International Conference Marked by Diversity
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Putting a Red Cap on Anger
Salvationist The Voice of the Army
September 2012
Meet the Teacher
Salvationist educator Valerie Moreton lives out her faith in the classroom
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September 2012 No. 77 www.salvationist.ca E-mail: salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org
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Departments 3 4 Editorial Higher Education
by Major Jim Champ
8 Around the Territory 16 Mission Matters
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22 Cross Culture 4 23 Media Reviews 24 Celebrate Community
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Public welcome meeting for the General and international leaders marked by diversity, energy and praise by Pamela Richardson
12 Hats Off!
In Regina, The Salvation Army is helping children learn to manage their anger by Kristin Fryer
Seeing With Fresh Eyes More Than Words PRODUCT FORESTChiu STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL Faith in the Classroom by Commissioner Brian PeddleLABELINGbyGUIDE Major Kathie Should you send your children to a Christian or public school? Ministry in Action Talking Points by Steve Pavey Breaking the Cycle Hospitality to Strangers by Ken Ramstead by Major Juan Burry Campus Connection At Brock University, Kassie Van Every takes every opportunity to share her faith by Kristin Fryer 5
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20 Meet the Teachers
Through their actions and lifestyle, two Salvationist educators positively influence their students and co-workers by Melissa Walter
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Inside Faith & Friends Couplet
For Salvationists Rob and Susan Lee, music, teaching and faith are intertwined
Viral Visionary
How Jeff Bethke’s “Why I Hate Religion” video became a YouTube sensation
Service With a Smile
The Salvation Army in Ottawa offered friendship and support to two lonely students
Déjà Vu All Over Again
Total Recall keeps audiences guessing: What is real?
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Share Your Faith When you finish reading Faith & Friends in the centre of this issue, pull it FAITH & out and give it to someone who needs to hear about Christ’s lifeMUSIC LESSONS changing power +
Sharing the Vision
General Linda Bond’s letters to Salvationists around the world can be read at salvationist.ca/ tag/sharing-the-vision
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September 2012
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Inspiration for Living
Teachers Rob and Susan Lee are Raising the Bar on the Rock
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GUESS WHO’S 50? See page 14
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World Watch
Keep up to date on what the Army is doing internationally. Visit salvationist.ca/ worldwatch Salvationist I September 2012 I 3
EDITORIAL
M
Higher Education
y first pastoral visit as the newly appointed corps officer was to the YPSM in Saskatchewan’s Moose Jaw Union Hospital. Henry had been there a few days and his condition was deteriorating quickly. The family had been notified that things were not looking hopeful and that they should prepare for the worst. Henry had been an educator all of his working life, first as a teacher and then as a school principal. Summers had been spent working as an insurance adjuster. Now at age 45, his body was shutting down. The doctors were baffled and as a last resort, they made arrangements for Henry to be treated at a clinic in the United States. It worked. Henry was given a new lease on life and he resumed his teaching career and his place in the corps. When a new family moved into the corps, Henry handed off the YPSM role and reconstructed the corps band from the ground up. New players were recruited and trained. Former players were encouraged and tutored back to an acceptable playing standard. The doctors advised Henry to give up his summer job visiting farms where crops had been damaged by hail. To fill the gap, Henry and his wife decided to take the youth group on a camping trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota to see the Passion Play, a
re-enactment of Christ’s last days on earth. A teacher at heart, each year Henry took on the most challenging books of the Bible to teach at mid-week meeting. The Book of Revelation was his favourite. When Henry spoke, people listened— young and old alike. He was a man of many convictions. And one thing Henry felt very strongly about was the subject of private Christian schools. “Christian education belongs in the home and at the church but not in the public school” was his position, and Henry happily engaged any and all who wanted to debate the matter. Clearly not everyone shared this view and in southern Saskatchewan through to the Alberta foothills and beyond, one could find a number of faith-based schools. The divide continues to this day. As children and parents anticipate the beginning of another school year, Salvationist revisits this important subject. Steve Pavey has had children in both public and Christian schools and has been teaching in the public school elementary system for 11 years. Steve discusses some of the key factors that parents should consider if contemplating a Christian school education for their children (see page 14). We are also pleased to profile Salvationist teachers Valerie Moreton of Mississauga, Ont., and Kim Wilson of Halifax as they seek to live out their faith in the public school system (see page 20). In our sister magazine, Faith & Friends, editor Ken Ramstead captures the love story of teachers Rob and Susan Lee of St John’s, N.L., who are “raising the bar on the Rock.” Teaching our children, whether in the public or private Christian school sector, is a sacred trust. Henry Murray invested his life in the lives of his students. He was not alone. Many other Salvationists, both past and present, have followed this noble pursuit. What they all share in common is a desire to live out their faith and represent Jesus in the classroom. They deserve our support, our respect and our prayers. It gave me great joy to have some believers come and testify to your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it (3 John 1:3). MAJOR JIM CHAMP Editor-in-Chief
4 I September 2012 I Salvationist
Salvationist
is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory Linda Bond General Commissioner Brian Peddle Territorial Commander Major Jim Champ Editor-in-Chief Geoff Moulton Assistant Editor-in-Chief John McAlister Features Editor (416-467-3185) Pamela Richardson News Editor, Production Co-ordinator, Copy Editor (416-422-6112) Major Max Sturge Associate Editor (416-422-6116) Timothy Cheng Art Director Ada Leung Circulation Co-ordinator Kristin Fryer, Ken Ramstead 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.
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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. salvationist.ca salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org facebook.com/salvationistmagazine twitter.com/salvationist
Welcome to
Canada!
Public meeting for the General and international leaders marked by diversity, energy and praise
ne Army on fire! One Mission of love! One Message of grace!” enthused General Linda Bond to the hundreds of Salvationists and friends gathered for the public welcome meeting of the 2012 International Conference of Leaders (ICL) in Toronto. Thunderous applause and music from the Canadian Staff Band greeted the 127 delegates from around the Army world as they entered the auditorium to take their place on the platform. “Welcome to this historic occasion,” said Commissioner Brian Peddle, Canada and Bermuda’s territorial commander, as he greeted those gathered and officially welcomed the delegates to Canada. Under the leadership of the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Barry C. Swanson, and Commissioner Sue Swanson, world president of women’s ministries, the meeting highlighted the internationalism of the Army as representative delegates took part. Music was provided by the staff band, the Salvation Army Korean Community Church Songsters and the Ontario CentralEast Divisional Youth Chorus. In his testimony, Lt-Colonel Xuyen Tam Pho, officer commanding, Hong Kong and Macau, shared his past experiences as a Vietnamese refugee and spoke about how God had remained faithful to him. Commissioner Vibeke Krommenhoek, territorial president of women’s ministries, Finland and Estonia, testified about being used by God since she gave her life to him in her teens. In a particularly poignant moment, a number of the international leaders offered prayer for the Army in their native languages, including Lingala (spoken in the Democratic Republic of Congo) and Spanish. A highlight of the evening was the opportunity for local Salvationists to warmly welcome home their fellow Canadian, General Bond. Following a prolonged and heartfelt round of
Photo: Mark Yan
O
BY PAMELA RICHARDSON, NEWS EDITOR
General Linda Bond is welcomed home to Canada
applause, the General expressed her pleasure at being in Canada. Using The Salvation Army’s International Vision One Army, One Mission, One Message―as the basis for her address, the General encouraged the congregation to be united as they unashamedly declare the gospel of Jesus Christ. “A God-raised, Spirit-filled Army is an Army on fire for the Lord,” she said. In response to the General’s invitation, delegates, officers, retired officers and Salvationists of all ages went forward to rededicate their lives to the service of God. As the area surrounding the Salvationist I September 2012 I 5
mercy seat became filled, General Bond encouraged people to kneel by their chairs or to stand as a declaration of commitment. The meeting concluded on a note of praise as the congregation sang I’ll Go in the Strength of the Lord. With God’s help, The Salvation Army will move into the future as One Army on fire, carrying out One Mission of love and sharing One Message of grace. The event was viewed online by more than 2,000 people. The online broadcast of the event is available at www.salvationarmy. org/ihq/icl.
Photos: Timothy Cheng
Cathie Koehnen leads the Ont. CE Divisional Youth Chorus
A Week in Review
The General speaks from the Word of God
Comr Vibeke Krommenhoek testifies about being used by God
Toronto’s Korean CC Songsters in action 6 I September 2012 I Salvationist
International Conference of Leaders, July 7-14 July 7 • Leaders from every Salvation Army territory and command, commissioners serving at International Headquarters and the national leaders of the United States gather to hear General Linda Bond’s keynote address, during which she outlines the theme of the conference: One Army, One Mission, One Message July 8 • Hundreds of Salvationists and friends attend a public welcome meeting for the General and international leaders (see page 5) July 9 • Commissioner Sue Swanson (World President of Women’s Ministries) presents a paper on women, ministry and leadership • Comr William Roberts (U.S.A. national) explores the topic of self-denial and self-support July 10 • Comr Robert Street (IHQ) introduces a draft booklet, One Army, comprising the first unit of a proposed international curriculum of teaching material for use at corps and centres around the world • Comr Clive Adams (Norway, Iceland and The Færoes Tty) presents an evaluation of work among children and youth July 12 • Delegates participate in the Army’s weekly worldwide prayer meeting • Col Naomi Lalngaihawmi (India Eastern Tty) speaks on evangelism and discipleship • Comr Kenneth Hodder (IHQ) outlines the importance of capabilities, commitment and authority in leadership July 13 • Comr James Condon (Australia Eastern Tty) speaks on serving society’s marginalized • Comr Vinece Chigariro (Zimbabwe Tty) presents on integrated mission July 14 • The General and Chief of the Staff review recommendations arising from the papers presented at the ICL • Delegates reflect on the declaration of intention and commitment to the global vision of One Army, One Mission, One Message (see page 7)
Chief of the Staff Commissioner Barry Swanson
Bandmaster John Lam conducts the Canadian Staff Band
Intention and Commitment
At the final meeting of the ICL, General Linda Bond referred to the prayer of Christ, “that they may be one as we are one� (John 17:11). Highlighting the significance of the mercy seat in the spiritual life of the Army, she declared that the ground at the foot of the cross is level, providing a place where all can be one. Delegates responded to the declaration of intention and commitment to the global vision of One Army, One Mission, One Message prepared for the occasion. Commissioner Brian Peddle, territorial commander for Canada and Bermuda, signed the declaration, acknowledging his commitment to the global vision (see below).
