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“We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.” Eph. 4:3,4 (NLT)

The Salvation Army / USA Central Territory

News and Views from the Midwest

by General André Cox

For children in many countriesaround the world, Christmas is atime of great anticipation andexcitement.

Christmas is rightly emphasized withthe joy of children, for the wonderfulstory of Christmas is about the comingof the Christ-child of whom we read inLuke’s Gospel:At that time Emperor Augustus

ordered a census to be taken throughoutthe Roman Empire. When this first cen-sus took place, Quirinius was the gover-nor of Syria. Everyone, then, went to reg-ister himself, each to his own hometown.Joseph went from the town of

Nazareth in Galilee to the town ofBethlehem in Judea, the birthplace ofKing David. Joseph went there becausehe was a descendant of David. He wentto register with Mary, who was

promised in marriage to him. She waspregnant, and while they were inBethlehem, the time came for her tohave her baby. She gave birth to her firstson, wrapped him in cloths and laid himin a manger—there was no room forthem to stay in the inn.There were some shepherds in that

part of the country who were spendingthe night in the fields, taking care oftheir flocks. An angel of the Lordappeared to them, and the glory of theLord shone over them. They were terriblyafraid, but the angel said to them, “Don'tbe afraid! I am here with good news foryou, which will bring great joy to all thepeople. This very day in David’s townyour Savior was born—Christ the Lord!And this is what will prove it to you: youwill find a baby wrapped in cloths andlying in a manger.”Suddenly a great army of heaven’s

angels appeared with the angel, singing

praises toGod: “Glory toGod in thehighest heav-en, and peaceon earth tothose withwhom he is pleased!” When the angelswent away from them back into heav-en, the shepherds said to one another,“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see thisthing that has happened, which theLord has told us.”So they hurried off and found Mary

and Joseph and saw the baby lying inthe manger. When the shepherdssaw him, they told themwhat the angel had saidabout the child. All whoheard it were amazed atwhat the shepherds said.Mary remembered allthese things and thought

deeply about them. The shepherdswent back, singing praises to God forall they had heard and seen; it hadbeen just as the angel had told them.(Luke 2:1-20, Good News)

The Christmas story is for all peopleof all ages and cultures, and is abouthow God came into our ordinary,everyday world as a little baby so thathe could live with us and share in ourlives. The coming of Christ atChristmas changed the course ofhuman history.

We love to look at what we think is anidyllic and beautiful picture of that first

Warmingwinters for 30 yearsby Samantha Hyde

Thirty years ago The SalvationArmy teamed up with abeloved local meteorologistand a regional dry cleaning

company to do something that hadnever been done before: collectenough coats to ensure every child inIndianapolis, Ind., would be pre-pared for the cold winter ahead.From just a few hundred coats donat-ed that first year, Coats for Kids hasgrown into the largest coat collectionand distribution in the state. In thepast 30 years, over 120,000 coatshave been given to children.

During the month-and-a-half longcollection period, NBC-affiliate sta-tion WTHR heavily promotes thecoat drive, often holding collectionsbefore Indianapolis Colts football

ally to supplement donations.The following day hundreds of

coats are sorted and distributed tocorps to use if someone comes tothem for help during the winter;then a number of groups pick upcoats for distribution. First in line isIndianapolis Public Schools, thelargest school district in the statewith an enormous student popula-tion well below the poverty line. Ifany child comes to school without acoat in the winter, he or she can besent home with one. Other schoolsystems in central Indiana also par-ticipate in this day-after distribu-tion, as well as several social ser-vices agencies, churches and chari-ties. Anything left at the end of theday goes into storage for use at theWomen and Children’s Center or toseed the following year’s event.

This year 2,452 children wereserved by Coats for Kids. Thanks tostrong partnerships and the gen-erosity of central Indiana donors,this program will continue to helpkeep kids warm and healthy formany years to come.

games. This yearthey set up adrive-throughcoat drop-off out-side America’slargest children’smuseum, whichis located justdown the streetfrom TheSalvation Army’sIndianaDivisionalHeadquarters.The SalvationArmy also setsup an OnlineCoat Shop where cash donations areused to purchase the most neededsizes before distribution day.

Tuchman Cleaners collects andcleans gently used coats at its 24 cen-tral Indiana locations, while new coatsare stored by Two Men and a Truckuntil distribution day. Between 5,000and 6,000 coats are collected, cleaned,sorted, catalogued and racked inpreparation for the event each year toensure that all sizes and needs can bemet. Thanks to these incredible part-nerships and an army of volunteers,The Salvation Army is able to keepcosts to a minimum and serve general-ly 3,000 children each year.

Distribution day is always exciting,with some families arriving hoursearly to be first in line when thedoors open at the Indiana StateFairgrounds. Throughout the six-hourevent, families are guided by volun-teer shoppers, including most of theWTHR on-air staff, as they choosefrom racks sorted by size and gender.Once every child has found the per-fect coat, they get to choose wintergloves and warm hats to completetheir ensemble. Many of the hats aremade by The Salvation ArmyIndianapolis Women’s Auxiliary,while a local family donates 3,000hats and 3,000 pairs of gloves annu-

Volume 46, Number 12 December 2016

AChristmas story for all people

Continued on page 6

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PhotobyEmilyAukes

When life is stressful,what do you do torestore your peace? Ienjoy reading. And if I

can read near water, it brings instantpeace and joy to my spirit.

