Salvationist + Faith & Friends November/December 2023

Ontario Fellowship Bands Keep Seniors Connected

New Territorial Leaders Installed, Cadets Welcomed

Are We Ready for the Age of Artificial Intelligence?

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

November/December 2023

The Quiet Heart of

Salvationist.ca

A message from General Lyndon Buckingham

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November/December 2023 • Volume 18, Number 6

8 DEPARTMENTS 5 Frontlines 22 Talking It Over Future Shock

by James Read and Glen O’Brien

24 What’s Your Story?

A Passion for Preaching

by Nathan Reid-Welford

25 International Development Your Gifts at Work

by Robyn Goodyear

27 People & Places 30 Q&A A Grounded Faith Interview with Linea Durdle

COLUMNS 4 Editorial Christmas Joy

by Geoff Moulton

10 Onward The Joyful Sound of Salvation Christmas Message From the Territorial Commander

26 Family Matters On Fear and Flying Squirrels

by Captain Bhreagh Rowe

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FEATURES 8 A Service of Welcome and Installation

CHECK OUT THE NEW SALVATIONIST.CA!

Commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves are installed as territorial leaders and 13 cadets are welcomed to the new College for Officer Training in Toronto.

by Pamela Richardson

• Exclusive online content

12 Happy New Year!

• Great mobile experience

Advent marks the beginning of the Christian calendar.

by Isaiah Allen

14 Canadian Staff Band Tours South America Musicians encourage Salvationists in Chile and Argentina.

by Steve Pavey

• Bright, modern design • Easy to navigate and find what you’re looking for

Cover photo: VISIONARTIST/ stock.Adobe.com

READ AND SHARE IT!

16 The Quiet Heart of Christmas Let’s focus our hearts and minds on the one who came to be our Saviour, Immanuel—God with us.

by General Lyndon Buckingham

18 All the Trimmings Four stories of hope at the holidays.

by Major Shirley King, Major Corinne Cameron, Captain Erin Metcalf and Danielle Bulloch

20 And the Band Played On Ontario seniors’ bands are a source of connection and camaraderie.

by Abbigail Oliver Salvationist November/December 2023

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EDITORIAL

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Christmas Joy

recently decided to come out of retirement. After a more than 20-year hiatus, I rejoined the corps band.

My lips were like rubber at first, but eventually I managed to honk out a few notes on my cornet. Now I’m playing every Sunday during worship. I hadn’t given up music entirely during those years. In fact, I taught the beginner’s band for a while. But after the worst of COVID lifted, I recommitted to playing regularly.

One of the things I missed most was playing Christmas carols each year. As noted in the territorial commander’s message (page 10), Salvation Army bands really capture the essence of the Christmas season. For example, I always enjoy the music of Christmas With The Salvation Army, a concert that fills Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto with the sounds of the season. Watch for this year’s event on our social media channels.

At North Toronto Community Church, our Carols and Candles neighbourhood carol sing has been a highlight for more than 30 years. Our band and songsters annually minister to patients at Sunnybrook Hospital with Christmas music and care packages. And when our corps youth group went carolling in the neighbourhood last year, we heard many shouts of appreciation from neighbours’ balconies.

In this issue of Salvationist, we capture the miracle of Christmas through

Salvationist

is a bimonthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory Lyndon Buckingham General Commissioner Lee Graves Territorial Commander Lt-Colonel John P. Murray Secretary for Communications Geoff Moulton Director of Internal Communications, Editor-in-Chief and Literary Secretary Pamela Richardson Assistant Editor-in-Chief Kristin Ostensen Managing Editor of Salvationist and Salvationist.ca Giselle Randall Features Editor Abbigail Oliver Staff Writer 4 November/December 2023

inspirational vignettes of help and hope (page 18), Professor Isaiah Allen’s article on the Christian calendar (page 12) and General Lyndon Buckingham’s Christmas message (page 16). And speaking of music, we’ve also got great stories on Salvation Army fellowship bands (page 20) and the Canadian Staff Band’s recent trip to South America (page 14).

Christmas is not just a season of festivities; it is a season of giving, sharing and spreading the love of Jesus. From ringing bells on kettles to packing toys and Christmas hampers, the opportunities for outreach are plentiful! It is a time when The Salvation Army shines as a beacon of hope and compassion in our communities.

As we gather around festive tables and share laughter and gifts, it is crucial to remember that not everyone is as fortunate. This season, let us redouble our efforts to support those who are less fortunate, whether it be providing warm meals to people experiencing homelessness, distributing gifts to children or offering a helping hand to struggling families. Thank you for everything you do to spread the joy of Christmas.

Lastly, whether you are a seasoned musician or simply love to sing along, let’s all join our voices with

Lisa Suroso Graphic Design Specialist Rivonny Luchas Digital Media Specialist Emily Pedlar Junior Graphic Designer Ada Leung Circulation Co-ordinator Ken Ramstead Contributor Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769.

Member, The Canadian Christian Communicators Association. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV) © 2011.

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

Salvationist

the heavenly host in proclaiming Jesus, Saviour of the world.

GEOFF MOULTON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The editorial team extends its gratitude to Ada Leung, our editorial assistant and circulation co-ordinator, who has retired after more than 10 years of service. Thank you, Ada, and God bless.

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Phone: 416-422-6119; fax: 416-422-6217; email: circulation@salvationarmy.ca.

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Mission

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FRONTLINES

Young Salvationists Gather for Territorial Music School

Delegates and faculty at TMS 2023

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n inspiring week at Territorial Music School (TMS) took place at the end of August, sending participants home feeling excited about another year of ministry. Held at Guelph Bible Conference Centre, Ont., the annual gathering brought together Salvationists ages 16 to 30 from across the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Led by Heather Osmond, territorial music and arts secretary, and the music and arts ministries department, TMS is a vital event that fosters musical, leadership and spiritual development skills for both students and faculty.

Special guests were invited from territories worldwide, including Derek Lance, bandmaster of the New York Staff Band in the U.S.A. Eastern Territory, who led the “A” band; Karl Westwood, United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, as vocal guest and leader of the mainstream and “A” choruses; and Captain Erin Wikle, U.S.A. Western Territory, who led the worship mainstream and elective.

This year, TMS launched a new production mainstream, which was recently identified as an area of need for creative ministry in the territory. Led by Matthew Osmond, children and youth media ministry consultant; William Chinnery, multimedia specialist for the Canadian Staff Band; and Sean van Gulik, project specialist, music, it focused on how to enhance live and online worship experiences through audio, video, live streaming and projection.

The Bible guest this year was Major Kevin Metcalf, who spoke from the Book of Romans, examining the Christian life and the call to holiness. Delegates reflected on their individual lives and the transformation of the Holy Spirit within. Hearts were stirred during the final Bible session on Thursday morning as students and faculty shared in moments of prayer.

“It is promising to see how the students who attend are deeply passionate about Salvation Army music ministry. They are eager to carry on this ministry for the future and continue to seek God’s will for their lives,” says Marcus Venables, assistant territorial music and arts secretary. “Our prayer is that as we look ahead to TMS 2024 and beyond, the Holy Spirit will move among us all and stir us to live holy lives as we continue to serve in his name.”

Canada and Bermuda Youth hosted patio parties each night, with themes such as Barbie, birthday and pirates

Choruses compete during trivia and talent night

The mainstream chorus rehearses under the leadership of Karl Westwood

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FRONTLINES

The Salvation Army EDS van was on site to provide assistance to firefighters and first responders

From left, Lt-Col Jamie Braund, DC, B.C. Div; Colonels John and Lani Chamness; and Cpts Jennifer and Rob Henson, COs, Renew Church, during the Army’s wildfire response in Kelowna, B.C.

Salvation Army Responds to Wildfires in the West

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he Salvation Army was actively involved in providing emergency disaster response to the wildfires that ravaged the Northwest Territories and British Columbia this past summer.

On August 17, Yellowknife was placed under evacuation orders due to the advancing wildfires, and The Salvation Army’s emergency disaster services (EDS) responded quickly, preparing Army locations in British Columbia and Alberta to receive displaced residents.

In addition, EDS teams were prepared to welcome citizens fleeing the wildfires in the affected regions of British Columbia, offering essential support, such as drinks, snacks and hygiene kits, and providing food in reception centres in West Kelowna, Vernon, Hope and Kamloops, B.C. In Kelowna, B.C., the EDS team collaborated with the local fire department, ensuring that firefighters and first responders received meals and support as needed. Colonels John and Lani Chamness, chief secretary and territorial secretary for women’s ministries, along with other Salvation Army leaders, visited operational sites in West Kelowna and Kelowna to support ongoing partnerships with local and provincial government officials, Rotary International, the Lions Club and area businesses.

“We launched a wildfire evacuee relief program where evac-

uees were invited to our community and family services space to meet with a caseworker. This helped them connect with resources while they waited for emergency government aid.

We were able to support with grocery gift cards, gas gift cards, clothing and wheelchairs,” says Captain Jennifer Henson, corps officer at Renew Church in West Kelowna, an area hit hardest by wildfires.

As mass evacuations continued, The Salvation Army remained dedicated to ensuring the safety, sustenance and shelter of evacuees and front-line responders. Emotional and spiritual care were at the forefront of the Army’s response.

“We have EDS workers trained in spiritual and emotional care who were available at the reception centre every day,” explains Captain Henson. “We also took time to chat with the firefighters as many of them had not only experienced the trauma of this event, but they were also dealing with the fact that their homes had been completely destroyed. Yet they showed up to work every day.”

By the beginning of September, The Salvation Army had distributed more than 27,000 meals, 42,000 drinks and provided emotional and spiritual care to more than 1,200 affected individuals.

Photo: Kristin Marand

Members of Community Venture Revive Annual Play

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ore than 100 people came to watch a theatrical performance of Alice in Wonderland by members of The Salvation Army’s Community Venture (CV South) in Winnipeg, a centre that supports adults living with intellectual disabilities.

“This is an annual event that Community Venture always looks forward to,” explains Rowena Austria, day co-ordinator.

“Since our last play was almost four years ago, we wanted to ensure that we made an amazing comeback.”

Preparing for the performance was a six-week process that started at the beginning of May with script writing, learning lines and songs, choreography and rehearsal. Some members had never performed before, while others, like Kristen Claydon, who played the Queen of Hearts, are self-described “theatre buffs.”

“It’s so fun when you get to rehearse, memorize lines and get into character,” says Claydon. “This production was the 6 November/December 2023

Salvationist

Members of Community Venture in Winnipeg on stage during their performance of Alice in Wonderland

first production that I had been in since high school, and it woke that part of me right back up again.”

The 45-minute performance, complete with professional sound, lighting and a beautifully painted backdrop provided through a partnership with the Manitoba Theatre Centre, was well received by the audience, earning a standing ovation.

Following the play, the audience was invited to stay for a short reception and refreshments.

FRONTLINES

Staff Songsters Minister at Old Orchard Beach, Maine

The Canadian Staff Songsters at Old Orchard Beach camp meeting grounds

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n July, more than 30 members of the Canadian Staff Songsters (CSS) arrived in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, to participate in camp meetings, along with the New York Staff Band (NYSB).

The Salvation Army Old Orchard Beach camp meetings are an annual gathering that provide a space for spiritual renewal and growth through worship services, Bible studies, prayer meetings and other activities.

The weekend festivities included concerts where the CSS, then led by Major Len Ballantine, joined with the NYSB for performances of sacred choral compositions and contemporary arrangements of Christian hymns. At the opening celebration on Saturday, they performed selections such as Make His Praise Glorious, They Could Not and He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. A devotional was presented by Commissioner Mark Tillsley, currently serving at the College for Officer Training and

territorial commander’s office in the U.S.A. Eastern Territory.

The Sunday morning service at Seaside Pavilion included selections by the CSS, a message delivered by Commissioner William A. Bamford, U.S.A. Eastern Territory, and the harmonies of more than 100 members of the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) choir as they sang God Is Working. To conclude the service, CSS members surrounded the pavilion to support soloist Karen Gross as she sang I Love You, Lord.

On Sunday afternoon, the CSS joined in the march of witness, and Lt-Colonel John Murray, territorial secretary for communications and CSS executive officer, delivered a devotional message in keeping with the theme for the camp meetings, “God is working.”

Lt-Colonel John, along with Lt-Colonel Brenda Murray, director of international development, were the Bible study leaders for the weekend. Later on Sunday evening, they reconvened for another service at Seaside Pavilion with a testimony by Canadian Staff Songster Rochelle McAlister and a powerful message by Major Michael Himes, corps officer at Old Orchard Beach Corps.

On Tuesday, the CSS and NYSB shared the gospel through music once again at the pavilion. It was a bittersweet evening, as it would be the last event led by the now-retired leader of the CSS, Major Len Ballantine, who offered devotional thoughts based on Ephesians 3:14-18.

The week at Old Orchard Beach brought renewal, refreshment and much joy to members of the CSS who were delighted to minister together, celebrate their faith and make music for God’s glory.

Booth UC Partners With Indonesian Educational Institution

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new partnership has formed between Winnipeg’s Booth University College and Palu Theological Seminary (PTS), a Salvation Army institution based in the Sigi Regency in Indonesia. While the country is primarily Muslim, Dr. Rob Fringer, president of Booth UC, explains that there is a large Salvation Army presence in that regency. “When we were approached about a partnership, since PTS is a Salvation Army school and we are a Salvation Army school, it seemed like a natural fit,” he says.

The Indonesian government has been invested in providing educational opportunities for its young citizens, including study abroad programs. The initial goal of the partnership is to send three to five PTS students to Booth UC to complete a term of full-time studies. “The idea is to give them a broad experience, beyond just theological studies,” explains Fringer.

“It’s about capacity building, skill development and broadening perspectives.”

To further explore the partnership, a delegation from Indonesia recently visited Booth UC, including Commissioner Yusak Tampai, territorial commander, Indonesia Territory; Samuel Pongi, vice-mayor of the Sigi Regency; and Royke Lepa, director of PTS. Over the four-day visit, delegates were introduced to Booth UC’s campus, programs and student supports, toured Salvation Army ministries in Winnipeg, and discussed outcomes that aligned with both the Indonesian government and PTS. At the end of the visit, a memorandum of understanding was drafted and signed between PTS and Booth UC. “It was eye-opening to see and observe the vast range of

programs provided by Booth UC, and how rich the resources are there,” says Commissioner Tampai. “It is our hope that the partnership between the colleges will flourish with the development of our young people.” The next steps in the partnership include choosing the students and ensuring they have the supports in place for studying in Canada before welcoming them to Booth UC in 2024.

“This partnership truly embodies our commitment to education for a better world,” concludes Fringer. “Having different cultures together in a classroom gives a larger perspective.

It helps make us global citizens and allows us to have more grace with each other as we learn and grow both culturally and academically.”

The memorandum of understanding is signed at Booth University College. From left, Rhonda Friesen, dean of students, Booth UC; Dr. Linda Schwartz, vice-president academic and dean, Booth UC; Dr. (Rev.) Rob Fringer; Royke Lepa; Samuel Pongi; Comr Yusak Tampai; and Dr. Mariciel Nuyda, dean of the School for Continuing Studies, Booth UC

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From left, General Brian and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, Commissioners Debbie and Lee Graves, Colonels Lani and John Chamness, and Kevin Slous, secretary for spiritual life development, holding the flag

A Service of Welcome and Installation Commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves are installed as territorial leaders and 13 cadets are welcomed to the new College for Officer Training in Toronto.