Photo: Mark Yan
Moments of prayer and reflection at the mercy seat
Comr Susamma James kneels in prayer Salvationist I September 2012 I 7
AROUND THE TERRITORY
Spiritual Thirst Quenched at Maritime Conference ON JUNE 1-3, the Maritime Division hosted its annual women’s conference at the Ramada Crystal Palace Hotel in Moncton, N.B. Come Thirsty was the weekend’s theme with guest speaker and soloist Nancy Women at conference in Moncton, N.B. Turley. The 169 women from 26 ministry units enjoyed dance to His Eye is on the Sparrow. Activities social activities, music and spiritual enrichalso included sessions on prayer, crafts and ment. Major Wanda Vincent presented a “walking away the pounds.” During the monologue entitled Woman at the Well, worship times, many women went forward and dinner entertainment included an to pray, including two who committed ensemble of women singing Cleanliness their lives to Jesus for the first time. A is Next to Godliness. Major Glenda Roode worship team composed of women from performed Without the Home League and different areas of the division provided Captain Krista Andrews did a creative music leadership for the weekend.
Put Love Into Action in Regina SALVATIONISTS REACHED OUT WITH acts of kindness and showed their love for Regina as part of Love Regina week, June 3-9. Several churches around the city helped their neighbourhoods and hosted such things as a blood donor clinic, food bank drive, and park and neighbourhood cleanups. On June 5, Salvation Army volunteers planted hundreds of flowers at the Marian Centre and delivered 12 flower planters to a seniors’ residence in the downtown core. “Love Regina is a great opportunity for us to put compassion into action,” says Major Doug Binner, corps officer, Haven of Hope Ministries, Regina.
Mjr Doug Binner plants flowers during Love Regina week 8 I September 2012 I Salvationist
Mjr Roy Langer and Randy Tronsgard give out doughnuts in Calgary
Celebrating Army History ON JULY 2, Alberta and Northern Territories Division marked the 130th year of The Salvation Army in Canada by giving away more than 2,000 doughnuts at festivities in Heritage Park in Calgary. Visitors shared how the Army’s many social programs had positively impacted them over the years. On June 30 at Fort Edmonton Park in Edmonton, 1,000 doughnuts were distributed on the train platform. A display of old uniforms and photos and the portrayal of an old-time open-air service outside a saloon were big hits with the crowd.
Members of the social services team: Caitlin Bancroft, consultant; Mary Ellen Eberlin, territorial social services secretary; Mjr Beverley Woodland, assistant social services secretary; Joanne Tilley, consultant
Social Services Updates Accreditation Standards HAVING SURVEYED STAKEHOLDERS across the territory, the social services department has been revising its accreditation standards and processes to increase effectiveness. Accreditation teams, including a social services consultant and the area commander, visit social services ministry units every three years to assess governance and management, human resources, facility, spiritual care and programs. “The accreditation process is invaluable in supporting ministry units as they build a foundation for mission,” says Mary Ellen Eberlin, territorial social services secretary. Significant changes include: • Updated standards that reflect current Salvation Army operating policies, government legislation and best practices • Simplified language and terminology • Greater direction for chaplains providing spiritual and religious care The revisions will be implemented on January 1, 2013, and the documents will be available for reference and preparation (on Lotus Notes under Social Services Manuals) as of September 4, 2012. “We are excited about this improved tool, and are confident that ministry units will find it valuable and user friendly,” says Caitlin Bancroft, social services consultant.
AROUND THE TERRITORY
Salvationists March in Calgary Stampede CALGARY’S GLENMORE TEMPLE Band participated in the 100th birthday celebrations of the Calgary Stampede. The band is the longest serving one in the stampede parade. Peterborough Temple Band also travelled from Ontario to join them for the event and other anniversary festivities. As the 100 Salvationists, including flag bearers, banner carriers, band members and timbrelists, marched along, the crowd of 400,000 lining the streets cheered and sang as the band played Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory. Many called out greetings and others shouted their thanks for the Army’s work throughout the year. Peterborough Temple’s Doug Leach and Cpt Pam Goodyear, DSPRD, Alta. and Northern Ttys Div, participate in the Calgary Stampede
Thrift Stores Support Ontario Camping Ministry
ARC clients and staff work together to prepare Pine Lake Camp for the season
Sprucing Up Pine Lake Camp WILLING HANDS AND giving hearts were put to work tackling a number of major projects to help get Alberta and Northern Territories Division’s Pine Lake Camp ready for another season of service. Clients of the Anchorage program at Edmonton’s Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre (ARC) were pleased to participate in “Mission in Him Possible III” under the leadership of Kelly Bokovay, Anchorage program manager, and Art Peterson, ARC chaplain. The men repaired two retaining walls, painted a dorm, installed eavestroughs on two cabins, stained benches and the decks of the pool and canteen, assembled picnic tables and repaired the bleacher seating around the campfire. “This is a great opportunity for the men to give back, to get outdoors and to work together,” says Captain Mark Stanley, ARC executive director. “We are already looking ahead to next year.”
REPRESENTATIVES FROM NATIONAL Recycling Operations thrift stores in Ontario visited the Ontario Central-East Division’s camp in Jackson’s Point, Ont., in July to present a cheque for $22,462 to help send children to camp. Present for the occasion were Maria Guayacan and Priscilla Jogaratnam, retail district managers, and Michelle Sanelli and Shaney Cannon, store managers. The money was collected through generous donations made by customers at thrift stores during this year’s Send a Kid to Camp fundraiser. The donation represents the fee required for 102 children to spend a week at either Jackson’s Point Camp or Camp Newport, located in Huntsville, Ont. “A week at camp is an exciting experience for the kids. They swim, make crafts and engage in such activities as archery, canoeing and mountain biking,” says Captain Stephen White, divisional youth secretary, Ontario Central-East Division.
Generous donation brings smiles to the faces of children at Jackson’s Point Camp Salvationist I September 2012 I 9
AROUND THE TERRITORY
Teens Join Mississauga Temple’s Growing Ministry AT MISSISSAUGA TEMPLE, Ont., teens are lending a hand with community care ministries. “We have partnered with our youth pastors to involve community teens who attend corps activities, but don’t necessarily attend worship,” says Betty Spackman, community care ministries secretary. “Salvationists act as surrogate big brothers, sisters and grandparents, mentoring the young people. We do whatever it takes to help them feel loved, such as celebrating their birthdays. We recently provided financial help for two teens to go to a weekend youth retreat.” In return, the teens have volunteered to help with community care ministries by making cookies for shut-ins, preparing a meal for a single mom, shovelling snow or watering gardens for seniors and going to a nursing home as a group to provide musical entertainment. “We just finished a gardening project of planting flowers,” says Spackman. “The teens initiated it and said it was one of the most exciting things they have ever done. They are keen to learn more gardening skills.” Community care ministries at Mississauga Temple also offers babysitting service to single moms, and sometimes surprises them by dropping off a meal. In the spring, community care ministries planned a pizza luncheon for single moms and invited a puppeteer for the children. Community care workers visit shut-ins, go grocery shopping for them and transport them to medical appointments. The group provides a monthly sing-along service at 11 nursing and retirement homes and bi-monthly hospital visitation. “We take our motto of Heart to God and Hand to Man seriously,” says Spackman. “Community care ministries is one of our most effective ministries for the kingdom.”
God Reigns at Springdale Anniversary ON JUNE 15-17, Majors John and Donna Goulding led the 95th anniversary celebrations in Springdale, N.L. One hundred and fifty people attended the Friday evening banquet where Major John Goulding spoke on the weekend theme, Our God Reigns. Other events included a teen worship celebration and a Saturday block party for children. On Sunday evening, a Gaither-style service involved many members of the corps singing in the “choir,” as they gathered around the piano, organ, guitars and drums. Using a slide presentation, Majors Goulding shared a short meditation on the history of the corps and God’s goodness. “There was a full house and we had to use the overflow area for this event,” says Major Cassie Kean, corps officer. In Sunday’s sermons, Majors Goulding stressed God’s faithfulness in forever reigning over his people. On Sunday afternoon, the corps hosted a parade with the brass band on a flat-bed truck followed by the officers, soldiers and other vehicles, bicycles and ATVs. “We wanted the parade to remind the community of God’s faithfulness to the Springdale Salvation Army and its 95 years of service to the community,” says Major Kean.
The Salvation Army Islandview Citadel Mortgage Burning Weekend Celebration September 28-30, 2012 Special Guests: Lt. Col. Wayne & Myra Pritchett Teens learn how to plant flowers with skilled community-care gardeners
Be involved in the Army’s present Be part of the Army’s future For the latest news online, visit us at
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10 I September 2012 I Salvationist
Greetings from former officers and friends can be sent to:
P.O. Box 25, Musgravetown, NL, A0C 1Z0 Luanne_Barrow@can.salvationarmy.org
AROUND THE TERRITORY
Building for Christ in Cuba “MISSION: CUBA 4 gave me the opportunity to put into action the calling by God to do for others,” testifies Neil Leduke, director of communications, Ontario Central-East Division. Using the theme Building for Christ, 23 people from across Canada participated in a mission trip to Santa Clara, Cuba. Team members worked on building projects, participated in worship, led a vacation Bible school and showed the Jesus Film to locals. The team constructed a new three-bedroom quarters and painted the corps building inside and out. “The renovated old quarters will now serve as a community outreach centre,” says Major Brenda Murray, Ontario government relations liaison, Ontario Central-East Division. To encourage team members in their own spiritual journeys, devotions each evening focused on topics such as love, forgiveness, service and devotion. “I fell more in love with Jesus by experiencing the friendship and love of his disciples, Cuban and Canadian alike,” says Kristine Verdon from Edmonton Crossroads Community Church. “It was an amazing experience.” This was the fourth trip to Cuba organized by the Ontario Central-East Division, under the leadership of Majors John and Brenda Murray. Information on the next trip, Mission: Cuba 5, can be found at salvationarmy.ca/ontariocentraleast.
A team organized by Ont. CE Div built a new quarters in Santa Clara, Cuba
Did you know … … The Salvation Army launched a new thrift store in Regina’s Glencairn neighbourhood? It is the Army’s largest store in Western Canada. Politicians, customers and staff were on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and barbecue. More than 150 customers lined up to spend $18,227 on opening day … the Army’s community and family services in Windsor, Ont., hosted a family day event in the parking lot of the Windsor Community and Rehabilitation Centre (WCRC)? Approximately 160 people enjoyed games, food and music. Mjr Don Feltham, executive director of the WCRC, co-ordinated the barbecue and the preparation of 350 hot dogs. Men from the Men’s Addiction Support Treatment (MAST) program assisted with setting and cleaning up for the event.
Day Camp Adventures at Oshawa Temple FOR THE 12TH consecutive year, children from all walks of life participated in day camp at Oshawa Temple, Ont. “Camp is a thrilling and unforgettable place where kids interact with others from different cultural, social or economic backgrounds,” says Shona Burditt, director of youth and children’s ministries. “For some of our children, camp is the only vacation they will get.” The camp welcomes children with special needs in its activities. “We accommodate children with attention deficit disorder, autism and physical disabilities, to name a few,” says Burditt. “They often surprise themselves with what they accomplish.” Bible-based programs range from regular camp to sports, drama, arts and music camps. “While day camps give kids a week’s getaway, parents also appreciate the break,” says Burditt. “They are grateful to know their children are in good hands.” Six-year old Emily appreciated two things about her camp experience: “I learned that God forgives all sins. And the kids here don’t bully.”
