skewen page 5 easter music course plus lots more! · every word. square it alongside the bible and...

INSIDE THIS WEEK

More than 100 attend open-air meetingSkewen

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Easter Music CourseSunbury Court

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PLUS LOTS MORE!

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PAPERS

2 21 May 2011 SALVATIONIST www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist

THIS WEEK’S QUOTES FROM THE PAPERS

■ UEFA CHAMPIONSLEAGUE FINAL

■ BIBLE HERO: JOHN THE BAPTIST

■ CREATIVE CORNER:FOOTBALL PLAYERFINGER PUPPETS

■ PIRATE PETE

TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS Tel: 0845 634 0101SALVATIONIST 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN Tel: 020 7367 4890 Fax: 020 7367 4691 Email: [email protected] Web: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist

A registered newspaper published weekly by The Salvation Army (United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland) on behalf of the General of TheSalvation Army and printed by benhamgoodheadprint Limited, Bicester, Oxon. © Linda Bond, General of The Salvation Army, 2011. The SalvationArmy Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

EDITOR Major Stephen Poxon Tel: 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Stephen Pearson Tel: 020 7367 4891 ASSISTANT EDITOR Major Jane Kimberley Tel: 020 7367 4892 ASSISTANT EDITOR Claire Anderson Tel: 020 7367 4894 DTP DESIGNER Colin Potter Tel: 020 7367 4895 DTP OPERATOR Denise D’Souza Tel: 020 7367 4896 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jonathan Carmichael Tel: 020 7367 4883 ADMINISTRATOR Stella Merino Tel: 020 7367 4881 ADVERTISING Tel: 020 7367 4883 Email: [email protected]

DISTRIBUTION Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), 66-78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH Tel: 01933 445451 Fax: 01933 445415 Email: [email protected]

THE SALVATION ARMY FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL Linda Bond TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner John Matear EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARY Major Leanne Ruthven

PATTEN DEPLORES INTOLERANCELord Patten, the new chairman of theBBC Trust, has hit out at the intoleranceof atheists.

Chris Patten, one of the highest profile lay Catholics in public life, isalso Chancellor of the University of Oxford. He was the last governor ofHong Kong and a former chairman ofthe Conservative Party. He said it was‘curious that atheists have proved to beso intolerant of those who have a faith’.

The Catholic Herald

CATHEDRAL ATTENDANCE IS ON THE INCREASE

Weekly attendance at Britain’s 43 cathedrals rose by 7 per cent in 2010, the Church of England hasannounced. Attendance at servicesduring the week has grown evenmore significantly, increasing by 10 per cent during the past year…

Around 27,400 adults and 7,600children and young people attendcathedral services each week.Methodist Recorder

LET OTHER FAITHS IN,

LORDS ARE URGED

Leaders of non-Christian faithgroups should beinvited to sit alongside bishopsin the House ofLords, an historianwho contributed toa commission onreform of the second chamberhas suggested...

John Smith, an architectural

historian who made a submissionto the Royal Commission on theReform of theHouse of Lords, argues that, although bishopsshould remain ‘inthe majority’, ‘aninterdenominationaland interfaith college’ would‘broaden faith representation’.Church Times

■ ‘THE APPRENTICE’– ALL SUGAR ANDSPICE

■ THE END OF THE WORLD?

■ BIN LADEN’SDEATH IMPACT

■ PAEDOPHILIA EXAMINED

PRESSURE MOUNTS

ON RE STATUS

Before he became Prime Minister, David Cameron said that any petition gaining more than 100,000signatures should be eligiblefor debate in the House ofCommons.

The RE.ACT petition, whichasks that Religious Educationbe taught as one of the

humanities in the new baccalaureate, has nowgained 110,000 signatures.

An early day motion in theHouse of Commons in support of the petition is now backed by 100 MPs…

‘This petition should now be debated in Parliament,’said the Right Rev JohnPritchard, Bishop of Oxford.The Church of England Newspaper

NEWSPages 4 – 9 ⟩⟩⟩⟩BoscombeHadleighStAustellYorkHamelnMiddlesbroughPallisterParkFalkirkBristolEastonSalisburySkewenStocktonWorksopHorshamChelmsfordWokingSunburyCourtPlymouthCongressHallHadleighTempleBrighouseChathamUpperNorwoodBlackburnGraysMiddlesbroughWestCentralWrexhamWath-upon-DearneBourneNewcastleCityTempleWintonLeigh-on-SeaDearneValleySleafordNorthamptonEastYorkshire

LETTERS

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FROM THE COMMISSIONER

Caught rappingPage 11 ⟩⟩⟩⟩

IT WORKS FOR US

� Kingdom-minded ministry� Kharkiv Army cares aboutpeoplePages 12 to 14 ⟩⟩⟩⟩

BIBLE STUDY

Let’s hear it for the boys!Page 15 ⟩⟩⟩⟩

MORE THAN GOLD

FEATURE

Every tongue a living flamePages 16 and 17 ⟩⟩⟩⟩

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Army people, engagements,tributes and competitionPages 18 & 19 ⟩⟩⟩⟩

ADVERTS

Pages 20 – 23 ⟩⟩⟩⟩

COMMENT

[email protected] SALVATIONIST 21 May 2011 3

I’VE had great fun lately. My friendDavid Buckle, a bandsman at EnfieldCorps, kindly allowed me to take hiswonderfully preserved Rolls-Royce

Silver Shadow for a spin. There I sat,surrounded by walnut effect andbasking in the luxurious smell of leatherthat was almost as old as me,chauffeuring David up and down,looking for all the world as though Iwere to that manner born.

This I mention not only because I ama sucker for vintage cars, but alsobecause I like things, generallyspeaking, when they are at their bestand, let’s face it, they don’t come muchbetter than a Rolls! I am by no means awealthy man, but there is that sybariticpart of me that a low income helps tokeep in check. It’s probably for thegood.

That said, something done well or brilliantly presented doesn’tnecessarily have to involve an elementof luxury or great expense. Reading thereport of the Army’s work in Kharkiv,Ukraine, on page 14 this week, I amstruck by the fact that it probablyrepresents The Salvation Army at itsvery best.

Read the article from any angle andyou’ll sense the Founder’s vision for ourMovement shadowing pretty muchevery word. Square it alongside theBible and you’ll find it matches anyteaching on matters of spiritual andsocial welfare. In what is a modernecho of Matthew 5:16, ‘ten childrenbecame junior soldiers of Kharkiv Corpsand several parents also began to attend Sunday worship’ largely, I gather, because of the outstandingpractical ministry of the Kharkiv SocialCentre.

My parents-in-law, Majors Ena andPaul Latham, emailed me HaroldBegbie’s account of William Boothbeing trundled around Middlesbroughin ‘the bottom of a milk cart’ and then awheelbarrow, having severely strainedhis ankle in a snowstorm. How he couldhave used Brother Buckle’s services!

The point, though, is this: Boothreached his destination, even againstpainful and arduous odds. Ourcomrades in Ukraine are workingmiracles in the midst of a country besetby social problems galore, when itwould possibly be a lot easier, but nothalf as rewarding, just to give up. Yetagain, The Salvation Army is, by thegrace of God, punching well above itsweight. We owe the Army in Kharkivour prayers.

I’ve no idea when, or even if, I’ll everagain swan around in a Rolls-Royce. It’sonly happened twice in 45 years, so thearithmetic is not in my favour. What I doknow, however, is that, in the economyof the Kingdom, great works areachieved when the people of God giveof their best.

MAJOR STEPHEN POXON, EDITOR

Vehicles of hope

‘That the world regards ourMovement with highrespect is in large part due to the fact that it hasbeen earned… It continuesto be earned by those whoserve today with completeintegrity.’

(General Arnold Brown)

4 21 May 2011 SALVATIONIST

NEWS

www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist

Seeker kneelsduring GoodFriday worshipBoscombeA SEEKER knelt at the mercyseat during Good Friday eveningworship, when Lieut-ColonelsDavid and Sylvia Hinton (THQ)led the day’s meetings as part of the Easter Convention. OnMaundy Thursday, the band andsongsters gave a programme ofsacred music.

The International Staff Bandpresented a Saturday eveningfestival and also joined the corpsband for open-air witness inBournemouth Gardens on EasterSunday afternoon. More than400 people attended EasterSunday morning worship at thecorps. – R. C.

Holy Week activities attractvisitorsHadleighTRAINEES and staff at theemployment training centreexperienced a varied programmeduring Holy Week. Teach-inswere held in one of the centregardens each day.

The events attracted muchinterest from visitors to the RareBreeds Centre. A particular high-light was the visit by MajorElwyn Harries (DHQ) whodelivered a challenging Eastermessage using magic tricks andballoon modelling. – H. E.

Inspiring EasterworshipSt AustellTERRITORIAL Lay EvangelistsJenny and Mike Clark led Eastermeetings at the corps with inspir-ing messages and sensitive music.

They joined corps members invarious activities including avisit to a care home, theChurches Together Good Fridaymarch of witness followed byrefreshments at the hall andafternoon worship. On Saturdayevening there was a faith tea andJenny and Mike led an informaltime of praise and worship.

A beach sunrise service onEaster Sunday was followed bybreakfast at the hall. – B. T.

