Salvationist + Faith & Friends January 2022 by The Salvation Army

Band Together: Leading When Your Kids Are Small

Why Are We Still Grappling With Gender Equity?

Rethinking Addiction and Harm Reduction

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

January 2022

As Long As We’re Needed

In the wake of catastrophic storms, The Salvation Army is giving hope in British Columbia

Salvationist.ca

January 2022 • Volume 17, Number 1

DEPARTMENTS 5 Frontlines 7 Inbox 20 International Development Global Vision by Robyn Goodyear

Catching Up With Yazidi Gentrification: There Goes Officership Information Refugees Six Years Later the Neighbourhood Weekend Confirms Calling

Christians and Conspiracy Theories

21 What’s Your Story?

How can we know what to believe?

Mission-Focused by Ken Ramstead

Salvationist.ca

“Blue Christmas” Services Pitch Perfect: Reaching the Help the Hurting Community Through Music

Seniors’ Ministry: More Than Officer’s Second World Reflectors of Holiness Board Games and Bus Trips War Survival Story Welcomed to Training College

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

October 2021

Salvationist.ca

“My Son’s Disability Teaches Me About True Inclusion”

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

November 2021

December 2021

Salvationist.ca

The Future Beckons As Booth University College enters its 40th year, exciting new initiatives will make the institution even more relevant for the next generation

Jesus, Our Immanuel The hope of Christmas is encapsulated in the birth of the Christ Child—God with us

24 Spiritual Life

CATCH UP ONLINE

Come and See by Kevin Slous

27 Viewpoint Thanks for Nothing by Lieutenant Erin L. Wikle

FEATURES 8 Designed for Equality

28 People & Places

God created men and women to be co-leaders. So why are we still grappling with gender equity? by Major Pamela Pinksen

COLUMNS 4 Editorial

10 As Long As We're Needed

Back to Church? by Geoff Moulton

5 Onward Laying a Foundation by Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd

25 In the Trenches A Better Resolution by Captain Sheldon Bungay

26 Grace Notes Embracing Mystery by Captain Laura Van Schaick

In the wake of catastrophic storms, The Salvation Army is giving hope in British Columbia. by Kristin Ostensen

14 The Light-Bearers Learning to lead, love and serve in creative ways. by Lieutenant Olivia Campbell-Sweet

Did you know that you can find free back issues of Salvationist and Faith & Friends magazines at the issuu.com/salvationist website? Catch up on all the Salvation Army news and features on your tablet or desktop. Also available on the Territorial Archives section of Salvationist.ca is a searchable record of every War Cry dating back to 1884. Visit salvationist.ca/archives. Cover photo: Kristin Ostensen

READ AND SHARE IT!

16 Unexpected Journey Had I put a question mark on my prayers? by Darlene Tustin

18 Road to Recovery Rethinking my beliefs on harm reduction. by Dani Shaw

22 Divine Instruction What story will shape us and our children if we don’t teach the gospel in its fullness? by Donald E. Burke

30 Band Together Why I’m not stepping back from ministry leadership even though my children are small. by Stephanie Holloway Salvationist January 2022 3

EDITORIAL

Back to Church?

cross the territory, Salvation Army churches are springing to life again. We are seeing people cautiously return to in-person worship, and we pray the trend will continue as we face yet another variant of the virus. Last Sunday, our corps sergeant-major at North Toronto Community Church welcomed our diminished group to worship and spoke of a “rekindling.” That’s how it must start—slowly, steadily. How do we keep it all in balance? We must be careful to avoid complacency. The pandemic has caused many of us to turn inward and even shut down. It’s human nature, but we must increasingly find ways to reconnect. Last week, I read the following call to action from an anonymous writer on my Facebook feed: “As church attendance numbers fade across the nation and online services become very convenient, it’s important to remember why church attendance for you and your family matters so much. “You can’t serve from your sofa. You can’t have community of faith on your sofa. You can’t experience the power of a room full of believers worshipping together on your sofa. “Christians aren’t consumers,

Salvationist

is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory Brian Peddle General Commissioner Floyd Tidd Territorial Commander Lt-Colonel John P. Murray Secretary for Communications Geoff Moulton Editor-in-Chief and Literary Secretary Giselle Randall Features Editor Pamela Richardson News Editor, Copy Editor and Production Co-ordinator (416-422-6112) Kristin Ostensen Associate Editor and Staff Writer 4 January 2022 Salvationist

either. We are contributors. We don’t watch; we engage. We give. We sacrifice. We encourage. We do life together. “The church needs you. And you need the church.” Yes, we still need to follow public health protocols. No, we don’t want to force people to return against their will. There are very legitimate reasons why Salvationists are still staying home. Some have underlying health concerns that prevent them from attending. Children under 12 are only starting to receive their vaccines. We have to remember that and be graceful in all of our interactions. It’s also crucial to encourage and remind each other of the importance of “doing life together” as a body of believers. The latest research from Statistics Canada shows that only 68 percent of Canadians 15 or older reported having a religious affiliation (down from 77 percent in 2018). In addition, only 23 percent attended religious activities, such as a church service, once per month. As religion becomes less important to Canadians, we must wrestle with the role of the church in society. As we begin a new year, Commissioner Floyd Tidd reminds us that prayer is paramount (page 5). As we move through the Mobilize

Lisa Suroso Graphic Design Specialist Rivonny Luchas Digital Media Specialist Ada Leung Circulation Co-ordinator Ken Ramstead Contributor Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769. Member, The Canadian Christian Communicators Association. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV) © 2011. All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory and can be reprinted only with written permission.

2.0 transformation project as a territory, things will inevitably look different. But this can be an opportunity for God to do a new thing in our movement. What can you do to rekindle the fire in your heart? What can you do to reach out to your neighbour—in person or virtually? Whether we are able to physically attend church or not, let’s reignite a passion for service. Let’s move forward with optimism, believing that God will continue to build his church. GEOFF MOULTON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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: 416-422-6217; email: circulation@salvationarmy.ca.

Advertising

Inquire by email for rates at salvationist@salvationarmy.ca.

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@salvationarmy.ca 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 facebook.com/salvationistmagazine twitter.com/salvationist youtube.com/salvationistmagazine instagram.com/salvationistmagazine

ONWARD

Laying a Foundation Preparing for the new year in prayer. BY COMMISSIONERS FLOYD AND TRACEY TIDD

Commissioners Tracey and Floyd Tidd

s we leave 2021 behind and look to the new year, we remember well the words a good friend shared with us last January: “I may not always make great financial decisions but at least I didn’t waste my money on a 2020 planner.” Perhaps many of us would agree that a daily planner wasn’t the most helpful tool as we navigated our way through the last two years. There have been surprises, necessary rescheduling, missed opportunities and disappointments. Some of our best-laid plans were laid aside. We can carry many lessons forward from the last year, including how to approach planning for the year ahead. Scripture reminds us that the Lord establishes our steps while we make plans in our

hearts: “We should make plans—counting on God to direct us” (Proverbs 16:9 TLB). Reggie McNeal, author of The Present Future, suggests a perspective on planning that can be applied not only to our ministries but to our personal lives: “The best approach to future ministry involves prayer and preparation, not prediction and planning.” Prayer and preparation lay a foundation upon which to review any predictions and make any plans. Prayer acknowledges that there is a sovereign God who is actively involved in our world and our days. Prayer provides a window to gain perspective on events happening around us as we place ourselves in the hands of a loving God who waits to hear our prayers. The Bible directs us to “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which

transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Preparation of heart, mind and soul enables us to better navigate those unexpected moments. We prepare through strengthening relationships with others who will share the journey of the year ahead. We prepare by reviewing where we have been, what we have learned and what strengths we have developed, as well as the areas requiring attention. Taking time in these early weeks of a new year to develop a stronger prayer life and to evaluate what preparations need to be made to face the coming months provides a foundation to make plans— counting on God to direct us. Let’s step into this new year praying and preparing for God to do more than we could ever ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us throughout 2022. FRONTLINES

Territory Hosts Hybrid Officership Information Weekend

he Canada and Bermuda Territory held its annual Officership Information Weekend in October, a hybrid of both virtual and in-person events. More than 60 people participated in the weekend’s events, which were designed to create dedicated time for discernment through keynote sessions, breakout sessions and fellowship. The keynotes, which focused on calling, set the tone and the movement for the weekend. These sessions included “Listening for God’s Call” by Commissioner Tracey Tidd, territorial president of women’s ministries; “Discerning God’s Call” by Lt-Colonel Brian Armstrong, secretary for personnel; “Saying Yes to God’s Call” by Colonel Evie Diaz, chief secretary; and “Living God’s Call” by Commissioner Floyd Tidd, territorial commander. “These sessions opened my eyes to the challenges and the excitement of ministry in The Salvation Army,” says Gladis Koshkarian of Calgary’s Shaganappi Community Church. Atallah Albkhetan, another participant, agrees. “Hearing from the experts and field workers about their experiences being an officer was very beneficial and helped me understand the Salvation Army ministry model more.” In both individual spiritual reflection and intentional spiritual community, those considering full-time vocational ministry

Salvationists from the Maritime Div gather for an in-person event during the Officership Information Weekend

within The Salvation Army were offered prayer and support alongside thoughtful discernment. Jessica MacKenzie from Winnipeg’s Living Hope Community Church says the weekend provided “a sense of confirmation and a greater confidence that this is where God is leading me.” “After several months of disconnection from our faith communities and fellow believers, many of us have felt a sense of languishing accompanied by a belief that God is not concerned, and he is no longer speaking to people about his call to vocational ministry,” says Captain Kristen Jackson-Dockeray, secretary for candidates. “In these days of turbulence and uncertainty, the question of one’s life purpose is an urgent one. This weekend offered an intentional challenge to this sense of complacency by engaging individuals who are contemplating God’s call to regroup and set a new strategy to hear from God.” Salvationist January 2022 5

FRONTLINES

Photo: Mark Yan

Chris Greenfield, Lt-Col Shawn Critch, Mayor John Tory and Chris Glover cut the ribbon at the world’s largest Christmas kettle

Army Expands Reach in Victoria

T Ontario Division Constructs World’s Largest Christmas Kettle

he Ontario Division kicked off its 2021 Christmas kettle campaign in November with an epic event, unveiling the world’s largest Christmas kettle. Standing more than 10.5 metres tall, the kettle was constructed in the Distillery Winter Village in Toronto, where it was on display for the entirety of the Christmas season. Tickets for the Distillery Winter Village were sold out on the night of the event, and a large crowd of spectators and supporters gathered for the kettle launch. Toronto Mayor John Tory spoke at the event, gave a donation and participated in the official ribbon-cutting along with Lt-Colonel Shawn Critch, divisional commander; Chris Greenfield, CEO and founder of tiptap; and Chris Glover, member of provincial parliament for Spadina-Fort York. Entertainment for the launch was provided by a number of musical groups, including a Salvation Army brass band, and a hip-hop dance troupe.

International Leaders Attend Ecumenical Service for COP26

eneral Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, World President of Women’s Ministries, joined representatives of Christian churches and organizations from around the world at a special ecumenical service in Glasgow Cathedral in Scotland in November. The service was also attended by United Kingdom and Ireland territorial leaders, Commissioners Anthony and Gillian Cotterill. The event was organized by Glasgow Churches Together and took place less than five kilometres from where the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference was taking place. The service was attended by guests from countries 6 January 2022 Salvationist

he Salvation Army in Victoria has expanded its community and family services (CFS) into three new communities across the Capital Regional District to better meet the growing demand from individuals and families who require social assistance. Three existing Salvation Army locations now offer free programs and services in the Westshore, Vic West and Saanich areas of Victoria. The expansion means that individuals and families can access the programs and services in communities where they live and work and no longer must travel to one central location. “For the past several years individuals and families requiring assistance had to travel to our location in Quadra Village,” says Patricia Mamic, public and government affairs director, British Columbia Division. “For people living on a fixed income this was not ideal and it limited the amount of people we could serve. With this expansion, we have removed those barriers.” The three new locations will offer individuals and families everything from food security, programs for children and youth, job training, counselling, and spiritual care, as well as programs for seniors. The expansion was undertaken in the fall, in time for the launch of the Army’s Christmas assistance programs.

General Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, along with Comrs Anthony and Gillian Cotterill, stand with various church leaders at an ecumenical service in Glasgow, Scotland

including Australia, Fiji and Zimbabwe, in a show of ecumenical solidarity for global climate justice. The General said: “Notable and special moments occur when ecumenical colleagues stand together on an issue of mutual concern and do so on behalf of our faith communities. It was a privilege to include the voice and presence of the international Salvation Army in light of the global implications for the planet. We are stronger together.” Church leaders from Scotland were asked to invite young climate activists as guests, and The Salvation Army was represented by five young Salvationists from the East and West Scotland divisions.

The General took part in a “symbolic act,” sharing words that were a reminder of the various “gifts of God,” while children brought the gifts—including the Bible and food and drink—to be placed on the altar. A great diversity of church leaders participated in the event, leading the General to remark: “I had a sense that, as we stood with each other and with faith leaders from nations beyond our borders, we welcomed into our ecumenical faith participants from the world. There was a sense of joint concern as we worshipped, prayed and articulated mutual concern for our world.” Report by International Headquarters.

INBOX

Illustration: aleutie/stock.Adobe.com

Life in the Jungle This article hit home with me as I grew up in Lawrence Heights, a neighbourhood in Toronto known as “the jungle” There Goes the (“There Goes the Neighbourhood,” Neighbourhood October 2021). Back in the ’60s and ’70s, the community had a mixed social T and economic fabric. It was primarily white people but there were new immigrants arriving. It seemed so much easier to integrate the different races and cultures back then. Neighbours helped one another regardless of race or economic status. It was “our” community. The differences in cultures seemed to bring us together—we learned so much from one another. Yes, there were some who were not comfortable with integration, but it was a peaceful time. I’m saddened to hear about what has happened since I moved away. It seems that despite some of the advances we have made in trying to integrate, we have somehow lost the willingness to share, respect and tolerate our differences. My community back then made friendships and connections that have stood the test of time—there is even a Facebook account dedicated to those who want to keep the connection going. I agree that we, as Christians, have to continue to follow the ways of William and Catherine Booth to bring back what was so profound back then—loving, sharing and fellowship with one another. Thank you for this article.

rich tradition and contemporary music—there is room for both. We don’t have to lose something to try to enhance our Army’s identity. Ultimately, our Army’s musicians just want to honour and praise God, in a way that countless people have come to love and appreciate. Joan Nobles

When communities are redeveloped, who benefits? BY REBEKAH McNEILLY

heartbroken to learn about the violence and marginalization that occurs in my city. From there, I decided to pursue my own doctoral research, under Dr. Berardi’s supervision, in a similar Toronto neighbourhood: Regent Park. Unsurprisingly, neighbourhoods with a concentration of poverty and violence are of concern for city officials, policy makers and law enforcement, not to mention community members themselves. One of the strategies they have devised in response—a strategy ubiquitous throughout North America—is “revitalization” or “gentrification.” What is Gentrification? If you live in any major city across Canada, you have likely seen “pockets” of poverty—places you don’t walk through late at night, or at all. In Vancouver, the Downtown Eastside is known for high levels of drug use, mental illness and homelessness. In Calgary, you may have witnessed some of the disarray and chaos that characterize a few blocks in each direction of the Beltline.

In Toronto, Regent Park has historically been one of these pockets of poverty to be avoided but is currently in the latter stages of revitalization. In Canada, this term most often refers to “middle-income homeowners moving into neighbourhoods that, historically, have been entirely composed of social housing,” says Dr. Sandra Bucerius, who leads a research team at the University of Alberta. In Regent Park, the process began in 2006, when a large majority of residents lived below the income cut-off-rate for social housing, and involved the demolition and rebuilding of the entire neighbourhood in six phases. Revitalization efforts are popular, in part because of the hope that it will reduce the effects of concentrated poverty. Another key tenet of revitalization is the idea that the original, low-income residents will benefit from interactions with new, higher-income residents. Disadvantaged neighbourhoods are often isolated from the rest of the city, and some have argued that cross-class interactions will benefit

12 October 2021 Salvationist

Debra Hamilton

Vaccine Views Serpents and Saints Thank you for the article on conspiracy theories (“Serpents and Saints,” A October 2021). There are definitely differing opinions about whether the vaccine is God’s answer to our prayers to end this global pandemic. I do believe that God uses medical science to bring healing. We have seen it in recent history through the discovery of penicillin, vaccines for smallpox, cancer treatments, open-heart surgery, liver, kidney and lung transplants, and so on—without which our current life expectancy would be much lower. I’m grateful for this gift to help me protect those who are more vulnerable to the illness. General William Booth’s one-word telegraph, sent over a hundred years ago—“OTHERS”—is a good word for this dilemma. Lay down the conspiracy theories and roll up your sleeve for OTHERS. How should the church respond to conspiracy theories? BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN

Traditions and Tensions Belief in conspiracies is not unique to any particular group. It cuts across demographic and political lines, though different groups are more likely to believe different theories. For example, according to the Insights West poll, Conservative voters were most likely to say that COVID19 was created in a lab and escaped by mistake (44 percent) and people aged 35-54 were most likely to say Bigfoot exists (25 percent). Men were more likely than women to believe in conspiracy theories generally, but a higher percentage of women said the car crash that killed Diana, the Princess of Wales, was an assassination, not an accident. So what do all conspiracy theorists have in common? “Both currently and historically, a common denominator for people buying into conspiracy theories is not trust14 October 2021

ing experts,” says Daniel Silliman, news editor at Christianity Today and author of Reading Evangelicals: How Christian Fiction Shaped a Culture and a Faith. In his experience, that distrust is often found among the least educated and the most educated. “People who don’t have a lot of education may be suspicious of experts, and people who are highly educated may think they know more than the experts,” he says. There’s no single reason why Christians, in particular, may be drawn to conspiracy theories. But Dr. Michael Boyce, vice-president academic and dean at Booth University College, sees a number of factors.

“There are many traditions that say you need to trust experts to interpret the Bible, while a key piece of the evangelical movement was the idea that experts can inform you, but you should read the Bible for yourself,” explains Silliman. “You should have your own relationship with Jesus, your own investigation of Scripture. “So to build that deep into the culture and then say, but over here, you should trust experts and not come to your own opinion—that it’s actually dangerous to ask normal people to come to their own opinion—I think that’s hard,” he continues. “There are some real tensions in how we view the world as evangelicals who also trust science.”

