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SALVATIONISTEssential reading for everyone linked to The Salvation Army // www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist

18 January 2014 // No. 1432 // Price 60p // Also available digitally

CONTENTS

Salvationist 18 January 20142

3. FROM THE EDITOR

4. PAPERS

This week’s quotes from the papers and From the archives

5. – 11, 15. & 16. NEWS Ireland // Belfast Sydenham // Sale // St Helier // Colchester Citadel // Doncaster // Clapton // Oldham Roundthorn // Guisborough // Sheffield Citadel // Braintree // North Walsham // Snettisham // Swindon Citadel // Hamilton // Wandsworth // Birmingham Citadel // Tiverton // Leicester South // Consett // Leek // Basildon // Norwich Citadel // Reading West // Warrington // Findochty // Cwm // Dunstable // Abertillery // Risca // Wimbledon // Bridgwater // Southampton Shirley // Edinburgh Gorgie // Woking // Sunderland Monkwearmouth // Luton // Stotfold // Merthyr Tydfil // Maesteg // Newbiggin-by-the-Sea // Clevedon //Bristol Bedminster // Cramlington // Cirencester // Skewen // Tunstall //South Shields // Scarborough // Worthing // Salisbury // Trowbridge // Campbeltown // Glasgow // Yeovil //Kirkwall // Southend Southchurch // Staple Hill // Sherburn Hill // Northern // Southend Citadel // Stowmarket // Southsea // Poole // Leigh-on-Sea // Inverness // Tadley //Govan // Edinburgh City // Pokesdown // Cardiff East // Cardiff Cathays // Leadgate // Chester-le-Street // Bangor // Stepney //

8. NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE READING CHALLENGE

12. – 14. NEW COMMITMENTS

17. BIBLE STUDYA gathered people

18. – 19. ANNOUNCEMENTS

20. LETTERS

21. – 23. ADVERTS

24. THROUGH THE WEEK WITH SALVATIONIST

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS Scripture quotations in Salvationist are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated

6.

9.

7.

8. 16.

10.

Salvationist 18 January 2014 3

SHARING NEWSI HAVE been reading Cathy Le Feuvre’s book William And Catherine, which gives a fascinating insight into the Founders’ lives through their letters to each other, before they married and afterwards. They were certainly avid letter writers – as were many others of their day when letter writing was the main way to keep in touch. What a difference 150 years makes when it comes to choices of communication.

Keeping in touch, or sharing information and pictures, has never been easier or swifter – as highlighted in this issue of Salvationist, where you will find an abundance of Christmas news and pictures reflecting recent activities in many places. It’s encouraging to see how the true meaning of Christmas has been expressed in all sorts of ways to a secular world. If you’re already planning activities for next Christmas, there may be some ideas to be gleaned from these pages.

I was interested to read how a children’s club at Tiverton – started mainly ‘by word of mouth’ – has become so popular that there is now a waiting list. Eleven of the children and some of their family members took part in the carol service; most had no previous church connection. In Doncaster the band joined street pastors to accompany carol singing for late-night revellers. On Christmas Day at Southsea the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth helped serve meals at the hall – much to the guests’ enjoyment. If your Christmas news does not appear in this issue, it may be because it reached us too late to be included.

The centre pages are filled with new commitments; there are some great stories of people coming to faith and being

made welcome in the corps fellowship. It’s all about Reaching Up Reaching Out – the Commitment Sunday theme for the year. On page 17, in the final part of a series of Bible studies to open up the theme, Major Mark Herbert considers fellowship saying ‘fellowship with God puts us into fellowship with each other’ and suggests that the call to fellowship is a challenge to be deep people. The evidence of those committing their lives to Christ indicates a rejection of shallow values in favour of the depth found in Christian fellowship.

Blest be the tie that bindsOur hearts in Christian love;The fellowship of kindred mindsIs like to that above. (SASB 660)

MAJOR JANE KIMBERLEY

FROM THE EDITOR

SALVATIONISTGENERAL INQUIRIES (tel) 020 7367 4890(email) [email protected] (web) www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist

EDITOR Major Jane Kimberley – (tel) 020 7367 4901

MANAGING EDITOR Stephen Pearson – (tel) 020 7367 4891

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Laura Barker – (tel) 020 7367 4893 Kersten Rieder – (tel) 020 7367 4894 Captain Andrew Stone – (tel) 020 7367 4892

DTP DESIGNER Colin Potter – (tel) 020 7367 4895

DTP OPERATOR Denise D’Souza – (tel) 020 7367 4896

ADMINISTRATOR Stella Merino – (tel) 020 7367 4881

ADVERTISING (tel) 020 7367 4895 (email) [email protected]

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A registered newspaper published weekly by The Salvation Army (United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland) on behalf of the General of The Salvation Army and printed by Wyndeham Grange, Southwick. © André Cox, General of The Salvation Army, 2014. The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN (tel) 020 7367 4500(tel) 0845 634 0101

THE SALVATIONARMYFOUNDER William Booth

GENERAL André Cox

TERRITORIAL COMMANDERCommissioner Clive Adams

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARYMajor Martin Hill

POPE: TRUE FAITH ENTAILS A DESIRE TO CHANGE THE WORLDTrue faith is marked by the daring desire to change the world with the loving heart of Jesus, Pope Francis said.

The zealous proclamation of the gospel must never be coupled with ‘inquisitional clobbering, with condemnation. No, the gospel is proclaimed with kindness, fraternity and love,’ he told more than 300 of his fellow Jesuits…

‘An authentic faith always entails a deep desire to change the world. This is the question we must ask ourselves: Do we, too, have a great vision and impulse? Are we audacious? Does our dream soar high? Does our zeal consume us?’ the Pope asked.

‘Or are we mediocre and [do] we content ourselves with our laboratory of apostolic programmes?’The Catholic Herald

PRESIDENT: POVERTY IS NOT A STIGMAThe President of the [Methodist] Con-

ference has hit out at the ‘stigmatisation’

by politicians of people in poverty.

In an interview… marking the half-

way point of her Presidency, the Rev

Ruth Gee said that Christians were

called to hear the voices of ‘the

silenced’, among whom were the poor.

‘The really worrying thing is that

people who are in poverty are still

being stigmatised… I heard it at a

political party conference I attended

and you can still hear this stigmatising

all over the place,’ she said.................. Methodist Recorder

MR GUMBEL QUESTIONS MEANING OF SUFFERINGThe Vicar of Holy Trinity, Brompton, the Rev Nicky Gumbel, has spoken about the members of his family who were killed during the Holocaust…

In an interview for the Things Unseen

podcast in November… he reconciled his faith with the horrors of his family’s suffering… ‘The issue of innocent suffering is the hardest question to answer. It’s the biggest moral objection to the Christian faith, and no one has really ever come up with a satisfactory answer…

‘Ultimately, I think, for me, the reason that Christianity is so powerful is that Jesus is not aloof from suffering. God is not aloof from suffering. He came, and was part of our world, and he died in the most horrific way, so that he understands suffering.’Church Times

PAPERS


THE Kotchin’ youth group at WOOD GREEN attended a ceremony hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald, with speaker

Home Secretary David Blunkett and guests, including the Duchess of Kent.

