Salvationist 17 January 2026

FAITHFUL FRIENDS

CHRISTIAN UNITY IN ACTION

I WONDER if you could name your nearest church! Better still, the vicar, priest or pastor! How about members of the congregation? How often do you pray for them? In most towns and cities, in this territory at least, there are multiple Christian expressions seeking to worship God where they are. Sadly, this is done all too often in isolation of each other. It is easy to highlight our differences rather than look for and celebrate what unites us.

This is, of course, not always the case. There are numerous examples of God’s people seeking to come together, support one another and pray for one another. As The Salvation Army in this territory, we actively seek to connect with our siblings in Christ through such bodies as Churches Together and have an appointed territorial ecumenical officer – as well as a network of divisional ecumenical officers – who oversees and encourages this, both at an organisational level and locally.

As we approach the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18–25 January), this issue of Salvationist considers ways in which we can be better united with the wider body of Christ and hold each other up in prayer.

Visit salvationist.org.uk/ recommended-content

more about ecumenism and prayer.

EDITOR Major Julian Watchorn

MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford

ASSISTANT EDITOR Stevie Hope

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Major Margaret Bovey, Major Lynne Shaw, George Tanton, Lyn Woods

SENIOR DESIGNER Hannah Holden

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Joseph Halliday, Louise Phillips

PROOFREADER Chris Horne

CONTACT US 020 7367 4890

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DISTRIBUTION AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

FOUNDERS Catherine and William Booth

INTERNATIONAL LEADERS

General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham

TERRITORIAL LEADERS

Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Major Julian Watchorn

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SCRIPTURE

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland is SC009359 and in the

Finding a new balance

Rob Moye encourages us to start the new year from a place of gratitude and rest

WHERE do you think you’re heading this year? To answer that, my second question for you is: what are you thankful for today?

Rather than succumbing to the ‘new year, new me’ regime, making 101 resolutions that just don’t work out and beating yourself up, start this new year thinking about the things that are already good in your life – because ‘the Lord is good to all’ (Psalm 145:9). The goodness of God knows no bounds.

For me, January is about looking at what continues to give me meaning,

Reflect and respond

Grab a pen and paper, or your phone, and write down:

One thing you are looking forward to this year.

One thing you are struggling with at the moment.

One thing you need to trust God with today.

Pray over these three things. Why not share your list with someone else and ask them to pray with or for you too?

hope and happiness, and working towards what the future might look like. I like to walk and I particularly enjoy walking together with my dad. It gives me opportunities to process, reflect, find solace and peace, and discover my God in creation away from the busyness.

I’m thankful for the time I have with my earthly father, but I’m even more grateful when I stop, find the right balance, and have time with my heavenly Father. We need to find God, and sometimes he can’t be found in noise and busyness. As Mother Teresa once said, God is the friend of silence.

I’m reminded of these lyrics: ‘Make in my heart a quiet place / And come and dwell therein’ (SASB 777). And, from the Hillsong Worship song ‘Still’: ‘When the oceans rise and thunders roar,/ I will soar with you above the storm./ Father, you are King over the flood/ I will be still, know you are God.’ Father, you are King over the storm, the flood, over everything – the busyness, the chaos, the curveballs.

Recently I came across a quote that has helped me in my everyday: ‘Reset, readjust, restart, refocus as many times as you need to, just don’t quit.’ You see, balance is critical.

As you discover your new balance for the year, are you inviting Jesus into your everyday life – in the conversations with your friends or neighbours, over coffee, at lunch, while on your bike or swimming – in

order that you see God’s action in your life more clearly?

Let’s be thankful to God for his grace and compassion towards us. Let’s be thankful for the steady reminders through Scripture, creation and other people in our lives that God is present and active in our everyday!

Remember today the simple things that make you smile as you seek new opportunities, as every moment of the present contains the seeds of opportunity for change. Your life is an adventure – live it to the full! ‘Place your trust in the Eternal; rely on him completely; never depend upon your own ideas and inventions. Give him the credit for everything you accomplish, and he will smooth out and straighten the road that lies ahead (Proverbs 3:5 and 6 The Voice).

I pray this year you will find time for rest, for silence, that you discover a new or different balance in your life, and that you learn to rest, not quit!

• Are you engaging in sports mission this year? Find out more about new resource One Body at salvationist.org.uk/one-body

ROB MOYE

Sports Mission Specialist

DATES

FOR YOUR DIARY

Exploring Leadership Day

Saturday 25 April

William Booth College

What is it?

Exploring Leadership Day is an event for all ages, giving space to explore spiritual leadership, officership, vocation and ministry as we celebrate and worship together. This year Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin is our guest and will share her journey in leadership. For participants with children accompanying them, there will be space for 5 to 11-year-olds and 12 to 17-year-olds to gather in their age groups and explore leadership. Workshops will dig deeper in specific areas of interest. Topics will include whole-life discipleship, spiritual leadership, sport, intercultural ministry and worship. There will also be a marketplace of opportunities and a prayer space supported by the territorial prayer team.

Who is the event for?

Anyone interested in discerning God’s voice for the next steps of life.

Why should you go?

To be inspired, to meet other people from around the territory, and to discern what God is saying about your life!

Book your place

Tickets cost £11 per person, including lunch, or £6 per person without lunch. To book, visit tsa.link/ELD. For more information, email vocation@ salvationarmy.org.uk

‘It’s a blessing to be part of someone’s journey with God’

Beverley Revell (Staveley)

shares

how she became recruiting

THE privilege of being a local officer is an answer to prayer. Did I pray specifically to be the recruiting sergeant at Staveley? Absolutely not. Did I ever think I would have the privilege of being the recruiting sergeant at Staveley? Not at all.

Since coming back from an internship at Addlestone – which was also an answer to prayer – I had been praying to be ‘more involved at my corps’ and ‘given a specific role’. You know how they say that when you pray and you ask God for something, it normally ends up being something greater than you’d ever imagine? Well, this is one of them for me. When my aunt Jean said she had something in mind for various people here, I knew I would be given responsibility for something. I do a lot at Learn and Grow, so I thought maybe the role would be something that focuses on young people. I was stunned when they told me what they had in mind for me. Instantly, though, the first thing that came to my mind was

sergeant

I was told to pray and think about it, if this is something I’d like to do, and I said yes!

