Fiona Pennington recently attended the above event. Click here to read her impressions of the week

Fiona

Septuagenarian Andy Peddle is now two-thirds of the way through his ‘walkathon’ raising money for the Salvation Army’s work with homeless people and the victims of human trafficking.

His walk began in the Shetland Islands on 16 May 2012 so he has just completed one year of ‘footlslog’. It was my privilege to act as his support driver for last Friday and Saturday, the beginning of his second year.

Andy arrived in Chatham on Thursday evening but did actually ‘visit’ us until Friday morning when he spoke with a number of people about his project and how it was going. Over £30,000 has been raised so far. Following his talk he set off for his next corps (Gillingham) and Major Andrea Still and Joan Page-Mills walked with him.

His arrival at Gillingham was exciting because he was greeted by about 30 ‘pre-schoolers’ complete with posters.

Part of Andy’s mission is to visit all the football league grounds in England so, naturally, his next destination was Priestfield Stadium, home of League 2 champions Gillingham (he is a Wycombe Wanderers supporter so that must have hurt!).

The began the four hour trek to Sheerness, through the villages of Upchurch and Lower Halstow. Here he ended his day and enjoyed hospitality in Medway before returning to Sheerness on Saturday morning to meet Capt. Bronwa Rimmer, this time in the comfort of a soft settee.

Another long sector followed, back over the Sheppey bridge to Sittingbourne where he arrived, very conveniently, at lunchtime. Majors Robert and Julia Jepson provided an excellent meal to set him up for the afternoon journey to the Gate Services, near Canterbury, from where he was to commence walking again yesterday.

By any standards Andy’s mission is a remarkable one, especially for a man in his 72nd year. He walks at approximately 4 miles per hour and would leave many a younger person in his wake. We pray God’s blessing on him as he continues for a further 2500 miles and six months. Let’s hope the weather is better than last summer!!

Both our meetings yesterday were led by Major Andrea Still, Major Alec having been quite unwell during the week. He was present and claiming to be feeling a little better but under instruction (!) to do nothing.

Majors Andrea & Alec Still

The Pentecost worship began with a reading of the Whitsunday account from Acts 2:1-21 and continued with song 73 from Songs of Fellowship and 12 from Happiness and Harmony. Prayer followed and the Singing Company brought ‘There’s a way’ as its contribution to worship. Song 203 from the Salvation Army Song Book was the precedent to the Songsters offering of ‘His Provision’.

Song 212 (SA) prepared us for the sermon entitled ‘Promise Fulfilled’. Major Andrea said:

What is your worst fear? Spiders, snakes, paramedics, mice, fire, drowning? Mine is a fear of something jumping out at me (a risky admission don’t you think?). This betrays in me a greater fear of the unexpected. We like our lives to be ordered. But God doesn’t always work like that. He often ‘messes up’ our tidy lives and displays his awesome power to us. When this happens do we realize what it is?

When God breaks through in an extra-ordinary way he always gives the assurance that all is well. This is of great importance but at Pentecost there was no need for a messenger to bring re-assurance because they were waiting for this power to be shown. God had promised to pour out his Spirit and this was the occasion. When we receive it for ourselves it makes such a difference to those around us. Sometimes, in today’s world, we feel the need to see God at work and we must open up ourselves to allow this to happen. The salvation of the world must be our first priority. God will fulfill his promises as witnessed through Jesus’ ministry and we need to live in that reality. Knowing that, when God acts, it is not unexpected, not a ‘bolt from the blue’. God prepares us for each new challenge and for what he wants us to be and do. He will fill us with his Holy Spirit.

What doors does God need us to break through today? With his Spirit comes understanding, as it did at Pentecost, so we can embrace new things as we serve him. If we are serious about wanting another Pentecost we must ask God for a miracle so that we may speak in a way the people who have never set foot in church can understand.

