After years dedicated to a career, many retirees wonder, “Do I still have a purpose?” As these Salvationists have found, with God, the answer is always yes.
Former fire chief Alan Speed and his team give homes a makeover
Four years ago, Alan Speed was driving home from a Salvation Army event when we felt moved to pray, “God, if there's anything more I can do as a Christian, tell me.” Thoughts of neighbours who could not afford to hire painters, plumbers or repairmen filled his mind. A firefighter for 40 years and a fire chief in Toronto for 11, Alan wanted to do something meaningful in retirement. He knew that he could help people in his community, offering a free service to those who needed odd jobs done around their houses.
When Oshawa Temple, Ontario Central-East Division, asked him to lead a men's fellowship group, Alan saw this as a God-given opportunity. He told the men at their first meeting that he'd be glad to lead them in spiritual discussion, but that he thought they needed to do more than just talk. As a result, Men of Action and Purpose was formed.
The men meet three times a year for a Saturday breakfast with a guest speaker, but they also get out into the community. Alan's odd jobs idea has become a reality, with 40 men on call, ranging from bricklayers to computer technicians to plumbers, all ready to help out whenever someone in the community needs a hand. They are asked to paint houses, help people move, build basic furniture and fix plumbing. Sometimes the calls are from within their congregation, but they often receive requests through the corps' community and family services. The men always let whoever they're helping know they're from The Salvation Army, and they try to pray with the family whenever possible.
“It's about reaching out because we want to help people in God's name,” says Alan. “We are hopeful that this ministry will touch the hearts of these people.”
Julie Dimytruk's creations encourage hurting women
Julie Dimytruk has always loved crafts, but she never thought she'd become a jewelry maker. “I didn't know much about beads,” she says, “but now these simple things have become a ministry that reaches out to women in need.”
Julie has led a busy life since her retirement, including starting LIFT (Ladies In Fellowship Together), a women's Bible study group at North Toronto. She felt called by God to do more, though, and began to make necklaces and bracelets in earnest last February. She donates these “beads of faith” to shelters in Toronto, where they are given to women who need the love and care she puts into them.
“The ladies absolutely love the jewelry, and that makes me glad,” says Julie. “It's a source of encouragement for them.” One woman told her that when she is struggling and thinking of how different her life could have been, she holds on to the necklace and thinks of the “angel” who gave it to her.
Recently, Julie travelled to Newfoundland to sell her beaded artwork. Some of this money will be used to help build a clinic for pregnant women in Nigeria, while the rest will be sent to China and Pakistan.
Her beads of faith have been a gift for herself as well. “When you retire, you think, 'What now?' But I knew this was what God wanted me to do.”
Major Sidney Brace's poetry expresses his love for Christ
Major Sidney Brace had no idea he would be writing poetry when he retired. Ten years later, he's not only writing poems, he's printing and selling them.
While volunteering as a chaplain at a seniors' residence, Major Brace had difficulty finding suitable Scripture-based readings to share with the residents. On one occasion, he decided to write a poem himself. “The residents appreciated it, so I continued to write,” he says. “Eventually I compiled the poems into a book called Thoughts From a Grateful Heart.”
Through Green's Habour, N.L., and other corps, he sold enough copies of his first book to raise $1,000, which went toward the Partners in Mission Appeal. Since then, Major Brace has been writing steadily—he estimates he has written 250 poems—and has produced several other books. He has also re-interpreted The Salvation Army's 11 doctrines in poetry, which he considers his most difficult enterprise. His current project is From C to C, which describes the story of the Bible, starting with creation (Genesis) to consummation (Revelation). His poems draw on his experience as a Christian, ranging from paraphrases of well-known Scripture verses to meditations on life in The Salvation Army.
Major Brace finds that writing poetry is a meaningful experience for him, since the opportunity to share God's message in verse is an unexpected and valuable gift.
Excerpt from “All Things: Luke 12 vs 31”
Do not take thought or worry about another day.
The food we eat, the clothes we wear, will surely pass away.
And they will soon be left behind, while we proceed through life,
Let's seek the Kingdom of our Lord, where there will be no strife.
