The Salvation Army Chatham

Just for a change we are bringing you this week a report concerning our neighbours at Gillingham Salvation Army Corps.

Gillingham SA Hall

Captains Lyn & Bryn Hargreaves

Commanding Officers Lyn & Bryn Hargreaves are introducing the Alpha Course into the corps programme and this Sunday morning was the launch of the new venture.

The Alpha Logo

Chatham’s first Alpha leaders, Murray and Verna Smith, and current leaders Steve and Melanie Scoulding went along to add support and encouragement. Both Murray and Steve were asked to speak about the course and the effect it has had on the corps at Chatham. Various aspects regarding the administration of the course were covered and Steve and Mel also gave of their experience of becoming true Christians through attending Alpha. The scripture chosen was Psalm 34:1-10, songs used in support of the launch included 825, 60 and 529 (with particular reference to verse 2) from The Salvation Army Song Book and the course was launched with the introductory DVD produced by Holy Trinity, Brompton, the authors of the course material.

Speaker’s Corner

Following the meeting an Alpha lunch was held and people were able to share fellowship and discuss matters about the course which concerned them.

Major Drew

Meanwhile, back at Chatham, Major Drew led the morning meeting on the theme of ‘The Purpose of Church’. He used songs 577, 833 and 692 from The Salvation Army Song Book coupled with 921, 1015, 40 and 742 from Songs of Fellowship. Musical ministry was provided by the Singing Company who sang ‘Do Something Beautiful’ and the Songsters who contributed ‘Vesper’.

Major Beverley

In the evening Major Beverley was our leader and the continuing theme was ‘Reactions to Jesus’. Songs used were 149 and 474 from The Salvation Army Song Book and 1404, 1151 and 290 from Songs of Fellowship. The Band contributed ‘Grace Alone and the Songsters ‘Shine on Us’. Basing her message on Mark 8:27-38 Beverley said no human being is perfect as God is perfect but Peter ‘saw the light’ in his acknowledgement of who Jesus was. However, he challenged Jesus and told Him he was wrong in his predictions. We need to be careful not to fall into the trap of telling God he is wrong or that he must fit in with our own wants. We must not choose the context in which we serve God but must be chosen by God to do his work in his way. We must get to the place of unconditional obedience. We must alllow God to be God!

Finally, those who were able to go to Fairfield Halls, Croydon, on Saturaday will have enjoyed the tribute paid to Lt. Col. Ray Steadman-Allen. It was truly a wonderful evening of Salvation Army music, all of it written by RSA.

Lt. Col. Ray at home

The programme included ‘Silver Star’, ‘By Love Compelled’, ‘The Holy War’ and Romans 8 (all by the International Staff Band), ‘O Lovely Name’, Blessed be the Lord my Strength’, ‘My New Day’, ‘The Christian Mission’, ‘Remember Me’ and ‘Vesper’ (all by the International Staff Songsters. Guest soloists Bramwell Tovey (Fantasia for Piano & Band), Songster Leader Susan Turner (Serenity) and Bandmaster Derick Kane (Lyric Variatiions) emphasized RSA’s complete range of skills in their performances. Tributes were given by Dudley Bright (video), General Shaw Clifton (video), Professor David King (video), Dr Stephen Cobb (in person) and Lt. Col. Norman Bearcroft (in person).

The audience listened with hushed silence whilst RSA responded with thanks to all who had been involved in the event and quoted the line from John Bowring’s song which inspired the concluding part of ‘Romans 8′ – ‘In the cross of Christ I glory’ – before the audience showed its own appreciation with a standing ovation. Click here to read the whole of the song and here to read Romans 8.

Ray, as your current corps, we endorse every word spoken. They are all richly deserved. But we know you also as a man whom our new Christians, who have no idea of your profile in the musical world, can just call ‘Ray’, who will encourage them and who shows an interest. Sincerely, thank you.