A special thanks to All Weather Windows, our National Sponsor for this year’s Santa Shuffle! See everyone out at the run tomorrow!

As the storm continues its northwest course and moves away from the island The Salvation Army stands ready to provide assistance as required or requested in coordination with government emergency management officials. As clean-up begins regional Salvation Army sites are ready to provide food to maintenance crews and other authorities who will be actively working to get the island back to a state of normacy.

“It has been incredible to observe the cooperation and commitment of our volunteer and officer team in response to this event,” says Major Shawn Critch, Divisional Commander. “Our responsibility is to the homeless and our team has worked tirelessly over the past five days to ensure we were ready to serve ‘our’ people with dignity and respect.”

“This experience has been challenging, fulfilling, and enjoyable, says Carol McDowall, coordinator for our food services team. “But most of all it has been very rewarding when you hear the ‘thank yous’ and see the smiling facing of those here at the shelter that we are here to serve. We are, and have been, the Bible in action.”
Mr. Rudolph Hollis, volunteer Emergency Disaster Services coordinator, has played a vital part in the relief effort. “Our focus has been, and will continue to be, the people of Bermuda.”
The Emergency Management Organization will be meeting later this morning to determine next steps for Bermuda and her people. The government liason with The Salvation Army, Mr. Alfred Maybury, will provide further direction later today as to the expectations for the Army as we now enter the post-storm stage.
The Bermuda division is grateful for the prayerful support from many throughout the Canada and Bermuda Territory and indeed around the world.

Kairah Woolaston and Manieka Christopher

Over the weekend of the 20 and 21^st March 2010, the West End Community Church, Bermuda Division, held their annual Gospel Arts Weekend.

Twenty years ago, this annual corps event started out as just a traditional band concert which has now developed into a weekend of celebrating the gospel arts. 

The Saturday ‘Night of Praise’ consisted of a gospel concert which featured the corps Youth and Senior bands, vocal and instrumental soloists, liturgical dancers and a musical family group.  Some of the participants featured were from the North Street Citadel as well as the St Georges Corps. The guest MC for the evening was Divisional Youth Secretary for Bermuda Division, Major Susanne Fisher and Divisional Commander Major Doug Lewis was the devotional leader for the weekend.

The performances were based around the theme, “Make Me a Servant”.  The band played a number of new titles from the Army’s Unity Series and AIES Publications.  These consisted of marches, solos, selections and a classical transcription.

The other participants used more contemporary gospel music from Marvin Sapp’s arrangement of “Above All” to Fred Hammond’s “This is The Day.” 

The Sunday morning service was focused on the gospel arts, which began with a piano prelude by two of the corps young pianists, Steve Bean Jr. and Lionel Phillips.  Lt. Peter Robinson, CO, and the teen Sunday school class presented the scripture through an illustrative drama.

Beginner Band Soloists

The senior band played Bill Himes’ “Be Still For The Presence of the Lord,” as those in attendance prepared to receive the word.  Major Doug Lewis brought an inspirational message titled, “Tone Deaf: Musically and Spiritually.”  This was followed by a time of rededication as servants of the Lord.

The weekend events were well attended, completely filling out the corps Hall and enjoyed by all.  To God be the Glory for Great Things He Has Done!

Submitted By: Jerome Astwood, Bandmaster WECC

For the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, in February, The Salvation Army has partnered with the “More Than Gold” organization to spread the Gospel during the Games.  From February 16 – 26 Bermuda will be represented by the following individuals:

 Andrea Cann          North Street Citadel

Dennis Maybury     West End Community Church

Major Susanne Fisher     DHQ

Major Betty Ann Lewis     DHQ

 Please support these individuals in prayer as they share the Good News.  

“The Salvation Army is presently on the ground and working in Haiti and has been since 1950.  We operate 91 schools, 3 medical centres, 2 seniors homes, numerous feeding centres, as well as 22 congregations.  The Salvation Army’s Territorial Headquarters is attempting to contact its workers in Haiti to ensure their safety and begin an assessment of immediate needs.  The Salvation Army in Bermuda is ready to provide assistance in support of relief and recovery efforts undertaken by The Salvation Army in Haiti.”

