Concord Chronicle

Anytime I attend Commencement, Commissioning, and Ordination Weekend, I find every meeting very moving. I recall my own services and my session mates. I remember my emotions on those days - excitement and nervousness, relieved and overwhelmed, equipped and unprepared, courage and fear. It was another stage of stepping out in faith - the next chapter of the journey in full-time service - not knowing what was to come next, but yet embracing it because you know God is going with you.

This past weekend, we witnessed Cadet Cody Trimmer receive his Associate of Arts in Ministry on Friday. He passed with the highest honors. On Sunday, he was commissioned and ordained as an officer/minister with the rank of Lieutenant in The Salvation Army on Sunday. It is a sacred call. Along with his session mates, they recited the eleven doctrines - what "we believe" or our basic theology - and were charged to "remain in the vine" so that they will be prepared to be Messengers of Reconciliation in this world.

Reconciliation is the end of the estrangement, caused by original sin, between God and humanity. The world is becoming more and more polarized so they will go out with this in mind, that they will need to minister to those who are in the margins.

During the weekend, officers who have done "long years of service" - 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 years - are also recognized. I received my 25-year pin, and Gwyn received his 30-year pin. I never could have imagined everything that I was going to experience in those 25 years when I saluted and received my commission and first appointment. But when I look back on those years, I thank God that He was with me every step of the way.

As part of the Long Service Celebration dinner, our family the sang "Faithful":

"Let us march on with conviction,

Taking each chance we are given;

To live out our faith for the whole world to see

What we have found, what we believe.

This is our call and our mission,

Filled with Your love and compassion;

Into a world that is dying and lost,

We will proclaim the pow'r of the cross.

All for the glory of God!

Lifting the truth that has saved and redeemed us;

In ev'rything we will be faithful.

Wholly determined to walk in Your promise,

Trusting what we cannot see;

Let this be our legacy that we will be faithful."

I pray that Lt. Cody Trimmer and the newest Lieutenants will enter their first appointments knowing that they are being prayed for and that they have the power of the Holy Spirit to help them in this new venture. I pray that their lives will be steadfast as they hold on to a faithful God.

But I pray that you too will live a life of reconciliation and faithfulness. Enclosed in this newsletter is a video produced by Jim to help you reflect on the Divine Commission. Also, there is the fourth in the video series of "Learning to Love" which will help us to understand those who suffer from anxiety and how we can reach out to them. There are still many who do not know Jesus as their personal Savior, let's commit to living out the greatest commandments - love God and love others - that we will be able to fulfill this Great Commission - reaching the world for Christ.

Major AnnMarguerite Jones

“I’m satisfied with just a cottage below

A little silver and a little gold

But in that city where the ransomed will shine

I want a gold one that's silver-lined

I've got a mansion just over the hilltop

In that bright land where we'll never grow old

And someday yonder we will never more wander

But walk on streets that are purest gold

Don't think me poor or deserted or lonely

I'm not discouraged I'm heaven bound

I'm but a pilgrim in search of the city

I want a mansion, a harp, and a crown

I've got a mansion just over the hilltop

In that bright land where we'll never grow old

And someday yonder we will never more wander

But walk on streets that are purest gold”

Words and music by Ira Stamphill, sung famously by Elvis Presley

I have written before about how words have changed meaning over time and why we need to be careful in checking that the meaning of words translated faithfully from Greek has not morphed into something misleading in contemporary usage. The Elvis Presley ditty above might give us warm fuzzies, but I have to tell you it’s based on a misconception of two Greek words. Check out these two translations of the same passage where John’s Gospel records the words of Jesus to the disciples:

“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2 KJV

And

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” John 14:2 NIV

I hope you don’t feel deflated that “mansions” has been downgraded to “rooms” because either way, it will still be spectacular! It is true that, in the seventeenth century, “mansion” applied to any permanent structure in which one lived. The luxury aspect was that you didn’t have to put up with having your livestock and two generations of family members in the same room with you! So the King James Translators did the best they could with the concepts available, obviously “castle” or “palace” would not be accurate translations, so they opted for “mansions”. They had no way of knowing the word would mean something quite different in twenty-first century English!

However, the more problematical word in both translations is “house”, which we think of as some kind of freestanding structure that people live in. That was true in Jesus’ time, but it also meant much more than that. You will remember from the Christmas story that Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem because they were of the “house” and lineage of David.

The family “house” was where the oldest living patriarch of the family lived (or had originally settled) and usually comprised of what we today might call a “compound”. Typically this compound enclosed a central communal area with a kitchen and washing facilities, an enclosure for livestock (which comprised the wealth of the family), and then an expandable number of rooms for family members to sleep and have privacy, raise the children, and make their “home”. To be in the “house” was an intimate and privileged experience. Moving into the family compound ensured a promise of defense from all evil and protection and welfare quite literally from the top down.