Roy and Jean Walwyn share their musical talents with the sick and elderly
Roy and Jean Walwyn have always been active musicians, singing in a gospel choir and playing in the Brandon Corps Band in Manitoba. Four years ago, Roy realized that they could build on these experiences and form their own singing group. Musical Expressions, which consists of the Walwyns, their son and two other singers, performs regularly at hospitals, seniors' residences and nursing homes. They also sing at their home corps and churches in neighbouring towns. Occasionally they participate in larger performances, such as a recent gospel jamboree. Musical Expressions is a multitasking group—with no accompanying band, the members each play instruments, such as mouth organ, keyboard, drum, accordion, violin and saxophone, all while singing three-part harmony.
For the Walwyns, the reason for creating the singing group is simple: “We just love gospel music,” says Roy. “It draws people and gives them a spiritual outlook.”
The group is firmly rooted in their Christian faith and they see their music as a way to share their beliefs while entertaining others. “When we perform at hospitals and nursing homes, the audience seems so appreciative,” says Roy. “Before we're finished, you can see their toes tapping and their hands clapping. Often, the audience joins in for well-known songs.”
In retirement, the Walwyns remain focused on the joy of witnessing through song. “We don't put any pressure on ourselves,” says Jean. “We just have a great time singing and praising the Lord.”
Retirement is no still life for Major Ted Percy
When Major Ted Percy retired from active officership seven years ago, he turned his attention to artistic pursuits. “I've always been interested in painting and writing,” he says. “After retiring, I finally had the freedom to focus on them.” He built an art studio in his Edmonton home and began working on oil paintings, watercolours, acrylics and drawings. His reputation as a painter has grown steadily, with sales in Canada and England. When he began advertising his art in a local shop, people requested lessons. Major Percy now teaches 20 students ranging in age from 14 to 76, some of whom have gone on to sell their own paintings. He views the lessons as an opportunity for ministry and often uses Scripture in his classes. “When my students are painting mountains,” he says, “I share Psalm 121:1: 'I lift up my eyes to the mountains.' Several of my students have also come to me for counselling.”
Major Percy has also become a writer since retiring. His memoir, My Adventures With Christ: Across Canada with The Salvation Army, was published in 2007. He and his son, Major Ken Percy, are recording an audio version of the book with Major Ted Percy narrating.
With these artistic endeavours, Major Ted Percy has been given new opportunities to share God with others. As he writes about himself and wife, Phyllis, in his memoir: “We don't look upon ourselves as 'retired,' we look upon it as a change of ministry focus.”
Building Up the Temple
Four years ago, Alan Speed was driving home from a Salvation Army event when we felt moved to pray, “God, if there's anything more I can do as a Christian, tell me.” Thoughts of neighbours who could not afford to hire painters, plumbers or repairmen filled his mind. A firefighter for 40 years and a fire chief in Toronto for 11, Alan wanted to do something meaningful in retirement. He knew that he could help people in his community, offering a free service to those who needed odd jobs done around their houses.
When Oshawa Temple, Ontario Central-East Division, asked him to lead a men's fellowship group, Alan saw this as a God-given opportunity. He told the men at their first meeting that he'd be glad to lead them in spiritual discussion, but that he thought they needed to do more than just talk. As a result, Men of Action and Purpose was formed.
The men meet three times a year for a Saturday breakfast with a guest speaker, but they also get out into the community. Alan's odd jobs idea has become a reality, with 40 men on call, ranging from bricklayers to computer technicians to plumbers, all ready to help out whenever someone in the community needs a hand. They are asked to paint houses, help people move, build basic furniture and fix plumbing. Sometimes the calls are from within their congregation, but they often receive requests through the corps' community and family services. The men always let whoever they're helping know they're from The Salvation Army, and they try to pray with the family whenever possible.
“It's about reaching out because we want to help people in God's name,” says Alan. “We are hopeful that this ministry will touch the hearts of these people.”
Beads of Faith
Julie Dimytruk has always loved crafts, but she never thought she'd become a jewelry maker. “I didn't know much about beads,” she says, “but now these simple things have become a ministry that reaches out to women in need.”
Julie has led a busy life since her retirement, including starting LIFT (Ladies In Fellowship Together), a women's Bible study group at North Toronto. She felt called by God to do more, though, and began to make necklaces and bracelets in earnest last February. She donates these “beads of faith” to shelters in Toronto, where they are given to women who need the love and care she puts into them.
“The ladies absolutely love the jewelry, and that makes me glad,” says Julie. “It's a source of encouragement for them.” One woman told her that when she is struggling and thinking of how different her life could have been, she holds on to the necklace and thinks of the “angel” who gave it to her.