I’m 22 years old and I’ve been given a role with a lot of responsibility. I feel privileged because I’m responsible for training up those who are wanting to explore soldiership or know more about what it means to be an adherent of The Salvation Army. It’s a blessing that I get to be part of someone’s journey with God, and be able to encourage and support them, just like I have been throughout my journey by various people.

A few Bible verses came to mind. The first was Matthew 28:19 and 20: ‘Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

Another was Jeremiah 29:11: ‘“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and

The song I had at my enrolment as a soldier was: ‘Freely, freely, you have received./ Freely, freely, give./ Go in my name and because you believe,/ Others will know that I live.’

This is my intention: to talk about Jesus to those who know him, those who don’t know him, and those who are curious about him. If they feel God is calling them to soldiership or to become an adherent, I will be blessed knowing that I can be there for them. Ultimately, all the glory goes to God.

Have you got a testimony to share? We’d love to hear your faith story! Get in touch at salvationist@ salvationarmy.org.uk.

Keighley Paving the way to church

Working together

I’ve been here for two and a half years as corps leader and as a divisional mission officer. I am also chair of our Churches Together group and of the Keighley Place of Sanctuary network. As a corps, we speak into a lot of community groups, such as Feeding Bradford and Keighley. Local councils often seek our opinion, which is a privileged position to be in, and there’s plenty of networking and collaboration.

We’re a working church in a culturally diverse area. We have a small faith-based band, who play regularly, made up of corps musicians and people from other local bands who like to support us.

We’re very busy during the week and we are well thought of in the town, because people see how hard we work, with 4 parttime staff and 60 volunteers. We are the major food bank provider in the town, providing up to 70 food parcels each week.

For our annual Christmas toy appeal, we receive lots of donated toys and have many willing volunteers to help wrap and deliver them. In 2024, we gave out about 1,500 toys.

We sell the War Cry in Skipton, which is

Fast facts

DIVISION Yorkshire and Humber

CORPS LEADER Major Imogen Stewart

FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/ keighleysalvationarmy

10 miles from the corps, on a Wednesday and Friday morning. Support from Skipton is appreciated as there is no corps there. Last year, a man gave a personal donation of £10,000 because he saw that we were doing good work in the community.

Caring for creation

We have registered with A Rocha UK as an Eco Church and we’re trying to progress that. We have a small, paved area at the back of the hall that wasn’t being used, so someone who connected with us through the Victory Programme is starting a community garden. He’s covered the railings outside with mesh so that it’s enclosed: on a nice day you can come out from the café and sit around a table. We’re looking into getting a grant for a protective roof that can go over it, so that it can be enjoyed in all weathers.

We have containers that store our food bank items and underneath there is good storage space for gardening tools. We see potential for growing our own produce for the Victory Programme, which has helped 180 people so far. We hope to grow some produce to give away.

Twice a month we provide a free community meal for vulnerable adults in our community. We also do separate things for families, including our Hope parent-and-toddler group. We hold a busy refugee and asylum seeker support

group, attended by 20 to 30 people, which is essentially a drop-in. We organise trips out and offer hospitality by way of a shared meal, assisting with signposting and helping with filling out forms.

We have a charity shop and café on the premises that helps support us financially. We also recycle clothing through the SATCoL donation container in our car park.

Connected and confident in mission

Our building is well used by the community; every space is occupied. The hardest challenge is linking community and church. My mission is to get everyone on board in linking all activities with church and becoming a worshipping community again.

We’ve been working on our mission journal and believe it is so important for every activity to have a pathway out, up or into church. The first step for many is to volunteer with us. Often that’s the catalyst for a lot of things – it’s when transformation happens and gives them confidence to grow.

I believe that God is blessing us and using us. Sometimes it’s in the little things. There’s so much happening through the corps, the change is amazing.

Please pray for us, that God will continue his work here and that as a corps we will grow and together encourage greater ownership of environmental matters in caring for creation.

• Find out more about becoming an eco corps at salvationist.org.uk/environment

Called and cared for

Major Catherine Smith suggests that knowing we are prized makes a difference

‘DO not fear… Do not be afraid’, the Lord says in verses 1 and 5 of our study passage. When a person is anxious, the worst thing to say might be: ‘Don’t be afraid!’

The group of exiles Isaiah addresses have plenty to make them fearful, including God’s displeasure at their fickleness (see Isaiah 42:21–25). Even in the midst of their sense of fear and abandonment, Isaiah’s opening words – ‘But now’ (v1) – make his hearers pay attention to God’s voice. God communicates that he cares – he has picked and protected them, he prizes them, even as he called them home and commissions them to testify to truth. Monday 19 January has been called ‘Blue Monday’. It’s said to be the year’s most emotionally difficult day. Moving into this week, let’s heed God’s voice via Isaiah. Reflecting the story of Creation in Genesis, God starts by reminding his people that he created and formed them.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

Spend time reminding yourself that you are created and formed by God. How does that impact your emotional state today?

God reminds these exiled people that they are redeemed. In the Westminster Bible Companion on Isaiah 40–66, Walter Brueggemann intimates this language has the sense of a family intervention, ‘whereby a stronger member of the family intervenes to assure the wellbeing of a weaker member’. God has called them by name. They are known intimately. Their lives have

meaning to God. God said to them: ‘You are mine.’ Therein lies a sense of belonging. This nation is not an accident; it is God’s chosen handiwork.

In reading Scripture as a personal guide, we can miss the depths of God speaking to a community. There are communities today, maybe your own, that need to know they are not forgotten. Indeed, that God continues to see them even if they have acted without reference to his presence. What does the Church do to remind communities that God continues to redeem people, call them by name, and choose them as named family members?

PAUSE AND REFLECT

How might your congregation share an ‘intervention’ with another part of the community?

Who in your community needs to be named as being seen and known by God?

Where can your congregation do better at helping others to belong?

God is mindful of his people’s experiences. Our study passage speaks of overwhelming experiences: ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you’ (v2). The idea of water would have resonated with what God did at the Red Sea and the Jordan. God’s people will go through challenges. God has protected them before and there is the promise of future presence. Psalm 46:1 affirms: ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.’