“Scripture starts with a story about a guy who’s spinning conspiracies. It couldn’t be more blaring in our faces—we should be really careful about who we listen to.”—Dr. Dru Johnson

One is a distortion of the idea that Christians should be “in the world, but not of it” (see John 17:14-16). “Some groups of Christians have so strongly emphasized the evilness of the world that it’s turned into an us-versus-them situation,” Boyce says. “Anything, anyone that’s of the world, including the government, can’t be trusted. And when a conspiracy comes along that re-enforces that understanding of the wickedness of the world, it reaffirms that belief.” Conspiracy theories can also take hold in churches where blind faith is celebrated and romanticized, while critical thinking is under-emphasized. Boyce notes that anti-intellectualism often thrives in churches that “overvalue belief and faith, and undervalue reason and research.” In evangelical Christianity, views around science are complicated by the movement’s inherent populism, as demonstrated in beliefs about access to the Bible.

Signs of the (End) Times Thanks to social media, and the internet in general, conspiracy theories can spread faster and further than ever before. But they are nothing new. Conspiracy theories about Jewish people have been circulating for hundreds of years, while 19th- and 20th-century examples include anti-Mason, anti-Catholic and anti-communist conspiracies. As Silliman notes, Christians have often been involved in these movements. For example, the John Birch Society, which came to prominence in America during the Cold War while promoting an array of communist conspiracy theories, claimed many evangelicals as members. Among them was Tim LaHaye, coauthor of the widely popular Left Behind series. The books are based on an interpretation of the Book of Revelation that predicts a rapture of believers and the coming of an Antichrist who will rule the world during a time of tribulation.

Illustration: Rivonny Luchas

Facebook event made headlines worldwide in September 2019 when 3.5 million people signed up to attend “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us.” In the end, no one actually tried to break into the infamous U.S. Air Force base, which has long been associated with alien activity. But the event’s popularity reflects the enduring appeal of conspiracy theories about UFOs. According to a recent Insights West poll, 53 percent of Canadians somewhat believe or completely believe that aliens exist. While belief in aliens is relatively harmless, the same poll shows that many Canadians believe conspiracy theories with far more serious consequences. Seventeen percent of those surveyed somewhat believe or completely believe that global warming is a hoax, while one in 10 Canadians believe that COVID-19 vaccines include a chip to track people. Conspiracy theories often flourish in times of uncertainty, such as the current global pandemic—and Christians are not immune from these beliefs. In fact, in some cases, we may be even more susceptible.

Salvationist

Major Marlene George

Room for Both Thank you, Craig, for writing on the T need to support our brass band ministries (“Brass Tacks,” October 2021). I wholeheartedly agree that Salvation Army brass bands have numerous benefits and have been personally lifted to a higher plane while worshipping both corporately and privately. Perhaps there are those who believe that bands are passé and therefore not useful. In my opinion, that is untrue and not helpful! Let’s combine our VIEWPOINT

Brass Tacks

Why should we still support Salvation Army bands? BY CRAIG LEWIS

o some, having a brass band may seem like an anachronism. I wholeheartedly disagree with that sentiment. To me, a brass band is a modern musical tool that does far more than just entertain. Here are some of the specific benefits that a brass band brings to individuals, your corps and The Salvation Army corporately: 1. Outreach. Music can grab people

like words seldom do. Music can entertain, draw attention and even bridge the gap between the ofteninsular language of the church and the world beyond our doors. It is also flexible in style and genre; adaptable to speak to diverse crowds in their own musical interest. “Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God’s good news to one and all” (Mark 16:15 The Message).

2. Community. A brass band is a place

to belong—a family. In today’s world, where people are glued to electronic devices or working from home, we are more alone than ever before. A band can be a vibrant small group that actively engages in both worship and service together. “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:4-5).

4. Mentorship. We have few ministries

in the church that are as crossgenerational and welcoming of new Christians as our brass bands. How many of our young people have been mentored by that seasoned musician sitting beside them in the band? They’ve been taught everything from musical skills to discipline, teamwork and commitment—valuable skills that are transferable to so many areas of life. “Point your kids in the right direction—when they’re old they won’t be lost” (Proverbs 22:6 The Message).

5. Worship. Making music in this set-

ting is an active expression of worship. Music is one of the many ways that God communicates with us. Corporate and participatory worship brings us closer to both God and our fellow humans. “Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20).

6. Public Relations. Brass bands are

a distinct part of The Salvation Army’s brand. This is most visible at Christmas when our ministry engages in fundraising within our communities. It is a well-known fact that having live brass playing at your kettles has a positive impact on the

donations received. If you were running a business and revenue growth could be attributed to a particular factor, you would invest time and energy in sustaining and growing that component. Likewise, if brass bands do so much for the organization at Christmas, then it would be prudent to invest in them all year round. “Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind” (Proverbs 21:5 The Message).

7. Diversity/Inclusiveness. Age, race,

gender—none of these things matter in a brass band. Instead, we become one in mission and ministry. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8).

I’m sure that you could come up with your own reasons in addition to mine. I leave you with this quote from Martin Luther: “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.” Now what are you waiting for? Get to band practice! Craig Lewis is the territorial secretary for music and gospel arts. (below) Participants at adult music camp at Jackson’s Point Conference Centre, Ont., hit the right notes

3. Discipleship. Every week, musicians

Photo: Craig Lewis

gather in both rehearsal and worship, where they are exposed to the Word of God and challenged to grow in their faith and witness. Whether it’s through the weekly group devotions or understanding the words and meaning of the music they are playing, there is a huge opportunity to grow disciples. “It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things” (1 Peter 1:12).

Salvationist October 2021 17

Wisdom and Understanding Thank you, Dr. Burke, for helping me to see the connection between the miracle of the blind man’s partial restoration of sight with the miracle of the (first) The Wisdom of the Cross disciples’ limited understanding of Jesus (“The Wisdom of the Cross,” I October 2021). My experience is that as a present-day disciple, I, too, generally live with limited understanding, seeing “in a mirror, dimly” (see 1 Corinthians 13:12 NRSV ). I need to remember that even the bit of insight I have is itself a miracle—one evidence of God’s grace to me. Now, my task is to be thankful for the understanding I have, not to pretend that I see more than I actually do and await the day when I will see as I am seen. Illustration: HiddenCatch/iStock via Getty Images Plus

his quote almost sounds like it’s from a movie. In fact, it’s from a resident of Lawrence Heights, a neighbourhood in Toronto colloquially known as “The Jungle.” It’s home to approximately 3,500 low-income residents, mostly immigrants. Police frequently patrol the area and media reports of gun violence are common. Frosty (a pseudonym) is a young man who nearly lost his life in a shootout because he forgot his gun at home and was thus “caught slippin’.” Did you know that poverty in Canada goes beyond houselessness? It can also look like neighbourhoods rife with violence and the ever-present threat of victimization, where each day is a battle of wits for survival. Perhaps you knew this. I did not. I first read about Frosty and Lawrence Heights in the work of Dr. Luca Berardi as I was doing my master’s degree in 2019. He spent five years “doing life” with the men in that community as part of his dissertation research. I was shocked and

The Crucifixion radically reshapes the Christian understanding of power and leadership. BY DONALD E. BURKE

t had been a roller-coaster few weeks for the disciples of Jesus. It began, oddly enough, with the healing of a blind man at Bethsaida (see Mark 8:2226). What stands out about this healing story is that Jesus’ initial attempt at giving the man his sight was only partially successful: the man could now see vague outlines, but nothing more. It took a second application of Jesus’ hands to fully restore the man’s sight. The next scene at Caesarea Philippi was memorable (see Mark 8:27-30). Jesus quizzed the disciples about the kind of responses he was receiving from the crowds: “Who do people say that I am?” When Jesus asked what the disciples themselves thought of him, Peter blurted out, “You are the Messiah!” Surprisingly, Jesus ordered the disciples to tell no one. Immediately, he began to teach the disciples that he must suffer and die, to be raised from the dead three 18 October 2021

days later (see Mark 8:31-33). To Peter and the others, this was inconceivable. Hadn’t he just professed his conviction that Jesus is the Messiah? How could the Messiah suffer and die? That simply wasn’t in Peter’s understanding of the job profile for the Christ. Like the blind man’s partially restored sight at Bethsaida, Peter had seen vaguely the truth about Jesus. But he did not see clearly what it meant for Jesus to be the Messiah. This would require further teaching. Thus, Jesus began to teach those who were following him about the nature of his mission and its implications for their discipleship (see Mark 8:34-38). Being a disciple of Jesus, it turns out, is not about power, profit and position; it is about suffering, sacrifice and service. The Way of the World Two more times in Mark’s Gospel Jesus predicted his own suffering, death and

Resurrection in increasing detail (see Mark 9:30-32; 10:32-34). Each time, the disciples showed that they had misunderstood what following Jesus the Messiah meant. Their working assumption was that Jesus was a conquering Messiah whose destiny was power and glory. As his closest followers, they were hoping for positions of authority and power, so that they could lord it over their subjects. For this reason, in Mark 9:33, the disciples argued about who among them was the greatest; and in Mark 10:35-37, James and John asked Jesus to grant them the positions of highest authority in his kingdom. When they heard about the request of James and John, the other disciples were angry; apparently, they thought they were being cheated out of something. The disciples, it seems, were not seeing clearly. Yes, they correctly identified Jesus as the Messiah; no, they didn’t understand what this meant. Like

Salvationist

James Read

Check Yourself Thank you for sharing your story, Captain Colleen Gleadall (“Black Son, White Mom,” September 2021). We need to hear from voices such as yours to show us the truth of systemic racism, so we, too, can be changed and be agents of change. Major Christine Johnston

Black Son, White Mom What my son becoming a man taught me about racism. BY CAPTAIN COLLEEN GLEADALL

am a white woman. I was raised by two white parents. I fell in love with and married a white man. I am a mother to three white children. My Black son, my first-born, is being raised by white parents. I was a 21-year-old single woman when the double lines appeared on the pregnancy test. It was unplanned and unexpected but, after the shock wore off, I settled into my new reality. My growing belly and tired feet were reminders of the baby that grew in my womb, who became part of who I am. I considered our unique reality—a

Black son growing up with a white mom— but that issue seemed less pressing than the immediate concerns that filled my days. Would I be enough? Would I have enough to give him? How would the church react? Figuring out the intricacies of the racial divide could wait. Growing Up Malakai was 91/2 months old when he took his first steps. This was around the first time a person questioned me and Justin, then my fiancé, about who his “real” parents were.

By the time he was two, we had managed—with the help of mini hockey sticks—to teach Malakai every single one of the 30 NHL hockey teams based on their logo. Around this time, a lovely Christian woman commented that I was lucky Justin agreed to raise a Black child with me. Malakai was five when he received a certificate for leadership, Bible knowledge and proficiency in music from his kindergarten teacher. That same year, a Christian man told us that all Black children were poorly behaved. He was almost nine when he scored his first goal in hockey and celebrated with his excited teammates. A year later, he was called the N-word for the first time by an 11-year-old child in our neighbourhood. Malakai was 14 years old on the day he finally discovered he was half an inch taller than his mother. On that day, the world witnessed the murder of George Floyd. The Day It All Changed May 26, 2020, started in a similar way to other days since the pandemic began. Prior to the lockdown, our mornings consisted of a dash to get all the kids to bus stops and school drop-offs. Now, we navigated the chaotic puzzle of a family Zoom schedule. Four active, feisty kids with more energy to burn than the space in our house seemed to allow kept our days full. As was often the case during those early days of the pandemic, I stole a few moments away from the chaos to catch up on the daily COVID-19 numbers, the news and, of course, social media. Out of sheer habit I opened Facebook and was confronted with post after post of the exact same story: a white man with his knee on the back of the neck of a terrified Black man. I watched a few moments of the video in horror, but before I had time to digest what I had watched, my kids

Now 15, Malakai is taller than his mother, Cpt Colleen Gleadall

22 September 2021

Salvationist

Thank you for sharing this—your son’s story, the story of “wellmeaning” people and cynical people. Those of us who have not experienced racism need to be sensitized to subtle and notso-subtle instances of racism. And we need to check our own responses to people we treat or perceive as “different” or “other.” Dani Shaw

Dignity and Respect Thank you for a thoughtful article, Major Shirley King (“Reflections from a Boomer,” November 2021). The S Salvation Army and the wider church needs to be prepared to answer the demands and challenges of prolonged life in many of our people. Longer lives can be more fulfilled lives. Agerestrictive traditions about vocation, calling, ministry and pastoral care no longer apply as a new and growing wave of seniors are empowered to dedicate themselves more completely to God-given purposes. Scripture reveals a God who is extremely positive about the process of aging, while being realistic about the problems and challenges it sometimes brings. It’s vital to acknowledge the key place that older adults have in God’s thinking and treat them with integrity and respect. Reflections From a Boomer

Photo: Scott Griessel/stock.Adobe.com

“ Yo, I’m never gonna get caught slippin’ again.”—Frosty

There must be more to seniors’ ministries than board games and bus trips. BY MAJOR SHIRLEY KING

tatistics Canada records that seniors in Canada are a rapidly growing segment of the population, and that they are living longer and healthier lives than previous generations. In 2014, more than six million Canadians were aged 65 or older, representing 15.6 percent of Canada’s population. By 2030, seniors will number more than 9.5 million and make up 23 percent of the Canadian population. Additionally, by 2036, the average life expectancy for women will rise to 86.2 years from the current 84.2 and to 82.9 years from the current 80 for men. In my research for writing this article, I pulled faded papers from a filing cabinet in my office at divisional headquarters and realized we have had this statistical information sitting at our fingertips for years. I read statements such as “It is time for the church to wake up to the great ministry potential of seniors.” The next paragraph implied that the church’s outreach traditionally focused on children, youth and young adults, and that church leaders wrongly assumed seniors were already in church or that they had become hardened to the gospel. The conclusion was that most programs for seniors do not provide enough ways for them to be involved in the life of the church. As we consider the growing number of older adults in our communities, we must seek ways to affirm love, justice and mercy in ministry opportunities for them. How do we ensure dignity and respect in the execution of our visions and plans for strategic and meaningful ministry expressions to, for, by and with seniors? How are we defining ministry to the older adult in our plans for innovative and intentional ministries in our corps and community outreach? Is what 20 November 2021

we are doing on the local level designed to embrace older adults in our ministry units?

A Good Work Of course, we will want to affirm from the grandstands of our ministry units that a good work has already been done in kingdom building and in ministries that embrace the aging population. Beautiful stories of Christian caring and ministry impact are emerging from the heat of the pandemic that represent the best of the Army’s ministry “to” and “for” older adults. Seniors separated from family and friends were touched by phone calls, letters, cards, porch drop-offs of food parcels and personal gifts from community care ministries groups, corps officers and fellow Salvationists. Residents of the Army’s long-term care homes were ministered to by caring staff and volunteers. Guests of The Salvation Army Mountberry Adult Day Program in Hamilton, Ont., were able to stay connected and active via Zoom calls. Thanks to the staff’s innovation in program delivery, guests and their caregivers received much-needed contact and connection during the days of isolation and uncertainty. But have you given much thought to the Army’s ministry “by” and “with” older adults? Perhaps I am intrigued and challenged about this as I realize I am in that growing number of people who are eligible for seniors’ discounts at the local pharmacy. How could this have happened? I am not ready for a rocking chair, and neither are many of my fellow boomers! Board games and bus trips just won’t cut it. This generation wants their life journey to continue to be intentional, innovative and targeted, and their retirement to be a time of reinventing, redefining, re-emerging, reinvesting and retooling.

A Natural Part of Living As we continue in this new era, it is essential for us to remember to ask what the needs of this growing demographic are. Let’s not assume that we know the answer without having the conversation and connecting with the voices who have so much to offer. The older adult is looking for meaningful ministry opportunities where mentoring relationships are developed, program engagement is valued and leadership opportunities are accessible. The fields are white for the church to reach out with intentional ministry that embraces the gifts, skills and needs of the older adult in the congregation’s total mission. Ministry is not confined to the

This past summer, Mjr Shirley King (right) travelled to her home province of Newfoundland and Labrador where she shared many happy moments, like the one captured here, with her mother, Beryl Braye, 85, at Carmelite House, a long-term care facility in Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L.

Salvationist

Andrew Wileman

Salvationist January 2022 7

Designed for Equality God created men and women to be co-leaders. So why are we still grappling with gender equity? BY MAJOR PAMELA PINKSEN

Illustration: Lisa Suroso

was recently training our new administrative assistant on how to use Shelby, a church management software the Army uses, when I came across something that troubled me. We were creating a record for a family that had just transferred into our corps and there were two categories available for the husband and wife: Head of Household and Spouse. As we attempted to circumvent the choices, I faced a probing question: was the idea of “headship” represented in this outdated program at odds with the Army’s commitment to gender equity? Headship and Hierarchy In terms of women preachers and leaders, The Salvation Army has long held a unique and controversial view among the global church. According to the 1895 8 January 2022 Salvationist

Orders and Regulations for Staff Officers of The Salvation Army, “no woman is to be kept back from any position of power or influence merely on account of her sex. Women must be treated as equal with men in all the intellectual and social relationships in life.” Reading those words 125 years later, we may be somewhat perplexed as to why we are still grappling with gender equity in the Army today. Even though the majority in our congregations and officer force are women, when it comes to positions of authority, there remains an undetectable barrier preventing gender equity from being realized. Could that barrier be related to the theology of male headship, also known as complementarianism? While its root word, “complement,” refers to the way in which difference

is mutually beneficial in order to fulfil something, complementarianism has become synonymous with hierarchical authority and the leadership of men over women. Other terms used interchangeably with complementarianism are “biblical manhood and womanhood” and “patriarchy.” There are two categories of complementarianism. Hard complementarianism is the most restrictive and does not allow for women to lead or exercise authority over men in any way. Women are prohibited from teaching or preaching to groups of mixed genders and are limited to leading and teaching women and children (excluding teenaged boys). Soft complementarianism is less hierarchical but prohibits women from being senior pastors or holding the highest levels of church authority. Both categories

hold to a husband headship model in the home. Complementarians believe men and women are created equal, but that God has created men and women to be different to fulfil distinct, complementary roles in the home and church. For women, these roles are all of a supporting nature. The underlying belief is that gender hierarchy is divinely ordained. On the other side of the conversation is egalitarianism, otherwise known as “biblical equality” or “evangelical feminism.” It is the belief that gender in and of itself does not qualify or disqualify a person from leadership or authority. It holds that each person ought to use their God-given gifts to advance the kingdom and bring glory to God in any sphere of life. This view sees both sexes as created equal in essence, as well as function, and promotes freedom for both to serve and lead as the Spirit gives the opportunity and power to do so. Interpreting Scripture Both complementarians and egalitarians would say they hold to a faithful view of Scripture. Complementarians point to verses such as Ephesians 5:23, 1 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Corinthians 14:34 and 1 Timothy 2:12 in defending their view. Admittedly, a simple reading of these texts makes complementarity difficult to argue against. Yet it is important to approach them with questions concerning context and culture. Were these instructions meant for all people and all time or just for that people in that time? After all, even Paul lists many women among church leaders in Romans 16, and Priscilla is consistently listed before her husband, Aquila, even though alphabetically and socially, she would have been considered secondary to him. There are other situations throughout Scripture—far more than can be captured here—where the patriarchy is upended to cast women in a leading role. How do we interpret and discern God’s eternal truth when it is not as clear as we would like it to be? As Salvationists, ours is a Wesleyan model for interpreting Scripture. This model does not give equal weight to every text but recognizes that there is a grand redemptive story that sweeps across the entire Scripture and serves as a lens for understanding everything. We call it the gospel.

