Faith & Friends November 2019

Past as Prologue

FROZEN 2 P.14

Belleville’s Warm Room

ARMY ASSISTANCE P.26

Emily Ann Roberts

VOICE LESSONS P.5

Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G

faithandfriends.ca

NOVEMBER 2019

Faith on High

RETIRED SALVATION ARMY PASTOR HARRY READ PARACHUTED INTO NORMANDY (AGAIN!) FOR A CAUSE AND A CALLING P.16

Freedom’s Price

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause for two minutes of silent tribute to honour the sacrifice of Canada’s fallen war dead.

More than 100,000 members of Canada’s Armed Forces fought and died to protect the freedom we hold dear.

There is another whose enduring sacrifice we also need to remember, not just on November 11 but every day of the year. Two thousand years ago, God sent His only Son, Jesus, to save us from sin and death. This gentle soldier of God willingly took on our burden of sin, and our world is forever changed because of those awful hours Jesus spent on the cross.

To learn more about a new life in Jesus, visit our website at www.faithandfriends.ca or contact us at: The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, ON M4H 1P4

November 2019

VOLUME 22 NUMBER 11

GOD IN MY LIFE 5 Sweet Dreams

Appearing on The Voice was just the beginning for country singer Emily Ann Roberts.

LAUGHING MATTERS 9 Cliché Confessions

There’s an element of truth to them, but it ain’t over ’til it’s over.

BETWEEN THE LINES

12

12 Thy Geekdom Come

Collection of fandom-inspired devotionals features references to Bible verses and pop culture.

FEATURES

14

COVER STORY

16

Cover photo: Courtesy of The Salvation Army (England)

22

22

Frozen 2

Anna and Elsa need to leave the past behind.

Can we do the same?

Faith on High

Salvation Army Commissioner Harry Read parachuted into Normandy (again) for a cause and a calling.

Double Duty

As the pastor for two major-league teams, Lorne Korol is a chaplain in action.

COMMON GROUND 26 More Than Shelter

The Salvation Army’s Warm Room offers love, care and community.

LITE STUFF 28 Eating Healthy With Erin

Sudoku, Quick Quiz, Crossword.

NIFTY THRIFTY 31 Winter Warm-Up

Find the perfect coat. faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2019

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FROM THE EDITOR

Brothers in Arms

T

his past June, 94-year-old Salvation Army Commissioner Harry Read took part in a commemorative parachute drop over the same Normandy beaches he had landed on 75 years before.

The event went off without a hitch and Harry was involved in post-jump media interviews when a Canadian film crew asked him if he would like to meet a German veteran of that day. He said yes, and they met over supper.

It turned out that the German soldier had been taken prisoner and sent to PoW camps for the duration of the war. After, he became part of his country’s diplomatic corps. Harry, for his part, assumed various Salvation Army postings in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

At the end of a very long day for both of them, the two veterans prepared to take their leave.

“We talked in general terms about how, by the grace of God, we’d each tried to create the kind of world where former enemies could live in peace together,” says Harry.

“We are friends, then?” the German asked him.

“We are not only friends,” Harry replied with feeling. “We are brothers.”

“The press seized on that,” smiles Harry.

“It made a worthwhile jump a wonderfully worthwhile jump.”

Harry’s story is on page 16.

Elsewhere in this issue, you’ll read our take on the new Frozen 2 movie, see how a sports chaplain is making a difference for two major-league Canadian teams, and glimpse how The Salvation Army is offering warmth and friendship in Belleville, Ont. Ken Ramstead

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Mission Statement To show Christ at work in the lives of real people, and to provide spiritual resources for those who are new to the Christian faith.

Faith & Friends is published monthly by: The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario, M4H 1P4 International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4P 4EP, England William and Catherine Booth FOUNDERS

Brian Peddle, GENERAL Commissioner Floyd Tidd TERRITORIAL COMMANDER

Lt-Colonel John P. Murray SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Geoff Moulton, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ken Ramstead, EDITOR

Brandon Laird SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Hannah Saley DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Pamela Richardson, COPY EDITOR, PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR

Ada Leung CIRCULATION CO-ORDINATOR

Kristin Ostensen STAFF WRITER, PROOFREADER

Giselle Randall STAFF WRITER Scripture Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from New International Version Contact Us P. (416) 467-3188, F. (416) 422-6217 Websites faithandfriends.ca, salvationist.ca, salvationarmy.ca Email faithandfriends@can.salvationarmy.org Subscription for one year: Canada $17 (includes GST/HST); U.S. $22; foreign $24 P. (416) 422-6119 circulation@can.salvationarmy.org All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064794 ISSN 1702-0131

Faith&Friends

GOD IN MY LIFE

Sweet Dreams Appearing on The Voice was just the beginning for country singer Emily Ann Roberts.