In his book When Faith Gets Shaken, Patrick Regan confesses: ‘When I’m in pain, and I see those around me suffering, I sometimes lose sight of God. But when I strip everything back … I realise that I need to look again at the person of Jesus… He doesn’t leave us on our own … he’s desperate for us to know how much he loves us.’ How much we need reminding of that fact today!

PAUSE AND REFLECT

Recall a time when God was with you through a difficult time. Share your story with someone.

Invite Jesus into a situation you know about. Use Scripture to speak God’s presence and protection into the challenge.

We might find verses 3 and 4 a tricky read: ‘I give Egypt for your ransom… I will give … nations in exchange for your life.’ It sounds like God is prepared to trade one group of people for another. The intention, however, is to convey to this little band of failed followers that they are deeply important to God. That is the message of the passage that uses contextual practices to communicate an incredible truth to a people who had perhaps forgotten that they were precious, honoured and loved by God. Earlier this year, I was mentoring a young asylum seeker. He carried a painful story of oppression and abandonment. When his bike was stolen from the hostel he was staying in, he was distraught. Through the generosity of Recycles at Ilford Corps, we replaced it. He said to me: ‘I thought no one cared, but God answered my prayer.’ Society told him he was not wanted. But God prizes him.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

Who are the most ‘abandoned’ people in your community?

How can your church demonstrate to them that they are precious, honoured and loved by God?

Many exiled people take hope from verses 5 to 7, which pronounce God’s desire to release and restore the people back into community again: ‘I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west’ (v5).

Verses 8 to 13 go on to remind them that they are to testify to the truth and be his witnesses. They have failed by trusting anything and anyone other than God. Now, God calls them back to truth and commissions them to witness to it: ‘I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no saviour’ (v11).

Today, we see this passage fully fleshed out through Jesus. There are distractions, and the new year presents many ways to live a better life. Yet, Jesus reminds us: ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’ (John 8:31 and 32). Isaiah tells us to witness to the truth of who God is.

However you are feeling today, pay attention to the fact that God cares, calls you home, and commissions you to tell others his truth.

January’s entries are inspired by the Blueprint for Better Choices

To read the full, unedited Prayer Matters booklet, visit salvationist.org.uk/discipleship.

SATURDAY 17 JANUARY – THE MOST MARGINALISED, MOST EXCLUDED

Loving God, help us remain unreservedly committed to those most in need. Help us to value people as more than just statistics, and show us how to really hear the voices of those we are seeking to help. May we rejoice in the privilege of being fellow pilgrims who bless each other and work together to transform the neighbourhoods in which we live.

SUNDAY 18 JANUARY – THE RESOLUTION TO HEAR OTHER VOICES

God often speaks to us through unfamiliar, uncomfortable and even unpalatable voices. Challenge us to search out the opinions of those we disagree with, believing that they have something to teach us. Help us find creative ways to open the conversation to those who might not think their voices count. May we hear more of what you’re saying to us.

MONDAY 19 JANUARY – HARD GROUND: AVOIDANCE

Forgive us when we have not listened to voices that say something we’re not ready to listen to. Forgive us when we go for the easy option, doing the most expedient, efficient, practical things, rather than taking time to listen to those whose needs take us in a more uncomfortable direction. Forgive us when we cut corners. Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.

TUESDAY 20 JANUARY – PRACTISING HEARING OTHERS’ VOICES

How can we make sure we’re actively inviting people to be honest with us, even if we won’t like what they say? How can we make sure we listen without being defensive or justifying ourselves? How can we stay open to the truth that God might be using different opinions and uncomfortable feedback as prophetic voices to us?

WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY – THE RESOLUTION TO BE PRACTICAL

Jesus, a carpenter’s son. You understand measurements and mechanics. Thank you for practical gifts: for understanding of finance, for strategy and planning, for critical thinking and problem solving, for minds that calculate and evaluate. Forgive us when we see being practical as somehow unspiritual. Challenge us to hear your voice as much in practical wisdom as we do through the other spiritual disciplines.

THURSDAY 22 JANUARY – HARD GROUND: PESSIMISM

The practical approach starts with concrete realities. But that focus can sometimes leave out the divine. Father, you know our needs before we ask, and our plans before we’ve made them. Forgive us when we allow facts and figures to be the loudest voice in the room. Forgive us when we limit ourselves only to what is humanly possible. Lift our eyes to you and teach us to season our logic with faith.

FRIDAY 23 JANUARY – PRACTISING BEING PRACTICAL

We need both the spiritual people’s focus on what the Spirit is doing and on what possibilities might be opening up, and the practical people’s facts, figures and the wisdom of past experience. These can feel like opposite ways of seeing the world. How might we make sure that both perspectives are valued equally? How might these different types of insight complement instead of cancelling each other out?

MAJOR CATHERINE SMITH Territorial Candidates Director William Booth College

PRAYER REQUESTS

Do you have something or someone you’d like us to pray for? Email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk with ‘prayer request’ in the subject line.

The Star Trek gospel

Major Paul Robinson reminds us we can only achieve our mission by working together

THIS year marks the 60th anniversary of Star Trek. Do you remember the original series, featuring Captain Kirk, First Officer and Science Officer Spock, Chief Medical Officer Leonard H Bones McCoy, Communications Officer Nyota Uhura, Nurse Christine Chapel and others? Travelling through the universe, the group shared experiences and achieved their mission: to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilisations; to boldly go where no man has gone before!

This mission was not for Captain Kirk alone, but for everyone on board the USS Enterprise (with the exception of anyone wearing a red shirt – we won’t go there). Each week, a new story would explain how, by working together, an enemy could be defeated and new friendships could be made. That included those of different races, ages, genders and even aliens. The clever and gifted, the hated human enemies, the despised nationalities – all of them working side by side!

Different skills, experiences and abilities remind me of music. As lovely as playing or singing in unison is, harmony is so much more satisfying. The melody is wonderful but, when all the parts are added, the melody becomes part of something greater.

Working together means using our differences as strengths, valuing each other and not staying within our comfort zones. As Paul wrote: ‘Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed

out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!’ (1 Corinthians 12:7 The Message).

