Canadians greet the General in the name of cod
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
BY DEAN SIMPSON*
Embracing the costumes and customs of different cultures is all part of the role for The Salvation Army’s world leaders as they traverse the globe.
From Asia to Africa, and from South America to Australia, they may receive special gifts or be adorned in a variety of traditional clothing as a welcome.
In Canada ... well ... they get to kiss a codfish.
Upon arrival in St John’s to begin their tour of the Canada and Bermuda Territory, General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham were greeted with a traditional Newfoundland welcome by the Atlantic Division.
The greeting involved a ceremony known as a ‘Screech-In’, during which one of the activities is kissing a raw cod and then doing a little jig.
Major Brent Haas, a local corps officer, conducted the unusual ceremony, complete with yellow fisherman’s hats. The General’s Private Secretary, Major Chris Mulryne, also got to have a cod-kiss.
The Buckinghams and Major Mulryne were subsequently granted the title of Honorary Newfoundlanders!
A little jig with the Buckinghams was all part of the welcome ceremony. And Major Chris Mulryne got his cod-kiss too.
The Buckinghams are now several days into their tour of the Canada and Bermuda Territory, under the theme ‘Jesus Our Compass’.
The Salvation Army’s world leaders are visiting four of the territory’s divisions between 19 April-4 May.
They opened the tour in St John’s, Newfoundland, with a Sunday morning worship service at the Sheraton Hotel on 19 April, followed by a youth service in the evening at Conception Bay South Corps.
“It was a rousing start to the international leaders’ tour,” a post on the Canadian Salvationist Magazine Facebook site stated.
“The moving of God’s Spirit was evident as 500 Salvationists packed the Sheraton Newfoundland in St John’s for Sunday morning worship. Lt-Colonels Scott and Michelle Rideout, divisional leaders, and Commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves, territorial leaders, welcomed our international guests.
“Worship was enhanced by Newfound Brass, Children’s Chorus and Worship Team. Four individuals and groups were recognised with the inaugural Others Awards for their sacrificial service to the Lord through The Salvation Army.
“In his message, General Buckingham urged the congregation to not only make Christ present and prominent in their lives, but also preeminent.”
The tour continues today with a rally and youth service in Calgary, followed by visits to Winnipeg (Sat 25 April), Vancouver (Sunday-Monday 26-27 April), Ottawa (Thursday 30 April), before concluding in Toronto (Sat 2 May).
VIDEOS
The Canada and Bermuda Territory’s Secretary for Communications, Lieut-Colonel John Murray, interviewed the Buckinghams on the eve of their tour, unpacking the tour’s theme and hopes for The Salvation Army’s future. Click on the video below:
Click on the video below for highlights of the start of the General’s tour:
*Information and photos for this article has been sourced from the Canadian Salvationist.