George Papadopoulos and Leonard Benoit, two of the WCRC residents, provided musical entertainment … The Salvation Army Comox Valley Ministries in British Columbia has added two-percent milk to its emergency food hamper program? “With the support of Dairyland and a grant from an anonymous donor, we are able to provide one litre of milk to every member of a family that books an appointment with our office, four times a year,” says Brent Hobden, community ministries director … Victoria’s Westsong CC participated in the eighth annual chili cook-off hosted by the Rotary Club of West Shore and won the people’s choice trophy for its Blazin’ Sally chili? More than 15 other teams competed. The Rotary Club created the event to
welcome the summer season and to raise money for community work … an agreement has been made between the government of British Columbia and The Salvation Army to keep the Army’s homeless shelter in Courtenay open around-the-clock? The shelter was a night-only facility up until last winter … The Salvation Army Winnipeg Booth Centre Ministries is receiving $135,000 from the federal government as part of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy? Booth Centre will use the money to collect data and provide technical support and training to service providers with the aim of better understanding the causes and challenges of homelessness
Salvationist I September 2012 I 11
Hats Off!
In Regina, The Salvation Army is helping children learn to manage their anger
I
t looks like an ordinary red hat, but for the children who have completed the Red Cap program, it’s an extraordinary achievement. Red Cap is an anger management program for children aged eight to 12 that addresses a real need in many schools today. As teachers and parents look for ways to combat common social problems such as bullying, vandalism and selfharm, Red Cap teaches children to manage their anger in a positive way. And at Coronation Park Community School in Regina, the transforming power of Red Cap has not gone unnoticed. Lunchtime Lessons The Red Cap program began with River Street Ministries at Corps 614 in Toronto and has spread from there. In 2007, an official Red Cap handbook was developed to standardize the curriculum and provide training for leaders. Red Cap is new to Regina, having launched at Coronation Park, a school for high-needs children, last spring. The program grew out of an established relationship between the school and The Salvation Army’s Haven of Hope Ministries, which also runs a lunch program at the school. “We were discussing the lunch program with the school and they asked if there were other programs we could offer,” says Val Wiks, community ministries co-ordinator at Haven of Hope. “When I told them about Red Cap, they were excited and wanted to know more.” Wiks says that the school hoped the Red Cap program 12 I September 2012 I Salvationist
BY KRISTIN FRYER, STAFF WRITER would not only help children learn to manage their anger, but also help them become leaders in the school. With teacher input, the principal selected eight students who could benefit from participating in the program. Before the program began, Wiks met with the students and explained Red Cap to them, and all of them agreed to participate. As Charity Putman, a Red Cap volunteer, explains, each of these eight children—five boys and three girls—had exhibited harmful behaviour. “There was a lot of concern with the kids about bullying,” she says. “We had kids who were prone to bullying and kids who were being bullied on a regular basis.” The Red Cap program ran for four weeks, with two one-hour sessions held during lunchtime each week. Though the content of the sessions varied, each meeting began with lunch and a discussion of recent situations the children faced where they felt angry. “At first, the children were very polite and reserved,” says Putman. “But as the sessions went on, we didn’t need to prompt them to talk about situations that made them angry and how they dealt with them. They knew that Red Cap was a safe environment where they could say what they thought and they weren’t going to be belittled.” In these discussions, the leaders suggested actions that the children could take in future conflict situations, but they also encouraged them to come up with their own solutions.
After completing the Red Cap course, the children at Coronation Park Community School received a certificate and a red hat at a school-wide graduation ceremony
“The children knew that Red Cap was a safe environment where they could say what they thought and they weren’t going to be belittled” “We never talked teacherto-student to them,” says Putman. “We asked them, ‘What do you think?’ And because of that, the children became more confident in their own responses and actions.” These discussions were complemented by an interactive approach to learning. At each session, the students and leaders re-enacted some of the conflict situations the
students shared to give them an opportunity to practise problem-solving techniques. The children also completed worksheets, goal sheets and colouring activities, and played games that helped them internalize the lessons of Red Cap. Before the program concluded, the children shared their experiences by drawing on pieces of foam board and combining them into a mural. Seeing Red, Yellow and Green Every session of Red Cap centres on the “traffic light” method of anger management. As Wiks explains, “We use the traffic light as a visual because it is something we see every day. The red light reminds the children that the first thing you do when you start to feel angry is to stop and calm down. The amber light reminds them to think of a plan, and then the green light reminds them to problem-solve wisely. “One of the things we taught them was that anger is normal, and that taking this
“The kids were so excited to get their hats,” remembers Audrey Arndt, a Red Cap volunteer. After the graduation, they took a group picture, which was printed and framed for each of the children. The Red Cap leaders wrote encouraging notes around the pictures before giving them to the children. Room to Grow Given the success of Red Cap last year, Haven of Hope will run another session starting this month. Wiks plans to do two sessions each year—one in the fall and one in the spring. The success of Red Cap has also given The Salvation Army the opportunity to expand its ministry at Coronation Park. Before the school year ended, the principal asked Haven of Hope to create a new program at the school designed to teach the students manners. Similar to Red Cap, the manners program will run once a week at lunchtime for eight weeks. Though none of these programs are faith-based, as Coronation Park is a public school, Wiks believes that the faith of the leaders shines through. “On more than one occasion, the principal has said that The Salvation Army has been a blessing to the school,” she notes. As a new school year begins, she hopes to build on The Salvation Army’s relationship with Coronation Park, serving the school wherever they are needed.
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course was not going to stop them from getting angry; it was just going to help them deal with it better,” Wiks adds. “We also let them know that, as adults, we get angry, too, and sometimes we don’t handle it well, either.” The response to the Red Cap program was overwhelmingly positive. “The kids really enjoyed coming to the class and they were upset when they had to miss,” says Wiks. “It was very helpful for them,” says Putman. “The kids who were being bullied learned how to cope, and the kids who were being aggressive had the chance to understand what their actions were doing to the other kids.” Even before they finished the program, the children were applying what they had learned. In one case, two of the boys in the program had a conflict, but instead of fighting, they went and talked to the principal who helped them resolve the problem. At the end of the school year, the students who completed Red Cap were recognized in front of the entire school. “The school was very supportive,” says Wiks. “Every year, Coronation Park holds a graduation ceremony where the students transfer from one grade to another. And at the beginning of the ceremony, we did our Red Cap graduation where each child received a certificate and a red hat.”
Red Cap uses the traffic light as a visual to help children manage their anger. The traffic light reminds children to stop and calm down (red light), think of a plan (amber light) and problem-solve wisely (green light)
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Faith in the Classroom
Should you send your children to a Christian or public school?
Photo: © iStockphoto.com/nautilus_shell_studios
BY STEVE PAVEY
W
hich is better, a Christian or public school? This question has been debated in many Christian homes with the desire to raise children who are knowledgeable and wellbalanced disciples of Christ. The answer seems obvious: choose God over the world. But since the experiences can differ from school to school, you should carefully explore the benefits and challenges that both systems offer for your family. Christian Worldview The benefits of a Christian school seem obvious at first. Your child has the opportunity to learn about God in an environment where all subjects and events are held up to their relevance to the 14 I September 2012 I Salvationist
Bible. Makes sense, right? Well, there are those who feel that Christian schools shelter children from the real world. In my experience, this fear is a myth. For the most part, children in Christian schools watch the same TV programs as public school kids, enjoy the same YouTube videos, read the same books and eat the same things for breakfast. In fact, there are many nonChristian families who send their children to Christian schools because they are private schools that foster good morals and work ethic. Not all kids at Christian schools are professing Christians or fully appreciate the Bible. The main difference is that Christian schools don’t have their hands tied when it comes to unashamedly rendering the message of the gospel.
One drawback is that a Christian school environment, like any private school, costs money. Many Christian school families sacrifice vacations, larger homes and extra-curricular activities to pay for their kids’ education. However, some Christian schools offer reduced tuition with each successive child you enrol. The more children you have, the less it costs for each additional child. As well, some give fee reductions when parents do a specified amount of volunteer work in the school. Nonetheless, there is a financial cost. This is a significant contrast to the public school system, which doesn’t cost you more than what you already pay on your property tax. That’s the stinger—as a Christian school parent, you pay for both school systems. Money is also a relevant fac-
tor when you look at the costs of running a school. The local elementary school at the end of your street draws on funds from a larger entity—your school board—which draws on government funds. While there is always the potential for program cuts, generally the school board provides your child with everything that is essential to the curriculum and even extras such as sports teams, musicals and clubs. Public schools are now moving toward taking ownership of supplying things such as pencils, books and even instrument mouthpieces—with the goal of cutting down on extra fees for families. Christian schools, historically, have not had the additional funds to offer the same activities found in public schools. Many have relied on fundraising and increasing fees to grow numerically and expand programming. In recent years, however, Christian schools have seen expansion of buildings and programs thanks to effective fundraising campaigns. Diverse Curriculum It would be trivial to say that money is the main separation between the two school systems. Curriculum is another key factor. The public school curriculum is frequently reviewed—some would argue that it gets changed too often. The curriculum is standardized across the province, but there is wide latitude for teachers to choose different ways of presenting the curriculum. Teachers can generally choose the textbooks, novels, poetry—and fit them into the framework of the curriculum. Teachers are required to use a diverse teaching style that meets the needs of all learners, and a single school day may vary from teacher-centred learning, teacher-assisted learning, group learning and individual-focused learning. Teachers are to differentiate.