Photo: Summer Simmons Photography

by Kristin Ostensen

In Concert Emily Ann Roberts performs at the Appalachian Fair in Gray, Tennessee, in August

E

mily Ann Roberts took a deep breath as she stepped onto the dimly lit stage for her blind audition for The Voice. More than 12 million people were watching, but only four mattered—the judges sitting in the red chairs, turned away so they could not see her. They’d only hear her sing.

“It was surreal because I had

watched the show at home, so to be standing on that stage and staring at those red chairs was crazy,” she recalls.

As she heard the familiar notes of I Hope You Dance and began to sing, Emily Ann put her nerves aside, determined to simply do her best.

But would any of the judges choose her? She got her answer before she’d

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GOD IN MY LIFE

“ The Voice was an incredible learning experience and I wouldn’t trade my time there for the world.” EMILY ANN ROBERTS even finished the first verse.

“When Adam Levine turned around, I realized, this is not a dream; I’m really here doing this.”

Finding Her Voice Emily Ann was delighted as not just one, but two judges chose her, the other being country superstar Blake Shelton. With his guidance, Emily Ann went all the way to the finale, finishing as runner-up.

When she appeared on The Voice in 2015, Emily Ann was only 16, but she had already been singing for several years.

“The first time I ever sang in public was at my church in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Grade 6,” she says.

That year, Emily Ann auditioned for a school talent show, but was rejected. Determined to make it the following year, she learned to play guitar.

“That opened up a whole new world for me because I could sing and accompany myself,” she notes.

She not only made it into the school talent show the next year but soon started playing at various restaurants and competitions.

Landing a spot on The Voice took

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her music career to a whole new level.

“It was the greatest blessing,” says Emily Ann. “It was an incredible learning experience and I wouldn’t trade my time there for the world.”

Still, she admits that living in Los Angeles for almost six months while the show was filming wasn’t always easy.

“Being away from home was hard,” Emily Ann says. “And it was a busy schedule—we’d get picked up at 5 a.m., sit through hair and makeup, and do media interviews before I’d go to school. Then we’d have our live performances that night.

“The whole journey of The Voice was so great,” she continues, “but if I didn’t have my relationship with the Lord, I don’t know if I would have been able to be calm and stable through all of it.”

As well as launching her music career, The Voice gave Emily Ann a platform to share her faith. “I’d prayed that the Lord would open the door for me to sing a hymn called In the Garden on the show,” she says.

“When Blake saw it on my list, he said he loved that song and picked it

Faith Over Fear Now 21, Emily Ann is a seasoned, confident performer. This summer, she was included in Rolling Stone’s list of the 20 best performances at CMA Fest 2019, alongside artists such as Lil Nas X and Trisha Yearwood.

Her audiences would never imagine she once struggled with

anxiety so severe, she couldn’t even get out of bed.

“When I was in Grade 8, my grandmother was really sick with Alzheimer’s,” Emily Ann shares. “I was the type of girl who didn’t want to get upset in front of anybody—I didn’t want to act like anything bothered me—but it was hard for me to see her like that. Instead of talking about it and dealing with it in a healthy way, I bottled up everything I was feeling, and that’s when I started struggling hard with anxiety.”

The road to recovery began with a heart-to-heart conversation with

Photo: Courtesy of The Voice

for me to sing.”

Emily Ann’s performance of In the Garden was a hit, reaching number 34 on the U.S. country chart and number 3 on the U.S. Christian chart.

Her Voice Emily Ann returns to The Voice to debut her new single, Someday Dream

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GOD IN MY LIFE Dream Come True Emily Ann released her first EP, Someday Dream, this past summer

her mom where Emily Ann finally shared what was troubling her. After they talked, Emily Ann started reading the Bible and came across Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

“I held on to those verses so tightly,” she says, “and for the first time in my life, I stopped trying to handle things on my own. Instead, I surrendered my life to the Lord because I know I cannot do it alone.”

Looking back, Emily Ann says that she never would have been able to become a professional singer if she hadn’t overcome her anxiety.

But thanks to her faith, fear doesn’t hold her back anymore. “I choose

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to trust God, to trust that He is in control and He has a good plan, so I don’t have to worry.”

Full Circle Since The Voice finished, Emily Ann has been hard at work, writing and performing her own songs. The fruit of that hard work is now on display as she recently released her first EP, Someday Dream.

To promote the album, Emily Ann had the opportunity to return to The Voice and debut the title track. As she finished singing, she received a standing ovation.