BY PAMELA RICHARDSON

A

new chapter in the history of the Canada and Bermuda Territory began on the weekend of September 16-17 as three significant events took place in Toronto: the installation of our new territorial leaders, Commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves, as territorial commander and territorial president of women’s ministries; the official opening and dedication of the new College for Officer Training (CFOT); and the welcome of 13 cadets as they embark on academic studies and practical field placements on their journey to full-time ministry as Salvation Army officers.

Following a family-oriented worship service for cadets on Sunday morning, a capacity crowd gathered at Scarborough Citadel in the afternoon to greet Commissioners Graves and Colonels John and Lani Chamness, chief secretary and territorial secretary for women’s ministries, when they entered the sanctuary to the strains of William Gordon’s Laudes Domini as played by 8 November/December 2023

Salvationist

the Canadian Staff Band (Bandmaster John Lam). The territorial leaders immediately took their place on the platform to receive the traditional Salvation Army salute from each of the 13 cadets as they stood before them.

Major Deana Zelinsky, training principal, expressed words of welcome to the congregation and those watching via live stream. Colonel Lani Chamness presented a call to worship from 1 Chronicles 9:10-13, and led the congregation in the opening song, Crown Him With Many Crowns.

Continuing Covenant The installation of Commissioners Graves was conducted by General Brian and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, recently retired leaders of the international Salvation Army. Bob Barrett, a Salvationist from Commissioner Lee Graves’ home corps of St. Thomas Citadel, Ont., read from 1 Peter 1:15-22.

Together with his wife, Joy, Bob has been

a spiritual mentor to Commissioners Graves throughout their officership.

Commissioner Rosalie Peddle shared a message from General Lyndon Buckingham, international leader of The Salvation Army, who commended the new territorial leaders as people who are “dedicated to God and to the great purposes for which God raised up The Salvation Army.”

In his charge to the new territorial leaders, General Peddle shared from Ephesians 3:20, reminding them that our “immeasurably more” God is standing with them, for his honour and glory, in their commitment to lead the Canada and Bermuda Territory. “The new appointments which you are now entrusted with are a further expression of a continuing covenant that you’ve had with the Almighty,” the General said, referencing their covenants as soldiers and officers of The Salvation Army.

As the Canadian Staff Songsters (Songster Leader Cathie Koehnen)

Pioneers of New Training Model Led by the music and arts ministries department’s worship team, the congregation raised their voices in songs of praise, including I Give You My Heart, before the training principal introduced the new cadets, explaining that they had come to CFOT from a variety of professions from as far east as Newfoundland and Labrador and as far west as Alberta.

“These followers of Christ have responded to God’s call on their life,” Major Zelinsky said. “They embody a deep love for Jesus, a desire to go into the world and to preach the gospel to all creation…. They are the pioneers of a new training model, undergoing training in corps that are spread throughout the Greater Toronto Area and Quebec.”

Major Paul Rideout, spiritual life development co-ordinator at CFOT, offered a prayer of dedication for the new cadets.

The day before, Salvationists and friends gathered on the fourth floor of territorial headquarters for the official opening and dedication of the new CFOT, homebase for the new training model.

The Honourable Robert Oliphant, Don Valley West member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, brought greetings before the territorial leaders cut the ceremonial ribbon and Commissioner Debbie Graves offered a prayer of dedication.

The learning centre is a bright and welcoming space designed to meet the educational needs of the officers in training that features two classrooms equipped for in-person and online lectures, study rooms, offices for CFOT staff, a boardroom and an inviting conversation area. In a nod to the rich history of officer training in the Canada and Bermuda Territory, two stained-glass windows that adorned previous training colleges are on display.

A Glorious Calling The Sunday afternoon meeting also featured selections from the Canadian Staff Songsters and the Canadian Staff Band, which presented Miriam Mary Richards and Andrew Mair’s Just Where He Needs Me and Martin Cordner’s Semper Fidelis, respectively. Cadet Hannah Chaulk and Cadet Wilder Jean-Charles, who spoke in French, testified about their calls to full-time ministry and personal journeys to CFOT. In his message, Commissioner Lee Graves reminded those gathered that we are called to be champions of the mission of God. “It’s a glorious calling to be found faithful in the things of God and to serve him with wholeheartedness, passion and fire,” he proclaimed. “We get to serve the living God!” In the moments that followed, the territorial commander invited the cadets to kneel at the mercy seat. Surrounded by their families, spiritual mentors, officers and fellow Salvationists, the cadets were covered in prayer as they confirmed their commitment to the mission to which God has called them.

Lt-Colonel Roxanne Jennings, secretary for personnel, led the congregation in the closing song, Greater Things, and pronounced the benediction.

Commissioner Lee Graves shares from God’s Word

Mjr Deana Zelinsky introduces the new cadets

Thirteen cadets are welcomed as they begin their training for full-time ministry as officers

From left, Cdt Neil Thompson, Commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves, and Cdt Alecia McLeod participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new CFOT

Photos: Steve Nelson

sang Major Len Ballantine’s Reflecting His Likeness, Commissioners Graves, Colonels Chamness and the territorial portfolio leaders knelt at the mercy seat in a shared moment of prayer and dedication as they seek to lead the territory together.

“My calling—my passion—remains unchanged,” shared Commissioner Debbie Graves as she addressed the congregation. “I want to be faithful to my Lord.”

Salvationist November/December 2023

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ONWARD

The Joyful Sound of Salvation The music of the season reminds us of the greatest gift.

Commissioner Lee Graves is pleased to share this Christmas message from the office of the territorial commander, written with the support of the editorial team.

S

Illustration: Courtesy of United Kingdom and Ireland Territory

“

ilver bells, silver bells.

It’s Christmastime in the city….” Many of us can sing along with crooner Bing Crosby’s famous tune.

What many don’t know is that the silver bells are believed to refer to Salvation Army bellringers on New York City street corners. The Salvation Army has always been part of the sights and sounds of Christmas.

One of the most cherished traditions in The Salvation Army is the use of brass bands to usher in the joy of Christ’s birth during the holiday season. Their resounding melodies, played with dedication and passion, fill the air with the message of God’s love and salvation.

The brass band tradition in The Salvation Army has a rich history that dates back to its very beginnings. Co-Founder William Booth recognized the power of music to reach hearts, and he saw the brass band as a way to bring the message of salvation to the people.

In many ways, Salvation Army brass bands, songsters, worship teams and other musicians serve as modern-day heralds of the good news, much like the angels who proclaimed the birth of Jesus to the shepherds on that holy night. Just as the heavenly hosts sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests” (Luke 2:14), our musicians proclaim the same message of peace, goodwill and salvation to all who hear their joyful melodies.

It wasn’t with a lot of fanfare that Jesus came into our world. The Nativity story, found in the Gospel of Luke, reminds us of the humble beginnings of our Saviour. In a lowly stable in Bethlehem, surrounded by animals and visited by shepherds, the King of Kings made his entrance. The circumstances of his birth 10 November/December 2023

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may have been humble, but the significance of that moment was nothing short of miraculous.

Imagine the scene: Mary and Joseph, obedient to God’s call, welcomed Jesus into the world in a dirty stable. The angels rejoiced, the shepherds marvelled and Wise Men from the East came to worship. In the midst of poverty and obscurity, the Saviour of the world was born, bringing hope, salvation and eternal life to all who would believe.

As we listen to the Salvation Army musicians playing carols and hymns that tell the story of Christ’s birth, let us remember the simplicity and humility of that first Christmas. The Nativity story reminds us that God often works in unexpected ways and chooses the humble to confound the wise. It teaches us that God’s plan for salvation is not limited by our circumstances or expectations, but is a free gift offered to all who are willing to receive it: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government

will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

In a world filled with uncertainty, turmoil and distractions, the message of Christ’s birth remains a beacon of hope and a source of joy. Let us remember that the greatest gift we can give to others is the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This Christmas, let our hearts be filled with gratitude for the Saviour who came to redeem us, and let our lives reflect his love and grace.

And as we hear the joyful sound of Salvation Army music, may it serve as a reminder that we are called to be ambassadors of Christ, sharing his love and salvation with those around us. Just as the shepherds heard the angels’ proclamation and hastened to see the Christ Child, let us be eager to share the message of salvation with those who have yet to hear it.

Let’s carry this message of hope, love and salvation into our communities, making this Christmas season a time of transformation and renewal for those who are touched by our ministry. May the love of Christ shine brightly through us, leading others to the manger where they, too, can find the Saviour of the world.

Commissioner Lee Graves is the territorial commander of the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Let’s make sure Christmas isn’t an emergency for families this year.

Help support the Kettle campaign.

72 Hour Kit Salvationist November/December 2023

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Happy New Year!

Advent marks the beginning of the Christian calendar.

BY ISAIAH ALLEN

Illustration: Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Original source: Librairie de l’Emmanuel

An artistic interpretation of the birth of Jesus with shepherds by a Christian community in Cameroon, Africa

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y parents grew up in different church settings. My dad attended a large, formal Episcopal (Anglican) church in the suburbs while my mother, living on a dirt road in the house my grandfather built, attended a small, country Methodist church. Yet these churches both observed the Christian year. I learned to appreciate that this liturgical calendar is about far more than worship style. In substance, it offers congregations a means of ecumenical fellowship, steady discipleship, meaningful worship and coherent testimony.

The Christian calendar keeps congregations in sync worldwide, pointing to the significance of each day, week, season and year. The seasons that shape the Christian year are Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and the Season after Pentecost (also known as Ordinary Time). We can tend to confuse and conflate the first three seasons, so this article aims to define and distinguish Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Future articles 12 November/December 2023

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will focus on Lent, Easter and the Season after Pentecost. But first, let’s consider how different cultures account for time.

Accounting for Time Genesis 1 says that God gave the sun, moon and stars as signs for the days, years and seasons. Ancient people observed these objects in the sky and often ascribed significance to cosmic activity. Clusters of stars returned annually to represent characters in an astronomical drama. In some cultures, heavenly bodies represented greater and lesser deities.

Instead of the sky, we now use alarm clocks, “smart” watches, and printed and digital calendars to track time. While some traditions, such as those of Indigenous Peoples, challenge a lifeless view of time, from a purely modernistic viewpoint, days, years and seasons mean nothing more than the productivity, profit or pleasure we can extract from them. Only wishful hearts and wistful minds perceive significance in the lengthening of days after the

summer solstice or the rebirth of the moon each lunar month. In this view, the sun, moon and stars, earth and her residents are just soulless material.

But for centuries, Christians across the globe have defied this view. The church insists that time is meaningful.

It inherited this attitude from the ancient Jewish backgrounds of first-generation Christians.

Living in Sync: The Christian (Liturgical) Year As members of a church that observed the Christian year, my family felt in sync with Scripture readings when visiting other churches and connected to other Christians across time and space.

Observing the Christian year, Christians not only hear the gospel but symbolically enact it in their days, weeks and seasons.

The Christian year has visual, aural, visceral and tangible dimensions. It is a rich resource for the interrelated tasks of bearing witness to the gospel (i.e., evangelism),

making disciples (see Matthew 28:18-20), and worship. Sadly, many today have lost its rhythms.

To understand the Christian year, we must realize that various holidays (Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Pentecost, etc.) do not occur arbitrarily, isolated on the calendar. The ancient church set these dates within a coherent narrative. The liturgical calendar invites worshippers to dwell on the significance of an event or a truth. It infuses life with the rhythms and themes of worship. Individual Christians become part of something greater—communal memory, learning and practice.

Rather than arbitrary and piecemeal snippets of the gospel message, the Christian calendar presents a sustained witness.

Each year, the church tells the gospel story—the history of salvation—and holidays mark significant points in that telling and retelling. Appropriately, it starts with the “Christian New Year”—the season of Advent.

Advent (December 3-24, 2023) Crowds enthusiastically revel in “New Year” celebrations when the secular calendar turns from December 31 to January 1. But the first Sunday in Advent is the Christian’s New Year’s Day. It is the beginning of an annual drama—telling the story of the triune God and of God’s redemptive intentions in the world.

Advent is a solemn time of anticipation in late autumn. This season begins four Sundays before Christmas and changes dates based on which day of the week Christmas falls on. Advent is longest (28 days) when Christmas falls on a Sunday and shortest (22 days) when it falls on a Monday, as it does in 2023.

As the beginning of the story of God’s redemptive plan, Advent beckons Christians to imagine a time when Jesus and his story were entirely unknown.

Scripture readings during Advent focus on Old Testament prophecies of messianic hope and New Testament re-articulations of them. During Advent, the church pretends that the gospel narratives of Jesus’ birth and early life do not exist. The lectionary, which lists Scripture passages to be read on specific dates and occasions, reserves these gospel stories for the seasons of Christmas and Epiphany. During Advent, Christians sit with ancient Israel in solemn anticipation of Messiah’s arrival—Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” It is connected with Christ’s birth by way of anticipation, but not fulfilment.

One familiar tradition is the Advent wreath. On each of the four Sundays before Christmas, the gathered community lights candles in sequence, representing hope, faith, joy and love, adding a flame each week. The third “joy” candle is usually pink or purple to symbolize exuberance.

On Christmas Day or on the first Sunday of Christmas, whenever the congregation first assembles during the season of Christmas, they light a special fifth candle—often larger and central to the wreath. This “Christ” candle remains unlit until Christmas to symbolize the sense of unmet yearning for the Messiah.

Christmas (December 25, 2023-January 5, 2024) Christmas Eve (December 24) is the last day of Advent. Millions of Christians gather each year for a Christmas Eve watchnight service to experience the dramatic shift in mood from solemn Advent to joyful Christmas and to welcome Christmas Day. The anticipation of Advent amplifies the joy of Christmas.

As the beginning of the story of God’s redemptive plan, Advent beckons Christians to imagine a time when Jesus and his story were entirely unknown.

The Christmas season is the 12-day celebration of Jesus’ birth and is the only season that falls on the same dates every year—December 25, the first day of the Christmas season, through January 5, the 12th day of the Christmas season.

Hence, the “Twelve Days of Christmas” (see salvationist.ca/articles/the-twelvedays-of-christmas). Lectionary readings during the Christmas season focus on narratives of Jesus’ birth, especially from the Gospel of Luke.

Epiphany (January 6-February 13, 2024) The Feast of Epiphany (January 6) is the first day of the season that commemorates the appearance of Jesus Christ to the world. Epiphany comes from a Greek

word that means “appearing.” Whereas Christmas celebrates his appearing within his close-knit family and his Jewish community, Epiphany celebrates his appearing to the nations.

The visit of the Magi narrated in Matthew 2 was Jesus’ first public appearance to people outside his community, therefore Epiphany highights this event.

In some countries, and especially in Latin America, the Feast of Epiphany is bigger than the Feast of Christmas. Some refer to it as Three Kings Day or El Día de los Reyes, and the celebrations and gift-giving are on par with those of Christmas elsewhere. During Epiphany, other Gospel readings include Jesus’ presentation in the temple, his baptism and the transfiguration.

The length of Epiphany depends on the dates of Easter and Lent. Just as the appearance of Jesus Christ to Israel and to the nations was followed by his passion, the celebratory liturgical season of Epiphany is followed by the solemn season of Lent, starting with Ash Wednesday (February 14, 2024).