Many Christian schools now use the provincial curriculum, especially if they are a part of a Christian association of schools, and operate their learning much like the public system. This makes it easier for your child to transition to a public system if necessary. Some Christian schools in Canada, however, use American curriculum. This means the content in mathematics is not in metric, the language uses American spelling and terms, and the history is American (though most don’t restrict themselves to American content). Also, this curriculum is often designed to one type of learning, that of learning by rote—repeating, repeating, repeating, until it is learned. Some prefer this style of learning, while others find it non-engaging. In this environment, students sit in straight rows, and the focus is mainly on the teacher and the textbook. With this style, many schools are not able to engage or meet the needs of all learners and they end up with discipline problems, or losing students to other schools. When looking at a Christian school, you should find out whether the teachers have flexibility in content choice or teaching style. Standards of Excellence There are occasionally differences in educational standards. Public schools follow plans for continuous improvement and question how they can do things better at staff meetings and board discussions. There are standards of excellence that are set and teachers are required to follow guidelines around personal conduct. This often relates to discipline—the things teachers are allowed to do or not. Also, teachers are to follow a standardized homework policy, detailing approximately how much time should be spent on homework daily. Most importantly, the public constantly evaluates meth-
ods of assessment and these become standardized. Many Christian schools are on par with the public schools in this regard. Once again, those that belong to an association are able to draw on resources for better learning and are held accountable on many fronts, as in the public system. Unlike a school board, which standardizes its schools, there are a number of Christian school associations and some have different levels of compliance for membership. When looking at a Christian school, find out which association the school belongs to and research its educational standards. Some Christian schools are not part of an association. Assessment varies from teacher to teacher. Some teachers give out hours of homework per night, while others may give little. Some of these schools cannot afford to hire certified teachers and the result can often be a teacher struggling to teach curriculum while maintaining discipline, as well as frustrated students and parents. In searching for a Christian school, you would do better to find one within a Christian school association or probe the school on these issues. Positive Influences Some teachers in the public school are great to work with and some are challenging. Likewise, some teachers in the Christian school are great to work with and some are challenging. As Christian school parents, however, you would have prayers being lifted up for your child to God by his or her teacher. During times of crisis or celebration, you can be supported by an entire Christian school community. While the public school system doesn’t have an explicit faith component, don’t discount that there are many Christian teachers, principals, secretaries and caretakers in the public system praying for students
and who capitalize on ways to share their faith. In addition, there are teachers outside of the Christian faith who show Christlike qualities as they demonstrate love and try to bring out the best in your child. Some Christian parents even start neighbourhood prayer groups. Is Jesus in the public schools? He certainly is! Lastly, there is the school environment. Most notable is that in the public school, your child will, almost daily, hear coarse language and be exposed to worldly values and lifestyles that are contrary to the Bible. This occurs in Christian schools, too, but I would have to say it is softened to a degree where you definitely see a noticeable difference and the schools can address behaviour using the Bible as a moral standard. There are other notable differences which fall in the area of personal preferences. With the public school, children wear whatever they want within a relaxed dress code. The location is the school nearest you—bussing is provided if you don’t live close enough. You can choose between regular stream, Catholic and French immersion. When researching a Christian school, determine if there are uniforms and decide how you feel about them. Also, determine whether the distance from your home is feasible as a long-term arrangement. Will your children have to go to before- and after-
school care? Will your children be close enough to get together with friends from school during evenings or weekends? Know Your Child There is much to consider in making a choice between Christian and public schools. If you are leaning toward public school, make sure your children are connected to other Christian youth and regular worship. If you think a Christian school is where you should send your children, look into costs, curriculum, standards and the other considerations mentioned, while researching the Christian school association, if any. The question then is not, “Which system is better?” but “Which is better for you?” as you prayerfully consider your choices. Most importantly, whichever system you choose, don’t leave your child’s faith up to your school. Don’t forget your calling as a Christian parent to help foster your child’s faith in your own home. It is your responsibility as a parent to “start children off on the way they should go” (Proverbs 22:6). Salvationist Steve Pavey is currently a parent of children in the public school system, was a Christian school parent for eight years and has been teaching in the public school elementary system for 11 years. He is a member of Richmond Hill Community Church, Ont.
The Salvation Army Red Deer Church
100th Anniversary October 12-14, 2012 Special Guests:
Commissioners Brian and Rosalie Peddle Musical Guests:
The Canadian Staff Band
•
Greetings from former officers and friends can be sent to: 4837 54th Street, Red Deer AB T4N 2G5 Phone: 403-346-2251 E-mail: larry_bridger@can.salvationarmy.org Salvationist I September 2012 I 15
MISSION MATTERS
Seeing With Fresh Eyes As we move forward in mission, we need to view ourselves and the world around us as God does BY COMMISSIONER BRIAN PEDDLE
Army. The One Army, One Message, One Mission vision has become a rallying cry that has encircled the globe. On that occasion, those present experienced her passion for “One Army on fire, One Mission of love and One Message of grace.” I want to describe our Army as reflecting the fire of the Holy Spirit, compelled by God’s love, extended and offered by grace to a needy world. I echo General Albert Orsborn’s song: All my work is for the Master He is all my heart’s desire O that he may count me faithful In the day that tries by fire.
A
fter reading too many e-mails on a small flickering screen, I sensed a change in my vision and realized that I was due for an eye exam. Visiting an optometrist is not a painful experience, but I dread the rapid switching of the lenses and the continued questioning of, Is that better or is this better? I want to get it right because the end result determines whether I will have clear vision for the next two years. A number of months ago I wrote an article entitled Focusing the Vision (see January 2012 issue of Salvationist). I acknowledge that the concern I carry for our territory will not be met by some as a new or clever approach, but I believe it should receive a response as we seek God’s heart for this Army raised up by him, purpose driven by him and, at the end of the day, blessed by him. The longer I serve as territorial com16 I September 2012 I Salvationist
mander, the more aware I become of how much influence I have on the shape, direction and identity of God’s Army in the Canada and Bermuda Territory. There, I have said it; it’s not my Army. When it comes to a vision for the Army, my dependence on God and his mission prompts me to peer through his lens and ask the question, Is that better or is this better? The need to get this right has eternal implications. If the Army was to position itself for an outpouring of Holy Spirit power, it would likely be linked with its people being fully devoted to God’s work in every community where we serve. I am convinced that when we walk and work in his way, he will not withhold his blessing. During the public welcome meeting at the International Conference of Leaders (see page 5), General Linda Bond shared her unfolding vision for The Salvation
I recently enrolled several senior soldiers during a visit to a corps. As I met with them, I encountered a couple new to the Army. They both had professional backgrounds. When I asked what had brought them to the Army, they replied, “We needed someone to talk to and we turned into the church parking lot. We found a listening ear, we came back on Sunday and we stayed. We were captured by a personal call to be involved in mission and the Army was perfect for us. Now we can see beyond ourselves to the needs of others. What God has given us, we now offer to others.” As the optometrist switched the lens, things became clearer. I could have stopped him at any time but together we kept pressing forward to achieve the clearest possible vision. I testify that I have surrendered my personal preferences as I pursue God’s best for this Army. I am encouraged as I see God’s Army at work, hear the personal stories and celebrate the good news reports. Every 20 seconds, someone walks through the door of a Salvation Army ministry unit. There is no doubt in my mind that the “fields are white to harvest” (see John 4:35). People often ask me what I see in the Army’s future. My response is this: I see an Army, mobilized, sharing the central message of salvation to the whole world through the living testimonies of discipled men, women and young people. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100:5). Commissioner Brian Peddle is the territorial commander of the Canada and Bermuda Territory.
Campus Connection At Brock University, Kassie Van Every takes every opportunity to share her faith BY KRISTIN FRYER, STAFF WRITER
G
oing into university, I had heard so many stories about Christians who go to school and then fall away from their faith, and I was really worried about that,” remembers Kassie Van Every, who has just entered her fourth year at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont. “I’m not very outgoing, so I was afraid that I wouldn’t get connected to a church or have Christian friends. But my first day in residence, I sat down for dinner with a group of girls, and it turned out that everyone at the table was a Christian.
Right away, I knew that this was where God wanted me to be.” That first semester, Van Every joined the St. Catharines Corps and became involved with Power to Change, an on-campus Christian ministry. Three years later, Van Every is a mentor and a Bible study leader at Brock, but her greatest passion is evangelism, a ministry she admits “is something I said I would never do.” Growing up in Delhi, Ont., Van Every attended Simcoe Community Church with her family. Before leaving home for
university, she taught Sunday school and sang on the worship team at the corps, and she spent several summers at music camp. “I learned so much at camp and I had wonderful counsellors,” she says. “They would e-mail me throughout the year to see how I was doing and tell me that they were praying for me.” Van Every has since been a camp counsellor herself, first at Camp Glenhuron in Bayfield, Ont., and then as part of a Camp at Home team. In her final year of high school, Van Every participated in X{LR}:8, a Salvation Army youth mentorship program. Through this, she developed a desire to disciple others and so, in her second year at Brock, Van Every became a Power to Change Bible study leader and a mentor to two girls in her Bible study group. Becoming a Bible study leader was just the push she needed to start sharing her faith on campus. “Evangelism was something that scared me, so I avoided it,” she recalls. During her first year, she was involved with Power to Change, but she passed on any outreach opportunity. But as a Bible study leader, Van Every had a responsibility to her group. “If the girls in my group wanted to go out sharing, they needed to have someone to take them, so I thought, ‘I should learn how to do this,’ even though I didn’t want to,” she says. On her first night of sharing, Van Every went to the university’s cafeteria and starting talking to a student with another Bible study leader. “We asked her for her name and when she told us I thought, ‘That sounds familiar,’” she remembers. “A couple of days before, a friend of mine had asked me to pray for some girls on her wrestling team. The girl at the cafeteria was one of her teammates. Right there,
I knew that God was working and I was hooked.” As she continued to share her faith regularly at Brock, Van Every was surprised at how receptive people were. “We go to people and ask them if they would be interested in talking about spiritual things. If they’re willing, we share the gospel with them,” she says. “Most of the time, they’re friendly and open to talking with us.” When people are less open, however, Van Every says it can be difficult not to feel discouraged. “Last February, I went to the University of Glasgow in Scotland with Power to Change, and we found that the students were generally less receptive and were not willing to talk to us,” she says. “That was hard. “When I feel discouraged, I try and remind myself to pray and ask God for guidance and direction—where to go and who to talk to. And, ultimately, whatever happens is in his hands.” Off-campus, Van Every attends the St. Catharines Corps, where she is a worship team member and a youth leader. Last year, she led the youth group on a trip to Hillcrest Community Church in London, Ont., where she shared her testimony and helped the youth perform skits that she wrote. Van Every is studying drama and English with the aim of becoming a teacher, but she is considering going into full-time ministry. Though she does not know what the future holds, she says that God has given her a heart for university students, and she sees university as a unique opportunity for ministry. “You have people from all over the world at universities—people who will go out and become leaders and make a difference,” she says. “If we reach them, then we can change the world.” Salvationist I September 2012 I 17
MINISTRY IN ACTION
Photo: © iStockphoto.com/karens4
Breaking the Cycle
More than a shelter, Vancouver’s Belkin House provides clients with a way out of hopelessness and despair BY KEN RAMSTEAD, EDITOR, FAITH & FRIENDS AND FOI & VIE
J
ordan was 53 years old and had spent more than 25 of them in prison. His latest four-year sentence had been for robbery. “Most of my life has revolved around getting and using drugs such as heroin, and I committed a lot of crimes to get heroin,” he says. “This last time in prison, I decided I needed to do something with my life. I was just fed up.” When Jordan was released, though, he had nowhere to go and he was afraid he’d start his destructive cycle all over again. He expressed his concerns to his parole officer and she arranged for him to go to Belkin House, a Salvation Army facility in Vancouver, and join their PDP (Personal Development Plan) program. “Belkin House changed my life,” says a grateful Jordan. Birth of a Notion Now in its eighth year of operation, Belkin House is a 230-unit mixed-use residential facility perched on the edge of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, often called Canada’s poorest postal code. 18 I September 2012 I Salvationist
“That’s one of the great things about Belkin House,” says Prabath Pullay, director of residential services. “We’re not in the Downtown Eastside but we are not very far from somebody who wants help. Clients often mention that they can come here without being confronted by a drug dealer, so that’s a good thing about this location.” A tour of the facility, from its spacious ground floor to its upper rooms, confirms the pride that both clients and staff have for the premises. No graffiti mars its walls, no garbage litters its hallways. There is one thing the single male occupant rooms and the dedicated floor for mothers and children lack, however. “We have purposefully said no to cable or telephones in the single rooms,” explains Pullay. “The building was designed in such a way that residents don’t look at it as permanent housing. We have a community TV room on every wing of the floor so that at least 15 people share one TV room. Community is encouraged but we also want to discourage clients to think of Belkin as a long-term housing solution,
and that concept is behind the whole idea of a Personal Development Plan.” Wide Range of Support While Belkin House provides an emergency
Belkin House is an open, inviting place for clients
MINISTRY IN ACTION shelter and highly acclaimed mentoring and support system for those reintegrating into the community from federal correctional institutions, the PDP program is the cornerstone of Belkin House. At the core of the PDP program is the premise that the clients are trying to take that “next step” forward in breaking out of a cycle of poverty, crime or addiction. In concert with case workers, they develop their own personal development goal that will assist them to become productive and self-sufficient members of the greater community. “There are a few components that are common to all the clients,” explains Stephen Bell, a Belkin House case worker and counsellor, “but for most, it’s a deeply personal plan on a number of levels. For some, it’s finding a job, for others, it’s finding a place to live independently and, for still others, it’s breaking the hold that addiction has on them.” To support the clients’ PDPs, Belkin House offers a range of support systems, including a four-week life-skills program, which includes topics ranging from employment, housing, mental and physical health, resum��������������������� é�������������������� preparation, financial and literacy skills, and basic cooking skills. Belkin House also provides 12 Step courses, peer support and literacy assistance. Faith is central to everything Belkin House does, with case workers also serving as chaplains. While none of Belkin House’s spiritual formation programming is mandatory, the staff approaches clients holistically, addressing their physical, mental, emotional, intellectual and social needs. Spiritual Connection Jordan has been out of prison now for over a year, the longest time he has not been incarcerated. He sees himself owning a home one day and giving back to the community by helping others like himself. “Most importantly, I have found God,” Jordan says quietly. “I always knew he was a part of my life, but I ignored him, until now. “It’s been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” “Belkin House has a great building, great programs in place, experienced and well-trained staff,” says Captain Jim Coggles, former executive director. “But what all of this really comes down to is one person connecting with another person on a meaningful and spiritual level: people helping people. And isn’t that what The Salvation Army is all about?”