It begins with the story of God’s created cosmos, the subsequent Fall of humanity and then the liberation and recreation brought through Jesus’ life, death and Resurrection. It continues with us, in Christ and indwelt by the Spirit, becoming participants in the redemptive work of a healed creation. As redeemed people walking in step with the Spirit, we live the will of God here and now, bringing the kingdom into visibility all around us. In essence, we live God’s glorious future in the present, all the while praying (and working) to see God’s kingdom come.

the Trinity, long after the New Testament canon had been finalized, we can apply the same interpretative technique when it comes to the church’s view of women. If we are still struggling to discern the supreme will of God, then we ought to look no further than Jesus, God Incarnate, and how he viewed and treated women. In the Gospels, he consistently violated the religious and social laws and customs of his time concerning male-female relatedness to value, honour and lift up women. Not to mention, it was Jesus who commissioned a woman to be the first witness and apostle of the Resurrection.

The Original Design What does gender equity have to do with this? To discern God’s will for male and female relatedness, we go back to the original design. In the first creation story in Genesis 1, men and women equally represent the image of God and both are given authority and responsibility as co-leaders and co-stewards of the created world. In the second creation account in Genesis 2, woman is introduced as the ezer neged to Adam—helper parallel or counterpart. Lest anyone dismiss “helper” as somehow weaker than the man, this Hebrew word is used elsewhere to describe God saving Israel in battle. After Adam and Eve disobey God, everything is significantly fractured. As part of that, Genesis 3 outlines the curse on the woman: the disharmony and struggle of the will between the genders, as well as the resultant power imbalance of man over woman. These entered the world as a result of the Fall, which inevitably leads us to conclude that patriarchy is in fact a sin and a distortion of God’s divine will and original design for humankind. Approaching Scripture faithfully can include acknowledging that genderspecific roles in church and domestic life reflect the patriarchal culture that existed in biblical times, and do not reflect the eternal and ultimate ethic of God. Contemporary biblical scholars, such as Dr. William Webb, have helped us to see that even though the biblical writers were not aware of it, God was both speaking into their context in a way that they could understand while pointing redemptively forward to reveal the ultimate ethic of the eternal kingdom. Just as the church developed a fuller theology around issues such as slavery and

Restoration The Salvation Army is both scripturally faithful and unapologetically egalitarian. Its 2019 Positional Statement on Sexism states: “We reject any view that subordinates women to men, or men to women.” Over the years, male headship has been touted loudly within the evangelical world. Has it seeped into our theology and how we function in our homes, churches and the organization at large? Could this be why we still have not achieved the gender equity so long discussed and dreamed about? True equality does not exist when homes and organizations hold to a hierarchical headship model that subordinates women. Restoration of the co-leadership model described in the creation account can be brought to bear on all aspects of life and ministry. This happens as we join in the work of the Spirit in restoring harmony (shalom) to humanity. Indeed, if ever there were a sphere in which the values of equity, justice and freedom should reign, it ought to be the church, where we bear witness to God’s glorious future by living the will of God on earth as it is in heaven. Our positional statement guides us forward: “The Salvation Army seeks to challenge and overcome sexism wherever it exists, promoting egalitarian values in all expressions of Salvation Army life.” That includes shaking off the theological trappings of “headship.” Shelby is but one indication that there is more work to be done. Major Pamela Pinksen is the advocate for gender equity in the Canada and Bermuda Territory. She is also corps officer, along with her husband, Major Cory Pinksen, at Kitchener Community Church, Ont. Salvationist January 2022 9

A helicopter view of flooding in Chilliwack, B.C.

As Long As We’re Needed In the wake of catastrophic storms, The Salvation Army is giving hope in British Columbia. BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN

Photo: Don Armstrong

t has been called a “once in a century” storm. Between November 13 and 15, hundreds of millimetres of rain hit southwestern British Columbia, causing catastrophic flooding, mudslides and rockslides across the province. From the moment the floods hit, The Salvation Army’s emergency disaster services (EDS) served British Columbians in multiple communities—from Abbotsford and Chilliwack, to Hope, Merritt and Kamloops—sharing hope amid great hardship. Abbotsford When the flooding hit Abbotsford, Ian Pollard, divisional director of EDS for British Columbia, was at the Army’s Centre of Hope. Floodwaters were filling the building’s lower level, where much of the centre’s donations are stored. As he phoned around trying to find a pump to keep the waters at bay, a call came in: could The Salvation Army provide food and hydration for search and rescue workers who were assisting people trapped by the floods? Over at the Army’s Cascade Community Church, Ian’s wife, Carolyn Pollard, community ministries co-ordinator at the corps, was watching the disaster unfold in real time as more and more cars became trapped on Highway 1. The church overlooks the highway and is a short distance from the Whatcom Road exit, 10 January 2022 Salvationist

which was completely flooded. “As far as the eye could see, the cars were stuck,” Carolyn recalls. “It was the whole afternoon rush.” Given the church’s proximity to the flooding, it wasn’t long before the evacuation order came through. The church had to close. With hundreds of residents forced to leave their homes, the city opened a reception centre at the Tradex, and the Army was asked to provide food and hydration. Losing access to the corps and its commercial kitchen was a blow to the Army’s EDS capabilities, but the Centre of Hope staff stepped up to the task. “We’ve got an amazing cook here so we were giving out great meals,” says Rob Studiman, community ministries director at the centre. “People were very happy.” Bill Blokland, an evacuee who was staying at the Tradex, agrees. “The food has been very good, great variety,” he says. “The Salvation Army has been really good to us.” Blokland and his wife live at Cascade Court, a retirement community that is attached to the corps. They had just returned from buying groceries and were surprised by news of the evacuation order. “We got back to the building and everyone said, ‘You have to evacuate,’ ” he recalls. “We said, ‘What do you mean we have to evacuate? Where are we supposed to go now?’ And there we were, homeless people.”

KAMLOOPS

“ When we started to serve the meals, the people were so thankful for all the stuff that they were receiving.”

MERRITT

—Don Armstrong

Ewa Olguin (left) receives a box of supplies from the Army for evacuated children

HOPE

“ There are so many children here and I thought we need to do something for them to let them forget.”

CHILLIWACK

—Ewa Olguin

Liz Kucera, weekend chef at Chilliwack's House of Hope, prepares dinner for evacuees

ABBOTSFORD

B.C. Flood Relief Food Distribution

Photos: Kristin Ostensen, Cpt Kelly Fifield

As of December 5

21,687 Fresh Meals

28,521 Drinks

27,644 Snacks

Volunteers James Cuff and Gabriele Cuff serve dinner at the Tradex

“ The food has been very good, great variety. The Salvation Army has been really good to us.” —Bill Blokland

Salvationist January 2022 11

A reception centre may not have all the comforts of home, but for Blokland, it was preferable to a hotel. “You can move around, you can do whatever, but if you’re in a hotel, you’re in your room,” he says. “This was the best of a bad situation.” Considering the unimaginable loss many in his community are facing, Blokland is grateful that he and his wife were only displaced. “We are very fortunate,” he says. “It could have been a lot worse. Luckily, the water didn’t get as far as the church and the apartment. But you never know, waiting for the next rainstorm to come through.” Serving evacuees such as Blokland is a privilege for EDS volunteers such as Rose and Dave Wood. Seeing the devastation around them, their immediate response was: how can we help? After the reception centre opened, they were regulars at the Tradex. “It’s the least I can do,” Rose says. “I like serving and meeting people. It’s nice to give back and see the smiles on their faces,” she continues. “Everybody that I helped serve here at the Tradex was just so thankful—it made me want to cry.” The Army continued to feed evacuees at the Tradex, serving 5,325 meals, 7,495 snacks and 8,225 drinks as of December 5, in addition to food and hydration provided to search and rescue crews and fire fighters. Chilliwack and Hope About 100 kilometres east of Abbotsford, extreme rainfall wreaked havoc on the community of Hope. Between Saturday and Monday, the community received 252 millimetres of rain, causing flooding, mudslides and rockslides. Three highways converge at the town and all routes were cut off, stranding more than 1,100 travellers in Hope. On Monday, The Salvation Army received a request for food assistance but faced the challenge of how to actually get the supplies to Hope. The only option was to send the food by helicopter. Staff and volunteers in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, which lies between Abbotsford and Hope, sprang into action, quickly preparing sandwiches. “We had about 20 people here in Chilliwack making sandwiches for people in Hope, and we had about 1,200 made in two hours,” says Don Armstrong, food bank supervisor, Chilliwack Community Church. “We couldn’t do any of this stuff without volunteers.” Armstrong and EDS volunteer Janice Draheim accompanied the food from Chilliwack to Hope, staying overnight in a school 12 January 2022 Salvationist

At the Chilliwack Salvation Army, Ian Pollard is surrounded by donations from the community

Photo: Kristin Ostensen

Perron Goodyear, Lindsay Armstrong and Don Armstrong load a truck with essential supplies for people affected by flooding in Chilliwack

gym with some of the stranded travellers. “When we arrived in Hope, the situation was pretty dim and dark,” Armstrong says. While some people took shelter at the school or with churches, many others spent the night in their cars. During that difficult time, The Salvation Army was able to bring some hope to Hope. “When we started to serve the meals, the people were so thankful for all the stuff that they were receiving,” says Armstrong. “Sometimes it was just a sandwich and soup but not a negative thing was heard from anyone. People were so appreciative of what we were doing up there.” Armstrong and Draheim returned the following day and started prepping food again. But before they left Hope, they were able to do one more good deed. “We had a phone call from a woman from Chilliwack while we were up there,” Armstrong shares. “She was missing her daughter. So we tried to track her down, and we did finally track her down, and on the next helicopter back, we brought her home with us.” The Army continued sending food to Hope by helicopter until Thursday, when the roads opened again. During that crucial time, the Army provided 5,203 meals, 7,021 snacks and 9,080 drinks. Back home in Chilliwack, The Salvation Army provided food and hydration for evacuees and those in the local community who were in need. Farms in the Yarrow and Sumas areas of Chilliwack were badly flooded, leaving many people without basic necessities such as food and baby supplies. Stepping into this gap to provide support, Salvation Army volunteer Lindsay Armstrong helped organize food deliveries in these hard-hit areas—even delivering by boat where necessary. “We saw a desperate need,” she says. “A lot of people have lost everything.” The Salvation Army provided food and supplies for Lindsay and her volunteers. “We set up a little hub and were making hampers and driving them over to people who couldn’t access food or fresh produce,” she says.

Kamloops and Merritt Living in Merritt, Ewa Olguin is no stranger to evacuations, unfortunately. This was her second evacuation in 2021, after she was forced to leave her home due to wildfires during the summer. “You always think you are prepared, but you’re never prepared,” she reflects. The flooding in Merritt, a town of 7,000 people about 200 kilometres northeast of Abbotsford, took her by surprise. “On Sunday, everything was good,” she says. “It was raining but we never really get that much rain.” So, on Monday morning, when Olguin, who runs a Strong Start program for the local school district, got a phone call saying the schools would be closed due to the flood, she was in disbelief. “I’m thinking, Which flood?” she recalls. “I started checking with friends and we realized half of the town was under water, and the water was coming our way.”

Photo: Cpt Kelly Fifield

The Army also served evacuees at the local reception centre at Evergreen Hall, serving an average of 100 lunches and dinners each day. “Once the floods subside and people start to go back into their homes, we’ll bring in our trucks and drive around to people and say, ‘Here’s a meal from us. We’re here to support if you need help,’ ” says Don Armstrong. “I think what the Army does the best is we’re there until the very end. We’re not quitting halfway through. We’re there to support you until you’re living again.”

Volunteers prepare sandwiches for evacuees in Kamloops

had what they needed.” “The Salvation Army is doing an amazing job here in town, doing food and drinks for people,” Olguin says. “It’s like, wow. Because when you’re staying here and you’re far away from home, you don’t really have money to spend, you’re on a budget. I have five kids. Other moms here have three, four kids—they’re big families. It really helps what The Salvation Army did for us.” Olguin was given a room at the Thompson Hotel and soon discovered that several families who were regular participants in her Strong Start program were also staying there. “When the kids saw me, they said, ‘Teacher, teacher! Let’s play!’ ” Olguin says. “Well, when they say let’s play, we have to

“The Salvation Army did so much for people in our community. We are so grateful.”—Ewa Olguin Olguin evacuated to Kamloops, an hour’s drive away, where The Salvation Army provided food, hydration and emotional and spiritual care at the local reception centre. “We got the call from the City of Kamloops at about 2 p.m., and by 3 p.m., we were there, set up and serving,” says Captain Kelly Fifield, corps officer, Kamloops Community Church. “There were people arriving at the reception centre by the busload, so it was a very busy night.” At first, Captain Fifield and her team of volunteers were serving from a community response unit, but quickly realized they needed to adjust their strategy. “People were in line and they were terrified to leave because, if they left, they’d lose their spot and they wanted to make sure that they got a bed,” she says. “So we grabbed some baskets, filled them with snacks and sandwiches and drinks, and started walking the line and chatting with people, making sure they were OK.” As they talked with people, they discovered that many were cold. As providence would have it, the corps had just finished its annual Coats for Folks campaign and had an ample supply available. “We started bringing coats down and handing them out as people were standing in line because so many just ran out and didn’t have time to grab anything, especially those who were showing up on the bus,” Captain Fifield says. “We were there until about 11 p.m. trying to get people settled, make sure they

play. There are so many children here and I thought we need to do something for them to let them forget.” Olguin started hosting a children’s program, similar to the one she runs in Merritt, at the hotel from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. But she needed supplies, and that’s where The Salvation Army came in. “They provided snacks and books and crafts for my class, and Kelly was always checking on me if I need more,” Olguin notes. After three weeks in Kamloops, Olguin was able to return to her home in Merritt, thankful to the Army for the support she and others received. “You did so much for people in our community,” she says. “We are so grateful.” The Army’s EDS vehicle was on site at the reception centre until mid-December, handing out food and drinks and providing any other assistance that was needed. And as evacuees returned to Merritt, the Army sent a community response unit to provide food and hydration for city workers, volunteers and residents. The Army also provided support to First Nations communities near Lytton, providing planning support and urgent supplies in partnership with Food Banks BC and Helicopters Without Borders. “The Salvation Army is committed to supporting the people of British Columbia as long as we’re needed,” concludes Perron Goodyear, territorial director of EDS. As the areas impacted by flooding reopen and rebuild, The Salvation Army is ready to serve. Salvationist January 2022 13

The Light-Bearers Learning to lead, love and serve in creative ways. BY LIEUTENANT OLIVIA CAMPBELL-SWEET

This contemplative piece will encourage you to consider and implement the process of creativity in all areas of your life. As image-bearers of God, creativity is our birthright, given to us from the Creator himself. Let’s explore this together.

Illustration: Lt Olivia Campbell-Sweet

he story of God begins with five simple words: “When God began to create” (Genesis 1:1 CEB). We are created beings living in a created world that the Maker himself has declared is “good.” While all of creation reflects God’s goodness and is woven together with purpose, beauty and identity, we are the only image-bearers: “God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them, male and female God created them” (Genesis 1:27 CEB). We are made in the image of a good God, in the image of a Creator. We have a divine birthright to creativity. We each have a brightness that has been woven within us—the capacity to breathe life and light back into dark spaces. Through creativity, we will bring Light himself into the world. Made in the Image of God I have always loved the arts. Some of my most significant childhood memories are of visiting my local art gallery and library to participate in their various art programs. In elementary school, I had a teacher who championed my work and my voice. Most vividly, though, I remember tearing up an art piece, feeling inadequate about what I had created. In high school I became heavily immersed in the vocal music program. While my involvement in the visual arts decreased, I see the influence of creativity in other aspects of my life. As a young adult I taught swimming lessons, creating lessons that took toddlers on deepsea adventures. I also used my creativity to develop and implement peer-based health advocacy campaigns for the public health department. At 18, I began teaching English in a prison, developing resources to engage my students. At university, I always chose the creative project option and even used my love of the arts to compare Harry Potter and Jesus. I am not an artist, but I am a creative. 14 January 2022 Salvationist

There is a distinction. My life is not built around the products, but rather the process, of creativity—of joining with the Holy Spirit in all aspects of my life. To tackle parenting, leadership, pastoring, marriage, friendship—all of it—in creative ways. In partnership with the Holy Spirit: • I take risks, try new things, reach out to strangers and tackle injustice. I develop new programs or initiatives to meet the needs around me. • I love my child, asking for inspiration to ignite joy, compassion and patience. • I lead others, reflecting the nature of the Father and offering grace to myself and others when the mark is missed. • I engage with conflict and seek to find solutions or reconciliation. Light continually bursts into the earth when God’s creations, his image-bearers, understand their identity as creatives, when they lead, love and serve in creative ways. I am made in the image of God. You are made in the image of God. I am a light-bearer. You are a light-bearer. Cultivating the Light It can take time and effort to initiate creativity within our everyday lives. We may find ourselves stuck in everyday rhythms, feeling disempowered by our schedules, abilities or lack of connection. You may be thinking: “I don’t have the time or space to get ‘creative’ ” or perhaps, “I don’t know how to tangibly do that.” But we are not alone—we have been given unlimited access to the Holy Spirit within us. The Father delights in connecting with us. Take a moment to centre yourself before God. Ask him for his vision to look closely at your life. Ask him for his wisdom to discern where creativity

may bring light back into this world. He looks at you, his creation, and says that you are good. Start exploring your creativity by considering the following: • As God’s image-bearer, how is creativity woven within you? How can it be used as a tool to bring God’s nature to this earth? • What is your posture toward creativity? Do you believe it is part of your identity? If so, how does it make an impact on your daily life? How could it have greater impact? • Where does the Holy Spirit want to breathe life back into your life? What does partnering with the Spirit look like in this process?

