GOD IN MY LIFE
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Faith&Friends
And the Band Played On Salvation Army brings joy through music during the pandemic. by Caroline Franks
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his past year, The Salvation Army’s Rideau Heights church band in Kingston, Ont., was interested in playing outside longterm care homes in the area to bring joy to residents. Because of the pandemic, however, they were unable to enter any of the homes for several months. But on a Sunday last October, the brass band received permission to perform—socially distancing themselves, of course—outside Kingsdale Chateau, a retirement home in Kingston, and played some of the residents’ favourite songs. This is where Ineta Skepple, a longtime member of The Salvation Army, lived.
26 • MARCH 2021 I faithandfriends.ca
Faithful Presence “Our band played at five different spots outside the building, so residents could see and hear us from their rooms,” says Lieutenant Thomas Marsh, Rideau Heights’ co-pastor. “They were extremely grateful, many singing from inside their rooms.” The Salvation Army band particularly enjoyed the concert, as it had been seven long months since they had performed together. “The last spot we played was outside Ineta Skepple’s room,” Lieutenant Thomas says. “Years ago, she led our church’s community care ministries, a visitation program that provides the opportunity for Salva-