Clean, safe and comfortable accommodations are available at Belkin House
S T O P WEEKEND OF PRAYER HUMAN TRAFFICKING 28-30 SEPTEMBER 2012 SALVATIONIST.CA/TRAFFICKING
Salvationist I September 2012 I 19
Meet the Teachers Through their actions and lifestyle, two Salvationist educators positively influence their students and coworkers BY MELISSA WALTER
Conducting a Full Life A SALVATIONIST AT Mississauga Temple, Ont., Valerie Moreton teaches instrumental music at a middle school in Toronto. Outside of the classroom, she fills her hours with similar activities, such as leading the beginner band and worship team at church and teaching at Salvation Army music camps at Jackson’s Point, Ont. This month, Moreton returns to her classroom, which is located in a school in Toronto’s at-risk Jane and Finch neighbourhood. She will teach every one of its more than 500 students, and will also lead the school bands and organize the school’s talent show. In her spare time, she plays solo horn for the Canadian Staff Band. Moreton acknowledges that her busy schedule can mean sacrificing time for herself, but she says that working with children is one of the most fulfilling aspects of her life. “It doesn’t matter whether I’m working with them at camp, church or school, I just love kids,” she says. “I get to pour love into children’s lives and see them blossom when they know that someone cares about them.” The hectic life of band concerts and school practices also brings Moreton meaningful opportunities to share her passions for music and Christ. “It’s fantastic when I’m playing in a Salvation Army band at Christmas at a shopping mall and a student is there and recognizes me,” she adds. “I’m proud to show them that this is the organization I’m connected to.” Moreton joined The Salvation Army as a college student. “It was amazing to be able to go to a church where I could praise God through an instrument,” she says. As a teacher, she shares her enthusiasm for music with all the students she comes in contact with. “All children, regardless of whether 20 I September 2012 I Salvationist
myself ‘Am I responding in a Christlike way?’ has made me a stronger Christian. Teaching has made me look at how my faith influences everything I do from day to day.” As a driven leader and a committed Christian, Moreton believes she has an important calling. “Teaching is my ministry. I feel I’m called to speak into the lives of youth. Over the last 13 years, I’ve been able to work with more than 3,000 children and show them the love of Christ.”
Lifelong Learning
As a teacher, Valerie Moreton shares her passions for music and Christ
“Teaching has made me look at how my faith influences everything I do from day to day” the music has meaning to them, think it’s cool to be able to put something together and perform it,” she explains. Despite the similarities between her church and work life, Moreton recognizes the importance of balancing her Christian beliefs in a secular workplace. “Many years ago I sat back and thought, ‘When I lose my temper or I’m short with a kid, ultimately I’m not showing them Christ.’ Asking
WHEN KIM WILSON speaks about her current graduate studies in school leadership, her love for learning is instantly apparent. “If I expect teachers and students to be excited about learning, I have to show them that I’m still excited about learning, too,” she explains. “I want to pass on to children that education helps us understand ourselves better and what we need to do in the world,” she says. “The children who understand that learning is a doorway to other things, those are the ones who are successful. The ones who see learning as a chore usually end up being unsuccessful because they’ve separated learning from life.” A soldier at the corps in Sackville, N.S., Wilson certainly follows her own advice. When she completes this program, it will be her third master’s degree. Wilson begins a new position as principal of a small elementary school in Halifax this fall. For the past eight years, she worked as a vice principal. Although she misses the close interaction of the classroom, the broader scope of her current role inspires her. “As a teacher, I could see students flourishing in one environment and not in another, and I wanted to have the opportunity to impact the climate of a whole school instead of just individual classrooms.”
After years of service as both a teacher and school administrator, Wilson has faced a number of challenges, the greatest of
School principal Kim Wilson believes education is a doorway to success
which is responding to the difficult home lives of many of her students. “For some students, school is the only dependable thing in their lives,” she says. “Talking with children or young adults who don’t feel connected to their families is heartbreaking. During those times I’m most thankful for my faith, because otherwise I don’t know how I would bring hope to others. My faith reminds me that if Christ didn’t give up on me, then I shouldn’t be giving up on anybody else.” Wilson’s faith affects her career in other ways as well. “I tend to deal with things from a positive perspective because I think that’s one of the things that Christianity gives us,” she says. “I’ve had a few teachers ask me, ‘Why are you always telling me that there’s a good side to things? How do you stay so positive?’ That opens the door for me to say, ‘I can do that because I don’t have to do it on my own.’ ” Wilson concludes that teaching is at the heart of who she is as a person and as a Salvationist. “One of our biggest obligations as Christians is to live our lives with integrity in the world,” she says. “I think part of that integrity is being true to who Christ wants us to be. “As a teacher I believe very strongly
that everybody has something incredible to offer, and I think The Salvation Army believes that as well. For me, when God called me to him, he called me to be a Christian teacher.”
The Salvation Army Moose Jaw Citadel 125th Anniversary March 2013 We invite former officers, soldiers, adherents or those associated with the corps to submit photos, stories, etc., to be included in a timeline being compiled to celebrate 125 years of service in Saskatchewan. Please forward to: gerald_ reilly@can.salvationarmy.org or salreception@shaw.ca
Keynote Speaker: Rex Murphy Social Commentator and Editorialist Rex Murphy is one of Canada’s most respected opinion leaders. His witty intellect and profound insight into issues affecting Canadians are the reasons why they tune in regularly to his weekly CBC radio show, Cross Country Checkup, watch him on CBC TV’s The National, and read his column in The National Post.
A Leadership Breakfast with The Salvation Army
Tickets: Table of 10 - $500
Friday, November 23rd, 2012, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. The Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto, ON
Call Lisa Marinis at 416-321-2654 ext. 210 or email lisa_marinis@can.salvationarmy.org Salvationist I September 2012 I 21
CROSS CULTURE
A Battle of Biblical Proportions Bible quiz show debuts this fall
THE BESTSELLING BOOK of all time is coming to TV this fall in the form of a new game show. The American Bible Challenge, which aims to “celebrate the Bible and its place in American culture,” will be hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, who also hosts Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? The American Bible Challenge will put contestants’ knowledge of Scripture to the test. But, going beyond Bible trivia, the show will also ask contestants questions about the Bible in a broader context, looking at its place in history and relating it to contemporary themes and issues. Unlike most other game shows, the contestants will not be competing for themselves. Instead, the money they win will go to a charity or ministry of their choosing. And The American Bible Challenge will have a personal flavour, giving contestants the opportunity to share their life-stories, as well as their Bible expertise. The American Bible Challenge airs on Thursdays on the Game Show Network.
Faith Like a Child
A new book argues that religious belief is innate IS IT NATURAL for children to believe in a god? Or is religious belief just something that is imposed on them by society? This nature-or-nurture debate is at the heart of Born Believers: The Science of Children’s Religious Belief, a new book by developmental psychologist and anthropologist Dr. Justin L. Barrett (author of Why Would Anyone Believe in God?). In Born Believers, Barrett argues strongly against the “indoctrination hypothesis”—the idea that children are religious only because their parents teach them to be—referring to various scientific studies which show that, across cultures, children naturally develop a belief in a divine power who brings order to the world. As Barrett writes, “Children are born with minds ready to make sense of the world around them;” they see design and purpose in the world and they automatically look for an agent behind it. The book is divided into two parts: The Evidence, which presents the scientific case for innate religious belief, and The Implications, which challenges the idea that belief in God is childish and offers suggestions for how parents can encourage their children’s religious development. 22 I September 2012 I Salvationist
Writing a New Story
The Magic of Belle Isle is a family-friendly tale of redemption MONTE WILDHORN (MORGAN Freeman) is a wheelchair-bound author who struggles with alcoholism and has lost his desire to write. Wanting to escape, Monte moves to a lakeside cabin in Belle Isle where he meets Charlotte O’Neil (Virginia Madsen), a single mother with three kids. Charlotte surprises him one day by asking if he will babysit for her, and they become good friends. With their support, Monte’s outlook on life is transformed and his passion for writing is renewed. Directed by Rob Reiner (The Bucket List), The Magic of Belle Isle is an uplifting film that shows that it’s never too late to change.
