Saint City Salvationists: September 2007

Tragic News - IHQ Press Release

The following is a news release from International Headquarters this morning.COLONEL Bo Brekke, Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army’s Pakistan Territory, was shot and killed yesterday, Thursday 27 September. The incident occurred in the territorial headquarters compound in Lahore, Pakistan, shortly after the colonel had presided over the retirement and farewell meeting to the Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries.

Information to date points to an individual act of criminality. There is nothing to suggest that this is related in any way to terrorism. It is reported that a man has been arrested on possibly related charges.The incident occurred at about 6.30 pm local time while Colonel Brekke was working alone in his office. The colonel’s wife, Colonel Birgitte Brekke, was in London at the time, attending meetings at International Headquarters.

A Norwegian by birth, Bo Brekke, who was 50, was a cadet in the Proclaimers of Salvation Session, being commissioned as an officer in May 1980 and appointed as corps officer to Brevik, in Norway. The following year he transferred to corps leadership in the Denmark Territory, the home territory of Birgitte. After two years in Denmark, Bo and Birgitte returned to Norway and served in corps appointments until their transfer to the Sri Lanka Territory at the beginning of 1987.

In Sri Lanka, a short period as Manager of Hope House Home for Employed Disabled Men preceded an appointment as Acting Property Secretary in July 1987, and then as Property and Special Efforts Secretary from November 1988. As Community Services Secretary from 1991, the then Captain Brekke also undertook management of Hope House once again.Bo and Birgitte returned to Norway from 1993 to 1995, giving leadership to Fredrikstad Corps during that time.Having developed a deep love for South Asia and its people, it was a personal joy for Bo and Birgitte Brekke when, in August 1995, they were appointed as regional leaders to Bangladesh. Under their leadership the work of the Army flourished and in 1997 the Bangladesh Region was granted command status, and Major Bo Brekke was appointed as Officer Commanding, with Birgitte serving alongside him as Command President of Women’s Ministries and Command Youth Officer.

The late summer of 2002 saw a further change of culture and working environment as Bo and Birgitte were appointed as divisional leaders of the North Scotland Division in the United Kingdom Territory, followed by service respectively as Chief Secretary and Secretary for Mission Development in the Eastern Europe Territory. It was from there that, almost exactly one year ago (15 September 2006) Colonel Bo Brekke was appointed as Territorial Commander of the Pakistan Territory, and Colonel Birgitte Brekke as Territorial President of Women’s Ministries.

At the time of her husband’s promotion to Glory Colonel Birgitte Brekke was attending meetings at International Headquarters in London. Arrangements were made immediately for her to fly to Norway to be with her two sons, Benjamin and Bo Christoffer, and other family members. She was accompanied by her sister, Major Hannelise Tvedt, who had come to London to see Birgitte while she was visiting IHQ.Contact details for Colonel Brekke and the family, as well as funeral arrangements, will be made known in due course.

The funeral will be conducted in Oslo, Norway, by the General, accompanied by Commissioner Helen Clifton, World President of Women’s Ministries.General Clifton said: ‘Colonel Bo Brekke was a Salvation Army leader of unusual and distinctive talents. Both he and his wife, Colonel Birgitte Brekke, were known for their hearts of compassion towards the marginalised. Their service together in many lands has been marked by creativity and imagination in order to reach out to the poor, giving them dignity, and also to share their personal faith as Salvationists in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour.

St. Albert Thrift Store

Did you know that we have a thrift store in St. Albert?

The store is located in the south end of town in Tudor Glen Plaza. If you are looking for a great deal on clothing, household items, furniture then you better get in and visit the store. There are always new things everyday bargains galore.

The revenue generated from this store is put back into the community for various program and client assistance. Help us help others to giving hope today, support our local store, you will not regret it!

Youth Councils

This weekend some of our kids will be at Pine Lake Camp participating in this years Youth Councils. Please be sure to ad them all to your prayer list for travelling mercies and that God's Holy Spirit will move in their lives transforming them into the people that God intends them to be.

Small Groups

Our small group ministry is now starting up. If you haven't signed up yet don't worry there is still time to choose from one of the studies listed below:

Tuesday's

The Alpha Course 6:30-9:00pm (includes dinner)
Bible Scrapbooking 7:30-9:00pm
Study on Prayer 7:30-9:00pm
New Testament Characters 7:30-9:00pm

All four studies take place at the Church. If you are interested please contact the Church office as soon as possible.

WOW - What a Weekend

Many thanks to everyone that came to attend and help out over the weekend. It was truly amazing and God's Holy Spirit touched many people in new and miracuous ways - thank you Jesus!

By the way, if you haven't seen the movie - "Facing the Giants", go and see it, it is awesome and life changing, you won't regret it!

Facing the Giants Movie - Saturday Night Sept 22 @ 6:30pm

From the award-winning producers of FLYWHEEL comes a new, action-packed, family-friendly drama about a high school football coach who draws up a new game plan for his team … and himself.

In his six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never had a winning season. Even the hope of a new season is squelched when the best player on his Shiloh Eagles decides to transfer schools. After losing their first three games of the season, the coach discovers a group of fathers are plotting to have him fired. Combined with pressures at home, Coach Taylor has lost hope in his battle against fear and failure.

However, an unexpected challenge helps him find a purpose bigger than just victories. Daring to trust God to do the impossible, Coach Taylor and the Eagles discover how faith plays out on the field … and off.

With God, all things are possible …

Be assured that this movie will speak to you and move you in amazing ways.

Funeral Service

With the very sudden passing of Stephen Barr, St Albert mourns with the Barr family in the loss of their loved one.

Please join with us at 1:00pm at The Salvation Army Church for the funeral service conducted by Major Brian Venables and Captain Les Marshall. Be sure to come early as we are expecting 500-600 people for the service.

Rally Day

Saturday Sept 22
Dinner this Saturday at 5pm

Movie at 6:30pm

Sunday Sept 23
Worship service at 11:am

Pot Luck luncheon & Farewell 12:30pm

Things to remember

Sunday Sept 16, 2007
The worship service will be led by Mr & Mrs Stefan Van Schaick and Mr Jason Waters will bring forth the message. Captains Les & Tiffany Marshall will be in Winnipeg supporting our Cadets Jon & Tracy Savage as they are officially "marched in" to the college in Winnipeg.

Rally Day Weekend Sept 22-23, 2007
This weekend is coming very quickly. Be sure to come and enjoy yourself with the rest of the Church family as we celebrate our annual "Fall kick off' Party" otherwise known as Rally Day.

Saturday at 5:00pm we will gather for dinner immediately followed by a Movie night at the Church where we will watch the highly motivational movie entitled "Facing the Giants".

Sunday worship will take place at 11:00am to be followed immediately by a pot luck luncheon and farewell for Andy, Janet & Corey Kwak, Sonny, Karen, Morgan & Brayden Geddes.