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War Cry THE

Est 1879 No 7044

FIGHTING FOR HEARTS AND SOULS

17 December 2011

salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry

20p/25c

P E KE ING! C N DA THEY’VE waltzed, jived and quick-stepped their way into the final. Tonight Waterloo Road’s Chelsee Healey, Neighbours legend Jason Donovan and McFly drummer Harry Judd hope to set the Blackpool Tower Ballroom alight.

– page 3 BBC

IS IT TIME TO MAKE A MOVE?

NEWS

The War Cry 17 December 2011

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ALL-PARTY SUPPORT FOR WESTMINSTER CAROL SERVICE The International Staff Band accompanies the singing

NIGEL BOVEY

THISS ISSUE: UEE: WHEN A LOVED ONE DIES p4

UNITING CAMBRIDGE p8

PLUS

MEDIA/COMMENT p6

SOME 400 parliamentarians, staff and visitors gathered in the historic Westminster Hall for the annual parliamentary Christmas carol service led by The Salvation Army.

The movement’s International Staff Band played a selection of festive music and accompanied the singing of carols, including ‘Hark!

The Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘Once, in Royal David’s City’.

John Bercow, the Speaker, who hosted the service, described it as a ‘very precious fixture in the parliamentary calendar’. Later, he told The War Cry why he believes the carol service is important: ‘It reminds us that, in addition to being a fun time, Christmas has a serious message. It causes us to think of

Parliament steps into Christmas

people who are less fortunate than we are.’

He added: ‘I admire The Salvation Army as an organisation that constantly translates “care” from a word into a deed.’

Other MPs commented on the positive impact of the carol service. Labour’s Sharon Hodgson spoke of how the half-hour service ‘brings Westminster Hall alive’.

Conservative Gary Streeter, who is chair of the all-party Christians in Parliament, said that ‘it is great to Annual subscriptions to The bring God and Christmas War Cry can be ordered right into the heart of online at sp-s.com Parliament’.

Q

HEALTH p7

PUZZLES p12

INNER LIFE p13

During the service, Commissioner John Matear, the leader of The Salvation Army in the UK and Republic of Ireland, prayed that government leaders would have wisdom, discernment, courage and direction. He also gave thanks to God for the gift of Jesus.

At the conclusion of the service, the Speaker’s Chaplain, the Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin pronounced the benediction. Afterwards, she told The War Cry: ‘This service is so popular because anybody and everybody can come to it. People look forward to it. They say that it marks the start of Christmas for them.’

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

p14

RECIPES p15

P E E K

17 December 2011 The War Cry

!

G N I C N A D THE competition has been full of twists and turns. Once or twice the celebrities have put their foot in it. But at last the big finish is in sight. The final of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing waltzes onto TV screens tonight (Saturday 17 December).

SURPRISE: Russell Grant is ‘fired’ from a cannon

IS IT TIME TO MAKE A MOVE?

After weeks of salsas and sambas, the three finalist couples are on their last legs. They have just one more shot at impressing with their fancy footwork. Just one more set of routines to perfect. Once the public has voted, the winning couple will be announced. But who will it be?

So far, the ninth series of Strictly has been full of surprises. No one expected to see Russell Grant being fired from a cannon. Or Harry Judd sporting some dashing-yet-daring green tights.

Some of the professional dancers have faced the unexpected too. When Artem Chigvintsev suffered a severe back injury, Brendan Cole had to fill the Russian’s shoes by dancing with Artem’s partner, Holly Valance. Brendan also ner to this year’s competition. stepped in to dance with Anita Although this brings an ‘anyDobson, after her partner Robin thing could happen’ feel to the Windsor contracted a foot proceedings, judge Craig Revel infection.

Horwood is not convinced it The weekly eliminations is a positive thing. During one have also put the public’s head show he said: ‘It’s just boring in a spin. With so many skilled now. Everyone is good.’ celebrity dancers, it has been But boredom is not good. difficult to predict who would And anyone’s daily routine go and who would stay. can lack excitement. Some Over recent weeks, news- people have a happy fampapers have ily, buy the latest fashions and reported that enjoy their job but feel that a there is no certain something is missing. clear winOr perhaps

asks CLAIRE BRINE

Boredom is not good.

The daily routine can lack excitement

SMILES: the judges reward a great performance

BBC

some feel a bit empty inside because they always struggle to pay the bills. Maybe they miss significant friendships or work.

Life is a drag.