“It was a full circle moment for me because that was where I got my start,” she says. “When I was a contestant, I was singing other people’s songs; I got to go back and share Emily Ann. This is me, this is my heart and my song. To be able to do that was a dream come true.”

LAUGHING MATTERS

Illustrations: Dennis Jones

Faith&Friends

Cliché Confessions There’s an element of truth to them, but it ain’t over ’til it’s over.

by Phil Callaway

E

ven if you don’t enjoy sports, you have to love sports interviews. Because all of us have spoken before thinking. And sometimes it’s a beautiful thing to watch:

• Golfer Greg Norman: “I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father.”

• Alex Rodriguez, formerly of the New York Yankees: “Therapy

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LAUGHING MATTERS

Clichés. Christians are guilty of using them.

We say, “I’ll pray for you,” then don’t. PHIL CALLAWAY

can be a good thing. It can be therapeutic.”

• Jason Kidd, former head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks: “We’re going to turn this team around 360 degrees.” I’m just glad Jason is not an airplane pilot.

• My favourite sports quote comes from former NFL superstar Joe Theisman: “Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.” I think Norman was Albert’s little brother.

“It’s Anybody’s Game” My dream as a 14-year-old was to make the NHL . I lacked skill but knew what to say in a sports interview. The media would thrust microphones at me before the big game. I would say, “You know,

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our backs are against the wall, it’s crunch time, it’s do or die, there’s no tomorrow. We’re gonna bring our ‘A’ game, stick to the game plan, take it to the next level, peak at the right time, stay within ourselves, step up to the plate, make something happen. We’ll feed on pressure, we’re hungry, we’ll execute, dig deep and fire on all cylinders.

“It’ll go down to the wire,” I would predict. “A real nail biter. A barn burner. A see-saw battle. It’s anybody’s game. Nobody expected us to be here, nobody gave us a chance.

We have nothing to lose. We’ll fight tooth and nail. Give 110 percent.

Put some points up, ’cause anything can happen. The place will be bedlam. Pandemonium will break out.

The crowd will go wild. And when we win, we’ll leave it all on the floor, because let me tell you, we’ll take

one for the team, we’ll answer the bell and we won’t pull any punches.”

After the game when the light dimmed, the media would see me sitting there, head down, and I’d say, “Someone had to lose that game.

Give them credit. They scratched and clawed, they had chemistry, they wanted it more than we did.”

Then I’d break down in tears and say, “I’m here to announce my retirement.”

The media would gasp, “But you’re only 14. You can’t retire.” And I’d say, “Why yes, I can. It was never about the money. I can’t wait to spend more time with my family.”

Priceless Gestures Clichés. Christians are guilty of using them. We say, “Bless his heart.” What we really mean is, “I have to love that guy because I’m a Christian. But he drives me crazy.”

We say, “I’ll pray for you,” then don’t.

We say, “God will never give you more than you can handle.” People rarely say this when they get their tongue caught in a revolving door.

This may look good on a bumper sticker but it’s not in the Bible.

1 Corinthians 10:13 assures us that God won’t allow us to be tempted beyond what we’re able to bear.

Sometimes we get more than we can handle. It helps us turn to the only one big enough to help us carry it. I’m learning to stop saying, “God is good all the time” to a friend facing hardship. It’s true, of course. But what he really needs is a listening ear and an arm around his shoulder. These are never cliché. They’re priceless.

There’s an element of truth in any cliché, of course. But choose your spots wisely. Even Albert Einstein’s little brother, Norman, knows that.

(left) Phil Callaway’s Laugh Again radio program airs 700 times a week in Canada. Visit him at laughagain.org.

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BETWEEN THE LINES

Thy Geekdom Come Collection of fandominspired devotionals features references to Bible verses and pop culture.

by John Longhurst

I

f you love geek culture—Dungeons & Dragons, Doctor Who, Battlestar Galactica, The Lord of the Rings and more—and you’re a Christian looking for devotional material that combines the two, you’re in luck.

Edited by Allison Alexander, Thy Geekdom Come consists of 42 fandominspired devotionals that explore the spiritual implications of the worlds of science fiction, animé, fantasy and video games. The collection aims to relate those tales “to an almighty, loving God who is ever present in our beloved franchises,” she says.

Arcs of Redemption For Allison, the book is a way for “Christian geeks to celebrate the two things they love in one place instead of seeing them as separate entities.”

It also fills a gap in the devotional book market, she says.

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“You can get a devotional directed at almost any type of person— women, men, parents, children, artists, sports fans,” Allison says. “But you won’t find many directed at geeks or that engage with pop culture and the Bible in a deep, meaningful way.”