IN THE NEWS
Seventeen Magazine Alters Airbrushing Policy After Campaign MAGAZINES HAVE LONG been criticized for aggressively retouching images, creating unrealistic expectations for readers to live up to. But thanks to a campaign started by 14-year-old Julia Bluhm from Maine, U.S.A., Seventeen magazine will no longer digitally alter the body sizes or face shapes of the women it features, starting with the August 2012 issue. Bluhm started an online petition against altered photos last spring and, within a month, she had a meeting with Seventeen’s editor-in-chief. In July, the Seventeen staff signed an eight-point “Body Peace Treaty,” in which they promise to “celebrate every kind of beauty” in the magazine and feature “real girls and models who are healthy.” The magazine has also promised to put
raw images from their photo shoots on their Tumblr blog, so that readers can see when they have made minor alterations (e.g. changing a background colour). Photo: Darren Aronofsky, via Twitter @ DarrenAronofsky
IN REVIEW
A photo from the set of Noah
Film Based on Noah’s Ark Coming Soon ACCLAIMED DIRECTOR Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan, The Fountain) is adapting the story of Noah’s Ark for the big screen. Noah, which is in the early stages of production, will star Russell Crowe as Noah and Anthony Hopkins as his grandfather, Methuselah. The film will be a re-imagining of the story, rather than a strict adaptation of the biblical narrative. Noah is set for release in March 2014.
MEDIA REVIEWS
The Edge of Paradise Turkey is beautiful. But for Christians there is always a price Martin de Lange with Belinda Lamprecht
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REVIEW BY MAJOR MAX STURGE
tirred with passion for Turkey’s spiritually lost, Martin de Lange uproots his little family and heads several thousand kilometres north from his native South Africa. Turkey has a population of 70 million Muslims. People ask intrusive questions. The government watches every move and men think de Lange’s wife, Petro, is a prostitute. De Lange gradually becomes fluent in Turkish, furtively setting up Bible distribution networks and pastoring a growing fellowship in several large cities in Eastern Turkey. But police harassment, loneliness and threats create mounting pressures. They are blacklisted and after 13 years, he and his wife and their three children are forced to leave the people they have come to deeply love. Six months later, three of the men de Lange trained for evangelistic ministry are brutally slaughtered. I found this true story of raw honesty, humility and daring courage to be captivating and challenging. It is inspiring to see people love the truth to the point of personal sacrifice, to tackle seemingly impossible odds and overcome through faith in Christ alone. Especially touching are the accounts of several Muslim families coming to faith in Jesus in spite of the dangers and cost involved. Converts are won through deep personal friendships, costly sacrifice, hard work and the power of the Word. Though a serious book, humour also punctuates this compelling story, especially in the de Langes’ hilarious mistakes with the Turkish language (on one occasion, Petro amused waiters at a restaurant when she politely ordered a bowl of hot socks). Martin and Petro now travel the world encouraging prayer and raising financial support for the Turkish church.
John Larsson Plays
Volume 3—Glory! and The Blood of the Lamb This is the third in the series of CDs featuring General John Larsson (Rtd) playing piano arrangements of songs from the Gowans and Larsson musicals. The CD highlights music from their two musicals based on Salvation Army history and includes a 32-page book of the lyrics by General John Gowans (Rtd). Glory! brings to the stage stories of early-day Army life told by Edward Joy in The Old Corps, and features such songs as There is a Message, When the Glory Gets Into Your Soul and As High as the Sky. The Blood of the Lamb, based on Vachel Lindsay’s epic poem, General William Booth Enters Into Heaven, portrays William Booth
leading into heaven the great multitude he has won for Christ. For sample tracks and further information about the CD series, visit johnlarsson.com. The CD is available from Salvation Army Christian book and supply centres or online at salvationarmy. ca/store, as are the first two CDs in the series.
Portraits
A month in the life of The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland Portraits is a stunning collection of photographs depicting the life and work of The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. During October 2011, Salvation Army corps were invited to take pictures of their ministry. While some of the images were especially commissioned, most of the pictures in this book were taken by those at the grassroots: members, employees, volunteers and service users. Portraits is a record of the Army through their eyes and demonstrates that God is still at work in the world through the Army. Some of the images and words may even prompt the response, “I didn’t think the Army did that!”
Relentless Pursuit
God’s love for outsiders, including the outsider in all of us Ken Gire At some point we’ve all probably felt like outsiders. We’ve felt lonely in a crowd, or been passed over for a job opportunity, or been the last one reluctantly chosen for the sports team. Award-winning author Ken Gire’s conviction is that we all need to take heart—Jesus will leave the 99 sheep safe in the fold to seek out the one that is lost. Gire weaves together stories from the Bible, historical characters and surprisingly frank insights from his own life to create a soullifting picture of a God who relentlessly pursues the outcast and disenfranchised—a God who becomes an outcast himself to bring his lost ones home. This beautifully written book comes with discussion questions for individual or group use.
The Jesus Scandals
Why he shocked his contemporaries (and still shocks today) David Instone-Brewer Although Western culture has been shaped for centuries by Christian teaching, a closer study of the Bible reveals that we routinely ignore the uncomfortable heart of New Testament ethics. It’s too extreme, too confrontational. It’s easy for Christians to pander to the world’s way of thinking. In The Jesus Scandals, the Rev. Dr. David Instone-Brewer identifies many areas where Jesus challenged the assumptions and practices of his contemporaries with insights that provoked sharp opposition and that continue to generate debate today. For issues such as child abuse, no-fault divorce, God-sent disasters, marital abuse and eternal torment, Instone-Brown challenges readers to apply to our modern situation the ethical teachings of Jesus and the New Testament. Salvationist I September 2012 I 23
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY
ENROLMENTS AND RECOGNITION
LINDSAY, ONT.—The corps in Lindsay expands its outreach to the community through five new community care ministries members. From left, Kathleen Yeo; Monique Black; Brian and Linda McLeod; Jane Burnham; Mjr Miriam Stevens, CO.
CONCEPTION BAY SOUTH, N.L.— Four senior soldiers are enrolled at Conception Bay South. From left, Mjr Lorne Pritchett, CO; Lt-Col Wayne Pritchett, DC, N.L. Div; Zachery Marshall; Sherry Marshall; Ambrose Payne; Donna Pritchett; Mjr Barb Pritchett, CO.
SACKVILLE, N.S.—Young people’s band members in Sackville are excited to have new instruments.
BOTWOOD, N.L.—During Botwood’s 117th corps anniversary celebrations, five soldiers were enrolled. From left, RS Ida Thompson, Joy Baker, Florence Peddle, Triffie Peyton, Melanie Peyton, Samuel Rideout. Supporting them are Mjrs Calvin and Beryl Collins, COs; Wes Thompson, holding the flag. Guests for the weekend were Mjrs Lorne and Ella Hiscock and their grandson, Dante, as vocalist.
CONCEPTION BAY SOUTH, N.L.—Dena Okhifoh receives her commission as young people’s sergeant major from Mjr Lorne Pritchett, CO
ST. THOMAS, ONT.—Four adherents are celebrated at St. Thomas. From left, Aux-Cpt Bob Elliott, then CO; Glen Walters; Veronica Walters; Al Mintz, holding the flag; Chris Erskine; Lori McIntee; Aux-Cpt Dianne Elliott, then CO . WHITBY, ONT.—Whitby CC extends its outreach by commissioning Darlene Owen as community care ministries secretary and enrolling new community care ministries workers. Standing with them is Mjr Max Bulmer, then CO. S T. T H O M A S , ONT.—Ruth LaCroix and Abby Tait are enrolled as soldiers at St. Thomas. From left, Aux-Cpt Bob Elliott, then CO; Ruth LaCroix; Abby Tait; Aux-Cpt Dianne Elliott, then CO; Al Mintz, holding the flag. 24 I September 2012 I Salvationist
BAYVIEW, N.L.—Bayview rejoices in the enrolment of junior soldiers. From left, Cpt Dwayne LeDrew, guest speaker; Jasmine Blake; Lt Rose Campbell, CO; Jenna Blake; Jessica Blake; Joshua Cooper; Isaac Clarke; Dawson Rogers; Lt Larry Campbell, CO; Nathaniel Stuckless; Noah Stuckless; Bud Greenham, holding the flag.
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY
SAULT STE. MARIE, ONT.—Adherents swell the ranks of the corps at Sault Ste. Marie. “When we did our corps review, our area commander suggested we go to some of our regular attendees to see if they would like to become adherents,” says Cpt Shellie Kirschman, CO. “Many have been part of our corps for years; others are new to the Army in the last few years. This was a next step for them.” SAULT STE. MARIE, ONT.—On the day Thora Hill celebrated her 95th birthday, the corps celebrated her 80th year as a senior soldier! Hill was enrolled in Sault Ste. Marie on February 28, 1932. Standing with her is Cpt John Kirschman, CO.
GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.—Junior soldiers are enrolled at Park Street Citadel. Front, from left, Brock Tulk, Abigail Chaulk, Shirléah Pardy, Aidan Barry, Adam Elson. Back, from left, Mjr Sharon Rowsell, CO; ACSM Lorraine White; Sheneya Tulk; Jessica André; Sara Dove; Lori Barry; Mjr Owen Rowsell, CO.
GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.—Park Street Citadel commissions new leaders. From left, CSM Clyde Downton, holding flag; Mjr Owen Rowsell, CO; Dorothy King, assistant home league secretary; Elsie Janes, home league secretary; Daphne Hillier, cradle roll sergeant; Peggy Young, community care ministries treasurer; Mjr Sharon Rowsell, CO.
SUDBURY, ONT.—Judy Dwyer and Peter Lewis are added to the soldiers’ roll at Sudbury CC. Supporting them are Cpts Tony and Patricia Kennedy, COs.
ST. GEORGE’S, BERMUDA— St. George’s has newly commissioned local leaders. From left, Cathy Esdaille, junior soldier sergeant; Cpts Yvonne and Anthony LeDrew, then COs; Alfred Esdaille, colour sergeant, usher and greeter co-ordinator; Mjrs Shawn and Brenda Critch, DC and DDWM, Bermuda Div; Carmelita Ingham, family Sunday co-ordinator. S T. G EO R G E’ S , BERMUDA— Erline Dowling is commissioned as assistant junior soldier sergeant at St. George’s Corps. From left, Cpts Anthony and Yvonne LeDrew, then COs; Erline Dowling; JSS Cathy Esdaille; Alfred Esdaille, colour sergeant; YPSM Constance Francis.
