Volume 28 Number 7 NOVEMBER 2011

INSIDE

USA East welcomes General, Proclaimers >> LINDA D. JOHNSON

Good News! Online: www.SAGoodNews.org

USA Eastern Territorial website: www.ArmyConnections.org

USA National website:www.SalvationArmyUSA.org

PHILADELPHIA KROC CENTER ENROLLS 59 RECRUITSFortynine new senior soldiers and 10 new junior soldiers, all in uniform, marched proudly into the sanctuary singing We Are Soldiers in the Army.

PAGE 8

HURRICANE IRENE RESPONSE Lieutenant Francisco Rivera has seen hurricane damage in his home of Puerto Rico, but noth-ing prepared him for Hurricane Irene in Prattsville, N.Y.

PAGE 14

MINISTRY OUTREACH AT OOB We are here for one single purpose, and that is to share the claims of Jesus Christ, said Commissioner R. Steven Hedgren, territorial commander, as a large crowd of vacation-ers gathered to listen in the heart of this beachfront town.

PAGES 1622

A capacity crowd fi lled Centennial Memorial Temple in New York City for a grand USA welcome for General Linda Bond and the 39 members of the Proclaimers of the Resurrection session from the USA Eastern Territory.

The meeting opened in a festive spirit, with upbeat songs from the New York Staff Band, under the leadership of Bandmaster Ronald Waiksnoris; the Eastern Territorial Songsters, led by Bandmaster Bill Rollins; and a contempo-rary Worship Band led by Douglas Berry. Then came the entrance of Commission-ers R. Steven and Judith A. Hedgren, territorial leaders; Commissioners Wil-liam A. and Nancy L. Roberts, national leaders; and the General.

Im getting used to the pomp and circumstance, General Bond said in response. I appreciate the welcome and

the honor you show me as the interna-tional leader of The Salvation Army, but please remember, all the glory goes to Jesus. The one thing we really must do tonight is lift up the name of Jesus!

Commissioner Steven Hedgren said that, if any group of cadets could have said, Im not coming! it would have been this one, but they arrived despite the onslaught of Hurricane Irene.

Hedgren also commended all the Sal-vation Army offi cers, soldiers, and vol-unteers who have been serving around the territory, helping people who lost so much as a result of the storm.

Youve given people a taste of the ministry of The Salvation Army that will last a long time, he said.

Then the General and the territorial

continued on page 12 > >

GOOD NEWS!

GOOD NEWS!

USA EASTERN TERRITORYCommissioners R. Steven and

Judith A. HedgrenTerritorial Leaders

Colonel William CarlsonChief Secretary

Linda D. JohnsonLiterary Secretary

Warren L. Maye EditorRobert Mitchell Associate EditorKeri Johnson Art DirectorReginald Raines Associate Art DirectorSaoul Vanderpool Senior DesignerDave Hulteen, Jr. Graphic DesignerKarena Lin Graphic DesignerNanette Morales Production SpecialistJoe Marino Production Assistant

Divisional News CorrespondentsSFOT Major Christine J. Rock ARCC Major Debra TaylorPENDEL Chaz WatsonEmpire State Jaye C. JonesGNY Jennifer VanderWeeleMass. Major Kathleen KlenkNJ Tricia PellegriniNEOSA Major Lurlene JohnsonNNE Cheryl PoulopoulosPR & VI Linette LunaSNE James GordonSWONEKY A/Captain Jean ThorntonWEPASA Major Lynette Reel

All articles are copyrighted by The Salvation Army, except where indicated, and can be reprinted only with written permission.

Also available in Korean and Spanish.

Statement of PurposeGood News! is the offi cial publication of The Salvation Army of the USA Eastern Territory. The purpose of Good News! is to inform, inspire, and equip Salvationists to grow in holiness, to serve together in supportive, healing communities, and to reach others for Jesus Christ.

For mailing list changes, write:Good News!, 440 West Nyack Road,West Nyack, NY 109941739.

Follow Good News! on Twitter.

Become a fan of Good News! on Facebook.

GOODNEWSSA

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

Were excited that our new Good News! magazine is fi nally off the press and in your hands. As you can see, weve redesigned it for youinside and out.

Weve heard from you by way of focus groups composed of Good News! readers like you, conducted in New York, Buffalo, and Philadel-

phia, and weve made changes based on the most commonly voiced suggestions.

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FROM THE EDITOR >>

iGood News!

I bumped into your website in error and thanked God when I saw the article on thenCommissioner Linda Bond (Good News! March 2011). The messages she delivered when she came to Zimbabwe for a Bible convention are still keeping me strong in the word and continue to talk to me daily. Wishing you the best in the mission. Im really inspired. Thank you. Im so happy God is great.

Eunice, from the Internet

Letters

WARREN MAYE

2 www.sagoodnews.org

WARREN L. MAYE

The Greater New York Divisions 64th Annual Luncheon (GNY) honored Yankee pitcher Mariano Rivera, memo-rialized radio station owner Richard D. Buckley, and recognized Citibank, the offi cial sponsor of the GNY Divisions 2011 Red Kettle Campaign. This year, the New York Staff Band (NYSB) sat directly behind a dais of special guests and, as always, provided uplifting and stirring music during the event.

Lt. Colonel Guy D. Klemanski, divisional commander, passionately articulated the divisions commitment to its humanitar-ian work and spiritual care ministries. A compelling video presentation followed.

Rivera, affectionately known as The Closer, humbly accepted the Pinnacle of Achieve-ment Award for being the greatest relief pitcher of all time, and for his Mariano Rivera Founda-tion, which helps children cope with medical, social, and economic

challenges. The foundation provides scholarships and sponsors youth centers and churches. Lt. Colonel Henreitta Kl-emanski, associate divisional command-er, presented the Community Service Award (In Memoriam) to the family of Richard D. Buckley, owner of NewsTalk Radio 710 WOR. The station has served as the divisions media partner, broad-casting Beyond the Bells with host Denise Richardson (aired Sundays from 6 to 7 a.m.), and sponsored the divisions 3rd Annual Radiothon. Buckleys wife Connie and daughter Jennifer accepted the award.

Citibank, the fi rst global corporation to exclusively sponsor the Armys Red Kettle Campaign, was represented by Robert

Koar, president of the banks east-ern region. He accepted The Corporate Part-nership Award. On Nov. 29, Ci-tibank employees joined the Armys kettle campaign launch held at Citibanks Union Square branch.

Territorial news >>

GNY thanks supporters

BINDHU PARAIL

All around the nation and the world this holiday season, dedicated vol-unteers rang bells in spite of unfavorable weather and harried shoppers who didnt always stop to drop money into the Sal-vation Army red kettle.

Last year central Ohio groups and individuals contributed 4,300 hours of volunteer service at kettles. Some rang by themselves while others came with a group of friends, family, or coworkers. Some even added a personal touch by singing, playing an instrument, or sharing a talent. Most volunteers agree that the experience is both fun and fulfi llinga

chance to help the community and create a tradition of service.

