We are pleased to have added a link to the website of the St Helier, Jersey, Corps where Lieutenants Steve & Mel Scoulding, formerly of Chatham, are the officers. Go to Our Links in the sidebar or click here to visit the site.

Mel & Steve

TAKE TIME WITH THE FATHER DAILY AS YOU MEDITATE UPON HIS WORD

ASK JESUS TO INTERPRET HIS WORD AND SPEAK TO YOUR HEART

OPEN YOURSELF TO THE SPIRIT AS HE BRINGS INSPIRATION

The January – April 2012  edition of Words of Life is now available at £3.99 per copy. Click here to order on line or contact us.

During the next three years ‘Words of Life’ will survey the entire Bible. The theme for 2012 is ‘Faith’ and in this edition we focus on ‘Faith in Action’. From creation through the Exodus and Deuteronomy, finally arriving at Mount Sinai, we witness this active faith in the journeying of the Hebrew people. We also consider the faith of the disciples as they are challenged to respond individually to God’s call. Psalms, proverbs and popular hymns encourage us to put our own faith into action and a series from guest writer Captain Mal Davies leads us into Passion Week.

The new writer of ‘Words of Life’ is Major Beverley  Ivany. She holds BAs in English and Music and an MA in Theological Studies. She is also an expert pianist. Beverly and her husband David have served various appointments with The Salvation Army in their homeland, Canada. Beverly is the author of ‘Kid Talk’, ‘Teen Talk’ and ‘Mentorship’.

Major Beverly Ivany

Councillor David Brake was Mayor of Medway for the year 2010-2011. The Salvation Army in Chatham was one of several charities selected by him for support during his term as Mayor.

Councillor David Brake

Last week Councillor Brake presented a cheque to The Salvation Army for £1720 which was gratefully received by Major Alec Still on behalf of the corps. Other charities to benefit were two Scout organisations, two Age Concern groups and Young Carers.

Major Still is pictured with the former Mayor and CSM (R) Murray Smith (Corps Press Officer)

Last Saturday the London Central Fellowship Band gave a concert in partnership with the Chatham Songsters to raise funds for our Building Redevelopment programme.

The Band commenced with ‘Torch of Freedom’ and followed, after introductions and prayer, with ‘Take Over Bid’, ‘Where I love to be’ and ‘Call of the Gospel’, this last number being a first performance of Martin Cordner’s new work.

The Songsters continued with ‘Go Down Moses’ and ‘Dry Bones’ (with freaky percussionist)

Soloists Dave Thomas (cornet) and Ken Stone (Euphonium) brought ‘Whirlwind’ and ‘All the ways God has shown’ respectively and the first half concluded with a musical romp from the American ‘show-biz’ scene, ‘Breezin’ down Broadway’.

The audience were invited to join in the song ‘With my heart so bright’ to commence the second half and the Band followed with yet more from the American music scene (How d’ya like your eggs in the morning?) and ‘Sharing 1.5′. The evening then entered a contemplative phase encapsulating the complete gospel message with the Songsters bringing ‘Mary, did you know?’ (birth of Jesus) and ‘They could not’ (Crucifixion – Soloist Rachel Horwood) followed by ‘This I know’ from the Band. Band sergeant Alan Garratt brought scripture and some thoughts leading to the Songsters taking up the Pentecost theme with ‘Living Fire’ and ‘And you will be my witnesses’.

The Band brought the evening t a close with ‘Bandology’. This was an evening of enjoyment and fun, balanced with a spiritual content,  and a good contribution was made to the building fund (£350). We thank those responsible for arranging it.

Bandmaster David Daws

Songster Leader Adrian Horwood

In conversation

The LCFB will be visiting Chatham on Saturday 18 June  to give a concert in conjunction with our own Songsters. See details below.

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Why not enjoy a sub tomorrow and support The Salvation Army in the process!

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GET ALONG TO SUBWAY

Following the visit of the Bradbury Trust trustee representative to our building last Tuesday we have been recommended by The Salvation Army as the project t0o benefit from the Trust for 2011.

Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe would like to thank all those who supported last Tuesday and for the ongoing prayer support and fundraising efforts. Historically this has been a six figure sum but we will not know the final amount until the trustees meet in November 2011. this is really good news and further confirmation that God is blessing this move forward.

Majors Drew & Beverley McCombe

Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe have received new appointments which they will be taking up on Thursday 28 July 2011.

Majors Drew & Beverley McCombe

Drew and Beverley have been our full time officers for the past 5 years and this news will be viewed with disappointment by all of us as we believe the corps has made much progress during their stay. Major Drew will become the Territorial Evangelism Secretary (THQ) and Major Beverley the Assistant Secretary for Personnel (Development) (THQ). We are sure the ‘army’ will benefit from having such fine officers in these important roles.

