How Society Is Redefining Sex and Gender
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Agender / Androgyne / Androgynous Bigender / Cis / Female to Male / FTM Gender Fluid / Gender Nonconforming / Gender Questioning / Gender Variant /
Sinking of the Empress of Ireland: 100 Years Later
Journey Into the Heart of Nicaragua
Salvationist Genderqueer Intersex / Male to Female/
The Voice of the Army
May 2014
ARE WE FACING A LONELINESS CRISIS?
People are looking for community. So where is the church?
NORTH AMERICA’S ONLY SALVATION ARMY UNIVERSITY COLLEGE Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada), Booth University College offers seven degree programs - Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Social Work, and five Bachelor of Arts programs (Behavioural Sciences, English and Film, General Studies, Psychology, and Religion).
October 23-26, 2014
BOOTH BOUND 2014 In October, we set aside a special weekend for young Salvationists to visit our campus and experience what life as a Booth UC student is all about. From attending classes and participating in a service learning project (part of a Service Learning program unique to Booth UC) to exploring Winnipeg, enjoying the great food and shopping, and experiencing the culture – Booth Bound 2014 is an experience you don’t want to miss!
Future Leader Scholarships /Travel Grants You may be eligible to receive an all-expenses-paid Booth Bound weekend! Visit BoothBound.com for details and to apply!
Learn more. Explore your future at 2 • April 2014 • Salvationist
BoothUC.ca
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than is required.
Inside This Issue Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX
May 2014 Volume 9, Number 5 www.salvationist.ca E-mail: salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org
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Departments 3 4 Editorial
23 Cross Culture 4 24 Celebrate Community
5 Around the Territory 8 Chief Priorities
27 Ties That Bind
Lost by Geoff Moulton
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Enrolments and recognition, tributes, gazette, calendar Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX
Features 9 Searching for a Connection Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX
As more people experience loneliness, Salvation Army churches are reaching out by Kristin Ostensen
14 The Demise of an Empress
Paradise? Not Quite! by Major Kathie Chiu
One of the darkest days in The Salvation Army’s history The Loneliness Crisis occurred 100 years ago this month PRODUCT LABELING GUIDE FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL Letters by Colonel Mark Tillsley by Ian Howes
12 Talking It Over
Sex or Gender by James Read and Aimee Patterson
28 30 Spiritual Disciplines
Who Are You Living For? by Commissioner Rosalie Peddle
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17 A Life of Music and Service
For 50 years, Jim Gordon has led groups in Christ-centred worship by Melissa Yue Wallace
18 Nicaraguan Snapshots
In this impoverished country, God came into my heart in a way he never had before by Patricia Eady
20 Making a 180
Winnipeg’s Anchorage program helps clients on the road to recovery by Melissa Yue Wallace
22 Spreading the Word
Words of Life devotional book unites Salvationists worldwide by Kristin Ostensen
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Inside Faith & Friends A Mother’s Choice
Sandy Langer wasn’t about to let her daughter, Lorna, die without a fight
The Ultimate Save
NHL goalie Peter Budaj lives his faith by example
Stamp of Approval
Canada Post’s commemoration of the Empress of Ireland has a Salvation Army connection
The Invisible Mom
Indulging in a personal pity party made Diane Stark miss life’s little joys
Share Your Faith When you finish reading Faith & Friends, FAITH & frıends pull it out and give it to someone who needs to A Mother’s hear about Choice Christ’s lifechanging + power May 2014
faithandfriends.ca
Inspiration for Living
Sandy Langer wasn’t about to let her daughter Lorna die without a fight
NURSING HOME ETIQUETTE 101
TRIBUTE TO AN EMPRESS
Confessions of an Invisible Mom
Territorial Congress 2014
Mark June 19-22 on your calendar and plan now to attend. Visit salvationist.ca/ congress2014 to: • Register for workshops and congress prayer breakfast • Indicate childcare needs for congress events so the whole family can attend • Get a special rate on hotel accommodations • Find a full schedule of events and workshop details Join fellow Salvationists and friends as they gather at the
Delta Meadowvale Hotel and Conference Centre in Mississauga, Ont. Register today! Salvationist • May 2014 • 3
EDITORIAL
W
Lost
hat happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight 370? Perhaps by the time you read this we’ll have more answers. Or maybe not. The passenger jet carrying 239 people was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing when it disappeared completely, leaving an odd trail of blips and pings with communications satellites. Was it mechanical failure? Pilot error or suicide? Sabotage or terrorism? A dozen nations mobilized search and rescue efforts. Yet, despite weeks of searching, no wreckage was found. As of last month, the search area was 1,100 square kilometres, roughly the size of Poland. Officials concluded that the flight had undoubtedly “ended” somewhere in the middle of the southern Indian Ocean with no survivors. Without hard evidence of the flight’s fate, however, families continued to hold out hope that their loved ones could be recovered. When tragedy strikes, we empathize with the survivors and families of the victims. For many, time does not diminish the impact of the loss. In this issue of Salvationist, we commemorate the 100th anniversary of Canada’s worst maritime disaster, the sinking of the Empress of Ireland in the St. Lawrence River (see page 14). More than 1,000 people lost their lives in that catastrophe, many of them Salvationists who were travelling to London, England, for an international conference. This month, Salvationists will gather at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto and in Rimouski, Quebec, for special ceremonies to honour the victims of the Empress, as well as those who have died in recent years while in the service of The Salvation Army. On an emotional and spiritual level, there are many people in our world who feel adrift. Colonel Mark Tillsley examines the growing loneliness crisis (see page 8) and Kristin Ostensen talks with congregrations that are making a difference (see page 9) by drawing isolated people into their fellowship. In Faith & Friends, you’ll learn how you can actively befriend the elderly in nursing homes, many of whom are experiencing chronic loneliness. 4 • May 2014 • Salvationist
The Salvation Army’s mission has always been to reach out to the least, the last and the lost. Many people are longing for human contact, and our churches and social ministries are beacons of hope. For people who are socially isolated, The Salvation Army becomes a “family.” And let’s face it … we all feel that same need for connection. God has hard-wired us for community. Perhaps the most troubling fact about Flight 370 is that there was no distress call. The co-pilot signed off to air traffic controllers with an innocuous “Good night Malaysian three-seven-zero” before the aircraft vanished from radar screens. For other lost souls in need of emotional or spiritual rescue, it can also be difficult for us to see the signs. Our founder, William Booth, had a spiritual vision of lost souls drowning in a “dark, angry ocean” of sin and despair. Some of the witnesses in his vision were using every means to “rescue the perishing,” even risking their own lives by jumping into the churning flood. Others were standing by idly, with no apparent thought or care for those who were drowning before their eyes. As Salvationists, it is our calling to do what we can, to open our eyes to the needs around us and actively seek out the lost. What will you do?
GEOFF MOULTON Editor-in-Chief
Salvationist
is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory André Cox General Commissioner Brian Peddle Territorial Commander Lt-Colonel Jim Champ Secretary for Communications Geoff Moulton Editor-in-Chief Melissa Yue Wallace Features Editor (416-467-3185) Pamela Richardson News Editor, Production Co-ordinator, Copy Editor (416-422-6112) Kristin Ostensen Associate Editor and Staff Writer Timothy Cheng Art Director Ada Leung Circulation Co-ordinator Ken Ramstead Contributor Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769. Member, The Canadian Church Press. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, Today’s New International Version (TNIV) © 2001, 2005 International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide. All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory and can be reprinted only with written permission.
Subscriptions
Annual: Canada $30 (includes GST/HST); U.S. $36; foreign $41. Available from: The Salvation Army, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4. Phone: 416-422-6119; fax: 416-422-6120; e-mail: circulation@can.salvationarmy.org.
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News, Events and Submissions
Editorial lead time is seven weeks prior to an issue’s publication date. No responsibility is assumed to publish, preserve or return unsolicited material. Write to salvationist@ can.salvationarmy.org or Salvationist, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4.
Mission
The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. Salvationist informs readers about the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. salvationist.ca salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org facebook.com/salvationistmagazine twitter.com/salvationist
AROUND THE TERRITORY
Countdown to Congress Worship leaders share backstage plans for a weekend of music and praise If you ever have a chance to attend Ontario’s London Citadel, you’ll experience the uplifting, inspiring and melodic tunes of a well-rehearsed band and songsters group. Leaders John and Jane Lam are actively involved in using music to draw congregations closer to God. They hope to attain a similar experience at Territorial Congress 2014 from June 19-22. Salvationist interviews John Lam, now in his seventh year of leadership with the Canadian Staff Band (CSB), as he and Jane make preparations.
Aside from leading the CSB, what other roles do you and Jane play in The Salvation Army? Jane has been the songster leader at London Citadel since 2007. Previously, she was the songster leader at South Windsor Citadel in Windsor, Ont. I’ve led our corps band since 1995. What will you be responsible for at Territorial Congress 2014? We will be assisting in the search for people who can share their gifts through performance and other expressions by participating in the myriad of events congress has to offer. We will also be assisting with programming and staging. What are you looking forward to at congress? I’m looking forward to the fact that we’re having one! In so many territories, congress is an annual event that so many people look forward to as a unifying force that fills them up spiritually and reminds them of the “oneness” of our mission. It’s also a chance to celebrate our individual ministries and to network with colleagues working in the trenches around the territory. The Bible teaching is always a focal point that brings a sense of renewal on an individual and corporate level. It’s time for the Canada and Bermuda Territory to reunite and plan our future growth in Christ. How is the CSB preparing for congress? The CSB is about to produce a special recording that features soloists from across the territory, many of whom will return to appear at congress. We are already in the planning stages for new repertoire and arrangements that will inspire and excite those in attendance.
Photo: Thomas Wilson
What do you hope for people who attend congress? We hope people will have a sense of renewal in the Holy Spirit, unity in The Salvation Army’s mission for this territory and optimism for the future growth and purpose beyond the congress. On an individual basis, as long-time corps local officers, we are hoping to experience a sense of renewal and regeneration in our own personal walk with Christ, and in our ministries back at the corps. Visit salvationist.ca/congress2014 for more information.
Wiarton Officer Honoured with Award to those that can help. “I was a little bit overwhelmed by the nomination, very excited and inspired,” said Captain Millar at the luncheon. “The work that we do is demanding and so it’s really special to have this kind of thing happen. It’s strengthening, so I am really thankful. “I see people each and every day crushed by life, by the world that can be so oppressive,” she continued, “people of poverty, particularly women. What I hope to share is that I believe we can make a difference and the only way we can make that difference is collaborating … and
that’s what I have really worked hard at in my 20 years at The Salvation Army.”
Cpt Mary Millar receives the Woman of Distinction award in Wiarton, Ont. Salvationist • May 2014 • 5
Photo and story: Sarah Sloane, Shoreline Beacon
CAPTAIN MARY MILLAR, corps officer, Wiarton Community Church, Ont., was named Woman of Distinction for 2014 at a special luncheon held on International Women’s Day in February. The award, organized by Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey County, honours Captain Millar for her many contributions to the community. As written in her nomination, Captain Millar ensures that the needs of people in the Wiarton area are met through the Army’s food bank, thrift store and other services. She is also involved in fundraising and bringing awareness of the many needs
AROUND THE TERRITORY
Command Unit Strengthens Victoria EDS
Mjr Darlene Anderson, DSWM, Prairie Div; Aaron Margolis, Winnipeg Advisory Board chair; Mjr Deborah Bungay, AC, Prairie Div; Mayor Sam Katz; Mjr Wayne Bungay
Winnipeg Army Launches Strategic Plan SOLIDIFYING ITS STRONG relationship with the city of Winnipeg, The Salvation Army’s Prairie Division introduced a strategic plan for the city in March. This plan, titled Seeking the Welfare of Our City, not only shows what the Army envisions its mission to be, but also how the Army would work to bring this vision to reality. Ahead of the strategic plan’s launch, The Salvation Army held a lunch to express appreciation to the municipal government for its support of the Army’s programs and services. Representatives of The Salvation Army joined with Mayor Sam Katz and various city councillors at the event, which was hosted by Major Wayne Bungay, divisional commander, Prairie Division. “It is great to partner with the city in so many ways, on so many levels,” says Major Bungay. “It is through teamwork and strong relationships that things are able to happen on the front lines.” The Salvation Army provides many programs and services in Winnipeg, including the city’s largest shelter. “For decades The Salvation Army has been providing shelter, opportunity, aid and hope,” says Mayor Katz. “You are a true blessing to our city and you make Winnipeg a much better place to live, work and play.”
THE SALVATION ARMY in Victoria will have a stronger emergency disaster services program going forward thanks to the Saanich Fire Department, which donated an emergency command unit. Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard and Fire Chief Michael Burgess gave the keys to the unit to Major Ed Chiu, chaplain, and Major Kathie Chiu, executive director, the Army’s Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre, at a small ceremony in February. Both Mayor Leonard and Chief Burgess acknowledged their appreciation for the work that the Army does for the community every day and especially during emergencies. Chief Burgess expressed that something as simple as a cup of coffee goes a long way when dealing with the stresses that come with emergencies. Majors Chiu shared their appreciation for their team of emergency disaster services volunteers, as well as the fire department, for giving so generously to the community. The command unit will be retrofitted with the necessary equipment to serve meals. Its primary function will be to serve as part of the emergency disaster services program. When the vehicle is not deployed in an emergency, it will offer community support through public events, street outreach and various meal programs.