My parents were snowbirds for 20years, so my husband, Dick, and Iwould visit them every January forabout 10 years. Since they lived justfive miles from the Atlantic coast, I

Psalm 121 (NIV):

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not

slumber;indeed, he who watches over Israelwill neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your

right hand;the sun will not harm you by day,nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from allharm—he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your com-ing and goingboth now and forevermore.

was able to enjoy my devotional timeat the ocean shore almost every day.What a spiritual retreat!

At home, I find other ways toconnect with the Lord and enjoyHis presence and filling. Forinstance, Dick and I read throughthe Bible each year using the DailyWalk. It’s a great way to becomefamiliar with scripture along with adaily devotional.

CentralConnectionTHE SALVATION ARMY5550 Prairie Stone Pkwy • Hoffman Estates, IL 60192847-294-2000

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COMMISSIONER PAUL R. SEILERTerritorial Commander

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VISIT OUR WEBSITE—www.salarmycentral.org1-800-SALARMY

by Lt. ColonelVicki AmickTerritorial Secretary for Retired Officers

From time to time I take a half dayto spend time with the Lord. I mayread a devotional book, along withmy Salvation Army Songbook andBible, and then spend time in prayer.I always walk away with restoredpeace and direction.

I also enjoy participating in Biblestudies. Right now I am studying thePsalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134.)These are the Psalms the Israelitessang as they made their pilgrimagesto Jerusalem. During this study Ihave memorized Psalm 121. What ajoy it is to hide God’s Word in myheart!

Making a list

Christmas for Carol

What restores your peace?

For late breaking news,visit our website!

Log on to salarmycentral.org

GetConnected!Check out our complementary material on the web.salarmycentral.orgResources/LinksOfficer Candidates’ website

General’s website

Adult Rehabilitation Centers website

Indiana Division website

Article on Echelon

Web exclusivesMore about The Salvation Army in Tanzania

I looked up at the beautiful womanofficer providing us with Christmasgifts and told my mom I wanted tobe just like her.

As a teenager I connected withofficers at a revival meeting, wherethey asked me to babysit their chil-dren. The genuine love I found inthis family and through every con-tact I had with The Salvation Armytouched me, and I begged my momto let me attend the corps.

I recently completed 36 years ofofficership. I continue to love andserve the Lord and am humbledthat God continues to use me.Today I cried with a grandmotherwho is trying to raise her disabledgrandson, prayed with someonewho lost her home, and found abite to eat for a single mom whoseevery ounce of energy goes towardcaring for her children.

If it weren’t for the Army atChristmas, my life might have

turned out quitedifferently. I’vebeen so blessedby this ministryand pray those Inow serve willsee in me what Isaw in the offi-cer who helpedmy family atChristmas. And,who knows,maybe someoneI touch willwant to becomean officer some-day, too.

by Major Carol Lemirand

Iwas raised in Green Bay, Wis.,where my father eked out a livingtearing up and replacing railroadtracks in the summer and clean-

ing rail switches in the winter.His options were limited because

of a childhood illness that preventedhim from attending school beyondeighth grade. While largely uneducat-ed, my father was wise, and he knewthe meaning of hard work and thevalue of an education. He encour-aged me to always do my best—whether in school, church or work.

When our family’s needs exceededour meager means, my mother con-tacted The Salvation Army to fill inthe gap. We received groceries andmore on a regular basis and wereone of the many families helped atChristmas.

On one occasion when I was quiteyoung, with my hair in tight ringlets,

warm Christmas greeting but asmall calendar card with the“Footprints” poem on the back. Thisyear for the first time they’re beingsent in both English and Spanish.

“We receive feedback from theinmates saying it means a lot, andthey really appreciate the calendartoo, which fits easily into a pocket,”said Melody. “Some of these folksdon’t have any visitors and feel likethey’re forgotten during Christmas.”

“I hope these cards will remindinmates they’re not alone and notforgotten,” said weekly volunteerLarry Urban. “I also hope it encour-ages them to be interested in theBible and would bring them com-fort and direction.”

2,737Christmas cards.Looking at our lists,

most of us can’t fathom signing, fold-ing, stuffing and addressing thatmany greeting cards. But that’s exact-ly what Melody Rosa, territorialBible correspondence director, andher staff do each year with the helpof a small cadre of volunteers, thosewho assist weekly and others whocome alongside during the season.

The recipients aren’t friends andfamily but inmates participating inthe Bible correspondence program.Not only does the card include a

Major Carol Lemirand receives a check to help with Christmasassistance from employees at the Peninsula Federal Credit Union.

newborns to age 17. This year up to2,500 children are expected toreceive Christmas presents.

“Operation Toy Lift is more thanjust an inmate sending a Christmasgift home; it’s an avenue to begin aministry of reconciliation from thebrokenness due to incarceration,”said Ernest Jones, KWM divisionalcorrectional services director. “Thegifts are meticulously wrapped byHallmark and included with thechild’s present is a gift for the care-giver, as well as a Christmas card.This major operation could not beaccomplished without our 100-plusvolunteers.”

To make the season a littlebrighter and ensure carefullychosen and beautifullywrapped Christmas gifts are

received by the children of incarcer-ated men and women, the correction-al services ministry of the Kansasand Western Missouri (KWM)Division teams up each year withvolunteers from Hallmark Cards andthe divisional youth department.

