Quotes from the media

CHURCH ORGANISATIONS CALL ATTENTION TO WORSENING PLIGHT OF UKRAINIAN REFUGEES

The primate of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, Major Archbishop Svietoslav Shevchuk, has urged continued humanitarian support for more than 12 million people uprooted by the war in his country. At the same time, church organisations in Europe have also appealed for increased aid…

Meanwhile, the international charity World Vision said that it had helped more than 116,000 refugees with food, healthcare and education during the first 14 weeks of the war, but warned that one third of Ukraine’s population … had now fled their homes…

In a statement for World Refugee Day … Eurodiaconia, a network that represents 52 churches and Christian social organisations, warned that problems remained with recognition of IDs and documents, as well as access to funding and material support. Countries such as Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia still faced ‘unprecedented pressures’ from Europe’s largest refugee crisis since the Second World War, it said… [The] Archbishop of Lviv, the Most Rev Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki, told Vatican Radio that he was deeply grateful for the help provided by church charities across Europe.

Church Times

CHURCH OF ENGLAND UNVEILS STRATEGY TO HELP ITS RURAL CHURCHES THRIVE

The Church of England has launched a 10-point strategy to help its thousands of rural churches survive and thrive.

Many provided cool sanctuaries during the recent record-breaking temperatures – but they have the potential to play a much more strategic community role…

The strategy sets out 10 key areas ‘where applying relatively small changes can make a big difference to the revitalisation, recovery and renewal of our village churches, amplifying the efforts that may well be happening already’.

The publication comes as many rural churches are facing increasing pressures – financial, demographic and … the upkeep of buildings – to continue as centres of mission and ministry.

Christian Today

SIR MO FARAH: CALLS TO TRAFFICKING HELPLINE GO UP AFTER REVELATION

Calls to a trafficking charity’s helpline increased after Sir Mo Farah revealed that he had been brought to the UK illegally as a child.

Unseen UK told BBC News … that it saw a 20 per cent rise in calls, and a 15 per cent rise in overall contact, including through their website and app…

Shortly after Sir Mo’s story was publicised, a coalition of anti-trafficking organisations and lawyers released a joint statement praising the athlete.

‘[Sir Mo’s] action should stand as an inspiration for us all and strengthen our resolve to identify trafficking, protect children and ensure that all victims of trafficking and slavery in the UK are able to safely come forward and secure the support they need to rebuild their lives,’ said the statement.

The Metropolitan Police also said it had opened an investigation into the allegations.

BBC News

‘WORK FROM HOME’ BLAMED FOR BIG ISSUE SALES SLUMP

Big Issue sales have slumped by a third as people continue the Covid trend of working from home…

The cost of living crisis, Covid fears and the loss of high street stores are also adding to vendors’ woes.

Hull-based Shaun Vagg said his sales have more than halved, forcing him to ‘rip up’ unsold magazines…

The closure of the Marks & Spencer store in Hull city centre in May 2019 effectively ‘killed footfall’, he said…

Reinforcing the importance of the magazine, Mr Vagg said: ‘If it was not for the Big Issue, I would be [six feet] under.’

BBC News

SALVATIONIST

salvationist.org.uk/media/magazine Issue No 1870

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.

CONTACT US

020 7367 4890 (main) / 020 7367 4901 (editor) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk

ADVERTISING

advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk

DISTRIBUTION AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), 66–78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH 01933 445445 / subscriptions@satcol.org

@SalvationistOnline @SalvationistUK

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 William Booth

GENERAL Brian Peddle

TERRITORIAL COMMANDER

Commissioner Anthony Cotterill

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Major Mal Davies

TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS

101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN 0845 634 0101

Grasping opportunity CONTENTS Quotes from the media 2

LET me attempt to put two thoughts together here, which could be challenging because sometimes I struggle to put one thought together!

A little over 35 years ago I began working for The Salvation Army as a youth worker in an accommodation programme for teenagers experiencing homelessness. The majority had been kicked out of home or had left ‘voluntarily’ (often to avoid abuse) and they had issues to work through, including identity, belonging, self-esteem and depression, not to mention – very often – addiction and poverty.

When I began, I recall my line manager, an officer, saying that most of our clients were ‘opportunity-deprived’. He explained: ‘If you’re rich, you have choice. You can choose a house, what clothes to wear, where to eat, where to holiday, even what vocation or career to pursue. These kids have one choice: whatever’s cheapest or easiest. They don’t have the options to pick from that others have; they’re opportunity-deprived.’

It’s a phrase that’s stuck with me and, sadly, applies to many people I’ve assisted through my officership. Hold that thought!

