Live updates from Sunday at Together 26

Updates from Birmingham on the final day of Together 26.

4.45pm

What a joyful end to Together 26 as we look forward to what God's got in store for us as individuals and a Salvation Army!

Hosts Territorial Candidates Directors Majors Catherine and Jonny Smith welcomed everyone to worship by saying:

‘This is us. We are part of the story. This afternoon we want to thank God for who we are: a Movement created by God! A Movement that loves God and loves others! A Movement that is made up here in the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory of people from all different backgrounds, places, ages and cultural groups.

‘This is us: a God-centred Movement, celebrating who we are and trusting in him for who we will become.

‘This is us! We are part of the story!’

The new officers were warmly welcomed to the afternoon session with cheers, shouts and banners. If you would like to leave a message of encouragement to the new officer, you can do so through the form below.

The form will not show if you have not accepted functional cookies: review cookie preferences. If you'd like to share a prayer another way, you can email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk.

After singing their sessional song, 'Covenant God', some of the Keepers of the Covenant introduced some of the first-year cadets, who shared what they are excited about as they go into their second year of training. The first-year cadets then went on to introduce some of the candidates accepted for officership training in the session that will start this September.

Ben Broad (Cambridge Citadel) said: ‘I’ve wrestled with God about this a lot, but now I know this is where he wants me,’ while Evangeline Kingsley-Grace (Parkhead) thanked her corps for their support and encouragement: ‘They’ve been so supportive, through prayers and opportunities to lead meetings.’

Major Jonny encouraged everyone to reflect on the puzzle piece given to them at the start of the afternoon, and listen to God for the part they are called to play and to discern whether that includes spiritual leadership in The Salvation Army. Alongside officership and territorial envoyship, opportunities include employed spiritual leadership, local officership and pioneering. Many also live out their calling and vocation through working or volunteering with The Salvation Army and in other careers.

If you are interested in exploring your calling and vocation with The Salvation Army, you can:

• Register for Design for Life, a weekend retreat to help people explore God's purpose for their lives. There are five courses planned in the coming year, including one in Scotland and in the North East Division. To keep up to date with the latest news on dates and locations, visit salvationist.org.uk/dfl.
• Learn more and read stories about the different pathways to serve in The Salvation Army at salvationist.org.uk/calling.
• Speak to someone, such as your corps leader, divisional team or contact the Candidates Unit at vocation@salvationarmy.org.uk.

During the meeting, Majors Catherine and Jonny also encouraged the territory to join the 9.38 initiative to pray for leaders.

Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Julie Forrest shared a Bible message based on Luke 5:17–26, the story of the paralysed man, illustrated live by Elliott Chappell (William Booth College).

Colonel Julie began by asking us to remember that Luke 5:16 tells us that Jesus intentionally took time to pray, highlighting that the first step in playing our part, before doing, is being a disciple of Jesus.

Colonel Julie reflected on how the paralysed man was overlooked by the busy crowd and that, if we want to play our part, we have to open our doors and our hearts and love people as Jesus did: ‘I will play my part in loving people,’ she said. ‘I wonder if you will too.’

In conclusion, Colonel Julie said: ‘When we play our part for God, there are endless possibilities of how we can love him, serve him and grow as disciples, even if you feel you are not enough or not valuable to God, because you are and he loves you without end. I will play my part. Will you?’

The weekend came to an end with a lively arrangement of Rend Collective’s ‘My Lighthouse’, presented by the ISB and complete with a Mexican wave started by the ISS.

In the benediction, everyone joined together saying: ‘This is us! Together we go!’

Thanks for joining us on salvationist.org.uk this weekend!

Discover more Together 26 content:

• You can watch today's meetings at youtube.com/salvationarmyvideo.
• Listen to This Is Us, a new five-part series from the Sunday Worship podcast. The latest episode features Lieutenants Megan and Simon Moore, who were ordained and commissioned as officers at Together 26 today.
• Keep an eye on salvationist.org.uk, follow @SalvationistUKI on Facebook and Instagram or pick up next week's Salvationist magazine for our full Together 26 photos and reports.

Goodbye and God bless!

3pm

There’s been a buzz around the ICC over lunchtime, with spaces across the venue providing opportunities for people to catch up with friends and connect with new people.

Alongside social spaces, two other places that have been appreciated this weekend include the family area, with toys, intergenerational games and a livestream link into the main auditorium, and the quiet space, a room for people of all ages who need a calmer environment due to neurodivergence or other needs.

It takes an army(!) to make a weekend like this possible, and we want to give a shout-out to the amazing Here to Help and welcome teams who have been offering a warm welcome to everyone who has come through the doors of the ICC.