The correctional services ministryaccepts applications from state andfederal prisons to ensure everyinmate has an opportunity to send agift to each of their children, from

Lifting holiday spiritsby CaptainValerie Carr

Younger broth-ers have a wayof getting youinvolved in

something that willinevitably change yourlife—or at least that’show it happened to me.My family lived in anapartment a little over amile from the DesPlaines, Ill., Corps butwas unaware of TheSalvation Army’s pres-ence at the time.However, we did ourgrocery shopping at the store that sitson the same block as the corps andat the holidays a bellringer wouldappear.

The Christmas of 1995 my 7-year-old brother, Zachary, became inter-ested in being a Salvation Army bell-ringer. After a few weeks my motherdecided to wait at the store for who-ever was picking up the bellringerand ask how her son could partici-pate. It just so happened that thecorps officer, then-Captain AndyMiller, was the driver that night! Hegave my mother the corps’ addresswith times to drop by on a Sundaymorning to get all the informationabout volunteering for bellringing.

I remember pulling into the corpsparking lot that first Sunday morn-ing. My mother turned the car’sengine off and informed my brother

and me that we were going tochurch. I also remember rolling myeyes and thinking, I am NOT goinganywhere. After the service, mybrother was all set for bellringingthe next week, and then-CaptainCheryl Miller told my mom aboutthe youth programs available forhim. She turned, looked at me andsaid, “And we have girls programsas well!” I thought, I’m never com-ing back here.

Thankfully, teenagers don’t get abig vote in the economy of the fam-ily, and we returned week afterweek to the corps. The family ofthe Des Plaines Corps loved myfamily into the Kingdom of Godand taught us what it means to befollowers of Jesus. Thank God forthe Christmas ministry of TheSalvation Army and a tenacious 7-year-old’s desire to ring a bell.

Thebell rang forme

by Captain Jennifer Ortman

The Territorial Candidates’Weekend provided those whofeel God is calling them toofficership a prime opportuni-

ty to explore what that means. At thisyear’s event more than 200Salvationists took an exciting deeperdive with the theme “Engaged inMission and Ministry.”

Delegates participated in three tar-geted tracks. Those who hope toattend the College for OfficerTraining (CFOT) in the next sessionparticipated in the Experience Trackhosted by the CFOT. Those who havedeclared a calling and actively arepursuing entrance in a future sessionparticipated in the Explore Trackwhere presenters gave guidance onthe application process. Lastly, theDiscover Track provided a non-threatening opportunity for individu-als seeking to discover if officershipis God’s will for their lives.

During the keynote session at terri-torial headquarters (THQ), delegatesentered into worship led by DavidHudgens. Lt. Betsy Clark, St.Charles, Ill., corps officer, spokeabout how God uses her in everydayencounters, and Colonel JeffreySmith, chief secretary, challengeddelegates to live an unexpected lifeby God’s power.

Major Tricia Taube, territorial can-didates’ secretary, shared specificallyabout the event’s theme duringSaturday morning devotions with theExplore and Discover tracks.Engagement is about being activated,committed and ready to be used byGod, she said. Throughout the week-

end dynamicvideos ofSalvation Armypersonalitiesreminded dele-gates of theirevangelisticroots to engage.

Workshops atTHQ for Exploreand Discovertrack dele-gates focusedon spiritualformation,serving as asingle per-son, womenin ministryand adultrehabilitationcenter min-istry. In theafternoon theDiscover trackwitnessed the busy ministryof the St. Charles, Ill., Corps,while Explore track delegatesattended additional work-shops in emotional healthand wellness, financial readi-ness and preparing for stu-dent life. Meanwhile at theCFOT, Experience track dele-gates participated in a paneldiscussion, Chicago city life andfellowship with cadets.

“This weekend gave me the oppor-tunity to sit alongside future session-mates and take in what our lives willbe like. I appreciated the cadets’insights, prepping us for everythingwe needed to know,” said delegateJoshua Hubbard. “What left the

biggest impres-sion was thecommunity thatcomes with theCFOT, to live as

a cadet day inand out with people

striving for the same objective, draw-ing closer to God in preparation to bean officer…It excited me for the nextchapter of my story.”

All delegates joined together at theCFOT for a united evening meeting inwhich Captain Jason Bigelow gave histestimony and Lt. Amanda Keene’s

message pro-vided awarning tobe self-awareto preventdisengage-

ment.Sunday morning delegates wor-

shipped together at THQ. MajorScott Shelbourn spoke of thethousands of “divine appoint-ments” he’s had as an officer.Des Plaines, Ill., Corps delegatespresented a beautiful worshipdance, and Commissioner Paul R.

Seiler, territorial commander,summed up the weekend’s focus inhis message: “The Army is Us”—with a common bond, using com-mon men and women in an uncom-mon church.

“It was great to be a part of aweekend where people were askedto seriously consider what God iscalling them to, allowed to ask thetough questions and given genuineanswers,” concluded Lt. BetsyClark. “You could clearly see Godmoving in the hearts of everyonethere, challenging us to go deeperin our walk with Him.”

3

Deeper dive explores officership

Captain Valerie Carr and her sons ring that bell.

PhotosbyNickiHudgens

andCadetKen

Alip

4

Christmas in full swing

Aceremonialpuck drop,a brass bandperfor-

mance and a spinaround the rink by aSalvation Army offi-cer strapped to aZamboni ice machineare just a few high-lights of the secondannual “Red KettleGame” organized withthe Army by theGrand Rapids, Mich.,Griffins hockey team!

In addition to welcome signage,scoreboard messages, public addressannouncements and red kettles inthe arena’s lobby, the Griffins wearspecial red jerseys sporting TheSalvation Army red shield during thegame attended by thousands of hock-

ey fans. After the game the jerseysare autographed and auctioned offwith net proceeds benefiting TheSalvation Army.

