Salvationist - July 2015

Test Your Knowledge With Our History Quiz

New Army Song Book Released at Congress

Kids Build Faith and Friendship at Camp

Salvationist The Voice of the Army

July 2015

BE BOUNDLESS! The Army world celebrates 150 years

Happy Campers

Thousands of campers enjoy Salvation Army camps each year.

From archery and music to canoeing and rock climbing, camp allows kids to grow and learn about God’s love.

Pray for Salvation Army camps that are happening right now. And then keep praying that campers will connect with a Salvation Army corps so that their newfound faith will continue to grow.

Pray with joy ... being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:4, 6)

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than is required.

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July 2015 Volume 10, Number 7 www.salvationist.ca E-mail: salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org

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Features 8 Be Boundless!

Salvationists gather in London, England, for 150th anniversary congress

by Ronald W. Holz, Vivian Gatica and Major Jane Kimberley

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13 Front Page News

The Salvation Army has been making headlines for a century and a PRODUCT LABELING GUIDE

FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL half, as these rarely seen photos and illustrations demonstrate

by Ken Ramstead

16 The Rest is

13

History …

How well do you know your early day Army?

by Pamela Richardson

20 Life After Prison

Departments 4 Editorial

24 Cross Culture 25 Celebrate Community

Enrolments and Recognition, Tributes, Gazette, Calendar

Three women share how Ellen Osler Home helped them start over

by Giselle Randall

5 Around the Territory 12 World Watch

28 Talking Points

22 Music and Song

London Calling

by Geoff Moulton

Relief in Nepal

18 Letters 19 Perspectives

Rallying Cry

by Lt-Colonel Junior Hynes

Inside Faith & Friends Swing Kid

Canadian golfer Rebecca LeeBentham stands tall

Lúcio’s Great Goal

Brazilian soccer centre shares his game plan for life

Human Trafficking’s Harsh Reality

As Canada welcomes the 2015 Pan Am Games, we must work together to keep sex traffickers out

Playing God?

by Major Juan Burry

29 Ties That Bind

Into the Woods

by Major Kathie Chiu

New Salvation Army song book to be released at Boundless

by Major Christina Tyson

30 Salvation Stories

The Man Behind the Uniform

by David Kang

Dead in the Water

Was the race over for rower Sarah Chaudhery?

Share Your Faith When you finish reading Faith & Friends, FAITH & frıends pull it out LÚCIO and give it Soccer Star’s Great Goal to someone who needs to hear about Christ’s lifeSwing changing Kid power Summer 2015

faithandfriends.ca

Inspiration for Living

Canadian golfer Rebecca Lee-Bentham is standing tall

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HUMAN TRAFFICKING: One Woman’s Escape BASEBALL BAD BOY MAKES GOOD

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@Salvationist Follow us on Twitter for breaking news, photos and updates from around the Army world. Share your own updates and photos using the hashtag #SalvationArmy Sign up for our new Salvationist This Week e-mail newsletter through salvationist.ca or our Facebook page Salvationist • July 2015 • 3

EDITORIAL

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London Calling

his July, Salvationists will gather for one of the biggest events the Army world has ever seen.

Thousands from around the globe will converge on London, England’s O2 Arena from July 1-5 for worship, prayer and celebration of the 150th anniversary of The Salvation Army.

The Boundless Congress is aptly named after the song O Boundless Salvation, by our founder, William Booth. The scope will indeed be boundless, featuring everything from a new musical entitled Covenant, to a Salvation Army film festival, to a good old Sally Ann march down The Mall in historic London. Our Boundless feature on page 8 will give you a preview of what to expect.

I have the privilege of being smackdab in the middle of it all, helping coordinate a media team of more than 30 Salvation Army journalists who will be bringing you the events as they unfold.

Check our websites—boundless2015.org and salvationist.ca—for news updates, spectacular images and live streaming of the main sessions. Watch our September issue for a full report.

This installment of Salvationist is all about our glorious past. Salvationists value their heritage, and we decided to have a little fun this month with our quiz, “The Rest is History … ” (page 16). Test your knowledge of Salvation Army history and see how you stack up.

We were thrilled to get a call a few months ago from an avid reader with a treasure trove of early Salvation Army illustrations from turn-of-the-lastcentury newspapers. See some of the intricate drawings on page 14, including General Booth leading an energetic hymn sing at a 1906 congress.

Lastly, Salvationists have been anxiously awaiting the new Salvation Army song book, and the feature by Major Christina Tyson (page 22) highlights the new material, which will be released at Boundless on Founders’ Day, July 2. The song book is our “sung theology,” a rich resource that will provide spiritual uplift for years to come.

In all of the excitement, we must never forget our calling. “Go for souls, 4 • July 2015 • Salvationist

Salvationist

and go for the worst!” was the rallying cry of William Booth. Together with his wife, Catherine, he discovered his life’s work in London’s slums. No one ever took the gospel to the “down-and-outer” like he did. As Booth reminded his son, Bramwell, “These are our people.”

Today, the Army has become a worldwide movement in 126 countries, with ministries that Booth never dreamed of. And yet, our mission remains the same. We gladly bring God’s love to the “whosoever.”

GEOFF MOULTON Editor-in-Chief

You’ve seen her name in our pages, but Salvationist is pleased to welcome Giselle Randall as our permanent features editor and staff writer. Giselle comes with a background in journalism and theological studies from Regent College. Our former editor, Melissa Yue Wallace, has elected to be a fulltime mom to beautiful twins Caleb and Chloe, and we wish her and her husband, Andrew, all the best. We also welcome back our summer intern, Brianne Zelinsky, who is pursuing a degree in English and communication studies from McMaster University.

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, Brianne Zelinsky Contributors Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769.

Member, The Canadian Church Press. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, Today’s New International Version (TNIV) © 2001, 2005 International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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

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Phone: 416-422-6119; fax: 416-422-6120; e-mail: circulation@can.salvationarmy.org.

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Inquire by e-mail for rates at salvationist@ can.salvationarmy.org.

News, Events and Submissions

Editorial lead time is seven weeks prior to an issue’s publication date. No responsibility is assumed to publish, preserve or return unsolicited material. Write to salvationist@ can.salvationarmy.org or Salvationist, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

Mission

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. Salvationist informs readers about the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. salvationist.ca salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org facebook.com/salvationistmagazine twitter.com/salvationist

AROUND THE TERRITORY

Booth University College Celebrates New Graduates

Booth’s 2015 graduating class with, front, from left, Dr. Donald Burke; Col Glen Shepherd, chair, Board of Trustees; Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander and chancellor; Dr. Jonathan Raymond; Colonel Mark Tillsley, chief secretary; and Dr. Marjory Kerr, vice-president academic and dean

THE APRIL CONVOCATION for Winnipeg’s Booth University College brought in its largest crowd to date with approximately 750 people attending Knox United Church. The morning baccalaureate service also reached an all-time high of nearly 300, filling Booth’s Hetherington Chapel and spilling into an overflow room where guests watched a live-stream video.

“Today you will cross that boundary from being students preparing for your future to being graduates who are launching into your future. But most importantly, today you transition to being active contributors to our world,” said Dr. Donald Burke, president of Booth University College. “As our vision statement asserts, remember that your education is for a better world.”

During the convocation address, Dr. Jonathan Raymond, president emeritus and senior fellow of Trinity Western University, spoke highly of the college.

“Its emphasis on student competence and Christlike character makes possible a higher kind of higher education than what they would receive at other universities,” said Dr. Raymond. “Booth indeed offers one of the most remarkable university experiences available.”

At the baccalaureate service, student Ben Capili shared how his experience at Booth transformed his life. Five years ago Capili was homeless and addicted to crystal meth when he first heard God speak to him. With no coat and worn-out shoes, he walked across the city until he reached the Manitoba Addictions Foundation and began the long, difficult journey to recovery.

“Booth’s faculty did more than educate me to understand the complexities of our world and to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to be an active contributor to society,” Capili said at the service. “You welcomed me although you didn’t know me; you fed me when I was hungry; you took care of me when I was sick; and you clothed me in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. But above all these virtues, love, which binds them together in perfect unity.”

As a final farewell and on behalf of all graduates, Sarah Ball, Booth’s 2015 valedictorian, thanked the many friends, family and faculty members who supported them in their journey.

“It wasn’t just our work that got us here today. It was the support and encouragement of others. To them, we

Sarah Ball, Booth’s 2015 valedictorian, addresses the assembly at convocation

say thank you for investing in us,” said Ball. “And to all graduates, I am here to remind you that our time at Booth has prepared us for what lies ahead. Today we leave stronger, confident, having education and experience on our side. We are ready to step out in the world, equipped with knowledge and passion.”

Salvationist • July 2015 • 5

AROUND THE TERRITORY

Army Magazines and Website Win 17 Awards AT THE 2015 Canadian Church Press Awards held in Toronto in May, Salvation Army magazines and our website (salvationist.ca) received 17 awards for excellence. The Canadian Church Press includes representatives from 59 member publications, including mainline, Catholic and evangelical churches.

Here are the winning entries, which can be read at salvationist.ca: Salvationist First Place: In-Depth Treatment of a News Story—War and Peace (November 2014) First Place: Feature Photo—Mending Broken Hearts (March 2014) Second Place: Biblical Interpretation—From the Realms of Glory (December 2014) Second Place: Interview—The Gathering Storm (September 2014) Second Place: Photo Essay—An Open Door (October 2014) Third Place: Column—Talking It Over (March, May and September 2014) Third Place: Original Artwork—What Kind of Salvationist Are You? (June 2014) Third Place: Letter from the Editor— Love and Brokenness (October 2014) Faith & Friends Second Place: Letter from the Editor—Moving On (June 2014) Third Place: Feature—Holy Hip Hop (November 2014) Third Place: Biographical Feature—In God’s Hands (October 2014) Foi & Vie First Place: Magazine Front Cover— Gardien des Valeurs Chrétiennes (Mai 2014) Third Place: Photo Essay—Portraits du Pakistan (Septembre 2014) Salvationist.ca First Place: General Excellence (Website Design) First Place: Best Use of Multi-Media on a Website Second Place: Best Blog Second Place: Publication Website 6 • July 2015 • Salvationist

Youth Retreat Explores #GodsGloriousSelfie THE ONTARIO GREAT Lakes Division hosted its annual Youth Together retreat at Jackson’s Point Camp in May, engaging 230 young people in worship and fellowship. As Captain Marion Platt, divisional youth secretary, Florida Division, U.S.A. Southern Territory, addressed the theme “Imago Dei,” young Salvationists took to social media with the hashtag #GodsGloriousSelfie, and shared snapshots of nature and friends to represent the collective face of God. “The purpose of Youth Together is to deepen the faith of the youth and create an awareness of God’s unconditional love and presence in their daily lives,” shares Captain Jennifer Hale, divisional youth secretary, Ontario Great Lakes Division.

Along with paintball and bubblesoccer matches, participants joined The Singing Company, guest musicians from Chicago, in worship, shared personal testimonies and attended workshops.

More than 200 young people worship together at Jackson’s Point, Ont.

Major Dana Reid, director of field education at Winnipeg’s College for Officer Training, led a workshop that catered to youth interested in pursuing officership.

“Young people go home fired up after the retreat weekend and we see a deeper engagement in corps with people wanting to get involved in further ministry and support their officers,” says Captain Hale.

“To see the young people respond in such a powerful way was very encouraging.”

Health Centre Construction Project Commences THE SALVATION ARMY’S Toronto Grace reflects the Army’s mission to treat Health Centre (TGHC) officially handed everyone with dignity. “We treat homeover its keys to Elite Construction Ltd. in less patients and illegal immigrants,” May to begin its two-year redevelopment says Rook. “We don’t worry about that project. Supported by government fundbecause their health is our priority.” ing and external donations, the reconThough the TGHC’s building is in struction project will enable TGHC to need of repair, the staff and volunteers meet health and safety regulations. have kept the centre running smoothly “We will see new doors, floors, winat its temporary location. “We get people dows and entranceways. Most of the who have no family, so we become money will be spent on updating wirtheir family,” says Rook. “That is why ing and plumbing, and addressing safety The Salvation Army has stayed in the issues,” says Marilyn Rook, president business.” and CEO of TGHC. “When it is finished, it will be a welcoming environment for patients, families and staff. It will look better and feel safer.”