The Spirit is given to us that we might be empowered for god’s service. Let’s expect the unexpected

The congregation were invited to join in a united reading of selected scripture verses under the general heading of ‘the Spirit of God’. These were Genesis 1:1-3, Exodus 13:21-22, John 7:37-39, Matthew 3:11, John 20:22, Acts 2:2, Mark 1:10, Acts 10:36-38, Acts 10:44 and John 1:32-34. Song 1419 from Songs of Fellowship and 215 from the Salvation Army Song Book concluded the meeting.

Our 4pm meeting was billed as a Pentecost Praise Party and featured the Roma Church worship group from Amarda Sparsy (Salvation Army), Margate. A Roma church plant has been started here in Chatham and is progressing well, meeting every week in the Army hall.

The meeting began with Songs of Fellowship 955 and continued with 1607 and the Pentecost story from Acts 2:1-21, read in both English and Czech. The Roma group brought two songs and a personal testimony in Czech, translated into English by Major Kathryn Blowers who, with husband David, is leading the plant in conjunction with Majors Alec and Andrea Still.

The Songsters brought ‘Breathe on me’ and the Band‘s contribution was ‘Bright and Beautiful’. Six new psalms written by young people from around the world were read.

During the meeting Major Andrea had encouraged anyone who wished to create some artwork around the subject of the Holy Spirit to do so. Three pieces of work were presented together with a time of thought and reflection in which Andrea said:

God has made us to be creative people and to express our love for him in many ways. These pieces of art depict this. Pentecost is about a new way of living – a creative energy in all we do. Transformation and the good news that God was opening the windows of heaven to pour out his Spirit for all people. This is good news for us today. God’s power and hi ability to change lives is not just for those brought up in the church but for everyone. So let’s not be afrad to try new things for God.

After a period of refection centered around the chorus ‘Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me’ the meeting ended with Songs of Fellowship 755 and the Band playing the march ‘Harlesden’.

On Wednesday evening this week a ‘Prayer and Praise’ meeting is being held in support of the Medway Foodbank. The evening will commence at 7.30pm with tea and coffee and the main meeting will start at 8pm. Major Andrea will be leading 20 minutes of worship before Co-ordinator Helen Gallagher will report on the progress of the Foodbank to date and lead a prayer session for its future. Further worship will conclude the evening. All are welcome to share in this event.

The Roma church will meet on Wednesday evenings at 6.30pm from the following week.

Our meetings this coming Sunday (19 May) will be led by Major Andrea Still, Major Alec being unwell.

Majors Andrea & Alec Still

The meetings will take place in our Church Street building at 10am and 4pm. Please note the earlier time of the second meeting which is now the normal practice for the third Sunday of the month. All are welcome.

Click on the maps to enlarge

Sunday 12^th May saw an early start for members of the Band, who travelled through the Kent and Surrey countryside to The Holmwood, a rural village area just south of Dorking (writes Bandmaster Ray Maycock (R)).  The Band’s visit was to the Church of St Mary Magdalene, its Vicar being Barbara Steadman-Allen.

Barbara

For most of the congregation it was a new experience. One lady later said she’d never heard or experienced anything like it, and some of the playing made tears come to her eyes. Three conductors took turns in leading the Band, and another lady said it was remarkable how they each managed to follow so many musicians at once. A gentleman asked a group of the Band how long Nigel had been conducting roughly and they all said it was quite a while. Also the curate was heard to say that she would waste no time in arranging to hear the Band again.

conducted by Nigel

conducted by Ray

Barbara in charge

Right from the start we were made to feel very welcome. The morning Service, in addition to the hymns and readings, included contributions from the Band and several of its individual members, plus support from the Choir and Organ. There was a real feeling of ‘togetherness’ as all present entered into the spirit of worship, particularly focussing on Christ’s Ascension and its deep significance.

After a time of fellowship with the congregation over coffee and tea, the Band provided a short concert using a variety of items.  This was followed by a most enjoyable sit-down lunch, after which the Band provided several more pieces.

For many, the high-light of this session was the feature of 8 Trombones (!) playing an item conducted by its composer, Lt-Col Ray Steadman-Allen.

