Salvationist - November 2014 by The Salvation Army

Army Aids the Displaced as War Rages in Ukraine

Outbreak: How Should We Handle the Ebola Crisis?

Messengers of Light Welcomed in Winnipeg

Salvationist The Voice of the Army

MAKING AMENDS Restorative justice in action

Access for All

Removing barriers for people with disabilities

November 2014

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than is required.

Inside This Issue Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX

November 2014 Volume 9, Number 11 www.salvationist.ca E-mail: salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org

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Departments 3 4 Editorial A Work in Progress by Geoff Moulton

23 Celebrate Community

4 Enrolments and Recognition, Tributes, Gazette, Calendar

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27 Convictions Matter

5 Around the Territory 8 Onward

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In God’s Image by Major Ray Harris Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX

28 Leading Edge

Forward March Coach’s Corner PRODUCT LABELINGby GUIDE FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL by Commissioner Susan Major Mona Moore McMillan

17 World Watch

29 Ties That Bind

Typhoon Haiyan: One Year Later

Never Forget by Major Kathie Chiu

18 Talking It Over

30 Salvation Stories

Outbreak by James Read and Aimee Patterson

21 Cross Culture

Head of the Class by David Michel

Cover photo: Albert Miguel

Features 9 War and Peace

In Ukraine, The Salvation Army offers hope in the midst of destruction by Kristin Ostensen

12 A Weekend of Welcomes

Messengers of Light Session begins training as the Chief of the Staff installs territorial commander by Geoff Moulton

14 Access for All

How Salvation Army corps are removing barriers for people with disabilities by Brianne Zelinsky

16 Repairing the Harm

Restorative justice heals broken relationships by Giselle Randall

20 Renewing Our Purpose

As an Army, let’s do something—and do it well by Captain Scott Strissel

Inside Faith & Friends Holy Hip Hop

In a musical genre often dominated by misogyny and profanity, Lecrae Moore raps a different tune

Forces are searching for homeless veterans who have fallen through the cracks

Share Your Faith When you finish reading Faith & Friends, FAITH & frıends pull it out and give it to someone Holy who needs to Hip Hop hear about Christ’s lifechanging  power November 2014

Wake-Up Call

The mining accident should have killed Tracy Whitmore. Instead, it gave him new life

Two Armies, One Mission

With the help of The Salvation Army, the Canadian Armed

faithandfriends.ca

Inspiration for Living

In a musical genre often dominated by misogyny and profanity, Lecrae Moore raps a different tune

Two Armies, One Mission

FURY: Brad Pitt strikes at the heart of Nazi Germany in new movie

MINER’S WAKE-UP CALL

Get More Salvationist Online There’s more to Salvationist than the printed page! /salvationistmagazine Like us on Facebook and get the latest updates and photos from our territory and beyond. Interact with our community of 16,000 fans

updates from around the Army world. Share your own updates and photos using the hashtag #SalvationArmy Visit salvationist.ca, our award-winning website, where you can add your comments and read web-exclusive articles

@Salvationist Follow us on Twitter for breaking news, photos and Salvationist • November 2014 • 3

EDITORIAL

A Work in Progress

n September, I got a sneak peek at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg in advance of its official opening. Through a connection with The Salvation Army Ethics Centre, I was invited to tour the museum together with Commissioner William Roberts, the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Nancy Roberts, World Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, and staff from the Prairie Division and territorial headquarters. The brainchild of Izzy Asper, the museum is solely dedicated to the evolution, celebration and future of human rights. The 11 exhibit halls in the museum cover topics such as human rights “turning points,” the Holocaust and other genocides, and indigenous perspectives. Through a public engagement process, more than 2,000 Canadians contributed their stories for the museum’s oral history program. This catalogue of personal stories will be archived and used in various exhibits over the years. The building’s groundbreaking, inclusive design sets new standards in accessibility. What struck me most during the tour were the sounds of jackhammers and drills that pierced the tranquility of the museum’s Garden of Contemplation. To me, it was a reminder that human rights are always “under construction.” We are never truly finished with the task of acknowledging our past mistakes, making amends and building a new and better world. As we are often reminded, those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. This month, Salvationist focuses on our role in promoting inclusion, dignity and human rights. Major Ray Harris writes of his own experience journeying to the Museum for Human Rights with a Holocaust survivor (page 27). Major Kathie Chiu recounts the scars left on her father’s life by the experience of war and her journey to healing (page 29). We are reminded that wars still rage around the world as we read of The Salvation Army’s work in war-torn Ukraine (page 9). If we are honest, we have not always lived up to our reputation as 4 • November 2014 • Salvationist

a welcoming church, but we are making progress. Our traditional command-andcontrol leadership method may have left some people on the sidelines, but we are moving toward a more collaborative approach, notes Major Mike Hoeft (page 28). Our cover story also explores how corps such as North Toronto Community Church and St. John’s Citadel, N.L., are removing barriers for people with disabilities (page 14). As an editorial department, we strive to make our magazines and websites accessible to all. Little things make a big difference. For example, last year we thickened our type to enhance the contrast and clarity, making the magazine more readable. Our website is “responsive,” which means it adjusts to your tablets and mobile devices. And we are working to be compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act so that those with visual impairments can have a better experience. Just as the 23-storey Tower of Hope at the museum provides a panoramic view of Winnipeg, may we also see the big picture when it comes to human rights. As Christians, we are called to “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with [our] God” (Micah 6:8).

GEOFF MOULTON Editor-in-Chief

Salvationist

is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory André Cox General Commissioner Susan McMillan Territorial Commander Lt-Colonel Jim Champ Secretary for Communications Geoff Moulton Editor-in-Chief Giselle Randall Features Editor (416-467-3185) Pamela Richardson News Editor, Production Co-ordinator, Copy Editor (416-422-6112) Kristin Ostensen Associate Editor and Staff Writer Timothy Cheng Senior Graphic Designer Brandon Laird Design and Media Specialist Ada Leung Circulation Co-ordinator Ken Ramstead Contributor 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

AROUND THE TERRITORY

School Supplies Distributed to Families in Need in Halifax THE SALVATION ARMY handed out more than 150 backpacks full of school supplies to children from low-income families through community and family services in Halifax. The backpacks included such things as pencils, pens, paper, binders and a lunch bag. Children also received a $20 gift card to Wal-Mart to purchase a new pair of shoes. “This backpack program relieves so much stress and tension for me in the back-to-school process,” remarks Lisa Marie, mother of four girls. “Making sure that my children have the things that they need the most for school allows me to budget what finances I have available, so that they receive what they need in other areas of their lives as well.” Families applied in advance to receive a backpack for any child from primary to Grade 12. Kristine Cameron, season programs and volunteer co-ordinator at community and family services, says that while there is always a need for school supplies, the event helped equip many children with the tools needed to start the school year, including food and snacks. “We also had a face painter in attendance,” Cameron says, “because we wanted it to be a positive experience for the children. We don’t want them to be discouraged that they have to go get help. We want them to be excited about coming to The Salvation Army for their back-to-school gear.” The back-to-school program was made possible by the work of volunteer Linda Elliott, who launched the program nine years ago and then partnered with the Army five years ago. In the event’s first year, she was able to round up 12 backpacks and it has grown ever since. “My daughters are thrilled! This is one of the most exciting days of the year for them, and not just because they receive the material items, but because they understand that there is

a community organization that cares about them and cares about other families,” says Lisa Marie. “They are picking up on the pay-it-forward idea, that if others help them, they want to help others in their own communities.” The program is supported by a number of donors and partners including Bell/Aliant, who donated supplies.

Two young boys are excited to receive new backpacks, filled with school supplies, for their return to the classroom this year

Hunger Relief in Prince George EVERY SATURDAY, WHETHER in rain, shine or snow, Operation Hunger Relief (OHR) hits the streets of Prince George, B.C., to deliver food to the less fortunate. The program is made possible through the volunteer efforts of Salvationists and corporate volunteers, including employees from Telus. Working under the leadership of Don Wilson, co-ordinator of the program, the volunteers purchase the food and then prepare it in the kitchen at Prince George Community Church. The hearty meals they produce may consist of soup and sandwiches, chili, salad, fruit, cookies and a hot or cold drink. On special occasions, they may serve up a turkey dinner or even host a barbecue. And as the food is being prepared, volunteer Ruth Cottingham arrives early at the parking lot in “the hood,” a low-income part of the city, where the food will be delivered by van. She works hard to clear the ground of debris that could hinder the food distribution, and stays afterwards to clean up to ensure the area is not left untidy. Each week, 40 to 80 people of all ages gather to partake of the meal, and spiritual nourishment is available as well. A prayer is offered before the food is served, children share a song and story, Bibles are available free of charge and prayer requests are welcomed.

This ministry has been a blessing not only to the people receiving the meals, but also the volunteers who give of their time every week, giving a “cup in Jesus’ name.”

Volunteers are the force behind Operation Hunger Relief. From left, Ken and Sandra Hoglund, Corey Walker, Karen Wakaluk, Rob McMullen, Don Wilson and Ruth Cottingham Salvationist • November 2014 • 5

AROUND THE TERRITORY

Hoops for Hope in Vancouver

Accepting the $6,500 raised from flea market sales are, from left, Mjr Barbara Carey, executive director, Men’s Shelter and Maison Charlotte; Marie-Hélène Piaud, development co-ordinator; Sarah Lefebvre-Cloutier, marketing and communications director; and Chantal Marcotte, administration co-ordinator, Salvation Army Ministries, Quebec City

Flea Market Raises Funds for Army Shelters in Quebec City THE SALVATION ARMY in Quebec City, supported by corporations such as Desjardins, Metro and Subway, held its annual flea market in August in support of the Army’s Men’s Shelter and Maison Charlotte. Close to 300 people sought bargains and enjoyed music and entertainment provided by Radio NRJ. And thanks to the sale of all available items, which included clothes, furniture, books, decorations, appliances and electronics, a record amount of $6,500 was raised. The money will be used to further the Army’s work in providing a place of refuge for men and women in difficulty and who may be at risk of becoming homeless.

THE SALVATION ARMY in Vancouver hosted Hoops for Hope, an inner-city youth basketball camp, this past summer. Fortyeight participants joined together at the Coca-Cola Basketball Courts in the RAYCAM housing projects for the week-long event. Activities included instruction in basketball skills and healthy nutrition, motivational messages, and lessons on addiction and homelessness in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Youth were also introduced to the various programs available through The Salvation Army that help remediate poverty, including counselling, community kitchens, anger management classes and parenting classes. Lending his time and skills to the camp was Damin Altizer, an NCAA Division 1: University of Virginia—ACC regular season champion, high school All-State Player of the Year, three-time District Player of the Year and two-time All-Region Player. Subway contributed significantly to the success of the camp by providing lunch for the participants throughout the week. This enabled the Army to offer an inclusive camp, ensuring that each person ate in a healthy manner, regardless of their financial situation.

