Droitwich

To all the lovely people who meet together each Sunday at our corps, It is with deep regret but at this time the right decision that the Salvation Army leadership in the UK, has with immediate effect cancelled all Sunday Worship Services until further notice. Please pray for each other and for our country at this particulary difficult time.

May I also encourage us all to draw near to God and remember that worship is a lifestyle and to make the most of seeking God and living in His presence. May God richly bless us all. Love in Christ Carl and Bev

In line with the above decision It has also been decided to suspend all weekday activities and practises.

The charity shop is closed at the present time.

You can listen to your favourite Salvation Army music at www.Fortressradio.online

14th May 2020

Good afternoon friends, As you will be aware, over the last 2 months the way in which we 'do church' has changed beyond belief. Although how we are carrying out  mission may be very different, our motives continue to be the same, to reach out to our community with the  love and compassion of Jesus. Ways in which we are doing this are both seen and unseen but either way reaching out to our community is still very much on our 'radar'. Many in our community have asked how they can contribute to this work, both locally and nationally. Due to the financial pressure throughout the Salvation Army that the United Kingdom Territory now faces due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Corps within The Salvation Army have been encouraged by THQ to set up a Just Giving fundraising page to specifically support the work they are doing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. So in line with this, last week we set up a Just Giving page for Droitwich Salvation Army in order to give opportunity for people to support our work. We would really appreciate it if you could 'spread the word' where you can. We are aware of many people in our community who are grateful for what we as a Salvation Army are doing in these days and if they should wish to support us financially we would like to give them this opportunity. You can visit the Droitwich Salvation Army the JustGiving site and share the link, alternatively you can 'share' the details from The Droitwich Salvation Army facebook page.

Blessings to you all Carl, Bev and Carolyn

29th June 2020

Well we are just about to  pass 100 days of 'lock down'. Any one else feeling a 'little weary' with it all? Maybe you are weary of puzzle books & jigsaws. Weary of queueing? Weary of conversations across the doorstep? Weary of your own company (or dare I say those you have shared lock down space with?!!!)  Matthew 11:28 reminds us that we can find rest in God;

'Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.'

For many people, the last few months have provided us with changes in our lifestyle. Working from home has taken away our daily commute time. No rushing round to get kids ready for school and the daily school runs. The lack of activities taking place at our Corps will certainly have meant less rushing around for many. In the main we will have had a greater time to 'rest', taking time off the 'treadmill of everyday life'. (Well, unless you have young active children!!) I am sure God has used this time to come alongside us, teaching us many lessons. We will all of had moments when we would have had to learn to be patient, on so many levels!! We have had time to focus on what is precious to us. We have had the opportunity to appreciate time for  simply 'being'.

The words of the song 'The well is deep' have come to mind over the last few days as I have considered this thought of weariness. So often we try to do so much in our own strength, whilst our God is there with that invitation to 'Come to me".  

'Life is a journey; long is the road,
And when the noontide is high
Souls that are weary faint 'neath their load,
Long for the waters, and cry;

The well is deep and I require
A draught of the water of life.
But none can quench my souls desire.
For a draught of the water of life.
Till one draws near who the cry will hear.
Helper of man in their time of need.
And I believing, find indeed
That Christ is the water of life.

Life is a seeking, life is a quest,
Eager and longing desire;
Unto the true things, unto the best.
Godward our spirits aspire.

Life is a finding; vain wanderings cease
When from the Saviour we claim
All we have longed for, solace and peace,
And we have life in his name.'

In the heatwave of last week, we will all would  have experienced that need to drink, to quench our thirst. God offers us not just a 'sip' to quench our immediate thirst but a deep, deep refreshment that sustains us beyond what we can imagine. The well is indeed deep!
he last verse of this song reminds us that we can claim that longed for solace & peace but notice the word 'When'. This to me implies the fact that there is an effort on our part to claim this for ourselves. We have to actively seek God & actively receive.

So this week, get active! Actively seek God & be ready for all the blessings He wants to pour out on you.

Every Blessing

Carolyn, Carl & Bev
 

22nd June 2020

Yesterday, as you would be aware, was Father's Day. As with all such significant dates in the calendar, this day will have created a vast array of emotions for people, depending on their personal circumstances and experiences. For me, this day drew me to the familiar story that Jesus shared about 'The Prodigal Son'. (Luke 15:11-31) This is a story I am sure many of you are familiar with but is one of those stories that I find keeps bringing out new messages and thoughts to ponder.
2 sons, 1 of whom takes his inheritance, leaves home and squanders his new found wealth, leaving his brother at home working for his father. The first son finds himself with no money, feeding the pigs, who were eating better than him! So he heads back home, thinking he can join his father's hired men. But the father had been waiting for his return and saw him in the distance and ran to greet him. The father then throwing the party of all parties to celebrate his return, much to the disgust of the disgruntled brother.

