Friday 28 November 2008

Fellowship of the Silver Star

Those that are members of this fellowship are those whose adult children are commissioned officers in TSA. Also included are some of the mentors of these same officers. The annual meeting to install the new members happens on the commissioning weekend. We enjoyed the opportunity today.

Carolyn was the speaker. She's terrific and blessed us all. Lt. Colonel Aylene Finger is the Territorial Secretary of the Fellowship of the Silver Star. She organised the event beautifully and should be pleased with the result.

Carolyn and I both are members.

2 Peter 1:19 (NIV)
19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have never felt comfortable about the concept of the Silver Star Fellowship. You refer to the fact that members are the parents of "adult" children who are SA officers. I think the decision for officership is entirely with the individual, quite often nothing to do with what the parents think or do. And if some mentors are now included where does that end and how do we define who is a mentor and who is not? I sometimes wonder if it is an exclusive little fellowship and some 'would be' members could feel quite disappointed because their prayers for their offspring never brought their children to the SA training college.

Anonymous said...

I agree with some of Anon's comments certainly not with the decision for officership being entirely individual is it not God's choice.....? - but I have personally experienced recently the "them & us" - not Silver Star members but officers - its scary and saddening to have this in the Salvation Army (or was it my attitude?? mm) I once believed & prayed my daughter would enter the training college but at the moment she has left SA and her dream of life mission is a reality with no training but that which God has shown her in past experience. and for that I praise God. She may one day return to SA when and if God leads her. But if she doesn't Officership is not the only call on our lives ... but The Silver Star is honouring Parents and for that I think it is beautiful for we are commanded to do just that. Parents of Officers have a whole different set of issues to deal with and so a little encouragement is a wonderful thing. I pray for those parents who are dsappointed that their children have not become officers but it could be that it is not yet the right time or it is not their calling our thoughts are not God's thoughts. So congratulations ( if that is the right word) to all new members of the Silver Star
Bless you all!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Why deny the influence of parents on children? Some parents don't care and their children end up joining the order of the custodial sentence.

It's obviously something some Salvos are proud of. Just like you were proud, anonymous, when you received that gold star in primary school. Hope you kept it - a treasured memory.

Jim Knaggs said...

Thank you David and both Anons. There have been some valid comments here. I do only see it as a positive and would suggest Anon 1 might have a conversation with one of these folks to see what they think.

Anonymous said...

I went through the Training College many years ago and my mother felt greatly honoured to receive a silver star. Even though she was not a Christian I am sure that the gesture meant a lot to her and I am thankful that her contribution was recognised. She was a good mother and appreciated goodness in others.