Salvationist 1 December 2012 from the MANAGING EDITOR
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SALVATIONIST Essential reading for everyone linked to The Salvation Army// www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 1 December 2012 // No. 1375 // Price 60p // Also available digitally CONTENTS 3. FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR 11. – 14. 4. PAPERS This week’s quotes from the papers and picture caption competition results 5. – 9. NEWS William Booth College // IHQ // East Midlands // Oldham Roundthorn // Selby // Stotfold // Skewen // Northampton Central // Westminster Abbey // Southsea // Staple Hill // Worthing // Tunstall // Cannock // Detmold // Trowbridge // Camborne // Rushden // South Shields // Sale // Guisborough // Salisbury // Alrewas // Sudbury // Pokesdown // Morecambe // THQ // Mirfield // 10. LETTERS 5. 11. – 14. RETIRED OFFICERS’ CHRISTMAS GREETINGS 15. BIBLE STUDY Advent means a major change 16. & 17. NEW COMMITMENTS 18. & 19. ANNOUNCEMENTS Army people, engagements and tributes 7. 9. 20. REVIEWS R5Words Of Life ( January – April 2013) R5Christmas! 21. – 23. ADVERTS 24. THROUGH THE WEEK WITH SALVATIONIST 2 Salvationist 1 December 2012 FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR The uptake from our retired officers proves what a good SEASON’S idea it’s been. Of course, it’s not only a cost-saving exercise. Unfortunately the older we get the greater the probability is GREETINGS that we might lose an address here and there. I confess that, each year, I receive a card from friends in the Netherlands HAVE you noticed where the comma comes in the carol and I have the embarrassment of not being able to ‘God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen’? The meaning of the line reciprocate, as I have managed to mislay their address. Very is confused if you have the comma after ‘ye’ (or ‘you’ as some frustrating! versions have it). It has nothing to do with ‘merry gentlemen’ Our letters page this week carries two requests from – whether or not aided by drink. The word ‘rest’ should be people anxious to link up with friends they have lost understood as ‘keep’ and the word ‘merry’ is derived from somewhere along life’s pathway. While Salvationist is ‘mighty’ or ‘strong’. So – in a pc world – ‘God keep you reluctant to carry such requests most of the time – lest we strong, gentlefolk’ might be the intended greeting. are inundated with similar letters – we look on such Salvationist, of course, is all in favour of Christian people approaches with a little more sympathy at this time of year. offering season’s greetings to one another and especially to We hope and pray that all our readers will enter this non-Christian friends. You might, perhaps, be reluctant to Advent season knowing that they are loved and remembered, mention faith or religion or speak the name of Jesus outside not just because they will receive a greeting on a card – or your family or worshipping fellowship most of the year, via a notice in this paper – but because but then Christmas comes along bringing with it the the greatest greeting ever known will opportunity to select a card with an appropriate verse of soon be heard again as we recall the Scripture and bear witness to your beliefs. (Not to mention angel choir singing: ‘Glory to God the possibility of purchasing charity cards to help others in the highest heaven, and on earth less fortunate than ourselves.) peace’. According to the Greeting Card Association (GCA) website, the Greeting Card Market Report 2012 reveals that STEPHEN PEARSON nearly £1.38 billion was spent on single cards in the past year – more than is spent on a year’s supply of tea and coffee put together. Retired Officers Secretary Major James Williams (THQ) and Salvationist have united to help our retired officers drink more tea and coffee this year (Fairtrade, I sincerely hope!) by offering them the opportunity of purchasing a spot in our centre four pages this week to send greetings to all their friends and acquaintances without the added expense of multiple cards, envelopes and postage stamps. (The GCA website, incidentally, states that the average retail price of a card is now £1.51, up from £1.45 the previous year.) SALVATIONIST DTP OPERATOR The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity Denise D’Souza – (tel) 020 7367 4896 number in England and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS GRAPHIC DESIGNER 101 Newington Causeway, Jonathan Carmichael – (tel) 020 7367 4883 London SE1 6BN THE SALVATION ARMY (tel) 020 7367 4890 ADMINISTRATOR FOUNDER (tel) 0845 634 0101 Stella Merino – (tel) 020 7367 4881 William Booth (fax) 020 7367 4691 ADVERTISING (email) [email protected] GENERAL (tel) 020 7367 4883 (web) www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist (email) [email protected] Linda Bond MANAGING EDITOR DISTRIBUTION TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Stephen Pearson – (tel) 020 7367 4891 Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), Commissioner André Cox ASSISTANT EDITOR 66-78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARY Major Jane