Mjrs Kathie and Ed Chiu, far right, thank the Saanich Fire Department for their donation
New Breakfast Program Serves Food and Fun NO CHILD SHOULD have to go hungry. That’s why The Salvation Army in Shawinigan, Que., has developed Healthy Families, a breakfast program for children aged five to 12 that launched in February. Held on two Saturdays each month, the program offers delicious food and an environment for learning and fun activities. “The Salvation Army exists in the community to fill a need,” says Captain Melisa Tardif, corps officer, New Hope 6 • May 2014 • Salvationist
Community Church. “A weekend breakfast will ensure that every child has something to put in their stomach and the chance to spend quality time with other children. “Healthy Families is one of very few free activities for children on weekends,” continues Captain Tardif. “On weekdays, there are programs available to ensure kids are eating breakfast but there is nothing in place for the weekend. This program does this and also allows a little free time for the parents.”
The goal of the initiative is to provide a safe and warm environment for children to go on weekends and eat a nutritious and balanced meal. Children will learn how to cook healthy meals, discover the value of fruits and vegetables with a dietician and enjoy sports and other activities. “If it wasn’t for Salvation Army programs like Healthy Families, I might go hungry,” says 12-year-old Marie. “Sometimes we have nothing in our refrigerator.”
AROUND THE TERRITORY
Calgary Army Hosts Family Day Dinner MORE THAN 500 meals were served at The Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope in downtown Calgary to families, seniors from the East Village and people staying at the centre on Family Day this February. “It’s always wonderful to see the happy, smiling faces of individuals, couples and families as they gather around the table as a big family for dinner,” says Major Colleen Wells, director of spiritual and religious care, community services. The Salvation Army’s community services has been serving a hot Family Day dinner to Calgary’s lost and forgotten since 2006. “The Salvation Army is strongly linked to the community, and it brings us a lot of enjoyment to host a turkey dinner for Calgary’s less fortunate,” explains Karen Livick, executive director, community services. “It’s a way to bring people together, people who are alone and desire to experience friendship and fellowship while enjoying a hot, healthy dinner on Family Day.”
DID YOU KNOW?
… the Ont. CE Divisional Youth Chorus and the London, Ont., timbrels group will represent the Canada and Bermuda Tty at the 2015 Boundless international congress? For more information about the congress, visit www.boundless2015.org … The Salvation Army’s downtown thrift store in Hamilton, Ont., provided immediate assistance following a fire at a nearby elementary school? When the school called the Army requesting
Volunteer Teryl Lee Stevenson serves clients at a Family Day dinner
coats, scarves and mittens for the displaced children, the store assembled 80 coats, along with accessories, and delivered them to the school within two hours … Winnipeg Salvationist Jaring Timmerman recently set two new world records for swimming? The 105-year-old is the first person ever to compete in the 105-109 Masters swimming age group, becoming the world’s oldest Masters swimmer and setting records for the 50-metre backstroke and the 50-metre freestyle
Empress of Ireland
COMMEMORATIVE CELEBRATIONS
May 28-June 1, 2014 Pointe-au-Père’s Historical Site
INVITATION
One hundred years ago, a group of 150 members of The Salvation Army set sail aboard the Empress of Ireland to attend The Salvation Army’s third international congress in London, England, the birthplace of the Army. In heavy fog, a few hours after leaving Quebec City, a coal-laden boat, the Storstad, collided with the Empress. The passenger boat sank in 14 minutes off the coast of Pointe-au-Père, near Rimouski, Que. Of the 1,477 passengers, only 465 survived. It is Canada’s greatest maritime tragedy and a historic drama for The Salvation Army, with 124 members lost.
Saturday, May 31, 2014, at 10 a.m., The Salvation Army’s territorial leaders and Canadian Staff Band invite you to a complimentary reception at the Hôtel des Gouverneurs in Rimouski, in honour of the survivors and the lost. Register by e-mail at karine_martel@armeedusalut.ca
INFORMATION / SCHEDULE / TICKETS www.armeedusalut-quebec.ca www.empress2014.ca
1-877-288-7441 Salvationist • May 2014 • 7
CHIEF PRIORITIES
The Loneliness Crisis Isolated and disconnected people are looking for community. So where is the church?
Photo: © iStock.com/spfoto
BY COLONEL MARK TILLSLEY
S
alvation Army leaders from the earliest days of our Movement spoke about the spiritual danger of loneliness. Commissioner Catherine Bramwell-Booth said, “The terror of spiritual darkness is that sense of isolation which envelops the soul, like the chill autumn mist, shutting out every vision that could bring human comfort or consolation.” In a Globe and Mail article, “Life of solitude: A loneliness crisis is looming,” columnist Elizabeth Renzetti began with this powerful statement: “Too many among us never pine for peace and quiet, because that’s all we ever get.” Renzetti shared how the Vancouver Foundation asked Vancouverites what bothered them. The foundation expected answers such as high housing costs, drugs and crime, but instead reported that “the biggest issues people had were that they felt lonely, isolated and unconnected to their communities.” Renzetti expanded on the scope of the problem of loneliness with troubling statistics. In Vancouver, residents recently listed social isolation as their most pressing concern. More Canadians than ever live alone, and almost one-quarter describe themselves as lonely. In the United States, two studies showed that 40 percent of people say they are lonely, a figure that has 8 • May 2014 • Salvationist
doubled in 30 years. Britain has a registered charity campaigning to end chronic loneliness, and in the fall, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt gave a speech about the isolated many, calling attention to “a forgotten million who live amongst us ignored, to our national shame.” The newspaper article spoke of loneliness as a social and public health crisis in which sufferers run the risk of illness including mental health and physical problems potentially culminating in premature death. Combatting this serious problem has prompted the Vancouver Foundation to award grants of $500 to people who will organize community events to bring strangers together for companionship and friendship. As I read this article, it was not primarily a sense of “national shame” that troubled me, but a clear sense that the church can and must do better in introducing people to God’s wonderful gift of community, where all are welcomed, where we can experience health and wholeness and where the dehumanizing effects of loneliness can be defeated. The church has a critical role to play in the health of our nation. As beautiful as every other God-ordained institution is—whether it be friendship, marriage or family—they are still not inclusive enough for everyone to experience God’s divine embrace of love and acceptance. All must be invited and welcomed into the fellowship of the church where everyone has significance in this community. In community, we discover, to our amazement, that all our relationships take on deeper meaning. All relationships should be strengthened when we enter into the God-created and sustained reality of community. And where the church has fallen short of this ideal, let us seek God’s forgiveness and people’s forgiveness so we can do better. Author Leslie F. Brandt paraphrases Philippians 1:1-11, capturing the Apostle Paul’s love of the church and the beauty and power of community in this way: I have met some beautiful people in the course of my travels. They are my sisters and brothers in Christ, fellow servants in the kingdom-work of God. Every time I think about them, I do so prayerfully, and a surge of joy fills my heart. God spoke to me, comforted me in my despair, and through these people challenged me in my apathy. I pray God will continue to use them to reach others even as he used them to undergird and uplift me and that what he has begun in us, he will continue until we are brought together in everlasting fellowship in that dimension beyond this life and world. General Clarence Wiseman stated, “The Salvation Army exists for those who do not belong to it as much as for those who do.” In a beautiful way, this illustrated that inclusiveness should not be limited to membership, but ministry must embrace all who come under our influence. In this present-day crisis of loneliness, let us commit once again to the principle that all are welcome at the Army. My prayer is that anyone coming through the doors of The Salvation Army would experience God’s healing gift of community. Let’s win this war on loneliness with the weapons of love. Colonel Mark Tillsley is the chief secretary of the Canada and Bermuda Territory.
TIES THAT BIND
Searching For a Connection As more people experience loneliness, Salvation Army churches are reaching out BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN, STAFF WRITER
Photo: © iStock.com/northlightimages
A
n elderly man made headlines around the world this past Christmas. Not because he was famous or remarkable in a way, but because he was lonely. Tired of spending Christmas by himself year after year, James Gray of Ireland placed an ad in the local paper asking for people to spend the holiday with. “I think the last time I saw someone on Christmas Day was when I saw my accountant about 10 years ago,” he told the Irish Post. Only one person responded to his appeal, but later backed out. Disheartened, Gray expected another lonely Christmas. However, his story was picked up by news outlets in Ireland and beyond, and soon readers were sending him a deluge of cards and gifts—the first he’d received in years. It’s a heartwarming story, but such an outpouring of support is rare. For every James Gray, how many others remain alone and forgotten? In Canada, loneliness is on the rise. Recent reports show that 27.6 percent of Canadians live alone—a trend that has been accelerating since 2000—and almost one-quarter describe themselves as lonely (see page 8). We are also more transient than ever before. In 2012, more than 300,000 Canadians migrated from one province to another for work, school or to get a fresh start, while another 200,000 newcomers arrive in Canada each year. This mobility often comes with a price: families are fractured, friends are left behind and support systems are lost. In his groundbreaking book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, Robert Putnam documented the decline of social interaction in the United States, conclud-
ing that we are becoming increasingly disconnected from one another as our social structures, such as churches, disappear. Indeed, only 27 percent of Canadians say they attend church at least once a month, down from 43 percent in 1986. These numbers suggest that a loneliness crisis is imminent. But in the midst of this alarming trend, Salvation Army churches are already reaching out, creating communities for those who would otherwise be left on the margins.
A “Belonging” Army
TRACY HURLBERT IS a self-described social butterfly. She’s at the Army’s Thunder Bay Community Church, Ont., three times a week, involved in the church’s anti-exploitation committee and ministry to seniors, and part of a community curling team. But for much of her life, she has struggled with loneliness. Hurlbert has narcolepsy and multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the nervous system. With three of her limbs affected, Hurlbert only has the use of one arm, getting around with the help of a wheelchair. As she lives alone, her physical challenges have made it difficult for her to meet people and build friendships. “It’s lonely being in a chair—especially in the winter,” she says. “You can’t get out much.” Originally a Christmas kettle volunteer, Hurlbert came to the church 10 years ago, eventually becoming a soldier. “The minute I came to The Salvation Army, I felt comfortSalvationist • May 2014 • 9
Dawn Hamilton and Tracy Hurlbert share a meal at Elevate at Thunder Bay CC
able and welcome,” she says. “When I come in the door, I feel like I’m just getting home.” As Major Karen Puddicombe, corps officer, explains, the key to the church’s welcoming atmosphere is intentional inclusiveness. “It’s consistently trying to give people a sense that they belong,” says Major Puddicombe. “We can’t just say we’re a ‘belonging’ Army—we have to exemplify it in all that we do. We try to draw people in, in very non-threatening ways, and accept them for who they are.” One way the church includes Hurlbert and others is through physical accessibility. The church is equipped with an elevator and a doorbell for those needing assistance to enter the building. No one is left out of ministry because of physical challenges. “It’s hard for me to do dishes and things like that, so they’ll ask me to be a greeter, or they’ll ask if I want to be part of a committee,” Hurlbert says. When the church held a fashion show fundraiser last summer, three people with physical disabilities participated. “We designed the space so that they, too, could model in their wheelchairs,” Major Puddicombe notes. At Thunder Bay, being inclusive means recognizing the unique needs of the congregation. In addition to accommodating persons with physical challenges, the church also focuses on singles ministry, since about 60 percent of the congregation are single. Every Wednesday night, the church holds a communal supper program called Elevate, which attracts singles, university students living away from home, newcomers and anyone else who would like a good, home-cooked meal. “They’re no longer just going home and eating dinner by themselves; they’re coming and eating with a group of people,” says Major Puddicombe. “We give them a place to feel at home.” The church advertises Elevate on Twitter and Kijiji, and has discovered that many people are coming to the church after finding it online. Hurlbert is a regular at Elevate, along with her foster sister, Dawn Hamilton, who has cerebral palsy and uses a computer to communicate because she cannot talk. “Sometimes, I feel all alone, even in a crowd, because people forget that I can understand them and that I have thoughts and feelings I want to express,” says Hamilton. “At church, people often come up to me and talk with me. Sometimes, they don’t understand my computer, but they watch my facial 10 • May 2014 • Salvationist
expressions and try to include me. “Even those who don’t understand me love me and make me feel welcome,” she adds. “This is a place I don’t feel lonely.” Hurlbert says that her own challenges with physical disability and loneliness help her to minister to others, particularly when she visits homes for seniors with the Army. “When they see the chair, they know someone understands their situation because a lot of them are in chairs,” she says. “Lonely people are sometimes really shy, but when they know you’re with the Army, they start talking to you and before you know it, you’ve had a half-hour conversation. It gives them a half hour less of loneliness, and it gives me an opportunity to not feel so bad myself.”