The Lectionary and the Christian Year The Revised Common Lectionary used by most churches today is a good guide for observing the seasons of the Christian year. It systematically guides users through significant Old and New Testament readings while focusing on substantial passages from the three Synoptic Gospels, following a three-year cycle—Year A (Matthew), Year B (Mark) and Year C (Luke). 2023-2024 is Year B. The lectionary allows congregations a balanced diet of messages, challenges preachers to address texts outside their comfort zone and enhances Christian community and discipleship in and beyond the congregation.

You can access the Revised Common Lectionary and a wealth of appropriate resources for worship, including hymns, songs, prayers and artwork, free of charge from the Vanderbilt University Library at lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu.

The Christian year is a means of ascribing meaning to time, a focus for worship and thanksgiving, an invitation to formation in the likeness of Christ, a tool for teaching and testifying the faith, and a form of resistance to the emptiness ascribed to time by lifeless philosophies.

Dr. Isaiah Allen is assistant professor of religion at Booth University College in Winnipeg.

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The Canadian Staff Band together at the top of San Cristóbal Hill, Santiago, Chile

Canadian Staff Band Tours South America Musicians encourage Salvationists in Chile and Argentina.

BY STEVE PAVEY

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n July, the Canadian Staff Band (CSB) shared the gospel through music in South America, beginning in Santiago, Chile, and ending in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The long-anticipated tour—originally slated for July 2020 but postponed due to the pandemic—was a blessing for both the band members and South American Salvationists. Several concerts were live streamed on social media, and those at home were able to connect with our experience.

The tour took place under the leadership of John Lam, CSB bandmaster; Marcus Venables, CSB member and assistant territorial music and arts secretary; and Lt-Colonel Les Marshall, executive officer and territorial secretary for mission. Major Pauline Gruer-Caulfield, international personnel liaison officer, provided Spanish translation.

Lasting Memories Throughout our time, we gave concerts, performed with local musicians and participated in worship, marches of witness 14 November/December 2023

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and open-air services. We were also delighted to play for two Salvation Army schools, which was a new experience for CSB members. We performed a variety of music, from riveting rhythms to meditative melodies, along with solo items

by Marcus Venables (cornet), Cameron Rawlins (euphonium and vocal), Bill Way (trombone), Roberto Morson (xylophone) and Rob Brown (tuba).

We made lasting memories as we partnered with our South American friends in band clinics. Most who attended were Salvationists, but musicians from outside the Army were also included. We met in large and small groups, and sometimes one on one, with new friends who were eager to listen and ask questions about the music, the instruments and the lives of the CSB members.

Many invaluable conversations happened over coffee breaks and meals, where the band received warm hospitality. These connections continued through massed band rehearsals, in which Bandmaster Lam gave practical instruc-

tion and encouraged local musicians and music leaders in music and their faith. It was a privilege to see their groups, such as timbrels, dance and songsters, perform in concerts alongside the CSB. One of the most memorable parts of the tour occurred when the band was divided into smaller groups and went to corps in Chile and Argentina. Band members marched to open-air meetings and participated in Sunday services through their instrumental playing, words of testimony, preaching and fellowship around a lunch table. Seeing the variety of ministries these corps offered to their communities was reminiscent of the days of William Booth. Experiencing the genuine, giving nature of the corps people as they showered us with kind words and gifts was an incredible blessing to CSB members.

Eternal Impact Outside of the Army functions, some band representatives attended a reception at the Canadian embassy in Chile, where

Bill Way performed gospel songs on the piano. The band walked the streets of downtown cores and played in squares, as well as at an upscale shopping mall and at the Obelisco de Buenos Aires, a famed monument and one of the busiest intersections in the world. We told others about who we were and why we were in South America, handing out business cards with a QR code that led to the CSB’s recordings on YouTube. At one point, the Hard Rock Café at Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Buenos Aires projected our music to those nearby in the terminal through a video on their large TV screen, while band members talked to employees about the band.

At the conclusion of our tour’s final concert, Colonel Philip Davisson, territorial commander of the South America East Territory, was visibly moved as he spoke of the band’s impact on the territory, speaking in Spanish to the congregation, which was then translated into English for the band members. “I’ve been filled with pride seeing our own musicians sitting shoulder to shoulder with a band of this calibre,” he said. “Some things words just can’t express. When you’re playing your instruments, when you’re touching your instruments, you’re also touching our hearts.”

As a band, we gained new friends and insight into the Army outside of Canada.

We are grateful to our hosts, Catherine Herrera and Herlan Bravo, territorial music directors in Chile and Argentina, respectively, and all the local leaders and Salvationists who looked after our needs so graciously. In the words of Bandmaster Lam to those in attendance at our final concert, “We have been blessed more than you have by our visit here.”

In addition to leaving behind our music stands for continued use in the territory, we hope that we have left an eternal impact through our playing, deportment and gospel message. This tour will be remembered by all for the rest of our lives, and we pray, will echo into eternity.

Steve Pavey attends Richmond Hill Community Church, Ont., and is a member of the Canadian Staff Band.

CSB member Kathleen Griffiths and a member of the intermediate band at a music clinic in Buenos Aires, Argentina

The band performs a concert at Alto Las Condes Mall, Chile

The CSB in front of the Obelisco de Buenos Aires

Marching through the streets of Santiago, Chile. The wall reads, “Nothing is impossible for God!”

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The Quiet Heart of

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Let’s focus our hearts and minds on the one who came to be our Saviour, Immanuel—God with us.

BY GENERAL LYNDON BUCKINGHAM

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he scene was a familiar one. A street filled with and frail humanity—show faith. Matthew then makes festive lights and decorations, music playing the connection with Jesus being Immanuel—God with and crowds of people moving along, taking us, in our humanness. All of this happens before the note of all the Christmas details. Right at the traditional Christmas characters—the Wise Men—even end was a house that was in relative darkness, with just appear. They come to find the one born to be King. a small box containing a Nativity scene set up on the Luke has the angels announcing that Jesus is the front lawn. Most people did not even bother to check it Saviour, Christ the Lord. This is not given to the people out. Most simply considered the Christmas display was who you would expect, but rather to shepherds—often over before they reached that house. But right there was considered to be religious outcasts because of the nature a visual representation of the quiet heart of Christmas. of their work. For such as these, living on the margins Not a flashy display. Not a lot of lights and sounds. Just of society, Jesus comes as Saviour. a quiet focus on the one who is born to be our Saviour.

Each of the Gospels presents a different view of I sometimes wonder whether it is easy for us to miss Christmas. It’s easy for us to become so engaged with the quiet heart of Christmas. Even when we are the trappings of the Christmas story. That looking at some of the Christmas story, may include things that we have become we may miss the central message of accustomed to, that are not even it all. Each of the Gospel writers mentioned in any of the Gospels. presents Christmas in a different Instead, we can sometimes miss Even when we are looking at way. Some might say that only the quiet heart of Christmas as Matthew and Luke include the related in Scripture. some of the Christmas story, Christmas story. But I want to This year, perhaps we we may miss the central suggest to you that each of the can focus again on what the message of it all.

Gospels brings its own special Gospels actually tell us about emphasis. the coming of Jesus. One who Mark—possibly the oldest of the comes for those who are sinners Gospels—does not have any birth or and outcasts. One who comes to be infancy stories. Instead, Mark’s “Christmas” King. One who comes to be Immanuel— is embedded in the opening words, “The beginning God with us. One who comes to be our Saviour. of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1 One who has existed from all eternity.

NKJV ). Jesus is shown to be Son of God from the very With all the other things that happen at this time beginning. That’s the good news. of the year, may we focus our hearts and minds on the John also does not contain birth or infancy stories but quiet heart of Christmas: the reality of who Jesus is. The shows the centre of Christmas originating in the heart Son of God. The eternal Word made flesh. Our King. of God. The Word made flesh dwells among us—full of Immanuel. Our Saviour. Christ the Lord. grace and truth.

With the songwriter, we say “O come to us, abide Matthew opens with a long list of names in Jesus’ with us, our Lord Immanuel.” family tree. It’s easy to skip over this and miss its sigMay God bless you at this nificance. Included in it are five women who all showed Christmastime and throughout remarkable faith, despite that society may have judged the coming year. them harshly. Tamar—who tricked her father-in-law into pregnancy; Rahab—a prostitute who helped the Israelite spies; Ruth—a despised foreigner; Bathsheba—an adulteress; and Mary—an unmarried mother. Each were part of Jesus’ family history. If Jesus will later be shown to General Lyndon Buckingham identify with sinners, it’s because it’s “in his genes.” Jesus is the international leader of is connected with people like us who—despite sinfulness The Salvation Army.

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Salvationist November/December 2023

Photo: VISIONARTIST/stock.Adobe.com

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All the Trimmings Four stories of hope at the holidays.

The tradition of giving gifts at Christmas is symbolic of the gold, frankincense and myrrh the Wise Men gave to Jesus, as well as a reminder that Jesus was God’s gift to us. Each Christmas, The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda shares this gift of hope in communities across the territory.

From Tears to Joy

Entertaining Angels

BY MAJOR SHIRLEY KING

BY MAJOR CORINNE CAMERON

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hen an older woman arrived at the door of Lakeshore Community Church in Toronto last December, I could see she had been crying. In fact, she was still crying, almost unable to talk through her sobs. She was ashamed to be asking for help. She had arrived in Canada, along with her daughter and two grandsons, a month and a half before. They were from Ukraine.

Through her tears, she told me her story of escape from a land where, at one time, she had so much.

Before they left, they were living with no water, no lights, no heat. And now, in Canada, she had no food.

It’s one thing to hear stories like this on the news, but to experience the rawness of the lives of those who are enduring the reality is heart-wrenching.

She told me about missile and rocket attacks and the constant feeling of fear in her homeland. She declared her appreciation for Canada and her hosts for taking them in, but cried as she told me they would have no place to live in just a short while. “We had such a good life in Ukraine and now war, we have nothing.” She said her grandsons had written a letter to Saint Nicholas but she knew it was futile. There would be nothing for them.

Was she in for a surprise! We loaded her up with food, toys and gift cards for extra Christmas treats.

She couldn’t carry everything that was packaged just for her. My co-worker offered her a ride home—not something we usually do. When they arrived and began bringing the parcels inside, the older woman looked straight into my co-worker’s eyes and declared, “You are going to be healthy this year! God is going to answer your prayers!”

What the woman didn’t know was that my coworker is on a significant health journey, with multiple and varied treatments. She was stunned, and texted me to say, “You won’t believe what just happened.”

What a God moment. Isn’t it wonderful when God allows us to see the heart of others and there is a connection on a deep level? God always shows up.

We may be the answer to someone’s prayer.

Major Shirley King is the corps officer at Acton Community Church, Ont. 18 November/December 2023

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or as long as I can remember, I have visited nursing homes in the month of December to share Christ’s joy by singing Christmas carols. Sometimes this was linked with a junior band or a singing company; at other times it was my sister and me accompanying our mom, a Salvation Army officer, with her visits.

When I was a young adult, my grandma started suffering from dementia and moved into a nursing home. I went to visit her, but she no longer remembered who I was. My aunt suggested that I sing to her, and for an hour we sang Christmas carols together. Despite her dementia, she remembered the carols.

It was my last visit with my grandma, as she died just a couple of weeks later. This memory has stayed with me and affirmed the value of the gift of music that God has entrusted to The Salvation Army. It reminds me to view community care ministries at Christmas as acts of hospitality in which we “entertain angels unaware” (see Hebrews 13:2 KJV).

Major Corinne Cameron is the corps officer at Yorkminster Citadel in Toronto.

“Thank You”

BY CAPTAIN ERIN METCALF

A

Christmas tree, presents, a delicious dinner with all the trimmings—sometimes we take these things for granted. But when circumstances change, the “extras” that make Christmas special can fall out of reach. Christmas toys—once a joy to shop for—become a burden and source of stress as the reality of affordability and lack of funds hover like dark clouds.

One Christmas I sat across from a woman who had unexpectedly become the primary guardian of her 10-year-old grandson. She explained, through tears of hopelessness, that she had been quite comfortable and self-sufficient, but an increase in rent, the higher cost of groceries and the added expenses of taking on the sole care of her grandson had left her with nothing extra and no way to provide a Christmas for her new little family.

Having never needed assistance before, she found herself asking if there was anything we could do to help. An assurance of gifts for her grandson, a gift card toward a Christmas meal and an invitation to summer camp was the hope she was looking for. Her eyes lit up as she smiled and said, “I don’t know what I would have done without The Salvation Army. Thank you.”

Captain Erin Metcalf is the corps officer at North Toronto Community Church.

Photos: Lt-Colonel John Murray and WTB Photography

W Freely Give

BY DANIELLE BULLOCH

I

have been both the giver and receiver. I have given to others out of my abundance and accepted a blessing in my need.

In accepting these gifts, I have been humbled, as sometimes pride keeps us from reaching out for help. Christmas is that one time of year when you can be both giver and receiver, navigating the varied emotions associated with these gestures.

The Salvation Army has been a vehicle of blessing on so many levels. They provide an avenue for people to give of their time and resources to help those who are less fortunate. They also provide opportunities for people to use their gifts to bless, encourage and uplift the bystander and the participant.

I was recently reading a book by Catholic theologian Bishop

Robert Barron, who wrote this: “What you have received as a gift, give as a gift—and you will find the original gift multiplied and enhanced.” When I read that statement, I thought of Matthew 10:8: “Freely you have received; freely give.”

The Salvation Army has been an instrument, especially at Christmas, to be both the giver and the receiver. To bless and to be blessed. The Salvation Army has been an integral part of my life, acting as a safe harbour, in so many ways, and the vehicle in which I can extend my hand in service to others. Both the giver and receiver. Freely you have received; freely give.

Danielle Bulloch attends North Street Citadel in Hamilton, Bermuda.

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And the Band Played On Ontario seniors’ bands are a source of connection and camaraderie.

BY ABBIGAIL OLIVER

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s a cornerstone of Salvation Army heritage, brass banding plays an instrumental role in the identity of Salvationists.

From youth bands and music camps to the Canadian Staff Band, banding exists at every level and within every generation.

Across Ontario, three seniors’ bands offer retirees a place for music, enrichment and quality fellowship.

Jubilee Brass, London, Ont.

Band members agree that Jubilee Brass offers a unique opportunity for fellowship with other Christians and music lovers. “The camaraderie is unmatched,” says Allan Weatherall, a bandsman who joined Jubilee Brass five years ago after retiring from his position in the London Citadel Band.

Weatherall also plays in a community band in St. Thomas, and says that the atmosphere is different between the bands.

“The music itself is different, and it’s a different feeling playing music with a Christian message.”

Heritage Brass, Toronto

Twenty-five years ago in London, Ont., a small ensemble of Salvationists assembled to play for a divisional seniors’ rally, slowly growing in numbers and forming the foundation of what is now called Jubilee Brass, a fellowship brass band for seniors.

Comprised of band members from 14 different communities in southwestern Ontario, the band now has 35 regular members, among which the average age is 77. With each member bringing roughly 40 to 50 years of banding experience to the group, there is more than 1,700 years of combined banding represented.

Bob Barrett, a cornet player and soldier at St. Thomas Citadel, Ont., was among the original eight members who formed the humble beginnings of Jubilee Brass. Now, Barrett is treasurer of the band, a position he has held for the last 20 years. “It’s a great fellowship of band members. We get together every week for rehearsal and we share together in our love of God and banding,” says Barrett.

