When dedicating to God a new mercy seat at International Headquarters (IHQ), General Linda Bond restated the importance of the mercy seat to The Salvation Army. The new mercy seat – made of light-coloured wood with simple chrome legs – was given to IHQ by General Shaw Clifton (Retired) and his family in memory of Commissioner Helen Clifton, the former World President of Women’s Ministries who was promoted to Glory last year.

The mercy seat will be used as a special place of prayer in the main IHQ meeting room on the ground floor of the building – the venue for the weekly IHQ Family Prayers. There was already a mercy seat in the smaller International Chapel on the first floor.

The Chief of the Staff (Commissioner Barry C. Swanson) led the short meeting, attended by IHQ officers and staff, and visitors including General Clifton, members of Commissioner Helen Clifton’s family and Ray and Christine Hedley – Salvationists from Chester-le-Street who had made the mercy seat. The Chief told the congregation that the new mercy seat would be the ‘centre of our work and worship’.

Commissioner Sue Swanson (World President of Women’s Ministries) prayed that the mercy seat would serve as a reminder that ‘we are not a business – we are a people of God’.

The General told the congregation that, to Salvationists, the mercy seat is a place of prayer and also a meeting place. She continued: ‘It is a place of prayer for sinners … and a place of prayer for saints – a place of rededication.’ She spoke about the mercy seat being a place to make vows, sharing that she had recently witnessed junior soldiers signing their promises at a mercy seat in Moldova – just as the new territorial leaders in the United Kingdom will make vows at a mercy seat when they are officially installed.

Paying tribute to Commissioner Helen Clifton, the General said that it was easy to make a link between a mercy seat and the commissioner who, she explained, ‘knew how to meet with God’.

Asking the congregation to stand for the dedication ceremony the General told her listeners that ‘only God can bless this mercy seat the way we want it to be blessed’. She prayed that the new mercy seat will be ‘not just a showpiece but a meeting place’.

Report by Kevin Sims
Communications Section
International Headquarters

The Italy and Greece Command’s ’125 Congress’ in Rome, celebrating 125 years of Salvation Army ministry in Italy, will remain long in the memory of those who participated. Congress leaders the Chief of the Staff (Commissioner Barry C. Swanson) and Commissioner Sue Swanson (World President of Women’s Ministries) brought an international aspect to national celebrations which included open-air ministry in the Vatican.

The congress itself was preceded by a press conference and public relations dinner. During the meal the Chief presented an overview of The Salvation Army’s international mission and Officer Commanding Lieut-Colonel Daniel Naud gave a PowerPoint presentation about the work of The Salvation Army in Italy. Useful contacts were made with politicians, business people and other influential figures and the Chief of the Staff was interviewed by the local church press. Pledges were received which will lead to combined donations of €18,000.

On Saturday morning the visiting France and Belgium Territorial Band played in St Peter’s Square, in the Vatican. The programme consisted of 45 minutes of music with an opening and closing prayer. The ministry was enjoyed by an attentive crowd, including Monsignor Brian Farrell from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Chirstian Unity.

While this was happening, four workshops were held at the Frentani Congress Centre. They focused on The Salvation Army’s identity and heritage, holiness today, ministry in red-light districts and combatting human trafficking, and planting new corps.

On Saturday afternoon the visiting band held an open-air meeting in the central Piazza San Silvestro, again gathering an appreciative and attentive crowd.

Back at the Frentani Congress Centre Commissioner Sue Swanson led a women’s rally at which 20 people responded to an altar call. In the evening the France and Belgum Territorial Band presented a concert at the Waldensian Church in Piazza Cavour, delighting the audience with technique and imaginative presentation. Other church leaders who were present were clearly impressed.

The Sunday meetings were the culmination of the congress. Carefully chosen contributions from the visiting band, cadets, worship groups and the command’s young people brought about an attitude of worship and praise, creating an atmosphere of attentive devotion which prepared the way for the Bible messages of the Chief of the Staff and Commissioner Sue Swanson.

A number of people responded by kneeling at the mercy seat. In addition to this, many small groups gathered together in prayer throughout the auditorium.

Report by Lieut-Colonel Daniel Naud
Officer Commanding
Italy and Greece Command

The Salvation Army in Georgia is providing assistance to families affected by floods. At least 350 families around Lagodekhi – near the country’s eastern border – lost crops and livestock after torrential rain caused flooding. Floods in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, also brought devastation, with five people known to have lost their lives.