During our first appointments as officers, my wife and I had to help with the EEC Butter Mountain. Does anyone remember when the Army was responsible for distributing the EEC’s butter, cheese and beef? We had 8,000 people eligible to receive food parcels. However, we had a problem. The butter and cheese were more than 40 miles away. I did not drive. Our hall was a single room with a tiny kitchen and a toilet. We couldn’t collect it or store it, therefore we couldn’t have it.

What we did have was a ministers’ fellowship. Once a month, all the church ministers would meet for a denominational worship service, followed by breakfast. We learnt different ways of worshipping and got to know our fellow ministers. It was not a formal gathering, but a fellowship of friends.

All the ministers said how sorry they were, but there was nothing they could do. The room went quiet, until the vicar announced that he had a friend who drove a large, refrigerated lorry. Would that help?

His friend offered to pick up the food for free. The Catholic priests said their hall could be used for storage, with a group of ladies who would enjoy

the administrative side of things. The Methodist minister had extra storage space, and the Congregational Church offered more volunteers. By the end of breakfast, everything was sorted.

A group of friends collected, stored, and distributed 8,000 portions of butter and cheese, along with frozen joints of beef. What was impossible for us and for the corps became a reality when we worked together.

Star Trek’s 60th anniversary prompts me to consider our mission and whether we are playing our part. Bones McCoy often tried to do only what he wanted. Do you remember him saying, ‘I’m a doctor, not a…’? Yet when he played his part entirely, the mission was achieved.

As Mr Spock would often say, ‘live long and prosper’, a phrase that was based on actor Leonard Nimoy’s Jewish experience of the Aaronic blessing: ‘God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you, God look you full in the face and make you prosper’ (Numbers 6:24–26

The Message).

MAJOR PAUL ROBINSON

Ecumenical Officer

Seeking visible unity

Secretary for International Ecumenical Relations Commissioner Jane Paone shares how Christian traditions across the world share and learn from each other

What does ecumenism look like at an international level?

I represent the General in different international groups.

The Conference of Secretaries of Christian World Communions brings together all the general secretaries of the different traditions. We share once a year about challenges and joys for the Church. Then we pray for one another. It’s a very precious moment.

I’m also on the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches. The Salvation Army used to be a member of the council. We chose not to be in the 1970s, but we’re always represented with adviser status, so we’re in contact with what’s happening globally. Everybody is very respectful, and there’s a lovely atmosphere.

There’s also the Global Christian Forum. This is a lovely meeting for people to share faith experiences or how the Lord has been working through our traditions. There are no theological documents to be studied; it’s just your testimony.

We’re also part of the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Movement.

I also have strong links with European Ecumenical Officer Commissioner Vibeke Krommenhoek (IHQ), the General’s representative to the Vatican LieutColonel Andrew Morgan (Italy and Greece Territory) and Territorial Ecumenical Officer Major Paul Robinson (UK and Ireland Territory).

Is your work impacted by the ecumenical work people do locally? And vice versa?

If there wasn’t anything happening at a local level, my job would be in vain. There always has to be a flowing up and down to have any impact.

For example, we’re having informal conversations with the Catholic Church at

my level. That might not be felt at a local level, but it’s important because it sends a message that the General agrees that we should open up and learn from one another. I was speaking to someone in South America, where the Catholic Church has a dominant position. They were saying that they didn’t want anything to do with anybody from the Catholic Church. But their leader pointed out that these informal conversations are happening. That made the person think: if this is happening at that level, then we can do it at this level!

It doesn’t make any sense to do what I do globally unless it’s happening on the territorial, divisional and local levels. I’m really grateful to all the people who are doing that.

You recently attended the World Conference on Faith and Order. What was your biggest takeaway?

In your opinion, what could we learn from other denominations?

I love the way the Orthodox Church explains theology through images. I’m also challenged by the speed and generosity other traditions have of sharing theological documents. The Army has many members who have studied theology, but I’m not sure we make the resources they provide available, not only within the Army, but also outside it, and I think that’s a great shame.

In your experience, how do other traditions see The Salvation Army?

This article demonstrates The Salvation Army’s key value of respect.

For more, visit salvationist. org.uk/ our-values or scan the QR code.

There were lots of very highlevel theological papers presented about visible unity, but then it had to be contextualised. How can we walk together in our contexts? How can we show that we’re visibly united? We don’t all agree, but I think that’s the beauty of it. Like the diversity of nature, I don’t think the Lord wants us to be the same. He wants us to be different.

It was also eye-opening to see how many Churches are being openly persecuted, especially in the Middle East.

The Salvation Army has respect because of our service. We’re known for putting our faith into action. There are also always the big questions about baptism and the sacraments. People are often unaware of our understanding of them and are a little bit sceptical. But I haven’t experienced any antagonism: people have a curiosity towards why we do or don’t do certain things. So much grace and respect are shown!

• Explore international ecumenism at salvationarmy.org/ecumenism or find out more about the World Council of Churches at oikoumene.org

Connecting together

WHEN neighbouring churches and Christian fellowships communicate, cooperate and collaborate to serve their communities together, these healthy, positive friendships can have a significant impact on the life of the whole community. Corps around the territory reflect on their ecumenical experiences, activities and wisdom gained.

Kendal Captain Canon Hilary Borthwick

We’ve learnt that we are all variations on the same theme. Some denominations do some things better than us, in other things we can lead the way. There are no power struggles within our ecumenical working; we are all growing Kingdom together.

We are part of Helm Mission Community, which includes five Anglican churches and Kendal United Reformed Church. We host a Mission Community weekly Connect Café at the hall, based on the Renew Wellbeing model of Pioneer Church, governed by the Anglican Church. An Anglican curate, a United Reformed Church minister and myself lead it together. I also belong to an Anglican Anna Chaplaincy team that provides weekly worship and visitation in Kendal Care Home.

Helm Mission Community have just had our annual end-of-year bacon bap service. There were about 80 of us together, with every minister doing a three-minute thought, the congregation picking their favourite carols and it all ending with a very raucous ‘12 Days of Christmas’! It can be hard to get clergy together for planning meetings, as everyone is so busy. Since the Covid-19 lockdowns, people are reluctant to commit to going out to things. However, we all genuinely love doing life together: we recognise that we are stronger together, and that there aren’t going to be any denominations in Glory!