One could write lots more but in all it was a great day, with really meaningful worship coupled with a most enjoyable time amongst present and new friends. Perhaps we should do more things like this.

PS – by the way, the second paragraph is “just kidding!”

Ray

Rosemary Steadman-Allen, flugelhorn player and sister of Barbara, also sent us some comment which we are pleased to include here.

Rosemary

During the service I preached about Jesus’ ascension, Tim Scott led the prayers and Greg Davis gave his testimony. Graham Hatton and Major Andrea Still read the readings for the day.

Clockwise: Tim, Greg, Graham, Andrea

The picture of the lone timbrellist is of Linda Popple (ex salvationist) who was inspired to dig out her tambourine and play to the march ‘Victors Acclaimed’ (brave soul).

One of the church members who went to the Army as a child said that it sent shivers (in a good way!) down her spine. Her husband (used to be in Darlington band) played cornet in the fun pieces before lunch and again before and after dessert.

We played ‘Jesus Folk’ at one point because they are putting on the musical Jesus Folk this coming weekend and know all the tunes. I’ve had some great feedback – the church people are raving about how great it was, an I think that  it did the band good to feel SO appreciated (we naturally take our sections for granted a bit). They want us to go back! Barbara billed it as a hybrid service which is exactly what it was. And both sets of people managed to mix and embrace the other’s style of worship in a lovely way.

We are always grateful to those who take the time and trouble to send us informative reports. Thank you Ray and Rosemary.

Look out for a 70 year old in top hat and tails walking through the Medway towns on Friday.

Andy Peddle has been walkng since the spring of 2012 to raise money for the Salvation Army’s work with homeless people and those suffering from Human Trafficking. His target is £100,000.

Andy will be at our hall in Church Street (ME4 4BT) at 9am on Friday to begin his walk, first to Gillingham Salvation Army, then to Gillingham FC’s Priestfield Stadium and on to other destinations before his day is over. Why not join him for the first part of his walk (or all of it if you have the energy!). By the time he finishes his ‘walkathon’ Andy will have completed over 7000 miles and visited every Salvation Army centre in the UK together with all the league football grounds in England!

On a recent very chilly evening our youngsters were ‘entertained’ to a ‘bobble hats and bonfires’ evening in the local Baden Powell facility at Buckmore Park.

I should have worn a coat!

But if it’s cold there’s only one way to warm up – and here it is:

(click on each thumbnail to enlarge)

We began our weekend on Saturday with the wedding of Emily Dean and Paul Mason conducted by Major Alec Still. We wish all the very best to the happy couple and pray that the future holds everything they would wish for.

Moving on to our worship yesterday Major Alec was the leader for both of our meetings in the absence of Major Andrea who was with the Band on its visit to the South Holmwood church of Revd Barbara Steadman-Allen. We expect to bring a report on their ministry during the week ahead.

Our morning meeting opened with song 417 from the Salvation Army Song Book and continued with Songs of Fellowship 523 and prayers. Major Alec brought a Young People’s thought, based on this week’s news of the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, before the Singing Company brought ‘Blessed be the name of the Lord’. Scripture was from Hebrews 2:1-18 and was followed by Songs of Fellowship 589.

The Songsters contributed ‘I surrender all’ and Major Alec’s sermon was entitled ‘The purpose of it all’. He said:

The life and the ministry of Jesus, what was the purpose of it all? Csan I ask if you have had a moment of fame in your life? What can I lay claim to? Perhaps my most serious claim is that I was the youngest Chief Inspector employed by the Ministry of Defence (22 years of age). But my fame didn’t last long because I soon learnt that I didn’t know everything, for example what some pieces of metal being fabricated were for. What was their purpose in a helicopter?

Everything and everyone has a purpose and sometimes we need to unpack what ours is. We need to ask what God intends for us to do and be. To do this we need to understand more about him. What is the full picture about Jesus?