Whatever our circumstances, there are times when we can all feel unfulfilled or dissatisfied with out lot; when what we have (or don’t have) just isn’t enough. We feel discontented.

Empty. The spark has gone.

But there are certain steps we can take to overcome such feelings. Each day we can turn to someone who promises to

3

lead us, whatever comes our way. We can build a relationship with Jesus, whose influence and example has the power to change the way we see life.

Jesus said: ‘I have come in order that you might have life – life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10 Good News Bible).

When we get to know Jesus, life is full – of surprises. He teaches us to trust him in a way that we’ve never trusted anyone before. He shows us how to love others in a way that we never thought possible.

With his help, there’s no telling what we might do or become.

We need, though, to let him take the lead and to follow in his footsteps – to live according to his teaching. It will mean having to submit to him, but getting to know Jesus is definitely a move worth making.

4 The War Cry 17 December 2011

I lost my husband but found F OR seven years, Russ and Judy Hopkins experienced marital bliss.

Life as a family with young daughters Rachel and Lucy was good. But on one day in June 2000, everything changed.

Russ discovered that he had leukaemia.

Four months later he died, leaving Judy a single parent caring for their two girls, aged five and three.

‘Russ had been suffering with headaches, so he went to see the doctor and was sent for blood tests,’ says Judy, who has written her story in a book, Lucy’s Rainbow. ‘The next day, the doctor came to see us.

Immediately, I knew something was wrong.’

JUDY HOPKINS tells Claire Brine how leukaemia changed her family’s life

Cheltenham to Bristol. They stayed in a flat near the hospital for ten weeks.

‘There were complications with the treatment, and Russ became fearful,’ says Judy. ‘But when I visited him afterwards, he told me that he had a vision and had seen Jesus. He said he felt an overwhelming peace.’

Eventually, the family returned home to Cheltenham and Russ was an outpatient. But two days later, he took a turn for the worse.

‘I took him some breakfast and also gave him a whistle, just in case he needed to call me. Fifteen minutes later, he blew it and told me he wasn’t feeling too good. I called for an ambulance. The paramedics took Russ to hospital where, slipping in and out of consciousness, he

The doctor told the couple that Russ was seriously ill and would need to go to hospital the following day to see a consultant.

‘That night, Russ and I prayed together, placing the situation into God’s hands,’ remembers Judy. ‘I felt that God was holding us.

‘At the hospital, the consultant told us that Russ had leukaemia. We were stunned. Russ had tears in his eyes and said: “I don’t want the girls to not have a daddy.” It was awful.’

But then the consultant started talking to Russ about the possibility of a bone marrow transplant. When his brother’s bone marrow proved a good match, Judy felt a glimmer of hope.

‘We were chuffed. But we knew that the transplant might only be a temporary solution.

Doctors told us that Russ could even end up brain-damaged after the procedure. There was also a 50 per cent chance that he would develop another cancer.

‘I cried on the inside,’ says Judy. ‘I couldn’t take it in. I coped by focusing on the girls. I remember going to the school fête, thinking: “I’m at the school, Lucy’s riding a pony and Russ has got leukaemia.” I was tired but got on with daily life.’

Judy and Russ When Russ had his on their transplant, the whole family wedding day relocated from their home in

was taken into intensive care. The penny finally dropped. My husband was going to die.

‘The hardest thing I ever had to do was to tell my daughters that Daddy was going to die. My eldest, Rachel, didn’t say anything – she just drew. Lucy, who was three, burst into tears.

It was so sad.

‘We all went into Russ’s room, and I thanked him for being a lovely husband.

Then Rachel wanted to go home. But she said she wanted me – rather than my friend, Jackie – to take her. I knew that if I left Russ at that point I wouldn’t see him alive again. But I thought of my girls and felt that my place was with them now. I said goodbye to Russ, and the three of us walked out.’

Russ died a few hours later. He was 38. Judy felt that she was in a bad dream. She kept thinking that he would come back.

‘I arranged the funeral but really I was just going through the motions,’ she says. ‘Looking after the girls kept me busy. Sometimes they sobbed so deeply for their daddy. That was hard, because I was so tired and vulnerable myself.

‘During the times when Lucy was at nursery, I cried and cried. But I tried not to shut myself away in the house either. I wanted life to get better. I took the girls to parties and to see their friends. I kept going to church.’

Time passed, and Judy began to come to terms with Russ’s death. She is quick to point out that it wasn’t easy, but she was greatly helped by her faith in God. ‘Because God lives, I can face the future,’ she says. ‘Without him, I would not have coped with my situation.

