Maidenhead

Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash

Check out this section of our webpage for details of our coming special events.

Join us as we remember those who fought for our freedom and for peace.

Our Remembrance Sunday Worship will be led by Captain Rob Westwood-Payne.

Our Sunday Worship commences at 10:30am. You can join us in person or via live stream.

Our usual opening hours are:

Monday

CLOSED

Tuesday

09:30-12:30

Wednesday

CLOSED

Thursday

09:30-12:30

19:00-21:45

Friday

09:30-10:00

(Last Friday of the month only - except August & December) 09:00-12:30

Saturday

CLOSED except for special events

Sunday

10:00-13:00

Photo by James Lee on Unsplash

Click in the top right hand corner of the screen to reveal more worship meetings from the series.

10:30-11:45     SUNDAY CELEBRATION MEETING (except 2nd Sunday in month - see below)

Featuring songs, music, prayer, something for the children and positive, practical, encouraging teaching from the Bible

10:30-11:30     2ND SUNDAY CELEBRATION (2nd Sunday in month)

Worship in a more relaxed, lighter style, featuring songs, prayer, activities and a short, positive, practical, encouraging thought from the Bible

You can join our Worship every Sunday LIVE on our Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/maidenheadcitadelsalvationarmy/live

Or you can catch up later on our YouTube Channel - www.youtube.com/channel/UCHyDHiaWEg-ww8RbWGTgjkQ

11:00-12:00     SUNDAY'S KOOL (school term time, except 2nd Sunday in month)

Fun, Bible-based activities for tots to 11’s

11:45-12:30 APPROX. COFFEE & CHAT (except 2nd Sunday in month)

Join with us after worship and catch up with friends

12:00-13:30 APPROX.     CHURCH LUNCH (2nd Sunday in month)

Join us for food and friendship following our 2nd Sunday Celebration

12:15-12:45     YOUNG PEOPLE'S SINGING COMPANY REHEARSAL (school term time, except 2nd Sunday in month)

You can also catch up with Captain Rob's Bible Messages via podcast. Head to battlereadysermons.podbean.com for more details and to subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts or via the Battlefield Resources Facebook page - www.facebook.com/battlefieldresources. Like the page and get a notification when a new sermon drops or sign up to be sent an email - eepurl.com/h2FPND. You can even listen below:

Welcome to Battle Drill, a weekday devotional from Captain Rob of The Salvation Army. Join us as we share hope and encouragement as we read and study the Bible together.

There's a new episode of Battle Drill Devotional every Monday through Friday.

Click on the link - https://linktr.ee/battlefieldresources - to listen, watch or subscribe to this podcast.

Or you can listen below:

09:30-12:30     TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS

Hub Community Café @ Maidenhead Salvation Army

Pop in for a coffee, cake and a chat. Open to all, you would be assured of a warm welcome!

TUESDAYS

09:30-12:30     COMMUNITY KITCHEN

Free hot drinks and snacks, and a takeaway hot meal for families and individuals in need

WEDNESDAYS

19:30-21:00     GROWTH GROUP ONLINE

Join us as we study and discuss God's Word together in a relaxed atmosphere, via Zoom

Join our Zoom Meeting at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/93963988634?pwd=L2JsNzRtc21ORndNL2RFRyt6RDAxZz09

Meeting ID: 939 6398 8634
Passcode: 064413

THURSDAYS

09:30-12:30     COMMUNITY KITCHEN

Free hot drinks and snacks, and a takeaway hot meal for families and individuals in need

10:30-12:00     STREET HOMELESS DROP-IN CENTRE

A warm and welcoming space for street homeless people to enjoy hot food and drink, a shower, and other facilities (in partnership with The Brett Foundation)

19:00-20:15 SONGSTERS REHEARSAL

20:30-21:45 BAND REHEARSAL

FRIDAYS

09:30-10:00 PRAYER TIME

Join us as we pray for each other, our community and the world

SATURDAYS

10:00-17:00     CRAFT DAY (1st Saturday in month)

Join us as we enjoy several crafts. Bring your own packed lunch

Other events as advertised

(Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash)

Sundays

You can join us live for Sunday Worship on YouTube each week. Head over to our channel - www.youtube.com/@maidenheadsalvationarmy and Subscribe and you will be notified when we go Live on Sunday morning, shortly before 10:30am. Or head on over to the Channel on Sunday morning and the Live video should appear at the top of the Page.

If you're unable to join us in-person on Sunday morning, then we look forward to you joining us this way instead.

