Quotes from the media

NEW PRAYER GUIDE TO SUPPORT HEALTHCARE WORKERS DURING PANDEMIC

A new prayer guide has been produced to help support healthcare workers as they tackle the coronavirus outbreak.

Developed by online prayer resource Pray As You Go, the Healing Hands guide aims to encourage and support doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals to pray as they face the daily challenges of working amid the current pandemic.

The guide consists of two sessions: one for preparation before a shift and another as a reflective prayer to look back over a day or shift...

Written by Christian doctor, Father Paul O’Reilly SJ, the resources combine his experiences of both medical life and his Catholic faith to produce a short burst of prayer and reflection for those working in the healthcare system...

‘I created these prayer guides simply based on the way I pray as I go to and from my work as a GP... What I offer here is not any form of guidance, consensus statement, established protocol, expert advice or, least of all, an example of good practice.

‘It is simply how I pray as I go to and from the work I offer to the Lord.’ [Producer of Pray As You Go Emma Holland] told Premier: ‘Prayer can really transform your day... to know God’s presence with us and to focus on God’s activity in our day-to-day [lives].’ Premier

SALVATIONIST

salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist

Staff are working from home and may not be contactable by phone or able to deal with non-electronic correspondence

EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts – 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford – 020 7367 4891 EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Shanelle Manderson – 020 7367 4894 Simon Hope – 020 7367 4892 Melita Day-Lewis – 020 7367 4887 Major Margaret Bovey COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Major Godspower Anozie – 020 7367 4893 ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden – 020 7367 4883 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight – 020 7367 4895 Louise Phillips – 020 7367 4896 PROOFREADER Chris Horne

CORONAVIRUS BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE LAUNCHED

St Paul’s Cathedral [has unveiled] a new online book of remembrance for those who have died from coronavirus.

Launched online... it has won the support of the Prince of Wales, who said it was a chance to mark ‘our loss and sorrow, but also to be thankful for everything good that those we have loved brought into our lives’.

The memorial book, called Remember Me, will be... open to people of all faiths or none, the cathedral said. However, those named in the memorial must be British or have been living in the UK.

Those who want to use it will be able to submit the name and photograph of the deceased as well as a short message. The Church of England Newspaper

YOUNG CATHOLICS LAUNCH WEBSITE TO HELP REOPEN CHURCHES

A group of young Catholics has launched a volunteering website, with the intention of helping with the reopening of Catholic churches across England, Wales and Scotland.

The website, Open Church Doors, allows lay Catholics to indicate their availability to help clean, maintain and manage their local parish for private prayer... Over 600 people have already signed up to help out.

According to one of the initiative’s organisers, the popularity of the site indicates an appetite to provide concrete assistance to bishops and priests working for the reopening of parishes, especially amongst younger, web-literate Catholics... The Tablet

UK WOMEN BEAR EMOTIONAL BRUNT OF COVID-19 TURMOIL

Women in the UK are bearing the emotional brunt of the coronavirus pandemic, experiencing greater anxiety about its impact than men... research by Ipsos Mori and the Fawcett Society found.

Six out of ten women said they were finding it hard to stay positive day-today, compared with just under half of men. Half of women were very concerned about the risk the virus posed to the country, compared with a third of men. Women were also more likely to have their employment impacted, with a third saying their workplaces had been closed, compared with a quarter of men...

Sam Smethers, Fawcett Society chief executive, said: ‘Women are bearing the brunt of the emotional and financial fallout. Government needs to take a gendered approach as we lift the lockdown and begin to turn our attention to how we emerge from this crisis. One thing is certain, an economy which leaves women and girls behind will fail to recover...’

Campaigners say women are more likely to be on the front line delivering essential services... and caring for children and older relatives...

The survey was conducted online among 18 to 75-year-olds between February and May and weighted to reflect the population profile. The Guardian

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THE SALVATION ARMY

FOUNDER William Booth

GENERAL Brian Peddle

TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARY Major Mal Davies

CONTACT SALVATIONIST

020 7367 4890 salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk

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FREE ON THE INSIDE

ONE of the most rewarding aspects of being a Salvation Army officer, which can also be one of the most challenging, is the variety of ministry opportunities that come our way. For me, that has included two stints as a prison chaplain while being a corps officer.

The first of these opportunities came when I was stationed at Plumstead in south London. A men’s prison, HMP Belmarsh, opened on our patch and I was asked to join the chaplaincy team for half a day each week. I’d visited a couple of prisons before, but always with a group. Now I had my own set of keys and was free to wander where I wanted. As well as mingling with prisoners on the wings I was expected to do the ‘statutory duties’, which involved visiting those confined to specified parts of the prison. The most daunting of these was the category A block, which held highly dangerous prisoners: those convicted of terrorism, murder or armed robbery. It did wonders for my prayer life!

