The Salvation Army LETCHWORTH NEWSLETTER APRIL LetchworthSalvationArmy

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1 The Salvation Army LETCHWORTH NEWSLETTER APRIL LetchworthSalvationArmy Inside this issue: Page 2 Rotas Stevenage Minibus Pick Up Page 3 What s On Page 4 Update Corps Finances ISB in Bedford Page 5 Crosslight Passion Play Page 6 Good Friday Walk of Witness Page 7 Tree Planting Pages 8 & 9 Thank you and Farewell Page 10 The Drumhead Ceremony Page 11 Prayer Page Page 12 Corps Programme Activities, Pastoral Care Council, Mission Statement To all soldiers, adherents and friends of Letchworth and Stevenage Corps We just want to say a huge 'Thank You' to everyone for the amazing Farewell Mee ng on Easter Sunday. All the musical items and the congrega onal songs were perfect. The very generous words of thanks from both corps and our clergy friends from the district really blessed us. But the 'Drumhead Ceremony' was simply overwhelming. We want to thank everyone who was able to be there and also thank those who sent their good wishes before and a er the event. Thank you all for our me here in Letchworth and for our me in the leadership of Stevenage corps too, we believed we came 'for such a me as this' and what a me it has been. We pray that God will con nue to bless each and every one of you and the work that has begun will con nue long into the future. The army world is a very small one and I know that we will meet some of you again in the most unexpected places, but for now, as we approach our Sabba cal, a me given to us as a gi for Spiritual reflec on, for study and rest, and as we prepare for our new challenge, we both send our Chris an love and prayers. And we give all the glory to God. Maria & Barrie

2 Rotas FLOWERS Thank you to those who bring the flowers which add so much to our worship from week to week. Flowers during April will be brought by: 3 Mercia and Norman Loukes 10 Jackie Roberts 17 Marie and Roy Spriggs 24 Steve and Ann Hambides TEA & COFFEE Thank you to those who serve tea and coffee after our meetings and add to our fellowship. Refreshments during April will be served by: 3 Jacky Clayden & Joyce Birkett 10 Janice Clark 17 Roy and Marie Spriggs 24 CLEANING Thank you to those contributing to keeping our facilities clean and tidy Week beginning: OUTREACH 3 No outreach 10 Lister Hospital 17 TBC 24 TBC Stevenage Corps Minibus Pick Up Rota Listed below is the current rota for picking up the Stevenage Corps folk on the first Sunday in each month. I appreciate that there may need to be some amendments as the year progresses. If the drivers could look at the dates listed below and if there are any changes required if you could have a word with me and I will issue a revised schedule. Many thanks for those who volunteer so willingly to undertake this task, it is much appreciated. John Clayden (CS) Andrew 3rd April Phil John Rod Stuart David Nick 1st May 5th June 3rd July 7th August 4th September 2nd October Andrew 6th November 2

3 What s on? April 3 Messy Easter - YP Team, followed by a faith lunch pm Ladies Fellowship pm House Group Worship Hall Foyer am Men's Breakfast -The Broadway Hotel, Letchworth 10 10am - Lt.-Colonels Alan and Evelyn Bateman pm Women's Prayer Group Worship Hall Foyer pm House Group 94 Hallmead 17 10am Major Stephen Gowler 18 Weekday programme recommences this week pm House Group Worship Hall Foyer 24 10am - Cadet Andrew Williams pm Women's Prayer Group Worship Hall Foyer pm House Group 15 Kristiansand Way May 1 10am - Commissioners Ray and Judith Houghton pm Ladies Fellowship 7 10am - Messy Church 8 10am Majors Graham and Amanda Slader -Candidates Sunday 15 10am -Majors Andy and Gwen Cox Pentecost 21 Standing Day at Sainsburys 22 10am -Major Stephen Gowler 29 10am - Captain Jonny Smith June 5 10am Majors Cliff and Jean Bradbury 12 10am Liz Hall - Brownie Church Parade 19 10am Divisional Commanders Fathers Day 26 10am Majors John and Anne Read 3