“It’s an ideal event for TheSalvation Army to raise awarenessabout our programs and services as

well as demonstrate our com-mitment to and involvement inthe Grand Rapids community,”said Major Norman Grainger,Kent County coordinator.

Over the past few seasonsthe Griffins have providedopportunities for the Army toplace kettles in the arenalobby, as well as have an Armyband play “God Bless America”or the National Anthem.

Griffins net proceeds forArmyby Craig Dirkes

For more than a decade,Andrew Benjamin has rungbells at kettles four days aweek, four hours a day, for

the entire Christmas season in theTwin Cities. “I take Wednesdays offfor a break,” the 80-year-old admit-ted. “Helps warm me up.”

Andrew won’t let anything stophim—not even cancer, which he bat-tled last season. He juggled ringingwith weekly doctor visits, includingimmunotherapy treatment to fightthe melanoma in his lungs. “Ibrought a stool in case I needed tosit down for a while. But I didn’tneed the stool. I stood and rang theentire time.”

Why does Andrew ring? Simple:he loves The Salvation Army—somuch so he requested a SalvationArmy theme for his 80th birthdayparty. The celebration at a church inSt. Paul, Minn., included a red kettlethat raised nearly $1,200 from morethan 100 guests.

“It was awesome! Probably one ofthe greatest experiences of my life,”said Andrew.

He also stands at kettles becausehe likes to see old friends, meet newones and thank them all for giving toThe Salvation Army. He’s been ring-

ing at the same Walgreens for solong that customers recognize him.

“People say they look forward tome ringing, that they only givewhen I’m there ringing the bell,”Andrew said. “I’ve got quite the fol-lowing.”

“He is without a doubt one of themost incredible people I’ve met andan inspiration to us all,” said DaveOverstake, Northern divisionalplanned giving director, who hasknown Andrew for 10 years.

Andrew joked, “For an old codger,I’m not doing too bad.”

by Major Evangeline O’Neil

Christmas and The SalvationArmy are interconnected.So much ministry occursduring the holidays that

Christmas wouldn’t be the samewithout it. Even those who know lit-tle about what the Army doesthroughout the year recognize us atChristmas. But what about adultrehabilitation centers (ARC)? Somuch of what we know of theArmy’s Christmas ministry seemsmissing from the ARC. There are nored kettles, no Angel Trees, no foodbox distributions. So what does go on

at Christmas in the ARC? I’m gladyou asked.

At the ARC men are away fromtheir families; many have strainedrelationships with family members,and most have celebrated past holi-days in ways destructive to them-selves and others. They are not earn-ing a wage and so can’t provide giftsfor their families. Many of themhave left faith behind. These factorsprovide the ARC with great opportu-nities for ministry.

“Christmas is the opportunity toacknowledge the birth of our LordJesus Christ. Through guidance andunderstanding we help the beneficia-ries develop a deeper understandingof Jesus Christ and the principles Heprovides us,” said Michael Alle,Minneapolis, Minn., ARC director ofrehabilitation services.

At the Minneapolis ARC, as inmost places, Christmas starts withdecorating for the season. The menhelp put up the tree, string garlandand hang ornaments. It’s an opportu-nity for them not only to fellowshipand strengthen their sense of belong-ing but also to consider the impor-tance of spirituality and to reconnectwith their Christian beliefs.

In our attempt to maintain themen’s dignity and respect, we pro-vide them with gifts they can selectfor their children, then help themwrap the gifts and even mail them, ifnecessary, all at no charge. This

helps them to reconnect withfamily. It is also an importantpart of their recovery toacknowledge holidays and tofulfill responsibilities.

Holiday parties are a realitywherever you go. Knowinghow to celebrate a stressfulholiday season appropriately,whether with peers or family,is an important skill we aretrying to teach the men. InMinneapolis, we have aChristmas celebration just forthe men. They learn to inter-act positively with each other,to support one another and tocelebrate sober. We also havea family celebration in whichthe men can invite their

wives, girlfriends, moms, dads,brothers, sisters and children tocome to a safe place for fun activitiesand continue to build their relation-ships.

For those who are further along inthe program and are beginning toreconnect with the outside world, wegive them an additional overnightpass on Christmas Eve. Imagine afather who’s getting his life backtogether being able to wake upChristmas morning and be with hischildren, to get a glimpse of whatthe future can be for him and hisfamily.

Christmas at the ARC is whatChristmas has always been about—helping men to understand that aloving God gave his only Son tobring life, love and hope, even in adark and difficult world.

Christmas at theARC

Major Norman Grainger circles the rink on a Zamboni.

Ringing tenacity

A Salvation Army band performs “God BlessAmerica” as a giant 880-foot flag unfurls.

5

by Samantha Hyde

Things were looking bleaklast year for Marissa asshe faced the possibilityof having no gifts for her

children to open on Christmasmorning. As a single mother sup-porting four children, she knewhow to stretch a dollar butbecause of ongoing medical issueswith her youngest son she had nosavings to help make Christmasspecial.

Then Marissa stumbled on aFacebook post about a programbeing offered by The SalvationArmy called Angel Tree. Her twoyoungest children qualified, soMarissa headed to her neighbor-hood Salvation Army, theIndianapolis, Ind., Eagle CreekCorps. After filling out the formsfor Christmas assistance, Marissawas invited by Captain ChrissyCooper, corps officer, to bring herchildren back to enjoy the Trunk-or-Treat program which provides funon Halloween in a safe, Christianenvironment.