When Jesus spoke of “laying up treasure in Heaven”, (Matthew 6:20) He was saying that all our treasure would be safe and secure because it would be inside the walls of His Father’s compound, His “house”.

I hope you see that the size of the mansion (apartment or room) is of little to no significance compared to the inestimable joy and security of being included in the household of God with access to Him and the rest of the family forever!

As I write this I am reminded of a chorus I learned in Sunday school in the nineteen-fifties which said:

“There’ll be no sorrow there,

In my Father’s house,

In my Father’s house,

In my Father’s house;

There’ll be no sorrow there,

In my Father’s house,

In my Father’s house on high!”

“For Jesus will be there,

In my Father’s house,

Etc…”

The chorus would last a long time as each repetition filled in the names of people we expected to be present in the Father’s house!

For such a simple song it is firmly biblically-based considering Jesus’ words that there was room for whosoever will in John 14:2 and Revelation 21:4 —

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” KJV

I’m sure many of you, like me, have fond memories of spending time in grandma’s house for holidays, birthdays, celebrations, etc. I think that same warm, welcoming experience is part of what Jesus had in mind when he explained to his disciples (and us) that there assuredly was a place for each of them within the household of God the Father. As He explained there would have been no point in mentioning it if it weren’t so!

Regardless of our situation we can be assured, and reassured, that we have a place where God dwells. It won’t be a mansion just over the hilltop, it’ll be much grander than that!

Please spread the word far and wide, but especially to friends and family so that all can be included!

Blessings on you and yours,

Jim Black

The 2022 Encore! celebration of Western Territory youth achievement in music and the creative arts took place June 4 at the Tustin Ranch (California) Corps. After the youth performed before judges in various categories, everyone gathered in the chapel, where Territorial Music Secretary Neil Smith presented awards.

Singing Company
Overall: Centennial Corps (Intermountain)

Cultural
Solo: Janae Ruwethin (Santa Clara - Golden State)

Praise Band
Overall: Concord Corps (Del Oro)

Band
Beginning Band: Phoenix Citadel (Southwest)
Junior Band: Tustin Ranch (California South)

Timbrels
Timbrel A: Clovis (Golden State)
Timbrel B: Pasadena Tabernacle (California South)

Brass Solos
Level 1: Luke Craig (Phoenix Citadel - Southwest)
Level 2: Evan Jones (Concord - Del Oro)
Level 3: Peter Koenig (Renton - Northwest)
Level 4: Zachary White (Mesa Citadel - Southwest)

Vocal Solos
Level 1: Maddie Helms (Centennial - Intermountain)
Level 2: Charlotte Woods (Pasadena Tabernacle - California South)
Level 3: Miriam Robles (Cathedral City - California South)

Percussion Solos
Level 1: Carter Boyd (Chico - Del Oro)
Level 2: Grace Yeom (Eastside - Northwest)
Level 3: Ryan Johnson (Concord - Del Oro)

Dance
Solo 2: Falo Yacarogivinaka (Sacramento Citadel - Del Oro)
Solo 3: Donna Thomas (Phoenix Citadel - Southwest)

Troupe A: Phoenix Citadel (Southwest)
Troupe B: Sacramento Citadel (Del Oro)

Drama
Monologue 1: Alex Robb (Portland Tabernacle - Cascade)
Monologue 2: Koby Onisuka-Adams (Clovis - Golden State)

Troupe A: Clovis (Golden State)
Troupe B: Phoenix Citadel (Southwest)

Ukulele
Level 1: Faye West (Grand Junction - Intermountain)
Level 2: Helena Gaglione (Chico - Del Oro)
Level 3: Nelly Vesikula (Centennial - Intermountain)

Guitar
Level 1: Jeremiah Guzman (San Pedro - California South)
Level 2: Janae Ruwethen (Santa Clara - Golden State)
Level 3: Ruben Guzman ( San Pedro - California South)
Level 4: Eden Hanson (Colorado Springs - Intermountain)

Piano
Level 1: Luke Craig (Phoenix Citadel - Southwest)
Level 2: Sky Lee (Los Angeles Korean - California South)
Level 3: Morgan Jones (Concord - Del Oro)
Level 4: Jennifer Huynh (San Gabriel - California South)

Photos by John Docter

The Western Territory held a “Celebration of Youth” at the Tustin Ranch (California) Corps June 4, during Commissioning weekend. The gala highlighted youth achievement in music and creative arts, featuring participants from that day’s Encore event. The gala started with the grand entrance of all the young people, marching in as the Western Territory Staff Band played under the direction of Bandmaster Neil Smith. More than 400 young people and their leaders participated in the day's festivities.