Today, as I face the challenge of bringing up two teenage daughters, I know I can trust him.’

The hardest thing I ever had to do was to tell my daughters that Daddy was going to die

17 December 2011 The War Cry

hope

Life has changed for Judy since Russ’s death. Today, she still misses her husband, but there is a sense of peace in her grief. In Lucy’s Rainbow she explains how she finds hope through the symbol of a rainbow. She is also keen to use her experience to help others who are bereaved.

‘I would advise anyone who has lost a loved one not to be afraid of talking about the experience or looking at pictures of the person who has died,’ says Judy. ‘I also say to people that they shouldn’t worry about comparing their grief with others’. Everyone copes differently. I also encourage people to understand that it is OK to cry – and to laugh – after death. The most important thing in grieving is to be real.’

People shouldn’t worry about comparing their grief with others’ CLAIRE BRINE

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WIN JUDY’S BOOK

THE War Cry has two signed copies of Lucy’s Rainbow, published by Authentic, to give away to readers who can answer the following question: In the Bible, God sent a rainbow as a sign of hope to which father and his sons?

Send your answer on a postcard to Lucy’s Rainbow Competition, The War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN or email your answer to warcrycomp@salvationarmy.org.uk with the subject line ‘Lucy’s Rainbow Competition’. Include your name and address in your entry.

Entries must be received by Tuesday 3 January. The senders of the first two randomly selected correct entries will receive a copy of the book. The Editor’s decision is final.

MEDIA

6 The War Cry 17 December 2011

GARY MANHINE

Comment

Intense need

Monday (19 December) is the date set for eviction proceedings to begin in the High Court. The action is being brought by the City of London Corporation on the grounds of trespass and ‘unreasonable obstruction of the highway’.

According to the eviction notice, there is a ‘pressing social need’ to remove the tents and other structures.

It is pressing social need that has motivated, driven and sustained this protest. Back in October, one Occupy activist told The War Cry that ‘there are systemic problems in the world’s economy and democracies.

There are vast inequalities that are at the root of a lot of social ills.’

Six weeks is a long time in politics.

They have been weeks dominated by sovereign debt crises in Greece, Italy and Spain. The euro has been brought to the very edge of collapse.

British public sector workers have taken to the streets. There has been debate about the morality of Britain’s bankers pocketing their seasonal bonuses while the rest of the country is tightening its belt.

Last week, a leading economic forum confirmed – vindicated, even – the message of Occupy. Britain has the fastest-growing income gap between rich and poor. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, in the 1980s the wealthiest tenth of society earned eight times as much as the poorest. Today it earns 12 times more.

The Bible’s economic forecast is clear: we reap what we sow.

Inequality yields its own returns – social unrest and personal misery. How long can a country afford to write off the physical, social and material needs of its have-nots?

Joanne is a Family Hero

IN THE PRESS

MORE clergy than bankers have resigned as a result of the Occupy LSX protest outside London’s St Paul’s Cathedral. Next week, the tented protesters may have to resign themselves to the fact that their high-profile battle against financial injustice could be over by Christmas.

A SALVATION Army member who helps the community and cares for her own family members with health problems won a 4Children and Take a Break Family Heroes Award.

Joanne Clark received the regional award for Yorkshire and the Humber at a ceremony in London, hosted by TV personality Arlene Phillips and DJ Neil Fox. The awards were set up by charity 4Children and Take a Break magazine to find selfless people who make life better for others.

Joanne helps to run the Salvation Army church at Dinnington. With her husband, Les, she organises a youth club, takes food to families on low incomes or suffering addiction

problems and helps to run the over60 club. Joanne also looks after her severely disabled adopted sister as well as her children, Zac, who has dyspraxia, and Danielle, who was born prematurely and has problems as a result.

Archbishop poses Christmas question

THE Archbishop of Canterbury asked readers of Radio Times to consider ways in which they can respond to Jesus at Christmas-time.

In an article entitled ‘What will you do?’, Dr Rowan Williams pointed out that ‘the Jesus we meet in the Bible is somebody who constantly asks awkward questions … rather than giving us a model of perfect behaviour’. He explained that who believes that the birth of Jesus claims ‘the right Jesus was ‘a political event’ to probe our motives so today’s ‘celebrations of and stretch our minds’.

Christmas should therefore be He went on to write: political also’.