At the Good Friday march ofwitness in York, Cadet JohnClifton carries a cross as hewalks to the Minster withother Christians includingthe Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu

The Easter Bunny visits thePiper’s Club at Hameln Red Shield

Centre, Germany, where the clubchildren enjoyed a fun-filled

Easter Monday family day; severalstalls raised money for the

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen andFamilies Association

Friends and family members, some attending for the first time, join in anegg-rolling race after an Easter ‘carol’ service led by children from The Live

Wires! at Middlesbrough Pallister Park Corps

Children at Falkirk participate in the Xpedition Force holiday club,which focused on Easter

SALVATIONIST 21 May 2011 5

NEWS

[email protected]

People respondat the crossHorshamMANY people visited the hallduring Holy Week. The medita-tions focused on Victory, whichhad also been the theme for Lent.

At the holiday club childrenbroke bread and had their feetwashed. Good Friday included aunited witness with the churchesin the town centre. A meeting atthe hall featured vocal soloistShelley Gallagher and the corpsworship band. On Easter Satur-day there was a fun day for thewhole community and a prayerzone which featured stations ofthe cross.

On Easter Sunday corpsofficer Captain Ian Woodgateencouraged people to accept thelove lavished on them so thatthey could be called children ofGod. A number of people kneltor stood at the cross. – S. W.

Actress startsHoly WeekconventionChelmsfordSTARTING the Holy Weekconvention, actress Sarah Graceperformed her one-woman showon Palm Sunday. On successiveevenings, the youth ministerfrom the Elim church, Dr GarethSherwood, led a Bible studybased on Lamentations, themusic sections provided a medi-tative programme and KeithTurton (THQ) took part in adrama evening. Captains Gordonand Kate Cotterill (WilliamBooth College) presented a TasteOf Passover on Maundy Thurs-day.

On Good Friday the corps wasone of the venues for the marchof witness and the band led aprocession of several hundredpeople to the town centre. In theevening, people had the opportu-nity to see The Passion Of TheChrist, leaving the hall incomplete silence as they contem-plated Jesus’ sacrifice. – D. J.

Woking: The songsters pre -sented their annual Easter medi-tation entitled With Thanks – ForThe Gift, The Commit ment, TheAct. A mix of songs and readingshelped people to reflect upon thetheme. – D. C.

Corps unite inworship andwitnessBristol EastonCOLONELS Brian and RosaliePeddle (THQ) led Easter week -end meetings. On Good Fridaycorps members from BristolBed minster, Bristol Citadel andBristol Knowle West joined withthe fellowship for unitedworship, a march of witness andan open-air meeting in theBroadmead Shopping Centre.

A seeker knelt at the mercyseat on Easter Sunday eveningwhen corps from the area met fora united service. – H. B.

On Good Friday Salisbury Band plays in the Market Square before accompanying the Churches Together service

More than 100 attendopen-air meetingSkewenON Maundy Thursday corpsofficer Captain David Morgansled an upper room meditation.Good Friday included an open-air meeting at Neath Abbeyattended by more than 100people. The evening meetingincluded some moving momentswhen a video presentation ofpaintings of the Crucifixion wasaccompanied on the piano byAmanda Batt.

Easter Sunday commencedwith a short time of worship andbreakfast. Testimonies in eachmeeting focused on the themeEaster Hopes. – S. L.

Stockton: On Easter Sundaymorning 23 people attended asunrise service at the ClevelandHills. Afterwards they enjoyedbreakfast at the hall. – B. C.

Majors Lindy and Mark Rose and cadets from William Booth Collegeare pictured at Worksop where they led Good Friday and Eastermeetings during which several people knelt at the mercy seat

Easter Music CourseBefore the final concert, Claire Andersoncaught up with delegates to the MusicMinistries Unit’s Easter Music Course (EMC)at Sunbury Court for this year’s highlights

WHETHER it is their first time attending ortheir eighteenth, delegates to EMC 2011 cannotwait for next year’s course! The musicians arequick to regale everyone with anecdotes, in-jokes and highlights, so others will want toexperience the week for themselves – althoughthey are equally quick to plead: ‘Let us sendour application forms in first!’

This year, delegates have packed much moreinto a shorter space of time, with the RoyalWedding taking place on the final day of thecourse. However, the standard of music-making remained high, as evidenced in thefinal concert, performed to each other atSunbury.

Delegate Anne Luxton (Tavistock) wasattending her first course. ‘It’s been a brilliantexperience and is well worth the effort,’ shedeclared. ‘I’ve learnt a lot musically, I’ve learntI’m not really a singer, I’ve learnt muchthrough the Bible studies – which have beenvery good as well – but the comradeship of thecourse has been one of the most importantthings.’

Also attending their first EMC were guestleaders Roel and Ellen van Kesteren (TheNetherlands and Czech Republic). Roel, whoconducts the Amsterdam Staff Songsters, ledthe women’s vocal group. ‘We’ve reallyenjoyed the atmosphere here. We thought EMCwould be more formal, more programme-based, very strict, but it’s a relaxed atmosphereand everybody’s very kind and we reallyenjoyed it. In Holland, people think the Englishare very strict, but when you come to this week,you find there is so much humour – it is totallydifferent from what I expected.’

As he prepares to return home, Roel knowswhat he will tell Dutch Salvationists about theweek. He says: ‘I think EMC is a wonderfulopportunity to come together and have fellow-ship with each other and make music. This isthe kind of music school we run for youngsters,but I think EMC is great and we should do thisin Holland. But, as long as we don’t have it,Dutch Salvationists should come here!’

For many musicians the week provided anopportunity to play or sing with a larger ensem-ble. Three Bristol Kingswood delegates – MyraEvans, Julie Gabriel and Lynette Hawkes –explained that there are just a few songsters attheir corps, so they felt fortunate to sing with alarge group and to learn from the leaders. Theyparticularly appreciated Roel’s leadership.

Similarly delighted with his week wasBandsman Alan Hair (Gainsborough), whosaid: ‘We have 12 in the band at home and wemake a valuable contribution, but it’s nice toplay in a bigger ensemble – you get a differentperspective.’

Other highlights included particular piecesof music. Ali Pearson (Enfield) shares: ‘Wesang “His Strength Is Perfect” in practice and

the words hit me. Everybody comes to EMCfor a different reason. We’ve all got ourburdens; we just don’t know what people haveleft behind [when they come to EMC], so whenyou hear a song like “His Strength Is Perfect”,it makes you realise you can do anything [inGod’s strength]. Hearing those women’s voicestogether, blending and singing as one, justmade me think, you can’t get any better thanthis.’

Pam Hair (Gainsborough) chose ‘LoveDivine’ – with a new setting by HowardGoodall – as her ‘favourite’. ‘It is beautiful,’she said, ‘and I think, quite often, when youcome to a song and the words are quite famil-iar, a new tune gives it a whole new appearanceand it means something so different. It’s great!’

Ali is also keen to mention the contributionsof the visiting Bible study leaders – Lieut-Colonel David Hinton and Majors StephenPoxon and John Smith (all THQ). ‘Each of theguest leaders had their own way of teaching,

but it all flowed together,’ she explains. ‘It’s asthough they all consulted each other, eventhough nobody knew what the other was goingto be speaking about. It has been absolutelybrilliant!’

Pam and Alan Hair add their agreement.‘The Bible studies are always one of the high-lights of the week,’ says Pam. ‘We’ve beencoming for about 15 years and the studies arealways the high spot of the week. You could sitthere and let the leaders carry on for anotherhour, if only you had the time!’

Adrian Sutton (Newcastle City Temple)concurs: ‘It’s good to meet with the other dele-gates, but the spiritual impact of EMC and theBible studies set you up for another year!’

Very few of the delegates share their high-lights without mentioning The SalvationArmy’s answer to the Top Gear team – Assis-tant Territorial Music Director Andrew Blythand Majors Paul Johnson (Winton) and JohnMartin (London Central DHQ). JennyWornham (Cheltenham) says of the staff team:‘We have the three boys: Andrew, John andPaul, who are so observant. They take notice ofeverything that goes on around them and at theend of the day they stand around and chat – it’sthe greatest triple act I have ever heard!Absolutely fantastic!’

‘They take a joke and run with it!’ saysAdrian Sutton. ‘The antics of Paul, John andAndrew make the week!’

Such good-humoured fun is what drewAdrian’s wife, Joy, to her first EMC. She says:‘Adrian had been the year before and enjoyed itso much, I thought: I’m not missing out!’

Adrian interjects: ‘I was on the phone to Joyand we couldn’t speak…’ Joy continues: ‘Theywere too busy giggling. They couldn’t tell meabout it because they were too busy laughing.It sounded like music schools from my child-hood, only better!’

Ali is only too happy to back this up: ‘Peoplewho came for the first time didn’t realise theirsides could actually ache with laughter. It’sbeen a good week and I feel the newcomershave really enjoyed it – it’s as though they’vealways been part of the fellowship.’

Kay and Peter Hazelwood (Sheringham) arein their fourth and fifth years, respectively, andreturn because of the fellowship. ‘We’re bothvery busy with the Army at home and it’s niceto be recharged,’ Kay shares. Peter adds: ‘We


NEWS FEATURE


Willi Erzberger and Christian Fuhrer bring aSwiss flavour to the evening

Mad HatterBrian Anderson(Scarborough)shows patriotism

The band at work

have a strict routine through the week and,although EMC is quite hectic, it’s totally differ-ent and it’s nice to get away and have a change.It’s also good to be able to hear how othercorps are doing.’

