Salvationist - February 2009

salvationist.

February 2009

communicating Passion and mission

ca

Canada and Bermuda

Fashion

Cents Copper Coin Arts spotlights global concerns

20 Blind Dates Rough Justice Should we get tough on crime?

Tanzania: A People of Promise

Your money at work in East Africa

Salvationist is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Shaw Clifton, General; Commissioner William W. Francis, territorial commander; Major Jim Champ, editor-in-chief; Geoff Moulton, assistant editor-in-chief (416-422-6226); John McAlister (416-467-3185) and Major

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Salvationist February 2009

Ken Smith (416-422-6117), associate editors; Timothy Cheng, art director; Pamela Richardson, production and distribution co-ordinator; Major Brenda Critch, Clint Houlbrook, Ken Ramstead, Major Max Sturge, Captain Kim Walter, contributors.

Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769 Member, The Canadian Church Press. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, Today’s New International Version (TNIV) © 2001, 2005 International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

All rights reserved worldwide. All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory and can be reprinted only with written permission.

Subscriptions: Annual: Canada $30 (includes GST); U.S. $36; foreign $41. Available from: The Salvation Army, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4. Phone: 416-4226112; fax: 416-422-6120; e-mail: circulation @can.salvationarmy.org . Adver tising: Enquire by e-mail for rates at circulation@ can.salvationarmy.org. News, Events and

Submissions: Editorial lead time is seven weeks prior to an issue’s publication date.

No responsibility is assumed to publish, preserve or return unsolicited material. Write to salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org or Salvationist, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

Mission: The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. Salvationist informs readers about the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda.

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Departments 3

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Around the Territory

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Did You Know?

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Officer Insight The Choice Is Yours

by Major Larry Martin

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February 2009 No. 34 www.salvationist.ca E-mail: salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org

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Talking It Over Rough Justice 4

by Captain Amy Reardon and Dr. James Read

28 Celebrate Community Enrolment and recognition, tribute, gazette, calendar

Features

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Seeing the Face of Humanity Salvationists are challenged to support the worldwide work of The Salvation Army through Partners in Mission

by Major Gillian Brown

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Tanzania: A People of Promise A glimpse of The Salvation Army’s work on the east coast of Africa by Art Nickel

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GUIDE FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL Wildfire PRODUCT LABELING 30 Book Review Five Ways to Say, “I Love You” 14 Love in Action The Salvation Army is at work in all corners of the globe

by Clint Houlbrook Resources

by Major Gillian Brown 24 Just Between Us 31 PrayerZone 16 The Up Escalator Surviving Stress 2009 Prayer Diary Don’t store up treasures on earth

by Major Kathie Chiu

by Major Fred Waters

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Becoming Like Christ Officers reaffirm their covenant at Brengle Holiness Institute

by Captain Brenda Murray

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Hit the Target Seven practical ways you can support the Partners in Mission Appeal by John McAlister

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Just the Two of Us Warning! Spending time with your spouse can lead to spontaneous fun by Major Brian Armstrong

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Twenty Blind Dates What I learned from Christian speed dating

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Fashion Cents Copper Coin Arts’ clothing and art exhibits spotlight global concerns and show teens that they can transform the world

by Ken Ramstead

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Faith & Friends Are you sharing your faith? When you finish reading Faith Ugly & Friends in Betty the centre Is Beauty Skin Deep? of this issue, An Olympian’s Journey pull it out Sole Man My Tanzanian Summer and give it Surviving CAnCer to someone who needs to hear about Christ’s life-changing power.

You’ll both be glad you did.

Faith &

frıends

February 2009

www.faithandfriends.ca

Inspiration for Living

Cover: Children from one of The Salvation Army’s homes in Tanzania (Photo: Sophie Nickel)

Changing Lives For the Better

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Chinese proverb declares that a picture’s meaning can express 10,000 words. In this month’s Salvationist, we offer a glimpse into Tanzania. The photos speak volumes. Life in this African country is harsh, with people suffering from a lack of clean water and nutritious food. Too many of them are children. But in the midst of hardship, Tanzanians are full of life and spirit.

We are grateful to Major Gillian Brown and Art Nickel for sharing their insight into what the

situation is like for the majority of people who live in the developing world. Commissioner William W. Francis writes of life’s bare necessities that we, as Canadians and Bermudians, too often take for granted while others go without. We can make a difference. How? By living simply and giving generously! The Partners in Mission Appeal provides an opportunity to not just learn about a faraway land, but to change the world for the better. We have much to give and they have much to teach us.

Major Jim Champ, Editor-In-Chief February 2009 Salvationist

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Around Tag theLine Territory

Salvation Army Represented at Rideau Hall

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Photo: MCpl Jean-François Néron, Rideau Hall

s Patron of the Royal Canadian Legion, Governor General Michaëlle Jean received the first poppy to commence the legion’s annual campaign in November. More than 18 million poppies are distributed across Canada every year, recognizing the sacrifice of 117,000 men and women during the two world wars, the Korean War and in peace-keeping missions around the world. On hand for the occasion were Lt-Colonel Floyd Tidd, divisional commander, Ontario Central-East Division, Lt-Colonel Tracey Tidd, divisional director of women’s ministries, Ontario Central-East Division, and Major Lee Graves, area commander, Ontario East Area, who were greeted by the Governor General at her residence, Rideau Hall, in Ottawa. Lt-Colonel Floyd Tidd, along with Captain John Murray, divisional secretary for public relations and development, Ontario Central-East Division, represented the Army at the National War Memorial on Remembrance Day in Ottawa.

he owners of Desboro Garage in Owen Sound, Ont., made a contribution to the Army’s food bank in a unique way last fall. Disappointed that the Thanksgiving food drive fell short of its goal, they decided to participate in their local Santa Claus parade to collect items for the Army’s food bank.

Joined by volunteers from the food bank, who were dressed as non-perishable food items, they helped to collect 263 kilograms of food. According to Captain Colin Bain, corps officer, the most favourable comments were received about the macaroni-andcheese and peanut-butter costumes. “It was a great parade with a wonderful response from the community,” he said.

Volunteers who collected food donations during Owen Sound Santa Claus parade

Salvation Army leaders are greeted by Governor General Michaëlle Jean at Rideau Hall

Locks of Love

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ine-year-old junior soldier Natasha Sparkes of Steady Brook, N.L., donated 28 cm of her hair to the Canadian Cancer Society. She participated in Pantene’s Beautiful Length program, to help make a wig for a child who lost his or her hair while undergoing cancer treatments. Natasha is involved at Corner Brook Temple in the Sunday school, singing company and beginners’ band. Her leaders are very proud of her.

Natasha Sparkes displays her new look and the hair that will help make a wig for a child being treated for cancer

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Original Food Drive in Owen Sound

Salvationist February 2009

15 Below Outside, Warm and Cozy Inside

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t -15C, Environment Canada issues a cold weather alert.

Even at that temperature, the homeless who are still outside can keep warm with their 15 Below jackets.

The 15 Below jacket is the work of Steve Mykolyn, executive creative director of Taxi advertising, and designer Lisa Baday. It is a hooded coat made from a durable synthetic polyester. Its versatility means that homeless people have protection from the elements year-round, at a very low cost.

The garment has a waterproof shell that can be folded into a pillow in warm weather. But in the winter, the jacket’s 15 inner compartments can hold enough crumpled newspaper to keep the wearer warm.

The first 50 15 Below jackets were delivered to the Toronto Gateway shelter at the end of November. A few were autographed by celebrities and auctioned on eBay to provide funding for more to be manufactured. The Army will distribute 3,000 jackets across the country this winter.

Around Tag theLine Territory

Family Sunday Surprise at Southlands

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embers of Southlands Community Church, Winnipeg, had a real-life experience as Good Samaritans during family Sunday celebrations in October. At lunchtime they were surprised by the appearance of a man with dirty clothes, long hair and a shaggy beard who wandered into the fellowship hall. He received a few stares, but was included in conversation around the table and several people offered to assist him.

Captain Angela Bradbury, corps officer, invited the stranger to read Luke 10:25-37, the story of the Good Samaritan. Those gathered were challenged to reach out to people in need during the upcoming Christmas season, whether it was by filling Samaritan’s Purse boxes, helping with time at the kettles, donating to help fill Christmas hampers or to buy farm animals for rural families in countries around the world.

The stranger turned out to be Jeremy Bergen, a dramatic arts student from a local Christian college. Previous arrangements had been made for him to arrive during family Sunday activities and participate in the presentation of Scripture. Everyone from the youngest to the oldest came away from the day with a greater vision of their responsibility to live out their faith in practical ways in our needy world.

A Call to be Radical

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erritorial leaders, Commissioners William W. and Marilyn D. Francis, visited Bermuda for the first time in September.

While on the island they participated in many different events, toured ministry centres and met with Salvationists.

Commissioner Marilyn Francis was introduced to a highlight of the Bermudian calendar when women from West End Community Church created the atmosphere of the Bermuda Day parade, portraying the heritage and culture of Bermuda. The mini parade included the Bermuda Regiment Band, marching horses and colourful gombey dancers.

At the divisional welcome meeting, the divisional band, Jabulani singers and dancer Patreese Simmons helped to create a vibrant atmosphere of praise and worship. Commissioner Marilyn Francis shared a vocal solo, My Yoke is Easy and My Burden is Light.

Commissioner William Francis encouraged the audience to develop a radical lifestyle based on John 15:16—“I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.” He assured them that they did not have to rely on their own words, but that God would have the final word.

Territorial leaders meet with officers in Bermuda

Participants enjoy a variety of activities at Southlands Community Church’s family Sunday

Did you know …

… Dr. Bob Docter has published a collection of his editorials from the U.S.A. Western Territory’s New Frontier entitled A View from the Corner? The book, containing articles entitled, “Why have I hung around the Army so long?” and “Don’t bother me—I can’t cope,” is available through U.S.A. Central and U.K. supplies and purchasing departments … KOL, AOL’s website for kids, has compiled a list of things that kids should do before the age of 10? According to

Keep us informed about what’s happening across the territory. Send us your news and photos highlighting the various ways The Salvation Army is living out its mission and values in your community. In addition to selected items that appear in print, other news stories are posted regularly on our website, Salvationist.ca, so please send all your material as soon as possible after the event. Photos are acceptable in JPEG or TIFF format, minimum 300 dpi preferred. E-mail us at Salvationist@can. salvationarmy.org, or write to us at Salvationist, 2 Overlea Blvd,Toronto ON M4H 1P4. Help us celebrate what is happening in your corps!