There’s a chapter that discusses an episode of Doctor Who, showing how it affirms God’s unconditional and unceasing love for humans. Another one uses an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer to show how trusting God can help overcome fear. Ghostbusters is used to reveal the importance of having faith, even in the face of doubters, and sharing it with others.

The Lord of the Rings is used to ask questions about what people really value in life.

All of the devotionals reference relevant Bible verses and come with questions for discussion.

Reprinted from Winnipeg Free Press, August 3, 2019

“I hope readers will see the biblical stories in a new way and consider questions they hadn’t thought of before,” Allison says.

She hopes fellow geeks can see themselves in the stories and characters from geek culture—“the mistakes they make, the trials they go through, the redemption they experience. It’s not difficult to see arcs of redemption that mirror the biblical story if you look.”

Redemption and Sacrifice Kyle Rudge is a pastor and author of some of the chapters in the devotional. For him, Thy Geekdom Come is also a way to build a bridge to geeks who have felt alienated by Christianity.

“Lots of geeks have been deeply hurt by the church,” he says. “We’ve heard pastors say there is no redeeming value in video games or popular culture.”

But, he adds, “God speaks to us through these stories.”

At their essence, he says, geek stories are like the Christian story— something was beautiful, but then it went all wrong and now it needs to

be redeemed.

Sometimes, he says, that redemption involves sacrifice.

“After that, things and people are broken. Evil might be defeated, but scars remain.”

Through the devotional, readers can find “applications for life from various geek things, along with Scripture and questions for discussion.”

New Light So far, response to the book has been positive. “Christian geeks are excited this book exists because they don’t usually get to connect their faith and fandom,” Allison says.

In the foreword, Derek W. White, known as the “Geekpreacher” in the United Methodist Church, writes that the book “carefully considers how stories from pop culture related to biblical texts,” finding “echoes of salvation” in the broader culture.

“One of the beauties of being a geek is seeking out God’s truth in stories from TV shows, movies, music and all types of media. In connecting biblical stories to the tales found within popular culture, we may see them in a new light.”

(left) John Longhurst is a faith reporter and president of the Canadian Christian Communicators Association (formerly the Canadian Church Press), an organization that consists of 47 member publications, including mainline, Catholic and evangelical churches.

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FEATURE

Frozen 2

ANNA AND ELSA NEED TO LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND. CAN WE DO THE SAME?

Photo: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

by Diane Stark

I

t’s been six years since theatregoers first watched Princess Elsa build a castle made of ice while singing Let It Go. And six years since Anna saved her sister, Elsa, through her act of true love.

This November, the adventure continues in Frozen 2. The story picks up three years after the events of the first film. When Queen Elsa begins to hear a strange sound calling to her from the north, she goes to the wisest person in Arendelle for advice.

“Elsa, the past is not what it seems,” Grand Pabbie, the leader 14 • NOVEMBER 2019 I faithandfriends.ca

Adventure Awaits Queen Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Sven the reindeer embark on a journey into the unknown in Frozen 2

of the trolls, says. “You must find the truth. Go north across the enchanted lands and into the unknown.”

Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven the reindeer leave their kingdom and embark on a journey to discover the origin of Elsa’s powers, but they encounter dangerous and mysterious forces along the way.

“We have always feared that Elsa’s

powers were too much for this world,” Grand Pabbie tells Anna.

“Now we must hope they are enough.”

Can Elsa find out the truth about her past in order to save the realm of Arendelle and its people?

Forgiving the Past Just as Elsa must explore her past in order to move forward, many of us also have pasts that hold us back. A painful childhood can wreak havoc on our adult relationships, for example, causing us to avoid making deep connections with others.

The good news is that God heals hurts. Rather than living in pain, we can give it to God and ask Him to help us move past it. It’s hard work, but holding on to painful memories keeps us from enjoying the present.

Many of us also have pain from our pasts because of decisions we’ve made. We’ve done things we’re not proud of, things we regret, things that brought pain to others. Living with shame and regret holds us back. It reminds us of our guilt, and it makes it impossible to forgive ourselves for past mistakes.

Constant Reminder One biblical figure who couldn’t seem to escape her shameful past was Rahab, a prostitute who lived in the city of Jericho. The Book of Joshua describes how Rahab sheltered two Israelite spies. In

exchange, they promised to spare her and her family when their army captured Jericho.

In the New Testament, Rahab is included in the genealogy of Jesus.

Despite this, poor Rahab is still referred to as Rahab the Harlot—a constant reminder of her biggest mistakes.