Kay and Peter feel they have been particu-larly recharged by the week’s Bible studies.Peter notes the impact of the colonel’s Beati-

tudes study. He explains: ‘It brought us face toface with the life of Christ. I always looked onthe Beatitudes as a set of rules or a way tostrive to live. But when David Hinton put themup on the screen I realised for the first time thatit is a perfect picture of the life of Christ andthat’s why God wants us to live like that. Thatreally impressed me.’

Kay and Peter each already know who theywant to invite to the next course.

Jenni Power travelled from Lurgan with herhusband Ian. She says: ‘We get a different typeof blessing every time we come here; we nevergo away disappointed. We come with anticipa-tion and expectations and they’re always met.’

Zurich Central’s Willi Erzberger and Chris-tian Fuhrer (Switzerland, Austria and HungaryTerritory) returned for their fifth visit, and Williadmits: ‘I never laughed so much the wholeyear as I have done this week!’

Christian laughs in agreement beforeconfirming: ‘It’s always a good programme atEMC and it’s a good fellowship. I know a lot ofpeople now and I always feel welcome,although I’m a foreigner. Every year the friend-ships are heightened. I think that’s the spirit ofThe Salvation Army – you can go everywherein the world and meet friends.’

Admitting to struggling at times with hisEnglish, Willi says it has not been a barrier.‘Sometimes I have a little problem to sing inEnglish,’ he admits, ‘but today we had a songwith a line “Ahh, ahh, ahh” – which I sang inreal Oxford English!’

Jenny Wornham has attended music schoolsfor many years but was particularly excited tomeet a music school friend from some 50 yearsago. She says of her sixth EMC: ‘There are stillnew faces and people we get to meet and theybecome friends. That’s the uniqueness of this

music school – people aregenuinely friends by the timethey leave. It’s a very specialbond.

‘I’d be disappointed if Icouldn’t convey to people all thedifferent facets of this weekthough – the worship, the Biblestudies, the laughter, the funand, of course, the music too: itis unique! I’ve been to musicschools practically all my lifebut this one I think is the mostfulfilling!’

Jacqui Proctor (Perth Fort -ress, Australia Southern Terri-

tory) says: ‘I really enjoyed the music schooland it’s lovely to see these young leaders, suchas Andrew Blyth and Roel van Kesteren, whoare so enthusiastic and sincere. I think that theArmy’s in pretty good shape!’

The Rev Barbara Steadman-Allen hascontinuing links to The Salvation Army,although she now leads St Mary MagdaleneChurch in Holmwood. When asked whatattracts her back to EMC as a former Salva-tionist, Barbara is quick to say: ‘I don’t say I’mnot a Salvationist. Being a Salvationist is whoyou are rather than what you believe; it’s verymuch about the language in which you’velearnt to love God and speak to him and, forme, that is always going to be “Salvationist”.Part of this is returning to my roots to remem-ber that place of faith, so EMC is like a mini-retreat. As you imagine, retreats are aboutbeing in places of quietness but that wouldn’tsuit me! I love coming to play the tromboneand to sing some of the songs that set the oldheart and blood moving.’

Ali is in agreement with the idea of EMC asa retreat. She enthuses: ‘I call EMC myrefresher week – it’s my week to come, chill,take in the word of God and be with people thatenjoy singing, enjoy music and enjoy laughter;to recharge my batteries. It’s been a very, verygood week!’

To those who have not yet attended, AlanHair says: ‘It’s such a good week musically,spiritually and in fellowship, I could guaranteethat they’d enjoy that experience. There’s loadsof people who don’t really know what they’remissing, even in our own corps! We’re so keenthat as soon as the application form comes, itgoes back the same week, you don’t hangabout!’

Barbara describes the week as a ‘well-balanced faith-strengthener and enrichener’and would highly recommend it to others. ‘Ithink it’s the good-heartedness and the trust-worthiness and the standard of excellence andall that stuff that makes you a better person[after the week], apart from the fact that youmeet God as well!’

Angela Holt (Rochdale) challenges anyonewho would like to attend EMC next year: ‘Icome to this course because it’s fantastic. You will enjoy it; you will be blessed; you willbe supported and uplifted. I challenge anyoneto go from here without a smile on their face!’

SALVATIONIST 21 May 2011 [email protected]

Missed it? You missed out on…� meeting 70 UKT and 3 overseas delegates� devotions by guest leaders Lieut-Colonel David Hinton and Majors Stephen Poxon and

John Smith and the fabulous piano accompaniments of Jayne Moore (Belfast Citadel)� a Last Night Of The Proms spectacular – with all the pomp and ceremony trimmings� watching the Royal Wedding or playing cricket on the final day� enjoying fantastic concerts by One Accord (Portsmouth Citadel) and Regent Hall Band,

and visits from guest vocalists Anthony Harris (Bromley) and Emma-Joy Newman(Staines) and dancer Gemma Welch (Bromley)

� . . . and much, much more!

Colin Ambrose (Regent Hall) celebrates the proms

Singers rehearse

Proms on the last nightLots of laughs


NEWS


Corps join inworshipPlymouth Congress HallLIEUT-COLONEL DavidBurrows (IHQ) and Lieut-Colonel Jean Burrows led Easterworship, which commenced withPlymouth Exeter Hall Whitleighand Devonport Morice Townjoining the host corps for ameeting on Maundy Thursday.During Good Friday unitedworship everyone was invited totake a nail from the mercy seat asa reminder of the Crucifixion.Major Pamela Smith (Liskeard)led a sunrise service on EasterSunday for nearly fifty people.

Lieut-Colonel David Burrowsconducted morning worship,during which he invited thecongregation to give in the offer-ing African style. People puttheir contributions in the plateson the altar table, picked upflowers from the mercy seat andplaced them in wire meshattached to the cross (seepicture). – R. A.

Hadleigh Temple: More than100 Christians celebrated therisen Christ at a sunrise serviceat Hadleigh Castle. Major StuartDicker (DHQ) led the serviceand members of the bandprovided music. – B. N.

Members of the Brighouse Ladies Fellowship show off the hats theydecorated for Easter; they then wore them to a faith tea

Young people at Bourne take part in a pre-Easter Eggstravaganza,playing games and learning dance and drama; they led the eveningmeeting at the corps, demonstrating what they had learnt in the afternoon

Something foreveryoneGraysTHE events of Holy Week, fromEaster crafts to Easter Sundayrejoicings, meant that there wassomething for all tastes. MajorJane Ward (Ilford) led the Biblestudy, Around The Cross, andcorps officers Majors Dawn andHoward Evans presented theMaundy Thursday evening medita tion, Shadows Of The Cross.

Divisional Commander MajorCarol Bailey led Good Friday andEaster Sunday worship. Corpsmember Dawn Bareham with theThurrock Gospel Choir contri -buted an evening of music enti-tled One Lord, One God. – D. E.

Middlesbrough West Central:Some members of the commu-nity visited the hall for the firsttime when the corps held its thirdprayer zone experience. Five ofthe eight zones were createdaround the Easter story. – C. B.

Wrexham: Holy Week activitiesincluded a prayer labyrinth onMaundy Thursday with prayerstations around the corps build-ing. On Good Friday the band leda walk of witness during whichyoung people from the churchesin the town enacted scenes fromthe Crucifixion. – C. D.

Wath-upon-Dearne: CaptainPeter Renshaw (Shepton Mallet)led a corps retreat weekend,focusing on the Holy Spirit. TheSaturday was spent at Corner-stone Christian Fellowship,Barnsley. – C. D.

Chatham Band leads Central Chatham churches in a march of witnessalong the high street; more than 200 people took part, stopping threetimes for prayer, reading, testimony and singing before holding a shortopen-air meeting which attracted many shoppers

Members of Churches Together join corps folk at Upper Norwood onGood Friday in performing scenes from ‘The Witness’, portraying eventsfrom Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday; the corps then joined with churchesin the area for a well-attended open-air service, for which the bandprovided music

Residents and staff at BramwellHouse, Blackburn, meet aroundthe cross in the Lifehouse gardenduring Holy Week; after momentsof reflection, they sang ‘When ISurvey The Wondrous Cross’before sharing lunch together


NEWS

[email protected]

Blessings galoreYorkshireAPRIL sunshine reflecting offthe sea at Bridlington provided atranquil backdrop for the divi-sional home and family rally ledby Majors John and Lorna Smith(THQ).

More than 500 people gatheredfor the rally themed BlessingsGalore. The programme featuredcontributions by the DivisionalFellowship Band which includeda singalong with the band, chal-lenging drama presentations byKeith Turton (THQ) and musicfrom saxophonist Veronica Addis(Boston). Lieut-Colonel GillianHeeley (DHQ) acknowledged thesilver and gold star members andpresented to each of them a crossand a poem as a reminder ofEaster.

Major Ann Radford (DHQ)announced that £14,481 hadbeen raised for the Generationhelping-hand project and pre -sented a cheque for £1,760 toJean Dixon from the York shireAir Ambulance Service.

Major John Smith contributeda violin solo before Major LornaSmith (pictured) concluded theevent by challenging everyone tolook for and accept God’s bless-ings each day. – D. R.