TORONTO—Etobicoke Temple is delighted to welcome 10 new junior soldiers. Front, from left, Irin Sisouphanh, Sherlyn Arulnesan, Mickey Court, Chia Issa. Middle, from left, Ann Arulnesan, Stephanie Christi, Tayjah Seguin, Danielle Jones-Hamilton, Emmilia Ezeugo, Navin Sisouphanh. Back, from left, Cpts Elaine and Rick Honcharsky, then COs; Elizabeth Ede, young people’s programs director; Pam Westover, acting junior soldier sergeant. Salvationist I September 2012 I 25
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY
TRITON-BRIGHTON, N.L.—Nicole Muzichuk is enrolled as a senior soldier. From left, Mjrs Rex and Darlene Colbourne, guest officiating officers; Nicole Muzichuk; Heidi Adams, youth director; CSM Howard Bridger.
BRAMPTON, ONT.—On Father’s Day, Mjrs Herbert and Kathleen Sharpe, COs, were thrilled to dedicate their grandson, Mateo Domingos, to the Lord. With them are the baby’s parents, Laura and Mario Domingos.
OSHAWA, ONT.—During a meeting of divisional and executive leaders in Oshawa, Commissioner Brian Peddle, territorial commander, commissioned Aux-Cpt Mary Avendano with the rank of captain.
OSHAWA, ONT.—Dara-Lynn Gerard is commissioned as songster leader at Oshawa Temple. With her are Charlie Ball, colour sergeant; Mjr Robert Reid, CO.
GEORGETOWN, ONT.—Georgetown CC celebrates eight new adherents. From left, Mjr Darrell Jackson, CO; Wesley Robinson; Linda Robinson; Miriam Robinson; Pam Lowden; Fulton Lynds; Rosalie Lynds; David Evans; Catherine Dudgeon; Mjr Lise Jackson, CO.
LOWER ISLAND COVE, N.L.— Fifteen women from the corps in Lower Island Cove receive their certificates upon completing a disaster food services handling and delivery seminar conducted by Aubrey Vincent, divisional emergency and disaster services director, N.L. Div. Front, from left, Florence Snelgrove, Florence Button, Carol Snelgrove, Ruby Rose, Barbara Snelgrove. Back, from left, Gertie LeShane, Judy Doyle, Jean LeShane, Beulah Crummey, Doreen Wheeler, Janet Penny, Mildred Wheadon. 26 I September 2012 I Salvationist
KENTVILLE, N.S.—After 15 years of service, Maxine Bezanson celebrated her retirement from the Army thrift store in Kentville. From left, Mjr Ross Grandy, CO; Maryann Doyle, divisional director of human resources, Maritime Div; Maxine Bezanson; Mjr Doreen Grandy, CO.
STONEY CREEK, ONT.—Trevor Moses is pleased to become a soldier at Winterberry Heights Church. With him are Mjrs Paul and Kelly Rideout, COs; CSM Len Burleigh, holding the flag.
NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C.—Ken Thompson and Dan Sunderland are New Westminster Citadel’s newest soldiers. With them are Cpts David and Lisa Macpherson, COs; Cpt Raelene Russell, assistant CO, holding the flag.
LINDSAY, ONT.—Celebrating the dedication of baby Megan Corley are Mjr Miriam Stevens, CO; Michelle Corley, holding Megan; Greg Corley, holding Benson Corley.
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY
WINNIPEG— Heritage Park Temple grows with the addition of new soldiers and local officers. From left, Mandy Marsland, deputy songster leader; Rosie Lusanji; Charles (CJ) Russell; Jessica Braund; Arnold Adnum, transportation co-ordinator; CSM Jim Read, holding the flag; David Lewycky; Mjr Julie Slous, then CO; Val Gares; Mjr Brian Slous, then CO; Ana Carolina Akpan; RS Ted Sawchuk.
CORNER BROOK, N.L.—Corner Brook Temple celebrates the junior soldier enrolment of Thomas Hancock, James Adey and Andrew Strickland. Standing with them are Mjrs Calvin and Loretta Fudge, COs; Colleen Strickland, junior soldiers’ leader; YPSM Jason Reid.
WINNIPEG—Charles Milton and Ed Guest are delighted to become soldiers at Heritage Park Temple. Standing with them are Mjrs Julie and Brian Slous, then COs.
CORNER BROOK, N.L.—The Pioneer Club at Corner Brook Temple enjoys helping the community and the global work of the Army. They held a food drive for the Army’s foodbank and presented the items to Jane Ash, community and family services worker. They also collected 152 kilograms of pennies, amounting to $605, for Partners in Mission to assist the Army’s ministry in developing countries.
SARNIA, ONT.—The corps in Sarnia adds soldiers and adherents to its rolls. From left, Mjr Drucella Pollard, CO; Catherine Dillon; Ann Bishop; Michelle Reppard; Dorothy (Jay) McDonald (reinstated); Mjr Rick Pollard, CO.
GAZETTE
TERRITORIAL Appointments Cpt Kay Barnes, Campbellton, N.L. Div*; Mjr Kang, Jeong-gil and Mjr Nam, Ki-sook, Korean CC, Toronto, Ont. CE Div *re-accepted for active service Promotions to major Cpts Terry/Joanne Cook, Cpt Dora Keeping, Cpts Patrick/Valerie Lublink, Cpt Kristiana Mac Kenzie, Cpts Kirk/Sharon MacLeod, Cpts Andrew/Darlene Morgan, Cpts Michael/Karen Puddicombe, Cpts Stephen/Leslie Wiseman, Cpts Christopher/Claudette Pilgrim, Cpts Daniel/Lori Pinksen, Cpts Guy/Donna Simms, Cpts Vaden/ Judy Vincent, Cpts Darren/Suzann Wiseman Long service—25 years Mjrs Eric/Donna Bond, Mjr James Braund, Mjrs Ivan/Pauline Budgell, Mjrs Christopher/ Katherine Dickens, Mjr James Hann, Mjrs Alan/ Karen Hoeft, Mjr Ralph Young, Mjr Elaine Bridger, Mjrs Larry/Phyllis Fudge, Mjr Ralph Fudge, Mjr Doreen Grandy, Mjrs Clarence/Karen Ingram, Mjrs William/Trixie Kean, Mjrs Rex/Catherine Paddock, Mjr Patsy Rowe, Mjr Audrey Tilley
Pioneer Club Supports Army Foodbank
Corner Brook Temple’s Pioneer Club
Long service—30 Years Mjr Florence Andrews Borgela, Mjr Rocky Bishop, Mjrs Dennis/Gillian Brown, Mjr Linda Budgell, Mjr David Carey, Mjr Tonilea Cartmell, Mjrs Mark/Lynn Cummings, Mjr Juanita Dueck, Mjrs Bryan/Sharon Hayward, Mjrs Wayne/Sharon McDonough, Mjr Melinda McNutt, Mjrs Rick/ Drucella Pollard, Mjr Ivan Rowsell, Mjr Brenda Smith, Mjr Nancy Virtue, Mjr Beverley Woodland Long service—35 years Comr Brian Peddle, Mjr Debra Beaupre, Mjr Holly Patterson, Mjrs Herbert/Kathleen Sharp, Lt-Col Neil Watt, Mjr Judith Barrow, Mjr Marilyn Bridger, Mjr Sharon Cooper, Mjr Carson Durdle, Mjrs Barry/Christine Gray, Mjr Shirley King, Mjr Cavell Loveless, Mjr Marie Osborne, Mjr Barbara Penney, Mjr Roland Shea Long service—40 Years Mjrs Harold/Christine Aitkenhead, Mjr George Evans, Mjrs Douglas/Elizabeth Lewis, Col Lindsay Rowe Births Cpts Michael/Carolyn Simpson, son, Elijah David
CALENDAR
Commissioners Brian and Rosalie Peddle Sep 1 National Music Camp program, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto; Sep 15-16 cadets’ welcome weekend, CFOT, Winnipeg; Sep 16 Ethics Centre, board of trustees dinner, Winnipeg; Sep 20 installation of divisional leaders, Mjrs Brian/ Anne Venables, Quebec Div; Sep 23-27 General’s Consultative Council, London, England*; Sep 26-28 National Advisory Board, Halifax** *Commissioner Rosalie Peddle only **Commissioner Brian Peddle only Colonels Floyd and Tracey Tidd Sep 14-15 Booth University College, board of trustees, Winnipeg*; Sep 15-16 cadets’ welcome weekend, CFOT, Winnipeg; Sep 17 Ethics Centre, board of trustees, Winnipeg*; Sep 23-25 Ont. GL divisional review; Sep 26-28 National Advisory Board, Halifax; Sep 29-30 125th anniversary, Bridgetown CC, N.S. *Colonel Floyd Tidd only General and Mrs Bramwell Tillsley (Rtd) Sep 16 Kitchener CC, Ont.
Salvationist I September 2012 I 27
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY
“Something Beautiful to Celebrate” in Glenwood, N.L. GLENWOOD, N.L.—Something Beautiful to Celebrate was the theme for Glenwood’s 64th anniversary with guest Mjr Betty Lou Topping. In the Sunday morning service, Mjr Topping challenged the people to allow the Holy Spirit freedom to reign in their lives. The corps also had a mortgage burning ceremony to symbolize the final payment being made on the loan for the citadel. From left, Mjr Marilyn Blackler, CO; Lillian Buffett; Ian Coles; Mjr Betty Lou Topping.