The group, whose name is North London slang for ‘chilling’, won the Philip Lawrence Award for creating community, racial equality and providing a place for young people to relax and belong.

£1,000. – S-M. C.

News in ‘Salvationist’ dated 17 January 2004

FROM THE ARCHIVES – TEN YEARS ON

THIS WEEK’S QUOTES FROM THE PAPERS

Kotchin’s grand achievement

Carol service supports island evacueesST HELIER

CHIEF Secretary Colonel David Hinton and Colonel Sylvia Hinton (THQ) partici-pated in the BBC Radio Jersey carol service. The Chief Secretary gave the Christmas

NEWS


NEWS IN BRIEF

The Chairman of Skelton and Brotton Parish Council (Councillor James Carolle) presented a £100 cheque to Guisborough for the Christmas appeal Carols by Candlelight at Sheffield Citadel featured BBC Radio Sheffield presenter Neil Grant, who read the lessons to a capacity congregation, including some people visiting for the first time

Chairman of Great Notley Parish Council (Councillor Graham Butland) and Councillor Betty Barltrop presented £210, the proceeds from a community carol service, to Braintree Residents and staff at Furze Hill House, North Walsham, were joined by family and friends for a carol service led by music sections from North Walsham Major Michelle Woodhouse (DHQ) led a carol service at Snettisham

For the fourth year running an International Staff Band ensemble participated in the Chris Evans Breakfast Show during the last programme before Christmas Friends and relatives of members of the newly formed community gospel choir attended a candlelight carol service at Swindon Citadel The young people at Hamilton participated in an alien-themed Sunday meeting where they learnt about Advent and Christmas

Territorial leaders lead inspirational weekendIRELAND

COMMISSIONERS Clive and Marianne Adams led a full and inspirational weekend during their visit when they travelled the length and breadth of the division.

The territorial leaders partici-pated in a series of informal meetings with frontline officers that gave opportunities for conversation. They shared the true meaning of Christmas in Dublin at the Granby Lifehouse and at a carol service, and in a celebration at Limavady. The commissioners are pictured with divisional leaders Majors Elwyn and Carole Harries and members of the North-West Strategy Group. – E. H.

Kidz take the leadBELFAST SYDENHAM

SYDZ Kidz Choir supported the band at the Christmas Festival, featuring guest soloist Julia Clark.

Chaplain Lieut-Colonel Alan Hart compèred the evening, which included a thought- pro voking sketch presented by the young people. – A. H./ V. H.

SALE: The corps carol service featured a flash mob of singers who contributed a miscellany of carols as members of the nativity cast processed through the congregation. – E. Y.

Children and adults at Clapton participate in a nativity scene;

a packed hall included visitors from Stoke Newington

Every section takes partCOLCHESTER CITADEL

EVERY section of the corps participated in the carol service led by Majors John and Julia

Partridge. As each contributed, a bauble was placed on a wooden tree made by bowls club members. The youngest corps members presented a nativity scene and the Totz group were joined by their families, as were the Youth Alive group. – D. H.

A multi-age cast

presents a nativity play

at Oldham Roundthorn

message and the band accompa-nied the carols.

On Sunday Colonel David Hinton led the corps carol service with the theme Light In The Darkness. A cheque for £1,000 was presented to the Jersey Evacuees Society. – L. W.

Revellers in Doncaster join in carol singingl

led by street pastors and the bandl

African Choir debutsBIRMINGHAM CITADEL

A VAST and enthusiastic con -gregation enjoyed Christmas Around The World at Symphony Hall. Rapturous applause greeted the African Choir upon their debut performance. Schoolchil-dren from Stafford and Sandwell sang beautifully and Shireland Collegiate Academy Steel Pan Band added a touch of colour.

A collection raised £6,753 for Army projects. – F. C.

NEWS


Dr Josep Sule-Suso from the Cancer Centre at the University

Hospital of North Staffordshire receives a cheque for £744

from the Mayor of Leek (Councillor John Fisher), who is

accompanied by his wife Pat, and Leek corps officer Major Rudi

Pilsel; the money was raised at the carol service

Army supports charity Christmas celebrationWANDSWORTH

THE corps hosted the annual Christmas celebration for the Wandsworth Oasis Trading Co Ltd, which – through its six charity shops – raises money to support people living with HIV. Major Bert Roper compèred the event, which included carols with band accompaniment and readings by guests including Jane Ellison MP. The Mayor of Wandsworth (Councillor Angela Graham) presented cheques to 12 charities, totalling £77,000, including £2,000 for the Army’s work with people living with HIV. – A. R.

Big band sound at ChristmasLEICESTER SOUTH

A PACKED auditorium at Leicester Grammar School greeted the band and songsters as they set the scene for Christmas With The Salvation

Army. As well as music from the corps sections, guests Sue Blyth (vocal, Peterborough Citadel) and the Royal Air Force Squadronaires enhanced the evening with their big-band performances.

The event raised £2,000 for the Royal Air Force Association. – K. P.

At Consett, the Chairman of Durham County Council (Councillor

Pauline Charlton) presents toys for the community to YPSM

Lynette Baker and YP Band Leader Philip Baker

TIVERTON: Children who started to attend the newly formed children’s club in November were invited, with their families, to the corps carol service. Eleven children joined in enthusiastically. – B. G.

Christmas concert supports ChikankataNORWICH CITADEL

THE songsters’ annual candle-light carol service, entitled The Shepherds’ Story, featured five readings interspersed with song-ster contributions.

A quartet – Ruth Beattie, Tom Carr, Sebastian Johnson and Songster Sergeant Sue Benson – sang ‘Christmas Sanctus’.

The YP band played ‘Carol Of The Bells’ and new seasonal music written by band member Sebastian Johnson featuring percussionist Harry Peek, enti-tled ‘Christmas Smörgåsbord’.

The event raised £2,130 for the Army’s Chikankata Hospital, Zambia. – B. C.

NEWS


Christmas Spectacular supports good causes

GUISBOROUGH

THE band and Stokesley Com -munity Primary School Choir presented a Christmas Spec-tacular concert that included a visit from Father Christmas. The event raised money for the Army’s anti-human trafficking programme and local charity Hope for Holly, which supports a little girl battling cancer. – S. S.

Reading West Band plays

carols at The Oracle shopping

centre, after other carolling

stints at Heathrow Terminal 3

and Wallingford Market Square

Christmas event aids hospitalWARRINGTON

THE Christmas Spectacular fea tured the new community choir, which presented a range of seasonal songs to a capacity audience. During the past year a number of corps folk were hospitalised, so a cheque for £600, raised on the night, was presented to the Deputy Mayor (Councillor Ted Finnigan) who accepted it on behalf of Warring-ton Hospital. – A. C.