A few years ago I read The Gold Mine Effect, which explores why some geographic areas produce more talented people in a specific field than other places (for example, footballers from Brazil). One of the book’s conclusions is that, for some people, sport is their only way to avoid a life of poverty or social restrictions. To become an international-level sportsperson was a way ‘out’ of the culture they were trapped in. Why settle for a low-paid job in a factory when you can run fast and, with training, actually make it your living?

This issue of Salvationist touches on sport, on inequality, on poverty, on lack of opportunity and on hope for a brighter future.

Rob Moye, the territory’s sports mission specialist, talks about a sports video discipleship course called Athlos. He also talks about sports mission. He says: ‘It’s about helping people connect their passion for Jesus with their love of sport, which can provide fresh opportunities for mission, opening doors and building relationships in their communities.’

This was exactly the experience of Laura-Jane Kingscott (see page 20), who joined a running club and found a community!

‘By joining an existing club in my area, I truly believe many more opportunities will come up where I am able to share my faith, my life story and support others,’ she writes. ‘I could’ve quite easily got a group of fellow runners from my corps together and created a little running club, but I’m not sure community would’ve been built in the same way.’

A similar sense of finding fellowship in a recreational setting is clear in the article on Dance Fit Tots (see pages 10 and 11), a joint effort of the Music and Creative Arts (Maca) team and the Family Ministries Unit.

Dan Elson, from the Maca team, writes: ‘By using engaging content with an explicit Christian message, Dance Fit Tots also hopes to ... provide group leaders and volunteers with an opportunity to talk about their faith’.

Throw into the mix articles on inequality from the Research and Development Unit, on debt advice from the team at Bedford Congress Hall and on a key homelessness report published by the Public Affairs Unit, and we have a paper filled with stories of people finding and creating new opportunities and, sadly, people who lack them.

Who do you know who needs a new start? Who do you know who needs new hope? Who do you know who has never been given a fair chance? Who do you know who needs Jesus in their life? Take the opportunity to pray for them now.

MAJOR MAL DAVIES

Editor Salvationist

News 4 to 8

Prayer matters 8

Feature 9

Eradicating inequalities

by Dr Rebecca Harrocks

Feature 10 and 11

Dancing like no one is watching

by Dan Elson

Resources 12 and 13

Faith and fitness

Feature 14 and 15

‘It’s not just people without work who are struggling’

by Lyn Woods

Bible study 16 and 17

Open rebellion

by Major Annette Allen

Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17

by Major Jane Kimberley

New commitments 18 and 19

Testimony 20

‘I started to run and felt instantly welcome’

by Laura-Jane Kingscott

Adverts 21

Announcements 22 and 23

Quiz 24

Where in the world?

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS

Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated

COMMUNITY

New Malachi Homes project opens its doors

SOUTHEND CITADEL

THE Salvation Army has unveiled the new Malachi Homes project in Leigh-on-Sea, which aims to rehabilitate people experiencing homelessness.

The modular homes project, set up with housing developer The Hill Group, Citizens UK and the Southend-on-Sea city council, comprises six purpose-built units.

The Hill Group gifted the homes and associated groundworks, while The Salvation Army and the council will support residents in adjusting to their new lives.

Major Andrew and Captain Tracey Bale (Norwich Citadel) led Southend Citadel and Southend Southchurch Corps throughout the project. Captain Tracey said she was ‘thrilled work had been completed’.

‘Most of the time we are just plugging a hole here or there without giving [people] the support they need to move on to a better life,’ she added. ‘This project allows that to happen. You’re looking at the whole person and trying to help them on every level.’

Divisional Commander Major Howard Russell added: ‘The strength of The Salvation Army is in community. This scheme is linked with the corps in Southend. The people who are going to help support it are from the area. Local ownership and local support for local people who are going to be living here has to be the way forward.’ – AR

COMMUNITY

SAFFRON WALDEN When members heard that the nearby food bank’s shelves were ‘worryingly bare’ they held an impromptu collection for items they could donate. They also promised to regularly pray for the food bank. – JA MUSIC

Ipswich Citadel Band play in the Bethesda Eventide care home gardens

ARMY NEWS

Lives at risk from homelessness funding cuts

UK

THE number of people experiencing homelessness with mental health and addiction problems has increased but funding for support has been cut, warns a new report from the Army.

Homelessness Funding – What’s Next? reveals that every day in England and Wales a person experiencing homelessness dies from suicide, drugs or alcohol. Deaths from drug poisoning have shot up 112 per cent, while funding for addiction services has dropped by 12 per cent since 2013. The number of people experiencing homelessness with mental health problems has increased by 19 per cent since 2018, but funding for mental health services over the last decade has gone down by 27 per cent.

The government has pledged to spend at least £640m a year to tackle homelessness by 2024. The Salvation Army has called this a game-changer, but only if at least half the money is invested in support services, especially mental health and addiction treatment.

Will Neville, 33, has seen homelessness from both sides of the fence, first as a former resident of William Booth Centre Lifehouse in Birmingham and now as a manager there.