Recently, Julie travelled to Newfoundland to sell her beaded artwork. Some of this money will be used to help build a clinic for pregnant women in Nigeria, while the rest will be sent to China and Pakistan.
Her beads of faith have been a gift for herself as well. “When you retire, you think, 'What now?' But I knew this was what God wanted me to do.”
Moments of Inspiration
Major Sidney Brace had no idea he would be writing poetry when he retired. Ten years later, he's not only writing poems, he's printing and selling them.
While volunteering as a chaplain at a seniors' residence, Major Brace had difficulty finding suitable Scripture-based readings to share with the residents. On one occasion, he decided to write a poem himself. “The residents appreciated it, so I continued to write,” he says. “Eventually I compiled the poems into a book called Thoughts From a Grateful Heart.”
Through Green's Habour, N.L., and other corps, he sold enough copies of his first book to raise $1,000, which went toward the Partners in Mission Appeal. Since then, Major Brace has been writing steadily—he estimates he has written 250 poems—and has produced several other books. He has also re-interpreted The Salvation Army's 11 doctrines in poetry, which he considers his most difficult enterprise. His current project is From C to C, which describes the story of the Bible, starting with creation (Genesis) to consummation (Revelation). His poems draw on his experience as a Christian, ranging from paraphrases of well-known Scripture verses to meditations on life in The Salvation Army.
Major Brace finds that writing poetry is a meaningful experience for him, since the opportunity to share God's message in verse is an unexpected and valuable gift.
Excerpt from “All Things: Luke 12 vs 31”
Do not take thought or worry about another day.
The food we eat, the clothes we wear, will surely pass away.
And they will soon be left behind, while we proceed through life,
Let's seek the Kingdom of our Lord, where there will be no strife.
Riding the Gospel Train
Roy and Jean Walwyn have always been active musicians, singing in a gospel choir and playing in the Brandon Corps Band in Manitoba. Four years ago, Roy realized that they could build on these experiences and form their own singing group. Musical Expressions, which consists of the Walwyns, their son and two other singers, performs regularly at hospitals, seniors' residences and nursing homes. They also sing at their home corps and churches in neighbouring towns. Occasionally they participate in larger performances, such as a recent gospel jamboree. Musical Expressions is a multitasking group—with no accompanying band, the members each play instruments, such as mouth organ, keyboard, drum, accordion, violin and saxophone, all while singing three-part harmony.
For the Walwyns, the reason for creating the singing group is simple: “We just love gospel music,” says Roy. “It draws people and gives them a spiritual outlook.”
The group is firmly rooted in their Christian faith and they see their music as a way to share their beliefs while entertaining others. “When we perform at hospitals and nursing homes, the audience seems so appreciative,” says Roy. “Before we're finished, you can see their toes tapping and their hands clapping. Often, the audience joins in for well-known songs.”
In retirement, the Walwyns remain focused on the joy of witnessing through song. “We don't put any pressure on ourselves,” says Jean. “We just have a great time singing and praising the Lord.”
Painting a Message of Hope
When Major Ted Percy retired from active officership seven years ago, he turned his attention to artistic pursuits. “I've always been interested in painting and writing,” he says. “After retiring, I finally had the freedom to focus on them.” He built an art studio in his Edmonton home and began working on oil paintings, watercolours, acrylics and drawings. His reputation as a painter has grown steadily, with sales in Canada and England. When he began advertising his art in a local shop, people requested lessons. Major Percy now teaches 20 students ranging in age from 14 to 76, some of whom have gone on to sell their own paintings. He views the lessons as an opportunity for ministry and often uses Scripture in his classes. “When my students are painting mountains,” he says, “I share Psalm 121:1: 'I lift up my eyes to the mountains.' Several of my students have also come to me for counselling.”
Major Percy has also become a writer since retiring. His memoir, My Adventures With Christ: Across Canada with The Salvation Army, was published in 2007. He and his son, Major Ken Percy, are recording an audio version of the book with Major Ted Percy narrating.
With these artistic endeavours, Major Ted Percy has been given new opportunities to share God with others. As he writes about himself and wife, Phyllis, in his memoir: “We don't look upon ourselves as 'retired,' we look upon it as a change of ministry focus.”
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