He came to destroy the works of the devil. Sometimes we have no understanding of the fact that all men (people) are sinners. We must have a life which totally emulates God. Genesis 3 reminds us of the fall of mankind. The only way to reinstatement is through Jesus Christ. We need to be in a relationship with him so that we can all claim to be God’s children. That is just the start. Jesus also came to unite us in Christ so that we all become ‘family’.

Through faith in Christ we are all one, working together for him in common purpose. We are called to be ‘co-workers’ with each other, sharing the yoke of ministry in our local area. We are called to a holy life in serving God which will impact on those we meet day by day.

We need to ask ourselves if we are doing what this requires. Are we, each of us?

Songs of Fellowship 595 and SA song 483 concluded the meeting

Song 178 from the Salvation Army Song Book opened the evening meeting and was followed by Songs of Fellowship 514 and prayers. Songs of Fellowship 413 preceded the chosen scripture (Psalm 150:1-6) and the contribution of the Songsters (I will rejoice). Song 179 form the SA Song Book set te scene for the sermon (Wonderful God). Major Alec said:

Holidays are truly times when we let our hair down. I love the freedom of being on holiday. This is the sort of freedom I see in the Psalmist’s writings. He is full of it but is this truly how we feel when we come to worship? Have we, perhaps, lost some of this freedom in  our worship today?

The Psalmist is not talking about our ‘style’ of worship because we all have different ways of doing it and there is nothing wrong with that. But he is talking about our natural response to the goodness of God. It’s not about ‘how’ but ‘why’. Everything is part of our worship and God is part of all our relationships. He is proving his goodness to us time after time. We must not take this for granted but must show our gratitude to him frequently.

We often fall short of God’s expectations and we marvel at how patient, gracious and loving he is despite this. He gave us Jesus and through this gift we can be called the children of God. We are all equal in his sight and have an equal right to worship. He says ‘I love you and want you to be part of my kingdom’.

Let us learn to rely on him for everything and receive from him that which he wants to give us. Let us do this in quietness even though we are so often busy.

Songs 177 and 152, both from the Salvation Army Song Book, brought the day to a close.

We were pleased, yesterday, to welcome back Tom Still from his time of volunteer work in Italy. We learn that he had a great time but is glad to be home.

Tom

We also offer our congratulations to Trish Hall who has been accepted for training as a Salvation Army officer and will be entering William Booth College in the autumn of this year. Husband Don has also been accepted as a Territorial Envoy.

Don & Trish

Regular attenders of our Sunday evening meetings are reminded that next Sunday’s second meeting will be at the earlier time of 4pm. This has now become our normal time on the the third Sunday each month.

Our meetings this coming Sunday (12 May) will both be led by Major Alec Still. Major Andrea will be accompanying the Band to South Holmwood.

Majors Andrea & Alec Still

The meetings will take place in our Church Street building at 10am and 6pm. All are welcome.

Click on the maps to enlarge

A different ministry awaits the Band this coming Sunday.

The Band has visited many Salvation Army Corps and centres to conduct worship and provide concert music. It has also played musical programmes in  many churches, particularly local to Chatham. This Sunday, however, it will lead worship at the church of St Mary Magdelene at South Holmwood, Surrey, having accepted an invitation to do so from the vicar, Reverend Barbara Steadman-Allen. Many readers will be familiar with the name Steadman-Allen and will know that Barbara is one of the two daughters of Lt. Cols. Ray and Joy Steadman-Allen and sister of Rosemary, all of whom worship here at Chatham. Whilst ministering in the Anglican tradition Barbara still has much love for the ‘Army’, hence the invitation to the Band to lead worship in her church.

Revd Barbara Steadman-Allen

Pre-worship music will begin at 9.50am with the service itself commencing at 10.00. A short pre-lunch concert will be given from 12 noon and the Band will enjoy lunch at the church, and fellowship no doubt, to complete its ministry.

Please pray for the Band as it undertakes this somewhat unusual activity. We will, hopefully, be able to report on the outcome later.

Here’s a touch of humour for a change.

