Two Lent Courses are currently under way at our premises in Church Street.

On Wednesday mornings (10.30am) is a course exploring key themes that arise from the crucifixion that will help us living as Christians today, entitled “His Cross & Ours”

On Wednesday evenings (8.00pm) is a course looking at events and characteristics associated with well-known Bible characters to illustrate some of the major themes of Christ’s work of salvation through their lives, entitled “Portraits of Jesus”.

Both these take place at the Salvation Army Hall in Church Street. All are welcome! Here’s how to find us:

Click on the maps to enlarge

Anyone wishing to know more should contact us

“The difference between try and triumph….is a little UMPH” is a quote from Lorraine Poulton, one of the guest speakers at LIBERATE 2010, the Divisional Women’s weekend to be held at Sunbury Court, The Salvation Army’s conference centre in West London, starting tomorrow.

“Who do yo think you are?” is the title of the weekend which will feature Major Anne Read, The Salvation Army’s anti-human trafficking response coordinator, Ira Thomas, currently working in the Music Ministries Unit at Territorial Headquarters, as well as Lorraine, a very multi-talented lady who “enjoys helping women to succeed”.

The group of 75 delegates and staff will include seven ladies from the Chatham corps who look set to have a great weekend. We look forward to receiving a report in due course. Watch this space!

Sunbury Court

We are pleased to report that Cadets David & Jennifer Gosling, who have carried out part of their officer training at Chatham, have been appointed to Perth. Our love and prayers go with them.

David & Jennifer with Anna & Owen

Commencing today readers will be able to access a daily bible verse by clicking the button above. The verse, together with a thought, will be updated at approximately 8am each day.

The Family Fun evening organised by the Fellowship Purpose Group was the first of the year with the aim to raise funds for the building project.   £216.20 was raised which is the most raised in a single event – so far.  The evening took the form of  ‘Knowing me, knowing you’ quiz game with pairs of contestants answering questions about each other.    This was interspersed with a supper of soup and crusty bread and an auction of mouthwatering desserts.   Here are a selection of photographs of the evening.

Sunday was Mothering Sunday and the morning meeting led by Major Beverley McCombe commenced with the Songsters singing ‘I miss my time with you’ and included reference to mothers being based on the theme ‘Celebrating the Goodness of God’.    Songs chosen were  SA 2, SoF 1187, Sof 441, SoF 894.   The two scripture portions were read by Daisie Tranah,  Psalm 34: 1-10 and Theresa Tranah, Luke 13: 10-17.   The Singing Company and YP Band both contributed to the meeting with ‘Mothering Sunday’ and ‘Jesus Loves Me’.   In her message Beverley said

The Psalm of David illustrates that he recognised how good god was in keeping him safe when he was in trouble.   God helped him do the right thing and he said ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good’.    Jesus showed how good God is by the wonderful things He did.   The specific story of the healed woman was an example of how the welfare of people came before the Sabbath laws but some people could not understand why this should be so.

A prepared video was played being ‘News for Jews’ by news reader Tracy, reporter Nathaniel Daniel – Martin, Sharon the healed woman – Jessica and the Rabbi – David Sutton.

Beverley reminded us that God is good all the time but we may not always recognise the good things because our minds aren’t focussed on Jesus.   The early celebration of mothering sunday was when people returned to the mother church.    God gave us the rhythm of life – six days work and one day rest.   Until Jesus came the Sabbath had become encrusted with laws and it was hard work keeping them.   Now we need to learn the unforced rhythms of grace and have time for rest and refreshment with God.   ‘I will give you rest for your souls’.   Jesus broke the rules and offers peace, fulfilment and sense of being put right.   If we receive salvation, receive his spirit into our lives He will show us how to live.

The meeting concluded with the distribution of flowers to mothers.

We. are always pleased to welcome visitors to our Corps and we were delighted to meet Sarah and Paul Tester who are home from Peru where they are Mission Partners for the Christian Missionary Service.   Sarah’s sister, Claire, and mother, Marilyn, are the leaders of the Beavers in the Corps.

