Under the theme “We’re Stronger Together,” the Canada and Bermuda Territory’s senior leadership travelled the territory this summer, visiting ministry units, large and small, in the British Columbia, Prairies and Northern Territories, and Atlantic divisions. The Territorial Ministry Tour culminated in The Salvation Army’s participation in the Calgary Stampede, which included marching in the Stampede Parade, a tradition that spans more than 100 years.

“During June and July, the executive leadership travelled across the territory from Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia and many points in between,” notes Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander. “We knocked on the doors of our corps and our social services to thank them for what they’re doing every day.”

Over on the West Coast, General Linda Bond (Rtd), Lt-Colonel Les Marshall, territorial secretary for mission, and Major Lorraine Hart, executive assistant to the chief secretary and territorial commander, carried the Army flag across the British Columbia Division, beginning on Vancouver Island where they stopped in Victoria, Nanaimo, Port Alberni and Comox. While bearing witness to the strength of the Army’s existing corps and social ministries, the leaders also caught a glimpse of the Army’s future with renovations and a new building in the works for Nanaimo and Comox.

On the mainland, the leaders visited several ministry units in Vancouver before heading into the Interior with stops in Kelowna and Vernon. It was a special blessing to be present for the return of new Lieutenants Jen and Neil Thompson, corps officers at Vernon Community Church, who were back at the corps following their ordination and commissioning in Toronto. The British Columbia portion of the tour concluded at the Army’s Camp Sunrise in Gibsons.

Commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves, territorial leaders, and Lt-Colonels John and Brenda Murray, territorial secretary for communications and director of international development, travelled the Prairies and Northern Territories Division. Following two Manitoba stops in Winnipeg and Brandon, the leaders visited several ministry units in Saskatchewan, including Regina Haven of Hope where they took part in the Lunch With Sally outreach program. The Graves and Murrays continued on to Alberta, where highlights included celebrating the second anniversary of the Lethbridge thrift store and blessing the staff at Pine Lake Camp who were preparing to welcome young people to the camp.

In the Maritime region of the Atlantic Division, Colonels John and Lani Chamness, chief secretary and territorial secretary for spiritual life development, and Lt-Colonel Roxanne Jennings, secretary for personnel, visited all three provinces. Among many highlights, the leaders were pleased to take part in a Canada Day breakfast in Prince Edward Island and a Sydney-Glace Bay regional barbecue celebrating 136 years of Salvation Army ministry in Cape Breton, N.S. The Maritime tour concluded with a well-attended regional celebration service in Truro, N.S.

General Brian Peddle (Rtd) and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, along with Commissioners Wayne and Deborah Bungay, area commanders, received a warm welcome in Newfoundland and Labrador in the Atlantic Division, where their ministry spanned the island from Springdale to Conception Bay South. The leaders had many opportunities for fellowship with local Salvationists and friends, with community barbecues and luncheons in several communities. The General brought the Word to capacity crowds as congregations gathered for worship at various corps, including at Conception Bay South Corps where many more watched the service online.

“Yahoo!”: Calgary Stampede Ministry

The Territorial Ministry Tour culminated in a weekend of festivities in Calgary as the city celebrated its world-famous Stampede. On hand for the worship and festivities were Commissioners Graves, Colonels Chamness, senior Cabinet leaders, and an ensemble from the Canadian Staff Songsters (CSS).

“The Stampede has always been very important to The Salvation Army,” says Commissioner Lee Graves. “It’s a beautiful sense of community—to see the Army’s engagement around pancake breakfast, the parade and other Stampede events. We have been here for over a century, witnessing and serving.”

The weekend kicked off Thursday with a bang as territorial and divisional leaders, the CSS and the Glenmore Temple Band visited the Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre to support a traditional Stampede pancake breakfast for the community. Hundreds came out to enjoy the food, music, games, horse rides and other activities. The CSS then travelled to Banff, Alta., where they soaked in the great outdoors and sang in witness to their faith.

On Friday, the Salvation Army contingent met at the Centre of Hope downtown for breakfast before participating in the Calgary Stampede Parade, the official kickoff of “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” The Glenmore Temple Band, musicians from across the division, the CSS and senior leaders marched and played to the 350,000 people who lined Calgary’s downtown streets.

Outreach continued Saturday morning as the musical groups performed a rousing concert at the Stampede fairgrounds. That evening, Salvationists gathered at Glenmore Temple for a community barbecue and Stampede concert featuring the Glenmore Temple Band under the leadership of Bandmaster Jeff Haskey, the Glenmore Temple Songsters under Songster Leader Susan Kroeker and the CSS under Songster Leader Cathie Koehnen. The evening also included a country hymn singalong with worship leader Laura Rowsell and the Banjo Band, a euphonium duet, a massed chorus and a devotional by Colonel John Chamness.

During the concert, Major Denise Walker, corps officer, Glenmore Temple, presented incoming Prairies and Northern Territories divisional leaders Lt-Colonels Don and Donna Bladen, as well as Koehnen, with honorary Stampede cowboy hats. The crowd gave a rousing “Yahoo!” in response. Major Walker also received her 30-years’ service pin.

The weekend was capped off with Sunday morning worship at Glenmore Temple where Commissioner Lee Graves shared a message on Ephesians 4, entitled Fitly Joined Together, on how the body of Christ works in harmony. Also celebrated were retiring band members Dudley Dickens and Ron Waller, who have given 77 and 49 years respectively in various Salvation Army bands in Canada and the United Kingdom.

“The Stampede is part of the identity of Calgary,” concludes Major Walker. “It celebrates the Western culture of creativity, hard work and ingenuity. Of course, The Salvation Army has that same spirit, so it’s natural that we would be a part of it.”

On the final Sunday morning, Colonels Chamness and Lt-Colonel Jennings travelled to Foothills Community Church in High River, Alta., to conduct their worship service.