Concord Chronicle

The other day, someone asked me what was the significance of June 11. Do you know?

Well, I looked it up. According to "This Day in History" from the History site, these significant things happened on this particular day:

• 1509 - Henry VIII marries his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. (European History)
• 1776 - Congress appoints Committee of Five to draft the Declaration of Independence (American Revolution)
• 1788 - Russian explorer Izmailov arrives at Yakutat Bay, Alaska. (Exploration)
• 1944 - D-Day landing forces converge. (World War II)
• 1949 - Hank Williams Sr., makes his Grand Ole Opry debut. (Art, Literature, and Film History)
• 1955 - Race car at Le Mans crashes into spectators, killing 82. (Sports)
• 1963 - The University of Alabama desegregated. (Black History)
• 1967 - The Six-Day War ends. (Middle East History)
• 1979 - John Wayne dies. (Art, Literature, and Film History)
• 1982 "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" released. (Art, Literature, and Film History)
• 1989 - China issues warrant for Tiananmen dissident sheltering in U.S. Embassy. (Asian History)

And last, the person who has asked me the question was trying to get me to this point:

• 1997 - Gwyn Edward Jones and AnnMarguerite Begonia got married.

Of course I remember this day! It was two days after I was ordained and commissioned as a Salvation Army Officer (Pastor). Like Testify, it was also a Congress year. There were hundreds of people gathered at the Long Beach Convention Center for the meetings, so this naturally led to 300+ at our wedding. (As my father-in-law said, our wedding was nicknamed Officers' Councils.) We had many of our friends and family there.

We got married at the Riverside Corps. Our ceremony was a mix of Filipino, Hawaiian, English, Welsh, and Salvation Army traditions. Our whole wedding party wore uniform. (It was cheaper this way.) We had lots of special musical items which included a solo by my sister and a solo by Gwyn's brother. My father performed the wedding ceremony. And since we didn't have much money, our friends and family gifted food for our reception. We had English, Welsh, Filipino, Hawaiian, Mexican, and American food. (Gwyn's Welsh aunt was concerned that the pig didn't get to finish its apple before he was killed. LOL!) We presented flowers to the mothers, had speeches, did the "money dance" while our Hawaiian friends sang and played the ukulele, cut the cake, and finished the evening by vacuuming the chapel, cleaning the kitchen, and putting everything away. The next day we attended my aunt's wedding at the Training College before we left for our family honeymoon. (We will save that story for another day.)

After returning from our honeymoon and now into our first appointment together serving in Santa Maria, CA, the reality of marriage kicked in! Life was a lot different living and working together! Honestly, there were days that I questioned if we had done the right thing - getting married. Learning to do life together was hard. I remember confiding in our mentors and friends, the officers at the neighboring corps to us. The wife said to me, "Oh Ann, everything will get better after seven years." "SEVEN YEARS?!?!" was my reply. "There is NO WAY we are going to even get to year seven!" Strangely enough, after year seven, things started to click. It took effort from both of us to seek out ways to serve, look to each other's interest, and to love through the hard times. And this Monday, this will make year 27 for us. God is good.

Why am I sharing this? Well, we are going into our seventh year in this appointment in Concord. We've been through so much together, but I appreciate that things are "clicking". The previous years have had its challenges, but we have persevered and we understand each other. We have found our groove. We get the rhythm. There is a warmth, an openness, a genuine concern for each other that is a positive witness to the world. I see the church as a community caring for one another as in Acts 2:43-47:

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

According to an article I read, when you help others, you feel better about yourself. It also feels rewarding because you know that you have contributed something very important to mankind. Plus, giving and helpful allows you to build stronger connections with other people, especially those within your community. It improves relationships, leading everyone to a better life. This is a secular point of view, but I would agree.

1. “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa
2. “Some people think they are in community, but they are only in proximity. True community requires commitment and openness. It is a willingness to extend yourself to encounter and know the other.” –David Spangler
3. “There is immense power when a group of people with similar interests gets together to work toward the same goals.” – Idowu Koyenikan

Yes, working towards a similar goal is good, but the key is humility. True community requires sacrifice and inconvenience. Leaving your personal comforts to care for the needs of another demonstrates the love Jesus shared with us when He left the ultimate comfort and joy of heaven to live life here on earth.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, do not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (Philippians 2:4, NIV)

So I commend you, keep on loving each other as Christ loves us. Listen. Be quick to forgive. Give generously. Be inclusive. Take action when you see a need. And may the Lord continue to strengthen the bonds as we seek His Word and ways and bring the increase to the fellowship.