As the only operating Salvation Army hospital in Canada, TGHC’s ministry Plans for the new entryway at Toronto Grace Health Centre

AROUND THE TERRITORY

Harbour Light Has a Need to Feed

Harbour Light clients are treated to special dishes at the centre’s inaugural Need to Feed event

STOMACHS WERE FULL and smiles were wide at The Salvation Army’s inaugural Need to Feed event in Vancouver in April.

Five local food trucks, including Tacofino, Soho Road, Le Tigre, Culver City Salads and Roaming Dragon, served a special dish to the clients of the Army’s Harbour Light food line. The event was designed to give clients the chance to experience special meals and unique treats, which they often do not get.

“One of the problems with the culinary scene is that it is expensive and not everyone gets to try a variety of food,” Tacofino’s Ryan Sprong said. “Food trucks are cheaper and people get to try some new and interesting food; it’s a chance to brighten up people’s day. This was a chance to create a neighbourhood that is interwoven and considers everyone.”

Kettle Campaign Wins Ad Awards THE SALVATION ARMY’S television ads for the 2013 Christmas kettle campaign recently received three awards for excellence.

Developed by The Salvation Army and Grey Canada, the three 15-second TV commercials feature a soup kitchen, thrift store and shelter, with each commercial telling a story of transformation that is triggered by a coin dropping into a Salvation Army Christmas kettle.

“At the Best of Screen Advertising in Canada (known as the Bessies), we won two Golds, one for the best Public Service Announcement/Cause Campaign, and another for Best Animation,” says John McAlister, national director for marketing and communications. “It’s great to see our advertising assets recognized for excellence by leaders in the industry.”

The Army was also the sole winner in the Cause/Action category at the Cassies, which are Canada’s premier advertising awards. “The Cassies are the only awards that focus on the direct impact advertising has on the public,” says McAlister. “While the awards are encouraging, our focus remains on creating effective advertising that creates a strong case for support so that the Army can continue its important work of serving vulnerable people.”

A Salvation Army TV ad shows how kettle donations provide shelter to those in need

From Trauma to Triumph NEARLY 100 PEOPLE attended The Salvation Army’s From Trauma to Triumph conference at Meadowlands Corps in Ancaster, Ont., in April during National Victims of Crime Awareness Week.

“We need to hear the voices of victims—to learn and understand how they have been affected by trauma, yet have also triumphed over the adversities of their lives,” said Major William King, then executive director, Hamilton Community Resource Centre, Ont., who organized the conference. “As a result of this, it is our hope that others will become involved in our community and be a support to those who need our help.”

The day began with a message from Glenn De Caire, Hamilton’s chief of police, and included workshops by Commissioner Christine MacMillan, founding director of the Army’s International Social Justice Commission; Paul Radkowski, an addictions counsellor; and Louise Leonardi, executive director of the Canadian Families and Corrections Network.

Anne Marie Hagan and Glenn and Colleen Allan shared their stories of healing. Hagan grew up in the fishing village of Kingman’s Cove, N.L. When she was 19, her father was mur-

From left, Dan Millar, area director for public relations and development, Ont. GL Div; Wayne Baker, The Bridge; Comr Christine MacMillan; Paul Radkowski; Anne Marie Hagan; Louise Leonardi; Mjr June Newbury, AC, Ont. GL Div; Jennifer Larlilee, public relations administrative assistant; and Mjr William King take part in the From Trauma to Triumph conference

dered by a neighbour who was suffering from schizophrenia.

“I’m here to say it’s possible to forgive,” Hagan said. “You have a choice. As you forgive, you get your life back, you can feel joy again. It is possible to let go of unresolved wounds and hurts. If I could let go, then anyone can, because there was no one more angry than me.”

Salvationist • July 2015 • 7

BE BOUNDLESS! Salvationists gather in London, England, for 150th anniversary congress

Dear Salvationists and friends, Commissioner Silvia and I are delighted to greet you as we gather in London, England, this month to celebrate 150 years of ministry and mission.

One word that has been in all of our minds for the past several months is the word “boundless.” It is a great word; it reminds us that our God has no limits—his love is boundless, his grace is boundless, his forgiveness is boundless, his power is boundless!

His love has no limits, his grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men …

We will be focusing our hearts and our minds on this Boundless God as we meet for congress. The Army’s history is rich, but its future can be richer still if we take up the challenge and allow God to demonstrate his boundless power in our lives. Because of the promise of God’s Holy Spirit, there are no limits to what he can do through each one of us!

May we each experience this Boundless God in a new way as we meet together at congress.

Be blessed! Be Boundless!

General André Cox

The Song That Still Inspires BY RONALD W. HOLZ

O

Boundless Salvation, written

by General William Booth for the 1893 Boundless Salvation spiritual campaign in Great Britain, is still a favourite of congregations today.

Composed in just one, long evening, it was sung to an obscure tune previously connected to an older hymn, My Jesus, I Love Thee. To this, Booth requested that a popular chorus, in 6/8 time, be added: “The heavenly gales are blowing.” The premiere came during the Boundless Congress weekend in London, England, in November 1893.

8 • July 2015 • Salvationist

While O Boundless Salvation was included in many song books in various forms after it was written, by the 1930 revised edition of The Song Book of The Salvation Army, it had gained status— placed first, with all seven verses.

The song has been used at key moments throughout Salvation Army history. In his last public appearance on May 9, 1912, Booth led the song before a packed audience at the Royal Albert Hall even as he struggled with health problems.

Dur ing the 50th anniversar y

New Musical Premieres at Boundless BY VIVIAN GATICA

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s an ailing William Booth ponders the future of his beloved Army, we travel through history and across the globe witnessing his legacy in action. From the mountains of China to the streets of New York, from the jungles of Papua New Guinea to war-torn Europe, his covenant has become our covenant.”

So goes the premise of Covenant, the musical production that will premiere at the Boundless Congress this month.

The musical’s playwright, Karl Larsson, music composer and director Kevin Larsson, and lyricist Commissioner Keith Banks, created the concept and structure of the musical last year. They tailored it to reach the multicultural audience at Boundless, and live beyond the congress.

“Up to this point, the musical has been more of an idea in our heads about something a long time off, but now we’re dealing with actors, budgets, recordings and set design,” says Karl Larsson, who is co-directing the musical with Barbara Allen in the U.S.A. Western Territory.

“This is where it begins to feel real.”

Covenant is structured as a series of vignettes that parallels the funeral covenant of The Salvation Army’s founder, William Booth.

“We’d always envisioned various selfcontained stories connected loosely by an overarching story revolving around William Booth, and that’s how it turned out,” says Karl Larsson. “General Booth knows his health is failing, and is worried about the future of the Army. Will it

survive beyond him? His solution is the mysterious ‘covenant’ we see him working on throughout the show. The contents of that covenant are revealed at the end, and our hope is that the audience will immediately recognize the connection between that very real historical document and the true stories they have just witnessed on stage.”

American National Congress, John Philip Sousa conducted a band of more than 700 members in The Salvation Army March on May 17, 1930. Sousa had been approached by Commander Evangeline Booth to write a march in honour of the event. He dedicated it to her and incorporated O Boundless Salvation into the march.

When The Salvation Army celebrated its centenary in 1965, the Royal Albert Hall once again resounded with the anthem, this time in a majestic arrangement by Dean Goffin. This setting soon became available to all Salvation Army

bands worldwide and maintained consistent use until William Himes provided a new, festive arrangement in 1999 for the visit of General John Gowans to the U.S.A. Central Territory.

Booth’s imagery in this song may seem a remnant of the late Victorian Age. Yet its message of the boundless, redeeming love of Christ will continue to have a lasting impact in worship.

Each generation will take the anthem as its own, but the inspiration that first brought forth this compelling hymn will remain.

Choosing the stories for the musical was a collaborative effort.

“Commissioner Banks is a treasure trove of Army stories, so some originated from him,” Karl Larsson says. “We also spent a lot of time reading online editions of as many Army periodicals as we could find, looking for those more modern stories. As friends and family

learned about the project, they told us about things they’d read and heard, and our territorial commander also wrote out to every territory asking for stories. That process gave us plenty of material, but our criteria was strict: the stories had to be fairly obscure and they had to connect to our theme.”

A key challenge for Karl Larsson was determining the sequence of the play’s stories.

“I always knew which one I wanted last, as it’s the longest and most complex and, in some ways, most remarkable story,” Karl Larsson says. “The other segments all vary in style, mood, length and era, so we plotted out how we hope the audience will react emotionally to each segment, and then tried to smooth the edges of those emotional transitions as much as possible.”

Kevin Larsson and Commissioner Banks built the music and lyrics upon the message of each story featured in the vignettes.

“The genuine, inspirational nature of these stories gave me the ideas I needed,” Commissioner Banks says. “The lyrics relate directly to each vignette and attempt to explore and expound the essence of the story.”

Karl Larsson says that each scene in the musical is meant to reach every type of audience member.

“People like to shuffle their music these days, and this is in some ways a ‘shuffle musical,’ ” he says. “It jumps through time and place, switching tone, mood and style, but underneath it all is this powerful, unifying concept of ‘covenant.’ ” For Commissioner Banks and the Larssons, the ultimate hope is that the audience grasps the evangelical message of the musical.

“Each vignette has a message. In some the message is about commitment to Christ; in others it is about loyalty to Christ in difficult circumstances,” Commissioner Banks says. “Our hope is that all who see the musical will catch the spirit of that covenant and then make their own covenant, joining enthusiastically and sincerely as one to create a shared covenant that will impact the world for Christ.”

Salvationist • July 2015 • 9

Connect to Congress

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he five-day Boundless Congress will feature an array of culturally diverse celebrations and events for all in attendance—from the opening rally to the grand march down The Mall. But those not in London, England, for the festivities can still join in. Each of the seven main sessions will be live-streamed (all times are GMT) and recorded. Visit salvationist.ca for the video link.

JULY 1, 2015 7 PM—OPENING RALLY: A JOYFUL ARMY With General André Cox, Commissioner Silvia Cox, Commissioner William Roberts, Chief of the Staff, and Commissioner Nancy Roberts, World Secretary for Women’s Ministries. Musical guests include timbrels from London Citadel, Ont. JULY 2, 2015 10 AM—A UNIFIED ARMY With testimonies from Salvationists from every zone. Musical guests include Phil Laeger and groups from Korea, Ghana, Angola and California.

7 PM—A SERVING ARMY: FOUNDERS’ DAY Honouring William Booth. Includes performances by the Ontario CentralEast Divisional Youth Chorus and

timbrels from London Citadel, Ont., and a message from Commissioner Bill Cochrane, secretary for international ecumenical relations.

JULY 3, 2015 10 AM—A CARING ARMY: SOCIAL JUSTICE Led by Commissioner Silvia Cox. With various dramatic performances combining acting, dance and music.

Guests include the Bill Booth Theater Company and the U.S.A. Eastern Territory drama group.

7 PM—AN ALL-EMBRACING ARMY Featuring a parade of nations, a massed timbrels drill and performances by groups from Australia, Korea, Hawaii, Kenya and California, as well as the Ontario Central-East Divisional Youth Chorus. Message from Captain David Vandebeulque, France and Belgium Territory.

JULY 4, 2015 7 PM—A YOUTHFUL ARMY Featuring testimonies from young Salvationists and performances by various groups including the Ontario Central-East Divisional Youth Chorus, the India Youth Chorus, the Pasadena Tab Youth Chorus and Zimbabwe’s Howard Secondary School Vocal Group.

