Frontlines

Even with ongoing challenges due to the pandemic, the Canada and Bermuda Territory had a fruitful Partners in Mission campaign in 2021. Thanks to the dedication and fundraising efforts of Salvationists across the territory, the campaign raised an impressive $2,302,278.

The money raised will be sent to International Headquarters, which will distribute it to territories in need. These funds ensure that the Army flag keeps flying in all 132 countries where it is active.

“We thank everyone for their efforts in supporting the international work of The Salvation Army,” says Lt-Colonel Brenda Murray, director of international development. “With the support of our faithful friends across Canada and Bermuda, we have truly

showed what it means to be a helping hand in a healing world.” Lt-Col Brenda Murray (right) visits the Matero Corps in Lusaka, Zambia

Nurses at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in Hamilton, Bermuda, receive food boxes from North Street Citadel

When a sudden surge in COVID cases threatened to overwhelm the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in Bermuda this fall, Hamilton’s North Street Citadel came together to provide practical and spiritual support to weary nurses.

North Street has a number of nurses in its ranks, including Suja Chandrasekaran, an IV nurse at the hospital. “It was very overwhelming,” she says about the recent surge in cases. “The hospital was overflowing with COVID patients.”

“As we were thinking about what we could do, one of our nurses suggested that we could help by providing meals,” notes Captain Dwayne Barnes, corps officer.

“Nurses in the ICU had to work 12-hour, 16-hour shifts,” Chandrasekaran explains. “They didn’t have time to go get groceries and cook.”

So for three weeks, at the height of the surge, the corps provided a total of 115 lunch and dinner meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On an average day, approximately 15 corps members were involved with gathering the ingredients, preparing the meals and delivering the food boxes.

The food boxes contained more than physical nourishment. “We didn’t want to just give them a meal,” says Captain Dwayne Barnes, “so we came up with the idea of including devotional cards to encourage and uplift the nurses and doctors during this time.”

Those devotional cards were created by members of North Street Citadel, allowing Salvationists who may not have been able to participate in the preparation or delivery of the meals to take part in the ministry.

“This gave people an opportunity to be at home and still be involved,” says Captain Kendacy Barnes, corps officer. “Home doesn’t mean you can’t do anything. There are other ways to meet the needs of the community.”

The meals and devotionals were much appreciated by the hospital staff. The head of the nurse’s department created a WhatsApp group chat, and every night they sent the Barnes pictures of the nurses receiving their boxes. “When we saw the pictures, we said, ‘Lord, we just thank you for this opportunity to be able to serve in this capacity,’ ” says Captain Dwayne.

“The meal program gave the hospital staff an opportunity to get to know about The Salvation Army,” says Chandrasekaran. “As our Founders said, the mission of the Army is soup, soap and salvation, and that was practised. The staff were very grateful for The Salvation Army and their kindness.”

Once the program was up and running, other community members got involved, including a number of local hotels, which donated meals. The captains note that the Army is now in talks with the hotels about distributing hygiene care packages to seniors in need. “There are partnerships being formed, there is room for mission,” says Captain Kendacy. “It’s amazing—this program started small and just exploded. We’re really excited."

General Brian Peddle launches the Army’s new positional statement on the environment

International Headquarters released a new Salvation Army International Positional Statement (IPS) on Caring for the Environment in October. The document sets out a strongly worded and compelling description of the many ways that God’s creation has suffered catastrophic damage from the actions of human beings. Pledging to foster a “culture of sustainability,” the statement calls for immediate action to be taken to address and combat “environmental degradation.”

The IPS, which has been approved by General Brian Peddle, says: “The Salvation Army recognizes environmental degradation as one of the most pressing issues facing the world today … Its effects fall disproportionally on the most vulnerable, particularly in terms of health, livelihood, shelter and the opportunity to make choices. The very survival of humanity depends on the health of the whole ecosystem.”

The scriptural basis for the position is laid out in detail, highlighting how God entrusted humanity with the task to care for the land and its plants and animals.

The IPS concludes with a series of suggested practical responses through which The Salvation Army “seeks to foster a culture of sustainability with a focus on long-term environmental solutions. These vary from raising awareness of the devastating impact humans are having on God’s earth and striving to enact sound environmental policies to smaller-scale but important efforts such as encouraging Salvationists to consider a vocation in environmental science.”

The Salvation Army’s Journey to Life Centre in Thunder Bay, Ont., held its grand opening in October, a culmination of the $15.5-million construction project for the three-storey, 30,000-square-foot building, double the size of the former 50-year-old structure.

“This is not just a building,” Major Lori Mitchell, area commander, Ontario Division, and Journey to Life project coordinator, said at the event. “This is a place of caring and compassion and I believe that many lives will be transformed over the coming years.”

The Journey to Life Centre includes an emergency shelter for men, with five rooms that can accommodate four individuals, and private showers and a laundry room. The Homes for Special Care

Salvation Army leaders and other dignitaries cut the ribbon at the grand opening event

program offers permanent housing in private rooms for 16 men who require mental-health support. Eight beds are available for men on early release from the federal justice system where they are helped with the transition back into community life.

The centre’s namesake Journey to Life transitional program addresses barriers to living successfully in the community and has 20 studio apartments. Participants learn everything from cooking and cleaning to building positive relationships and how to be a good employee and neighbour.

Patty Hajdu, member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Superior North, Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins and Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, attended the grand opening and were among the dignitaries who spoke at the event.

“It’s a journey of hope and opportunity, giving the folks who are struggling in the mainstream an opportunity to lift their spirits up and make sure they’re not forgotten about,” said Chief Collins. “They are important to our community.”

“The Salvation Army has been a significant part of your journey here in Thunder Bay for over 100 years,” noted Lt-Colonel Shawn Critch, divisional commander, Ontario Division. “Today we continue to shape the future of this land and the future of this community, creating a sacred space where hope is extended and hope is embraced.”