The Somerset branch of the Salvation Army will be a little less swinging after Jazz and Gospel fanatic, Captain Bruce Jennings and his wife Mildred move to a new post after six years on the Island.

Capt. and Mrs. Jennings, both Newfoundlanders, spoke with The Royal Gazette recently about some of their experiences and hopes for the future.

When asked how they were appointed to the Island, Captain Jennings explained that members of the Salvation Army do not chose where they go to give Ministry, but they do have a say as to whether they want to go or not, and said he and his wife Mildred had no objections in coming to Bermuda.

Captain Jennings said: "Ministry is Ministry wherever you are. People are people and that is our focus." Mrs. Jennings said that they had enjoyed their time in Bermuda and made several comments about the Island's beauty.

While on the Island, Capt. Jennings has spent the last six years developing his love of black gospel music and says he loves the freedom of the music.

He said the Church had been very enthusiastic about the music as well as other styles such as swing, and he said: "This is not your typical Salvation Army." Capt. Jennings not only enjoys listening to swing, jazz and gospel, but also enjoys playing it, and explained that his main instrument was the keyboard, but he also played the occasional brass instrument.

He was also a member of the Somerset Salvation Army Band as well as the Bermuda Divisional Band and in August, Capt. Jennings will be accompanying more than 30 members of the Bermuda Divisional Band to Trinidad even though he will be in Canada.

Capt. Jennings love of music also led to the formation of a jazz group in Somerset which included keyboard, drums, congas, an upright bass and a saxophone.

He said the jazz combo helped people to fit in with the gospel style of music which they played at the beginning of services every Sunday morning.

And he believed that not only did the music aid parishioners in their freedom of worship, but also helped the Ministry to grow.

And Capt. Jennings said that even the traditional music was played with a slight swing.

He said that often people would make comments that this was different from regular Salvation Army services and he would respond that the Somerset branch was not traditional.

The Jennings' next appointment is in Listowel, Ontario where they will be church officers and pastors. They will also have the added responsibility of running a thrift store and a family services centre.

When asked if Capt. Jennings would be treating his new parishioners to his own special brand of music, he replied simply: Guaranteed!" The Jennings' first appointment was a three year ministry in Kapuskising in Canada which is 12 hours north of Toronto.

They next went to Fort Eire for a further three years before coming to Bermuda.

Commenting on his observations of the Island, Capt. Jennings said: "One unique thing about Bermuda that I hope won't be lost as modern times take their toll, is walking down the street and being able to talk to individuals, to say `good morning' and `God bless you,' and `have a good day.'" However, Capt. Jennings said that in the six years he has been here, the friendly attitude is fading.

And in a sign of the times, he said that other unsociable activities such as drug dealing had become much more open.

He said that dealers had started plying their trade on street corners and at the bottom of the Church's street in Somerset. And he warned that along with drugs came other unsociable activities.

But Capt. Jennings said: "I know they are working on that, but it may take a while." Capt. Jennings faith in Bermuda and Bermudians remains strong however, and he said: "There is a strong faith in Bermuda, it is where we get the `God bless yous.' They (Bermudians) are open and not intimidated." And he added: "I feel that as in the rest of the world, Bermuda is on the brink of a spiritual revival, you can sense it talking with different people." Both Capt. and Mrs Jennings wanted to thank the people of Bermuda for welcoming and encouraging them, and said: "We will be able to take a part of Bermuda back with us in our memories that will always be there." And Capt. Jennings issued a challenge to Bermudians to continue to keep their focus and to continue serving God.

When asked if the couple would be returning to Bermuda, they both became excited at the prospect and said they would love to return.

They said they knew spots on the Island where they could bring groups for spiritual retreats, and they would always have friends to visit.

Capt. Jennings said that under the direction of the West End Ministry the community will be having a celebratory communion service on June 13 at the Sound View Church of God on Sound View Road in Sandy's parish. The Jennings' last service will be on June 17 at the Cambridge Road Salvation Army Church.

They are due to leave the Island on June 20, and as Mrs. Jennings said, it will be a somewhat sad departure as they would have enjoyed staying longer.

Their replacements, Captain and Mrs. Mctaggart will arrive on July 26.