How awful would it feel to be known as Adam the Addict for an entire lifetime, even after achieving years of sobriety? Or to be called Eve the Liar, no matter how many times we’ve been truthful?

We don’t treat others this way, but all too often, we remind ourselves of our worst moments and live with that regret daily.

Opportunity Knocks But that isn’t the kind of life God wants for us.

Often, the best way to overcome pain and regret is to allow God to use it for His good. A former addict may be the best person to help someone else dealing with substance abuse. A painful childhood may position us perfectly to help someone in a similar situation.

God doesn’t waste our pain.

While He doesn’t cause it, He can use it to teach us and then use those lessons to help others.

Our past doesn’t determine our future. But it can lead us to opportunities to make the present better for those around us. faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2019

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Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

Faith on High NINETY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD SALVATION ARMY PASTOR HARRY READ PARACHUTED INTO NORMANDY (AGAIN!) FOR A CAUSE AND A CALLING.

by Ken Ramstead 16 • NOVEMBER 2019 I faithandfriends.ca

Into the Blue Commissioner Harry Read and his tandem jump partner

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COVER STORY

FOR BRITISH ARMY SIGNALman Harry Read, the Second World War started at 10 minutes past one on June 6, 1944. As part of the British 6th Airborne Division, nicknamed the Red Devils, Harry’s unit dropped behind the German defences, their mission to secure the left flank of the Allied invasion during Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings that would liberate Europe from Nazi occupation.

Little could Harry have imagined that, 75 years later, he would be making the same parachute jump over Normandy, this time for another and no less noble cause.

Exciting Times Harry was the youngest of three 18 • NOVEMBER 2019 I faithandfriends.ca

children, a third-generation Salvationist whose father had fought in the First World War. Harry’s brother joined the British Army and became an officer cadet at the outbreak of the Second World War, and his sister was conscripted into the air force. Harry became a wireless operator in the Royal Corps of Signalers.

One day, it was announced that a new division was being formed, an airborne division, and they were in need of wireless operators. “I volunteered immediately,” says Harry.

Why? “I liked adventure,” he replies, “and the challenge of belonging to a regiment that was created especially to spearhead the return into Europe. We had magnificent

Photos: Courtesy of The Salvation Army (England)

On His Majesty’s Service A photo of 19-year-old Harr y taken during the war

training and we were brilliantly led.

It was an exciting time of life.”

By Air to Battle With the rest of his division, Harry parachuted into the maelstrom of D-Day. “We flew in American DC-3 Dakotas,” he recalls, “which was a gentleman’s way of jumping because previous to that, we had flown in old converted bombers that were slow, smelly and dangerous to get out of.

“Ahead of us was the most magnificent firework display I’d ever seen in my life, except they were not fireworks. Just slightly ahead of us, an aircraft blew up in a ball of fire.

The anti-aircraft fire was intense.

“Our plane was rocking and it was impossible to keep one’s footing.”

“But there was a big burly bloke

who assisted me out of the aircraft with great skill,” he smiles.

The Germans had flooded the rear areas to impede movement and Harry landed in water. His landing was safe if soggy. Others were not so fortunate.

Three times, Harry and his bulky transmitting equipment slipped in and out of the waterlogged fields.

Eventually, he linked up with a fellow paratrooper and together, they dodged German patrols until they linked up with more of their unit.

It took the group three days to join their divisional headquarters.

“There was a load of fighting all around us and we were part of it,” Harry says, “but we held the line until relieved.”

The division returned to England in early September, having suffered

The Contender Harry became a candidate for Salvation Army General in 1986

Faithful Couple Harry with his wife, Win

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COVER STORY

“ There was a load of fighting all around us and we were part of it, but we held the line until relieved.” COMMISSIONER HARRY READ more than 4,500 casualties since D-Day. Harry’s war was over.

Jumping for a Cause After the war, Harry was ordained as a Salvation Army officer (pastor) in 1948. Eventually assuming a senior leadership position in Canada in 1981, he rose to the rank of commissioner and served in Australia and the United Kingdom. Retiring in 1990, Harry stayed active but another parachute jump was the furthest thing from this veteran’s mind until last year.

“My son and I were chatting,” Harry explains, “and he casually mentioned, ‘You know, we never know what to give you for Christmas, we never know where to take you. I can take you here, I can take you there, I can even take you to France.’ From the moment he said that, the thought went through my mind, Oh, I’d love to do a jump.”

Harry made inquiries and found

Poet Warrior In recent years, Harry has expressed many of his feelings in poetry, which was published in 2013 in a collection entitled Heart Talk: The Give and Take of Communion With God

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out that the Red Devils would be making a commemorative jump to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day. He was determined to accompany them if he could.

