The Salvation Army

Letchworth Corps

Norton Way North,

Letchworth Garden City,

SG6 1BH

NOVEMBER 2018 01462 677263

Commanding Officer: Major Wendy Goodman

Associate Officer: Envoy Jackie Roberts

The Salvation Army is a registered charity, number 214779 in England and Wales

I am not a badge of honour,

I am not a racist smear,

I am not a fashion statement,

To be worn but once a year,

I am not glorification

Of conflict or of war.

I am not a paper ornament

A token,

I am more.

I am a loving memory,

Of a father, or a son,

A permanent reminder

Of each and every one.

I'm paper or enamel

I'm old or shining new,

I'm a way of saying thank you,

To every one of you.

I am a simple poppy

A Reminder to you all,

That courage faith and honour,

Will stand where heroes fall

Natural Church Development (NCD)

Thank you to all who either stayed behind after the meeting or requested

copies of the survey form to complete at another time.

The forms have all been gathered and posted to NCD and hopefully it will

not be too long before we hear back.

It will take the health team a while to process the information, but we plan to be able to put together a small document informing you of the results. It will be in the New Year before we will be able to start work on

it properly .

The findings will inform the mission goals and will be used to feed into the new Mission Journal which is the successor to the Mission Development

Plan.

We ask for big prayers surrounding this as together we take this next step for the corps, believing that it is God’s will for Letchworth Corps and it is

him who is leading us forward.

Harvest 2018

Thank you all who supported the Harvest weekend. We had a great time at the quiz night with nearly 50 people attending. Thanks to Brian and Kath for the quiz and Gill and Jacky for the refreshments. The best table won, but what did happen to the chocolates? Just over £100 was raised

for the Big Collection

The weekend continued on the Sunday with the meeting and thank you once again for the items brought for the food cupboard. Thank you too for your generosity in the Altar Service a total of £1390 was given, an

increase of £80 over last year.

In the afternoon over 60 people met in the Barn at Standalone Farm for a Harvest Songs of Praise with the band and songsters contributing items. A children’s story was enjoyed by the adults taking part who seemed to have been typecast for the event! Children’s activities were organised by

the Children’s team outside of the barn.

Remembrance Sunday 11th November

Please note that the meeting at the hall commences at 9.30am to enable

the band, and those of you who want to, attend the Cenotaph Service in

town

Diary November

Sat 3rd 9.00am Men’s Breakfast at The Wilbury

Sun 4th 10am –Majors Judith and Paul Hilditch

Mon 5th NO Lunch Club or Over 60s

7pm Ladies Fellowship meal at The Wilbury

Wed 7th 7.45 pm House Group—15 Kristiansand Way

Thurs 8th Nov - Wed 5th Dec - Christmas Present Appeal

Sat 10th 10am—12.30 Christmas Fayre

Sun 11th 9.30am Remembrance Sunday - Cos

Thurs 15th NO Drop-in or Stay N Play Toddler Group

Sun 18th 10am –Envoy Jackie Roberts

Wed 21st 7.45pm House Group—94 Hallmead

Sun 25th 10am –Majors Joanna and Timothy Justice DHQ

December

Sat 1st 9.00am Men’s Breakfast at The Wilbury

Sun 2nd 10.00 am –COs

Mon 3rd 7.45pm Ladies Fellowship

Sat 8th Carolling at Royston

Sun 9th 10am - Major David Evans –Toy Service

3pm Civic Carol Service at Spirella

Wed 12th 10am Making up Toy parcels

Thurs 13th 10am Making up Food parcels

Sat 15th Carolling at Letchworth

Sun 16th 10am –COs

2.30pm Carolling at Bickerdikes

Fri 21st Standing Day at Sainsbury

Sun 23rd 10am –COs –Carol Service

Mon 24th Preparation for Christmas Day dinner

11.15pm Candlelight Service

Tues 25th Band at Lister Hospital

Christmas Day Dinner

Sun 30th 10am –COs

Christmas Fayre 10th November

Items needed for the various stalls:- cakes, toiletries, toys both new and

second hand, gifts and craft items.

If you can help on the day, or on the night before please see Joyce.

There are sign up sheets for Lunch is in the community hall and the foyer.

