The Salvation Army’s Cedar Hill Corps in Warwick, Bermuda, celebrated its 70th anniversary with a full weekend of festivities in February, ending with a Sunday service that welcomed nearly 100 attendees.

The celebrations kicked off on Friday evening with a family fun night, where attendees enjoyed dinner, followed by card and group games and fellowship.

On Saturday, an evening program and concert highlighted the history of the corps, with performances by both the band and worship team. The concert was called “A Walk Down Memory Lane,” and it invited people who had attended Cedar Hill as children to share stories of their experiences growing up in the corps. Longtime members Clarence Dill and Ivor Minors shared their memories, and other congregants joined in as well.

“It was very interactive,” says Lieutenant Amy Patrick, corps officer. “Everyone thoroughly enjoyed being able to reflect on years gone by.”

The weekend ended with a Sunday morning worship service followed by a potluck meal. The theme for the service was “hope,” inspired by the many reflections of the past as well as hope for the future. Salvationists Brenda Smith and James Bean were recognized for their decades of service to the corps. Having been members since the 1950s and ’60s, both have held prominent leadership roles in the corps over the years, with Bean serving as bandmaster and deputy bandmaster for more than 33 years, and Smith actively involved in children’s and women’s ministries and community outreach.

According to Lieutenant Patrick, Cedar Hill has long been known by the community as “the light on the hill,” and since its early days, has been renowned for its music, marches and thriving Guides, Scouts and Brownies brigades. As the church has evolved, its presence has remained strong. The Guides programs, Sunday worship, home league and community care ministries are all still active. The corps also has a growing relationship with the local nursing home, where volunteers minister to residents on the last Sunday of each month.

“They always expect us,” says Lieutenant Patrick.

“There’s such a passion and desire to make sure that the love of Jesus is still shared with our community,” she continues. “We’re looking at how we can be innovative and creative while continuing to share the gospel message in this day and age. There’s a lot of energy in the corps and a lot of hope.”

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