Feature

Lieut-Colonel Jayne Roberts introduces resources for Covenant Sunday

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37–39)

Loving Father, Your love for me is unconditional and unceasing. The depth of your love is beyond my comprehension, but today I respond to that love. As your love lives in me, may my thoughts, my words and my actions reflect you at all times and in every place. May my soul be a place where we meet – where all that I am becomes all that you want me to be in heart, mind and spirit. That in being one with you, I might see you, know you and show you in every part of my life. That in me and through me your Kingdom may come now. May this covenant of love draw me deeper and bring others closer to you.

PREPARATION for Covenant Sunday (9 January) began many months ago with conversation, planning and prayer that God would inspire the work of commissioning people to create a variety of resources for the territory. Immediately there was a sense of alignment with the ‘Love God, Love Others’ statement that identifies who we are and what we do. Major Andrew Bale (Southend Citadel and Southend Southchurch) has contributed teaching notes to inform sermon preparation or a small group study based on Matthew 22:33–40, the passage in which Jesus says the first and greatest commandment is: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ (v37). This theme is also the focus of worship ideas, small group activities, creative prayer and resources for toddler church and children.

The covenant card displayed on this page reflects a partnership between those who craft images and those who paint with words. Assistant Secretary for Personnel Major Julian Watchorn wrote the text shown on the left and I hope this beautiful prayer will help us respond to our Father God, who invites us to live in covenant relationship with him.

Printed cards have been sent out to all corps in the territory for distribution. Covid-19 restrictions may mean that you do not receive your covenant card on the day, but it is worth waiting for – and worth keeping and reflecting on.

The prayer card designed for children says: ‘Dear God, your love for me never ends, no matter what I do. The amount of love you have for me is almost too much for me to understand! I hope to get to know you better and show your love to others in everything I think, say and do.

‘I am going to write my name on this card to show that I want to be close to you and always have you in my heart. Help me bring your love to this world and everyone in it. Amen.’

In his new year video message Territorial Commander Commissioner Anthony Cotterill encourages us to participate, whether Covenant Sunday is marked on 9 January, on a different day or at home. He says: ‘It’s for you. It’s the opportunity to stop and to breathe and to take stock of where we are on this journey, which we take together as followers of Jesus, as his disciples, as his apprentices.’ It is his prayer ‘that this will be a sacred life-giving, life-renewing moment for you’, which ‘will shape our commitment, will shape our words, will shape our actions for 2022 as together we move forward for the glory and praise of God’.

We continue to live through challenging times but I hope that these resources will play a part in enabling each of us to flourish as we live out the gospel of Jesus and ‘Love God, Love Others’ in every aspect of our lives.

The TC’s new year message can be viewed at youtube.com/

salvationarmyvideo

LIEUT-COLONEL ROBERTS IS SECRETARY FOR SPIRITUAL LIFE DEVELOPMENT

Editor's note: Some events reported took place before the current Covid-19 restrictions.

Nicky Fayers with her crafted Christmas tree CHRISTMAS C

Enabled at Christmas celebrates online

UKI

ENABLED held its Christmas celebrations online, with 12 sessions running across a busy weekend.

Zaina Alam Piya from Bangladesh was named the winner of the Enabled art competition, which was themed Through the Seasons. In second and third place were Alexandra Philips (Croydon Citadel) and Sue Hopcroft from Hull. Twelve of the submitted pictures were selected to make an Enabled calendar for 2022.

Members took part in a Christmas quiz on the Friday night and the Family Ministries team led Saturday morning worship themed around the sights, sounds and smells of the Nativity.

Joy Pocock (Wakefield) shared her life story in an inspiring session, explaining the challenges that she had overcome and how she uses her art and craft talents to support people, before the George Steven Community Hub presented a modern take on the Nativity, along with singing and signing to carols. Stowmarket Band brought a selection of pre-recorded carols and Saturday concluded with the Enabled Christmas extravaganza, which involved members and supporters sharing their talents, such as poetry, monologues and playing instruments.

Sunday morning started with Captain Georgina Symons (Histon) leading Godly Play. A craft session followed, led by Laura Evans, which showed members how to make a Christmas tree by folding pages in a book.

On Sunday afternoon Ira Thomas (Sutton) hosted a Christmas singalong, supported by Amanda-Jayne and Tristan Lanceley (Bromley Temple). Julie Taylor (Hamilton) later led a mindfulness session, giving members the opportunity to slow down and relax during the busyness of Christmas.

