During the Easter Holidays we enjoyed a day out in London, which included a tour of the Palace of Westminister and the Jewel Tower. Captain Susan acted as tour guide afterwards and took us around the surrounding area.

Our Easter Egg Venture saw many children and adult helpers (although many played!!!!!) brought us all together to enjoy a great couple of days arranged by Captain Susan. Thank you to all for such an amazing time.

WEEKLY REFLECTION FROM THE CAPTAINS

Easter Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.


This is a specal day in so many ways, especially the joy we all have in sharing in the dedication to God of Louis. Its fitting because the whole Easter account reminds us of Christ who was dedicated to what He was about, and faithful in what He did. Dedication may not be an acceptable word today, but things do change when people are dedicated, committed and faithful to the purposes of God. Its then that the experience of the Cross and the Power of the Resurrection becomes so real to us - and indeed Easter becomes that experience in our hearts. Its our prayer that as we share in this joy today, that we will know the joys of Easter every day, and that our lives will be dedicated to God as God was so dedicated to us.

Capturing Our Easter Weekend together

The Cross was central to our focus during Holy Week and Easter weekend. Maundy Thursday saw our focus on The Hope for Getting On, and the cry of Jesus..... take this from me, Lord. We looked at how for us at times we need to come to God to ask Him to carry our loads and indeed for us that when the going get tough, the tough get growing and not going. Good Friday saw a good number of people gathering to explore The Hope - here at The Cross, and Donald Jones gave a powerful drama presentation. Songs used included When I Survey, Was it for me? Oh to see the Dawn, The Old Rugged Cross. After this a number gathered in the town for the churches together reflection.

Easter Sunday started with a breakfast attended by 25 people. Extra chairs had to be got out for the celebration meeting, attended by about 125 people. Part of the celebration included the dedication to God of Louis Arthur Robert Gregory. The hall looked beautiful with amazing flowers (thank you June) and again the crossed dressed for Easter Morning. Drama was presented, as was Dance by two of our junior soldiers and Captain Susan. Captain Susan's Sunday Challenged asked people what they were holding onto, and Captain Ian concluded the meeting encouraging people to hold onto Hope - hold onto the Cross. Many many people came forward and knealt or stood before the cross. Some couples, familes, individuals, but many tears were shed as people responded to God. God;s Power came with many finding healing and indeed Hope at the Cross. Jesus the Hope of the Nations, reminded us this morning, that indeed He is the Hope for all. Songs included:- Christ the Lord is risen today; He has Risen; Low in the Grave He Laid; Dedication Prayer; Jesus hope of the Nations.

The day concluded with TOGETHER, our monthly Sunday meeting, again attended by good numbers, and included songs O Joyful sound; I serve a Risen Saviour; Lord make Calvary real to me; Oh to see the Dawn; Rejoice Rejoice Christ is in you. Testimony was again a major feature.

We thank God for a very special Easter together

there are still places for our EASTER EGG VENTURE starting next Tuesday. So far about 30 children will be sharing with us. Please pray for this very important opportunity

Our music groups presented an open practise as part of our Holy Week Journey and gave a lovely evening, guided through by Vic Jannels. Captain Susan gave a very powerful meditation as part of the evening. Good numbers supported this evening, and we are so grateful to the musicians for allowing us all this opportunity.

Cadet Mark Cotterill concluded his Sunday placement at Horsham on Palm Sunday and led his final meeting. Following this we shared a family buffet and was able to present him and his wife, Emma, with a financial gift and also some books for his library. We thank God for the opportunity we have had in sharing with Mark - and Emma when possible - and continue to hold them in our prayers as they prepare to move to Atherton.

The end of term celebration for CHATT A BOX saw 80 plus families enjoying an Easter Egg Hunt.

LIBERATED. Jackie Fisher writes the following after her weekend at the London South East Divisional Retreat for women.

A group of us spent a fantastic weekend at ‘Liberate’, the Salvation Army Ladies Retreat at Sunbury Court, Sunbury-on-Thames. Picture the scene: 70 ladies from various SA Corps in the South East of England coming together for a weekend of fun, fellowship and food. We were in for a real treat!


The theme this year was ‘Who Do You Think You Are’. We looked at the story of Ruth. This is an amazing story about an amazing woman, and we were encouraged to think about her characteristics, those we admired, those we could see in ourselves and those we wished we had.

The weekend was a mix of Bible study, eating, workshops, testimony, chatting, more eating and lots of laughter. There was even a masked ball – a great opportunity for us ladies to dress up and feel glamorous. Everything was very laid back, no pressure and you could get involved in as much or as little as you wanted to. Some even found time for a walk to explore the area.

The workshops on Saturday afternoon were Gospel Singing, Craft, Makeovers, Assertiveness and Sacred Dance. I chose the dance. 8 of us set about learning a dance to a Christian song, depicting the words in movement and were able to perform it in the worship service on the Sunday. It was very nerve-wracking for many of us especially those who had never attempted anything like this before. But everyone was so encouraging just wanting to get the best from everybody and helping them to develop skills and feel good about their achievement.