‘Homelessness is a public health problem first and a housing problem second,’ he said.

‘When I was homeless and addicted to drugs and had a problem with alcohol, I twice tried to take my own life. Now my job involves supporting people experiencing homelessness, I know how common suicide attempts and drug overdoses are.

‘Ring-fencing money for addiction and mental health services is the only way to properly tackle the reasons so many fall into the homelessness downward spiral that is so hard to recover from.’

The Army’s report recommends that mental health and addiction support is part of local authority homelessness strategies and that targets are set on the number of people who are provided with mental health and addiction support alongside existing targets for accommodation. It also suggests that cities and regions with high levels of homelessness should introduce the same Chain recording system as in London, which provides detailed information on the number of rough sleepers in need of support for drug, alcohol and mental health problems.

It recommends as well that local authorities should produce statistics that can show the level of homelessness both locally and nationally and how much they are spending on supporting different groups of people so that funding can be appropriately allocated. – AR Read the Homelessness Funding – What’s Next? report online at salvationarmy.org.uk

60

children enjoy fun in the park

SEE PAGE 5

16

couples attend marriage course

SEE PAGE 6

1,211

referrals to food bank

SEE PAGE 7

PRESENTATION

PRESENTATION

NORTH WALSHAM Captain Carl Whitewood (Ramsgate) presented a certificate to corps officer Major Richard Durrant on his retirement. A packed hall heard of events that had taken place at the different corps where Major Richard and his wife, Major Heather Durrant, had served over the years. The meeting also included the singing of songs associated with each corps. – JB

ANNIVERSARY

MARKET RASEN Barton-upon-Humber Band and Songsters visited to celebrate the corps anniversary. An afternoon workshop preceded an outdoor meeting, the weather being kind for the event. The visitors enjoyed refreshments prior to an evening praise meeting. Corps leader Territorial Envoy Terence Carpenter welcomed a large audience of corps folk, locals and visitors from Gainsborough, Grimsby, Lincoln and Louth Corps. The evening of music included a recorder solo, Major Alan Norton (Barton-upon-Humber) playing guitar and singing old song lyrics to modern tunes, and items from the united bands and songsters, before Major Alan gave a benediction. – GB

WILLIAMSTOWN The fellowship joined Pentre Corps to organise a Fun in the Park event at Penygraig Park. The weather, however, had a different idea and after heavy downpours the event relocated to the hall. The afternoon comprised games, crafts, painting, origami and ended with chorus singing and a children’s Bible story. Pentre Band performed while tea and biscuits were enjoyed and the hall was filled with more than 60 children and their parents and guardians. Despite the weather, the afternoon was a great success with many saying they had a wonderful time. – EB

EVENT COMMUNITY

MALDON The charity shop is helping Ukrainian refugees settle into the area by offering summer clothes, shoes and volunteering opportunities. Ukrainian refugee Leila, 25, has volunteered with the shop for a month. Shop manager Kevin Dawson-Jennings said: ‘She has been doing an amazing job and her English is improving all the time. We’re thrilled to have her.’ Kevin hopes that offering such volunteer opportunities to Ukrainians will give them ‘hope and purpose’. – AR CONSETT A special weekend marked the farewell and retirement of corps officers Majors Ian and Pam McCredie. On Saturday, members attended a celebratory afternoon tea along with family and friends. During Sunday’s worship meeting, Divisional Commander Major David Burns presented Majors Ian and Pam with retirement certificates recognising their 29 years of service together. They are pictured with CSM Bernard Snook holding the flag. – HM

COMMUNITY

WOKING Corps member and beaver leader Margaret Cook welcomed the First Byfleet Beavers to help them achieve their faith badges. Using Ultimate Church Visit resources, the beavers searched for pictures that matched their quiz sheets. After drinks and biscuits, a running-around game illustrated the story of the prodigal son, with corps officer Major David House explaining that God loves them all even though they may sometimes make mistakes and bad decisions. Each beaver received a copy of Kids Alive! and parents took a leaflet about the corps. – MH

Salvationist wants to hear your news

Corps press representatives can email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk. Good quality pictures may be included.

ANNIVERSARY

100 years of ministry in old mining community

SHERBURN HILL

THE corps celebrated 100 years of transforming lives in the community. Divisional Commander Major David Burns led the centenary celebrations, which included music from Sunderland Millfield Songsters and a celebratory lunch.

‘We thank God for the significance of these years and for those who have faithfully ministered within the corps and community over this time,’ said Major David. ‘Things may look a little different to a hundred years ago, but Sherburn Hill Corps is still based at the heart of the community.’

The corps first opened in the prominent mining village in May 1922. Captain Ethel Twine and Lieutenant Dorothea Carr soon began to win over miners and their families with their preaching.