Southampton Sholing Lieutenant Matthew Stone

We recently celebrated the launch of OneBody Southampton and it was a great opportunity to pray and worship, receive teaching, and network together. At the launch, a unity scale was presented where five levels from disunity to greater unity were cited: competition, coexistence, communication, cooperation and collaboration. Sometimes the challenge is moving up that scale.

In recent years, our ecumenical relationships have seen the launch of a free weekly community meal, schools work opportunities and, most recently, a pop-up pantry. The community pantry run by Oasis and hosted by our church and community centre has seen a sharing of volunteers and resources, and it’s been great to see people link up with other activities and groups. The pantry is supported by local social prescribers. Individuals who would have been on their own at Christmas were referred for a Christmas Day lunch provided by the corps, and families have been signposted to our new parent-and-toddler group, which started in November after encouragement from ecumenical partners.

The biggest encouragement has been the opportunity to join in prayer and worship with other local Christians and to get a glimpse of the bigger picture of what God is doing in, through and for his Church in the city.

Ilford and Woodford

Major Ruth Gray

We are stronger and achieve more together. God has gifted his Church with all they need, but the skills, gifts and opportunities might be at the church down the road. It re-emphasises the need for us to build God’s Kingdom and let God build The Salvation Army. When we Kingdom-build we just need to glance round and we’ll see where we are becoming stronger and more released – the Kingdom impact is tangible and beyond what we expect.

Abergavenny Lieutenant Amy Bayliss-Fox

This being my first appointment, I was really nervous about moving to a new town by myself without any connections, but local ecumenical partnerships have given me the opportunity to connect with other ministers and Christians in the area that I wouldn’t have otherwise.

To coincide with the Abergavenny Food Festival, we worked with the local Methodist and United Reformed Churches to put on an exhibition of the Wales 150 knitted display over the weekend and a Harvest open-air meeting on the Sunday afternoon. Abergavenny Churches Together also met to provide support for a local Muslim group, who had faced some opposition about moving into a building of their own.

The best thing about our local ecumenical relationships is having a sense that the town is being covered in prayer. It is also a blessing to be able to share in the good news of what God is doing and celebrate with other churches in that.

We have started to release volunteers to assist with painting a local United Reformed Church. One is a previous resident of the Malachi Project – he moved into his own flat last year – who we assisted and trained in working at heights. He works alongside a church volunteer. They’re painting the church building working alongside volunteers from that church.

We’re also continuing our ecumenical gardening projects when the weather is better, alongside the same church.

We recently attended the 24-hour prayer vigil at the local Welcome Centre where all the churches in Ilford town centre covered hourly shifts. Most of the local churches got involved.

Everyone’s focus is to love God and love others and that is demonstrated in tangible ways, as in the painting example. We are seeing tangible transformation as everyone buys into anything to do with showing glimpses of God’s Kingdom in everyday actions.

• Read more examples of local ecumenical partnerships at tsa.link/local-ecumenical-stories

A fun time of reflection and celebration

UK AND IRELAND

ENABLED at Christmas online was a weekend of faith and fellowship, writes Learning Disability Inclusion Development Manager Chris Stringer (THQ). The theme for the sixth Enabled at Christmas weekend was The Shepherds Come. These weekends started online in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, and they continued as they were a good opportunity for Enabled members and supporters to share together.

This weekend was well supported with more than 1,800 views of the sessions and 235 individual participants identified.

We started on Friday evening. I led a welcome session that included a message on the faith of the shepherds and our now legendary scavenger hunt. This was followed by an Open House session led by Wendy Keller (Boston). We were asked questions, including our favourite Christmas carols and what we had on the top of our Christmas trees. Stars were the clear winner.

Saturday started with worship led by Josh Davies (Pentre) supported by Matti Duffy (Govan), where we considered the central part that the shepherds play in the first Christmas.

Next was chair exercises led by Barbara Davies (Bedlington), where we practised movement while decorating our Christmas trees.

This was followed by the first ever Enabled online baking session. Led by Tracy Wood (Chatham) with Paul Woodhouse (Chatham) doing the baking and Ruth Woodhouse (Chatham) working the technology. We made chocolate biscuits and sausage rolls. Those who joined shared pictures of what they made.

Julie Taylor (Hamilton) led a timbrel session where we learnt a routine to ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’.

The day was due to close with a Disco led by Lee and Samanatha Forresthill (Ellesmere Port), but this had to be abandoned due to technical difficulties.

Sunday morning started with a Godly Play telling of the Nativity led by Major

Georgina Symons (Histon). We then enjoyed a singing session led by Jonny Searle (Boscombe). After a warm-up, we learnt ‘The Shepherd’s Song’, ‘The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy’ and then ‘Midnight’, when Jonny’s daughter, Freya, joined him. Jonny’s session ended with him performing ‘The Christmas Song’. Sunday afternoon found us being led in a drama session by Sarah Grace. Sarah got us to consider what parts we might have played in the first Christmas. This was followed by a wellbeing session led by Disability Engagement Adviser Joanne Graham (THQ). She led us through a series of questions and

exercises to focus on our wellbeing.

Enabled at Christmas ended with a carol service led by Support Officer (Enabled) Major Richard Knott, in which we sang carols, listened to Bible readings and had a message on the special gift God gave.

Some of the feedback we received from people was: ‘Thank you to all the organisers for a wonderful weekend.’ ‘It was truly a great programme of events. Fabulous camaraderie, and a fun time of reflection and celebration!’