Worship Today – 29 September 2024

Harvest Sunday Celebration @ 10:30am

Led by Major Ian F. & Lt. Col. Judith Payne

Followed by refreshments in the Hub

Next Sunday – 6 October 2024

Sunday Celebration @ 10:30am

Led by Captain Rob Westwood-Payne

Followed by refreshments in the Hub

This Week (commencing 30 September 2024)

Monday

Tuesday

9:30am-12:30pm. Hub Community Café & Community Kitchen

Wednesday

8:00pm. Growth Group online - Enrolment of Joy & Kris Robinson as Salvation Army Soldiers

Thursday

9:30am-12:30pm. Hub Community Café & Community Kitchen

10:30am-12 noon. Street Homeless Drop-In Centre (in partnership with The Brett Foundation)

7:00pm. Songster Practice

8:30pm. Band Practice

Friday

9:30-10:00am Boiler Room Prayer Time

Saturday

10:00am-5:00pm. Craft Group

Coming Events

Noticeboard

Please take note that there are events within the region and within the UK that are open to all. Please check out the noticeboard for details.

Growth Group Online. 

Why not join us in the New Year? Growth Group online meets each week on Wednesday at 7:30pm via Zoom. Everyone is welcome. You don't have to have been to Growth Group online before, and you don't need to be a member of Maidenhead Salvation Army.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/93963988634?pwd=L2JsNzRtc21ORndNL2RFRyt6RDAxZz09

Meeting ID: 939 6398 8634

Passcode: 064413

Corps Prayer Gathering

Come & take time out to reflect on connections. Our Connection with God, connections with family, friends or people we come into contact with each day. There will be prayer stations and quiet space plus creative activity and something for the young people also. 

Textile Recycling

The corps will shortly be moving from using our current textile recycling collection service to the provision of a Salvation Army Trading Company Limited (SATCoL) textile recycling bank, which will be housed at the rear of our car park (between the two furthest car parking spaces). We have measured the site, and the bank will not impact any of the parking spaces. This will give us more flexibility in terms of textile recycling donations, as it will be accessible even when the building is closed. It will also cut down on the amount of time Don and Jacqui spend sorting through recycling from our charity shop donations. All money raised through the textile recycling will continue to be paid to the corps.

Light Up a Life Remembrance Carol Service

We hesitate to mention the Christmas word in September, but we wanted to give you a heads up on a new initiative. On Sunday 1 December 2024 at 5:00pm, we will be holding a Light Up a Life Christmas Remembrance Service. The service will last about 45 minutes and will be followed by tea/coffee and mince pies. We are planning to hold it in the Hub (moving into the Hall if numbers are too great). The Christmas Tree in the Hub will become a Light Up a Life tree. You, your friends and family, anyone connected to the corps (online, for example) and anyone else who comes into the Hall whilst the book is open will be welcome to write anyone they want to remember over Christmas (no matter how long ago they passed away) in a book on Reception in the weeks before the service. These names will then be transferred on to stars that will be hung on the tree in the Hub and read out during the service just after the lights on the tree are switched on. A donation of £5 is requested from those wanting to remember. This will go to corps funds or to a charity of our choice (to be discussed and publicised when the book is opened).

Unfortunately, the Band has been asked not to participate in the Remembrance Service at Thames Hospice this year due to a lack of car parking spaces. So this opens up a space for us as a corps to remember those we miss and to support each other pastorally in our grief, even as we celebrate the light and love that God brings us at Christmas time.

The CSC Divisional Sleepover. Ages 7-12. 

The 2024 divisional sleepover is taking place at Oakwood Youth Challenge, Wokingham between Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd November. Applications for this event are now open; to save a place on this event an application form will need to be completed and returned to Mike Searle Divisional Administrative Support. Michael.Searle@salvationarmy.org.uk

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 1st October 2024. Hard copy applications are on the reception desk in The Hub.  

Corps Directory. 

We are currently updating our Corps Directory so we have up to date contact details for Corps members and friends of the Corps. Forms are being sent out with the electronic copy of our newsletter, with hard copies on the reception desk in The Hub. Can you please complete the forms and either email toelizabeth.walker@salvationarmy.org.uk or hand them in to either Liz Walker, John Renouf or Rob Molloy.

Dates for the Diary …

October 2024

4 Oct - 7:00pm. Corps Prayer Gathering

13 Oct - 10:30am. Second Sunday Celebration followed by Corps Lunch

22 October - 7:30pm. Leadership Team Meeting

25 October - 9:00am Pop Up Shop & 9:30am Coffee Morning

31 October - 9:30am Quench Pop Up Christmas Shop

Captain’s Log

The Transformative Power of God's Burning Love

Have you ever thought about how God’s love could be like a “devouring fire”? It might sound a bit scary or even contradictory to the kind of loving God we usually think of. But if we look deeper, we can see that this idea actually tells us a lot about what God’s love is and how it can change us.

