News
The wow factor
02/06/09 23:00
Ayrshire Soprano had the “WOW” Factor!
Marie Claire Breen
This was how Commissioner Keith Banks of the Salvation Army described the exceptional singing talents of Saltcoats born soprano Marie Claire Breen as she inspired the audience at Holy Trinity Church last Sunday evening.
The large audience who attended a fund raising concert organized by The Salvation Army held in the Holy Trinity Church in Ayr last Sunday were inspired by the young soloist who is currently studying at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama’s Opera School.
The Salvation Army would like to say thanks to Holy Trinity Church in Ayr who made the evening possible and as a result of this fine evening of music, The Salvation Army were delighted to be able to donate £500 to the Ayrshire Hospice.
Bandmaster Bobby Irvine
Read More...
Weekly Thought Inaugurated
20/05/09 22:37
Captain Parkhill writes "Weekly Thought"
Be sure to check a new page on the website each week for Captain Parkhill's Weekly Thought. To get things "kicked off" he begins with the Old Firm rivalry. Check out his column here.
Read More...
Easter brings Big Hope to Ayr
15/04/09 17:13
To see more photographs of the Easter Convention please click here.
(all photographs are courtesy of Jim McDonald)
The ecumenical procession parades down Ayr High Street
An empty tomb, a risen Lord, a rejoicing people!
Several goals were achieved during the Easter weekend celebrations:-
The people of Ayr were contacted with an Easter “giveaway” on Saturday afternoon, and were challenged by the witness of young people from the West of Scotland who formed a youth choir and youth band.
The shoppers on Ayr High Street stopped and watched the spectacle of Army Flags, Drums, Brass Band and Timbrels as more than 150 witnesses held an Easter Parade led by the cross and local clergy.
During the Sunday Service many people made new or renewed commitments to the Lord and asked him to be their personal Saviour.
From the first strains of “When I survey the Wondrous Cross” at the start of our Good Friday gathering to the final “I know that my Redeemer Lives” on Sunday afternoon, everyone knew that we were meeting with the risen Lord Jesus.
And Ayr Town Hall was filled by the Spirit of the Living God.
The specially invited leaders for the weekend were the recently appointed Divisional Commanders of the Salvation Army in the West of Scotland, Majors Vic & Miriam Kennedy, who challenged everyone to come to the foot of the cross. Picking up the theme that Easter is the Big Hope for our personal lives as well as the world, they proclaimed that we have a "Third Day" God – one who is Risen, one who provides us with a positive and optimistic view of life - if only we will accept Him as Lord and Saviour.
During the weekend many Musical Sections from various centres of the Salvation Army in the West of Scotland took part in support of the convention. On Friday evening it was the Band from Hamilton whose contribution reflected the mood of the Day Jesus Died on the cross for us. The featured vocal soloist for the Friday evening session was Ayr Citadel's own Musical Ministries Leader, Bobby Irvine, who never fails to bless with his rich tenor voice.
On Easter Saturday all were reminded that the Risen Jesus is for all ages as the West of Scotland Youth Chorus & Youth Band provided lively and relevant music as well as innovative drama at our open-air service in the High Street. They also participated in the "Sing to the King" evening in the Town Hall.
On Easter Sunday the Band from the Clydebank Corps and the adult Choir (Songsters) from the Govan Corps provided a marvelous spectacle as they provided music on the march for the ecumenical Easter Parade down the High Street. These were sights and sounds which will not soon be forgotten.
In the concluding evening gathering both the band and the songsters added much valuable contribution to the service and we thank their leaders for helping to make the convention memorable.
Other special guests for the Convention were "Vision Brass" and renowned soprano soloist Stephanie Lamplough from The Salvation Army’s Birmingham Citadel Corps. Vision Brass are a group of seven highly talented musicians, several of whom are professional musicians, who use their gifts to enhance any worship experience. Each one of them is a committed Christian who place the Lord Jesus at the centre of all they do. Stephanie is a classically trained soprano, who in recent years has focused her significant talents on serving her risen saviour.