JULY 5, 2015 10 AM—AN ARMY OF INTEGRITY A call to holiness with General André Cox. Featuring the International Staff Band, the International Staff Songsters and massed choral group.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA How is Boundless inspiring or challenging you? Follow Boundless 2015 on social media for the latest updates, photos and videos:  On Facebook at facebook.com/ boundless2015  On Twitter at @boundless2015  On YouTube at youtube.com/ boundless2015video  On Flickr at flickr.com/photos/ boundless2015  Share your updates using the hashtags #onearmy, #WeAre150 and #beboundless

Bridging the Gap BY MAJOR JANE KIMBERLEY

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hanks to the fundraising efforts of The Salvation Army worldwide, 1,500 Salvationists who lacked the means to attend the Boundless Congress will be in London, England, for the event.

This fundraising was co-ordinated through International Headquarters’ Mind the Gap initiative. This name is a reference to London’s underground rail system, which frequently asks travellers to “mind the gap” so that they do not fall between the train and the platform.

Boundless organizers were keen that no part of the Army should be allowed 10 • July 2015 • Salvationist

to fall through the gap when it came to congress, and the Mind the Gap initiative was born.

In a giant step of faith, a target was set of £100,000 ($190,000). Although it was envisaged that this would not completely meet all costs, it would certainly go a long way toward making it possible for delegates from developing countries to attend.

The 1,500 delegates attending congress because of Mind the Gap hail from 82 countries, and will depart from 90 airports on 115 different flights. On

touching down in the United Kingdom, they will be greeted by a “buddy”—a congress volunteer who will act as guide during their stay.

Although many of the delegates from developing countries are materially poor, they are spiritually rich and as part of the great international Salvation Army they have so much to share with others.

“My heart longed to attend Boundless 2015, but I knew my own finances wouldn’t allow me to,” says Iuniti Tuloni, youth and corps cadets leader, Nuku’alofa Corps, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga

Boundless: The Whole World Filming

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a lvat ioni st s attend ing t he Boundless Congress will have the opportunity to see some of the best video work from around the Army world at the Boundless Film Festival.

Running July 2-3, the film festival will recognize the gifts and talents of today’s Salvation Army filmmakers who have submitted films around the congress theme: “Boundless—The Whole World Redeeming.” The festival will also feature films from established Salvation Army media production teams, such as Salvo Studios from the Australia Southern Territory, SAVN.TV from the U.S.A. Western Territory and The Video Production unit from the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland.

“Our team is very excited about the Boundless Film Festival,” says Guy Noland, executive director for SAVN.TV. “It’s a unique platform designed to foster creativity and concepts for sharing the Army’s ministry and the gospel message.”

and hope,” says Noland. The film was shot on location in Johannesburg in 2014. Watch a preview at http://bit.ly/1Em2yJf.

India—The Army’s Oldest Mission Field: Illustrates the beauty and essence of India as seen through the lens of The Salvation Army’s historic and vibrant ministry in this country of 1.2 billion people. Read the media team’s filming diary and see behind-the-scenes video clips at www.salvationarmy.org/indiablog.

Highlights of the festival include:

Ethembeni—A Place of Hope: A short film that captures the love, grace and empathy of this Salvation Army children’s home in Johannesburg, South Africa. “It’s a place of love

Home Coming Africa: A powerful documentary highlighting the return of the Army’s international leaders, General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox, to Zimbabwe—the land of the General’s birth. A visual smorgasbord of joy and celebration, the documentary concludes with the Easter Weekend Congress in Gweru, Zimbabwe, which was attended by 15,000 Salvationists.

Territory. “When I was told that I was being sponsored, I couldn’t stop crying and was speechless. My heart was grateful to God, The Salvation Army and to those who have given generously and sacrificially so I can attend this very important event.”

Shortly after his election, General André Cox said that he was a great believer and supporter of the internationalism of the Army, believing this to be one of its greatest strengths. Following the General, Mind the Gap has provided an opportunity for Salvationists to share

spiritual blessings across nationalities and discover what belonging to a global Army is all about.

“My desire has been to see an Army that is all-inclusive, Spirit-filled and offers hope to the destitute all around the world,” says Mind the Gap delegate Emmanuel Mwale, bandmaster, Lilongwe Corps, Malawi Territory. “I am hopeful that the congress will provide a new perspective and direction for growth by fostering the concept of One Army, One Mission and One Message, re-igniting the founder’s spirit of boundless salvation.”

Salvationist • July 2015 • 11

WORLD WATCH

Relief in Nepal International team rushes to assist remote villages Photos: IHQ Communications

W

hen two massive earthquakes struck Nepal this past spring, devastating the capital region of Kathmandu and claiming thousands of lives, General André Cox called The Salvation Army to prayer and action.

Working within a network established by the United Nations to organize groups that responded to the disaster, the Army supplied tents, food, water, blankets and other essentials to those in need.

In Lalitpur, a district to the south of Kathmandu, 15 families who lost everything in the earthquake were among the first recipients of the Army’s aid.

An assessment visit to Bhaktapur, a few miles from Kathmandu, showed even greater devastation as 1,000-year-old Hindu temples were reduced to rubble.

In the weeks following the earthquakes, Salvation Army personnel travelled to remote communities to assess needs. One team embarked on a threeday trip to Sindhupalchok, where it visited eight villages, none of which were accessible by road. Walking almost 70 kilometres, they reached an altitude of nearly 9,000 feet. The team reported that around 90 percent of the houses were

Food distribution is a major part of the Army’s relief efforts

damaged and the potato harvest was still months away, so the most urgent needs were food and shelter. Hundreds of families in this region received rice, dhaal, oil, salt, tarpaulins and ropes, with some walking for three hours to claim their goods.

Captain MacDonald Chandi, from international emergency services, travelled to Ramechhap where he met with villagers who had not yet been reached by other relief agencies. “It took seven hours to drive there on roads that were uneven, stony and broken due to landslides,” he says. “Most of the houses were damaged and it was hard for the community people to live in them.”

With thousands seeking refuge, camps were established to offer tempor-

Salvation Army personnel take a moment to rest during their three-day walking trip to assess the damage in Sindhupalchok 12 • July 2015 • Salvationist

ary shelter. The Salvation Army assisted with the camps since the international emergency services team had experience with the Haiti earthquake in 2010.

Support for The Salvation Army’s response in Nepal poured in. The U.S.A.based Salvation Army World Services Office (SAWSO) contributed $20,000 for the purchase and transport of tents, water and blankets for 40 families. The Hong Kong and Macau Territory supplied $300,000 to fund a similar project for 1,000 families and FedEx, the international delivery and distribution company, donated $50,000 to the effort.

For more information on the Army’s relief efforts in Nepal, visit salvationist. ca/tag/nepal.

The streets of Bhaktapur bear the marks of the first earthquake’s strength

Front Page News

The Salvation Army has been making headlines for a century and a half, as these rarely seen photos and illustrations demonstrate

BY KEN RAMSTEAD, EDITOR, FAITH & FRIENDS AND FOI & VIE

I

n the late 19th century, and well into the 20th, William Booth was one of the most instantly recognized names in the British Empire,” writes acclaimed Salvation Army historian R.G. Moyles. “As founder and first General of The Salvation Army—the man whose genius had created the organization and through which he had launched one of Britain’s most ambitious social-reclamation schemes—his name consistently claimed headlines in almost every newspaper in the English-speaking world.

And the likeness of this tall, gaunt man with the large nose, silvered hair and long grey beard could be seen in any number of pictorials and print shops.”

Almost from the moment of its founding 150 years ago, The Salvation Army had a knack for making news and staying in the news. The British public, at first skeptical of its goings on, eventually warmed to the organization that did so much good for so many. And as the Army spread around the globe, from the Australian outback to the Canadian prairie, the slums of the Indian subcontinent and points in-between, their exploits were reported to a vast and receptive readership.

Salvationist was recently contacted

by Royce Tennant of Nanaimo, B.C., a rare-book collector who had unearthed a treasure trove of newspapers relating to The Salvation Army. These have been passed on to the Territorial Archives for safekeeping.

Here in these rarely seen illustrations, we see the Army as it was seen then, more than a century ago.

View more of these unique images at salvationist.ca/front-page-news.

The high emotion of a 1906 congress is captured in this illustration of General Booth leading a hymn sing in front of Salvationists from around the world Salvationist • July 2015 • 13

This remarkable photo from 1906 captures General William Booth at work with his personal secretary

Then, as now, Salvation Army members from around the world travelled to International Headquarters to attend congress sessions, dressed in colourful local garb

The death of the Army’s founder in 1912 elicited a global outpouring of grief 14 • July 2015 • Salvationist

This series of pen-and-ink portraits vividly illustrates an evening Army service

The fervour and faith of early Salvationists is evocatively capured in this moving illustration Salvationist • July 2015 • 15

The Rest is History …

How well do you know your early day Army?

Illustration: Dennis Jones

BY PAMELA RICHARDSON, NEWS EDITOR

T

he Salvation Army celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

Take this quiz to test your knowledge of our beginnings. When you’ve answered all the questions, turn to page 27 to see how you did.

1.

In 1865, William Booth began preaching out side a pub on Whitechapel Road in London, England, from where he often returned home with bandages on his head after being struck with rocks. Although the pub was rebuilt in 1894, the name remains the same.

What is the name of the pub?

A. The Pleasant Pheasant B. The Blind Beggar C. The Whitechapel Inn D. Bill’s Bar and Grill

16 • July 2015 • Salvationist

2.

The first Salvation Army flag was designed and presented to the Coventry Corps in England by Catherine Booth in 1878. In 1882, the symbol at the centre of the flag was changed to the star that we still see on the Army’s distinctive yellow, red and blue flag today. What symbol did Catherine Booth originally place at the centre of the Army flag?

A. Yellow circle B. Yellow sun C. Yellow cross D. Yellow silhouette of William Booth

3.

What is the name of the group that elects Salvation Army Generals?

A. International Management Council B. Pastoral Care Council C. High Council D. General’s Consultative Council

4.

The eldest daughter of William and Catherine Booth, Catherine “Katie” Booth-Clibborn brought the Army to France in 1881. She was also known as: A. La Prédicateur B. La Générale C. La Maréchale D. La Capitaine

5.

In addition to being elected as General of The Salvation Army, what do Edward Higgins, Erik Wickberg, Arnold Brown, Bramwell Tillsley, John Larsson and André Cox have in common?

A. P layed professional sports prior to becoming Salvation Army officers B. B orn in the United Kingdom C. C omposed Salvation Army musicals D. Served as Chief of the Staff

10.

What is the motto of The Salvation Army?

A. Heart to God, Hand to Man B. Saved to Serve C. O ne Army, One Mission, One Message D. Blood and Fire

11.

What was the name of the group that persecuted early day Salvationists as they conducted open-air meetings, throwing stones and rotten eggs?

A. The Angry Army B. The Skeleton Army C. The East End Gang D. The Vagabond Brothers

12.

Instituted in 1917 by General Bramwell Booth, this is the highest honour that can be bestowed on an officer or soldier for outstanding service.

A. O rder of Distinguished Auxiliary Service B. Booth’s Award of Honour C. Order of the Founder D. International Certificate of Recognition

13.

6.

Born in Australia, General Eva Burrows served as the Army’s international leader from 1986 to 1993.

Which other Salvation Army General was born Down Under?

A. Albert Orsborn B. Paul Rader C. Frederick Coutts D. George L. Carpenter

7.

Which early day Salvationist, known for his prize-fighter stature and bright red fez that he wore with his uniform, was introduced to The Salvation Army when he stepped in as a bodyguard to protect a group of Salvationists who were being attacked on the streets of London, England?

A. “Joe the Turk” B. “Ballington the Boxer” C. “William the Warrior” D. “Frederick the Fighter”

8.

In 1885, together with Bramwell Booth, he stood trial on charges connected to their successful efforts to secure legislation to protect young girls in England from being bought and sold for immoral purposes.

