The Salvation Army Nipawin
714 8th St. W S0E 1E0 Nipawin, SK, Canada

We are excited to team up with North East EMS on Friday May 28th from 1:30-4:30! Bring your child by with their teddy bear or doll to get treated by the EMS and... tour the ambulance! You also will need to bring a blanket to sit on the grass distanced from other families. Covid guidelines will be followed- everyone must mask as it will be harder to distance in the ambulance and with the treatment for your bear. If our numbers become too many at once then be prepared to be asked to wait in your car or come back when it is slower. We will provide sanitizer and medical grade masks for all attendees, all children 3 and over will need to mask and everything will be sanitized between each visit. We are excited to see you then! This is open to all ages interested in the event!

During these next few weeks we are focusing our devotional thoughts on the issue of racism. You will be aware that The Salvation Army has developed a Positional... Statement on this concern. This is because Racism is fundamentally incompatible with the Christian conviction that all people are made in the image of God and are equal in value. While racist acts target individuals, racism can also be perpetuated by social structures and systems. One social expression of racism can be found in the colonial histories of our world. When European explorers made their way to what is now North America, this landalso known as Turtle Islandhad many Indigenous peoples. However, when European explorers planted a flag and a cross they were claiming this land for their own nation. In time, the nation of Canada was created by an Act of British Parliament in 1867. Tragically Canada’s political leaders created racist policies that sought to eliminate its Indigenous peoples from the land. One of the ways it did this was to create Residential Schools for Indigenous children. The stated purpose of these schools was to take the Indian out of the child. In order to accomplish this, children were taken from their families and brought to live in the Schools. The children were forbidden to speak their languages, and to practise their customs. Their Indigenous identity was stripped from them. And far too often they were sexually abused. Because these Residential Schools were most often supervised by the church, a cross was placed in the classroom. The sacred symbol of a suffering God stood in the same room as suffering children. Only in recent years has Canada apologised to its Indigenous peoples for the evils of colonialism. And in recent years, The Salvation Army in Canada has also repented and sought healing of this social sin. Recently a Pow Wow, or Gathering, has been held at an Army camp. Indigenous peoples from North America gather with Settlers, share food, learning, and enjoy Indigenous traditions. At the heart of the Christian faith is the conviction that in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us (2 Corinthians 5:19). Reconciliation has many dimensions, one of which is the reconciliation of Indigenous peoples with Settlers. Another important task of reconciliation is to help Indigenous Salvationists reconcile their cultural identity with Salvationist identity. Some have felt the need to compartmentalize these two identities in the past. It is our conviction, however, that Christ holds faith and cultural identities together. The Salvation Army needs to be at work in the social task of reconciliation where Indigenous peoples have been colonised. Colonised racism is not acceptable. Let me ask: In what ways has our world’s colonisation impacted you? And in what ways do you think The Salvation Army can contribute to the healing of Indigenous identity in our day? May the gospel of reconciliation shape our personal and social lives as we move into this coming week. Amen!

Walk in clinic on today until 3:00

Happy Mother’s Day!

There was no way of knowing at the end of 2019 what the onrushing series of events that 2020 would bring. But amidst the hardships, there was courage, compassio...n and hopemany people who faced the very worst were reassured that help was on the way. See how The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services continues to provide numerous disaster relief services across Canada. See more

The time has come. We are beginning free income tax returns starting Monday morning, March first by appointment only. Please see details. Thanks

Welcome to the Feb. 27, 2021 Celebration of Life service for Duane Gage who was Promoted to Glory Feb. 22, 2021.

I am grateful you are a part of this Facebook audience. We have been speaking about character and we have just lived through a year where issues of character gr...abbed our attention. We have watched as front line workers carried out their difficult tasks with loyalty and courage. We have watched as teachers gently taught our children online. We have also watched as some public officials said one thing in public, but acted quite differently in private. Among issues of character, we have come to recognize more than ever the importance of integrity. You will likely know that the word integrity comes from a Latin word meaning whole or complete. Architects speak of a building having integrity, meaning that its design creates a sense of wholeness. Musicians speak of a composition of music having integrity, in that it holds together; it is complete. We speak of a person having integrity when it is clear that what they say is matched by what they do. We sometimes say, She walks the talk. It’s also possible to speak of organizational integrity. To what degree does the organization’s stated purposes and goals match what we see in action? Integrity is an important dimension of character, even of personal and organizational holiness. It is clear today that the younger generations have little patience with churches claiming integrity only to discover the lack of it. Sporting organizations have been called out for underhanded dealings with athletes and sponsors. Teachers have struggled during the pandemic because of online cheating from students. We live in a world where our actions reflect our deepest held convictions. It is essential that we be people of integrity. Salvationists hold convictions of integrity, and it is essential that our actions reflect those convictions. It is essential that together we be people of integrity. Jesus was a person of integrity. Jesus taught the importance of loving our neighbours and enemies, and he did just that. Jesus taught the importance of paying attention to matters of justice, and he did just that. Jesus also taught the importance for his followers to walk the talk. Recall the parable that concludes his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:24-27: Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise person who builds their house on rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish person who builds their house on sand. And we know what happened when the storms came! Integrity between hearing and acting is essential to Christian faith. As you think about the story of Jesus, where do you see him expressing integrity? As you think about your personal life, how are you challenged to be a person of integrity? And in what ways do you think we as a Salvation Army are being challenged to be a people of integrity? As we move into the coming week may we trust the Spirit of God to shape our lives with integrity and so bring honour to God’s name. There is space for more comments and questions. I will be back early next week and summarise our journey as we have spoken of Character... Courage, Gentleness, Loyalty, and Integrity. Be of good character... God bless you.