Volunteer Paul Pope said he enjoyed his weekly shifts at the kettle because he met a variety of people. In his experience, people were very friendly. Pope estimates that about half the people who walk by make donations, and many of them go out of their way to do it. As for his moti-vation to ring year after year, Pope says, Its the satisfaction of knowing youre helping and giving to a great cause.

Parail is a ColumbusArea Services Development

Department volunteer

Vantage Point >>

Why they rang the bells

Anecdotes from the fi eld

Western Pennsylvania: Majors William and Joan Bode, divisional leaders, report that a mom and son came to the local corps for food. She had been evicted and her home was padlocked. The corps offi cer gave her food and a new winter coat for her son from Project Bundle Up. When he put it on, he said, with tears in his eyes, I have a coatand it fi tsand its brand new! The boy also received a new toy, and the family was signed up for Christmas assistance.

The Bible says we are our brothers keeper, and when we have done unto the least of these, we have done it for Jesus. We thank God for the opportu-nity of sharing His love in such practi-cal ways and praying with people.

Southern New England: Majors David and Eunice Champlin, divisional leaders, report that the Torrington Corps received a kettle gift of 14 $20 bills wrapped together in a bundle.

Massachusetts: Majors David and Naomi Kelly, divisional leaders, at-tended the kettle kickoff in downtown Boston. As Mayor Thomas Menino rang the kettle bell, a little boy and his mother stopped to watch. Danielle Degnan, development director, gave the boy $1 to put in the kettle.

The boy, about 3, put his dollar in the big kettle, then gave a high fi ve to the mayor. When he walked back to his mom, Major Naomi Kelly was there, and she knelt down to say hello. He promptly walked over to her, put his arms out, and gave her a big hug. When the major stood up, with a bit of a surprised look, the mom explained, He attends the Salvation Armys daycare center for homeless families in Cambridge. To explain her sons comfort in giving a perfect stranger a big hug, she said, He knows he can trust the people in the uniform.

From the Territorial CommandersPrayer Letter

PRAYER REQUESTS

UProclaimers of the Resurrection Session 20112013UFriends of Christ Session 20102012UCandidates

Lord Jesus, we join together in prayer for those who have responded to a call for fulltime service as Salvation Army offi cers, and for those, even now that the Lord is calling, Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the timepray that our God will make you fi t for what hes called you to be, pray that hell fi ll your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.

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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God

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I have come that they may have lifep\

PRAYER INITIATIVES

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

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Worldwide Prayer MeetingEvery Thursday Morning :My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete un-derstanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.

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Lt. Colonel Cheryl A. Maynor, Territorial Ambassador for Prayer

and Spiritual Formation

Prayer & Praise >>

www.armyonitsknees.org

4

ROBERT MITCHELL

LT. COLONEL JAMES REYNOLDS

Ramona Ganesh had been teaching cultural dance at the Hough Corps in Cleveland when Major Diana Capanna, corps offi cer, asked her to chaperone a group of girls to Youth Councils last year.

Ramona, 21, says she didnt know what to expect, but it ended up being a lifechanging experience. A sermon that weekend overpowered every-

one, including Ramona. I have never experienced anything like it, she says. People

gathered together and it was powerful. No one in the room was left out. It was just beautiful. I just started crying and I thought it was amazing how everything happened.

That day, she saw her own need for salvation and accepted Christ as her Savior.

Ramona, who grew up in New York City and moved to Ohio in 1998, was raised in a home with a Hindu father and a Chris-tian mother. She attended church, but says her family was only nominally Christian.

Today, her life is totally transformed.I go to church every week, she said. I do a lot of seeking

in the Word before I make my own choices. It feels good.Ramona teaches praise dance to youth at the Hough Corps

and is a tutor at the learning center. Thats also where she has been worshiping for about the last year.

It was free and basically come as you are. Its a very nonjudgmental church, she said.

Ramona received her teaching degree this spring from Cleve-land State University. She attended the Candidates Seminar and Railton Weekend event and is considering becoming an offi cer.

Shes growing, Capanna says. She loves the Lord.Last Christmas, she became a senior soldier.Ive been attending The Salvation Army a little bit over a

year, she says. I see how Major Diana and everyone all do things to take part.

My whole entire life, Ive always wanted to help people. Ive always wanted to be the one that, if I cant give a dona-tion, I want to at least give a helping hand. I can see through The Salvation Army how you can do that.

I am reminded over and over again of Gods promises in His Word. Yet one promise that I had not read in the Bible came to my attention in a most unusual way.

My wife and I were attending the fi nale of Star Lake Musicamp and were blessed by how open the wonderful young people of our territory were to allowing God to use their musical gifts

for His honor and glory. During the performance I noticed for the fi rst time a plaque mounted on one of the two pillars on the platform of the tabernacle. On it are these words from Ezekiel 37:26:

I will make a covenant of peace with them and set my sanctuary in the midst of them forever.

I was intrigued by the verse, and after returning home, I looked it up to understand the context. Chapter 37 tells of the vision of Ezekiel for the dry bones that represent an unrepen-tant nation of Israel, and how God wanted to breathe new life into them and return the people to the land they loved.

The covenant as described in verse 26 is one of a peace that God alone can give, as well as the establishment of His sanctu-ary, which represents the very presence of God in our midst.

After reading more of this promise from God in the book of Ezekiel, I couldnt help but ask the same for the offi cers and soldiers of the Eastern Territory. If only we would allow God to refresh us with His very presence and then enjoy the peace and power that this brings, what a different Army this would be! In addition, the promise of God, as seen in Ezekiels proph-ecy, reminds us again that His blessing will be upon those open to His leading forevermore.

As I contemplated the challenge given by God through the prophet Ezekiel, I couldnt help but be reminded of the words of William Booth found in SASB Song #203:

Tis fi re we want, for fi re we plead, Send the fi re!The fi re will meet our every need, Send the fi re!

For strength to ever do the right,For grace to conquer in the fi ght,

For power to walk the world in white, Send the fi re!

So, amid the challenges of life that can so easily crowd out the fi re of Gods Holy Spirit, may we be reminded of the promise on a plaque, and know that the God who spoke these words to the prophet Ezekiel those many years ago, will also see that they are available to us today, just as He has proclaimed in His Word!

Lt. Colonel Reynolds is territorial secretary for business administration.

Transformations >>

No one was left out

vantage Point >>

The promise on a plaque

5www.sagoodnews.org

Corps News >>

Block parties, Boot Camp, and back to school

BLOCK PARTY FOR 250

Lynn, MAIn four hours, an Aug. 13 block party called Fam-ily Fun Day drew more than 250 people to the corps parking lot. Planned as a kickoff for VBS, it was a great suc-cess, report Captains David and Marika Pay-ton, corps officers.

We had two

bouncy houses, a DJ, several carnival games, popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs and hamburg-ers, face painting, and more, says Captain David. Kids had a great time. Parents were very impressed. We signed up new families for VBS and gave out information for our Kids Club (afterschool program) and Sunday school.