A rehearsal jump last fall was “an absolute pleasure.”

But it was when his daughter-inlaw suggested they use the D-Day jump to raise awareness and funds for The Salvation Army’s anti-human trafficking programs, Harry realized he was jumping for more

High Honour This past summer, Harry was awarded the Order of the Founder by General Brian Peddle, the international leader of The Salvation Army, “in recognition of a life of outstanding Christian witness spanning 75 years”

than just himself. “ ‘God, is this just a personal thing or is it something You have in mind?’

I prayed. I expected our Lord to say, ‘Harry, forget it.’ Common sense says it’s daft for elderly people to do parachute jumps. But God seemed to be saying, ‘I approve. Go ahead.’ ” But Harry didn’t understand why God was telling him that until his daughter-in-law’s suggestion. Then it clicked.

“The more I thought about human trafficking, the more I became aware of the fact that this is truly international,” Harry says. “There is not a town, city or country that is immune; it is a worldwide issue.

I heard God saying, ‘This is not just a jump for pleasure. This is a jump to make the world aware of the fact that we need to do something about human trafficking.’ ”

“A Good Jump” The anniversary of D-Day this past June dawned and Harry was up bright and early. There was a concern earlier in the day that the massed jump might be cancelled, but in the end it went ahead, albeit three hours later than planned.

“It was a very good jump,” declares Harry. “Not the easiest of jumps.

There was a bit of a breeze to start with. And we were supposed to drop in a meadow, but unbeknownst to us, it had been newly planted and so when my tandem jumper hit the ground, his foot went into the soil three or four inches. Because his foot went there, mine followed.

“There was a split second of apprehension but we worked it out.

“You either like parachuting or you don’t,” Harry smiles. “I happen to like it.” faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2019

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FEATURE

The Team That Prays Together: Lorne Korol (fourth from left) and members of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at a recent get-together

Double Duty AS THE PASTOR FOR TWO MAJOR-LEAGUE TEAMS, LORNE KOROL IS A CHAPLAIN IN ACTION.

by Jayne Thurber-Smith

L

orne Korol, the chaplain for the Winnipeg Jets and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, knows first-hand the power of sharing even just one Bible verse when given an opening, because he still remembers the first one that was shared with him.

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“Back in 1986, the Toronto Blue Jays were playing an exhibition game against Team Canada,” Lorne remembers. “I have worked my whole life in sports and I was there with the national team as an intern/summer student for Baseball Manitoba. The Jays weren’t excited about it not being

Photos: Courtesy of Lorne Korol

a pro game. They all walked by me like I didn’t exist, except one player— Kelly Gruber. He took me aside and gave me an autographed ball.

“When I looked at it after he left me, it looked like he had written ‘Room 109,’ and I thought, What’s this? Then I showed it to my mom and she told me it said ‘Rom. 10:9.’ ” Lorne looked up the Bible verse Kelly wanted him to read: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

“That planted a seed in my heart,” he says. “Twelve years later, I became a Christian at age 35. Kelly played a big role in that. My off-field life hadn’t been a good one and included too much partying. That led to the demise of my first marriage, and I was diagnosed with depression.”

Then a friend invited him to church one Sunday.

“The message was just for me,” says Lorne. “I had grown up in church, but this was a non-denominational service. The music reminded me of U2.

There were no pews—just chairs— and I thought it was cool. It seemed the pastor talked right to me. That day, I learned that God was the God of second chances.”

Keeping Faith Strong This past summer marked Lorne’s 10th anniversary working for Athletes in Action (AIA), a Christian ministry.

“I used to work as the technical director for Baseball Canada and thought at the time that it was a great high-profile job, but where I am serving now is where I am supposed to be,” Lorne says. “I felt God calling me to team up with AIA, and they started mentoring me in 1999.

“We try to come alongside those who are pursuing their faith, and also be a beacon to those who are searching,” he continues. “Whether they are strong in their faith or just starting out, it’s so rewarding to be able to be there for them.”

Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele appreciates Lorne’s support.

“It’s hard to fit church into our

Beyond the Field Lorne and Heather Korol serve wherever and whenever the need arises faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2019

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FEATURE

schedule during hockey season, so Lorne does chapel with us,” says Mark. “That fellowship is a huge part of keeping my faith strong. The days we can get together always make it a good day.”

“Mark is our chapel leader,” says Lorne. “I’m really proud of him—he was a product of Hockey Ministries’ junior program before he came here.

We have some laughs and a lot of fun.