Having experienced a health issue in March 2023, Barrett had to take a break from the band for four months, but now he is delighted to be back. “You could say that Salvation Army banding is the glue that holds us together.”

According to Barrett, Jubilee Brass also strives for musical excellence under the dedicated leadership of Bandmaster David Rowsell. A well-established Salvation Army composer with a number of published compositions, Rowsell also writes pieces for the band’s repertoire, including a new composition called Jubilation for the band’s 25th anniversary concert in October.

In addition to leading Jubilee Brass, Rowsell leads the youth band at his home corps, London Citadel, and he sees musical ministry at both ends of the generational spectrum. “It’s a great opportunity to encourage youth to participate in Salvation Army banding and music ministry and to continue keeping it alive,” says Rowsell.

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Founded in 1988, Heritage Brass consists of 31 members from 11 Ontario corps, bringing a total of 1,643 years of collective service in banding. The band members are committed to finding ways to support smaller Army corps—some without their own bands—often driving at their own expense to play for them.

For Heritage Brass, banding is not just about preserving Army tradition, but engaging new people and creating connections through music. “We play out in the park and invite people to come back for the Sunday morning meeting,” says Alan Speed, who plays trombone. “We don’t just play all Army pieces because we want to connect with non-Salvationists. So, we play The Beatles and other familiar pieces that someone may hear floating over the breeze and think, Who’s playing that? Then we can follow up with How Great Thou Art.” Speed joined Heritage Brass 14 years ago, and within a year of playing with the band, he became the band sergeant, a position that he still holds today, as well as sitting on the band board. “The fellowship is tremendous,” he says. According to Speed, about 12 members of the band meet on Thursday mornings to have breakfast before going to rehearsal, a weekly tradition and social opportunity for many of them.

Over the years, 19 band members have been associated with the Canadian Staff Band, including euphonium player Robert Young, who became involved with Heritage Brass in 2005. A band enthusiast his whole life, Heritage Brass felt like a natural progression for Young after many years playing in the staff band.

“In Heritage Brass, we communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ through music ministry,” says Young. “It’s tangible—you can see that people are moved and enjoy what they hear. Music enriches

our lives. It has the power to unite, move, inspire and even heal people. And, of course, music enables us to worship God.” As a seniors’ band, Heritage Brass hopes to be a source of encouragement to young people, attracting future generations who will uphold the band’s heritage. And with four women currently playing in the band, Speed hopes that by supporting young people along their musical journey, it will create a brighter and more diverse future for bands like Heritage Brass.

“If you go back 30 or 40 years, there were very few women in Salvation Army bands,” Speed explains. “So now, when you get to our generation, there are not as many retired female band members.” He notes that the young people playing in Army bands today show great potential for the future, and he hopes that by the time they reach retirement age, they might want to join a fellowship band like Heritage Brass.

“I think members of seniors’ bands are quite proud of their heritage and they want to maintain their service. It’s a big part of our lives,” says Young. “We want to do whatever we can in the days we have remaining.”

Legacy Brass, Ottawa

Legacy Brass was formed in 2009 under the guidance of the original bandmaster, Archie Smith, along with John Verhey, Ralph Verhey and the original executive officer, then Lt-Colonel Lee Graves, who is now territorial commander for Canada and

r favourit

“Light of the World is probably my favourite. It’s a song associated with William Holman Hunt’s painting by the same name, a picture of Jesus at the door holding a lantern, and is a good reminder of our foundation and purpose as Christians. I also enjoy a good Salvation Army march. Most of us in Heritage Brass used to go out on the streets and play open-airs, and we remember the street marches.”—Robert Young

“We have a Heritage Brass March. It’s an interesting march because it’s quite different from others. It’s our signature piece and was composed by Keith Ketteringham, who was a well-known Salvationist and a longtime member of Heritage Brass.”—Alan Speed

p ie c e d n a eb

to play and why?

“My personal favourite is I’ll Follow Thee arranged by Richard Phillips. It is the final selection on our CD of the same name. This is a song that comforts, guides and really describes the journey that is needed to become a true follower of Jesus Christ.”—Geoffrey Linklater

“At a recent rehearsal, Jubilee Brass played Serenity by Eric Ball. The theme of this meditation is, ‘When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.’ I can’t think of a more fitting reminder of how God’s love and care brought me through my heart incident last March.”—Bob Barrett

Salvationist November/December ber 2023

Illustration: Lisa Suroso

What is you

Bermuda. The band was intended for Salvationists and musicians from other denominations to witness through music and support Army efforts in the community. Legacy Brass proved to be very successful and so it expanded its outreach beyond the Ottawa area, performing at notable events such as Ottawa Senators and Ottawa Redblacks games, the annual Tulip Festival, Salvation Army Proclamation Days at City Hall and fundraising concerts to support other churches.

When Geoffrey Linklater was approached about playing flugelhorn in Legacy Brass, he told them that he had never played one before and did not have access to an instrument. “Martyn Hodgson mysteriously had his own flugel ready for me and the rest is history. I became a member of the Legacy Brass band and would conduct from time to time.” When Smith retired as bandmaster, he asked Linklater to assume the leadership role and he gratefully accepted the honour.

Legacy Brass and its sister group, Legacy Chorus, a Christian fellowship choir that began in 2017 under the direction of Laurie Hamilton-Linklater, both rehearse at Ottawa Citadel as their home base. With approximately 20 members, Legacy Brass plays a repertoire of songs from all over the Salvation Army world, including the Triumph, General and Festival series publications.

“We hold reading sessions that are open to all brass players as a means of introducing them to the world of Salvation Army banding and its repertoire,” explains Linklater. “This has proven very effective in our outreach to the surrounding music community.”

There is great optimism for the future of Legacy Brass as it continues to attract younger members as well as more seasoned players. “There is a strong bond within the band that has helped us rebound from a two-year shutdown due to the pandemic,” says Linklater. “We have a limited turnover in members, which speaks to the camaraderie so evident in the band.”

Since its founding, Legacy Brass has produced two successful albums, I’ll Follow Thee and What Child Is This, a Christmas album. They hope to begin production on their third album in 2024.

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TALKING IT OVER

Future Shock Are we ready for artificial intelligence?

Photo: Userba011d64_201/iStock via Getty Images Plus

BY JAMES READ AND GLEN O’BRIEN

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hristians need a newspaper in one hand and a Bible in the other— according to theologian Karl Barth.

In our Talking It Over series, James Read invites thoughtful Salvationists from around the world to reflect on moral and ethical issues. Here, he speaks with Glen O’Brien about artificial intelligence.

Glen, I decided to give ChatGPT (an artificial intelligence chatbot created to hold a conversation with the user) a try recently and asked it to write a poem. I discovered that it could write mediocre poetry impressively quickly! Since then I have been mystified by the deep fear it has provoked in educators, and I have not understood why scientists are calling for a moratorium on further development of artificial intelligence (AI) in general. As someone who has studied AI, can you enlighten me?

—Jim Essentially, AI, of which ChatGPT is an instance, is a form of machine learning. AI performs human-like tasks, such as writing prose or poetry, problem solving, calculation and decision-making, through interpreting patterns in data. We use it every day if we have a cellphone or use a navigation system in our car. It has widespread beneficial uses in industrial and medical settings. It becomes more ethically challenging when applied to military 22 November/December 2023

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systems (drones, for example).

Like all forms of technology, it can be put to either beneficial or destructive use depending on how it is applied and by whom.

—Glen I think some theologians and ethicists are musing about AI consciousness, whether computers could have souls and whether they have moral rights.

You don’t seem to share that concern.

By contrast, you are concerned that we pay more attention to the harms and benefits of AI. Will that be easy?

Last year I was involved in a serious car crash. Within seconds I heard a voice through the car speakers: “Are you OK? 9-1-1 has been called and emergency help is on its way.” I was startled. And amazed. In the circumstance, it was very welcome AI technology.

Afterward, however, I got to musing about how much my car’s computer system was aware of where I was, where I was going and what I was doing whenever I was in the car.

That has made me wary. While I benefited from AI advances, I suspect there are downsides, too. Could this omnipresent tool extinguish privacy? And are there worse harms than privacy infringement I am not thinking of or able to control?

Who (if anyone) does know?

—Jim

First, I’m glad you’re OK, Jim. Do these things worry me? Yes and no. We need to understand that, while we sometimes experience AI as surveillance, no one is actually sitting at a computer terminal watching us. Our search patterns on the internet are tracked by algorithms, lines of digital code in a series of ones and zeros. Yes, there are companies that will target advertising to us based on the data harvested from that surveillance, but there isn’t a person in a dark hoodie watching our every step. Of course, we may decide we don’t want to be tracked online, but most people probably find that less intrusive than phone marketing or someone at their door trying to sell them a set of encyclopedias. The navigation system in your car knows exactly where you are only because a satellite in the earth’s orbit is timing its movement between plotted points. Is that an invasion of privacy? It feels that way for some, but most people seem willing to surrender that small measure of privacy for the stress-free convenience of arriving at their desired location on time.

New technology has always been met by fear, uncertainty and doomsday scenarios. As an educator, I am well aware that ChatGPT gives students new capacities to cheat on essays. It’s important, though, to ask how we educators might take advantage of the new technology.

Rather than simply banning its use,

TALKING IT OVER

we might ask how it could be used for better educational outcomes.

Research is, after all, information gathering. A tool that can gather massive amounts of information in record time is going to have many benefits beyond cheating on essays.

One of the more worrying aspects of the new technology is the capacity to create “deep fakes”—to artificially render a person’s voice or image in a way that is (almost) indistinguishable from the real person. Used maliciously, this could place an innocent person in a context that makes them appear to have engaged in criminal activity or to be somebody they are not. I shudder to think what the historians of the future might do with artifacts from our era, some of which are real while others are fake. Where is the line between history and art, and between truth telling and creativity?

—Glen That’s an important question. As we both know, however, there are those who claim that there is no such thing as pure truth telling, no unvarnished history. They contend it’s all mixed with human interests and power struggles: “History has always been written to justify the victor’s way of seeing things.” They say AI’s capacity to create “deep fakes” simply exposes what has long been the agenda of the owners of “mainstream” news channels.

I reject that, believing that there is truth and that finding the truth matters. But AI does cause me to question some time-worn adages. Take, for instance, the idea that necessity is the mother of invention; or to put it less elegantly and more theologically, that human beings have God-created needs that can be met by the creation of tools that human beings have the God-given intelligence to fashion.

AI turns that simple account on its head, doesn’t it? It certainly feels more like AI is an invention in search of a need than it is a solution to pre-existing needs. It’s here, and now we are scrambling to find (or invent) “needs” it can solve; or so it seems. It feels like AI holds the power, not people.

—Jim I also believe there is a distinction between truth and falsehood and

that the deliberate attempt to mislead a person through lies is straightforwardly an immoral act.

When it comes to ChatGPT, it is clear from its early use that it generates errors and misinformation. This does not mean that it has a sinister intent. It may simply mean that the technology is not yet sophisticated enough to filter out the errors.

The dissemination of false and inaccurate information is nothing new, however. It has always been the case that media (perhaps mass media in particular) can produce mistakes. Consumers of media have always needed to show discernment—to weigh up claims, to learn how to identify fallacies and distinguish between weak and strong arguments—in short, to exercise critical thinking. Rather than simply banning ChatGPT from the classroom, we need to think about how we might use it to increase students’ capacity for such critical thinking.

It does not solve the problem to simply ban development in AI. The genie cannot be returned to the bottle.

What ChatGPT is doing is trawling through the internet and collecting data at a much higher volume and greater speed than I could do. But it is by no means a flawless process. I performed the vanity experiment of asking ChatGPT who Glen O’Brien was, stating only that he was a theologian and historian.

The reply was that it could find no information about Glen O’Brien, so either he does not exist or his work “is not well known or important enough to be noticed.” This was very good for my humility, but I knew from my

own experience that I did at least exist and that my work had some value, at least to some reviewers and peers. Clearly, I need to improve my online presence, but ChatGPT is still a long way from being omniscient.

I don’t think, at this stage, that AI has the upper hand over humanity.

The technology is simply not far enough advanced. That would require a sophistication of purpose and independent will that AI simply does not possess. Might it happen one day? Yes, it might, and the time to think about strategies to deal with (or prevent) such an eventuality is now.

It does not solve the problem to simply ban development in AI. The genie cannot be returned to the bottle.

However, AI industry experts need to develop the kind of sophisticated strategies that theologians and philosophers have always employed to determine what are the highest goods for human beings (and other beings).

The more we have thought about questions of meaning, identity and significance, the more likely it will be that we will live together in peace. In Denis Villeneuve’s postapocalyptic film Blade Runner 2049, artificial humans (“replicants”) have developed the capacity to reproduce without human interference. While human beings have been reduced to hedonists pursuing their own sensual pleasures, the replicants are asking questions about the meaning of their existence, exploring their identity and working for their selfdetermination and freedom. Perhaps future beings created through technology will have something to teach us about such higher values.

We should begin now to think about whether our future is to be more like Star Wars or Star Trek— civilizations torn apart by armed conflict or a bold and enlightened exploration of numberless universes, all of them bearing the mark of divine intelligence.

—Glen Dr. James Read, OF, was the executive director of The Salvation Army’s Ethics Centre for many years and served as chair of the International Moral and Social Issues Council. Now retired, he attends Heritage Park Temple in Winnipeg. Rev. Dr. Glen O’Brien is a research co-ordinator and lecturer at Eva Burrows College in Melbourne, Australia.

Salvationist November/December 2023

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WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

A Passion for Preaching Riley Hobbs’ God-given gifts have helped him develop a stronger connection with The Salvation Army.

BY NATHAN REID-WELFORD

Riley Hobbs attended INSPIRE this past summer in Toronto

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“

on’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity,” writes the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:12.

This verse has encouraged 17-year-old Riley Hobbs as he has become heavily involved in preaching and leadership at a young age.

A Larger Role Born and raised in Newfoundland and Labrador, Riley has attended Little Heart’s Ease Corps since he was a week old. After enrolling as a senior soldier at the age of 15, his corps officer asked him if he would do some short sermons on youth Sundays.

These preaching opportunities ignited a passion that he’d already had inside him.

“When I was younger,” Riley recalls, “I’d look up at the stage at the officer and feel that I wanted to see myself there.

When I grew up, I was given the chance to be in that position. It created a passion, and I wanted to do it more.”

In addition to occasional preaching, Riley began leading the corps’ kids’ club.

After preaching on and off at Little Heart’s Ease for about a year, a defining moment in Riley’s journey came at Easter 2022, when Random Island Corps—which is about an hour from Little Heart’s Ease—asked him if he would come speak at their Easter service.

“I preached there in the morning and 24 November/December 2023

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then at my home corps Easter night,” Riley recalls. “After that, I preached in five different churches and throughout the year.”

As well, Riley has been called upon more at his home church as, due to officer placements, Little Heart’s Ease Corps has been placed under the supervision module, meaning the nearby supervising church comes and does services twice a month.

After a couple of years of gaining practice and experience at home and in the area, Riley is prepared to step into a larger role.

“On the Sundays that the supervising church isn’t there, I preach and lead the service.”

Why the Army?

Riley fell in love with preaching because it is an opportunity to help others and lead them through the words he uses.

