Day 100: Praying for creativity (1973)

Join with Salvationists of the Wales Division for day 100 of 150 days of prayer.

• 'Yes, the Lord is good. He always loves us as his people. He always does what he has promised to us and to our descendants for ever’ (Psalm 100:5, EasyEnglish Bible). 

1973

William Cooper (British Commissioner 1964-1969) was a forward-thinking officer who was willing to experiment. (For instance, he inaugurated the Holiday Plus Fellowship at Butlins). In 1965 he set up the first Area Command at Swansea. It was probably a ‘pilot’ scheme, because six more Area Commands were set up the following year, one of them being Wrexham. Three more were added in 1967. This experiment was ended in 1971. It would have taken a year or two for the corps and particularly the central corps – eg Swansea and Wrexham – to readjust after such an experiment. (the Area Commander was also the corps officer of the central corps). 

According the Dispositions of Forces, 1965-1971, the two Welsh Area Commands were made up as follows:

Swansea Area Command: Swansea Citadel, Aberystwyth, Ammanford, Gorseion, Llaenlly Citadel, Llanelly Dock, Milford Haven, Morriston with Clydach Outpost, Pembroke Dock, Skewen, Swansea High Street, Swansea Plasmarl, Tenby. 

Wrexham Area Command: Wrexham, Caernarvon, Cefn Mawr, Chester, Coedpoeth, Connah’s Quay, Holyhead, Oswestry, Rhosllanerchrugog, Shrewsbury, Welshpool.

A March 1973 newspaper cutting in the Connah’s Quay Corps history book has the headline, ‘Long March for the Band’, with the report:

‘Three members of Connah’s Quay Salvation Army corps were expected back on Deeside last night – a day ahead of schedule – after completing a 150-mile sponsored walk from Carlisle.

‘The walkers, Capt Ken Jefferson, Bandmaster Neil Wilcock and bandsman Bryn Hargreaves, are said to be extremely tired but in good spirits. They set off from Carlisle on Easter Monday to raise money for the local Salvation Army band and were due back on Deeside today. 

‘The three marchers ... did the 150-mile march in 48 hours. In the first 24 hours they walked 62 miles with only four hours sleep. The three men were joined in Southport by a Connah’s Quay exile, 18-year-old Colin Snead, who joined the march to Deeside.’

Prayer

• Pray for creativity in thought, word and deed that endeavours to help corps with their ministry to the communities in which they find themselves.