A. William Thomas Stead B. Ballington Booth C. George Scott Railton D. Percy Bysshe Shelley

9.

General William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, was promoted to glory on August 20, 1912. How many people, including Queen Mary, wife of King George V, attended his funeral?

A. 40,000 B. 25,000 C. 5,000 D. 1,000

Between 1882 and 1883, The Salvation Army began work in which countries?

A. C anada, India, Switzerland, Sweden, Sri Lanka B. S outh Africa, New Zealand, Isle of Man, Pakistan C. All of the above D. None of the above

14.

Formed in 1887, what is the oldest Salvation Army staff band in the world?

A. The New York Staff Band B. The Canadian Staff Band C. The Chicago Staff Band D. The International Staff Band

15.

Concerned for the health and safety of London, England’s working class, in 1891 William Booth opened a factory to manufacture a product that helped revolutionize production across the industry. What was it?

A. Kerosene lanterns B. Safety matches C. Children’s shoes D. Canes and crutches Answers on page 27.

Salvationist • July 2015 • 17

LETTERS TIES THAT BIND

Evolving Faith Major Kathie Chiu’s article (“Evolving Faith,” March 2015) has provoked a great debate (see http://salvationist. ca/2015/03/evolving-faith). I would sug- T gest there is no need to put a scientific understanding of our universe in tension with a biblical understanding. They ask different questions and use different language, and they need each other. If, however, Genesis is not intended as a scientific account of the origins of our universe and world, what is its purpose? Notice that the first chapter moves toward the writer’s assessment of the world as “good,” even “very good.”

That both man and woman are made “in the image of God.” And that time has a qualitative dimension: the seventh day is “holy.” Notice, too, that the first two chapters of Genesis introduce the biblical story, like an overture introduces an opera. This story is bookended by the phrases, “the heavens and the earth,” and “new heavens and earth” in Revelation.

And this story finds it centre in the events we rehearse at Easter: the life, death and Resurrection of Christ. It’s the story that creates the meaning.

Major Ray Harris Learning to accept uncertainty in the creation versus evolution debate

Illustration: © iStock.com/quisp65

BY MAJOR KATHIE CHIU

he year: 1991. The place: College for Officer Training, Toronto. The event: creation versus evolution debate in theology class. The people: theology professor—a young-earth creationist; cadets in the Followers of Jesus Session.

Although I was completely intimidated, this event had a profound impact on my faith journey. As a high school student, math and science were not my favourite subjects. Chemistry formulas, algebra and dissecting frogs gave me headaches and nausea. I enjoyed English literature, got lost in ancient history and philosophy, and excelled in the musical arts. When told I didn’t need to take any more math and science classes, I jumped for joy and walked out of the guidance counsellor’s office smiling all the way home.

The professor paired us up and asked us to choose sides for the debate. My classmate had no interest in presenting a case for evolution. He believed in a literal six-day creation. I hesitantly took on the opposing view. My theology teacher was positively glowing at the prospect of me finding out evolution was for the birds.

He directed me to our education officer, a progressive creationist, who was equally pleased I was going to study a favourite topic of his and gave me several books to read.

Eventually, I became comfortable with not knowing.

Strangely enough, this didn’t destroy my faith. Instead, it was strengthened

I took the pile of books back to my campus apartment and began to read about carbon dating and paleontology.

It was fascinating. It seemed there was quite a bit of scientific evidence supporting the view of an old earth, one that has evolved over time.

I also began to learn a new way of studying the creation accounts in the Old Testament. I discovered there were two—Genesis 1 and 2 differed slightly, mixing up the order of creation. I hadn’t really noticed this before. What if there were other inconsistencies?

There were, and each time I came across one I applied the same principles

of study. At the same time, I remembered, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NRSV).

After presenting the evidence for evolution to my class that day in 1991, the teacher challenged me: “So, after all that study, what do you believe now?” I was afraid he’d ask me that, so I had prepared an answer, the only one I could give.

“Well, since neither is a proven theory, I guess you could say both views take a leap of faith.” I sat on the fence, because the new ideas I was encountering were overwhelming.

But researching that presentation made me realize that science has stories to tell about the world we live in.

It gave me a new thirst to learn about medical discoveries, climate science, quantum mechanics and string theory (which boggle my mind). And over the years, each of my children in turn has asked me about evolution, prompting me to keep studying and learning. I don’t have a difficult time explaining how I feel about both now.

Eventually, I became comfortable with not knowing, with uncertainty.

Strangely enough, this didn’t destroy my faith. Instead, it was strengthened. How can you have faith when everything has been proven? What became important to me were the lessons I could learn from each story, always interpreting them through the lens of Jesus.

Some people might call me progressive. I’m not uncomfortable with that label, although I prefer to say I’m open to learn—as long as God and his plan for our world are included. I guess I’m also raising progressive children, given the way my children often challenged teachers in their Christian school classes. I still hate math, but science is no longer an enemy—just don’t ask me to dissect a frog!

We value respectful discussion on this subject. Join us on salvationist.ca to continue the debate.

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 • March 2015 • 29

Justice, Not Vengeance

TALKING POINTS

With a Vengeance I’m writing in response to Major Juan Burry’s article (“With a Vengeance,” April 2015). No, vengeance is not for us.

But proper sentences for those who comI mit crimes are a needful thing. Society has the right to exact a time out of society as a punishment for crime. And while the person who committed the crime is in jail or prison, they cannot commit a crime, so it does affect the crime rate.

While in custody, prisoners may realize a change in lifestyle is needed. They may even come to the knowledge of the saving power of Jesus Christ and join the “forever family.” While that is a positive thing to happen, it does not and should not be a reason to change the sentence. We must remember that the salvation we receive from God through Jesus’ death does not in any way mean that the present penalty for our actions is halted.

I do believe there are systemic issues that need to be addressed regarding the roots of crime, as well as measures put in place to provide what is needed for a good life for all, but we will still need a correctional system to house those who break the laws of society. I speak to this issue as one who worked in the correctional system for 21 years. Yes to justice and proper punishment, with no place for us as individuals or society to be doing this out of vengeance.

John Stephenson Should some crimes have no possibility of parole?

Photo: © iStock.com/wsmahar

BY MAJOR JUAN BURRY

n late January, the federal government announced it is crafting legislation that would mean some criminals will have no hope of freedom from prison.

The new law would apply to a few classifications of those imprisoned for firstdegree murder, such as killers of police and prison guards, anyone who murders during a sexual assault, kidnapping or act of terrorism, and for particularly vicious homicides. The punishment today for first-degree murder in Canada is a mandatory life sentence, but with the possibility for a parole board review after 25 years. A person with such a sentence who is granted parole must be supervised for life.

While I agree with the notion that some people may never be safely reintegrated into society and we should protect our citizens from them, this announcement bothers me for several reasons. First, the law seems unnecessarily broad. Does the prime minister think that everyone who commits a crime like this is beyond hope of rehabilitation? Perhaps some are. As a society, are we unwilling to acknowledge that people change, that after 25 years an offender may be a different and

better person? Certainly as Christians we believe in the possibility of transformation and a life turned around by repentance.

But what I find most troubling is that I cannot see any solid rationale for introducing this law. It will not make our communities safer. After overseeing a federal halfway house program for four years, I can attest to the fact that parole boards turn down the worst cases. Offenders who are released have been identified by the board as having a strong potential to reintegrate into the community. Most offenders, such as those pinpointed by this new legislation, would have an extremely low rate of recidivism.

Neither are there economic benefits to this proposal. While working in the halfway house program, I often heard that the cost of keeping offenders in prison was about four or five times more than the cost of housing them in a community residential facility.

I cannot help but feel there is a degree of vengeance underpinning this new bill. Our crime rates have been steadily declining over the years, yet we are to believe that Canada must get tougher

on crime. If it is not necessary for financial reasons or because of concerns over decreasing safety, we must conclude that it is retaliatory. Perhaps what we have here is the re-emergence of the old “eye for an eye” mentality. I understand how violent crimes incite our passions.

When someone acts inhumanely toward another person, often our reaction is to want them to experience something similar. I see this idea repeated in social media posts and pictures. Surprisingly, I notice that sometimes Christians are the ones affirming retribution.

But retributive methods do not work.

Nor are they promoted by Christ. I like how Eugene Peterson paraphrases Jesus’ words: “Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ … No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously” (Matthew 5:38-42 The Message). That helps put this into our contemporary context. What does it mean to live generously? It is difficult to think of being generous to a person who has committed a violent act. But if we are only generous to our friends or those we like, what kingdom value is in that (see Matthew 5:46-47)?

In Canada we have a criminal justice system, not a criminal vengeance system.

The way we deal with people should be fair and appropriate for the crime. But we should never lose sight of the fact that all people are made in the image of God and have worth and dignity. Most Christian people in this country have no appetite for bringing back the death penalty. However, ensuring that a segment of society is condemned to a life devoid of hope, no matter what potential they may have, is only different from the death penalty in that it is a slower demise. Shouldn’t the church speak out and tell the government that vengeance is not ours? Don’t we want something better?

Major Juan Burry is the executive director of Rotary Hospice House in Richmond, B.C.

28 • April 2015 • Salvationist

POINT COUNTERPOINT

House of Prayer

I appreciated Colonel Bob Ward and Major Amy Reardon’s article (“House of Prayer,” April 2015). Slowly but surely, humanity’s religions are moving away from triumphalism and exclusiveness toward a healthy mutual respect for each other’s traditions. Expressions of this, 18 • July 2015 • Salvationist

Should churches make room for other religions?

Illustration: © iStock.com/Refluo and iStock.com/Leyasw

Hope-filled Opportunity

In this series, Colonel Bob Ward, who retired in 2013 as the territorial commander in Pakistan, and Major Amy Reardon, corps officer at Seattle Temple in Washington, U.S.A., discuss issues of the day.

DEAR AMY,

I

was encouraged recently to learn that Muslim leaders had been invited to conduct their Friday prayers in the Washington Cathedral, the site of many national events and funeral services for former presidents. I understand this initiative was an outcome of a discussion related to a memorial service for Nelson Mandela. The South African ambassador, Dr. Ebrahim Rasool, is a Muslim. I know him from our days in Cape Town. As minister of health, he understood and supported the role of faith-based hospitals, including The Salvation Army’s, in the health-care system. He called the invitation “a powerful symbolic gesture.”

The occasion brought to mind a similar event organized by one of our divisional commanders in Pakistan during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. When the call to prayer sounded from a nearby mosque, the Shia and Sunni leaders rose to find a suitable place to pray. The divisional commander invited them into the nearby corps building, saying, “We have prepared a place inside for you.” They accepted this unique offer and went in to pray. I was taken aback, but on reflection realized this was right. Jesus reminded the buyers and sellers in the temple that “It is written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer’ ” (Matthew 21:13). He was quoting Isaiah: “These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7; emphasis mine).

I applaud the Washington Cathedral effort to encourage people from other faith communities, particularly from the monotheistic tradition. It spoke to me of the intended use of places of worship, as well as the Christian virtue of hospitality.

Imagine my disappointment with the criticism and protest this occasion generated. Dr. Franklin Graham complained on Facebook: “It’s sad to see a church open its doors to the worship of anything other than the one true God of the Bible.”

A protester had to be removed from the service, shouting, “Jesus Christ died on that cross over there,” concluding that only Jesus should be prayed to. She was oversimplifying the complex theological issues. I wonder what the Muslims who had come to pray thought of her actions and words. I do understand people’s sensitivity to anything Islamic since the 9/11 tragedy. However, the emphasis of Jesus’ ministry was building bridges, not walls. To my way of thinking, the Washington Cathedral initiative is in the best spirit of building positive relationships and promoting healthy dialogue and good will among people of faith. I hope you agree.