Please add your name if you wish to purchase lunch. The choice is lasagne

or cheese flan followed by apple pie £5

Coffee Morning

Thank you to those who supported our coffee morning plus. We

raised £147 towards the Big Collection

Toy Service– Christmas Present Appeal

On Sunday 9th December, as part of our meeting, there will be the

opportunity to give Christmas gifts for children and young people that

will be distributed to families in need. We would particularly welcome

gifts suitable for babies up to 12 months and for teenagers (including gift

cards such as Amazon or Argos).

In addition to toys, we would like to include wrapping paper, gift tags

and selection boxes of sweets.

Your help with this would be appreciated.

Are you alone on Christmas Day, or know of anyone who might be?

We are opening our hall from 10.30am to 3.30pm and serving

Christmas dinne, singing carols and generally having a good time.

Booking forms are available on a first come first served basis.

There is no cost for this day.

Alternatively you might want to help either on Christmas Eve,

laying tables, preparing veg, or making those of us who are, cups

of tea. Or can you help on Christmas Day, welcoming, serving,

clearing up, driving etc.?

Please let us know if you can help in any way.

Letchworth Corps Council 17 September 2018 Members Present; Major Wendy Goodman, Envoy Jackie Roberts, CSM Nick Carver, BM David Fisher, CTL Gillian Fisher, Dep S/L Robert Fisher, CS John Clayden, CYS Jacqui Clayden. Apologies received: HLFS Jacky Clayden

Opening Devotions: Major Wendy Goodman

Matters arising: Last meeting cancelled due to PCC New members on CC – discussions took place regarding possible new

members. Suggestions made CO to follow up. TV Screens- screens are now in place and have received positive feedback.

TV license has been obtained and CCLI covers copying songs, music, live music outside worship, films.

Corps programme:

Lunch Club – continues to be well supported with 32 members O/60s - membership numbers maintained and 4 / 5 new members have been added.

Ladies Fellowship – a new programme was developed for 2018 under the leadership of Jacky Clayden, which include a wide range of speakers.

Toddlers Tuesday and Thursday- Tuesday group well supported and numbers are near maximum. Thursday group under review at half term.

Drop In- Ave 7/8 weekly. Over 35 individuals helped since opened. Employment plus use hall as base to meet clients referred but are also available to help write CVs or sort Job Centre issues. Rota of 10 volunteers is in place.

Jam Club- Age group 5 - 10 – 5 members have graduated to the Youth Club. However, there are new members attending JAM club and the numbers average 15. It is exciting to note that we have 2 learners being taught by the Bandmaster

on a Friday night. Youth Club- Age group 9-15 – membership has shown a marked increase and attendance is averaging 12. Bible Study (house and hall) – House group is established and maintains averaging between 10 - 12. Hall group has recommenced and has seen new people attending with an average attendance of 8 -9. Little church- this is being reviewed on an ongoing basis to meet the number of children attending the Sunday Morning meeting. Periodicals – reduced numbers with a saving £13 weekly. Hall and Car Park Rentals – Norton Way Motors, AA, CA, Brownies and Rangers, possible dance group. MDP/NCD – report updating 2015 MDP. New Journal commencing soon amalgamating NCD findings. NCD Health team being formed currently. A new survey will be completed 14th October following the meeting. Carolling - Chosen charity for Spirella concert is supporting the Food Bank, contact to be made to arrange for speaker to attend. It was confirmed that in order to ease pressure on members attending the home in Knebworth and before going off to Bickerdikes in the afternoon, lunch will be provided at the hall. Planning for band and songsters re homes can be done by separate group as last year and is well underway. Training – The Salvation Army offers training on such topics as Godly Play and Dementia Friendly. CO to arrange possible dates for training. Godly Play 16th Feb 2019 Health and Safety – Emergency lighting repairs are needed. In addition, a Fire drill in all groups including Sunday needs to be arranged. First aid posters are in both Foyers Property – Ceiling tiles in the Community Hall, awaiting quotes for replacement and checking of all tiles. An up to date list of Key holders, changing leadership, and relevant people who need keys is required. CO and CS to complete. Safeguarding- Child safety audit has been completed. There are a number DBS due to expire before end year and are being processed.