Conditions mean that transporting heavy goods is very difficult, so the initial plan is to provide small food packages of basic products such as rice, sugar and oil. Captain Oleg Murzanov has been working with the local government in Lagodekhi which has identified the worst-hit families and will direct the response. Salvation Army team members have also visited the site and interviewed local representatives to assess the need.

In Tbilisi, team members are providing ongoing support – including food and bottled water – to 30 families affected by flash floods. Rubber boots and plastic containers for water have been purchased for distribution so that people can begin to clean their flood-hit apartments.

One person commented: ‘The Salvation Army really is a Salvation Army’!

An initial sum of US$8,000 has been sent to Georgia from The Salvation Army’s International Emergency Services.

General-Linda-Bond-with-young-people

Congress celebrations in Denmark included the historic appointment by General Linda Bond of officers to ‘open fire’ for The Salvation Army in Greenland. Lieutenants Magnus and Petura Haraldsen – who had been in training in Norway – were commissioned as Salvation Army officers before, with their sons Daniel and Adrias, being presented with the Greenland flag.

The General told the lieutenants: ‘The next flag you receive will be the Salvation Army flag’. The family will move to Greenland in time to begin work there on 1 August.

Also commissioned was Lieutenant Maria Larsen, who had been trained in London. In taking up her appointment as corps officer in Nyborg she became the youngest officer in the Denmark Territory – representing the growing influence of young people, as reflected in the congress and also in the territory’s recent past. The General encouraged the congregation to recognise the great work God is doing in Denmark and described the young people as a ‘revival generation’.

The General’s words were given greater meaning during the last meeting of the congress when she challenged the young people present who were willing to serve God unconditionally to move to the platform – and a large crowd responded.

The atmosphere at the congress, which celebrated 125 years of Salvation Army ministry in Denmark, was characterised by hopefulness and openness to the Word of God. The International Vision about being One Army with One Mission and One Message was shared in an accessible way by the General. There was a flow between the events, concerts and meetings with emphasis on fellowship and unity.

Mannssambandet, a Norwegian male voice choir, rounded off the Saturday evening meeting with contemporary songs of praise. It led the congregation in worship and praise at other times during the congress, along with a range of Danish groups.

Participation from the public and representatives from other churches – particularly at open-air meetings and a march through central Copenhagen – ensured that the historic milestone for The Salvation Army was not a private party.

Ole Birch, a pastor in the Methodist Church and member of the National Council of Churches in Denmark, brought greetings from the wider Body of Christ; Peter Skov-Jakobsen, bishop from the state church in Copenhagen, pronounced the benediction; and former Prime Minister of Denmark Poul Nyrup Rasmussen shared warm childhood memories of when he and his family attended The Salvation Army.

With three brass bands in central Copenhagen, the anniversary celebrations attracted attention on a sunny Saturday morning. Many people were given a little bag with a leaflet headed ‘soup, soap, salvation’, a reminder of The Salvation Army’s principles over the past 125 years – and over the next 125!

Report by Major Levi Giversen

The Joystrings were brought together in 1963 as a means of taking the Christian message to the young people of the day. They became famous in the UK and beyond – with ‘It’s An Open Secret’ selling enough copies to reach the UK’s top 20 – and have been described as the first ‘contemporary Christian music’ artists.

Sounds of the 60s is on BBC Radio 2 from 8.05-10 am British Summer Time (GMT+1) and can be accessed online live and until 19 May through the BBC Radio Player: sar.my/s60sjoy

For more information about the Joystrings

Major Clarence Lanakila Orion

The oldest of four children, Orion was born June 6, 1942, in Honolulu to Anathalio and Elizabeth Orion.

Orion was raised in The Salvation Army church where he attended kindergarten and remained active throughout his teenage years. In 1960, he won the top musician award at Camp Homelani; this led to his participation the following year in music camps at Redwood Glen (Golden State Division) and Mt. Crags (Southern California Division). He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1961 and served at Scott Air Force Base, Belleville, Ill., where he played in the band until 1969. While stationed at Scott, he attended a Salvation Army corps in St. Louis, Mo.