You know how sometimes people say that God’s love is like “agape”? That’s a Greek word that means selfless, sacrificial, and chosen love. This is the kind of love that God has for us. It’s not just a feeling or something we get when we do something good. It’s a part of who God is, and it’s always there, no matter what.

But here’s the thing: God’s love isn’t just sitting there waiting for us to do something. It’s active and powerful, just like a fire. The Bible uses the idea of a refiner’s fire to describe how God works in our lives. In Malachi 3:3, it says, “He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.”

This process of refinement isn’t about destroying us. It’s about cleaning us up and making us better. Just like a silversmith carefully holds silver in the hottest part of the flame to burn away any impurities, God’s love works in our lives to get rid of anything that doesn’t fit with who he is. The goal isn’t to hurt us, but to show us our true, pure selves - just like God is.

Have you heard the beautiful story about a group of women studying the Bible? They were curious about how silver is refined. One of them visited a silversmith to learn more. She watched him carefully as he held a piece of silver over the fire. He explained that it needed to be in the hottest part to remove impurities. But he had to keep a close eye on it, because leaving it too long would damage the silver. When she asked how he knew when the silver was fully refined, he simply said, “When I can see my image in it.”

This story reminds us of God’s work in our lives. He holds us in the “fire” of his love, watching over us carefully, never leaving us for a moment. His goal is to see his image reflected in us more clearly.

Now, here’s the important part: this refining process isn’t about earning God’s love or favour. There’s nothing we can do to make God love us more or less than he already does. His love is perfect and complete. But because his love is so great, he doesn’t want to leave us as we are. He invites us to grow, to become more like him, to reflect his character more clearly.

This process of sanctification, of becoming more like Christ, is a partnership. God provides the transforming power, but we must be willing participants. We have the freedom to choose whether we open ourselves up to this refining process or not. The Holy Spirit never forces or undermines our free will. Our desire for holiness, our intention to dedicate our lives to Christ, must come from within us.

As we yield to God’s refining fire, he may use different ways to burn away impurities in our character. Sometimes it’s through direct conviction as we read his Word or pray. Other times, he might use the challenges and difficulties we face in life. For example, if impatience is an area God is working on in your life, you might find yourself in situations that test your patience, providing opportunities for growth and refinement.

Let’s ask ourselves a question: Are we striving for holiness? Are we actively trying to embody Christ’s character in our lives? What areas of our lives might God be asking us to surrender to his refining fire?

This process of refinement might involve repentance - turning away from thoughts, actions, or habits that dishonour God. It might mean apologising to someone we’ve hurt or removing things from our lives that hinder our spiritual growth. Whatever it may be, the invitation is clear: to let God’s refining fire burn away every trace of sin and impurity in our lives.

As we yield to this process, we experience the warm and liberating feeling of God’s burning love. It’s not about harsh judgment or punishment, but about transformation and freedom. It’s about becoming who we were truly meant to be— clear reflections of God’s character in the world.

The journey of sanctification is ongoing. Each day, we have the opportunity to pray, “Purify my heart, let me be as gold and precious silver. Let me be holy, set apart for you, Lord.” As we open ourselves to God’s refining fire, we embark on a beautiful journey of transformation, growing ever closer to the heart of our loving Creator.

So today, let’s embrace the concept of God’s love as a devouring fire. Let’s invite him to refine us, to burn away anything that doesn’t reflect his character. In doing so, we’ll discover the true freedom and joy that comes from reflecting God’s image more clearly in our lives.

Battle Drill Daily Devotional Podcast This Week:

This week on the Battle Drill Daily Devotional Podcast, we learn to transform our worries into trust. Each day we share hope and encouragement as we read and study the Bible together.

Sunday: A Public Health Warning

Monday: Seeking First the Kingdom

Tuesday: Finding Rest in Christ

Wednesday: God's Love in Times of Trouble

Thursday: Cultivating a Kingdom Perspective

Friday: Walking in Faith During Uncertainty

Saturday: Living Out Daily Dependence on God

There's a new episode of Battle Drill Devotional every day. You can pick a copy of this week’s up from Reception. Click on the link - https://linktr.ee/battlefieldpodcasts - to listen, watch or subscribe to the podcast. You can even listen to it three times a day on Salvationist Radio!