It’s so good to be around the guys because it keeps me young!”

Hectic Schedule Chaplains for AIA minister to any and all who are open to them, even

the opposing teams.

“Within the CFL, the players are very receptive to our ministry,” Lorne comments. “When the Ottawa Redblacks were our visiting team, I did a chapel for them the Friday before the game. The following week, our team was in Hamilton. I know the chaplain there and knew that he would give our guys a good time of fellowship. It’s great! And this way you sometimes get to see players who used to be on your team and catch up with them.”

Calls to minister go beyond the field. Lorne and his wife, Heather, serve wherever and whenever they can.

Coming Alongside Lorne with Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets

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“ Where I am serving now is where I am supposed to be.”

LORNE KOROL

“Heather is involved in a Bible study for the players’ wives,” he says.

“We also host Pro Sports and Faith fundraisers and she’s the ‘quarterback’ for those. In addition, we have chapel every second week for the Jets’ front-office staff, and I host a coaches’ Bible study for the Blue Bombers.”

Recharge and Reload Sometimes, real life gets in the way of pro sports.

“It’s not all fun and games,” Lorne says. “I pray with the guys in times when maybe there’s a sick relative back home and they’re feeling helpless. I’ve also had to preside over a few funerals. You become a part of

those challenging times, so chaplains also need to unpack things emotionally sometimes. My pastor calls it second-hand PTSD.” Lorne protects himself from burnout by having a good support team in place, which keeps him going strong after 10 years.

“I make sure to take breaks when needed,” he says. “I have good leadership in place when that happens.

Otherwise, hockey season could run into football season, like this past spring when the Jets had a great playoff run. That makes the year really long—but you don’t complain about wins! You just recharge and reload as necessary.” faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2019

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COMMON GROUND

Photo: June Li

Faith&Friends

Order Up! Carm Knapp serves a meal

More Than Shelter The Salvation Army’s Warm Room in Belleville, Ont., offers love, care and community.

by June Li

E

very year, The Salvation Army in Belleville, Ont., operates a program called the Warm Room. Though the name suggests that it is a place of shelter from the blistering cold, a step inside the Warm Room will show you that it is much more than that. It’s also a place of love, care and community.

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Daily from November 15 to March 15, the Warm Room opens its doors between 6 and 8:30 p.m. for the community. Whether people are experiencing homelessness or just looking for companionship, the Warm Room welcomes everyone for a hot meal and refreshments.

Winter accessories, such as hats and

“ If you need a listening ear, you can always talk to one of the volunteers.

They are always there for you.” CHRIS

mitts, along with sleeping bags and toiletries, are also available free of charge.

A Safe Place “We have people from all walks of life come in,” says Carm Knapp, the Warm Room volunteer co-ordinator. “We have people who live on the street, teenagers, children and families who go to the Warm Room.

Some people just want to eat but others want to chat.”

For Chris, the Warm Room gives him a sense of self-worth where he feels safe and can be himself.

When Chris’ life turned upside down, he felt alone and judged. One day, he ventured into the Warm Room. In the beginning, he went for just a meal but over time, he began to open up to others and build relationships. “If you need a listening ear, you can always talk to Carm or one of the volunteers,” he

says. “They are always there for you and will do their best to help.”

Carm explains that many individuals who visit the Warm Room find comfort in sharing their experiences with one another.

Though counselling is not provided, volunteers strive to meet the needs of individuals.

“Many times, we refer them to agencies if they are needing assistance beyond our means,” explains Carm. “Other times, all they need is a smile and encouraging words.”

Whether someone is looking to watch a movie or play table games, they know that they are in a place where they are cared for. “The Warm Room is a place where I don’t feel lonely,” says Chris.

“We provide a warm safe place for anyone to come for whatever reason,” says Carm. “We have become like family to each other.”

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Eating Healthy With Erin BAKED ZUCCHINI NOODLE LASAGNA TIME 1 hr 30 min MAKES 5 servings SERVE WITH garlic bread

2 large zucchinis 1 ml (¼ tsp) salt 125 ml (½ cup) onions, diced 2 garlic cloves, diced 500 ml (2 cups) marinara sauce 500 g (1 lb) ricotta cheese 1 egg 5 ml (1 tsp) dried oregano 250 ml (1 cup) mozzarella cheese, shredded 60 ml (¼ cup) Parmesan cheese, grated 60 ml (¼ cup) breadcrumbs 15 ml (1 tbsp) dried basil

1. Preheat oven to 175 C (350 F).

2. Cut zucchini lengthwise into 3 mm (1/4 in.) strips and lightly salt to pull moisture out.

Place zucchini in colander to drain.