KOL, they should experience 30 different activities including: baking a cake, picking strawberries, finding worms, riding a bike through a puddle, making snow angels and baking bread … regular attendance at religious services reduces the risk of death by approximately 20 percent, according to a study at Yeshiva University’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine?

Researchers speculate that the enhanced social support and better lifestyle choices help, but admit there is something mysterious and intangible at

work, saying, “There is something here we don’t quite understand” … in Montreal, the Dormez-vous chain of mattress and bedding stores organizes an annual campaign to collect new and gently-used coats for children?

More than 500 coats are distributed by The Salvation Army to help children in nearly 300 families … in February 1784, John Wesley chartered the first Methodist Church in the U.S.A.? William Booth broke from the Methodists in 1865 to begin The Salvation Army February 2009 Salvationist

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Seeing the Face of Humanity Salvationists are challenged to support the worldwide work of The Salvation Army through Partners in Mission

by Major Gillian Brown Associate Director, THQ World Missions

Our World, Our G8, Our Challenge Since 2005, a Religious Leaders’ Summit has met in conjunction with G8 meetings to offer a faith perspective to the leaders of the world’s most powerful countries. In 2010, the G8 will be meeting in Canada, which provides The Salvation Army with a unique opportunity to participate in the discussions. The Salvation Army is an active member of the Canadian Council of Churches, the organizing body for the Summit.

Millennium Development Goals In 2000, the international community pledged to “spare no effort to free our fellow men, women and children from the abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty.” The commitment to making a difference led to setting eight goals with a target date 6

Salvationist February 2009

of 2015 under the heading of the Millennium Development Goals.

At the halfway point, the prospect of successfully achieving the Millennium Development Goals has been thrown into doubt by the global economic crisis, food security issues, the impact of global warming and the lack of commitment from developed countries to make the necessary increases to foreign-aid funding.

The challenges are significant but the impact of the Millennium Development Goals is equally significant. In projects funded by the Canada and Bermuda Territory, such as the South Asia tsunami and integrated well projects in Africa, we address one or more of the eight goals and support the overall intention to alleviate poverty and improve the health and livelihood of vulnerable people.

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ook, God is greater than we can understand … By these mighty acts he nourishes the people, giving them food in abundance”(Job 36:26, 31 NLT). These are amazing words, not only because they remind us of the generosity of God, but also because they were said by a man in the midst of personal sorrow and suffering. Job was acutely aware that he was not alone in experiencing troubles in life. He speaks of people who “exploit the unfortunate, push the helpless into the ditch, bully the weak so that they fear for their lives. The poor, like stray dogs and cats, scavenge for food in back alleys” (Job 24:4-7 The Message).

Job was a man of faith who placed his trust in God even when the evidence seemed to suggest that God no longer cared about him. Years later, God’s people continue to face the challenge of reconciling their faith in a compassionate God with the suffering they see around them.

When we look at the world, we need to see the faces behind the news reports and statistics. God actively cares about all of his creation, but he chooses to work through his people who have been charged to carry out his mission of hope, healing and transformation. We are God’s hands to comfort a hurting world.

Salvation Army congregations have an important role in supporting the Partners in Mission Appeal. This fundraising campaign provides the necessary money to carry out the ministry of The Salvation Army worldwide. These funds ensure that the Army continues to be a beacon of hope in countries devastated by poverty, illness and natural disasters—countries where much of the population lives on less than $2 a day.

All Salvation Army territories and commands, whether financially independent or

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger - 1.4 billion people continue to live on $1 a day - The number of people living in absolute poverty is expected to increase to 100 million - Conflict only adds to poverty with 42 million people displaced by conflict or persecution inside and outside of the borders of their countries Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education - While there has been some success to celebrate in terms of achieving this goal, there are still 38 million primary-school-age children in Africa unable to attend school - In South Asia, the enrolment ratio climbed to 90 percent, yet 18 million are still not in school

grant aided, contribute to the International Self-Denial Appeal (which we term Partners in Mission). This serves as an example of what it means to be partners in mission and ministry,─standing shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand.

Canada and Bermuda partners with Mexico, Tanzania, Liberia, Germany, Spain, Hong Kong and Macau, and Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar. While our territory responds to needs in many other countries, we have a special responsibility to support these seven territories/commands financially and prayerfully.

The money raised during the Partners in Mission Appeal provides the essential funding needed for the ongoing ministry of the Army in each of these countries. This funding is necessary to keep the infrastructure in place so that communities can focus on specific needs and concerns, such as education, health, clean water, income generation or humantrafficking issues.

The support between partner territories goes both ways. While our mission partners may not be in a position to provide funding for our programs, they can teach us new and creative approaches to the common issues and problems we face. And we have their support in prayer, something of greater value than money.

In countries where life is so tenuous, prayer is not a last but a first resort. They have experienced God’s faithfulness as they have learned to depend on him in the midst of desperate poverty and persecution. As they pray for us, let us be faithful in upholding them in our prayers.

Every ministry unit has received a Partners in Mission resource package to help promote this important fundraising campaign. This year the focus is on Tanzania. New features have been added

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women - What might be the contributing factors that keep girls, more than boys, from attending school?

- Various factors make it more difficult for girls to consistently attend school, including drought, food shortages, armed conflict, poverty, lack of birth registration, child labour and HIV/AIDS Goal 4: Reduce child mortality - The good news is that in 2006, the number of annual deaths of children under five dropped below 10 million - A child born in a developing country is over 13 times more likely to die within the first five years than in an industrialized country - The four leading causes of death are pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria and measles February 2009 Salvationist

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to the already packed resources of videos, PowerPoint presentations and print material, including an illustrated children’s story that follows the adventure of Penelope Green.

Also new this year is the offer of a fundraising tool, a sample of which is included in the package. An inspiring Tanzania–Sounds of Worship CD can be ordered by Sunday schools, youth groups and other church groups to sell to raise money towards their Partners in Mission campaign. With nothing but the beat of the drum to accompany their singing, you will be inspired by the depth of devotion of Tanzanian Salvationists, even without understanding the language.

The mission of The Salvation Army worldwide can continue only with your prayerful and practical support In 2008, Salvationists across the territory responded with heartfelt generosity to the suffering of others. Thank you for your kindness and practical expression of Christian love that enabled us to be Christ’s presence to those in need. The mission of The Salvation Army worldwide can continue only with your prayerful and practical support. It is a mission that continues to grow as The Salvation Army is welcomed into additional countries. We thank the Lord for these new opportunities, understanding the need to ensure that the finances are available to nurture these young churches.

Please give generously so that the territorial goal of $2.2 million will be reached.

A Message from the Territorial Commander Dear friends, A favourite song from the Walt Disney movie The Jungle Book has the happy-go-lucky bear, Baloo, teaching the young Mowgli about the “bare necessities of life”: Look for the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities. Forget about your worries and your strife. I mean the bare necessities, Old Mother Nature’s recipes, that bring the bare necessities of life.

Baloo found all that he needed to survive was in his jungle home. The reality for many people in the world today is that the bare necessities are not so easy to attain.

We’ve seen this reality born out with the natural disasters of the past year, from the cyclone in Myanmar, to the earthquake in Sichuan province, China, to the series of hurricanes that have left a trail of havoc and devastation in their wake.

The bare necessities of life are also absent in countries lacking natural resources, access to safe drinking water or basic medicines, countries that have been unable to see economic growth for a variety of reasons.

For those overwhelmed with worries and strife, those lacking the bare necessities, The Salvation Army is there to give hope. The Salvation Army is able to respond within hours of a disaster, developing projects that make a difference in the lives of vulnerable men, women and children in the world today because we’re already present in many countries. We have the privilege of serving in 117 Territorial Goal for 2009 countries! $2.2 million The Partners in Mission Appeal is our opportunity to support the work and ministry of The Salvation Army worldwide. From the abundance we enjoy in Canada and Bermuda, this is an opportunity for us to consider giving up the niceties so that others might have the necessities of life.

There is a good scriptural basis for this fundraising campaign: “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need” (Romans 12:12). There is also a good historical basis for Salvationists to respond to the Partners in Mission Appeal as we remember the one-word Christmas telegram message sent by General William Booth to Salvationists around the world: “Others.”

The Canada and Bermuda Territory has set the goal for the 2009 Partners in Mission Appeal at $2.2 million. A resource package has already been mailed to every ministry unit. Take time to review the material and plan your local campaign.

Join me in ensuring that others will have the bare necessities of life.

Sincerely yours, William W. Francis Commissioner Territorial Commander

Goal 5: Improve maternal health - Skilled health-care workers could save the lives of more than 500,000 women who die during pregnancy, childbirth and the first six weeks following delivery Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases - There is a growing need to support the increasing number of children orphaned by AIDS - In 2006, there were an estimated 1.7 million deaths due to tuberculosis 8

Salvationist February 2009

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability - 2.8 billion people live with some form of water scarcity - 2.5 billion people lack adequate sanitation Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development - One of the targets of this goal is to make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications - 18 percent of the world was connected to the Internet at the end of 2006, 2.7 billion of the world’s population were mobile phone subscribers

Tanzania: A People of Promise

A glimpse of The Salvation Army’s work on the east coast of Africa

by Art Nickel, Media Producer, THQ Public Relations and Development

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anzania is a land of great hardship. Its disparity contrasts greatly with our life in Canada.

Tanzania’s population is over 40 million, but 44 percent are under the age of 14. It is not uncommon for people in Tanzania to walk many hours to fetch water that is not even considered safe to drink. In the Western world, we typically wake each morning and turn

Photos: Art and Sophie Nickel

In Koleli, 3,800 people rely on water from a polluted river source; inset: Children learn how to carry water at a young age

on a tap without giving it a thought. Most Canadians eat at least two meals a day and know that they can access medical help if needed. In Tanzania, life expectancy is 51. The economy is 80 percent agricultural, but only four percent of the land is arable and many people do not have enough to eat. Despite living under such hardships, Tanzanians are full of life and spirit. They have much to teach us.

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Water

Lack of clean water is a significant problem in Tanzania. Collecting water can take up to five hours a day. Some women carry as much as 18 kilograms on their heads as they walk 10 kilometres or more each way, to and from the water source. The Salvation Army is providing access to clean water by building wells and boreholes across Tanzania.