AnnMarguerite Jones

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8, NIV)

For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. (Psalm 84:11, NLT)

But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. (Acts 14:3, NLT)

There is a reason that many of our words in English have Greek and Latin roots. Much of our western culture is based on ideas and institutions that originated in Ancient Greece and were adopted as ideals by the Romans. The Romans then spread these ideas into their empire and were then carried on by the established Christian church. It’s why we espouse democracy and elect senators and make music in the Ionian and Aeolian modes!

That’s not to say that alternative philosophies and cultures weren’t known or available — Judaism stands as a beacon of truth in ancient pagan times — but since societies were isolated from each other there was not much interaction with eastern traditions and ideas. It is interesting to note, though, that it was eastern philosophers who showed up to worship the Christ child after following his star!

The ancient Greek civilization had a concept and a word which described something truly extraordinary. Aristotle defined “charis” or “grace” as something which was exceedingly beautiful and unexpected and which was spontaneously shown without any sense of obligation or expected recompense. It was virtuous in every way and in all circumstances and derived its wonderful qualities from itself without regard to any other influence.

“Charis” is the root of our word “charity”.

So the word for grace was well understood in pre-Christian culture and quite literally was put on a pedestal to be admired. The pinnacle of art was to create something “graceful” and have it displayed for all to enjoy.

It’s not surprising that when early Christians were writing to each other in the New Testament and were looking for a word to describe the exceedingly beautiful and unexpected characteristic of God that had been displayed in the life, ministry and sacrifice of Jesus, the word that sprang to mind was “charis”!

Here was a characteristic of God that nobody expected.

The “gods” (small “g”) expected (demanded) devotion and sacrifice and were capricious and inconsistent in whom they chose to pester on any given day. But the true creator of the universe is emphatically and demonstrably not like that. He loves indiscriminately and lavishly and without precondition. His magnificent and beautiful grace is a gift(!), and the only possible benefit which might conceivably accrue to him is the requited love of his creation (to whom also he gave the gift of choice!).

If we are to be faithful reproductions of the character of Christ, then we too should be spontaneously and indiscriminantly showing “charis”. We should be committing random, and sometimes targeted, acts of kindness with no expectation of anything in return. This is, of course, the basis for “agape” love!

I think it’s significant than when writing to the churches he started and was helping to develop, Paul most often opens his letters with two words — praying for “Grace and Peace” (“charis” and “shalom”) to his readers.

It does us all good to “give thanks, with a grateful heart” every day for what Paul describes as this “indescribable gift”.

Blessings on you and yours,

Jim Black

P.S. If you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org/chronicle/?category=Bible%20Study

As you know, I do like to share pics of our church life on social media which includes this newsletter and my personal Facebook page. I don't normally post pics with people unless they are warned onto the general Salvation Army Concord Corps Facebook Page. I have not received any complaints thus far for sharing. However, if you can complete a consent forms per family/person, I would appreciate it. I have received a handful.

This way I will have this on file if there were any questions asked. You may always choose to decline consent in the future. Please note that as we stream our Sunday services to the private Corps Family Page, you may also be seen.

Link to Consent Form: https://form.jotform.com/241376502030040

SUNDAY

• 9:00 AM - Praise Team Rehearsal - Chapel
• 10:00 AM - Spiritual Education & Discipleship Classes
• Corps Cadets - Classroom 2
• College Age Class - Classroom 1
• Adult Sunday School - Songster Room (up the stairs on the right side of the Chapel)
• 11:00 AM - Worship Service - Chapel
• We will have a celebratory cake after church and pizza for Encore participants only. This is their last rehearsal before Congress and Territorial Encore. Otherwise, there will be NO proper food and fellowship until June 30th. Due to the construction, Congress, and summer plans, we have decided to postpone the fellowship meals until we have full access to the Fireside Room.
• Senior and youth music sections are on a summer break. However, leaders may decide to hold a practice during the summer, so check your text messages regularly.