Members were blessed by the varied programme, which was made possible by the technical support provided by Stuart Miskin and Andrea Darlington. The weekend concluded with a carol service led by Secretary for Mission Lieut-Colonel Drew McCombe (THQ), who reminded members that, at Christmas, it is important who you know: Jesus. – CS

CHRISTMAS C

BOGNOR REGIS Community Care Ministries Secretary Lesley Dyer organised ‘thank you’ posters and bags of sweets to give to shopkeepers and retail workers in the town. While the band played carols, a team went from shop to shop distributing the gifts. Many were deeply moved by the gesture. – AH BRISTON Director of Sanders Coaches Ltd, Charles Sanders, presented a cheque for £500 to Corps Secretary Marilyn Reynolds. Upon hearing about what the unofficered corps had done since February 2021, he invited Marilyn to talk about the work of the corps. – MR

COMMUNITY

WELLING The corps was blessed by generous donations from the public during the Advent period. One woman said it was her way of thanking The Salvation Army for rescuing her when she was abandoned by her foster family after being evacuated during the war. A man donated gravy and stuffing as thanks for the support he received when he was struggling with addiction three years ago. A nursery also provided food and gifts, because a staff member knew someone who had used the corps food bank during the Covid-19 lockdowns. – KS FUNDRAISING

CHRISTMAS C

WELLING The corps carol service was so well attended that some people decided not to go to let others be there for the first time. Festive drinks were served and each person was given a gingerbread man, a reindeer soft toy and a Christmas puzzle to take home. The meeting included songs and a Nativity reading using fruit and vegetables. The corps folk were delighted to see so many people worshipping together and hope that some of the new faces will return. – KS

ARMY NEWS

Army warns of rough sleeper deaths

THQ CHRISTMAS C

THE Salvation Army is warning that people risk dying on the streets this winter as the cold weather continues to bite.

The warning comes despite new gov ernment figures for England and Wales showing a slight decrease in deaths of people experiencing homelessness, including rough sleepers.

Office for National Statistics figures show 11.6 per cent fewer deaths, from 778 in 2019 to 688 in 2020, among people experiencing homelessness. The ONS believes this is not statistically significant and emphasises that figures for 2020 were affected by the Everyone In scheme, under which more than 37,000 people were housed in emergency accommodation from March 2020. The ONS also states that the Everyone In scheme made it more difficult to identify people experiencing homelessness and so the true figure may be higher.

The Salvation Army is finding new ways of ensuring people are not forced to sleep on freezing streets as temperatures drop.

Many communal-style shelters are still not Covid safe, but the Army has adapted its services to meet local need and provide a network of support across the country, including giving out hot meals and warm clothing, providing access to showers and a place to sleep, plus advice and other outreach services. The Army is also creating modular housing units for rough sleepers across the country with wrap-around support to help people tackle the causes of their homelessness.

Director of Homelessness Services Lorrita Johnson said: ‘Even one death on the street is significant and should be avoided.’ – AR BOURNE The annual community carol service was held outside after the trustees of Wellhead Park offered the use of the park. The service was a success with large numbers of people enjoying carols accompanied by the corps community band. Corps officer Lieutenant Sarah O’Grady’s signing choir accompanied one of the carols. Light refreshments were served. – CG

PRESENTATION

GATESHEAD Corps Treasurer Sylvia Mackereth retired from her role after 28 years of diligent service. She held many leadership roles from a young age and received a certificate of recognition and a ‘thank you’ book that detailed some of the impact of her service. – AH Gateshead toddler group leader Barbara Turnbull receives a retirement certificate and gift from corps officer Lieutenant Tony Kakande and CSM Ann Humes; Barbara will remain part of the group’s team

PRESENTATION

Divisional leaders Majors Ray and Pat Brown and corps officer Captain Andrina Downie present certificates of thanks to volunteers for their service to Lockerbie Corps and community, before they enjoyed a buffet lunch together Major Jean Howarth presents Steve Winn with a retirement certificate after 26 years’ service as corps treasurer at Rhosllanerchrugog; he will continue to serve as a bandsman and lead meetings