To ensure wells are sustainable over many years, each village elects a community well management team and determines rules for the well. A low fee is established so that funds are set aside to replace parts, maintain the well and ensure that everyone has access to safe drinking water. Adding community gardens near these wells provides opportunities for agricultural training and projects that can help diversify crops and lead to improved family nutrition.

Top: An ox plough at Kitagutit Corps is used in the community garden and also as a means of income generation; right: The water tank at Nasa Corps holds 2,000 litres of safe drinking water pumped from a new Salvation Army-built borehole

Goat Banking

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. Many of its people live on less than $1 USD per day, so there are few options available for those living in rural communities to escape poverty. Goat banks provide a unique opportunity for families to become self-supporting. A pair of young goats is provided for a family to raise and breed. Training is provided on how to care for them and once kids are born, they are passed on to another family. The original family continues to breed their goats. Goats breed easily, are easy to care for and can provide milk and meat for families.

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Salvationist February 2009

Left: A family participates in a goat-banking program at Sirari; right: A goat enclosure at Lugoba keeps goats healthy and enables easy collection of manure for gardens

Microcredit

One of the ways The Salvation Army addresses poverty is through microcredit projects. Few of the recipients would be considered eligible for loans through a bank, but through income-generating projects the poorest and most vulnerable have the opportunity to develop a means to earn a steady income. Initial loans are usually under $100, and recipients form small groups that work together to support each other.

HIV/AIDS Orphans

HIV/AIDS has reached pandemic levels in Africa. A 2005 survey showed there are 1.1 million orphans in Tanzania alone. Older siblings are often left with the responsibility of raising their brothers and sisters. The Salvation Army is actively involved in caring for orphans by providing kids’ clubs to meet the psychosocial and emotional needs of children who have suffered loss. Salvation Army support teams visit those living with HIV/AIDS, providing counsel and practical help and working to ensure that no one is facing life alone.

The support teams also link those living with HIV/AIDS with medical clinics so people in rural communities can receive necessary medication. They also provide opportunities for those in rural villages to become aware of the issues concerning HIV/AIDS. Top left: Women run a sewing shop in Kyoruba; bottom left: Women from the microcredit program sell cassava and maize at Kemange market; top right: Community members with HIV/AIDS receive regular visits from The Salvation Army’s home-based care program; bottom right: Children often have to take care of siblings after parents die

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Special-Needs School

The Salvation Army operates one of the few special-needs schools in Tanzania. The residential school in Dar es Salaam provides education and housing for children with physical and mental disabilities. It also has an appliance centre that makes artificial limbs for children. The Canada and Bermuda Territory’s child sponsorship program is actively involved with the children in this school.

Women’s Literacy

Top left: Girls with special needs at the Matumaini primary school; bottom left: Physically handicapped boys at the Matumaini primary school; top right: Headmistress Katinga helps women with reading and basic math in Mwanza literacy program; bottom right: Literacy class in Tarime

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Salvationist February 2009

Women in Tanzania have the greater burden of responsibility for the welfare of their families. They are often at a disadvantage due to an educational system that puts priority on males. Classes in literacy, basic math, nutrition and business management make a significant difference to the ability of a woman to generate income.

Sometimes these classes highlight other concerns, such as the need for eyeglasses. Each of these programs is developed at a local level that is appropriate to the economic environment of the community.

Corps Life

Corps life is flourishing in Tanzania. The Salvation Army has been active in Tanzania since 1933, and in 2008, Tanzania became a Salvation Army territory. Services are vibrant in song and prayer, with a passion, dedication and devotion that is unparalleled. In a land with so much hardship, The Salvation Army is a true light in its communities.

Top left: Worship service at Kongowe Corps; top right: Corps building in Koleli; bottom left: Literacy class in Lugoba holds up Canadian flag; bottom right: Orphans and vulnerable children receive support through after-school programs

Canadian Response

The 2009 Partners in Mission Appeal highlights Tanzania. A package containing videos, posters, children’s resources and much more has been sent to all corps across Canada and Bermuda.

You can also order a new fundraising CD with songs recorded live during worship services in Tanzania. These rare recordings will connect you with our Tanzanian brothers and sisters through song and praise.

Visit Salvationist.ca/partnersinmission for more information and a wealth of Partners in Mission related resources. Please take the time to learn more and support the great work being done in Tanzania and our other partner territories.

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Love in Action

The Salvation Army is at work in all corners of the globe

by Major Gillian Brown, Associate Director, THQ World Missions

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e live in a broken world where millions experience hunger, poverty, war, disease, unemployment, and lack of education and health care.

There are so many challenges that it can be difficult to know how and when to respond

appropriately. Fortunately, The Salvation Army is active in 117 countries, demonstrating love in action to those desperate for support and assistance.

The Salvation Army doesn’t parachute into troubled communities and start fixing things. Finding answers begins

is able to provide significant support worldwide. Our brothers and sisters, often living out their faith in grave circumstances, depend on us not only for financial support but for our friendship and commitment to uphold them in prayer.

Vulnerable Children

City Slums

In Tijuana, Mexico (below), The Salvation Army has begun an extended day-care program to ensure that children are nurtured in a safe, loving environment while parents, mostly single mothers, work long hours in factories. The project is one way the Army is responding to human trafficking. In Monrovia, Liberia, the Army operates an after-school program to support at-risk children.

Poverty, hunger and disease are not just rural issues. One billion people worldwide live in city slums, often making risky decisions to eke out a future for themselves and their families. In cities such as Monrovia, Liberia (below), the Army is facilitating opportunities for education and employment in addition to providing assistance for food and health concerns.

Clean Water

Disaster Relief

In rural villages, people require access to water for drinking and agriculture. From building boreholes in Malawi, rehabilitating wells in Liberia and reconstructing the water system damaged by an earthquake in Sichuan, China (left), The Salvation Army is ensuring that thousands have access to clean, safe water.

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with listening, which is why the Army seeks to build relationships and partnerships in the communities it serves.

Here are a few snapshots of The Salvation Army at work internationally. Through the support of the Partners in Mission Appeal, the Army

Salvationist February 2009

Salvation Army provides tents and cookers for earthquake victims in Pakistan

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atural disasters have become a growing concern worldwide.

Responding quickly to the victims of floods, earthquakes, cyclones and other crises is made easier with the continued presence of The Salvation Army in the developing world.

Salvation Army relief team members in Pakistan continue to provide vital aid to victims of the earthquake that hit the Baluchistan region in late October. At least 250 people lost their lives in the disaster and 20,000 people were displaced from their destroyed or damaged homes.

Adult Literacy and Microcredit There’s a saying, “Educate one woman and you are educating a whole village.” Literacy, basic math and business skills─along with microcredit loans─create opportunities for women to generate income that will benefit their families. In Bangladesh (below), the Army reaches out to sex-trade workers, providing opportunities for literacy and vocational training that open doors to a better future. In Tanzania, women gain the skills and confidence necessary to operate their own businesses.

HIV/AIDS Thirty-three million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, with countries such as Liberia (below) having the largest proportion.

With funding from CIDA, a three-year project has commenced in Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya, providing HIV/AIDS awareness training, home-based care for the sick and dying, and outreach to the growing number of orphans and vulnerable children.

Community Mapping In Tanzania (below), village elders and representatives draw a map of their community, prioritizing their needs and identifying their strengths. The Salvation Army utilizes this approach throughout the world, encouraging people to explore their local potential to respond to challenges.

A Pakistani family receives a winterized tent and cooking equipment funded by the Canada and Bermuda Territory

As a first phase in the combined relief effort, The Salvation Army agreed to supply winterized tents, cooking and eating utensils, and cylinder gas cookers for 500 families. Cylinder cookers were chosen because natural gas is freely available in Baluchistan.

Canada and Bermuda was the first Army territory to provide funding following the earthquake.

At territorial headquarters in Lahore, Salvation Army per-

sonnel obtained quotes and firm delivery dates from various suppliers. Specifications for the winterized tents were developed and presented to local tentmakers. Canvas bags were ordered to hold a cooker and utensils for ease of distribution.

An assembly line was organized to fill the canvas bags with the cooker and utensils. Over five days, staff from headquarters, senior girls from the Salvation

Army boarding hostel, young people from the corps, cadets from the training college and employees from a local bank gave their time to complete the task.

At the earthquake site, a three-person team assessed the situation and co-ordinated a distribution plan.

Captain MacDonald Chandi, Major Khuram Shahzada and Captain Michael Paul worked closely with a Pakistani military major responsible for coordinating the relief efforts.

He set up meetings with his General and informed him of The Salvation Army’s efforts.

Appreciation was expressed, particularly for the tents.

Distribution took place in the far-flung village of Warchoon, where 220 families received tents and supplies.

Twenty military soldiers were assigned to the team in order to erect the tents quickly and efficiently. The families were grateful for the warm tents and the cooking and eating utensils.

A second batch of 500 winterized tents and kits was requested by the local military co-ordinators, and the Salvation Army team quickly made these available.

February 2009 Salvationist

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second was a woman from South Africa who supported children orphaned when their parents died of AIDS. The majority of these children were also HIV-positive.

With little to no medication to offer them, she said that she can only love them, feed them well and tell them of God’s grace. She was the picture of compassion and love.

It’s hard to stand under the lights of big-box retail and not feel that our down escalators are taking us somewhere other than debt. They’re taking us to a world of self-satisfaction where happiness is only found until the warranty is over. Then we are forced to return to find more of whatever it is that settles our unease.

As a seeker of stuff, I write this to remind myself of the words of Jesus: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on

The Up Escalator

Big-box retail is taking us to a world of self-satisfaction where happiness is only found until the warranty is over

Don’t store up treasures on earth

by Major Fred Waters Area Commander, Prairie and Northern Territories Division

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he down escalator is faster than the up escalator. That’s the saying of a friend of mine. The first time I heard him say it, I was caught off guard. “What was that? The down escalator?” He was referring to the ability we have to accumulate debt versus our ability to accumulate savings.

Compare your savings account to your VISA bill. Is there any truth to that saying? Did you know that 25 percent of Canadians owe between $10,000 and $40,000, and that 28 percent don’t even know the rate of interest they pay on their primary credit card? Many are on an escalator that is descending quickly.

Of course, discipline is the key to dealing with this subject. Being a spontaneous personality, I know what it’s like to wander through an electronics store and drool over the latest gadgets. With the spotlights shining on their gleaming surfaces and the glitzy advertising campaigns, it’s hard to imagine that I don’t need a 42-inch—no, make it a 60-inch—HDTV with the latest surround-sound accessories.