For the latest information from The Salvation Army Caribbean Territory please go to:

http://www.salvationarmycarib.org/www_car.nsf/vw-news/40AB58713508BFB6052576AA005738CA?opendocument

If you wish further information on what The Salvation Army Bermuda Division is doing to provide assistance or if you wish to donate funds toward the relief effort please contact Divisional Headquarters at 441-292-0601.

Donations can also be made online at:

https://secure.salvationarmy.ca/registrant/donate.aspx?EventID=1871&LangPref=en-CA

To the delight of both visitors and locals, band members from across the Bermuda division gathered at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess for an afternoon of Christmas carols.  The band played favourite carols, as requested by the 75 or so people who were present, and selected arrangements of classic carols such as Silent Night.  In appreciation of the band’s ministry the Fairmont Hamilton Princess generously donated a number of stuffed toys to The Salvation Army.

Later on in the evening the various corps bands took the carolling into the neighbourhoods where they were met with warm hearts, big smiles, and generous (and much appreciated) offers of hot soup and hot chocolate.

Source: The Royal Gazette

“My life was a hopeless mess. I was a cocaine addict, a heroin addict and an alcoholic. My home was the streets and I slept in abandoned cars.”

Drug addiction and alcoholism are harsh realities in our communities and last year, in Canada and Bermuda, 2,000 people completed Salvation Army addiction and rehabilitation programs.

For Frankie, his first exposure to marijuana and alcohol was when he was 10. Up to this point, his life was turbulent. When he was six, his mom shuffled him off to be cared for by his grandmother and he didn’t know who his father was until he was eight.

The pain of abandonment by both parents was more than he could handle. “I couldn’t cope, and the drugs appeared to make me feel better. Before long, drugs and alcohol became my only food. By 13, I was using daily.”

Homeless at 15, Frankie bounced around between friends’ homes and his mom’s house. He quit school and did what he had to do to get high. “I robbed my family and businesses. I took any opportunity to steal so I could get the drugs.”

This downward spiral continued for 23 years. He lost his family, went through more than 10 jobs and was forced to give up his only child.

Then, one night, in the back of an abandoned car, Frankie realized that heroin had stolen his life and alcohol had washed everything he’d ever owned down the drain.

The next day, at 38, Frankie went to The Salvation Army Harbour Light where he was accepted into the eight-month residential treatment program. “Here I found compassion, patience, counselling, practical help and a fresh start. They saw something in me that I couldn’t see, because the drugs had twisted my thinking.”

Frankie graduated from the program in 2003. Because of his courage and perseverance, and support from The Salvation Army, he is a full-time supervisor for a courier company, his son now lives with him, and for the first time in his life he has an apartment.

“I still have my ups and downs,” says Frankie. “Everyday challenges and decisions are hard for me. Harbour Light continues to help me.”

Success can be a slow and grueling process. The journey may take years. Families may give up and clients may give up on themselves, but The Salvation Army is always ready to give a helping hand.

After just a few hours of relaxation they made their way to North Street Citadel, where Commissioner Marilyn met with Home League (women’s ministries) ladies from across the island, and Commissioner William met with CSMs (assistants to pastors) from several Salvation Army churches.

Commissioner Marilyn enrolled two ladies from the North Street Citadel as Home League members. Entertainment was provided by the West End Community church. There was great laughter and fun as the ladies portrayed the heritage and culture of Bermuda.

Meanwhile, Commissioner William discussed the vision for the division with CSMs.

On Tuesday, the Commissioners visited corps/churches and social institutions across the island. At the harbour light rehabilitation centre for men, clients shared their stories and Commissioner William responded with encouraging words.

At The Salvation Army’s Emergency Housing Complex, the commissioners were introduced to ‘dreaming in colour’ – a life-skills program that prepares the homeless person to reintegrate into society as productive, self-sufficient members.

The divisional welcome meeting was held on Tuesday night at North Street Citadel with participation from the divisional band, Jabulani vocal group, and Patreese Simmons in dance.

After Commissioner Marilyn shared in song, “My Yoke is Easy and My Burden is Light,” Commissioner William delivered his thought-provoking message that encouraged Bermudians to trust Jesus, whatever the problem.

As they made way to the airport on Thursday, the Commissioners had the opportunity to visit a ladies bible study at the St. Georges corps.

From soup runs, to feeding street and homeless persons, to rehabilitating the addict, The Salvation Army in Bermuda continues to make a difference by giving hope and a helping hand to those in need.