TUESDAY

• 4:30 PM - Craft Class - Classroom 2
• 6:00 PM - Adult Bible Study
• Men's Bible Study - Fireside Room (enter through the back kitchen door)

WEDNESDAY

• 9:00 AM - Women's Fellowship (CAMEO): Quilling Craft - Classroom 2

FRIDAY

• 8:00 AM - Congress delegates leave for Pasadena. Please arrive earlier so that the vans can be loaded.

NEXT SUNDAY, June 16th

Due to the fact that all personnel trained on the audio/visual system will be at Congress, we will not be able to stream the Sunday Worship Service. We will still have a Worship Service, so please attend. However, there won't be any media in this service either. We will use the good old red Songbooks and and blue Bibles in the pews. And the Holy Spirit will still be in our midst!

The following meetings will be webcast:

• Thursday, 7:30 PM - Staff Band & Songsters - Concert
• Friday, 10:00 AM - Commencement
• Friday, 7:00 PM - Main Session
• Saturday, 7:00 PM - Main Session
• Sunday, 10:00 AM - Main Session
• Sunday, 3:00 PM - Main Session

Web streams will be at:

www.facebook.com/newfrontierchronicle

www.youtube.com/tsawestvideo

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

As in the past couple of years, we have included an elective class for our students, in addition to the regular VBS rotations of crafts, lunch, games, and Bible study. This year, we have the following:

• Beginning Brass Band - Students will learn how to play the basic scale on a trumpet, if they do not already have an instrument of their own, and perform a couple of songs at the Graduation Celebration Sunday.
• Percussion - Students will learn the basic rudiments on the snare drum.
• Mission Focus - Students will do hands on daily service projects that will bless our community - for example, make blessing bags for the homeless, pack party kits for foster homes, and collect food for the pantry.
• Tactile Art - Students will work behind the scenes on more detailed, time-consuming art projects that will be displayed or used for our final concert.
• Dance - Students will choreograph and perform a dance to a Christian song.
• Ukulele - Students will learn a few basic chords and a couple of songs that will be performed in our Graduation Sunday Celebration.

Please complete registration using this link: https://form.jotform.com/241377716896169

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - First time volunteers must attend this Child Safety Course

12:00 - 12:30 PM - Lunch for attendees

12:30 - 2:00 PM - All volunteers will report for VBS program review and assignments

See Major Ann if you are unsure as to which portion of the day you are to attend.

Are you ready for a life-changing retreat, full of worship, fellowship, fun and learning? We are delighted to tell you that it is time to register for Anthem!

What is Anthem?

Anthem is a week-long event for young adults, ages 18 - 28, that gives space for participants to explore the story of Jesus and learn how it intertwines with their own stories and the stories of others. Anthem is more than an event; it’s a safe place for young adults to experience community and discover what it means to live out the story of Jesus in their own lives.

This year, the focus will be on Stories of Grace from the scriptures and from hearing each other’s.

When: August 5th -10th, 2024

Where:

Camp Redwood Glen

3100 Bean Creek Rd.

Scotts Valley, CA 95066

How:

Sign up at the following link: https://wyiapp.usawest.org or visit www.sayconnect.com/anthem

Cost: Varies by time block (see below)

Delegate Portion: Early Bird (May 16-June 4) $65; Tier 2 (June 5-25) $80; Final (June 26-July 8) $95

Transportation will be arranged by the division or through self transportation. More details to follow once registration is closed.

On behalf of the international Social Justice Commission, we would like to invite Salvationist girls (ages 6-25) to take part in this year’s celebration of the United Nations International Day of the Girl Speak Out. The theme for this year is: Pathway to Mental Health: Mind, Body and Soul.

Specifically, Salvationist girls from every territory are invited to create a video in the form of a song, dance, poetry, drama, TikTok, or a musical talent (individual or group) reflecting on the theme: Pathway to Mental Health: Mind, Body, and Soul. The purposes is to celebrate your talents and creativity with others in The Salvation Army as you explore this year’s theme. We will also share your submission with the United Nations.

Please upload your creative submission to YouTube and send the YouTube link to this address: Victoria.Edmonds@Salvationarmy.org attention: Major Victoria Edmonds by July 5, 2024, in readiness for the International Day of Girl on October 11, 2024.

Please have each person or group that takes part fill out the permission form in order for us to use the video.

We look forward to your participation and creative ways to Pathway to Mental Health: Mind, Body and Soul. Your creativity is welcome!