In 2001, I was privileged to attend the International College for Officers in

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Salvationist February 2009

London, England. Each year, hundreds of Salvation Army officers from around the world gather together to spend time in fellowship and be challenged in our spiritual development. During my eightweek session, I met two Salvation Army officers who stimulated my thinking. The first was a kind and quiet woman who, at that time, managed the social services work of The Salvation Army in Sri Lanka. What she was able to do with very few resources was astounding. She seemed to covet little, if anything, and her prayers were always filled with praise and thanksgiving. The

earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

Treasure in Heaven! Now that’s one up escalator I would like to be on.

This article originally appeared on Salvationist.ca as a blog column. To read more of Major Fred Waters’ blogs, or our other columnists, visit Salvationist.ca/blog

Salvationist.ca Feature articles News reports Blog columnists Audio podcasts The essential resource for Salvationists in Canada and Bermuda

Becoming Like Christ

Officers reaffirm their covenant at Brengle Holiness Institute

Commissioners William and Marilyn Francis, territorial leaders (centre), pose with delegates

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by Captain Brenda Murray Social Services Consultant for Development of Hospice Care, Ontario Central-East Division

n October, 34 delegates from across the Canada and Bermuda Territory arrived at Jackson’s Point Conference Centre, north of Toronto, for the Brengle Holiness Institute. The weeklong course provided a wonderful opportunity for biblical study and personal reflection as we focused on what it means to live a life of holiness.

Based on the writings of Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle, sessions offered a close-up examination of The Salvation Army’s biblical, theological and historical roots that led to the formation of our 10th doctrine: “We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The week commenced with a keynote address by General Bramwell H. Tillsley (Rtd), who challenged each delegate to a life of holiness. This plenary

session set the tone for each of the delegates as we began to explore what it means to live a sanctified, Christlike life.

Among the speakers for the institute was Commissioner William W. Francis, territorial commander. He focused our attention on the doctrine of holiness, reminding each of us of our Wesleyan heritage that makes The Salvation Army part of a worldwide holiness movement.

A session on biblical holiness was presented by Major Sandra Rice, principal, CFOT, who based her message on Romans 6-8. We studied the principle of holiness, the practice of holiness, the preventative aspect of holiness and the power of holiness.

Other sessions included practical holiness by Captain Curtis Butler, corps officer, Weston Community Church, Winnipeg; preaching holiness

by Major Doug Hefford, officer personnel secretary, THQ; and holiness and prayer by Major

Cathie Harris, director of spiritual formation, CFOT. Each presenter brought a unique perspective that challenged delegates to think of how holiness affects our daily lives.

Daily devotions by Majors Howard and Robyn Smartt, directors of pastoral services, THQ, prepared us for the study on holiness that would follow throughout the day. A prayer room was available for

participants for the duration of the week. Times of sharing, quietness, study and reflection were highlights for each delegate.

The Brengle Institute concluded on the Friday morning with a covenant service, during which delegates were provided an opportunity to reaffirm their covenant of dedication to be all that God has called us to be.

February 2009 Salvationist

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Hit the Target Seven practical ways you can support the Partners in Mission Appeal

by John McAlister Associate Editor, Salvationist

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hile Salvationist magazine aims to present a positive outlook on The Salvation Army, we also strive to report the news in a transparent manner. That’s why I’m going to be up front and share that the Canada and Bermuda Territory didn’t meet its Partners in Mission fundraising target last year. In fact, it hasn’t met its target for a number of years. The 2008 territorial goal was $2.15 million, and while that amount was forwarded to International Headquarters, this was only possible through the support of the Territorial Finance Council who stepped in and contributed the additional funds.

This doesn’t bode well for the international work of The Salvation Army.

Ninety percent of the funds needed to support the Army internationally come from nine Salvation Army territories, which include Canada and Bermuda.

Having served overseas, I know how important these funds are to the work of the Army. In some countries, the Army relies on this money to expand its ministries and continue its operations. In others, the Army could collapse entirely without it, which would have a detrimental effect on the communities and people we support.

The Salvation Army is an international Movement of faith—we are actively ministering in 117 countries. When we think of our church family, we must include

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Salvationist February 2009

our brothers and sisters worldwide. We have a responsibility to support them as much as we can.

The good news is that our territory has a rich history of supporting the Army’s world missions through fundraising, prayer and the provision of reinforcement personnel. In 2009, let’s not only meet the territorial Partners in Mission target of $2.2 million, but surpass it.

Here are seven ways that you (and your corps) can support the Partners in Mission Appeal.

Our territory has a rich history of supporting the Army’s world missions through fundraising, prayer and the provision of reinforcement personnel Stop and Save A few years ago, Partners in Mission was known as the Self-Denial Appeal.

Salvationists were encouraged to deny themselves certain luxuries, such as drink-

ing coffee, eating chocolate and watching movies, and then set aside the money they would usually spend on these things for Self-Denial. What are you willing to sacrifice this year to help support Partners in Mission? You’d be surprised how much money you can save by giving up coffee or sweets. $2 Days In many countries, people need to survive on $2 a day. This year, choose a week where you will also live off $2 a day. Here’s how it works: take your biweekly income and divide it by two. Take $14 from that amount and put it in your pocket. See how far you can make that go over the course of the week (without jeopardizing your physical or financial health). Consider taking as large a portion of your remaining income for that week as you can afford and set it aside for Partners in Mission.

This exercise will have deeper meaning if you pray in solidarity with the millions of people who have no choice but to try to survive on $2 a day.

Rally the Troops Challenge your corps to support the Partners in Mission Appeal. Ask your leaders what their strategy is to promote the appeal. If there is no visible champion for this, offer to help organize your church’s campaign. Over the fundraising period, try to ensure that there is some connection to Partners in Mission each week. If you

belong to a small group or corps section, encourage your fellow members to find ways to support the appeal as well.

Set Targets As a corps or small group, set a financial target for the Partners in Mission Appeal.

Rather than a small leadership team outlining what they think the target should be, decide as a congregation or a small group what you think is realistic and possible.

This will foster ownership and accountability among all members. Post your target in a visible location in the corps building and track your progress. Rather than wait for one Sunday to give, encourage church members to submit their Partners in Mission offerings on a weekly basis.

Host an Ethnic Meal As a congregation, join together for an international meal. Choose a country from our seven partner territories/commands (see page seven) and cook one of their traditional meals. If possible, invite a former missionary or a person from that country to share what life is like there and then have a time of prayer. Sell tickets for the meal, take up an offering and use this money for Partners in Mission.

Fundraise Creatively Rather than relying solely on personal giving, Salvationists can organize special events to help raise funds for the Partners in Mission Appeal. Plan a walk-a-thon where people can ask their friends, coworkers and family members to sponsor them. Organize a bake sale or craft show to raise money. Youth can shovel snow or perform other chores for people in the community.

Commit to Prayer In addition to making a financial commitment to Partners in Mission, challenge yourself and your corps to pray intentionally for other countries. The more that you learn about the world, and the more you support others in prayer, the greater the connection you will have with our brothers and sisters worldwide.

The Canada and Bermuda Territory is internationally known for its generosity. Let’s continue to show our financial commitment to the Partners in Mission Appeal as we strive to make the world a better place, and together say, “The world for God!”

Specifying Funds

In recent years, many people have preferred to channel their donations to specific Salvation Army projects, such as becoming child sponsors or directly supporting a hospital or school. While these donations continue to be helpful, it is essential that they not happen at the expense of the Partners in Mission Appeal. The funds raised through Partners in Mission ensure that The Salvation Army has the necessary infrastructure in place to operate worldwide. Without this base funding, the Army will not be able to support its various international ministries. Think of Partners in Mission as your international “tithe” and then present additional international “offerings” to specific projects as the Lord leads you.

Local Initiative

As you participate in the 2009 Partners in Mission Appeal, let Salvationist know what you’re doing at the local level to support this campaign. Send reports, photos and success stories that outline how you and your corps supported our international partners.

Guelph Corps Celebration 125 February 27 - March 1

Celebrating 125 years of serving God in the community of Guelph!

Celebration Leaders: Commissioners Majors Alfred William W. and and Ethel Marilyn D. Francis Richardson Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries

Divisional Commander and Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries, Ontario Great Lakes Division

Featuring: Contemporary Praise Night (February 27) Anniversary Celebration Banquet (February 28) Anniversary Celebration Program (February 28) Anniversary Worship and Rededication Service (March 1) For further information contact the corps office at 519-836-9360 or office@GuelphSA.ca February 2009 Salvationist

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Just the Two of Us

Warning! Spending time with your spouse can lead to spontaneous fun

by Major Brian Armstrong, THQ Pastoral Services

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t’s that time of year again. Everywhere you look there are messages to remind you about your most significant relationship. Advertisers will tell you Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to give that special gift to the one you love. They’ll also tell you exactly what you should buy if you really love them. Say it with diamonds, flowers, cards, a trip to some romantic destination. The pressure is on to take time out of your busy life to shop for the perfect gift that says, “I love you.”

My children are young adults now, but my wife and I have fond memories of the Valentine gifts they made for us at school.

Twisted pieces of painted clay, a tin can wrapped in coloured paper, a hand-drawn family portrait. These were priceless gifts, not because of their quality but because of the time they took to make them for us.

This year, if you really want to enrich your marriage, why not make something for your spouse, something that has significant cost to you, something that really communicates your love? The gift I am proposing will transform your marriage

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Salvationist February 2009

if you are willing to take the effort. Here it is—make time.

We live in a busy, breathless, demanding world. Work, school, children, parents, church and volunteer work are all necessary and important. But if you want to enrich your marriage, you need to make time. Here’s how. Follow these two instructions very carefully. First: pick a date and time to get together with your spouse.

Second: when someone says, “Can you do this tonight?” you answer, “No, sorry I can’t tonight. I have things in my calendar that cannot be changed.”

Warning! By spending time with your spouse you may discover something you were not aware of. New interests evolve, opportunities appear, crises happen. We are not the people we were when we got married, or last year, or even last month. If you don’t make the time to rediscover one another, you may find yourself uttering the sad phrase, “We’ve grown apart.”

This Valentine’s Day, take time to talk about your life together for the specific purpose of making your marriage better.

(Don’t turn this opportunity into a gripe session!) Take turns sharing and listening.

Listening means acknowledging what has been said rather than telling the other person how they should feel. Here are some areas that you might want to explore with your spouse in your time alone together.

