Last fall, I visited Glace Bay, N.S., where The Salvation Army serves a homestyle meal for lunch every week, and met Robert. Stepping into any new situation for the first time can be difficult, but Robert embraced the challenge. He arrived one Thursday and found a warm welcome to a new community—a place of acceptance, a place where he was comfortable, a place of friendship. He returned week after week. The lunch was good; the community was great.

After attending for some time, Robert enrolled as an adherent of Glace Bay Corps. What started as a community where physical food was served has become, for Robert, a community where spiritual food is served.

How would you define community? What about your community?

Although every community under the shield is different, each one is a gathering place where individuals can find relationships with others.

In the Canada and Bermuda Territory, “community” is found wherever there is a Salvation Army shield. The shield is symbolic; although every community under the shield is different, each one is a gathering place where individuals can find relationships with others.

Envoys Bob and Charmaine McLeod love the community of northeast Calgary, where they lead and serve under the Salvation Army shield of Berkshire Citadel Community Church. Recently, brass instruments were donated to the church and within a few weeks, a community of beginner musicians began learning to play music. Last summer, church members created a community garden on the property, growing fresh food to distribute within the larger community of the neighbourhood. Berkshire Citadel is finding ways to be a community.

During Advent, I read a devotional book in my quiet time called Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri J.M. Nouwen, a collection of his writings. Nouwen reflects on Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, describing community at its finest with these words:

“I am deeply moved by this simple and mysterious encounter … two women meet each other and affirm in each other the promise given to them. The humanly impossible has happened to them. God has come to them to begin the salvation promised through the ages. Through these two women God has decided to change the course of history. Who could ever understand? Who could ever believe it? Who could ever let it happen? … For three months Mary and Elizabeth live together and encourage each other to truly accept the motherhood given to them. Mary’s presence makes Elizabeth more fully aware of becoming the mother of the ‘prophet of the Most High’ (see Luke 1:76) and Elizabeth’s presence allows Mary to grow in the knowledge of becoming the mother of the ‘Son of the Most High’ (see Luke 1:32). … The story of the visitation teaches me the meaning of friendship and community. How can I ever let God’s grace fully work in my life unless I live in a community of people who can affirm it, deepen it and strengthen it?”

Henri Nouwen concluded his reflections, taken from his book The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey, with a challenge: “By offering gentle assistance to someone in our environment who is in need; of praise, of a good word, of day-brightening laughter,” community can be found.

Common interests are often the basis for creating community. Within The Salvation Army, there are many smaller communities formed around common interests that offer space for anyone: quilting, knitting, book clubs, vocal or instrumental groups, English conversational groups, and so on. To deepen faith and spiritual journeys, a number of Salvation Army communities host Bible studies, prayer times and Alpha programs.

With Advent behind us and Easter ahead of us, is there someone you can invite into a Salvation Army community, with the hope and possibility of spiritual transformation? What a great way to define community.

Colonel Margaret McLeod is the chief secretary of the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

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