Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/394678
prayer & praisE >> Called to celebrate Christ's presence CHRIS STOKER vantage point >> 'Others' initiative to launch in USA East APRIL FOSTER W e call Salvationists worldwide to rejoice in our freedom to celebrate Christ's real presence at all our meals and in all our meetings, and to seize the opportunity to explore in our life together the significance of the simple meals shared by Jesus and his friends and by the first Christians. We affirm that the Lord Jesus Christ is the one true sacrament of God. His incarnation and continuing gracious presence with his people by means of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the mystery at the heart of our faith. We hear our Lord's command to remember his bro- ken body and his outpoured blood as in our families and in our faith communities we eat and drink together. We affirm that our meals and love feasts are an anticipation of the feasts of eternity, and a participation in that fellowship that is the Body of Christ on earth. This "Call" and accompanying affirma- tion (one of 12 "Calls" taken from The International Spiritual Life Commission Re- port, Called to Be God's People by Com- missioner Robert Street), carefully and prayerfully delves into the expression of the "one true sacrament of God," which is the Lord Jesus Christ. This call explores how The Salvation Army's perspective on "the Lord's Sup- per" influences us today, and seeks to answer such questions as: • How can we be more deliberate in celebrating the presence of Christ through simple meals and in our meetings? • How do we live and worship so that every day is a Sabbath and that every meal we take is a sacrament? The Spiritual Life Commission reminds Salvationists that, although they've chosen a different expression for acknowledging God, they are not "anti–sacramental." Further, the Com- mission recognizes the Salvation Army's "glorious freedom to explore" and to celebrate Christ's presence across many diverse cultures. It is imperative that Salvationists under- stand this call, contribute to the conversa- tion on Christian expression, and keep the Army's perspective firmly in mind. Commissioner Street writes, "The call by the Commission to look again at ways in which Christ's real presence is celebrated at our meals and in our meetings urges Salvationists to ensure that the most self- less event of all time—Christ's sacrificial death—is kept firmly at the heart of all that the Army is and its people are." In the words of Founder William Booth, "Let us do all that we do in remembrance of his dying love. Every act of our life ought to be religious. Every day ought to be a Sabbath in the sense of its being sacred and devoted to the glory of God, and every meal we take ought to be a sacrament." Would you like to read more? Go to www.armyonitsknees.org for the com- plete article, "Call to Celebrate Christ's Presence." You will also find there the territory's list of prayer requests. —Chris Stoker is the Spiritual Formation Developer at Territorial Headquarters I n September, the Eastern Territory made a commitment to "Others" by making it part of the Army's mission in the United States. April Foster, who has served for the past five years in Kenya as coordinator of the initiative, and as a lay Salvationist for 25 years, has joined the Mission & Culture Department at Territorial Head- quarters to provide leadership. "Others: Trade for Hope" is the Salvation Army's concept for fair trade. Formerly known as Sally Ann, Others began in the mid 1990's with a few women in Bangla- desh. They produced handcrafted interior designs, kitchen items, textiles, and beauti- ful jewelry made from recycled paper. For 10 years, they've sold these products through storefront and online sales channels in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and in other parts of the world. This partnership has led to sustained livelihoods and long–term economic and spiritual transformation for the women— each with a unique story. "I am now able to support myself, send my children to school, and have dignity and respect in the com- munity," said Ruma in Bangladesh. Her story is similar to those of other women producers in Kenya, Pakistan, and Maldova. When Ruma's pillows are exported by Others, her face lights up and she stands taller. The opportunities for Others products are numerous: Christmas cards, confer- ence and workshop bags, advisory board and corps gifts, corporate gifts, as well as house parties and displays that raise awareness about Others. (See ad, p. 16.) OTHERS LOGO LEKEN, FARGERIK VARIANT MED SKJOLD OG TREDA FOR HOPE 4 October 2014