A veritable feast of services and music was arranged to celebrate and bear witness to this significant, historic occasion. Tenby was honoured to welcome commissioners John and Elizabeth Matear, Salvation Army leaders for the UK and Ireland, who presided over the weekend's five services.
Local dignitaries who attended Saturday afternoon's thanksgiving service included Her Majesty's representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Pembrokeshire, the chairman of Pembroke County Council and town Mayors from Neyland, Milford Haven, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock besides Tenby's own Trevor Hallett. These particular Pembrokeshire towns were represented since each of them used to have their own Salvation Army Corps.
Although Tenby Corps is the only surviving one in our county nowadays, its own sense of its 'spiritual remit' and mission means that its officers, band and songsters are a very visible and active presence county-wide.
At Christmas, for instance, the corps makes up food parcels which are distributed to the needy in Milford Haven. In Pembroke Dock, where homelessness is a significant issue, Tenby corps officers are on hand to help people resolve their housing problems.
During this special weekend, support for Tenby Salvaton Army was also lent by the presence of West Wales's Divisional 'Army' commanders, Peter and Sandra Moran, and from the valleys, the Risca Band and Pentre Songsters.
Tenby Corps is especially indebted to St. Mary's Church-in-Wales Parish Church, Tenby and Greenhill School, who generously allowed the army the use of their larger pew and seating areas, given the number of supporters the weekend attracted and the relatively small seating capacity in the corps' Upper Park Road Hall.
At the Saturday thanksgiving in St. Mary's, Salvationists and others present were deeply appreciative of the Bishop of St. David's lending his presence to the occasion and delivering a thought-provoking sermon.
In this sermon, the Bishop expressed ecumenical sentiments and commented upon the army's "blend of social aid and concern for marginalised people", which he described as a "ministry to the dark edges of life."
Quoting from the biblical book of Hebrews, commissioners John and Elizabeth Matear emphasised the need for Christian perseverance.
"Our God is on the move," the commissioners observed, and although it is natural during anniversaries, to reflect on past achievement, it is the present and the future which need to be foregrounded; indeed coinciding with the number 125 of this anniversary it is the fact that the Salvation Army is currently at work in 125 countries.
Concluding his sermon, Commissioner John Matear commented that "In the economy of God no one person is more important than another in the Body." We must encourage one another, always bearing in mind the community of life in Christ.
Four members of the Tenby corps, Peter Greenway, Lily Smith, Irene Johnstone and Les Morton stood up and gave personal testimonies about their lives as Salvationists during the weekend.
The music from the united band and songsters was both rousing and moving and a big thank you is due to Deb Jones of Pentre Corps, who gave, piano accompaniment at every service. Noted for their joyous music and singing, Salvationists in the congregation were further enlivened by Rosemary Morton shaking her colourfully-beribboned timbrel throughout.
Bearers held both the Welsh and Salvation Army flags high, including Tenby corps 'very own' band member Jill, whom all were delighted to see so soon after another recent operation.
Stunning floral displays created by Josie Greenway and Rosemary Morton graced each event, an arrangement of red and yellow roses and another one of salmon pink roses and gladioli on both days. Delicious refreshments were also put on for all those participating in the anniversary. During services amongst those who stood before us reading Biblical passages was Andi Drabble, reading from Colossians, chapter I. Readings from Matthew and Psalsm were predominant.
One of the most profoundly important observations made by commissioner John Mattear was "May we remain open and teachable throughout our lives (to and by the word of God) since "we're each a work in progress this side of eternity."
At 2.45 pm on The Esplanade on Sunday, the weather permitted the Tenby band to play, whilst Major Martyn Clements, joint religious leader with his wife, Major Denise Clements, of Tenby Corps, ministered to onlookers with the pithy message that "God is sufficient." Another significant charge form Major Martyn was that "we need the fire to work on all the essential ingredients within us" "Blood and Fire is of course, the army's motto.
Several other spiritual Bon Mots emerged from the weekend.
It had been "A God-honouring anniversary," stated commissioner John , who also offered his personal definition of worship as "All that I am responding to all that God is."
Elizabeth Matear quoted the 20th century salvationist, William Barclay, thus "The only way to ensure that we have the best of all religions is to show that we're the best of all people."
Again, her husband spoke of Tenby (which the Matears had not visited before) and the weekend as a "spiritual oasis."
Often, commissioner John said, a media microphone is pushed in front of his mouth to answer the question. "Why does the army continue to do what it has already done?" "Because people matter to God" is his invariable reply.
And have done so in Tenby for 125 years.
The commissioner charged the assembled to live "fruitful lives in all their work" and thanked Majors Martyn and Denise Clements, of Tenby for "the fruit of their ministry, evidenced in many ways."
In his turn, Major Martyn thanked the Matears and everyone present for "an amazing weekend."
It is appropriate in conclusion to mention that a favourite song (sic hymn in other denominations) of the Army's 'Amazing Grace' was sung several times during this 125th anniversary and that the occasion was referred to as "An Anniversary of Grace."