grapevine winter
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THE SALVATION ARMY
MAIDSTONE CORPS
Winter 2013
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Dear All,
In just a few days time some of our American family will be with us for the festive season. We are so excited to have them with us so we can share a ‘British Christ-mas’ with our daughter-in-law and the grandchildren – a roast turkey (they seem to prefer them at Thanksgiv-ing) with all the trimmings, Christmas cake and pud-ding, mistletoe and holly berries, carolling in the street, church bells, a Christmas morning family service, the Queen’s Speech, and no snow (probably!). It will be wonderful.
We spent Christmastime with them a few years back and it was different, but they still kept the Babe of Bethlehem central to the celebration. Gathering with family is very important to American people. It seems to bring back their historical roots as once their people moved out in family groups across the vast expanses westwards towards the Pacific Ocean. Our impression is that the family as a unit is of greater importance to them than it is to us in the United Kingdom.
For many cultures family holds a strong meaning about who they are as a people – caring, forgiving, in-clusive, protective, loving – often built upon deep reli-gious significance as well as a survival instinct. But, how many times have you heard someone say, ‘This is
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going to be the best Christmas, ever’, only for it to fall completely flat before a cracker is pulled?
Consider this story:
‘Christmas was going to be different this year. The fa-ther called a family conference and challenged them to be more disciplined in the management of their time during
the busy Christmas season and to curtail excessive spending on gifts. He talked about better relations between visiting rela-tives and a more congenial atmosphere around their home. He brought his speech to a crescendo with his final rallying cry, “Let’s make this the best Christmas EVER!” His little son coun-tered the big motivational speech by noting, “But, Dad, I don’t see how we could ever improve on the first Christmas.” ‘
No, we will never come anywhere near improving on that first Christmas. We can, however, live in the light of it in such a way as to allow its pure joy to infect us and inspire us to good and loving deeds done in the Name of Jesus, the Christ-child.
‘From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the Law was given by Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.’ JOHN 1: 16, 17
May your family and Christmas be different – blessed with grace and truth.
Yours in Christ,
Grayson & Janice Williams—Majors
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EDITORIAL COMMENT
M y first words must be on behalf of Philip, Christine and
myself, a Happy New Year to all our readers and thank
you for all your interest and contributions. One of the things
that would make our year very happy is to hear someone say, “
I’ve written something for the magazine or for Philip to get an
email direct (philip hales@blueyonder.co.uk) having said that
we are glad to welcome two new contributors.
When I read their articles my mind went back to a situation
some years ago. I was serving on a committee and we were
meeting to plan our role in a particular thanksgiving service
whilst waiting for some members to arrive, two of the men were
discussing their respective visits to a church—both at different
churches and reasons and times. I was all ears!! Rob had been a
Sunday School member, but left in his teenage years and had
only attended for the customary marriages or funerals. James on
the other hand had never been anywhere near a place of wor-
ship, ‘other than on a bus’, I learned. Following the service Rob
challenged the Vicar, “why don’t you have hymns we know”?
“Well the organist, likes a change”, replied the Vicar. I cringed
and interrupted. “Didn’t you ask why”, I said “Oh no! Nobody
was interested in me”.. James’ reaction was very similar and they
both concluded that Christian worship to them was like learning
a foreign language—maybe you're good at it and maybe not and
regular worshippers haven’t a clue what outsiders feel and how
confusing it all is .
Since that time I have often wondered how new people feel if
and when they come into our Hall. Fortunately, our two new
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contributors felt the warmth of kindness and fellowship when
they attended.
About 18 months ago a man came into the Hall for some rea-
son and picked up a copy of Grapevine because of the notice,
“Please help yourself ”. He later wrote to tell me that William
Booth had started the Salvation Army and if I wanted any more
information he would help me to find it. Those differing situa-
tions have caused me to think carefully—”What if I’m the first
person they see or talk to, would my reaction cause them to feel
the warmth of fellowship or like a foreigner.
In one of our songs, Ruth Tracy put it more succinctly—Only
as I truly know thee can I make truly known—only bring the
power to others, which in my own life is shown.
This edition concludes the series, “From a Goldfish Bowl”, by
Colonel Pressland. Nothing I can write will adequately express
our appreciation of his contribution to our magazine. If you
have kept the previous copies you will have a complete explana-
tion of our beliefs as a Christian Salvationist in the simplest, yet
most profound terms—Thank You, Colonel.
May 2014 be a time of reflection, refining and rewarding for us
all.