‘Christmas tells us two Dr Holmes wrote a report in which he commented that ‘the big things. First, what number of political themes in changes things isn’t a the nativity story is “striking”’. formula for getting the In it he made references to the right answer, but a willgovernmental census (which ingness to stop and let prompted Mary and Joseph yourself be challenged to travel to Bethlehem) and right to the roots of he described the couple as your being. asylum seekers when they fled ‘And second, we can to Egypt.

Elizabeth Hunter from find the courage to let religious think-tank Theos said: this happen because we ‘Christmas is a time for family are let into the secret and for generosity. But it should that we are in the hands also be a moment when we of love – committed, attend to a message of justice unshakeable love.’ and freedom for all.’

Mary and Joseph ‘were asylum seekers’ MARY and Joseph were asylum seekers ‘fleeing oppression and lacking proper healthcare as Jesus was born’, says a university lecturer who was reported in The Daily Telegraph.

The paper ran the story of Dr Stephen Holmes of St Andrews University,

HEALTH

17 December 2011 The War Cry

CHRISTMAS is about a week away, and the lead-up to the big day is often overshadowed by stress. The pressure of shopping for presents, buying food and meeting social demands can take its toll. It can lead to anxiety, lack of sleep, headaches, loss of appetite and even poor concentration, all which are symptoms of stress. If chronic stress is not managed well, it can contribute to heart disease, stroke and cancer, so it’s important to take steps to control it.

O Beat frustrating queues by shopping on the internet. Doing so will also save time and travelling expenses.

O If going to the shops is necessary, don’t spread the stress. Tackle the shopping all at once. Prepare a list and set aside the time to get all the gifts in one day.

O As money can be a major concern over Christmas, set a budget in advance and try to stick to it. This will help to reduce anxiety over nightmare credit card bills.

Compare prices on the internet to get the cheapest deal. Such information can also be printed off and used to negotiate in store.

O Children can be quite demanding, and at Christmas this may be more obvious. Keep them occupied by getting them to lend a hand with baking, creating Christmas decorations, party hats and name places or writing a quiz for Christmas Day. SORE throats, indigestion and stomachO Christmas is often associated with overaches. At this time of year, these are eating, so regular exercise may help not uncommon. Every home should have a relieve stress. It will increase energy medicine chest, so that minor illnesses and levels, boost confidence and self-image injuries can be treated without having to visit and stimulate the release of the ‘happy the doctor. hormones’ – endorphins.

Most items recommended for the family medicine chest can be bought for a suitable O Try to take some ‘me’ time to price at a pharmacy. Be sure to check that relax and do something you enjoy. none of the items kept in a cabinet is out of date. Remember, too, to keep all medicines out of reach of children.

Consider keeping some basics in your cabinet.

Avoid suffering festive stress Q

Aspirin: used to relieve pain and fever. Soluble aspirin can also be gargled to help with sore throats.

fluids lost through severe diarrhoea or vomiting.

Paracetamol: helps to relieve fever, pain and toothache. It is also suitable for children.

Indigestion remedy: it comes in several forms including tablets, liquid and chewable sweets. It also relieves heartburn.

Teething gel: used for mouth ulcers and infants’ teething pain.

Antiseptic cream: used on cuts and grazes after cleaning.

Cough medicine: an expectorant cough medicine can be used to relieve a chesty cough, while a dry tickly cough may be helped by a dry-cough mixture.

Calamine lotion: used to relieve the irritations caused by sunburn and rashes.

Rehydration solution: used to replace body Keep a thermometer handy

Be stocking up the medicine cabinet

Library pictures posed by models

Sticking plasters: protect open wounds and minor grazes.

Miscellaneous bandages, tweezers, thermometer and scissors.

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8 The War Cry 17 December 2011

A

T any level of football, it’s all about taking your chances. For the past six years, Stuart Wood has been chaplain of Cambridge United. His debut season at the Abbey Stadium was the club’s first after being relegated from the Football League, and he has been an ever-present among many changes. Players and backroom staff come and go, but Stuart tries to make himself available to any of them – as well as fans – who could do with support.

Chaplain pitches in

Stuart’s road to the Abbey Stadium began with a coach journey. One day in 1996, having taken up a post as a church youthworker in Cambridge, he was travelling back from London. He was praying about the city and found himself writing down the words ‘chaplain – Cambridge United’ on a piece of paper.

He was not sure what the idea would entail, so he put it on hold. Nine years later, after being ordained, he became a part-time minister at Barnwell Baptist Church, in an area of the city with links to the football club.

