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.  

Major Doug Lewis has released the following statement regarding yesterday’s earthquake in Haiti:

“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.

Bermuda – Living in such a wealthy society, it is easy to overlook the homeless and those in need. But toiling away behind the scenes is an army of volunteers offering a ‘hand-up’ to those less fortunate. The Salvation Army was established in Bermuda 114 years ago and has four congregations on the Island with a membership of more than 800. In the community it not only provides food and shelter for the homeless, but counselling, life skills and transitional housing. Major Doug Lewis, Divisional Commander, explains why it is more important than ever before to dig deep into your pockets. Read full story…

Source: The Royal Gazette

“I had hit rock bottom when I staggered through the doors of The Salvation Army Harbour Light, a rehabilitation centre for alcoholics and substance abusers in Bermuda,” says Frankie.

“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.