Kimberley – (tel) 020 7367 4892 Wellingborough NN8 2QH (tel) 01933 445451 Major Leanne Ruthven EDITORIAL ASSISTANT (fax) 01933 445415 Laura Barker – (tel) 020 7367 4893 (email) [email protected] EDITORIAL ASSISTANT A registered newspaper published weekly by The Salvation Army Kersten Rieder – (tel) 020 7367 4894 (United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland) on behalf of the General of The Salvation Army and printed DTP DESIGNER by Wyndeham Grange, Southwick. © Linda Bond, General Colin Potter – (tel) 020 7367 4895 of The Salvation Army, 2012. Salvationist 1 December 2012 3 PAPERS THIS WEEK’S QUOTES FROM THE PAPERS ‘FOOTNOTE’ WHO GAVE US THE TACKLING ALCOHOL HARM MESSIAH A coalition of leading medical organi- Handel’s Messiah would never have been sations has called on the Government created without the input of an ‘unknown’ to set a minimum alcohol price of librettist… Letters from Handel to Charles 50 pence per unit to help tackle the Jennens, who is credited with writing the problems caused by cheap drink… scriptural text, refer to the piece as ‘your Messiah’. Sarah Bardwell, the director of The Alcohol Health Alliance UK (AHA) the Handel House Museum, where the said the minimum unit price tariff would letters are to be put on display, said: target the heaviest drinkers. Methodist Recorder ‘Without Jennens there would be no Messiah... It was he who had the idea to create the Messiah in the first place.’ JUDGE BACKS RIGHT OF SOCIAL- Church Times MEDIA CRITIC OF GAY MARRIAGE A social-housing group based in Manchester GAY WEDDING BILL TO ‘REMOVE acted in breach of contract when it demoted ALL DOUBT’ ON CHURCH OPT-OUT one of its managers for posting a comment Churches are to receive an explicit on Facebook opposing gay marriage in opt-out from having to perform gay churches… marriages after ministers received Mr Justice Briggs said: ‘Mr Smith’s postings legal warnings that refusals to do so about gay marriage in church are not, viewed may fall foul of human rights laws. objectively, judgmental, disrespectful or A Bill, to be published in the new liable to cause upset or offence. They are year, will include a ‘double lock’ written widely held views, frequently to be heard on into the legislation that would allow radio and television, or read in the churches not to host such ceremonies. newspapers.’ The Times Church Times PICTURE CAPTION COMPETITION RESULTS On 10 November Salvationist asked readers for captions for Where did you say our new off icers were from? this picture which shows an early carolling stint at the NEC by Richard Arnold, Gravesend. members of Birmingham Citadel Band which attracts the attention of Star Wars character Darth Vader supported by the It’s the International Darth Band. Imperial Guard. Here is a selection of the best suggestions: Chris Powell, Huntingdon. It was on a Star Wars night… Peter Bale, Westcliff-on-Sea. Sorry guys but the Santa and elves costumes have all been hired out. Lee Fisher, Droitwich. Darth Vader requests the band plays ‘Lightwalk’. David Newstead, Tamworth. I already know what you’ve got for Christmas: I felt your presents Jonathon Webb, Sittingbourne. 4 Salvationist 1 December 2012 NEWS Pictures: PAUL HARMER Pictures: PAUL A landmark in Graduates gather in the assembly hall vocation and service The Open Learning category, Following the awards presen- WILLIAM BOOTH which is open to anyone, covered a tation, student representatives COLLEGE broad spectrum of subjects includ- Guy Poland (WBC) and Cap - ing Salvation Story, How to Study tain Steven Smith (Cheltenham MORE than 200 people gath- the Bible and Is This Your Life? Citadel) responded. Guy said ered in the assembly hall for the SISTAD’S partnership with that studying makes a difference School for In-Service Training other training providers was at the front line in social services. and Development (SISTAD) reflected by the presence of Captain Smith said that he awards day. The recipients Maria Thompson (Principal, wanted to be a better pastoral reflected the diversity of those Havering College). Awards were carer and serve with a greater who have studied and achieved presented for Doctor of Philos- degree of effectiveness for God’s awards – some specific to areas The Rev Paul Ballard ophy, MA Applied Theology, Kingdom. of service and others intended to acknowledges student Celtic Mission and Spirituality, Principal Lieut-Colonel deepen Christian life and experi- achievements Mission (Evan gelism), Pastoral Anthony Cotterill (WBC) ence. In words of welcome, Theology and Religious Studies, expressed gratitude and apprecia- Director Major Gillian Jackson Other certificates were presented BA (Hons) Pastoral Care tion to students, staff and support- (SISTAD) said that she was for Engage to Change (sup- with Psychology, Completed ers and to Professor Ballard and passionate about lifelong learn- porting homeless people) and BA Pastoral Care with Psy - Havering College partners. Major ing and likened this to the Preparing to Teach in the Life- chology Programme and Diploma Tracey Palmer (WBC) concluded psalmist wanting to be taught by long Learning Sector (PTLLS).