How children perceive their grand parents!

1.  She was in the bathroom, putting on her make-up, under the watchful  eyes of her young granddaughter, as she’d done many times  before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, “But Grandma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper  good-bye!” I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper  good-bye….

2.  My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday.  He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 80. My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, “Did you start at 1?”

3.  After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, “Who  was THAT?”

More later

The following Press Release has been issued today.

18-MONTH TREK FOR PEOPLE IN NEED

A 70-year old man is heading into the Medway area as part of an 18-month sponsored walk across the UK to raise £100,000 for the Salvation Army’s work with homeless people and victims of human trafficking.

Andy Peddle will visit Strood, Chatham and Gillingham on 16^th and 17^th May dressed in a top hat and tails as part of his walk to the majority of Salvation Army churches (Corps), Lifehouses and charity shops in the UK – totalling 7,900 miles or 15 million steps.

The walk will take him past every ground in the football league and when he arrives at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium, he will give a talk about the issues of human trafficking and homelessness and will then sing the anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.

Andy, who has turned 70 during his walkathon hopes to raise awareness and much needed funds to help others. He said “The Salvation Army has a long history of offering practical support to people who are vulnerable or in need. Since 1^st July 2011 more than 300 victims of human trafficking have been supported by The Salvation Army and partner organisations and we are there for 3,500 homeless men, women and families every night”.

“The Salvation Army’s saying – ‘Heart to God, hand to man’ has inspired me to take on this challenge. It will be a personal pilgrimage too – we are renting out our home and my wife will be re-locating to Leeds whilst I am raising the money. A support van is following me on my way so I can have a break and sleep wherever needed”.

Andy began his epic journey on 16 May in the Shetland Islands. He has so far walked over 5,000 miles and has spent just under three months walking across Scotland, moving on to Ireland, Wales and then into England.

Andy is keen to see people support him by doing their own ‘mini’ sponsored walks from 1 mile up – and put their pictures on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. He added “I want people over the age of 65 to realise that life goes on and that you can volunteer and get involved. I would love to see as many people as possible support me”. Chatham’s Salvation Army Youth Group will be organising a sponsored ‘tag’ marathon on Saturday 8 June to raise funds for Andy’s appeal.

Andy did an 8,000 mile walk 20 years ago to raise money for starving people in Africa. He attends The Salvation Army in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

In July 2011 The Salvation Army was awarded the contract from the Ministry of Justice to provide specialist support for adult victims of human trafficking in England and Wales, including safe accommodation, counselling, medical care, translation services and legal counselling. Victims seeking help have been trafficked to or within England and Wales and are referred to the service through a dedicated referral line (0300 303 8151) available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Major Anne Read, the Salvation Army’s Anti-Trafficking Response Co-ordinator, said “Male or female, no matter where the victim is in England or Wales or the reason that they are trafficked, we are helping all people caught up in all types of trafficking to get them the support they need, when they need it”.

“Andy is such an inspirational man and the commitment ha has to help others is a lesson to us all. The money he raises from his walk will enable us to support even more victims in England and Wales irrespective of gender, race, religion, sexuality or immigration status”.

  Major Anne Read

After the first full week of regular activities in the newly redeveloped building we all seem to be well pleased with the new facilities at our disposal (which means we haven’t heard any complaints yet!).

On Friday we had a visit from two representatives of Gillingham Baptist Church. Their church is about to embark on a development programme similar to our own and, having heard about us on BBC Radio Kent, they thought they would like to see what we got for our money and were interested to know that our Architect was one they, themselves, are considering using. Needless to say they were impressed on both counts.

Now to Sunday. Our meetings were led by Commanding Officers Majors Alec and Andrea Still and we began, in the morning, with song 803 from the Salvation Army Song Book, following immediately with Songs of Fellowship 1105 and prayers of praise and thanks. Song 189 (SA) preceded the musical ministry of the Singing Company who brought ‘Do something beautiful’ . Scripture chosen was Acts 8:26-40.

