THE Chief of the Staff (Commissioner Brian Peddle) and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle received a warm welcome in The Salvation Army's West Scotland Division (United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland) when they led 135th anniversary celebrations at Paisley Corps (church), just outside Glasgow. Music support was provided by Belfast Sydenham Band.
After an open-air meeting on Saturday morning, the band marched the commissioners, divisional leaders Majors Raelton and Lynn Gibbs, corps members and corps officer Major Cora Joy Tucker back to the hall through the town. Visitors and local people waved and shouted encouragement as the march passed by.
Councillor Anne Hall, Provost of Renfrewshire, hosted the commissioners, band and local Salvationists in historic Paisley Abbey. She spoke about occasions when The Salvation Army had been at the forefront in responding to disasters in Paisley and recognised the active role the corps plays in the community. The band members captured the interest of tourists with their singing of the 23rd Psalm on the chancel steps.
On Saturday evening, a capacity congregation recognised the reason for the Army's 135 years of service in Paisley in singing ‘To God be the Glory’. Among the pieces by the visiting band and its soloists were a set of three with a distinctly Latin-American flavour: ‘Él es el Señor’, ‘Alleluja Amen’ and the trombone solo ‘Fiesta’.
The Chief of the Staff encouraged everyone to mobilise in their service for God and not to hold anything back.
On Sunday morning, music was provided by the visiting band and by Paisley Songsters, Young People's Band and Singing Company. The Chief challenged the congregation to be ‘people of our time’, reminding them to be relevant and ready to meet the needs of today’s world.
After a corps fellowship lunch at which the commissioners had opportunity to meet and talk with Salvationists and friends, Paisley Fellowship Band joined with Paisley Songsters and Belfast Sydenham Band for a time of praise and thanksgiving. Commissioner Rosalie Peddle took up the musical theme by offering instructions on how to ‘sing a new song’ in the midst of all that happens in people's lives.
The day came to a spectacular close with massed bands playing ‘Under Two Flags’ while corps flags were marched into the hall.
The 135th anniversary celebrations concluded the next day when, appropriately, 135 women from local church guilds and Salvation Army home league groups met for a rally. Using the story of Hagar, guest speaker Commissioner Rosalie Peddle encouraged everyone to rise above their fears with God’s ever-present help and support.
From a report by Major Cora Joy C. Tucker