Let’s explore some further questions with the Holy Spirit. You may wish to respond to the questions below in your head, in your journal or through art. However you choose to respond, do so with confidence, believing that God is present:

Everyday Life

• Where do you travel weekly? What would it look like to take a new path? Try it and see where God’s creation delights and inspires you. • What is something you have wanted to try but have put off? Do it! Make an action plan with concrete steps if needed. • What is going on in your community? Think of a current issue and ask God: “How can I breathe life and light back into this space?” • Does your environment make you anxious, frustrated or lifeless? How can you cultivate an environment that encourages joy and peace? Then consider how you can invite others into this space.

Relationships • Consider your weekly schedule: add intentional time with your children or spouse. • Think of a challenging relationship. Ask God: “How can I better reflect your nature?” • How is parenting going? How are you reflecting the nature of God to your children? Where do you need help? • Connect with a friend: plan an online games night, monthly check-in or read a book together. How can you cultivate creativity in your friendship(s)? Talk it out with one another and, of course, with the Holy Spirit. • How can you surprise a friend this month? Who would you like to encourage? • Consider a problem in your relationship(s). Ask the Holy Spirit for vision and then problem-solve together. Make an action plan and write it down.

Ministry • Are you operating on autopilot? What would it look like to re-engage and be present and intentional with your ministry? • How and why are you serving? Are you serving out of necessity, frantically seeking to meet the needs of a ministry or church? Are you serving out of delight and in ways that feel empowering and healthy? Reconsider how you want and need to spend your time and energy. How can you be the best light-bearer? • As a light-bearer, what new path do you feel God wants you to follow? What darkness does he want you to help illuminate? How can you lead others along the way? • What is a darkness that is present within your ministry or church? What does it look like to be a light-bearer in this space? How can you partner with God to breathe light and life into it? • How are you prioritizing your family or relational needs within your ministry? How are you keeping your own light burning brightly? Consider your self-care routine.

Employment • What is something you have always dreamed of doing in your workplace? What is a way that you can bring this dream to life? • What is a current organizational need that you could help fulfil using your gifts or abilities? • What is something that isn’t going well within your work environment? What would it look like to have challenging conversations or address this issue? Process with the Father. • Is your employment draining you? What do you need to continue to be a light in this space? Consider: asserting boundaries, a reduced schedule, a brighter space to work in, more help, confiding in a safe person about your struggles, seeking a new way forward. Light and Life You are made in the image of a good God, in the image of a Creator, who breathes light and life. Your identity is grounded in the love of the Father. May you partner together and breathe life back into spaces void of the Light. May the creativity inside you become activated as you consider what it means to live life as a created being who leads, loves and serves in creative ways. Lieutenant Olivia Campbell-Sweet is the corps officer in Trail, B.C. Salvationist January 2022 15

Unexpected Journey Had I put a question mark on my prayers? BY DARLENE TUSTIN

ust over two and a half years ago, on July 9, 2019, I sat in the office of my oncologist at the Cancer Centre in Kingston, Ont. Her words will forever be etched in my memory: “Cancer. Inoperable. Terminal.” My husband, daughter and I sat there stunned, hearing the words no one ever thinks will be applied to their life. My daughter finally spoke up and asked, “How long does my mother have?” “I am so sorry,” my doctor replied. “Two years, at best.” Rock Solid The following days were filled with question marks: What do I do? How does one prepare? Chemotherapy? Will it slow the cancer down? Will it give me more time?

grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” That “rock”—Jesus Christ—became the solid ground where I found the strength to face the chemo, pain and sickness that followed. Words of Wisdom Two weeks after my diagnosis, someone posted the following on Facebook: “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation” (Psalm 118:14). Following that, they wrote: “The battle is not yours, it’s the Lord’s. When you feel weak and overwhelmed, remember your strength comes from the Lord. Don’t give up! During the battle, the Lord will fight for you. During the trial, the Lord will strengthen you. During the test, the Lord will encourage you, through Jesus Christ. Don’t give up! Give it to God!”

“I am sorry, no,” was the answer. Considering the extent of my cancer, surgery would be a drastic measure, and the doctors could not guarantee they would get it all. Even so, at that time, I felt no effects from the cancer, though I struggled daily with a rare autoimmune disease called scleroderma, an uncommon side-effect from the chemo. “You Are a Miracle!“ Considering everything, however, I was surprised and grateful to be where I was. But I was certainly unprepared for what came next. Sitting once again in the same oncologist’s office on September 14, 2021, where I had sat two years before, I heard some other life-altering words that, again, I never expected to hear: “You have no cancer. We cannot find it.”

“ Could surgery be an option?” I asked my doctors. “I am sorry, no,” was the answer. —Darlene Tustin

I didn’t know the answers, but I knew who did. “Dear Lord,” I prayed. “In the days ahead, direct my path when I don’t know in what direction I need to go. I put it all in your hands, trusting and believing you know best.” Soon after, my daughter gifted me with a beautiful journal. “Mom,” she wrote in it, “this is a special place for you to record your journey. I pray this journal is a spot to release your story and feelings now, and a special place for your family later.” She also added, from Psalm 61:2: “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart 16 January 2022 Salvationist

Those words, along with the love and prayers of my family and friends, carried me through many days. But, to be honest, there were days I didn’t think I could rise above all that my cancer journey entailed. “I don’t want to dismiss a miracle, Lord,” I wrote in my journal, “but it would have to be an awful big one, and I don’t know if I truly believe that it can happen for me.” Highs and Low More than two years passed. I went through chemotherapy, blood transfusions, pills, injections, MRI and CT scans and, for the most part, I felt good. I was hopeful that my cancer was either regressing or sitting dormant. “Could surgery be an option?” I asked my doctors.

“How is that possible?” I asked. “You’re right,” she replied. “It is impossible! In all my years of practice, I have never witnessed a patient go from Stage 4 inoperable cancer to … ‘We can’t find it!’ ” Looking right at me, she stated emphatically, “You are a miracle!” Knocking on Heaven’s Door That was the last thing I expected to hear. “Oh, my goodness!” was all I could stammer. (I think I repeated that about 10 times in the office.) If I had had my wits about me, I would have shared that, while I may be a miracle, it is because I know the Miracle Maker—Jesus Christ! But I was too stunned to communicate much of anything.

Darlene and her husband, Paul, surrounded by their three children and 12 grandchildren

I couldn’t believe God would perform such an incredible act in my life. And that was my problem. I realized then just how small my faith was, for the Lord hadn’t really answered my prayers. You see, I was praying for perseverance and faithfulness through my journey, whereas my church friends and family had been praying for the miracle I never expected would be mine. “I am so sorry, dear Lord, for doubting,” I prayed that night. “Maybe not really doubting as much as feeling unworthy. I know your love has no boundaries, but I put boundaries where there should have been none.” God’s amazing grace and love taught me one important lesson on this cancer journey. While we have to pray for one another, we have to pray BIG! How can we have the incredible miracles God intends to bless us with if we don’t put it all there before him? Through this time, I was not aware of how much I put a question mark on my expectations, thinking I was outside the realm of such a miracle. That day, I learned there are no question marks with God, who loves us more than we sometimes love ourselves. “Thank you, Jesus,” I concluded my prayer, “for reminding me there are no limitations with you.”

Darlene and Paul are soldiers at Belleville Citadel, Ont.

Darlene shares a happy moment with her children, from left, Nick, Peter and Jessie

Salvationist January 2022 17

Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

People gather outside Insite, Canada's first supervised injection site, in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, as part of a demonstration in 2016

Road to Recovery Rethinking my beliefs on harm reduction. BY DANI SHAW

ike many who do not battle addiction, I am confused about harm reduction as it relates to addiction and substance use. I also have a complicated history with it. My first exposure to harm reduction was in 2008, when I was a senior advisor to federal Health Minister Tony Clement. A group of advocates and activists at an international HIV-AIDS conference in Mexico City approached the minister and asked about Insite, Canada’s first—and then only—sanctioned supervised injection site, in Vancouver. Clement was a passionate advocate for treatment and recovery, and a thoughtful, studious and hard-working critic of supervised injection. When questioned, he passionately defended his government’s position on supervised injection, referring to it as “palliative care—watching someone die slowly.” With the fervor of William Booth in his infamous “I’ll Fight!” speech, Clement declared, “I’m not going to give up on a single individual. I’m not going to give up on a single person who needs our help. That’s my role as a health minister. That’s why I believe so strongly that we have to do better than simply palliative care.” He went on to say “I believe that no person is too far gone. No addict is too far gone to give up on them.” Clement was commenting on a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge regarding Insite’s exemption 18 January 2022 Salvationist

from provisions of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act—an exemption that rested with the federal minister of health to grant or refuse. The exemption shielded Insite clients and staff from being charged with offences prohibiting possession or trafficking of illicit substances. Insite grew out of concerns about an epidemic of HIV and tuberculosis, growing rates of hepatitis C and overdose deaths, and the resulting public health emergency that was declared in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). As Justice Pitfield of the Supreme Court of British Columbia noted, the public health goals in the DTES were “to keep drug users alive, contain the com“Society cannot condone addiction, but in the face of its presence it cannot fail to manage it.”—Supreme Court of British Columbia in “PHS Community Services Society vs. Attorney General of Canada” “Harm reduction refers to policies, programs and practices that aim to reduce risks and harm associated with the use of … substances. It acknowledges that abstinence is not always a realistic goal … recognize[s] the inherent value of human beings and the importance of an inclusive community that can support people who use substances with compassion.”—Alberta Health Services, Harm Reduction Services

municable disease epidemics, and stop others from using.” In 2008, I agreed with the government’s position. I agreed, and still do, that no one should be given up on. No one should be seen as too far gone. Giving up is inconsistent with Salvation Army values and the concept of the imago dei (the image of God). Supporting continued substance use—especially injection drug use—and “watching someone die slowly” seemed so terribly wrong and counterintuitive and at odds with the imago dei. I believed this deeply, as I watched my own mother die slowly less than a decade earlier as she battled addiction and mental illness. But our courts disagreed. Between 2008 and 2011, successively higher courts ruled that removing Insite’s exemption would infringe the Charter-protected right to life, liberty and security of the person of Insite’s clients. The trial judge concluded, based on the expert evidence presented, that “one aspect of the illness [of addiction] is the continuing need or craving to consume the substance to which the addiction relates” despite the serious health consequences of consuming, and that Insite provided “access to a health-care facility where the risk of morbidity associated with infectious disease is diminished, if not eliminated.” That ruling paved the way for a change in public policy, and the expansion of supervised injection sites and supervised consumption sites across Canada.

After leaving my federal government role, I didn’t give much thought to harm reduction until I returned to work at The Salvation Army. I started to read news articles about the opioid crisis in British Columbia in 2017, and the national and significantly amplified opioid crisis during the pandemic in 2020. A temporary emergency hotel shelter with a supervised consumption site opened right next to my home in 2021. And then I personally witnessed the benefits of harm reduction. Staying Alive In January 2021, a friend was picked up by police and charged with impaired driving. My friend was experiencing anxiety and depression, expressing suicidal thoughts and had been self-medicating with alcohol and marijuana for months. He had also been prescribed medication to help with severe, often multi-day, insomnia brought on by the stresses of pandemic job interruptions, physical health problems that temporarily cost him his driver’s licence, relationship breakdown, and struggling to make ends meet on an income that was low to begin with and even lower on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. I, and several others who had never experienced addiction, made phone calls, explored detox and treatment options and gave my friend contact information. Although intoxicated most of the time, he knew he was in bad shape, and he was attempting to get to a friend’s house on the day he was detained by police. Because I am a lawyer, I was the first person he called from the police station. I picked him up and drove him to his friend’s house. The The Salvation Army and Harm Reduction Throughout its history, The Salvation Army has worked with people experiencing addiction to alcohol or drugs and has played an integral role in the recovery of countless people. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario, harm reduction is “an evidence-based, client-centred approach that seeks to reduce the health and social harms associated with addiction and substance use, without necessarily requiring people who use substances from abstaining or stopping.” The Salvation Army recognizes that harm reduction is a spectrum, and that, as a public health intervention, it prevents the loss of human lives.

friend, who was himself on a journey of recovery from a nearly two-decade stint of legal and illicit drug use and addiction, would let my friend continue to use while he, hopefully, tapered off and dried out. As I dropped my friend off, others criticized my decision. Looking back through my text messages from that time, people wrote: “He needs to stop drinking.” “He needs detox.” “He needs to go to a hospital.” “If he stays there, things will get worse. You have to get him out of there now!” From the outside looking in, I objectively and rationally agreed that my friend needed to go to detox, to stop drinking and to be in a place where he would not be tempted or permitted to keep consuming. But in the days, weeks and months that followed, I also came to realize that doing the “rational thing” would not change his mind or his body, both of which needed— mentally, emotionally and physically needed—to continue using at that time. In those moments, addiction was not a choice, consumption was not a choice, and my friend’s top priority was drinking enough to remain alive. That night, I watched as his friend provided a safe and non-judgmental space. The two guys laughed over stories of their teenage years, when they did stupid things that could have cost them life and limb. They shared withdrawal stories and spoke of the difference between being “dope sick” and in alcohol withdrawal—something I have never experienced. I watched my friend (by that time experiencing withdrawal) vacillate between tears and indignation—feeling deep, deep shame and sorrow for the state he was in and the The Salvation Army prefers to operate programs and services at the abstinence end of the harm reduction spectrum but acknowledges that abstinence may not always be feasible given the complex realities surrounding substance use. Structural factors have contributed to a social and health crisis in Canada, particularly in the use of opioids to treat physical and psychic pain. The Salvation Army recognizes that stigma surrounding substance use may have caused people to feel worthless. But we are committed to showing love, offering hope and protecting the dignity of others as a matter of organizational mission and commitment to following Jesus. Social service funders in Canada

things he had done, while insisting other people were to blame for his condition. He wasn’t wrong on either front. I listened to his friend describe a key turning point in his own life—having to administer naloxone “to a kid”—and his subsequent journey of recovery, a journey that is not yet over, but that includes learning and sharing from his own experiences so that he can support and lift up those who are going through similar experiences. Never Give Up As I sat there that night, I saw harm reduction in action. I was reminded that society cannot condone addiction, but it also can’t fail to manage it; that abstinence is not always a realistic goal—at least not now and, for some people, maybe not ever. I saw the image, and the face and hand of God, in my friend and in my friend’s friend as he provided a safe, supportive and compassionate space. I saw community. Although I still flinch when I see my new neighbours shooting up or smoking a crack pipe outdoors or when ambulances are dispatched in response to an overdose call, I have also resolved to learn more about addiction, to listen to the stories of those experiencing and recovering from addiction, and to advocate for greater compassion and support for people who, like my friend or my friend’s friend, might currently be so deep in the throes of addiction or mental illness, or both, that it is tempting to give up. But I will not give up. Will you join me in not giving up? Dani Shaw is the director of public affairs for the Canada and Bermuda Territory. are increasingly shifting toward a trauma-informed approach to service, which requires certain harm reduction practices (low-barrier admission criteria, access to harm reduction supplies, etc.) to meet client needs. The specifics of harm reduction programming can vary across jurisdictions, depending on geographical location (high-drug-use areas) and advocacy efforts, as well as public opinion and individual biases, experiences and capacities. The social mission department is presently engaged in a research project to better understand how ministry units in the Canada and Bermuda Territory are navigating these complexities to meet people's needs for safety, recovery and wellness. Salvationist January 2022 19

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT A Salvation Army children’s program at the Usulután Corps in El Salvador provides education as well as nutritious snacks and meals

while also addressing other factors that affect a child’s ability to learn. The centre provides nutritious snacks and meals for the children, as well as clothing, shoes and dental kits. Through this program, the Latin America North Territory, in partnership with Canada and Bermuda and the U.S.A. Western Territory, is working to fight poverty in meaningful and long-lasting ways.