Now we aren't given a time frame on how long the son was away from the family but I tend to think that it was a while. I have an image of the father, daily walking down a dusty track to the outskirts of his land and looking far into the distance to see if there was any signs of his son. I wonder whether each day he went with hope in his heart, with the optimism that this would be the day his son returned. Or did he have days when he would trudged down that dusty track disheartened, losing hope of ever seeing his son again. Just as certain days can conjure up all sorts of emotions in us today, I am sure that father went through a whole gamut of emotions each time his walked that dusty track.

For me, the greatest part of the story is in verse 20, as the son makes the decision to return home,

'So he (the son) got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran
to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.'.

Now in a Pre- COVID 19, 21st century world, this would seem a natural thing to do. However, in the time & culture  that this story was set,
a middle eastern man 'running' was seen as very undignified. He would have had to hitch up his tunic in order to run, in turn showing his bare legs,
which was considered humiliating and shameful in the culture of that time. This for me shows the unconditional love of the father. He was prepared
to go against the 'rules' and possible embarrass himself in front of his friends because of the overwhelming love he had for his son. We too have a
heavenly father whose love for us is unconditional. He is just waiting for us to focus on Him, so that he can lavish his love on us.

This also makes me consider whether there are times I hold on to a 'culture of behaviour' that hinders me from  the freedom of a relationship with Jesus
that he offers me. Do I consider 'what others think of me' at the expense of 'doing and being' whom God created me to be?

Now in these moments as the father celebrates his 'lost son's' return, we hear how the other son felt rather bitter. After all he had carried on working hard
for his father. He had not deserted him like his brother, yet in that moment the focus was on the returning son. I guess there is something about the son's
reaction that we can empathise with. He felt hard done by! Yet I am quite sure that the love the father had for him was no less than that of his brother, it was just
that for this moment in the story of this family, the prodigal son was where the focus needed to be. For me this resonates a similarity for what we have seen
over the last few weeks with the 'Black Lives Matters' movement. I have to admit, that I initially reacted as many did with the thinking that 'All Live Matters'.but
on reading and trying to understand on a deeper level I have been made more aware that, yes of course 'Every life matters' but just as both the son's lives
in this story 'mattered', there are moments in time our focus has to be in a particular area. This dose not lessen our love and value for others but focus' and
lifts our love for those who need it in this moment.

So the challenge for us all as we enter a new week;

Where might I need to 'Be Undignified' and risk letting go of what 'my culture' would expect me to do in order to fully experience God's 'Lavish Love' this week?

Where might I need to focus my love this week? Not because I love others less but because a certain need is greater at this particular moment.

Whatever this week holds for you we pray that You will encounter God in a real and relevant way.

Blessings

Carolyn, Carl & Bev

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all Sunday activities are suspended until further notice

10am  Church Service with cafe fellowship

11:30am - 12:30pm Sunday Live (3-12yrs and Pro Fide 13+)

5.00pm - see the Special Events section for details of our occasional Sunday Evening activities

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all weekday activities are suspended until further notice

Monday       

10:00 till 12:00  Bereavement Support Group - See separate section below

19:30 till 21:30 Potting Shed gardening Club - See separate section below

Tuesday       

09:30 till 11.30 Parent and Toddler Group (Term time only)

16:15 till 18:15 Kumon

Wednesday 

10:30 till 12:15 Friendship Group

11:30 till 14:00 SA Community Lunch Club

20:00 till 22:00 Fellowship Band Rehearsal (3rd Wed of Month)

Thursday     

11:30 till 14:00 SA Community Lunch Club

19:00 till 22:00 Senior Choir and Band Rehearsals

Friday         

16:15 till 18:15 Kumon

17:00 till18:30 Junior Band and Learners Rehearsals

Saturday     

10:00 till 14:00 Encore Theatre Academy (Term time only)

The Kumon sessions and the Encore Theatre Academy are not run by the Salvation Army.

Pre School - Monday to Friday 09:15 till 14:15  (Term time only) see separate section below                                                     

Pre-School operates 5 days each week during term time. For further information phone Karen Perry (Manager) on 01905 794179

Mondays         9.15am till 2.15pm

Tuesdays        9.15am till 2.15pm

Wednesdays   9.15am till 2.15pm

Thursdays       9.15am till 2.15pm

Fridays           9.15am till 2.15pm

Each Thursday we operate a Play and Stay event at the WANDS Childrens Centre on the Westlands Estate. Please phone using the above telephone number for further details.  

The club is open to all. Annual membership is £5 and the meeting fee is £2 to cover heat light refreshments etc. Visitors £3.

We meet in the main building of the Salvation Army on the second Monday of each month at 7pm for refreshments. Our meetings begin at 7:30. There are more than 40 members of the group having a wide range of experience. So if you have in interest in any aspect of gardening whether you are a novice or an expert  we would welcome you to any of our evenings. For further info phone 01905 794179.

