Colonels Glen and Eleanor Shepherd flew to British Columbia to see for themselves Salvation Army relief work being done at the forest fires burning in the central interior of the province.

Returning in the evening of Sunday, August 24, Colonel Eleanor Shepherd was able to give a first-hand account of what she saw in this special report. Doug Field is the interviewer. (MP3 -- Duration: 8.30)

Headlines:

• Vancouver hosts first Commissioning
• Smooth transition of territorial leadership
  
  
• Territorial leaders welcomed in Toronto
• Warmth, Belief and Renewal on the Rock
  
  
• Scarborough Hospital - Grace Division, SARS

• 614 Vancouver, British Columbia
  
  
• International Emergency Services - Iraq Relief 2003
• New Buildings
  
  
• Government Relations
• Finance

General Ordains and Appoints Believers:

A capacity crowd witnessed the commissioning of the cadets of the Toronto Believers Session, the first ever held in Vancouver, British Columbia. Eighteen men and women stepped forward following General Larsson's charge to be faithful believers. As each knelt in dedication and then rose to stand before the General, he commissioned them as an officer in The Salvation Army. Commissioner Freda Larsson, in her prayer of dedication asked God to give the new captains the grace they needed in future days. The captains, in their response sang "The Potter's Hand".



Following a short video depicting the hopes and dreams of the cadets for their future the captains exited. They returned resplendent in their new uniforms to receive their first appointments from the territorial commander, Commissioner Bill Luttrell. Believing that God's plan for their lives also includes officership, many in the congregation responded to the General's invitation to come forward and make a public declaration.

Transition of territorial leadership:

The transition was seamless as Commissioners Bill and Gwen Luttrell bid farewell Saturday evening at the Pacific Northwest Congress in Vancouver. A new chapter in the territory's history began on Sunday, June 22, 2003 as the congregation greeted Commission M. Christine MacMillan. It was fitting that the installation of the new territorial leader took place in Vancouver since the Commissioner spent the first 14 years of her officership on the frontlines ministering to the needy in that city.

The General then installed Colonels Glen and Eleanor Shepherd as Chief Secretary and Secretary for Women's Ministries after which the congregation greeted the new territorial leaders with a spontaneous standing ovation . "This has been a morning of miracles," stated Colonel Glen Shepherd, as he brought the meeting to an end with the singing of I'll go in the strength of the Lord.

Territorial Leaders Welcomed in Toronto:

There was an air of expectation as Central Ontario salvationists, friends and family filled Scarborough Citadel for the welcome and installation of new territorial leaders. In her comments, Commissioner Freda Larsson expressed that"God is at work in all corners of the territory". She said this change in leadership was not a new beginning but a new chapter in the life of the territory. During the offertory, Staff Bandsman Major Ken Smith presented a piano solo In Deeper Consecration, music by Brindley Boon and words by Mrs. Margaret MacMillan, mother of the territorial commander.

As in Vancouver a few days before during congress and commissioning events, the General conducted the installation of Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan as territorial commander and territorial president of women's ministries. He charged her with the awesome task that had been set before her - to set the vision and tone for the territory.

General Larsson referred to Colonels Glen and Eleanor Shepherd as people of wide vision, leadership and faith as he welcomed them as members of the territorial leadership team. Commissioner Arthur Pitcher, father o