Opening Up
WHEN MARGUERITE GILBERT moved to Campbell River, B.C., two years ago, she had never felt more alone. After 37 years of marriage, her husband had left her and she was devastated. “I was in a hole and I didn’t know how to get out of it,” she says. Gilbert grew up in Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L., in a Salvation Army family with six sisters and eight brothers. It’s a support network she has sorely missed since she moved to Port McNeill, B.C., 18 years ago. “Because they were so far away, I didn’t want to burden them with my problems,” she says. “Then all of a sudden I had to tell them my husband and I were splitting up. They were shocked—they had no idea.” Like Gilbert, who moved to be close to her daughter, many people in Campbell River are migrants. “There’s a large percentage of the population who aren’t from here,” says Captain Gordon Taylor, corps officer, Ocean Crest Community Church. “Their families and their roots are elsewhere, so homesickness is common.” A town of 30,000 people, Campbell River can be a tough city for newcomers to break into. “Moving here was hard,” Gilbert shares. “It was hard to trust people, until I really got involved at Ocean Crest.” Gilbert started attending the church shortly after moving to Campbell River. “One morning, before I went to church, I prayed and asked Patricia Roed, Connie Preston, Marguerite Gilbert, Cpt Karen Taylor, CO, and Betty Tiede enjoy women’s fellowship at Ocean Crest CC
God to put someone in my life that I could talk to and share things with,” she says. “And that Sunday, a woman came in and sat by me. We started talking and found we had a lot in common. It really helped to have somebody.” Since then, Gilbert has become close friends with a number of women at the church, especially through a women’s Bible study group. “I found that really helpful,” she says. “We could open up about things in our own lives as we studied the Bible.” The church also has an active events committee, which organizes events such as a women’s fun night, a men’s pizza tasting and a church outing to a nearby mountain for tubing. These “entry-level” events, Captain Taylor says, are meant to encourage people to join small groups. “Whatever form that small group takes, we want people to connect on a regular basis and be involved in each other’s lives.” As difficult and lonely as the past two years have been, Gilbert says the experience has brought her closer to God. “When my husband left, I kind of blamed God,” she says. “But even when I was angry at God, I felt close to him. I prayed more because he was the one that understood everything that I was going through. “I feel alive again knowing that I have this church and these friends,” Gilbert adds. “Sometimes you don’t want to open up to people, but when you do, they receive you and don’t judge you. I feel very blessed to be part of Ocean Crest.”
Peace of Mind
FOR PEOPLE LIKE Hurlbert and Gilbert, loneliness is often the result of difficult or traumatic circumstances. But in some cases, social isolation is self-imposed. Bill Esau was a casual drinker when he moved to Campbell River 20 years ago. Since he was very young, he had always felt like he didn’t fit in, “and alcohol took that insecurity away,” he says. But when his father passed away, Esau’s drinking escalated. He began relying on alcohol even more, drinking from morning to night to try to cope with his despair. Esau grew up in a Christian family and attended church on and off over the years. He and his wife started attending Ocean Crest Community Church in 2005. “I didn’t care much at that point, but my wife was really happy with it,” he says. “People were friendly, and there were many opportunities for service. It was more like a family.” But the more he drank, the less Esau wanted to be around people. “The people at Ocean Crest had always been good to me, but some days I couldn’t wait to get out of there,” he says. “I was ashamed. I didn’t want people to know how bad things were in my life. As long as nobody was around, I didn’t have to be embarrassed about it—it was OK.” Even as he became more isolated and lonely, Esau couldn’t bring himself to reach out and get help. It took an accident at work for him to finally go to rehab. “The first Sunday I was there, I felt very alone,” he says. “But I knew that it was Sunday morning and the people at Ocean Crest would be in church. All of a sudden I had a peace come over my heart. I knew the church was praying for me. The loneliness just went away.” Since then, Esau has rededicated his life to God and built
Cpt Gordon Taylor and Ocean Crest CC have supported Bill Esau as he recovers from alcoholism
solid friendships with many people at Ocean Crest, including his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor. “How the church stood behind me and supported me was just amazing,” he continues. “They didn’t say, ‘You’re just an alcoholic—you’re not welcome here.’ I feel so accepted.”
Sharing Stories
THE LONELINESS MANY people face is the tragic result of social isolation, but it also reflects a greater spiritual reality—our separation from God. We may sing the old chorus What a Friend We Have in Jesus, but how many people would say those words still ring true? Do the socially isolated have a friend in the church? “People are looking for a friend with skin on,” says Major David Ivany, spiritual director, pastoral services. “It’s not enough to say that God is with us and for us. We need someone to walk that through with us.” At the same time, reaching out to isolated people can be difficult because many people don’t want others to know that they are experiencing loneliness. “We’re all broken, but no one wants to admit they’re broken,” says Major Ivany. “We like to look like we have everything together.” Reaching out effectively means looking beyond how things appear on the surface and finding ways to include people. Even the simplest actions can be incredibly meaningful, says Major Puddicombe. “We had a single woman from our congregation over for dinner and she told us she hadn’t had a roast beef dinner in four years because she wouldn’t prepare a big dinner like that just for herself,” Major Puddicombe shares. “Now whenever we have big meals, we invite her to come over.” As a church, Thunder Bay is conscious of holding events that everyone can attend. “Given our circumstances, we’d have a movie night for the whole congregation, instead of a couples’ night,” Major Puddicombe says. “It’s about being aware of how we can bring people together no matter what, so that no one is excluded.” “Faith and community are deeper than just, ‘How are you doing?’ ‘Fine,’ smiling and moving on,” says Major Ivany. “Creating a space where we hear and validate someone’s story—that’s the goal.” Salvationist • May 2014 • 11
TALKING IT OVER
Sex or Gender
Why is society so obsessed with how we choose to identify ourselves?
Agender / Androgyne / Androgynous Bigender / Cis / Female to Male / FTM Gender Fluid / Gender Nonconforming / Gender Questioning / Gender Variant / Genderqueer Intersex / Male to Female/MTF / Neither Neutrois / Non-binary / Other / Pangender Transgender / Trans / Transsexual person Transmasculine / Transfeminine / Two-spirited
?
Facebook added more than 50 gender options to its profile settings
In their Talking It Over series, Dr. James Read, director of The Salvation Army Ethics Centre in Winnipeg, and Dr. Aimee Patterson, Christian ethics consultant at the centre, dialogue about moral and ethical issues. DEAR AIMEE,
T
he other day I was updating my personal information on the datasheet of a professional association I belong to, and for the first time I was asked whether I was female, male or other. In the past I’ve questioned why professional associations ask to know the sex of their members. On surveys I often answer, “prefer not to say,” or I simply skip the question because I don’t see the relevance. Why does it matter to an association of philosophy professors whether I am a man or a woman? Or I guess my real feeling is, “It shouldn’t matter to them.” So I don’t tell them. But to be given the option of “other” seems to raise questions of a different order. Do you have a sense of what’s going on here? Grace and peace, JIM
12 • May 2014 • Salvationist
DEAR JIM,
I
agree with you that my sex bears no relevance upon my membership in a professional society. It’s relevant to which public washroom I walk into. But it wasn’t long ago that Facebook made the news by introducing a variety of new gender options—more than 50. Perhaps I should say that what made the news was the reaction by various news media and commentators. In courses on sexual ethics, we’re taught that sex and gender are distinct from one another. Sex is a biological term and gender is connected to identity and expression (whether chosen or imposed). For a long time, though, we’ve thought sex and gender to be inherently linked: biological males behave in masculine ways and biological females behave in feminine ways. This link has been strong enough that the two terms, sex and gender, have been used interchangeably. But society is changing. Many people no longer see these terms as neatly linked together. And many people no longer regard sex and gender as binaries, hence the “other” on your application form. The popular model is that both sex and gender exist as spectrums. Perhaps it’s true that sex naturally exists as a spectrum: there are intersex people, formerly called hermaphrodites. Unfortunately, when babies are born with ambiguous genitalia—an occurrence one of my profes-
TALKING IT OVER sors dubbed a “social emergency”—this is often “remedied” by swift surgical means. I’m still working out the notion of gender existing as a spectrum. I have compassion toward those who don’t identify in the way they believe society has imposed on them. But I think there’s a broader question in play, Jim. When someone inquires about my sex or my gender, why are they interested in learning about my biological sex features and/ or how I identify and express my gender? Why are we so obsessed with sex and gender these days? Grace and peace, AIMEE
I don’t think I heard the word “transgender” until I was an adult. And I am sure no one told me they felt that they were a boy trapped in a girl’s body, or a girl trapped in a boy’s body. Now, it’s a reality for up to three percent of the population DEAR AIMEE,
I
n some ways it’s not a new “obsession” at all, is it? I think it’s been almost universal. Old Sigmund Freud taught that sex was at the core of being human. In the opening pages of the Bible, the solution to human solitariness is found in the creation of a couple differentiated on the basis of their sex. Sexual disguise motivates many of Shakespeare’s works. I could go on. But you know all that. So I suppose you may really be asking why we aren’t over it yet. When it comes to having a job or having a say, why is a person’s sex still treated as relevant? I was re-reading Catherine Booth’s Female Ministry the other day. Writing about women preaching, Booth said, “We admit that want of mental culture, the trammels of custom, the force of prejudice, and one-sided interpretation of Scripture, have hitherto almost excluded [women] from this sphere; but before such a sphere is pronounced to be unnatural, it must be proved either that woman has not the ability to teach or to preach, or that the possession and exercise of this ability unnaturalizes her in other respects … Why should woman be confined exclusively to the kitchen and the distaff, any more than man to the field and workshop?” That was 1859—155 years ago! Your comments tell me that you still face discrimination simply because you’re a woman. That’s plain wrong. The sooner it stops, the better. But I think the sex versus gender talk is about something different. And I’m not sure what. It’s interesting to me that you said the idea of a spectrum of gender was new. I grew up with “boy” and “girl,” but also with “jock,” “chick,” “tomboy” and “macho.” I knew girls who liked climbing trees and boys who preferred reading to hockey. We treated exhortations to be “a man’s man” or “a real woman,” as a bit of a joke. There was no “two-sizes-fit-all.”
However, I don’t think I heard the word “transgender” until I was an adult. And I am sure no one told me they felt that they were a boy trapped in a girl’s body, or a girl trapped in a boy’s body. Now, according to a recent Maclean’s article, it’s a reality for up to three percent of the population. How agonizing, don’t you think? Grace and peace, JIM DEAR JIM,
A
gonizing, yes. And confusing for most of us. This current version of “gender shaping” seems to be still in flux. I think it’s an important thing to observe. I want to be discerning about gender identity and expression, much like Booth’s discerning in 1859 that undue limitations were put upon women to actualize their own ministry potential. She did something about it in order to produce a more just Salvation Army. I wonder if The Salvation Army in the western world is as effective today in achieving justice for all sexes and genders. I think about our women’s ministries and their corresponding leadership positions. The question must be asked: In an age of diversity and equality, how are these appointments perceived? Has any male officer spouse ever been offered an executive position by default because his wife was highly sought after for leadership of women’s ministries? At one point in time, leadership in women’s ministries might have represented the great need to engage women to be active in ministry. Today, does women’s ministries offer the same opportunity for marginalized voices to speak out? If you look at the women’s ministries page on the Salvation Army’s international site (salvationarmy.org/ihq/ womensministries), you’ll see that women first play a “vital and definitive role” in the home and family. Second, because women are “natural providers of hope” (I’m not sure how that was determined), women are able to help shape society. What once might have seemed a rallying statement now seems antiquated and, ironically, limiting of women’s ministries. Today I think there is reason to ask whether women’s ministries programming is too narrow in its focus, at least in our territory. The home league’s original mandate was to encourage ministry originating from the home. Today, the gender expression of a large segment of women means they spend the majority of their time outside the home at a place of employment. Is this program as effective as it once was in engaging women in ministry? Booth asked why women should be confined to the kitchen and the distaff. It seems like many Salvationist women have taken her up on her challenge. The “gender blending” going on in society puts us in a time and place ripe for detailed examination of our ministries. I’m led to ask, why does The Salvation Army have women’s ministries at all? True, there are occasions when it is appropriate for a female to minister to another female, or a male to a male. But does this mandate a separate, organized ministry that excludes men? If justice is the concern, why not generate a social justice ministry focused on the marginalization and abuse of women at home and around the world? Both women and men concerned with these issues could be active in such a ministry. As always, thanks for the dialogue, AIMEE Salvationist • May 2014 • 13
A painting of the Empress of Ireland by William Wheeler
The Demise of an
Empress
One of the darkest days in The Salvation Army’s history occurred 100 years ago this month
W
ednesday, May 27, 1914, was a very important day for the young Salvation Army in Canada. Approximately 150 Salvationists were travelling to London, England, to join celebrants from around the globe at the third Salvation Army international congress. This was the day they took the train from Toronto’s Union Station to Quebec City, where they were to board the passenger ship the Empress of Ireland. For the departure of the delegation, The Salvation Army arranged a send-off like no other. A group of 14 • May 2014 • Salvationist
BY IAN HOWES Salvationists, including the Canadian Staff Band which was playing in the parade, marched down Yonge Street to Union Station. The Empress was leaving for England from Quebec City at about 4:30 p.m. the following day, Thursday, May 28. It was a happy time for those members of The Salvation Army who were planning to attend the congress. After all, 1914 had been billed by the Army as “a year to remember.” Excited crowds of people cheered and waved handkerchiefs to encourage the exuberant passengers as they boarded the train heading for Quebec City.