The contributions from the group ranged from Classical Arias to haunting melodies from classical marches to the streets of New Orleans, each one saying it can be fun worshipping a risen Saviour!
Perhaps the biggest cheer and applause of the weekend was reserved for the young puppeteers of the Ayr Citadel Performing Arts Club! They were able to bring a unique and enchanting form of worship with their own unique style and presentation of “Oh Happy Day”!
The puppeteers in full voice!
While the Convention certainly celebrated an even that occurred nearly two thousand years ago, its focus was on the continuing events which take place in the lives of those who have committed to the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Many people either made, for the first time, or renewed, that commitment during the convention. For those who didn't, but would like to make or renew that commitment, you may find it helpful to print out and sign the following declaration of faith. Then contact the local church of your choice to put your faith into action. You will certainly be made very welcome at the Ayr Citadel Corps!
My commitment:
Lord Jesus, thank you that the Easter message is a message of Hope, Thank you that this hope is available today and for me.
Today I put my faith and trust in you and I commit myself to share with others the hope I have found in you.
Signed …………………………… Date:……………………………….
To see more photographs of the Easter Convention please click here.
Read More...
(all photographs are courtesy of Jim McDonald)
The ecumenical procession parades down Ayr High Street
An empty tomb, a risen Lord, a rejoicing people!
Several goals were achieved during the Easter weekend celebrations:-
The people of Ayr were contacted with an Easter “giveaway” on Saturday afternoon, and were challenged by the witness of young people from the West of Scotland who formed a youth choir and youth band.
The shoppers on Ayr High Street stopped and watched the spectacle of Army Flags, Drums, Brass Band and Timbrels as more than 150 witnesses held an Easter Parade led by the cross and local clergy.
During the Sunday Service many people made new or renewed commitments to the Lord and asked him to be their personal Saviour.
From the first strains of “When I survey the Wondrous Cross” at the start of our Good Friday gathering to the final “I know that my Redeemer Lives” on Sunday afternoon, everyone knew that we were meeting with the risen Lord Jesus.
The specially invited leaders for the weekend were the recently appointed Divisional Commanders of the Salvation Army in the West of Scotland, Majors Vic & Miriam Kennedy, who challenged everyone to come to the foot of the cross. Picking up the theme that Easter is the Big Hope for our personal lives as well as the world, they proclaimed that we have a "Third Day" God – one who is Risen, one who provides us with a positive and optimistic view of life - if only we will accept Him as Lord and Saviour.
During the weekend many Musical Sections from various centres of the Salvation Army in the West of Scotland took part in support of the convention. On Friday evening it was the Band from Hamilton whose contribution reflected the mood of the Day Jesus Died on the cross for us. The featured vocal soloist for the Friday evening session was Ayr Citadel's own Musical Ministries Leader, Bobby Irvine, who never fails to bless with his rich tenor voice.
On Easter Saturday all were reminded that the Risen Jesus is for all ages as the West of Scotland Youth Chorus & Youth Band provided lively and relevant music as well as innovative drama at our open-air service in the High Street. They also participated in the "Sing to the King" evening in the Town Hall.
On Easter Sunday the Band from the Clydebank Corps and the adult Choir (Songsters) from the Govan Corps provided a marvelous spectacle as they provided music on the march for the ecumenical Easter Parade down the High Street. These were sights and sounds which will not soon be forgotten.
In the concluding evening gathering both the band and the songsters added much valuable contribution to the service and we thank their leaders for helping to make the convention memorable.
Other special guests for the Convention were "Vision Brass" and renowned soprano soloist Stephanie Lamplough from The Salvation Army’s Birmingham Citadel Corps. Vision Brass are a group of seven highly talented musicians, several of whom are professional musicians, who use their gifts to enhance any worship experience. Each one of them is a committed Christian who place the Lord Jesus at the centre of all they do. Stephanie is a classically trained soprano, who in recent years has focused her significant talents on serving her risen saviour.