Accepted for Training Bhreagh Rowe Haven of Hope Ministries, Regina, Prairie Division After high school, I started a nursing program, but quickly learned that this was not God’s plan for me. After being introduced to The Salvation Army, I immediately fell in love with the people, the work and the mission of my corps and the Army as a whole. I finally sensed that God wanted me to be an officer and realized he had already been working in me through my past experiences. This assures me that I am in God’s hands no matter where his call takes me. Daniel Rowe Haven of Hope Ministries, Regina, Prairie Division I grew up as a child of Army officers, and when I was 11, I truly gave my heart to the Lord through the Sunday school program in Victoria. I began working at Salvation Army camps when I was 14. Through working with the Ontario Camping Ministries, Jesus called me to full-time ministry. Ephesians 4:1 says, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” For me, there is no better way to live a life worthy of God’s call than becoming a Salvation Army officer—spending my life giving a voice to those who aren’t heard, those who are lost, emotionally and spiritually. John Ryan MacDonald Sydney Community Church, N.S., Maritime Division “Absolutely impossible,” I said when first asked if I could ever give my life completely to Christ, wear the Salvation Army uniform and get more involved in my corps. I had no idea what I was doing with my life and little or no faith that God could help me. Yet, here I am, ready to enter the College for Officer Training. I now realize I serve a God of magnificent power who can take a person like me and change him for his purposes. He can do the same for anyone who is open to his leading. 28 I September 2012 I Salvationist
TRIBUTES ABBOTSFORD, B.C.—William Henry Lowell was born in 1931. Bill’s lifelong involvement with the Army began in Peterborough, Ont., and then at Parkdale Corps in Ottawa, which became Woodroffe Temple. Bill served as a band member for many years, eventually retiring with his wife in Abbotsford. Missing him are Marjorie, wife of 62 years; children Ken, Brenda (Martin), Ben (Deb); five grandchildren and three great-children. LINDSAY, ONT.—Marlene D. Randall (nee Daynes) was born in 1941 in Lindsay, Ont. She taught Sunday school, counselled, conducted Bible studies and helped her corps officers to organize women’s ministry events and the Christmas kettles. She also managed numerous food and hospitality ministries such as seniors’ luncheons, funeral receptions, weddings and anniversaries. Marlene owned and operated the local Christian bookstore for several years, co-chaired Time Out for Women, a community outreach ministry, and volunteered at Ross Memorial Hospital. Marlene’s care for people and her positive, friendly attitude—even when she was fighting cancer—witnessed to her enduring faith. Cherishing her memory are husband, Malcolm; children Debbie, Charlene, Brenda; step-children Kim, Scott; grandchildren Cory, Brandon, Michelle; brothers Morley, Don; many family members and friends. TORONTO—Born in Bay Roberts, N.L., in 1941, Major Eric Brown gave his heart to the Lord as a young teen. He taught school for several years and was commissioned in 1965 as a Proclaimer of the Faith. Eric married Wanda Inder in 1969, and they had three children: Stephanie, Jennifer and Darrell. Corps appointments in Newfoundland and Ontario, and at divisional headquarters in the Maritime and Newfoundland and Labrador Divisions, allowed him to serve in various ways. Ministry at territorial headquarters gave him opportunity to spend time with grandchildren Chelsea and Cameron. After a lifetime of service to others, he and Wanda retired in 2006. Though quiet and unassuming, Eric had a strong impact on many people. He is greatly missed by family and friends who nevertheless know that he is enjoying his promotion to glory. His family is grateful for the outpouring of kindness and prayer during this difficult time. SYDNEY, N.S.—Dorothy Jewer (nee Manning) served the Lord for 70 years as a senior soldier. She was born in Epworth, N.L., and as a preschooler moved to Cape Breton, N.S., where she married Henry Jewer in 1938. Dorothy raised 10 children and looked after her handicapped sister for several years. She served faithfully as a member of the band, songsters, home league and league of mercy. She was a corps cadet counsellor for nearly 30 years at the then Whitney Pier Corps, and in later years was a diligent volunteer at the corps’ thrift store. In visiting her six officer children, Dorothy felt especially blessed to have attended Army worship services in nine Canadian provinces. A prayer warrior and student of the Word, she marked daily readings that took her through the Scriptures numerous times. Her constant testimony was, “By the pathway of duty flows the river of God’s grace.” Dorothy is missed by children Audrey Dean, Karen White, Earl Jewer, Majors Henry and Lorne Jewer, Majors Lillian Bursey, Amy Barrow, Dale Lewis, Robin Cory; nephew Wilfred Manning, whom she raised, and her extended family.
Guidelines for Tributes Salvationist will print brief tributes, at no cost, as space permits. They should be received within two months of the promotion to glory and include: community where the individual resided; conversion to Christ; corps involvement; Christian ministry and survivors. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Digital photos in TIFF or high resolution JPEG format are acceptable. Clear, original photos may be submitted and will be returned. Send to Salvationist, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4 or e-mail salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org.
FAITH WORKS
More than Words
If you want to be a leader, you need to learn how to communicate
W
ords are powerful. They can build up and they can tear down. It’s not just the words that make a difference, but the timing as well. A word properly used can bring about change in a situation that desperately needs it. The Bible tells us that “a word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11 NIV). For those of us in leadership positions, our words are not only important, they also carry great weight. Although we must choose our words carefully, we also want to ensure that we don’t sit in silence when we need to be heard. Silence may be golden, but it quickly turns to tarnished brass if it lasts too long. Some leaders think they’re good communicators, but they may overestimate their skills at times. Communication is more than just listening to people and giving feedback. We communicate through our facial expressions, body language and our ability to be attentive to someone. People can quickly tell if we are not paying attention or if we are going through the motions. No matter whether we are Sunday school teachers or business leaders, we need to pay attention to the way we communicate. There are a number of barriers to effective communication. Here are a few: • Lack of respect by either party for the other • Failure to establish the best medium for communication • Assuming that the listener receives the right message • Ignored emotions or sensitivities • Inability to get on the listener’s level of understanding • Intimidation by either party If any of these are in play, the communication is over before it begins. Good communication also involves
picking up on subtle cues and being tuned in to the small things that are happening with the person we are listening to. I was listening attentively to a client as he told me how good he felt that he had worked through some of the issues he had with a former girlfriend. While he was talking I noticed his hands were clutching the arms of the chair rather tightly and his leg was bouncing up and down. His words and
body were not in agreement. After a time of listening and watching, I pointed this out to him. Was there more underneath that needed attention? In the end, he decided that he still had some things he needed to work through and made the decision to carry on with his counselling sessions. Oddly enough, it is when we are attuned to all the subtle and sometimes disturbing cues around us and in us that we begin to hear the sacred things to which God wants us to pay attention. Each conversation is an opportunity to gather valuable information about a person’s background, culture and way of seeing
the world. When we pay attention to the details and tuck that information away, it helps us build meaningful relationships. Some call this active listening, but Peter Senge talks about “generative listening” in his book, The Fifth Discipline. It’s really a state of “communion” or “grace” with the other person. Here’s how Senge describes it: “To listen fully means to pay close attention to what is being said beneath the words. You listen not only to the ‘music,’ but to the essence of the person speaking. You listen not only for what someone knows, but for what he or she is. Ears operate at the speed of sound, which is far slower than the speed of light the eyes take in. Generative listening is the art of developing deeper silences in yourself, so you can slow your mind’s hearing to your ears’ natural speed, and hear beneath the words to their meaning.” This type of listening is a creative act. It’s divesting your mind of all your pre-conceived ideas of what you think you know about a person, and opening up to the possibilities that may come out of it. You may end up thinking in a whole new way. As you learn to listen more effectively to others, you will have the right words to say. We say the wrong things when we don’t understand the person before us and we miss out on what they really need to hear to take them to the next level. That’s because we misunderstand not only what they’re saying, but also who they are. God is interested in who we are, not just in what we do and how we do it. When leaders take time to truly know those they lead, holy, authentic communication is the result. Major Kathie Chiu is the executive director of the Centre of Hope in London, Ont. Salvationist I September 2012 I 29
Photo: © iStockphoto.com/wosephjeber
BY MAJOR KATHIE CHIU
TALKING POINTS
Hospitality to Strangers Do we treat refugees and immigrants as second-class? BY MAJOR JUAN BURRY
“In a world darkened by ethnic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity and mutual respect.” —former U.S. president Bill Clinton
30 I September 2012 I Salvationist
Photo: © iStockphpto.com/Photomorphic
C
anada has a good reputation for receiving people from other parts of the world. Generally speaking, we are compassionate, polite and accommodating to others. If you ask Canadians what the country’s cultural distinctives are, you may get the response that (apart from ice hockey) we don’t have any. We are proud of the fact that our country isn’t a homogeneous population that eats, dresses and prays the same way. Our biggest cultural distinctive is our multiculturalism. However, before we become too proud of ourselves and our heads outgrow our tuques, let’s not forget that the cultural history that has been woven in Canada’s multicultural tapestry is a checkered one. Canada is humbled by a past history of wrongs committed against particular groups, including immigrants, refugees and racial minorities. In 1885, Chinese immigrants were subjected to a head tax and then to an immigration prohibition act designed to exclude people of Chinese lineage. During the Second World War, we placed Japanese Canadians in internment camps and extradited many more. We also turned away Jews who were fleeing persecution at the hands of Nazi Germany. The Canadian Government has apologized and tried to remedy many of these past wrongs. However, we must learn from these atrocities that nations and governments, just like individuals, have the potential to behave wrongly, even when our reputation is mostly upright. We’ve made mistakes before. Can it happen again? That is the worry of some Canadians with the passing of Bill C-31 in the House of Commons. By the time this column is read, the refugee bill will probably have passed through the Senate. The Conservative Government is lauding the bill as an important move in the war on human trafficking. They also say it will make it easier and more efficient for those
people seeking asylum in Canada. However, the Opposition argues that the bill does nothing to combat human traffickers and that it will only provide further victimization to some of the world’s most mistreated and vulnerable people. They say Bill C-31 gives the Government the authority to keep refugees in custody with no legal proceedings. Critics also argue that the bill discriminates against refugees based on their country of origin by empowering the minister to designate so-called “safe countries” to which he can arbitrarily repatriate people. Listening to the two sides debate the matter in Parliament, I began to think about what a Christian view might have to offer. Certainly The Salvation Army would be interested to hear about any initiative that would reduce human trafficking. But like many counter-violence efforts, especially in a post-9-11 era, the question is always: At what cost to the innocent do we try to administer justice to the guilty? While that is not an easy question to answer, I do believe that the Bible offers us some guidance on our attitudes toward “outsiders” that might help. One of my favourite Christian concepts is hospitality. It is a word that shows up numerous times in the New Testament and in the life of the early church. But it is also a philosophy and practice that is dominant in the Hebrew Scriptures as well. More than providing cookies and
punch to your Bible study group, the Jewish concept of hospitality is based on the ethical supposition that the Israelites were to show openness and compassion to foreigners because the Israelites themselves were strangers in a strange land. Think of Abraham welcoming the three travellers in Genesis 18:1-8; Manoah welcoming the man in Judges 13 as an angel of God; or the Shunammite family welcoming Elisha in 2 Kings 4 and having their son raised from the dead as a result. Hospitality was to be extended especially to the poor, the stranger and those of a lower social status. The Salvation Army opens its shelters, community feeding programs and corps buildings every day to those on society’s margins. Why? Because we are citizens of heaven (see Philippians 3:20) and we live under the reign of Christ in the kingdom of God. We know what it is like to be strangers in a strange land. So we show hospitality to the poor and ostracized. Why would we not show favour and kindness to international strangers in our community? Let’s not forget that, aside from Aboriginal Peoples, we are all immigrants and refugees, or their descendants. So, is former president Bill Clinton right? Are we a hospitable country? Time will tell. But The Salvation Army certainly can and should be. Major Juan Burry is the executive director of Victoria’s Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre.
reliGion
Andrew Eason, PhD
Assistant Professor of Religion
for andrew eaSon, teaching at Booth is more than a job; it’s a calling, a vocation that has been not only profoundly rewarding but life-changing as well. “what truly inspires me is being able to engage students on a daily basis and watch them achieve academic and personal success over the course of their study here at Booth,” andrew explains. “i sincerely want to make a difference in the lives of my students and i encourage them to adopt the highest academic standards and to question the way they look at the world.” teaching isn’t a one-way proposition for andrew, whose list of degrees includes a Ba from Booth. connecting with students in the classroom, he says, has taught him the importance of building relationship with them. “i’m often reminded of the old adage that says ‘don’t tell me what you know until you show me how much you care,’” andrew notes. “fostering a positive and trusting environment is something i strive to achieve every day.”
Education for a better world.
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