Parents and children from the Sing Baby Sing group at

Findochty enjoy their first group party

NEWS IN BRIEF

Divisional leaders Majors Derek and Susan Jones led the annual toy service at Cwm The Music For Pleasure concert at Alton featured Advent music from the corps sections Divisional leaders Majors Paul and Jenine Main led a café church at Dunstable In partnership with other dance, drama and music organisations, a united band from Abertillery and Risca presented Christmas With The Salvation Army at the Metropole Theatre The Joy To The World carol service at Norwich Citadel raised £1,670 for Cancer Research UK

The children from Basildon

parent-and-toddler group

take part in the toddler carol

service

Hundreds attend Glory Of Christmas concertsSOUTHAMPTON SHIRLEY

ALMOST 400 people, including the Mayor (Councillor Ivan White) and Mayoress (Mary White) of South ampton, atten ded the Glory Of Christmas carol concerts.

After the opening item, ‘For Unto Us A Child Is Born’, from the band and vocalists, the programme continued with a saxophone solo, euphonium and tuba duet, ‘animals of the stable’ puppets and a chil-dren’s nativity. The tickets sales and appeal raised £3,050 for Southampton Youth Carers and the Paediatric Medical Unit of Southampton General Hospital. – J. W.

Carol concert proclaims Jesus’ birthBRIDGWATER

ADULTS and children from various corps programmes partic-ipated in the charity carol concert in the Town Hall Theatre, attended by the Chairman of Sedgemoor District Council

WEEK 47Monday 20 January 1 John 1 – John writes to proclaim the Word of life

v1: why is this verse so important for the authority of what follows?

v9: do you think John means that we should confess individual sins or confess that we are sinners or both?

Is John persuading us to confess to each other, to a spiritual leader or directly to God?

Tuesday 21 January 1 John 2 – The link between faith and obedi-ence, and a warning against false teachers

vv15–17: is it possible to love the world and God at the same time?

v23: how does this verse sit with the theory that all religions worship the same God?

Wednesday 22 January 1 John 3 – God’s love for us should result in love for each other

v8: do you think John believes that the Devil literally exists? What are the implications of your answer?

v18: is it possible to have belief without action? v23: how does this compare to Matthew 22:36–40?

Thursday 23 January 1 John 4 – God is love. We love because he first loved us (vv16 and 19)

vv7 and 21: is your church a worshipping community where everyone loves one another?

Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ? v18: what is the fear John is speaking about?

Friday 24 January 1 John 5 – Obedience to God demonstrates our love for him

v12: in what way is Christianity both inclusive and exclusive? v17: ‘all wrongdoing is sin’ – is this the best definition of sin for

the modern world?

NEWS


WIMBLEDON: An evening of Christmas reflection – including opportunities to chat, share memories and seek practical advice and prayer – attracted a number of people into the hall. Others were spoken to as they passed by the building. The next Sunday, one of those contacted returned for the meeting. – A. F.

(Councillor Peter Downing), Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Bridgwater (Councillor Steve and Stella Austen) and Ted Stock from Bridgwater food bank.

The proclamation of Jesus’ birth and all the hope that it brings was portrayed in narration, music, dance and drama. The evening raised £374 for the food bank. – N. D.

The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth (Councillor Lynne Stagg) serves

meals to guests who attended Southsea Corps on Christmas Day

Carollers dig deep at ChristmasEDINBURGH GORGIE

MORE than 300 people gath-ered in the Mansfield Traquair Centre for Carols with The Salvation Army.

Divisional Commander Lieut-Colonel Carol Bailey thanked everyone for their financial and practical support to the Army. Deputising for the Lord Provost, Bailie Elaine Aitken expressed appreciation on behalf of the city for the work of The Salvation Army throughout the year, particularly with homeless people.

The congregation’s generosity enabled Corps Sergeant-Major Alan Bellshaw to present two cheques for £600 to The Bethany Trust and the South West Food Bank (The Trussell Trust), which is located at the corps. – L. C.

SWINDON CITADEL: The annual Christmas gift day bene -fited residents at Gloucester House Addictions Rehabilitation Centre. Manager Sue Tollington thanked the congregation, and four residents shared their stories. – K. S.

SUNDERLAND MILLFIELD: A large and appreciative congre-gation gathered for the annual charity concert in support of The Puffin Appeal, which supports children suffering from cystic fibrosis and other respiratory diseases. All the sections took part and the young people formed a nativity tableau. The evening raised £717. – E. F.

WOKING: During their busy carolling programme the band and songsters gave out mince pies in the area around the corps building. They also participated in a programme on BBC Radio Surrey when listeners chose favourite carols. The corps held two carol services, including a ‘messy’ one when children’s groups took part; £500 was raised for the mayor’s appeal. – D. C.

NEWS


NEWS IN BRIEF

Stephen Poxon (Luton) led inspiring and encouraging meetings at Swindon Citadel

Children from the Allsorts group performed a traditional nativity play at Abertillery

Merthyr Tydfil Fellowship Band joined with Brecon Churches Together for carolling

Maesteg donated toys to West Glamorgan Council for distribution Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Band took part in the annual memorial service at Holy Sepulchre church, Ashington

Maesteg corps officer Major Ann Pugh led the Christingle service with carols by candlelight

The community carol service raised £438 for the breakfast club at Bristol Bedminster

More than 40 people attended the Christingle service at Cramlington The Twelve Days Of Christmas concerts at Clevedon raised £1,390 for local charities A community member arranged for her colleagues to forfeit a day’s lunch and instead donate the money to Cirencester Corps for Christmas parcels Corps members from Swansea presented the musical The Heart Of Christmas at Skewen In Maesteg toys, some supplied by radio station Bridge FM, were distributed by the corps to children in the community

Members of the parent-and-toddler group, brownies and youth club portrayed a nativity scene at South Shields carol service when £173 was raised for the town mayor’s charities

Tunstall Band received a cheque for £250 from Newcastle- under-Lyme Rotary Club at the Christmas celebration

A group of musicians from Scarborough visited HMP Hull and took part in the carol service, which was attended by more than 90 prisoners and staff

Worthing Corps provided food parcels to 205 families in need, made possible through donations from the community and the Rotary Club

Territorial Commander Commissioner Clive Adams and

Commissioner Marianne Adams attend the young people’s carol

service at Abertillery

A team of 40 volunteers at Woking wraps more than 550 gifts

and packs 300 food parcels for the community

Children and teenagers at Stotfold tell the Nativity story using

Disney characters at the annual toy service; more than 100 toys

were donated

Capacity congregations attend carols at the citadelNORWICH CITADEL

NEAR capacity congregations attended the two carol services – themed Searching For Christmas – in which the timbrelists offered a sparkling introduction with ‘Christmas Joy’.

Corps Sergeant-Major Hazel Sommerville introduced the Lord Mayor of Norwich (Councillor Keith Driver) and compèred the evening, which included contributions from the band, songsters, YP band, sing-ing company and soloists.

