Harwich Salvation Army leaders’ new year ambitions

Salvation Army leaders in Harwich say they are developing plans to help the local community thrive and flourish in 2022.

Lieutenants Shawn and Victoria Moye hope to create different spaces of belonging where everyone is welcome to be a part of the community and to explore what the Christian faith means to them.

During the pandemic, they have been working in partnership with organisations across the town, including the Church of England and Dovercourt Central Church, to support local people in need and those feeling isolated.

One such project is the Wellbeing Lounge that takes place at the town’s Esplanade Hall on Thursdays from 10am to 2pm

Victoria explained: “The Wellbeing Lounge is one of our main focuses at the moment. It’s somewhere for people to engage with hobbies or share a quiet space together that includes times of reflection. A lot of people have been through a very difficult time and this is also a place where it is OK not to be OK.”

With the church on George Street closed to the public since July, meetings have also been taking place at the Esplanade Hall but the couple are exploring how to be a Christian community in different ways and different places over the next 12 months, not always needing a physical building to meet in.

However, Shawn and Victoria and a team of volunteers have been able to carry on working from the church throughout the pandemic.

During the annual Christmas Present Appeal, The Salvation Army gave out food boxes to 107 families while 130 adults and 314 children received Christmas gifts. Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, Shawn, Victoria and their team had provided enough food parcels to make 71,478 meals.

Shawn said the pandemic has proved a huge challenge but hasn’t stopped The Salvation Army from supporting the local community.

He added: “We see God's provision in the generosity of others and we are grateful for the opportunity we have to serve those who need us most."

For more information on The Salvation Army in Harwich, call 01255 502 502 or email harwich@salvationarmy.org,uk

*The Salvation Army in Harwich wishes to thank Accents Stationers, Deli141, Harwich Museum and Morrisons (Harwich Store) for being collecting points and Harwich & Dovercourt Rotary Club and Bradfield Churches for donations to this year’s Christmas Appeal.