In Christ.

Rob Westwood-Payne MCMI MIoL

Captain

Commanding Officer

Livestreaming - You can find, like and follow our new Facebook page. If you're unable to join us in-person on a Sunday morning or your family and friends want to catch up with us later in the day or week, then this is the way to go.

YOU CAN SIGN UP TO RECEIVE NEWS, UPDATES AND EVENTS FROM MAIDENHEAD SALVATION ARMY BY HEADING TO eepurl.com/h8bP3n

(Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash)

Territorial Prayer Network - Points for prayer from Prayer Matters. 

SUNDAY 29 September: SABBATH PRAYER

Welcome Weekend at William Booth College

We pray today for the first-year cadets and their families who have recently come to William Booth College as the Keepers of the Covenant Session, that they will settle quickly and find this period of training to be full of moments of encounter with the living God. We pray for the Champions of the Mission, the second-year cadets, that they will sense God’s nearness as they journey towards their Commissioning in July 2025.

(Lyndall Bywater, UKI Boiler Room Team)

MONDAY 30 September: SHARING THE GOOD NEWS

New lieutenant – Georgia Mariott-Lodge

Pray that the transition to my first appointment will be smooth, and that God will show me opportunities to make him known in the community I will be serving in.

(Lieutenant Georgia Mariott-Lodge, Sherburn Hill)

TUESDAY 1 October: SERVING AND CARING

Training Course on the Principles of Trauma-Informed Practice

Pray for all those attending this course today, and for those doing the training. It provides an opportunity for delegates to consider and better understand the impact which trauma experiences can have on people’s lives, and helps them use that understanding to better serve and care for those they come into contact with – particularly those who come to our corps and centres in need of support.

(Lyndall Bywater, UKI Boiler Room Team)

WEDNESDAY 2 October: GROWING IN FAITH

Territorial Advisory Council (4-6 October)

This group, drawn from across the country and from many different areas of Salvation Army involvement, meets regularly to discuss the Army’s mission and ministry here in the UK and Ireland Territory, reviewing, reflecting and making recommendations for the future. Pray for their time together this weekend, that their conversations will happen in an atmosphere of joyful hope and prayerful vision.

(Lyndall Bywater, UKI Boiler Room Team)

THURSDAY 3 October INTERNATIONAL SALVATION ARMY

New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory

‘Since 1883, The Salvation Army has fought poverty and social and spiritual distress in New Zealand. We’ve been there to help more than 120,000 families and individuals in need each year – with budgeting advice, food and clothing assistance, life skills programmes and other comfort and support. At The Salvation Army we are committed to our mission of caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society.’

Pray for Territorial Leaders Commissioners Mark and Julie Campbell, as they support the territory in living out its mission.

(Lyndall Bywater, UKI Boiler Room Team; quote taken from www.salvationarmy.org.nz)  

FRIDAY 4 October: JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION

Belonging

People with disabilities do not just want to be included; they want to belong – to be valued for who they are and the gifts, skills and qualities that they bring. What is needed is a change of culture, with belonging embedded at every level of The Salvation Army, so that disabled people will be accepted for who they are and will know that they truly belong.

(Chris Stringer, Learning Disability Inclusion Development Manager and Coordinator for Enabled Summer School)

SATURDAY 5 October: CARE FOR CREATION

Being more conscientious with food

‘We’re told a plant-based diet can benefit the environment and, for me, this was quite an easy adjustment because I have never been a big meat or dairy lover. But it is not always practical. Focusing on eating consciously, however, I find is more achievable. It can involve: raiding the reduced section at the supermarket … challenging myself to be on the lookout for ways to save waste from food … Having meat-free days.’

Lord, we give thanks today for the astonishing choice of foods available to us, grateful that we can choose our diet. Help us to become more aware of how foods are made and processed, and to find ways of steering our diet towards foods which are healthier for us and gentler to the planet.

(Adapted by Lyndall Bywater from ‘My 7 tips for caring for creation’ by Yelena Grase Jurkenas on Salvationist.org.uk) 

Do you have a prayer request? Please email us, use the prayer request box on our reception desk in The Hub, or speak to a member of the leadership team.

Our Christian faith encourages us to do what we can to support those in need in our community:

TUESDAY

09:30-12:30 Community Kitchen

Drop in for a free hot drink and snack and then takeaway a hot lunch, fresh fruit and drink. Available to the homeless and those in need. We are usually also able to provide a hot shower and assist with food parcels, some clothing and issue Foodshare Maidenhead vouchers.