Happy reading Violet E Clarke
EDITOR
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THE LOOM OF TIME
Tis winter now; the fallen snow
has left the heavens all coldly clear;
through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow,
and all the earth lies dead and drear.
And yet God's love is not withdrawn;
his life within the keen air breathes;
his beauty paints the crimson dawn,
and clothes each branch with glittering wreaths.
And though abroad the sharp winds blow,
and skies are chill, and frosts are keen,
home closer draws her circle now,
and warmer glows her light within.
O God, you give the winter's cold,
as well as summer's joyous rays,
you warmly in your love enfold,
and keep us through life's wintry days.
Samuel Longfellow 1819 - 92
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IN HIS SERVICE
This is by way of a thank you, to each one of you in the Corps,
Many of whom, l have yet to meet,
Besides your warm greetings at the door.
It's Jesus‘ loving welcome, which brings in the lonely soul,
His guiding light, His Love, His Truth, which makes each of us whole.
I long to be more like Him; to love Him more each day,
To learn to trust Him as a child, link hands in His; He leads the way.
Many folk may have no idea, How Jesus used you to bring cheer.
Some bring a smile, others a handshake, Some serve teas, others bake cakes.
Some lead the singers with a ministry of song,
Help bring us to a place of worship, join in the Heavenly throng,
Of worship to the One who flung stars into space,
Each one He orchestrated to occupy it's place.
And so we join together, to be His hands, His feet,
In guiding weary souls to find, in His presence they will meet,
The only One, who can be totally relied upon to meet their deepest need,
His name is Jesus; He is the Bread of Life- the Saviour of whom we read,
His Word, our manual for living, ensures in Him, we will succeed.
For those who've not had a mention, you're not to feel excluded,
Jesus knows and loves each one of you- He'll make sure you're included.
I was so glad to be given the opportunity to give thanks, since so many folk in the
Corps have been used by the Lord Jesus, as an instrument of His blessing.
I give thanks for the members of the band, the Songsters and an especial thank you
to each member of the Singing Company. I take my hat off to you for your cour-
age and commitment (l felt real nervous when singing up the front with the Square
Mile Gospel Choir!) and appreciate all that Lisa has imparted, by way of her en-
ergy, enthusiasm and joy. There's been many a time, when Jesus has used you guys
to turn my tears of sadness into tears of gladness.
Last and not least, in fact it should be first and foremost, l want to give thanks to
the Lord Jesus, for demonstrating his loving kindness through so many of you in
the Corps. it's meant so much to me, on this my journey to wholeness.
Every Blessing to you all and your Families, at such a time as this.
In His Family, with His Love.
Angela Baker
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WORDS FROM THE WORD
NEHEMIAH 12:1 - 47
JOY A MARK OF QUALITY LIVING!
‘Joy to the world the Lord has come’ is the song writers proclamation that
the promised Messiah has arrived. Its that time of year again when we are all ex-
pected to be joyful and happy, after all its Christmas isn‘t it.
We could be forgiven though for asking what have we got to be joyful about
with all the problems that millions of people are facing around the world each
and every day. People are struggling with opposition and frustration, loneliness,
separation from loved ones, and people are hurting and can’t sleep at night be-
cause of worry and pressure.
In this chapter of Nehemiah, he and his people remind us that it is not our cir-
cumstances that make us joyous but how we respond to those circumstances
A Christian writer defines joy as ’A deep settled confidence in the person,
promises and plans of God.’ What an excellent definition for us to hold onto in
our times of challenge.
This chapter of Nehemiah 12 will help us face life joyfully and rejoice no matter
what our situation may be. Our load will lighten as we see things from God’s
viewpoint and as we learn his thoughts, the friction of living will lessen.
Nehemiah’s people had no doubts about the source of their joy, Vs43 tells
us. ‘God, had given them great joy‘? They had been prisoners in Babylon for 70
years - they had lost all hope - but God had brought them back to Jerusalem -
given them a great leader who mobilized them into a powerful workforce that
rebuilt the walls of the city in spite of almost impossible challenges. Now, God
was building them into a community of His people giving them a new direction
that was to last for 400 years. God was with them, leading them and they trusted
in His promises and let Him work out His plans in their lives. ‘God had given
them great Joy He had fulfilled His promise in Jeremiah 29: 10 - 14 why would-
n’t they be joyful?’
These people proved that circumstances don’t produce joy. God gives joy to
His people as they follow Him. Joy arises out of our relationship with Him. It
does not matter how we feel about what our circumstances are, as we trust God,
he will supply our every need.
