Founders' Day

FOUNDERS' DAY

CONNECT - for mid-week/Home League groups

Fellowship Session - Special Days

02 July: The Salvation Army's Founders' Day.

Summary

Share stories and objects researched from the history of your corps
Explore the symbolism of The Salvation Army flag
Say yes to whatever challenge God calls us to

Research the history of your corps for interesting facts and objects to share
Create a quiz based on the Generals of The Salvation Army. Information about the Generals can be found here and here and a multiple choice quiz can be found here.
Find an old Salvation Army bonnet and cap, an image of the crest and the Red Shield plus other Salvation Army memorabilia.
Research the meaning behind Salvation Army signs and symbols
Prepare to show the videos:
William Booth – God’s soldier
‘Joy, joy, joy! there is joy in The Salvation Army’ crayons
Animated flag (optional)
Yellow, red and blue pencils, pens or crayons
Pens and paper for a quiz

Online groups

Prepare images of Salvation Army bonnets, an image of the crest and the Red Shield plus other Salvation Army memorabilia on a PowerPoint presentation – or hold up the items to the camera
Email or give print-outs of the flag sheet to members

Additional resource:

Salvation Army flag sheet

How important is an apostrophe? Is it Founder’s Day or Founders’ Day?

For years 2 July was known as Founder’s Day, the day The Salvation Army started. It was on that day in 1865 that William Booth, after he had been preaching on the streets, was invited to be the guest speaker at The Christian Mission in the East End of London. That night the group asked William to lead and inspire them, to be their leader.

But now we call it Founders’ Day, acknowledging the fact that the success of this organisation (which changed its name in 1878) lies with the passion and vision of both Catherine and William Booth – the Founders of The Salvation Army.

VIDEO

Show the video William Booth – God’s soldier, for at least 7 mins 08 secs.

Discuss the video together.

What did you notice about William, Catherine and the beginnings of The Salvation Army?
Did anything seem familiar?
Did anything surprise you?

QUIZ

Do a ‘General’ knowledge quiz – ask some questions about the Generals of The Salvation Army.

Here are some examples to get you started:

1. Who was the first general?

(William Booth)

2. Who is the current General (as at 2022)?

(Brian Peddle)

3. How many Generals can you name?

(There are 21!)

4. Can you name the female Generals?

(Evangeline Booth, Eva Burrows, Linda Bond)

5. How many Generals have had the surname Booth? – and can you name them?

(Three – William, Bramwell and Evangeline Booth.)

SYMBOLS

Show examples of an old Salvation Army bonnet and cap, an image of the crest and the Red Shield plus other Salvation Army memorabilia. Explain, if needed, the background and usage of these items.

ONLINE GROUPS

Share screen your PowerPoint presentation or hold up the objects to the camera.

FLAG

Play the video ‘Joy, joy, joy! there is joy in The Salvation Army’.

Ask members if they know what the colours of the flag represent and to consider why they think ‘Blood and fire’ is on the flag.

Red – the blood shed by Jesus Christ
Yellow – the fire of the Holy Spirit
Blue – the purity of God the Father

Optional: You may wish to share this short video, Animated flag, explaining the symbolism of the flag.

ONLINE GROUPS

Share screen the videos.

COLOURING IN

Give members the ‘Salvation Army flag’ sheet. As they colour it in ask them to reflect on what they personally think should be a symbol to represent The Salvation Army.

Share stories and objects researched from the history of your corps. Ask members to share any of their memories.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

What did Noah, of Noah’s ark fame, and William Booth have in common? They both trusted God enough to answer his challenge to save the world – and they both wouldn’t have been able to do this without their wives supporting them!

Do you know the name of Noah’s wife? It was Naamah. Can you name William Booth’s wife? It was Catherine.

Noah is remembered for building his ark but his wife barely gets a mention. But we can be fairly sure she did a lot of the cleaning up and feeding!

Since 2015, Catherine Booth has been acknowledged as being a co-founder of The Salvation Army. She certainly did her share of preaching and soul saving alongside her husband William.

Noah, Naamah (Noah’s wife), William and Catherine all had to have faith and courage to take the first steps in answering God’s challenge to them, and in so doing achieved great things. God often calls people to do things they feel ill equipped for, but in God we find all the resources we need to do his will.

We may feel insignificant, but we can be sure that as we read in 1 Thessalonians 5:24,

‘The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it’.

We can say yes to whatever challenge God calls us to because he will be with us.