The Songsters contributed ‘We have a mission’  (soloist Emma Davis) to the worship and Major Andrea delivered the sermon entitled ‘Soldiership – more than a member’.

Emma

Andrea said:

‘What happens next’ is a theme often used in TV programmes and usually results in the unexpected. The ‘Call to Soldiership’ is what we are studying this month and it is more than just being a member. Living in the Spirit means accepting the unexpected. God is always surprising us and challenging us. That is what God wants for us, the sense of expectancy.

‘What happens now’ is what the early church were asking and so must we. Philip was filled with the Holy Spirit and followed his instruction. He was to go south on the road to Gaza and wanted, in obedience, to see what was to happen. Sometimes we question God’s instructions instead of obeying them. When we obey we find ourselves where God wants us to be so we need to trust him.

How many times has this happened to you in a similar way to how it happened to Philip. When it does we need to take that further step to help people to find Jesus. His spirit will help us.

There are moments in our spiritual experience when we know God has blessed us and we often mark these occasions in some way. That moment in the life of the eunuch was the beginning of a new journey for him in the land he called home. We, ourselves, don’t have to cover every step in someone’s journey but God needs us to be his person for specific moments.

Our obedience to God’s voice is vital to develop faith in ourselves and others. We can be one arch in a bridge leading someone to Christ, our link in the chain but vitsal to the whole transition. Are we sufficiently filled with hid Spirit to allow this to happen.

A reflective song (SA 706) allowed time for contemplation and re-dedication before the meeting concluded with song 817 from the Salvation Army Song Book.

In what is, perhaps, a departure from tradition the Songsters opened our evening meeting with ‘In the Army’ (soloist Sarah Lockwood) . Songs 802 (SA) and 544 (Songs of Fellowship) followed and introduced a time of prayer. Scripture chosen was John 14:1-14.

Sarah

The Band contributed ‘Sacrament’ and Major Alec brought the sermon entitled ‘Asking Jesus’. He said:

Do we know the difference between ‘need’ and ‘want’? Jesus stated that he would do what was asked in his name. Often our prayers relate to what we want rather than what we need. So, what did Jesus mean by what he said? He was preparing his disciples for what was to come but they did not understand. He answered their questions very clearly indicating his relationship with hos Father and clarifying their issues for them. He told them that the ministry of God had to continue, in the future, through them and it was in this context that he made his statement.

Our motivation in prayer has always to be to glorify the Father. We often just express our concerns for ourselves and others but prayer is not just asking for peace in our hearts. It must bring glory to God so don’t hold back with your praying. Be specific and courageous. Share the answers to your prayers with others so that God can be glorified.

Let us pray tonight for the situations that concern us and then let us testify and share what God has done for us.

A time of sharing, using song 769 (SA), and prayer followed before song 755 from the Salvation Army Song Book concluded the meeting.

Majors Andrea & Alec Still

It was good to see Rita Broomfield in our morning meeting. Rita has been unable to attend for over a year due to an accident so missed the whole of our ‘exile’.

Rita

During the past week Youth Leader Ruth Hardy has journeyed to China to visit Jess Scott (on a gap year working for the Project Trust, a registered charity providing volunteer teaching in Africa, Asia and South America). Unfortunately for Jess the ‘gap’ is getting smaller and it is now only a few months before she is due home to share with us her experiences. We wish both Ruth and Jess a good time whilst they are together.

Ruth Jess

Next Saturday we look forward to the wedding of Emma-Leigh Dean and Paul Mason and we extend to them our best wishes and prayers for a happy future together.

If you live near enough why not join us for worship each Sunday. our regular meeting times are 10am and 6pm. Occasionally our second meeting is at a different time but this will always appear on this website so make a date to check each week. Here’s how to find us:

Click on the maps to enlarge

Our meetings this coming Sunday (5 May) will be led by Majors Alec and Andrea Still. The meetings will take place in our newly developed Church Street building at 10am and 6pm. All are welcome. Here’s how to find us:

click on the maps to enlarge