On one occasion I showed a group of cadets around the prison and ended the tour in the chapel. One of them said how surprised and encouraged he was to see a chapel right in the heart of the prison. Even in a modern establishment like Belmarsh, the value of the chapel and the ministry of its chaplains were recognised.

On pages 12 and 13 two Salvation Army prison chaplains, Sarah-Jane Gregory and Major Alex Cadogan, tell us about their ministry. It’s clear that their presence is appreciated, both by the prisoners and the staff, and that their ministry as Salvationists makes a unique and valuable contribution to the work of the chaplaincy teams in their prisons.

Territorial Prison Ministries Officer Major Paul Johnson follows this up on page 14 with a reflection on solitary confinement and the need for interconnectedness and transformation – and, in his Bible study on pages 18 and 19, Major Graham Mizon reminds us that real transformation happens when ‘we grow into new creations in Christ, which transforms our thinking, attitude and motives’.

Not every form of captivity is behind prison bars. In another of his ‘More rearmirror views’ articles on page 15, General John Larsson (Retired) tells how, at the beginning of the 20th century, the Army in Japan took bold steps to help free thousands of young women trapped in prostitution.

I don’t know how things are now, but in my time as a prison chaplain a prisoner could only have a radio in his cell as a reward for good behaviour. For many of them it was an important link to the world outside. The recently launched Fortress Radio is not quite the same, but it seems to be meeting the needs of many Salvationists – and former Salvationists – during these days of lockdown. On pages 16 and 17 Stuart Hall tells us how it all began and what kind of an impact this online station, broadcasting Army music and worship, is making.

Someone can be as free as a bird but still captive to their moods, habits and selfcentredness, while a jailbird may be confined within prison walls but still experience true freedom inside. Wherever we are, and whatever our circumstances, may we experience the inner freedom that comes from being in Christ.

From the Editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

Quotes from the media 2

News 4 to 7

Prayer pointers 7

News feature 8 and 9

Army extends coronavirus response

From the archive 10

When you take a leap of faith and fail by Lieut-Colonel Gilbert Ellis

Diary of self-isolation 11

Just keep swimming! Week 10 by Major Karen Sandford

Feature 12 and 13

Insights from the inside by Sarah-Jane Gregory and Major Alex Cadogan

Reflection 14

On the inside: cell and soul by Major Paul Johnson

More rear-mirror views 15

A march like no other by General John Larsson (Retired)

Interview 16 and 17

Broadcasting blessings every day Stuart Hall talks to Salvationist

Bible study 18 and 19

Knowing Jesus more by Major Graham Mizon

Through the week with Salvationist 18 and 19

by Lieut-Colonel Ray Oakley

Letters 20

Feature 21

Getting active for the Army by Angela Carlucci

Announcements 22 and 23

The Salvation Army and me 24

featuring James Fotheringham

War Cry wanted as prison pandemic pastime

UK

THE War Cry has had an unexpected circulation boost as prisoners are requesting copies to help them cope with self-isolating during the pandemic.

More than 15,000 copies have been delivered to 31 jails in England and Wales, representing a 16.5 per cent increase.

One prisoner wrote in to say: ‘I wanted to let you know the positive impact you have on prisons in the UK. I have only recently returned to faith in the past three years and I feel a connection to God stronger than I ever have. This has been greatly helped by the War Cry.’

Prison Ministries Officer Major Paul Johnson said: ‘Some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in our society are in prison. Mental health struggles, self-harm and addiction are all prevalent, so this time during social-distancing will be particularly difficult. Prison chaplains and other staff are dedicated and courageous in reaching out to support prisoners. Supplying the War Cry often helps start a relationship with a prisoner and we have seen salvation come into many people’s lives in prison.’

The Rev Jo Honour, managing lead chaplain at HMP Stafford, added: ‘The content connects with prisoners as it references current TV programmes and discusses the issues of the day, together with wordsearches, crosswords and sudoku.’