The evening’s hosts, Program Secretary Lt. Colonel Lisa Smith and Territorial Youth Secretary Captain Emmanuel Masango, welcomed attendees, referencing Psalm 150 and noting how young people are using their gifts to praise God with dance and strings, brass and voices.

After the territory’s massed junior bands performed “March Onward” with the Staff Band, the Concord (California) Corps Praise Team—Encore winners in this category—led a time of worship.

The Centennial (Colorado) Corps offered worship in cultural dance, leading off the “Praise Him With Dance and Strings” segment of the evening’s entertainment with a standing ovation performance.

“It never ceases to amaze me how God uses our gifts and talents to draw people closer to him,” Smith said, before leading the congregation in classic Salvation Army choruses.

Ruben Guzman of the San Pedro (California) Corps played a guitar solo and Peter Koenig of the Renton (Washington) Corps performed “Giving Thanks” on the piano. The Los Angeles Red Shield Mariachi group—the only known Salvation Army mariachi group in the world—performed “Cielito Lindo” and “My Little Donkey” with guitars, horns, violins and voices.

The territory’s massed timbrels (Level B) performed to “Heavenward,” prior to a hula presentation (“Songs of Worship”) by the Encore dance winners from Sacramento Citadel. This section concluded with massed timbrels (Level A), performing to “Montreal Citadel.”

Smith and Masango acknowledged the territory’s Bible Bowl winners: first place, Eastside (Washington) Corps, Northwest Division; and second place, Redondo Beach (California) Corps, California South.

Smith and Masango acknowledged the hours of practice the youth have committed to their chosen art form. “The leaders are not only teaching them music, but giving them a church home…and most importantly, teaching them that God loves them,” Masango said.

In the “Praise Him With Brass” section, Brass Level One Encore participants performed “Seek Ye First” with the Staff Band. Before a cornet performance of “Fuego,” Smith interviewed the three featured soloists—Andrew Smith, Rhys Jones and Anthony Jacob-Green—on their thoughts about being a Salvation Army musician.

“Praise Him With Voices” began with a dramatic monologue, “By His Help,” from Alex Robb of the Portland (Oregon) Tabernacle Corps. Massango then challenged attendees, asking, “Why are we here today?”

While he acknowledged that they were present to celebrate youth, Masango pointed to a larger purpose. “I hope we’re here to use our gifts to honor God and encourage others,” he said. “To build others up. We praise God with our gifts, as he is the giver of those gifts.”

Maddie Helms of the Centennial (Colorado) Corps, the Level One Vocal Solo winner, sang “Gentle Jesus,” and her group, the winning Singing Company, performed “All There Is Of Me.” Afterward, the Territory’s massed Singing Companies performed “Think on These.”

Territorial Commander Commissioner Douglas Riley thanked the young people and their leaders.

“Wasn’t that fantastic,” Riley said. “The Army is alive in the Western United States and we see it tonight; we see it in these kids…I challenge you to use these kids in your corps, to encourage them…support them, give them what they need. We want these kids to find a home in The Salvation Army.”

Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries Colonel Donna Igleheart gave the closing prayer after the Staff Band played “In Awesome Wonder.”

Article by Karen Gleason. Photos by Joy Yi.

Last weekend, our corps had the opportunity to participate in Encore and the Celebration of Youth as part of Commissioning 2022. The weekend was filled with meeting new people, seeing familiar faces, and lots of music; but more than anything, I truly saw the goodness of God and the blessings he showers upon those who love and serve him. Though Encore is technically a competition, the support and encouragement from our church family, as well as those at the event eased the stress, and the true meaning of the occasion, glorifying God with the talent he has blessed us with, was extremely apparent. It was touching to see so many young people gathered together, bound by the common interest of making music to praise the name of the Lord and share his love and goodness.

The Celebration of Youth was also a great time of seeing how God has touched the lives of so many individuals. Leading worship during this event was a blessing, and it was definitely a moment where I felt the presence of God working in my life. I remember feeling pretty nervous during our rehearsal, looking out at the empty seats and realizing that in a few hours they would be filled with people, and it was our responsibility to bring them into a time of praising God. But in the moment rather than fear, I experienced the awe of seeing and hearing so many people whole-heartedly worshipping the Lord, singing about his powerful name and how through God we are a new creation.

Overall throughout this weekend, I felt God guiding me and working in my life, and I am extremely grateful to have had an opportunity to share his love and goodness through music and fellowship.