10,000 HOME VISITS

Philadelphia, PATalk about preparing the way! Over a twomonth period, 87 volunteers from the Philadelphia Citadel Corps and community visited 10,000 homes in the neighborhood to let people know about VBS.

The result? Major Andrew Murray, corps officer, reports daily attendances from Aug. 1519 hovering around 300. Kids could attend either in the afternoon or in the evening. On Sunday, Aug. 21, kids from both sessions came for graduation.

GEARING UP FOR FALL

Sandusky, OHAs backtoschool day approached, 270 children signed up to receive book bags along with an invitation to programs at the Sandusky Corps. One funfilled morning, corps members also got the chance to go

school shopping with kids at TargetTM, which sponsored the pro-gram, along with the corps advisory board and United Way. It was also time to stock the food pantry, which will be open twice a week, with a hot meal served once a week. Each month, a nutritionist comes to the pantry to provide healthy meal sugges-tions that people can make with ingredients they have at home.

The best volunteers in the community run our programs and as corps officers, we work hand in hand with them to serve our com-munity, say Lieuten-ants Mike and Angie Smith.

Sandusky, OHPhiladelphia, PA

6 www.sagoodnews.org

JUNIOR SOLDIER BOOT CAMP

Springfield, OHSay boot camp, and you cant help but think, intense. The Springfield Corps Junior Soldier Boot Camp (Aug. 914) was just that, reports Captain Stephen Carroll, corps officer.

We used the Totally His junior soldier prep material, spending four hours on each lesson. The format was similar to VBS with more of a discipleship focus and more intensity. The final lesson, Totally Committed, was in-tegrated into Sunday morning worship.

The 15 students who completed the program

continue to participate in junior soldier prep and are slated to be enrolled in December.

The kids chosen to participate in boot camp were identified from the corps four weekly SONdaySCOOLTM programs.

The Springfield Corps has a history of fantastic outreach, with more than 600 children in the corps four SONdaySCOOL programs that meet every week, most in local schools, says Carroll.

BACKTOSCHOOL GENEROSITY

Cincinnati, OHOne mother at a backpack distribution in New-

port, Ky., said she wasnt looking forward to the start of school. Its so expensive to send them back to school that its very stressful. she said.

Thanks to generous corporate partners, The Salvation Army in the Southwest Ohio and Northeast Kentucky (SWONEKY) Division has been able to ease that stress. Project Backpack, a regional program implemented by Huntington Bank, provides backpacks

and school supplies to needy children, and Targets BacktoSchool Shopping Spree, a national initiative, provides children with $80 Target gift cards.

In greater Cincinnati and in northern Ken-tucky, about 500 back-packs were distributed, including almost 200 to kids who partici-pated in Salvation Army Summer Enrichment programs. The other 300 were distributed at public events at Cincin-nati Citadel, Westside Corps, and the New-port, Ky., Corps.

One hundred twenty children participated in the shopping spree.

This better prepares them for the school year and helps them

focus on learning, said Captain Kim Smith of the Westside Corps.

PARADES OF WITNESS

Tonawanda, NYThree parades of witness showcased the Tonawanda Corps on the streets of Tonawanda, Buffalo, and North Tonawanda on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and at late Julys Canal Fest.

The Salvation Army was seen and appreci-ated more than ever for its brass, drums, timbrels, and wonder-ful colors marching as to war with the Cross of Jesus, says Major Celestin Nkounkou, corps officer.

Sandusky, OH Tonawanda, NY

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Corps News continued >>

>>continued from page 7

AN AWESOME SIGHT!

Philadelphia, PA Fortynine new senior soldiers and 10 new junior soldiers, all in uniform, marched proudly into the sanc-tuary singing We Are Soldiers in the Army.

They were an awesome sight, said Captain Dennis Young, corps officer of the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Philadelphia, to see them all in uniform, marching with their heads held high, singing praises unto the Lord and proud to be a soldier in The Salvation Army! The senior soldiers come from all walks of life;

they include teachers, nurses, police officers, a beautician, a caterer, computer technicians, college students, and retired people.

Since its opening almost a year ago, the Philadelphia Kroc has enrolled 8,661 members in social service, recreational, and educational pro-grams. The Scholarship Member program continues to grow with 942 members. Staff is also expanding, with as many as 140 team members working in various departments, meeting the needs of all age groups. But Captains Dennis and Sharon Young say that the corps is at the heart of it all.

We went into the community, beat the pavement, knocked on doors, and let people know that we are as much of a church as any other, said Captain Dennis Young. Jesus didnt build a church and then wait for people to come by.

Lt. Colonels Donald and Rene Lance, PENDEL divisional lead-ers, enrolled the new soldiers. As each sol-dier received a signed soldiers covenant, family, friends, and adherents numbering 287 expressed their approval and support with praises to God. The senior soldier cer-emony concluded with a heartfelt singing of Ill Not Turn Back.

The junior soldier ceremony quickly followed. The young people stood proudly and recited the Junior Soldier Promise. As they accepted their covenants, the audi-ence responded with an emotional standing ovation.

Sunday will be forever etched in our hearts and minds as a mighty movement of the Holy Spirit, said Young.

Regarding the future, Young believes the best is yet to come. We are just getting started. God gave us a dream that we were going to do a work for Him in Philly. [These enroll-ments] are a down pay-ment on that dream!

KIDS NIGHT

Hackensack, NJSir, Yes, Sir! is the shout from 30 children as Lieutenant Paul Val-verde calls the group to order. The children, ages 6 to 13, have been playing indoor soccer, gyrating in hula hoops, throwing foam footballs, and playing hard. But the Hackensack Corps Kids Night program is about much more than play. It uses games and projects to teach the children important lessons and bring them closer to Jesus.

The driving force behind the program is Lieutenant Eileen Valverde, who started

Philadelphia, PA

8 www.sagoodnews.org

the program by reach-ing out to families of children receiving gifts in the Angel Tree Program and assistance from the food pantry. She recognized that, while those programs filled material needs, the corps needed pro-grams that would meet peoples spiritual needs and bring them to the corps.

Kids Night sessions involve a teaching les-son, a prayer, a group activity, and songs with Lieutenant Eileen and volunteer and advisory board member Russ Passamano. The activi-ties and the songs are designed so that every part of the session will relate to the lesson.

The activity this

session involves the children competing in teams to see who can finish a puzzle first. When everyone has finished, Lieuten-ant Paul asks them if they noticed anything strange about the puzzles. The children from every group say the same thing: A piece was missing.

Lieutenant Paul then talks to them about what it means to have a piece missing and what that can mean in a persons life. Then he talks about how Jesus is the piece that a lot of people are missing from their lives.

The children are young, but they get the message.

NEW PITTSBURGH CORPS DEDICATED

Mt. Lebanon, PA On May 9, 1925, National Commander Evangeline Booth dedi-cated the downtown Pittsburgh Temple. This rich history of the Temple was revisited on Oct. 2, 2011, with an overflow crowd at the dedication of the new Pittsburgh Temple Corps Worship & Service Center, now located in Mt. Lebanon.