When the Unthinkable Happens The Empress, owned and operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), was a twin-screw steamer that sailed on its maiden voyage from Liverpool, England, to Quebec City on June 29, 1906. Over the course of eight years, the ship brought thousands of immigrants to Canada’s shores. While the ship had an impeccable safety record, more than a few passengers had the fate of the Titanic on their minds as they prepared to embark for England. Barely two years before, the supposedly “unsinkable” Titanic, at that time the largest ocean liner ever built,
Heavy Blow On the first evening of embarkation, everyone retired to bed happy and satisfied. The St. Lawrence River was calm and there was a sense of completeness to a full day of travel and activity. After departing Quebec City, the first stop was Rimouski, Que., for the mail exchange. Then the Empress began her journey to the second stop, Pointe-auPère, Que., where the river pilot who guided the ship in and out of harbour was dropped off. Now it was full speed ahead. However, vision soon became badly impaired by thick, unrelenting fog, and heavy smoke from forest fires that were raging in the southern part of the province. At 1:55 a.m. Friday morning, May 29, 1914, less than 24 hours after the grand farewell, the Empress of Ireland was rammed by the Storstad, a Norwegian collier carrying a shipment of coal to Montreal, tearing a gaping hole in her starboard side. As the Special Disaster Number of The War Cry stated, the sequence of events was cruelly swift: “a gentle bump and silence, a low heeling of the deck, a rushing up a perpendicularly sloping stairs, a vain attempt to launch lifeboats, a rushing in of foaming, icy water and 1,300 human beings struggling like a school of minnows.” Sadly, the Empress listed so quickly that most of the passengers and crew were unable to reach safety. The Empress sank in a mere 14 minutes, and 1,012 passengers and crew were killed outright or drowned. Of the 124 Salvationists who lost their lives on the Empress that fateful morning, 29 of them were members of
Photos and illustrations: Courtesy The Salvation Army Archives Canada and Bermuda Territory
had gone down after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic with the loss of more than 1,500 passengers and crew. People were understandably still quite jittery about transatlantic crossings. But the captain of the Empress, Henry George Kendall, assured the passengers that there were enough lifeboats on the ocean liner to accommodate 2,000 people—more than adequate for the Empress’ 1,477 passengers and crew. Those with fears were relieved, especially when they were told that the Titanic took 2½ hours to sink. Even in the event of the unthinkable, they reasoned, surely this would be more than enough time to get off the ship safely.
The Empress’ captain, Henry George Kendall (front, left) and his bridge crew
the Canadian Staff Band. Other notable losses included the territorial commander, Commissioner David Rees, Colonel Maidment, chief secretary for the territory, Adjutant Edward Hanagan, bandmaster of the Canadian Staff Band, and their wives. The editor of The War Cry, Brigadier Henry Walker, perished along with much of the territorial headquarters’ staff. It was a heavy blow to the Canadian Salvation Army.
The Empress listed so quickly that most of the passengers and crew were unable to reach safety Sorrowful Tribute The news came quickly to a shocked nation. And while the tragedy reverberated throughout Canada, it was felt the hardest by the Army. Before breakfast, territorial headquarters in Toronto was abuzz with officers trying to find out anything they could about the sinking of the Empress of Ireland. Surely there must be some mistake? At first, Canadians were told that
everyone was safe. Cheering greeted the glorious news but before long, as the story continued to unravel in the early dawn, there could be no denying the reality of the sinking. The horrible truth was posted on the office windows at territorial headquarters. Some refused to believe it. As the people waited for better news, a revised notice was posted. Out of a total of 1,477 passengers and crew, only 465 survived. Two hundred and thirteen bodies were placed on the dock at Rimouski, then transferred to the cruise ship Lady Grey and taken to Quebec City for identification by relatives. The bodies were carefully lifted off the deck of the Lady Grey and respectfully placed in the large shed at Pier 27, which was temporarily set up as a mortuary. The CPR made every attempt to make this process as painless as possible. A few more bodies were found and sent on to Quebec City on the cruise ship Lady Evelyn. Some bodies were sent directly from Rimouski to different parts of Canada, having been identified earlier. Yet 60 bodies remained unidentified. The CPR arranged for them to be buried at Rimouski in graves marked “Unknown.” Sixteen Salvationists were buried in Toronto’s Mount Pleasant Cemetery. More than 7,000 Salvationists attended a public funeral service at the Mutual Street Arena followed by a processional along Yonge Street, a distance of about five kilometres. The Toronto Mail and Salvationist • May 2014 • 15
Empire reported on the front page in large print that this was the “GREATEST FUNERAL EVER HELD HERE .” It was estimated that more than 150,000 citizens watched the processional. Also in attendance was a composite band of 100 musicians from various corps. Early in June, The Salvation Army held three more memorial services, one at the Mutual Street Arena and two at Massey Hall. Each service was packed to overflowing, a fitting tribute to all those who drowned on the Empress. Lest We Forget The world knows all about the Titanic and its unfortunate accident but very few are aware of the sinking of the Empress. Why is this so? Timing. In scant months, the First World War broke out, consuming the headlines of the world for the next four years. The Empress’ frightful misadventure was relegated to the back pages of the newspapers, if at all, and its story eventually faded from public consciousness. Succeeding generations rarely heard of the Empress. But many in The Salvation Army did. Every year a memorial service has been held in May at the Salvation Army gravesite in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. It honours all those who drowned on the Empress of Ireland but particularly the 124 Salvationists who perished. The tragic sinking of the Empress of Ireland
The Canadian Staff Band, taken just before the voyage that claimed all but 10 of these men
100 years ago in the early hours of May 29, 1914, will never be forgotten. And it remains the largest peacetime marine disaster in Canadian history. This year’s annual Empress of Ireland memorial service will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery (Yonge Street entrance) in Toronto on May 25 at 3 p.m. The Salvation Army Canadian Staff Band will be on duty and Commissioner
Public funeral in Toronto for the Army victims of the sinking 16 • May 2014 • Salvationist
Brian Peddle, territorial commander, will be the speaker. The main memorial events this year will be held in Rimouski, Que., and are organized by Le musée Empress of Ireland at Pointe-au-Père, part of the Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père. A commemorative banquet will be held, church bells will toll and a monument honouring the victims will be unveiled.
A Life of Music and Service For 50 years, Jim Gordon has led groups in Christ-centred worship and praise BY MELISSA YUE WALLACE, FEATURES EDITOR
O
Jim Gordon leads the band in Woodstock’s May 24 weekend celebrations
n a winter day in February, a snowstorm relentlessly pummelled Ontario, shutting down schools and businesses while causing numerous flight and bus cancellations. Most people stayed home, grateful for the opportunity to spend the day indoors. In the city of Woodstock, however, a man and his wife were not at home. They were delivering lunches to shutins for the Victorian Order of Nurses, a program their corps, The Salvation Army Woodstock Community Church, has been a part of. Without the delivery service, many recipients would have a difficult time getting a nutritious meal due to disabilities, income and other factors. “They were short on people that day,” explains Jim Gordon, 82. “It’s a service we’re able to help with.” Sacrificing time and energy for others is something Gordon is used to. For 50 years, he has been the church’s songster leader and has been in charge of the band for a total of 30 years. His packed schedule includes band practice on Mondays (Jubilee Brass) and Tuesdays (corps), songsters on Thursdays and private music lessons in between. “I’ve always felt that if the officer wasn’t able to get up to do a message for any reason, the songsters could present the message in song that particular Sunday,” he says. “If I didn’t have the
Jim Gordon with a few of the young people he has influenced musically in the corps
commitment of the people in the corps, I wouldn’t be able to keep doing what I’m doing. “That’s what makes it so enjoyable.” Prelude to Passion From an early age, Gordon’s roots were saturated in music. His father was the bandmaster in Woodstock for 17 years and songster leader for 19 years. His mother sang in the songsters and “had a great singing voice.” As a child, Gordon’s father taught him to play the cornet. Gordon played his first solo when he was six years old. In 1945, his first year at music camp in Jackson’s Point, Ont., he decided to make the commitment to follow Christ. “It was one of those experiences where I felt God’s spirit very closely,” he says. Gordon joined the songsters and, in 1955, became the deputy songster leader. Then in April 1964, he became
the songster leader. In his later years as a family man, his two sons got involved in the band and one of his two daughters joined songsters. All are married now and have children of their own, some of whom are involved in music. For Gordon, his most memorable experiences include band trips to Jamaica, England and Milwaukee, but local events also left a lasting impression. “When we go to nursing homes and start singing some of the old gospel songs to people with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s interesting how they suddenly come alive—it’s very inspiring,” he says. Gregory Jolly has been part of the band for approximately six years and the songsters for two years. “Mr. Gordon is much more than a band and songster leader, he’s a great spiritual leader,” he says. “Looking back at my life and his previous students’ lives, I can see the huge impact Mr. Gordon has had on us all. I’m not sure where I would be in my walk with God without his guidance and leadership.” Heart and Soul Since retiring from his job as a manager of financial and administrative services, Gordon has stayed active in ministry and has been honoured for his years of dedication to others. In 2011, he received the exceptional service of ministry award, the second highest recognition after the Order of the Founder. At his corps’ 125th anniversary, friends and congregation members pitched in and surprised Gordon with a new cornet. “I never owned a cornet before and it floored me,” he says. “I was honoured.” This month, Gordon will be recognized for his 50 years of service in Woodstock. “Jim has been an incredible face of the corps and continues to be a mentor to youth in our community,” says Major Stephen Sears, corps officer. “Music comes alive through his leadership. It’s moving to see how he communicates with the band and songsters and the warmth, love and admiration that is given to him in return.” Read more testimonies from members of the band and songsters at salvationist.ca/JimGordon. Salvationist • May 2014 • 17
Photos: Patricia Eady
Reyna and her son, Geovany, stand outside his small bicycle repair shop at their home
Nicaraguan Snapshots In this impoverished country, God came into my heart in a way he never had before BY PATRICIA EADY
M
y arms gripped the sides of my seat as our plane descended into Managua Airport in the Central American country of Nicaragua. For my travelling companions, this was a routine trip, but this was the first time I had ever flown. I envisioned a horrible bumpy landing like I’d seen in movies but it was a smooth transition from air to ground. The first thing I felt was the hot sun on my face and I thought to myself, I’m here. Why am I here again, I kept asking myself as the plane taxied over the tarmac, when I could be safe at home? On Assignment Around the world, The Salvation Army provides much-needed assistance to many struggling regions. One of these is Latin America, and the Army’s world missions department for 18 • May 2014 • Salvationist
Canada and Bermuda is helping to fund some of these projects. I took this journey with Major Gillian Brown, world missions director, and our goal was to learn more about the projects the local Salvation Army was involved with and look for opportunities where assistance or guidance might be needed. As resource/media co-ordinator, I was tasked with documenting personal stories, taking photos and embracing the journey. Scenes of the Past We were greeted after touchdown by our local Salvation Army hosts. As we sat in traffic on the way to our hotel, we were approached by three young girls, no older than eight, begging for money. Our translator later told us that many of the children, even ones of that age, were begging to feed their drug habits. Looking out the car window, I saw broken buildings, homeless people, barbed-wire fences—and I began to cry. Nothing had prepared me for this, not even the pre-trip briefings. With feelings of sadness and confusion coursing through me, I sat and watched as we continued to the hotel. This is why we’re here, I kept telling myself, so that one day, these views will be scenes from the past. Devoted Soldier The next morning we travelled to KM 21, located 20 minutes and 21 kilometres outside the capital city of Managua. KM 21 is a government program that allocates plots of land to those who couldn’t otherwise afford them. Once the land is allocated, the new owner has a month to build some sort of structure in which to live. They vary from tents to tin roofs to plywood homes, but it is more than these people have ever known. While there, we were introduced to Reyna, one of the residents. A single mother of six and a senior soldier, she
Left: A big brother walks his little sister home in KM 21; below: A typical dwelling in KM21
Looking out the car window, I began to cry. Nothing had prepared me for this attends the Army’s church in Managua. The trip from KM 21 to the church typically takes more than an hour and requires multiple buses. On days when she does not have the money for transportation, she holds a church service in her home for her family and those neighbours who wish to attend. What devotion! I thought—admiration tinged with a bit of guilt as I realized how smooth and stress-free the commute to my church at home was. A Memory to Cherish The Sunday-morning worship service at the Managua corps was the highlight of the trip for me. I’d never experienced a service like that, but not for the reasons one might expect. Yes, it was in Spanish and I didn’t understand a word of what was being said. But it was precisely because I didn’t understand that it was unique. It wasn’t about what was being said but more about how God was speaking to me. I’d been to church many times and sometimes left feeling I didn’t understand a word of it. That day, I understood completely. God came into my heart in a way he never had before. What a wondrous feeling that was! Although my trip to Nicaragua began with sadness and helplessness, it ended with overwhelming love, compassion and hope. I learned that although people such as Reyna may not have everything we consider essential, they have more than enough. They have family, community and church. Most important, they have a love for God and a pure, undiluted faith. And that’s the Nicaraguan memory I will cherish forever.