BOB 14 I April 2015 I Salvationist

DEAR BOB,

I

remember the days when we arrogantly believed that Christians possessed all truth and those of all other faiths were just pagans of varying stripes. Most of us now acknowledge that other religions do possess some truth and we can understand how people are drawn to those faiths. Still, Jesus claimed to be the truth and I don’t see a lot of wiggle room in that enormous claim.

I have been to the National Cathedral many times, having lived in the Washington, D.C., area for six years. Though it is an Episcopalian church, it represents the worship practices of the American people. A national commander of The Salvation Army was installed there. My husband’s recent graduation from a Methodist seminary was conducted there. I visited the cathedral for a morning of private prayer and celebration on my 30th anniversary of becoming a soldier, and viewed a stained-glass picture of William Booth at an open-air meeting.

The atmosphere of the National Cathedral isn’t particularly Episcopalian. Even if it were, the Episcopalians are a liberal

such as sharing sacred spaces and thus building bridges, are encouraging and hopeful. Many eminent Christian theologians are expanding and refining the discussion and debate over pluralistic theology. There is a growing multi-faith dynamic around the world.

The parable of the Good Samaritan speaks volumes about Jesus’ attitude toward people of faith traditions other than his own. There was a time when most people of other religious beliefs and practices lived “overseas,” where we sent Christian missionaries to convert them. Now they are our neighbours here in Canada. Getting to know them personally and allowing them to know us is grace-filled and transformative. We need to do more of that, and sharing our churches with them is one of those hope-filled opportunities.

Major Jim Ellis During my time working with immigrants and refugees, I learned so much from people of diverse cultures and religions. I admired the faithfulness of people from different faith groups, respecting their times of fasting and prayer.

We made accommodation within our offices for quiet prayer time for individuals who requested it and felt blessed by those sacred times. It is when we meet people as individuals and find the points of connection (being a mother, a daughter, a husband, etc.) that we can begin to share about our faiths and build those bridges that wipe out racism, discrimination and intolerance. May we all humble ourselves to see in others our brother and sister.

Florence Gruer

Conversation Starter

TIES THAT BIND

Beyond the Birds and the Bees I agree with Major Kathie Chiu (“Beyond the Birds and the Bees,” May 2015). H Ontario’s new health and physical education isn’t too far off the mark. The curriculum addresses much more then sex, and is very well rounded when it does.

The issue isn’t parents who have healthy conversations with their families; these parents will continue to do so after the new curriculum comes into being. Youth who don’t receive good education at home will be given what they need to know, presented at appropriate intervals.

There are two parties that I feel have a problem with this new curriculum. The first think it will undermine their beliefs.

The second are afraid it might lead to some closet doors being opened. The second need to be afraid. When little children learn they have the right to personal space, sometimes family secrets get exposed. If I had something to hide, I would be afraid of this curriculum as well. I have found that the first group, though, are following a leader. Today, we have more insight into how people function—there are LGBTQ and asexual orientations, male, female, trans, nonconforming, neutral, etc., in gender identity. Many of us are not capable of educating our children for today’s way of thinking. Don’t be insulted by that. I’m fairly well trained in social work and I’m blown away by all the identities and changes in our world.

I encourage each parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent or youth leader to take the time to learn the curriculum, do the research and engage in conversation with the children in your life where and when appropriate.

Donald Jefcoat Is sex education best taught at home or in the classroom?

BY MAJOR KATHIE CHIU

ow do babies get inside a lady’s tummy?” My mom was unfazed by my question. She sat me down, drew the female and male anatomies, and showed how they fit together.

She explained everything carefully—the whole kit and caboodle. I was just 10 years old, but she thought I was ready to understand.

What my mom didn’t know was why I was asking. She didn’t know that the boy across the street knew all about sex and regaled us with his knowledge, or that when I was six, a boy had tried to get my friend and me into touching and doing what adults do with each other.

No way was I going to tell my mom, who I knew would march straight up to that boy’s house and raise—well, you know what.

That was the 1960s. Sex education came from kids in the neighbourhood who peeked at their fathers’ dirty magazines or found out from older boys. My mom wasn’t the norm back then. None of my friends knew, and when I told them what my mom had said we all sat with our jaws hanging open, astonished at the craziness of the whole thing.

Many of my friends received their first formal education about sex and reproduction in Grade 8 at school. In high school, many of my friends were sexually active at 15 and 16. Other than the biological facts, my mom’s only advice was not to let boys get me into a corner.

With my own children, I answered their questions as I felt was appropriate for their age. Having much more information at my disposal and being from a generation that grew up during the sexual revolution, I taught my children how to keep themselves safe, how to prevent pregnancy and the values that I hoped would keep them as pure as possible for as long as possible. I had an overwhelming need to protect them and

felt that giving them too much information too soon would not be wise. I also knew that the more information they had the more chances they had to stay safe. It was a delicate balance.

Fast-forward to 2015. Much of what was a parental responsibility has shifted to the schools. Children have the world at their fingertips with the Internet and television showing sexually explicit movies and videos. Pornography is everywhere, pedophiles wait in chat rooms and sexting happens between kids as young as 10.

Big in the news lately is the Ontario government’s new comprehensive health and physical education curriculum for

Grades 1-8. There was a similar brouhaha back in the mid-2000s when British Columbia instituted a new curriculum that introduced the reality of homosexuality in Grade 6. Many conservative Christians were up in arms because, to them, homosexuality was wrong and children don’t have to know about it so young. They argued that only parents should teach this within the bounds of their religious values.

Ontario has stepped it up a notch.

I’ve read the new curriculum, and it’s quite comprehensive. Children in kindergarten will learn the correct names of their body parts, that they are private and how to say no to bad touching. In

later grades, students will learn about their changing bodies and sexuality perhaps earlier than ever before, but children are also maturing earlier than ever before.

In Grade 3, teachers will explain that there are many kinds of families in our communities. The reality is that society has normalized same-sex marriages and there will be children at school who come from families with two dads, two moms or even transgendered parents.

The curriculum will ensure children are taught tolerance and that all kinds of differences are normal, not just sexuality and gender. I’m not sure this is a bad thing considering Jesus’ teaching to love our neighbours as ourselves.

Many religiously conservative families are protesting.

They are not happy with this new curriculum and accuse the government of trying to indoctrinate their children with the idea that homosexuality is acceptable, when to them it is not. They feel strongly these topics are not age-appropriate and that it is not the school’s responsibility to teach them to their kids. Thankfully, for them, the law provides an option to withdraw their children from classes with inappropriate content—from sex education to Harry Potter books.

Not all Christian families are opposed to the new curriculum and statistics show the majority of parents are in favour of a comprehensive approach to health education. As parents we have an opportunity to review with our kids what they’ve learned in school. Before, these conversations may have felt awkward, but our children may now be more open to discussing them. It’s then we can teach them how to view all of these things through the lens of Jesus and the values he taught.

Major Kathie Chiu is the corps officer at Richmond Community Church, B.C.

Salvationist • May 2015 • 29

Photo: © iStock.com/marekuliasz

A Great Debate

PERSPECTIVES

Rallying Cry

The importance of making soldiers of Jesus and The Salvation Army

BY LT-COLONEL JUNIOR HYNES I now call upon all present to witness that I enter into this covenant and sign these articles of war of my own free will, convinced that the love of Christ, who died and now lives to save me, requires from me this devotion of my life to his service for the salvation of the whole world, and therefore do here declare my full determination, by God’s help, to be a true soldier of The Salvation Army.

Photo: Timothy Cheng

I

signed this Soldier’s Covenant when I was 14, during a worship service at my corps in Happy Valley, N.L. It was a significant step in my Christian life, a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ and a commitment to demonstrate my faith through service. My corps officers led me through the ceremony and then prayed with me to ask God’s blessing and help to keep this covenant. Becoming a soldier most closely resembles baptism in other denominations—a true soldier of The Salvation Army is a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The word soldier may sound oldfashioned, but it’s who we are—an Army with a mission to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. To carry out this mission, we need people who are committed to spreading the good news of the gospel and to living out their faith with Christlike compassion. We need people who are ready to serve wherever the Army is engaged in caring, outreach ministries. We need soldiers.

The Army seeks to “save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity,” as General John Gowans said. But our current declines in attendance and membership can be linked to a lack of emphasis on growing saints or discipleship.

Discipleship (or disciple-making) is one

of our new territorial strategic priorities (salvationist.ca/strategic-priorities). We need to make an intentional effort to not only save souls but to help these new converts move toward Christian maturity—to be so moved with gratitude for God’s love and grace that we look for ways to show our gratitude through loving service.

I realize that some followers of Jesus make the Army their church home without becoming soldiers, as adherents.

We need people who are ready to serve.

We need soldiers We welcome and celebrate their helpful support and participation. But soldiers have added expectations. They embody integrated mission, holding word and deed together. The Soldier’s Covenant has two parts: a statement of faith (word) and a parallel commitment to putting it into practice, with the grace and help of God (deed).

Soldiership ref lects a level of engagement with the Army’s mission,

a level of confidence in what the Army believes and teaches, and a level of practice in living out our faith in Christ as part of his church. It gives our mission legs. Without soldiers, our mission is weakened.

So what can we do to help grow saints and make soldiers?

Refer to soldiership in a positive way. It’s important for those in leadership to talk about the significance of soldiership and the reasons for new Christians to become soldiers.

Share testimonies. Ask people to share why they became a soldier and what it means to them, both young and new Christians, as well as those who have been soldiers for many years.

Offer soldier preparation classes. Discuss the solid biblical, theological foundation for soldiership and talk about further steps of faith and service.

Study in small groups.

After studying the doctrines in my own devotional life, I led a small group through the Army’s statements of faith and the Scriptures that support them.

Some in the group were soldiers and some were distant members on a roll, who later made a public declaration of faith. We grew spiritually and deepened our commitment as we studied together.

Celebrate. Welcoming new soldiers is a sacred event in the life of the corps.

Make it a special occasion with a sacred and celebratory atmosphere.

Soldiership is about mission in action in our neighbourhoods and communities. Let’s consider how we can be more intentional about making soldiers—true disciples of Jesus Christ.

Lt-Colonel Junior Hynes is the secretary for program services. He will retire with his wife, Lt-Colonel Verna Hynes, in September.

Salvationist • July 2015 • 19

Life After Prison Three women share how Ellen Osler Home helped them start over

T

BY GISELLE RANDALL, FEATURES EDITOR

he women who meet for coffee in the comfortable living room of a large, Tudor-style house discuss starting a book club, celebrating birthdays and doing chores—and laugh as they plan a retirement party for the vacuum cleaner. They often gather in the kitchen to make and share meals together, like a family. “I think we’re trying to get back to that, because where we’ve all been takes you away from it,” says Nancy.

The women have different stories, but all of them have spent time in federal prison. They live at The Salvation Army’s Ellen Osler Home, a community-based residential facility—usually known as a halfway house—in Dundas, Ont. Halfway houses provide gradual, supervised reintegration into the community for those who have been released on parole.

“When you go to prison, the world doesn’t stop turning.

But you do,” says Chantel Malcolm, program manager. For many women, becoming accustomed to the structure and routine of life in prison can make it difficult to manage life on the outside. Not only that, they may also struggle with addiction and mental-health issues. Some have never held a legitimate job or had friends who weren’t criminals. Others have been in unhealthy, abusive relationships all their lives.

So when they are released, “it’s almost like being a newborn for some people,” says Malcolm.

A halfway house gives them a place to start over—to receive counselling, attend treatment programs, go to school, work and learn new ways of relating to others by setting boundaries.

“A halfway house is important for community safety,” says Malcolm. “Not only by monitoring the women and reporting back to parole officers and the government, but by helping them build those skills and form alternatives, so the chance of them going back to an old lifestyle or pattern of behaviour is less.

“Ultimately, it’s up to them—they’re the ones who have to do the work and make the choices, but people tend to be much more successful if they’ve stayed at a halfway house first.”

For Nancy, Darlene and Aisha, Ellen Osler Home has been a stepping stone to a new life. Here are their stories.