After a morning of hard work on the basketball court, campers enjoy a nutritious lunch, thanks to Subway

Golf Tournament Supports Vancouver’s Kate Booth House FOR 28 YEARS, the Shaughnessy Women’s Charity Committee has chosen Kate Booth House in Vancouver as the sole beneficiary of its annual golf tournament, held at the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club. This year’s event featured a teddy bear theme, with each golfer encouraged to bring a teddy bear and/or purchase a “Warm Buddy” bear, with proceeds of sales going to support the programs and supportive services found at Kate Booth House. This theme resonates with the Army as each child at Kate Booth House receives a bear to keep. The event raised $54,000 this year, bringing the total over 28 years to $1.6 million. 6 • November 2014 • Salvationist

Taking part in the presentation of $54,000 to Kate Booth House are, from left, Jill Earle, accountant, Kate Booth House; Heather Jessiman, co-chair, Shaughnessy Women’s Charity Committee; Mjr Catherine Burrows, divisional volunteer co-ordinator, B.C. Div; Nina Henriksen, co-chair, Shaughnessy Women’s Charity Committee; Priscilla Belonio, program director, Kate Booth House; and Lenore Rattray, major gifts officer, public relations and development, B.C. Div

AROUND THE TERRITORY

Students Inspired at National Music Camp 2014 No matter which stream students were involved in this year—band, vocal, worship or drama—everyone gave totally of themselves, as evidenced by the performances given throughout the week. “The highlight of camp for me is always the evening programs,” says Jonathan Bagshaw of Winnipeg’s Heritage Park Temple. “Whether there is laughter or a more serious tone set, it’s all about praising and worshipping God.” “God is at the centre of everything at National Music Camp,” concludes Merissa Hall of Edmonton Temple. “I love coming together with incredible, Christlike people from all over the country. God-inspired memories are always created.”

Photos: Matthew Osmond

ANOTHER NATIONAL MUSIC Camp has come and gone, but what a camp it was! Young people from across the territory—and from abroad as well—made music together and worshipped God at Jackson’s Point Conference Centre in Ontario this past August. Major Kevin Metcalf, territorial secretary for music and gospel arts, and corps officer at London Citadel, Ont., assembled a great staff to give leadership throughout the week-long event. Each added a unique flavour to the camp, both musically and spiritually, as they related to students and faculty. Special guests were Kevin and Jacqui Larsson, divisional music director and divisional creative arts director in the Southern California Division, U.S.A. Western Territory. “National Music Camp is fantastic. I love learning musically from the guests, but even more than this, I grow spiritually through ideas that are brought forth during the week. The leaders and faculty become the mouthpiece of God for me,” shares Robbie Lee, who attends St. John’s Temple, N.L. “Through the opportunities given to dig deeper into the meaning of the music that we play and sing, my heart is opened to God’s movement in my life by coming to camp,” says Sharon Stoops of North Toronto Community Church. “Transformation always happens.” Colonel Mark Tillsley, chief secretary, was the Bible leader for the camp, and daily challenged those present to draw closer to Christ in every aspect of life. He encouraged them to never be ashamed of the gospel and to draw strength from one another and, most of all, from the Holy Spirit. “The best part of camp is the Spirit-filled fellowship,” says Robyn Purcell, who came to National from Montreal Citadel. “With 180 people raising each other up in the Spirit, it’s impossible to go home defeated in any way! Everyone grows, because we’re among the people of God.” Christopher Macwan, hailing from the India Western Territory, couldn’t agree more. “National is amazing! It’s an extravaganza of music, worship and the proclamation of the living gospel,” he says. “An unforgettable experience.” “I keep coming back to National because I love the fellowship of Christian believers. Whether we are discussing issues in small groups, playing or singing, it’s always awesome to watch God work in amazing ways,” says Justin Sobierajski of Mountain Citadel in Hamilton, Ont.

Four streams of study—band, vocal, worship and drama—are offered at National Music Camp Salvationist • November 2014 • 7

Photo: © iStock.com/michaeldb

ONWARD

Forward March

Learning to rely on God as we advance his kingdom BY COMMISSIONER SUSAN McMILLAN

fter being away from the territory for 11 years, I was finding it difficult to come up with a helpful title for this column. The editorin-chief suggested Onward, and I think this says something important for us all, whether we are joining the Movement or have been on the way for a long time. An army must advance; to remain stagnant is never a good option. When riding a bicycle, you need to keep moving forward or you will lose your balance and fall off (at least that’s how I remember it). But it’s not helpful to keep going just for the sake of momentum. You need a direction. Paul uses the analogy of a race to describe the Christian life. We are running toward a goal, a prize. “I do not run like someone running aimlessly,” he says (1 Corinthians 9:26). It’s important to have a clear direction, to know where we are headed. The writer to the Hebrews said, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2). We need a purpose. As God’s people, wanting to improve our spiritual lives and accomplish something for the kingdom, we should have personal goals. At 8 • November 2014 • Salvationist

the same time, as a church, we should have corporate goals; each corps should know where they are going and have plans to reach their goals. On the personal side, I think about King David in the Old Testament. From the time he was anointed by the prophet Samuel, at the direction of God’s Holy Spirit, he had personal goals: •• To become king of Israel •• To govern well •• To build up the holy city of Jerusalem •• To build a temple for the worship of Jehovah David worked toward these goals throughout his life. Though he stumbled at times, he learned to rely on God and kept going, reaching one goal and then fixing his attention on the next. The last goal eluded him, and it became a legacy to his son, King Solomon, but the others were achieved by God’s grace and power and David’s onward-looking attitude. As the people of God, we should be onward-thinkers as well, moving his church forward in accordance with his will. Throughout the first part of their history, the people of Israel had one over-

arching goal—to reach and inhabit the Promised Land. After leaving Egypt, this goal was clear, but they took their eyes off God. They ended up going in circles for 40 years, until they refocused on their goal under the leadership of Joshua. They crossed the Jordan River and took the Promised Land, one city at a time. Every Salvation Army corps should be clear about where it is headed and by whose power it advances. When we take our eyes off God and focus on activities or structures instead of transforming lives and communities, we tend to go in circles. God has work for us to do. He wants us to advance his kingdom on earth, and he wants us to be instrumental in winning the world for Jesus. Onward is a good word for us today. Commissioner Susan McMillan took up responsibility as territorial commander of the Canada and Bermuda Territory on September 1, 2014.

Photo: © AP Photo/Max Vetrov

Local residents carry out belongings from a building damaged by shelling in Donetsk, Ukraine

War and Peace In Ukraine, The Salvation Army offers hope in the midst of destruction

n Donetsk, Ukraine, the signs of civil war are everywhere. Houses are riddled with bullet holes. Buildings are burned and charred. There is often no water, no electricity and very little food. Even with a ceasefire between the Ukrainian government and the proRussian rebels signed in September, shelling continues, lives are lost and a city sits in ruins. The fighting forced The Salvation Army to evacuate its corps officer in Donetsk in July, a decision Major Beat Rieder and Major Annette Rieder-Pell, divisional leaders, made out of necessity. “Donetsk is under siege—it is the worst of the worst,” says Major Beat Rieder. “We had to shut down corps activity.

BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN, STAFF WRITER

We couldn’t let him stay there.” The officer, Captain Yuri Pomytkin, was transferred to nearby Kharkiv where he helps others like himself who have been forced from their homes. “We grieve when we do not understand; we empathize with people and share their pain and loss. We’re worried for our children, friends and acquaintances,” Captain Pomytkin says. “We are like Christ’s disciples in a boat in the middle of the storm. It is not easy—we cannot quell the storm—but we know that the Lord does not leave us, even for a minute. He is there.” A Nation at War To date, approximately 3,000 people

have died as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, and a million have had to leave their homes, becoming refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). For those living through the conflict, the situation is almost unbelievable. “If someone had told me a year ago that, in 2014, I would be living in a time of war in Ukraine, I would have thought it was a bad joke,” says Captain Victor Stasiuc, program co-ordinator at divisional headquarters in Kyiv (Kiev). For the past year, he has watched as his country has descended into civil war. Protests erupted on November 21, 2013, after the Ukrainian government announced it would withdraw from trade negotiations with the European Salvationist • November 2014 • 9

Union to seek closer economic relations with Russia. These protests spread from Kyiv across Ukraine, culminating in February 2014 when then-President Viktor Yanukovych was overthrown and a new interim government installed. However, this was followed by unrest in the eastern region of Crimea, where a referendum was held in March on whether Crimeans wished to join Russia. Though the motion passed with a large majority, the UN General Assembly declared the referendum invalid, arguing that it violated international law. This referendum was not without consequences for The Salvation Army. Before the vote, the Ukraine Division operated nine corps, including two in Crimea. Afterward, those corps had to be transferred to the Russia Division, as divisional headquarters could no longer send support there. The change in government also affected many IDPs. “When Crimea was annexed, banks stopped working; people couldn’t access money,” explains Major Annette RiederPell. “If you can’t access money, you can’t buy the necessary things to live, to survive. So for a lot of these displaced people, it’s enormously important that they are given some of the basics, because many of them cannot get what they need.” Meeting Needs The Rieders took up their post as divisional leaders of Ukraine in May, just as the fighting between the government and the rebels was escalating. Even still, they made a point of visiting each corps in their division, travelling by train rather than car to avoid potentially dangerous roadblocks. Aside from Donetsk, The Salvation Army has three corps in eastern Ukraine, in Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Kirovograd. Dnepropetrovsk is closest to Donetsk, about 250 kilometres away. Each of these corps has a welcome centre for IDPs. “One of the first things we did after we arrived was to send our program co-ordinator, Captain Stasiuc, to survey the corps about what was happening in their areas, to see whether there was something The Salvation Army could do that was not already being done,” explains Major Annette Rieder-Pell. “The survey showed that a lot was being taken care of, but there were a large number 10 • November 2014 • Salvationist

of people—especially women with children—who were moving to these three areas.” The Army’s welcome centres serve two main purposes. The first is meeting physical needs. “Many of those families were lacking basic hygiene articles and supplies such as diapers, wipes and baby food,” says Major Annette Rieder-Pell. “A lot of people left in a hurry and were not able to take much with them.” The Rieders applied to international emergency services at International Headquarters (IHQ) and, so far, have been able to provide 3,100 food packages to IDPs, assisting 15,500 people. In addition to the aid from IHQ, The Salvation Army has partnered with UNICEF to distribute hygiene supplies to IDPs, helping 1,294 people. A Place of Welcome The second purpose of the welcome centres is to meet social and spiritual needs. “One of the most important things to remember is that in civil wars, such as Bosnia for example, it’s brothers fighting brothers—the societal cohesion goes down the drain,” says Major Beat Rieder. “What people need is to have places to feel welcome, to come out of a very tense situation. And that’s why we named our centres ‘welcome centres.’ ” With thousands of people displaced and living in unfamiliar communities, many people have nowhere to go and nothing to do. “We have to occupy the people as much as we can, to give them a chance to come in and talk, to have a cup of tea,”

Major Beat Rieder says. “This very simple way of helping is where The Salvation Army is at its best: a cup of tea, talking, being present with the people on the ground. And that’s probably much more important in the end than all the statistics we could put together.” All three welcome centres have also put on activities for children, including day camps and a trip to an ecopark in Kharkiv. The largest contingent of IDPs is in Kharkiv, where about 25,000 currently reside. Captain Pomytkin is in charge of IDP operations there. “He’d love to be with his people in Donetsk; it’s very hard for him, not to be able to go back,” says Major Annette Rieder-Pell. “But working with IDPs, many of whom are from his area, he’s able to engage with the people he’d otherwise be serving in Donetsk.” Salvationists who remain in Donetsk stay connected through Corps SergeantMajor Vera Volf, who is also the corps’ social worker and, despite the danger, provides material and spiritual support to corps members. Though Major Beat Rieder would like to send Captain Pomytkin back to Donetsk, he does not know when that will be possible. “We don’t know what kind of situation The Salvation Army will go back to,” he says. “Maybe our building is destroyed. Maybe his quarters is destroyed. Maybe our furniture and property are gone.” “What we do know is this: people’s lives have been destroyed,” adds Major Annette Rieder-Pell.

