Sunset behind a church in Cregneash, Isle of Man
By Martin Gliniecki, Executive Director
The annual report of the Army Scripture Readers’ & Soldiers’ Friends Society for year ending 31 March 1878 lists several supporters from Bonchurch, Castletown and Douglas and their gifts to the Association. Island support continued into the 20th century and grew substantially during and post-World War 2 as important RAF and Naval stations grew on the Island, such as RAF Jurby, which had a SASRA secretary from the early 1950s and Scripture Reader H. Wilson from to 1955 and 1963, following station closure.
A selection of Area Representatives, Mr R Stephen, Flt Lt GIM Ross, Mr R McArthur, Mr N Innes and Mr P Somerville, included the Island in their work from 1954 onwards and from 2015, our former Executive Director, Andrew Hill made several visits to the Island. One consistent in recent decades has been the Island’s own Sir Laurence New, SASRA President from 1985, before standing down to become a Vice President in 1999; he has been ever since. Such commitment is complemented by the likes of the late John Twibell, aged 1O4 years in 2008, when he was the Isle of Man’s oldest SASRA Supporter.
For the last two years I have visited the Island to share SASRA’s work with churches, supporters and other interested parties, and have been honoured and humbled by the welcome, hospitality and devotion of many, including Kirk Patrick, Living Hope, The Bethel, St George’s and Onchan Baptist churches. I also had great opportunities to share what we do with the local Manx radio station, King William’s College, the Island’s Governor (former paratrooper Sir John Lorimer), 104-year-old Burma Star holder and now SASRA supporter James Fenton, and even at the prison!
My last event this year was to give the sermon at St Barnabas Church, Douglas, and I would like to give particular thanks to David and Elizabeth Neill, who planned and hosted all activities. Their loyalty and commitment to SASRA, along with many others on the Island, is such an encouragement and motivation to continue with our ministry: to share the gospel with our Armed Forces on their behalf and all SASRA supporters. We try and visit partnering churches and organisation wherever and whenever we can—no one is forgotten and thank you for your continued support.
PRAY WITH US
- Give thanks for the faithful support SASRA has received from believers on the Isle of Man for many years.
- Praise God for the encouragement Martin received on his recent visit and pray what he was able to share will serve as an encouragement to the supporters there.