Officers, soldiers, church and chapel ministers and a congregation of nearly 100 join Douglas Band onDouglas Head, Isle of Man, for the annual Easter He Is Risen service

Churches holdEaster CarolServiceLeigh-on-SeaA UNITED Churches EasterCarol Service on Palm Sundaystarted the Holy Week and Eastercelebrations. The Rev Ann Wilks(Leigh Elim PentecostalChurch), Divisional CommanderMajor Carol Bailey and CaptainMark Waghorn (Shoeburyness)led Holy Week meetings, whichculminated in a Passover mealand a programme by the NewJerusalem Dancers. MajorsNigel and Linda Govier (THQ)led Good Friday meetings andMajor Nigel Govier also ledEaster Sunday worship. – P. J.

Winton: During Holy Week, theband presented an evening ofmusic and the songsters providedreflective songs for MaundyThursday worship. On EasterSunday corps folk marchedthrough the streets with youngpeople carrying banners declar-ing ‘The Lord Is Risen’. – G. T.

Dearne Valley: The puppetministry team – comprisingmembers of nearby corps –presented the Easter story tomore than 60 children at Cortonwood Infant School. Thiswas part of the plantingprogramme’s ongoing work inthe school and children’s centre which has been built up over the past 12 months. – C. D.

Sleaford: On Palm Sunday,Calvin Wallace, Deputy Managerof Sneinton House Lifehouse,gave the monthly Teatime Talk.During Holy Week the songsterscombined with singers fromGrantham to present a meditationfeaturing songs from the musicalSon Of Man. Corps officer MajorJoy Caddy led a time of reflec-tion on Good Friday before awalk of witness. – N. M.

Hundreds join inGood FridayserviceNewcastle City TempleTHE largest group of Christiansfor many years processedthrough the city streets on GoodFriday to assemble at Grey’sMonument, where they werejoined by hundreds of otherchurch members and passers-byfor a service.

The leaders of BrunswickMethodist Church, King’s CastleChurch, Destiny Church and StLuke’s Anglican Church joinedcorps officer Major AntonyMugford in participating in themeeting. As a result of last year’sservice, a number of people

joined churches in the area andbecame committed Christians.

People are praying for similarresults this year. – B. I.

Members of the 82nd Salvation Army (Northampton East) Brownies joinwith brownies from the 32nd St Matthews Pack for a weekend of fun andgames at the Guide Association’s Macqueen House, Twywell

Image removed

LETTERS

www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist10 21 May 2011 SALVATIONIST

were trying to hide the Christian part of themessage in case it offends non- believers.I think that’s a silly thing to try to do.

As for the uniform being essential, I have to say I’m a Christian and aSalvationist in and out of uniform – I don’tstop doing God’s work when I remove theuniform. I do wear the uniform butstopped for a while when I felt the clotheshad become more valued than theperson wearing them.

This may offend but I once woreuniform to a fancy dress party – completewith The War Cry and collecting tin. Itgave me an opportunity to witness to myworkmates.

In short, the person is worth more thanthe clothes at any time. Clothes are ameans to an end but not the whole point.Morag Lovie,Paisley

� The cross, theclothes and thepersonCAN someone explain to me the

meaning behind the red shield logo,

which is being used to represent The

Salvation Army now in most publicity?

I know what the crest stands for,

especially with the cross at the centre

with the ‘S’ for salvation wrapped

around it.

Everywhere you look the crest and thecross are being deleted from Armymaterial. Does this mean the cross is nolonger the centre of our worship? One ofmy fellow Salvationists said it felt as if we

� Armies wear

uniforms

WILLIAM BOOTH’S mission and

blueprint – ‘whosoever will, may

come’ as quoted by Les Pickering

(Letters, Salvationist 30 April) – was

an invitation to have sins forgiven, not

to join the band or songsters!

If it were ever decided that uniformwearing was optional in our musicsections then we would have to omit theword Army from their title because in anarmy you wear a uniform.

In one of the US territories this issue hasbeen resolved as far as musicians areconcerned. If a non-Salvationist(non-Christian even) expresses an interestin joining the band or songsters, they areinvited to practices and can also take partin worship meetings, but with certainconditions imposed.

They are asked to attend ‘instruction’classes where they learn about theChristian faith (where necessary) andSalvation Army standards and principles.At the end of 12 months they areencouraged to make a decision. If theycannot accept the Army’s code ofpractice then they cannot continue as amember of the section.

Simple and very practical!Ramsay Caffull,Lieut-Colonel,Bournemouth

� Cover broughtpeace to my heartI JUST wanted to let you know that

last night I read the Easter edition of

Salvationist – and the Editor’s

comment about the cover made me

look again at it.

I was really blessed by the thought thatthe cross covered both the front and theback pages. It reminded me that the crossis there both in the beginning and at theend of a person’s life. It covers thebeginning (the front page) and it coversthe end (the back page).

By that thought I went to sleep withpeace in my heart. So thank you.Hannelise Tvedt,Major,Bromley

� Where are

they now?WHILE I was serving in the RAMC at

Nicosia Military Hospital from 1950

to 1956 our home at 15 Lala Mustafa

Pasha Street, Nicosia, was open house

to many Christians. Among those

who came were several Salvationists.

I wonder if any readers can identify thelads in the accompanying photographs.We can remember three: Donald Forsyth,from Falkirk (with whom we have justmade contact), John Spence, fromAldershot, and David Betts, for whom wehave drawn a blank; we cannotremember the names of the others. Cananyone help? Does anyone know wherethey are now? (In the top picture, I amseated at the front, wearing glasses.)

In the second photograph, taken in

1958, John Spence is holding Peter – atthat time our youngest. (David was bornin November 1958.) John is sitting next toJohn Spence, and Mary is standing.Jean, who was born with Down’ssyndrome, is being nursed by one of thelads. Jean died in October 2009 and werejoice that she is in Heaven and is perfect.

We would be grateful if anyone can helpus with the names and whereabouts ofthese lads. There were many others, butthese are the only photos we have.William Stewart,[email protected]

FROM THE COMMISSIONER


THESE four words – an attitude ofgratitude – stirred my soul. Mywife and I, with some otherchurch leaders, were at an

Easter reception at 10 Downing Street.The Prime Minister wanted toacknowledge the significance of Easterand to thank the Christian community for its contribution to society.

It was there I met the Christian rapperFaith Child. Later, at Roots, I metanother rapper. The clever rhythms andrhymes of rap seem to connect with our‘Twitter generation’. Hence, my affectionfor the little slogan, which is some kindof rap!

Scripture encourages us to ‘Givethanks in all circumstances; for this isGod’s will for you in Christ Jesus’ (1 Thessalonians 5:18 all quotationsfrom New International Version).According to Ephesians 5:20, we shouldbe ‘always giving thanks to God theFather for everything, in the name of ourLord Jesus Christ’.

How can we maintain an attitude ofgratitude when things go horribly wrongand life seems to fall apart, either byreasons of our own making or throughno fault of our own? When I weep with those who weep, how can I givethanks?

Growth and development usuallyinvolve some degree of pain.Challenging situations are opportunitiesfor such growth. We give thanks notbecause we are resigned to the thoughtthat God intended such horrible thingsbut because we know that his presenceand power work within us in thosecircumstances. We don’t just muddlethrough and make the best of a bad job. God makes the best of a situation:this is why we have reason to begrateful. In the uncertain chaos of thisworld we thank God for his unchangingnature.

Seek after God, who redeems andrescues us and who does not allowtesting beyond our ability to endure.Such an attitude teaches us patienceand long-suffering, and lifts faith from thetheoretical and hypothetical to reality. Alltoo often we can read, hear and say‘amen’ to the narratives of the Bible butit is as we apply them to ourcircumstances that they become livingtruths. We learn that faith works.

How can we cultivate an attitude ofgratitude? I testify that it needs aconscious act of will. It then becomescontagious. In the same way thatnegativity can be overwhelming, so apositive and thankful spirit can impact

others. If my attitude is negative, or theattitudes of those around me areunhelpful, I need to seek God’s help tochange the environment or to removeme from it.

That positive or negative dynamicaffects our testimony, enriches orpollutes our community and increases ordiminishes our capacity to share thegospel. The infectious capacity ofnegativity can damage individuals andcommunities.

Appreciation and gratitude representthe bedrock of positive attitudes. Thereis a pattern to develop. Prayer gives usperspective. If you cannot see it, tryanother vantage point; shift your focusfrom what you don’t have to what you do.

Prayers of petition allow us to list ourneeds and count our blessings. This isthe lifestyle of a grateful heart.Thankfulness is expressed in word anddeed. In the words of writer WilliamWard, ‘Feeling gratitude and notexpressing it is like wrapping a presentand not giving it.’

We can transform lives throughgratitude. We can take time to thankGod for people who contribute to ourlives, helping smooth the path. Gratitudeand negative emotions such as envy,jealousy, malice, pride and anger cannotcoexist. We need to eradicate such‘weeds’ in order to develop a ‘solutionperspective’.

We are to appreciate the fact that Godis constantly looking out for us. Yet, weoften assume when things are goingwell, this is only how it should be. When it is not so, do not waver. God isfaithful and there are lessons in theexperience.