Lt Valeriya Lukina, CO, Dnepropetrovsk, and senior soldier Dmitry Rak (to her left) share a smile with Salvation Army volunteers and others at an IDP registration centre in Dnepropetrovsk

this war is mine as well. I do not carry any weapons, but I do fight to make life for those people a little bit better.” Outside the conflict areas, families with children face living in cramped qu a r ter s for a n indefinite period of time because they cannot return to their homes. IDPs have reported hospitals overflowing with casualties in some towns. Tamara Mirgorodskaya, director of Kharkiv Social Centre; Cpt Yuri Pomytkin; and Cpt Vladimir Korenivsky, CO, Kharkiv, offer food packages “I recently visto families in Kharkiv ited a maternity hospital to bring an IDP a hygiene parcel with the basics, such as diapers,” shares Major Annette Rieder-Pell. “She had fled from Luhansk a few days beforehand and just delivered a baby in a town otherwise unknown to her. It brought home the reality of where I am and what I am doing.” “But any dark lane has bright spots,” notes Captain Stasiuc. “You would not believe how many miracles I have witnessed in people’s lives. People have sold their property to help soldiers get equipment. Ordinary people—many of whom are low income—have collected tens of millions of hryvnias [local Cpt Irina Hohotva, CO, Kirovograd, and Mjr currency] to support the army. Tons of Annette Rieder-Pell are ready to distribute food and clothing have been collected packages in Kirovograd to help IDPs. Thousands of volunteers have taken days off to help find homes Spiritual Support for the IDPs running from the east.” Though the fighting is concentrated in Major Beat Rieder says Salvationists eastern Ukraine, everyone in the country and officers in Ukraine also have a strong feels the effects of the conflict. sense of support from outside Ukraine. “The situation is very calm here in “What encourages me most is the Kyiv,” says Major Annette Rieder-Pell. number of people who are praying for “But you realize that people are on edge us right now,” he says. “I think every because they have relatives and friends one of us feels that we are definitely in the part of the country where the civil one Army.” war is going on. Every day you have “At this time, it is important for all reports from friends and family.” of us to be a spiritual support for each “I’m a Moldavian who serves in other,” says Captain Pomytkin. “It is Ukraine, but I’m not fooled that this war important to be in prayer for each other is not mine, because it is,” says Captain and to continue serving the needy in the Stasiuc. “When I see a 45-year-old place where we are.” woman sitting on the street with a box, Major Annette Rieder-Pell notes that collecting money for bulletproof vests for they have a prayer newsletter that they her husband and her son, I understand send out to people around the world for that there is no ‘others’ war. When I see prayer support in difficult times. For the glazed eyes of IDPs who run away example, when they recently moved an with one bag for a whole family, I realize officer from Kyiv to Kharkiv, they were

concerned about roadblocks and other potential hazards. “We were able to say to her: There are so many people supporting you in this and asking God to make a way for you,” she notes. “And the amazing thing was that she wasn’t stopped or questioned once on the way. They just waved her through.” Room to Grow Though the conflict has taken a significant toll on the people of Ukraine, Major Beat Rieder believes the Army can offer a message of hope. “These are sad, sad times,” he says. “Now is the time to serve suffering humanity. But there will be a time when we will be asked, why did you serve suffering humanity? It’s because we believe in Jesus Christ, because we believe that he is still in control, even in bad times.” “I have travelled a lot during the past few months and God is being raised in almost every conversation I have had,” says Captain Stasiuc. “People are looking for answers and they are starting to understand who they need to look to.” Along with the work The Salvation Army is doing with IDPs, much of life is “business as usual” for the corps. “The normal work of The Salvation Army goes on,” says Major Beat Rieder. “The corps have Bible studies, they have social programs—everything like that.” Around the country, soldiers are being enrolled and many are expressing interest in officership. “We’ve never had so many candidates in our division,” he notes. As well, the Ukraine Division sent several young delegates to the Army’s European Youth Event held in Germany in August, where they shared in worship and fellowship with other young Salvationists and met General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox, World President of Women’s Ministries. The Salvation Army is also expanding its reach into new areas. Major Beat Rieder attended a parliamentary prayer breakfast in June, the first time a Salvation Army officer had been invited. And in August, the Army planted a new corps in Lviv, a city near the western border of Ukraine. “It’s a very clear indication that we will go ahead and The Salvation Army will only be strengthened through this whole situation,” says Major Beat Rieder. “The Salvation Army in Ukraine is alive and well.” Salvationist • November 2014 • 11

A Weekend of Welcomes Messengers of Light Session begins training as the Chief of the Staff installs territorial commander

Photos: Carson Samson

BY GEOFF MOULTON, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

n Sunday, September 14, the Canada and Bermuda Territory’s 22 newest cadets from the Messengers of Light Session (2014-2016) marched into Elim Chapel in Winnipeg as a capacity crowd thrilled to the sounds of the Heritage Park Temple Band. Together with the Heralds of Grace (2013-2015), the cadets will study at the College for Officer Training in Winnipeg for the next two years to be commissioned as Salvation Army officers. This meeting also marked the installation of the new territorial commander, Commissioner Susan McMillan, conducted by the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner William Roberts. He charged Commissioner McMillan with the sacred duties of leading the territory, upholding the Army doctrines and caring for the souls of Salvationists. Commissioner Nancy Roberts, World Secretary for Women’s Ministries, then prayed as Commissioner McMillan knelt in consecration. Later, Major David Allen, training principal, commended the Messengers of Light to the congregation and introduced the sessional song, Then the Light, composed by Major Leonard Ballantine. In her remarks, Commissioner McMillan urged the cadets, “Open your minds to 12 • November 2014 • Salvationist

Messengers of Light

Mjr David Allen commends the new cadets to the congregation

the Word of God, open your hearts to the people who need you, and you will discover that God will be with you every step of the way. There is a wonderful adventure ahead of you in The Salvation Army.” Preaching on the “servant psalm” of Isaiah 42, Commissioner McMillan exhorted, “We were saved by God to be agents of transformation. He has called us to ‘live right and live well’— to bring his light into the world.” Many responded by kneeling at the mercy seat, signaling their desire to be used by God. Other weekend events included a

Saturday morning tour of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg by the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Na nc y Rob er t s, Com m i s s ioner McMillan, and staff from the Prairie Division and territorial headquarters. On Saturday evening, the College for Officer Training hosted a reception for Commissioners Roberts. Preaching on Psalm 3, Commissioner Nancy Roberts reminded the group how God was King David’s “shield and strength in times of stress and distress.” On Sunday morning in the Booth University College chapel, family and

The Chief of the Staff charges Commissioner Susan McMillan with the sacred duties of leading Canada and Bermuda

friends of the Messengers of Light gathered to worship, singing “Lord, let your light shine on us.” Cadet Alex MacDonald shared how God had called him early and often to a life of ministry, but that it was only in “God’s perfect

Cdt Keith Hopkins carries the Messengers of Light sessional flag

Commissioners William and Nancy Roberts are introduced to the Canada and Bermuda Tty

timing” that he finally entered training. Cadet Kam Robinson testified that Jesus helped her overcome a difficult past of shame and rejection. “I felt like a messy ball of yarn, but Jesus is cleaning me up, taking out the knots and making something beautiful of my life.” A beautiful vocal solo, I’m in His Hands, was offered by Cadet Erin Metcalf. In his message, Commissioner William Roberts recounted the story of the rich, young ruler, noting that being a disciple of Jesus involves a radical obedience and sacrifice that is impossible without the Holy Spirit’s help. “Only those who say ‘no’ to all human claims can hear the ‘yes’ to God,” he said. “Following Jesus is its own reward. We receive not what we deserve, but something much better—his grace and mercy.” The welcome and installation meetings were followed by a three-day Leaders’ Summit in Winnipeg, where territorial and divisional staff met to discuss strategic direction for the territory.

Cdts Tabea and David Cole, with son, Josiah, salute Commissioner Susan McMillan

Cdt Duane Goulding and Cdt Lorenda Dale greet people outside Winnipeg’s Elim Chapel

A capacity crowd gathers for the installation of the new territorial commander and welcome of the Messengers of Light Salvationist • November 2014 • 13

Access for All

How Salvation Army corps are removing barriers for people with disabilities BY BRIANNE ZELINSKY, STAFF WRITER

Photo: Albert Miguel

ing. One common flaw she has encountered in various venues is the seating arrangements for people who use assistive devices. “We don’t always want to sit at the back. You feel singled out,” says Snow. “Indented seating is great because you can sit among the congregation. It would be nice to have options everywhere.”

“Part of working toward an inclusive society is to assert my independence. It’s important to show that I’m good with who I am,” says Christine Snow, with her son, Nathaniel Snow

hristine Snow may be in a wheelchair, but her physical disability has placed no limits on her connection to her corps or her relationship with God. “People don’t treat me as someone who needs to be singled out in any way,” says Snow, who attends North Toronto Community Church. “I have 14 • November 2014 • Salvationist

felt extremely welcome.” North Toronto has an older building, but the corps makes an effort to be structurally accessible. “The lift can be a little shaky at times, but it’s something,” says Snow. “I was impressed by the automatic doors and lights in the washrooms.” But not everywhere is as welcom-

Greater Needs For many of us, opening a door, walking up stairs or shuffling through a noisy crowd present no challenge. But for someone with a physical disability, these obstacles may be the difference between attending church or staying home. Of the 3.8 million Canadians who reported living with a disability in 2012, one in eight also reported that they use assistive devices. With an aging nation and the increasing percentage of Canadians living with disabilities, it is expected that by the year 2051, Canada will see one in four people living past the age of 65, and with that comes a population with greater physical needs. Beverly Cooey, territorial health and safety manager for Canada and Bermuda, is dedicated to educating people about accessibility standards as she encourages ministry units to form progressive attitudes around codes and policies. “We must ensure that we have standards in place for an inclusive, diverse environment,” she says. “And part of diversity is the acceptance of disabilities and making them a norm.” Making Strides In recent years, the community and family services office in Oshawa, Ont., has made a significant effort to be more inclusive. “We looked at the future and thought about how we could comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act in years to come,” says

Ivan Downey, director of community and family services. Through a partnership with the federal government’s Homelessness Initiative, the Army received donations to fund the installation of washrooms on the main floor of their building, automatic doors, an elevator, and the expansion of the waiting room and existing washrooms. “Our clients love it. The elevator is a great thing for them,” says Downey. “Not only is the elevator good for our clients with physical disabilities, but also for anyone who uses the second-floor food bank and has to carry heavy food bags downstairs.” In recognition of their efforts to improve their facility, Oshawa’s community and family services received the Accessibility Improvement Award from the City of Oshawa in May 2010. At St. John’s Citadel, N.L., services are made more accessible through a sign language ministry, which began more than 30 years ago. The corps uses sign interpreters to translate Sunday morning meetings for those who are deaf and hearing impaired. “Everything is translated through sign even though we have PowerPoint,” says Major Brian Wheeler, corps officer. “Those who are deaf and hearing impaired stand up with the congregation and the interpreter, and they all sign together. That’s how they sing.” The corps also runs a Bible study for the deaf community where they gather once a month for a potluck and a translated study. “Some of them are members of the corps while others come to visit because their own church doesn’t sign,” explains Major Wheeler. “It has made our church community more aware of the needs of others,” he continues. “They’re all part of the family even though there are some communication barriers.” Captain Rick Zelinsky, corps officer at North Toronto, sees the story of the paralyzed man in the Book of Luke (see Luke 5:18-19) as a scriptural model for inclusivity. “Just as the men skipped the crowd and lowered the paralyzed man through the roof to Jesus, our corps can improvise with the resources we have to make it work,” he says. “We may not always have the perfect solutions or the nicest elevator lift, but if we begin by making the effort, we can begin to make a difference.”