This passion for helping others has not only led him to seek out preaching engagements but has also helped him develop a stronger connection with The Salvation Army, one that is more personal and means more than just being brought up in the church.

“I believe in the Army’s commitment to helping others,” Riley says, “and community service sets them apart from other churches.”

Its presence and work outside of the church with camps, food banks, youth and women’s shelters, family and homeless

services, and disaster relief, fall in line with Riley’s goals as a preacher and follower of Christ.

“The Salvation Army is a good place for me to help people. It is always there to help, and seeing how it does has brought me into the church more.”

With his passion for preaching and his commitment to and appreciation for The Salvation Army and its mission, Riley—who feels “very called to officership”—is hoping to enrol at the College for Officer Training in a couple of years.

However, in the meantime, he is focused on preaching at Little Heart’s Ease and travelling to different corps in the area.

Using God’s Gifts Riley hopes that people interested in his story will focus on what God has done— and will continue to do—through him to inspire others within and beyond The Salvation Army.

“I think that reading about my story will spark hope. My generation isn’t done!”

Riley encourages young people not to let their age stop them from pursuing their goals and making a difference, something he has been busy doing in his young life through various ministry channels.

“For people who are looking to start preaching or get out there, just go for it, and don’t let anyone stop you or look down on you for your age. If God’s given you a gift, why wait to show it?”

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Your Gifts at Work Three highlights from the Gifts of Hope program in Africa.

BY ROBYN GOODYEAR

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BEFORE

ifts of Hope is Hope in Zambia The Salvation The Petauke Community Army in Canada School in Zambia serves and Bermuda’s ethical more than 200 students, giving program, which from preschool to Grade offers hope to vulnerable 7. In any school, proper people around the world. sanitation facilities and The gift options have water access are essential. been carefully selected Inadequate sanitation and to have the greatest poswaste management facilisible impact by helping ties can cause illness, disto break the cycle of ease and numerous other poverty. They also conhealth concerns—issues tribute to the achievethat affect all children but ment of the United have a disproportionate Nations Sustainable effect on girls. These issues AFTER Development Goals can often cause students (SDGs), a framework to to drop out of school altobuild peace and prosper- After a storm destroyed the play structure at a Salvation Army preschool in Xai-Xai, gether. With funding from ity for people and the Mozambique, generous donations from the Canada and Bermuda Tty’s Gifts of Hope the Gifts of Hope program, program enabled the school to build a new outdoor play area planet.

The Salvation Army in The gifts donated Zambia is building a new through this program provide opporin Mozambique was able to remove the ablution block at the Petauke Community tunities for income and livelihood gendamaged structure and construct a new School. The new, accessible toilet facilieration, increased food security and outdoor play area at the preschool, comties will provide students and staff with nutrition, improved education and litplete with sand, a swing set and a roof to a clean, safe environment and access to eracy, enhanced access to health care protect from the elements. Now, the 300 clean water. Male and female students and clean water, and so much more. A children they serve in this community alike will be able to attend school and focus gift as simple as a chicken, a backpack have a safe space to learn, play freely, on receiving an education, building skills or a bag of seed can transform a life or use their imagination, build friendships and preparing for the future. even a whole community. and be kids.

These are just three examples of the lastThanks to your generous support, ing, sustainable impact of the gift of hope. hundreds of people around the world Hope in Liberia The Gifts of Hope program offers a range received the transforming gift of hope The Gbayee Town Elementary School of gifts: Hope Through Education, Hope this year. Gifts of Hope is providing supserves more than 230 students in rural Through Farming, Hope Through Health port to people in Africa, South Amercia, Liberia. However, to continue providand Hope Through Communities. Can’t Central America and Asia. Here are ing a high-quality education to childecide which category to choose from? some of the highlights from the Gifts dren, some serious repairs are needed You can also donate to the Where Needed of Hope program in Africa this year: to the school building. With funding Most category, which allows us to direct from the Gifts of Hope program, the your gift where it will have the greatest Hope in Mozambique Liberia Territory will be making necpossible impact. With your support, we During the pandemic, the town of essary renovations to the elementary can truly make a world of difference.

Xai-Xai in Mozambique was hit by a school, including replacing damaged strong storm, causing damage to the doors, windows and ceilings, and reinplay structure at the Salvation Army forcing the structure of the building.

For more information about Gifts preschool. The structure provided essenWith this project, The Salvation Army of Hope, visit salvationist.ca/ tial protection from the sun and rain, in Liberia will be able to provide a safe international-development/ especially during the rainy season, and environment for children and staff to gifts-of-hope. is a legal requirement for preschools in learn and work. Parents will be able to Mozambique. With funding from the send their children to school without Robyn Goodyear is the international project Canada and Bermuda Territory’s Gifts worry to receive an education that will support co-ordinator in the international of Hope program, The Salvation Army set them up for a successful future. development department.

Salvationist November/December 2023

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FAMILY MATTERS

On Fear and Flying Squirrels The question I’d like to ask Mary.

BY CAPTAIN BHREAGH ROWE

Photo: Peter/stock.Adobe.com

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his past summer I woke up to find a squirrel crawling on me. Not just your run-of-the-mill squirrel—a flying squirrel. It got into the cabin we were staying in through the fireplace and decided to explore. When it climbed up and then jumped off our two-year-old’s head, we had to take drastic measures.

Our older boys thought it was hilarious.

I did not share in their joy.

As we were driving home the next day, I told Daniel, my husband, that of all the things I worry about and fear in life, a squirrel climbing on me while I’m asleep was not one of them—but now I’ve added it to the list. I’m sure most of you would agree. Maybe some of you can even relate to a heightened sense of fear and anxiety.

I am that mom.

The one who stresses over everything, who fears the worst and who does everything in her power to make sure none of those stresses, fears or anxieties come to life. I’ve been known to sleep with paper close by so I can write down the thoughts that keep me up at night. As a child, I distinctly remember asking my big sister almost every night if our house was going to burn down.

Fear has always been part of my story and parenting with fear has always been my struggle.

That’s why, at this time of year, my heart often aches to sit down and chat with Mary. Just to ask her one simple question: “How did you fear not?” In Luke 1, we read the story of an angel appearing to Mary and telling her that she was to be 26 November/December 2023

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the mother of Jesus. “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid’ ” (Luke 1:29-30).

My squirrel encounter looks tame next to an angel appearing and turning Mary’s life upside down. Can you imagine? She has no idea what’s happening, but the angel says, “Do not be afraid.”

I think it’s safe to say that many of us would have been afraid. Many of us would have been stressed out. Many of us would probably even have said no, offered another way or tried to get ourselves out of the situation.

I am that mom.

The one who stresses over everything, who fears the worst.

How do we trust? How do we combat our fears? How do we live and work and exist in the world and then release our kids to be in this world? How do we ultimately and fully trust an unseen God with our real and seen fears? Welcome to 2 a.m. thoughts with Bhreagh.

I’m no expert and if you’re anything like I used to be, you’re going to hate this response, but here’s what I know. Prayer

and submission are the foundation we all need.

Mary was afraid. She had questions.

I’m sure she had a million things running through her mind. But after her fear and questions, she replied: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38).

Even though she was afraid, Mary submitted to the will and way of God and then, after going to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, offered a prayer of praise: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant” (Luke 1:46-48).

We’re all going to come across fear in our lives. It’s going to happen. We’re all going to be jumped on by a squirrel or called to do something scary by our Saviour. But one of the best ways we can learn to combat the scary things in life is to cry out to God and humbly submit to his will and his way.

I can try to protect my kids and shield them from the fears and anxieties of life, or I can give them a greater gift—to let them see me entrust them to God. Even when flying squirrels catch you by surprise.

Trust God in your fears, submit to his way and know that “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!” (Luke 1:45).

Captain Bhreagh Rowe is the community ministries officer, St. Albert Church and Community Centre, Alta.

PEOPLE & PLACES

Accepted for Field-Based Tailored Training

Wilder Jean-Charles Light of Hope Family Church, Montreal, Que. Div When we arrived in Quebec, a friend told us The Salvation Army is an organization that helps newcomers. The officers at the time, Captains Ricaurte Velasquez and Vilma Ramos, welcomed us and helped us get off to a good start, and we continued attending worship services. Training college will prepare us to fulfil the work that our Lord Jesus has entrusted to each person who believes in him. The function of a Salvation Army officer is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ through our lives, actions and services to all those around us, and we must give our best to God who created everything. By acting in this way, we demonstrate the love that Jesus has taught us to transform our lives and make an impact on others.

Josette Joseph Light of Hope Family Church, Montreal, Que. Div My husband and I come from Christian families, and from a young age we both received the Lord and Saviour into our lives. The service of the Lord requires preparation and training, but above all, being a Salvation Army officer is an act of obedience to the call that God has made to all believers. In Matthew 28, Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” In this verse, the Lord gives an order, seeking a universal empire and sending his armies to conquer the world. To be an officer is to be a servant of God for the conquest of the world.

Alicia McLeod Lloydminster Corps, Alta. & N.T. Div Over the years, a few different people have encouraged me toward officership. I usually laughed it off and ignored it. But in recent years, I began seriously considering officership and praying about it. After going to the Explore Your Call weekend in the fall of 2022, I knew that I had to begin the process. I see CFOT as a place where I can learn more about what it means to serve God as an officer, and where I can develop and grow in the skills required to fulfil this calling. Officership is a specific call to serve God in this way, journeying alongside other people as we share the love of Jesus and the mission of The Salvation Army.

Bobbi Oyerinde Lloydminster Corps, Alta. & N.T. Div I have always felt God’s presence pulling me in close to him as he shaped and moulded me into the person I am today. God confirmed his calling on my life at the candidates retreat in Toronto in 2022, and he continues to guide each step by his hand. In the Book of Acts, the disciples were instructed to wait for an equipping of the Spirit before journeying out into ministry. At CFOT, officers and teachers will assist the Spirit to train and equip me as I prepare to become a Salvation Army officer. Officership is part of the journey he is calling me to, to live a life of holiness, serve God and serve others.

Nathaniel Roffel Lindsay Community Church, Ont. Div I have been a Christian all my life, and every single believer in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is commanded to serve him in every aspect of their life. Their identity is found in Christ their Lord. This can be done in any God-honouring vocation, but God made it clear that my job was to pursue officership in The Salvation Army. God has given me a heart and a passion for his Word, his commands and his church, and officership is a commitment to The Salvation Army that I will serve God in the ways that the organization deems suitable. At training college, I will work toward the foundations that I need to maintain an office in his church.

Jessica Roffel Living Hope Community Church, Winnipeg, Prairie Div My journey to officership has been a long one, and it is not over yet. Although both my parents are officers, I never considered that it would be my own path as well. I attended Booth University College where I discovered my passion for sharing God’s love with others. I knew that God had called me to ministry but didn’t know where. I wrestled with the decision for a few years, spending many hours in prayer and in conversation with trusted mentors. Once I had finally let go of my own plan for my life, God began opening my eyes to all the little pieces that he was putting into place for me. To me, officership means committing myself to God through service in The Salvation Army, and I believe that CFOT will help develop my skills and understanding to better serve God in every area of my life.

Mary Milne Sudbury Community Church, Ont. Div I had recently started attending Sudbury Community Church when I came across an advertisement for CFOT on social media. I resolved to learn more about The Salvation Army and as a result, I applied for CFOT. I believe it will help me fulfil God’s call on my life by making me aware of the areas in which I need to learn and grow. I hope to be biblically and theologically grounded, and that training college will hold me accountable to the commitments that I have made before God and The Salvation Army.

To me, officership is the absolute definition of servant leadership, with endless possibilities for God to work. Officership is one way that I feel called to express and respond to my love for Christ.

Welcoming Our New Territorial Leaders

Is Freedom of Speech Under Attack?

College for Officer Training Enters New Era

THE VOICE OF

THE ARMY

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PEOPLE & PLACES

ORDER TODAY

CALGARY—Three children are enrolled as junior soldiers at Glenmore Temple.

From left, Grace Waggoner and Charmaine McLeod, junior soldier teachers; Amelia Vasiliev, Daniel Vasiliev and Matthew Homewood, junior soldiers; and Mjr Denise Walker, CO. “We are proud of them for taking this step in their faith and excited to see how God will use them in the future,” says Mjr Walker.

This is Our Story ...

EDGAR AND KATIE KING

This is Our Story … Edgar and Katie King by Canadian author Major Edgar King is a personal account of the life and dedicated ministry shared with his wife, Katie. Readers will be encouraged to see how their devotion to God and each other uplifted them in times of great triumphs and sustained them in moments of trial, including a journey with cancer, loss and grief.

To order, email Major Edgar King at edgarking64@gmail.com ($25 plus shipping) or visit Amazon.ca (Kindle edition also available) or Indigo.ca.

SIMCOE, ONT.—Graydon Westover is commissioned as deputy bandmaster of the Simcoe CC Band. From left, Lt Stephen Frank, corps and community services officer; Graydon Westover; and BM Ian Cooper.

OSHAWA, ONT.— Five junior soldiers are enrolled at Oshawa Temple. Front, from left, Payton Paterson-Gerard, Nathan Lepoidevin, Kieran Stayner, Cameron Stayner and Ben Cooper, junior soldiers. Back, from left, Mjr Tony Kennedy, then CO; Joe Kay, holding the flag; Mjr Patricia Kennedy, then CO; JSS Shona Burditt; and Victoria Reid, youth ministries and outreach co-ordinator.

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Six senior soldiers are enrolled at St. John’s Citadel. From left, Heidi Adams, who taught the senior soldier lessons; Mjr Cathy Simms, then CO; Micah Perrin, senior soldier; ACSM John Pike, holding the flag; Shealyn Pretty, Taylor Humby, Shauna Tapper, Emma Clarke and Daniel Denny, senior soldiers; and Mjr Darryl Simms, then CO. “We give thanks to God for the work that he is doing in the hearts and lives of our young people,” says Mjr Darryl Simms.

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SASKATOON—Four junior soldiers are enrolled at Saskatoon Temple. From left, Brayden Kerr, holding the flag; Ginny Reilly, junior soldier; Lt Angela Kerr, CO; Caitlyn Andrew and Jacob Watts, junior soldiers; CSM Kerri Cryderman; Kolten Kerr, junior soldier; YPSM Sarah Rowe; and Lt Derek Kerr, CO.