Patricia Eady with a new friend. “This 10-year-old girl attends the Managua corps and asked to have her photo taken with me”
Patricia Eady is a senior soldier who attends Brampton Citadel, Ont. Salvationist • May 2014 • 19
Ivor Grant (back row, left) and other Anchorage staff provide care and support
Making a 180 Winnipeg’s Anchorage program helps clients on the road to recovery
J
BY MELISSA YUE WALLACE, FEATURES EDITOR
ason Berthelette woke up in a bathtub at a small, bedbuginfested hotel in Winnipeg. While swallowing a copious amount of alcohol, his face and head covered in 43 stitches, he had a single thought: something in his life had to change. Berthelette, 41, had moved to the city to live with his grandmother. Prior to the move, he stayed with friends and family, holding various jobs while spending his earnings on booze. When his grandmother passed away in 2006, followed by his grandfather in 2007 and his mother in 2008, he ended up on the streets. “I tried sobering up but it was just one thing after another,” he says. “That’s when I lost it and spiralled out of control.” Berthelette frequented The Salvation Army’s Booth Centre in Winnipeg’s downtown core, a 250-bed shelter that offers meals and emergency services. While at the shelter, he met people enrolled in the Anchorage, an addictions and rehabilitation program offered at the centre, but he wasn’t interested. Instead, Berthelette took up residence with a friend at a nearby hotel and continued to drink. In May 2012, he fell down the stairs, landing in glass and cutting his face and head. He spent a few months healing from his wounds at the hotel, checked into detox and then enrolled in the Anchorage program in December. “I had hit rock bottom and knew I couldn’t go back to how things used to be,” he says. 20 • May 2014 • Salvationist
From Destruction to Development The 60-day Anchorage program involves group therapy, chapel, workshops, regular one-on-one meetings with counsellors and recreational activities to aid in a client’s recovery from substance abuse. “The belief is that if their sober lives are enjoyable, they’ll have a better chance of staying clean,” says Ivor Grant, who has been the program co-ordinator for the past six years. “We try and cover every aspect of a person’s life as best as we can.” Before arriving at the Anchorage, Grant worked in a rural community where many people struggled with alcohol, but had family support to get them through hard times. “In the inner city, by the time people get to The Salvation Army, they’ve been using for 20 years and a lot of their family and friends don’t want them around and have cut them off. In many ways, recovery is more difficult.” Staff regularly organize speaking events with role models and former Anchorage graduates to show clients that turning their lives around is possible. In May, a special ceremony is held to award former clients based on years of sobriety. “Our building number is 180 Henry Avenue and I think that is divine because people do a 180-degree turn in their lives,” says Grant. “You’ll see massive changes in their lives whereas before what you saw was destruction. For me, hearing their stories brings light and is very encouraging.”
“ The Anchorage program opened my eyes and showed me that there are good people in this world … I felt accepted”
Deanna Moose received the Anchorage award in 2010
Open Acceptance Deanna Moose was a recent speaker to a group battling alcohol addiction in the Anchorage program. Moose received an Anchorage award in 2010 and has been sober for 14 years. She first entered the program in 1997 after Child and Family Services took her children due to her alcohol addiction. “When I first came to the program, I was terrified of speaking with people, especially in a group setting,” says Moose. “But then I began to feel comfortable talking to the pastor and counsellors. “It opened my eyes and showed me that there are good people in this world. I never felt that kind of love and understanding from anybody and here I found that. I felt accepted.” After completing the program, Moose got her children back in 2001 and finished high school. She has taken a few university classes and, for the past three years, has been working as a co-facilitator for the West Central Women’s Resource Centre. “My job involves helping other people and I hope to continue doing that,” she says. Moose is a regular speaker at the Anchorage and keeps in touch with the staff and chaplain. “My advice for people who are struggling with substance abuse is to get help and know that you’re worth it.”
“ I couldn’t go back to how things used to be” After hitting rock bottom, Jason Berthelette sought help
Back to School Berthelette is now living on his own and has been sober for more than a year. He attends Aftercare, a weekly meeting at the Anchorage where former clients keep accountable to each other and discuss achievements. Berthelette is working on graduating from high school. “The last time I was in school was Grade 6,” he says. “I’m shooting for Grade 12 and am at a Grade 10 level now.” Berthelette knows that staying sober will always be a challenge, but he is grateful for the progress he’s made so far and the support he has from the Anchorage staff. “Once I started going to meetings and seeing other people who were succeeding through the program, it broke me out of my shell. I learned to stay away from bad influences and talk about my goals. It’s working for me.” This month, the Anchorage program will celebrate recovery and distribute the sixth annual Anchorage award. Please pray for graduates, clients currently enrolled in the program and staff. The 100th Anniversary Memorial Service commemorating the sinking of the
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN CANADA’S GREATEST MARITIME TRAGEDY. COMMISSIONER BRIAN PEDDLE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER, CANADA AND BERMUDA TERRITORY, AND THE CANADIAN STAFF BAND
Sunday, May 25th, 2014, at 3:00 pm Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto Salvationist • May 2014 • 21
Spreading the Word BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN, STAFF WRITER
W
hen Major Beverly Ivany became an officer almost 35 years ago, she never expected that she would also become a writer. But today, as the author of Words of Life, The Salvation Army’s international daily devotional book, Major Ivany spends her days praying, reading and writing messages that she hopes will inspire Salvationists around the world—and she keeps a globe on her desk to remind her of how far those messages can reach. Major Ivany is in her fourth year of writing Words of Life, and it may be the most exciting year yet. For the first time in its history, Words of Life is being officially translated into Spanish by the U.S.A. Western Territory, and this new version will hopefully be released by the end of 2014. “A fair percentage of The Salvation Army is Spanish-speaking so it will be a real blessing,” says Major Ivany. Words of Life is also expanding into the digital sphere: an official app for phones and tablets is in development and is expected to launch by the end of the year. These initiatives underscore the devotional’s significance in a growing, international Army. “The great thing about Words of Life is that, on any specific day, Salvationists from around the world are reading the same thing,” says Major Ivany. “It unites us and helps us feel connected to the larger Salvation Army as a whole.” A new issue of Words of Life is published every four months. Each entry offers a Scripture reading, an encouraging message and a call to action. On 22 • May 2014 • Salvationist
Photos: Timothy Cheng
Words of Life devotional book unites Salvationists worldwide
Words of Life, a daily devotional, is published three times per year
Sundays, Major Ivany includes excerpts from The Song Book of The Salvation Army. “My hope is that readers will be able to apply what they read to their lives in a practical way, and live out what the Word is saying to them,” says Major Ivany. “It’s not just informative; it helps them feel fired up for another day.” Over the past three years, Words of Life has covered every book in the Bible, following the overarching themes of faith, hope and love. Next year, Words of Life will focus on the Trinity. “For example, with the Son, I am looking at the names of Jesus that are found in the New Testament and Old Testament, and focusing on who Jesus is and what he means to us,” explains Major Ivany. Even when handling seemingly abstract topics such as the Trinity, Major Ivany aims to make Words of Life downto-earth and accessible for everyone. In addition to the Bible, she draws on a variety of sources, from newspapers to novels, as well as her own life and experiences as a wife, mother and officer. In her early years as a writer, Major Ivany wrote mostly about family life and produced two devotional books for young people, Kid Talk and Teen Talk, which started off as devotionals for her own children. Her four children and seven grandchildren continue to inspire her, as does her work as a corps officer at Toronto’s Corps 614, where she and her husband, Major David Ivany, have been appointed since 2012. The corps is located in Regent Park, a neighbourhood where
nearly 70 percent of residents are considered low-income. “A lot of the people at our corps are very vulnerable, marginalized people,” she shares. “It’s really front-line ministry; it’s what the Army is all about.” As well as giving Major Ivany an opportunity to engage in practical ministry, the appointment often provides illustrations for Words of Life. “I really feel that writing this is a partnership with God,” she says. “Sometimes thoughts come to me that I would never have thought of on my own, and I feel God saying that this is what people need to hear. “The feedback I’ve received has been a real blessing,” adds Major Ivany, who regularly receives letters from readers. “People have told me how they were blessed on a certain day—that the message was just for them—and yet, it was written over a year ago. That encourages me to write more, if only for that one person who is going through a crisis.”
Mjr Beverly Ivany is the author of Words of Life
CROSS CULTURE
Justice Awakening
How you and your church can help end human trafficking by Eddie Byun Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery that affects millions of people around the world. Given the enormity of the problem, the task of eradicating this evil can seem daunting. But every Christian and every church—including The Salvation Army—has a part to play. Justice Awakening is a handbook for Christians who want to bring an end to human trafficking. In this book, South Korean pastor and activist Eddie Byun provides biblical foundations for understanding God’s heart for justice and the oppressed. He offers practical, hands-on steps that any believer or church can take, from youth groups to men’s ministries, to short-term and long-term missions. The book also includes discussion questions and prayer guides for group use, as well as a case study based on Byun’s own experience in South Korea.
Living So That
Making faith-filled choices in the midst of a messy life by Wendy Blight In today’s world, it can be difficult to make decisions that honour God. Written especially for women, Living So That offers readers a new perspective on daily living and decision making by focusing on many of the powerful “so that” verses found in Scripture. The book is divided into five chapters: Jesus Came So That …, God Spoke So That …, Pray So That …, Trials Come So That …, and Let Your Light Shine So That … . Blight combines personal examples and biblical teaching to make Living So That an accessible read. The book encourages personal and practical responses: “Going Deeper” sections encourage readers to dig further into the ideas presented, and “Call to Action” sections challenge readers to apply what they have learned. Living So That is intended for both individual and group study.
Catherine Booth
Laying the theological foundations of a radical movement by Major John Read The achievements of Catherine Booth are nothing short of remarkable. She was one of the Victorian era’s pre-eminent evangelists, as well as a powerful social reformer, champion of women’s rights and, with her husband William Booth, co-founder of The Salvation Army. In his new book, Major John Read shows how critical Catherine Booth was to the formation of Salvationism, the spirituality of the Movement she co-founded. Catherine Booth examines the theology that undergirds Catherine Booth’s Salvationist spirituality. It reveals the ethical concerns that are central to her understanding of what it means to be saved through Jesus Christ, and the integral relationship between the social and evangelical aspects of Christian mission in her thought. As the “mother of The Salvation Army,” Catherine Booth was a church leader with a rare—if not unique—perspective: that of a woman.
AHA: Awakening. Honesty. Action
The God moment that changes everything by Kyle Idleman Pastor Kyle Idleman’s new book, AHA: Awakening. Honesty. Action, offers a fresh take on the parable of the prodigal son found in Luke 15, who moved to a distant country but eventually came to his senses and returned to his father. Using this framework, Idleman encourages readers to have their own “aha!” moments, recognizing where they have walked away from God and then returning to his loving arms. The book reveals how three key elements can produce such moments: awakening to the reality of who we are in Jesus Christ, honesty to see our need for a Saviour and taking action to follow Christ’s example.
ON THE WEB I Am Second
The I Am Second movement was started by Norm Miller, a businessman who wanted to find ways to lift up Christ so that he might draw all men unto him (see John 12:32). As a website, I Am Second is a collection of videos and stories on a wide range of topics from anger to death, marriage and trauma. The videos feature many well-known Christians such as Toronto Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey, actor Stephen Baldwin, author Anne Rice and figure skater Scott Hamilton, as they share their struggles with living for Christ in everyday situations (Hamilton, for example, talks about his battle with cancer). The website aims to inspire and give hope, and it encourages visitors to join the I Am
Second movement and spread the word by sharing videos, starting an I Am Second group or holding an event. Find out more at iamsecond.com. Salvationist • May 2014 • 23
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY
ENROLMENTS AND RECOGNITION
TORONTO—Exciting things are happening at Scarborough Citadel as seven junior soldiers are enrolled. Front, from left, Bradley and Keely Harris, preparation class instructors; Philip Harris; Dharsika Moganasundaram; Richard Lau; Jamie Watt; Mjr Denis Skipper, CO. Back, from left, CSM James Dolan, holding the flag; Joseph Masuda; Scott Masuda; Isabelle Le Blanc.
SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I.—Six senior soldiers proudly display their Soldier’s Covenants following their enrolment at Summerside Corps. Front, Isaiah Henderson. Back, from left, Sandy Gallant; Mjr Wilson Perrin, DSBA, Maritime Div; Gertrude Smith; John Nicholson, holding the flag; Mary Pyke; Austin Clow; Robert Arsenault; Mjrs Willis and Priscilla Drover, COs.