Assistant Corps Sergeant-Major Matthew Peek discussed the BBC Radio Norfolk and Anglia Division Toys and Tins fundraising appeal and indicated that 5,000 gift parcels would be distributed.

Collections for the appeal raised £1,860. – B. C.

NEWS


NEWS IN BRIEF

The Old Chimers bell ringers entertained folk at the Southend Southchurch carol service

Many non- Salvationists attended the Staple Hill carol service Sherburn Hill Band played at the New Year’s Eve Churches Together service at Durham Cathedral

Young people take to the stage COLCHESTER CITADEL

A CAPACITY congregation gathered to join in the YP carol service. Imogen Lever wrote,

TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS, LONDON SE1

Salvationist has a vacancy for a

GRAPHIC DESIGNER£26,640 PER ANNUM PLUS £1,500 LONDON WEIGHTING35 HOURS PER WEEK

Salvationist is looking for a creative and committed designer to produce eye-catching editions of the weekly publication for print and digital format.

Duties include: Designing and compositing pages using Mac-based Adobe Creative Suite to an exceptionally high standard and to weekly production deadlines Assisting with advertisements as required

Processing pages at each production stage from blank to print-ready/app-ready format Preparing and transmitting pages to press and publishing digitally in app format Sourcing of pictures Contributing content ideas.

A proven background of newspaper/magazine design is desirable and a willingness to work flexibly. The successful applicant should show evidence of being meticulous, highly organised, a team player with ability to deliver under relentless deadlines.

We offer 25 days’ annual leave plus eight Bank Holidays, an opportunity to join The Salvation Army’s defined contribution pension scheme, season ticket loan and childcare vouchers.

For an application pack, visit the Salvation Army website www.salvationarmy.org.uk/jobs or alternatively contact the HR Department on 020 7367 4749 or email [email protected]

All candidates must work within the Christian ethos of The Salvation Army.

Closing date for completed applications: Wednesday 22 January 5 pm

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 4 February

CVs and agencies will not be accepted

Promoting equality in the workplace

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and a registered charity

No 214779 and in Scotland SC009359

Guests thrill congregation at carol serviceSALISBURY

THE band, Salisbury Cathedral Junior Choir, Divisional Band-master Stephen Smith (oboe), Leanne Clark (vocal) and Rural Dean Canon David Linaker thrilled the congregation at the community carol service. John Glen MP and the Mayor of Salisbury (Councillor Penny Brown) read from the Bible. The evening raised £1,000 for The Trussell Trust. – P. C.

YP carol service rings bellsGUISBOROUGH

THE YP carol service was themed on a twist of the film

The Polar Express, where the train ended up at the nativity scene. The YP band and singing company contributed items and, at the conclusion of the service, members of the congregation received tiny sleigh bells. – S. S.

Children at Campbeltown take part in a

nativity scene in the Carols By

Candlelight service; they had earlier

enjoyed a Christmas-themed Messy Church

directed and starred in the nativ-ity production, which also included a dance performance. Three members of the new after-school club attended with their families for the first time and presented humorous Christ-mas readings. – D. H./M. H.

More than one thousand people fill theatreYEOVIL

MORE than 1,000 people filled the Octagon Theatre for the carol concerts. The sections all took part, including the newly formed YP band whose two percussion-ists presented ‘Big Christmas Bash’ to an excerpt from ‘William Tell Overture’. By contrast a nativity scene reminded everyone of the true meaning of Christmas. The concerts raised more than £2,700 for Macmillan nurses at Yeovil Hospital. – R. L.

NEWS


Passengers and staff unite at serviceGLASGOW

FOR the fourth successive year more than 100 staff and passen-gers joined with Salvationists for the Christmas Eve carol service in the departure area of Glasgow International Airport.

Airport Chaplain Commis-sioner Keith Banks led the ser vice with support from Green ock Band, Peter Fergusson (keyboard) and vocal soloists Matt Ramsay and Natalie Fergusson (all Govan).

Managing Director Amanda McMillan attended and Head of Communications Brian McClean read the Christmas story from Luke’s Gospel.

Throughout the year staff and employees raised funds for community programmes at Paisley, Greenock and Govan. As a result, Barbara Thomson (Glasgow Airport security staff ) and Robin Johnstone-Hyland (W H Smith) presented a cheque for £4,620 to the leaders of the three corps.

A large quantity of non-perishable food for the Open Door project at Govan, toys and 16 gift bags for elderly people were also received. Staff and passengers expressed emphatic appreciation for such an appro-priate start to the Christmas celebrations. – K. B.

A nativity scene from Peru is

one of 50 from around the

world on display at

Trowbridge; many people

visited the hall for the first

time to view the display,

some as a response to

invitations received when

the band played carols in the

town centre

NEWBIGGIN-BY-THE-SEA: Families from café church and Messy Church attended the carol service. The young people and puppets presented an adap-tation of the musical Sparkle. – P. H.

At Kirkwall, representatives from Home Start Orkney, Women’s

Aid Orkney and Home Link receive donated toys from corps

officer Lieutenant Alison Hutchings, Tesco representative Mick

Greaves and Charity Shop Manager Jenny Fairbairn

CSM Geoff and CT Jan Blottt

collect toys from Sainsbury’st

donated by members of thet

public for Guisborough’st

annual toy appealt

Findochty Sunday school children take part in the ‘No Room

At Christmas’ sketch at the carol service;

the hall was filled to capacity

Carollers take to the street in Campbeltown

NEW COMMITMENTS


1.

2.

3.

5. 4.6.7.1. – 3. ILONA HERAKOVÁ, PATRIK HERAK Soldiers ANDREA DUNOVÁ, MARTIN DUNA, ROMAN GODLA, SIMONA GODLOVÁ Adherent members ARMÁDA SPÁSY, MARGATEPATRIK testifies to immediate deliverance of his drug dependence when he turned to Jesus. After their conversion, Patrik and Ilona moved to the UK to join the church that had been instrumental to their salvation. In 2012 they got married in obedience to their commitment to Christ, and they are active members of the corps. They are pictured with their children, Enrico and Liliana.

Andrea had been a Christian before her move to Margate, but Martin wasn’t convinced until he saw and heard the testimonies of transformed lives. He surrendered his life to Christ and they now host a house group.

Roman and Simona started attending the corps when their family moved to the UK from Slovakia. They made their individual commitments after their parents’ conversion and are active in the youth discipleship group. – D. B.

4. & 5.TREVOR HAM, KAREN HAM Soldiers TAUNTONTREVOR and Karen were soldiers a number of years ago and have

since attended other churches while living away and abroad. When their son was baptised, Karen felt God calling her back to the Army. Within weeks, Trevor returned. They both felt it was time to renew their covenants and make commitments as soldiers. – S. C-R.

6. DAMIAN BURRELL Adherent member MARKET RASENAFTER growing up in a Christian family, the first contact Damian had with the Army was at Skegness and he decided to continue attending meetings when he moved to Market Rasen last year. Damian now assists in the kitchen and makes helpful contributions to the weekly Bible study. He was welcomed to the fellowship by corps leader Divisional Envoy Anne Ward. – D. G.

