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by Sue Schumann Warner –
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Easter blessings
Jennifer Byrd, San Francisco, reports an Army brass band played familiar and comforting songs to the hundreds who attended the 80th Sunrise Service at the foot of the Mt. Davidson cross. Band members braving the chilly morning were Michael, Christine and Claire Dunmore, Captain Mark Fagerstrom, Captain Bob Lloyd, and Harbor Light board members Jim Eyres and Lilly Chin.
Turk Street had its own wonderful sunrise service, followed by breakfast and an Easter celebration. They even had enough food to give to the needy in the neighborhood. Harbor Light offered food before prayer with a continental breakfast, followed by an Easter egg hunt and a worship service. The Asian American Yerba Buena Corps held two worship services, one in English and one in Chinese. The corps ended its day with a fabulous carnival, complete with food, games and prizes.
The San Diego ARC chapel was beautifully adorned with masses of lilies for Easter Sunday worship, thanks to the generosity of some 25 center residents. For beneficiaries who choose to participate, it’s a long-standing Easter tradition to purchase a lily in remembrance of a loved one. After the Sunday service, those flowers which were not designated to be given to someone were shared with the residents of the nearby Salvation Army Silvercrest senior residence, to brighten their day.
The Easter Lily Project monies go to The Salvation Army’s Overseas Children’s Sponsorship fund. The San Diego ARC sponsors 10 children through this program. The lovely plants were donated by Encinitas Florist Co., which made it possible to use all the proceeds for the children’s fund.
“It was a beautiful day in this San Diego neighborhood—flowers, caring and sharing were all in great abundance,” said Major Janice Williams, who arranged the project.
Farmington hip hops
The Farmington Corps, New Mexico, recently hosted a “sell out” hip hop concert for teens at its corps facility, demonstrating the city’s need for quality entertainment for youth. Jonathan and Vickie Harvey, in-charge, report more than 200 teens from Farmington and communities more than 100 miles away gathered for the event.
In concert were Christian rap artists under the tour name “Hawthorns Most Wanted.” The group, which included rap artists Red Cloud, Pigeon John and Malachi Perez, are currently traveling the United States as part of a nationwide tour. A trip to Farmington was added after local radio DJ Josh Covert invited the team to make a special appearance at The Salvation Army.
The Farmington Corps vision action team and advisory board are working on a project to develop a nightclub in Farmington to meet the growing need for youth programming.
Welcome home
Salvation Army officer Captain Martin Cooper and base commander Colonel Tim Wrighton greeted Air Force personnel returning from the Middle East. Earlier in the year, The Salvation Army provided assistance to troops deployed from March Air Reserve Base.