Global Vision The Salvation Army’s international development projects support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. BY ROBYN GOODYEAR

magine a world that is healthy, safe, happy, secure and peaceful, for both humans and the planet. Now imagine that world becoming a reality—in the next eight years. The Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, are a set of goals established in 2015 and endorsed by all 193 member states of the United Nations. They are a global strategy to bring about this shared vision by the year 2030. The SDGs recognize that progress can only happen when it happens for all, including the poorest and most vulnerable. The 17 SDGs, with each including subtargets and specific indicators for success, are the result of careful consideration and input from many different stakeholders around the world. They also include an accountability framework that measures not only financial accountability, but also peace and security, gender equality and environmental impact. For the goals to be achieved, they must be addressed simultaneously, which necessitates an all-encompassing approach to development. This requires co-operation and collaboration from stakeholders at every level: governments, multinational and national corporations, non-governmental organizations, churches, communities and individuals. As an international organization that has been committed to these principles since our earliest beginnings, The Salvation Army is perfectly positioned 20 January 2022 Salvationist

to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, both here in Canada and Bermuda, and abroad. In 2020, The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission in New York City released a report detailing just some of the Army’s contributions to the SDGs around the world within the last five years. The report focuses on the first five goals—No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, and Gender Equality—and highlights important programs, projects and partnerships where The Salvation Army is working on the progression of the goals, including during its global COVID19 response. The Canada and Bermuda Territory partners with other territories around the world to develop, support and implement sustainable programs at Salvation Army centres and in communities. Each one of our development projects supports one or more of the SDGs. Children’s Education in El Salvador Through the Brighter Futures Children’s Sponsorship Program, our projects are designed with a holistic approach to education and children’s well-being. At The Salvation Army’s children’s program at the Usulután Corps in El Salvador, support from the Canada and Bermuda Territory provides materials necessary for well-rounded educational programming,

Agriculture in Liberia In Liberia, The Salvation Army is working to improve food security in two communities with a new agriculture project. The three-year project will support more than 200 smallholder farmers in the communities of Cotton Tree and Mount Barclay. These rural communities face severe food insecurity due to high and increasing food prices and inflation, problems which have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In working with The Salvation Army, the farmers will receive seeds and demonstration plots, where they will be able to learn sustainable farming methods. These methods of farming and training in pest control and maintenance will increase yield, in addition to minimizing the environmental impact of farming. The Salvation Army in Liberia is also collaborating with the local government health sector to address malnutrition by providing training on the importance of maintaining a balanced diet. With the materials and training they receive, these farmers will be able to plant short-season crops that will not only provide food for their households but can also be sold to generate an income to provide for other basic needs. In single-income families, this can decrease the reliance on one person, redefining gender roles and working toward women’s equality. Through collaboration and partnerships, The Salvation Army is working to bring lasting change to the most vulnerable communities and individuals on a global scale. Our efforts, together with those of governments, businesses and other organizations, can help build a world that is equal for all. Robyn Goodyear is the international project support co-ordinator in the international development department.

WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

Mission-Focused For Natasha Burkett, her work with community and family services in Moncton, N.B., is a lifelong dream. BY KEN RAMSTEAD

“

he Salvation Army’s mission statement has always resonated with me for as long as I can remember,” states Natasha Burkett, the director of Moncton’s community and family services (CFS) in New Brunswick. “It’s how I’ve always wanted to live my life." A Woman With a Plan Born in Moncton, Natasha’s parents were Salvationists who were very active in their corps. "I wanted people to see Jesus in me,” says Natasha Burkett “They set a strong example,” she says. “Outside commitments just naturally Digging Deep came second to our commitment to The But even though she loved Winnipeg, the Salvation Army and to the Lord.” school and the classes she took—she even Natasha had a happy childhood, met her future husband there—Natasha enjoying her time at the corps, in the struggled. community and at school. But when “In a place where people usually find her friends were wondering what they themselves, build on their faith, mature wanted to do with their lives, she had as Christians, I lost myself.” no doubt. For the first time that she could “There was never really a question,” remember, Natasha doubted God’s will. she states. “I wanted to serve others “It never occurred to me that my life and I specifically wanted to do it in The wouldn’t unfold the way I planned it,” Salvation Army. My family volunteered she smiles. at the corps and CFS—my grandparents Over the next several years, Natasha ran the thrift store!—and so I fell in love worked hard at mending her relationship with that at a young age. It’s what I knew. with God. “I was very concerned about injus“I grew close to him,” she says. “I redistice,” she continues. “I wanted to serve covered who I was in him. And I did what my community and help in practical ways. Christians do: I dug deeper into the Word.” I wanted people to see Jesus in me, and I was certain about what I wanted to do.” Shaping Ministry With a strong faith and the permission Natasha and her husband moved to of her parents, the 17-year-old packed Oshawa, Ont., and started attending the her bags and journeyed to William and corps there. Catherine Booth College in Winnipeg, “We were surrounded by a very loving, now Booth University College. supportive congregation,” she says. “People “I was certain that was my plan,” she there lived out their faith boldly.” smiles. Natasha’s husband worked at the corps

while Natasha worked at CFS, where she started to see that particular ministry in a different way. “It placed me right at the heart of the kind of ministry I had been longing for,” she says. “The CFS director, Clare Mutton, now retired, led by example. He did CFS differently than I had ever seen it before.” The team was very mission-focused. They showed young Natasha that programming should be creative, relevant and relational. “I saw them turn typical transactional situations into transformational moments,” Natasha says. “It still shapes my approach to ministry today.” “Small But Mighty” Natasha took these experiences to heart when she and her husband moved to Moncton in 2003. A couple of years after their arrival, Natasha was given the opportunity to join the staff at the Moncton CFS. All these years later, she is still there. “This ministry is a busy spot. We’re small but mighty,” Natasha says. “It’s had its share of challenges, but we’ve seen God’s steady provision and protection over this ministry, just as much as I have in my own life. I know I’m where God wants me to be. “I’ve worked in other non-profits along the way,” continues Natasha, “but I just can’t see reaching people in any way that matters more than the way that we do it in The Salvation Army. It’s about meeting needs, sharing the love of Jesus and transforming my community. The Army’s mission statement is still relevant today, as it always has been, and that doesn’t change.” Salvationist January 2022 21

Divine Instruction What story will shape us and our children if we don’t teach the gospel in its fullness?

eading the New Testament Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus provides us with an overview of his ministry among the people of his time and place. For example, at important points in his Gospel, Matthew concisely summarizes Jesus’ ministry. The first of these summaries occurs early in Matthew, where we read, “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people” (Matthew 4:23 NRSV). A similar summary description is found in Matthew 9:35, where the ministry of Jesus is described in virtually identical terms. In fact, these verses have in common a threefold description of the integrated ministry of Jesus: teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing the sick. This pattern of ministry does much more than simply record a historical observation about Jesus’ activity; it establishes the pattern of ministry for the church. In other words, if we are to

22 January 2022 Salvationist

be faithful to the pattern given to us by Christ, we should integrate these three activities into our ministry in the world. For this reason, it seems worthwhile to consider each activity in some detail. The Covenant People of God Teaching in the synagogue focused on the exposition of the Torah (the law), the basic divine instruction for the community of Israel as the covenant people of God. According to Jewish tradition, the Torah itself was given at Mount Sinai in the time of Moses, shortly after Moses had led the Israelites out of slavery in the land of Egypt. In Egypt, the Hebrews had been the victims of an oppressive, brutal system that crushed those at the lowest social, economic and political levels of Egyptian society. When delivered from this harsh system, Israel was called to become a covenant community in which loyalty to the Lord and compassion for the weakest members of society replaced the Egyptian obsession with the prosperity of the rich and powerful.

Essentially, the Torah was instruction about how Israel should live as the people of God within the covenant relationship with the Lord that they had accepted. Within Jewish tradition, the Torah had to be interpreted and applied to new situations as they arose. It was this interpretation and application that took place in the synagogue. Teaching, however, was important long before the establishment of synagogues. The Book of Deuteronomy makes this clear. As the Israelites approached the land of Canaan after a lengthy sojourn in the wilderness, Moses is said to have delivered a series of addresses— essentially the Book of Deuteronomy— rehearsing the story of Israel’s deliverance from slavery, encounter with the Lord at Mount Sinai and subsequent journey through the wilderness, and repeating the instructions God had given for the life that Israel would now live in a new land and a new situation. In these new circumstances, the pressure to conform and adopt the practices

Illustration: rudall30/stock.Adobe.com

BY DONALD E. BURKE

and values of Canaan, which were similar to those of Egypt, would overwhelm Israel, unless there was constant instruction about their identity and character. Repeatedly, Deuteronomy encourages Israel to remember who they are and from where they have come. If Israel were to endure more than one or two generations beyond those who had experienced the exodus and God’s revelation at Sinai, teaching the children and adults their heritage, identity and values would be critical. According to Deuteronomy, teaching was an essential responsibility of the people of God. A Community of Contrast Given the importance of teaching in the Jewish tradition, it is little wonder that Matthew draws attention to the teaching ministry of Jesus. Of course, not all of Jesus’ teaching took place in synagogues. For example, the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5-7) was delivered on a mountain rather than in a synagogue. Matthew organized Jesus’ subsequent teaching into four additional discourses

forming and would leave to his disciples should be an alternative community, formed and shaped by the ministry and message of Jesus. The church was not to parrot the values of the larger Jewish or Roman society in which it lived; rather, it was to model a different way of living. This would be possible only if sound teaching continued to shape the identity of the church as a community of contrast. The early decades of the church were a time when it was learning its place in the grand mission of God for the salvation of the world. Sound teaching was critical. The overarching story that unfolds in the Old Testament had to be imbibed and the memory of Jesus’ own teaching and life had to be preserved and applied to the new situation of the earliest Christian communities. But even more importantly, the early church had to cultivate a clear understanding of its identity as an alternative to the overpowering cultural, social, political and religious forces at work in the Roman Empire. Early Christians had to be taught the far-reaching implications of their experi-

how shall the church survive if we do not teach well and soundly? How will Christians know who they are and from where they have come? What story will shape us and our children if we don’t teach the gospel in its fullness? And if we are not clear about who we are and from where we have come, surely we will not be clear about where we should be going and what we should be doing. We must, however, broaden our understanding of teaching beyond simple verbal communication. Teaching is not all about words. Jesus taught not only through his words but, even more importantly, through the life that he lived. Jesus modelled the virtues and values that he taught. He mentored his followers—especially his closest disciples—to prepare them to live out these virtues. By demonstrating the values of the kingdom of heaven in his life, Jesus taught his disciples in powerful ways far beyond simple exhortation. This is one of the primary claims of Matthew. Jesus lived out his own teaching. He walked the talk. That’s teaching that works!

Teaching is not all about words. Jesus taught not only through his words but, even more importantly, through the life that he lived. (see Matthew 9:35-10:42; 13:1-52; 17:2418:35; 24:1-25:46), which were delivered in various locations. What we learn both from Matthew’s summary in Matthew 4:23 and from the rest of his Gospel is that teaching was one of the pillars of Jesus’ ministry. Especially for those who were his closest followers, Jesus devoted much of his time to teaching them. But the instruction offered by Jesus was much more than the sharing of information; it was also focused on the formation of the disciples’ character and, ultimately, on the formation of the character of the church. That is, through his teaching, Jesus was forming and shaping his disciples, developing their character and training them for the kingdom of heaven. Just as Israel was to be an alternative community—in contrast to what they had experienced in Egypt and in contrast to their new home in the land of Canaan— so, too, the community that Jesus was

ence of salvation through Jesus. They had to learn what the reorientation of life (repentance), in light of the approach of the kingdom of heaven, meant for them. They had to receive instruction in the basics of their new faith and in the basics of how to live out that faith. Shaping Christian Character No less today than in the first decades after the death and Resurrection of Jesus, proper instruction must remain a primary function of the church. We, too, need to be reminded that the church is called to be an alternative community. The failure to teach is one of the most devastating failures of the church. Proper, sound instruction shapes Christian character. The lack of such instruction renders Christians vulnerable to the fads and fashions of our larger culture. In a time when the forces of various media continue to shape society with increasing power and with growing effect,

Matthew makes clear that one of the pillars of Jesus’ ministry was his teaching, his instruction in the meaning of the Scriptures. If we are to continue to be the church, we need to make proper, effective and sound instruction of the people of God one of the primary ministries of the church. Twenty-minute sermons (or hour-long sermons?) on Sunday morning don’t cut it when we are bombarded by contrary messages 24-7. If we are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we must give sound, faithful, biblical teaching a central place in our ministry. In this, Jesus set the pattern for us to follow. This is the first in a series of three articles on the integrated ministry of Jesus. In our second article, we will consider how Jesus proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of heaven. Dr. Donald E. Burke is a professor of biblical studies at Booth University College in Winnipeg. Salvationist January 2022 23

SPIRITUAL LIFE

Come and See It’s not about us—it’s about him (and others). BY KEVIN SLOUS

"Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”—1 John 2:6

Photo: Neely Wang/Lightstock.com

e live in a selfie world. Social media is flooded with carefully curated self-portraits and value measured by the number of “clicks” and “likes,” sometimes purchased to encourage digital algorithms to increase the likelihood of gaining an even greater “following.” We live in a fast-paced, reckless and easily angered world. How many times have you been driving along, minding your own business, only to be cut off by someone clearly unimpressed by the speed limit and your desire to abide by it? But before fingers are pointed too quickly, let’s consider the speed with which we react toward our fellow roadster. Our culture worships at a modern spiritual buffet. Personal preference often determines the church we attend, the extent of our service and the sacrifices we are willing to make, as faith and culture are mixed in a way that is perceived to be culturally acceptable. It’s easy to see and point out shortcomings in others, while missing (or justifying) how we, too, are being conformed to the pattern of our world. Egotistic: It’s all about me. Narcissistic: Look at me. Individualistic: Leave me alone. Self-centred. Me-focused. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to something higher. In his book God’s Personal Strategy, Major Dale Pilgrim, divisional secretary for personnel, Ontario Division, writes: “Discipleship is an issue of transformation. If we can get the church on the same page, we can turn the world upside-down.” Scripture tells us that we “must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (Philippians 2:5 NLT). Holistic discipleship replaces a self-centred, me-focused attitude with CHRIST-centred, OTHERS24 January 2022 Salvationist

focused living. Altruistic. Sacrificial. Fully dependent on the Father, and interdependent with those who share in his mission. As Christian scholar and philosopher Dallas Willard says, discipleship is “the process of becoming who Jesus would be if he were you.” Everyday discipleship—following in the footsteps of Jesus and seeking to walk as he would today—is essential to the development of our spiritual life. It “cannot be an add-on to the church. It can’t be a little subset of it. It can’t be a part of our life as the church. It’s the mission of the church because it’s the eternal plan of God to fill

the world with Jesus, to fill the world with his glory,” writes author and discipleship coach Caesar Kalinowski. Everything we do as the church should have the call to “make disciples” at its core. Our spiritual life development is shown by the lived-out expression of our discipleship. Strengthening spiritual health, the first strategic pillar of Mobilize 2.0, can be understood as three concentric circles that ripple outward: nurturing individual growth, facilitating healthy disciple-making environments and seeing the transforming impact of flourishing communities of faith. “Come and see” was a common invitation of Jesus’ ministry with his disciples, and ought to be one we can give as well. What will those in our neighbourhoods

come to see, to hear, to experience? Will they see CHRIST-centred, OTHERSfocused faith in action—through our ministry programs and through the witness of transformed lives, seeking to walk as Jesus did wherever we daily find ourselves? The story in which we find ourselves as followers of Jesus, as Salvationists, is CHRIST-centred. And how we live in, and live out, that story is OTHERS-focused. Over the next couple of years, we will be seeking to establish a common language and understanding around spiritual life development and holistic discipleship. This will help us work together toward the aim of strengthening spiritual health across our territory. This article marks the beginning of a series that will continue in the coming months to help further unpack what we mean by a “CHRIST-centred, OTHERSfocused” faith, and to tell stories of where this kind of discipleship is being lived out in real ways. We will take a further look at what we mean by “strengthening spiritual health,” “spiritual life development” and “discipleship.” We’ll explore how this is expressed inside our ministry units and through our programs. We’ll also see what it looks like beyond them, as we seek to live as “salvationists,” in the truest sense of the word. The journey may be uncomfortable at times, but will certainly be exhilarating, as we follow where the Spirit leads, guiding us to walk as Jesus would in our world. We will find ourselves changed in the process. But true spiritual life development is never just about us. As we’re reminded by our co-Founder, Catherine Booth: “You are not here in the world for yourself. You have been sent here for others. The world is waiting for you!” Come and see. Kevin Slous is the territorial secretary for spiritual life development.

IN THE TRENCHES

A Better Resolution Instead of criticizing, let’s build each other up. BY CAPTAIN SHELDON BUNGAY

Illustration: Pamela Maxwell/Lightstock.com

have all but given up on the practice of making New Year’s resolutions. Statistics showing abysmal success rates, coupled with my own plethora of failed attempts, have forced me to stop proclaiming that this is the year I lose the extra weight, take up running and drink less coffee. Yet, there is still something exciting about the prospect of a new year, as one chapter closes and a new one waits to be written. It’s a time to reflect on lessons learned and mistakes to avoid repeating. And many people eagerly anticipate the unknown opportunities on the horizon. At the heart of our resolutions is the desire that the future will be better than the past. And despite my hesitancy to make formal resolutions, I, like so many others, have a long list of things that I would like to see improved in the next 12 months. I hope that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to become a distant memory instead of a present reality. I hope that geographic regions currently experiencing conflict and war will identify avenues for peace. And I pray that Christians everywhere will continue to explore new and innovative ways to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. But there is one more deep desire I have for this year, specifically for The Salvation Army. In 2022, I hope that Salvationists, employees, volunteers and friends choose to treat each other better. That might seem like an odd desire given that we are a Christian organization where love for each other should be second only to our love for God. Yet, in recent days, as I have been observing dialogue between Salvationists, reading the online comments sections for past Salvationist articles and listening to the laments of my own colleagues and friends, I have wondered if our territorial value of dignity, which states that “we respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth,” is more of a goal to strive for rather than a consistent reality.

While the salvation of souls, spreading of hope and building of just communities is needed now more than ever, much of our time and energy has been hijacked dealing with differences of opinion over musical styles, the validity of certain programs and what colour we should paint our sanctuary walls. Add to this the polarizing effect of important conversations on inclusivity, equity, racism or government-imposed health restrictions, and many of our planning meetings or social gatherings become tension-filled and fraught with criticism. But what if we were better? What if every individual connected to The Salvation Army in the Canada and Bermuda Territory decided that things will be different in 2022? What if we all resolved to adopt the words of Ephesians 4:29-32, and exchanged our unwholesome talk—belittling, badmouthing, criticizing, gossiping—for that which builds one another up? What if we traded bitterness, rage, anger, slander and malice for kindness and compassion? What if we were quick to forgive? After all, that is exactly what God in Christ did for us.

We’ve just celebrated the birth of the Christ Child. It’s a season filled with messages of peace and goodwill—something the world desperately needs to hear. But if your house looks anything like mine, you might be reading these words in between dismantling Christmas decorations, or while eating that last piece of Christmas cake before your new gym membership kicks in. January reminds us of the tension between “already” and “not yet.” As I consider this tension, the lyrics “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me” are ringing in my head. If I have hope that Salvation Army personnel and friends everywhere will treat each other better, then I must do my part. In 2022, I am choosing to be more patient, loving, forgiving, kind and compassionate. Which means I must also be less judgmental, less critical and, to the delight of some closest to me, slower to speak. Oh, wait! Did I just make a resolution? Would you consider making the same one? Captain Sheldon Bungay is the corps officer at St. John’s Temple, N.L. Salvationist January 2022 25

GRACE NOTES

Embracing Mystery Living in the middle of the story.