Shannon Johnson

Rondi Harth

SUNDAY:

• 9:00 AM - Praise Team Rehearsal - Chapel
• 10:00 AM - Sunday School - Classroom 3
• 10:15 AM - Prayer Time - Prayer Room
• 11:00 AM - Worship Service - Chapel
• 12:15 PM - Refreshments & Fellowship - Fireside Room

TUESDAY

• 6:00 PM - Men's Bible Study - Fireside Room
• Women's Bible Study, Band Rehearsal, and Songsters Rehearsal are on summer hiatus.

WEDNESDAY

• 10:00 AM - CAMEO: Father's Day Program - Zoom Only

FRIDAY - General's Visit (see article and flyer below)

• 1:30 PM - Open at Venue for Officers Councils

• 2:30 PM - Officers Councils Session
• 4:30 PM - Sound Check for Meeting Participants (Please be early!)
• 4:45 PM - Plated Dinner Served for Officers only
• 5:30 PM - Doors Open at Venue for Public Meeting
• 6:00 PM - Prelude
• 6:30 PM - Public Meeting
• 8:30 PM - Event Concludes

SUNDAY - Father's Day Sunday

Remember, after church, there will be a Chili Cook-Off. Bring your chili in a crock pot. You will be given a ticket to vote for the best chili. The winner will receive a prize. Root beer floats will also be sold to benefit the youth programs.

As you know, General and Commissioner Peddle will be visiting San Francisco on June 17, 2022. Here is some information for your planning.

Location:

South San Francisco Conference Center

255 S. Airport Blvd

South San Francisco, CA 94090

Details facility information can be found at: https://ssfconf.com/. There are no vaccination or COVID testing requirements at this time. There is plenty of parking at the venue, and the parking lots of the adjoining hotels may be used as well.

Other things to know:

• We will be providing transportation for the men in our Transitional Living Program ONLY. We have decided that it will be too difficult and too costly to provide a bus as we had originally thought. All other participants are making their own way there.
• Tickets are not required for this event.
• All officers are expected to attend the Officers Councils and everyone (soldiers, employees, Advisory Organizations members, community members, etc.) is welcome to attend the public meeting at 6:30 PM.
• Please be reminded that there is no childcare for this event. All children must be under the immediate care and supervision of their parents or another assigned guardian.
• There’s not enough room at the venue for folks to "hang out" and wait for the Public Meeting. The Tanforan Mall is not too far from the venue, and maybe this is a good opportunity for folks to do a little sightseeing in San Francisco while they wait for the Public Meeting.
• There will be translations available in Spanish, Korean, and Chinese. Receivers will be available at the back of the hall at the translation tables.
• We will be live streaming the Public Meeting. The link for that is https://youtu.be/Fqe64e8aNTc.
  

DATE: June 22, 2022

TITLE: Proactively transforming our world by reaching out to foster kids and kinship care providers. A mighty impact at no cost.

REGISTER: HERE

DESCRIPTION: In this webinar, we will chat through the global strategic plan for foster care engagement and learn about how we can be the answer to a broken system in ways that we are already actively doing in our communities. This will be a step-by-step guide on how to interact with foster care and kinship care providers with a bit of info about the Brave empowerment program sprinkled in. Spoiler alert: no matter what you are doing in your community, you are already engaging with the majority of the plan already. Join us to hear more.

PRESENTER: Captain Lisa Barnes has been a Salvation Army Officer for 14 years, and has served in San Francisco, Phoenix, Seattle, and Las Vegas. In her youth, she was a kid lost in the foster care system which consisted of between 30-40 different foster and group homes. Lisa attributes her success in ministry, and family to those at The Salvation Army in Gresham, Oregon, Salinas, California, and to influencing people throughout the Golden State Division in her teen years that showed her that life could be different than she could ever expect.

Now Lisa refers to herself as “Foster Care Alumni” and in addition to her appointment as Divisional Secretary over Southern Nevada, she is also The Salvation Army’s coach for anyone who would like to host a Brave event. Brave is an empowerment program for girls 12-18 and in foster care or other vulnerable situations.

Lisa has also written a Global Strategic Plan for Foster Care Engagement which she believes can be the catalyst for the Army’s next wave of intentional global impact, and it is something that every corps or service center can participate in - with no financial investment, no new programs, no changes to buildings or property… except for a box of donuts and the time spent making connections in our communities.

(The webinar will be recorded and posted on sajustice.us/webinars/afterward – but we would much rather you join us in person on the 22nd. 😊)

LOCATION: Hume Lake Christian Conference Center https://hume.org/

COST: $125

REGISTRATION: Those interested in going must let us know as we need to send in our preliminary numbers to DHQ by June 23.

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