4 Update New Address Gerald and Joyce Birkett have recently moved house. Their new address is 15 Kristiansand Way Letchworth Garden City SG6 1TX We wish them every blessing in their new home. Fundraising Andrew Hall is once again raising money for the Neo-Natal Unit at Lister Hospital He has added a story into his Just Giving page which is Hall22 showing the events he is taking part in and the amount he is looking to raise. Your support would be appreciated. Book List William Booth College have announced the launch of a book list. This is a collection of recommendations from employees and officers across the territory spanning various topics in relation to mission and ministry within our movement. You can access the resource from BookList It is hoped that employees, officers, volunteers and local officers will be able to use this resource 4 Corps Finances February 2016 Income Cartridges 3,588 Offerings 332 War Cry Ministry 823 Other Corps Income 252 Total 4,995 Charity Shop Income 1,655 Total Income 6,650 Expenditure Corps 3,441 Charity Shop 29 Total Expenditure 3,470 April 23rd and 24th International Staff Band Including our own Philip Fisher, will be at Bedford Congress Hall with an evening festival on the Saturday evening and worship services on the Sunday. Watch out for more details/ poster. Quotes from church bulletins Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

5 Crosslight Tuesday 15 th March 2016 saw the produc on of Crosslight at Letchworth Garden City Church. It was welcome to see that the church (auditorium) had an almost full to capacity audience. The Riding Lights cast had high pedigree for ac ng, having performed theatre world-wide plus radio, TV and films. The portrayal of Holy Mary, John and Simon Peter showed raw anguish, anger, sorrow and compassion in their telling of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus. The produc on was compelling to watch and the use of modern day dress brought the Passion of Christ into the 21 st century reflec ng true significance to the suffering of Jesus and the influence and beliefs on today s society. Throughout the play there were pauses for reflec on and prayers which enabled audience par cipa on and unity in affirming our faith in Jesus Christ. The opening act depicted Simon Peter distraught and having denied and deserted Jesus, tying a large boulder to his waist and in high storm and crashing waves cas ng himself into the sea to drown. The following enactment took the audience to a safe house where Mary and John sought refuge a er the crucifixion and death of Jesus. It was harrowing to hear Mary speak in mately on the death of her son, the disbandment and deser on of the disciples, especially of Simon Peter in Jesus hour of need and John s frustra on and anger. A knock on the door brought a dishevelled and overwrought Peter having failed to drown realising he had been chosen to con nue Jesus teaching. There followed between the two disciples and Mary ques ons, accusa ons and reasoning on the final hours of Jesus life culmina ng in understanding, forgiveness and love between the three of them. A further knock on the door brought news that Jesus body was no longer in the tomb a er the third day. The momentous proclama on gave Holy Mary, John and Peter total believe in Jesus the Son of God who died for the forgiveness of sins of others, rose on the third day and ascended to Heaven in accordance with God s will. A Passion Play for Lent, that was not to be missed. 5 Mike Lockwood

6 Good Friday Walk of Witness We were blessed with a bright sunny morning for this year s Churches Together walk of witness. We gathered in Broadway Gardens for a welcome and first hymn. We then processed quietly behind the cross to the Leys Square. We heard a tes mony about mee ng Jesus. A dance group presented a piece choreographed to Via Dolorosa that was very moving. Major Maria read Luke 22:54-62, Peter s denial and Major Barrie spoke on this passage. There were several hundred people present, but space was created for passers by to be able to see and hear. A erwards there was an opportunity for fellowship over tea, coffee and hot cross buns. 6

7 Tree Plan ng You may recall that some me ago an ash tree at by the car park had to be cut down for safety reasons (and our ash collec on plates were made). The Heritage Founda on asked that we plant a new tree as a replacement and, a er some discussion, it was agreed to plant a new tree on the grass next to Nevells Road. So on Barrie and Maria s farewell Sunday, a tree plan ng ceremony took place a er the morning mee ng. Having had a sunny morning, as the me arrived for plan ng the rain came down! Well wrapped from the weather and watched by the sheltering congrega on, our officers planted an acer tree. The congrega on are entrusted with it s care, especially over this first summer to make sure it is watered. It survived, unscathed, the ba ering winds of storm Kate and will be a las ng reminder of Barrie and Maria s me at Letchworth. 7

8 Thank You and Farewell On Sunday 27th March we held the farewell mee ng for our Commanding Officers, Majors Barrie and Maria Sampson. The mee ng hall was full (with extra chairs added) as family, friends and corps folks from Letchworth and Stevenage joined in an amazing a ernoon of worship. The musical contribu ons were excellent; some were requests from Barrie and Maria. Robert Fisher looked back over the last seven years, recalling the building project underway as Barrie and Maria joined the Corps. He spoke about the day the Olympic torch came through Letchworth (and the rain!), about the Corps centenary year and more recently the links with Stevenage corps. 8