The congregation was a finely woven people tapestry of past and present soldiers from both the Pittsburgh Temple and Carnegie Corps, which have merged; new advisory board mem-

bers, and territorial and divisional headquarters staff.

In his message, Com-missioner R. Steven Hedgren, territorial commander, brought home a solid exposition of I Kings 8: 4143, a prophetic word to re-member the foreigner. Hedgren couldnt have known that sitting in the back row was a Christian woman refu-gee from Iraq who had never been in a Salva-tion Army building. She listened intently to the Word for Gods people to be a lighthouse to

those seeking refuge. The new Mt. Leba-

non building, which includes an exercise facilty sponsored by the Pittburgh Steelers, is perched in the midst of thick residential neighborhoods and near a large senior liv-ing facility. The reloca-tion from downtown provides opportunity for a wide variety of ministries and social services that will meet the social, educational, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of a much larger popula-tion.

Whats news in your corps? Send your reports, along with photos,

to Linda Johnson: linda.johnson@use.salvationarmy.org.

Hackensack, NJ

9www.sagoodnews.org

ROBERT MITCHELL

The theme of this years Star Lake Musicamp, These Are the Days of Our Lives, continued its rich 75year heritage.

So often when we think about a place of tradition, we talk about the good old days, but these are the good old days, said Ronald Waiksnoris, territorial music director, at the start of the Aug. 1321 camp meetings.

Waiksnoris said an abun-dance of younger campers experienced spiritual highs at this years camp.

Every year has its own life, and theyre all unique, he said. This year was very interesting because it was a younger group and they were incredibly responsive. The progress that they made in one weeks time was more than remarkable. They did really well.

Each August since 1935, the Salvation Armys best young musicians make a pilgrimage to the idyllic camp in the mountains of New Jersey to hone their music skills and deepen their spirituality. This year, Waiksnoris said the mountains were more than a

backdrop as many campers and staffers found a moun-taintop spiritual experience.

The theme verse this year was Psalm 90:12: Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

I think the young people were striving for that, Waik-snoris said. There were spiritual highs throughout the week. We had moments in morning worship when we all were looking to meet Jesus on a personal level, and I think that happened in a beautiful way.

Commissioner R. Steven Hedgren, territorial com-mander, led the Sunday morn-ing holiness meeting and told campers how, as a youngster at a music camp similar to Star Lake, he went to the front and prayed. He then returned home and read the Gospel of John.

The Scripture came alive

to me. That particular Gospel continues to speak, he said, urging the young people to start their Bible reading in John.

Eric Dina, director of music for the NEOSA Division, came to Star Lake in 1989 and has been on staff for 15 years. He said he always gets a spiri-

tual high at Star Lake.

I fi nd that every time Im here at Star Lake or at any camp, its a mountaintop experience, he said. Its special. Every time, I have a chance to spend eight or nine days fo-

cusing on my life with God.Star Lake always has a

large contingent of foreign campers. Joao Hamalainen of Finland said he found himself getting emotional at morning worship.

Its really affected every-body, he said. Everybody could feel the Holy Spirit pres-ent. It was a blessing.

The special guests at this years camp were Majors Len and Heather Ballantine from Yorkshire Citadel in Toronto.

Major Len, a Star Laker camper in 1969, is the for-mer leader of the Interna-tional Staff Songsters and well known in The Salvation Army for his choral and brass compositions.

Its nice to know that the heritage and traditions have remained, he said. I was able to give from my heart something to the kids that is very important in this day and age. Theyre part of the continuity that we see so pre-ciously passed forward from one generation to the other in The Salvation Army. Thats what keeps us going.

Waiksnoris said the number of younger campers from 13 to 15 years old is a positive sign.

As I watched them doing so well, I was thinking, Well, weve got some years ahead of us that will be really, really good.

They played and sang and did everything with great gusto and openness to learn. That certainly made me feel like weve got a great future.

Territorial News >>

Good old days

Teach us to number our days

aright, that we

may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

10 www.sagoodnews.org

REBECCA PHILLIPS

TAM Conservatory Chapter Eleven

Here in Suffern its a lot like heaven

God gets glory we get tasty chow!

Learn your lines and break a leg

Then take a bow!

Does God own a cell phone?Take a minute.

Think.

Literallyhow many times in one day do you check your email, send text messages, update your Facebook status, or use your cell phone? For most of us, I dare say that our cell phones are more like an appendage than a device that we use occasionally. If we were willing to admit it, we probably spend more time online than we do in direct conversation with others on a daily basis.

On Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, students and faculty from across the territory and abroad gathered at the School for Of-ficer Training in Suffern, N.Y., for a week of intensive arts trainingwith a very specific theme: Pay Attention! Quite simply, we were challenged to pay attention by being more intentional about being in the moment, mentally present, face to face with one another, not so immersed in our cellular technological culture, and to pay attentionnot just to one another, but to the Living God.

The week began with a spe-cific spiritual exercise: a tech-nology fast. Every person was

encouraged to turn off their cell phones, secure them in an envelope, and lock them up for safekeeping for 24 hours. The results were astounding. People were shocked at the authentic interactions they had with their peersand how quickly they were able to silence the noise within and make a real connection with God.

That experience plunged us forward into a week saturated with divine, holy appointments. From the anointed performance min-istry Shattered Silhouettes of Naima Imani to a night of profound theater at the Lincoln Center with War Horsewe were paying at-tention. We were present in our laughter during Solo Night and we were stunned at how the Lord Himself was clearly paying attention to us in pre-cious moments of deliberate sweet quiet.

It was all so remarkable.It was truly a week of gaz-

ing inward, being mindfully aware of others, and centering our thoughts on the God who

is greater than comprehen-sion. We were refreshed by His presence and confronted with the need to remain there, despite the distractions that can so easily deter us.

As the week came to a close, we were blessed to have the ministry of Commis-sioners R. Steven and Judith A. Hedgren, our territorial leaders, and we were chal-lenged to know God, know ourselves, and know our pur-pose. We can know Him by paying attention to His Word;

we can know ourselves by paying attention to what He is doing in our lives and choos-ing to look through the lens of righteousness; and we can know our purpose by paying attention to His calling.

Perhaps that means we should spend a little less time staring at a screen and more time staring into the Eyes that created the heavens and earth and everything in between.

Not too difficultor is it? Rebecca Phillips was an

instructor at TAM Conservatory

Territorial News >>

TAM Conservatory 2011

Pay attention! Are you deaf? Open your eyes! Are you blind?Youre my servant, and youre not looking! Youre my messenger, and youre not listening!The very people I depended upon, servants of God, blind as a batwillfully blind!Youve seen a lot, but looked at nothing. Youve heard everything, but listened to nothing.God intended, out of the goodness of his heart, to be lavish in his revelation.But this is a people battered and cowed, shut up in attics and closets,Victims licking their wounds, feeling ignored, abandoned.But is anyone out there listening? Is anyone paying attention to whats coming?

