Droitwich

We welcome Major Sandra Collins who joined us our corps leader on 23rd July.

Due to the Covid-19 virus the only indoor activity that we are able hold at the moment is the Pre-School.

Where we are

Ombersley Way
Droitwich Spa
WR9 0AB
United Kingdom

Email address: Droitwich.Spa@salvationarmy.org.uk

Phone: 01905 794 179

Major Sandra Collins

Corps Officer

Carolyn Gomersall

Commumity Support Worker

52.2680693, -2.1569413

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.

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

Councillor Richard Morris talking to Carolyn Gommersall

2nd August

Good morning friends,

It’s good to greet you on this first Sunday in August. This year seems to be going very fast doesn’t it, even although we’ve been in lockdown for most of it.

Sadly we are still unable to meet in person for worship. The Salvation Army continues to offer advice and guidance based on the latest information provided by central government, and decisions as to what happens locally will be made ultimately by Corps Officers and Leadership Teams but if we were to open our hall now then so many restrictions would have to be put in place (no singing, no instruments, no refreshments, limited to a maximum of 30 people, face masks on etc.)

It would certainly not be a case of normal service being resumed. We are aware that the situation is constantly changing but as things stand, we will not be opening up our hall for Sunday worship at the present time. Ideally we want to be able to socialise, sing together, welcome everyone who wants to attend without numeric or age restriction, and most importantly of all, protect the health of our congregation and those they might come into contact with. Please keep the situation in your prayers.

I have attached our Sunday Reflection for you to read at your leisure. The reflection includes a bible reading and some songs. The songbook numbers are listed if you have a song book at home. If not, the songs words are also attached. Make a drink, sit in your home or garden and spend time in worship. (I’m sure your neighbours would love to hear you singing!)

If you have any prayer concerns please make sure Pauline Campbell has them by Saturday afternoon at the latest.

There are several online services available. If you would like to tune into a Salvation Army Service online check out the Salvation Army Youtube channel: youtube.com/user/salvationarmyvideo or check out Corps individual Facebook pages.

I hope you have good week. Continue to keep in touch with each other and pray for each other.

Sunday Reflection – 02/08/20

I’ve given a lot of thought as to what my first Sunday reflection as your Officer should be and I’ve decided that you would like to hear about Einstein's theory of relativity which has given rise to much discussion of the fourth dimension, a twentieth century scientific and mathematical discovery.

But before you all switch off let me say Einstein is not really my theme. But the fourth dimension is, because the fourth dimension is nothing new in Biblical or theological thought. It is as old as God. The Apostle Paul incorporated it in his Epistle to the Ephesian church and it is also my prayer for you all today.

Read Ephesians 3: 16 – 19

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (NIV version)

There we have love in four dimensions: Breadth, Length, Depth and Height. So today we’ll consider the wonderful, limitless, boundless dimensions of God’s love.

Song 24 “God’s love is as high as the heavens

These dimensions of love are also wrapped up in another familiar verse of scripture that says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3: 16)

Let’s start by looking at the first dimension – the breadth of God’s love. John’s Gospel didn’t just say God loved the world. It said, “God so loved the world.” God's love was so broad that He included all people of all races and nationalities, of all levels, of all degrees, all abilities and attainments. His love is as broad as humanity. It is unlimited, and universal.

It is not restricted by geography, rank, or position. It extends over and beyond every human need. It envelops sorrow, loneliness, poverty, disappointment, tragedy, and sin of every kind. God's love is as broad as human need. It is as boundless as space, as wide as the ocean, as limitless as the sky. No matter who you may be or whatever sin you have committed, the first dimension of God's love includes you

Song 876 “Many are the things I cannot understand”

The second dimension of God's love is length. God so loved the world that He gave. How far did God go? He went to the limit. He gave His Son. His love went to such lengths that it could stop nowhere short of making the supreme gift, He gave His only Son. He went all out. He spared nothing. He provided no cheap sacrifice. His love is long enough to reach you, no matter how far away you have wandered. God's love is long enough in sacrifice and long enough in outreach to pull you back.

God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish. So the third dimension of God's love is depth. It is deep enough to snatch you from the very brink of hell. And God's love can penetrate your heart deep enough to remove the stain and blackness of sin. It is as deep as the deepest sea.

Song 853 “I was sinking deep in sin”

God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” So the fourth dimension of God's love is height.

His love reaches to the depths to carry us to the heights. One day He will lift you above the sin, the fog of life, the trials of living, the sorrows of earth, up to the heights of His holiness and goodness, where we may live above sin, sorrow, and pain in God's eternal city.

The Apostle Paul reached one of the greatest peaks in all of his inspired writings when he attempted to describe the four-dimensional love of God. It reaches out, and down, and up, and in. It is as broad as our need; it is as long as the cost of our redemption; it is as deep as our sins, and as high as heaven.

Or as the old chorus puts it, “Wide, wide as the ocean, high as the heavens above, deep, deep as the deepest sea, is my Saviours love. I though so unworthy, still am a child of His care, for His word teaches me that His love reaches me, everywhere.”