PEOPLE & PLACES

GAZETTE

TRIBUTES

INTERNATIONAL Appointments: Commissioners Debbie/Lee Graves, TPWM/TC, Canada and Bermuda Tty; Cols Cheryl/Kenneth Maynor, zonal secretary for women’s ministries/international secretary, Americas and Caribbean Zone, IHQ, with rank of comr; Cols Garth/Patricia Niemand, international secretary for business administration/world secretary for spiritual life development, IHQ, with rank of comr; Lt-Cols Chris/Tilitah Goa, TC/TPWM, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Tty, with rank of col; Lt-Cols Rumbidzayi/Tineyi Mambo, TSWM/CS, Zimbabwe and Botswana Tty, with rank of col; Lt-Cols Bishow/Pamela Samhika, principal/assistant principal, International College for Officers, with rank of col; Lt-Cols Edeline/Emmanuel Supré, TSWM/CS, Caribbean Tty; Mjrs Saga Lippo/Esa Nenonen, TC/secretary for program, Finland and Estonia Tty, with rank of lt-col; Mjrs Garth/Suzanne Stevenson, CS/TSWM, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Tty, with rank of lt-col TERRITORIAL Appointments: Lt-Col Lauren Effer, chaplain and City of London liaison officer, IHQ; Mjr Laura Jenkins, CO, Lower Island Cove, N.L. Div; Mjr Hannu Lindholm, CO, Whitehorse, Alta. & N.T. Div; Mjr Elaine Locke, director of development, Maritime Div (additional responsibility) Long service: 30 years—Mjr Byron Kean Retirements: Oct 1—Mjr Darlene Anderson; Nov 1—Mjr Judy Regamey, Mjr Colleen Winter; Dec 1—Mjr Vaden Vincent Promoted to glory: Mjr Alexander MacBain, Aug 17; Mjr Elaine Banfield, Aug 31

CAMBRIDGE, ONT.—Major Donald R.J. Wheeler was a dedicated Salvation Army officer for more than 35 years in active service and 21 years in retirement. For many years, he played the trumpet in the Salvation Army band and sang in the songsters, and in his early days, he was a member of the Scout House Marching Band. The highlight of his officership was working in correctional institutions where he was a highly respected pastor and mentor. Donald’s hobbies included daily walks, riding his motorcycle, skating, watching sports and enjoying family time by the fire. Loving husband of Alexis Bennett-Wheeler, beloved father of Carrie Anderson (John) and Robbin Deck (Reginald), he will be greatly missed by his loving grandchildren, Brandon (Mackenzie), Campbell, Mackenzie, Adam and Danica; and great-grandson, Micah. He is survived by sisters Dorothy Maidment, Doreen (Ewart) Wheeler; Daphne (Ned) Rees and Lillian (Jack) Hawkins; many nieces and nephews; and members of the Bennett family.

Donald was predeceased by his first wife, Major Sara Wheeler, and his parents, Allan and Lillian Wheeler; sisters Edna (Bob) Drinkwater and Renee Haney (Clive Harris); and nephew, Billy Drinkwater.

CALENDAR Commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves: Nov 5 Agincourt CC, Toronto; Nov 13, 17 5th Year Institute, Toronto; Nov 16 Hope in the City, St. John’s, N.L.; Nov 19-20 CFOT, Toronto; Dec 2 Christmas With The Salvation Army, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto; Dec 6 Hope in the City and retired officers’ Christmas luncheon, B.C. Div Colonels John and Lani Chamness: Nov 6-10 Leaders Orientation Conference (online); Nov 14 5th Year Institute, Toronto; Nov 16 Hope in the City, St. John’s, N.L.; Dec 2 Christmas With The Salvation Army, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto; Dec 6 Hope in the City and retired officers’ Christmas luncheon, B.C. Div Canadian Staff Band: Nov 18 Fall Festival, Oshawa Temple, Ont.; Dec 2 Christmas With The Salvation Army, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto Canadian Staff Songsters: Nov 4-5 Peterborough Temple, Ont.; Dec 2 Christmas With The Salvation Army, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto

LONDON, ONT.—Major Roberta Anne Dalrymple (nee Johnson) was born in Toronto. She entered the College for Officer Training in Toronto from West Toronto Corps in 1958, as a member of the Courageous Session. Roberta held three appointments before marrying Kenneth J. Dalrymple in July 1961, after which they served together in 23 appointments across the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Following Ken’s promotion to glory in 2000, Roberta served in two additional appointments and was a faithful prayer warrior. Roberta and Ken had four children and three grandchildren. Roberta was also predeceased by one son.

ST. CATHARINES, ONT.—Elizabeth Melody Grace (nee Bruce) was a lifetime member of The Salvation Army, volunteered with the victim witness assistance program and participated in five mission trips to the Caribbean Territory alongside her husband, Robert. A graduate of the Niagara Falls Collegiate Vocational Institute and employed by the Niagara Public Relations Bureau, Melody was runner-up in the Miss Niagara Hospitality Contest and was a contestant in the 1965 Miss Canada Pageant. She also graduated and was valedictorian at the Adult Lifetime Learning Centre, and she enjoyed fashion design, sewing, knitting and travel. Melody is survived by her devoted husband, Robert, and loving sons Alan (Kelley), Trevor (Gabrielle) and Jordan; and many aunts and uncles.

Guidelines for Tributes

Salvationist will print tributes (maximum 200 words), at no cost, as space permits.

We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Tributes should be received within three months of the promotion to glory and include: community where the person resided, corps involvement, Christian ministry, conversion to Christ, survivors. Send the tribute and a high-resolution digital photo or high-resolution scan of an original photo (TIFF, EPS or JPG; 300 ppi) by email to salvationist@ salvationarmy.ca.

Correction TRINITY BAY SOUTH, N.L.—Trinity Bay South Corps celebrates its 130th anniversary with a cake cutting. From left, Lt-Col Sandra Stokes, DC, N.L. Div; Julie Higdon, the corps’ oldest soldier; Anna Reid, junior soldier; and Mjrs Wanda and Rene Loveless, COs.

In the September-October issue of Salvationist, Ottawa Citadel should have been identified as Cadet Brian Fisher-Smith’s home congregation. Salvationist regrets the error.

Salvationist November/December 2023

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Q&A

A Grounded Faith Jesus is with us in our pain.

Linea Durdle is a student at Booth University College in Winnipeg.

Last May, she was a guest speaker at FUSE 2023, a youth retreat in the Maritime Division.

Where are you from?

Tell us a little about your spiritual journey.

Most of my childhood was spent in Atlantic Canada, from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland and Labrador.

When my parents decided to pursue officership, we moved to Winnipeg, where I am now studying at Booth University College. But Newfoundland feels closest to home for me, as most of my extended family lives there, and we spend holidays with my grandparents.

My parents and grandparents are officers, so I have been attending The Salvation Army since I was born. In my childhood and early teens, I struggled to find authenticity in my corps. I longed for a deeper understanding of what it meant to serve people the way Jesus intended us to.

When I moved to Winnipeg, I was exposed to needs that were almost non-existent in the small towns in which I grew up, and I found a passion for serving people through street ministry. My church community reflected my desire to form fellowship among people in need. I had finally found the raw love of Jesus I was looking for, and it grounded my faith, giving me hope in the mission of The Salvation Army.

What’s your favourite family tradition?

My favourite family tradition growing up was our after-dinner devotions when we discussed Scripture and theology. This formed my passion and craving for knowledge of biblical texts. I am grateful to my parents for creating a safe and supportive space for me to ask questions and explain my interpretations of the Bible, even if it took hours of debate and patience for all parties to have the floor.

Linea Durdle and her grandmother, Mjr Audrey Durdle, at Christmas

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How have you experienced God’s faithfulness?

In the past few years, God has been faithful as I have navigated the trauma I experienced in my childhood. My home was safe, but some of the people around me at the time were not.

Although I was surrounded by a community of people who wanted to love and support me, I isolated myself. I was embarrassed by my intense emotions and thought they made me weak and vulnerable.

I kept this mindset until my first year of university. Then one day, as I was reading through the Gospel of John, I read chapter 11, verse 35, “Jesus wept,” and everything I had been hiding within myself broke free.

I wept for the scared child huddled in the corner of her room, I wept for the angry teenager, and I wept for the confused young adult attempting to navigate her pain alone. But I was no longer alone. This short verse made me realize that

Jesus had been there my entire life. I was never alone and never would be because that is the humanity of God shown through Jesus. We are never alone in our weeping.

Who has had a significant influence on your life, and why?

One of the biggest influences in my life has been my grandmother, Audrey.

Throughout my childhood, she always made a point of teaching me about the Bible by sharing old Sunday school songs with me, and she is my biggest support as I pursue a bachelor’s degree in religion. I know that I can go to her for guidance, as she has always met me with love and gentleness. (And lots of baked goods, too.)

How are you involved at your corps?

During the school semester, I attend Southlands Community Church in Winnipeg. I play bass guitar on the worship team every other Sunday and enjoy the warm church family environment. I’d like to include a huge thank you to Henry Armstrong for driving me home from church every week and always making me feel wanted.

What inspires you about The Salvation Army?

What inspires me most is that our history is rooted deeply in social justice. This element of The Salvation Army is vital, as we are to love others the way Jesus did, without judgment, full of grace, leaving nobody behind.

What are your hobbies, and how did you get into them?

One of my favourite hobbies is making music, something I developed from my father, Dion. I have many memories of us singing and playing brass instruments together, and plan to make many more. I also love photography and capturing candid moments of joy with my Polaroid camera. I got into photography because of my mother, Jenelle, who is never slow to reach for her camera and has an eye for capturing beauty in a snapshot.

Soaring to New Heights ROOTED IN FAITH

With a commitment to Education for a Better World, Booth UC students graduate with the skills to transform their communities. Learn more and apply today. www.boothuc.ca

BOOTHUC.CA

EDUCAT ION F OR A BE T T E R WORLD

For address changes or subscription information contact (416) 422-6119 or circulation@salvationarmy.ca. Allow 4-6 weeks for changes. PM 40064794

Author Bob Hostetler

Beacon of Hope

Keep On Trucking!

PASSION PROJECTS P.12 KETTLE STORY P.8 HELPING THE ARMY P.22

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

faithandfriends.ca

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER

2023

Blanketed with

Love

FOR A FAMILY RUINED BY WAR, A SIMPLE DONATION FROM THE SALVATION ARMY HELD IMMEASURABLE faithandfriends.ca VALUE. P.16 I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 • 1

FAIR SHAKE Giving people a fair shake is the Canadian thing to do.

to keep a level playing field when it comes to matters of business, policy formulation and decision-making.

If we're so big on fairness and equality and giving people a fair shake, why do so many of us discriminate against people for no reason?

Is it really Canadian to discriminate?

Jesus was happy to spend time with people that many in His society shunned.

Photo: Blue Jeans Images/stock.Adobe.com

We support the underdog. We want people to be treated equally and we like

To learn why Jesus did this, visit our website faithandfriends.ca, contact us at The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4 or visit your nearest Salvation Army church.

2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 I faithandfriends.ca

November/December 2023 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 6

10

COMMON GROUND 5

“So Many Grandmas and Grandpas” When we look at life with a loving heart, the view has infinite possibilities.

KETTLE CARING 8

Signs of Hope Salvation Army kettle volunteers have been beacons of hope for more than 132 years.

FAITH BUILDERS 10 Journey to Bethlehem

The Christmas story is viewed through a different lens in new movie.

FEATURES

Author Bob Hostetler

Beacon of Hope

Keep On Trucking!

PASSION PROJECTS P.12 KETTLE STORY P.8 HELPING THE ARMY P.22

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

faithandfriends.ca

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2023

Blanketed

12 Passion Projects Writer and public speaker Bob Hostetler lives by a simple yet profound mission statement: to know God and to make Him known.

with

Love

FOR A FAMILY RUINED BY WAR, A SIMPLE DONATION FROM THE SALVATION ARMY HELD IMMEASURABLE faithandfriends.ca VALUE. P.16 I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 • 1

Cover photo: Courtesy of Steve Kawamura

COVER STORY

12

16 Blanketed With Love For a family ruined by war, a simple donation from The Salvation Army held immeasurable value.

22 Trucking In Some Good Firefighter steps up to help the Army help others.

SOMEONE CARES 26 “The Meaning of Giving”

Phyllis Barnaby is forever grateful for The Salvation Army.

LITE STUFF 28 Eating Healthy With Erin

Sudoku, Quick Quiz.

NIFTY THRIFTY 31 Moss Art

Add a bit of forest to your décor. faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 • 3

Faith&Friends

FROM THE EDITOR

Without Prejudice

W

henever the war work of The Salvation Army is mentioned, attention is justifiably paid to “the sharp end,” the good work done in the trenches and at the front lines. Numberless soldiers attest that only Salvationists were where it counted-where they were needed-to offer everything from clean socks to hot coffee to a kind word.

What is not so well known is the good work that was conducted by The Salvation Army away from the fighting fronts, work that was as vital and important.

This month ’s cover story is a good example of that.

The Canadian government’s treatment of Japanese Canadians who lived in British Columbia during the Second World War was shameful. Families lost their homes and businesses and were sent inland for no other reason than their race. Many Canadians turned their backs on them-but not The Salvation Army.

As the grandson of some of these Japanese Canadians said, “The Salvation Army opened up their arms, without prejudice or precedent.”

That is a real wartime record to be proud of.

Read about just a few of these Japanese Canadians on page 16, and see how a humble Salvation Army wool blanket made a world of difference to so many.

New Leadership!

As this issue went to press, a new international leader of The Salvation Army took office. We offer our congratulations to New Zealander Lyndon Buckingham, the 22nd General of the Army.

Ken Ramstead 4 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 I faithandfriends.ca

Mission Statement

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

Faith & Friends is published bimonthly by: The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario, M4H 1P4 International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4P 4EP, England Lyndon Buckingham, GENERAL Commissioner Lee Graves TERRITORIAL COMMANDER

Lt-Colonel John P. Murray SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Geoff Moulton, DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND LITERARY SECRETARY

Pamela Richardson ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ken Ramstead, EDITOR

Kristin Ostensen MANAGING EDITOR OF SALVATIONIST AND SALVATIONIST.CA

Lisa Suroso GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST

Emily Pedlar JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Rivonny Luchas DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Ada Leung CIRCULATION CO-ORDINATOR

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

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064794 ISSN 1702-0131

COMMON GROUND

Photo: Malchevska/stock.Adobe.com

Faith&Friends

“So Many Grandmas and Grandpas” My daughter reminded me that when we look at life with a loving heart, the view has infinite possibilities.

by Therese Vollella

I

leaned down to kiss my mother goodbye.

She didn’t make eye contact or acknowledge me at all. Her thin veined hands were clasped tightly in her lap, her gaze focused on some

object in the distance. I didn’t know if this behaviour was a reaction to me leaving her here or just another retreat into the lonely place her Alzheimer’s was taking her.

But here I was, leaving her alone

faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 • 5

COMMON GROUND

Photo: Evrymmnt/stock.Adobe.com

Faith&Friends

in this nursing home. Strangers would be taking care of her now.

What would these strangers think of her?

Emotional Night I walked the corridor with my sister in silence. There was nothing to say, no words I could think of to console her. I mumbled something to her and she to me and we both climbed into our cars to head home.

Home? How could I face my family? My four-year-old twins would be bursting at the seams with curiosity. They knew that Nana had a new home. One they looked forward to visiting. How could I take them here, to this sad place? Yet I wanted to be able to visit often to make certain my mom was well cared for.

I shivered. It was a cold, dreary March day, damp with one of those chills that crept into your bones slowly, indiscernibly at first, but in

the end, the chill was overwhelming and nearly impossible to dispel.

Somehow, I made it through the evening with my daughters. They had been busy with a birthday party for a friend that day, so that was all they talked about. They gloriously forgot to ask about Nana, but prattled on and on about sand art, chocolate cake and goody bags.

But once I closed their bedroom door and settled down for the night, there was no escaping my emotions.

I got down on my knees at one point and spoke to God. I told Him I was not able to do this, to function as a wife, mother, daughter without His hand. He had to take over and figure all this out for me. At some point, I fell asleep from sheer exhaustion, and thankfully it was uninterrupted.

Answered Prayers I woke feeling rested if not healed.

The sorrow was still there, but it had

6 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 I faithandfriends.ca

Strangers would be taking care of my mother now. What would these strangers think of her?