War Cry Editor Major Andrew Stone commented: ‘We value all our readers, but there is something special when we hear stories of how the magazine is helping people in prison who are trying to turn their lives around.’ – AR

MALDON: The corps has worked with local partners to provide more than 450 food parcels for families in need since the start of the lockdown, as well as picking up and delivering prescriptions. Parcels distributed around VE Day included a poster, which recipients could display in their window to show support for those who gave so much during the Second World War. Corps officer Lieutenant Jon Doyle said: ‘The Salvation Army is always there for people in need and we take our inspiration from Jesus to include everyone in what we do and offer practical support.’ – AR

Army provides VE Day cream teas for older people

STREET

SIX hundred older people received parcels including freshly made cream teas delivered to their doors for them to enjoy on VE Day as they continued to self-isolate.

Corps leader Territorial Envoy Louise Melia said: ‘We were starting to get concerned about the mental health of older people in our community during the lockdown.’

Corps folk baked 1,200 scones – two for each parcel. The parcels also included a Union Jack napkin, a tea bag and a postcard designed by the corps.

The recipients were encouraged to sit in their front gardens to enjoy their cream tea at 3.30 pm, and everyone else in the village was encouraged to have a cup of tea outside their homes at this time while maintaining social distancing. – AR

GAINSBOROUGH: Members and friends of the corps were delighted to receive a decorated VE Day bag filled with macaroons, biscuits, chocolate, colouring sheets and a quiz. A few days later, Second World War veteran Don Andrews, a resident of Foxby Hill care home, celebrated his 100th birthday. A small group from the band played ‘Happy Birthday’ outside the home, and a few ladies from the corps made cakes for the residents and staff to enjoy. The event was also mentioned on BBC One’s Look North (East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire). – PH

DORSET: Two bandsmen from Branksome Corps commemorated VE Day by sounding the Last Post and Reveille in their respective neighbourhoods. Just before 11 am Acting Bandmaster Colin Bright (pictured) sounded the last post outside his home in Swanage and, after the two-minute silence, sounded the Reveille. Several people came out of their houses and gave prolonged applause. Just before 3 pm he sounded the Last Post again and, together with retired Methodist minister Chris Moreton, played ‘We’ll Meet Again’. At 11 am and 3 pm Bandsman Denis Upshon also sounded the calls outside his home in Poole. – AR

Territorial leaders host online Pentecost meeting

UKI

TERRITORIAL leaders Commissioners Anthony and Gill Cotterill invited viewers to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit in a YouTube broadcast from the meeting room at THQ, with others participating from their homes across the territory.

Birmingham Citadel Band accompanied the opening song, ‘O God Of Burning, Cleansing Flame’, and other congregational songs during the hour-long broadcast were taken from previous live-streamed events.

Prayers were led by Chaplain to the Welsh Assembly Major David Emery and, from Bangladesh, by Captains Heidie and Richard Bradbury and their children, Luke and Neve.

Soloist Marjory Watson (Bellshill) sang ‘By My Spirit’ and the International Staff Band brought ‘Fruit Of The Spirit’.

Shadow puppetry was used to illustrate the Pentecost story from Acts 2. Later, members of Dublin City Corps, some of them wearing their health worker uniforms, read Galatians 5:13–23.

Using the example of blue medical gloves, which are only useful when worn, the Territorial Commander made the point that our work for God is only achieved when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Then we have ‘power to witness, power to preach, power to pray, power to serve in the name of Jesus’.

Viewers were invited to email saprayernetwork@salvationarmy.org. uk if they wanted someone to pray with them, before the meeting closed with the congregational song ‘I Dare To Be Different’. – JR O The meeting is available to watch at youtube.com/user/

salvationarmyvideo

First divisional food hub delivery arrives

CHIPPENHAM

SINCE the coronavirus outbreak and the necessary lockdown, Chippenham food bank has accelerated its work, providing more parcels in the first day than would normally be given in a month. While financial donations from the public, churches, supermarkets, charitable funds and community groups have helped maintain stock levels, delivery from the Severn and Somerset food hub was warmly welcomed, especially with the promise of more to come.

Many regular volunteers have been unable to help at the food bank because of shielding or selfisolation, but the corps has been blessed with volunteers from the Rotary Club, Chippenham Borough Lands Charity, other churches and many members of the public.

Hurdles with supplies initially meant volunteers needed to buy what supplies they could from supermarkets. After persuasive and persistent conversations, supermarkets and firms are now on board, making much-needed goods available.