Sarah and Paul Tester

The evening meeting was based on the theme ‘How Big is your God?’ and was led by Major Drew McCombe.   Songs chosen were SA 16,  SoF 1013,  SA 615, SoF 2034,  SoF 2065,  SoF 480 and the scripture referred to was  Isaiah 40: 25-31 and Matthew 14: 25-32.   The Band played an arrangement of the chorus ‘Thy will to see’ and the Songsters sang ‘If you would be strong’.   Major Drew’s message drew attention to the fact that we are the workers – not the master builders and so it doesn’t all depend on us.   He said

The story of how Jesus walked on the water and Peter walked to him was a significant event in that after the storm, the disciples having witnessed that event they said ‘Truly you are the Son of God’.   They were changed and their faith increased because Jesus said ‘Take courage, it is I’.   Matthew in the original Greek text uses the self revealed name of God ‘I am He’.    He is the original ‘I am’ who came to the disciples in the storm.   The way we live our lives is as a consequence of how big we recognise our God to be.   If we live our lives realising that a great big God has accepted us we will live differently from how we often do – trying to please everyone and be what everyone expects us to be.    How can we change our perspective?   By worship.   God insists on worship because by worshipping God in spirit he weans us off self dependency.   There is something in our spirit which demands that we tell of the magnificent things we experience.    Our enjoyment in God is not complete without worship.    Every time someone gets out of their boat and does something different their God gets larger and they change.  Their world is never the same again.   If we risk ourselves on God then we grow.   Let us magnify the Lord in our worship then He will get bigger.   The story ends in worship.   Jesus is not finished with us yet – He is still working on us.

I hope you have enjoyed keeping in touch over the past weeks and that God is blessing you.    This is my last entry as the webmaster is now back from holiday and ready to take up the reins again.

Have a great week and may your God be a very BIG God.

Major Drew McCombe has given us an update of the ‘Give to Grow’ project which commenced in January.

Major Drew McCombe

This makes very encouraging reading.   Just click here to find out what he says.

A number of ladies met on Monday for the film night and watched ‘Pay it Forward’.  Some had heard that it was sad and came armed with tissues.   When the final moments came and the lights came up there were many dabbing their eyes.    It was Doreen’s turn to do the epilogue and she had brought a funny ‘parable’ tale to tell which ended up with her laughing uncontrollably and everyone else, well nearly everyone else, laughing too.     She did manage to calm down enough to read Psalm 23 and a closing prayer.

What a great way to relax with friends – a natter, a film, a cry, a laugh and a blessing.

Doreen poised to begin the epilogue

The Ladies Fellowship meets on the second Monday of each month.  It has a varied programme.   Next month Lesley Allsopp will speak about Traidcraft.  No doubt there will be an opportunity to purchase some goodies.

The Sunday meetings gave opportunity for everyone to give towards the work of the Salvation Army in other parts of the world.   The meetings were led by Cadets David and Jennifer Gosling with the theme of ‘Jubilee’ in the morning and ‘Jesus’ Ministry of Inclusion’ in the evening.

Cadets David and Jennifer Gosling

Songs used by Jennifer in the morning came from the Salvation Army Song Book, nos. 64, 870 and 174, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me now’ and nos. 877 and 1047 from Songs of Fellowship.   The scripture reading was from Luke 4:  14-30.   The music ministry from the Singing Company and Songsters added to the spirit of the meeting.   The song from the Singing Company was  ‘There’s a way’ and from the Songsters ‘Nothing but thy blood”.   The Self Denial focus this week was on the country of Mozambique and prayers were said for that country.   People were invited to give in the Altar Service.   In her message, Jennifer said

All over Israel the ram’s horn is sounded to celebrate the start of Jubilee – every fifty years according to the rules laid down in Leviticus.  Every seven days a sabbath should be built as a day of rest, every seven years there should be a sabbatical, outstanding debts will be cancelled and the land will be given a rest to lay fallow for a year.   The Jubilee is a super-sabbatical – the year of the Lord’s favour.    Jesus came to bring ‘the year of the Lord’s favour’ to fruition.   The whole jubilee should be a rhythm of living, forgiving, giving and remembering.   Jesus came to bring mercy, hope, liberation and new life.   ‘Jubilee’ flows from the grace of God.  This is a cascading grace coming down through the ages.  We can join in by remembering the generosity of God, giving and forgiving.   Rebuild relationships and receive freedom from sin.   Let us live out our lives in the spirit of Jubilee.