Illustration: siraanamwong/stock.Adobe.com

BY CAPTAIN LAURA VAN SCHAICK

he true crime genre has taken the world by storm. A recent popculture magazine article outlined not simply a “top 10” list, but 60 true crime podcasts that “we’ve been hooked on.” While I have never listened to any of these podcasts personally, I was one of the thousands who, this past fall, became invested in Only Murders in the Building, a mystery-comedy series about three neighbours who start their own podcast covering their investigation of a murder in their affluent Manhattan apartment complex. This desire to immerse ourselves in crime stories isn’t new. Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple and Nancy Drew have been popular characters for generations, as have board games such as the Hasbro classic Clue. There is something appealing about these stories, knowing that there will be a satisfying resolution as the crime is solved. But life is not a crime novel. And neither is our faith. Biblical studies professor N.T. Wright has observed that deep within all human beings is the knowledge that something is “not right” and that this “not rightness” ought to be fixed. We meditate on what it will take to put things right in the world, what it will take to solve the problems 26 January 2022 Salvationist

around us—problems such as climate change, racism, poverty and disease. One of the deeply resonant themes of the Bible is that justice matters to God and should matter to God’s people. It is good that we look at the world around us and recognize that something must be done to set things right again, just as a court judge declares justice for the victim when a crime has been committed. And yet, in the same breath, another deeply resonant theme of the Bible is that of unsolved mystery. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that “God makes everything happen at the right time. Yet none of us can ever fully understand all he has done, and he puts questions in our minds about the past and the future” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 CEV). Author and spiritual director Ruth Haley Barton goes so far as to identify “embracing mystery” as a foundation to spiritual transformation. Barton references the biblical metaphors of the formation of an embryo in its mother’s womb and the transformation of a caterpillar in a cocoon, identifying that these natural phenomena are both a physical process and a God-thing with an element of mystery attached to them. When the Apostle Paul uses these metaphors to describe the process of spiritual trans-

formation, he places the process into a space of mystery, something that can only be understood through divine revelation. In fact, everything Paul affirms as central to our Christian faith is somewhere declared a mystery. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes of the mystery of God (see 1 Corinthians 2:1 CEV) and that we are servants and stewards of God’s mysteries (see 1 Corinthians 4:1). In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul again writes of the mystery of God’s will (see Ephesians 1:9), the mystery of Christ (see Ephesians 3:4), the mystery of the gospel (see Ephesians 6:19), and even the mystery of marriage, which is applied to Christ and the church (see Ephesians 5:31-32). Mystery can be a difficult thing for us to embrace. We like things that are tangible, understandable, concrete. We like questions with answers, problems with solutions and challenges that can be resolved. And yet, mystery is something that we as Christians must live with. There is much about our faith that is mysterious, that is difficult to explain or understand, and there are many things that God does for which we cannot give an answer. Barton stresses, “If we are not comfortable with mystery, we are not comfortable with the very gospel we preach. The journey of transformation requires some measure of willingness to relinquish control and give ourselves over to a process that we cannot fully understand, nor can we predict the outcome. We know we will be more like Christ, but we cannot predict exactly what the person of Christ lived in and through us will look like or where it will take us.” As Christians, we live in the middle of the story, between creation and redemption, waiting for the day when all is made right. Jesus inaugurated the kingdom, but it is not yet fully here. Until then, we live in the tension of an unfolding mystery, trusting God with the unknown. Captain Laura Van Schaick is the divisional secretary for women’s ministries in the Ontario Division.

VIEWPOINT

Thanks for Nothing An honest look at gratitude during trying times. BY LIEUTENANT ERIN L. WIKLE

Photo: Brad Coleman/Lightstock.com

can’t imagine a single person on this planet who was not shaken by the past 23 months. Most of us remember the day when everything changed. I was flying home from a conference in February 2020, when I first heard about COVID-19 and its impact in Wuhan, China. There was a buzz in the air as I travelled through the airport, but honestly, I felt unaffected. The tragedy felt far off. With all the arrogance that any millennial could muster, I thought, It’s too bad that’s happening over there … but there’s no way it will ever be an issue here. I kid you not—these were the thoughts that filled my mind as images of people donning facemasks and hazmat-like suits flooded every news channel and numbers scrolled across the screen. They indicated catastrophic loss during what would quickly become a full-fledged pandemic, with chaos and disease indiscriminately touching every part of our world. And now here we are, nearly two years into what many consider the most disruptive time of their lives. School stopped, prom was cancelled, graduations and other celebrations were postponed, “hanging out” bore newfound risk, people—family members—died, friends became faces we only saw on Zoom, SkiptheDishes delivered instant comfort, Netflix-binging became the new drug, church doors closed and division within the church body surfaced over what was right or wrong, safe or stupid. And for many, their identity as a son or daughter made in God’s image was tarnished with doubt, anger and mistrust of the One who was alleged to be all-seeing, all-knowing, ever-present and all-powerful, yet seemed to be silently standing by. Thanks for nothing. Let me set the record straight. The

pandemic wrecked us. For some, it’s still wrecking you. I remember the day my kids (we have four) came home from school and never went back for 18 months. Overnight, we became at-home educators, stressed-out parents, emergency disaster responders, racial reconcilers and pastors who had no clue what was coming. With neither home nor work offering much in the way of reprieve, I found myself quickly overwhelmed, running on adrenaline, obsessively checking the news for the latest COVID-19 developments and genuinely concerned about my emotional and spiritual well-being. We all thought: When is this going to end? In the constant asking of that question, God met me. Maybe he met you, too. With honesty and urgency, I began seeking Jesus on our back patio each morning, a place that was quiet and offered some semblance of peace before my day began. I spent weeks in the Book of Psalms, poring over each chapter, carefully underlining these ancient words, my heart resonating with the repeated cries of David: How long, Lord? I scribbled prayers in my journal for my marriage, my kids, our ministry—all of which were suffering—asking God to give us wisdom to lead and love well during a time when everyone was

grieving and so many were disagreeing. Some days felt like hell. Other days I experienced the provision of God in ways I hadn’t even asked for, let alone imagined (see Ephesians 3:20). His steadfast love for me prevailed through incredibly dark days and nights. God did something in the middle of circumstances I would have never willingly chosen for myself. In the face of loss, change and anxiety, of being stretched out as a parent, pastor and wife— God did something. He made me grateful. And I’m not talking a superficial type of gratitude—not gratitude conditional upon a gift that meets my criteria as good. Instead, God gave me gratitude deeply rooted in the reality that his character, his provision, his love, his kindness, his care, his knowing me, did not change simply because life got hard. See how it became about him, not me? God’s posture toward humanity is always that of generosity: breathing his life into us (see Genesis 2:7) and showing his kindness and steadfastness (see Colossians 1:17). He was holding me together. Let me suggest that, perhaps, gratitude is best cultivated when we take whatever time necessary to sit with our grief, embrace suffering and resist numbing out in the face of hardship. It’s these very things (grief, suffering, hardship) that become the means to cultivating an intimate and more honest connection with God, even in the middle of our deepest pain and greatest times of wondering: How long, Lord? This is the stuff of life that develops gratitude rooted in the commitment to trust God even when we can’t see him. Lieutenant Erin Wikle is a Salvation Army officer who lives in San Francisco.

Reprinted from Peer magazine. Salvationist January 2022 27

PEOPLE & PLACES

EDMONTON—From left, former Edmonton Oilers president Patrick LaForge joins with Mjrs Elaine and Jamie Locke, associate DSPR and DSPR, Alta. & N.T. Div, to kick off the Christmas kettle campaign across the division, with a goal to raise $600,000. LaForge served as honourary co-chair of the division’s Hope in the City 2021 virtual event, during which the kick-off took place, participated in promotional videos, television and newspaper interviews, served as a kettle volunteer and reached out to personal contacts to encourage them to get involved in any way possible. MISSISSAUGA, ONT.—A lot of children received Christmas presents thanks to an innovative partnership between The Salvation Army and Peel Regional Police’s Toys for Tots annual toy drive. In 2020, Toys for Tots placed a gift under the tree for nearly 10,000 children. “Some people might say it’s just a toy,” says Const. Jana Marchese of Peel Regional Police, chair of the 2021 Toys for Tots campaign, “but it makes a big difference to the families and the children that otherwise would not be so fortunate to get one.” Sharing a moment with Santa at Mississauga’s Erin Mills Town Centre during the kick-off of the 2021 Toys for Tots toy drive are, from left, Const. Marchese; Mjr Lynn Cummings, DVSS, Ont. Div; Elena Livertovsky, special events and marketing manager, Ont. Div; and Dan Millar, then divisional director for community partnerships and EDS, Ont. Div.

BRANDON, MAN.—Twelve-year-old Bianca Fontaine is dedicated back to the Lord by her parents, Charlette and Daniel Fontaine, at Brandon Corps. Bianca was eight when she came to live with the Fontaines as a foster child, and in September of last year, she was lovingly and legally adopted by them. It was Bianca’s wish to be dedicated and have her parents and corps family to guide her as she grows in her faith. Celebrating the occasion are, from left, Mjr Jamie Rands, CO; Bianca Fontaine; Charlette and Daniel Fontaine; and Mjr Shelly Rands, CO.

EDS Mobile Unit Fleet Expands in Newfoundland and Labrador CORNER BROOK, N.L.—A new emergency disaster services (EDS) mobile unit is presented to the EDS team in Corner Brook, N.L., to be used on the west coast of Newfoundland, thanks to the support of the federal and provincial governments, City of Corner Brook, Town of Deer Lake, Fortis, Fry Family Foundation, and Oceanex. This is the third vehicle in the N.L. Div’s EDS fleet which will greatly assist with The Salvation Army’s growing EDS ministry in the province. “This truck is equipped with everything you need to prepare a hot meal and drinks for those who need it,” says Steven Hynes, divisional director of EDS, N.L. Div. “It will be available to respond to emergencies or the community at a moment’s notice.” Marking the occasion 28 January 2022 Salvationist

are, from left, Mayor Mike Goosney, Town of Deer Lake; Steven Hynes; Mjr Rene Loveless, DSPR, N.L. Div; Gudie Hutchings, federal minister of rural economic development; Mayor Jim Parsons, City of Corner Brook; and Hanora Crocker, special assistant for the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.

PEOPLE & PLACES

BELLEVILLE, ONT.—Following preparation classes where they learned about the history of The Salvation Army, Salvationist distinctives, what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and how that is lived out in the community and within their congregation, 15 adherents are enrolled at Belleville Citadel. Front, from left, Jacqui Evans, Ron and Lynn Love, Diamond Keegan, and Mjrs Catherine and Wil Brown-Ratcliffe, COs. Middle, from left, Ron Swaddling, Paul and Holly Van Rooy, Laura Scott, Donna Mills and Dawn Gonyea. Back, from left, Andy Virtue, holding the flag; Melvin Ndorley; Joel DeVries; Rylen Purvis; Robert Scott; and Debbie DeVries, holding the flag. Also enrolled but not shown is Margaret Winsor.

VANCOUVER—The Salvation Army’s Greater Vancouver Advisory Board donates $2,370,000 to the B.C. Div to support efforts to address the effects of poverty, homelessness, mental health and addiction that currently impact Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. From left, Bob McFarlane, chair of the Greater Vancouver Advisory Board, presents the donation to Lt-Col Jamie Braund, DC, B.C. Div.

MOUNT PEARL, N.L.—The Salvation Army in Mount Pearl organized a fundraiser for school supplies to be distributed through the Association for New Canadians (ANC) of Newfoundland and Labrador. Mjr Morgan Hillier (right), CO, Mount Pearl Citadel, presents the backpacks, binders, markers and more to a representative from ANC.

GAZETTE

TRIBUTE

TERRITORIAL Birth: Lts Barry/Jessie Austin, daughter, Christina Doris Austin, Nov 23 Appointments: Mjr Judy Regamey, CO, Saskatoon Temple, Prairie Div (designation change); Lts April Barthau/(Dr.) Marco Herrera Lopizic, territorial development officer and social justice officer/territorial director for health services and associate development officer, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Tty (pending visa approval) Long service: 25 years—Mjrs Miriam/Timothy Leslie Promoted to glory: Mjr Annette Vardy, Nov 3; Mjr Raymond Piercey, Nov 22

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Mrs. Major Joan Stratton (nee Hiscock) was promoted to glory from The Salvation Army’s Glenbrook Lodge in St. John’s at the age of 89. Joan entered the College for Officer Training in 1958 from Corner Brook Citadel, N.L., along with her husband, Ray, as members of the Pioneers Session. Following commissioning, they faithfully served as corps officers in Hickman’s Harbour, Winterton, Carbonear, Glovertown, Hare Bay and Bishop’s Falls, N.L. Their ministry focus changed in 1971 when they assumed responsibilities at Montreal Catherine Booth Hospital, then in the finance department at territorial headquarters in Toronto, and in seniors’ administrative appointments in Cambridge, Ont., Brandon, Man., Moncton, N.B., and Toronto. Following their final appointment as assistants at Jackson’s Point Conference Centre, Ont., they retired in 1991. During Joan’s long battle with Parkinson’s disease, she courageously demonstrated a tenacious spirit of strength, positive attitude and determination. Joan is deeply missed by Raymond, her beloved husband of 70 years; daughter, Paulette Roberts; sons Laurie (Aimee) and Arthur; grandchildren Lauren (Michael), Luke, Emma, Taylor and Ethan; brothers Major Edwin (Phyllis) Hiscock and Lt-Colonel David (Margaret) Hiscock.

CALENDAR Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd: Jan 11-14 divisional retreat, B.C. Div; Jan 18-21 divisional retreat, N.L. Div Colonel Evie Diaz: Jan 10-12 divisional retreat, Alta. & N.T. Div; Jan 23-24 CFOT; Jan 24-27 divisional retreat, Que. Div

Salvationist January 2022 29

Band Together Why I’m not stepping back from ministry leadership even though my children are small. BY STEPHANIE HOLLOWAY leave there so the kids can take naps if needed. I’m so thankful that my children will grow up being a part of our corps family with so many people who love them. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the support of the band members and the congregation. Rehearsals are not always as quiet as they used to be. My children someStephanie Holloway conducts a band practice at Gander times have bad days or Corps, N.L., with help from her two-year-old son, Luke meltdowns, but my band members fully support me was just two months old when I and have let me know that they’re happy attended my first Salvation Army I haven’t stepped back from my roles congress. I grew up in the church, just because my kids are small. If one of and we were at the corps almost every my children starts screaming, whoever day of the week. I participated in singing feels they are able will come along and company, timbrels, band, junior soldiers look after them. For example, if we have and any other programming that was three cornet players that night, one of offered. them will tend to the kids. When I was a bit older, I remember My husband and my parents also play arguing with my parents because I didn’t in the band, so sometimes they take care want to go to the Sunday evening service. of my children during rehearsals. Luke Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option, loves going to church and is always itchbut they did let me go without wearing ing to get out on the platform on Sunday my junior soldier uniform. I would sit mornings. He has his own baton (a pencil with my grandparents, playing games with no eraser) and leads the band with while my brother fell asleep on my grandme. He also loves to sing along with the mother’s lap. band, especially in rehearsals when we Commitment to church activities has are playing a meditative or prayerful always been an important family value. piece—although he doesn’t know quite My son, Luke, attended his first band yet to cut off with the bandmaster. I’m retreat at only two months old! Growing just praying that he doesn’t do that on a up, my parents played in the band and Sunday morning! sang in the songsters and, because of this, The band members love having my I learned what it meant to be committed. two kids there and are quick to reassure When I started my own family, I knew I me that I don’t have to feel bad if they wanted it to be the same. act out. There are also many people in Presently, I am the bandmaster and the congregation who support me by takchoir leader at the corps in Gander, N.L. ing one of the kids out of the sanctuary Luke is two years old and my daughter, if they are hungry or making too much Jessica, is one. Twice a week, we pack noise. It takes a village, and along with up two diaper bags with bottles, snacks, my parents and church family, I have the toys and extra clothes, and head to the best village imaginable. church. We even bought a playpen to Staying involved in ministry—let

30 January 2022 Salvationist

alone in leadership—while raising a family is a challenge. Parenting can take a toll on our priorities, which often means we need to step back or let go of commitments. So many of us have grown up in the church, being in the building all the time and surrounded by those who have influenced our lives and helped shape us into who we are today. Yet, when we become parents, we decide it is best to remove ourselves and our children during this stage of life. I believe our children need to see us being involved in ministry within the church and in fellowship with other believers during their formative years. Through the help of this community of faith, we pray that our children will develop and carve out their own sense of faith and commitment as they grow. Stephanie Holloway is the bandmaster and choir leader at Gander Corps, N.L.

Reprinted from MAGAzine.

Holloway's parents, Lloyd and Jeanette Hillier, keep an eye on Luke and Jessica while the band rehearses

Start Here Booth University College |

BOOTHUC.CA

EDU C AT ION F OR A BET T ER W OR L D

We started as a family business, and ever since we’ve been in the business of keeping families protected. Group Home & Auto Insurance Program for members of The Salvation Army including Officers and Soldiers. Since we began in 1981 Deeks Insurance has always treated our customers like family. Deeks provides Salvation

Proud to partner with

Army members including Officers and Soldiers access to preferred rates, 24/7 emergency claims support, and friendly customer service.

Get your free, no-obligation quote today. 1.855.633.1964 | DeeksInsurance.ca

Deeks Insurance is a tradename of D.L. Deeks Insurance Services Inc., a licensed insurance intermediary and operates as Deeks Insurance Services in British Columbia. Home and auto policies primarily underwritten by Unifund Assurance Company (“Unifund”). Car insurance coverage not available in BC, MB or SK. Home and car insurance coverage not available in QB, NWT, NU, or YK. Other insurance products are underwritten by various insurance providers. Deeks Insurance and Unifund share common ownership. Eligibility requirements, limitations, exclusions or additional costs may apply, and/or may vary by province. Deeks Insurance and logo is a trademark of D.L Deeks Insurance Services Inc.