Sitting in his church, Stuart explains that when he started talking to people connected with the church, ‘the penny dropped’. He approached the club and was appointed chaplain.

He arrived at a difficult time. Cambridge were kicking off life as a non-league side in the Conference, where they remain – although they are presently in the right half of the table for a promotion push.

‘The club had just come out of administration, so there was a huge turnover of players coming through on trial,’ Stuart explains. ‘Six weeks before the start of the season, they had only four or five players signed to the club. I was new too and was very green – I didn’t have any experience of chaplaincy, and I didn’t know how I would be received.

‘Fortunately for me, Greg Reid the physio is a Christian, so I could always go to him and talk about how I should approach things. In those scholars, the youth play- Stuart chats with early days, I spent time ers. A few weeks later, groundsman Mick just getting to know people the manager and the Brown and talking with them. coach who were running Doors started to open. I the scheme were gone, was given staff access to and the scheme fell wander round on match down because there was days and talk to people. no one else to step in.

‘At that time there was a Within a matter of weeks lot of uncertainty about the of me beginning, the future and questions about whether the club secretary who helped to bring me club could survive. in had gone to Blackburn.’

‘So many people went through the But gradually Stuart found his feet. club that it was hard for me to build He does the match-day announcements. meaningful relationships. I remember He writes programme notes, through going along to meet the new intake of which he hopes to give supporters a dif-

When I started, the club had just come out of administration

ferent perspective on the club and the wider world. As a result of one of his pieces for the programme, a fan asked for his advice in finding a church to attend.

But a lot of what Stuart does goes on behind the scenes. ‘I pop into the offices and talk with the staff – especially anyone who is going through a challenging situation,’ he says.

Later, when he showed me round the Abbey Stadium, Stuart stopped and talked with everyone he met – volunteer and paid staff behind the scenes in the

Turn to page 10

17 December 2011 The War Cry

9

STUART WOOD tells Philip Halcrow about supporting the players, backroom staff and fans of non-league Cambridge United

PHILIP HALCROW

10 The War Cry 17 December 2011

From page 8 offices, the groundsman keeping the pitch in top condition, two scholars in the room where kit is laundered.

He aims to build relationships with people and is ready to be with them in important moments of life and death.

‘When a dad of one of the directors was ill, I visited him in hospital, and when he died I led the funeral service,’ says Stuart. ‘Then there was a lifelong fan who had a brain haemorrhage. I visited him in hospital, and a couple of days after he died his daughters asked me to bring a tribute on behalf of the club at his service.’

I’ve also washed advertising hoardings Stuart has also helped to establish a and got in a group of young people book of remembrance and a memorial to weed and pick up leaves. garden for people connected ‘There are only with the club. He believes two staff who look his role is to help in any after the facilities, and way he can. At a club the the rest are volunsize of Cambridge United, teers. Doing some that means getting stuck weeding shows coninto some less predictable cern for them.’ activities.

Stuart also shows ‘A few years ago, there concern for players. were some pigeons nestWhen a player is ing in the main stand. injured during a They were flying round and their match, supporters might applaud them droppings were landing on seats. So as they limp off or are stretchered from I got a team of young people together the pitch. They might worry how serious and we went in and cleaned the seats. the injury is and wonder how many

I have had some good conversations

A corner of the Abbey Stadium is set aside as a memorial garden

weeks the player will be out of action.

But then their concentration probably returns to the game and the players on the pitch.

Stuart, however, lets his mind wander from the game.

‘It isn’t something I have been asked to do, but when one of the players gets stretchered off, I go down to the medical room. I started by doing it for our own players, but now I also do the same for the opposition.

‘In the immediate aftermath of an injury, a player might start thinking about what it is going to mean for his career. If he has a contract coming up for renewal, getting an injury can make him feel vulnerable.

‘If you are an opposition player, you might not have your family and friends at the ground – the physio will leave you with the Cambridge club doctor but then will go back to the pitch. So you might be there with a doctor you don’t know or on your own, wondering what might happen to your career.

‘If you are a Cambridge player, your family and friends might be there, but it can be an unpleasant experience for them. A mother might just want to give her son a hug but can’t, because he is busy being stitched up.

‘So I go to the medical room just to be with the players and help in any way I can.

I talk with them or I get

Stuart talks with youth players Taylor Parr and Lewis Smith PHILIP HALCROW

17 December 2011 The War Cry 11

When one of the players gets stretchered off, I go down to the medical room

a phone for them if they want to make a call. If their family is there, I talk with them, calm them down or get them a cup of tea.