Majors Mercelo & Ximena Delmastro

Under Secretaries for The Americas and Caribbean

This initiative of turning our thoughts and prayers towards the same part of the world at some point in the same week is a beautiful way to unite us as a global Army family and I thank you for the commitment you each give to this.

INDIA EASTERN TERRITORY

Colonel Lalhmingliana Hmar - Territorial Commander

Colonel Lalhlimpuii Chawngthu - Territorial President of Women's Ministries

Lieut-Colonel Prakash Chandra Pradhan - Chief Secretary

Lieut-Colonel Rani Phula Pradhan - Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries

We praise and thank God:

• Pray for 18 newly commissioned officers of 'Defenders of Justice' session that they will have fruitful and effective ministries.
• There will be 18 cadets in the 'Champions of the Mission' session and 13 cadets in the 'Keepers of Covenant' session. Please pray for these cadets and the training college principal and staff.
• Pray that the ongoing divisional review is successfully accomplished in time.
• India is preparing for the Lok Sabha Member of Parliament election in different states this year. Pray that God's chosen people will be elected as Members of Parliament.
• Pray for the safety and liberation of the victims and vulnerable corps soldiers in Manipur State because of ongoing conflict among the people of the State.

INDONESIA TERRITORY

Commissioner Yusak Tampai - Territorial Commander

Commissioner Widiawati Tampai - Territorial President of Women's Ministries

Lieut-Colonel Hosea Makagiantang - Chief Secretary

Lieut-Colonel Liliana Makagiantang - Territorial Secretary of Women's Ministries

We praise and thank God:

• For the answered prayers for our territory in the past year, in which we successfully held the Territory Youth Conference. There were young people who were called to be an Officer. And there are currently 90 cadets being trained and educated at the Training College Jakarta.
• We thank the Lord that last year our Territory successfully conducted the Brengle Course for Women Local Officers for a total of 90 people, and they became prayer groups for the Territory, meeting monthly for Bible study and prayer fellowship.
• Give thanks for the visit of General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, World President of Women’s Ministries, who visited Indonesia (May 27-June 3, 2024) and led ordination and commissioning services for the officers ‘Defenders of Justice’ session, officers councils, and public services in the cities of Jakarta and Palu, and the 130th anniversary of the Salvation Army in Indonesia.

Prayer Requests:

• The official inauguration of the President and Vice President of Indonesia in October 2024, praying that transition of state leadership is peaceful.
• The new officers who will have their first appointments in July 2024 to continue to be motivated in their ministry.
• Praying for Health Ministries that the six hospitals and clinics remain stable, despite complication of regulations.
• Women's Seminar and Rallies in May, August, September 2024 in 3 divisions, that this event would empower women in their leadership and family.
• Territorial strategies to achieve Vision 2021 - 2025 carrying the theme "Consecrated for Mission Beyond Borders" so that many disciples are involved in the mission to spread the gospel.
• Pray for the governance system process in the territory to be implemented successfully.

SOUTHERN AFRICA TERRITORY

Commissioner Torben Eliasen - Territorial Commander

Commissioner Denise Eliasen - Territorial President for Women's Ministries

Lieut-Colonel Themba Mahlobo - Chief Secretary

Lieut-Colonel Nokuthula Mahlobo - Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries

Praise:

• We praise God for the 12 Champions of the Mission currently in College, pursuing their calling to officership.
• We thank God for the successful recommencement of the Territorial Mission Team in 2023 and for its continuation in 2024.

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for spiritual and numerical growth in the Territory, reflecting genuine transformation and discipleship.
  

• Ask for God's provision and innovative solutions as government financial grants decrease for Social Centres around the Territory.

• Pray for the upcoming Brengle programme to be a time of spiritual renewal and revival, with impactful messages and open hearts to the Holy Spirit's leading.

• Pray for God's wisdom and guidance in implementing the Territorial Strategic Plan, overcoming obstacles, and uniting officers and soldiers in mission. Pray for effective resource utilisation and outcomes that glorify God.

• Pray for an increase in people responding to the call to officership, and that intentional mentoring and discipleship may effectively nurture and prepare future officers.

Email: annmarguerite.jones@usw.salvationarmy.org
Website: https://www.SalvationArmyConcordCA.org
Location: 3950 Clayton Road, Concord, CA, USA
Phone: (925) 676-6180
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tsaconcord