7. EVELYN GILES Soldier IPSWICH PRIORY CENTREHAVING been a Christian all her life, Evelyn was attracted to the Army eight years ago through the craft activities group. A subsequent invitation to Bible study and Sunday worship led to her becoming an adherent member in 2011. She wanted to make a further commitment and was enrolled as a soldier by centre manager Major Wendy Goodman. Evelyn chose the song ‘Take My Life’ to illustrate her testimony. – W. G.


9.

8.

10.

13. 12.

11.

8. LUCY KERR Junior soldier LURGANCORPS officer Captain David Williamson enrolled Lucy as a junior soldier. She is pictured with her parents, Laura and Eddie. – G. W.

9. KAY HARDING Adherent member CLACTONKAY had been worshipping at the corps for a year before she felt God calling her to make a commitment. She was welcomed as an adherent member by corps officers Captains Anne and Stuart Crane. – V. R.

10. DEBBIE LINDSAY Adherent member THORNTON HEATHDEBBIE was welcomed as an adherent member by corps officer Major Kathryn Woodhouse. After her daughter Ellie’s enrolment as a junior soldier, Debbie also wanted to make a commitment to the fellowship. She is actively involved in corps life and Bible study. – I. D.

11. ALEXANDRA MYERS, MARCIA TAYLOR Adherent members SOUTH SHIELDSCORPS officer Major Robert Johnson welcomed Alexandra and Marcia as adherent members. Alexandra considers the Army her spiritual home after transferring from the Anglican Church. Marcia

has been attending worship for some time and is involved with the youth groups. – J. G.

12. EBENEZER NWADIUTO OKPECHI Adherent member GILLINGHAMCORPS officer Major Haris Giannaros welcomed Ebenezer as an adherent member. Ebenezer, who attends with his wife and three children, testified to the continuing faithfulness of God. – J. M.

13. & 14. TINO RUSERIE Soldier JOSH CLAPCOTT, JENNA MAIN, ELLA WRIGHT Junior soldiers BOSCOMBETINO’S family moved from Zimbabwe some years ago. When two members of her family died, she felt lonely and misunderstood. When a friend sent her words of a chorus ‘I Am The Lord, And Yes, I Understand’, Tino felt reassured that her experience had been a stepping stone in God’s plan for her life. Corps officer Major Ray Begley enrolled Tino as a soldier.

Josh, Jenna and Ella have had Salvationist connections from birth and are involved in various YP and music activities in the corps. Josh represented all three by giving his testimony and expressing his desire to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. – R. C.

14.

NEW COMMITMENTS


15. ELIZABETH WHITMORE, JOYCE JOHNSON, DOROTHY MAHER Adherent members PENARTHCORPS officer Captain Dani Mayo welcomed the three new adherent members into the fellowship. Elizabeth, Joyce and Dorothy are pictured with Captain Steve Mayo. – C. P.

16. PETE CRAWFORD Soldier JULIE CRAWFORD Adherent member LEAMINGTON SPAPETE and Julie immediately felt welcome when they first attended Army meetings. In his testimony, Pete spoke of God’s calling on his life and Julie talked about feeling at home within the fellowship. Corps leader Cadet Leanne Wallis enrolled Pete as a soldier and welcomed Julie as an adherent member. – L. W.

17. MAGGIE DIGBY Soldier GOSPORTFAMILY and friends supported Maggie as she was enrolled as a soldier. In her testimony Maggie shared how she had committed herself fully in response to God’s call. She is pictured with Neil Winter and corps officer Captain Janine Lewis. – J. L.

18. CHRISTINE GRIFFIN Adherent member MERTHYR TYDFILCORPS officers Lieutenants Andrew and Lorraine Warriner welcomed Christine into the fellowship. Christine testified that she had been brought up in a Christian home but had rebelled as a teenager

by drinking and taking drugs. Even though she went through a broken marriage, Christine still felt that God was there. She began taking her grandson to the parent-and-toddler group and became involved in the charity shop and drop-in. It was after attending an Alpha course that she felt her faith and love for God had returned. – L. B.

19. ALBERT BLANCKENSEE Adherent member LUTONSINCE his conversion a couple of years ago, Albert has gradually become more involved in the corps, attending Bible study, helping to lead an Alpha course and being an active member of the corps council. He is now looking forward to all God has in store for him. – P. P.

20. ABBI FLACK Junior soldier CHELMSFORDABBI and her mum felt so at home when they began attending that Abbi decided she wanted to be a junior soldier. When corps officer Major Mark Sawyer asked Abbi what she liked about the Army she said she had so much fun and learnt a lot about God without even realising it. – E. W.

21. – 23. BEN IRISH, HAYDEN MORRISON, ISAAC SHAW Junior soldiers SOUTHSEABEN, Hayden and Isaac were enrolled by corps officer Major Mary Wolfe. When asked what being a junior soldier meant to them, the boys said they wanted to learn more about God so that they could tell other people about him. – T. M.

23.22.

21. 20.

17.

18.

16.

15.

19.

NEWS


Children delight congregationNORTHERN

THE divisional carol service at the Centre for Life, Newcastle, featured the divisional fellow-ship band. Bedlington Songsters and Sunderland Millfield Sing-ing Company provided thought-provoking and lively songs. Children from Blaydon Messy Church (pictured)delighted the congregation with their presen-tation of the Nativity.

The division also acknowl-edged Alison Dare’s ten years as divisional children’s officer. – K. G.

SOUTHEND CITADEL: A capacity audience enjoyed the Citadel Gospel Choir Christmas celebration featuring soloists Ira Thomas (vocal, THQ) and Paul Williams (cornet, Enfield) accompanied by Major Richard Gaudion (Regent Hall). – K. M.

Concert supports bereavement roomSTOWMARKET

MORE than 300 people filled the United Reformed church for Carols For All featuring the band, songsters, YP band, sing-ing company, soloists Rob Moye (vocal), Brian Little (post horn) and a singing group from Bacton Primary School.

Corps officer Major Beverley Robilliard han ded a cheque for £2,185 to Alison Littler (West Suffolk Hospital) to furnish a special bereavement room for parents who suffer loss during childbirth. – M. B.

