SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Two Salvation Army leaders in Summerside are marching on to a new assignment.
Captains Neil and Dolores Abbott have been running operations at the Summerside Salvation Army for three years.
They will be moving to a new posting in Newfoundland at the end of the month, where their time will be shared between the communities of Woodstock and Ming’s Bight in central Newfoundland.
“It’s busy, but it’s a different kind of busy,” said Dolores.
It’s a move that will bring the couple closer to Dolores’ mother, still in their hometown of Bonavista, but farther from their three sons in Nova Scotia.
“God called us to this ministry years ago, so we try to listen to his leading and his guiding,” said Neil.
He and Dolores have mixed feelings.
“It’s a real bundle, a roller coaster of emotions, really. Wherever we go, we usually put our 110 per cent in … we make it our home. So, whenever we leave, of course, we always leave part of our hearts behind.”
The Abbotts have been working with the Salvation Army for 22 years, usually at operations like Summerside which include the church, food bank and the Thrift Store.
The pair agree they are ready for a change of pace.
“Salvation Army has been a great place to watch miracles happen on a regular basis,” said Neil.
Majors Wayne and Rosalee Green will be replacing the Abbotts in Summerside and will arrive sometime in August.
The Abbotts’ final church service will be June 23, a farewell reception will be at the church from 2-4 p.m.
“We want to thank everyone for their support over the last three years, whether it be donations, volunteering, employees or the businesses,” said Dolores. “We want to thank them from the bottom of our hearts … Thank you so much.”