• How are you doing? Tell me how you are feeling about work, our home, our friendships or our church.

• How do you feel about our marriage?

How can I contribute to making our marriage better? Tell me something that you think would be helpful.

• Is God being honoured in our marriage?

In what ways? Are there areas that we can improve?

• What does your schedule look like this coming week? Can we set aside a couple of hours to be together?

Strengthening your marriage is all about connecting and being together. It doesn’t have to be serious—sometimes you might just need to have a good laugh.

Last year my wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. It just happened to fall at an extremely busy time of year for us. One day we went to a card shop to find the perfect card to celebrate. Neither of us could find the right card to express how we felt. However, we did find some very funny cards. And right there in the store we gave each other a funny card and then put it back on the shelf. Then we found more funny cards and gave them to each other and again put them back on the shelf. We must have done this for 45 minutes. We were laughing so hard we had to leave the store. This created a memory, a fun time shared with the most important person in my life. This spontaneous moment brings a smile to our faces every time we reflect on it.

Doctors Les and Leslie Parrott, in their book Your Time-Starved Marriage: How to Stay Connected at the Speed of Life, write: “Perhaps nothing else distinguishes the most fulfilled and happy couples as much as their tender loving care of time. They spend it wisely…. They know that each moment, no matter how fleeting, holds value for them as a couple. And they prize the opportunity to make the most out of it. They understand what so many couples don’t, that only time affords the luxury of creating memories to be cherished. And they are bent on racking up as many memories as possible.”

Flowers, cards and chocolates are wonderful gifts. But this Valentine’s Day, don’t forget the most important thing. It’s about time.

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ith my heart racing and palms damp, I walked into the candlelit room and found my table. Number eight. Other young women entered the room and found their designated tables. We fidgeted in silence as we stared at the empty chairs across from us.

Moments later, a string of men—complete strangers— filled those empty chairs, rotating from table to table, woman to woman. I had thought it was a good idea when I signed up a month earlier: a chance to meet 20 single, Christian men in one evening. But now my nerves were getting the better of me. One blind date is scary enough. But 20 blind dates in one night? Was I crazy?

A Match in Minutes?

Soon the bell rang and the fun began. The first man sat across from me and we chatted for two minutes. There, that wasn’t so bad. Actually, it went pretty well. And then, as the first one got up, politely shaking my hand on his way, a second sat down. That conversation was even better than the first. Then the third … and, well, I would actually be quite pleased to see this one again. And so it continued, through nearly 20 “mini-dates.” My adrenaline was pumping. And by the end of the evening, I had met not just one but several compatible matches who were worth second dates.

Christian speed dating might not be for everyone, but I did learn something important that night: there are good, Christian singles still out there.

Sometimes we might just have to be a little bit more creative in our strategies for meeting them.

When I asked one of my closest (and happily married) friends what is most important when it comes to finding a partner, she replied, “Patience, prayer and trust.” I agree that meeting a partner who we will

20 Blind Dates What I learned from Christian speed dating

vow to love, honour and cherish, and who shares our faith, values and goals for life, is a matter that we need to commit to God in prayer. We then must wait with patience and trust in his provision. But how will we meet this person? If the usual ways—such as meeting at school, work, through a mutual acquaintance or at church—seem to have been exhausted, can we be more proactive in our efforts? If so, where should we start?

Expand Your Social Circle You’ll never meet new people if every Friday you go out with the same group of friends, to the same places. A good start would be to visit other churches in your area. Attend one of their meetings at a time

What is most important when it comes to finding a partner? that doesn’t conflict with your own services. Ask if they offer programs through the week such as Bible studies or hold special events like concerts, festivals or fundraisers. Most of Canada’s larger cities have theological schools, and these are often a hive of Christianbased activities including public lectures, socials, films and conferences. If you are at university yourself, don’t forget to check out your chapter of

InterVarsity Fellowship, as they host a whole series of events for Christian young people.

And you might want to keep up-to-date on any socialjustice-related events in your area. Chances are prospective Christian singles would be at these, too, as many people with a heart for justice also have a heart for God. Make an Online Connection Though many people are still a little suspicious of the online world when it comes to dating, there are many happily-everafter stories, too. There are some online relationship services, such as Christian Café, that are exclusively for Christians seeking other Christians. Many others, like the popular eHarmony site, allow people to specify their religious preferences as the computer searches for compatible matches. You can check out Christian-single chat rooms, too, like the one through the Praize Canada site.

Do a little research on the web and you might be surprised at what you find. I discovered the Christian speed dating event through a Toronto-based company, Singles in the City.

Across the country, there are many similar groups offering intriguing singles events with a Christian focus.

A few words of caution: never give out personal information online; if you’re meeting a date in person, tell someone where you are going, carry a cellphone and meet in a public space; and make sure the Christian dating services you use are legitimate.

Through all our efforts to meet a partner, God never wants us to desire something or someone else before him.

We must always seek God first and make him the focus of our lives. We can ask God to direct our steps, to help us meet other like-minded, God-seeking people … and to have a little fun while we’re at it.

February 2009 SALVATIONIST

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Officer Insight

The Choice Is Yours

How far are you willing to go to answer God’s call?

by Major Larry Martin, Divisional Commander, Maritime Division

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n a Leadership magazine article, Leonard Sweet recounts the story of a seminary student who told a colleague that the church assignment he received didn’t exactly suit his abilities. The other student responded, “You know, the world’s a better place because Michelangelo didn’t say, ‘I don’t do ceilings.’ ” The conversation inspired Sweet to write: “The world’s a better place because ...

Noah didn’t say, ‘I don’t do arks and animals.’

Moses didn’t say, ‘I don’t do Pharaohs or mass migrations.’

Ruth didn’t say, ‘I don’t do mothers-in-law.’

David didn’t say, ‘I don’t do giants.’

Mary didn’t say, ‘I don’t do virgin births.’

John didn’t say, ‘I don’t do deserts.’

Mary Magdalene didn’t say, ‘I don’t do feet.’

Peter didn’t say, ‘I don’t do Gentiles.’

Paul didn’t say, ‘I don’t do correspondence.’

Jesus didn’t say, ‘I don’t do crosses.’ ” It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to do the will of God and further the cause of Christ only in the “most desirable” or “convenient” ways. But officers need to be careful that their desire to serve God in comfortable ways does not usurp or negate their high calling to full-time ministry as servants of Christ.

Throughout Scripture, it’s interesting to observe how God seeks to involve human beings in his purposes and to note the lengths some of them go to avoid his calling (see the stories of Jonah, Moses, Jeremiah and Ezekiel). This pattern of reluctance and “bargaining” continues today with one notable difference: these biblical figures protested because they felt unworthy. Today, I wonder if it’s just that people are not willing to make the sacrifice.

People are reluctant to accept God’s call to Salvation Army officership for a variety of reasons: perceived flaws in “the system,” inadequate remuneration, lack of personal autonomy, mistrust of existing 22

Salvationist February 2009

leadership, too many demands, too much conflict with people, having to be on call 24-7, frequent moves, too much to give up. These may all be legitimate concerns, but they can become exaggerated to the point of thwarting God’s call and leaving you unfulfilled and unable to experience God’s central plan for your life.

For anyone contemplating officership, the question is whether we allow the obstacles to deter us or whether we move forward in spite of them. Consider what David J. Frahm says in The Great Niche Hunt: “If you are in the wrong place, the right place is empty.”

Several years ago a group of historians authored a book called If—Or History Rewritten. They asked questions such as: What if Robert E. Lee had not lost the battle of Gettysburg? What if the Moors in Spain had won? What if the Dutch had kept New Amsterdam? What if John Wilkes Booth had missed when he shot at Abraham Lincoln? What if Napoleon had escaped to America?

The attempt to reconstruct the past on the basis of these ifs was only a historian’s game. But apply it for a moment to the central event in history—the birth of Christ: “What if Jesus had never been born as predicted?” Such an if staggers

the mind. It’s like imagining the Earth without a sunrise or the heavens without a sky. But here’s another question: What if God calls you to be an officer and you don’t respond?

The tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in August 1997, had an incredible impact around the world. One of the interesting issues that arose was when people began to compare her to Mother Teresa, who died later the same week. One TV commentator summed it up when he said: “The difference between the two is that Diana was a princess who lived in a palace that she occasionally left to visit the poor and marginalized, whereas Mother Teresa was a nun who lived with the poor and marginalized and occasionally left that to visit princesses in palaces. There is a fundamental difference between the two.”

It is not likely that any of us will ever be a Diana with all the privileges that she enjoyed. Yet all of us can be a Mother Teresa by simply choosing to obey God and follow his plan for our lives.

The question for us is basically the same: “How far am I willing to go to answer God’s call upon the whole of my life?” The issues will be different for each of us, but the question remains: “Am I willing to walk fully in his will?”

“If you are in the wrong place, the right place is empty” – David J. Frahm

Tag Wildfire Line

Five Ways to Say, “I Love You” Learn to speak your teen’s love language

by Clint Houlbrook, Editor, SendTheFire.ca

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4. Acts of Service This is best summed up as “show me, don’t tell me.” It’s love in action. This could include such things as doing their laundry, cooking and making their lunches. A word of caution—this one can be tricky to navigate because there’s a fine line between serving in love and making the young person too dependent on you.

love you!” I still remember it 11 years later. I was shocked and excited at the same time, and ran out to the living room telling my girlfriend, “My dad just told me he loves me!” I was 26 years old. Don’t get me wrong. I had always known my dad loved me and this wasn’t the first time he had told me so. But somewhere between dressing me as a child and witnessing my Grade 12 graduation, the “I love yous” disappeared.

In a day and age of separation, divorce, single parents, adoption, blended families and dual income households, kids can sometimes feel confused. It’s as if they are floating hopelessly in the middle, wondering if they are truly loved. How are you doing at telling the young person in your life that you love them?

Here are five ways to communicate that love, based on Gary Chapman’s book, The Five Love Languages.

1. Words of Affirmation Young people need to hear you say, “I love you” and to hear specifically what you love about them. In a leadership group I facilitate, we get parents/guardians to write a letter or card to their teens expressing how much they love them, how proud they are of them and what they love about them. Every year it’s a powerful time for the teens as they find some “alone space” and read this love letter from their parents.