NEWS IN BRIEF

At Govan Corps Treasurer Alistair Macfarlane and his team of Christmas elves helped raise more than £1,500 for corps community work Staff at Lloyds Bank donated food for parcels and the food bank to Edinburgh City Busy Bees parent-and-toddler group met for a carol concert at Skewen – the children dressed as nativity characters Almost £1,000 was raised at Staple Hill at the Light Up A Life service for St Peter’s Hospice, Bristol

Pokesdown Home League enjoyed a festive afternoon of carols accompanied by a brass ensemble Major Agnes Atter (DHQ) led toy services at Cardiff East and Cardiff Cathays Leadgate corps folk took poinsettia plants in memory of loved ones to the third annual poinsettia service

Youth worker Jonathant

Stubbington and Communityt

Manager Catherine Snellt

receive a £750 cheque fromt

Waitrose for the Christmas Dayt

programme at Leigh-on-Seat

At Inverness, parents and children of Wee Care meet for a

Christmas party, which included a visit by Santa; each child

went home with ‘Children’s First Bible’

Southsea Band plays carols in the shopping precinct

POOLE: The band joined with the Rotary and Hope FM radio station to provide music at a Christmas celebration in St James’s parish church. Dorset Police Male Voice Choir and all-girl choir Cantilena provided contrasting items. Proceeds went to wards community funds. – G. G.

Tadley home league members

present the Christmas story

at a Jesse Tree Advent service

Carol concert successWORTHING

MORE than 850 people crow-ded into Worthing Assembly Halls for the annual Salvation Army carol concert supported by the Mayor of Worthing (Coun-cillor Robert Smytherman). The evening was a combination of carol singing and participation by the corps sections, with vocal soloist Joseph Greenwood. A nativity scene was presented as part of a musical finale.

STEPNEY: A capacity audi-ence watched a Christmas bonanza of drama, dance and music presented by the per-forming arts club SmartCrew. – K. R./K. S.

CHESTER-LE-STREET: The band played carols to shoppers outside St Nicholas’s church and then headed a procession of children carrying lanterns to Durham Cathedral for the St Nicholas service. – G. C.

NEWS


Members of Tiverton choir take part for the first time in a Royal

British Legion carol service at St Paul’s church, Starcross

The evening gave opportunity to celebrate Christmas and thank people for their support as well as raising more than £4,000 for the corps community programme and St Barnabas House Hospice. – D. H.

A euphonium quartet, comprising John Hanchett, Gary Rose,

Dean Jones and Darren Shaw, contributes to Christmas café

church at Southsea

In a new venture at Camperdown, Chester-le-Street Corps

presents Carols In The Park and serves refreshments to

residents

The Mayor of

North Down

(Councillor

Andrew Muir)

joins volunteers

at Bangor to

prepare gifts

and toys for

distribution as

part of The

Salvation Army

and St Vincent

de Paul

Christmas

Appeal

Tim Pollard of BBC Radio Jersey presents a live broadcastt

during the Christmas Day meal provided by St Helier Corpst

BELFAST SYDENHAM: Many people from the com-munity attended Carols In The Car Park. After a few carols, visitors were invited inside the hall for a chat and refreshments and children participated in craft activities. – A. H./V. H.

A gathered people

relationships, are well respected, have a strong sense of purpose, motivate others towards Jesus, know what they believe and are generous in the ways they serve. How are you doing?

If it were that easy, we would be doing it already! How, then, can we develop a fellowship through which we all grow deeper in our knowledge and experience?

SOME SUGGESTIONSWe are not looking for the exotic, but the ordinary and simple – so don’t shortcut your listening or acceptance of people, or your willingness to serve them. Small groups are vital in helping people to be followers of Christ when they are not together with others. Serving as part of a team strengthens a sense of belonging.

Read and ponder our study passage again. What can you do to strengthen the

fellowship to which you belong? How easy is it for a new person to

become part of your fellowship? What opportunities are there for

encouraging people to go deeper in their faith?

OUR FELLOWSHIP IS THE BASIS FOR EVERYTHING WE DOAt its simplest, the Greek word often used for fellowship means ‘common’. So the questions we ask each other as we gather are: What do we hold in common? What is it that binds us together?

There are many answers to these questions, but John, in his epistles, tells us we have fellowship with the Father our Creator, the Son our Saviour and Spirit who dwells within us. This is our fellowship with God, our common inheritance as believers. There is no other basis for our fellowship.

FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD PUTS US INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH EACH OTHER‘That you also may have fellowship with us’ (v3). We cannot escape this. This is what reaching up and reaching out means. We have a mutual responsibility towards each other.

On numerous occasions in his epistles, Paul uses the expression ‘one another’ to challenge us about how we engage with each other. Whether we recognise it or not, like it or not, live up to it or not, this is the obligation of the fellowship we have been called into. In God’s order, nothing can substitute for loving and serving people.

The call to fellowship is a challenge to be deep people. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intellectual or gifted people, but for deep people.

So what does a deep person look like? Here are some suggestions.

Deep people are loyal to Jesus. They are growing in all aspects of their lives, are able to build strong

FELLOWSHIP, in a Christian context, has become a worn-out word, mainly through overuse or misuse. We mostly believe that we have ‘shared

fellowship’ when we exchange brief pleasantries in the queue for coffee at the end of Sunday morning worship. It can only be of God that we have lasted this long with that level of understanding!

Read again our study passage and you will notice what is at the heart of meaningful sharing.

Verse 3 says: ‘We proclaim... so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son.’

In essence, the theme of the previous two weeks has drawn us to discovering what our corps fellowship should really look like. Once we accept the centrality of Jesus to our faith and the relevance of our Christian message, the purpose of what we do changes.

The Church is a ‘gathered’ people, and these verses remind us again that we ‘gather’ around Jesus and should keep looking out for Jesus in each other and our fellowship.

They also help us remember three elements of our fellowship…

OUR FELLOWSHIP IS VITAL – THAT’S WHY WE PROCLAIM ITOne purpose of proclaiming is so that sinners can hear that forgiveness is available, but it is more than this. It is so we are all able to have fellowship with God. Do you see the progression of the verse? ‘We declare to you… so that you may have fellowship with us.’ We cannot live without this fellowship.

BIBLE STUDY

MAJOR HERBERT IS TERRITORIAL EVANGELISM SECRETARY

The last of a three-part series by Major Mark Herbert entitled Reaching Up Reaching Out

STUDY PASSAGE 1 JOHN 1:1–3


ANNOUNCEMENTS


ENGAGEMENTSGENERAL ANDRÉ COX AND COMMISSIONER SILVIA COX: Zambia, Mon 3 Feb - Sun 9

THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER WILLIAM ROBERTS) AND COMMISSIONER NANCY ROBERTS: ICO, Tu 28 Jan

THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER CLIVE ADAMS) AND COMMISSIONER MARIANNE ADAMS: Farnworth, Sat 18 Jan Hedge End, Sat Sun 26 Swanwick (chaplaincy training), Wed 29 Penge, Sat Sun 2 Feb South London Retired Officers Fellowship, Fri 7 Scotland Council, Th 13

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL DAVID HINTON) AND COLONEL SYLVIA HINTON: Scotland Council, Th 13 Feb

INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND: Belfast Citadel, Sat Sun 26 Jan

INTERNATIONAL STAFF SONGSTERS: Horsham, Sat Sun 19 Jan

ARMY PEOPLEAPPOINTEDEffective 27 March:

Captain James Wadsworth, Dublin City only (no longer Chaplain, York House Lifehouse, Dublin) Majors Gary and Rosemary Chatburn, Chaplains, York House Lifehouse, Dublin

