2016 - 125th Anniversary (1891 - 2016)
2016 was the 125th anniversary of The Salvation Army in Deal. We had a number of special events throughout the year to mark this occasion.
We hope you enjoy browsing through some of our memories.
Children's Carol Service - Sunday 18th December
Our children's carol service was led by our Sunday School. They performed a timbrel (tamborine) display to a video recording of our Band playing 'Sweet Chiming Christmas Bells'. They also performed a play, involving recordings of them on video and live performances, ending with them singing 'Away in a Manager'.
Christmas Tree Festival - Fri 2nd to Sun 4th Dec
Each year we join our friends at Trinity Church by having a tree at their Christmas Tree Festival. This year they had 50 different trees displayed, which is not only a wonderful sight to see, but also raises money for charity. Below is a photo of our tree.
40th Wedding Anniversary - Sunday 23rd October
Peter and Eileen West celebrated their 40th wedding and kindly invited everyone at our church to join them in a celebration meal together.
Anniversary Weekend
Recognition for Bandsmen - Sunday 17th July
Brian Bamford was formally commissioned as a member of Deal Salvation Army Band. Les Barnes received a long service medal and certificate, having served as a member of Deal Salvation Army Band for many years.
Anniversary Weekend
Time for some food - Sunday 17th July
Following our Open Air meeting we joined together for a lunch, including our 125th Anniversary cakes.
Anniversary Weekend
Church Picnic - Saturday 16th July
We joined together on Walmer Green for a church picnic. We were very pleased to be joined by some of our former commanding officers - Majors David and Brenda Sterling and Major Pam Knuckey and her husband Bram. Below are some photos of the picnic.
Songs of Praise - Sunday 26th June
We joined together with other churches in the town for an open air Songs of Praise meeting at the Deal Memorial Bandstand on Walmer Green. Members of our band joined with the band of Canterbury Salvation Army Band to provide the music. In addition to the singing there were also personal testimonies from members of churches, including our commanding officer - Kook Hwan.
Flag Day - Saturday 18th June
Our band joined our collectors in Deal High Street. Once again the public of Deal were very generous in their donations. Our band played a range of traditional and modern music and it was a moving moment when everyone stopped to listen to the playing of "How great thou art".
Visit of our Divisional Commanders
Sunday 1st May
We welcomed Lieut-Colonels Ray and Angela Irving and were blessed by their fellowship and message to us.
We also offered them our prayers and good wishes for their forthcoming retirement.
Visit of the Blue Shield Fellowship
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April
The Spirit was really moving at Deal during a visit by the Blue Shield Fellowship of serving and former emergency services personnel. A lively festival opened the weekend’s activities with uplifting music, song and sketches; settling into a quiet period of prayer and contemplation before leading to a rousing finish.
Sunday saw members of the Blue Shield witnessing in the form of testimonies and song which, through no design other than the Lord’s will, served to complement the morning’s message powerfully given by Bob Cameron.
Later Major Rainer Nadler of the Blue Shield challenged all present to keep taking Jesus to the streets, to show everyone the power of His love through words and actions. His moving testimony prompted several people to pray earnestly at the mercy seat.
Funeral of Joan Abel - Wednesday 6th April
Our hall was full of people to mark the 'Promotion to Glory' of our dear sister Joan Abel. Joan was a very kind and talented lady with a wonderful sense of humour. Joan had continued to bless us as our pianist well into her 90's. The photos below show Joan and her late husband Bob at their wedding, playing the piano and helping to blow out the candles on our 124th Anniversary cake in 2015.
Although we will miss Joan a great deal, we also rejoice in the knowledge that she is will her late husband, Bob her late son, Robert and of course, her loving God.
Easter Sunday Meeting - Sunday 27th March
We met together at 9am for our yearly Easter Sunday cooked breakfast. This was followed by our Easter Sunday service. Following this we condcuted an open air meeting at Deal Pier. The day was very windy and one of our commanding officers, Hean-Suk and a member of our church, Paul made valient efforts to keep our flag flying.
Good Friday Meeting - Friday 25th March
Our Goood Friday service is always a very special meeting where we remember very deeply the loving sacrifice that Jesus made for each one of us. This year we were invited to nail prayers to a cross.
Prayer Week
Monday 21st to Saturday 26th March
We held our second prayer week of the year to mark Holy Week. Our hall was arranged into prayer stations enabling people to focus their prayers on the sacrifice that Jesus made for each one of us.
Mothering Sunday - 6th March
Our Sunday School led our Mother's Day Meeting. This picture shows all the mothers present in our meeting holding flowers presented by the children.
Women's World Day of Prayer - Friday 4th March
Our church hosted an interdemoninational service to mark Women's World Day of Prayer.
Fellowship Meal
On Sunday 31st January we joined together for a fellowship meal together after our Sunday morning meeting. We enjoyed a traditional 'Sunday Roast' followed by Trifle and Apple Crumble.
Committment Sunday - 10th January
Prayer Week
Between Monday 4th and Sunday 10th January we held a Prayer Week where our hall was open between 7am & 9am, 2pm & 4pm and 7pm & 9pm each day for prayer. There was opportunity for private and personal prayer as well as an invitation to write a prayer so others could also pray. We produced a newsletter containing all the written prayers.
We are planning to hold another Prayer Week during Holy Week (Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday).
Sunday School outing - Saturday 2nd January