• Find out more about Enabled at salvationist.org.uk/enabled

CHRISTMAS

BECCLES Staff of James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston-on-Sea came together to donate gifts for the toy appeal. Corps leader Territorial Envoy Cadet Harry Woods collected the toys with immense gratitude to all involved. He said: ‘The gifts represent far more than toys – they are a message to families in our community that they are seen, valued and not alone at Christmas.’ – AR

COWDENBEATH The corps held a family carol service and parent-and-toddler Christmas party. They also took time to reflect by lighting candles in memory of the corps members promoted to Glory during the past year, and remembering friends and family members no longer with us. – IF

SHOEBURYNESS As part of working together across Southend, Leigh-on-Sea Songsters and Band held a meeting, led by Songster Leader Siobhan Fraser (Leigh-on-Sea), as part of Shoeburyness’s carol services. Amy Fraser and Pat Clarke read poems and Major Rob Davis (Leigh-on-Sea) shared a thought on receiving the gift of Jesus. After the meeting, everyone joined together in fellowship. It is hoped there will be future events for the corps to work together again. – RD/CD/AC

GRIMSBY Staff and residents from Booth House Lifehouse joined corps members and customers for carol singing in the Cup of Joy café and coffee lounge. The annual event, held since the building underwent renovation, has proved popular with locals and corps members alike, attracting people from the community with some starting to attend the corps. – KG

READING CENTRAL The community carol concert was an excellent mix of music styles. The Reading Male Voice Choir, the combined Reading Central and Central Southern Area Fellowship Bands, the timbrelists and young people celebrated in great style. The capacity crowd enjoyed the confident dexterity of the timbrelists, laughed at the characters in the Nativity play and groaned at the corny Christmas jokes. It was an irrepressibly cheerful event. – DM

child received a box full of crafts and a copy of the Christmas story. Families sat together enjoying crafts while breakfast was served. It was so busy we had people sitting around tables in the hallway and we ran out of eggs! The volunteers enjoyed seeing the community coming together so much they are already planning for next Christmas. – LM

One Stop approached us about providing a venue for their Christmas grotto specifically for those with additional needs who struggle to access mainstream grottos. A maximum of six children per session enjoyed activities and a sensory area and, of course, Father Christmas. A special school took the opportunity to use the grotto for a small class of 11 to 12-year-olds. The corps are grateful for the opportunity to be involved. – LH

GAINSBOROUGH Under the leadership of Beth Plastow and the Sunday school team, the Sunday school provided the Nativity and closing song ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ as part of the toy service. Over the past three years the Sunday school has grown from 5 to more than 40 children, reflecting an increase in families attending worship that has more than doubled the number of people attending Sunday worship. – CB

NORWICH MILE CROSS The luncheon club ended the year with a Christmas party. Members and helpers dressed up as pantomime characters, and all enjoyed a superb Christmas dinner followed by Christmas pudding or trifle. – GW

STOCKPORT

CITADEL

A special visitor attended the corps carol service: a mouse came all the way from Bethlehem to tell the gathering of 120 adults and children the story of Jesus’ birth. – PH

BIRMINGHAM CITADEL The corps returned to the Bradshaw Hall for the annual carol concert. In front of a capacity audience the corps brought the message of Christmas to the people of Birmingham. Comperèd by Dean Heeley and corps leaders Majors Ian and Keely Standley, the programme featured more than 130 people on stage with the African Praise Choir, band, dance group, singing company, songsters, timbrelists and young people’s band, plus the primary with the Nativity story. Throughout the concert audience members were asked to unbox presents, with videos asking what Christmas means to them. Major Keely then asked everyone not to put Jesus back in a box after Christmas. – RO

NUNHEAD Our prayer group manned a refreshments table at our last food bank before Christmas, offering hot drinks and festive treats to all as food parcels and gifts were distributed. It was a wonderful time of community, which has inspired the food bank team to consider making community drop-in a part of every food bank. The corps is grateful for the support of Morrisons in donating food items. – KS

LYMINGTON The corps held its annual community carol service in the town’s United Reformed Church, led by Divisional Envoy Ruth Barlow and Colonel Jean Bennett. The service was enhanced by a combined band from the home corps and members of Ringwood and Salisbury Corps Bands. Colonel Jean gave an interesting India-inspired perspective to the gathering, drawing on her 40 years of Army ministry there. A carol was sung in multiple languages. The corps has consistently raised funds for projects in India, as well as supporting other local causes. A well-attended afternoon service concluded with refreshments and a time of fellowship. – MD

CHRISTMAS

JAMES LEE HOUSE The Warrington Wolves visited the Lifehouse to stand in solidarity with people experiencing homelessness. The rugby team’s Christmas Community Blitz saw them dishing out selection boxes, mince pies, chocolates and biscuits. Service Manager Debbie Rutter said: ‘Everybody deserves to have some joy at Christmas time, and this generosity has done just that.’ – AR

CHRISTMAS

ST HELENS Students from St Helens College treated staff and residents from Salisbury House Lifehouse and the Army’s supported housing schemes on Appleton Road and Egerton Street to a Christmas-themed day of joy and hope. The students offered facials, manicures, haircuts, blow-dries, a festive three-course lunch and a wreath-making workshop. – AR

BLACKBURN The Army’s Phoenix Hub ensured people experiencing homelessness enjoyed a hot, three-course Christmas lunch. Acting as a one-stop shop for every service that people experiencing homelessness may need, the Phoenix Hub brings together an optician, Hepatitis C nurse, housing needs team from the council and a substance misuse team. – AR

GLOUCESTER The young people’s carol service is an eagerly anticipated event, and the recent influx of young people helped make it a wonderful time. Helpers spent many hours preparing costumes and everyone had a part to play. The narrative was written and presented by the talented Julian Brand. A full hall showed their appreciation. – AB

STAPLEFORD Thirty diners from the lunch club enjoyed a Christmas feast prepared by corps members Paul, Denise and Ruth. Will, Hilary and Lisa helped to serve the dinner. The meal was preceded by a carol service led by Andria and accompanied by Chris. A good time was had by all. – FT

BELLSHILL The band undertook a series of carol concerts and open-air witnesses over three days. This included the annual Music for a Christmas Evening concert, which attracted a capacity audience of more than 1,200 people and raised more than £800 for corps youth work. The band also performed to hundreds of people at All Souls Church with more than £1,300 raised for the Lippen Care charity, an organisation that supports palliative care at Strathmore Hospice and across the county. The band presented both seasonal favourites and a new repertoire, Assistant Band Sergeant Dorothy Neil shared reflections, and corps leader Major Gillian Burns spoke on our response needing to be the same acceptance of God’s plan that Mary showed. – MS

STAPLE HILL The festive season began with a Light Up a Life concert, presented by the band with guests from St Peter’s Hospice choir. There was an opportunity to remember a loved one by placing a card on a remembrance tree. The family carol service and community carol service were presented to a full hall using the theme of Love Came Down. On Christmas Eve, corps leader Major Colin Hylton-Jones presented Carols in the Square, which was supported by the band and attracted 800 people. The corps also launched its appeal for donations of new toys and was able to help about 800 families with Christmas gifts – a record number. – VW