Effective 3 April:Major Angela White, Herne Bay

Effective 24 July:Major Andrew Richards, Devonport Morice Town only (no longer Chaplain, Devonport House Lifehouse, Plymouth)

Effective 1 August:Major David Lanceley, Legacy Officer (part-time), Finance Department, Business Administration, THQ

MARRIAGESWilliam Paling to Victoria Leigh at Stapleford by Major Richard CroweBandsman Ross Cartledge to Assistant SCL Melissa Warwick (Sunderland Millfield) at Sunderland Minster by Canon Sheila Bamber

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIESDiamond:

Norman and Audrey Reading, Hayle (6 February)

Golden:Thomas and Eunice Taylor, Sutton-in-Ashfield

DEDICATED TO GODCharlie and Chloe, daughters of Sarah Hetherington, at North Shields by Major Yvonne DareChloe Emma and Jacob William, children of Gareth and Lynn Jones, at Sale by Lieut-Colonels David and Valerie JonesStephanie Asamoah, daughter of Joe and Beatrice Kwakye; Ellie Katie, daughter of Debbie Lindsay; Benjamin Lucian, son of Alex Laurent and Stephanie Blackwell; Vassili Kyrill, son of Rob and Ksenya Bouwen, all by Major Kathryn Woodhouse; Chanel Nana, daughter of Joe and Nana Opoku, by Major Iris Harborne; Mya Maria and Ria Debbie, daughters of Ryan Lindsay and Gemma Bettell by Major Kathryn Woodhouse and Major Iris Harborne; all Thornton Heath

Owen John, son of John Carter and Laura Gardner, at Keighley by Major Kenny GardnerEmily Charlotte Pippa, daughter of James and Bandswoman Stephanie Bettesworth, at Horsham by Major Ann Stewart

BEREAVEDMuriel Parker, Gosport, of her husband Norman, Captain Lynda Hargreaves, Minster, Alison and Stephen Parker of their fatherMajor Gillian Johnson, Bromley Temple, Stuart Davidson and Nigel Davidson of their brother Roderick (Roddy) DavidsonMajor Denis Lomax, North Scotland DHQ, of his brother JimMajor Kenneth Bartlett, Torquay, and Bandsman David Bartlett, Trowbridge, of their brother StephenLieutenant Maisie Veacock, Burnley, of her mother Jean RyderLieut-Colonel Jack Hassard of his wife Lieut-Colonel Jane Hassard, CS Alistair Hassard, Romford, Bandsman Mark Hassard, Sutton, and Jennifer Sena of their motherMajor Gwyneth Banks of her husband Major Colin Banks, CSM Robert Banks, Tunbridge Wells, and Nicola McKeown of their fatherS/Sec Maureen Gillson, Thornaby-on-Tees, of her husband B/Reservist Tom Gillson, Paul Gillson, Stockton, and Ian Gillson of their fatherSongster Margaret Crowe, Sheringham, of her husband Ronnie and her sister MarionArthur and Edith Thompson, Sheringham, of their daughter Marilyn AndersonGordon Camsey and Linda Bulmer,

both Leighton Buzzard, of their mother Florence Camsey

RETIRED OFFICERSBirthday congratulations:

Mrs Major Elizabeth Cooper (80 on 22 January)Major Mrs Jantje Boniface (90 on 25 January)Brigadier Sydney Woodall (95 on 28 January)

PROMOTED TO GLORYMrs Commissioner Carol Thomson from the USA on 10 December 2013

Carol Nielsen was born in 1928 in Chicago and as a teenager was active with her Baptist Church youth group. While writing a college term paper about The Salvation Army she met a Salvationist student, who was to become her husband. Following graduation, Carol and Bob were married. A year later, they entered training and were commissioned in 1951. Their appointments included the Editorial Department at USA Central THQ, the Metropolitan Chicago Unified Command, where Mrs Major Thomson was the Director of Women’s Services, and nine years at USA Central THQ, during which time Mrs Colonel Thomson served as Women’s Auxiliary Secretary and Territorial Home League Secretary. In 1988 the Thomsons were appointed to International Headquarters where Mrs Commissioner Thomson was Zonal Secretary for Women’s Ministries in the Americas Zone. Two years later they returned to the USA as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Organisations, USA Eastern.


They retired from active service in 1993. Mrs Commissioner Thomson is survived by her husband and three children – Lieut-Colonel Robert Thomson, Lieut-Colonel Barbara Getz and Mark Thomson.

Major Colin Banks from Tunbridge Wells on 23 December 2013Lieut-Colonel Jane Hassard from Leeds on 1 JanuaryRay Knapman, ChathamDorothy (Dot) Pester, Winton

OFFICIAL GAZETTEUK Territory

LONG SERVICE35 years –

Major Rosslyn Casey, Central South DHQ

RETIREMENTS FROM ACTIVE SERVICE

Effective 1 January:Lieut-Colonel Ian Barr out of Saltcoats in 1972 and last appointment Secretary for Programme, THQ Major Michael Farrow out of New Ollerton in 1968 and last appointment Administrator, Swan Lodge Lifehouse, Sunderland

CLIVE ADAMS,Commissioner,

Territorial Commander

TRIBUTESMRS MAJOR GLADYS HOOKGLADYS PAWSEY was born in Hebburn-on-Tyne, Co Durham, to Baptist parents, later moving with them to Pelton Fell

near Chester-le-Street. Her early interest in dancing was much against her father’s wishes, but she continued on to become the lead ballerina in her troupe.

In her early teens Gladys suffered from a very bad nervous condition, and at this stage her mother could never leave her side. Her mother died when Gladys was 14, leaving her to care for her father and younger brother.

During the Second World War she was called up to work in a government muni-tions factory, becoming one of the original ‘bomb girls’.

Her aunt took her under her wing, taking Gladys with her to the home league and an Army meeting at Birtley. She felt at home immediately, as they sang some of the same choruses and hymns her parents had done around the piano on Sunday evenings. At the age of 20 Gladys gave her life to the Lord, leaving the world behind her – including her dancing. Until her death at 90, she never wavered from that position but walked the straight and narrow way.

It wasn’t long before she made a commit-ment for officership, entering the 1946 Warriors Session. She was first appointed to Middleton, where she quietly began influencing people. A convert from that time recently wrote of her: ‘I always did, and still do, want to live as the lieutenant did.’

It was also in the Manchester Division that Gladys met her future husband, Lieu-tenant George Hook. Following a period in Moss Side she moved to Scotland, serving at Gorbals and Govanhill.

The couple married in 1950 and took up their first appointment together at Kilmar-nock. Subsequent appointments at Buckie, Aberdeen Woodside and Maddiston preceded service in Yorkshire, Humberside, Norfolk, South Wales, Hampshire, Somer-set, London and the Potteries. Their final appointment before retirement in 1991 was Diss in Norfolk.