In 1962, Orion attended a Salvation Army future officer retreat where he met Patricia Round, who was working for the summer before leaving for Salvation Army training college. Round postponed training and the couple wed later in 1962. They had four children: Clarence II, Erik, Terence and Joy Trish.

In 1968—after attending music camps in Missouri—he felt called to be a Salvation Army officer. The Orions entered the School for Officer Training in San Francisco and were commissioned with the Victorious Session in 1971—a fitting label since Orion’s middle name means “victorious.” The couple held appointments in Lahaina, Hanapepe and Kaneohe, Hawaii; and Ventura, Compton and Pasadena, Calif.

They left Salvation Army work for eight years, returning in 1991 when Clarence Orion served as addiction treatment services chaplain at the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Divisional Headquarters. His final active appointment was divisional music director.

The couple retired in 2008 and moved to Florissant where Patricia Orion’s family lived.

The Kauluwela Mission Corps held a memorial service Feb. 11. Major Randy Mulch, Major Warren Dabis and Divisional Commander Major Edward Hill took part in the service. That evening Orion’s ashes were scattered in the waters off Camp Homelani.

Salvationist and friends around the world can join together to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the promotion to Glory of Salvation Army Founder William Booth. Live webcasts will make the ‘I’ll Fight’ Congress – organized by the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland – a worldwide event. The congress is taking place at the historic Royal Albert Hall over the weekend of 26-27 May, under the leadership of General Linda Bond.

Event manager Melvin Hart says that song words will be on screen to enable participation ‘just as if you were there’. He adds: ‘A number of corps (churches) and centers are making arrangements to participate in the congress by showing this webcast live. Many will also join in from home and overseas. Our prayer is that God will pour blessings upon his Army as we celebrate and worship together under the ministry of General Linda Bond.’

The live stream – and further information about the congress – can be accessed at www.salvationarmy.org.uk/congress (streaming provided by the International Headquarters IT section).

Meetings will take place at 6pm on Saturday 26 May and at 10.45am and 3pm the following day (all times are British Summer Time, which is GMT+1). The Sunday morning meeting will include the installation of new territorial leaders Commissioners André and Silvia Cox by the General.

Each session takes as its focus a different aspect of The Salvation Army’s International Vision – One Army, One Mission, One Message. The International Staff Band, International Staff Songsters and a massed youth chorus will participate throughout. The Saturday evening programs will include excerpts from the musical about William Booth’s ministry, The Blood of the Lamb.

Lytton Springs ARC and San Diego Kroc Center invite community at Easter 

Holidays provide ample opportunity for community outreach, which the Lytton Springs, Calif., Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) and the San Diego Kroc Center took advantage of during Easter weekend this past April.

In Lytton Springs, 2,000 area residents attended the annual Community Easter Egg Hunt and Celebration, with support from Bay Area corps.

“For more than 20 years the Lytton Springs ARC has been hosting this fantastic event for the community,” said Captain Jonathan Russell, trainee-in-charge at the center. “This is the third straight year we’ve had at least 2,000 people join us. We’re so pleased that our community wants to celebrate this holy holiday with The Salvation Army.”

The event featured 9,000 eggs, the Easter Bunny and Easter Chicken, a bounce house, super slide, face painting, carnival games and opportunity drawings for three new bicycles and 10 Easter baskets made by Santa Rosa Family Store Manager Sonia Kilpatrick.

In San Diego, 2,000 people celebrated at the Kroc Center’s ninth annual Kroc Hop Bunny Drop.

Taking over the center’s recreation field, guests enjoyed carnival games, visits with the Easter Bunny, pony rides, a bounce house, arts and crafts, and treats. San Diego Youth in Action attracted onlookers with expertly choreographed gospel arts performances. More than 10,000 candy-filled eggs, donated by Target, provided enough fun for eight egg hunts. Two local television stations documented the scene for the evening news.

Each event invited those in attendance to join The Salvation Army for worship on Easter Sunday.

From reports by Cindy Engler and Maria Todaro.

: Comptom City Council member Janna Zurita reads a resolution from the city acknowledging Mary Lawson (left). Assistant chef Georgina Picket (center) also received a resolution.

Mary Lawson served dinner every Monday to the community for 32 years.

