The Salvation Army Chatham

The popular song says ‘it’s a long, long time from May to September’ but somehow it doesn’t seem like it. The summer months have come and almost gone all too quickly. We’ve had another round of examination results this week (GCSEs) and we are pleased to congratulate our youngsters on their achievements once again. We are not able to name all of them at this time due to holidays but we can congratulate our ‘older’ youngster, Ray Knapman, on his personal success in this area.

Ray – success in two subjects

During this week our contractors have started the alteration works to our building and have made a promising start. It’s amazing what you find when you take up a few floors and remove the old ceilings. Knocking down some walls and erecting new steelwork comes next and the transformation will then be quite dramatic. Here are some progress photos taken earlier in the week.

In view of the numbers of people still on holiday and the state of the building after week one, only one meeting was held yesterday and this was led by Lt. Col. Ray Steadman-Allen. To say the least it was ‘cosy’ in our secondary hall but somehow we managed to get 88 people in and operate in a near normal way. Songs 699, 713, 847, 813, 605 and 152 were chosen, all from the Salvation Army Song Book, and the scripture used was from Colossians 2:13-15 and 20-23. Despite limitations of space a small band was able to function and musical ministry was also provided by the Singing Company, with ‘Do something beautiful’ and the Songsters with ‘One Life to Live’.

every little helps!

The Colonel’s message was on the theme of ‘Victory in Jesus’ and he began by quoting a text from Corinthians, ‘thanks be to God who gives us the victory’. He said I’m told I live in the past too much. Here Paul is looking back and reflecting on Jesus going to the cross for us all. As a result of this, when God forgives us our sin is gone, flushed away for ever by Jesus’ victory over death. Jesus is about love and he sets his face towards his goal. We often have to fight inwardly and privately so that our inner selves may die. Unhelpful situations, spontaneous reactions, difficult relationships are all examples of the battles we have to fight but God’s spirit can, and will, make us free. This is his ‘unspeakable gift’ and we must share it with others because his grace is limitless. Using the piano to demonstrate Ray showed how discord and clash can be resolved musically and, in life, by the grace of God. The past can be forgotten because ‘my peace I give unto you’. ‘He will keep you from falling’ is the promise. But we can’t do it on our own. We have to acknowledge our need and then God can do his work.

RS-A makes a point

Next Sunday our morning meeting (10am) will take place at the Fort Pitt Grammar School for Girls, where there are good parking facilities on the site, and in the evening we shall share worship with the congregation at the Emmaus Church Centre in Clover Street where the Rev Brian Adams is the regular preacher.

Brian Adams with Drew & Beverley

Whilst being out of our own building on Sundays may seem a trifle inconvenient we are looking forward to this time of sharing with our friends at Emmaus.

Finally we are delighted with the response received from the public to our plans to feature a Community Gospel Choir at the Central Theatre Carol Concerts this year. Since launching the Registration Form on this website on 15 June we have received well over 80 registrations and will soon be placing names on a waiting list. Over 75% of this number have been from people who have no previous affiliation with the corps and we look forward to meeting these new friends when rehearsals begin next week. The choir will perform during both concerts which will take place on Saturday 28 November (3pm and 7pm). Watch this space!

We end with a reminder to all those concerned that music section rehearsals begin again this week following the summer break.