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However, for joy to be continuous the heart must be clean. Nehemiah high-
lights this in Vs27-29. All was ready for the dedication of the walls but before
that could take place there had to be the rite of purification (Vs30). Whatever
else they did that day, cleansing from sin and the committing of life, gates and
walls to God was a very important part of it. This is not difficult for us to under-
stand, because we all fall at times, we become careless, we try to cheat on God,
we lash out in anger and we hurt and cut people. We criticise and gossip and
speak ill of others, all of which kills joy quicker than a dose of diarrhoea. So
how do we maintain joy, well the Bible tells us 1John 1:7 - 9. A life of joy is a
life constantly cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Before there can be happiness of
life there must be holiness of life. We note also that joy produces great sacrifice
Vs43a. People filled with the joy of their salvation give generously. They had so
much to thank God for they gave and found great joy in giving. Lives filled with
joy will give cheerfully and generously, they don’t see giving as a sacrifice but
as an expression of thankfulness and gratitude to God.
For Nehemiah and his people it also produced great strength (Neh 8;10).
They found that with joy comes a strength that is undefeatable. Why.? Because
we can’t be children of God, share the life of God, be with God without obtain-
ing His strength too. As joy flows strength flows. Nehemiah refused to let San-
ballat and Tobiah and company or anyone else for that matter control his joy or
conquer him. He had joy that gave him spiritual strength to overcome his cir-
cumstances and to bring glory to God.
Finally it produced great surrender Vs 44 - 47. They rejoiced in living ac-
cording to God’s will - scientists, school teachers, politicians, business men,
traders, farmers, doctors, mothers, fathers, young people - they all surrendered to
God’s will. This made their joy complete in life ad their joy made them compe-
tent to cope with life. No one could fail to
experience Nehemiah and his people’s joy
in Jerusalem. Our joy can be as irresistible
and audible wherever we are today. Joy be-
gins and ends with a life focused on God
and nothing shows us how to do this better
than Jesus (Heb 12; 2-3).
What about your life - is your confidence
in the person, promises and plans of
God?.........
David Wakefield
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W hen the music fades...........and we look back on an amazing
achievement, I am humbled when I recall:
a cast and crew of 80+ from Maidstone Corps who prayed, performed
and praised together and as a result in excess of 700 people heard the
Gospel in a new way
the creativity of our own Lighting Director and the fact that The
Hazlitt Theatre Lighting Crew asked for Jesus Folk Tee shirts
that the Hippies/Hoodies stole the show and the dancing Hippy/
Hoodie deserved an Oscar!
the Crucifixion scene and the precision of Jesus' hands nailed to the
cross
the determination to 'get it right' by cast and orchestra alike
the conversations on all levels with new people and old friends that
took place because of Jesus Folk
the creativity and imagination that was inspired
the portrayal of the characters by those in the cast as they brought
them to life before our eyes
the unwavering and dedicated support of the chorus
the willingness of all to get involved and be involved no matter what
needed to be done
the scenery, costumes and make up
those who started rehearsals, reserved and shy and ended the final per-
formance, positively extrovert!
the look between Jesus and Peter
the many stories told by an audience that heard God speak to them
those who came out of interest and left interested
that Jesus said: 'Whatever you ask in my Name, I will do'.
And He certainly did!
HAZELL BALL
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Alpine Glory 15 – 28 July 2014
Based in the splendour of the Austrian Tirol and Alpine countryside, Keith and Pamela Tho-
mas are planning to return with a group of friends to the Park Hotel in St Johan in Tirol,
which served their groups so well during their holidays following attendance at the Oberam-
mergau Passion Play in 2010.
In conversation, Keith and Pam have indicated that if anyone from the Corps would like to
join them they will be most welcome to do so.
The holiday will include a visit behind the scenes at the Passion Play Theatre before travelling
to St Johan for the remainder of the holiday.
Accommodation at the hotel will include:
Breakfast
4 course evening meal to include drinks
Free transfer to a mountain zither afternoon
Coffee and tea during the afternoons
Weekly barbeque with music
Free use of the public tennis courts
Free bike – hire
Free use of public leisure centre
In addition the cost of the holiday will include excursions to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Salzkam-
mergut (of The Sound of Music fame), the Grossglockner, Krimml Falls and many other inter-
esting alpine locations – even an opportunity to travel into a salt mine!
All you will need to budget for will be lunches, entry to attractions and any personal expendi-
ture.
If this is of interest please see Keith for further information and details.