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GRAVESEND The South London Fellowship Band presented A Musical Extravaganza, the band’s first post-lockdown engagement and the first under Bandmaster Derick Kane. Established favourites were joined by solo items ‘Tyrolean Variations’ from Adrian Horwood (euphonium) and ‘Through the Fair’ from Jeremy David (flugelhorn) and the world premiere of ‘This Is My Song’ by Derick Kane. Vocal soloist Eva Stout sang ‘Close to You’ and ‘Someone to Watch over Me’, accompanied by Mikaela Llavadiotis, and ‘If I Loved You’, accompanied by a section of the band. The evening included a commemorative service for band and corps members whose memorial arrangements had been limited by Covid-19 restrictions. Names and photographs were displayed as the sombre tones of ‘Promoted to Glory’ gave way to congregational singing of ‘Welcome Home’ and the band playing ‘The Dartford March’. The evening concluded with ‘To God Be the Glory’. An offering of £330 was received for the Big Collection. – DB

PRESENTATION OUTREACH

SLEAFORD Publicity for the Be A Hero appeal brought a generous response during the days the hall was open for gifts, as well as during the family-themed gift service. In co-operation with the district council, 101 parcels were sent to Afghan refugee families accommodated in the area. A further 100 parcels of toys, food and other items were provided to vulnerable families identified by social workers. – NM

RHOSLLANERCHRUGOG Major Jean Howarth relinquished her leadership of the corps after more than 11 years. Following her retirement in 2007, and after a short spell at her home corps of Coedpoeth, she was asked to oversee Rhosllanerchrugog. Divisional leaders Majors Roger and Noreen Batt conducted the farewell meeting and Bandswoman Maureen Baldwin presented Major Jean with flowers and a financial gift on behalf of the corps. Omo Idegun made a cake for the occasion. The combined Rhosllanerchrugog and Coedpoeth Bands supported the meeting and presented Leslie Condon’s arrangement of Joy Webb’s ‘I Can Think of Him’. ‘I have ministered to the folk here and borne them in my heart before the One who called me to be a Salvation Army officer more than 50 years ago. However, I decided that now was the time to finally “retire” from the responsibility as a corps officer,’ said Major Jean. She is pictured cutting the cake with retiring corps treasurer Steve Winn and Majors Roger and Noreen Batt. – JH BOSCOMBE Lots of children attended the five-day holiday club, with the number taking part increasing every day. Each day included a Bible story, worship, games, crafts and a quiet time with a prayer activity. They learnt about: Moses parting the Red Sea and how others can help their faith to grow; Jonah and how faith grows when someone shares their story; the feeding of the 5,000 and how each child is unique and has a gift to offer; Zacchaeus and being a friend of Jesus; and the salvation story and how Jesus loves, forgives and wants a relationship with them. – JS

FUNDRAISING

WILLIAMSTOWN Corps Secretary Edward Beach and Chaplain to the Welsh Assembly Major David Emery met at Castellau Chapel, Beddau, to deliver a talk to the Hobby Lobby craft group about the work of The Salvation Army. At the end of the meeting, Shirley Ashman presented Edward with a cheque for £200 towards the Big Collection. The money was raised through craft sales. Shirley and her husband, Alwyn, started the group to provide an opportunity for people to share their interests. – EB

OUTREACH

LIVERPOOL WALTON The band, led by Bandmaster Neil Lacey, played Christmas carols to welcome delegates to the final G7 summit of 2021. The event, which took place at the Museum of Liverpool on the city’s waterfront, saw foreign and development ministers discuss several topics including world peace. – AH

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS C COMMUNITY

SOUTHWICK The Employ ment Plus service at the Southwick Community Project centre has been praised by Sunderland Central MP Julie Elliott as a ‘fantastic scheme’. The service, which offers tailored support to help people become job-ready and stay in work, is funded through a partnership with soft drinks manufacturer Clearly Drinks and receives referrals from Citizens Advice, Jobcentre Plus and Swan Lodge Lifehouse. Community Pro ject Manager Graham Wharton gave Ms Elliott a guided tour of the centre, which also runs a food bank and hosts a number of programmes for the community. – AR

Salvationist wants to hear your news. Corps press representatives can email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk. Good quality pictures will be included.

Hucknall corps officer Captain Gayner Ward receives a cheque for £500 from Councillor Lee Waters to help purchase a defibrillator for the corps

Chatteris Songster Leader Gerald Day presents new toys, clothes and toiletries to James Horner from Barnardo's, following generous donations from local residents The Music Man Group at Boston lead a carol service among family and friends