Sections farewell leaders

With most of the leaving issues being focused on Major Noel, it was the turn of other leavers to be in the spotlight this week, as they were farewelled by the music sections in which they have been serving. Both the band and songsters said goodbye to members.

For the last three years, Major Marion and son Richard have been serving with the Songsters. At their last rehearsal on 16 July, the brigade farewelled them with a gift.

Major Marion received two small pictures of the locality. She said she would find somewhere in her new home to put them. Adding that her three years in Hadleigh Temple Songster Brigade had been very happy ones and that the fellowship was good, she said how valuable it is to her as an officer to be part of the brigade and engage with people on a different level. 'You get to know people better, she said'.

Richard received an envelope inside an envelope! It was a token to help him in his studies. He thanked the Songsters for giving him the opportunity for service he would not otherwise have had; he was referring to the childrens' items he had been involved in when the Songsters led meetings at Hadleigh and elsewhere. He added thanks for the support in his development, both as a person and as a Christian.

Instead of band practice on the 17 July, there was a joint band/songsters fellowship led by the CO. As the band had already earmarked this date for a presentation to Heather Sheldon, it was included in the proceedings. Heather leaves to take up command of Basildon Corps. She has been playing solo cornet in the band, and has been working behind the scenes also.

Band Sergeant John Ashcroft spoke of his gratitude to Heather for her work as assistant band sergeant. Heather had been asked if there was anything she specifically wanted and that was the Lion Handbook to the Bible. Her response was short and, in the spirit of what had happened earlier in the evening, delivered it in mime.

During her official farewell on Sunday morning, Harriet Carter presented Heather with a gift from the Young People's Band and Major Wright presented a gift on behalf of the corps. In addressing the congregation, Heather confessed that this was an emotionally difficult time. She is the sort of person who would prefer to just slip out of the back door. However the dread she felt about leaving Hadleigh Temple on first learning of her appointment to Basildon has subsided and she affirmed her confidence, through signs that God had given, that this is God's will for her life.

See also:

Report of Major Wright's Farewell Meeting