Isaiah 42:1820 (THE MESSAGE)

11www.sagoodnews.org

leaders stood on the steps leading to the platform, where they exchanged the Salvation Army salute with the cadets as they marched in behind their divisional youth leaders and divisional leaders. When the cadets had all taken their place on stage, loud cheers went up from the congregation.

Dont we need them? exclaimed Commissioner Judith Hedgren. Before she presented the session flag, she displayed two other Salva-tion Army flagsone that had been to the moon and one that was tattered with 130 years of use. This ses-sions flag, she said, is about victory, as you march forward to proclaim the Resurrection.

When the General spoke, she said she is mission focused.

The Salvation Army has one message: the transforming message of Jesus Christ. We are people of the Resur-rection!

The evening before, at a welcome dinner for cadets at the School for Officer Training, she had told the Proclaimers that their name would define them.

That message also came from Major Thomas Lyle, ter-ritorial candidates secretary.

You have a good name, and you will be branded by that name, he said. You are not only a resurrection people; you are people who will proclaim the truth with resurrection power.

The General said that, out of duty, the cadets would want to live up to their name. But I have to say to you, that will not be enough. You must have a burning heart like those of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. When they realized that it was the resur-rected Jesus who had spoken to them, she said, They went immediately to Jerusalem to say, Jesus is alive!

At the Welcome, the General

USA East welcomes General, Proclaimers continued from page 1 > >

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emphasized the importance of this proclamation.

The book of Acts is about the name of Jesus being pro-claimed. Without the Resurrec-tion, there would be no Church and Im wasting my time preaching to you tonight.

If The Salvation Army ever drifts from this truth, I wish God would put us to sleep. Oh, God, help The Salvation Army to keep faith with the mission Youve given us: sav-ing souls, growing saints, and serving suffering humanity.

Then the General called for everyone to seek a deeper walk, to find a home in the Spirit of Jesus.

She said, as she had at the welcome dinner the evening before, that she had been deeply moved to read in Good

News! and The War Cry of the Armys service following the 9/11 attacks 10 years before.

What I have to say to you is, Thank you. You are on mission. You are doing it!

Then she asked, Are you all on mission here? Wouldnt that be wonderful, if every Salvationist were on mission?

She called for Salvation-ists to sign up for prayer on Thursday mornings from 58 a.m., so that prayer will circle the world for the Army.

We must be faithful to the work and do our duty. I believe if we do that, revival will come!

When General Bond issued an altar call, large numbers came forward in response, and as the worship band led Knowing You, Jesus,

hands went up in praise throughout the temple.

To seal the Gen-erals call, Commis-sioner Judith Hedgren led the rousing Marching On in the Light of God, and Commissioner Nancy Roberts said as she pronounced the benediction, Its time to march on!

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Territorial News >>

Responding to Irene in Upstate New York

Lieutenant Francisco Rivera has seen hurricane damage in his home of Puerto Rico, but nothing prepared him for Hur-ricane Irene in Prattsville, N.Y.

Never have I seen devas-tation like this, said Rivera, a corps offi cer in Geneva, N.Y. You can feel the people struggling, the desperation. Its something that hits you very hard inside.

For several days after the storm, Prattsville was acces-

sible only on foot, as all roads and bridges in the area were closed. Many homes were destroyed, and furniture and other belongings littered front lawns.

This is by far the most overwhelming disaster I think these folks have ever experienced, said Envoy James Brennan of the Salva-tion Armys Liberty Pole Way Corps in Rochester.

The Salvation Army served

hundreds of meals each day from a mobile canteen, and Rivera, Brennan, and Captain David Hernandez of the Roch-ester Temple Corps were avail-able for spiritual counseling.

Not far away, The Salvation Army was also on the scene at a FEMA command center at the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center in Highmount, N.Y.

Lt. Colonels Eugene and Edith Pigford helped volun-teers deliver cleaning supplies,

health kits, and gift cards to the FEMA site. They also de-livered supplies to canteens in area towns such as Phoenicia, Margaretville, and Arkville, all hardhit by the hurricane.

Were also here just for people to come and talk to us, Colonel Edith Pigford said. Were here to provide emotional and spiritual coun-sel for them.

Peg Tillapaugh of Oneonta talked about why she was

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volunteering for The Salvation Army for the fi rst time at the FEMA site.

The need is so great, she said. I just like people and these people are in need. God loves His people and so do I.

Another volunteer, Howard Scott of the Binghamton Corps, had similar sentiments.

A person who is eating might have gotten that meal from us, he said. That might be the only reason why

they received a hot meal.Areas throughout the

Northeast, including New Jersey, New York, and Ver-mont, are still dealing with the devastation caused by the hurricanes wrath.

While we are grateful that some of the more dire predictions about Hurricane Irene did not materialize, I dont want to downplay the continued and serious need were seeing, said Major George Hood, national com-munity relations secretary. A lot of these communities will take months or even years to recoverand were commit-ted to being there with them throughout.

Traveling into the hardhit village of Margaretville, N.Y., from the incident command center in Oneonta, Mary Jo Barnello said a cheer went up from a crowd when a Salva-tion Army box truck loaded with supplies arrived. More than 15 fi refi ghters leapt into action to unload water, clean-ing kits, baby supplies, pet food, and canned food.

The fi refi ghters worked side by side with Army volunteers to distribute the goods.

We really appreciate The Salvation Army being here helping our community. We need it, and you guys are a great support, said Mike Porter, president of the Mar-garetville Fire Department. EDS contributed to this report.

ROBERT MITCHELL

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Bandmaster Bill Flinn of the Pasadena Tabernacle Band brought a piece of his past to the Monday evening concert in the Pavilion.

Flinn treated the crowd to a color 8mm fi lm of him at OOB as a youngster in

the 1950s. His mother, a re-tired offi cer living in Florida, told Bill that he picked up a stick every time the band played.

I came back to Old Or-chard with a stick (baton) and a band, he told the audience

in the packed Pavilion.Bandmaster Ronald Waiks-

noris said that the Tab Band includes three former mem-bers of the New York Staff Band (NYSB) and that many other Tab Band members had attended the Eastern Terri-torys Future AllStars.

Waiksnoris noted that Flinn had honed his musical talents in the Eastern Territory.

Many of you in this room infl uenced my life greatly, Flinn said. Im grateful for that.

That was evident on the song Sounds of California, arranged by Salvationist composer Stephen Bulla, who was in the audience. Flinns daughter, Meredith, left her seat in the band to introduce the song, which included bits of Hooray for California and California Girls.

You might leave tonight wishing you too were from California, she said.

Flinn noted that the band, with members ranging in age from 14 to 83, is a real family affair with fathers and daughters, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, a threegeneration family, as well as many siblings among them.

Its all intentional. The whole idea is many of us were mentored, he said, and

now its time to continue that tradition.

One of the bands perfor-mances included confetti and a small explosion.

Later, kids from the chil-drens program came onto the stage as a Tab Band member, wearing Mickey Mouse ears, explained that Pasadena is near Disneyland. The band played a medley of Disney songs and presented the kids with Just Imagine wrist-bands.