“We all need to broaden our social opinions about who needs God and why we’re drawn to a place of worship.”

Edna Dawe is a sign interpreter for St. John’s Citadel

Attitude Barriers Ignorance can kill a corps faster than a set of stairs. Sometimes attitudes in a church can unintentionally prevent people from attending. “Attitude barriers are a lot more prevalent than physical barriers when it comes to people with physical disabilities,” says Cooey. “Quite often we see the barrier of people thinking ‘we have always done it a certain way.’ That’s one we have tried to knock down.” Being mindful of attitudes and behaviours can improve the quality of social interactions within the corps. These interactions extend beyond a Sunday morning meeting to church events, potlucks and other social gatherings. It may seem harmless to pour someone’s coffee or serve their plate of food, but these actions could diminish their dignity. “You may make them feel that they can’t get food and can’t be independent, when it’s their legs and not their arms and brain that are not functioning,” says Cooey. She suggests asking, “May I help you?” instead of assuming they need assistance. This gives people with disabilities the option to decline help. Snow has also experienced attitude barriers in a spiritual context. “I sometimes feel apprehensive because, so often with people who have a disability, it is assumed that we need God more,” says Snow. “Who needs God more, the man walking down the street in a suit or the woman rolling down the street in a wheelchair?” she continues. “Chances are your mind would go to the woman in the wheelchair because it seems like she doesn’t have it as easy. We have to be cognisant that we all have struggles.

Innovative Solutions Looking ahead as an organization, The Salvation Army aims to move forward and be proactive in its approach to being inclusive and welcoming. “We develop strategies at the national level and then educate people to make them aware so that they, in turn, will spread it on,” says Cooey. “Churches are built from generations. As we move on through the generations, we learn more,” says Snow. “Education is vital for getting rid of barriers in the social environment.” “I see The Salvation Army as a leader because it’s built into our core values,” concludes Cooey. “We are compassionate and we are always looking for innovative solutions.”

Helpful Tips to Improve Accessibility

• When offering help to people with assistive devices, begin by asking, “May I help you?” • Beware of using exclusive language. Replace common phrases such as “Please stand and join in worship” with “Those who can do so, feel free to stand and join in worship” • Print hard-copy booklets of song lyrics for those with visual impairment. Include braille text • If you do not have an automatic door, install a doorbell or ensure that an usher is available for assistance • Reserve space at the back of the sanctuary while also reserving seats within the congregation for those using an assistive device • Clear the aisles and an area surrounding the mercy seat to allow access for those using assistive devices • Many platforms are not accessible. Place a microphone or a second pulpit with an adjustable microphone on the ground level for Scripture readings, testimonies, announcements and other speaking opportunities within the service • At potlucks or fellowship gatherings, set out tables with fewer chairs to create space for individuals using walkers or wheelchairs Salvationist • November 2014 • 15

Repairing the Harm Restorative justice heals broken relationships

16 • November 2014 • Salvationist

conversation, and the court system doesn’t allow for that.” Restorative justice gives victims a place to express how a crime has affected them, ask questions and have a voice in how the matter should be resolved. Garrod facilitated one circle where a group of boys had slashed the tires on several cars. A victim explained the impact it had on his family when he was unable to take his ill wife to the hospital the next morning. “You could see the shift in their understanding—my actions have consequences that I hadn’t considered,” says Garrod. “Nothing is more powerful than sitting in a very close circle with the people you’ve hurt and listening to how it’s made them feel. There’s something hugely transformative about that process, because it’s something we so rarely do.” At the same time, the circle provides a larger perspective on an offender. Matt Delaney, sports and recreation outreach co-ordinator at Northridge Community Church in Newmarket, Ont., first contributed to restorative justice circles at Bayview Secondary School in Richmond Hill, Ont. “Justice based on punishment says this is a bad person because they did a bad thing,” Delaney explains. “Restorative justice says this person isn’t the sum of what they did—there’s a bigger story to their life. They are people with pasts, people who have beautiful moments in their lives. When the offender speaks, it gives the victim a three-dimensional view.” But understanding an offender’s actions is not to excuse them. “It’s definitely not about getting away with it. If anything, it’s quite the opposite,” says Garrod. Restorative justice circles are voluntary, but as part of the process, the offender must accept responsibility and be accountable for their actions. They must fulfil the requirements of a circle agreement, decided by all of the parties involved. Examples of restitution include apology letters, reflection

Photo: © iStock.com/clearstockconcepts

n the first day of school, the custodian arrived early to unlock the doors. It was a new school and the whole community had worked hard to make sure it was ready in time. But as he got closer, he stopped in dismay. There was graffiti all over the front door. Furious, he spent an hour cleaning it off to make sure the children wouldn’t see it. A few weeks later, the custodian, the 14-year-old boy responsible for the graffiti and members of the community met in a restorative justice circle, a process that gives everyone involved in a conflict the opportunity to tell their side of the story and discuss how the offender can make amends. “In the traditional criminal justice system, the emphasis is on punishment, with the hope that this will deter further deviant behaviour,” says Mary Catherine Garrod, a Salvation Army volunteer who facilitated the circle. “In restorative justice, the emphasis is on repairing the harm.” This circle was part of a youth justice program established by the Ministry of the Attorney General as an alternative to formal court proceedings for lowrisk offenders. Youth between 12 and 17 can be referred to the program by police, before charges are laid, or by the Crown, after charges have been laid but instead of court sentencing. The Salvation Army’s correctional and justice services in London, Ont., runs the program in St. Thomas and Goderich, Ont. “This program is rooted in biblical principles of forgiveness and restoration,” says Julia Parker, operational director of correctional and justice services in London. “It acknowledges the harm and holds the offender accountable while working to bring healing and transformation to broken relationships.” Garrod became involved with restorative justice work after her daughter was killed in a hit-and-run accident. “People kept saying to me, you’ll feel so much better once he’s in jail,” she says. “But I needed to understand how he could kill two people and drive off. I needed

BY GISELLE RANDALL, FEATURES EDITOR

essays, financial compensation for loss or damage of property and community service hours. They may also be referred to other programs to help them learn how to make better choices. When he represents the community in a circle, Delaney is able to follow up with the offender, to make sure their behaviour is changing and celebrate that change when it comes. For Delaney, restorative justice offers the church a valuable opportunity. “It opens a doorway and a conversation that you don’t often get,” he says. “As people with a message of grace and forgiveness—concepts that could very well be foreign—what better way than to enter the heart of conflict with people and lead a conversation about them, about the idea that forgiveness isn’t just possible but is of great value? It’s an incredible vessel.” The boy who vandalized school property faced the custodian, his teacher and principal with his head down and eyes averted, ashamed. Before the circle, the custodian was extremely angry and frustrated, ready to lash out at him. But as he listened to the boy talk, his anger began to diffuse. “Communication provides understanding, and this, in turn, provides the opportunity for forgiveness and healing,” Garrod says. Expecting wrath and punishment, and instead receiving understanding and empathy, the boy’s demeanor changed. “It was like he was rising back up.”

WORLD WATCH

Typhoon Haiyan: One Year Later Recovery efforts and development initiatives continue in the Philippines

n November 2013, typhoon Haiyan devastated vast portions of Southeast Asia, especially the Philippines. Thousands of lives were lost and thousands of homes destroyed. In the aftermath of the storm, The Salvation Army provided immediate relief assistance, particularly in Tacloban, the devastated capital of Leyte Province. With support from the international Salvation Army, including the Canada and Bermuda Territory, local Army personnel sprang into action to distribute life-saving food, water and non-food items. In the months following the storm, more than a quarter of a million meals were served, 4,000 people received medical care and 3,000 families received roofing materials. The Canada and Bermuda Territory has also lent support to a vegetable seed project, enabling 5,000 families to restart farming with tools and seeds. Over the next few years, the Army will continue the recovery and community development initiatives in support of the affected people as they rebuild their homes and lives. A livelihood program will provide skills and support for locally appropriate vocations, including food processing, house wiring, plumbing, carpentry and dress making, to assist people with sustainable income-earning opportunities. “We are grateful to the people of the Canada and Bermuda

Territory for their combined donations of more than $600,000 to support the emergency response and redevelopment initiatives of The Salvation Army in the Philippines,” says Major Gillian Brown, director of world missions for the Canada and Bermuda Territory. “The Filipino people have rebounded in amazing ways, but the recovery effort is far from over.”

Immediate relief assistance is provided after typhoon Haiyan

Special Guests Singer, Robert Pilon Toronto Northern Lights Chorus, Musical Director, Steven Armstrong Organist, Ian Sadler

Featuring The Festival Chorus with Canadian Staff Band, John Lam, Bandmaster Major Leonard Ballantine, Artistic Director

Saturday, December, 13th, 2014 7:30 p.m. at Roy Thomson Hall 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto Tickets from $20 to $30 available at roythomson.com or call Roy Thomson Hall Box Office 416-872-4255 Presented by The Salvation Army Ontario Central East Division

Salvationist • November 2014 • 17

TALKING IT OVER

Outbreak

What’s the best way to handle the Ebola crisis? In their Talking It Over series, Dr. James Read, director of The Salvation Army Ethics Centre in Winnipeg, and Dr. Aimee Patterson, Christian ethics consultant at the centre, dialogue about moral and ethical issues. This is their last column and we thank them for stimulating thought and discussion. DEAR JIM,

DEAR AIMEE,

think that many of us, when we hear of a disaster—especially one that’s impacting people who already have few resources for self-reliance—want to do something. We can’t just change the channel, and we can’t just walk away. We want to do something, anything, to help. And that’s both an admirable reflex and a dangerous one. Lots of harmful and short-sighted consequences can follow. Just after the WHO ruling, there was a rush to send shiploads of nutritional supplements to affected regions with the claim 18 • November 2014 • Salvationist

Photo: © iStock.com/CastaldoStudio

ack in August, the World Health Organization (WHO) put its ethical stamp of approval on administering certain “unregistered interventions” to people afflicted with the Ebola virus. I think many took the news uncritically, perhaps influenced by dystopian movies such as 28 Days Later and Contagion. In particular, I heard Christians respond positively to the announcement, perhaps out of a sense of social justice. After all, thousands of people, mostly in impoverished African nations, were dying of or infected with a contagious disease that had no treatment and could not be prevented. These were people who were also afflicted with extreme poverty and inequality. They deserved whatever assistance was available. Moreover, many were afraid this might blossom into a full pandemic as cases began to crop up in other nations. It all had the appearance of a bold call to the cavalry. But it wasn’t long before the questions nurtured by my bioethics education began to swell within me. Who should receive experimental treatments first—sick physicians or sick patients? Who gets to decide and by what measures? (It turned out that an infected doctor from Sierra Leone was denied an obtainable experimental therapy, while only a few days later another sick doctor, located in Liberia but from the United States, was treated and sent back home to recover.) If a treatment appears to work—or even if it doesn’t—will the controls used in drug administration in so desperate an emergency stand up to scientific rigour? How can transparency and accountability be assured? (There was a cloud of suspicion hanging over Samaritan’s Purse about how they transported an “experimental serum”—the same serum given to the now-recovered American doctor—out of the United States and into Liberia.) These are only a few questions, but you catch my drift: even in a situation of urgency, answers aren’t always so clear cut. What’s your take? AIMEE

that they might be the cure. I am cynical enough to think it was really just a way to make money by playing on the desperation of poor, sick people. There is absolutely no science to say the supplements cure Ebola. But those promoting the scheme could claim (and did) that there is no science to say ZMapp or other drugs considered by WHO work either. I am very glad the American missionaries who were returned to Atlanta and who got ZMapp recovered. But did the experimental medication help? Or would they have recovered anyway? Having sidestepped the usual clinical trials for new drugs, it will be very hard to say for sure. Scrapping the time-tested norms is understandable, however. When I read about the Ebola death rates at a clinic in Liberia run by Doctors Without Borders, I was horrified. At the time of the report, only 61 of 337 patients recovered. The rest died. Elsewhere, 90 percent of those infected die. What other virus has that kind of mortality rate? At the same time, I learned (and this was eye-opening for me) that one reason the death rate is so high is that the clinics don’t have isolation wards, the nurses and doctors have no protective gowns, and there is no efficient way of monitoring and controlling patients’ electrolytes (the levels of potassium, chloride and sodium in the bloodstream). If these were available, fewer would get sick and fewer would die. Even without the WHO frantically bending its research-ethics rules. Ebola is frightening. No question about that. But thinking we would have a cure-all if only we could flood African clinics