Another group who deserve a special mention are the intercessors who have been praying over every activity, while also being on hand to offer prayer and support to people at the event. This invitation is not just for people here in Birmingham, but anyone taking part in Together at Home: share a prayer request through the form below and the prayer team will pray for you.

The form will not show if you have not accepted functional cookies: review cookie preferences. If you'd like to share a prayer another way, you can email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk.

The final session of the weekend is about to begin, you can:

• Keep an eye on these live updates – come back later and refresh this page
• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
• Watch the session via the livestream at youtube.com/salvationarmyvideo – BSL version available

1pm

The Keepers of the Covenant are now Salvation Army officers!

In a powerful meeting of prayer, testimony and dedication, Territorial Leaders Commissioner Jenine and Paul Main conducted the ordination and commissioning of the six cadets. Two of them were commissioned as majors in recognition of their years of service as territorial envoys.

Two other cadets shared their testimonies. Cadet Josh Clark quoted Romans 8:28, speaking about his journey through illness and hardships. He praised God’s faithfulness through good times and bad. ‘If there’s anything holding you back from saying yes to God,’ he challenged, ‘don’t be discouraged: be encouraged.’

Cadet Megan Moore thanked God for being beside her at all times, as she has grown to realise that her journey is not her own, but God’s journey.

• Read Josh and Megan's testimonies in this week’s Salvationist magazine and online.

This year’s dedication song ‘Take Me Deeper’ was written by Pioner Leader David Cotterill (London Division). The cadets sang ‘Jesus, take me deeper than I’ve been before’, supported by members of the ISS.

• Read more about this morning’s dedication song in this week’s Salvationist magazine and online.

As we approached the moment of ordination and commissioning, the Keepers of the Covenant recited the doctrines accompanied by a gentle setting of ‘King of Kings’.

‘For Salvationists, what we believe and how we live have always gone together,’ explained Marcus Luckett (William Booth College). ‘Our doctrines help us understand who God is and who we are. They are distinctive to The Salvation Army, but part of the wider Christian story.’

Commissioner Paul said: ‘Because This Is Us and we recognise the priesthood of all believers, six members of the Salvation Army family from around the territory will stand with us as we ordain and commission these officers.’

Before Commissioner Jenine and Paul ordained and commissioned each cadet, the six people read the charge followed by Scripture chosen for the individual.

In a Bible message based on the story of Ananias in Acts 9:10–19, Territorial Leader Commissioner Jenine Main reminded us that we are all keepers of a covenant with God.

She said: ‘A phrase I want you to hold on to is that covenant-keepers say yes to God. It’s not just a once-and-for-all yes, we will probably need to say it over and over again – it will require an ongoing surrender of our lives, as he trusts us with that covenant and we trust him with our lives.’

As Commissioner Jenine concluded her message, she highlighted that Ananias’ obedience to God turned his story into part of our story. She asked what God is calling us to today, and encouraged us to hold with care what God has trusted us with: ‘Covenant-keepers might not always know what their faithful ‘yes’ will unlock. They trust that when God asks us to unlock a door, he is already at work on the other side.’

In response, the congregation sang ‘When from Sin’s Dark Hold Thy Love Had Won Me’ (SASB 634) and people in the room and online were invited to renew their own covenants with God. The chorus reads:

By the love that never ceased to hold me,
By the blood which thou didst shed for me,
While thy presence and thy power enfold me,
I renew my covenant with thee.

If you missed this morning’s session, the recording is available at youtube.com/salvationarmyvideo and don’t forget to tune in at 3pm for the last session of the weekend – pre-meeting music starts at 2.40pm.

In the meantime, follow @salvationistuki on Facebook and Instagram to join the conversation on social media.

10.15am

Good morning! Welcome back to the ICC in Birmingham, where people are filling the auditorium ready for the ordination and commissioning of the Keepers of the Covenant. 

The International Staff Band and Songsters and the Together 26 worship band have started pre-meeting music. 

Get involved at home:

• Join the livestream at youtube.com/salvationarmyvideo - BSL version also available. 
• Download the Commissioning brochure and Kids Alive! activity pack from salvationist.org.uk/together-home. 

Speaking of kids, we’ve had some photos come through from the Together 26 official photographer Paul Harmer of yesterday’s children’s venue. 

The Children and Youth Department hosted an afternoon for 5 to 11-year-olds to delve into God’s Big Story. There was a live worship group, games, prayer, challenges and lots of fun! 

Back to this morning, you can send a message of encouragement to the Keepers of the Covenant using the form below:

The form will not show if you have not accepted functional cookies: review cookie preferences. If you'd like to share a prayer another way, you can email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk.

Stay tuned for more updates or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You can also read articles from this week's Salvationist magazine online.