The Salvation Army Chatham

Chatham Songsters under the leadership of Adrian Horwood visited the Belfast Sydenham Corps last week-end and had a Spirit-filled time with the people of East Belfast.   The months of planning by both the Sydenham and Chatham leaders meant that all details were covered, from transport, to hospitality, to worship and singing.   Some of the Songsters travelled on early (8.15am) flights from Stansted and another group followed at 12.   Here are some of the arrivals:

Phil, Ruth, Norma, Frankie, Peter

All those who came on the early flights were treated to breakfast at the Hall and after a prayer meeting led, for the first time, by Rachel Abbott, there was time for a short expedition to the City Centre and some shopping then back to the beautifully equipped suite of buildings that comprise the Salvation Army Belfast Sydenham Corps.

Rachel leading prayer meeting

A group of Songsters

By that time the other group had arrived and we sat down to lunch.   The afternoon was spent sightseeing by coach and although some of the Songsters had previously either lived in Belfast (Adrian and Ruth, who somehow acquired an Irish accent when her feet touched the soil on arrival) or visited the city, for the majority of us it was a first time.  We visited Stormont and also the dock area where Harland and Wolfe had been a main business with the building of the Titanic.

Songster Leader Adrian at Stormont

We were proud to display our historic Songster Flag – over 100 years old which identified in the centre of the star the number ‘16′ being the number of the Corps.   Carole, our pianist, prepared for her important role in accompanying the majority of songs although Emma also played for those conducted by Carolynn.

Adrian with 100 yr old Songster flag

Carole exploring the feel of the piano

The Saturday evening commenced the week-end theme of Growing in Christ. Songs included ‘A Childhood Suite’, ‘I am His child’ (sung by a small group of female voices), Vocal solo, Hilary Bromage, ‘He’s been faithful’,  male voice group song ‘Ride the Chariot’, Vocal trio ‘When the Roll’ and concluded with ‘Praise His holy name’.  The Belfast Sydenham Band played ‘Triumph of Peace’ which was most appropriate as the news that day had been of the decommissioning of arms in East Belfast.

The Sunday morning meeting was led by Rosemary Steadman-Allen continuing the theme of Growing in Christ but entitled ‘Grow up, I dare you’ based on 1 Corinthians 13.    The YP spot was introduced by Vanessa and Louise Robinson.   The Belfast Sydenham Singing Company ministered with the song ‘Feel Good’ and the Chatham Songsters sang ‘This Day’ and ‘Vesper’.

The message was brought by Ruth Hardy and asked us to grow up in speech, in thinking and reasoning about spiritual things.   She said we should not stop asking.   We need to come to Christ in a childlike way.   Seek the wisdom of the ages but look at the world through the eyes of a child.   The trick is growing up without growing old.   For God’s sake, grow up.

The afternoon meeting commenced at 2.30 and was led through by Songster Leader Adrian who reminded us that we need to worship, we can rely on God to be with us through the storms of life, that we need to surrender our lives to God and He will support and guide us. The Songsters sang a variety of songs including ‘That’s what we came here for’, ‘Somebody’s praying’ (Soloist Christine Lockwood), ‘In the name of the Lord’ (Soloist Rachel Horwood), ‘I surrender all’ and ‘With wings as eagles’.   Belfast Sydenham Band supported and played ‘Morning Star’.

During the week-end both Debbie Abbott and John Mills shared their testimonies which brought much blessing and food for thought.   The initial prayer brought by Theresa Tranah asked that ‘God would open our eyes to see Thy loveliness and make our hearts burn within us as you speak your word to us’.    This was a week-end truly blessed by God both within the hearts of people of East Belfast Sydenham Corps and the Chatham Songsters.

Here are a few more photos.

Debbie, Theresa and Hilary

Rachel, Vanessa, Rachel, Emma, Louise and Sarah

Richard, Tim, Chris, Allan and Adrian

Chatham Songsters in action on Saturday evening