TALKING IT OVER with unvalidated drugs obscures the realities on the ground. Or so I think. How about you? JIM

It doesn’t make it any easier to know that people are still dying of Ebola, though, does it? AIMEE

DEAR JIM,

DEAR AIMEE,

t’s easy to be attracted to solutions that appear heroic. For instance, in our attempts to aid people who are trafficked, we can get caught up in the idea of rescue. But experts in anti-trafficking techniques tell us that, to some degree, trafficked persons have to rescue themselves. They can actually be put at greater risk when fools rush in. We can put our efforts to better use in less dramatic but more valuable ways. We can support anti-trafficking efforts such as those carried out in Salvation Army social services. We can educate ourselves and others. We can build relationships with people who are vulnerable. And, of course, we can pray. A lot of this is preventative work. There’s little difference in medicine. The very term “heroic measures” has taken on a negative connotation. In emergency and end-of-life situations, many treatments and techniques aimed at resuscitating a person or sustaining life are available. But over time we’ve discovered these measures can also add risk to an already dire situation, sometimes failing to revive and other times leaving a person with exceedingly little in the way of health or “quality of life.” That’s one reason why many gravely ill patients have do-not-resuscitate orders. Statistics show that physicians are also less likely to request heroic measures in their own advance health care directives. The best solutions are not often what we see in the movies—valiant protagonists taking big risks. Proactive measures, like the ones you mentioned, may not offer the emotional return of so-called heroism. But they do have the potential to provide long-term and wide-ranging achievements. As Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador said, “We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well…. We may never see the end results, but … we are the workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.”

he risk of all our sensible talk of scaling back our expectations, sticking with proven science, prioritizing prevention over heroic rescues, and so on, is that it will quiet our consciences too much. In realizing that I can’t apply heroic measures, the danger is that I will apply no measures at all. And that would be tragic. When Romero says we are ministers, not messiahs, I think he’s preaching a message that takes concerted discipline for people like me to hear. It may require a transformation of our minds. It used to be that when I read 1 Corinthians 3:16, I got quite chuffed: “Do you not know that you are a temple of God…?” (NASB). To think of myself as God’s temple gave my ego a boost. It fitted well with my self-image as the possessor of unnoticed superpowers, able to leap tall buildings, rescue damsels, convert thousands. So, when I discovered that the “you” in the original Greek is plural, and that it means we together are the temple of God, I had to do a theological rethink. It has taken some time, but for the most part I now think an even more marvelous miracle is at work: God isn’t just saving individuals, God is creating a people. And I can be an integral part of it. Similarly, in the face of Ebola, we don’t need “more realistic expectations;” we need a community of people pulling in the same direction. (By the way, while writing this, I have been reminded to make my donation through World Missions.) I don’t want to turn the Ebola crisis into a “lesson,” Aimee. The people who are giving their lives and those who are losing their lives deserve better. But, as we file the last of our columns, I need to say thank you to you, our editors and our readers for the realizations that what we do, too, is a co-operative effort, and not something I could do, or would enjoy doing, all alone. Grace and peace in abundance! JIM

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Renewing Our Purpose As an Army, let’s do something—and do it well

20 • November 2014 • Salvationist

ministry and effort. If we are consumed by mundane and unimportant tasks, we may not have time to do what is critical and vital to our mission. We are not an Army of mediocrity. If we are no longer reaching souls for Christ because we are too busy chasing funding and worrying about our image,

bars are still open to the drunkards and the socialites; they did not close because the War Cry sales ended. The grocery stores continue to operate long after the red kettles are put away for another year. Nursing homes still provide services to shut-ins and the sick long after our ministry teams visit during the holidays.

Photo: Scott Streble, Grizzard

hen General William Booth saw homeless people huddling under a bridge, he recognized a need. He looked at his son, Bramwell, and said, “Do something!” Since the early days of the Army, we have been doing something to help those in need. We understand that if there is a need and we can help, we should. But is doing “something” enough? Are we doing that “something” well? As The Salvation Army has grown, it has evolved into an entity that is too big to micro-manage—and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. But are we so large that we must delve into every kind of social service? In so doing, we may spread our “something” so thin that we cannot expect long-term and lifechanging results in those we serve. We need to do something. But are there certain aspects of our ministries that we ought to discard? We need to ask what purpose our programs serve. If a specific program or service is not helping to save souls and serve suffering humanity—if it is just something we are required to do or something we have always done—perhaps it’s time to let it die. We are not an Army of programs. We are The Salvation Army, and our mission for Christ should constantly propel us forward. Our “somethings”—whatever they may be—should be provided out of necessity and not just tradition and maintenance. General Booth once advised that if corps were not growing or producing, they should be closed immediately and the officers moved to another location. Is our commitment to tradition and the “status quo” too strong today? Do we, as soldiers and officers, hold on to sacred cows that no longer serve any purpose in our present ministries? We don’t have time to dwell on these less important things when there are broken lives and people who need the Army today. If we’re going to do “something,” let it be something worthwhile. It isn’t about perfection in our programming; it’s about sincerity, compassion, intentional

BY CAPTAIN SCOTT STRISSEL

Let us act out of love and compassion and not out of an obligation I fear God will replace us with others who are willing to do the impossible. Forget about numerical and financial success. Although these are often indicators of “success,” they are secondary to our mission of doing “something” well. Our first order of business is to be in constant prayer, asking the Father to guide us and strengthen us by the Holy Spirit. We will flounder and fail without his guidance concerning what must be done. This discipline of prayer is essential, but it can get lost in the busyness of our Army. As we are constantly praying for guidance and direction, we must venture outside our walls and the comforts of our corps buildings and centres. We must engage those in need where they are. The

The single parent who barely makes ends meet while working two or three jobs still needs someone to talk to after our social services office closes for the day. There are many avenues for doing “something” that could mean everything to the hurting, marginalized and broken. As an Army, let’s do something, and do it well. Let us act out of love and compassion and not out of an obligation to uniform or service. Let’s get on with the important stuff and let the sacred cows and mundane tasks take a back seat for a while. Captain Scott Strissel lives in Brainerd, Minnesota. He blogs to encourage and challenge the Salvation Army world at pastorsponderings.org.

CROSS CULTURE

IN REVIEW The Family of Jesus

by Karen Kingsbury Bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is well known for her inspirational novels. But in The Family of Jesus, Kingsbury tries her hand at biblical fiction, offering a view into the lives of six of the family members of Jesus: Mary, Joseph, Jesus’ brother James, John the Baptist, Zechariah and Elizabeth. Each family member is featured in their own short story, which is anchored in Scripture with minimal literary license. Kingsbury hopes readers will develop an emotional connection to the family members of Jesus, helping them grasp the truths of Scripture not just with their minds, but with their hearts. In addition to the six short stories, the final third of the book features Bible studies for each of the family members. These studies include questions for personal reflection, as well as group discussion, and “homework” to help readers apply the concepts to their lives.

In This House, We Will Giggle

Making virtues, love and laughter a daily part of your family life by Courtney DeFeo Popular “mommy blogger” Courtney DeFeo makes her book debut with In This House, We Will Giggle, which aims to help parents engage their children in the Christian faith using love and laughter. A mother of two young girls, DeFeo believes that instilling virtues in children starts with laughter, not lecture. That perspective propelled her to create this idea-packed book, in which she offers motivating reflections, real-life stories and a sandbox full of inventive ways to help parents turn their children toward God. Each of the book’s 12 chapters focuses on one virtue that is key for developing character—including joy, forgiveness, respect and generosity. DeFeo suggests families practise the virtues over the course of a year, choosing one virtue/chapter per month. Along with insights into how each virtue plays out in everyday life, DeFeo includes a memory verse, activity ideas and discussion questions to reinforce that virtue throughout the month.

Stolen

The true story of a sex trafficking survivor by Katariina Rosenblatt Katariina Rosenblatt was a lonely and abused girl, yearning to be loved. On an ordinary day, she met a young woman who pretended to be a friend while luring her into a child trafficking ring. For years afterward, a cycle of false friendships, threats, drugs and violence kept her trapped.

In Stolen, Rosenblatt shares her harrowing experiences, ultimate escape and passionate efforts to now free other victims. The book is a warning, demonstrating that sex trafficking is happening frighteningly close to home, and a call to action, showing how trafficking can be stopped. Stolen is also a story of faith and redemption for, as Rosenblatt writes, “just escaping isn’t enough. … Since I escaped and grew in my faith, God has enabled me to use my painful experiences to reach out to those young girls and boys who remain trapped in a life of sex trafficking.”

The Overnighters

Directed by Jesse Moss What happens when desperate job-seekers move to a boomtown, hoping for a fresh start, only to discover that housing is in very short supply and the community is less than welcoming? Jesse Mo s s e x a m i ne s this issue in depth in his new documentary film, The Overnighters, in theatres now. The film’s central figure is Pastor Jay Reinke, a Lutheran minister in the small town of Williston, North Dakota. Every night, Reinke converts his church into a makeshift shelter, despite growing opposition from his congregation, neighbours, town officials and media. This timely film looks at Reinke’s relationships with several of the “overnighters,” who stay at the church, as well as interviewing townspeople and churchgoers. The film’s balanced approach—giving voice to both supporters and detractors—creates a complex narrative that avoids cliché as Reinke turns out to be, in his words, no less “broken” than the men he tries to help.