THERESE VOLLELLA

shifted, from being all around me, to somehow moving inside me. It was more contained, and somehow that made it more manageable.

As we drove up the long path to the nursing home for our first visit as a family the next day, I admired the oaks, dogwoods and white birch trees lining the road. The buildings that housed the residents were low, white cozy-looking buildings, connected to one another in a circle.

In the middle of the buildings was a garden with a circular path and bistro tables and chairs scattered around, so that families can sit outside any time of day.

My sister had already arrived and was outside in the garden with my mom. It was not only sunny out but it was also one of those rare March days where the sun beat strongly and warmed you down to your toes.

My mom was looking neat with her hair combed. She had on a clean outfit and someone had carefully placed the St. Patrick medal she had worn the day before, on her sweater today. My sister had noticed, too, and although it was a little thing,

that attention to detail meant so much to both of us. Many of the residents stopped by to comment on how cute my daughters were, and my daughters, who were very friendly by nature, laughed, giggled and made friends with anyone who noticed them. We all hugged and kissed my mom goodbye.

As we turned to leave, my daughters asked when we could come back.

“Soon,” I said.

“Good!” they both chimed in.

My daughter Melissa looked around, amazed, and said, “I never saw so many Grandmas and Grandpas in one place. This is so much fun!”

I have been amazed by the many ways God has answered my prayers and blessed me. He has sent me many people to show me the way.

Some have been strangers, some friends. That difficult March of my life, God sent the answer through my four-year-old daughter. She reminded me that when we look at life with a loving heart, the view has infinite possibilities. Sometimes it can even be splendorous.

faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 • 7

Faith&Friends

KETTLE CARING

Signs of Hope Salvation Army kettle volunteers such as Charlie Rossiter have been beacons of hope for more than 132 years.

by Jayne Thurber-Smith Life Changer Charlie Rossiter is constantly amazed at the generosity of people who support The Salvation Army

I

n 1891, when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee hung up a crab pot from the local wharf at a busy intersection in San Francisco, the sign above it simply stated: “Fill the Pot for the Poor—Free Dinner on Christmas Day.” One hundred and thirty-two years later, the signs on the Christmas kettles in Moncton, N.B., testify that those in need are still provided with free dinners, along with so much more.

Easy Decision

Charlie Rossiter volunteers in the

kitchen with The Salvation Army’s Moncton community and family services at their weekly Board Game Café outreach. Last Christmas, he also decided to help with their kettle campaign. Even though he was already involved with The Salvation Army, he was amazed to see all the services they offer.

“There was a long list on the back of the kettle saying how much The Salvation Army does for the community,” he recalls. “How much they give and do, all the meals served. It’s incredible, really. I have

8 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 I faithandfriends.ca

“I’m a people person.

I just love everybody—it comes naturally.”

CHARLIE ROSSITER

a compassion for others, and since I am retired and have more time on my hands, I wanted to be a part of an organization that helps people.”

It was an easy decision as to where he would volunteer his time.

“On my father’s side, my greatgrandfather married a Salvationist,” he says. “I remember my grandfather —their son—taking me to The Salvation Army at Christmas to hear the band, and a lot of my relatives would be there. Also, my mother's side of the family were Salvationists from Monkstown, N.L.” Kettle Etiquette “Charlie’s such a positive and inspiring individual,” comments Tracy Sherwood, the Army’s program co-ordinator in Moncton. “He is very strong in his faith.”

“I share my life with the homeless and trust the Lord will use me,” Charlie says. “Some days, I might show up upset or bothered, but things always settle down quickly.

It’s amazing how God can take over.”

Last year, Charlie’s kettle was inside the front doors of the Atlantic Superstore on Trinity Drive. He was

constantly amazed at the generosity of people who support The Salvation Army.

“It’s so incredible, it brings tears to my eyes,” says Charlie. “Some of them give something every time they come into the store. I hear older people come up saying things like, ‘My parents taught me to give to The Salvation Army when I was just a child, because they do so much for others.’ One lady said, ‘When I was little, The Salvation Army brought my family food and gifts. It helped us get through a real tough time, so I like to support them in every way I can.’

“I get it,” Charlie says. “Times are tough. If they’re on their way out of the store, they’ve probably already spent a lot of money on groceries. It helps that I’m a people person. I just love everybody—it comes naturally.

Being friendly is a really big factor as a bell ringer. I always smile and make eye contact, and some people have actually turned around and come back to put money in the kettle. I always make sure to say, ‘Have a good day!’ no matter what. You can’t go wrong with that!”

faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 • 9

Photo: Courtesy of Sony Pictures

Faith&Friends

FAITH BUILDERS

Journey to Bethlehem The Christmas story is viewed through a different lens in new movie.

by Ken Ramstead

A

young woman bearing an awesome responsibility. A young man conflicted by responsibility and love. A jealous king who will go to any length to keep the crown on his head.

Even people who have never picked up a Bible are familiar with the main events of the Nativity, the timeless story of Mary, Joseph and birth of Jesus.

But while many movies have covered this ground before, Journey to Bethlehem, in theatres now, offers a unique, musical take on a timeless tale.

The Story of Christmas

That story is set during the time of

King Herod (Antonio Banderas), who rules the small state of Judea, part of the Roman Empire. Controlling and vicious, he would do anything to keep his hold on power.

Mary (Fiona Palomo) is a young Jewish maiden betrothed to the carpenter Joseph (Milo Manheim).

But when she is visited by the angel Gabriel (Lecrae), she learns that she will give birth to a son, who will be called Jesus. Joseph, faced with condemning his betrothed to death for adultery, chooses the path of love and marries Mary.

Together, they make the difficult journey to Bethlehem, as the Romans have ordered a census of the land.

Mary gives birth to Jesus in a stable,

10 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 I faithandfriends.ca

as there was no place for the family to stay in the crowded town.

There, shepherds and Wise Men from the east, guided by a great star, arrive to worship the baby Jesus, the Son of God. Informed of Jesus’ birth by the Wise Men as they sought “the King of the Jews,” Herod is determined by any means necessary to eliminate this threat to his throne.

It’s no spoiler alert to state that Joseph and Mary escape with their baby, who would go on to become the Saviour of the world, and that is one of the reasons why the Nativity story has resonated through the ages and

especially at Christmastime.

A Shining Star Filmed in Spain, this live-action musical celebration for the entire family weaves classic Christmas melodies into new pop songs in a music-infused retelling of the classic story.

“I first had the idea for the film years ago when I was looking for a musical to watch with my family at Christmastime,” says director Adam Anders (Glee, High School Musical).

“I want this movie to be a bright light this Christmas season—as bright as the star of Bethlehem.”

Christmas is around the corner Thousands of families depend on our services and programs for their basic needs.

Your donation today helps put food on the table and gifts under the tree for vulnerable Canadians.

Join The Salvation Army to provide people in need with food, clothing and essential services.

SalvationArmy.ca/Donate 1-800-SAL-ARMY

faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 • 11

Faith&Friends

FEATURE

Author at Work A 30-year veteran of Christian publishing, Bob Hostetler is a literary agent with The Steve Laube Agency. Helping writers share the message of Jesus through writing is part of Bob's overall mission in life

Passion Projects

AWARD-WINNING WRITER AND PUBLIC SPEAKER BOB HOSTETLER LIVES BY A SIMPLE YET PROFOUND MISSION STATEMENT: TO KNOW GOD AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN.

by Helena Smrcek

P

ublic speaker Bob Hostetler often opens his keynote speech with a joke that haunted him as a child—and he always fell for it.

“Hey, Bob, nice sweater.”

“Gee, thank you,” the flattered youngster would reply.

“I had one just like it … and I just donated it to The Salvation Army!”

“I was often teased, and my childhood seemed a little bit lonely,” Bob reflects now. “It wasn’t until much later when I realized what a blessing it had been to be raised as a part of The Salvation Army.”

Mixed Blessing “My two older brothers and I were raised in The Salvation Army,” says Bob. Before he was a year old, his family moved from Michigan to Ohio, where his mother worked in The Salvation Army’s finance department and his father served at a corps (church).

“We were there early Sunday mornings, helping with the feeding program,” Bob recalls. “After that my father taught Bible study. Then there were the Sunday evenings.” And as Bob recalls, the family spent three additional nights at the corps every

12 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 I faithandfriends.ca

week. “We would march down the street from our corps and hold street meetings.”

The lack of understanding of what The Salvation Army did for the community soon became a source of ridicule and fun in the lower middle-class neighbourhood where the Hostetlers lived.

“When the red kettles came out at Christmastime, my biggest fear was that I might run into a classmate while ringing the bells,” says Bob. “It was so embarrassing. In my neighbourhood, nobody understood what The Salvation Army was.”

Grace in the Midst of Tragedy During the summer of 1971, Bob’s parents announced that they would be moving to St. Louis. “My oldest brother was training to be a Salvation Army pastor, and my other brother was in college.”

Bob’s father had accepted a position at The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light and Harbor House Program, a half-way house for those on their way to full independence from addiction.

Bob did not learn until much later that, just prior to moving, his mother had discovered a lump on her breast, but decided not to do anything about it so it would not upset the move. By the time she sought medical help, the cancer had spread. She had a double mastectomy and went into treatment.

“Mom made it to my oldest brother’s commissioning as a Salvation Army pastor in June 1972. And soon after returning from that trip, she went into the hospital. She died that September.

“But I don’t mind telling the story of that tragic chapter in my life,” Bob continues, “because it was as if God had graciously moved us to the city where my mother would have her parents and her sister nearby.”

Christianity, Camp and Love By the beginning of 1973, Bob’s father had accepted a position with the Salvation Army headquarters in Cincinnati.

“I didn't know then that I was clinically depressed, still grieving the loss of my mom,” he says.

Testify!

Bob at the pulpit of the Salvation Army church in Old Orchard Beach, Maine faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 • 13

Faith&Friends

FEATURE

All Together Bob, his wife, Robin, and their family

For 2½ years, Bob didn’t go to school. His father would drop him off at the front door every morning, Bob would walk in—then walk right out the back door. On the fast track to nowhere, Bob spent his days reading and listening to music.

But then some things happened that changed his life, the most important being that Bob became a Christian.

Then, he was hired as a staff member at a Salvation Army summer camp.

“I just felt at home,” he says. “The setting fed my soul.”

Bob also made friends, among whom was a young girl named Robin.

“Being at camp for the summer gave me something to look forward to during my depression.” The following year, Robin and Bob started dating.

“But within the first year of our relationship, Robin found out about my high school situation, and let me know, in no uncertain terms, that her plan for the future didn’t include a

relationship with a dropout.”

This was sufficient motivation for Bob. “I missed my high school graduation because we were on our honeymoon.”

Return to Salvation Salvation Army officership was in the young couple’s future, and they became pastors in 1980. In addition to his training for ministry, Bob later earned degrees in English from Cincinnati Christian University and English communications from Bloomfield College in New Jersey.

Bob and Robin served as pastors from 1980 to 1992. In 1987, they were transferred to the American Salvation Army’s national headquarters, where Bob worked as a writer and editor for the church’s publications.

In 1992, though, Bob felt God drawing him in a different direction.

In 2000, Bob and Robin co-founded Cobblestone Community Church in Oxford, Ohio, but he never lost his love for The Salvation Army.

14 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 I faithandfriends.ca

Robin and Bob moved to Las Vegas in 2019. “We began attending The Salvation Army there and when COVID happened, we worshipped online. Eventually, we reactivated our soldiership after many years.”

Now a member of the Army’s church in Las Vegas, Bob oversees a welcome/first impressions team that helps newcomers acclimatize. “The Salvation Army is a bit different than what most people have encountered as a church experience.”

millions of copies, but his love for people keeps driving him on.

One of his latest projects, aside from his extensive speaking ministry, is writing for TruPlayGames. com. The app offers games, digital comic books and videos that aim to transform people’s lives.

Gaming can be a dark and dangerous place for kids. “We’re out to change that world and reach that generation.”

It’s an ambitious endeavour, but

“What a blessing it had been to be raised as a part of The Salvation Army.”

BOB HOSTETLER

Army Roots Bob and Robin's official Salvation Army cadet 1978-1980 photo

Continuing Passion Parents of two, grandparents to five, Bob and Robin have also fostered 10 boys. Bob has been a disc jockey, pastor, magazine editor and freelance book editor. His 50 books, which include The Bone Box and American Idols (The Worship of the American Dream), have sold

the feedback has been very positive already and Bob is up to the task.

“Who knows how many years I have left?” he smiles. “But my mission—‘To know God and to make Him known’—continues to be a passion for me. That’s why I continue to write, and that’s why I continue to try to reach as many people as possible.”

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Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

Hurtful Message A family returns home to Seattle, Washington, after the war, with "No Japs Wanted" graffiti on the garage door

Blanketed With Love FOR A FAMILY RUINED BY WAR, A SIMPLE DONATION FROM THE SALVATION ARMY HELD IMMEASURABLE VALUE.

by Ken Ramstead 16 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 I faithandfriends.ca

Photo: Courtesy of Haruko Nagaishi Collection, Densho

Treasured Keepsake Steve Kawamura stands with his two daughters, Kohana and Minako, holding the family blanket

STEVE KAWAMURA WAS stumped. As the executor of his Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Andy’s estate, he happened to find a simple wool gray blanket in the trunk of their car. The blanket had been lovingly maintained through the years and was in immaculate condition, despite being more than 75 years old.

Why would they keep that old thing around, the paramedic from Hamilton, Ont., thought, and treat it like some treasured heirloom?

He was further surprised when

he examined their will and found out that they had bequeathed their entire estate to The Salvation Army.

Little did he realize that there was an important connection between the two.

Unspoken Secrets As Steve started reminiscing with his surviving relatives, he realized that every one of them also had a similar grey blanket in their possession.

Searching his memory, Steve

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Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

1942

Photo: City of Vancouver Archives

The internment and incarceration of Japanese Canadians in British Columbia began after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941

recalled seeing these blankets at the homes of other aunts and uncles, on both sides of his extended Japanese family, and at his grandmother’s.

In answer to his questions, the older members of his family started sharing their stories, stories he had never heard before.

“They had never spoken about it to anyone—until now.”

A Shameful Legacy After the attack on Pearl Harbor

A notice in a newspaper informing Japanese Canadians in the Vancouver area that they must leave or risk being fined

Photo: Vancouver Public Library

Photo: Library and Archives Canada

1941

Japanese Canadians were housed in dormitories such as this one in Hastings Park, Vancouver, before they were sent to internment camps inland

in 1941 brought Japan into the war on the side of the Axis, Allied governments interned Japanese people suspected of harbouring enemy sympathies, citizens or not.

The Canadian government was no exception and, in 1942, they relocated thousands of Japanese Canadians inland, confiscating their property. It was a deplorable episode in Canadian history.

Steve’s family were caught up in these events and spent four years

18 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 I faithandfriends.ca

1946

Japanese Canadians boarding a train at an internment camp in Slocan, B.C.

in internment camps. At the end of the war, they had to rebuild their lives in the face of indifference and discrimination from their fellow Canadians.

“For the older members of my family, it was something that was extremely shameful for them to bring up,” explains Steve.

Precious Keepsakes But again and again during Steve’s chats with his relatives, one

On September 22, 1988, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney acknowledged the injustices suffered by Japanese Canadians and pledged that such injustices would never again be countenanced or repeated in Canada Photo: National Associaltion of Japanese Canadians

Japanese Canadian internees cut logs for lumber and firewood in Tashme, B.C.