9 Words of thanks were given by Reg Smith (Letchworth), Sue Clarke (Stevenage CS) and Nick Carver (Letchworth CSM). Maria and Barrie gave their thanks to both corps and those in the wider community. We were reminded of the transi on that has taken place.. There were thanks from local clergy. Folowing this there was drumhead ceremony, where Barrie and Maria were invited to kneel at the drumhead and were surrounded by the leaders of local churches who supported them in prayer for the future. Our final congrega onal song was In Christ Alone. Barrie gave the benedic on and, as we regularly have in the past, the congrega on were asked to turn to face the doors, reminding us of the need to be church in the community and to tell our story. And a erwards there was cake!! 9

10 The Drumhead Ceremony A Drumhead Altar was used by our forces for worship when on ac ve service. Barrie and Maria s new appointment in July is to Ca erick Garrison in North Yorkshire. Ca erick Garrison is the Bri sh Army's largest training establishment with 13,000 personnel located there. It is the headquarters of the 4th Infantry Brigade and the centre for all phase 1 and phase 2 training for every Bri sh infantry soldier. The Salva on Army has a long and proud tradi on of providing pastoral support to the Bri sh military and, at Ca erick, this is provided from the Vickery club at Vimy barracks. At Ca erick young men and women recruits (some as young as 16) from diverse backgrounds and with differing abili es have some of the most challenging experiences of their lives and many have, in recent years, gone on from here to serve in hos le and dangerous environments. In few situa ons is the work of the Salva on Army more essen al. During the farewell service, and to support Barrie and Maria as they transi oned to their new roles, the band played the hymn tune Melita, as past and current service men from our corps ( David Fisher ex - Welsh Guards and Benjamin Carver - Royal Navy) prepared a drumhead altar with the cross and Bible ( a gi from the Chaplain at HM Royal Naval College Dartmouth). Barrie and Maria were invited to kneel at the drum head and were surrounded by the leaders of local churches who supported them in prayer. Nick Carver 10

11 PRAYER IS THE CHRISTIAN S VITAL BREATH Heavenly Father and God of Mercy, We no longer look for Jesus among the dead For He is alive and has become the Lord of life Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life That we can now share with Christ Help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you. We ask this through Christ our risen Lord and friend and Saviour. Amen In me, my God be present. Be always here. And may you find your home in me, Just as you are, my God. Amen Loving God, Forgive us that though maybe we talk much about prayer, we are weak when it comes to praying, and weaker still in turning prayers into action. Forgive us our neglect of prayer, Our reluctance to take it seriously, or to devote time to you. Forgive us our empty or half-hearted prayers, offered more out of duty or habit than serious intent. Teach us what it means to wrestle in prayer and what it means to act upon our words, and so may we pray, always to your glory. In the name of Christ our Saviour And finally A farewell prayer from us! To you Maria and Barrie:- Father God, As we say farewell to our friends and leaders, we entrust them into your care. We pray for happiness and joy to be ahead of them, for wisdom and guidance to be beside them, and for grace and truth to be behind them, pushing them onwards into your goodness. We know that you will always love and protect them, wherever they go. Amen (Thank you for 7 quality years of leadership) 11

12 Corps Programme Sunday 10am Worship Mee ng Young Children s Church (3rd Sunday monthly) 11.30am Outreach Monday 2.15pm Silver Circle Club 7.45pm Ladies Fellowship (1st Monday monthy) 7.45pm Women s Prayer Group (2nd& 4th Mondays) Tuesday 9.30am Parent & Toddler Group 8pm Senior Band Prac ce Wednesday 7.45pm House Group Mee ngs Thursday 7.45pm Songster (Choir) Prac ce Friday 6.15pm JAM Club (5-12 years) Saturday 10am Messy Church (1st Saturday monthly) You are invited to a end any of our Services or Ac vi es. Should you require any further informa on please contact: Tel: Silver Circle Club Mrs Ann Hambides Tel: Ladies Fellowship Mrs Maureen Carver, Secretary Tel: Parent & Toddler Group Mrs Janet Richardson Tel: Charity Shop Tel: JAM (Junior) Club Mrs Jacky Clayden Youth Secretary Mrs Jacqui Clayden Tel: LETCHWORTH CORPS MISSION STATEMENT To Worship and glorify God, and to bring others to a faith in Jesus Christ. To be a vibrant and welcoming church fellowship, ac ve in the community, where needs are met, and where ALL will feel comfortable in the embrace of Chris an love. PASTORAL CARE COUNCIL Corps Sergeant Major -Nick Carver Assistant CSM -Stuart Ellio Songster Leader -Alison Carver Corps Secretary -John Clayden Bandmaster -David Fisher Corps Youth Sec - Jacqui Clayden Corps Treasurer -Philip Fisher 12