ON THE WEB “Salvation Army Major Fights Human Trafficking After Life of Rebellion”

“The first way we contribute to injustice in the world is not to see it.” M ajor D a n ie l le Strickland, corps officer at Edmonton Crossroads Community Church, gives a compelling interview about her personal salvation story and social justice advocacy in a recent episode of 100 Huntley Street. Major Strickland shares about her conversion experience while in a jail cell, The Salvation Army’s cupcake ministry to sex workers in Australia and her current work with sexually exploited women in Edmonton. Watch the interview at http:// youtu.be/zNwknWXgMbE. Salvationist • November 2014 • 21

CROSS CULTURE

The People’s General

Tribute to General Eva Burrows (Rtd) explores her impact on the world REVIEW BY COMMISSIONER JOHN WAINWRIGHT

t was an inspired thought to publish a tribute to General Eva Burrows (Rtd) to mark the 20th anniversary of her retirement as an active officer. The idea of a coffee-table edition is not that common in Army literature, and previous books and writings on the General’s life and work might lead one to ask, “What more is there to say?” The answer to that question is “much more” when spending time with this colourful presentation. The People’s General is alive and full of energy. Divided into two sections, the first part of the book is an edited transcript of an in-depth 60,000-word interview with the General given in 1996. Any fear that such an interview reproduced so many years later might be outdated is unfounded. Absent of Salvation Army jargon, it reads as if it is an interview of today. It is down to earth, open and honest. Indeed it confirms that the General’s thinking was ahead of her time on a number of issues. The interview is wide-ranging, dealing with the General’s upbringing and family life. She speaks candidly about university and her time of “rebellion.” “I didn’t want anything to do with The Salvation Army,” she states. Then there came a realization that God was calling her to work in Africa and that officership was the chosen road for that purpose to be fulfilled. Her time in Africa is explored from a number of perspectives, including issues of culture, African belief systems and practices, and the role of missionaries and their positive and negative impact. The General does not hide her disappointment at being asked to leave Africa after 17 years, but embraces the change that follows as a development of her leadership skills, which were all part of the preparation for high office. She tackles questions of women’s 22 • November 2014 • Salvationist

being previously unpublished. They reflect laughter and colour with just an occasional reflective pose. Overall they are about relationship with people and the reader is left with the impression that the General is completely at home in any circumstance, in any culture and with any generation as long as she is with others. The last pages look at her life now; she is in her 80s but almost always surrounded by young people. Still actively involved in her corps and affectionately known as “Geneva,” her philosophy is summed up when she says, “Actually, I am a now person. I live in the now.” This book would make a worthy gift but is so balanced in content as to provide interest to Salvationist historians and all who enjoy biographical reading. Above all it will come as a refreshing encouragement to those who are feeling tired in their officership and those who need a lift in their spiritual life. “Though God is great and majestic and powerful, it is his loving fatherhood that means most to me,” she says.

General André Cox supports General Eva Burrows (Rtd) on the launch of The People’s General

leadership, leadership styles, the Army’s place in the world today, her own relationship with God and her anticipation of the “glorious day” of which she says, “The Bible has a lot of picturesque imagery, but I don’t think I’ll be playing a harp and sitting there enjoying an idle life.” The second part of the book is a photographic montage of her life, with many of the more than 200 photographs

More on General Eva Burrows (Rtd) • General of God’s Army: The authorized biography of General Eva Burrows by Colonel Henry Gariepy • Interview with Robin Hughes for the Australian Biography Project. Includes full transcript and 35-minute video for download. www.australianbiography.gov.au/ subjects/burrows/ • A Field for Exploits: Training leaders for The Salvation Army by General Eva Burrows (Rtd) and Captain Stephen Court Commissioner John Wainwright is the international secretary for business administration at International Headquarters. This article first appeared in The Officer.

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

ENROLMENTS AND RECOGNITION

GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.— Following five years of dedicated service as the corps sergeantmajor at Park Street Citadel, Clyde Downton retires and receives a certificate of appreciation from Mjr Owen Rowsell, CO.

GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.— Mjr Owen Rowsell, CO, welcomes Albert Pynn as a senior soldier at Park Street Citadel.

NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.—Connor and Myles Shackle are dedicated back to God by their parents, Dave and Kim Shackle, at North Vancouver Corps. Supporting them are Lt Bethany Dueck, CO, and Brian Dueck, holding the flag.

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C.—From left, David Ross, Paula Bracey and Manuel Ulliac are enrolled as senior soldiers at New Westminster Citadel.

KINGSTON, ONT.—The Army marches forward at Kingston Citadel as six senior soldiers are enrolled and one senior soldier is reinstated. Front, from left, Chad Lees, senior soldier; Dale Schroeder, reinstated senior soldier; Josephine Rosner, Connie Garland, Donald Garland, Ken Metcalfe, senior soldiers. Back, from left, Mjr David McNeilly, CO; Jeffery Smith, holding the flag; Jannet Treacy, senior soldier; and Mjr April McNeilly, CO. PENTIC TON, B.C.— Penticton CC recently held a garage sale that enabled the community care ministries group to purchase extra-large-print song books for use at Trinity Care Centre, a local nursing home. Presenting the books to Andrea Naylor, activity director at the centre, are CCMS Barbara Pettifer and Mjr Dale Sobool, CO.

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C.—Emily Maandag is the newest junior soldier at New Westminster Citadel. Celebrating with her are, from left, Brent White, children’s/youth ministries co-ordinator; Emily’s father, David Maandag, holding the flag; RS Andre Hales; and Lt Sharon Tidd, CO.

What’s New With You? Share the exciting things that are happening in your part of the territory. Send us your news and photos highlighting the many ways The Salvation Army is living out its mission. Photos are acceptable in JPEG or TIFF format (minimum 300 ppi preferred). E-mail salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org today!

ST. GEORGE’S, BERMUDA—St. George’s Corps warmly welcomes two new junior soldiers. Front, from left, AYPSM Anne Guishard; Dante Signor, Michel Ingham, junior soldiers; JSS Cathy Esdaille. Back, from left, YPSM Connie Francis; CSM Neil Francis; Alfred Esdaille, holding the flag; and Mjrs Wendy and Dan Broome, COs. Salvationist • November 2014 • 23

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

HAMILTON, BERMUDA— Surrounded by their leaders, parents and other family members, Micah Hollis, Anias Philpot, Sophie Jones, NaeZori Weeks and Amias Lightbourne proudly display their certificates as they are enrolled as junior soldiers at North Street Citadel.

MISSISSAUGA, ONT.—Susan Taylor is commissioned as the corps sergeant-major at Mississauga Temple CC. From left, Adam Taylor, holding the flag; Mjr Lois Garcia, CO; Susan Taylor; and Mjr Norman Garcia, CO.

BISHOP’S FALLS, N.L.—Cathy Harnum-Flynn is enrolled as a senior soldier at Bishop’s Falls Corps. From left, Mjrs Ron and Joyce Stuckless, who conducted the enrolment; Cathy Harnum-Flynn; Julia and Harry Harnum, Cathy’s parents; CS Jason Reid, holding the flag; and CSM Ruth Budgell-Walsh.

MUSGRAVETOWN, N.L.—Salvation Army banding is alive and well in the Fisher family as four generations are involved in music ministry at their home corps. Danielle and Megan Holloway, along with their mother, Susan (Fisher) Holloway, and grandfather, Wayne Fisher, attend Islandview Citadel in Musgravetown. Their great-grandfather, 87-year-old Edmund Fisher, is a bandsman at Park Street Citadel in Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L. M I S S I S S AU G A , O N T. — Mississauga Temple CC enrols eight senior soldiers and three adherents. From left, Joshua Smith, senior soldier; Jodi Kee, Janae Court, adherents; Mjr Norman Garcia, CO; Joel Stickland, Raquel Clark, senior soldiers; Jim Dean, adherent; Chris Pugh, holding the flag; Milena Osorio, John Ortiz, Bibiana Espinosa, Sergio Moncaleano, Diana Bedoya, senior soldiers; Colley Jackson, who taught the senior soldier preparation classes; and Carolina Valencia, who provided Spanish translation. 24 • November 2014 • Salvationist

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Salvationists celebrate the 36th anniversary of St. John’s West Corps. Taking part in the cutting of the anniversary cake are, from left, Mjrs Terry and Roxann Feltham, COs; Mjr Marjorie Burton; Alyssa Kelly; Lt-Cols Jean and Douglas Hefford, DDWM and DC, N.L. Div.

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

VICTORIA—Frank Cracknell and Paul Hickman from Victoria Citadel receive certificates marking their retirement as bandsman, each having given 65 years of musical service to the Lord. From left, Mjr Dave Grice, CO; Paul Hickman; Frank Cracknell; Mjr Lynn Grice, CO; and Larry Corbett, holding the flag.

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Front, from left, CJ Greening, Caroline Loveless, Alyssa Kelly, Brooklyn Fahey and Grace Kelly proudly display their certificates as they become the newest junior soldiers at St. John’s West. Back, from left, Mjr Terry Feltham, CO; Laura Rowsell, youth director; Cpt Julia Butler-Tarnue, then DYS, N.L. Div; Hillary Coombs, acting JSS; and Mjr Roxann Feltham, CO.

HAMPDEN, N.L.—Julie Avery, senior soldier, and Logan Guy, junior soldier, cut the cake celebrating the 88th anniversary of Hampden Corps. With them, from left, are Mjr Leighton Patey, then CO; Mjr Loretta Fudge, community ministries director, Corner Brook social services, N.L.; and Mjr Calvin Fudge, AC, N.L. Div.

OAKVILLE, ONT.—Serenity Woodard is dedicated back to the Lord at Oakville CC. Front, from left, Diane Adair, grandmother; Denise Woodard, aunt and godmother, holding Serenity. Back, from left, Cpt Wendy Crabb, CO; Candace Wagner, godmother; Darlene Woodard, mother; Dave Adair, grandfather; and Cpt Mark Crabb, CO.

New Ministry in Quesnel

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Kailey Loveless is recognized for completing the junior action program at St. John’s West. Supporting her are, from left, Mjrs Terry and Roxann Feltham, COs; Laura Rowsell, youth director; Cpt Julia Butler-Tarnue, then DYS, N.L. Div; and Hillary Coombs, acting JSS.

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—During a visit of Comrs Brian and Rosalie Peddle, then territorial leaders, Doug Osmond Sr. and Allan Andrews are recognized for exceptional dedication to Salvation Army banding as they each mark 75 years of continuous service to the St. John’s Citadel Band. From left, Mjr Brian Wheeler, CO; Doug Osmond Sr; Allan Andrews; ACSM Matthew Osmond, holding the flag; Comrs Peddle.

QUESNEL, B.C.—Like many towns and cities across Canada, Quesnel has an aging population. To reach out to this growing group of people in their community, the Quesnel Corps initiated a community care ministries (CCM) group. “We celebrated the start-up of CCM by enrolling 12 members and commissioning Sharron Mindel as our CCM secretary,” says Lt Laura Van Schaick, CO. Most of the new members are seniors who recognize that they could need a CCM visit in the future and are eager to serve and visit those who are shut in, live in a nursing home or find themselves in hospital. “They feel especially called to reach out and ensure that no one is left alone,” says Lt Van Schaick. Front, from left, Shirley Heaton, Helen Williams, Patricia Klassen, Valerie Butler, Ethel Yates, Trudie Wootten. Back, from left, Lenore Domanko; Sharron Mindel; Lt Van Schaick, holding the flag; Ruth Scoullar; Maxine Kalinski; Jude Pederson; and Adeline Mair. Salvationist • November 2014 • 25