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DOREEN HARDMAN
T his series began with the lady who was no. 01 on the roll –
Margaret Bevan. Since then many have shared their story
with us, sometimes those who have served a long time and others
of comparatively short service and here in Doreen we have
another lady who has given time and energy in faithful service.
She is no. 4 on the roll.
Doreen with her elder brother was born to Salvationist
parents in Millom, Cumbria. Her childhood was spent involved
in the usual activities which the Army provide and on leaving
school worked in a factory making handbags. However, she
moved to another factory to learn needlework. Following
marriage, and her husband’s job change, she moved to Maidstone
in 1959 and soon settled in the Corps. Bandmaster, Bert Upjohn
offered her employment in the Crown wallpaper business and she
worked there for nine very happy years, until her Son Martin was
born. Martin arrived at a very appropriate time for that year
Doreen was Mary in the Christmas pageant with a very real and
lively baby, Jesus. Seven years later Rachel was born. Martin
now has his own electrical business in Gravesend and Rachel is
at the Canterbury Oast Trust caring for animals and when she
comes home at weekends her enthusiasm for Army activity is an
inspiration for us all.
Whilst in these latter years Doreen has worked behind the
scenes her contribution to the Army’s Service has been
phenomenal in so many ways. For a long time she was the only
pianist, playing for the Singing Company, Songsters and Corps.
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Of those years she says – “overall my playing I was never
under any illusion of my ability, enough to say I was the only one
available at the time and that was it. I was never Stuart
Atkinson’s calibre, more like Les Dawson, but I did my best and
only the Lord knows what it cost me. We were fortunate that we
had transfers in and I remember there were at least three pianists.
Then of course our youngsters grew up and excelled so I,
thankfully for everyone, faded into the sunset”.
Doreen’s other valuable contribution was that of Corps Treasurer,
a position she held for sixteen years, and still helps the financial
section in any way she can. Apart from normal activities her real
expertise lies in cooking. She has catered for a number of Corps
weddings over the years, as well as a normal run of meals for all
section activities.
On the two occasions we had a week of guided prayer in
2007 and 2009, ably assisted by Christine Gerring, she prepared
two meals a day for the ten Guides and all were surprised at the
excellent quality of the food she provided.
Doreen has experienced many difficulties in life and at present is
coping with quite severe health problems, but her faith is strong,
and though sometimes she
wonders why, but she is
quite content to believe that
God knows, so she leaves it
with him. It is people like
Doreen who have made the
Army the strong
organisation it is today, and
is an example to us all that
faithfulness brings it’s own
reward..
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Always do right: This will gratify some people and astonish
the rest....Mark Twain
Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have
to eat them.
Be like a postage stamp - stick to one thing until you get there.
Be true to your teeth, or they'll be false to you.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That
way you're a mile away, and you have their shoes too.
Cooking lesson #1: don't fry bacon in the nude.
Drive carefully. It‘s not only cars that can be recalled by their
maker.
Eat a live toad in the morning and nothing worse will happen
to you for the rest of the day.
Eat your spinach and you‘ll grow up .big and strong like Pop-
eye. You'll also end up with a girlfriend that looks like Olive Oyl.
Growl all day and you'll be dog tired at night.
If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished.
If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple
of car payments.
It is better to keep your mouth shut, and look like a fool, than
to open your mouth, and remove all doubt.
It‘s nice to be important, but more important to be nice.
Take the time to be right. It's faster than being wrong.
The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to
buy a replacement.
Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you've never
been hurt. Dance like nobody is looking.
Gill Paxton
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A s a newcomer to the Salvation Army Church, I was
very interested to learn about each person’s role in
uniform, and how they assist the public in need. Whether
in this country or abroad. I thought it may be useful for a
list of this type to be shown in the reception area of our
church, along with all the activities also advertised in the
Weekly Bulletin, so that if I wished to volunteer my time
to the Army, then I may know who to approach in charge
of whatever service.
There is apart from this suggestion one of the
things I would like to see is a club for single people, at
some time – possibly on a weekday. Where those who live
alone, and are so often isolated, could meet for just a cof-
fee and a chat. I think most of the activities at the Hall are
for a specific purpose. I can honestly say any newcomer
to the church would receive a very warm welcome by
members as I was given. If they wish to be a volunteer I
know through my own experience, it can be a very re-
warding way to use spare hours of the day.
Patricia Day
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THIS month’s viewpoint from a member of the Corps:
Terry Wakefield
BAND PIECE — ‘The Eternal Quest’ by Lieu-tenant Colonel (Dr) Ray Steadman-Allen
As a trombone player, this is my obvious choice for a
band composition. Many would have played this chal-
lenging, demanding solo, by getting all the right notes
in the right order, but few would have performed it, so
conveying the original idea and thoughts of the com-
poser. I find it a most moving description of life’s
journey as quest to be more like Christ, to arrive at the
last couple of triumphant last bars.