“We do so much more than justAngel Tree at Christmastime,”Captain Chrissy explained. “We have

programs throughout the year thatcan help families and that can buildcharacter in their children.” Marissahappily accepted the Trunk-or-Treatinvitation, and it wasn’t long beforeshe and her children were familiarfaces at the corps.

The children were enrolled incharacter-building programs andbecame sunbeams and explorers.

They joined the singingcompany and competedon the corps’ archeryteam when it hosted amatch against SalvationArmy youth teams fromLafayette and Marion,Ind. On Tuesday nights,they come to supperclub while Marissalends a hand in thekitchen. This ChristmasMarissa can reflect onthe blessings her familyhas received not justduring the holidays butthe whole year.

Rooted inAngel Tree

What started out severalyears ago as a smallfundraiser for TheSalvation Army is now

the top fundraising effort in Willmar,Minn., to ensure services are avail-able for those in need within thecommunity. To date, the Koosmanfamily’s elaborate “Celebrate theLight of the World” Christmas lightdisplay has raised just short of$500,000 for the Willmar SalvationArmy, and they say they won’t stopuntil they reach $1 million!

Last year was an especially excit-ing one for Chad and AngieKoosman when they were featuredon the nationally televised program,“The Great Christmas Light Fight.”

Once word got out that the light dis-play was going to be on national TV,many television, radio and newspa-per interviews followed and a localradio station sponsoring the displaykept residents up-to-date.

To kick off his fundraising efforts,Chad had a stunt up his sleeve; hewouldn’t turn on the lights until$2,000 was raised for the Armywithin 12 hours as he sat with a redkettle inside a large rotating door ata popular store in Willmar.

Spinning around in the doorwaywasn’t too bad, he reported, but hiswife made him take dramamine any-way. “I’m very proud of him and allthat he has done for the communi-ty,” said Angie. The total intake for

the Christmas light dis-play last year set a newrecord of more than$164,000. Who knowswhat this year willbring!

Chad concluded,“The publicity is great,but what this is reallyall about is helping ourcommunity.”

Display lights theway

by Rich Draeger

Red Hot Christmas is the sig-nature event of the year forEchelon Peoria, a communi-ty of diverse young adults

who support The Salvation Armythrough community service and vol-unteerism, fellowship and network-ing, donations and fundraising. ItsChristmas event benefits bothEchelon and Salvation Army pro-grams. From their first Red HotChristmas in 2014 they made a$5,000 donation to the Tree of LightsCampaign, and in 2015 their dona-

tion doubled to $10,000!During the Christmas season,

Echelon members also man kettles.In fact, last year they stood everySaturday at East Peoria’s Bass ProShop to collect donations for theannual Red Kettle Campaign.

Throughout the year they continuevolunteering for The Salvation Armyin a myriad of ways like providingfinancial counseling to clients at thefamily shelter and conducting anEaster egg hunt and summer chil-dren’s carnival at the Peoria, Ill.,Citadel Corps.

Kyle Barber,an originalmember ofEchelon Peoriaand immediatepast Red HotChristmas chair,has taken a leadrole in one ofEchelon’s vol-unteer efforts.He arranged fora local restau-

rant, Michael’s Italian Feast, to helpprovide dinners to the homeless. Inthe past 18 months, it has givenmore than 1,000 meals.

After the Army had to close itsdaily drop-in program for the home-less due to the loss of federal grantmoney, Kyle helped organize anevening all-volunteer feeding effortcalled “Dinner with Love” that hasserved over 2,600 meals to areahomeless the past several monthsalone.

“I feel a deep connection to ourcommunity members in need,” Kylesaid. “I see the gratitude each indi-vidual has and the happiness themeals provide.”

Ty Rakestraw, founding member ofEchelon Peoria, was recognized with

the Young Leaders Award from TheSalvation Army in May 2015, andthe entire Echelon group was recog-nized with the 2016 Giving HeartAward at the Peoria-area NationalPhilanthropy Day luncheon.

With a dedicated board of sevenand a membership of 50-plus,Echelon Peoria is an amazing groupof young professionals who are seri-ous about their efforts to help othersthrough volunteerism and financialsupport.

Echelon was founded in 2010 inDallas, Texas. The Peoria chapter wasjust the fourth group introducednationally. Captain Keith Maynor,national young adult secretary,expects the introduction of 25-30chapters in the U.S. in the next threeyears.

ARedHotChristmas in Peoria

Continued from page 1

ence forgiveness for the wrong things thatwe do; and it is possible for us to experi-ence a sense of peace and belonging inthis troubled world.

Sadly, we see still so much injustice,hate, violence and corruption in theworld that at times we are brought toutter despair. If only the world wouldsee and take hold of the greatest gift thatGod gives us in Jesus.

The words of Major Joy Webb’s song“Come into our world!” reflect a long-ing and a plea, for without God ourworld is a sorry place:All around us, seemingly, darkness holdsits sway;

Truth and love are faltering, peace indisarray;

And if we needed you, we need younow!

Come into our world,Come into our world, now, Lord Jesus!People sit in loneliness, children cry forbread;

Men fight men in hatred, by suspicionled;

And if we needed you, we need younow!