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

TRIBUTES DEER LAKE, N.L.—William Janes was born into a Salvation Army family in Deer Lake in 1937. Involved in many activities at Deer Lake Corps, he was a senior soldier and bandsman for over 50 years. Bill served as band treasurer, boy scout leader and Sunday school teacher, and was a member of the men’s fellowship group and Salvation Army bowling team. Bill loved to cook for the different groups at the corps and acted as Santa Claus for many groups and also on Christmas Eve. He leaves to mourn, his wife, Elaine; sons Fred (Cindy), Stephen (Dode); grandchildren Vicki, Valeri, Parker; special niece, Sandra Dower; brothers Harold (Ruth), Adolphus (Susie); sisters Emma Sheppard, Mary (Harry) Reid, Glenda (Terry) Tilley; brothers-in-law George (Emily) Gordon, Roy Saunders, Gerald (Paulette) Locke, Merrill (Mona) Goodyear, Majors Ron (Maisie) Goodyear; sisters-in-law Yvonne Janes, Bette Goodyear; a large circle of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. NANAIMO, B.C.—Alvery George Gray was born into a Christian home in Moose Jaw, Sask., in 1937 to George and Gladys. Al loved the Lord and was a senior soldier, corps cadet and bandsman, playing the double bass at the corps in Moose Jaw and Nanaimo, where he moved in 1969. He was a gifted singer who sang solos and in a quartet with his sister, Lyla. Married to Anna Gerard (Nancy) for more than 57 years, Al was a very devoted husband, brother, father, father-in-law and grandfather. He raised three wonderful boys that took after him in music. Al will be greatly missed by his wife, Nancy; sons Douglas (Sue-Lynn), Rodney (Denise), Bill (Leanne); grandchildren Pearlanne, Delsarose, Kaleb, Jaden, Wyatt, Natalie, Sarah; siblings Lyla Murray, Evelyn Scherr and Danny Gray. PENTICTON, B.C.—Sydney Hayward Whitesell was born in Calgary in 1927 and raised in Vancouver. A bandsman, songster and Sunday school teacher at Grandview Corps, he entered the training college in Toronto in 1950 in the Ambassadors Session. Following commissioning, he served in Carlton Place, Ont., The Pas, Man., and in Yorkton, Swift Current and Indian Head, Sask. In 1956, Sydney married Lieutenant Iris Grill and together they served in Estevan and Meadow Lake, Sask., and Santiago, Chile. Returning to Canada in 1959, they resided in Vancouver and attended Vancouver Temple. Sydney graduated from the University of British Columbia with an education degree in 1965 and moved to Penticton that same year. He attended the Army and was a member of the Penticton Ham Radio Club, Ironman triathlon volunteer, computer instructor at the seniors’ centre and Penticton Vees fan. Sydney played the cornet at Grandview Corps, Vancouver Temple and Penticton Corps. Enjoying travel, he took several cruises, and visited Israel, China, Turkey and Washington, U.S.A. Sydney leaves to mourn his daughter, Melodye; grandson, Rio; brother, Wrayburn (Nola); niece, Jocelyn (Juris); nephew, Mark (Mary Ellen) and their daughters Summer and Erin; girlfriend, Audrey; many other nieces, nephews and cousins. DEER LAKE, N.L.—Edna Durdle (nee Sparkes) was born in Rocky Harbour, N.L., in 1921. At the age of 16, she signed her Soldier’s Covenant and remained a Salvationist until she was promoted to glory in her 92nd year. Edna was one of the longest-serving soldiers of Deer Lake Corps, where she married Walter Durdle, a widower, and became mother to his three children. They also had eight children of their own who remember them as loving parents and an inspiration to all. Edna left her family with “a legacy of fortitude,” a special strength of mind gained from her life as a prayer warrior that allowed her to endure pain or adversity with courage. She was a member of the home league, a Sunday school teacher and a member of the Order of the Silver Star, with a son serving as an officer of The Salvation Army. Those who loved her in life and are now missing her dearly are her children Gertie (Ray), Samuel (Patricia), Minetta (Scott), Winston (Rachael), Margaret (Ronald), Joy (Danny), Melva (Graham), Major Carson (Major Audrey), Barry (Violet); siblings Lloyd, Melvin, Brada; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; and all whose lives she touched. 26 • November 2014 • Salvationist

MONTREAL—Envoy (Dr.) Peter Cohen was a lifetime member of The Salvation Army and an envoy in Quebec since 1988. Born in Amsterdam, he emigrated from Holland to Canada in 1958 to begin his residency in Winnipeg. Peter created the first Canadian emergency medical training program in Calgary and moved to Montreal in 1972 to begin teaching emergency medical training at McGill University through Dawson College. He founded the Emergency Medical Technicians Association of Quebec and was director of the emergency department at Montreal’s Royal Victoria Hospital. Peter also founded Resuscicar, which offered extended paramedical training and ambulance services and was the concept behind today’s Urgences-santé in Montreal and the paramedical training now offered at Ahuntsic College. Following a short period as a country doctor in Notre-Dame-des-Bois, Que., Peter returned to Montreal in 1982 and before retiring in 2007, he served as an emergency physician with Urgences-santé, worked in the palliative care unit at Verdun Hospital and completed a four-year term as a ship’s doctor with Norwegian Cruise Line. He leaves behind his loving wife, Jean; devoted son, Patrick; brother, Klaas; sisters Riet and Trudie; many friends and colleagues. MANITOUWADGE, ONT.—Albert Griffin Goulding was born in 1940 in Buchans, N.L., to Salvation Army officer parents and was active in corps life in communities throughout Newfoundland where they served as corps officers. Bert married the love of his life, Emma Matthews, in 1958, and together they had four children. A miner by trade, he returned to Buchans to work in one of the richest basemetal mines in the world. Bert was a gifted vocal soloist, played the piano, the accordion and a variety of brass instruments, and faithfully served as the bandmaster at Buchans Corps. Following the mine’s closure, they moved to Manitouwadge where Bert worked in the gold mine alongside their eldest son, Domino, until Domino’s sudden death in 2002. A Christian gentleman with a fantastic sense of humour, Bert was a faithful Salvationist who was instrumental in bringing the Army to Manitouwadge, where he worshipped while the corps was in operation. Remembering Bert are his wife, Emma; daughters Kathy (Edward) White, Margaret Perrier (Walter Howell); son, Robert (Shirley); daughter-in-law, Lorna; five grandsons; one granddaughter; three great-grandchildren; brother, Mo Goulding; sister, Grace (Hubert) Smith; sisters-in-law Lt-Colonel Marie Goulding, Shirley Goulding; a large circle of extended family and friends.

GAZETTE

TERRITORIAL Appointments Cpts Daniel/Sarah Lim, assistant COs, Red Deer Church and Community and Family Services, Alta. & N.T. Div Retirements Mjr Christopher Dickens, Mjr Doreen Lacey Promoted to glory Mjr Eva Cosby, from Toronto, Aug 25; Cpt Ernest Chaulk, from Deadman’s Bay, N.L., Sep 10

CALENDAR

Commissioner Susan McMillan Nov 1-2 130th anniversary, Brampton, Ont CE Div; Nov 2 Ontario welcome as territorial leader, Guelph, Ont GL Div; Nov 13-19 Zimbabwe Tty; Nov 20-21 Canadian Council of Churches 70th anniversary celebrations, Toronto; Nov 22-23 CFOT, Winnipeg; Nov 24-25 Hope in the City Breakfast, Vancouver; Nov 27-28 Evangelical Fellowship of Canada President Day and Denominational Meeting, Toronto Colonels Mark and Sharon Tillsley Nov 7-9 Corner Brook Citadel, N.L. Div; Nov 15 Fall Festival, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto; Nov 16 Santa Claus Parade, Toronto; Nov 21 Hope in the City Breakfast, Toronto Canadian Staff Band Nov 15 Fall Festival, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto; Nov 16 Santa Claus Parade, Toronto; Nov 29-30 Sounds of the Season Concert with Chicago Staff Band, Chicago

CONVICTIONS MATTER

In God’s Image

How our fifth doctrine offers hope for a broken world BY MAJOR RAY HARRIS

Salvationists in the 21st century? This book explores the relevance and contribution of these historic doctrines for the present age. It argues that each doctrine has something vital to contribute to the Army’s

understanding and practice of holiness. These convictions matter!

“In articulating and reflecting on the core convictions that guide the work of The Salvation Army and hold its communal life together,

Ray Harris has achieved that elusive but essential balance between accessibility and depth. He has put the doctrines of the Army in

conversation with the Salvationist understanding of holiness for the purpose of engaging the future.”

—The Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton, General Secretary, The Canadian Council of Churches

“Doctrines are not monuments to the past, but living testimonies to

throwaway world.” The reasons why women become involved in this “industry” are complex, but the consequences are destructive. In Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle, Chris Hedges writes that pornography “extinguishes the sacred and the human to worship power, control, force and pain. It replaces empathy, eros and compassion with the illusion that we are gods.” The God of the biblical story is not indifferent to this darkness: humanity is justly exposed to the wrath of God. The Salvation Army’s communal life and mission takes its cue from this doctrine. Conscious of our own sinfulness, we respond to God’s grace by viewing all peoples as created in the image of the triune God. Because of this we honour the dignity of people with dementia, care for those with disabilities, respect those of different race and ethnicity, see the image of the divine in those of different sexual orientation and refuse to treat people as commodities, because we know that God’s grace cannot be reduced to a commodity. In a sinful world we seek to express the human dignity born of God’s grace. With all persons. This conviction matters! Major Ray Harris is a retired Salvation Army officer of the Canada and Bermuda Territory. He lives in Winnipeg where he plays trombone in the Heritage Park Temple Band.

CONVICTIONS MATTER

The Salvation Army has been shaped by its core convictions,

called doctrines. But what difference do they make to the life of

few months ago my wife and I went for a walk in downtown Winnipeg. It wasn’t a particularly scenic route, but it was highly symbolic. Cathie and I joined about 30 others to walk from the new Canadian Museum for Human Rights to the Holocaust Memorial on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature. Dr. Stefan Carter led the walk as a way to keep memory alive. As a young teen in the summer of 1942, he was taken from the ghetto in Warsaw, Poland, and sent to an internment camp. “The authorities pushed me one way and my mother another way. I never saw her again.” The issue of human worth and dignity is at the heart of so much tragedy in human history. How can we value people so little that six million European Jews were killed and more than 1,100 indigenous women and girls have been murdered or are missing in Canada? The Salvation Army’s fifth core conviction helps us respond to these current questions: We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God. Let’s explore the biblical grounding of this doctrine and then put it into conversation with the 21st century. This doctrine holds two biblical convictions in tension. First, humanity was created in the image of God: “Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness’ … So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them … It was very good” (Genesis 1:26-31 NRSV). Thus the early chapters of Genesis portray God addressing humanity, and humanity responding in turn. Since it is “not good” that the man Adam is alone, human community is important to being fully human. Because both man and woman bear God’s image, neither can be dehumanized. Lastly, humans have a vocation to exercise stewardship over creation, not to exploit it. The second conviction expressed in this doctrine introduces the tension: humanity’s mistrust and disobedience of God pollutes our relationships and our world. Humanity is fallen, lost, wounded, broken, mistrusting and fragmented. We are made in the image of God, but we are sinful. This is both the heart and the tension of this core conviction. The undermining of human dignity takes different forms in the 21st century. Human trafficking is a multi-billiondollar empire. It reaches into families around the world—at least 2.5 million persons are being trafficked globally. This treatment of women and children violates their worth and dignity. Human trafficking also expresses the way human sinfulness becomes systemic, or in biblical terms, embodies the “principalities and powers of the age.” Pornography is a closely related form of dehumanization. It is estimated there are more than four million porn websites, with teenagers being the largest users. One director of porn films describes his actresses as “a throwaway commodity in a

the present and hopeful signs of the future. Ray Harris adeptly looks

Convictions Matter, Major Ray Harris’ new book, is available at store. salvationarmy.ca, 416-422-6100, orderdesk@can.salvationarmy.org. For the e-book, visit amazon.ca.

at the formation of our doctrines [and] speaks about those doctrines with clarity and purpose [using] a wide range of sources, which

will enrich the doctrinal conversation of the Army with the broader theological world.”

—Dr. Roger J. Green, Professor and Chair of Biblical Studies and Christian Ministries, Terrelle B. Crum Chair of Humanities, Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts

Canada and Bermuda Territory

9 780888 575081

RELIGION / The Salvation Army / Church & Doctrine

cover_final_newblue.indd 1

The Function of Salvation Army Doctrines RAY HARRIS

ISBN: 978-0-88857-508-1

Ray Harris is a Salvation Army officer in the Canada and Bermuda Territory. He and his wife, Cathie, have served across Canada in various congregational, college and administrative appointments. In the course of his officership, Ray received the Doctor of Ministry degree from Regis College, Toronto School of Theology, with an emphasis on curriculum design in theological education. He lives in Winnipeg where he enjoys family, baking muffins, singing Charles Wesley hymns and running in a prairie winter.

