A Salvation Army corps on the Norfolk/Suffolk border is celebrating its 140 year anniversary with a celebration concert in the local parish church, and tickets are now available for the event. Tony Rothe reports.
The first meeting of Beccles Salvation Army was held on 16 June 1883 and the special concert to celebrate the work and ministry that continue to go on in the town will take place exactly 140 years later, to the day, on Friday 16 June 2023.
Church Leader Harry Woods, right, said, “The Salvation Army has been a church and a community centre for 140 years serving the community and district both practically and spiritually, fulfilling our mission to save the lost. We are still here and still serving 140 years on, and we are looking forward to celebrating, but are very much looking forward to using this weekend as an opportunity to witness.”
The celebration at St Michaels Parish Church starts at 7.30pm on the Friday and features the Anglia fellowship Band with guest soloist ISS Juliet Parker. Tickets are £14.25, including a buffet and drink, and are available from the Beccles Corps or at Eventbrite.
On the following day, Saturday, there will be a march and open-air service in Beccles town centre with the Norwich Citadel Band, starting at 12 noon, then on Sunday 18 June the Service of Celebration at Beccles Corps and Community Centre will start at 10.30am.
Harry moved to the Beccles corps nine months ago, having previously been Community Manager at Great Yarmouth Salvation Army. He continues, “I’m really enjoying ministry in this place. We have rolled out some new programmes working towards bringing people together, such as our community café, which has led to us seeing so many new people coming through the doors.
“We have also set up a community gardening group aimed at getting people together regularly and getting active and helping us think about caring for creation. These are amazing opportunities to get to know local people, and to be able to help and signpost to support that may be needed. God is good and we are growing here as a church family.”
Services are held at the Beccles centre every Sunday at 10:30 am and on the last Sunday of each month there is a Praise Service at 2 pm.
Beccles Salvation Army is based at 68-72 Blyburgate, Beccles, NR34 9TQ
For more information, e-mail: [email protected]
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Tony Rothe, 15/05/2023
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