Nancy: On the Right Path When Nancy was released from a federal penitentiary halfway through a three-year sentence for drug trafficking, she spent as much time as possible sitting outside. She noticed how overgrown the yard around the halfway house had become.

“It was pretty much mud,” she says. “I asked myself, what image do we want to present to our neighbours? I figured we needed to look friendlier and tidier. I thought that an attractive garden would change our image to the community and show that we’re doing good things.”

She had done landscaping in the past, and the staff soon turned over the yard to her. Weeks of digging, cutting and planting transformed the garden. “It looked alive again,” she says. As she worked, neighbours who normally walked by stopped to 20 • July 2015 • Salvationist

Nancy in the garden at Ellen Osler Home

talk. “They invited me to their homes to see their gardens and have tea,” she says. “We received lots of donations of flowers that I could split. It really turned into a community thing.”

Nancy’s skills and strong work ethic came in handy around the house as well. “She came at the perfect time. She needed us, and we needed her,” says Malcolm. “We had always paid people for some jobs, like cutting the grass or shovelling snow, but when we realized just how many skills she had, we created a job for her.” Nancy painted most of the bedrooms and offices, and does small repairs. “We always have our ‘Nancy list,’ ” Malcolm says. This arrangement has led to the idea of a formal work program in the future.

For Nancy, staying connected to nature and her Aboriginal roots is an important part of her journey. She participates in ceremonies, makes art and clothing, and sings with a hand drum she received as a gift. The drum is symbolic, given by “somebody who sees you’ve done the work and you’re on the right path,” she says. Nancy is looking forward to going home, spending time with family and friends, and starting a landscaping business.

Darlene: “The Person I Was Meant to Be” It’s not easy for Darlene to look back on her childhood. “It was like my whole childhood was a horror story,” she says.

“Everything was dark and gloomy.” She remembers a lot of

Photo: Giselle Randall

drinking and partying, and witnessing violent fights between her mother and stepfather. Sometimes her mother didn’t come home until the early hours of the morning, and she had to get her younger siblings ready for school. A relative started to sexually abuse her when she was seven.

Darlene started drinking when she was 11 and doing drugs at 14. She was raped at 18.

She had four kids and lost custody of them for a time as a result of her drinking.

Prison gave Aisha time to reflect on her life

“I drank every single day for as long as I could remember.

My drinking was so bad that I went to the liquor store at five o’clock one morning, thinking it was five o’clock in the afternoon,” she says. “I didn’t know what time of day it was, what day it was or what month we were in. I woke up drunk and went to bed drunk.”

After her mother passed away, an old family friend helped arrange the funeral. When Darlene’s daughter came for the funeral, she pointed to him and said, “Keep him away from me.”

Darlene later learned he had sexually abused her as a child.

“I lost it,” she says. “I was abused and raped. I thought, Is she going to live her life that way? She’s going to become a drug addict, she’s going to be an alcoholic. She’s not going to have a good life.”

Darlene confronted the man. She doesn’t remember where she got the gun or how it got loaded. When he laughed at her, “I started having these flashbacks,” she says. “I was laughed at my whole life. I was bullied in school. I was in a lot of abusive relationships. They told me I was no good, that I wouldn’t amount to anything, that nobody would ever want me.”

The gun went off.

She later pled guilty to second-degree murder and received a 10-year sentence. In prison, Darlene met Malcolm, who visits the institution every other week to help women plan their release. “Even though I still had many years to go, I

said, ‘Please still meet with me—I need that support, I need somebody,’ ” Darlene recalls. “The Salvation Army met with me the whole time I was there.”

A psychologist helped her work through the trauma she had experienced. As she opened up and began to forgive, she even started to remember good things from her childhood. Getting sober was another huge step. “I needed to be able to voice myself, and to be able to say no because I didn’t know how to live. I only knew how to live through alcohol,” she says. Living without alcohol, “I found the person I was meant to be.”

After seven years in prison, Darlene was released. She lived at Ellen Osler Home for the final three years of her sentence, and spent two years in a satellite apartment. At the beginning, she had a lot of anxiety, especially when she saw a police car or heard a siren. Simple things like opening a bank account were different than they used to be. She worried about finding a job.

“It’s important to have the halfway house,” she says. “You need this kind of support, because when you’re walking out those doors, it would be next to impossible on your own.

Where would you go? Who’s going to help you?”

With the support of the staff, Darlene grew in confidence.

She found a job as a cleaner and enjoys spending time with her six grandchildren. Leaving the satellite apartment was another big adjustment, but she knows she can call or visit the staff at Ellen Osler Home anytime. “They’ll always be there—they’ve reassured me of that,” she says. “I see this place as hope.”

Aisha: Beauty in the Ashes A free trip to Antigua turned out to be a costly mistake for Aisha, who got caught up in the drug trade as a mule. When she returned to Canada, she was arrested and charged at the airport, and released on bail. “I was scared, I was alone. I was out-of-my-mind angry,” she says. “So many different emotions run through you in that moment.”

A few months later, she pled guilty. “People hear ‘prison’ and they think your life’s over. But that’s when my life began,” she says. Prison gave Aisha the time to examine her life, to reflect on why she had dated the wrong person and followed him down the wrong path.

“The year I spent in prison was a gift and a curse,” she says.

“A curse because I wasn’t able to be with my family, but a gift because I learned who I am, my strengths and weaknesses, and what I want to do with my life.”

Aisha took two university courses while in prison and is now enrolled in a small business and entrepreneurship program at Mohawk College. She hopes to open a business one day. She also wants to help other people in similar situations.

“When you go there and see these people and see that they’re just heart-broken, they’re just like everybody else. They just need love,” she says.

“Never close that door on somebody just because of their past. Everybody needs a second chance.”

Prison also strengthened her relationship with God as she learned to trust him in the midst of her circumstances. “It happened to Joseph, it happened to Job. If all of these stories in the Bible could happen, and such beauty could come out of those ashes, why not for me, too?” she says.

“Most people think of prison as a place where it’s awful, but there’s such beauty there because there are broken people mending. It’s a bunch of broken women fixing their lives.”

Salvationist • July 2015 • 21

Music and Song New Salvation Army song book to be released at Boundless

BY MAJOR CHRISTINA TYSON

A

lmost 30 years after the last Salvation Army song book was published, a new userfriendly edition is being released—in the Army’s 150th year. The Song Book of The Salvation Army, which launches on July 2 (Founders’ Day) at the Boundless international congress, is intended to meet the needs of contemporary Salvation Army worship around the world.

“Music has always played an enormous role in the worship of God’s people,” General André Cox says. “It touches the soul in a unique way and can lift and inspire. God has gifted The Salvation Army with great poets who have a unique ability to express in words some of our deepest emotions, desires, devotion and love for God, which many of us would struggle to do without their special talents. As well, The Song Book of The Salvation Army is a repository containing much of our doctrinal teaching, making it an essential tool for the development of our faith.”

The General appreciates being able to leaf through the pages of his song book when he wants to put aside the pressures of the outside world. “I can assure you that I am not prone to singing aloud on my own during personal devotions, and neither can I claim to systematically use the song book every day in this respect,” he says. “But when I am reading Scripture, the words of a song will often come to mind, and I do like to look them up and reflect on those words.”

Recognizing that the Army song 22 • July 2015 • Salvationist

book is no longer so widely used in some places, the General says: “There is nothing wrong with using modern and new songs, but equally there is no reason to neglect the richness of what we have. It is sad when we no longer know or use some of our great songs that are taken up by other denominations. I think in a world of shifting values, our song book is more than relevant in reaffirming our beliefs and nurturing our faith.”

Fresh Vision Salvation Army song books have tended to be updated around every 25 years.

The vision for the latest edition came from General Shaw Clifton, who convened a Song Book Council in 2009, a year before his retirement as the Army’s international leader. “Our song book has come to mean a great deal to me through the years as a spiritual help and source of inspiration,” says General Clifton (Rtd).

“I spoke with my predecessor, General John Larsson, before taking office and he agreed a new book was needed. I also discussed it at length with my closest and most senior advisers, and then sought feedback from the Army world.”

Although the use of large screens to display congregational songs has changed the way the English language Song Book of The Salvation Army is used, the feedback received by International Headquarters was that this technology should not deprive The Salvation Army of a printed song book.

Having decided to move ahead with the project, suggestions were then sought about which new songs to include. Not all

the “new” songs were written recently; some are 50 or 60 years old. At the same time, the Song Book Council needed to decide which songs from the 1986 song book to omit. “Previous Generals had not hesitated to drop about one third of the content of a song book when planning for a new edition. Therefore, the Song Book Council felt able to be bold in a similar fashion,” General Clifton says.

Work on the new edition, particularly song selection, was well under way when he handed oversight of this task to his successor.

New Features A key goal for the Song Book Council was to make the new edition as userfriendly as possible. This has seen the addition of new features, such as key Bible references above every song. An index to those references is included to further assist leaders in worship planning. In addition to piano and brass music for all songs, guitar chords are included for the first time, along with suggested introductions for every tune.

Parts are provided in concert pitch and in the key of F, and some tunes have been brought down in pitch so they are easier to sing.

The previous song book contained 962 songs and 251 choruses. The new edition has 1,041 songs but a separate chorus section is no longer included, as many modern compositions are not easily classified as “songs” or “choruses.” Songs in the previous edition were grouped into 12 major sections. The new song book has three main sections: “The

Eternal God,” “Our Response to God” and “Benedictions,” with songs organized into categories and sub-categories of these sections.

Theology in Song Four years ago, Lt-Colonel Trevor Davis was asked to accept the role of tune book co-ordinator on the Song Book Council.

He has worked closely with Andrew Blyth, assistant territorial music director of the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland, the music ministries unit of that territory and other musical arrangers. Their aim was to provide easier and more accessible accompaniments that assist congregations to worship God, and to ensure the musical settings did not detract from song lyrics.

As well as his own musical background—which includes serving as territorial music secretary in New Zealand and as national bandmaster, head of music editorial and territorial music secretary in the United Kingdom—Lt-Colonel Davis has a deep personal appreciation of the song book. “I love hymnody of all kinds,” he says, “but I also believe the songs in our Salvation Army song book have provided me with an enhanced scriptural and doctrinal perception.” Although much of the progress technology has brought to corporate worship is helpful, he does mourn that the newer style of singing, with songs often appearing on screen line by line, means singers miss the richness of seeing the sequence of lyrical expression in adjoining verses.

“I think the new song book represents who we are in The Salvation Army

very well,” Lt-Colonel Davis says. “Naturally I, like everybody else, will have my own joys and disappointments about what is included. However, from the tune book side of things, the song book has been prepared by a group of competent people who have done this with integrity and skill, not to mention extreme dedication.”

Blyth’s contribution reflects his long association with Salvation Army musicmaking. He learned to play brass in a Salvation Army young people’s band and to sing in a singing company. Blyth joined the music editorial department in the United Kingdom at 18, becoming a member of the International Staff Band the same year. “It was there that I learned harmony and started to compose music for The Salvation Army,” he says.

Since then, Blyth has been the leader of the International Staff Songsters and Enfield Citadel Band. Currently, he serves as bandmaster of Peterborough Citadel.

“The Salvation Army is an integral part of my faith journey,” Blyth says.

“The Army has supported me during the challenging times of my life, corrected me when I needed it and encouraged me in my everyday activities. Of course, its music appeals to me, but I have also seen the Army at work in areas of social need and during times of disaster.” All of this has given Blyth a respect for what The Salvation Army stands for—and an enthusiasm for seeing this reflected in the Army’s music.

He says that although a number of 1986 arrangements are used in the 2015

tune book, 200 new arrangements were still required, taking around two years to complete. The editing and proofing of the music was a mammoth task, with more than 20,000 separate parts to read.

“There are some beautiful new melodies that will be appreciated by musicians,” he says. And although brass arrangements are provided for all songs, he cautions that some songs are not ideally suited to brass band accompaniment.