The Salvation Army St. Thomas Citadel Presents
131st Anniversary Celebrations
May 10–11, 2014
GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.—Milton Howse, bandmaster, and Alex Collins, corps secretary, retire from active service at Park Street Citadel. From left, ACSM Lorraine White; Mjr Sharon Rowsell, CO; Milton Howse; Alex Collins; Mjr Owen Rowsell, CO; CSM Clyde Downton.
GR AND FALL S WINDSOR, N.L.—Todd Green is commissioned as corps secretary at Park Street Citadel. From left, Mjr Sharon Rowsell, CO; Todd Green; Mjr Owen Rowsell, CO.
EDMONTON—Edmonton Temple welcomes one senior soldier and two adherents to the corps family. From left, Sandie Presley, director of pastoral care; Doug Fenton, colour sergeant; Mjrs Donna and Donald Bladen, COs; Stanley Aghedo, senior soldier; Pierre Jesso and Derrick Seabrook, adherents.
184 Colborne Street North, Simcoe June 14 & 15, 2014
Weekend Schedule Celebraon Dinner—Sat., June 14 at 5 pm esval Concert—Sat., June 14 at 7 pm Sunday Morning Worship—10:30 am
Led by Colonels Mark and Sharon Tillsley Supported by Majors Morris and Wanda Vincent Ont. GL Divisional Leaders
Saturday, May 10–2 p.m. Mother’s Day High Tea and Concert Saturday, May 10–6:30 p.m. To Serve Him Boldly: A Salvation Army Show Sunday, May 11–10:30 a.m. Holiness Meeting The Salvation Army, 380 Elm St., St. Thomas, Ontario • Phone: 519-631-6202 24 • May 2014 • Salvationist
Ticket Prices Dinner—$15 Concert—$8 Combo—$20
or ckets: e-mail: salarmy.simcoe@eastlink.ca or phone: 519-426-5420 Dinner to be held at Simcoe Legion. Tickets must be purchased in advance, by June 6.
Special Guests David Daws, Euphonium Soloist London Citadel Band Supported by Majors Morris and Wanda Vincent, Divisional Leaders
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY
WORDS OF LIFE
SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I.— During a visit to Summerside Corps by Mjrs Wilson and Winnie Perrin, DSBA and divisional secretary for adult ministries, Maritime Div, Brenda Arsenault is commissioned as corps secretary. From left, Mjrs Perrin; John Nicholson, holding the flag; Brenda Arsenault; Mjrs Priscilla and Willis Drover, COs.
Take time with the Father daily as you meditate upon his Word.
GAZETTE
Our theme during 2014 in Words of Life is “Love.” This edition focuses on “Love Divine.”
INTERNATIONAL Appointments May 1: Lt-Cols Ivor/Carol Telfer, TC/TPWM, Pakistan Tty, with the rank of col Jun 1: Mjrs Edward/Deborah Horwood, TC/TPWM, Tanzania Tty, with the rank of col; Mjrs Mario/Celeste Nhacumba, GS/CSWM, Angola Command; Cols Gabriel/Monica Kathuri, OC/CPWM, Liberia Command; Lt-Cols Daniel/Arschette Moukoko, TC/TPWM, Mozambique Tty, with the rank of col; Lt-Cols Eugene/Brigitte Bamanabio, CS/TSWM, Congo (Brazzaville) Tty; Mjrs Eliud/Aidah Nabiswa, CS/TSWM, Uganda Tty, with the rank of lt-col; Comrs Onal/Edmane Castor, TC/TPWM, Congo (Brazzaville) Tty; Cols Jospeh/Angélique Lukau, TC/TPWM, Ghana Tty; Cols Charles/Denise Swansbury, international secretary for program resources/mission resources secretary and zonal secretary for women’s ministries, South Pacific and East Asia Zone, IHQ, with the rank of comr; Comrs Gerrit/Eva Marseille, TC/TPWM, Caribbean Tty; Lt-Cols Chelliah/Mallika Moni, TC/TPWM, India Central Tty, with the rank of col; Mjrs Chawnghlut Vanlalfela/Khupchawng Ropali, CS/TSWM, India South Western Tty, with the rank of lt-col; Lt-Cols Davidson/ Mariamma Varghese, CS/TSWM, India Eastern Tty TERRITORIAL Appointments Mjr Eric Bond, interim DC, Ont. CE Div; Cpts Stephen/Linda Daley, chaplain/program co-ordinator, Waterloo CJS (New Directions, Kitchener), Ont. GL Div; Mjr Dale Lewis, director of case management, Brantford Booth Centre, Ont. GL Div Retirement Mjr Roy Langer, last appointment, Castledowns Church, Edmonton, Alta. & N.T. Div Promoted to glory Mjr Wesley Wiseman, Coquitlam, B.C., Mar 1; Lt-Col Kenneth Holbrook, Calgary, Mar 8
Ask Jesus to interpret his Word and speak to your heart. Open yourself to the Spirit as he brings inspiration.
This love is shown throughout 1 and 2 Chronicles, with God’s providential care at work in his chosen people. God uses his servant Esther “for such a time as this,” and we see God’s love evidenced in the poetic language of Song of Songs. Luke gives expression of divine love as he records the life of Jesus, while Paul tells the Corinthian Christians that the greatest virtue is love. Commissioner William Francis sensitively leads us into Pentecost. May God help us to realize, once again, the beauty of divine love for each of us. $6.99 plus shipping and handling The Salvation Army Supplies and Purchasing • 416-422-6100 orderdesk@can.salvationarmy.org • SalvationArmy.ca/Store SSC Salvationist Quarter.pdf 2 1/17/2014 3:28:10 PM
C
CALENDAR
MAY-AUGUST ISSUE NOW AVAILABLE!
M
Commissioners Brian and Rosalie Peddle Apr 30-May 5 B.C. Div*; Apr 30-May 5 northern area women’s rally, Y B.C. Div**; May 7-8 Annual National Prayer Breakfast, Ottawa; May CM 16-18 fifth anniversary, Spryfield CC, Halifax; May 22-23 National Advisory Board, Toronto; May 24 Canadian Staff Band 45th anniversary MY festival, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto; May 25 Empress of Ireland CY 100th anniversary memorial service, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, CMY Toronto; May 30-Jun 1 Bermuda Div *Commissioner Brian Peddle only; **Commissioner Rosalie Peddle only K Colonels Mark and Sharon Tillsley May 10-11 131st anniversary, St. Thomas, Ont.; May 22-23 National Advisory Board, Toronto; May 24 Canadian Staff Band 45th anniversary festival, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto; May 25 Empress of Ireland 100th anniversary memorial service, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto; May 28-Jun 1 Empress of Ireland 100th anniversary memorial and commemoration, Rimouski, Que. Canadian Staff Band May 24 45th anniversary festival, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto; May 25 Empress of Ireland 100th anniversary memorial service, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto; May 29-Jun 1 Empress of Ireland 100th anniversary memorial and commemoration, Rimouski, Que. (ensemble only)
Responsible for
MINISTRY Committed to MISSION Social Services Conference 2014 October 18-21 • Delta Meadowvale MinistryAndMission2014.com
Salvationist • May 2014 • 25
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY
TRIBUTES
SURREY, B.C.—Mrs. Lt-Colonel Catherine Halsey (nee Morrison) was born the eldest of four children in a Salvation Army officer family in 1928 in Fernie, B.C. Trained as a nurse at Winnipeg Grace Hospital, she felt the call to officership and entered training college. Following commissioning, Cathie married her loving husband, Bruce, and together they served in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Boston, Philadelphia and Ottawa. Cathie was a wonderful mother and wife who cared for her family of four children so that they never doubted her love for them. Her children and grandchildren, whom she adored, witnessed and felt the security of her unconditional love and devotion. Cathie spent her last years battling Alzheimer’s disease with dignity and courage. All who knew her were aware of her faith in Jesus Christ and love for those closest to her. Loved ones believe she was welcomed home with the words “Well done good and faithful servant.” Cathie is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, Bruce; children David, Gordon, Donald (Denise), Joanne (Andrew); grandchildren Esther (Matt), Dionne, Donna, Bradley, Lauren, Andrea, Caitlin, Isabel, Amy, Marissa. CORNER BROOK, N.L.—Jean V. Sharpe was born in Corner Brook in 1929 to Frank and Mary Rose as one of 13 children. She was a member of the Anglican Church until she met and married Arthur Sharpe in 1949. Jean was a faithful soldier of Corner Brook Temple until her promotion to glory in her 83rd year. She had a passion for working with youth as a Sunday school teacher, Brownie and Girl Guide leader. Jean sang in the songsters, was involved in the home league, attended ladies neighbourhood Bible study and witnessed to all she met. She was an active member and a lifetime member of the Girl Guides of Canada for 48 years. Jean served as a cook at the Camp of the Silver Birches for more than 14 years and was known to all as Mother Sharpe. She loved making crafts, baking, reading, going on outings with her sisters and travelling. Jean is remembered by her family, Ruby Morey, Linda Rideout, Robert (Amy) Sharpe, Helen (Ted) Bennett; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sisters and brothers; other relatives and friends. CALGARY—Joyce Davidson was a lifelong Salvationist and member of Calgary Glenmore Temple (formerly Calgary Citadel). She served as a Sunday school teacher and Brownie leader, and was a member of the Over 60s and Young at Heart groups. Joyce was loved by people and will be recalled for her strong faith in God and commitment to family and friends. Joyce is lovingly remembered by her sister, Joan; family and circle of friends. PETERBOROUGH, ONT.—Donna Robbins was promoted to glory at the age of 76. A long-time soldier of Peterborough Temple, Donna was actively involved in the Sunday school as the young people’s sergeantmajor for a number of years. She was a valued member of the songster brigade, volunteered at the thrift store and was involved in the Mr. and Mrs. Club at the corps. She was always cheerful and brought that joy to those she met. Donna is missed by her husband, Earl; children Cynthia, Shane (Tammie); two grandchildren; friends at Peterborough Temple. PETERBOROUGH, ONT.—Stuart Ralph Stockdale was born in Lakehurst, Ont., in 1927. As a young child, Stuart accepted Christ as his Saviour. After high school and working on the farm, he moved to Peterborough where he came upon the Salvation Army band on the street corner one Sunday evening. He marched with them to the hall for the night service and thus began his journey at Peterborough Temple. He met and married his wife, Elda Graham, from Mount Forest, Ont. They purchased a farm just outside the city, where he farmed and eventually became owner and operator of Stuart R. Stockdale Well Drilling for almost 45 years. Living on the farm for 63 years, he and Elda were blessed with five children. Stuart was a faithful soldier of Peterborough Temple and in their earlier years, they helped with Christmas serenading and hampers. Left to mourn his passing are his children, Linda Quackenbush (Bob), Barbara Hogg (Bob), Ralph (Grace), Brenda Coit; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren. 26 • May 2014 • Salvationist
PETERBOROUGH, ONT.—Robert G. Webb was born in Peterborough in 1932 and was raised and confirmed in the Anglican Church. When he was 19, a friend introduced him to The Salvation Army where he later became a soldier. Bob served as a bandsman, band sergeant, Sunday school teacher, adult Bible class teacher, secretary on the Trust Board, Scout master and emergency disaster services volunteer. An employee of the Peterborough Utilities Commission for 35 years, he also served as fire chief of the Civil Defense Volunteer Fire Service and in 2008, helped produce a commemorative book of local fires. Bob was made an honorary firefighter by the Peterborough Fire Department, recognized as Peterborough’s volunteer of the year for his dedicated service to the community and served with the Peterborough County Disaster Trust Fund Committee from 1988 until the time of his death. Bob met his wife, Jean, at The Salvation Army and they married in 1954. In retirement, they wintered in Largo, Florida, and attended Clearwater Corps. Bob is missed by his wife, Jean; children Steve (Julie), Cathy, Carolyn (Brent); grandchildren Jordyn, Nicole, Ben, Brock; brother, Jim (Kathy); many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. CLARENVILLE, N.L.—Lucy Viola Peddle (nee Sturge) was born in Gambo, N.L., in 1934, in a loving Christian home with four siblings and two godly parents. As a child, Viola was active in all corps activities and continued this faithful service as an expression of her faith in God. She moved to Clarenville in 1960 where she taught Sunday school and corps cadets, was a home league member for more than 50 years and served as home league treasurer. Viola participated in Bible study and prayer meetings, and volunteered with community and family services, the thrift store, Christmas hampers and other corps ministries. Viola was a teacher in Salvation Army schools in Seal Cove, Fortune Bay, and Little Heart’s Ease, N.L., and later worked as a cook and home support worker. A gentle and loving woman, Viola loved God and lived out her faith in front of her family, friends and community. Viola was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who always put the needs of her family above her own. She is missed by children Gordon (Yvonne), Don, Dennis (Sue), Major Wanda (Morris), Shawn (Kerry); eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. DEER LAKE, N.L.—Raymond “Oliver” Janes of Deer Lake Corps was enrolled as a senior soldier in 1997 and promoted to glory in his 83rd year. He supported the local food bank and was faithful in his attendance at the corps until his illness would no longer permit him. Raymond honourably served his country in the Korean War. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, May; children Henry Janes (Loree), Lillian Anderson (Harold), Angela Taylor (Richard), Melissa Janes-Crawford (Dave), Linda Mckay (Tony), Phillip Janes (Paula), Jeremy Janes (Perry); stepchildren Ralph Parrill (Edna), Lawrence Simms (Joanne), Perry Simms (Jacqueline), Ernest Simms (Patricia); 23 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Wanda Janes; siblings Aubrey (Bonnie), Lloyd, Joan Pilgrim (Clayton); sisters-in-law Bertha, Margaret and Beryl Janes; a large circle of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. PETERBOROUGH, ONT.—Larry Hockaday was promoted to glory at the age of 69. A soldier of Peterborough Temple, he was always doing for others. Larry worked as a carpenter at Darlington Nuclear Generating Station before he was laid off and became a school bus driver. He carried that skill into the corps by driving the Sunday school bus to transport many young people to the corps. Larry also drove the corps’ van to bring senior citizens to church. He was involved in scouting. Larry participated in a tavern ministry where he witnessed to many people while distributing The War Cry. He was a gentle and dependable man to whom material things meant nothing. Larry will be missed by his wife, Dorothy; son, Jay (Brenda); two grandchildren.