‘I have had some good conversations with players in those situations. One, who is now playing in the league, has come to see me every time he has come back to the club, because I went to see him in the medical room after he had injured his knee.

‘I try to take opportunities to build a relationship with a person even if it is only for a moment.’

Stuart details some of the ins and outs of life at Cambridge United in Keeping Faith in the Team, an account of his experiences at the club during the 2010–11 season. Players come and go from a club.

So do managers. That’s football.

Stuart hopes to have a positive influence, however fleeting a person’s time at the club.

‘I have tried to work on being a good model of what a Christian is – to challenge the wrong messages people get sent about Christianity,’ he says.

‘I try to be accessible and down to earth. I know that I can be only part of someone’s journey in life.

‘Probably the deepest conversation about church and God I had with a player lasted about half an hour.

The player was on loan to us for a month. He has gone now.

I don’t know whether I will see him again.

‘I feel that I have to take the opportunities. I hope people will say it was good to have met the chaplain.’

I have tried to work on being a good model of what a Christian is

G Keeping Faith in the Team by Stuart Wood is published by Darton, Longman and Todd

PUZZLEBREAK

12 The War Cry 17 December 2011

WORDSEARCH

SUDOKU

Look up, down, forwards, backwards and diagonally on the grid to find these celebrities, hosts and judges on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ 2011

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 Solution on page 15

ALESHA DIXON ALEX JONES ANITA DOBSON AUDLEY HARRISON BRUCE FORSYTH BRUNO TONIOLI CHELSEE HEALEY

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Spirited (7) 5. Lazy person (5) 7. Shelter (7) 8. Comical (5) 10. Give temporarily (4) 11. Illustrious (8) 13. Complied (6) 14. Full-grown (6) 17. Hugged (8) 19. Slip (4) 21. Whinny (5) 22. Study of rocks (7) 23. Belief (5) 24. Cultured (7)

ANSWERS CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1 Dashing. 5 Idler. 7 Harbour. 8 Funny.

10 Lend. 11 Glorious. 13 Obeyed. 14 Mature.

17 Embraced. 19 Skid. 21 Neigh. 22 Geology.

23 Creed. 24 Refined.

DOWN: 2 Strange. 3 Iron. 4 Girdle. 5 Informal.

6 Lingo. 7 Hallowe’en. 9 Yesterday. 12 Detached.

15 Unknown. 16 Merger. 18 Bribe. 20 Roof.

QUICK QUIZ 1 Alfred. 2 Minsk. 3 Q and Z. 4 Fusilli. 5 Rocky Marciano. 6 China.

HONEYCOMB 1 Kennel. 2 Within. 3 Hearth. 4 Ledger. 5 Ignite.

6 Pencil.

COMPETITION WINNERS THE winners of the competition for the DVD The Way are O. Dominic of Lowestoft, S. Willcock of Uckfield, N. Henderson of Gravesend, J. Baker of Farnborough and T. Hawes of Southend-on-Sea. The saintly title of a Brat Pack film starring Emilio Estevez was St Elmo’s Fire.

O N A M D O O G N E L K A O E D E N

N R E O O E G A V A S E I B B O R I

A A B C R E B R U N O T O N I O L I

V N M B N O X I D A H S E L A W J S

O R T E O A D N D U T O O R N R B S

N E U D L L L H D D L L I C I O O H

CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD DAN LOBB EDWINA CURRIE HARRY JUDD

O B I S D K N A N L L U L H T H A B

D O R R S U N A V E B C L E A L O N

N I O U R E J I D Y S V A L D E I O

O Y R A C U L Y W H L J B S O V U E

S L Y L E E C L R A E L E E B E O O

A A B R Y N F A G R I U O E S R N E

HOLLY VALANCE JASON DONOVAN LEN GOODMAN LULU NANCY DELL’OLIO

J D R R A O O O N R A D Z H O G U E

A S E N E D L L R I A H U E N I S S

D S M K N D A E S S W N Y A T A E E

S E N O J X E L A O Y D T L L R O U

C T E N M A I S L N Y T E E B C O H

E N R N U C L C H E S U H Y O N Y D

ROBBIE SAVAGE RORY BREMNER RUSSELL GRANT TESS DALY ZOE BALL

HONEYCOMB Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number 1. Shelter for a dog 2. Inside 3. Surrounds a fireplace 4. Book of financial accounts 5. Catch fire DOWN 2. Unusual (7) 3. Metal (4) 4. Waist belt (6) 5. Casual (8) 6. Language (5) 7. All Hallows Eve (9) 9. Day before today (9) 12. Separate (8) 15. Anonymous (7) 16. Union (6) 18. Inducement (5) 20. Cover (4)

6. Instrument for writing

QUICK QUIZ 1. In the Batman stories, what was the name of Bruce Wayne’s butler?