As the concert ended, the audience responded with a standing ovation. Commis-sioner R. Steven Hedgren, ter-ritorial commander, thanked the band for its great fel-lowship, musical ability, and Christian example.

To remember the visit, Hedgren presented the band with a picture of OOB. In turn, Flinn offered a book about the Tournament of Roses Parade that features a picture of the Tab Band.

Commissioner James Knaggs, a USA East offi cer who is now territorial com-mander of the USA Western Territory, closed with a short devotional from Psalm 1.

Knaggs, who said that Billy Graham reads a Psalm a day, challenged everyone by ask-ing, What do you read every day of your life?

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Salvationists fl ock to Old Orchardfor annual Camp MeetingsLINDA D. JOHNSON

Bill Flinn conducts Proclamation

From Pasadena to OOBROBERT MITCHELL

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Gods power for a godly life

Seekers fl ooded the mercy seat to pray as Commis-sioner James M. Knaggs, Western territorial command-er, led choruses following his powerful sermon on the suf-fi ciency of Gods power.

This is the best use of your time. ... Were in the house of the Lord tonight, Knaggs said as the audience sang All That I Am by William Himes.

Earlier that evening, per-formances by the Queens Temple Praise Band and Crossfi re Brass created a worshipful atmosphere.

The night included testi-monies and songs from the Hands On mission teams that had recently returned from Costa Rica, Singapore, and Malaysia. Also taking part were delegates from the LEAD Where You Are Conference.

Knaggs, a USA Eastern Territory offi cer, began by emphasizing Christ as the only way to salvation.

To say there are many paths to God is all hogwash, Knaggs said. Theres only one way to the Father. Its through the Son. Amen?

Knaggs spoke from 2 Peter 2:14 and stressed that the Lord has given us everything we need for a godly life.

Gods power is abundant, he said. Gods power is seen in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It wasnt the nails that held Him to the Cross; it was His love that held Him there. Jesus loves you. He died for you. He died for me. Thats power.

Knaggs also quoted Le-viticus 26:12, Gods promise to walk among you and be your God and you will be my

people. Although we may feel compelled to worship our hobbies, work, and other things, Knaggs said we are able to stop.

As an example, he told a story of a former drug addict and pros-titute who received a Bible, found the power of God, and ultimately be-came a Salvation Army offi cer.

God gave us these prom-ises so that, through them, we might participate in the divine nature, Knaggs said.

God will never let you down and provides all we need for holiness. The miracle is that He trusts us! Thats the miracle.

As people came forward, Knaggs said, He is willing to

trust you. Are you trust-worthy? You know you can trust Him. Can He trust you?

Lt. Colonel Mark Tillsley, territorial secretary for personnel, prayed for the

crowd that knelt at the altar. Help our answer to be

yes to what you have called us to tonight, he said.

Commissioner Carolyn Knaggs offered a closing prayer, thanking God for the people who came forward. You are able, she said.

It wasnt the nails that held Him to the Cross; it was His

love that held Him there. Jesus loves you. He died for you. He

died for me. Thats power.

The USA Eastern Territorys Creative Arts Services Team (CAST) lit up the Pavil-ion at this years Old Orchard Beach (OOB) camp meetings with a presentation of the Andrew Lloyd Weber musi-cal Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which puts a modern spin on the biblical story.

In introducing the musical, Lt. Colonel Mark Tillsley, ter-ritorial personnel secretary, reminded everyone how Stephen (Acts 7) had used the story of Joseph and his family to illustrate the preeminence of Christ.

I pray tonight that God

will again speak to this gath-ering, Tillsley said.

CAST, under the direction of Rebecca Phillips, included Paula Baigorria, Erin Burg-mayer, Taylor Darden, Mitchell Duperree, Casey Fletcher, Emily Furman, Jessica Hodder, Caitlin McDonald, and Karin Tillsley.

Directing the music was Ja-son Collier, keyboardist, who called the musical a ton of fun from beginning to end. Joining him in the band were Jonathan Collier, Aaron Ma-loney, Ashley Morgan, and Alberto (Tito) Suarez.

As the play opens, the actors are seated in a movie

theater. But when the fi lm projector breaks, the movie-goers themselves tell the Jo-seph story through lively song and dance, choreographed by Marques Johnson.

The production team also included Major Hollie Ruth-berg, costumes; Major Steve

Ditmer, set; and

Ian Evans and Ebony Vines, company managers.

The terri-torys Creative Arts Services Bureau, led by Carol Jaudes, produced the

musical.

Colorful night for CAST

Lt. Colonel Mark Tillsley, territorial secretary for personnel, prayed for the

crowd that knelt at the altar. Help our answer to be

yes to what you have called us to tonight, he said.

Commissioner Carolyn Knaggs offered a closing prayer, thanking God for the people who came forward. You are able, she said.

theater. But when the fi lm projector breaks, the movie-goers themselves tell the Jo-seph story through lively song and dance, choreographed by Marques Johnson.

The production team also included Major Hollie Ruth-berg, costumes; Major Steve

Ditmer, set; and

Ian Evans and Ebony Vines, company managers.

The terri-torys Creative Arts Services Bureau, led by Carol Jaudes, produced the

musical.

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Gods power for a godly life Sandi Patty wows crowds

They stood in line for more than an hour to hear Sandi Pattys concert in the Pavilion, and they gave the Christian singing legend as much love as she gave to them.

Patty asked the capacity crowd to sing along with her classic hit, We Shall Behold Him. The singalong was a concert fi rst for her.

After a standing ovation, Patty said, Can I have a few more moments of your time?

Take an hour! someone yelled out.

I just needed you tonight, Patty said, wiping away a tear.

We love you! someone else yelled out.

It was that kind of night for Patty, who waded into the crowd and bonded with the audience while singing a medley of Gospel hymns.

Among Pattys songs were Praise to the Lord Almighty, Sing to the King, Edge of the Divine, His Eye Is on the Sparrow, Operator, Infor-mation, Get Me Jesus on the Line and her signature How Great Thou Art.

Patty also told several poignant stories, including how she got her start. She grew up in California and dreamed of singing and danc-ing at Disneyland, but was not chosen after a tryout.

She cried for days and eventually decided to attend Anderson University in Indiana to earn a degree in teaching music. While teaching voice at Bill Gaithers studio, Gaither heard her sing and asked if she would like to tour with his group.

I said, Well, Bill, let me pray about ityes!

Patty said that while she thought losing the Disneyland gig was a major setback, it was actually something divine.

If we will just fall into His divine arms, we will hear that in His eyes we are beautiful and lovely, she said.

Patty also told about mov-ing her family recently from Indiana to Oklahoma City.

Friends told her to visit a church that had been dam-aged in the 1995 bombing of a federal building in that city. A stainedglass window was destroyed, except for a piece from the face of Jesus. The church used that piece in its new stainedglass window.

He takes our broken pieces and by His love makes us whole, Patty said. He has gathered my broken pieces.

There was a time in Pattys career when she feared she had lost the music, but God was faithful.

