Article of the week: Introducing… Together22

22 January 2022

Assistant Director of Music and Creative Arts (Creative Arts) Stephanie Lamplough looks ahead to a new territorial event in July

ALL systems are go as we prepare Together22, a new and exciting territorial event that will take place in Birmingham from 15 to 17 July.

What exactly is it? The name of the event is key to explaining its objective: bringing together three significant Salvation Army events under the same umbrella. During the weekend we will celebrate Commissioning, congress and Symphony Sounds in a new way. All three will entwine into a magnificent celebration of the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, and everyone is invited.

The event will begin on Friday evening with a prayer launch and walk around the weekend’s venues: the International Convention Centre and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. This will be followed by a festival given by the International Staff Band and International Staff Songsters.

Prayer, Bible study and worship will join hand-in-hand with music and other creative expressions throughout the weekend to initiate an infusion of creative worship – all things that The Salvation Army does so well.

On Saturday there will be practical workshops, masterclasses, busking, mini-concerts and missional outreach as well as opportunities for young and old to relax, meet with friends and share in fellowship in a unique and celebratory way.

The Saturday evening gathering will feature musical performances, video presentations and interviews that will celebrate good news stories and mission at work. All this will culminate in congregational worship. This new format will hopefully be inspiring, informative and thought-provoking.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games begin later that month, so the date and venue provide a fantastic opportunity for the Sports Ministry team to work with the city, and there will be opportunity for participation in park runs, as well as other sporting activities throughout the weekend.

There will, of course, be plenty for young people to enjoy as well, with a mixture of separate venue activities and the opportunity to join in all-age worship.

On Sunday morning the commissioning of the Messengers of Reconciliation session will take centre stage. Anyone who is there for the weekend will be invited to join in this special occasion before celebrating together in a ‘congress-style’ afternoon meeting.

In short, there really will be something for everyone! It may be that you come to the weekend only wanting to attend one particular element, but we are sure that you will leave having experienced so much more.

As well as bringing together aspects of Commissioning, congress and Symphony Sounds, the vision of Together22 is to give Salvationists from across the territory an opportunity to join together in person. As we consider the territorial theme, ‘Love God, Love Others’, it is the perfect opportunity to bring together in Christ the communities in which we worship and serve.

We know these are big plans, but we believe that God will be present in this new and exciting vision. Planning is well under way and the buzz around the event is growing.

There will be lots more information available in the coming weeks and months, but if you have any questions please contact events@salvationarmy.org.uk.

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