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TIES THAT BIND
Paradise? Not Quite!
Stark poverty, heartbreak and hope are what I experienced during my vacation to the Philippines BY MAJOR KATHIE CHIU
U
Makeshift shops and dilapidated structures are common sights in Manila
nder the hot sun, beads of light shimmer off the turquoise water as the leaves of the palm trees sway in the breeze. The server brings a frozen drink to my chair and I sit overlooking a white, sandy beach. I am in paradise, I think to myself. Wading into the ocean, I can just make out the clear, silver fish swimming around my feet. Surrounded by such beauty, it’s easy to forget that outside the doors of the resort is evidence of extreme poverty. Here in the Philippines, the slowly growing middle class is squeezed between the extremely rich and the overwhelming tragedy of the country’s poor. In March, my family and I visited my husband’s uncle at his business in the capital city of Manila. While waiting for the driver to get everyone in the car, I heard the sound of children laughing. Surrounded by questionable shops and shanties built into the side of the road, this was not the kind of neighbourhood for children. But there, squatting around the corner from the front doors of the business, was an old, grey-haired lola (grandmother), a mother and her three young children—a girl and two boys. The mother was washing them with water from a pot and I asked them, “Are you living here?” They nodded,
but their English was very poor. They had no covering, not even a shanty or a blanket. The children came forward and put their foreheads on my hand, a sign of respect, and my heart nearly burst from the burden of sadness I felt for them. I pressed some pesos into their hands and they were so grateful for my meagre offering. Their smiles could light an entire sky. I am rich—so rich that I will never live like them. I have a modest middleclass life in Canada. Families living in poverty in our country have help. If someone in Canada lived in the conditions I witnessed in the Philippines, their children would quickly be apprehended and put in foster care. But in the Philippines, children can’t go to school if they don’t have money. There are only a few public schools with long waiting lists. Medical care is out of reach for the poor as the cost to see a doctor is expensive. Children run around the street half-naked and people live in squalid corners, protected by plywood and cardboard nailed together. Even those who have jobs work for a couple of dollars a day. My teenage boys were also overwhelmed by the poverty. When we talked about it, they said they didn’t
like Manila. That’s about as much as we got from them. We hung on for dear life as we were driven around, noticing a lack of stop signs at intersections, cars ignoring the lines in the roads, and mopeds with sidecars filled with people. Motorcycles weaved in and out, and people crossed busy streets with tots in tow. Our driver continually honked his horn and swerved whenever someone was in his way. Finally, we saw a motorcycle overturned along with the driver, dead in the street, as people crowded around. Drivers honked as they passed the scene, impatient to get to their destinations. Shock registered on my sons’ faces as we drove by. We passed by The Salvation Army’s territorial headquarters. It was not far from where my husband was born. We had a quick chat with a Canadian officer who was serving there. She told a story about a woman who brought a dying baby into headquarters one day. She gave the baby to a woman officer and said, “If you can make this baby better, you can have him.” Apparently, that baby is thriving and still with the officer. It’s tragic that such desperation and grief would move a woman to give away her baby rather than see him die from starvation. We watched the news when the typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines last November. It missed Manila and the resort where we stayed on Boracay, but just barely. If it had hit Manila, the buildings would have survived, but the mil-
After the typhoon struck, The Salvation Army helped this family and many others in the city of Tacloban Salvationist • May 2014 • 27
TIES THAT BIND
lions of poor Filipinos living in squalor would not have survived. The death count would have been much higher. I’m not sure why God allows this kind of poverty to exist in the world. Such suffering and misery drains the senses. The Filipinos have such devotion to Jesus and there are churches all over the place. Where is God in the midst of it? Despite their suffering, even as we drove around, the children were joyful and people laughed and joked with each other. They accepted their circumstances. Perhaps this was because they had never known differently. The country’s leaders seem incapable of taking
The children came forward and my heart nearly burst from the burden of sadness I felt for them care of people and deny that corruption and greed is rampant. Payoffs are necessary to make things happen. Even in Boracay, our relatives told us how they organized themselves while waiting to
MISSION MATTERS
MISSION MATTERS
Strengthening Our Workforce Flexibility in officer moves, succession planning and a voice for local leadership are critical to our future
The Army needs to get the “right people on the bus,” but also make sure they are “in the right seats”
his June, Salvationists will notice something different in our territory: fewer officers will change appointments. We have an excellent personnel services team that helps manage officer appointments across the territory. Many would be shocked to realize how consuming that process is and the energy it takes for our territorial and divisional teams to bring about a successful personnel change. This year, however, we’ve asked all officers if they’d be willing to stay in their appointments for another year so that, wherever possible, we minimize the impact of the move. What’s So Special About June? It is a significant change. Rather than moving nearly 25 percent of our officers as we have in past years, our goal is to reduce the percentage. The reason is not just the massive expense—though that is a factor. What we really need is time to examine the issues that are affecting officers—not all of them positive—and begin to manage the appointment changes differently and more intentionally. Over the past number of years, the Army in Canada and Bermuda has emphasized a sequential appointment system whereby officers go to their appointments for five years, consult with administration and then stay for intervals of two years as appropriate. But the ideal does not always fit the reality. Last year, for example, roughly 60 percent of the moves were not sequential in that we needed to move people earlier than anticipated. We admit that this is not sustainable for the future. We admit that a different consultation is required. We admit that the annual June change doesn’t always make sense. We’re asking ourselves, “Does it have to happen every year? Could it be a minimal move one year and a substantial move the next? Are there instances where we don’t need to wait until June? How does the timing of the moves serve the mission?” Of course, the June moves fit the
school year, and we must be sensitive to officers with families, but there is nothing from International Headquarters that mandates it must be done a certain way. The bottom line is that we have to be more fluid in how we approach officer moves. Officers have been invited to speak into this dialogue and the signals we are getting from them are overwhelmingly positive. Balancing Officer and Lay Staff My biggest preoccupation these days is ensuring solid leadership and the sustainability of the Army. It’s no secret that the number of officers in the field is gradually shrinking due to retirements, attrition and an inadequate number of recruits to fill the needs. Many employees and lay personnel are now taking on roles that have traditionally been held by officers. This is changing the makeup of the Movement. I don’t want to dodge the issue, but shrinking officer numbers is not the whole story. I am equally concerned about what we are doing with the leaders we have now—both officer and lay—and how we are targeting capacities in the people we are recruiting. As territorial commander, I long for a healthy mix of officers and lay personnel. Our organization will always have officers at the leadership level. There is a difference between the covenant relationship of an officer to the Army and a contracted position of an employee. The Army needs people who are set apart— the ordained, ecclesiastical order—who are available to the territory to serve wherever and in whatever circumstances required. We are a spiritual Movement and need to be guided by people who, first and foremost, put that marker down. But we also need employees who have vocational inclinations to share ministry with us. We must carve out space for lay personnel who want their work to intertwine with a sense of God’s calling. If you look at the profiles of territorial and divisional headquarters, you’ll find
any number of lay leaders and hired staff where, 10 years ago, it would have been impossible. The instances are growing where lay personnel not only have management responsibilities, but spiritual remits—where they are responsible for the spiritual mission of a ministry unit and the spiritual well-being of those under their influence. I’ll also admit that there are cases where we need to supplement our staff with accredited expertise that doesn’t necessarily require a spiritual commitment, but that ensures we can run our operations efficiently. My hope, however, is that no one works for The Salvation Army who does not understand our mission and goals. To this end, Booth University College is helping us create an online orientation course for our employees—a kind of Salvation Army 101. I wouldn’t want to give away the spiritual leadership of The Salvation Army, but we need to broaden our scope to include others who can bring muchneeded expertise. Get on the Bus Jim Collins, management guru and author of Good to Great, talks about getting the “right people on the bus” in your organization. But it’s also a challenge to get people “in the right seats.” I’ve been hesitant to delineate too clearly in every situation what an officer position is and what a lay position is. It’s easier when we talk about corps officers or divisional youth secretaries and their roles in modelling officer recruitment for young people. But it gets blurry after that. For example, I wouldn’t want to see a day when there were no officers involved in public relations. Nor would I want to shut out skilled employees from the financial side of what we do. When we work as a team, we have a distinct advantage—provided we get the right people with the right skills in the right places. Recently I visited a community where I was impressed by a corps officer who
8 • March 2014 • Salvationist
Illustration: © iStockphoto.com/danleap
BY COMMISSIONER BRIAN PEDDLE
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was running an excellent communitybased ministry. When I went up the street, I met an Army employee from community and family services who took me on a tour of the soup kitchen and introduced me to dozens of people with whom he has built relationships. At the end of the day, the officer I met in the morning and the employee I met in the afternoon were both working toward the same outcomes. The people in that community weren’t checking the colour of the epaulets; they just saw The Salvation Army. One of my laments is that the Army does not currently have an internal promotion policy for employees. We need a process whereby employees can look at the breadth of the territory’s ministries, from St. John’s, N.L., to Vancouver to Bermuda, and say, “Is there something that I could be doing with the Army in a different area?” Is there a way to queue up people for promotion? How can we better collaborate with employees on their professional development? Have we got the right resources for that to happen? Can we come alongside them and say, “Where do you want to be in five years?” To achieve this, we need to cultivate a greater culture of trust among all our staff. We can do that by trying to understand potential obstacles. We have to open up lines of dialogue where the trust may be on shaky ground. We need to take the private discussions into a more open forum where we can explore what trips us up. What do we not understand about the organization that causes us
to second guess? Where does the friction occur? How can administration listen to the concerns of officer and lay personnel? Giving Local Officers a Voice Beyond our employees and officers, we also need to better connect with our local officers—our lay volunteers who hold significant positions of responsibility in corps. We need mechanisms to reach out to our people in the pews. In the past, our territorial symposiums have given lay leaders a voice. But it’s a missing piece in our system right now. Our local officers have a vested interest in the Army and need opportunities to speak beyond their local circle. There is a move afoot to bring local leaders together at the Territorial Congress in June. Out of that, we hope to create a permanent forum whereby senior leadership can hear from people on the front lines on a regular basis. We’ve also talked about “town hall”-style meetings that can be broadcast on the Internet to allow people from all parts of the territory to respond. If we want to guarantee sustainable leadership, then we have to train, recruit and develop officers, employees and local officers in such a way that our mission priorities are matched with our human resources strategy. That includes leveraging the expertise we already have in place. We’ve identified Booth University College as one key resource that has the wherewithal to respond to various gaps in our leadership needs. To this end, the college has launched a School of
Continuing Studies for the territory that has the capacity to train the workforce, both ordained and lay. A not her in novat ion i s PE AC (Performance Excellence and Coaching), a new review system for officers and employees that is at the pilot stage across the territory. PEAC is more than just an assessment tool, it’s a culture shift toward developing our workforce. It fits naturally into the coaching environment that the territory has been promoting. It sets up open dialogue where succession planning and appropriate training become the norms. It also helps us to be more outcome-based and more accurately measure our efforts. The result will be a stronger workforce on all fronts. We trust that God is in control, but that does not absolve us from making difficult decisions in how we structure and develop our leadership. We have to figure out how to optimize our workforce with recruitment strategies, appropriate consultation, capacity development and succession planning in a way that gives us a sustainable strategy for the future. Organizationally we have a reciprocal relationship with the Almighty. If we keep our spiritual temperature where it needs to be, if we keep our Army engaged in prayer, if we keep our mission focus on target, then I believe God will continue to bless the Army. Commissioner Brian Peddle is the territorial commander of the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Salvationist • March 2014 • 9
A Welcome Change Thank you, Commissioner Peddle, for a timely, thoughtful and delightfully well-written article (“Strengthening Our Workforce,” March 2014). Among the many things that could be commented upon, let me just highlight your comment about “covenant.” Salvation Army officers worldwide, on becoming officers, sign a covenant with God that is witnessed by other officers. That’s very good. You say officers also have (or should have) a covenant relationship with The Salvation Army. I concur. But it seems to me that it’s appropriate for the very same reasons for The Salvation Army to want to have covenantal, and not only contractual, relationships with many non-officers who are trusted with advancing the mission. Contracts can be very good things. They are not incompatible with covenants. But the nature of the bonding and identification is different, and there are many of us employees who are where we are precisely because we love The Salvation Army and want to see our fulfilment bound up with The Salvation Army’s. James Read In the U.S. Salvation Army, newly commissioned officers receive a two-year initial assignment and are assigned to a mentor who coaches and guides them through the assign28 • May 2014 • Salvationist
see if Haiyan would hit them. The local government was unable to figure out what to do. But there is hope in the Philippines among local people with a compassion for the poor, organizations like The Salvation Army, and you and I who have so much to give. In the midst of it all, I remembered Jesus’ words to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbour as ourselves (see Luke 10:27). Who is the neighbour in your community? Today, my neighbours are in the Philippines. Major Kathie Chiu is the executive director of Victoria’s Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre.