Photo: National Associaltion of Japanese Canadians

Photo: Library and Archives Canada

1943

1988 constant stood out in the events being recounted. Their tone of voice changed as soon as The Salvation Army came up.

“When my family talked about the past, a recurring comment they all made was, ‘The Salvation Army was there,’ ” says Steve. “They were shunned by their communities because of their race, but The Salvation Army opened up their arms to my people, without prejudice or precedent.”

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Faith&Friends

COVER STORY Revered Ancestors

Photos: Courtesy of Steve Kawamura

Steve's uncle and aunt, Andy and Cheryl Kawamura, were just two of the thousands interned by the Canadian government during the Second World War

Paying Homage Steve and his daughters present a cheque to Salvation Army Major Bradley Donais, the pastor at Winterberry Heights Church in Stoney Creek, Ont.

Overdue Apology Kohana and Minako hold framed certificates from the government of Canada acknowledging the injustices suffered by Japanese Canadians during the Second World War

As well as food, clothing and other assistance, he found out that blankets had been supplied to his family by The Salvation Army.

“It was the only thing that kept me warm,” one of Steve’s aunts told him.

“The Salvation Army were the only ones to put clothes on our backs,” another relative said. “With their attitude and their acceptance, they helped us out in our time of need.”

And every blanket had been kept by the families in grateful remembrance.

Poignant Ceremony Once Steve realized how much The Salvation Army had helped his family, his aunt and uncle’s wishes made perfect sense.

“They wanted their money to go where it would be used to help those most in need, just as they had been helped.”

20 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 I faithandfriends.ca

“When my family talked about the past, a recurring comment they all made was, ‘The Salvation Army was there.’ ” STEVE KAWAMURA

He was determined to honour his aunt and uncle’s wishes, but to do it in a way that would also honour The Salvation Army.

So Steve contacted Major Bradley Donais, the pastor at The Salvation Army’s Winterberry Heights Church in Stoney Creek, Ont., near Hamilton, where both sides of Steve’s family had settled after the war.

“I met Steve Kawamura at his Aunt Cheryl’s funeral, conducted in the middle of the pandemic,” remembers Major Bradley. “The spring interment took place later at White Chapel Cemetery with a small family gathering. Here, Steve mentioned that his aunt and uncle’s estate was to be given to The Salvation Army.”

On a Wednesday evening this past March, with three of his aunts in attendance, Steve and his two daughters, Kohana and Minako, walked down the Winterberry Heights worship hall, carrying a cheque on the Salvation Army blanket, where it was received by a grateful Major Bradley.

Important Reminder “I was overcome with emotion as I watched three generations of the Kawamura family walk toward me at the church that evening,” says Major Bradley. “I remember thinking that this generous donation was all in response to a kind gesture given nearly 80 years ago.”

The ceremony took no more than 20 minutes, but it was important for Steve that his daughters were a part of it.

“My aunt and uncle left a legacy of kindness and generosity,” says Steve, “and giving back to a group that was so kind to us, so that they can do more good, is something I want my daughters to always remember.”

“The family took the blanket home with them, a treasure and a memory of the help they received from The Salvation Army,” concludes Major Bradley. “It was a reminder to me that what we are able to do for others may seem small in the moment, but God can take that and make a huge impact on generations to come.”

faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 • 21

Faith&Friends

FEATURE

Trucking In Some Good FIREFIGHTER STEPS UP WITH A WEIGHTY DONATION TO HELP THE SALVATION ARMY HELP OTHERS.

by Kimberly McIntyre

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fter 14 years of working as a firefighter, including four years in Kirkland Lake, Ont., Jeremy Alldred-Hughes has always had a heart to serve the community, both on and off work hours.

“I feel like any first responder has the passion and desire to help, serve and look after our community. That doesn’t stop when we punch the clock. That’s what we are supposed to do,” he says.

Seeing a Need So when Jeremy saw something that needed to be done, he acted on it.

And as a result, the Kirkland Lake Salvation Army was overjoyed by a major donation supplied and supported by the Kirkland Lake Fire Department last Christmas.

Jeremy was inspired by Project Porchlight, an initiative from his time as a firefighter in Huntsville, Ont. A community event held each year in December, residents leave non-perishable food donations on their front doorstep, and first responders or volunteers collect the donations and deliver them to The Salvation Army.

“I recognized that there was a need, particularly this past year more than ever,” says Jeremy. “I remembered the Project Porchlight idea but quickly realized it would require a lot of resources in a short period of time, so I decided to go about it a different way, and tried reaching out and getting sponsorship to supply a truck’s worth of food.”

22 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 I faithandfriends.ca

Photos: Courtesy of Jeremy Alldred-Hughes

Delivering the Goods Salvation Army volunteers with delivery from Kraft Canada

Mission Accomplished Staff, volunteers and community members welcome the donation at The Salvation Army in Kirkland Lake, Ont.

First Responder Jeremy AlldredHughes in uniform faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 • 23

FEATURE

On the Road Again Jeremy picks up the truck from Lewis Motors in North Bay, Ont.

Hefty Donation As luck would have it, one of the first calls he made had a personal connection to Kirkland Lake and became one of the main sponsors of the initiative.

“I Googled wholesale food and liquidation distributors in Ontario and I came upon one,” explains Jeremy. “The gentleman I called was actually a former Kirkland Lake local. His son is a volunteer firefighter near here, and he has family in the area. It brought the whole thing together.”

Logistically, there were many pieces that needed to come together to make a donation of this size.

After working a 24-hour shift, Jeremy was the one in the driver’s seat of this donation initiative, literally!

He drove to North Bay, Ont., to collect the truck that would transport the goods, then picked up the food

from Kraft Canada in Markham, Ont., as well as a donation of paper goods from Kimberly-Clarke. From Kraft, they received peanut butter, Kraft Dinner, canned goods and other non-perishable foods. Kimberly-Clarke donated 12 pallets of facial tissue.

In total, the donation weighed in at over 10,000 pounds.

Coming Together for a Cause Upon his arrival back to The Salvation Army in Kirkland Lake, the town mayor, Stacy Wight, some of the town councillors, and many other first responders and volunteer firefighters were waiting to welcome him with the donation. Jacob Moore, director of community and family services, accepted the donation on behalf of The Salvation Army.

It was a tiring but rewarding day for Jeremy.

24 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 I faithandfriends.ca

Photo: Courtesy of Jeremy Alldred-Hughes

Faith&Friends

“The Salvation Army seemed like a perfect fit.”

JEREMY ALLDRED-HUGHES

“I left Kirkland Lake at 6 a.m., and we didn’t return until 10:30 p.m.,” he says. “It was kind of surreal. In the moment, I don’t think people realized how meaningful their donation was. It was feel-good and it was overwhelming. And it was cool seeing all of our services come together: fleet, ambulance and ourselves.”

Looking Forward to Christmas The choice to make this large donation to The Salvation Army came quite naturally to Jeremy since he already had a connection to Jacob, who is a former officer with the Ontario Provincial Police. The two knew each other through their work as first responders in the community.

“He’d been expressing the need out there, not just in Kirkland Lake

but in other areas as well,” Jeremy says. “In trying to help support him and the services that they are providing to people in our area, which are much needed, The Salvation Army seemed like a perfect fit.”

The Salvation Army in Kirkland Lake wasn’t the only location to benefit from this venture. Both the Timmins and New Liskeard branches of the Army in Ontario received portions of the donation as well.

As for Christmas 2023, Jeremy and team are already looking into options to bless the community.

“I’m looking into sponsorships again for 2023 for local businesses to sponsor with cash donations to purchase pallets of food,” he says. “I am eager and looking forward for what we can do for 2023!”

(left) Kimberly McIntyre enjoys writing stories of transformation, faith and the human experience. After completing a communications and media degree from Canadian Mennonite University, Kimberly is continuing her education and pursuing a bachelor of science in exercise science. When she is not writing or working in Riding Mountain National Park, she enjoys cooking, exploring Canadian national parks and dancing. faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 • 25

Faith&Friends

SOMEONE CARES

“The Meaning of Giving” Phyllis Barnaby is forever grateful for The Salvation Army.

“Full Circle“ Moment “The Salvation Army showed me the meaning of giving,“ says Phyllis Barnaby

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very time Phyllis Barnaby sees or hears anything related to The Salvation Army, she gets emotional. It is a reminder of the support and care she received from the organization at a young age.

As a way to give back, Phyllis now contributes to the Army whenever she gets the chance.

Unforgettable Gesture As a child, Phyllis’ life was challenging. While living in the small and remote community of Buckfield, N.S., her mother had to raise 10 children with very little means, living off the land and with no running water.

Due to her family’s situation, someone within their community decided to make The Salvation Army aware of it. Since that moment,

by Juan Romero

Phyllis’ life was moved in a way she will never forget.

“Each year for several years, the Army delivered Christmas dinners and presents to each one of us. You should’ve seen my mother’s face; a relief always came over her knowing she was going to be able to cook a turkey for us on Christmas Day,” she says.

Phyllis recalls one specific year in which she was especially moved

by The Salvation Army’s work. On the day her family was supposed to receive their Christmas hamper, a blizzard hit their community. But despite the treacherous conditions, a Salvation Army member drove to their town and even walked up the hill to where their house was located in order to deliver their Christmas dinner and gifts. It was a gesture

26 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 I faithandfriends.ca

“The Salvation Army helps everyone, no matter who they are.”

PHYLLIS BARNABY

Phyllis remembers fondly to this day.

“For somebody to drive through dangerous roads, in those conditions, and do all that for us?

It was mind-boggling,” she says.

“Had it not been for this individual’s commitment, we would not have had Christmas that year.”

The Importance of Kindness As time passed, things got better for Phyllis and, alongside her, The Salvation Army was always there.

She moved to Halifax and got a job as a ward clerk at the former Grace Maternity Hospital, founded and run by the Army. She describes her experience working there as a “fullcircle” moment. It meant so much to her that she decided she wanted the hospital chaplain to conduct her wedding.

“The hospital’s chaplain got special

permission to marry my husband and me after I asked her to. That’s how much The Salvation Army means to me,” she says.

Thanks to the help she received, Phyllis has made it a priority to contribute to the Army. She now works as a residence manager and, together with her co-workers, she hosts an annual toy drive.

Additionally, Phyllis donates to every Salvation Army kettle she passes by. She says the Army is the charity she likes to contribute to the most, and that the help she received throughout her childhood taught her and her siblings that it is important to be kind.

“The Salvation Army showed me the meaning of giving,” Phyllis sums up. “They help everyone, no matter who they are. They taught me that it is important to be nice to people, and love everybody.”

(left) Juan Romero is the staff writer/news media relations specialist at The Salvation Army’s territorial headquarters in Toronto.

faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 • 27

Faith&Friends

LITE STUFF

Eating Healthy With Erin MUSHROOM CREAM PASTA Recipe photos: Erin Stanley

TIME 35 min MAKES 5 servings

SERVE WITH chicken

400 g (14 oz.) bow tie pasta 750 ml (3 cups) mushrooms 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil salt and pepper to taste 250 ml (1 cup) cream 125 ml (½ cup) mozzarella cheese 60 ml (¼ cup) Parmesan cheese 15 ml (1 tbsp) fresh parsley, diced 5 ml (1 tsp) fresh chives, chopped black pepper to taste fresh Parmesan cheese to garnish (optional)

1. Boil pasta in salted water.

2. In pan, dice mushrooms and sauté in oil on medium high until golden brown. Salt and pepper to taste.

3. Add half of the cream into pan and turn down to medium low, stirring often for 2 minutes.

4. Add mozzarella and Parmesan, stirring frequently.

5. Drain pasta, saving 125 ml (½ cup) of the water.

6. Add cooked pasta, remaining cream and pasta water to pan. Stir for 5 minutes or until water evaporates.

7. Plate with parsley, chives, black pepper and fresh Parmesan to taste.

BLUEBERRY PEACH COBBLER TIME 1 hr 5 min MAKES 8 servings

Topping: 250 ml (1 cup) flour 60 ml (¼ cup) sugar 4 ml (¾ tsp) baking powder 1 ml (¼ tsp) baking soda 1 ml (¼ tsp) salt 45 ml (3 tbsp) cold butter 175 ml (¾ cup) buttermilk

SERVE WITH ice cream

Fruit Filling: butter to grease pan 750 ml (3 cups) sliced peaches 1 L (4 cups) blueberries 125 ml (½ cup) sugar 45 ml (3 tbsp) cornstarch 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract 1 ml (¼ tsp) cinnamon 15 ml (1 tbsp) lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) and grease a 22 x 33 cm (9 x 13 in.) pan with butter.

2. In large bowl, toss peaches, blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, cinnamon and lemon juice. Allow to sit 10 minutes.

3. In separate large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add butter and use hands to fold in until flour mixture is crumbly and the crumbles are pea-sized. Add buttermilk just until dry mixture is moistened.

4. Pour fruit filling into the pan and add large spoonfuls of topping on it.

5. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

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© www.kevinfrank.net

HEAVEN’S LOVE THRIFT SHOP by Kevin Frank

Quick Quiz Answers: 1. three; 2. Vegas Golden Knights; 3. an anemometer.

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Visit faithandfriends.ca/subscribe or call (416) 422-6119 today!

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FOR A FAMILY RUINED BY WAR, A SIMPLE DONATION FROM THE SALVATION ARMY HELD IMMEASURABLE faithandfriends.ca VALUE. P.16 I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 • 1

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Keep On Trucking!

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Author Bob Hostetler

PASSION PROJECTS P.12 KETTLE STORY P.8 HELPING THE ARMY P.22

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2. What NHL team won this year’s Stanley Cup? 3. What instrument is used to measure wind speed?

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

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Sudoku Puzzle

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Faith&Friends

NIFTY THRIFTY

Moss Art Add a bit of forest to your décor.

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s an avid hiker and forest bather, this was the perfect DIY for my home.

Supplies Needed: Thrifted frame, paint and paintbrush (optional), cardboard, corkboards, glue gun and glue sticks, moss.

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Step 1 Drop by your local Salvation Army thrift store to source a frame or container that would work for your DIY moss wall art. I found this circular wood frame.

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Step 2 Clean your frame and refinish it if you prefer.

I was going to paint mine, but the natural wood worked well with the moss. I sanded and oiled the frame, then was ready to get DIY-ing.

30 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 I faithandfriends.ca

Step 3 I used a couple of pieces of cardboard then a piece of corkboard to insert into my frame. I added the cardboard and corkboard, sealed the back of my frame and was ready to start adding the moss.

You can always use a canvas insert or sponge, or just start with moss. Whatever works for you!

Step 4 Separate out all of the bigger pieces of moss. I started with big pieces for the base, then used the smaller pieces to fill in any gaps.

Use your glue gun and start gluing the moss piece by piece to the inside of your frame.

Step 5 Keep layering moss until you’re happy with the design.

I love the idea of upcycling and this feature piece on my wall was a simple and cost-effective project.

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(left) Denise Corcoran (aka Thrifty By Design) is an author, upcycler, community builder and workshop facilitator based in North Vancouver. She shares her enthusiasm for crafting and upcycling by facilitating “Crafternoons” throughout Vancouver. She is also a creative expert for The Salvation Army’s thrift stores.

Find a thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca.

faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 • 31

PM 40064794

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