SONGSTER PIECE - ‘His Provision’ Words; John Gowans, Music; Ivor Bosanko
I have no over-whelming choice of songster compo-
sition. All are beautiful, in their time and place. We are
blessed by pre- meeting music by our songsters, and
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again as part of our worship. I have never been disap-
pointed. OK if you twist my arm for long enough, I
would have to say “His Provision,” A rare example of
song and poetry, beautiful with or without the music.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG - ‘Number 59’ by General Albert Orsborn
My choice of congregational song is also wide
open, I am easily pleased, just dip into any Albert Ors-
born song, and find scripture, sound doctrine and
teaching, poetry and challenge. I have a special place
in my heart for song No. 59 and a part of the last
verse, “bring me at last to see, the courts of God, that
city fair, and find my name is written there”.
Then my Eternal quest will be over, I would have
proved His provision.
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W e have already seen how important it is to know what we
believe - our beliefs shape what we are, determine our
behaviour, enable our witness to others to be clear and
unambiguous. As we come to the last three of our Salvation Army
Beliefs (Doctrines) let us ask ourselves what the Christian
“Journey” should look like:-
Our last three doctrines broadly focus on the Christian journey as
followers of our Lord Jesus Christ:-
Doctrine 9. LIFE AFTER WE ARE “SAVED” On the journey of
life, how do we keep the experience of our conversion alive and
fresh? Is it possible to “lose” this experience and go back to being
“unsaved”?
On this journey we will be under attack, we will face the danger of
gradually absorbing and following the ways of the world which we
renounced at conversion. God has made it possible for us to make
our own choices. He has given us His “Workshop Manual”, the Bi-
ble, the life, teaching and example of His son Jesus and His Holy
Spirit to guide us. We can choose to disobey this guidance, we can
become less keen to study His Word and keep close to Him in
prayer, we can face our old and several new temptations to sin and
sadly find it possible to go back (We call this “Backsliding”) “Our
salvation is not an inert condition to be preserved, nor an insurance
policy which needs no further investment” It is the beginning of a
pilgrimage, a ‘faith’ journey inviting us to a life of discipleship
which will make itself evident by the way we live. The investment
options for every Christian are to grow in obedience to our Lord Je-
sus not by some superhuman strength of our own, but with His
help (Which we call “Grace”) or to deceive ourselves into thinking
that we can ignore all guidance He gives, coast along in our own
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strength and find ourselves lost in the confusing maze of doubt and
despair.:-
“We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon
continued obedient faith in Christ”
Doctrine 10. WHAT DOES SPIRITUAL GROWTH LOOK
LIKE? How do we make progress? What is “Holiness”? Is it really
possible to live without sinning?
When we consciously set out after conversion to invest in a journey
of spiritual growth and adventure, we find that we are becoming
open more fully to the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit. The
Spirit begins His work of equipping us to follow the teaching and
example of our Lord Jesus, to recognise that this process is a
“Journey” and not a ”Destination” nor an automatic process, but
one in which we are open to changes in our lifestyle as we try to
live in harmony with God’s purposes not our own. We become
willing to allow the Holy Spirit to work with us to make this possi-
ble, and to obey the command of God to be Holy (see 1 Peter 1:16).
We use several descriptions of this spiritual growth:- “sanctification”
being the most common, but also “Full Salvation”, “Holiness” etc.
The word “Sanctification” comes from the Greek and Hebrew
words which describe God’s Holiness and the way in which His
people are “Made Holy” and “set apart”. As we discover the power
of the Holy Spirit to help us we can see that it is related to that first
experience of “Saving Faith” which led
to our conversion but which also takes
us forward in our journey. The chal-
lenges which face us as Christians
(powerlessness, disillusionment and
guilt) which come as we find ourselves
facing temptations we thought were
left behind when we were saved, help
us to realise that being saved does not
free us from the attacks to our faith
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and the power of sin, but also make us aware of the power of the
Spirit to enable us to overcome. We may have victory over sin, and
may grow in spiritual maturity becoming more and more like our
saviour Jesus.:-
“We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanc-
tified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be pre-
served blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”
Doctrine 11. WHAT IS OUR ULTIMATE GOAL? Where will
our “Journey” take us? What happens after death? What do we
mean by “Heaven” and “Hell” ?