‘Let the message of Christ dwellamong you richly as you teach andadmonish one another with all wisdom,through psalms, hymns and songs fromthe Spirit… singing to God with gratitudein your hearts’ (Colossians 3:16).

The words of song 12 in oursongbook help us to unite together inthanksgiving to God:

Now thank we all our GodWith hearts and hands and voices,Who wondrous things hath done,In whom his world rejoices;Who from our mother’s armsHath blessed us on our wayWith countless gifts of love,And still is ours today. �

Caughtrapping

by Commissioner John Matear, Territorial Commander


W HEN Majors David and Kathryn Blowers returned from nine years in the Czech Republic to lead Margate

Corps, their language skills were soon put to use. ‘People knew we spoke Czech,’ says Kathryn. ‘There’s a very big Czech community in Margate and if one person knows something, they all know. They came to us and we helped them.’

A need arose for help with translation, David explains, when the Czech and Slovak Republics joined the EU and

support provided by agencies working with refugees and asylum seekers of the republics – who were now classed ‘migrant workers’ – stopped.

Their ministry developed from there.

THE INITIATIVEA drop-in centre operates once a week to support people needing help registering with GPs, dentists, etc. ‘People started to ask what the Army was and I said we are a church, so they asked: Why haven’t you told us about Jesus?’ says David. So, in

2008 they started a Friday house group.

The first meeting attracted six people. Kathryn recalls: ‘Within three months we had to meet in the downstairs hall and then Ricardo [a famous Gypsy missionary] visited and the hall was packed out.’

‘A year later we reported to the corps that we couldn’t cope with everything we were doing,’ David continues. ‘We had 40 new Christians who ought to be receiving full-time pastoral ministry.’ They could not do this and run the corps. Margate received new corps officers in 2010 and the Blowers were appointed to what would become known as Dover Outreach Centre, with responsibility

for Armáda spásy [Czech Church] Plant at Margate.

Three years ago, the Czech Church moved into the main corps hall to accommodate its growth. It now attracts as many as 160 people each week.

The atmosphere is practically Boothian. David recalls advertising a conference in town by parading a sign and playing a piano accordion. Kathryn says: ‘There were a hundred people following us round the streets. Czech Church is fun; it’s impulsive; it’s loud!’

But, it is also a battlefield. ‘There are huge spiritual battles. People are involved in all kinds of old lives,’ Kathryn explains. ‘We’ve been involved in setting people free from prostitution and enslavement by witchcraft – not the comfortable “I’ll read your palm” witchcraft from England, the kind you imagine happens in Africa; the sort where people’s lives can really be ruined.’

At Christmas, God, through Kathryn and David, set a 15-year-old boy and his family free from witchcraft. After being bullied at school he asked someone to give him ‘the gift’ to retaliate. The family has since been saved and attends Czech Church.

Others face financial battles, such as Dzuici Godla, a Slovak. For ten months his family had no income, and his benefits have since stopped. Despite his circumstances, Dzuici shares his food


KINGDOM-MINDED

MINISTRY

Claire Anderson discovers how lives are being transformed among the Czech, Slovak and Roma communities in Margate

A family church

IT WORKS FOR US

parcels with others ‘less fortunate’ and testifies: ‘Jesus is living with me. I believe God is everything I need. He has a plan for me. I believe it will be fine.’

Kathryn says: ‘These people have very difficult lives because their work is whatever they can get. If they are entitled to benefits, it is because it is attached to their work, so if work dries up, all their money dries up.’

Perhaps that helps churchgoers identify with others in the community? David says: ‘We hardly recognise a ministry to the community because we feel we are part of the community, and our people are really in touch with what’s going on. They have a real heart for wanting people to know Jesus.’

This desire seems to draw people to confide and, as such, the fellowship has discovered people in difficult circumstances and raised awareness

of it. David acknowledges a strong relationship with other agencies in working with vulnerable people.

The church strongly focuses on

families – which particularly fits with Roma culture. ‘We have strong men’s ministry and men’s discipleship because, in a Roma family, the man is definitely the head. We also have a home league – a couple of women came with a vision from God about a ministry with women and the idea is that their home should be

based on the Bible. That sounded a bit like a home league,’ David laughs. ‘It’s one of the most practical home leagues – we had the Family Planning Clinic teach on contraceptive methods.’

To support the large number of children, there is, at present, a primary class. There is a reluctance to run Sunday school at the same time because the recently saved leaders need to be in the meeting.

Whenever challenged about what they do for children, the Blowers reply: ‘We disciple their parents.’ David contributes: ‘We give children a Christian family to grow up in, so there is a lot of focus on the parents. It’s not devaluing ministry to children, but at the moment it’s our priority.’

There are also two hour-long Bible schools (adults’ and children’s), a discipleship group and three worship groups – a main group, apprenticing teenagers, and a children’s group.

There is also the newer ministry to Roma living

in Dover, started when a Roma member of Czech Church, Ivan Mako, could no longer attend meetings. Ivan built the ministry under the majors’ spiritual authority; it is flourishing.

The Dover fellowship meets in a Methodist church, having outgrown Ivan’s home. ‘The room can hold 40 at a push but the other week there were 58 of us crammed in,’ David admits.

HOW IT’S WORKINGDavid laughs: ‘We are in the same situation as 18 months ago – we

have a congregation at Czech Church that’s the same as Margate Corps, and up to 100 in Dover. Dover’s a growing congregation; apart from one family, they’ve all been saved in the last year – most of them in the past three months!’

At Margate meetings continue to be translated into English, even if only one English-speaker attends. ‘The fellowship wants to establish a church that welcomes everybody,’ says David.

He says this is the case in all situations. After drunken teenagers disturbed an appeal time, David returned from dealing with another situation to find six of them praying at the mercy seat.’ One told David: ‘I don’t understand this, because I know I was drunk when I came in and I’m not now!’

FUTURE HOPES‘One of the exciting – and also extremely frightening – things is that both congregations have a vision for planting new congregations!’ says David. ‘We’re not a church that is satisfied with where we are and I have a feeling that there is a wider ministry. Our church is Kingdom-minded; we don’t want to become insular.

‘People just want to be open. They see the gospel is important and significant and really believe in it. I feel their vision is already wider and God has a wider purpose than just this church: it’s to people who are not Roma as well; it’s to people in other towns. I’m really excited!’

There were a hundred people

following us round the streets. Czech Church is fun; it’s impulsive;

it’s loud!

Primary children show off their artwork

Major Blowers introduces the youngest corps member


T HE Kharkiv Salvation Army Social Centre project consists of three programmes: a centre for pensioners, an after-school

programme for children and an HIV/Aids initiative. The centre began its work in February 2010, after an initial preparation period in January.

CENTRE FOR PENSIONERSSixty-five people have enrolled as participants in the Elderly Centre programme since February 2010. There are seven interest groups, all led by peer volunteers: knitting, plant care, culinary, healthy lifestyle, dance, choir and cultural events. The choir presented concerts at a hospital, the main park (Artem) and at several competitions. The clients also performed their dances and poetry at the veterans’ hospital.

The daily programme of three lessons or groups and a meal are the mainstays of the centre. There are regular programmes and the opportunity to join corps programmes such as the home league. There are also special lectures and activities, including visits from a clown-juggler, poets and a composer. In addition, the clients have utilised the services of a psychologist, medics and lawyers. There have been 73 cultural events, which the participants could join in for free – visits to the opera and ballet house, the music theatre, the dolphin arena and exhibitions at several museums.

AFTER-SCHOOL CENTRE FOR CHILDRENThe after-school centre is aimed at children from troubled families in the neighbourhood. Most families do not have both parents; they live on low incomes and reside in dormitories. The children are not looked after when school

finishes and their parents cannot afford the fees for after-school programmes at school as many work at the local factory, which had not paid salaries for half a year when the project began. The aim was to have 20 participants, but there were 28.

Children come to the centre after school has finished and enjoy a hot meal and then start their homework. Qualified teachers, including the social worker, assist them with their lessons. After they complete their lessons, children can participate in the clubs and groups that are led by volunteers. These include making beaded items, knitting, handicrafts, dancing, playing chess and studying French and English. Also, the in-house computer business provides free use of the computer lab for their lessons. The parents are relieved that their children have eaten and done homework, but also that they are learning to be friends and to help one another.

The psychologist also does good work with the parents and children of these families, because they experience various problems. The lawyers helped parents resolve several legal problems, including recouping unpaid salaries. As a result of this project, ten children became junior soldiers of Kharkiv Corps and several parents also began to attend Sunday worship.

HIV/AIDS INITIATIVEThe centre’s HIV/Aids initiative is multifaceted and addresses the needs of those with HIV and those who can benefit from prevention. Consultations on issues related to HIV are conducted at various sites. Among the outcomes of internet consultations was

that the HIV social worker accompanied teenagers to get an HIV test. Others received anonymous counselling by telephone. HIV-prevention and anti-stigma lessons and seminars are also provided at different sites, sometimes in conjunction with other agencies. Volunteers assisted in distributing HIV-related brochures.

Direct aid, such as hygiene packets, legal consultations and advocacy, has also been provided to adults living with HIV/Aids. The corps prison ministry of humanitarian aid distribution connects the centre to prisoners with HIV. Two prisons continue to receive quarterly distributions of used clothing. During two prison visits five people were assisted through advocacy. Three prisoners are engaged in consultations through correspondence.