In the evening, David chose songs from the Salvation Army Song Book, nos. 17, 55, 160 and from Songs of Fellowship nos, 851, 1474 and 755.   The Scriptures used showed the breadth of Jesus’ inclusion.   Luke 17: 11-19, Matthew 9: 9-13 and Luke 19: 1-10.   The Songsters and Band contributed to the meeting in the form of the song ‘Lord you know that I love you’ and song arrangement ‘Grace Alone’.  In his message, David said

The way that Jesus included those who were excluded, like the Samaritan lepers,  was God’s expression of love, to change the world around us and bring fullness of life.   He called tax collectors to follow Him and had tea with the tax collector Zacchaeus.   David illustrated how for the Jews of Jesus time spiritual cleanliness before God was found by adhering to their 613 laws and Jesus showed how even those who people had given up on were free to follow Christ.    Where Jesus rules there is inclusion in the kingdom.   It is the church’s mission to seek and save the lost and this must continue to create a loving and accepting community.    It is not necessary for people to behave according to the church’s laws before they can believe and belong.   We need to not judge people but be welcoming and pastoring which is a Christlike attitude.   We need to remember that we aren’t the finished product.  We are still being shaped by Christ, the result of God’s grace and a work in progress.

The Lent courses continue this week on Wednesday morning and evening, the Christianity for Life course is holding its fourth session on Wednesday evening and the next Alpha course begins.    If you live in the vicinity you will be most welcome at any of these events.

During Holy week there will be, on Tuesday 30 March at 8.00pm a musical meditation led by the band and songsters;  on Wednesday at 8 pm Worship and the Word,  and on Thursday April 1st a Fellowship Meal.  On Good Friday there will be a meeting at 10.00am followed by the United Churches March and meeting in the Town Centre.

Our Coffee Shop is open from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm on Mondays and you are invited to come and taste the delicious fare provided.

Thank you for logging onto our website.   We would love to hear from you so please feel free to contact us.    We pray God’s blessing on you during this forthcoming week.   Your prayers are sought for officers and cadets this week when they receive notification on Thursday morning of their new appointments.   They would appreciate our prayers.

For those of you who regularly log onto our website you will know that we planned to hold a Gospel Choir Reunion in the New Year but unfortunately it was put off because of the snow.    Well, finally we made it and about 45 people gathered together recently – members of the Gospel Choir and members of our Salvation Army congregation.   From the photos you will see they enjoyed a time of tea, cakes and chat.    All the Gospel Choir members went away with a dvd of their performance at the Central Theatre, Chatham and an invitation to join the Alpha group which commences next Wednesday, 10 March.  Click on the Alpha button at the top of the page to register or just turn up.

Here are some photos which Sam, the Fellowship Purpose Group Leader, has sent to us.

Calling all members of the Ladies Fellowship!   The  speakers for Monday 8 March are unable to come so we will be holding the Film Night which had been planned for February.    The film to be shown is ‘Pay it Forward’.

The evening will start at 7.30pm as the film lasts for two hours.   Come and enjoy a balcony seat.    Bring your friends.   Everyone is welcome.

We often report stories of people who have connections with Chatham Corps and here is an event taking place in New York on Sunday March 7, 2010 when Richard, son of Pat and Gordon Phillips of our Corps, will be the guest of honour at Composer’s night, Profile 31, at New York Centennial Memorial Temple.

Richard Phillips

Richard grew up in Chatham Corps but is now Bandmaster at the Kettering Corps of the Salvation Army.

We thank God for the gift of music composition and performance which has been revealed through Richard and we pray that many people will be blest through this ministry.

Click here for the New York Staff Band website link and read Richard’s story.

Friday evening saw the first of our new monthly Prayer & Praise Venture for youngsters aged from 7yrs – 16yrs old.

The evening started off with some great worship using the songs Great Big God, Hey Hey and Faith as small as a mustard seed. Our KAOS Worship Band accompanied the songs making them funky and fun! Well done in particular to Daniel on Guitar and Jessica as our lead singer – you were both great! The rest of the group didn’t do too badly either!

Following worship we had some fun games as an opportunity to get to know each other and to introduce the theme of friendship. I think in one game we ended up with 4 people sitting on the same chair!

To cool down – we watched part of ‘Finding Nemo’ film, enjoying seeing the film on the big screen, watched from the balcony … just like the cinema! We spent some time to understand how friendships are important and how Jesus is our friend and will always be there for us.