Faced with such confusion, hope hasslipped away;

Men have stopped believing, forgottenhow to pray;

And if we needed you, we need you now!Thankfully it does not need to be like

this, our world can be different, but ifthat is to happen it requires each of usto experience a change of heart, to bechanged and transformed so that thelife God intended for us becomes areality through his Son, Jesus. No won-der that the angels rejoiced and sang:“Glory to God in the highest heaven…”(Luke 2:14).

Christmas. Yet a stable is hardly a goodplace for a baby to be born. The realityis that there was no room for Jesus.

That reality is still true today withthe over-commercialization ofChristmas to the point where most ofour time, energy and attention isfocused on other things. We are sobusy that we have no space or time leftto remember that Christmas is the cele-bration of the birth of the Christ-child.

God came into the world for thepoor, ordinary people, not just forkings and princes. The announcementof the angels concerning the birth ofGod’s Messiah is to a group of shep-herds. What a wonderful thought thatGod came into the reality of ourhuman existence and came, withoutdiscrimination, for the humble, ordi-nary people.

James Irwin, one of the few astronautsto have walked on the moon, was askedabout his experiences in space. He spokeabout the importance of space explorationand how mankind has been helped withmedical research, new technologies and agreater understanding of the universe inwhich we live. He went on to describethe wonder of gazing at our small blueplanet from such a distance in space andrealizing just how beautiful and unique itis. He also spoke about the wonder ofstanding on the moon in 1971 and seeingan earthrise. He said that it is importantfor the good of mankind that it is techni-cally possible for a man to walk on themoon, but how much more important itis that God, in Jesus, came into our worldand walked upon earth. The arrival ofJesus in our world makes many thingspossible: it is possible for us to knowhope and love; to enjoy a personal rela-tionship with God the Creator; to experi-

AChristmas story

by Major Carole Caddy

The Western Michigan andNorthern Indiana Division isexcited to be partnered withthe Tanzania Territory. We see

this partnership as a good opportunityto achieve greater involvement fromindividuals, groups and events in sup-port of World Services/Self-Denial.Every corps has been challenged tosubmit a stretch pledge of what theyplan to raise toward our two projects,with targets based on an increase overtheir soldier giving last year.

For instance, although the GrandRapids Fulton Heights, Mich., Corpshas raised 100 percent of their WorldServices/Self-Denial goal for manyyears, they are using this initiative toramp up their missions program.Corps Missionary Sergeant JanelleMcDonald has provided a differentfocus for education and giving overseveral months. The first month sheintroduced Tanzania and asked the

corps members to pray. The nextmonth she shared information aboutArmy programs, and the third monthshe prepared a blessing tax calendarwhere daily giving is related to factsabout the lifestyle of people living inTanzania. For example, on a date thatnotes television only came to Tanzaniain 2001, soldiers are instructed to givea quarter for each TV program theywatch that day. Janelle has plannedsomething different each monththrough April to keep the project infront of soldiery and toencourage giving.The corps antici-pates raisingabout $36,000,more than half ofone of our projectsin Tanzania.

Divisionally,every event has atarget for 20 New Corps giving. In thepast fundraising has been conducted atmen’s and women’s camps and atyouth councils, but now targets havebeen established for officers councils,corps cadet retreat, kids’ councils,Camp Homecoming Day and the offi-cer family Christmas party. WMNIDivisional Headquarters (DHQ)employees are engaging in the initiativeand learning about Tanzania throughmonthly presentations during chapelservice. DHQ employees have set afirst-ever target of $2,500 this year.

A 20 New Corps divisional commit-tee composed of soldiers, officers andemployees is working diligently todrive this initiative. They are confi-dent our division can raise $150,000.

WMNI partnerswith Tanzania More for themoney

Illustrating that U.S. dollars often gomuch further in underdevelopedcountries than in first-worldnations, the relatively modest

amounts needed by the TanzaniaTerritory through the 20 New Corpsinitiative not only will purchase landfor and construct three new corpsbuildings and quarters but build achapel for the Training College on thegrounds of the Tanzania TerritorialHeadquarters in Dar es Salaam, the

country’s largest city.The Western

Michigan andNorthern IndianaDivision has beenpartnered withTanzania on these twoprojects. The first pro-ject is the training col-lege chapel and thepurchase of land and

building of a corpsand quarters inKemondo on thewestern shores ofLake Victoria.Having identifiedthe area as one ofexpansion inTanzania, the terri-tory is turning thelong-time outpost inKemondo into acorps for a morevisible presence inthe community.

Without a hall orquarters the outpostuses a soldier’shome for meetings,

and its leaders rent a small room fortheir family to live in. The territorybelieves the Army’s advance inKemondo will be a wonderful encour-agement to soldiers and providegreater access to communities thathaven’t been exposed to Army min-istries. The mission impact is expectedto be significant.

The second project is purchasingland and constructing corps and quar-ters in Uyole and Lwanzali. Both out-posts provide Army ministries, butthe constraints of their current loca-tions prohibit growth and stability.The territory wants to increase theArmy’s visibility and ministry in high-density areas because the more corpsit can open in larger cities, the greaterits ability to raise funds and expandministry.

Uyole is a crowded suburb of Mbeya,a city in southwestern Tanzania.

Plan now to attend the

Congress led by

General Andréand

CommissionerSilvia Cox

June 9 –112017

at the Sears Centre in Hoffman

Estates, Ill.

Commissioning ofthe “Joyful Interce

ssors”

Inspiring meetings • Activities for

the entire family

TerritorialYouthCouncils • Territorial Off

icers’ Councils

Music by the Chicago Staff Ba

nd • Massed Singing Company

Retirement of Commissioners

Paul R. and Carol Seiler

6

Janelle McDonald

January Prayer Calendar

Go to www.prayercentralusa.org for prayer updates.