Join us on Thursday, March 4 at 8:30 a.m. EST for a special THQ online chapel "Heart to God, Hand to Man". Learn about the incredible work of Partners in Mission with guest speaker Lieutenant-Colonel Brenda Murray. For more information visit: https://salvationist.ca/chapel/

#ThrowbackThursday. The Joy Strings

Pink Shirt Day started here in Canada, in Nova Scotia, in 2007. A student was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Subsequently, two other students showed up to sc...hool wearing their own pink shirts in solidarity for the classmate. Pink shirt day is now celebrated annually all over the world. The Salvation Army Prairie Division stands up to bullying and asks you to do likewise. #BeKind #PinkShirtDay

This Christmas, just a couple of clicks can make a difference in your local community through The Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign. Click https://bit.ly/3nMABcf... to donate to your local community. Even on the merriest of days, everyone needs an army. #FillTheKettle #DonateOnline #TheSalvationArmy#GivingHopeToday

Do you Hear What I Hear.

‘The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood.’ (John 1:14, The Message) What kind of neighbourhood do you live in? Over the years Commissi...oner Rosalie and I have lived in many different kinds of neighbourhoods. It’s in the neighbourhood where the kids go to school, where we get to know the people who live close by, where we sometimes play hockey or football in the streets. The candle we are lighting this week reminds us that Jesus lived in a neighbourhood like ours. And Jesus made a difference to the neighbourhood by bringing hope. As we continue these Advent Devotionals in John’s Gospel, we come to what many think is the climax of these opening verses. John begins his Gospel with an emphasis on the Word. We learn that the Word was with God in the beginning, and that the Word was God. We learn that our world came into being through the Word, and that the Word is the source of life and light. In the 14th verse, John brings his thoughts to a focus. A well known translation of this verse says, ‘The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood’ (The Message). John’s Gospel portrays Jesus moving into the neighbourhood. He attends a wedding with his mother; he attends important Jewish festivals; he feeds a hungry crowd with a few loaves and fish Jesus moved into the neighbourhood. And as Jesus moved into the neighbourhood he made a difference by giving hope. Jesus gave hope to a royal official whose son was at the point of death; he gave hope to a disabled man who had given up hope for healing; he gave hope to a woman taunted by accusing men; he gave hope to a man who had been born blind. Jesus moved into the neighbourhood and made a difference by creating hope. Christmas expresses the conviction that the Word became flesh and blood, and moved into our neighbourhood, our world. During this Advent Season, Salvationists have moved into their neighbourhoods. It hasn’t been easy during this pandemic. But some corps (churches) have taken on the task of picking up litter in their neighbourhood. Some have created sports teams for young people. Some have become drop-in centres for the homeless. Some in colder climates have become a place for the homeless to sleep during a winter’s night. As people see us caring for their neighbourhood, our prayer is that they will in fact be catching a glimpse of the Word made flesh. Our prayer is that we will make a difference in our neighbourhoods. And that we will make a difference by bringing hope where there is little hope. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of the child Jesus, but this is no ordinary child. It is our conviction that in Jesus we come to see God in human flesh, God incarnate. So we sing the Christmas carol: Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. (Song Book 116) Amen!

The shepherds would never be ordinary again. God made their stories extraordinary! Read Commissioner Rosalie's study here: https://sar.my/shepherds

Thank you Lake Country Coop and to all of their customers who purchased a bag!

We have some great news. We are opening the Thrift Store on Monday, June 8th!! The donation drop off will be open Monday’s and Thursday’s 10am - 4:30pm only to comply with regulations. Please do not leave your donations outside of these hours. If you do, your donations will then be compromised and may become unsellable. If you have any questions about bringing items in, please call us at 306-862-5335, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your patience and understanding. God bless.