2. Physical Touch This includes appropriate physical touch such as holding hands, an arm around the shoulders, hand on the shoulder, hugs, kisses and cuddles. Of course, this depends on the child’s age and comfort factor. I still get to enjoy some cuddle time with my five-year old daughter, yet I wonder how long that will last. Caution should be exercised in this area, especially considering the reality of physical and sexual abuse in our society. If you struggle in expressing this love language in a healthy manner, you need to seek help.

5. Giving Gifts This is sharing love in visible and tangible ways. It could be anything from movie tickets to a lock for their bike or a handmade collage picture.

The key is not just giving something as a reward for getting “A”s on their report card. The gifts don’t have to be pricey—it’s the thought that counts. Keep things reasonable in terms of frequency and amount in order to avoid the pitfalls of over-consumption and materialism.

Your young person needs to hear what you love about them 3. Quality Time How much face-to-face time do you spend with your young person in a day or week?

Are you there for them when they need you? Quality time isn’t you reading a newspaper on the chair while they watch TV in the same room. It’s giving them your undivided attention and talking, playing or interacting with them. You only have so much time with them before they leave home, so make the most of it. You’ll always have work to do—you won’t always have a young person around. Oh, and if you’re talking with them, it’s more about you listening and learning rather than teaching them.

You might be thinking, “This sounds great but what is my young person’s primary love language?” A good indicator is to listen to what they’re always complaining about. For example, if they say, “Why do you have to work so much?” then maybe quality time is their primary love language.

Perhaps you need to give them more of your undivided attention.

As you speak all five love languages to your young person, she will learn to speak them to others through your example. Then the world will know we are Christians by the love we show for one another. What are you waiting for?

Use your love language today to speak to young people in your life. Let them know how much you love them.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

What’s my young person’s love language?

How can I speak his love language more often?

Which language do I speak best?

Which language could I speak better?

What are three ways I can express each love language to each young person in my life over the next two months?

February 2009 Salvationist

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Just Between Us

Surviving Stress

It’s an inevitable part of life, but it doesn’t have to get us down

by Major Kathie Chiu Corps Officer and Executive Director of The Caring Place Ministries, Mountain View Community Church, Maple Ridge, B.C.

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ll of a sudden I felt like the room was shrinking,” recalls Mike. “It was very warm and kind of stuffy. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.”

We had been meeting in the director’s office, when Mike, our community and residential ministries co-ordinator, stood up without warning and announced, “I’ve got to get out here.”

The director and I looked at each other in astonishment.

I followed him outside, “Mike, are you all right?”

“I think I’m having a panic attack,” he exclaimed.

“Just take a deep breath and relax,” I told him.

Winter is a busy time at The Caring Place. Our shelter is overflowing and we’re serving almost 7,000 meals a month.

Mike’s hands are full. “So many people are coming to me and wanting something,” he says.

“I can’t seem to get anything done without constant interruption. There’s so much to deal with that sometimes I feel overwhelmed. I get home and can’t turn it off.”

Can you identify with Mike’s situation? Do you feel overwhelmed at work? Do you lie awake at night endlessly going over the things that are bothering you? Are you taking headache medication more often? Are you irritable with family and friends?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re probably experiencing the effects of too much stress.

You’re not alone. More than six in 10 Canadians report that they experience “a great deal of stress” on the job. If you are in the people-helping 24

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business­—perhaps even with The Salvation Army—you are at risk for job-related stress.

Mike can relate. “I try to stay positive,” he comments, “but there is so much negativity in the job. I get frustrated with the very reason I’m supposed to be here—to listen to people and help them sort out their lives. Sometimes I just want to tell them ‘it’s your problem, go and deal with it yourself!’ ”

When workplace stress hits, it is important to deal with it properly. Aside from the usual suggestions like getting enough exercise and rest, here are some helpful ideas to help you navigate the rough waters: 1. Take time out for you.

When you are giving all day long, you need time to fill up.

Mike and I talked about how our life is like a cup of tea.

When it’s already full it only takes a drop or two more to

Giving every day to help others can be exhausting if you don’t take care of yourself emotionally Even though we gain great personal satisfaction from our work, giving every day to help others can be exhausting if you don’t take care of yourself emotionally.

There are many things that can bring stress in our lives—physical illness, marital strain, significant life changes.

cause it to overflow into the saucer. Sometimes you need to remove something from your schedule so that you can have “me time.” You’re not being selfish—you’re being smart.

2. Learn to receive. Face it, most of us are givers by nature. We like to help others.

We receive great satisfaction

from it. Sometimes that means we have a hard time receiving God’s grace or assistance from other people. It’s OK to ask for help.

3. Establish a good support network. If you don’t belong to a home fellowship group in your corps, join one.

If none exist, talk to your corps officer about starting one. Connecting with others to share anxieties and fears can help knock the wind out of life’s storms. Just knowing you’re not alone really helps.

4. Laugh. Share a joke with a co-worker, keep some funny comics on your desk, watch a funny movie. You can put your head in your hands and scream, but sometimes it’s far better just to find the humour in the situation and laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.

I love how the Apostle Paul encourages us to look at the positive: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). When we think on the positive, we are better able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Mike took a week of his vacation time and is now back at work. You can see that he’s more relaxed and back to his old self. We all need “down time,” a period of relaxation and refreshment to sense the presence of God and receive his grace. He loves us and wants to take our burdens on his shoulders. Isn’t that a wonderful thought? You’ve got to love a God like that!

Fashion Cents

S

by Ken Ramstead, Editor, Faith & Friends and Foi & Vie

haron Hann was in her last year at Toronto’s York University, majoring in theatre with a focus on production and design. At the same time, she was taking electives dealing with the Third World.

One day, she was studying some beautiful examples of baroque art while preparing an essay on child-sex slavery.

“All of a sudden, I was overwhelmed,” she recalls. “I couldn’t make sense of how such beauty and ugliness could co-exist.”

At that moment, she resolved to do something with her art that would help change the world—and Copper Coin Arts was born.

Keeping in Touch S h a ro n i n h e r i t e d h e r Christian commitment from her Salvationist parents, who brought young Sharon along with them on overseas mission trips. “There are three passions in my life,” she admits. “I have a passion for creating art, for people who are in need and for the youth of the world.”

These passions led Sharon to design T-shirts and other pieces of clothing that highlight global concerns, such as world hunger and peace. “My clothes would start conversations all the time with kids my age,” she says. Sharon used these opportunities to share her faith and commitment.

As a counsellor at The Salvation Army’s Camp Rainbow, north of Toronto, she’d talk to her cabin mates about movements that were helping people around the world, such as War Child and Fair Trade. Out of these conversations came the idea of using art to raise funds for these causes.

Enthusiasm and Effort Following graduation, Sharon juggled multiple jobs as a wardrobe and design manager and seamstress while conducting weekly meetings of Copper Coin Arts (from the Bible story of the widow who

Copper Coin Arts’ clothing and art exhibits spotlight global concerns and show teens that they can transform the world

gave all she had, two copper coins—see Luke 21:1-3). Her aim was to mount a fashion show in December 2006, less than half a year away.

She drummed up support by giving presentations to local schools. Friends and former campers joined with volunteers from surrounding Salvation Army corps and community volunteer co-ordinators.

Copper Coin Arts’ first show, Golden Gift, was a success, with proceeds going to charities chosen by the participants.

The second show was held the following May, while 2008’s show was dedicated to The Salvation Army’s Gifts of Hope program.

To date, Copper Coin Arts has raised more than $2,000 for charities such as Africycle and Gifts of Hope.

“What we really liked about Gifts of Hope,” observes Sharon, “was that while there was only one charity, the kids could still choose where they wanted their money to go—for instance, clean water or education.”

Copper Coin Arts’ next show will be in late April or early May, with the proceeds going to anti-human trafficking activities.

Ultimately, Sharon aims to have at least two shows a year— an art show around Christmas and a fashion show in May. Their Church Copper Coin Arts is headquartered at North York Temple in Toronto.

Workshops transform items, such as old

pairs of jeans, into handbags. In the screenprinting classes, old scraps of fabric are made into quilts. Collage material, such as chocolate-bar wrappings or magazine covers, are converted to wallets. “These studio nights are wonderful,” says Sharon.

On one occasion, a volunteer leader was assisting with some screenprinting when she asked one of the participants, “What church do you go to?”

The girl, who is not a Christian, replied, “I come here on Friday nights with Sharon.”

“A lot of these kids haven’t grown up in a church atmosphere,” Sharon acknowledges, “so we get an opportunity to answer any questions they may have. They may not realize it, but this is their church.”

Strengthening Faith Though Sharon is now an experienced costume designer who has worked on professional theatre productions such as The Sound of Music, she continues to be passionate about Copper Coin Arts.

“Copper Coin Arts has strengthened my faith,” Sharon says. “I’m not a born organizer so I’ve had to rely on God a lot, and he’s always been there when I needed him.

But it’s also been encouraging to see how much is going on for good in the world.

Like the woman with the two copper coins, I want to give all that I can to work for the Kingdom of God. Even a tiny bit can make a difference.”

Sharon Hann (left) with some of the items made

by Copper Coin Arts that highlight concerns such as human trafficking and nuclear disarmament

February 2009 Salvationist

25

Talking It Over

Rough

Is our legal system in danger of losing its moral authority? When it comes to criminals, are we seeking restoration or revenge?

In this Salvationist series, Dr. James Read, Executive Director of The Salvation Army Ethics Centre in Winnipeg, and Captain Amy Reardon, Editor of Young Salvationist, U.S.A. National Headquarters, dialogue about moral and ethical issues.

Dear Jim,

D

o you ever hear a news story that haunts you? Some injustice that makes you angry or some freak accident that makes you weep? Lately I can’t stop thinking about a little boy in Arizona. His story was the big news in the United States for about a week, until it got overshadowed by the potential government bailout of the major auto companies.

The boy’s father and his friend were shot dead. This eight-year-old, who was at the crime scene, was brought into the police station to be questioned as a witness. Because he was only a witness, it was not required that he have an attorney—or any adult—with him. There are tapes of the interrogation, which have played on the news many times (with the boy’s face obscured). As the interrogation proceeded, the boy made a confession—a rather tentative confession—to having committed the crime.

The boy reminds me of one of my youngest son’s friends. His voice, his choice of words—both times I watched that scene I felt like I was watching Calvin.

Maybe that’s why I can’t get this story out of my head. I keep thinking, “That kid is just like the boys I know, the boys in my neighbourhood and at my corps. He’s just an everyday kid.”