The news about who will follow them to Chatham will be released next Thursday and we will post the information as soon as we have it.

We have news of two separate initiatives to raise funds for our Scout groups and KAOS.

Once again this year the Scout Group is collecting Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers to get equipment that we can use with the Young People (says Scout Leader Robert Christie). The Corps have been great supporters of this campaign in the previous 2 years and we have exchanged our vouchers for cooking equipment, compasses and games equipment. Please support us again – the more free equipment we can obtain the better!

Robert

However, if you shop at Tesco’s don’t despair. KAOS Leader Tracy Wood is collecting Tesco vouchers for Kids Alive On Sunday and would really value your support for that group as well. Again, the more the better!

Tracy

So, the only question you have to ask is WHERE DO I DO MY SHOPPING?

Readers wishing to donate vouchers from either store should send them to The Salvation Army, Church Street, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4BT. Please mark your envelope ‘Scouts’ or ‘Kaos’. Alternatively, bring them to this church on any Sunday, 10am or 6pm, and enjoy the service at the same time. Here’s how to find us:

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Architects have been appointed to draw up plans for Phase 2 of our building redevelopment.

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The Lee Evans Partnership, based in Canterbury, has received instructions to proceed with the design stage for the work which will involve demolition of the current secondary hall, kitchen and toilets and rebuilding on two floors. There is still plenty to do before construction can commence including obtaining local authority planning approval but we will move forward as fast as possible. Draft plans are currently being prepared for consultation.

Morning worship (10am) on 20 February will be extended to include a presentation of the plans by Lee Evans and some time for feedback and questions. We look forward to an interesting and exciting morning. Why not join us if you can.

Here’s how to find us:

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Signs have appeared in Chatham town centre indicating that Union Street will be closed to traffic next Sunday, 23 January. Diversion signs will be in place. This will affect all those who usually access the hall via Union Street and sufficient time should be allowed to negotiate the diversion, however complex it may turn out to be.

As a general guide it would appear that the Rhode Street Car Park (back of Debenhams and the one used by most people especially those with concession badges) will still be accessible from the Clover Street end, which itself should be accessible from the upper part of Military Road (railway station area). Alternatively access should also be available from the Medical Centre tunnel.

As Drew said last Sunday evening, preparation is necessary!

The Community Carol Services scheduled for 11/12 December are just one way of collecting toys for distribution to needy families at Christmas. A collection will be made during each service.

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But there are a number of other ways in which readers can ‘help us help them’.

Those able to attend our 10am meeting/service on Sunday 5 December are invited to bring one or more new toys/games/gifts suitable for boys and girls aged from birth to late teens. We would emphasise the need for items suitable for teenagers as this is always a more difficult group to provide for. ‘Selection Boxes’ would also be appreciated.

If readers are not able to attend that meeting gifts can be left at the ASDA store near Rochester Airport from where we will collect them. Anyone wishing to deliver gifts directly to our Church Street premises (see maps below) will need to make an appointment so that someone can be available to take delivery.

We usually help about 200 families each year and the need is always great. Every toy/gift matters so please help if you can. Contact us for more details.

Buy your Carol Service tickets here, price £5 each.

Oh, and by the way, have a great Christmas (when it comes).

Here’s how to find us:

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This exciting resource for teaching primary school children about The Salvation Army was used last week when 30 pupils from Balfour Junior School visited our Hall in Church Street with members of staff.

Hosted by a team comprising Steve & Tracy Wood (KAOS Leader), Ray Maycock, Ray Knapman, Sue Willard, Gina Castle, David Lockwood and Kathy Doncaster (Divisional Headquarters) the team introduced the children to The Salvation Army by rotating groups through six ‘zones’ to outline the “Army’s” activities in the areas of Worship, Music, Symbols, History, Community and Homelessness. The children showed great interest in all the zones and some of the brave ones tried blowing the trombones and tubas.

L to R: Ray Maycock, Gina Castle, Ray Knapman, Kathy Doncaster, David Lockwood, Sue Willard, Tracy Wood, Steve Wood

Teacher in charge, Mrs Lynda Dowding, was delighted with the morning and said “we want the children to understand the role of the church and how it works in the community”.

Lynda Dowding

Readers wishing to know more about what’s involved in an Ultimate Church Visit can click here. Alternatively telephone the Schools & Colleges Unit at 020 7367 4706 or contact us.

Click here to read Chris Boughton’s own report on his successful attempt at the three Peaks Challenge. He raised over £400 for the Chatham Corps Building Fund and over £340 for the Oliver Fisher Special Baby Unit (both figures include Gift Aid additions).

Always start with coffee – Chris is on the right

Well done Chris (and your companions)! The challenge involves climbing the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within a single 24 hour period and is a physically daunting adventure.