Song 39 “Joyful, Joyful”

Benediction

“Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you. All things are passing but God never changes. Patient endurance attains to all things. Who God possesses in nothing is wanting. Alone God is sufficient. Amen.”

God bless you,

Major Sandra

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Song 24

God’s love is as high as the heavens,

God’s love is as deep as the sea,

God’s love is for all kinds of sinners,

God’s love is sufficient for me.

Chorus

God’s love, God’s love,

God’s love is sufficient for me, for me;

God’s love, God’s love,

God’s love is sufficient for me.

God’s love is as wide as creation,

God’s love is as boundless and free,

God’s love, it can never be measured,

God’s love is sufficient for me.

God’s love brought his Son down from Heaven,

God’s love let him die on the tree;

God’s love, it has bought my salvation,

God’s love is sufficient for me.

-------------------

Song 876

Many are the things I cannot understand,

All above me mystery I see;

But the gift most wonderful from God’s own hand

Surely is his gift of grace to me!

Chorus

Higher than the stars that reach eternity,

Broader than the boundaries of endless space,

Is the boundless love of God that pardoned me;

O the wonder of his grace!

When I came to Jesus with my sin and shame

And to him confessed my deepest need,

When by faith I trusted fully in his name,

God’s rich grace was granted me indeed.

Passing understanding is his boundless love,

More than I can ever comprehend,

Jesus, in his mercy, left his throne above,

All to be my Saviour and my friend.

--------------------------------

Song 853

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore;

Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more;

But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,

From the waters lifted me now safe am I.

Chorus

Love lifted me, love lifted me,

When no one but Christ could help,

Love lifted me.

Love lifted me, love lifted me,

When no one but Christ could help,

Love lifted me.

All my heart to him I give, ever to him I’ll cling;

In his blessèd presence live, ever his praises sing.

Love so mighty and so true merits my soul’s best songs;

Faithful, loving service, too, to him belongs.

Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves;

He will lift you by his love out of the angry waves.

He’s the Master of the sea, billows his will obey;

He your Saviour wants to be, be saved today.

---------------------------------

Song 39

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,

God of Glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before thee,

Hail thee as the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,

Drive the clouds of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness,

Fill us with the light of day.

All thy works with joy surround thee,

Earth and Heaven reflect thy rays,

Stars and angels sing around thee,

Centre of unbroken praise;

Field and forest, vale and mountain,

Blossoming meadow, flashing sea,

Chanting bird and flowing fountain

Call us to rejoice in thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving,

Ever blessing, ever blest,

Wellspring of the joy of living,

Ocean-depth of happy rest.

Ever singing, march we onward,

Victors in the midst of strife;

Joyful music lifts us sunward

In the triumph song of life.

27th July

Good morning friends,

It’s good to greet you for the first time as your new C.O. in Droitwich. I’m very happy to be here but was hoping I would be arriving in better circumstances. These strange days make it very difficult for me to get to know you and for you to get to know me, but I’m grateful for all the cards and good wishes I have received since I arrived. You’ve made me feel very welcome.

Due to the current restrictions we are unable to have a proper “installation” ceremony but hopefully we can rectify that when we are able to meet together again, whenever that may be. The latest message from DHQ says, "We’ve abandoned the idea of having installations via zoom or even with just the officers and a couple of local officers. We’ll be conducting installations once we can congregate in our halls, as we want this to be a celebration witnessed by the respective fellowships" so we look forward to that day.

I’ve managed to meet a few of you as I have been driving around delivering the papers this week and hopefully I’ll manage to knock on a few more doors this coming week and introduce myself (from a 2 metre distance!)

From next Sunday (2nd August) the weekly reflection will arrive in your inbox on Sunday morning for you to read at your leisure. We have all been grateful for the blessing of technology over these last weeks and I’m sure you have taken the opportunity to link into some of the services being led by various Corps all over the country. I’m sure you have all found your own particular favourite in the past weeks.

Times are strange at the moment and living with so much uncertainty is difficult. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. If I can be of any assistance in any way please get in touch, whether it’s for help with shopping, prescription collections etc. or just for a chat in your garden. I’m not yet allowed to come into your homes but hopefully that will change soon.

Remember to spend time regularly in scripture reading and prayer. Pray for those who are grieving, and not just through loss of life. Many plans, hopes and dreams have been dashed. Special events and life markers have been cancelled. There’s been separation, suffering and sickness, lost jobs and financial strains, loneliness and hard decisions. But we also remember to thank God for what we can celebrate. Make a list of blessings you’ve received or seen. Who has stepped up around you? What innovations have worked? Where have there been breakthroughs? How has God provided and protected? Give thanks to God.

As we start another week of semi-lockdown I’m reminded of a song from our songbook that says, “Everything is changing in the world today, there’s one thing reliable in every way. Other things may alter but it’s clear and plain, that the love of God is just the same.” My prayer for each one of you is that the loving power of God, will strengthen you in hope, enrich you with love, and fill you with joy and peace.

God bless you.

Major Sandra

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 re-opening on Tuesday 14th July from Tuesdays to Saturdays. There will be a limit of 5 customers in the shop at any one time and Government rules relating to Covid-19 will be adhered to.

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.

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.