ment. Once the initial assignment is complete, the officer then receives a three-year assignment where they receive command opportunities. Their mentor at this level is usually a major or a lt-colonel with 10 or more years of experience. With each new assignment, the officer builds confidence and gains trust from those they lead. A very important benefit of the first five years is that the officer’s family can stabilize and put down real roots. Lieutenant Michael Honsberger As a soldier and employee, I find the commissioner’s words refreshing. The Salvation Army started as a progressive Christian movement, so I am always encouraged when I hear of progressive thinking from our leaders. I’m in the U.S.A., so I may not be impacted by any results of this article (or the plan’s implementation). But congratulations, Canada and Bermuda Territory! You have courageous leadership. Andy Wheeler I am a retired officer who grew up as an officer’s kid. We were moved from social work to corps and vice versa so many times. It was difficult to do good work in six months or one to three years in the same place. My father always told us that their appointments were given by God through our leaders and we believed it. I am glad to know that local officers will now be kept in their posts longer and have more of a say in officer appointments. They are wonderful people—so dedicated—and are often on the go full time. Major Marianne Tzaut-Hausdorff I believe a barrier to soldiers enrolling as officers is the likelihood of being located to areas—both geographically and ministry-wise—where they feel they don’t belong or are too far away from family members and support, and they don’t want to disrupt their children’s education. To see these issues being addressed is encouraging because of the shortage of recruits mentioned in this article. Peter Knight
LETTERS
There are age restrictions for officership that prohibit individuals in their capacity and calling in The Salvation Army, which other churches don’t have. The bus isn’t big enough for all of the people who are willing to serve—too many restrictions are in place. Some individuals have found they are not listened to and have found this frustrating. It’s high time the officers were listened to regarding postings. I don’t think non-Christians should be part of management at all. The whole congregation needs to be heard and encouraged. Unfortunately, they are not and, consequently, many people have left. There are many people who are gifted and not encouraged, so is it any wonder that people leave? It’s time to listen and apologize for the hurt sustained by The Salvation Army—no matter what the cause. Pray for the hurting within the Army and encourage those in their walk with God. There are many hurting people of all walks of life within the various communities who need a listening ear and prayer. These people need to be heard, encouraged, taken for a cup of coffee, fed, clothed and invited to church on a continual basis because they need Jesus. Christine Fisher
Prostitution Perspectives
Photo: © iStockphoto.com/luchschen
“Not For Sale” (March 2014) was a great article, Major Danielle Strickland. I think one thing we need to do is look at the roots of how a man (or woman) finds him- or herself seeking out the services of a prostitute. One issue that often crops up with most cases of sex crimes is pornography. Such material is not a safe way to spice up a relationship. It is, to the very core, damaging to relationships and lives. I think Canada would do very well to make such material illegal. I think there are tools available that Internet service providers should install to block access to such. Another issue that these people face is a lack of attachment. They are, in essence, hermits in their own world. They may appear to be social, but they don’t have the healthy relationships needed. So they go looking for it through other means such as prostitutes. We need to help these offenders connect with others in a healthy way through counselling/ coaching. I personally believe that all parties are victims in some way. As Christian men, we need to do our part to set the example. If we take a stand, get the knowledge behind the dangers of porn and the sex trade and help educate other men, we should see a change. We need to show these women a better way, that they are above being a product and are worthy. Donald Jefcoat
Not for Sale The voices calling for legalized prostitution are growing. Here’s why we cannot let it happen BY MAJOR DANIELLE STRICKLAND
22 • March 2014 • Salvationist
I have met many people in the sex industry from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and in Sydney, Australia, where I worked near a legal brothel that the girls would frequent. Both groups
suffered from major drug addiction, more so in Vancouver. My personal belief is that consensual sex for money is none of my business and isn’t for me to judge. The sexual habits of individuals and consensual players who charge for their services is, again, none of my business. The moral objection to me is irrelevant. I disagree with many practices in our society, but moral objections alone should not create policies of justice. If you can respect that, I think you can not only encourage your base to support your proposal, but begin reaching out to groups like myself, who are fundamentally of a different mindset—non-Christian—but who share a desire to push for a policy that will lead to more men and women escaping the downward spiral they find themselves in. I envision this policy to protect those who engage in prostitution, provide effective resources to offer alternatives and support for those wishing to leave the sex trade, and allocate the resources to combat human trafficking by all means necessary. I found it hard not to attack this article on its tone. I felt it was emotional instead of rational at times and that there was a refusal to accept that some people work in the industry out of choice. Some people believe the sex trade should be legal because it would help take it out of the criminal’s hands and move it towards a safer environment. I believe that if you won’t consider any information or opinion that differs from an outright criminalization of johns, then I wouldn’t trust you to present or consider information that might actually lead to a solution to this problem. Is that fair? Robbie Beniuk I do not agree with the legalization of prostitution as I believe it will further victimize the individuals involved. Let’s consider the Swedish model where these individuals are provided with a way to escape the sex trade and where those who would purchase, benefit and abuse their power over another are the ones to be charged with a criminal offense. We need to educate our society that the sale of humans for sexual services is abuse and that violence against men, children and especially women is unacceptable. Bonnie Stephen
If You Don’t Stand For Something … I find it totally disheartening as a Christian to observe churches that take no stand on very important worldly issues. This seems to be the standard protocol of churches. So the March 2014 Salvationist was a much-needed publication. “Fa it h i n t he P ubl ic Square” by Editor-in-Chief Geoff Moulton was excellent in explaining why and how we need to stand up for God in the reality of our world, and not just in our church or home where it might be more comfortable for us. Gaile Gomerich
EDITORIAL
Faith in the Public Square
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ex, politics and religion: three things you’re not supposed to bring up in polite conversation— or bicker about in church! This issue of Salvationist features all three. Major Danielle Strickland writes on the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend Canada’s prostitution laws. James Read and Aimee Patterson debate the environmental impact of Alberta’s oil sands. And associate editor Kristin Ostensen interviews Tony Campolo, a Baptist minister who hits hard on issues such as gay marriage and the struggles of Palestinians in the Middle East. Readers may not agree with our contributors this month; in fact, I expect we’ll get some letters. Some will say they go too far; others, not far enough. But while we may not agree on every point, one thing is certain: we ignore these issues at our peril. Conflict isn’t always bad (see page 20). It is possible to still be one in Christ and hold different opinions. Diversity of views can be healthy, as long as we speak respectfully. Living in a world of shifting values can feel overwhelming. It’s a fine balance—being culturally relevant while maintaining the integrity of the gospel. But we cannot afford to retreat from our mission. When the disciples met with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, they begged to stay in his presence. But Jesus insisted that they return to the grittiness of everyday life to live out their faith. In the same way, we cannot isolate ourselves. How we engage with the world is one of the true measures of our faith. It’s bound to be messy and complicated—but it is part of our calling. Our first job is to continue to be faithful witnesses of what it means to be God’s people. We must read Scripture carefully and take the gospel seriously in all its dimensions. We must explore the implications of our faith, not just for moral “hot-button” issues, but also for economics, the environment and people in need. The Army is not known for its public advocacy. We are more often the ones who “roll up our sleeves” and quietly go about serving society’s neediest. But we can also leverage our good reputation to speak out on important
issues. Commissioner Brian Peddle and other representatives of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada recently met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to speak on poverty and homelessness (see page 5). The Army has a wealth of knowledge and experience that can help the government respond in these areas. The church today is faced with a choice. We can lament the changes that are happening around us or we can resolve to live in the reality and ask: “How is God going to help us respond?” As a faith community, Christians must continue to be involved in public discourse, although not in a way that imposes our beliefs or makes it seem like we have all the answers. That kind of triumphalism has already driven too many people out of the church (see page 18). Rather, we must find a balance between respecting differences and being willing to “speak truth to power.” If we have open minds and hearts, we can help each other become a community of faith and a faithful community. It is a journey through which we continually learn how to live out our responsibility to God, our neighbour and our world. GEOFF MOULTON Editor-in-Chief
Salvationist
is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory André Cox General Commissioner Brian Peddle Territorial Commander Lt-Colonel Jim Champ Secretary for Communications Geoff Moulton Editor-in-Chief Melissa Yue Wallace Features Editor (416-467-3185) Pamela Richardson News Editor, Production Co-ordinator, Copy Editor (416-422-6112) Kristin Ostensen Associate Editor and Staff Writer Timothy Cheng Art Director Ada Leung Circulation Co-ordinator Ken Ramstead Contributor Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769. Member, The Canadian Church Press. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, Today’s New International Version (TNIV) © 2001, 2005 International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide. All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory and can be reprinted only with written permission.
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Salvationist • May 2014 • 29
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
Who Are You Living For? Deep within our being, we know whether we are sacrificing ourselves or holding back from God
Photo: © iStock.com/esolla
BY COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE
Through our year-long Spiritual Disciplines series, writers have shared insights on practising the disciplines of study, meditation, service, silence, celebration, prayer, worship, simplicity, confession, fasting and retreat. Commissioner Rosalie Peddle ends the series with a reminder to practise sacrificial living.
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od has redeemed us from darkness, sin and death and adopted us as his children, so when he asks us to surrender our lives to him as living sacrifices, we should respond. But what does it mean to live sacrificially? It’s when you surrender your life to God unconditionally. When our hearts and minds are focused on him, he becomes relevant to every part of life and empowers us to live with love, grace and courage. Living sacrificially means aligning ourselves with God’s will and freedom. In her book, Aggressive Christianity, Catherine Booth urges Salvationists to “Show the world a real, living, self-sacrificing, hardworking, toiling, triumphing religion and the world will be influenced by it, but anything less they will turn around and spit upon.” The Apostle Paul urges the Christians in Rome, “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). This image refers 30 • May 2014 • Salvationist
to the idea of religious sacrifice common to his world, and especially to how it was understood in the Jewish tradition of animal sacrifice in the temple at Jerusalem. What we are to offer up to God is nothing less than ourselves. Paul clearly expresses it as giving up our bodies to God as an offering. Our bodies are the best we have to offer because we live in them. Tied up in our bodies and minds are all our emotions, thoughts, desires and plans. If our bodies totally belong to God, he will have our free time, our pleasures and all our behaviour. To live sacrificially is to invite Jesus to be Lord of our whole lives. Our hands are to be given to him, to be used to bring him honour and glory. Our feet are to be given to him, to walk in his ways and focus on his mission. Our hearts are to be given to him, to be kept clean, pure and holy. We need to lay aside our desires to follow, trust and allow God to lead and guide our lives. Our sacred covenant and commitment to Christ requires the offering of our lives in surrender, simplicity, submission and service. In Conformed to His Image, Kenneth Boa writes, “Only when we are surrendered to Christ are we able to serve people in the power of the Spirit. In this way we are inviting Jesus to love and serve people through you. Ministry gifting and callings are manifold (teaching, evangelism, service to the poor and needy, discipleship, encouragement, hospitality, missions), but they must always be centred on Christ rather than ends in themselves.” As Christians we know whether we are being sacrificial in what we do, by each attitude and action we express. We know deep within our being whether we are sacrificing ourselves or holding back. It is only through our sacrificial living that we can courageously and effectively introduce the truths and values of the kingdom of God into this world. Pressures and ridicule from those in the world often distract Christians to compromise their convictions. We must never let culture shape our Christian values and determine our priorities. The Lord is looking for faithful men, women and youth who will stand up for truth in a world that is increasingly opposed to the truths of the gospel. Respond to God’s call to live sacrificially so that Jesus will be seen in our world through the lives of his people.
Time to Reflect 1. What is your definition of sacrificial living? 2. What is it like when God shows up at an unexpected moment? 3. How do you keep your finger on the pulse of what God is doing in your soul? 4. Where does concern for the injustices of this world fit into your lifestyle? 5. What is God asking you to change in order to live sacrificially? Commissioner Rosalie Peddle is the territorial president of women’s ministries and territorial secretary for spiritual life development for the Canada and Bermuda Territory.
Enjoyed the series? Let us know if it has enriched your faith. E-mail salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org.
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