Salvation Army Acklam Community Church

That’s our Parent & Toddler group finished for the summer break. A huge thank you to all of you who came to our Summer Parties this week - we’ve had so much fun! And a special thank you to our wonderful team of volunteers who faithfully set up, tidy up, make drinks and serve food, every week - you’re all fab! From all of us at Acklam Salvation Army Community Church, we hope you have a great summer and we look forward to seeing you when we’re back in September. If you think you’ll miss us while we’re off, why not pop along on Mondays during August (9:30-10:15am) for our new ‘Sing & Make Music’ sessions; a musical group for young families. We’d love to see you there!

It’s been said many times that “there’s nothing like an army cup of tea”...there was even a song written about it 50 years ago! The saying dates back to World War I, when The Salvation Army’s tea vans provided refreshments to those who were serving in the military. Today, members of our church, such as Kath and Chris (pictured), are regularly serving cups of tea and providing a listening ear at all our midweek programmes and church services. Here’s a snapshot from last night’s Strawberry Tea event. Sad you missed out? Don’t worry, you’re welcome anytime and the kettle’s always on!

Every now and then we need to find a place of sanctuary. For some, sanctuary can be found in a good cup of coffee, in a long walk, a meal out, or maybe some time in the shed. Some have to find sanctuary in other countries, due to conflict and terror in their own. Today, on Refugee Sunday, our church thought about and prayed for those who have to flee the familiarity of home. Here is a photo of our JAFFA Kids (Sunday School) with their shelter, built to help them think about what it might be like to be a homeless refugee seeking sanctuary. Interested in seeing what The Salvation Army is doing for Refugees in the United Kingdom? If so, we invite you to watch the following video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NxKmY82rL7U

“We have more in common than that which divides us.” - Jo Cox MP. We’ve had loads of fun celebrating togetherness in our Picnic in the Park this afternoon. Thank you to all who came. We loved joining with thousands across the country in the ‘Great Get Together’ - a national event inspired by the late Jo Cox. We’re getting together again tomorrow, except we won’t be at the park; we’ll be at church. We’d love for you to join us for All-Age Worship (10-11am) and JAFFA (Kids Sunday School) between 11:15am-12:30pm. All taking place at Acklam Salvation Army Community Church (TS5 8SB)

It's great getting together. We think so, at least. It's why we're having a Picnic in the Park on Saturday afternoon, complete with games and fun activities for all ages. We'd love for you to join us between 1-3pm in Stewart Park as we join in the nation's 'Great Get Together' - an event inspired by the late MP Jo Cox, which helps us celebrate that which unites us. Bring your own food (why not bring some to share with others?) and a chair if you don't want to sit on the grass.

It’s good to have a day in which we thank, celebrate, and remember fathers. But it can be a challenging day, especially for those who have had a difficult relationship with their dad and for those who have lost their dad through bereavement. Seeking to support those who find Father’s Day a struggle, our band played for those remembering lost loved ones at Middlesbrough Cemetery this afternoon. Grateful for the opportunity to provide some comfort and blessing to others today.

We love getting together with other churches and working alongside other expressions of The Salvation Army. This evening, our band, along with Middlesbrough Citadel and Stockton bands, were given the opportunity to play for people as they arrived for Teesside Churches Together Pentecost Celebration. We’re thankful for the opportunity to play for and worship with over a thousand Christians. God is doing good things in Teesside and it’s great to be a part of it!

Thistle cheer you up! Acklam Salvation Army Community Church (Trimdon Avenue) is holding a Plant Sale and Coffee Morning this coming Saturday between 10am-12pm. With an unbeleafable selection of plants for sale, yummy refreshments, and fun activities planned for families, we just know it’s going to be a good thyme. All money raised will go to support The Salvation Army’s work in Acklam.

We’re pleased to welcome everybody at Acklam Salvation Army Community Church, but we were especially pleased to welcome Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson today. Thankful that she took time out her busy schedule to spend an afternoon sharing her story and telling us about her life in sport and politics. From hearing about her breaking down barriers in education, the challenges of training to become a successful athlete, her ongoing contribution in the House of Lords, and the importance and positive influence of family on helping us achieve our dreams and aspirations, we couldn’t help but be inspired. Have you got a story that you’d like to share with The Salvation Army? Here’s some good news: you don’t need to be a member of the House of Lords or a gold medalist to share it with us. Just pop in and tell it - we can’t wait to hear it!

We are very proud of our young people doing this cycle ride to raise money for local charities.
Read all about it in this weeks #salvationist