If you follow the prayer calendar in the next year, you will haveread through the Bible!

Day

1 Sunday

2 Monday

3 Tuesday

4Wednesday

5 Thursday

6 Friday

7 Saturday

8 Sunday

9 Monday

10 Tuesday

11Wednesday

12 Thursday

13 Friday

14 Saturday

15 Sunday

16 Monday

17 Tuesday

18Wednesday

19 Thursday

20 Friday

21 Saturday

22 Sunday

23 Monday

24 Tuesday

25Wednesday

26 Thursday

27 Friday

28 Saturday

29 Sunday

30 Monday

31 Tuesday

Bible Reading

Genesis 1-3

Joshua 1-5

Psalms 1-2

Job 1-2

Isaiah 1-6

Matthew 1-2

Romans 1-2

Genesis 4-7

Joshua 6-10

Psalms 3-5

Job 3-4

Isaiah 7-11

Matthew 3-4

Romans 3-4

Genesis 8-11

Joshua 11-15

Psalms 6-8

Job 5-6

Isaiah 12-17

Matthew 5-7

Romans 5-6

Genesis 12-15

Joshua 16-20

Psalms 9-11

Job 7-8

Isaiah 18-22

Matthew 8-10

Romans 7-8

Genesis 16-19

Joshua 21-24

Psalms 12-14

Pray for The Salvation Army

Blessings in the New Year!

Mankato, Minn., Corps

Mitchell, S.D., Corps

LaPorte, Ind., Corps

Menasha Fox Cities, Wis., Corps

Captains Sergii Kachanov &Tatiana Kachanova (Canada)

Southeast, Mich., ARC*

Mt. Clemens, Mich., Corps

Moline HeritageTemple, Ill.,Corps

Logansport, Ind., Corps

Northern DHQ**

Elgin, Ill., Corps

Territorial Worship Arts Retreat

Mattoon, Ill., Corps

Cultural Awareness Sunday

Minneapolis Central,Minn.,Corps

Newton, Iowa, Corps

Ludington, Mich., Corps

Milwaukee Citadel, Wis., Corps

Grand Rapids Kroc Center,Mich., Corps

St. Louis, Mo., ARC*

Owosso Citadel, Mich., Corps

Muscatine, Iowa, Corps

Madison, Ind., Corps

India South Eastern TerritoryPIM

National Advisory Board meetingin Memphis, Tenn.

Olathe, Kan., Corps

Evanston, Ill., Corps

New souls for Christ thisDecision Sunday

O’Fallon, Mo., Corps

Minneapolis Parkview, Minn.,Corps

* = Adult Rehabilitation Center** = Divisional HeadquartersPIM = Partners in Mission

7

My Prayer List

Soldiers of the outpost there worship ina space between two houses. The sec-ond outpost, Lwanzali, is near Tabora,a city in western Tanzania. The outpoststarted with worship meetings under atree; today it uses borrowed space witha small shelter. Tabora is particularlyimportant because The SalvationArmy’s work in Tanzania started therein 1933. The region is very poor andhas a high proportion of disabled andalbino children, considered the most

vulnerable populations in the country.The Tanzania Territory has more

than 7,300 soldiers, 4,400 junior sol-diers and 160 officers at 82 corps and57 outposts. In recent years a corpsleadership training program was initi-ated for the preparation and placementof mature, committed Salvationists tolead new corps plants. Thirty peoplewere trained in the first session andmany more await training.

The response of TheSalvation Army tothe devastationcaused by Hurricane

Matthew in Haiti and theU.S. southern and easterncoastlines was immediateand effective.

After the category-fourhurricane swept throughHaiti, it was reported thenumber of dead had soaredto nearly 1,000 with tens ofthousands left homeless.Untreated storm injuries andoutbreaks of cholera frompoor sanitation and lack ofclean drinking water claimed evenmore lives.

Centralite Major Robert Doliber,currently Haiti divisional secretaryfor business administration, was partof an assessment team sent to viewthe damage and meet with officerswho’d been both responders to andvictims of the hurricane, thestrongest to hit the Caribbean in adecade.

The major reported, “Besides theimmediate needs of food and shelter,the loss of crops for miles and mileswill have a devastating impact on thelivelihoods of thousands of familiesand raise food prices for those whohave already been dealing with dou-ble digit inflation and daily incomesof less than $2 a day.”

Initial emergency funds fromInternational Headquarters inLondon were used to purchase basicfood items for distribution to shel-tered families. The funds alsoenabled the Army to provide a hotmeal for beneficiaries every day foreight days while the situation contin-ues to be assessed.

As Hurricane Matthew moved upthe U.S. coast, killing at least 43 peo-

HurricaneMatthewresponse fast and strong

Two Haitian women navigate dangerous flooding.

ple, The Salvation Army was onceagain at the forefront. Within thefirst few days of the damagingwinds, storms surges and flooding,Salvation Army emergency disasterservice efforts in the affected com-munities served hundreds of thou-sands of meals, beverages andsnacks from nearly 100 canteens.More than 700 people were shel-tered, and emotional and spiritualcare was provided to thousands.

PhotobyCraigDirkes

Home teamscores!