2020 Programme

Jan 13th John and Gunha Farmer - Tree grafts and Gardening as a Therapy

Feb 10th Philip Aubury (Former director of Birmingham Botanical Garden)  - House and Conservatory plants

Mar 9th Frances Carroll (Waitrose) - Gardening for Wildlife

Apr 6th Gardening Guru Reg Moule (BBC and Rowberrys's Garden Centre) answers your gardening questions

May 11th Adrian James - Folklore and more

May 16th Annual Plant Sale at 10pm

June 8th Information about Transition Towns

July 13th Members only visit to White Cottage Garden

Aug 10th Social evening

Sep 14th AGM

Oct 12th Duncan Coombs - Ponds and plants

Nov 9th Ross Barber - Getting ready for winter

Dec 14th Members Christmas meal

The Care and Share shop is open from Monday to Saturday. We have a selection of good quality clothes, briq-a-brac and furniture for sale and are always grateful for your similar surplus items. The shop is located in St Andrews Street  - for location see the map at the top of the page. 

Donations of good quality clothing and bric-a-brac urgently required.

Please contact for further information.

12 St Andrews Street 

Droitwich,  

Worcestershire WR9 8DY

United Kingdom

Phone: 01905 797780

If you have recently suffered a bereavement or are finding it difficult to come to terms with your loss come and join the Bereavment Support Group,  people who are in a similar situation to you. The group meets on the second Monday of each month at 10.00am in the Conference room on the first floor of the new building.

Bereavement Support Group meetings are suspended until further notice due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Bible Study and Prayer group will meet at 7.30pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month in the Conference Room in the new building. It will not run during school holidays or in December due to the carolling programme. It will start with a Bible Study, the content will be largely based on how we apply the Bible message to our everyday lives and time will be given for prayer at the end of the Bible Study.

Bible Study and Prayer Group meetings are suspended until further notice due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Ladies Fellowship meets at irregular intervals, please keep looking here for details.

Report by Michelle Day

Every Tuesday morning during term time we have a LARGE parent and toddler group! (It is the group that is large, not the parents).Up to 40 parents, grandparents and carers together with 40+ babies and toddlers come along each week to play, cry and laugh and that's just the parents! Seriously though, Chris, Lesley and myself along with Ann, Josie and Margaret in the kitchen build close relationships with parents and children, some of whom are vulnerable and need a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear.

We have a snack around 10 o'clock and now need to have 2 sittings as there is not enough room to sit, then we go outside to play, weather permitting. At 11.15 we tidy up and end the morning with a song time.

It is a great bridge between the Toddler group and Pre-school with several children attending the latter because of the relationships that have been built within the group. Many parents have returned to us after having more children and occasionally grandparents who use to bring their own children are now bringing their grandchildren. We do not advertise as we are recommended by parents to their friends but we do have some kind comments on the netmums.com web site which also brings new parents in.

As we are now so busy we could do with some help please. Chris and I  get around as many parents as possible, especially those on their own, but sometimes we need to sit with someone for longer and others get missed out. If you could spare even an hour on a Tuesday morning we would be most grateful. The group runs from 9.30 until 11.30 every Tuesday morning.

Parent and Toddler Group meetings are suspended until further notice due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The group meetings are open to all adults who are looking for something to do or someone to chat with. It is an informal get together. There will be activities that you can enjoy or you can just sit and chat. Tea and coffee will be provided all for a contribution of £1 to cover the expenses and heat/light etc. The meetings run from 10.30am until 12.15pm. You are free to come and go as you please.

There is no fixed plan for the group, it will develop as the members require. We are aware that there are many people in Droitwich who have little contact with other adults during a 'normal' week so if you fall into this category or just want a change of company come along and enjoy the morning.

The Friendship Group meetings are suspended until further notice due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Please check back for future dates.

Keith Lewis' exquisite piano playing on his YouTube channel 

Songs by Charlie Green

Charlie Green - It's No Secret - YouTube

Charlie Green - Rejoice With Exceeding Great Joy - YouTube

What a friend we have in Jesus - Facebook 

May the Lord Bless You - Facebook

Charlie green with Salvation army Boundless 2015 - YouTube

Charlie green at Boundless salvation Army 2015 - YouTube

Droitwich Spa Songsters

Visit of Droitwich Spa Songsters - Part 1 - YouTube

Visit of Droitwich Spa Songsters - Part 2 - YouTube

Droitwich Spa Songsters - Amazing God - YouTube

Droitwich Spa Songsters - Creation Sings - YouTube

Droitwich Spa Songsters - It Is Well With My Soul - YouTube

Droitwich Spa Salvation Army Songsters Singing 'Written in Red' - YouTube

Droitwich Spa Songsters - There's Never Been A Mountain - YouTube

Songs written by Lee Fisher

Amazing God! - YouTube

Come Let Us Worship the Lord - Facebook

Droitwich Spa Songsters - Go In Peace - YouTube

Droitwich Spa Songsters - God Is Greater - YouTube

The YP Band

Droitwich Spa Salvation Army YP Brass Band - YouTube

Droitwich Spa Salvation Army YP Brass Band "I Will Survive" - YouTube

Droitwich Spa Salvation Army Young People's Band - Novos Domos De Deus - YouTube

The Senior Band

Droitwich Spa Salvation Army Band play the March 'Crown of Conquest' by Ray Steadman-Allen - YouTube