Today the corps runs a prayer fellowship, Friday coffee shop, a youth discipleship group and a home league that raises money for different projects around the world. – AR MUSIC

LEEDS CENTRAL The band presented a concert in Canal Gardens in Roundhay Park, as part of the city’s annual summer bandstand series. The programme included ‘The Wearmouth March’ and ‘To Victory!’, alongside classical excerpts such as ‘Ave Verum’ and a swing arrangement of ‘Joshua’. A selection of hymn tunes from around the British Isles and contemporary worship songs were also appreciated by the large, responsive crowd. – SB

ARMÁDA SPÁSY MARGATE Sixteen couples attended The Marriage Course, which aims to help couples invest in their relationships and build strong marriages. Held over seven sessions, each evening started with a ‘date night’ meal followed by videos in Czech and time for private conversations. Pictured with the couples are CSM Andy and CS Julie Millest (Gillingham), who facilitated the course. – JM

EVENT

Corps cadets in 1924

FUNDRAISING

EVENT

READING LOWER EARLEY The corps held a car boot sale to raise funds for the community. Great conversations were shared over bacon sandwiches. Corps members donated flip flops and sandals to be taken to a village in Tanzania by Max Stoakes, whose father, Ian, was a member of the corps before his sudden promotion to Glory at the beginning of the year. Ian had supported people in the village and Max will visit to follow up his father’s work. Max said: ‘The footwear will make a big difference and enable people to get to other villages to sell goods to support themselves.’ – RC BOURNE The corps took advantage of the summer weather and arranged an outing to Hunstanton for the first time. Corps officer Lieutenant Sarah O’Grady conducted a meeting adjacent to the bandstand, after which a picnic was enjoyed together. – CG

BIRTHDAY

SHEFFIELD LANGSETT ROAD The band celebrated the 102nd birthday of Dorothy Davis, who has been a member of the corps for 80 years – and Woodhouse Corps prior to that. She has served as a songster, corps cadet guardian, company guard and home league treasurer. The band playing for her was the highlight of her day. – AT

EVENT

DARTFORD A busy weekend of outreach began with a well-attended Strawberry Fayre. Majors Derek and Sue Jones compèred a Festival of Music, which featured Chatham Band. Divisional Commander Major Mark Herbert gave the message and Divisional Leader for Leader Development Major Linda Herbert dedicated a new corps flag. The flag was purchased through a donation from the family of Audrey Whitmore, a stalwart corps member who was promoted to Glory in 2019 aged 102. Audrey’s family were present for the dedication. Peter Hoyle (Boscombe) gave a moving tribute to former corps leader Territorial Envoy Ed Dean, who was promoted to Glory in 2021. – CM

SHETLAND ISLANDS The Rev David Coleman, the environmental chaplain for Eco-Congregation Scotland, visited the Army’s polytunnel community garden project. This new expression of The Salvation Army is registered as an eco-congregation and the visit encouraged the team as they serve to work with the land and show God’s love. – BW

ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY

High sheriff visits food bank

PENRITH

THE high sheriff of Cumbria, Alan McViety, visited the corps to see how the food bank is supporting the community amid the cost of living crisis.

Corps community support worker Heather Watson showed him what items are included in food parcels and explained the growing number of referrals they are receiving.

The corps recently revealed the extent of need in Penrith, with more than 1,211 referrals to its food bank in April, when the energy price cap increased.

Corps officer Major Carole Donaldson said: ‘The cost of living crisis is affecting all areas of our communities and we’re here to help anyone in need, whether that is through our food bank, offering a warm and safe place to be, or just via our listening ear.’ – AR

INTERNATIONAL

Online launch celebrates global learning potential

IHQ

INTERNATIONAL Headquarters marked an important milestone in the Army’s International Financial Accounting Standards (IFAS) programme, which aims to strengthen the organisation’s accounting and finance provision worldwide.

The IFAS initiative is a set of policies and procedures that all territories should follow or reference in the preparation of their financial accounting data. It includes the format of reports prepared for IHQ as well as the key financial indicators that need to be recorded.

A new online learning management system (LMS) will enable the initiative to be taken on by a greater number of territories and commands. It provides an opportunity for anyone who has access to the internet to receive training to use the new systems accurately.

International Secretary for Business Administration Commissioner Lee Graves said: ‘The possibilities being celebrated today are far-reaching.’ He added that the potential that can now be tapped will lead to ‘a stronger Army – a more prepared Army’.

Appearing in a pre-recorded message, General Brian Peddle shared four verses of Scripture – Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:34; 2 Timothy 2:15; and Proverbs 9:9 – that encourage learning. He reminded all present that education is one of the Army’s core values.

‘We are grateful for the milestones that we’re already able to celebrate,’ Chief of the Staff Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham said, before pressing an over-sized red button to launch the LMS. – KS