For address changes or subscription information contact (416) 422-6119 or circulation@salvationarmy.ca. Allow 4-6 weeks for changes. PM 40064794

Sesame Street Movie

LOST IN NYC P.22

Hair-Raising Tale

Hope for Young Moms

LOVE BLOOMS P.10 ARMY’S NEW CHOICES P.24

Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G

faithandfriends.ca

JANUARY 2022

More Than

a Laundry

THE SALVATION ARMY’S GATEWAY LINENS IN TORONTO IS A PATH TO INDEPENDENCE. P.16

OUT OF THE

DARKNESS In the Northern Hemisphere, December 21 is the shortest day of the year. Along the southern border of Canada, the day is less than nine hours long. At the country’s northern tip, the sun does not rise at all—a phenomenon known as polar night. Starting December 22 and into the new year, however, each day becomes a little longer. The darkness relents. By the summer

solstice in June, the polar night has become the midnight sun. In life, we all face times of winter— dark nights of the soul when it feels like all is lost. We need light to enter our lives again, to give us hope for brighter days. Jesus once told His followers, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). He is the light no darkness can overcome.

To learn more about Jesus, our Saviour, visit our website at faithandfriends.ca or contact us at: The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

January 2022

VOLUME 25 NUMBER 1

LAUGHING MATTERS

5 A Couple of Fs

We can all learn from Prince Philip’s faith and friendship. COMMON GROUND

8 “Happy Birthday to …

… everyone,” said The Salvation Army to the clients they serve. GOD IN MY LIFE

10 Waving the White Flag

Jeanette Levellie agonized over how she looked. Until God showed her His image of herself. FEATURES

16 COVER STORY 22

On the Right Path

With the help of The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope, Clément overcame his past and found a future.

More Than a Laundry

The Salvation Army’s Gateway Linens in Toronto is a path to independence.

Escape From New York

In Sesame Street, our favourite friends find their way home.

SOMEONE CARES 24 Ready for Change

The Salvation Army’s New Choices program gives hope to young mothers. LITE STUFF 28 Eating Healthy With Erin

Sudoku, Quick Quiz. NIFTY THRIFTY 30 I’ve Been Framed!

Hanging an inspirational slogan makes for an awesome upcycling project. faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

•3

Faith&Friends

FROM THE EDITOR

Designing Woman

hris McGregor, a content marketing specialist for The Salvation Army’s Ontario Division, had always been aware of Gateway Linens but it wasn’t until he was assigned to write a story on the program that he really appreciated its impact. For Chris, there are two groups of people who are impacted and receive benefit from the commercial laundry. “I loved listening to the personal experiences of the clients and how much they were being helped and supported with life goals,” he says. “But the staff at Gateway Linens are all passionate about the experience and the opportunity, and you can tell they are so grateful for the assistance they provide to others.” Chris’ story is on page 16. It’s fitting that, with the new year, we also introduce a new graphic design specialist, Lisa Suroso. Lisa attended the Ontario College of Art and Design University and also has a degree in international development from the University of British Columbia. She worked most recently with Mustard Seed International, a Christian international development agency that works with children’s education in Indonesia. A passionate believer in sharing the love of Jesus and in serving communities struggling with poverty, she and her husband spent three years working with the people of Kei on the Maluku Islands in Indonesia. Please welcome Lisa to the Faith & Friends family! Ken Ramstead 4 • JANUARY 2022 I faithandfriends.ca

Mission Statement To show Christ at work in the lives of real people, and to provide spiritual resources for those who are new to the Christian faith.

Faith & Friends is published monthly by: The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario, M4H 1P4 International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4P 4EP, England William and Catherine Booth FOUNDERS

Brian Peddle, GENERAL Commissioner Floyd Tidd TERRITORIAL COMMANDER

Lt-Colonel John P. Murray SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Geoff Moulton, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ken Ramstead, EDITOR

Lisa Suroso GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST

Rivonny Luchas DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Pamela Richardson, COPY EDITOR, PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR

Ada Leung CIRCULATION CO-ORDINATOR

Kristin Ostensen STAFF WRITER, PROOFREADER

Giselle Randall STAFF WRITER Scripture Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from New International Version Contact Us P. (416) 467-3188, F. (416) 422-6217 Websites faithandfriends.ca, salvationist.ca, salvationarmy.ca Email faithandfriends@salvationarmy.ca Subscription for one year: Canada $17 (includes GST/HST); U.S. $22; foreign $24 P. (416) 422-6119 circulation@salvationarmy.ca All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda and cannot be reproduced without permission. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064794 ISSN 1702-0131

Faith&Friends

LAUGHING MATTERS

A Couple of Fs We can all learn from Prince Philip’s faith and friendship.

Photo: Dallas Callaway

by Phil Callaway

Leggo My Lego Phil Callaway and his grandchildren, Seth and Caleb

o you exercise your right to exercise? I hope you do. I did a push-up today. Actually,

I, uh … fell down. But I had to push myself back up, so technically that counts.

faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

•5

Faith&Friends

LAUGHING MATTERS

Much of the exercise I engage in now is unintentional. For instance, hopping around the living room after stepping on Lego pieces was unexpected and a far more rigorous activity than I had planned. Picking an ice cube off the floor sounds easy. It’s not. I got a six-minute cardio workout chasing one around with my fingers until it melted. But seriously, I walk about eight kilometres a day—I really do—and I jog when I badly need to. Like when the ice cream truck is speeding past.

tended the royals were perfect, but she prayed for them and looked for praiseworthy things to report. We can all learn from Prince Philip’s life. His blunders delighted many, but I wonder how any of us would fare if our every sentence was recorded and the tabloids hounded us. We’re wise to watch our words, of course, and usually the prince did. Once, while sitting beside a woman at a university dinner, he asked why she was there. “I’m the wife of the college rector,”

I wonder how any of us would fare if our every sentence was recorded and the tabloids hounded us. PHIL CALLAWAY Royal Toast Prince Philip would not have approved. When he passed away two months short of his 100th birthday, those watching his funeral learned that the prince followed the 5BX physical fitness plan. That requires 11 minutes a day of rigorous stretching, sit-ups, push-ups, extending your back and running in place. Afterward, you follow it up with diddly squats. OK, that part I made up, but the rest is true. I often heard my mother hum God Save the Queen. She never pre-

6 • JANUARY 2022 I faithandfriends.ca

she replied. Philip said, “I believe that’s the least interesting thing about you.” What an approach. What a way to enhance relationships. Surely this is the great friendship secret, taking an active interest, listening. He often downplayed his own story. “It’s a big mistake to think about yourself,” he said. “What counts is what you do for others.” Recent portrayals cast the prince in a negative light, but his most credible biographers challenge such reports. Those close to him and the Queen label their 73-year marriage rock-

solid. Biographer Gyles Brandreth writes of seeing the Queen surrounded by dignitaries in a crowded room. Standing far off by the huge windows was Prince Philip. When she caught his eye, he raised his glass to her and smiled. Princely Faith Prince Philip knew that the best way to overcome unwelcome change comes in service to others. He rose above a childhood scarred by turbulence and family tragedies, and served in the Royal Navy for nearly 14 years, six of them during wartime. Devotion to duty and service, he insisted, outweighed fear, something that should inspire all of us in a world of increasing uncertainty and change. The language of his faith may be different from ours, but I appreciate the author and columnist John Musgrave’s take: “Key to the House of Windsor’s success is the Christian idea of the servant king working to release the creative good in us all.” The couple attended Crathie Kirk,

Balmoral, where Reverend Ian Bradley often preached. The prince took notes so the two of them could discuss doctrine over lunch. The former Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, told The Yorkshire Post that Prince Philip openly discussed with him his Christian faith, saying, “The Queen and I are so strong in Jesus Christ.” His library contained 11,000 books, many on theology. According to Reverend Ian, it was Prince Philip who encouraged the Queen to speak more openly of her Christian faith during her Christmas broadcasts. After Prince Philip’s death, Paul Williams, chief executive of the Bible Society, said: “We join with millions in giving thanks to God for his contribution to the life of our nation, and his long and loving partnership with our Queen.” May we all be challenged to practise Prince Philip’s faith and friendship. And get some exercise, too. I, for one, am about to walk through a Lego minefield on my way to look for ice cubes.

(left) Phil Callaway’s Laugh Again radio program airs 700 times a week in Canada. Visit him at laughagain.org.

faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

•7

Faith&Friends

COMMON GROUND

“Happy Birthday to … … everyone,” said The Salvation Army to the clients they serve.

Illustration: kolonko/stock.Adobe.com

by Lorenda Dale

ast August 16 was a busy day for us here at the Medicine Hat Salvation Army ministries in Alberta. We had a birthday barbecue at Veteran’s Memorial Park. We had told our clients for a couple of weeks that we were planning a birthday barbecue to be held at the park. Of course, we got some interesting looks when we said that, and they asked whose birthday we were celebrating. We replied, “Yours,” and explained that we wanted to celebrate them, each one of them. “This is for all the birthdays that you weren’t celebrated,” we told them. “This is for all the birthdays you didn’t get to enjoy.” Noisy Joy It was a great day! Sure, it was a lot

8 • JANUARY 2022 I faithandfriends.ca

of work to pull it off, but it was well worth it. Now and then, I slipped away from the table I was at to tidy up at the other tables. I would smile and wish them all a happy birthday and they would do the same. As I walked, talked and worked, I encountered people who thanked me over and over again. I wanted to live in their joy that day. I think I got to see how some of them may have been before the troubles and hardships of this world took hold, and before addictions seeped in and changed them. At the end, we had cake, loot bags and socks to give them before they left. Once again, there were many expressions of thanks and birthday wishes from both staff and clients. It really felt like a day of celebration as people began to find the

“We never know what tomorrow holds. Each day is a precious gift. Cherish it and those you hold dear.” LORENDA DALE

horn streamers we had put in their loot bags and started blowing them. “Now it really sounds like a birthday party,” remarked one of the staff. “Yes, it does,” I replied. Praying for Hope Some might look at many of the clients we serve and see the rough exterior, the worn faces, the dirty, torn clothes, the eyes that sometimes look lifeless or forlorn. Sometimes, I see that, too. Sometimes, I see the pain, hurt, anger, and feel the frustration of seeing someone who was turning their life around fall back into the darkness and isolation that these awful addictions bring. But I also see the tears as I tell them they were created for something better than this; that their lives have purpose. I see the hope when I tell them there is Someone who loves them

and will always love them. That day, I believe—and hope— that they got a taste of how much they are loved and how special they are as we celebrated them. When you see people who have been marginalized, are experiencing homelessness or are suffering from substance use disorders, remember, but for the grace of God, that could be you. It could be any of us. And remember to celebrate those around you every day. We never know what tomorrow holds. Each day is a precious gift. Cherish it and those you hold dear, because each of us has purpose, and we are loved beyond measure by the God who created us. Pray for those who are suffering from addictions, that they would find the hope they need from the giver of hope, Jesus Christ.

(left) Captain Lorenda Dale is the community ministries officer and associate corps officer (pastor) at The Salvation Army’s Medicine Hat Community Church in Alberta.

faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

•9

Faith&Friends

GOD IN MY LIFE

Waving the White Flag I agonized over how I looked. Until God showed me His image of myself. by Jeanette Levellie

“

nclude lots of colour,” I told the florist when I ordered flowers for my boss’ 40th birthday. “Very little or no white.” A Narrowing of Options It was a running joke in our family that white was the last colour I’d

auburn and cover the grey, I was ready to wave the white flag. “My only worry is that if I let my hair go natural, I’ll look older than I am,” I whined to my husband, Kevin. Red hair had always been part of my image as an inspirational/humour author and speaker.

I ordered a wig. Wrong choice. Now I looked like Little Orphan Annie. JEANETTE LEVELLIE

choose for anything from clothes to picture frames. Even my walking shoes were fuchsia. “White is too boring,” I said. “Besides, it doesn’t go well with my red hair.” But after 30 years of colouring my hair to keep the original

10 • JANUARY 2022 I faithandfriends.ca

After all, didn’t I need to present a perky, joyous persona? Having white hair might hurt my book sales and the impact of my messages. “Jeanette, it’s your beautiful face and sparkly personality that people are drawn to,” Kevin stated.

Photos: Jeanette Levillie

Before and After The many shades of Jeanette Levellie

His compliment melted my heart. But I still wasn’t convinced. So I did what I should have originally done: I talked to God. “Lord, should I quit colouring my hair, buy a wig or let the natural shade—which I imagine is white—make its debut?” When God remained silent, I ordered a wig. Wrong choice. Now I looked like Little Orphan Annie. At least I’d narrowed down my options. Realigning Priorities After months of praying for wisdom, seeking advice from my friends, and consulting with my stylist, I heard God’s gentle voice: “Jeanette, Jeanette, you’re worried and upset about something that isn’t that important.” Wait, I thought, where had I heard

that statement before? In the New Testament, I found the story of Jesus’ visit to Martha and Mary’s home. Martha fussed over the meal preparations while her younger sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to Him talk about God. When Martha insisted that Jesus tell Mary to get up and help cook, Jesus rebuked her. “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at My feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her” (Luke 10:41-42 The Passion Translation). I realized Jesus was telling me that all my fuss over the colour of my hair was distracting me from His

faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

• 11

Faith&Friends

GOD IN MY LIFE

Photo: Jeanette Levillie

A Blooming Miracle Jeanette’s hosta plant had not flowered in 20 years

plan for my life—to learn from Him and share His Word. His focus was on my heart, not the colour of my hair. I determined to realign my priorities. Birthday Surprise It took six months to grow out my hair and get used to the white curls. Every time someone said, “I love your hair,” I smiled and thought, I should have done this years ago. On the morning of my birthday, I left the house to meet friends for breakfast. As I started down

the walk, something white in the flowerbed caught my eye. It can’t be, I thought. This hosta plant hasn’t bloomed in 20 years. I stood staring at the delicate, trumpet-shaped blossoms for a full two minutes. A sense of awe settled over me. “Thank you, Lord, for these beautiful white flowers, and on my birthday!” I could almost hear Jesus laughing at me pairing the words beautiful and white in the same sentence. The hosta blooms were the same colour as my hair.

(left) Author of five books and hundreds of published articles, Jeanette Levellie and her husband make their home in Paris, Illinois. Jeanette’s hobbies include spoiling her three grandchildren, pampering her cats and inventing new ways to avoid housework. Find her splashes of hope and humour at www.jeanettelevellie.com.

12 • JANUARY 2022 I faithandfriends.ca

Faith&Friends

FEATURE

On the Right Path

WITH THE HELP OF THE SALVATION ARMY’S PATHWAY OF HOPE, CLÉMENT OVERCAME HIS PAST AND FOUND A FUTURE. by Johanne Roy

first met Clément last March, at the height of the pandemic, when we were handing out supermarket gift cards to those in need. A client of The Salvation Army’s community and family services in Sherbrooke, Que., for a number of years, he was unemployed after being released from his job as a glass fitter due to difficulties with drugs and alcohol.

Thumbs Up Clément asked God to lead him to people who could change his life faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

• 13

Faith&Friends

FEATURE

Despite a hard life, he still believed in God and filled out a questionnaire we had handed to him, indicating that he was interested in exploring his spirituality. After a few meetings, it became obvious that Clément wanted a new start in life, but he needed to overcome many challenges. He was a perfect candidate for the Army’s Pathway of Hope program, a case-management approach designed to break the cycle of crisis and vulnerability. I provided him with background information and he enrolled immediately. “I want to change my life,” he told us in May, “and I am asking God to lead me to the right people.” Together in Hope Clément demonstrated goodwill but was easily discouraged. He felt useless and expressed deep regrets about his lifelong substance abuse. And part of him just couldn’t accept the

consequences of the bad choices he made in the past. “But thanks to the Pathway of Hope,” he said, “I’m determined—for once in my life—to go through with something that will help me.” The first objectives of his Pathway of Hope personal recovery plan were health-related: new glasses and a new mattress. Although these purchases brought him some joy and encouragement, Clément was on an emotional roller-coaster and was easily discouraged. He even considered walking away from the program. One afternoon in July, I had a chance to talk to him when he arrived to get some food from our community and family services. I was able to convince him to continue on with the program—and that we would do it together. “Homework” and Health Gradually, Clément started to come around and even started to attend church regularly. “I enjoy worship,” he told us. “I’m making new friends and I am feeling the love around me.” And the church family was involved in the process, keeping abreast of his progress and praying for him. Over the summer, while the Pathway of Hope program was closed, I met with him on Sundays after the Freedom on Four Wheels Clément’s church family helped him acquire his new four-wheeled scooter

14 • JANUARY 2022 I faithandfriends.ca

“I believe God sent me The Salvation Army.” CLÉMENT service, and we chatted on the phone. François, his spiritual advisor, also met with Clément during the summer to give him encouragement. I’d given Clément an exercise book where, every day, he had to write down two things he was thankful for. Grumbling at first, Clément started to faithfully do his “homework,” and his positive thoughts soon outweighed his negative ones. He had taken the first steps on a lifelong journey. And with our assistance and that of several specialists—including a dentist, cardiologist, urologist and psychologist—Clément finally started to take care of his health. Reaching Goals At the end of August, I met with Clément to discuss the next objective of his recovery plan, something he had mentioned several times before: transportation, so he could move around more easily. The solution was to purchase a four-wheeled scooter. Some church members found him one at a reasonable price and helped him to purchase materials to build a shed to store it. And an interest-free loan was even negotiated. In September, Clément obtained the loan. He was feeling much better and had a more positive attitude

about life. “I believe God sent me The Salvation Army,” he told us. Motivated, he started doing volunteer work in the church kitchen. His scooter provided him with a newfound autonomy, and he felt happy and useful again. This past October, Clément purchased a laptop and accessed the internet, because he knew he would be going out less during the winter. Obtaining insurance for his personal property and his scooter, he ticked off further objectives on his to-do list. And he even had some money left in his bank account at the end of the month! Clément goes to church now almost every Sunday, and the congregation continues to pray for his spiritual development. Soon, he will graduate from the Pathway of Hope program, but we’ll see him in church and keep in touch with him while he volunteers in the kitchen. Clément is on his way. The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope succeeds when clients are willing to improve their lot in life and to devote their efforts to overcome their difficulties. The Salvation Army’s role is to support and encourage them— and help them reach their goals. faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

• 15

Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

16 • JANUARY 2022 I faithandfriends.ca

More Than a Laundry THE SALVATION ARMY’S GATEWAY LINENS IN TORONTO IS A PATH TO INDEPENDENCE. by Chris McGregor

AT A FORMER SALVATION ARMY church on Broadview Avenue in Toronto, participants in The Salvation Army’s Gateway Linens and Disposal Services program work amid the whir and rumble of industrial washing machines and dryers.