“The SA Handbook of Doctrine” entitles this last of the eleven arti-
cles of faith as “Kingdom of the risen Lord” (the doctrine of last
things.”) Jesus rose from death, His resurrection is at the heart of
our faith. It tells us that death does not have the last word over our
destiny; God does. “When we die, we die into the life of God” We
use the expression “The immortality of the soul” to express our be-
lief in life after death. This is an extension of the relationship
which we have already developed with Him during our life on
earth. This “eternal life is not simply unending time, but a quality
of life in the presence of God” We cannot imagine what this will
look like, but God’s Word describes it as abundant, everlasting life
with no end and love with no end. Our biological death is real, it is
a God-given “Limitation on fallen human existence” but because of
Jesus it is not the end, and whilst at death everything that is physical
dies, whether we are saved or unsaved, what we essentially are re-
mains until God brings us to participate in the general resurrection
and final judgement of Christ. ( Matt 25:31-46; Romans 2:5-
11;1Cor 15: 50-54; 1 Tim 6: 13-16) The “Resurrection of the
body” means, not that we will become disembodied spirits, but rec-
ognisable as having the essential characteristics of our earthly per-
sonality and relationship with Christ - whole persons, fully alive
with Christ in God. The doctrine book points out that Jesus died a
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real death on a real cross, “His resurrection was a re-creation, not a
resuscitation!” Not for instance like Lazarus who was raised only
eventually to die again. Our resurrection, too through Christ, will
be a total “re-creation” But what about our ultimate accountability?
Sin, to our Holy God, is totally unacceptable, his ‘wrath’ is directed
towards it, He takes it seriously enough for Him to have sent His
Son Jesus to die for us “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to
Himself ” (2 Cor 5:17-21) What wonderful Love - summed up by
Charles Wesley’s song (SASB 283) “No condemnation now I dread,
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine. Alive in him, my living head, and
clothed in righteousness divine. Bold, I approach the eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own” (v 4 I suggest that
you read the whole song!)
Our eleventh Doctrine reminds us that in the final analysis, the na-
ture of our life after death will depend upon the conscious choices
we have made during our earthly life. God, in His love and mercy,
has provided for our salvation. But He has left us to make our own
choices about His provision. May we each make the best and right
choices - it is in our hands.
“We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of
the body; in the general judgement at the end of the world; in the
eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment
of the wicked”
Colonel Michael Pressland
This concludes an excellent series from the Quill of the Colonel.
— we need a lobby group to request the Colonel to produce some-
thing for the future!!!
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W e have our Christmas traditions in the West, decorating
a pine tree – do you know why? (Long before the ad-
vent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained
green all year had a special meaning for people in the
winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive
season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient peoples hung evergreen
boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was be-
lieved that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits,
and illness.), hanging up stockings in the hope that some loved one
will fill it with goodies! However, after watching some TV pro-
gramme over Christmas where it was mentioned that in Poland in
some homes - some hay is put under the tablecloth (it is connected
with Christ's manger) I began thinking that you may find it interesting
to know what other curious happenings take place in other regions.
Additional to the hay thing special tasks are carried out during Advent,
the baking of the Christmas Piernik or honey cake, and the making of
Christmas decorations. Pierniki, which are made in a great variety of
shapes, including hearts, animals and St Nicholas figures.
In Argentina houses are decorated with red and white garlands;
on the door Father Christmas's Boots are placed. On Christmas Eve,
they open the presents under the Christmas tree. That day is very
special for because they are Christian and celebrate Jesus' birth on the
24th of December.
In Egypt, in the Coptic Church, Christmas is celebrated on the
7th January. Advent is observed for forty days and during this period
people are expected to fast eating no meat, poultry or dairy products.
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Some people only do this during the last week of Advent.
On the Eve of Christmas everyone goes to church wearing a com-
pletely new outfit (this is a common tradition in many places). The
Christmas service ends at midnight with the ringing of church bells,
then people go home to eat a special Christmas meal known as fata,
which consists of bread, rice, garlic and boiled meat.
On Christmas morning people in Egypt visit friends and neighbours
(this too is quite common behaviour). They take with them kaik,
which is a type of shortbread, which they take with them to give to the
people they visit and eaten with a drink known as shortbat. Christmas
Day is a public holiday for Christians.
In Greenland there is a lot of visiting of families, drinking cof-
fee and eating cakes, as well as giving of brightly wrapped presents,
which might consist of a model sledge, a pair of tusks, or even a seal-
skin mitt.
