C o m m u n i t y
New Kids on the Block T
by Captain Georgina Pinches
he Salvation Army Red Shield Defence Services run many of the coffee shop facilities on units.
Here Captain Georgina Pinches describes why she and her husband Sidney decided to come out of semi-retirement, leave behind a rural idyll in Suffolk and embrace the challenges of life in the fast lane beside the A1 at Wittering.
After a break of twenty years away from full- time church ministry we now find ourselves once again involved, but this time in a ministry of hospitality. Sidney is a ‘son of the regiment’ (Salvation Army that is), and I spent my formative years living in RAF quarters as my father served for 27 years.
We are delighted to have been appointed to Wittering and appreciate the warm welcome extended to us. Having lived and worked in Hong Kong for sixteen years, we know what it’s like to be away from family and friends and can empathise with deployed personnel and
their families. We also have a son presently serving in Afghanistan.
The Salvation Army was formed in 1865, the result of William Booth’s vision to serve the desperately needy both practically and spiritually. Since then it has developed into a church with a strong social conscience and is now at work in over 150 countries.
The Army provides hostels for the homeless, childrens’ homes, hospitals, community care, addiction services, a family tracing service, education services, and has worked with HM Forces since the days of the Boer War, offering hospitality, spiritual and pastoral care to Service personnel and their families. This service is based on the spiritual commitment of its officers who are ordained ministers of religion and lay personnel who are committed Christians.
The work is carried out under the banner of The Salvation Army Red Shield Defence Services (RSDS) a member of the Council of
Voluntary Welfare Workers and as such has a charter with the Ministry of Defence.
Generally Red Shield centres in the UK provide non-alcoholic canteen and leisure facilities where managers can offer a listening ear and perhaps deal with pastoral problems which face Serving personnel and their families. Some also operate mobile canteens to serve training areas, remote camp areas and firing ranges.
Sidney and I aim to spend our time offering a listening ear, a decent cup of coffee, and a comfortable place where folk can relax. If one were really desperate they could also regale you with tales of life in the Far East, the secret of making really good Mars Bar cake and if you give Sid the slightest encouragement, Aston Villa’s prospects for the coming season!
If there is a Salvation Army facility near you, go and meet new people and making new friends…
www.raf-families-federation.org.uk
Summer 2009
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