Social Events – a Corps picnic was held during the summer on Norton Common. The event was very successful and will be repeated next year. A series of coffee mornings will be held during the year, the proceeds going to help with the Big Collection. The first coffee morning has been arranged for 13th October. Date of next meeting – Monday January 21st at 7.30pm Corps Dates: 2019 January 6th Vision and Commitment Sunday February 3rd Launch of Self Denial month Life Matters regional meeting 4pm Stotfold 9th Coffee Morning March 3rd Self-denial Altar Service 19-21st Officers Retreat at High Leigh 31st Mothering Sunday April 13th Coffee Morning Plant sale 14th Palm Sunday 19th Good Friday 21st Easter Sunday May 12th Candidates Sunday 17-19th NCD Conference at Kings Park June 28-30th Women and God weekend at Swanwick

Did you know…

Letchworth has a high level of social housing at

31%..........................Letchworth

16%..........................Hitchin

19%..........................North Herts

18%..........................England

The private rental market is relatively small

10% ……………………………...Letchworth

16%...........................Hitchin

Source 2011 Census

This is a reflection of our history; social housing was originally part of the fabric of Letchworth. But there is a gap here too; an opportunity for those who currently live in social housing to move on to a property of their own. What sets us apart from other places is that we have fewer residents living in private rented accommodation. This could mean that those younger adults who are not eligible for social housing don’t have much to choose from, they might be newly qualified which means they might have to

leave Letchworth to work in London or other bigger towns.

On Harvest Sunday Margaret Spall

was welcomed as an Adherent.

Margaret had been attending

another church when she

contacted the Letchworth Corps

Charity shop because she wanted

to donate knitted items. She was

invited to come along on a Sunday

and found a warm welcome at the

Corps.

Margaret chose the song ‘All Hail the Power of Jesus Name’ and

spoke of about the power of the royal diadem and the strength she

draws from Christ as Lord.

PRAYER IS THE CHRISTIAN’S VITAL BREATH Doubt

Thomas came with doubt. Did Christ turn him away?

Moses had his reservations. Did God tell him to go home?

Job had his struggles. Did God avoid him?

Paul had his hard times. Did God abandon him?

NO

God never turns away the sincere heart. Tough questions don’t stump God.

He invites our probing. Mark it down. God never turns away the honest

seeker. Go to God with your questions. You may not find all the answers,

but in finding God you know the one who does.

Psalm 18 v 30-31

The ways of God are without fault,

The Lord’s words are pure.

He is a shield to those who trust him.

Who is God? Only the Lord.

Who is the rock? Only our God.

Please pray for those of our church family who are unwell, that God’s

strength will come upon them and his healing grace to minister to them,

among whom are:-

Rose Whaley, Gerald Birkett, Don Spearman, Lyn Norton, Robin Norton, Vi

Stevenson, Sam Sweetman, Anne Ford and Yvette, daughter of Grace and

Alan Hodgson.

Prayers please also for Major Wendy, Envoy Jackie, our emergency services,

our Queen and Government, for countries torn asunder by civil war, acts of

terrorism, natural disasters.

Dear God, be our companion,

friend and shepherd wherever thy

children are.

Amen

SASB 1005 v2

We are pilgrims on a journey,

We are family on the road.

We are here to help each other

Walk the miles, and bear the load.

CORPS MISSION STATEMENT

To worship and glorify God, and bring others to a faith in Jesus

Christ.

To be a vibrant and welcoming church fellowship, active in the

community, where needs are met and where all will feel

comfortable in the embrace of Christian love.

ROTAS

FLOWERS

Thank you to those who bring the flowers which add so much to our worship from week to week

NOVEMBER

4th Joyce & Gerald Birkett

11th The Clayden family

18th Jacqui & Nick Clayden

25th Janice Clark

DECEMBER

2nd Ali and Nick

9th Sharon

16th Mike Lockwood

23rd Rod & Lyn

30th

TEA & COFFEE

Thank you to those who serve

tea and coffee after our meetings

and add to our fellowship.

NOVEMBER

4th Jacky and Joyce

11th Jacqui

18th Lynne and Stuart

25th Lyn and Janet

DECEMBER

2nd Jacky and Joyce

9th Jacqui

16th

23rd Lyn and Kath

30th Lynne and Stuart

Two more countries where Christians are being persecuted so in urgent need of

our prayers:-

Somalia : Population 11.4 million, just a few hundred Christians, who are regarded

as high value targets – at least 23 suspected converts killed last year.

Sudan: Population 42.2 million, 2 million Christians. Christians are systematically

persecuted, churches demolished.

Prayer please for Jesus’ followers who cannot meet openly; pray for protection as

they meet in secret. Some Muslims are seeing God, pray that many more will

safely come to Christ, that the Lord will build His Kingdom in the midst of Islamic

and Tribal oppression, organised corruption and crime.