Everyone in the village gets a gift and children go from hut to hut,
singing songs.
Christmas trees are imported (owing to the fact that there are no ap-
preciable sized trees growing there) and decorated with candles as well
as bright ornaments. There is dancing most of the night. After the
coffee, cakes and carols everyone is given Mattak, which is whale skin
with a strip of blubber inside is given to everyone. The taste of it is
much like coconut, but is tough to chew and is usually just swallowed.
Another food that is eaten is Kiviak which consists of raw flesh of an
auk (bird, similar to penguins), which has been buried whole in seal-
skin for several months until it has reached an advanced stage of de-
composition.
This is the one night when the women are waited on by the men.
In Portugal the tradition of gift-giving was defined mostly by
the strong Christian religious beliefs of the people. Children await the
coming of the Three Wise Men during Christmas time. On the eve of
January 5th children place their shoes along windowsills and doorways
and fill them with carrots and straw. They do this hoping that this will
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lure the wise men's horses to their houses during the night and that
they will find their shoes packed with gifts and treats in the morning.
The treats left are more likely to be candied fruits and sweet breads.
In Russia the religious festival of Christmas is being replaced by
the Festival of Winter, but there are some traditions that are still kept
up in some parts of the country.
In the traditional Russian Christmas, special prayers are said and peo-
ple fast, sometimes for 39 days, until January 6th Christmas Eve, when
the first evening star appears in the sky. Then begins a twelve course
supper in honour of each of the twelve apostles - fish, beet soup or
Borsch, cabbage stuffed with millet, cooked dried fruit and much
more.
Hay is spread on the floors and tables to encourage horse feed to grow
in the coming year and people make clucking noises to encourage
their hens to lay eggs.
On Christmas Day, hymns and carols are sung. People gather in
churches, which have been decorated with the usual Christmas trees
or Yelka, flowers and coloured lights.
Christmas dinner includes a variety of different meats - goose and
suckling pig are favourites.
Babushka is a traditional Christmas figure who distributes presents to
children. Her name means grandmother and the legend is told that
she declined to go with the wise men to see Jesus because of the cold
weather. However, she regretted not going and sets off to try and
catch up, filling her basket with presents. She never found Jesus, and
that is why she visits each house, leaving toys for good children.
In Yugoslavia, children celebrate the second Sunday before
Christmas as Mother's Day. The children creep in and tie her feet to a
chair and shout, "Mother's Day, Mother's Day, what will you pay to get
away?" She then gives them presents. Children play the same trick on
their father the week after. Those Yugoslavs who live in the country
fear bad luck if their Christmas log burns out and so someone has to
stand over the log all Christmas night to ensure it stays lit. A Christ-
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mas cake called chestnitsa, contains a gold or silver coin and it is said
that whomever gets it can expect lots of good luck. The Yugoslavs eat
roast pig as their Christmas dish and it must be carved a particular way,
according to old customs. Every household has a Christmas crib. Ac-
cording to old customs they go on an expedition to the forests to
gather moss with which to line the crib. Also families would have an
old-fashioned music box that plays Christmas carols.
In Sicily the Sicilians fast from December 23rd at sunset to the
December 24th at sunset. They then have a great Yule log which is
kindled. After prayers and songs are done around the Presepio or crib
the feast begins.
The foods that might be served are eels and larks, boiled pasta, fish,
sweet bread and Torrone a type of nougat.
The children are visited by La Befana on January 6. She was said to
have been so busy cleaning her house that she missed out on going
with the three wise men to Bethlehem (observe the likeness to Ba-
bushka, in Russia). She was also considered to be a witch. Children
hang up their stockings so that she will fill them with toys and gifts.
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In The Philippines - the only Asian nation in which Christian-
ity is the religion chosen by the people. Christmas celebrations start
nine days before Christmas with a mass known as Misa de Gallo. At
this mass the story behind the birth of Christ is read from the Bible.
The Panunuluyan pageant is held each Eve. A couple is chosen to re-
enact Joseph and Mary's search for shelter.
Mass is held hourly on Christmas Day so that everyone can attend.
Religious services include pastore, or play, based on myth of the birth
of the Christ Child. The pastore closes with a star from the upper part
of the church sliding down a wire and coming to rest over the church's
Nativity scene.
Christmas celebrations may have evolved from old tribal customs
mixed with other influences. Serenading cumbancheros, or strolling
minstrels, end their performances by singing Maligayang Pasko to the
tune of "Happy Birthday".