What did I get from the weekend? An opportunity to rest, relax and have fun and make new friends. But also a time to spend in God’s presence, listening to Him and learning more of His plan for my life. I came away feeling refreshed in every sense.

We had such a great time we’re already planning to book again for next year. So come on girls, how about joining us? And don’t worry gents, no need for you to miss out, they run a similar event for men too!

COMING SOON. Book these dates now.

Despite a good number being away, some of the divisional Liberate weekend, we gathered together to enjoy a morning of worship, which this morning included the following songs: O worship the Lord; Come beautiful Christ; I'm gonna jump up and down; Down at the Cross; The Splendour of the King. Captain Ian took as his theme WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? looking at John 15, The Vine and the Branches, reminding us that GOD IS THE VINE and WE are the branches. We explored our relationship in regards to that, and the reality that APART from God..... we can do nothing. In times of silence God's presence was known and someone knelt at the mercy seat. A report on LIBERATE will follow.

Our 123rd Corps Anniversary started with an informal evening social, attending by 40 plus people. This year we held THE QUIZ EVENT which featured a whole host of different things to do, seeking to meet the tastes of so many different types of people. We are pleased to announce that THE I-FIELDERS were the winning team (but others may not be pleased with that announcement)

Sunday, being Mothering Sunday, gave us an opportunity to thank the ladies among us for all they bring to our lives as well a celebrating the fact that we remain as a church after all these years. Our divisional commander shared Saturday and led Sunday meetings. Lt Colonel Gill was not able to be with us due to a fall. As we had a visitor we enjoyed SUNDAY FEAST today, which is a meal together followed by some form of presentation, which the colonel saw through. We are thankful to God for such a great weekend, and for the blessings we knew and know.

Jackie Fisher recently attended the launch of the Divisional Prayer Wave and has given us this report:-

As I left work on Friday 29th January, a friend asked me ‘What are you doing this weekend?’ ‘I’m going to a prayer wave,’ I replied. ‘What’s a prayer wave?’ she asked. That was a good question.

To be honest, I had no idea myself what a prayer wave was, but anything that involves prayer has got to be good, hasn’t it? I was about to find out.

5 of us from Horsham set off to Gillingham in Kent to join others from the various Salvation Army Corps in the area for an evening of prayer. To some that probably sounds boring, but in reality it was a very enjoyable and uplifting experience.

The evening began and ended with a time of worship. In between we were encouraged to pray in various ways. There were a number displays around the room and we were encouraged to walk around and use them to help us to focus and to prompt our prayers. We were made to feel relaxed to do whatever felt comfortable to us. You could pray out loud or in silence, on your own or with a partner or in a group.

The displays reminded us of what is going on locally, across our country and across the world. We were encouraged to pray for those in the Corps within our own area, other Corps in this country and the work the Salvation Army is involved in throughout the world. There were some practical activities to aid our praying, such as pinning the names of people we felt drawn to pray for on a flag.

Was it worth going? Definitely! In this busy life we lead it’s never easy to find time to pray as much as we should. But when we do, God blesses both us and those we pray for. Will I be going again? Definitely! There is real power in prayer and it is an opportunity to come away from our busy lives and draw near to God and allow Him to use us. Next time, why don’t you come to?

DIVISIONAL KIDS FUND DAY 2010 - GOING WILD.
Report by Grace Woodgate

We started in the main hall and sis some singing, bush tucker trails, and listened to a Bible reading. We had been given stickers with animals on and a colour. So when we were in the main hall we had to go in the animal groups and when we split in to the different rooms we went into the colour groups. I was in the Zebra and the blue group. The blues started in the animal room where a vet had brought some animals in to show us. He had brought these following animals; a rat called manuel, a rabbit named eddie, a tortoise, a hare and a dog. After each place we had been too we went into the main hall again. First we had an obstacle course. Then we did a little race thing. Then we played a game like ladders. Then we played tug of war. After that we went into the craft room. We made picture frames for the pictures that were taken with the aninmals. When we had finished there we went to the games room and played lots of games. That sadlhy was the last activity so we went into the hall for the last time and were shown our scores for the day. The team that had won was my team!!!!! I had a great day!!!!

our home league celebrated the 90th birthday of Mrs Irene Downs

Our first SUNDAY EVENING meeting, which meets monthly on the first Sunday, at 6.30pm, was supported well by members and friends and was a valued time. Time was given for prayer, discussion, sharing in song etc. Very helpful comments have been received to say how much people enjoyed and valued the time. We meet next on Sunday 4th April.

One of our Home League Ladies, Irene Downs, celebrated her 90th birthday recently, and in home league tradition, a special party is held for all 90 year old members.