CHRISTMAS

IPSWICH CITADEL The corps band were scheduled to lead carols at Kesgrave Community Centre bandstand. Due to heavy rain the event took place indoors, where an enthusiastic crowd joined in carol singing, led by corps leader Major Stephen Battle. – DC

STAPLEFORD The corps provided approximately 500 toys for disadvantaged children in the community, plus 300 books for local schools. – FT

KILBIRNIE Additional seating was required for the Christmas carol service. Service users from the George Steven Community Hub who participate in the Music Man Project contributed a Christmas medley to the programme. The band and a united singing group also took part and Bandmaster Jim McIvor sang ‘Still, Still, Still’. A retiring offering raised £250 in aid of the local food bank, which operates from the Army hall two days a week. – JM

STAPLEFORD Transport and a three-course Christmas dinner was provided by volunteers at the corps for 50 people who would otherwise have been alone at home. Spearheaded by Bandmaster Neil and his wife and family, with others from DHQ and the community, it was good to see the love of the corps stretch out to the vulnerable in the community. – FT

NORTH WALSHAM Christmas at the corps was a busy one with more than 1,000 toys distributed to local families. A community festive brunch was held at the hall, where more than 90 people turned up to enjoy a cooked breakfast and fellowship. Each week the corps receives two surplus food collections from Lidl, and Christmas Eve was no exception. Food parcels were also delivered to people on Christmas Eve and the community fridge was opened on Christmas Day prior to the service for the community to visit and collect food. – RM

NORTH WALSHAM During December, corps leader Territorial Envoy Ruth Morey visited schools to share how The Salvation Army helps others, not only at Christmas but throughout the year. On her visit to The Belfry primary school, as well as teaching four classes Territorial Envoy Ruth engaged the children in making care packages for the residents of Furze Hill House care home. – RM

CANTERBURY The corps was pleased to welcome actress Jessica Hynes to their community carol concert. It was wonderful to see Scripture from Luke 2 come alive through her careful retelling of the birth of Jesus. The event was well supported by the community, and the local mission work of the corps was highlighted through the delivery of 675 toy parcels and 270 treat bags to families. Jessica is pictured with corps leaders Majors Alison and Gavin Friday. – GF

EXETER TEMPLE A collection was taken during the carol service in aid of the local hospice. In attendance was the lord mayor, Councillor Anne Jobson, and Mary Bell. During the carol service a cheque in excess of £820 was presented to Hospiscare fundraiser Sharon Collins. – JW

CHRISTMAS

MARGATE The band played at Eaton Lodge nursing home in Westgate-on-Sea as part of their carolling programme. Their visit was very well received, with lots of singing and requesting of carols by the residents and staff alike. Tea and cakes were provided for the band. Pictured are band members Ailsa Mace, Charles Craig, Nick Scott, and Philip and Claire with their daughter, Elsie. – LC

CHRISTMAS

HINCKLEY It was a busy but happy Christmas season. Families with more than 500 children between them were looked after, with supplies of gifts that the parents came along to choose and vouchers to spend on food, provided by Trussell food bank. On Christmas Day, 75 older people enjoyed lunch, a party, gifts and food to take home for teatime. The most encouraging feedback has been from people who spoke about coming into a new and deeper understanding of God’s love for them through the kindness that was shown. We thank God for that! We also had special times of worship, culminating in a carol service that featured scenes from Downton Abbey, Charlie’s Angels and, of course, Bethlehem itself. We give God the glory. – CE

CONSETT The Sally Bash Bump ’n’ Crash parent-and-toddler group took part in the town’s Christmas Tree Festival. Out of 54 sparkling Christmas trees, the group received a Highly Commended award, achieved by hard work and dedication from parents, grandparents and children. – HM

CHATTERIS For the second year in a row, we held a community Christmas Day dinner with fun including games, chatter, singing, dancing, jokes and more. Our guests enjoyed a three-course meal, mince pies, a pack-up tea and Army cuppas. – IT

At a bring-your-own-Nativity

and

Nativity sets represented how love showing up can look different in all our lives. – AB-F

Help us tell your story about transforming lives

AFTER the busyness of Christmas, the time that follows often brings a sigh of relief, allowing us to down tools and reflect back over our festive ministry. Carolling sessions are complete, Christmas meals served, presents distributed to families in need, God’s word preached on the streets, in halls and in communities, and you have demonstrated to people that love came down at Christmas.

Your ministry at Christmas makes a difference in people’s lives – and it is these stories of transformation in our communities that Community Services wants to help you tell.

This week, Community Services launches the annual Christmas Activities Survey to help capture local mission, data and stories that show the impact of love in action at

Christmas. Details of your work will be used to help communicate The Salvation Army’s impact to the public, providing opportunities for evangelical outreach, as well as raising funds for the Army’s work, encouraging people to volunteer alongside you and join the Army’s campaigns supporting vulnerable people.

During Christmas 2025, information provided from previous surveys was used to share your stories through traditional and digital media. Stories about the Christmas Present Appeal featured, for example, on BBC News and in the North Wales Chronicle. A doublepage feature in the popular My Weekly magazine raised the Army’s profile, giving the opportunity to reach new audiences to introduce them to our church and its ministry, and the hope we bring in communities. Your stories also

drew new followers on Salvation Army social media channels, where people will have further opportunities to engage with your ministry.

Please help Community Services to tell our story next Christmas by completing the 2025 Christmas Activities Survey at surveymonkey. com/r/TSAChristmas2025 by 13 February. The survey takes about 15 minutes – it only needs one response per corps. The stories you share and the statistics you provide help plan for next year in telling our story and driving engagement with our church.

If you need help completing the survey or want a quick chat to walk through the form, email Community Services at communityservices@salvationarmy.org. uk or contact your communications officer. Thank you for your support.