The centre has participated in three mass actions: Give A Child A Gift (a toy collection for children with HIV), Heart To Heart (a joint action to collect money for sick children with HIV/Aids) and Remember Me (a joint action for a day held in memory of Aids victims).

The Salvation Army’s social centre in Kharkiv is a second home for many people who have been helped to find a second family and new hope for the future.

Oleg is Co-ordinator of the HIV/Aids programme at Kharkiv Social Centre, Eastern Europe Territory

Ukraine – the second-largest country in Europe – has huge potential, but also a lot of problems; many are social problems. Oleg Samoilenko reports on how The Salvation Army in Kharkiv is caring for people and working for their salvation

KHARKIV ARMYCARES ABOUT PEOPLE

Centre staff with children (Oleg is in the middle)

Centre worker Iryna Reunova helps a child with her homework

BIBLE STUDY


ITHINK boys are amazing – especiallymy three! Strong, funny and cute as abutton. What’s not to like! Which iswhy I can identify with the mother of

James and John in Matthew 20:20–28,as she approaches Jesus and asks himfor a favour: ‘Promise me that these twosons of mine will sit at your right and yourleft when you are King’ (v21 all quotationsfrom Good News Bible unless statedotherwise).

At first glance, we could be forgiven forviewing her as just another pushy mother.You know the type: the sun radiates fromevery inch of her beloved, perfectoffspring.

What on earth was she thinking?Wasn’t she the worst kind of mother,trying to live her life through her children?But who can honestly say they wouldn’tdo the same given the circumstances? A little bit of motherly intervention can goa long way!

‘You don’t know what you are askingfor,’ Jesus answered the sons. ‘Can youdrink the cup of suffering that I am aboutto drink?’

‘We can,’ they answered. ‘You willindeed drink from my cup… but I do nothave the right to choose who will sit atmy right and my left. These placesbelong to those for whom my Father hasprepared them’ (vv22 and 23).

The other disciples are furious whenthey find out (v24). But Jesus, in hisinfinite patience and wisdom, remindsthem that although the world they know – as subjects of Rome – is one ofpower, position, ambition anddominance, his Kingdom is just theopposite.

‘If one of you wants to be great, youmust be the servant of the rest; and ifone of you wants to be first, you must bethe slave of the others, like the Son ofMan, who did not come to be served,

but to serve and to give his life to redeemmany people’ (vv26–28).

American evangelist John MacArthurwrites: ‘Every one of us, just like theapostles, needs to understand that truegreatness lies not in dominance but inservice; we all need the repeated lessonthat to be great in the Kingdom is to behumble in service; we need the repeatedreminder that our central ambition shouldbe to minister to others, not to beadmired by others!’

As a church of disciples, we must servethe world in which we live and we mustserve each other. We are called tocommunities. We are to be the living wordof God to the people who need to see thelove of God in action. But we need to beaware that our ministry may often bebeset by the temptation to look for andhold on to power and prestige.

This woman in Matthew’s Gospel isnameless – known only as the wife ofZebedee or the mother of James andJohn. She is thought to have beenSalome.

Her story shows a life filled with passionand purpose. Imagine being known firstas a devoted follower of Jesus, and alsoas the mother of the ‘sons of thunder’(Mark 3:17 Authorised Version). Herdevotion to Christ and his ministry isevident, as she stands at the foot of thecross (see Mark 15:40 and 41). At a timewhen others were running scared, shecontinued – with several other women –to finish what needed to be done.

‘The cost of true greatness is humble,selfless, sacrificial service,’ writesMacArthur. ‘The Christian who desires tobe great and first in the Kingdom is theone who is willing to serve in the hardplace, the uncomfortable place, the lonelyplace, the demanding place, the placewhere he is not appreciated and mayeven be persecuted. He is willing to workfor excellence without becoming proud,to withstand criticism without becomingbitter, to be misjudged without becomingdefensive, and to withstand sufferingwithout succumbing to self-pity.’

Salome’s life shows that she was awareof this. Pushy mother? I don’t think so.Just a mother whose fierce love for herchildren meant that she made theoccasional mistake.

Jesus knew and understood that.Thankfully, he still does. �

� Major Sandford is the corps officer

at Caterham

Let’s hear itfor the boys!by Major Karen Sandford

STUDY PASSAGE MATTHEW 20:20–28

We are called to communities. We are to be the living word of Godto the people who need to see thelove of God in action


MORE THAN GOLD FEATURE

Every tonguea living flameSarah-Jane Alley explains how Salvationistscan become involved in ministry and witnessduring the Torch Relay for the 2012 Olympics


HANDS up who watched theRoyal Wedding! I did – from alarge TV screen that was partof my exhibition stand at

Roots. I thought I would simply set it upfor myself, so I wouldn’t miss it whilearranging my stand, but it attracted otherRoots staff, fellow exhibitors and evenSouthport Convention Centre staff.

As we watched from a location faraway from the event, we were amazed bythe crowds who had slept outdoors toensure a good position on The Mall to seethe newly-weds make their journey toBuckingham Palace. It reminded me ofwhen the Olympic Torch Relay made itsway across Australia in 2000. Peoplelined the streets to cheer and encourageothers from all walks of life as they carriedthe Olympic Flame that little bit closer toits final resting place.

This week the media announced wherethe Olympic Flame will be travelling on itsjourney through the UK before theOlympics begin on 27 July 2012. Thisincluded the 140 points where the relaywill stop at the beginning and end of eachday on its way to the Olympic Cauldron atQueen Victoria Olympic Park.

At each of these official ‘resting’ points,the emphasis is on engaging thecommunity and the community having its

own celebrations. It will be local talent,identities and groups driving what willhappen on their patch. These will not bethe only places that the Torch Relay willtravel to. Along the way, the flame willtravel through other villages, towns andcities passing by national heritage sites,major sports venues and schoolsregistered with the Get Set programme(visit www.london2012.com for moreinformation). As it travels down streetsand roads in urban and rural locations

people from all walks of life will come outto cheer on the 8,000 torchbearerschosen to carry it on its journey.

Torchbearers are local people,nominated by local people, chosen bylocal people. Some may be celebrities,some may be sports personalities but themajority will be those who have impactedtheir community. There is a particularemphasis on young people – 55 per centof torchbearers will be aged between 12and 24 years old. (The nominating processbegan on 18 May. Are there people,young or not so young, whom you couldnominate to carry the torch?) This will bea great time of celebration and as theChurch we can play host! We have anarmy of volunteers, a range of skills andtogether we have the resources tosupport what can take place to welcomethe flame to our towns, villages and cities.

Here are some of the ways in which localcouncils and organisers will want help…

CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS

What’s a party without music or dancing?And what’s a festival withoutface-painting? Your corps may havegroups or individuals gifted in this or withthe churches in your area you may wantto form a group to do specialperformances just for the Torch Relay.Councils will welcome the help andexpertise of local groups. Your corpscould also be able to help by providingsound equipment or technology for theevent.

HOSPITALITY

A party is certainly not a party withoutfood and drink. Many churches in


are not on the route, you can still pray forthe places it travels to. Let’s pray that thelight of Christ be seen through theservice, hospitality and mission that take place – locally, regionally andnationally. Perhaps your corps could host a 24-7 prayer event during the relay.(For more on prayer in 2012, contactMajor Jill Miller at THQ by email –[email protected] – ortelephone 020 7367 4531).Sports Outreach – The Olympics are amajor sporting event and people of allages love to play. Organise games,competitions, a sports coaching clinic ortournament for the day the relay visitsyour town. (If you would like to knowmore about sports outreach contact meat THQ.)

HELPING CHURCHES GET READY

More Than Gold is helping churches getready for the Torch Relay in the followingways:� An online handbook of ideas illustratingwhat churches can do, regardless ofwhether their location is a major stop orjust en route� On Your Marks Tour – Want to knowmore about the Torch Relay, communityfestivals and sports outreach? Attendone of the More Than Gold informationnights as part of the On Your Marks Tour,aiming to inform and equip churches toprepare for the 2012 Games throughoutreach, service and hospitality. Forvenues, times and how to register visitthe More Than Gold website. Venuesinclude: Rochester (Mon 23 May);Welling (12.30 and 7.30 pm, Tue 24);Chiswick (12.30 and 7.30 pm, Thu 26);Stratford (Mon 6 June); Bristol (Tue 7);Weymouth (Wed 8); Worthing (Thu 9);Chelmsford (Mon 13); Birmingham

(Thu 16); Leeds (Mon 20); Manchester

(Tues 21); Leicester (Wed 22);Newcastle (Wed 22); Cambridge (Thu23); Central London (Tues 28);Nottingham (Thu 30) – all venues 7.30 pm, unless otherwise stated

� More Than Gold exists to enable UK churches to engage with the 2012Games; visit www.morethangold.org.uk

for more information

� Sarah-Jane is More Than Gold

Co-ordinator, THQ. (She can

be contacted by telephone on

020 7367 4792 or by email at

[email protected])

[email protected]

Australia and Canada provided abarbecue or free food. You could offer toprovide free water to people attendingthe celebrations or light refreshments tothe volunteer taskforce working behindthe festival scene. Traidcraft has puttogether a special kit, similar to the BigBrew Kit, for churches to use in theirhospitality outreach. This will ensure thatall your refreshments and products areFairtrade and will help increase yourcommunity’s awareness of fair-tradeissues. (Find more information on these kits through the More Than Goldwebsite, where you can also purchasethem.)