2. What is the capital city of Belarus?

3. In Scrabble which two letters each have a scoring value of 10 points?

4. What is the name of spiral-shaped pasta?

5. Who was the only heavyweight champion to finish his boxing career having won every bout?

6. What is traditionally given for a 20th wedding anniversary?

INNER LIFE

17 December 2011 The War Cry 13

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus went into the synagogue in Nazareth, as he often did. He was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah’s writings and invited to read to the assembled congregation. What he read described his forthcoming mission so precisely that he said: ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing’ (Luke 4:21 New International Version)

MAN with a MISSION In this series, PHILIPPA SMALE looks at how Jesus saw the work God had given him to do frme.org

CANON Andrew White is the vicar of St George’s, Baghdad – the only Anglican church in Iraq. In the past year, 2,000 of his congregation have been killed. He has had a price on his head and when he leaves the church compound he travels with 30 armed guards, provided by the Iraqi Government.

He knows what it is to live under an oppressive regime but says: ‘Sometimes God calls you to be where you don’t want to be. He places you and gives you a love for that place and its people. I’ve never been happier anywhere than I am in Baghdad.’

Captains Denesh and Kalpona Biswas are Salvation Army officers working in southwest Bangladesh.

After they converted to Christianity from Hinduism, Kalpona was disowned by her family and Denesh lost his job. They work in an extremely poor area and life is not easy for them, but nothing can sway them from their conviction that they are where God wants them to be.

All over the world, Christians are suffering oppression for what they believe. And yet they are still prepared to stand up and be counted for Jesus, in spite of the fact that doing so might lead to persecution or even death.

During Jesus’ ministry, the Jewish nation was living under Roman rule.

They longed for a messiah – a saviour – who would free them from oppression and restore their nationhood. But Jesus was not that kind of messiah. He was not a warlord.

However, he did come to bring freedom from oppression. To know Jesus

Grand

designs Captains Kalpona and Denesh Biswas

Canon White welcomes children to church

‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, to

is to know true freedom – an inner because he has anointed me freedom that is independent of circumstances. This freedom comes set the oppressed free’ from the conviction that he promises (Luke 4:18) eternal life to those who believe in him. Liberty LOOKING FOR HELP? comes from knowing that Just complete this coupon and send it to whatever happens in life The War Cry, 101 Newington – or death – Jesus will be Causeway, London SE1 6BN with us.

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Basic reading about Christianity Information about The Salvation Army Contact details of a Salvationist minister Name Address

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

14 The War Cry 17 December 2011

Nativity sets the scene WE have a lovely nativity set that was given to us many years ago. The figures are now a bit chipped, and the stable has lost most of its straw, but every year I place it in a window so that passers-by can see it.

by CATHERINE WYLES

The image of Jesus in a stable sums Christmas up in a simple way

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Founder: William Booth General: Linda Bond Territorial Commander: Commissioner John Matear Editor-in-Chief and Publishing Secretary: Major Leanne Ruthven

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For £26 (UK) or £44.50 (overseas) you could take a year’s subscription for yourself or a friend.

Simply call 01933 445451 or email keith.jennings@sp-s.co.uk

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Editor: Nigel Bovey, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Stephen Pearson Editorial Assistant: Claire Brine Editorial Assistant: Renée Davis Chief Designer: Gill Cox DTP Operator: Denise D’Souza Secretary: Joanne Allcock War Cry office: 020 7367 4900

Registered at Companies House as a newspaper under the Newspaper Libel and Registration Act 1881

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The War Cry

As well as Jesus and his parents, there are also shepherds and wise men in our nativity set. But it is unlikely that the two groups arrived at the manger at the same time. According to Gospel writer Matthew, the wise men did not see a ‘baby’, but a ‘child’, which suggests that Jesus was no longer a newborn by the time of their visit.

Perhaps the Christmas story did not occur exactly as our nativity set displays it, but the image of Jesus in a stable sums Christmas up in a simple way.

Today, many people celebrate Christmas by decorating their homes. But as the years go by, nativity sets seem to feature less prominently. Large, inflatable Santas can be seen on family driveways, and fairy lights create pictures of snowmen and stockings. Jesus, though, seems to be left out in the cold.

