Romford Salvation Army

Article by Mike Willmore

Thursday the 8th July proved a great day for 150 members of the Romford Friendship Club and a further 200 folks from Wellingborough, Enfield, Hadleigh and Clacton who came out for a superb day by the sea.

Bandsman Tom Hoyles, Romford Friendship Club Secretary, had booked the Princes Theatre at Clacton-On-Sea to produce a show which featured The London North East Fellowship Band, leader Ken Hillson.
The show was compered with great skill and humour by Retired Officer’s Secretary, Major James Williams, who also provided the ‘thought for the day’ slot, blending humour with the serious thought that even in the worst of financially worrying times, his life experience had demonstrated that it was his relationship with Jesus Christ that had carried him through, and that relationship was available to all who would seek it.

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Also on the bill was pianist David Stanley, teacher from Eastwood School, who, as well providing a feast of popular music on piano, introduced Gemma Wahl, Georgina Blackwell and Samuel Holdworth, three young musicians from his school, providing them with great experience in preparation for going on to take ‘Performance’ at University in the near future.

The star of the show was undoubtedly Victoria Yellop, who, in a high octane virtuoso performance, played her violin and sang a selection of popular songs reminiscent of so many energetic ‘Last Night Of The Proms’ sing-along performances, which culminated with flag waving and clapping by the altogether happy and enthusiastic audience. Certainly a day to remember, and such a success that Tom is contemplating another show, possibly at The Queens Theatre, Hornchurch, next year.

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Our newest Soldier - Paul Singleton

Sunday the 4th July saw a new Soldier enrolled at Romford Salvation Army.

Paul Singleton had been coming to the Corps for some time, and after taking our 'Next Steps' course led by Major Brian Miller, he made the decision to become a Soldier.

After the enrolment, Paul spoke of the journey that had led him here - how he had been a Christian for many years, but fallen away from church and from God in recent times.
He told us how seeing his brother come to Christ reminded him of his need for God, and how he then found our church through this very website!

Paul told us that although he had never attended a Salvation Army before, it felt like he had finally come home.
He finished with a statement that is a challenge for us all - 'I want God to take me out of my comfort zone and use me'.

Congratulations, Paul!

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Article by Mike Willmore

View all the photos from Easter 2010

Easter is always a busy time at Romford Salvation Army , and this year was no exception.

Holy Week was launched with a day of prayer on Saturday, culminating in a Prayer concert led by Majors Gillian and Brian Miller. On Maundy Thursday, The Friendship Club (run by Bandsman Tom Hoyles) were treated to a special Easter Service at their afternoon meeting led by Major Richard Borrett with music provided by a small group of bandsmen and auxiliaries. The hall was full to capacity, and those present enjoyed a selection of Easter hymns/songs which have become standards world wide, including 'There Is A Green Hill Far Away' and the ever popular 'The Old Rugged Cross'.

Good Friday saw the band out again leading the Walk of Witness through the streets of Romford. This started with a gathering of the congregations of 'Churches In Romford' at Main Road Baptist, moving through four other churches along the route. Short services were held at Main Road Baptist, St Edward's Roman Catholic Church, then down through the busy market to St Edward's Anglican Church. From there, a short open air service and reading was held in the market square before proceeding to the final destination at Trinity Methodist Church where the service was followed with the opportunity meet with friends from all the churches present and share in some light refreshments. Altogether, an enjoyable and worthwhile witness and reminder to the people of Romford that it was Holy Week and that this major Christian festival remains central to the Christian faith and the followers of Jesus Christ.

Easter Sunday dawned bright and clear as people from our own Church and several others gathered on the hill at Upminster Common for the Sunrise Service. The ground might have been pretty muddy but the view from the top of the hill across London was the clearest it had been for many years, and contributed greatly to the feelings of uplift in the spirit that one always associates with Easter morning. Once again a contingent of the band provided the music for the service of celebration led by Major Borrett. This was followed by an Easter breakfast at the Salvation Army Hall.

The Easter Service itself was a double celebration. Not only was the resurrection of Jesus celebrated, but one of our most recent adherents, Kevin Foreman, had chosen this Easter day to advance his commitment to the Lord by entering into full soldiership with The Salvation Army. It was therefore with great joy that his commissioning ceremony was carried out by Major Borrett. Kevin related how he had come to soldiership through initially contacting Majors Ann and Richard to assist with the resolution of a problem. He had accepted an invitation to find out more about the Salvation Army and deepened his knowledge of the Christian faith through attending an Alpha Course held at the Salvation Army Hall. He also acknowledged the particular help and support he had received from Dale Caffull. Dale, in turn, testified to those present that he had supported Kevin with prayer over many months and felt that his coming to soldiership in this way was nothing short of a positive answer to his prayers.

Kevin Foreman, our newest Soldier

The Easter Service was supported by the Senior Band, Songsters, YP Band, Singing Company and contribution from the Primary Sunday School. Altogether, an excellent and memorable Holy Week.

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