The Salvation Army Chatham

This was a weekend which will be long remembered in the Corps. It should have begun with the KAOS outing to Joss Bay, on the eastern tip of Kent, but doubtful weather caused this to be cancelled at the last minute.

Picture grabbed from the 2006 outing

It did, however, continue on Saturday evening with a concert given by the Medway Singers to help raise funds for the Young Searchers forthcoming trip to Tanzania. This was a superb evening’s entertainment with the choir showing much evidence of sound choral training. £340 was added to the tour funds and we will report in more detail later this week.

The Medway Singers

Despite again only having one meeting the day was of great significance. It brought to an end the four year experiment in leadership involving Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe, who have been part time leaders,  together with Major Kathy Woodhouse who has been full time at the corps. Drew and Beverley are remaining as our full time officers in the future but Major Kathy moves, this week, to a new appointment at Thornton Heath Corps in South London.

Major Kathy Woodhouse

Kathy led her final meeting at Chatham in the morning and included song 365 from The Salvation Army Song Book and 1346 from Songs of Fellowship. All the musical sections took part and the music included ‘Leaver’s Song’ and ‘In His Time’ from the Singing Company, ‘I love you, Lord’ and ‘Walk with the Lord’ from the Young People’s Band, ‘Midnight Cry’ and ‘Grace Alone’ from the Songsters and ‘Fanfare, Hymn and Thanksgiving’ and ‘Army of God’ from the Band. Paul Woodhouse sang ‘O love that will not let me go’, a personal favourite of Kathy’s and the scripture chosen was Ephesians 3:7-12.

Paul

Part of the meeting was led by the Worship Band who sang three songs with congregational participation and the Primary made their own special contribution to the occasion.

Worship Band leading

Primary members gather round

David Lockwood was commissioned as the new Young People’s Band Leader, following on from his father, Nigel, who is now our Deputy Bandmaster. David makes a habit of taking over from his father as he did the same as the bass trombone player in the Welsh Guards Band just a couple of years ago.

David, new leader

Nigel, relinquishing leadership

Songster Leader Verna Smith (R) gave a short appreciation of the work and service given by Kathy during her stay reminding us that Kathy ‘has served God and His people not under the oppressive burden of obligation but willingly and with a witness that she has dedicated her life to God …………….. her ministry is a joy, not a burden’.

Verna

In her brief final address Kathy spoke about how she became a ‘Servant of Jesus’ (her session name at the Training College) nineteen years ago and how she has recently been called to serve on the Territorial Candidates Council assessing potential for leadership within The Salvation Army. She asked are they prepared? Are they willing? This is a question for every Christian, not just officers. Whatever God wants of us we must be ready. God has a purpose for each life. How ready are you to move into the future accepting that purpose? Surrender yourselves as ‘servants of the gospel’ . ‘In Christ alone………………I stand”.

A short time of fellowship and refreshments was held after the meeting, arranged by the children.

During the afternoon a large number, exceeding 100, gathered at Teston Country Park, near Maidstone, to share fellowship in the form of a BBQ and to give Kathy a good send off. This was truly ‘church in the park’ and showed the strength of the fellowship in a most outstanding way. A suggestion was even made that it should become a regular feature of our summer worship (the BBQ not the Farewell!). We echo all the words of appreciation given and pray that Kathy will continue to find satisfaction in serving her Lord and Master through the medium of Salvation Army officership. Here are some photos of the afternoon in the park.

We have experienced four years of rich corps development which we know will continue under the leadership of Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe. We praise God for this and pray ‘Major Kathy’ the very best of God’s love directing her ministry in future days. Thanks Kathy!

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