The food bank’s remit is widening as it becomes a life

SOUTH LONDON: The Woodgate family, who have served in the division for eight years, found different ways to thank the Army and support its divisional projects. Divisional Mission Enabler Major Susan Woodgate shaved her hair off and Divisional Officer for Leader Development Major Ian Woodgate climbed the stairs at home with 17-year-old Adam until they reached the equivalent height of Mount Everest. Hope, who is 13 years old, kept a 24-hour silence and 18-yearold Grace has been creating greeting cards, which can be ordered by emailing susan.woodgate@salvationarmy.org.uk. So far the family have raised more than £2,500. – AR

The Salvation Army, represented by FourHymn, joins 65 Christian churches, movements and worship leaders to sing a blessing to the UK, attracting more than three million views; search ‘UK Blessing’ on YouTube

saver to individuals and families. Another charity in the area has been unable to hold its regular drop-in for people experiencing homelessness, so Miriam Dann, the community support worker at the corps, is giving 30 hot, healthy meals three times a week to the residents of a supported housing unit and others who have been provided with accommodation by the police.

Amid all this, the food bank has been nominated to receive a civic community award. – JD

A royal helping hand

CROYDON

HER Royal Highness Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, helped pack emergency parcels at the Army’s regional food distribution hub based at Croydon Citadel – some of the 22,000 parcels being distributed across the country as part of the UK’s biggest emergency food response in more than 60 years.

The princess said: ‘In the past few years I have witnessed first hand [The Salvation Army’s] dedication and hard work, so when they invited Jack and me to their newly created hub to pack boxes, we jumped at the chance. As a group of volunteers we helped pack trolleys of food that are distributed to The Salvation Army’s hugely important and much-needed food banks that feed thousands across the UK.’

Divisional Commander Major Valerie Mylechreest said: ‘Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack, really became part of our team effort during their visit, joining volunteers in our socially distanced production lines to help get food to people who would otherwise go hungry.

‘It was a wonderful morale boost for all those at the hub who are working around the clock as more and more desperate people are reaching out to us. We are ready to help them thanks to the generous support of British businesses and members of the public.’ – AR

Meeting unique needs

STOWMARKET

IN partnership with Age UK, Mid Suffolk district council and Community Action Suffolk, the corps helped 23 families, 16 of which are receiving ongoing help.

An isolated older woman could not walk so volunteers changed her bed and bought food. She was also paired with a hospital chaplain, who is in self-isolation

and calls her weekly. Others who have received food include a blind woman and a 93-year-old RAF veteran whose wife is living with dementia. The corps has also picked up prescriptions for a couple who require more than 21 medications.

One young mother with three children was given a fridgefreezer, and a young single father was given curtains for his threeyear-old’s bedroom window.

The corps is in regular contact

LEEDS CENTRAL: By the end of April the corps completed five busy weeks of food distribution thanks to donations from Morrisons, Tesco and Costco, financial support from the B&M store in Harehills – which donated £1,500 – and fundraising through JustGiving. During the first week of lockdown helpers gave out around 920 hot takeaways and 960 food parcels. A further 123 food parcels and support for 50 families were given to the Stronger Families programme, a single dads group and a nearby Methodist church. Supplies of food and toiletries were also given to residents in high-rise apartment blocks, the Joanna Project and a takeaway Caribbean café. – MB

Steps to Work trainees take Steps from Home

STRAWBERRY FIELD

THE Strawberry Field Steps to Work programme has introduced Steps from Home sessions in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Steps to Work reaches out to young adults aged 18 to 25 with learning difficulties and other barriers to employment through a training hub in conjunction with work placements across Liverpool. During the lockdown, keeping trainees motivated and supported has been key for the Steps to Work team.

In the first couple of weeks of social distancing, a series of activities was planned, including virtual exercise, reflective quotes and sharing happy memories. The group proved popular and technology has allowed the informal ‘keeping in touch’ sessions to turn into Steps from Home. Each day the trainees are invited to log on to Zoom and spend up to an hour interacting with each other and the Steps to Work team. Sessions are structured to include well-being activities, quizzes, ‘Strawberry Field’s got talent’ and messages of hope and reflection.

Steps from Home is providing trainees with an opportunity to socialise. They look forward to these sessions, which break up the day and offer encouragement and support. – LT

with a man with bipolar disorder, who could not attend his stepmother’s recent funeral.

A small package of food and toiletries was brought to a couple of men who were experiencing homelessness and had been housed in a hotel.

For a mother with a PEG-fed child (fed via a tube into the stomach), the corps supplied anti-bacterial wipes and laundry soap. For another, the corps has been making wellness calls, as well as providing food and activity bags for her child.

Corps officer Major Bev Lloyd has so far made 107 contacts. ‘Each family is unique and is a privilege to serve,’ she said. ‘We recognise that we could just give them each a food box, but sometimes needs aren’t met with just some tinned food. Human contact, a weekly phone call and unique food items make isolating easier for the vulnerable and elderly.’ – AR