Many people feel that this frightened boy was manipulated into a confession, and I must admit that it came across that way to me.

Last I heard, he was in jail, separated from his mother, a glass barrier dividing them during her visits. They keep the child in solitary confinement so he won’t 26

Salvationist February 2009

Justice

be affected by other prisoners. Can you imagine it, Jim? An eight-year-old kid, going to bed alone in a cell, with no one to comfort him after seeing his father bleed and die? No one to hold him if he has a nightmare or wipe away his tears when he is afraid?

The whole thing makes my blood boil.

I don’t understand why every person in Arizona isn’t up in arms, demanding for some other situation for this boy. In his “confession,” he said his father was already mortally wounded and he shot him to end his pain. But really, no matter what the circumstance, the treatment of the boy is, in my opinion, inexcusable. I pray he is aware of God’s comforting presence.

I have malformed, vague ideas on the treatment of criminals. I guess that is because I feel that a one-size-fits-all kind of justice is too arbitrary and too unproductive. I like to look at things from a biblical perspective when I can. Old Testament justice, I grant you, is highly punitive and without much wiggle room.

Perhaps it had to be that way in such a primitive land. But the New Testament breathes a sense of restoration rather than just punishment. I think of the adultress who, legally, could have been stoned (see John 8:1-11). But Jesus forgave her and said, “Go, and sin no more.”

I don’t mean that we should just say to criminals, “Go, and murder/steal/cheat no more.” But I am saying that we should evaluate each situation with a desire to bring change rather than retribution. I believe everyone should be held responsible for his actions. But a community should value the life of each man, woman and child enough to make every effort to restore them. Restoration can be done behind prison bars where prisoners are treated humanely. Time should be served for crime, but time should not be wasted. In many American prisons there is opportunity to get a college education, for example.

But it is optional. Perhaps greater demands toward personal growth should be placed

Have we become comfortable with double standards that wink at “white collar” crimes but come down hard on “street” crimes?

upon those in prison.

At the very least, every precaution should be taken so that “the system” doesn’t cause mental, emotional and physical harm to the prisoner. Society is not served when a released prisoner is angrier, more disturbed or less qualified for functioning in society than he was when he went in. This applies to all prisoners.

But right now, I’m mostly concerned about that boy. What on earth will become of a

Talking It Over little eight-year-old who was grilled by police officers who pretended to be his friends but were actually his predators?

What becomes of a child who, at the most traumatic juncture of his life, is separated from his family and taken to a sterile, lonely place?

Our God is able to heal all wounds. I pray the boy in Arizona knows God, or will soon find him.

Amy

want to kill somebody, which is even more unfortunate. But, as you say, if that’s what happened, if this eight-year-old did kill somebody, I find it incredible that society’s response is to put the child in solitary confinement. It’s outrageous!

You worry about the future effects of what’s being done to him now. Me, too, but I’m also troubled that even by a measure of retributive justice (which has a place in my ethics), the punishment doesn’t fit.

He’s only a child, after all.

eople do some really horrible things in the name of justice, don’t they? The treatment of that little eight-year-old in Arizona, for instance.

I don’t find it incredible that a child that young should know how to use a gun, I’m sad to say. I don’t even find it incredible that a child that young would

For a couple of years, our family lived up the road from Erwin, Tennessee. Erwin is notorious as the town that judicially hanged a circus elephant in 1916 for trampling a man to death. That’s not justice; it’s the perversion of justice.

Elephants can’t have “malice aforethought,” and though eight-year-old boys are a lot smarter than any elephant, they can’t either.

The idea that a young child would

Dear Amy,

P

be found guilty of murder is offensive.

But the idea that anyone could be found guilty on the basis of corrupted investigative processes is equally offensive. What’s that old saying? “Justice must not only be done, but be seen to be done.” And what we’ve seen on CNN and elsewhere is not justice.

Come to think of it, someone familiar with the Bible has to ask whether any human process could be just. You referred to the story from John 8 and highlighted Jesus’ forgiveness. But before this, Jesus turned to the woman’s accusers and told them that their own failings undermined their moral authority to exact punishment.

In our day, I think we have to ask not only whether criminals are guilty but whether the system that would do the punishing has lost the moral authority to do it.

Have we created prison conditions that brutalize? Have we made it impossible for the poor to get good legal representation? Have we become comfortable with double standards that wink at “white collar” crimes but come down hard on “street” crimes?

There are times when justice has been perverted because seeking retribution was left in the hands of the victim or the victim’s family, and then vengeance spiraled out of control. (I am told that we should read the “eye for an eye” commandment of the Old Testament with this in mind.

That is, God’s order is actually “no more than an eye for an eye; no more than a life for a life.”) To prevent the escalation of revenge, it’s generally better that the punishment of crimes be put in the hands of state authorities (the Crown in Canada).

But today I think many feel that justice is being perverted for the opposite reason— the distance between the victim and the offender has become too great.

That’s why I am encouraged by what I hear about “restorative justice” being taken seriously. As I understand it, this approach recognizes that crimes are not only against the state/Crown, but against flesh and blood. For this reason, it tries to make it possible for relationships ruptured by injustice to be restored. This has got to be tough work, but it also seems to have something deeply Christian about it.

I can expect that you’d like to challenge me on the question of whether retribution can truly have a place in biblically-grounded Christian ethics, but that’s going to have to wait for another time, Amy. Jim February 2009 Salvationist

27

Celebrate Community

ENROLMENTS AND RECOGNITION Growing God’s Kingdom MISSISSAUGA, ONT.— Six new soldiers and two adherents are enrolled at MississaugaTemple CC

by Cpts David and Brenda Allen, COs. Front row, from left, Nhora Media, Catherine MacDonald, Luz Mar y Sanchez, Lauren Ham. Back row, from left, Gonzalo Diaz, Cpts Brenda and David Allen, Michael Steenburgh, Nobia Franco, Jorge Zarate, CSM Colley Jackson

Corps Leadership Strengthened WINNIPEG— Heritage Park Temple welcomes new local officers to give leadership to expanding ministry opportunities in the corps and community. From left, Mjr Julie Slous, CO; Fern Deacon, cradle roll sergeant; Paul Deacon, youth ministries co-ordinator; Mjr Daphne Maye, CCM coordinator; Flag Sergeant Brian Fisher-Smith; Mjr Brian Slous, CO; CSM Dr. James Read CORNER BROOK, N.L.— Mjrs Robert and Cassie Kean, COs, commission new CS Nancy Wiseman at Corner Brook Citadel. Also pictured is CSM Mona West

CALGARY—Four soldiers are welcomed at Glenmore Temple by Mjr Eddie Vincent, CO, and Sharon Honeychurch, who taught the preparation classes. Top, from left, Omauldine Labissiere, Dorothy Deines, Claire Wilson and Jim Wilson proudly display their Soldiers’ Covenants.

Bottom, from left, new adherents Scott McKenzie, Elizabeth Robinson, Minkee Robinson

GAZETTE

INTERNATIONAL Promotions/appointments Mjrs Ross/Annette Gower, CS/TSWM, Indonesia Tty, with rank of colonel; Mjrs Charles/Denise Swansbury, GS/CSWM, Liberia Command Promotion to commissioner Cols Basuki/Marie Kartodarsono (TC/TPWM, Indonesia Tty) Promotions to colonel The General has decided that the appointment of chief secretary in certain territories will carry automatic promotion to the rank of colonel.

For a complete list of territories and officers affected, visit Salvationist.ca/gazette TERRITORIAL Promotion to colonel Lt-Cols Donald/Ann Copple Promotion to lt-colonel The General has decided that certain appoint28

Salvationist February 2009

Paul Harris Award WETASKIWIN, ALTA.—In October, Cpt Terry Cook, CO, Wetaskiwin, was honoured by his local Rotary Club as he received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award.The award is given to Rotarians whose service exemplifies the four-way Rotary test: Is it the truth?

Is it fair? Will it build good will and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Cpt Cook is pictured following the presentation by fellow Rotarian Bill Milnthorp and Rotary President Terry Pearson

ments in some territories will be known as senior reserved appointments and automatically carry the rank of lt-colonel, provided the officer concerned has served a minimum of 20 years. With that in mind, the following officers are promoted to the rank of lt-colonel effective Feb 1: Mjrs Jean Moulton, Alfred/Ethel Richardson, Ray/Audrey Rowe, Floyd/Tracey Tidd, Neil/Lynda Watt Births Cpts Corvin/CharleneVincent, daughter, Abigail Brooklyn, Nov 19; Cpts Chad/Kathleen Ingram, son, Eric Alexander, Nov 24 Appointments Cpt Bradley Reid, EDS officer, Fredericton, N.B., and government liaison officer, Maritime Div (additional responsibilities); Mjr Douglas Smith, director of development and communication (designation change), WCBC; Mjr Wendy Swan, acting registrar and assistant academic dean (additional responsibility), WCBC; Mjr

CarlettaThornhill, EDS officer, Charlottetown, P.E.I., and government liaison officer, Maritime Division (additional responsibilities) Promoted to Glory Mjr William Boone, from St. Catharines, Ont., Dec 5; Mjr William Davies, fromToronto, Dec 5; Mjr Ruth Foote, from Windsor, Ont., Dec 6

Calendar

Commissioners William and Marilyn Francis Feb 3-6 divisional officers’ retreat, Ont. GL Div; Feb 21-24 Bermuda Div; Feb 28-Mar 1 Guelph, Ont. Colonels Donald and Ann Copple Feb 2-5 divisional officers’ retreat, Quebec Div; Feb 9-12 divisional officers’ retreat, Maritime Div General and Mrs. Bramwell H. Tillsley (Rtd) Feb 6-8 St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.A. Southern Tty Canadian Staff Band Feb 28-Mar 1, Wyndfield CC, Brantford, Ont.

Celebrate Community

Tribute

TRITON, N.L.—Born in 1918, Dorothy Roberts married her husband, Pleman, in 1935 and together they raised 10 children. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she treasured times when there was a house full of family and friends. Dorothy’s great joy was her love for God and The Salvation Army and she loved participating in various corps activities. She is remembered by daughters Diane (Reg) Rice, Joan (Terry) Whelan and Effie Rideout; sons Gilbert (Marie), Garry (Pearl), Bram (Bessie), Melvin (Shirley) and Glenn (Vida); sister, Naomi Budgell; daughter-in-law, Lillian; 31 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren and many more relatives and friends.