After a quick craft activity – we ended with 15 minutes of energetic worship. This time we sang the songs – I’m gonna jump up and down, Hey diddle diddle and bringing the evening to a close with our benediction – Wonderful Lord.

Here are some pictures of evening.   Sorry about the quality but most of them were taken in subdued lighting without flash and with movement.   I think you get the picture though!

This first Prayer and Praise was well supported, with 18 youngsters attending.  But – we can cope with more!

So if you are, or know of anyone who is 7yrs-16yrs old who would like to join us one Friday a month – please tell them about it.  The next one is on 26 March!    Can’t wait…..

The rest of the dates can be found by using this link ...

The past week has been another eventful one at the Corps.   On Wednesday the sixth course of Christianity for Life began with fourteen participants.   The guest speaker was Nigel Day who contributed to the topic of ‘Belonging to the Church’.  We thank God for bringing people together for this opportunity of nurturing Christians in their faith.  The second session ‘Reading the Bible’ was held on Sunday afternoon when Ruth Hardy and Trevor Grant were guest speakers.

On the Friday was the first ‘Prayer and Praise’ celebration for 7-13 yr olds and a separate report will appear on the website later.    Our first ‘Hot Potato’ venture was held on Saturday when about 20 people gathered to share a hot potato supper and discussion on the hot topic of gambling led by Major Beverley McCombe.

At end of the evening.

The Sunday worship meetings were led once again by Cadets Jennifer and David Gosling who were welcomed together with their children Hannah and Owen.

Jennifer and David Gosling with their children

David led the morning meeting with the theme ‘Achieving potential – Life in all its fullness’.   The songs chosen to support this theme were SoF42, SA431, SA53, ‘The Spirit of the Lord‘, SoF851, and SA 298.  The Scripture used was John 10: 1-10.     Cadet David presented Singing Company member Elsa Burdett with her Junior Musician’s Commission and Songsters Gina Castle and Paula Butteriss-Dean with their Senior Musician Commissions.

Elsa Burdett, Junior Musician (Singing Company)

Paula Butteriss-Dean and Gina Castle – Songsters.

The music ministry by the Singing Company was ‘We’re in this thing together’ and Songsters ‘On the threshold’.

In his message David shared his discovery of what ‘fullness of life’ means by comparing what gives sheep a healthy contented life and the life we can live as Christians freely given to us through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.   The differences that can be made in people’s lives by giving to them what they need and, in the context of the Self Denial missionary giving, he showed pictures of the school in Zambia where the old rough floor had been replaced by a new smooth one.   This had made a huge difference to the lives of the children.   So it is in our lives when God is in control.

The evening meeting was led by Cadet Jennifer based on the theme ‘Prophets, Plumb line and Proclamation’.    Songs chosen were:  SA 824,  SoF 709, SoF 894, SA 324, SA 463 and ‘Lord, if your presence’.

Scripture used was Amos 7: 7-15 and Acts 20: 20-24, 27-28.   Paul Scoulding testified to the way God is helping him to witness in the workplace – a high security prison.   Since his lifehas been changed by God he is consumed with wanting to tell people about salvation.  He has a captive audience in the prison, both prison officers and prisoners and everyday he prays for opportunities to speak about God.   He and his wife, Wendy, have led Alpha courses for prison officers in the prison but as this is no longer possible they have commenced running an Alpha course in their home because prison officers were asking for it.  He said his most scary opportunity to testify was in front of 100 prisoners on a prisoners Alpha course but he was humbled when prisoners lined up to shake hands with him afterwards.  Jesus breaks down barriers.   The opportunities which God creates for him to testify are surprising.   He is having to share an office with an officer who at first did not want him to mention God but is now coming to understand that God placed Paul in that shared office to reach out to him.  Prison is a place where you come face to face with the devil – and that’s with the prison officers – he felt like an alien in a strange land, but was convinced by God that he was in the right place when an officer came and asked him to pray with him.   Paul is living out the great commission and assured us that we have the same power to tell others about Jesus so that their lives may be changed as the Samaritan woman did who Jesus met at the well.

The music ministry of the Band was in the song arrangement ‘The greatest adventure’ and the Songsters sang ‘We have a mission’.

