnerable at this facility and at many others across the country.’ – A. R.

6 Salvationist 6 April 2019 Assistant Territorial Director for Homelessness Services (South) Major Hilarie Watchorn, Helen Wilson and Captain Alison Greer

Homelessness services team wins award LONDON

THE Homelessness Services Unit (HSU) team in Tower Hamlets, London, received the Highly Commended accolade at the Local Government Chronicle Awards 2019. The work delivered by personnel at the Founder’s House and Riverside Complex Lifehouses was recognised in the Business Transformation category for delivering the local authority’s Hostel Reconfiguration Plan. Service Manager Helen Wilson, who manages both Lifehouses, collected the award in a ceremony.

HSU London Regional Manager Captain Alison Greer said: ‘I am so proud of our staff teams. We were particularly pleased to discover that Highly Commended was only given when the judges had been torn between the top two nominees. So we know we came in a very close second place!

‘The past 18 months have seen the women’s service at Hopetown coming back under Salvation Army management, with relocation to the newly renovated buildings at Riverside Complex (Westferry). This was followed by the relocation of the men’s service at Booth House to the newly named Founder’s House after a period of works was completed. Both centres provide a psychologically informed programme focusing on wellbeing and placing the needs of residents at the fore.’ – A. R.

Brass Impact and guests celebrate the band’s anniversary CONSETT

BRASS Impact, Brett Baker (trombone, Black Dyke Band) and Andrew Mair (piano, Sunderland Millfield) joined a packed hall to celebrate the corps band’s 140th anniversary. Brass Impact featured a broad range of music, including ‘My God And King’ and ‘To Boldly Go’. Accompanied by either Brass Impact or Andrew,

Brett played ‘Thoughts Of Love’, ‘Wee Small Hours’ and ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’. Former corps officers Majors Dawn and Mark Sellers led Sunday worship. – H. K.

Brexit Toolkit launched THQ

THE Salvation Army has prepared The Brexit Toolkit, a handy guide full of advice and guidance on some of the challenges that may arise as a result of Brexit.

The contents have been brought together by the Community Services Unit, with contributions from Employment Plus UK, Public Affairs, the Prayer Network and the PR and Communications Office.

All corps and divisions in the territory have received a printed copy of the toolkit.

Introducing the new material, Secretary for Mission LieutColonel Alan Burns said: ‘While we still don’t know exactly what Brexit will look like, as The Salvation Army our concerns about the impending scenario are more about the impact on the people in our society who are vulnerable, marginalised and poor. We know that these people are the ones who will experience the brunt of the pain and impact in their daily lives. ‘We hope the toolkit will help your corps or centre consider how you might prepare for and respond to those challenges. We recognise that Brexit may be a divisive issue within your corps and community and so we also offer some ideas for navigating this.’ – A. R.

KETTERING CITADEL: The mayor of the borough of Kettering, Councillor James Burton, was guest of honour on the Saturday evening of Belfast Sydenham Songsters’ weekend visit; he also made an impromptu return on Sunday afternoon to express his appreciation and present commemorative gifts to the visitors. Former Belfast Sydenham corps officer Lieut-Colonel Jack Hassard led two high-quality programmes and Sunday morning worship. During the weekend the songsters sang ‘Praise His Holy Name’, ‘I Sing Because I’m Happy’, ‘Humbly Bow’ and ‘Your Will Be Done’. Instrumental soloists were Andrew Pentland (Eb bass) and Jonathan Boyd (euphonium), and a six-piece a cappella group contributed light-hearted moments. Singing Company Leader Jessica McLarnon, a student at Sheffield University, gave a candid and challenging testimony. – T. H.

MIDDLESBROUGH ACKLAM: Young corps members gave out goodie bags that included information promoting The Salvation Army to the many shoppers at a nearby shopping centre. They gave out 900 items in total and had lots of conversations with the people they met, including one person who, having recently lost a relative, left cheered up after talking with the young people. – L. B.

An early Easter Messy Church attracts many people at Pentre including some attending for the first time; everyone left with an Easter egg and a wider knowledge of the Easter story

ABERTILLERY: Cardiff Canton Songsters presented a Saturday spring festival. Fifteen songs, including ‘For The Beauty Of The Earth’, ‘Shine Down’ and ‘Grant Us Thy Peace’ were interspersed with Bible readings and thoughts. Members of the songsters also played the march ‘Emblem Of The Army’. The songsters returned to lead Sunday morning worship, when an augmented band played ‘Llanfair’. At the conclusion of the meeting, the songsters stood around the congregation to sing ‘We Have Peace’. – A. B.