Sing to the King, Edge of the Divine, His Eye Is on the Sparrow, Operator, Infor-mation, Get Me Jesus on the Line and her signature How Great Thou Art.

Patty also told several poignant stories, including how she got her start. She grew up in California and dreamed of singing and danc-ing at Disneyland, but was not chosen after a tryout.

new stainedglass window.He takes our broken pieces

and by His love makes us whole, Patty said. He has gathered my broken pieces.

There was a time in Pattys career when she feared she had lost the music, but God was faithful.

Taylor Darden, as Joseph in his dreamcoat, leads TAMs performance.

...in His eyes

we are beautiful

and lovely.

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As the 2011 Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings (OOB) ended with a huge praise gathering at the Pier, Commissioner R. Steven Hedgren, territorial command-er, reminded everyone why The Salvation Army was there.

We are here for one single purpose and that is to share the claims of Jesus Christ, Hedgren said as a large crowd of vacationers gathered in the heart of this beachfront town to listen.

Hedgren quoted several wellknown Scriptures, includ-ing John 3:16, 10:10, and 14:6.

Thats what were going to minister about tonight in mu-sic, song, video, magic, and in all kinds of other things, he said.

Hedgren also invited people to enter a nearby prayer tent where Salvationists were ready to talk to them.

We have people here who are anxious to tell you

about their own personal relation-ship with Jesus Christ, he said. If you want to spend a few mo-ments just talking to someone about your spiri-tual journey and to gain an under-standing of what it means to have a relationship with God, then tonight is your night!

The program also in-cluded the Crossfire Brass, the Queens Temple Praise Band, a dramatic presentation from the Creative Arts Services Team (CAST), illusionists En-voys Doug and Helene Korn-wolf, and a sacred dance.

Do you know where you will spend eternity? Doug Kornwolf asked the crowd. You need Christ in your life.

The praise finale at the Pier was a reflection of the carni-val of evangelism that went

on each night of the camp meetings from 610 p.m. un-der the direction of Lt. Colonels Howard and Patricia Burr.

This is actually the best year weve had, Howard Burr said. Theres really an open-ness for the moving of the Lord here on the Pier. Its just a wonderful opportunity.

Burr said the evangelism team collected more than 40 prayer requests a night, which were recognized in prayer the next day.

People ask for prayer, he said. Theyre open if you just ask them. We have had huge

crowds listen to the Gospel being proclaimed.

During the week, the evan-gelism team also entertained children with face painting, balloon animals, and bubbles.

Burr said the Queens Temple Praise Band rocked the Pier every night. Romina Morton, one of the bands leaders, said the members get so much more than what we give.

We came to minister to people who dont know Christ and to be used of God through our music, dancing, and testimonies, and its a great feeling to be here, she said.

Old Orchard Beach > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

At the PierCommissioner R. Steven Hedgren, territorial commander

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The Bibleinside and out ROBERT MITCHELL

Old Orchard Beach > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

At the Pier > >

Envoy Steve Bussey called the Bible study he and his wife, Sharon, led on the beach each morning at the OOB Camp Meetings a five-day open air.

Each weekday morning at 10:30, at the Union Avenue entrance to the beach, several people set up umbrellas and chairs in a circle to hear Gods Word. The Busseys, who lead the Railton School for Youth Worker Training, led praise and worship, interactive games, and a Bible study.

Sharon Bussey said being on the beach was relaxing.

Its just a fantastic place because were surrounded by Gods creation, she said. We can see the beauty of Gods grace and gifts just flowing over to us. Its a real blessing just to be here.

The Bible study focused on the grace of God, and Steve Bussey said he wanted to impart that grace isnt just reserved for when they go to heaven, but grace is about how we live today and that we can live the optimum life, we can experience the most incredible journey in this life-time, if we allow the grace of

God to pervade every part of who we are.

He called the beach study a great witness to the com-munity as several passersby stopped to join.

Were able to let people know that not only is The Salvation Army here, but the Lord is here and present in Old Orchard Beach, he said.

A more conventional Bible study was held in the Old Orchard Beach Corps each day at the same time, led by Salvation Army author Dr. Roger Green, a professor at Gordon College.

The study, based on the Gospel of John, included sev-eral portraits of Christ, includ-ing Jesus the Compassionate Christ; Jesus the Prophetic Christ; Jesus the Enlightened Christ; Jesus the Concerned Christ; and Jesus the Suffer-ing and Victorious Christ.

While the audience featured many seasoned Salvation Army officers, Green noted that he also was preaching to others who were perhaps not as familiar with the Gospel.

With an audience this large youve got some people who have read the Gospel of John and studied it carefully and youve got other people who have maybe not read it or read it very little, Green said, so you have to try to get some major themes across to people and to de-velop enough interest so that the people who have read the Gospel of John a lot can find things for them to dig into it.

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LINDA D. JOHNSON

Territorial News >>

Majors Groff Retire

At a luncheon attended by a large group of fellow officers, family, and friends at the Nyack Seaport restaurant in Nyack, N.Y., Majors William and Sylvia Groff entered retirement after 86 years of combined service.

Their daughter, Jennifer, presented a Groff Family Album on screen. Then came a tribute from Jay Sinclair, who came to know the Groffs as a college student working at Camp Tecumseh.

They modeled the love of Christ, and I am closer to Him because of them, Sinclair said.

Majors Charles Chuck and Barbara Kelly, in dialogue, reflected on 40 years of friendship. Barbara said that she and her husband had followed the Groffs in many appointments.

I always tell Bill that Ive been going around cleaning up his successes, said Chuck.

He described the days when the Kellys participated in the Groffs adoption of their son, Jonathan, and daughter, Jen-nifer.

He then spoke of the Groffs being severely tested in the crucible of Jons untimely death at age 24 (in 2001) and how their friendship deepened during this period.

In his response, Major Bill Groff said that he and his wife had spent most of our adult lives doing something that we love. We believe any other vocation would have been second best.

After Warren L. Maye brought a stir-ring rendition of My Tribute by Andra Crouch, Commissioner Lawrence R. Moretz, former USA Eastern territorial commander, performed the retirement ceremony.

He called the Groffs children of the regiment who had been born into The Salvation Army, Bill in Portland, Maine,

and Sylvia in Hartford, Conn. Bill was commissioned in 1966 as a member of the Defenders of the Faith session; Sylvia joined the officer ranks in 1970 as a member of the Undaunted session.

For the past 11 years, the Groffs have served at Territorial Headquarters. At the time of their retirement on July 1, Bill was mission and culture secretary and Sylvia was private secretary to the ter-ritorial commander.

Eight of the nine years Sylvia served in that post, she worked for Commissioner Larry Moretz. He commended Commis-sioner R. Steven Hedgren for his wise decision in having Sylvia continue in that role in postretirement service. Ma-jor Bill will also work in postretirement service as corps growth and leadership development director for the Greater New York Division.

Commissioner Larry spoke of the long and close relationship he and his wife, Commissioner Nancy A. Moretz, have had with both Bill and Sylvia.