All-new October digital editions of Salvationist, Faith & Friends, Foi & Vie and Just for Kids available now at https://issuu.com/salvationist

Today, October 4th, we honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, support grieving families, and create opportunities for healing and ...reconciliation. - The violence experienced by Indigenous women and girls in Canada is a national tragedy. We lament for those who have been directly impacted, and stand in solidarity with Indigenous women and girls. - Join us in praying for Indigenous women and girls, and those involved in the investigation into the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. These prayer prompts have been developed by Captain Laura Van Schaick to help guide our prayers and can be shared with your ministry unit, family, friends and community. - We long to see justice roll on like a mighty river. Lord, hear our prayers. Teach us to walk gently upon the earth and with one another. - #MMIWG #REDress #PrayersForReconciliation #WomenWhoPray #SalvationistWomen See more

Wondering what you qualify for?

Listen to this: https://soundcloud.com//the-generals-devotional-3-october- Read below: Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘God sent me before you to preser...ve life.’ (Genesis 45:5) During these past few weeks, we have focused our Devotionals on the Book of Genesis. This first Book in the Bible opens with the words, ‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.’ As Genesis continues with its story, we watch as creatures made in God’s image fail to live responsibly. We watch as God takes the initiative to reclaim his world through Abraham, Sarah, and their descendents. We pay attention as Abraham and Sarah’s families learn the hard way what it means to trust God and be a blessing to others. Then we come to the final chapters of Genesis with their focus on Joseph. We recall Joseph’s story. He is the son of Jacob and Rachel, and something of a spoiled teenager. This gets him into trouble with his older brothers. Out of jealousy they sell Joseph to traders heading for Egypt. Then this seventeen year old is sold to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials. As Joseph adapts to his new home, he gains the trust of Potiphar and is put in charge of the household. Trouble comes, however, when Potiphar’s wife takes more than a casual glance at this handsome young man. Joseph refuses her sexual advances, so she falsely accuses him to her husband. Joseph finds himself in prison, but even there he is trusted. Eventually Joseph is brought before Pharaoh to interpret a troubling dream. Joseph interprets the dream convincingly, so Pharaoh puts him in charge of Egypt’s agricultural economy. When famine strikes that part of the world, visitors come to Egypt seeking food. The visitors don’t recognize Joseph, but he recognizes them. They are his brothers. Initially, Joseph doesn’t disclose himself. It isn’t until they bring his younger brother to Egypt that Joseph finally makes himself known. Only then does Joseph break down in tears, and stands before his brothers saying, ‘I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now, do not be distressed, or angry with yourselvesfor God sent me before you to preserve life’ (Genesis 45:4-5). With that disclosure all of Joseph’s family comes to settle in Egypt, where they grow to be a numerous people. And with this, the Book of Genesis comes to a close. ‘God sent me before you to preserve life.’ With these words, Joseph directs our attention to a remarkable insight about God. Despite the tragedies and evils that are so very real, God is deeply involved in working out his purposes. We have come to name this as the providence of God. We need to be careful, of course, how we speak of God’s providence. God does not create tragedy in order to accomplish his purposes. God is not responsible for human trafficking, but neither is God distant from its horrors. From a Christian perspective, we need to understand God’s providential hand through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Because of the cross, we come to know God as One who has fully entered the suffering of our world. When we speak of God working quietly, even in hidden ways, we do so in light of the cross and resurrection. God is no stranger to suffering. God does not manipulate or control. God’s providential and sovereign work is born of love. For this reason, the apostle Paul argues in Romans 8 that ‘nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8:38). With our trust in the triune God who knows suffering, we affirm Paul’s words when he says, ‘in all things God works for good’ (Romans 8:28). General John Gowans understood the providence of God when he penned these words: When the darkness falls around me, When bewildered and afraid, When I feel the most deserted and betrayed, Then my every need is answered by God’s providential care, And his precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer, my prayer. Then my every need is answered by God’s providential care, And his precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer. (John Gowans, song 316) May you experience the providential care of God in your life today. Amen.

Thank you Food Banks Canada, and partners!

Congratulations Crossroads Residential Centre!

Today is #orangeshirtday, a day to promote awareness in Canada about the residential school system and the impact it has had on Indigenous communities for over ...a century. We wear our orange shirts to stand in solidarity with our Indigenous brothers and sisters honouring the survivors of the Indian Residential School System and honouring the memory of those who did not survive. #everychildmatters

There's only a few weeks left to get your entries in for the Territorial Project Renaming Contest for your chance to win an Others - Trade For Hope prize pack! The winner will be announced at the Rising Up! Territorial Women's Ministries virtual event on November 14.

Thank you for your support!

We hear the cries of daughters and sons beyond the dark, trafficked and enslaved for the profit of others. We stand with you. We see the next generation of vuln...erable children targeted for the benefit of worldly pleasures. We will fight for you. We stand with frontline practitioners, advocating for the freedom of victims of oppression and walking alongside survivors. We acknowledge you. We lament for the ways we have knowingly and unknowingly contributed to modern slavery and human trafficking through our ignorance, privilege and spending power. We refuse to be blind. May our prayers turn into action as we fight against injustice together. We are not free until we all experience light. #BeyondTheDark Prayer: The Salvation Army International Social Justice Commission, 2020 Annual Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking