Sister Teresa Capel - 70 years of faith words action

5 March 2009

Our congratulations go to Teresa Capel, who was commissioned as a Church Army Sister 70 years ago this week, by Wilson Carlile himself.

Church Army's Chief Executive Mark Russell dropped in to the Westminster alms houses in Victoria, this week, to celebrate over tea and cake with Sister Capel. Even at 92, she was full of the commitment to, as she put it, "make sure Christ is known to those who need to experience his love." Sister Capel also received the "love, great affection and gratitude" from Rt Rev and Rt Hon Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London, and the award of the medal of St Melitus for her services to London Diocese.

Teresa was encouraged to join Church Army by a friend when she was just 18, but had to serve in a voluntary capacity in the Candidates' League until the age of 21, when she could join the Society proper. She shared with Mark the details of her Church Army training at Bryanston Street, and the Church Army community that settled around Brunswick Church in London. After ministering in a number of areas, she ended up as the senior Sister in charge of Church Army's Queen Mary's women's hostel in Victoria, with over 130 beds.

She was thrilled to receive from Mark the good wishes and prayers of the Society, but was so gracious and modest she did not wish to have her photograph taken! The image on the left depicts her shortly after her retirement in 1979.

As well as leading some of our hostel work, Sister Capel served as the Assistant Chaplain in Strangeways Prison, and spoke with conviction and passion about reaching out in love to those who have been outside the reach of church. She was very clear about the importance of leading by example and showing God's love as a very tangible presence in the Christian journey, in order to be - as she put it -"handmaidens for Christ."

Mark comments: "It is amazing to think that Teresa is around the age now that Wilson Carlile was when he commissioned her, and yet she is so sharp and clear about the truth and value of the Gospel. She reminded me of the importance of keeping our faith practical, and she was certainly more Martha than Mary in her approach. It was a privilege and pleasure to meet someone so wholeheartedly committed to the Lord's work, and on behalf of the whole Church Army family I shared with her our good wishes, thanks and a special blessing."

We leave the final words to Sister Capel: "People see what we have got is unusual and we have something people want and long for - the all embracing love of God. None of us can match up to Jesus, but it is important our Evangelists walk closely with God every day of their lives, this way others will sense the presence and fragrance of God. We must do this, people expect it of us. People will judge us by what we do more than what we say, and we should not let our Lord down."