In Greece, on Christmas Eve, children, especially boys, often
go out singing 'kalanda' (carols) in the streets. They play drums and
triangles as they sing. Sometimes the will also carry model boats deco-
rated with nuts which are painted gold. Carrying a boat is a very old
custom in the Greek Islands.
If the children sing well, they might be given money, nuts, sweets and
dried figs to eat.
Christmas Trees are becoming more popular in Greece, but they aren't
traditional. Instead most houses will have a shallow wooden bowl
with a piece of wire which is suspended across the rim. A sprig of
basil wrapped around a wooden cross hangs from the wire. Some wa-
ter is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day,
someone, usually the mother of the family, dips the cross and basil
into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the
house.
This is believed to keep the 'Killantzaroi' (bad spirits) away. The Kil-
lantzaroi are meant to appear only during the 12-day period from
Christmas to the Epiphany (January 6th). They are supposed to come
from the middle of the earth and get into people's house through the
27
chimney! The Killantzaroi do things like putting out fires and making
milk go off. Having a fire burning through the twelve days of Christ-
mas is also meant to keep the Killantzaroi away.
Every December, in Aristotelous Square in the city of Thessaloniki
(which is the second biggest city Greece) a huge Christmas Tree and
three masted sailing ships are erected. It's a popular tourist attraction.
Going to a Midnight Mass Service is very important for most Greeks.
After the service people can go home and end their Advent fast.
The main Christmas meal is often Lamb or pork, roasted in an oven
or over an open spit. It's often served with a spinach and cheese pie
and various salads and vegetables. Other Christmas and new year
foods include 'Baklava' (a sweet pastry made of filo pastry filled with
chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey), Kataifi (a pastry
made from a special form of shredded filo dough and flavored with
nuts and cinnamon), Theeples (a kind of fried pastry).
A traditional table decoration is loaves of 'christopsomo' (Christ
bread). It's a round sweet loaf and the crust is often decorated with
what the family do for a living (if you're a fisherman there would be
fish, etc.).
Would You Believe it – (but didn’t want to know)
Americans eat 10 billion doughnuts a year.
Britons drink 60 billion cups of tea a year.
Heinz sell 2 sachets of Ketchup each year for every person on earth.
Over a lifetime the human heart pumps enough blood to fill a foot-
ball stadium.
A garden snail would take 3 years and 2 months to travel from John
o’ Groats to Lands End.
The faint trace of perfume left in the wake of a person passing an-
other is known as sillage!!
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An Ode to the English Plural
We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes, But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes. One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese, Yet the plural of moose should never be meese. You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice, Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice. If the plural of man is always called men, Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen? If I speak of my foot and show you my feet, And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet? If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth, Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth? Then one may be that, and there would be those, Yet hat in the plural would never be hose, And the plural of cat is cats, not cose. We speak of a brother and also of brethren, But though we say mother, we never say methren. Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him, But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!
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God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incompa-rable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2 v6 - 8 Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided, Urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way, Sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided: Lord for the years, we bring our thanks today. Lord for ourselves; in living power remake us- Self on the cross, and Christ upon the throne, Past put behind us, for the future take us: Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone. Songs of Fellowship 892 v 1 & 5
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Our Weekly Services
You are welcome to join with us for worship & praise:
Sunday Worship: Family Service 10.15 (Sunday School) 10.45 Prayer Meeting 17.15 Evening Service 18.00 Youth Group 19.30
1st & 3rd Monday in month (to be confirmed) The Living Word Bible Fellowship 19.30
Tuesday: Ladies Meeting 13.30 (Home League)
Wednesday: The Parkwood Fellowship Ladies Meeting (held at the Rosemary Graham Centre Sommer Walk, Parkwood). 14.00
Wednesday: Held Fortnightly, please contact the office for the next date Cameo & Crafts 10.00
3rd Wednesday: Ladies Fellowship 20.00 Thursday: The Over 60’s Club 13.30
Contact Information
Maidstone Salvation Army 74-80 Union Street, Maidstone ME14 1ED Corps Officers: Majors Grayson & Janice Williams Captain Lynne Clifton
Administrator: Mrs Lorraine Munn Address as above. Telephone: 01622 681808
Email: Maidstone@salvationarmy.org.uk Weekly Community Events: Monday & Friday SAM’s Tots (Salvation Army Maidstone) Parent & Toddler Group 10.00 For information on other mid-week activities please telephone the ad-ministrator on the above number.
Please telephone 01622 681808 for
further information and/or to check
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Closing date for next issue is 15th Mar, 2014
to be sent to the Editor or Philip Hales at
email: philiphales@blueyonder.co.uk
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