Perhaps this year we could set ourselves a simple challenge.

Instead of focusing on the glitter and glitz of Christmas, we could ponder a simple nativity scene.

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So much of the scene depicted in the nativity stems from tradition rather than the Bible. The Gospels make no mention of a little donkey, for example, but animals are often a feature of the nativity scene. (It is also questionable that a Jewish woman would give birth where animals were present.)

What the Bible does tell us, though, is that Mary and Joseph were travelling to Bethlehem for a census. While they were there, Mary gave birth to a son and named him Jesus. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger.

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WHAT’S COOKING?

Cherry blondies

17 December 2011 The War Cry 15

If, after making your Christmas cake, you have any glacé cherries left over, try these recipes from Glacé Cherries Provence

Ingredients: 170g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 150g soft brown sugar 180ml maple syrup 1tsp vanilla paste 2 eggs 180g plain flour, sifted 100g French glacé cherries, roughly chopped Method: Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/ Gas Mark 5. Grease and line the base of a 20cm square cake tin with baking paper.

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a very low heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar, maple syrup and vanilla paste.

Whisk in the eggs, one at a time.

Add the flour to the pan and beat.

(Do not over-beat the mixture as a lumpy batter will result in gooey blondies.) Carefully fold in the glacé cherries.

Pour the batter into the tin and bake for 25–30 minutes. The cake is ready when it is firm to the touch and an inserted skewer comes out almost clean, with just a few crumbs.

Leave the cake to cool before removing from the tin and cutting into squares.

Tip: Add a handful of white chocolate chunks to complement the glacé cherries.

Makes 12–15 SUDOKU SOLUTION

Cherry and almond biscotti Ingredients:

225g self-raising flour Zest of 1 orange 100g golden caster sugar 75g whole almonds, roughly chopped 75g French glacé cherries 2 eggs 50g slightly salted butter, melted and cooled

Method: Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas Mark 5. Place the flour, orange zest, sugar, almonds and glacé cherries in a bowl.

Beat together the eggs and butter, then add to the flour bowl. Mix the ingredients together to form a dough. Turn out onto the surface and cut in half.

Shape each dough half into a log, measuring 24cm long. Space the logs well apart on a greased baking sheet, then flatten each one until it measures 7cm wide. Bake for 20 minutes.

Leave to cool for 20 minutes, then cut each log into 12 slices. Space the slices slightly apart and return to the oven for a further 15 minutes before serving.

Makes 24

Royal Mail

Stamps carry a message

writes RENÉE DAVIS

FOR many people, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. But for postmen and women up and down the UK, it’s also the busiest. According to the Royal Mail, the festive mailbag for 2011 will be bulging with some 2 billion items, and 155 million of them will have been ordered online.

The first set of UK Christmas stamps appeared in 1966. On them were children’s paintings of a king and a snowman. Over the years, the seasonal releases – alternately Christian and secular – have proved a big hit with users and collectors. They reflect what people love most about the festive season. Santas, starry nights, seven swans a-swimming and Wallace and Gromit have graced past seasonal offerings.

This year’s stamps, depicting scenes from the Nativity, are inspired by accounts in the Gospels of Matthew and

FRANKING

SENSE

YOUR LOCAL SALVATION ARMY CENTRE

Luke and commemorate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.

Mary and baby Jesus accompany first-class mail, while Joseph and an angel wing their way second class.

Jesus in the manger, an angel alerting shepherds and (at a right royal £1.65) the Magi looking for a new king complete the set.

Stephen Agar from Royal Mail says: ‘Christmas stamps help deliver festive messages of good cheer and celebration across the UK and around the world.’

The festive message of the

Nativity is the best news the world could have. Jesus is God showing us how much he loves us.

God entered the world in a way that humankind could understand and relate to. He came as a fragile, helpless, dependent baby. To an imperfect world, God gave his perfect Son to save us from the deadly consequences of our selfishness and sin.

God coming to earth at Christmas says that our Creator has not abandoned us to sort out the mess we make of life by ourselves. Jesus was born, crucified and raised so that we can be forgiven and put right with God. When we admit our wrongdoing, put our trust in him and turn from our old way of life, we will know his forgiveness. We will also experience the peace on earth the Christmas angels sang about.

The Salvation Army (United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland) on behalf of the General of The Salvation Army.

Printed by Benham Goodhead Print Ltd, Bicester, Oxon. © Linda Bond, General of The Salvation Army, 2011