CLARENVILLE, N.L.—The daughter of early-day Salvationists in Monkstown, N.L., Eva Monk (nee Collins) was enrolled as a soldier in 1937. She married and raised her family in the small community where for many years The Salvation Army was the only place of worship. Eva kept busy as the local postmistress as well as running a small business with her husband. However, she always made time to entertain and give loving care to visiting officers, cadets, school teachers and others in need of accommodation. She was an expert at creating hand-crafted items and shared them generously with family, friends and local charities. Eva taught Sunday school, was a life member of the home league and served as home league secretary for 32 years. She was also actively involved in community care ministries following her move to Clarenville in 1973. Eva is remembered by her husband of 75 years, George; her devoted children; 21 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and many who have loved and respected her genuine Salvationism.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont.—Born in 1911, Thelma Haxton was a faithful soldier of Sault Ste. Marie Corps. She was a quiet, elegant woman whose ministry was often behind the scenes. Until the age of 95, she knit mittens for community and family services, bringing them in with a smile. Thelma is lovingly remembered by son, Lynn (Bonnie); daughter-in-law, Barbara; stepdaughter, Donna (Stan); five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

BOWMANVILLE, Ont.—Born in Saint John, N.B., in 1922, Major Zeversa Richards had a contagious cheerfulness that shone through a lifetime of service to God and The Salvation Army. Commissioned in 1944 as a member of the Liberty Session, she spent 37 years in corps ministry in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec, including appointments in Montreal and Ottawa. From 1968 to 1972, Zeversa served at Toronto CFOT, where cadets benefited from her keen sense of duty and integrity. She then served for seven years at the Retired Officers’ Residence in Toronto, the last four as administrator. In 1979, Zeversa took on a challenging appointment as a chaplain with Toronto correctional services where, through her caring ministry, she soon became known as the angel of the West Toronto Detention Centre. Retiring in 1987, she continued to attend and be involved in the ministry of North Toronto Community Church, wearing her Army bonnet with pride. Zeversa is missed by sisters Ella Park, Mary Richards, Connie Campbell and June Moore, her best friend and colleague, Brigadier Ruth Knowles; several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Oshawa Temple 125th Anniversary April 17-19 Led by Commissioners William and Marilyn D. Francis

W.

Friday 6 p.m.—Celebration Dinner (Tickets $25) 7 p.m.—Youth Presentation Saturday 7 p.m.—Celebration Program: Oshawa Temple History Sunday 11 a.m.—Holiness Meeting and Soldier Enrolment (followed by luncheon and cutting of anniversary cake)

Majors Woody and Sharon Hale invite you to consider another incredible

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Egypt

2 p.m.—Musicale

Includes a three-day cruise on the River Nile

Former officers, soldiers and friends are invited to attend or send greetings to 570 Thornton Road North, Oshawa ON L1J 6T6 or e-mail 125@oshawa-temple.org

Read amazing testimonies from our 2007 and 2008 tours at www.creativeventures.ca More information coming soon E-mail wshale@sympatico.ca or phone 905-440-4378

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29

Book Review

Resources

Surprised by Hope N. T. Wright

Review by Major Max Sturge, Staff Writer

T

he Christian community is frequently confronted these days with media assertions that the Bible is unreliable, that an historical Jesus never existed and that his Resurrection is a Christian myth. In Surprised by Hope, internationally respected biblical scholar N.T. Wright not only ably defends Christian beliefs about the afterlife, he shows how our anticipation of the future life should affect our living today.

If Christians go to be “with Christ” when they die (see Philippians 1:23), what will that state of “bliss and refreshment” be like? How will it be different from the new Heaven and new Earth as described in Revelation 21-22? In speaking of our resurrection at the end of time, what did the Apostle Paul mean by the Christian’s “spiritual body” (see 1 Corinthians 15:35-58)? These are questions that Surprised by Hope sets out to answer.

N.T. Wright affirms that while God’s intent is to renew the whole creation (see Romans 8:18-25), this new world has, in fact, already begun in Jesus’ bodily Resurrection and in his spiritually regenerated (“born again”) followers. The Church’s mission is not only to “save souls” but to anticipate the end-time renewal by working for God’s Kingdom today, bringing healing, hope and beauty.

In Salvation Army language, our mission is not only to lead people to a transforming friendship with Jesus Christ, but to co-operate with God in rescuing people from alcohol and drug addiction, reaching out to the homeless and destitute, battling against human sexual trafficking and other injustices. The resurrected Jesus has inaugurated God’s new creation right in the middle of the old one!

I found Wright’s perspective refreshing. Our engagement in this messy world, our participation in God’s Kingdom work on Earth now, is also preparing us for our work and life in the new Heaven/new Earth (see Revelation 21:1). Holiness is the lifestyle that celebrates and embodies that new creation, a holiness characterized by self-giving love and forgiveness. Though affirming the end-time judgment, Wright suggests Hell will be a dehumanized existence in which people who persistently rejected Christ’s saving grace cease to bear the image of God. While this book is not punctuated with a lot of technical theological jargon, you will need to take your time in mining its nearly 300 pages of spiritual insights.

Watch for future issues of Salvationist as we explore these themes March—Health and Wholeness April—Dealing With Death and Grief May—Ecumenism and Other Religions June—Leadership in Action 30

Salvationist February 2009

July—Big Theological Questions August—Back to School September—Life After Retirement

The Attentive Life Discerning God’s Presence in All Things

by Leighton Ford The author invites you on a spiritual journey as he helps you pay attention to God’s work in you and around you, throughout each day and in different seasons of your life. The Attentive Life provides an antidote to life’s distractions and reminds you that there is so much more to discover if you just take the time to notice.

Soul Repair Rebuilding Your Spiritual Life

by Jeff VanVonderen and Dale and Juanita Ryan Do you fear that God is angry with you? Do you wonder if God loves you and is really on your side? If you find yourself living out a burdensome and unfulfilling spirituality, this book is for you. If you are longing to have a relationship with God that works, this book can show you the way.

Just Courage God’s Great Expedition for the Restless Christian

by Gary A. Haugen “There must be more to the Christian life than going to church each Sunday and giving to charity.” If you’ve every had similar thoughts, Gary Haugen offers a bigger vision of God for you to embrace. We’re created by God for adventure.

By engaging in the fight for social justice in our world, we can be a part of God’s great expedition.

Dynamic Diversity Bridging Class, Age, Race and Gender in the Church

by Bruce Milne Christian congregations are called to be centres of reconciliation, where the differences separating human beings are overcome through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Gender, age, ethnicity and socio-economic status offer God’s people opportunities to demonstrate practical unity and become churches that are wonderfully alive.

Consuming Jesus Beyond Race and Class Divisions in a Consumer Church

by Paul Louis Metzger If the Kingdom of God is not segregated, why on earth is the Church? With theological depth, cultural understanding and a prophetic edge, Metzger calls readers to face one of the key issues threatening Christianity in the Western world. A must-read for everyone desiring to restore the local church to a place of compassionate influence.

For these and other great products contact The Salvation Army Christian Book and Supply Centres or purchase online at SalvationArmy.ca/store

Prayer Diary 2009

February 1-7 Focus on Our Core Values: Excellence—“We are innovative and effective” 1 Pray that those involved in developing and implementing Salvation Army ministries will be responsive to God’s guidance as they establish goals and objectives to meet the needs of those they serve 2 As officers and employees evaluate programs, pray that they will have wisdom to discern adjustments that are needed to maximize the effectiveness of the Army’s mission 3 Pray for insight in the allocation of resources so that the best possible use can be made of our assets 4 Pray that The Salvation Army will benefit as officers, soldiers and friends are empowered to use their gifts and expertise to further the mission 5 Pray for those involved in the development of future Salvation Army leaders 6 Pray that God will provide highly motivated, committed, skilled and productive people to carry out the Army’s mission 7 Pray for sensitivity to new possibilities for the Army’s mission in your community

February 8-14 Focus on the World Missions Office at THQ 8 Pray for the tsunami redevelopment project in Sri Lanka. Most

of the work is now completed, but in several communities the Army’s temporary assistance has evolved into permanent ministries 9 Pray for the new HIV/AIDS prevention, control and pastoral care project being undertaken in Tanzania, Malawi and Kenya 10 Pray for the anti-human trafficking project in Tecolotte, Mexico 11 Pray for the more than 2,500 children assisted through the Army’s child sponsorship program 12 Pray for the Army’s International Social Justice Commission and the opportunities this will create for our own territory to address justice issues 13 Pray for the long-term rebuilding projects to which the Army is committed in China’s Sichuan province, led by our own mission partner, Hong Kong 14 Pray for the orphans and vulnerable children in Tanzania, Malawi and Liberia who are now attending school for the first time due to the generous support of donors to the Gifts of Hope program

February 15-21 Focus on Manitoba and Northwest Ontario Division 15 Pray for guidance in the formation of the new camping ministry model for the division 16 Pray for an awareness of areas of ministry in which change is

More than 2,500 children worldwide are assisted through The Salvation Army’s child sponsorship program

needed and for the desire of individual Salvationists to support and participate in these changes 17 Pray for knowledge and wisdom in proceeding with change 18 Pray for the ability to implement sustainable change 19 Pray for responses to the call for full-time service 20 Pray for children’s and youth ministry within the division 21 Pray for healing in local communities

February 22-28 Focus on Overseas Personnel 22 P ray for Mjrs Lindsay and Lynette Rowe, divisional leaders, Mpumalanga and Swaziland Division, Southern Africa Tty 23 Pray for Mjr Joan Canning, assistant national chief secretary, U.S.A. National Headquarters 24 Pray for Mjrs David and Marsha Jean Bowles, territorial children’s and youth secretary, and field secretary with responsibility for

the training of officers, Germany and Lithuania Tty 25 P ray for Mjrs Clarence and Linda Bradbury, director and director of personnel, School for Leadership Development/ Evangeline Booth College, Atlanta, U.S.A. Southern Tty 26 P ray for Cpts Hannu and Geraldine Lindholm, corps officers, Rauma, Finland and Estonia Tty 27 Pray for Mjr Heather Randell, human resources officer, Bangladesh Command 28 Pray for Mjrs Gary and Sharon Cooper, corps officers, Port Macquarie/Wauchope, North New South Wales Division, Australia Eastern Tty The 2009 Prayer Diary is available online at Salvationist.ca. To receive your copy by e-mail, contact Major Gail Winsor, territorial spiritual life and prayer co-ordinator, at gail_ winsor@can.salvationarmy.org

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