By Christin Davis

Having never missed a Monday night in 32 years of serving dinner to those needing a meal in Compton, Calif., Mary Lawson, 68, retired as head chef of the Compton Corps’ Love Kitchen on April 30.

In a surprise ceremony before her final dinner for the community as head chef, friends and staff of The Salvation Army alike thanked Lawson for her unwavering service. Each week—and on Thanksgiving and Christmas day—the Love Kitchen serves dinner to 80 people on average, which equates to roughly 150,000 meals served during Lawson’s tenure.

“You never turned nobody away,” said one woman who ate at the kitchen in its early days. “I can’t thank you enough for coming into my life and making me part of your life; I’m so full today.”

Compton City Council Member Janna Zurita presented Lawson with a resolution from the city, acknowledging her “exemplary commitment to making a difference.”

“God gives me the menu and I make it; it’s not that I love to cook, but that God has committed me to this work,” said Lawson, who also serves as the president of the Compton Commission for Women. “This is a five-star feeding program, and when people come in, I like to treat them like they’re in my home.”

Compton Corps Officer Lt. Robert Davidson said in this predominantly low-income community, people need meals. “The Love Kitchen runs entirely on donations, and at times when it didn’t have support, Mary personally funded these meals,” he said.

Lawson began attending the Compton Corps in 1977 with her husband, Frank. She decided the area needed a feeding program, and started the Love Kitchen in 1980.

“You made your mark on humanity…on this sphere,” Davidson said to Lawson during the ceremony. “You made a difference, and we will be retiring your apron in your honor.”

Lawson’s husband, Frank, said you simply can’t keep Lawson away from the Love Kitchen. While cooking a few weeks ago, on her 47th wedding anniversary, Lawson sustained a third degree burn on her forearm. “She is a true missionary for The Salvation Army, and believes in feeding people a hot and balanced meal,” he said. “And whether she’s cooking for me or for 80 people, it’s seasoned the same; I’m always amazed.”

Lawson’s final menu included turkey meatloaf, cooked cabbage and kale, potatoes, cornbread and bread pudding—all made from scratch. Before dinner, Lawson encouraged, sang, and prayed with those who came to eat. “Look forward, not back,” she told the crowd. “Look up, not down.”

The Love Kitchen will continue serving dinner on Mondays, now under the leadership of Gwen Haynes, and with occasional visits from Lawson.

Murrieta Corps family

Murrieta Corps and Riverside County ARC include and connect with each other.

By LeAnn Trimmer, Major

The Murrieta Corps and Riverside County Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC), both in Southern California,  have successfully partnered using love, acceptance and authentic relationships.

This bridging between the corps and ARC is evidenced by the number of of ARC graduates and family members who now attend the corps. Presently, 34 of 105 Murrieta Corps senior soldiers came through direct connection with the ARC, and 113 adherents attend the corps.

“I don’t have to explain myself and recovery or hide who I had been,” said David Cain, soldier and ARC graduate. “The ministry of the corps and the ARC is to reach and disciple addicts. It is an ongoing, vital part of my recovery.”

Several soldiers and adherents  are also involved at the ARC teaching Alumni 12-Step meetings and leading worship on Sunday evenings. Weekly Bible studies and adherent classes are available.

“The connection is outstanding,” said LeeVale Butler, ARC intake coordinator, of the corps and ARC relationship. The initial four corps meetings are mandatory for ARC beneficiaries. “Once the men feel the love from the corps, the love of Christ begins to illuminate within…an open relation between the corps and the ARC facilitates their physical and spiritual recovery, and provides a doorway to a solid relationship with the Lord.”

In those mandatory meetings, the corps’ challenge is to welcome and win over the new beneficiaries. The men are included in fellowship meals, including the 2×4 Men’s Breakfast—ministry to men, by men, for men.

“The ARC was God’s way of rescuing me from my addiction and the hell my life was,” said Patrick Rodrigue, soldier and ARC graduate. “I learned about the corps because I was required to attend while I was in the program…it is now the place that keeps me on the right track and anchored in my recovery.”

Upon enrollment, adherents are given prayer partners who work to keep in touch with them even after graduation. The corps also purchased a van for the express purpose of transporting adherents to the corps on Sundays.

The hallmark of this relationship is simple: We’re all broken, we’ve all been damaged by sin, we all need Jesus and we all need his grace and transforming power. It’s a journey we take together.