Men at Work The Gateway Linens laundry shop in action

Life-Changing Idea Gateway Linens started in 2007 when the former director of the Gateway Shelter in Toronto, Dion Oxford, overheard a conversation with a shelter resident who asked why The Salvation Army wasn’t laundering its own sheets and bedding. That simple suggestion became something much greater than anyone could imagine. It created a new program that provides jobs, a steady income for those in need and, most importantly, a means to a new life for program participants. faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

• 17

Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

Gateway to Hope Two Gateway program participant workers, Dennis and Iain, pose in front of the main site on Broadview Avenue in Toronto

There, sheets, towels, blankets and tablecloths from various community shelters in Toronto are laundered and folded. For shelter residents, something as seemingly insignificant as clean sheets is a bit of normalcy on a path to self-sufficiency. One of those participants is Jean Lemay, currently in his third stint at Gateway Linens. He didn’t know anyone in the city following a move to Toronto, and his acceptance into the program allowed him to meet new people. From his experience in the shelter system, Jean understands the need for stability, and that inspired him to give back to others in the same situation. “It’s way more than doing dirty laundry,” Jean states. “It has had a positive impact on me, and I know it has a positive impact on others. I’ve slept on those sheets, so when I am washing them and folding them, I know where they are going. 18 • JANUARY 2022 I faithandfriends.ca

“Every sheet I fold goes to someone who really needs it. This may not mean much to most people, but for the homeless or people who are in desperate need, it can be a life-changing experience.” Shelter Synergy Currently at Gateway Linens, there are 15 program participants working Monday to Saturday, washing items from 30 clients that include other downtown shelters, respite care centres and community health centres. “We are a social enterprise, but we are also a Salvation Army program that provides employment experience and retraining,” explains Stewart King, Gateway Linens’ manager. “Individuals that come into the program are trying to stabilize their life situation.” Program participants are compensated with a stipend but, more importantly, they are given the time

and support needed to increase their chances of success once they’ve moved on to other employment opportunities and are living independently in their own home or apartment. “There is a synergy that exists; we’re not an anonymous corporate entity that is doing it just for profit,” Stewart says. “We are very much intertwined with the shelter system, and most of the workforce comes from there.”

Graduating to Success Gateway is more than just a job; it brings with it responsibility, accountability and the flexibility to work toward achieving even greater goals. Many program participants are given time off to attend support meetings, check in with counsellors or social-service caseworkers, or to work toward meeting educational goals. Former Gateway participants have landed jobs with other

Cleanup Squad Elliott and Hakim at Gateway’s satellite shop in Scarborough, Ont.

“Every sheet I fold goes to someone who really needs it.” JEAN LEMAY

faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

• 19

Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

employers, and others have finished undergraduate degrees, enrolled in law school or have become social-service caseworkers, insurance brokers and forklift operators. “Some have reached their personal goals and we are very fortunate to have helped them along their journey,” Stewart says. “Seeing individuals succeed through our program brings a tremendous feeling of accomplishment for all front-line staff here, who are committed to helping our communities’ most vulnerable.” A Way Back The program has been so successful that it has expanded to a satellite location at a hotel in Scarborough, in the east end of Toronto, that is operating as a shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a unique opportunity extended by the hotel’s ownership group and the City of Toronto, reflecting the commitment to excellence of Gateway Linens’ operation. This site launders standard room linens and towels as well as the personal clothing of the shelter participants, and most of the laundry workforce is comprised of program participants who reside in the hotel shelter program. This expansion gives Gateway Linens the capacity to take on more accounts from hotels, restaurants, fitness clubs, physiotherapy and massage clinics, and other shelters 20 • JANUARY 2022 I faithandfriends.ca

and social-service agencies. It also means more participants can learn essential soft skills. Stewart says Gateway Linens is always seeking volunteers, and the program would benefit from individuals who could help provide participants with additional life skills in areas such as cooking easy-to-prepare meals using simple ingredients that can be cooked on a hot plate or in a microwave. The Broadview location has a small commercial kitchen that would be perfect for cooking demonstrations and instruction on how to effectively budget for groceries. Access

All for One Part of the Gateway team. “We don’t differentiate between Salvation Army staff and program participant workers because we are all one team,” says Stewart King, Gateway’s manager

to a tutor to help with math or English concepts would also help make it easier for participants to finish their education. “Being in the shelter system, there is something valuable for residents to have their own clothing laundered, and it needs to be respected,” Stewart says. “A shelter resident knows what the experience

is like and they know the importance of having a sense of dignity. We’re not just laundering linens; we’re providing a service to walk alongside these individuals.” Gateway Linens is about more than simply doing laundry; it is an opportunity for people to find a sense of hope and a way back, one bedsheet at a time.

(left) Chris McGregor is a content marketing specialist for The Salvation Army’s Ontario Division. faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

• 21

Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Faith&Friends

FEATURE

In the ‘Hood Chance the Rapper visits his Sesame Street pals

Escape From New York

IN SESAME STREET, OUR FAVOURITE FRIENDS FIND THEIR WAY HOME WITH THE HELP OF AN UNLIKELY ALLY. by Jeanette Levellie

“

unny day, sweepin’ the clouds away, on my way to where the air is sweet ….” Unless you’ve lived in a cave since 1969, you spontaneously sang the ending to that catchy theme song from Sesame Street, the popular kids’ TV program. Fans of all ages will fill theatres on January 14 to watch and sing along with the newest Sesame Street musical comedy. The movie takes its plot from the last line of the Sesame Street theme song that asks, “Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?” 22 • JANUARY 2022 I faithandfriends.ca

Directed by Jonathan Krisel, the family film stars Anne Hathaway (Interstellar, Ocean’s 8), Chance the Rapper (Lion King), and all our favourite Muppet characters. Expect the same fun you experienced while viewing the first two Sesame Street movies, Follow That Bird (1985) and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999). But also prepare for some surprises when Elmo, Oscar the Grouch and Cookie Monster are confronted with their worst problem ever. After an evil mayor banishes the

Muppets from their neighbourhood for no apparent reason, they end up in Manhattan. The spunky Sally Hawthorne (Hathaway), whose own TV show is failing, befriends the furry folks. When the mayor uses one evil scheme after another to try and prevent the world from discovering Sesame Street, the new friends work together to save Sally’s program and prove that Sesame Street actually exists. Will the Muppet gang and their unlikely ally convince the world that there is a real place where the air is sweet, friendly neighbours meet and everything is A-OK? Or will they be stuck forever in crowded, noisy Manhattan? All in the Family Hathaway’s two sons, five-year-old Jonathan and two-year-old Jack, are great Sesame Street fans. The Academy-Award-winning actress confessed that the main reason she wanted to join the cast of the movie was so that Jonathan could meet Cookie Monster, his favourite character. “Sesame Street is very big in our house right now,” she told an interviewer from filmyhotspot.com. “But I love the show and really wouldn’t trust anyone that wasn’t a Sesame Street fan. It would be like, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ ” Chance the Rapper—who plays the part of the corrupt mayor’s sidekick—shared his own memories of watching Sesame Street as a child to

slashfilm.com. “The program taught me how to play and make friends that were different from me.” Chance, whose real name is Chancelor Jonathan Bennett, starred in a 2019 episode of the children’s TV program. His daughters, six-year-old Kensli and two-yearold Marli, are at the perfect ages to delight in seeing their daddy on the big screen alongside Big Bird. Synergy or Unity? Like the residents of Sesame Street and their new friend, Sally, our faith in God’s good plan for us might waver when we encounter opposition. People we trust may even betray us. When we feel lost and alone, God often sends unlikely people—someone of another culture, generation or church background—to help. As we set aside our differences and work together, we find solutions we couldn’t have found on our own. And we gain new understanding of others’ viewpoints. The dictionary calls this “synergy.” The Bible calls it “unity” (see Ephesians 4:2-3). The Muppets and Sally formed the perfect picture of how God planned Christians to work together. We bring our various gifts and differences to help each other find our way home. Home to our Saviour, Jesus. Home to our Father, God. And, ultimately, to our forever home, heaven. faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

• 23

SOMEONE CARES

Photo: Abbigail Oliver

Faith&Friends

Ready for Change The Salvation Army’s New Choices program gives hope to young mothers such as Barbie. by Abbigail Oliver

24 • JANUARY 2022 I faithandfriends.ca

“I

nstitutions, jails or death.” Those were the choices facing Barbie after a decade-long struggle with addiction. “I did not want that anymore,” she says. “I was sick of being in that dark place.” Today, Barbie has been clean for five years, thanks to her own hard work and The Salvation Army’s New Choices program. A Dark Path When Barbie was 13, she began abusing drugs and alcohol, and at 15, she discovered she was pregnant with her first child, Shyanne. Barbie tried to overcome her addiction during her first pregnancy. She stopped using cocaine and drinking alcohol, found a job and distanced herself from negative influences. She had two more children, Jordyn and Stephen, but when their father was released from prison after six years, he dragged Barbie back into a life of substance abuse. At 23, Barbie was arrested for drug possession after police raided her home. “I was gone for 10 years,” says Barbie. “I was lost. I was a victim of

human trafficking, I was sexually assaulted, I was stabbed. I’ve been through a lot.” Barbie gave birth to two more children, Faith and Nation, in 2012 and 2015. Both babies were born while Barbie was in active addiction and they were adopted out together. “It’s heartbreaking, but I know they have each other,” says Barbie. Making the Choice Losing two of her children to Children’s Aid was the push Barbie needed to make a tough decision about her future. In 2016, she began addiction treatment. “I was ready to make a change,” she says. Barbie moved in with her grandparents to take care of them in their old age. There, she was able to escape from drugs and detox properly through treatment with the Children’s Aid Society. “After a long decade, I reconnected with my family and my children, Jordyn and Stephen. That’s what kept me going to detox.” Barbie graduated after five weeks of treatment. “It was intense, but it kept me on track,” she says.

faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

• 25

Faith&Friends

SOMEONE CARES

New Hope After giving birth to her youngest daughter, Rhythim, in 2017, Barbie came to The Salvation Army’s New Choices program through her counsellor, Jill McLeod, whom she had known from her addiction recovery programs. Based in Hamilton, Ont., New Choices is a program for pregnant or mothering women who struggle with substance abuse and are at any stage of recovery. The objective of New Choices is to break down barriers for at-risk women who may face difficulty receiving the support and resources they need to overcome their addiction. New Choices offers programs and services for both mothers and children, with the goal of always meeting the client where they’re at.

“The client identifies their needs and struggles from their perspective, and we advocate for them,” says Kristin Baughan, program manager. “Whether it be Children’s Aid, probation or doctor’s appointments, we’re there for the mom and the child to help advocate for them through these barriers.” At New Choices, Barbie receives counselling, learns parenting and life skills, and maintains her sobriety. Barbie brings Rhythim to the New Choices day program, participates in activities with her daughter and receives the individual help she needs. “I’ve gotten to enjoy every piece of Rhythim’s life,” says Barbie. “The women at New Choices help you with everything. If you’re having a housing crisis, if you need a lawyer, there’s nothing those women don’t do.

Photo: Abbigail Oliver

“Pride, Love and Accomplishment” Barbie with Dylan and Rhythim

26 • JANUARY 2022 I faithandfriends.ca

“ I was lost. I was a victim of human trafficking, I was sexually assaulted, I was stabbed. I’ve been through a lot.” BARBIE They supply you with grocery cards and diapers. Without being embarrassed, you can go to them. They help you in so many ways, not just recovery.” New Choices operates on a harmreduction philosophy that strives to reduce the effects of substance use, promote prenatal care, teach mothering skills and provide women with positive role modelling, counselling and mental-health services. “Recent studies show that the support system in recovery is key,” says Andrea Restauri, addiction counsellor supervisor. “A lot of our women don’t have family support, and their friend support system is usually an unhealthy one. We give them long-term individualized care. Our clients feel supported and encouraged because we’re a closeknit group.” A Brighter Future Barbie says that New Choices taught her everything: “Compassion, empathy, how to be courageous and how to cope. The staff showed me

how to love myself again because I hated the version of who I was before.” Today, Barbie maintains a good relationship with her adult children and custody of her four-year-old daughter, Rhythim, and she recently took kinship of six-month-old Dylan, the child of a family friend who is in active addiction and unable to care for him. The kinship approval process requires extensive screening by Children’s Aid. After a criminal record check and visits with Dylan to determine Barbie’s fitness, Children’s Aid approved her application. “It was an overwhelming feeling of pride, love and accomplishment,” says Barbie. “I’m so happy Dylan is in my life and God gifted him to me. “New Choices made a huge impact in my life. I took every program offered, not because someone told me to, but because I wanted to,” she continues. “I got rid of people, places and substances, and made so many changes. My life is full and amazing today.”

faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

• 27

Faith&Friends

LITE STUFF

Eating Healthy With Erin OLD-FASHIONED APPLE CRISP TIME 50 min MAKES 6 servings SERVE WITH ice cream

6 medium-sized apples 30 ml (2 tbsp) sugar 7 ml (1½ tsp) cinnamon 5 ml (1 tsp) lemon juice 125 ml (½ cup) brown sugar 60 ml (¼ cup) maple syrup 175 ml (¾ cup) rolled oats 175 ml (¾ cup) all-purpose flour 125 ml (½ cup) softened butter 60 ml (¼ cup) raisins (optional) pinch of salt

1. Preheat oven to 175 C (350 F). Grease a 20 x 20 cm (8 x 8 in.) baking dish. 2. Peel, core and dice apples. Place in bowl with sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. 3. In another bowl, mix brown sugar, maple syrup, oats, flour, salt and softened butter. 4. Place apple mixture in baking dish and then top with oat mixture. 5. Bake for 45 minutes uncovered.

LEMON HERB RICOTTA FETTUCCINE

Recipe photos: Erin Stanley

TIME 15 min MAKES 4 servings SERVE WITH toasted garlic bread

400 g (14 oz.) fettuccine 500 ml (2 cups) ricotta cheese 45 ml (3 tbsp) fresh lemon juice 45 ml (3 tbsp) fresh dill 15 ml (1 tbsp) fresh parsley 1 garlic clove pinch of salt pinch of pepper 60 ml (¼ cup) fresh Parmesan cheese olive oil to garnish lemon wedge

28 • JANUARY 2022 I faithandfriends.ca

1. Boil water and cook pasta according to package. 2. Blend ricotta, lemon, dill, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper. 3. Add 30 ml (2 tbsp) of pasta water to sauce and mix. 4. Drain pasta and mix sauce and pasta together in a bowl. 5. Garnish with fresh Parmesan, drizzle of olive oil and a lemon wedge.

Sudoku Puzzle

6 3

7 6

4 7

2 8

4 3 8 6 5 9 1

4 6 7 1 8 3

4 1 8 5 9 3 7 6 2

3 6 7 8 2 1 4 5 9

8 4 6 7 1 2 9 3 5

7 3 2 9 4 5 8 1 6

1 5 9 6 3 8 2 4 7

HEAVEN’S LOVE THRIFT SHOP by Kevin Frank

Quick Quiz Answers: 1. Lebanon; 2. Audi; 3. Christopher Nolan.

Visit faithandfriends.ca/subscribe or call (416) 422-6119 today!

• inspiring true stories of hope and salvation • practical resources that will rejuvenate your spirit • uplifting articles that you can share with friends

Subscribe Today

1. What Middle Eastern country’s flag is red and white with a green cedar tree? 2. What car company’s logo consists of four interlinked circles? 3. Which director’s film credits include Memento, Inception and Dunkirk?

QUICK QUIZ

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 × 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

• 29

Faith&Friends

NIFTY THRIFTY

I’ve Been Framed! Hanging an inspirational slogan makes for an awesome upcycling project.

am a sucker for a lovely frame, an item I never buy new since there’s always so much choice at my local Salvation Army thrift store. And I recently acquired an inspirational printed quote I found at my neighbourhood stationery store. I combined my two finds into an awesome DIY. Supplies Needed: Thrifted frame, printed quote, cardboard, patterned paper, tissue paper (optional), scissors, tape (regular or double-sided) or white glue. Step 1 Source a frame at your local Salvation Army thrift store. I adore a natural wood frame like this one! Next, you’ll need to track down the perfect quote to give you inspiration.

Step 2 Remove everything from the frame. Be sure to keep the hardware and inserts since you’ll want to reuse these. For my wood frame, I sanded it, then added a coat of oil. You can use cooking oil to help give the finish a bit of oomph. 2

30 • JANUARY 2022 I faithandfriends.ca

Step 3 Trace the shape of either the inserts or glass onto cardboard or measure the inside of the frame, then cut out a piece of cardboard to fit. This will be the base of your background for your printed quote.

Step 4 Choose a patterned paper that works well with your printed quote. I chose a geometric design to help frame mine. I also chose to layer the patterned paper with tissue paper to mute the design. Use tape or white glue to add the patterned paper and tissue paper to the cardboard. 4

Step 5 Now you’re ready for your printed quote. I used doublesided tape on the back of mine to adhere it to the paper. Measure the space around the printed quote to ensure it’s in the middle and centred.

Step 6 Finally, we’re putting it all together. First, put the glass back in the frame and wipe the surface. Next, insert the cardboard with your printed quote. Lastly, nail or screw in the old hardware.

That’s it! We’re ready to hang our inspiring, DIY wall art.

(left) Denise Corcoran (aka Thrifty By Design) is an author, upcycler, community builder and workshop facilitator based in North Vancouver. She shares her enthusiasm for crafting and upcycling by facilitating “Crafternoons” throughout Vancouver. She is also a creative expert for The Salvation Army’s thrift stores. Find a thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca.

faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2022

• 31

PM 40064794

For address changes or subscription information contact (416) 422-6119 or circulation@salvationarmy.ca. Allow 4-6 weeks for changes.