VOLUNTEERS

There will be lots of jobs that need doingbefore, during and after the flame visitsyour town. Before – rubbish collection,gardening, painting and decorating thestreets. During – crowd control, rubbishcollection, security, setting up,information, first aid, lost and found,serving refreshments, sports and games.After – packing down, rubbish collection, clearing up lost property tocharity shops.

HOW CAN YOU CELEBRATE?

Community Festivals – There is a storyfrom Australia of a very small, rural townin Victoria where the torch travelledthrough, without stopping, on its way toSydney. The churches in the town hosteda Fusion Festival with 400 people thatlasted most of the day even though ittook only 30 minutes for the flame topass through. It was a day the people inthe town have never forgotten. InCanada, many churches hosted FusionFestivals, including Victoria Citadel. MajorDave Grice said of the experience: ‘Weare very grateful for the Fusion teamcoming to Victoria. They showed us howeasy it is to build real connections in thiscommunity.’

Fusion Festivals operate on the simpleprinciples of engagement, co-operationand community using simple activitiesaimed at the whole family. (For moreinformation visit the Festivals section ofthe More Than Gold website.)United Prayer – As the relay makes itsway across the UK and Ireland we have ahuge opportunity to pray for our territory!We need churches, groups and Christianorganisations to work together to hostprayer events in every place that theTorch Relay passes through. Even if you

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Platinum (70th): Tom and Mrs Freda Raine,

Chester-le-Street.

Blue sapphire (65th): Major Ernest and Mrs Lily

Ablett (6 June).

Diamond: Lieut-Colonel Ray and Mrs Joy

Steadman-Allen (2 June); Colonel Edward and

Mrs Eva Cotterill (2 June).

Golden: Lieut-Colonels Ray and Brenda Oakley

(3 June).

DEDICATED TO GOD

James, son of Reuben and Sibonile Sibanda, at

Welwyn Garden City by Lieutenant Rhonda Hayes;

Hollie Ellen Ann, daughter of Dean Powley and

Lynsey Langley, at Chatham by Major Drew

McCombe; Marcus Joshua, son of Paul and

Philippa Atherton, at Wigan by Major Len Evans;

Ryan Geoff Ron, son of Mark and Helen Potter, at

Horsham by Captain Susan Woodgate; Tyler

Maxwell, son of Stephen and Sharon Leslie, at

Consett by Captain Mark Sellers; Jaydn Kayn

Victoria and Malakai John Ray, children of

Christopher and Abbie Morgan, at Hastings

Citadel by Captain Stephen Baker; Joel, son of

Dar Dar and Sandar Htoo, Adrian Samson and

William Samson, sons of Thuzar Lwin Lwin

and Saw Eh Thaw, all at Southsea by Major

Mary Wolfe; Samuel David, son of David and

Hannah Dobbs, at Colchester Mount Zion by

Captain Pauline O’Driscoll; Jamie Christopher, son

of Bandsman Graeme and Songster Lisa Hall, at

Norwich Citadel by Majors May and Philip

Wilbraham.

BEREAVED

B/Reservist Edwin Warley, Scarborough, of his

mother S/Reservist Doris Warley; Heather Early,

Stuart Harvey, both Reading Lower Earley, and

Barbara Harris, Bristol Citadel, of their father Les

Harvey; Gwynneth Halliburton, Newark, of her

father Major George Thomas; Margaret Riddle,

Andover, of her mother Sylvia Falconer; Charles

Cottrell, Romford, of his wife Joyce, David,

Leslie and Stephen of their mother; Doris

Helps, Staple Hill, of her husband Wilf; Graeme

and Lydia Johnson, Bromley, and Luke

Johnson, Herne Bay, of their father Major Colin

Johnson.

RETIRED OFFICERS

Birthday congratulations: Brigadier Mrs Elizabeth

Groves, , Penicuik

(95 on 28 May).

Retirement address: Majors John and

Beverley Joy, , Colchester

.

PROMOTED TO GLORY

Joe Moriarty, Boscombe.

Major George Thomas from Hull on 6 May.

A daughter, Mrs Margaret Harrison, lives at

, Canterbury

.

Major Colin Johnson from Bromley on 9 May.

Major Gillian Johnson lives at ,

Bromley .


ANNOUNCEMENTS

LOCAL OFFICERS APPOINTED

YPBL Ben Diaper, Dudley; CYS Anita Gellatly,

Bromley; CSM Stephen Field, Petersfield.

MARRIAGES

Paul Pink to Ruth Chigume at Welwyn Garden City

by Captain Bramwell Hayes; Ian Latham to

Gemma Leathem at Bangor by Captain Carole

Tucker; Steve Pyman to Sue Norman at Staple Hill

by Major Sharon Robinson.


ENGAGEMENTSGENERAL LINDA BOND:

Sunbury Court (General’s Consultative Council),

Mon 23 May - Th 26; UK, Royal Albert Hall (ISB120

concert), Sat 4; UK, Westminster Central Hall and

the Mall (Music Leaders Councils and ISB120

march of witness), Sun 5; Sunbury Court (Senior

Leaders’ Day), Th 9 Jun

THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF

(COMMISSIONER BARRY SWANSON)

AND COMMISSIONER SUE SWANSON:

Eastern Europe, Fri 27 May - Mon 30; ICO,

Th 2 Jun; UK, Royal Albert Hall (ISB120 concert),

Sat 4; UK, Westminster Central Hall and the Mall

(Music Leaders Councils and ISB120 march of

witness), Sun 5; Sunbury Court (Senior Leaders’

Day), Th 9

THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER

(COMMISSIONER JOHN MATEAR)

AND COMMISSIONER ELIZABETH MATEAR:

William Booth Birthplace Museum, Nottingham

(reopening), Nottingham William Booth Memorial

Halls (reopening), Sat 21 May; Sunbury Court

(General’s Consultative Council), Mon 23 - Th 26;

William Booth College, Th 2 Jun*; Cadogan Hall

(ISB and New York Staff Band concert), Fri 3; Royal

Albert Hall (ISB120 concert), Sat 4; Westminster

Central Hall and the Mall (Music Leaders Councils

and ISB120 march of witness), Sun 5; Sunbury

Court (Brengle Institute), Mon 13; Glenrothes, Sat

Sun 19

THE CHIEF SECRETARY

(COLONEL BRIAN PEDDLE) AND

COLONEL ROSALIE PEDDLE:

London Central (divisional retreat), Tu 24 May - Th 26

Commissioner William Cochrane: Sunbury Court

(General’s Consultative Council), Mon 23 May - Th 26

Commissioners Kenneth and Jolene Hodder:

Sunbury Court (General’s Consultative Council), Mon

23 May - Th 26; USA Southern (commissioning),

Wed 30 - Mon 6 Jun

Commissioners Robert and Janet Street:

Sunbury Court (General’s Consultative Council), Mon

23 May - Th 26; Spain, Tu 31 - Th 2 Jun; ICO, Th 2;

Maidenhead (with German Staff Band), Fri 3; Royal

Albert Hall (ISB120 concert), Sat 4; Westminster

Central Hall and the Mall (Music Leaders Councils

and ISB120 march of witness), Sun 5

*wife will not accompany

ON THE AIRBBC Radio Bristol, Cornwall, Devon,

Gloucestershire, Guernsey, Jersey, Somerset

Sound, Swindon and Wiltshire and online at

bbc.co.uk/devon: Sounds Of Brass (7.05 pm) on

Sunday 22 May will feature music from the

International Staff Band, Amsterdam Staff Band, New

York Staff Band, Chicago Staff Band and the

Household Troops Band.

ARMY PEOPLEAPPOINTED

Major John McCaffrey, Divisional ProgrammeSupport Officer, East Scotland, with responsibility for Edinburgh Street Project and StenhousemuirCorps, effective 28 April; additional appointment,Chaplain, Ashbrook Lifehouse, Edinburgh, effective28 July.

Effective 1 July:

Major Ivor Telfer, Secretary for Business

Administration, Business Administration

Service, THQ, with the rank of lieut-colonel;

Major Carol Telfer, Assistant Chief Secretary,

Chief Secretary’s Office, THQ, with the rank of

lieut-colonel.

Major John Warner, Assistant Territorial Financial

Secretary and Company Secretary, Business

Administration Service, THQ.

Effective 7 July:

Captain Elizabeth Hayward, change of

designation, Territorial Director for Community

Services.

Major Pam Knuckey, Assistant Territorial Director

for Community Services, Programme Service,

THQ.

Effective 28 July:

Lieutenant Alexandra Woodford, Chaplain,

Centenary House Lifehouse, Calder Fountain

and Thorndale Lifehouse (Family Centre),

Belfast.

Major Peter Clark, additional appointment, part-

time counselling service as Practitioner Counsellor,

Personnel Service, THQ.

You’re In The Army NowSALVATIONIST is keen to hear fromreaders who have a story to tell.

If you’re in the Army now, we want toknow how you came to be so. We are interested in the stories of people whohave joined The Salvation Army from anon-Army background.

If this is you, write and tell us about it!Who contacted you? When did you firstencounter the Army? What made you decide to join?