In her message Jennifer drew out the parallels between the two stories of Amos and Paul.   Amos had a message of gloom but Paul had a message of hope and good news.   Amos was called and Paul was compelled – both knew it was God who was prompting them.   Ordinary people become prophets when God calls and we must be tuned in to God to hear him.   We should take courage that God knows the bigger picture and is waiting to equip us.   He walks ahead, alongside and behind us.   We do not always need to speak to proclaim the good news, but our lifestyle and day to day living can speak on our behalf.   We need to keep watch over ourselves, our own lifestyle, character and beliefs.  None of us is above needing God’s grace.

Our Lent courses start on Wednesday.  On Wednesday mornings in March at 10.30 am Major Beverley will lead a study of ‘His Cross and Ours’ – an opportunity to explore key themes that arise from the crucifixion that will help usliving as Christians today.   On Wednesday evenings in March at 8.00 pm Major Beverley will be leading a study of ‘Portraits of Jesus’.   This is a look at events and characteristics associated with well-known Bible characters to illustrate some of the major themes of Christ’s work of salvation through their lives.

If you are near enough you will be very welcome to come and join us.  Here’s where we are.

Click on the maps to enlarge

If you would like further information about us please contact us and we will do our best to meet your needs.   Happy St. David’s Day!

Here’s a report by one of our Youth Group members following the first SA Youth Group Together event.    Sounds as though everyone had a great time.   This is what Helen says about it:

You may have heard of the Youth Group Film Night which took place at our hall last Saturday, with various Corps from the division joining us- youth and leaders from Maidstone, Ashford, Gillingham and Chatham made up our gathering, which came to about 40 people (27 youths and 10 + leaders), which was a great success!

There was a great atmosphere, as we talked to people from other Corps, which was made easier by the two “ice breaker” sessions we took part in. First we each had a grid on a piece of paper with various details on it,  e.g. home towns or favourite TV programmes  etc. and we had to match the statements to the people present and get them to sign the grid- this meant talking to new people! The second ice breaker involved having a sticky note stuck on our forehead, with the name of a famous person on, and we needed to ask each other questions to find out who this person was- mine was William Booth.

After buying food from the tuck shop (supplied by Maidstone Corps) and collecting our (free!) pop corn, we made our way upstairs to the gallery, and we realised what a great venue the hall is for cinema nights: the big screen and the surround sound made it really work well!

The film we watched was “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs”, which was a good film, and had us all laughing! This was a computer animated film, about an inventor, Tim Lockwood, who created a machine that made different types of food fall from the sky like weather, such as ice cream snow! This new sort of weather caused problems, which our hero solved and managed to save the day.

Our message was given to us from one of the Maidstone leaders, in which he pointed out to us how very important it is to talk to likeminded people, such as other young people in the Salvation Army: we had something on common with every person in the room: our faith.  He reminded us that within the Corps family there is always someone to help us, and we are never alone with our problems. Lynnette (our Divisional youth Officer) finished off our night by praying for us and our future events.

This event was the first of many “youth group together” events, and we will meet at various venues within Kent about once every two to three months, the next one being hosted by Ashford Corps, which will hopefully be a barbeque! I am looking forward to our next meeting, and we hope to have an even greater number next time!

February half term saw the first of our children’s outreach activities for 2010.    This event was aimed at the families in the Shipwrights area, for children aged 8yrs-12yrs and took place at the Endeavour Foyer.

The theme over the 3 days was ‘Great Stories’, and we shared the Bible stories of ‘Jonah and the Whale’, ‘Samson and Delilah’, and ‘David & Goliath’.

The take-up from the community was disappointing but God doesn’t always make things easy! It would have been easy to admit defeat but we went ahead regardless ….. and had a great time.

With those who came long, we shared in worship, painted master pieces, made binoculars, door hangers and keepsake boxes; watched DVDs, played games and quizzes. With the help of Val – we enjoyed some great snacks each day that fitted in with our stories. (The GIANT cookies were delicious!)

The leadership team consisted of a number of the children’s workers from our Corps, and two young people from the Foyer. All who attended had a great time – adults and children.

We believe that as part of the Corps vision – Shipwrights is the community we need to reach out to. So watch this space – this will not be the last children’s event we run!

Here are some pictures of the activities.

Well done Tracy and everyone involved.