The Groffs were our home base, he said. He said that the Groffs provide a witness that following His way is enriching and satisfying.

Commissioner Larry Bosh, international secretary for the Americas, left everyone with this challenge: Be extravagant with the love of God you have received.

ROBERT MITCHELL

With the ocean nearby, teaching children about creation as they attended the Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings seemed apropos.

While their parents were attending the meetings in the Pavilion, childrens programs were organized for children up to age 14.

The 610 group, which is usually the largest, learned about Gods creation and

love, said Captain SueEllen Betts, the territorys associate youth secretary.

They learned about Gods creation, how God loves us and how He created every-thing we see, she said.

Betts said one grandmother was impressed when her grandson, on his next trip to the beach, yelled, God made the oceans! God made the waves! God made me!

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God made me!

22 www.sagoodnews.org

BRIGADIER MILDRED ELAINE BAKERAugust 14, 1914April 17, 2011

Brigadier Mildred Baker was pro-moted to Glory from her home in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

Mildred was born into the family of Theo-dore and Barbara

Daisy in Egg Harbor, N.J. She found The Salvation Army through the Girl Guard program in Pottstown, Pa., where she accepted Christ.

In 1935, Mildred entered the New York Training School from the Pottstown Corps as a member of the World for God session.

Commissioned in 1936, she served as an assistant corps offi cer in Cincin-nati, Ohio, where she met her husband, Robert Baker. Roberts brother, who attended the corps, had introduced him to Mildred.

Mildred continued to serve in Ohio as an assistant corps offi cer while Robert received his call to offi cership and went to training. The couple married in 1941 and served together as corps offi cers in Ver-mont, Maine, Ohio, and Massachusetts.

The Bakers retired in 1982.Survivors include a daughter, Major

Florence Dodridge of Portland, Maine; two sons, Robert M. Baker Jr. of Dux-bury, Mass., and Dr. Joel D. Baker of Edmond, Okla.; a sister, Barbara Sweet; seven grandchildren; and eight greatgrandchildren. Messages may be sent to Major Florence Dodridge, 10 Meadow-brook Lane, Portland, ME 04102.

MAJOR EDGAR TAYLOR MCGOWANJanuary 30, 1924May 21, 2011

Major Edgar Taylor McGowan was promoted to Glory from Sewell, N.J.

Born into the home of Majors William and Maude Amelia Taylor McGowan

in Kittaning, Pa., Edgar was involved in all corps activities.

While in the military, he would read The War Cry in India and felt the Lord leading him toward offi cership. He and his wife, Dorothea Atherton, were mar-ried in 1948 and entered The Salvation Army Training College in 1949 from the Geneva, N.Y., Corps as members of The Standard Bearers session.

The couple assisted at the Reading, Pa., Corps before commanding corps and serving at divisional appointments in Pennsylvania. They also served at the Philadelphia Harbor Light and at Booth Memorial Medical Center in Flushing, N.Y.

Retiring in 1985, the McGowans settled in Philadelphia and became dedi-cated soldiers of the Roxborough Corps. Mrs. Major McGowan was promoted to Glory in 2002.

Survivors include two daughters, LilyJean Mazur of Sicklerville, N.J., and Margarite Richardson of Baltimore, Md.; a son, Edgar Taylor McGowan, Jr., of Pennsville, N.J.; fi ve grandchildren; and seven greatgrandchildren. Messages may be sent to LilyJean Mazur, 1606 Beacon Hill Drive, Sicklerville, NJ 08081.

MAJOR PAUL ELVIN HODGESJune 8, 1937June 5, 2011

Major Paul Elvin Hodges was pro-moted to Glory from Tidewell Hospice in Pal-metto, Fla.

Paul was born into the home of Elvin and Elizabeth Hodges

in Malden, Mass. He was introduced to The Salvation Army when he was 3 years old. That was when his family moved to Bridgeport, Conn., where Paul became active in all corps activities.

Paul served eight years in the U.S. Air Force. After he married Beverly Ann Bryant in 1957, the couple tried several churches, but nothing fi t until the family attended The Salvation Army.

In 1965, Paul and Beverly entered offi cer training in the Bronx, N.Y., from the Bridgeport, Conn., Citadel. Com-missioned in 1967, they served as corps offi cers in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and in New York; at divisional headquarters in Greater New York; at mens social service centers in New York and in New Jersey; and at Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARCs) in Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania. They retired in 2002.

Survivors include his wife Beverly; three sons, Paul Edward of Oakton, Va., David Eugene of Wyndmoor, Pa., and Mark Allen of Orinda, Calif.; and a daughter, Cheryl Ann, of Wappingers Falls, N.Y. Messages of prayer support may be sent to Major Beverly Hodges, 278 Gardenia Lane, Parrish, FL 34219.

Territorial News >>

Promoted to Glory

MAJORS ANDRS & NORMA LUGO

11/813 Newark NJ ARC11/1520 Brooklyn NY ARC

ENVOYS DOUGLAS & HLNE KORNWOLF

11/713 Albany, NY ARC11/1420 Springfi eld, MA ARC11/2127 Hartford, CT ARC

All dates are subject to change

Territorial Headquarters will be pleased to schedule the territorial evangelists to appear at your corps or unit at no cost to you. Please call the territorial evangelists offi ce at (845) 6207676 for more information.

23www.sagoodnews.org

General Linda Bond, making her fi rst visit as the Armys international lead-er to the United States, was the keynote speaker at the American Bible Society (ABS) in Manhattan on Sept. 9. The oc-casion was the launch of The Freedom Bible, Global Edition, and a commemora-tion of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

USA Eastern Territory leaders as well as the New York Staff Band (NYSB) joined in the offi cial launch of what ABS executive vice president Robert Briggs called a new resource of hope. The Bible, inscribed with the word of Jesus, The truth will set you free, has 3,500 highlights of liberating verses. The back cover car-

ries the endorsement of Commissioner Christine MacMillan, head of the Armys International Social Justice Center.

Jerry Silcocks, president of Firefi ghters for Christ, offered a compelling and com-passionate rationale for why Christians must share the Gospel. The week be-fore 9/11, we shared the Gospel with 10 guys. Half of them went to their death within a week. It was their fi rst fi re.

General Bond spoke of the Armys immediate response to the 9/11 attacks. She said that then, and now, God is our refuge and strengthA very! Present! Help! in times of trouble.

Answering the burning question,

Where was God on 9/11? the General said, He was in the stairwells; He was running up the stairs with the fi remen; He was in the cockpit of the planes; He was on Flight 93 when they decided to say, Lets roll! The God we serve is there with us!

After R. Lamar Vest, ABS president, offered a gift to General Bond, the NYSB and the entire group went to the streets of Manhattan, spoke to passersby, and wrote prayers on white doves affi xed to the plate glass windows of ABS head-quarters.

Finally, real doves were released from a basket and fl ew away into the sky.

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SA and ABS launch new Bible edition, commemorate 9/11

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WARREN L. MAYE