RAY HARRIS FOREWORD JOHN LARSSON

2014-04-08 8:54 AM

Salvationist • November 2014 • 27

LEADING EDGE

Coach’s Corner How leader coaching brings out the best in people

This is the first in a series of leadership articles offered by the Territorial Training and Education Council (TTEC). The series will focus on individuals who reflect The Salvation Army’s commitment to models of leadership that are collaborative, support innovation and achieve accountability. For this article, Major Mona Moore, leadership development secretary, spoke with Major Mike Hoeft, area commander in the Prairie Division, about his experience with leader coaching.

hen the leader of a corps’ adult Bible c l a s s st epp e d down, no one else seemed ready to take on the role. A few months earlier, Major Mike Hoeft, who was then the corps officer, had helped members of the corps identify their spiritual gifts. For one woman, a dairy farmer, the test revealed the gift of teaching. “I approached her about leading the class, and at first she was hesitant,” says Major Hoeft. “But she agreed to give it a try as long as I would help her.” For the first few weeks, they met before the class to go over the material, and Major Hoeft did most of the teaching. Slowly, she began to take over, and he stayed away from the classroom to let her independence grow. 28 • November 2014 • Salvationist

They continued to meet each week, and Major Hoeft provided resources and encouraged her when she expressed doubt in her ability. “I would remind her that God had gifted her and I had confidence in her,” he says. This is an example of leader coaching, a relational model of leadership that seeks to bring out the best in every team member and develop leaders. “Her spiritual gift was a small seed that needed to be nurtured, but the essence of the fruit was there. It just needed to be brought out,” says Major Hoeft. “She knew I was going to be there if she stumbled a little bit. I saw a progression in her abilities and her confidence as a teacher and a leader.” Eventually, she became responsible for all

of the adult Christian education for the corps. In the past, The Salvation Army has had a more traditional command-and-control method of leadership. The leader set the vision and those under him or her were expected to follow that vision. Today, people are more likely to ask why an organization is doing something, or if they are doing it in the best manner. They want a meaningful voice in decisions that impact them. The younger generation is more likely to commit to a mission than an organization. In contrast to the command-and-control approach, the leader-coach model is collaborative, inviting participation to create a shared vision. At one new appointment, Major Hoeft met with a thrift store team and asked them about their work. “They talked about sorting clothes or working the cash register, with no real sense of how they fit into the overall mission,” says Major Hoeft. He asked them to think about what they were accomplishing as a group. “People said they were raising funds so that people could eat during the week. They were helping people in their community. They began to realize they were part of a team working in the same direction.” O v e r t h e n e x t fe w months, regular staff meetings became a place to share and discuss ideas, and many changes took place as a result—store renovations, community appreciation barbecues, staff outings, participation in a community parade, even a weekly Alpha program, with a meal cooked by staff and volunteers. “All of these things sprang organically out of the group, because they felt empowered to raise their voices,” says Major Hoeft. The outcome was an increase in staff,

Mjr Mike Hoeft

volunteers and financial stability. The challenge of the leader-coach model is that “it often takes longer initially. You have to get input and work through issues with people,” says Major Hoeft. “But in the long run, it makes for a far more efficient and effective decision-making process. It also brings people along in their ability to lead, and they, in turn, coach others, so it spreads out into a new way of working.” One feature of this model is that every leader is a coach and every leader has a coach. “As I was coming into my role as area commander, Major Wayne Bungay, then my divisional commander, was very good at coaching me along,” Major Hoeft says. As he looks back to when he was first commissioned, he says there was an unwritten expectation that the officer would be everything to everyone. “It didn’t take long to realize that was just impossible. Other people have skills and gifts that can complement what I’m trying to do. Trusting the people around me has been tremendously rewarding and takes a lot of the burden off. I think the major point of learning is you don’t have to do everything by yourself. “The leader-coach model should be the go-to strategy for leadership in The Salvation Army. It really does bring out the best in the people around us, and that’s what we’re all about.”

TIES THAT BIND

Never Forget

This November, remember and honour those who fought for freedom BY MAJOR KATHIE CHIU

ou need a new frame,” I said to myself as I looked at a picture of my father in his Irish regimental uniform. The frame was falling apart and the old picture was damaged. It was taken just before he went off to war in 1939. He looked slim and healthy. I’ve always loved looking at pictures of him as a young soldier, with his cap tilted on the side of his head, and imagining his kilt swinging back and forth, like my mother had told me. They got married before he set off for Europe. I still get a lump in my throat when I’m at a parade and the pipe bands march down the street as I remember my father. He loved a parade. It’s probably the only thing he took me to as a young girl. He would lift me up on his shoulders and I felt like I was sitting on top of the world—he was that tall. I think about my dad every November. He and his younger brother joined up in 1939. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that he made it through Italy, Holland and Germany, fighting on the front lines. He was one of the lucky ones. He came home. His brother was killed near him while they were in Italy. I remember him telling me that he ran over to drag him out of the way, but his sergeant told him to keep going, to let the medics take care of him. He knew it wouldn’t make a difference. His brother was gone. Over the years I’ve met many veterans and heard their stories. The ones who saw a lot of action were usually like my father—broken. He had what they used to call “shell shock,” what we know today as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In the late 1940s, society didn’t know what to do with them. Most received no treatment, probably because they didn’t report it. Their families, like mine, lived

with the consequences—often abuse. Many became homeless. Some were lost to suicide. Some, like my father, went on with life and drowned themselves in the bottle. I learned to put up a wall to protect myself from his hurtful words and silent emotional neglect, and lost respect for him as a father. He died in my early 20s,

George Hartley, Toronto, 1939

I still get a lump in my throat when I’m at a parade and the pipe bands march down the street as I remember my father but when I had my own children, I knew I needed to make peace with him. The fifth commandment is to “Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). We are

also called to forgive. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” As I began to understand the impact of the war, and with counselling and prayer, I found a way to forgive, honour and grieve for my father. His picture, now with a new frame, hangs in our home in a place of honour. From time to time, one of the children asks me questions about him. I’m honest and tell them what he was like, but I also tell them why. It’s important to teach our children to appreciate what their grandparents and great-grandparents went through to fight for freedom. If you don’t have any personal stories of veterans in your family, you can still learn about what it was like for those who served in the military. The Veterans Affairs Canada website has some great ideas for how to remember those who lost their lives and those whose lives were forever impacted. Here are some ways you can get involved with your children: •• Listen to interviews with veterans. There are many fascinating ones in the archives of soldiers who fought in the First World War. •• Watch an age-appropriate movie about war and spend some time talking about what you learned. •• Have a veteran come and talk to your child’s Sunday school class. •• As a family, write a letter to active troops and post it on the Department of National Defense website. If you can, attend a memorial service with your children. And don’t forget to wear a poppy. By doing this you’ll teach them to never forget. Major Kathie Chiu grew up in The Salvation Army and has been an officer for 22 years. She has five children, including two teenaged boys still living at home, and eight grandchildren. She is the corps officer at Richmond Community Church, B.C. Salvationist • November 2014 • 29

SALVATION STORIES

Head of the Class

While starting a new school in Indonesia, a high school principal learned a lesson in faith

BY DAVID MICHEL

s a high school principal in Vancouver, my life had been comfortable and rather predictable. When a good friend and former colleague challenged me to consider working with his organization overseas, and with early retirement on the horizon, God began to reveal a new purpose for my life. In early 2010, my wife, Nancy, and I moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, to help start a new private Christian school. Jakarta is a large, vibrant and busy city of more than 25 million people. The people are warm and friendly; the street life chaotic and colourful. It is a city of contrasts, with wealth and poverty side by side. Pollution is a problem and only bottled water is safe to drink. More than 90 percent of the Indonesian population is Muslim—per capita the largest Muslim population in the world—and we grew accustomed to the frequent calls to prayer projected over the loudspeakers of local mosques, starting at 4:30 a.m. every day. The first phase of my new role as head of Sekolah Pelita Harapan (SPH) International—Kemang Village, involved overseeing the construction of the new building, fitting the school with supplies and equipment, hiring teachers, administrative and support staff, and developing curriculum. In August 2010, we opened our doors to 100 students, from both Indonesian and expatriate families, for classes from kindergarten to Grade 12. Over the next four years, enrolment grew to almost 700 students. Approximately 70 percent of the student body is Christian, and the rest are from Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist backgrounds. The school is located next to a poor neighbourhood—known as a kampung—giving us many opportunities to share God’s love through community service projects. We were able to provide help when tropical rains and inadequate infrastructure caused frequent floods. We arranged for SPH students to volunteer with Salvation Army ministries 30 • November 2014 • Salvationist

for a week each year. And we encouraged young Salvationists from across the country to apply to the SPH teachers college, a full-scholarship program that provides an outstanding education. Currently there are 12 Salvationists in this program, and it’s our hope that these students will work in Salvation Army schools after graduating, improving the quality of education in a country that now ranks last in an international survey developed by The Economist. The Salvation Army’s work in Indonesia includes approximately 100 schools, 20 orphanages and 20 hospitals, as well as 400 churches with 50,000 members. Hosted by Commissioners Mike and Joan Parker, now the territorial leaders, we were excited to visit the island of Sulawesi, where much of the Army’s work is focused. In a remote village high in the mountains, we visited a Salvation Army primary school, where there was no electricity and the students were sent home when it rained because the roof leaked. Many children in the area did not attend school because they couldn’t afford a school uniform. As we learned about the economic challenges facing The Salvation Army in Indonesia, we were able to raise support in several ways. These included sponsoring teachers and providing resources for an Army school through SPH; facilitating discussions between Salvation Army hospitals and another Christian hospital group to develop cost-sharing initiatives; and connecting the Army’s territorial agribusiness with experts in the coffee industry to improve business strategy and increase funding. After four-and-a-half years in Indonesia, we returned to Canada in July. We miss much about Indonesia, especially the relationships we formed, but are glad to once again be close to family and friends, to reconnect with our church and to resume our professions. I have accepted a position as principal at White Rock Christian Academy, B.C., and Nancy has returned to her private practice as a clinical psychologist.

Overseeing the construction of Sekolah Pelita Harapan International—Kemang Village, a new Christian school in Jakarta, Indonesia

Students from a Salvation Army primary school in Sulawesi, Indonesia

Our years in Indonesia were a time of spiritual growth, as the words of Peter became a reality in our lives: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever“ (2 Peter 3:18). There were times when we felt inadequate to meet the challenges before us, but the more we were stretched beyond our comfort zone, the more we learned to put our faith and trust in God. We now have a greater understanding of Paul’s statement to the church of Philippi, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

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Mosquito Net $12

One child dies of malaria every 30 seconds. Sleeping under a treated mosquito net offers protection for precious little ones.

Goat $40

Goats are great for providing milk and meat for families. They are also easy to care for and breed for income.

Chickens $25

Pig $30

For a family with limited opportunities, chickens can provide a source of income and nutrition.

Pigs are an excellent income generator - easy to raise and sell in local markets.

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You can provide a family in a village with safe, clean, accessible water, promoting good health for all.

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Health Clean Water - $30 Mother-Child Health - $100 Eco-Cooker - $100 Disaster Relief - $20 Mosquito Net - $12

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