We can’t promise to print every submission, but we would welcome yourtestimony so that it can be considered forpublication.

Please email [email protected] with ‘You’re In The ArmyNow’ as your subject, or write to ‘You’reIn The Army Now’, Salvationist, 101Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN.

MRS HAZEL SMITH,LINCOLNBORN in 1935 to officerparents, Hazel was afourth-generation Salva-tionist. She heard God’scall while working as a

nurse and entered the training college in 1961as a Servant of Christ. It was there she mether husband. After her commissioning, theyserved together in a number of corps.

Following the death of their first son thecouple left officership and settled in Wor-thing. They had two more children, but God’svoice was insistent; they returned to ministry,serving in various corps before failing healthnecessitated leaving the work they loved.

Hazel’s deterioration in health made herhousebound, but she was always interested inand concerned for others despite her ownproblems. She is missed by all her family. – R. S./G. S.

RETIRED HOMELEAGUE SECRETARYMRS MARGARETMCINTYRE, NEWCITY ROADBORN in 1920, Meg beganher life of faith as a junior

in Possilpark Corps. In 1942 she marriedRobert and both became faithful and loyalleaders at New City Road. Meg served as YPtreasurer and brown owl for many years andthen as home league secretary. She also ledthe songsters.

Meg was well known for her baking, cook-ing, homespun philosophy and hospitality.She also had a special ministry as an avidsender of letters and greetings cards.

After Robert’s promotion to Glory Megbecame less mobile, but continued to makeher witness to her family and all who caredfor her in her final years. – R. M.

After retirement in 1982, the Taylors livedfor a time in the New Forest and attendedLyndhurst Baptist Church as there was nocorps nearby. With their pastoral and practi-cal interest in people, they were ‘The Salva-tion Army’ in the community.

For eight months they provided leadershipat Brightlingsea, enabling Eva to fulfil a ministry to which she felt particularly called.

They later returned to Croydon, and afterHarry’s promotion to Glory in 2002 Eva extended her influence in the local community, building bridges across the generations and with different cultures. Withher special love for children, she was ‘Grand -ma Taylor’ to her own four grand children andgreat-grandson, and also to many childrenand families in the neighbourhood. – G. T.

GEORGE SKIPSEY,SHIPLEYBORN in 1923 to Salva-tionist parents at Felling-on-Tyne, George becamean active junior soldier andthen a candidate for officer-

ship. He trained as an apprentice engineerand worked in the Newcastle shipyards inwartime. He joined the Challengers Sessionin December 1945 and was commissioned inMay 1946.

George married Lieutenant Elsie Hadding-ton in 1951. They served together at Sleaford,Belper, Hucknall, Caterham, Morden, Macclesfield, Ayr, Whifflet and Walsall.

In 1966 George became a childcare officerand was later area officer for Bradford District Social Services.

The CSM at Bradford Temple for manyyears, after retirement he ran the luncheonclub and arranged numerous holidays anddaytrips. George was well-respected in the com-munity and is dearly missed by his wife, sonGraham and daughter Elizabeth. – E. S.

ANNOUNCEMENTS


TRIBUTESMRS BRIGADIER EVA TAYLOREVA DAY was the daugh-ter of officers who servedin corps and naval and military appointments. Eva’smaternal grandfather was

converted from the Skeleton Army, marriedthe lieutenant stationed at his home corps andserved with her as an officer for several years.

Eva made her first commitment to Christas a child, and early felt called to officership.She considered working with young children,but God’s call prevailed. After working asclerk in charge of a post office in Finchley,and briefly for the Salvation Army AssuranceSociety at Rosehill, she entered the trainingcollege in the 1942 Valiant Session. As a lieutenant in wartime South London, Eva hadappointments at Deptford, South Norwood,Abbey Wood and Belvedere.

In 1944 she married Captain Harry Taylor.They had only one corps appointment together, at Liverpool Old Swan from 1946 to 1948. Harry was then in headquarters appointments, mostly in London, and Eva ful-filled her ministry – mainly as a local officerat Thornton Heath and Woodford – as corpscadet guardian, helping to train young peoplefor future leadership; she also influencedmany young lives as singing company leader,brown owl and guide captain at Woodford.

She was in great demand as a speaker athome leagues and women’s meetings andconducted meetings at corps in the Londonarea, confidently affirming the themes of personal salvation and practical holiness.

The couple’s three children – David, Gordonand Phyllis – were born between 1945 and1950. For a time Eva was also foster mother toa profoundly deaf Afro-Caribbean baby.

She wrote a series of articles for The WarCry under the title ‘I’ve been thinking’, andalso wrote poetry for The Officer and otherpublications. She wrote poems for every dayof the year, linked with Scripture texts, reflecting her deep and strong Christian com-mitment and desire to communicate her faith.Through her handicrafts and toy-making, sheraised funds for Salvation Army projects andgenerously supported a number of charities.

From 1978 to 1980 Eva was territorial secretary for over-60 clubs in Scotland, en-couraging and supporting the development ofthe clubs and their leaders through rallies andconferences.

[email protected]

OFFICIAL GAZETTEUK Territory

LONG SERVICE25 years –Major Linda Perkin, Southend Citadel.

JOHN MATEAR,

Commissioner,

Territorial Commander

COMPETITIONTHE Harlem Gospel Choir is touring the United Kingdom to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Inspired by the work of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, and originally formed by Alan Bailey,the Harlem Gospel Choir strives to share something of the African-American culturethrough its music, bringing hope and inspiration.

Salvationist is delighted to be able to offer a family ticket (two adults and one child) fora performance at the venue of the winner’s choice to a reader who can answer the followingquestion: Who founded the Harlem Gospel Choir?

Send your answer on a postcard to Harlem Gospel Choir Competition, Salvationist, 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN or email your answer to [email protected] with the subject line ‘Harlem Gospel Choir Competition’. Includeyour name, address and telephone number in your entry, and please make it clear whichvenue you are interested in. Tour dates and venues are listed below.

The Editor’s decision is final and entries must be received by 31 May.6 June – Wolverhampton; 8 June – New Brighton; 9 June – Hull; 11 June – Durham;

12 June – Tunbridge Wells; 13 June – Northampton; 14 June – Birmingham; 15 June –Cheltenham; 16 June – Catford; 17 June – Carlisle; 18 June – Dartford

PLEASE note that soldiers’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than120 words. Good quality pictures will be included with tributes.

20-23 21 May 2011 SALVATIONIST

ADVERTS


The Problem Is Me; Sex: Who Decides What’s Right And Wrong;Alive: Exploding Some Myths; Girls’ Legs: Equipped For TheJourney.

He tackles the questions of suffering, sex, moral standards, goingto church, communicating with God, coffee, the Resurrection andmuch more.

Sometimes he comes to the conclusion that he simply does notknow the answer. Sometimes he offers his own view and the lessonshe has learnt personally.

In his foreword to the book, J. John says: ‘It is a common rule ofChristian books that the deep ones are dull and the entertaining onesshallow. Snatched From The Fire breaks that glum rule. It is at thesame time entertaining and educational, compelling and challenging,interesting and instructive.’

If you know of any young men who have recently come to faith whowould like to read a down-to-earth book about Christianity, offerthem this one. If you fit the bill, this may be the book for you. – P. S. ■

■ Snatched From The Fire is available fromwww.amazon.co.uk and good bookstores

Poole Harbour. Picture: ADRIANO SILVA

BOOK OF THE WEEKSnatched From The Fire – Life With A Purpose by Mitch, IVP,£7.99

Keith Mitchell (Mitch) is a Christian communicator with CrownJesus Ministries and an associate of J. John and the Philo Trust. Hehas worked for many years as a firefighter in the Northern IrelandFire and Rescue Service. He is married to Amanda and they havetwo children.

Mitch says: ‘This is not a book about religion, nor is it a book thathas all the answers. It’s my story and my musings mixed up withGod’s wisdom from the Bible. It is my attempt to help peopleunderstand the greatest message ever told. Read it; laugh, cry, smileand allow Jesus to come close.’

His story ranges from a visit to the dentist when he was a boy andhis first struggles with lies and guilt to his competing in a triathlonrace in the Lake District. He covers a lot of ground in between, withespecial focus on his life as a firefighter. Some of the chapterheadings give an idea of the route he travels in the book – Dracula:

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

SONGOnly a step to Jesus!Then why not take it now?Come, and thy sin confessing,To him, thy Saviour bow.

Only a step, only a step! Come, he waits for thee;Come, and thy sin confessing,Thou shalt receive a blessing,Do not reject the mercy he freely offers thee!

Only a step to Jesus!Believe, and thou shalt live;Lovingly now he’s waitingAnd ready to forgive.

Fanny Crosby (SASB 255)

BIBLE VERSEIf you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that Godraised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that youbelieve and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith andare saved.

(Romans 10:9 and 10 New International Version)

QUOTEI do not believe there is a more pressing challenge to every believer today than thechallenge to share Jesus with pride, passion and belief. Compared with sharingJesus, everything else happening in the Church is like rearranging the furniturewhen the house is on fire! There is nothing more important than fulfilling the callto share Christ with a lost and dying world.

Mitch, taken from Snatched From The Fire

skewen page 5 easter music course plus lots more! · every word. square it alongside the bible and...

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