For those counting the cost of upgrading to the new song book, General Cox recommends it as a worthwhile investment. “Many people spend the equivalent cost of a song book for a decent meal out, or for other forms of entertainment,” he says. “My parents purchased a copy of the 1986 song book when I was a young officer serving in Zimbabwe. That copy has been with me for almost 30 years now and the pages are well turned, so I guess that was good value for money! And it certainly has been with me through some personally difficult times.

“Our song book contains songs that point us to the life of faith, inviting us to lift up our eyes and to embrace and rejoice fully in the realization that God is with us no matter what our circumstances or whatever challenges we face.”

Major Christina Tyson is the territorial communications secretary and editor, War Cry, in the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory.

North American versions of the song book and tune book will be available at store.salvationarmy.ca in August.

Salvationist • July 2015 • 23

CROSS CULTURE

Introducing IRIS

Sci-fi meets Salvation Army in new graphic novel series INTERVIEW BY BRIANNE ZELINSKY, STAFF WRITER

IRIS

After meeting an early and tragic end, Olympic athlete Iris Breckenridge is resurrected

by Biostronomy, a technology company that uses nanobots to restore human life. These tiny robots give her super strength, but as a piece of technology that Biostronomy believes it owns, Iris faces an uncertain future as she grapples with questions about the meaning of her new existence.

K

yle Reardon, a Salvationist and graphic designer based in Washington, D.C., isn’t afraid to take on tough topics.

In IRIS, a seven-part science-fiction epic published by The Salvation Army’s Frontier Press, Reardon explores issues such as women in leadership, consent and body image. Staff writer Brianne Zelinsky spoke to Reardon about IRIS and how his superhero’s duty to seek justice runs parallel with the mission of The Salvation Army.

Q: What is the main message you hope readers will take away from IRIS? I wanted to create a female character that young women could look up to, as well as young men. In the first issue, readers meet Iris, who dies and comes back to life. As the story progresses, Iris seeks answers to life’s questions and explores what they mean for her beliefs. I want people to feel OK with not knowing what’s going to happen to us when we die, that there’s a difference between faith and certainty, and that faith is healthier than certainty.

Q: Female action figures are often hyper-sexualized but Iris isn’t. Why did you choose to depict her in this way?

Iris is dealing with people who treat her body as though they own it. She was specifically chosen to be resurrected because she was attractive, because the people funding the project were male, and she’s dealing with the fact that she is alive for that reason. As the story progresses, Iris starts to feel guilty 24 • July 2015 • Salvationist

about being attractive but, really, the onus isn’t on her. It’s on the people who chose her, who use her as a piece of property for them to ogle.

Q: How does your faith inform the work you do?

I believe that we are always supposed to be searching after God, and that God has engineered our relationship with him so that we don’t find all the answers in this life. He gives us certain answers and guideposts, but we should always be trying to find out more. That zeal for learning more about God and searching after him influences all of my creative work in that my characters don’t have all the answers, and that’s what drives them. They want to know why, where and what they’re moving toward, and what the purpose is. In my stories, that drive points to God, but my faith hasn’t always been sunshine and roses. There are times when you feel abandoned by God or that you have disappointed him, and I think that’s a human thing. I want to share stories that evoke that feeling. Asking questions is essential to my faith and it’s the cornerstone of my creative work.

Q: How have you used your talents in ministry?

IRIS is my biggest project so far. There is a discussion guide that goes with it, and it’s been sent off to youth councils. The guide includes questions about things such as consent and respecting other people’s bodies, which I think are godly principles. I think comic books are unique because they can provide a common language when discussing faith issues.

Q: How do you think The Salvation Army can empower women in leadership? What role can IRIS play?

We often fragment leadership and women’s leadership. We have a strong history of female leaders, especially single female leaders. It would be fantastic to see a married woman General.

Part of that conversation is removing the gender stigma from “She’s a great female leader” to “She’s a great leader.”

In IRIS, the protagonist is not a great female hero; she’s a great hero with a story that both young men and women can look up to, respect and enjoy.

Kyle Reardon

To order a copy of IRIS, visit kylereardonart.com.

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

ENROLMENTS AND RECOGNITION

OWEN SOUND, ONT.—Three adherents and four senior soldiers commit themselves to God’s service as they are enrolled at Owen Sound CC. From left, Mjr Donna Kennedy, CO; Karla Wood, Jewel Tillcock and Chris Tillcock, adherents; Lorne Beynon, holding the flag; Greg Bailey, Alexis Hewines, Sheila Hewines and Lisa Kell, senior soldiers; and Mjr David Kennedy, CO.

GEORGINA, ONT.—General Bramwell Tillsley (Rtd), special guest for Easter celebrations at Georgina CC, shares a moment with Mjrs William and Barbara Pearce, then COs.

ST. ALBERT, ALTA.—These are exciting days at St. Albert Church and Community Centre as six young people are enrolled as junior soldiers. LEFT: Front, from left, Chase McTiernan, Jonathan Kim, Nathaniel Kim and Mason McTiernan, junior soldiers.

Back, from left, Brian Lougheed, holding the flag; Lt Grace Kim, then CO; YPSM Jasmine Whitaker; Cpts Rick and Jennifer Robins, then DYSs, Alta. & N.T. Div; and Lt Peter Kim, then CO. RIGHT: From left, Samantha Pilgrim and Annabelle Kim, junior soldiers.

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Front, from left, Ava Tucker, Elina Upward, Tahlia McKinnon, Frederick King, Gavin Fudge, Nathaniel Rideout-Hampton and Samuel Peddle are the newest junior soldiers at St. John’s Citadel. Supporting them are, back, from left, Mjrs Brian and Valerie Wheeler, COs; JSS Denise Rideout; and Bev Noseworthy, junior soldier preparation class teacher.

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MAN.—Cpts Amanda and Peter Robinson, then COs, and Jack Brown, holding the flag, warmly welcome Ken and Pansy Sheppard as the newest senior soldiers at Portage La Prairie Corps.

TRURO, N.S.—Robert Keeping is commissioned as the corps sergeant-major at Truro Corps.

From left, Cpts Morgan and Lisa Hillier, DYSs, Maritime Div; Harry Bryan, holding the flag; Robert Keeping; and Lts Daniel and Bhreagh Rowe, COs.

BELLEVILLE, ONT.—Two senior soldiers and one adherent are added to the ranks at Belleville Citadel. From left, Bill Moore, colour sergeant; Mjr Catherine Brown-Ratcliffe, CO; Norm McWaters, adherent; Barb Nickerson, Pauline Smith and Rebecca Bursey, senior soldiers; and Mjr Wil Brown-Ratcliffe, CO. Salvationist • July 2015 • 25

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

OSHAWA, ONT.—Oshawa Temple enrols three senior soldiers. From left, Cols Lindsay and Lynette Rowe, COs; Josh Allington; Katie Allington; Ryan Bellingham; Charlie Ball, holding the flag; and RS Kevin Thompson.

Junior Soldier Day of Renewal in Gambo, N.L. GAMBO, N.L.—The congregation at Gambo Corps was challenged to “Dare to be Different” during junior soldier day of renewal. The young people participated in the morning service, including junior soldiers who dressed in costumes portraying the biblical characters of Shadrach, Queen Esther and Peter, as well as General William Booth. They presented stories illustrating how they dared to be different and were used by God. Rachel Harvey accepted the challenge to be different and was enrolled as a junior soldier before her fellow junior soldiers renewed their pledges.

Supporting the young people are Cpts David and Melanie Rideout, COs, and Keith Peckford, holding the flag.

TILLSONBURG, ONT.—Donna Acre, community ministries co-ordinator for The Salvation Army in Tillsonburg since 2005, receives an award from John Gilvesy, Rotary Club of Tillsonburg, recognizing her as a champion of mental health. A senior soldier at Tillsonburg CC, Acre was honoured for her work with young people struggling with mental-health issues.

Accepted for Training

Joyful Intercessors Session (2015-2017) College for Officer Training, Winnipeg Scott Allen Kitchener Community Church Ontario Great Lakes Division My call to officership came during the installation service for our divisional leaders. Then, at the territorial congress last year, there was an invitation to come forward to anyone who felt God calling them to be an officer. I looked at my wife, Cathy, and we went forward together. I praise God for everything he has done in my life and I look forward to the future.

Cathy Allen Kitchener Community Church Ontario Great Lakes Division Being a Salvation Army officer means engaging in mission along with others who have been called by God to save souls, give comfort, love unconditionally and give hope to those who would have none otherwise. I consider it an honour to be able to inspire people to love the Lord and grow in their faith.

Officer Retirements Majors George and Margaret Evans retire July 1 following 82 years of combined service. Together they have served in six divisions from coast to coast in corps, family services, addictions and health care. Their ministry has offered many opportunities to share in the communities in many capacities. Seeing the faithfulness of people and spirit of loyalty to Christ has been the reward of ministr y.

“To be used of God to make a difference has been the miracle of my journey,” George says.

Margaret has relied on God’s faithfulness throughout her years of serving and has always felt privileged to serve others in their spiritual journeys. The promise of Christ has guided their passion in service as found in Jesus’ words, “I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly” (John 10:10 ASV).

26 • July 2015 • Salvationist

Joseph Ludlow Dawson Creek British Columbia Division My only Christian influence was my grandmother whose unwavering faith sustained me when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of 18.

She believed I was going to be OK and started me on my journey to officership with these words: “God is in control and he has great plans for your future.” God used my grandmother to speak to my heart and make me a new creation.

Donna Ludlow Dawson Creek British Columbia Division I am never more joyful than when I am proclaiming God’s love and salvation. Officership will allow me to be faithful to his call on my life and to do full time what I love to do the most. I believe fully in the mission and values of The Salvation Army and feel blessed to be called by God to serve as an officer.

Sabrina Silvey Williams Lake British Columbia Division The journey that has brought me to where I am today has been filled with blessings and many lessons that have taught me to trust in God. Officership means daily taking up my cross and fighting the fight for God, wherever and whenever.

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

GAZETTE

INTERNATIONAL Oct 1: Lt-Cols Alistair/Marieke Venter, TC/TPWM, Sri Lanka Tty, with rank of col; Lt-Col Priscilla Nanlabi, officer commanding, Bangladesh Command; Cpt Elizabeth Nelson, general secretary, Bangladesh Command, with rank of mjr; Cpt Nipu Anusree Baroi, CPWM, Bangladesh Command; Cpt Julia Price, CSWM, Russia Command, with rank of mjr TERRITORIAL Birth Lts Daniel/Bhreagh Rowe, son, Maverick Daniel, May 11 Appointments Cpt Barbara Dalrymple, special assignment, communications department, THQ; Mjr Lee-Ann Hoeft, assistant executive director, Saskatoon Community Services, Prairie Div; Mjr Stephen Court, Los Angeles County mission strategist, Southern California Div, USA Western Tty; Mjr Danielle Strickland, territorial social justice secretary, program services, THQ, USA Western Tty; Cpts Craig/Marianneke Summerfield, Sudbury CC, Ont. GL Div (from USA Western Tty). Aug 1: Mjr Laverne Fudge, divisional emergency disaster services co-ordinator, Maritime Div (additional responsibility); Cpt Mark Stanley, government relations liaison officer, Alta. & N.T. Div (additional responsibility). Sep 1: Cpt Gordon Taylor, AC, Northern Region, B.C. Div (additional responsibility); Lt-Col Beverley Woodland, public relations and government relations, Vancouver Island, and AC, Vancouver Island, B.C. Div. Sep 5: Mjr Brenda Murray, associate director of world missions, world missions department, THQ; Mjr John Murray, vice-president advancement, Booth University College, THQ Long service—25 years Mjrs David/Wavey Chaulk Promoted to glory Mrs Mjr Thelma Corney-Stanford, from Maple Creek, Sask., Apr 28; Mrs Brg Sophia (Sylvia) Smith, from Kitchener, Ont., May 8

CALENDAR

Commissioner Susan McMillan Jul 1-5 Boundless 2015 International Congress, London, England Colonels Mark and Sharon Tillsley Jul 1-5 Boundless 2015 International Congress, London, England

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The Rest is History … Quiz Answers 1. B . The Blind Beggar 2. B . Yellow sun 3. C. High Council 4. C. La Maréchale 5. D. Served as Chief of the Staff 6. D . George L. Carpenter 7. A. Nashan “Joe the Turk” Garabed

8. A. William Thomas Stead 9. A . 40,000 10. D . Blood and Fire 11. B . The Skeleton Army 12. C . Order of the Founder 13. C . All of the above 14. A . The New York Staff Band 15. B. Safety matches

How Did You Score?

