The Salvation Army Chatham

This is the fourth and final week of our webmaster’s holiday and today finds him travelling home from three weeks north of the border in Scotland.

This has been a valuable break from routine and a refreshment from what has been a somewhat traumatic year on the family front. Taking the ‘family’ as the theme for this week’s spot we thought we would look back over the first year of our website at the births, marriages and deaths that have affected our Corps (or ‘hatches, matches and despatches’ as some people call them)

Taking them in a logical order we have had only one local ‘hatch’ to report this year although we are aware of a second one anticipated in September.

Isaac James Woodman

Isaac was born on 25 May 2006 and weighed in at a mighty 9lbs. He seems to have enjoyed his first year. Mum and Dad (Carolynn and Carl) also seem to have survived quite well but we have heard no rumours of a repeat performance just yet! Isaac attends most meetings and listens attentively. He also takes his mum to ‘Mummy and Me’ most Fridays. Just a few days ago, in May, we were informed of the birth of Samuel Anthony to Matt and Sarah Butler away in Wales. Sarah was a member of our corps for many years before becoming a Salvation Army Officer.

Samuel Anthony Butler

‘Matches’ have been more plentiful and we also know of one soon to take place (Glen & Lisa in October). David Lockwood and Sarah Clayden were married last July. Richard Proctor and Bev in December (in Australia), Richard Gamble and Kirsty Brazil in March and Mark Ross and Maureen Hood in April. Here are a few pictures to remind you of these great occasions.

David & Sarah

Richard & Bev

Richard & Kirsty

Mark & Maureen

‘Despatches’ seems a rather unkind way to refer to the loss of five great friends during the year and we mean no disrespect. Syd Southby died in October last year and his funeral was held at St Mary the Virgin church in Upchurch. Mary Witt and Michael Spree passed both passed away in January and Shirley Lebar as recently as May.

Syd Michael

Shirley (2nd from right) at her recognition as an adherent

Unfortunately we have no picture of Mary. At the time of writing (some 4 weeks before publication) there were also more concerns within our corps and since then we are sad to report the ‘Promotion to Glory’ of Sister Elsie Thompson whose funeral was held on 21 June. Elsie was a long serving member of Chatham Corps and her special service was in leading the Home League. Her heart was in service to the Lord through this special group of ladies. She will long be remembered for her total dedication and faithfulness.

It is good to look back on both sad and happy events and to know that even the sad ones had a certain loveliness about them. And a common factor in all the events recalled above is LOVE. As the song says, ‘LOVE makes the world go round’. Well it does, doesn’t it?

Next week we should be returning to our usual format for Monday Spot. Until then, keep smiling (and loving)!

And now:

If Tesco’s is lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet?

You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.