THE Guyana Division of the Salvation Army began celebrating its 120th Anniversary last Thursday with a spirited Civic Reception at its headquarters at South Road and Alexander Street, Georgetown.

The theme of the celebrations, which will run for one week, is “Honour the Past; Embrace the Future; Celebrate the Present”.

Guests of Honour at the reception were visiting Territorial Leaders of the Caribbean Region, Commissioners Gerrit and Eva Marseille, accompanied by Guyanese-born Captain Dwayne Barnes of the USA Eastern Territory.

Distinguished guests on the local front included Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier (Ret’d) David Granger; Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who attended on behalf of President Donald Ramotar; Georgetown Mayor Mr. Hamilton Green; Vice Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Mr. Lawrence Farley, who attended on behalf of Chairman Mr. Edward Boyer (who is out of the country); and Chairman of the Guyana Council of Churches, Rev. Andrew C. Morris-Grant. These all brought greetings on this most auspicious occasion.
And visiting from the United States was one of the oldest former members of the Guyana Division, Ms. Vilma Harper, who has decades of service, and who was honoured on Sunday at a special Recognition and Praise Exercise at the Pegasus Hotel.

Joining the Guyana Division in celebration also were representatives from Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname, who were in for a memorable treat.

Presiding official was Divisional Commander Major Emmerson Cumberbatch.

The speakers all congratulated the Salvation Army on its accomplishments — both in Guyana and globally — over the years: ministering to the spiritual and social needs of people, particularly in the area of rehabilitation of substance abusers; caring for elders; feeding programmes providing hot meals for children and senior citizens; and other social programmes delivered by the Women’s Ministries – Skills for Life delivered to women through its Home League, as well as the work of the League of Mercy – doing visitation to shut-ins, patients in hospitals and other vital social services.

There were also words of advice on the way forward, and recommendations for delivering a programme that would ensure the equitable distribution of energies and resources to match the needs and demands of the various programmes and tasks as devolved on the Salvation Army.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force Band played a key role in adding spice and flavour to the programme, alternating with the Salvation Army band to deliver choice and well composed pieces.

The programme was ushered in with a prelude of rich symphony rendered by the Police Band at its best; and at the end of the programme, that band solemnly delivered the Doxology, taking the congregation out with the symphonic and hair-raising sounds of Handel’s age old “Where e’er You Walk, cool glades shall fan the Gale’.
And how appropriate and heart- warming were the sentiments to take the congregation out!
“Where e’er you tread,
The blushing flowers shall rise,
And all things flourish, and all things flourish,
Where e’er you turn your eyes,
Where e’er you turn your eyes
Where e’er you turn your eyes.

Presiding official was Divisional Commander Major Emmerson Cumberbatch, while Major Cludette Thibaud gave the welcome on behalf of the officers. Board Member Rev. Justice Oslen Small delivered the opening prayer, making the way for Greetings and Scripture Reading by visiting Commissioner Eva Marseille, Territorial President for Women’s Ministries.

Territorial Commander Commissioner Gerrit Marseille addressed the congregation.

The programme was interspersed with vocal selections by the Divisional Youth Chorale, and celebration dance done by the Divisional Dance Group and the Mahaicony YP Youth Group.

The curtain came down on the abundantly gratifying programme with Prayer and Benediction offered by Major Ulrick Thibaud Corps, Programme Manager of the S.A. Drug Rehabilitation Programme.

Celebrations continued throughout the week with A Youth Extravaganza at the Theatre Guild on Friday; March-of-Witness through the streets of Georgetown on Saturday; Anniversary Fund-raising Dinner at the Pegasus lon Saturday evening; and 120th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service at 10:00 hrs yesterday, followed by Recognition/Praise Meeting at the Savannah Suite, Pegasus, beginning at 14:00 hrs.