THURSDAY

09:30-12:30 Community Kitchen

Drop in for a free hot drink and snack and then takeaway a hot lunch, fresh fruit and drink. Available to the homeless and those in need. We are usually also able to provide a hot shower and assist with food parcels, some clothing and issue Foodshare Maidenhead vouchers.

SUNDAY

12:30-13:00 Community Kitchen

Drop in for hot food, fresh fruit and drink. Available to the homeless and those in need.

(Photo by Aaron Doucett on Unsplash)

Most of the food we provide to people is donated by you, so your donation is vital to our work. You can donate dried and tinned goods such as cereal, soup, pasta, rice, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, pasta sauces, tinned meat, tea, coffee, biscuits and UHT milk or non-food items such as toiletries and hygiene products at our Hall in East Road, SL6 1PJ, usually every Tuesday and Thursday between 9:30am-12:30pm. If you want to ensure we are open, please call 01628 625914.

 

Thank you for supporting us.

LAST FRIDAY IN THE MONTH (EXCEPT AUGUST & DECEMBER)

09:00-12:00     CHARITY POP-UP SHOP

Tons of NEW CLOTHES WITH TAGS, VINTAGE, Preloved, TOYS, Games, Bric-à-brac, Books, DVDs and MORE - You can buy teas, coffee and cake

FREE ENTRY & FREE PARKING

(Photo by Perry Merrity II on Unsplash)

You can donate good quality clothes and accessories, linens such as curtains and fabrics, homeware such as bric-a-brac and kitchen items, books, CDs, DVDs or toys at our Hall in East Road, SL6 1PJ, on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:30am-12:30pm. If these times are not convenient, please call 01628 625914 to make an appointment.

 

We can also accept old clothing, footwear, bags, belts, towels, bed linen, blankets and sleeping bags for textile recycling.

 

We are unable to take large furniture, electrical items, duvets, quilts or pillows.

 

Please be considerate of our neighbours by not leaving donations outside of our building when it is closed.

 

A collection service is available on request ONLY for those unable to travel to our building.

People who freely give of their time and talents to us make a huge contribution to the work we do.

In terms of community work, we have a Community Lunch that provides hot takeaway meals to the homeless and those in need that requires volunteers on Sundays (after our church worship meeting) from around 12 noon to 1:30pm.

We also run a Hub Community Cafe (open to the public) and Community Kitchen (providing hot takeaway meals to the homeless and those in need) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with volunteers working from around 9:15am to 12:45pm.

If you are interested in either of these opportunities, then please email us at maidenhead@salvationarmy.org.uk, and if we have any current vacancies we'll arrange a time for you to come in and have a chat with me.

We value diversity and encourage volunteers of all ages and abilities from all sections of the community. However, we can only accept applications from prospective volunteers who live in the UK and Ireland and have the right to work and/or volunteer in the UK and Ireland.

Unfortunately we don’t offer sponsorship for voluntary roles.

Maidenhead Salvation Army offers a great location and comprehensive facilities at surprising rates. If you're looking for a conference venue, rehearsal rooms, a concert hall or meeting room, whether for a one-off event or for a regular activity, Maidenhead Salvation Army could be just what you need. Please email maidenhead@salvationarmy.org.uk for booking enquiries.

• Central Maidenhead location
• 150 Seated Auditorium
• 100 Seated Community Room
• Meeting Rooms
• Full In-House Audio-Visual facilities
• Grand Piano
• Excellent Acoustics
• Coffee Hub

Our current charges are:

• Main Hall (seats around 130 people with access to a stage/lectern, sound and multimedia equipment): £25.00 per hour.
• Community Hall (seats up to 60 people, tables available): £20.00 per hour.
• Prayer/Quiet Room (for one-on-one meetings): £15.00 per hour.
• Kitchen (counter top boiler, oven, microwave, crockery and cutlery available): £5.00 per hour (please bring own food and drink).
• Toilet facilities (included disabled toilet): Included.

As you may know, a Salvation Army Hall is primarily a church for the worship of God and as such, all activities conducted must be in accordance with Salvation Army principles and policies, in particular: no alcohol, smoking, gambling or similar activities. Please confirm your proposed hire of our premises does not include these activities.

If you would like to look round, then please let me know. I am almost always available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 9:30am-12:30pm but can also meet by appointment at other times.

If you wish to proceed, then the next step will be for me to draw up a Licence Agreement (a legally binding contract that protects the interests of both parties) in the name of an individual or company in respect of your group for signature prior to the event.

---