The contributions from the group ranged from Classical Arias to haunting melodies from classical marches to the streets of New Orleans, each one saying it can be fun worshipping a risen Saviour!
Perhaps the biggest cheer and applause of the weekend was reserved for the young puppeteers of the Ayr Citadel Performing Arts Club! They were able to bring a unique and enchanting form of worship with their own unique style and presentation of “Oh Happy Day”!
The puppeteers in full voice!
While the Convention certainly celebrated an even that occurred nearly two thousand years ago, its focus was on the continuing events which take place in the lives of those who have committed to the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Many people either made, for the first time, or renewed, that commitment during the convention. For those who didn't, but would like to make or renew that commitment, you may find it helpful to print out and sign the following declaration of faith. Then contact the local church of your choice to put your faith into action. You will certainly be made very welcome at the Ayr Citadel Corps!
My commitment:
Lord Jesus, thank you that the Easter message is a message of Hope, Thank you that this hope is available today and for me.
Today I put my faith and trust in you and I commit myself to share with others the hope I have found in you.
Signed …………………………… Date:……………………………….
To see more photographs of the Easter Convention please click here.
Read More...
Celebration of Life
09/04/09 09:58
A Memorial Service will be held this Friday Evening in Ayr Town Hall at 7:00 pm.
All humankind is invited. Special facilities for children. No charge for admission. Read More...
The excitement builds
30/03/09 10:52
With less than a fortnight to go, the excitement for "The Big Hope" Easter Convention is steadily building. Many preparations are being made, and the finishing touches to arrangements are underway.
The big question is: Have you made plans to participate?
Don't be left out of this marvelous opportunity to witness and celebrate the great certainty that lies at the heart of every christian around the world - Jesus is alive!
For details of how and where to join us click here. If you can't join us in person, then at least take the hint above and join us in prayer!
Either way - don't be left behind!
Read More...
Big Hope Features Soprano
19/03/09 10:40
Stephanie Lamplough
Ayr Citadel corps is happy to confirm that renowned soprano Stephanie Lamplough will be one of the featured soloists at the upcoming Easter Celebration and Convention to be held in Ayr Town Hall. For details click here.
Ms Lamplough is an internationally acclaimed soloist whose classical training allows her to be equally at home singing an operatic aria or a Broadway show medley!
Stephanie is a committed christian and Salvationist and serves as the Deputy Songster Leader (Choir Director) at Birmingham Citadel. She and husband Gavin have two small children to keep them busy!
Be sure to make plans to attend "The Big Hope" celebrations and hear her sing!
Vision Brass
19/03/09 09:03
Ayr Citadel corps today confirmed that the scintillating brass group "Vision Brass" will be featured in the upcoming Easter Celebration and Convention entitled "The Big Hope". The convention to be held on April 11th & 12th in the Ayr Town Hall promises to be a momentous occasion with musicians of the highest calibre being featured.
Vision Brass Ensemble was formed in 2001. It was initially a “one off” venture as a group of Salvationist musicians responded to an invite from the Salvation Army in the South West of England. Since then the group has been firmly established as it accepted invitations to perform in various other parts of the UK.
The group has travelled extensively and has thoroughly enjoyed this avenue of service, performing a mix of army, sacred and secular music in concerts, festivals, “carcaret-style” evenings and even playing at the opening of the new International Headquarters of the Salvation Army. People often remark that Vision Brass seems to be equally at home playing to “an Army” audience or to non-Christians. As a group, Vision Brass aims to provide the finest in Brass music as well as entertaining and interacting with their audience. But above all, they aim for their concerts to be a worship experience.
Their vision is to spread God’s message through a unique blend of music and worship.
You can visit their website here, and get more detail of The Big Hope Convention here. Read More...
New pages online!
18/03/09 13:48
If you think this picture is charming - you should see the rest of them!
We've started some photo albums on the web site. You can view our Performing Arts Club in action at Cafe Church in 2008. Perhaps you can see yourself in action at our Carol Service last year. You can check it out at the Photographs page on the web site. Read More...