Local officers appointed

CORPS TREASURER MAJOR

RUDI BRUINEWOUD, Gateshead

Dedicated to God

MATTHEW JOY CHRISTIAN , son of Joy and Prayosha Christian, at Bristol South by Captain Matthew Kinsey

Promoted to Glory

RETIRED CORPS SERGEANTMAJOR GEORGE BROWN, Portsmouth Citadel

BAND RESERVIST BILL

MILSOM, Staple Hill, on 22 December

MAJOR FREDA WILSON from Leicester Royal Infirmary on 23 December

LIEUT-COLONEL JOY TAYLOR from Blenheim Care Home, Bournemouth, on 24 December

BRENDA MELLING , Leigh-onSea, on 26 December

Bereaved

PATRICIA BROWN, Portsmouth Citadel, of her husband Retired Corps Sergeant-Major George Brown, Karin Bates and Teresa Brown of their father

FREDA MILSOM, Staple Hill, of her husband Band Reservist Bill Milsom, Elaine Hughes and Mark Milsom of their father

RACHAEL JAMES, Staple Hill, Georgia Case and Jenni Smith of their father Glyn Elcoat

LIEUT-COLONEL JAYNE

ROBERTS and David Melling of their mother Brenda Melling

ANNE GERRISH, Staple Hill, of her father Allin Chillcott

Retirements from active service

Effective 1 January

MAJOR JENNY McPHEE (née Dixon) out of Bourne in 2009 and last appointment Bourne

MAJOR KAREN SMITH (née Reynolds) out of Sittingbourne in 1984 and last appointment Hastings Temple

ENGAGEMENTS

Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main

17 Jan – 18 Jan Hinckley

22 Jan William Booth College (lecture to cadets)

24 Jan Regent Hall (SC50: A tribute to Stephen Cobb’s 50 years’ service in the International Staff Band)

25 Jan Regent Hall (International Staff Band)

26 Jan William Booth College (leading opening worship for Into Officership seminar)

28 Jan Lambeth Palace (confirmation of election of 106th Archbishop of Canterbury)

29 Jan William Booth College (lecture to cadets)

Chief Secretary Colonel Peter Forrest and Territorial Secretary for Leader

Development Colonel Julie Forrest

24 Jan Regent Hall (SC50: A tribute to Stephen Cobb’s 50 years’ service in the International Staff Band)

25 Jan Regent Hall (International Staff Band)

26 Jan William Booth College (lecture to cadets)*

*Colonel Peter Forrest only

NOTICES

Community Services survey

Corps and community settings are invited to take part in the annual Christmas Activities Survey from Community Services to help capture local mission, data and stories that show the impact of love in action at Christmas. The stories and statistics you provide help plan for next year in telling the Army’s story and driving engagement. The survey takes about 15 minutes and only needs one response per corps. Fill in your responses at surveymonkey.com/r/TSAChristmas2025 by 13 February.

Online seminar on radical hospitality

Explore what it means for God to draw near in unexpected ways in this seminar by Dr Naar M’fundisi-Holloway (Research and Development Department) at 2pm on 19 January. Titled The Stranger Who Comes Close: God’s Nearness in Jesus and the Unexpected Other, the seminar will include theological reflection, biblical insight and Naar’s own story of living as a migrant across three continents. Register at tsa.link/hospitality-seminar

Care for creation Bible study

An international, hour-long Bible study is led by different people on the first Tuesday of the month, alternating between 8am and 8pm. The next will take place on 3 February at 8pm, led by Lieutenant Amy Bayliss-Fox (Abergavenny). For more, email environment@salvationarmy.org.uk

2026 Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging calendar

This practical resource helps deepen our understanding of the experiences of the people we serve and those who are part of our Salvation Army family. Each month highlights key challenges faced by different groups, awareness days and reflections, and includes public holidays, major religious events and Salvation Army dates. Request your copy from equalityandinclusion@salvationarmy.org.uk

Help shape the Army’s response to domestic abuse

The Family Ministries Department is inviting survivors of domestic abuse within The Salvation Army to share their experiences and shape the future of the Army’s response to domestic abuse. This is part of the next phase of PhD research into domestic abuse led by Amy Quinn-Graham (Research and Development Department), building on last year’s study into attitudes, beliefs and experiences. To find out more, visit tsa.link/da-research-take-part or email amy.quinn-graham@salvationarmy.org.uk or praqg@leeds.ac.uk

SOUNDS

Sunday Worship

Join Salvationists across the territory in worship, with music, prayer and a Bible message from a guest speaker. This week’s message is from Divisional Leader Captain Naomi Clifton (North East Division). Can’t join us at 11am on Sundays? Catch up with the weekly podcast of highlights. Each week’s broadcast is repeated in full on Sundays at 6pm, Mondays at 12am and Thursdays at 9am.

• Listen online at salvationist.org.uk/radio

DISS

AVRIL and Kevin Waller were welcomed as adherents by corps leader Major Paula Mark. Having been associated with the corps in the past, they have both worked very hard over the past few months to create a corps community garden, and Avril recently started a lunch fellowship. Both felt it was time to make a positive decision to become adherents. They are pictured together with Major David Young, who took them through classes. – EH

DARTFORD

ROY Blakeley was enrolled as a soldier by corps leader Captain Hannah Webb. Roy had been exploring his faith for several years; however, it was only after encountering God through The Salvation Army that he truly found his spiritual home. His encounters with the Army, firstly at Clacton-on-Sea and subsequently at Dartford, led him to make a firm commitment to serve his Saviour. – CM

CANTERBURY

ELIZABETH Brierley, Matthew Sands and Steven Daws were welcomed as adherents by corps leaders Majors Alison and Gavin Friday. All three have been attending worship for about a year, having connected through the community programme. They feel called to belong and have entered into the life of the corps. – KC

PENNY was enrolled as a junior soldier by corps leader Captain Jon Doyle. Penny has just turned seven and was really excited to become a junior soldier. Her older brother, Alfie, played the cornet solo ‘Prayer of Childhood’ for her in the morning meeting. Friends and family travelled from across the country to support Penny on her big day. Her mum, Caroline, is young people’s sergeant-major and her dad, David, is corps sergeant-major and has been taking a group of young people through their preparation classes. It was a lovely moment for everyone. – DS

WITH great celebration, corps leaders Major John Mclean and Captain Lydia Bartlett enrolled Shylyn Chima and Tanaka Limted as soldiers. Both testified to God’s work in their lives and the sense of belonging that they had received in being part of the church. – JM

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both out wardly and inwardly.

EPHESIANS 4:4