In her early thirties, Gladys received marvellous healing for a heart problem that had resulted from illness in her youth. She

asked the Lord for enough time to do the work he had called her to do – and was given that, and more.

The Hooks finally settled at Alton and Gladys carried out a valuable service writing to people all over Great Britain, New Zealand and the USA – especially those she knew to be lonely or in need. She spent hours in prayer and Bible study. She loved people and the Lord, whom she served faithfully to the end.

Her husband and family miss her quiet influence and unobtrusive guidance. They feel they have lost an angel – their very own ‘angel of the North’. – G. H.

PETER WILSON, PAISLEYPETER was born and brought up in Govan, not far from the corps he attended for 75 of his 86 years before transferring to Paisley.

A committed bandsman and songster, he also held several local officer positions including band secretary and band sergeant. He loved to sing and used his voice to glorify God.

In later life Peter played in the divisional fellowship band and helped young people in the learners band at Paisley.

Ill-health in 2008 brought a move into a care home, where he embraced new opportu-nities with enthusiasm while always main-taining his Christian standards.

His family are thankful to God for a life well lived. –A. W.

JOHN GIBBS, PENARTHJOHN started to attend the meetings at Penarth about five years ago, after going to the weekly luncheon club.

He was made very welcome and soon afterwards decided he wanted to make the corps his spiritual home and become an adherent member.

John did a lot of work behind the scenes.A devoted family man, he is sadly missed

by them and by corps members. – C. P.

Please note that soldiers’ tributes

submitted for publication should be

no longer than 120 words. Good

quality pictures will be included with

tributes.

ON THE AIRBBC Alba (Sky 143, Virgin Media 161, Freesat 110, Smallworld 170 in Ayrshire and North West England, BT Vision and Freeview/You View 8 in Scotland only, BBC iPlayer): A six-part series The Minister’s Wife (8.30 pm) which began broadcasting on Friday 10 January follows the busy lives of corps officers Captains Jo and Stephen Moir (Cumbernauld) and their two daughters Grace (10) and Erin (7).

BBC Radio Cornwall, Devon, Guernsey and Jersey (at 7.05 pm), Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset Sound, Swindon and Wiltshire (at midnight) and online at bbc.co.uk/devon: Sounds Of Brass on Sunday 19 January will feature music by Erik Silfverberg and Leslie Condon.

LETTERS


Write to Salvationist (Letters), 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN or email [email protected]

WE CAN’T CONTROL THE WEATHER

I HAVE no problem at all with the Environment Positional Statement and the feature article by Major Brenda Sterling (Salvationist 7 December). Neither do I take issue with the editorial entitled ‘Green Questions’, except for your penultimate paragraph which implies that global warming has anthropogenic causes and that we can ipso facto do something about it.

There is no hard evidence that the warming of the past hundred years is outside the parameter of natural temperature variability, and scientists have concluded that it is unlikely that there will be any significant warming driven by anthropogenic CO2. The statement made by the chairman of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) that there is a ‘consensus in this science’ is not based on fact. French scientist Claude Bernard (1813-1878) says: ‘Good science is about being sceptical; to accept a theory without good evidence because it is presented as a ‘consensus view’ is bad science.’

Global warming (and cooling) has taken place ever since the world was created. Take the last few centuries alone in Britain: it was warm enough in Britain for vines to be grown by the Romans and grapes harvested. And from 1400 into the 19th century, there were 24 winters in which the Thames was recorded to have frozen over. Weather extremes form a cyclical pattern, over long periods of time, and are chiefly caused by the effects of the sun on the earth over which we have no control.

I fully support the argument that as stewards of God’s creation we must do all we can to protect the environment and use our resources responsibly, but the idea that we can influence weather patterns smacks of human arrogance at the least.

Howard Bishop,Ballaugh,Isle of Man

SURVIVING YOLANDA

ON reading the article about the Lockerbie disaster (Salvationist 14 December), I was glad of the detailed information and heartened to know how well The Salvation Army was received by so many. The police and other volunteers, witnessing the selfless way Army personnel came forward to help and counsel, were obviously overcome by the magnitude of the event.

I lived through Typhoon Yolanda on the night of 8 November last year. Our hall was almost demolished and through our windows I could see whole homes taken and debris hitting our home. A tree took our kitchen roof out and rain poured in for several hours. More than 24 souls took shelter in our home, which thankfully was concrete-built.

The next morning, Major Ron Banlasan and corps leader Tuda Cooling arrived on their motorcycles to survey the damage in the Lemery area, where 3,500 homes were totally destroyed and another 1,500 partly damaged.

We had no fatalities, but there was a quiet almost serene acceptance of the night’s devastation, and not a moan. Yolanda had shredded thousands of trees, which blocked almost every road up to 80 miles away. The officers had journeyed more than 100 miles to reach Lemery and had another 100 miles to travel to Roxas which, being on

the coast, was worse hit than us.The Salvation Army efficiently

managed things in Vasayas and, eventually, provisions arrived. Early aid that arrived from other sources was subject to corruption. Looting was evident in places, even in our compound. Some prices doubled, especially on building materials. Although there was plenty of food, prices soared as it was brought in from other islands that had escaped Yolanda.

In Velasco we moved the flag and crest from the hall and established our home as a place for prayer and worship – business as usual. On 29 December, comrades from La Paz Corps, some 100 miles away, arrived with food and clothing. More than 130 souls attended the holiness meeting, after which they collected food parcels.

In the Army we can be proud of our calling to reach the poor and needy, and the many social outcasts here in Lemery who have little or no hope. People were terrified when Yolanda struck, but when it ended, we were able to thank God for deliverance and yet admire the awesome might and power that we now know was the strongest wind ever recorded in the world.

We have to build again; remember us in your prayers.

T. Macdonald,Envoy,Velasco Temple Lemery Outreach,The Philippines

A scene of devastation in the Philippines

Salvationist 18 January 2014 21-23

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Through the week with ‘Salvationist’ – a devotional thought for each day

Painter in the mountains. Picture: NIGEL BOVEY

SaturdayWhoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’

(Psalm 91:1 and 2)

SundayBlessèd Lord, in thee is refuge,Safety for my trembling soul,Power to lift my head when drooping’Midst the angry billows’ roll.I will trust thee,All my life thou shalt control.

(SASB 713)

MondayMay the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Romans 15:13)

TuesdayIn the past too unbelieving’Midst the tempest I have been,And my heart has slowly trustedWhat my eyes have never seen.Blessèd Jesus,Teach me on thy arm to lean.

(SASB 713)

WednesdayThe priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people… They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

(Acts 4:1, 3 and 4)

ThursdayO for trust that brings the triumphWhen defeat seems strangely near!O for faith that changes fightingInto victory’s ringing cheer;Faith triumphant,Knowing not defeat or fear!

(SASB 713)

FridayOn this world’s battlefield,We must not, dare not yield.Our Lord we must obey,March with him all the way.And though the fight be hard and long.We too will join the victor’s song.Thank you, Lord.

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