New Officer Roundup – Lieutenants Dennis and Mary Maybury, Glace Bay

Summer at The Salvation Army brings with it a number of new beginnings as officers around the country transfer to new appointments. Here at the Maritime Division we are welcoming nine new officers in five different locations. Here is our second instalment in a five-part series introducing you to them.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background?
Mary: We are originally from Bermuda. We were at our last posting in Fort Frances, Ont., for two years, which was also our first posting.

Tell me about your previous posting?
Dennis: We managed the thrift store and Community and Family Services. It was a very busy ministry. We had two full-time volunteers, but it was a small community. It was small, but they supported The Salvation Army tremendously. We really enjoyed the town, the people.

Any previous experience with your new community?
Dennis: We don’t have any experience here. It’s our first time in the Maritimes. We’ve never even visited before. Our first impression has been very positive, and we love it here already.

Mary: We just had our first Sunday and it was excellent, just beautiful. People are so warm here. It reminds me of our island back home, so welcoming. We were having an issue with our phone at our house so I walked up the street because I had to call my husband, and I asked two ladies if I could use their phone and they said, ‘absolutely, come on in, anytime you need to call your husband you’re welcome to use our phone.’ We’ll definitely fit in here, that’s for sure.

What things do you like to do in your free time?
Mary: We like to go driving, and we like to relax at home. We enjoy visiting with friends and sitting out on the balcony in the summer.

Dennis: I like to do some running. I like to do a little golfing too.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Dennis: I would like the ability to fly, so that when it gets cold up here, I could just fly back to Bermuda for a couple hours and warm up.

Who is your role model and why?
Dennis: I have some good officer friends, who I consider to be like family. They have become wonderful mentors. They give great advice, great support and are definitely prayer warriors.

Mary: When I was in Fort Frances, I had this mentor that I used to see, from the Catholic Church. Her name is Betty, and I would go up there sometimes and help out with the youth group. It was really nice, because she was someone that I could really trust and could talk to, especially when I was having challenges.

Any specific hopes or goals for this appointment?
Mary: We have been so flat out busy, I can’t even think of that! We go with the flow and pray about things. We just want to win more souls for the kingdom.

Can you tell us a fun fact about each of you?
Mary: I like a lot of ice cream! I also like to laugh. I like it when people tell a lot of jokes.

Dennis: Dessert. I always need to know, what’s for dessert?