The Rochester,Minn., Corpsscored bigwhen more

than 130 people attend-ed a sports-themedevangelistic Sundayschool promotioncalled “There is Powerin the Name of Jesus.”Corps members weresplit into two teamsnamed after theirMinnesota favorites—the Twins and theVikings—with the goalof bringing family andfriends who are fans ofthe sports teams to thecorps on Sundays.

“Slider,” the mascot for the localRochester Honkers baseball team,was the guest. A particularly heart-warming moment came when a littlegirl asked the mascot, “Do you knowJesus?” Slider turned to the little girl,raised his hands and gave her twothumbs up!

“People of all ages at the corps arealways looking for new ways to evan-gelize,” said Major Paulette Frye,Rochester corps officer with her hus-band, James. “We try in everythingwe do to tell people about Jesus.”

The event was just one of theevangelistic outreaches practicedday-to-day by corps membersthrough their ministries and in theirpersonal lives. Not only are theyinvolved in the more than 30 min-istries and services offered to thecommunity, they’re also ready toshare the gospel thanks in part tothe evangelism training theyreceived earlier this year to meettheir vital few goals in the corps’STEPs (Strategic Tool to EngagePotential) process. The social work-ers also let families know the corps

offers church and after-school programs.

“It’s about more thanfood, clothing and shel-ter. People come to uswhen they just need topray with another per-son,” Major Paulette con-tinued. One man suffer-ing from schizophreniacomes every week topray with MaintenanceSupervisor Dave Kruger.

“We see individualsand families every daywho simply need toknow they’re wanted andcared for. Everyoneworks hard to keep themission of the Armyalive by letting people inneed know someone whocares is always there forthem,” Major Pauletteconcluded.

8

Corps members are involved in many programs to thecommunity, representing Christ and forming relationships.

NewMembers

July - September 2016

85 Senior Soldiers9 Adherents

51 Junior Soldiers

Salvation Army Visit WeekendJanuary 26-29, 2017

Experience college first hand withSalvationists from across the countryFor high school juniors and seniorsregister online at asbury.edu/salvationarmy

Team mascot “Slider” is a hit with the Rochester Corps’Sunday school members.

by Colonel Dennis Phillips

December 1942. Thoughonly four years old, Iremember that cold, bleakChristmas season as if it

were yesterday for it marked the restof my life. The horror of Hitler’s warmachine sweeping mercilessly acrossEurope reached all the way to 1165½S. Madison Ave. in Grand Rapids,Mich. I can still see the 20 stepsleading to the cold apartment wheremy mother managed to scrape out aliving and keep our family together.It was the worst of times.

I knew Christmas was comingbecause the windows of Herpol-sheimer’s were filled with decora-tions and lights. And the Sundayschool at the Madison Square GospelCenter was preparing a special pro-gram. Yet, just two days beforeChristmas, nothing in that upstairsapartment hinted that the holy holi-day was near: no tree, no decorations,no presents. But as a small boy Ihoped beyond reason that somehow,despite an absent father and a worldat war, presents tied up in bowswould magically appear.

I can still see the anguish on mymother’s face when I asked, “Whereare the presents? I don’t see any pre-sents.”

“Don’t worry, son,” she answered.“The Santa Claus Girls will bring uspresents. Food, too.”

And as I waited, mid-morning onChristmas Day I heard the scrapingof their feet as they climbed the stairsand the crescendo of their steps asthey approached the door. Listen,perhaps you’ll hear their confidentknock against the drafty door. Mymother, a woman of pride even indark circumstances, straightened herapron and brushed back her grayinghair as she approached the door.After a deep breath, and with me ather side, she opened it slowly withstyle. There stood two Santa ClausGirls with stocking hats and redcapes adorned with white fuzzy trim,their arms full of presents and food!

Strangely, I don’t remember whathappened next. What toys did theybring? What food was in those bas-kets? What I do remember is know-ing that moment what I wanted to bewhen I grew up. I wanted to be theperson on the other side of the doorwhen abandoned mothers and chil-dren stand clinging to hope onChristmas Day.

Christmas 1942

A few years later and in a differ-ent neighborhood a Salvation Armycaptain drove his 1941 Ford to ourcorner and opened the trunk whichwas filled with donuts. There musthave been 30 or 40 kids on thatblock—all poor. Donuts were ahuge treat. And that feeling ofwanting to be that person when Igrew up resurfaced. Before I knewit, I was selling Christmas Way Crysand “standing kettles” on MonroeStreet in downtown Grand Rapids.

All the years of my officership Irelived that 1942 Christmas andwas blessed to be the footsteps, theknock on the door, the one whobrought the gold, frankincense andmyrrh in the form toys, blanketsand food in the name of the Onewhose birth we celebrate.

Major DanielUptegrove

Major DanielUptegrove waspromoted toGlory onSeptember 26,2016. He was83 years old.

Born in Ottumwa, Iowa, Danielentered the U.S. Army after gradu-ating high school and was deployedduring the Korean War. Upon hisreturn he felt a call to officershipand entered training from Kewanee,Ill., in 1955 to join the “Soul-Winners” session. He met Lt.Charlene Beach, whom he marriedon July 5, 1957, a year after he wascommissioned. Together theyserved in corps until their retire-ment in 1997 to Kansas City, Mo.,where they remained involved incorps ministries.

A dedicated pastor, Bible scholarand prayer warrior, Major Dan alsowas a faithful Kiwanian and out-standing boy scoutmaster. He is sur-vived by his wife, Charlene, sonsKris, Kurt and Kelly, and two grand-children, Josh and Tyler.

Promoted toGlory