3. Sauté diced onion and garlic in pan over medium-low heat until slightly browned.

Add marinara sauce.

4. In separate bowl, mix ricotta and oregano.

5. Rinse and pat dry zucchini.

6. Pour a quarter of the marinara sauce into the bottom of the pan. Layer zucchini followed by ricotta/oregano mixture and another layer of zucchini. Pour remaining sauce over top.

7. Top with shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, breadcrumbs and dried basil. Cover with tinfoil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for 30 minutes.

CRISPY PARMESAN KALE CHIPS TIME 30 min MAKES 2 servings SERVE WITH creamy pasta or salad

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1. Preheat oven to 150 C (300 F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Remove kale from stems and tear into smaller pieces. Ensure that the pieces are dry. Toss in bowl with coconut oil and lemon juice. Massage oil into kale to ensure it’s well-coated.

3. Add paprika, chili flakes, salt and Parmesan, and mix. Arrange kale pieces in a single layer on the baking sheet.

4. Bake for 10 minutes and then rotate the pan and bake for 15 minutes more.

Recipe photos: Erin Stanley

500 ml (2 cups) kale 7 ml (½ tbsp) melted coconut oil 5 ml (1 tsp) lemon juice 2 ml (½ tsp) smoked paprika 1 ml (¼ tsp) red chili flakes 5 ml (1 tsp) salt 10 ml (2 tsp) Parmesan cheese, grated

Father of the Bride

BILL’S QUEST P.12

Helping the Army

CUBIC COMPASSION P.22

A Place of Safety

PET THERAPY P.10

Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G

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OCTOBER 2019

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TOM HANKS PLAYS MISTER ROGERS IN NEW MOVIE. P.16

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Sudoku Puzzle

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Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 × 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

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QUICK QUIZ 1. What is the birthstone for November?

2. What is the purpose of the Movember challenge to grow a mustache?

3. On what date is All Saints’ Day celebrated?

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© www.kevinfrank.net

HEAVEN’S LOVE THRIFT SHOP by Kevin Frank

Answers on next page.

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Crossword Challenge 1

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ACROSS 7. Mountainous republic 8. Animal enclosure 9. Beam over a door 11. 2004 movie starring Jude Law 12. Collection of maps

13. Steep rock faces 14. Part of a tree 17. Noteworthy DOWN 1. United States Marine Corps (abbr) 2. Jesus Christ, the _ _ _ _ __ _____ (3 words)

3. Israeli submachine gun 4. Craftsperson 5. French national holiday (2 words) 6. Grown-ups 10. Streaming service 11. To gain entrance 15. Destiny 16. Equipment or gear

Quick Quiz Answers: 1. topaz; 2. to raise awareness of men’s health issues; 3. November 1.

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Solution: Across: 7. Switzerland; 8. cage; 9. lintel; 11.

Alfie; 12 atlas; 13. cliffs; 14. leaf; 17. significant. Down: 1. USMC; 2 King of Kings; 3. Uzi; 4 artisan; 5. Bastille Day; 6. adults; 10. Netflix; 11. access; 15. fate; 16. rig.

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Faith&Friends

NIFTY THRIFTY

Winter Warm-Up Find the perfect coat at The Salvation Army.

A good winter coat can be expensive— but it doesn’t have to be. You can stay cozy all season without breaking the bank by shopping at the Salvation Army thrift store. Here are five questions to ask when thrifting a winter coat.

Is it your style? What will work with your everyday wardrobe? This jacket was perfect and just $19.99 at The Salvation Army. It’s great for wet, chilly days and easily transitions from day to night.

Does it fit? Make sure the coat fits well with and without a sweater. If it’s the perfect jacket for you but the sleeves are a little long, could it be altered?

Is it high quality? Are the seams in good condition? Does it have all of its buttons? Is the liner damaged? If it has flaws, would they be easy to repair?

Is it the right colour? Don’t just purchase the first jacket that fits. If you want it to be a jacket that you’ll wear every day, make sure the colour matches your clothes and shoes.

Is it warm enough? It might be the right style and fit, but if your coat is not

keeping out the cold, it’s not doing its job. A lightweight waterproof jacket may be warm enough in Vancouver; a long wool jacket is a better option in colder climes.

(left) Tijana Popovic is the frugalista behind A Plentiful Life, a lifestyle blog that shows readers how to live their best life on a budget.

She is also a creative expert for The Salvation Army’s thrift stores. Find a thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca.

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PM 40064794

For address changes or subscription information contact (416) 422-6119 or circulation@can.salvationarmy.org. Allow 4-6 weeks for changes.