0-5—A good effort, but history may not be your thing.

6-10—Well done. You’re on your way to becoming an Army historian!

11-15—Outstanding! William Booth would be so proud.

TRIBUTE EDMONTON—Major Deanna May Barber (nee Cole) was born in Campbellton, N.B., and was involved in the Army at an early age. After returning from an international Salvation Army congress in London, England, in 1956, she left her job as a bank teller to pursue a life of ministry and entered the Courageous Session of cadets at the training college in Toronto. There she met her future husband, George Barber, with whom she communicated after commissioning while she trained as a nurse at the Winnipeg Grace Hospital. After her graduation and marriage to George, they went on missionary service to Belize and the Bahamas. On their return to Canada, they served in corps and correctional work in different parts of the territory. Retiring in Edmonton, Deanna was the Army’s representative on the Edmonton Council of Women, participated in community care ministries, Red Shield and Christmas kettle appeals, and was always ready to pray, testify and help wherever needed. Remembered for her quiet witness, cheerful smile and the example of her life of faith lived out in action, Deanna is greatly missed by her three children, Heather (Paluck), George and Wayne Thomas (Aimee); and three grandchildren.

Guidelines for Tributes Tributes should be received within two months of the promotion to glory and include: community where the person resided; conversion to Christ; corps involvement; Christian ministry; survivors. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. High-resolution digital photos (300 ppi preferred) or clear, original photos are acceptable (original photos will be returned). E-mail: salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org.

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Contact (416) 422-6119; circulation@can.salvationarmy.org or visit salvationist.ca/subscribe to order Salvationist • July 2015 • 27

TALKING POINTS

Playing God?

Examining the arguments against physician-assisted suicide

Photo: © iStock.com/nito100

BY MAJOR JUAN BURRY

I

n February, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the Criminal Code provisions against euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the case of Carter vs. Canada. In its ruling, the court said that the “prohibition on physician-assisted dying infringes on the right to life, liberty and security of the person in a manner that is not in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.” The court has given the federal government a year to craft legislation to govern this groundbreaking practice.

In the meantime, there are many questions about how this ruling will be applied. For example, what criteria need to be met before a person can choose to end his or her life? Can physicians refuse to write a lethal prescription if it presents a religious or philosophical tension for them? Will health-care centres funded by the provincial government, especially those operated by religious organizations, be forced to permit assisted suicide in their facilities?

These questions are especially pertinent for The Salvation Army since we operate a number of health-care facilities, many of which deal exclusively 28 • July 2015 • Salvationist

with infirm or elderly people. Our current position statement says, “The Salvation Army believes that euthanasia and assisted suicide are morally wrong, and holds that they should continue to be illegal under Canadian law.” How will we deal with the repercussions if the new legislation compromises our organizational beliefs?

For us to answer the question of “how?” we must first deal with the question of “why?” Why is our position statement so unambiguous, even though 84 percent of Canadians agree with the recent ruling (according to a recent Ipsos-Reid poll)? Why do we believe that assisted suicide and euthanasia are wrong? I’ve asked a number of people this question recently, but the responses reveal glaring inconsistencies.

Some say the reason we cannot support this practice is because it would be “playing God.” But we allow the health-care system and professionals to do this all the time if it means keeping us alive. If I really believed there should be no medical intervention in my life, I wouldn’t have started taking insulin injections for my diabetes 23 years ago, and I would be dead by now.

So that response, on its own, is flawed.

Others will say that our current position is part of an overall “pro-life” philosophy. In other words, we can and should intervene when it means prolonging life because we believe life is sacred and a gift. However, every day good Christian people make heartbreaking decisions not to prolong their lives any longer when they know there is no cure for their illness, either by refusing therapy or not taking medications.

In fact, at the hospice where I serve, we do not accept anyone for residency unless they have signed a DNR (do not resuscitate). So, prolonging life is not always promoted in the Army.

Before we speak to the Army’s position, perhaps we should consider why some people agree with the Supreme Court’s decision. British Columbia has been at the forefront of this struggle for the right to die. I have heard the arguments first hand. For many, having this right is the most natural and compassionate approach to the end of life. Others argue that making such a practice criminal is an infringement upon our right to make our own choices.

A reflex response from Christians is often that we should be more concerned about what God or the Bible says, rather than clamouring for our rights.

Unfortunately, the Bible doesn’t specifically deal with this dilemma and the evangelical churches in North America often advocate for personal rights and freedoms when it suits them. Again, I observe inconsistencies.

The issue is not an easy one. Working in a hospice, I have seen the use of advanced medical technologies that allow terminal patients to live their remaining days in as much comfort as possible. So I am reticent to agree wholeheartedly with the court ruling.

But I have also met residents who have been in such misery that they would choose assisted suicide if they could.

Can I accept that others might have a different opinion than I do and support them in their choice? Is that a tension I can live with in the long term? Can The Salvation Army? What do you think?

We value respectful discussion on this subject. Join us on salvationist.ca to continue the debate.

Major Juan Burry is the executive director of Rotary Hospice House in Richmond, B.C.

TIES THAT BIND

Into the Woods

Building faith and friendship at summer camp

Photo: © iStock.com/kali9

BY MAJOR KATHIE CHIU

T

he suitcase and backpack were sitting by the door.

“Do you have everything on the list?” I asked.

“Yup.” “Are you sure?”

“Yup.” “Then let’s get going. We have a ferry to catch.”

A few kilometres later, I heard, “Mom, I forgot my bathing suit!” Back we went.

The annual pilgrimage to camps across the country is a rite of passage that every child deserves to experience.

For us, it’s music camp. Our twin daugh-

ters, Sheena and Sarah, always had each other. But Derek was going to be on his own, a ferry ride away. There would be no midnight trips to pick him up if something went wrong. What if he gets sick? What if he gets scared? I won’t be able to get to him, I remember fretting. But I kept my fears to myself and decided to trust God and the adults who would be supervising the camp. I said goodbye and he walked off with his friends.

I loved camp at Jackson’s Point in Ontario. I remember sleeping on the top bunk in a cabin full of giggly girls, digging pits and jumping off the wooden pier into the waters of Lake Simcoe.

As much fun as it is, camp is also an excellent place for kids to develop invaluable life skills. Studies show that kids who go to camp increase their emotional intelligence. Here are some of the benefits of camp for kids: •• They learn to get along with others.

When a group of kids is cooped up in a small cabin, there’s bound to be some friction. It’s different than school, where you go home at the end of the day. At camp, you share bunk beds and have to sleep in the same room.

•• They learn to face challenges and overcome them. From climbing walls to learning to paddle a canoe, there is a lot to learn. These activities give kids the opportunity to try things outside their comfort zone.

•• They learn leadership skills by helping younger campers. Many camps, including The Salvation Army’s, have leader-in-training programs as well.

One of the most important aspects of any Salvation Army camp is the spiritual content. There is chapel every day where kids hear stories and sing songs that teach them about the love of God. For many kids who attend our holiday camps, it may be the first time they hear about Jesus, and experience God’s love lived out in his people. As a corps officer, I receive a list of kids who made a decision to follow Jesus while at camp every year, and it makes me realize the impact of camping ministries.

“Did you have a good time?” I asked Derek after camp.

“Yup. I went out in a canoe in the ocean! I climbed all the way to the top of the wall! And I got to go swimming every day!”

The smells that waft out of the suitcases when they unpack each summer are overpowering. Underneath the top layer of dirty clothes is usually a layer of clean, perfectly rolled up items of clothing that never saw the light of day.

All five of our kids went through this rite of passage and, in turn, volunteered and worked at Camp Sunrise here in British Columbia. They have great memories and strong friendships from their summers at camp. But the most important relationship that was strengthened each summer was the one between my children and God. Major Kathie Chiu is the corps officer at Richmond Community Church, B.C. Salvationist • July 2015 • 29

SALVATION STORIES

The Man Behind the Uniform One of the Army’s most recognizable symbols is stitched with prayer

BY DAVID KANG

30 • July 2015 • Salvationist

Photos: Giselle Randall

I

was born in Seoul, South Korea. My parents died as a result of the Korean War when I was young. For a short time I lived on the street. When I was about five or six, I was taken in by a Salvation Army boy’s home. A lot of good things happened there—I went to school, played in the band and accepted Jesus.

I don’t know exactly when, because I heard it all around me.

I used to go up a mountain to pray.

I liked sports and by the time I was 10, I had four martial arts black belts. There were a lot of gangs in those days. I was a good fighter—I stuck up for people and tried to make peace.

At 18, I left the boy’s home and studied design. After my mandatory military service, I worked for the government.

In 1973, when I was 26, The Salvation Army helped me immigrate to Canada. My fiancée followed me and we got married in Medicine Hat, Alta., two years later. We moved to Toronto and I began working as a tailor, making uniforms for The Salvation Army. The first uniform I made was for General Clarence Wiseman.

In 1976, God called me to start a Korean corps in Canada through a vision. I didn’t want to do it—I was scared. God kept calling, but I kept coming up with excuses—I was helping a Korean corps in California, I was building a business, we were starting a family—and the years went by.

“The uniform shows people that we stand for the Army, for people and for God,” Kang says Then one day, as we were having dinner, my wife told me she wanted to leave our corps to go to a Korean where else, but for me it’s not about church. She didn’t speak English very the money, it’s about serving God. well and didn’t feel at home, and she The uniform is important. It shows wanted our children to know their people that we stand for the Army, roots. It was time to respond to God’s for people and for God. When people call. see the uniform, they ask what it’s for, I didn’t sleep all night. In the morand we can talk about The Salvation ning, I went to territorial headquarArmy, and about Jesus. ters and met with Commissioner Will When I make a uniform for somePratt, who was then the territorial body, I think about them and pray commander. We prayed together and for them. I make the uniform so they he gave his blessing to the work. can do good work for God. That’s my We started with just a few people prayer. and met in our home for dinner and I’m sad when people don’t care a Bible study on Friday evenings. about the uniform anymore. They After three months, we moved to my leave it in the closet. If you invite workshop downtown. Lieutenants someone over for dinner, you make Paul and Catherine Lee joined us as a nice meal and set the table. Doesn’t our first corps officers. Since then, David Kang is a tailor for The Salvation Army God deserve the best? We should be we have moved several times as the proud to wear the uniform. corps continued to grow.

These days, I’m very happy. My children and grandchildren Last year, I retired after 28 years as the corps sergeantare doing well. My mind is at rest. Every day, I ask God: What major. Now my vision is to help young people find Christ can I do for you? How can I please you? I work for Jesus. And and serve his church. he has always taken care of me. Whenever I need him, he’s Making Salvation Army uniforms is more than a job, it’s there. We were created for a better life—to be with Jesus. He a vocation. I could have made more money working someredeemed me. How can you not believe it? Jesus is awesome.

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EDUCATION FOR A BETTER WORLD

BOUNDLESS the whole world redeeming

150th Anniversary | 1-5 July 2015 | London, UK 8th International Congress

COMMEMORATING THE PAST CELEBRATING THE PRESENT INNOVATING FOR THE FUTURE Featuring Music, Worship and Arts Groups from around the world, and a new Salvation Army musical, COVENANT FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

www.boundless2015.org Preach to the nations the boundless riches of Christ Ephesians 3:8

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