The Salvation Army Chatham

Our usual webmaster is away for the next few months in sunnier climes so you will probably notice some changes in the presentation of news on the website.  Hopefully this will not be too disastrous  – I will do my best to keep you updated and interested in what goes on in Chatham.

Due to the snowy weather and difficulties in getting about and parking in town only one meeting was held yesterday, in the morning.   There were about 25 people who attended.  The theme for the meeting led by Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe was ‘Being God, being known and making known’.

Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe

In the absence of the Corps pianists, Major Beverley took her seat at the piano and ably accompanied the songs.    Major Drew led the first part of the service and led songs and Bible readings based on ‘Knowing God’.   Song 12 , John 14:8-11, SOF 646 . People told of their words to describe Jesus!   It was revealed that Jesus is everything to us and we affirmed this by singing SOF 99 Father we adore you.    Drew invited us to meditate on what the Spirit is saying to us.

Beverley led the next section ‘Being known’ and by reading Psalm 139 she emphasized that God does indeed know us – more than we can ever know ourselves.  She read an extract from a book quoting verses of scripture emphasizing what God says about our worth to Him.    We then looked at various verses of Scripture and together discussed what they meant to us  Eph 2:10. I Cor 7:24; Matt 9:37&38, Psalm 16:5-6 coming to the conclusion that God has planned what we should do, where we should be and wants us to help in His harvest which cannot fail.

Drew then led the last section ‘Making Known’ including Song 435 and invited us to dwell on prayers to make Christ known,  the children’s activity week in February on a local estate, the new Monthly Kids Club at our Hall,  developing the use of the new Cafe Foyer area at our Hall, the introduction of a Give to Grow programme and ongoing activities.   The meeting concluded with the singing of SOF 129 followed by coffee/tea being served in the foyer.

We are pleased to announce that on Tuesday of this week, 5 January, baby Benjamin Craik (8lbs 4oz) was born to Claire and Richard.   We rejoice in the safe delivery of Benjamin and send our congratulations and best wishes to Claire and Richard.   Hopefully, we will be able to present a photograph to you within the next few days.   The new dad has told us that, thankfully, mother and baby were able to return home on Wednesday before the worst of the snow arrived but this has meant problems for midwives and health visitors in carrying out their visits.  All is well though except that parents are losing some sleep at night at present.

The Ladies Fellowship due to be held this evening, Monday 11 January, is cancelled as the weather conditions are preventing people from getting out and about.

We hope that travel conditions improve during the week as we are looking forward to the visit of the Territorial Commander, John Matear, and his wife Commissioner Elizabeth Matear, next Saturday and Sunday.

I hope you all have a good week and thanks for logging onto our website.