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FIGHTING FOR HEARTS AND SOULS Est 1879

salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry

2 June 2012

20p/25c

No 7067

DEFENDER OF THE FAITH Comment AMID the red-white-and-blue bunting, the commemorative street parties and the documentaries celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen, it is possible that one aspect of her sovereignty might go unnoticed.

In the announcement of her accession in The London Gazette of 6 February 1952, the Queen was styled as ‘Queen Elizabeth the

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The War Cry 2 June 2012

News

ADRIAN PRIOR-SANKEY

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SPECIAL ‘WAR CRY’ FOR TORCH SPECTATORS HUNDREDS of spectators received a special issue of The Q War Cry when the Olympic flame passed through Falmouth during its nationwide relay. A team of Salvation Army volunteers handed out free copies of the paper and chatted with people who had gathered to watch the flame being carried through the town.

‘It was a chance for us to be visible in the community and to make contact with people,’ said Captain Liesl Baldwin, who, with her husband Christopher, leads the Falmouth Salvation Army church.

The Salvation Army also joined forces with other churches in the area to give out more than 1,000 free cream teas to the public.

MORE CHILDREN LEARN

Cancelled debt is an education A spectator takes a paper from Captain Christopher Baldwin

AN increasing number of children are receiving education in poor countries that had debt cancelled, according to Jubilee Debt Campaign.

In its new report The State of Debt, the coalition of Christian and other faith groups, trade unions and development agencies that are pressing for debt relief says that public education has been a ‘key benefit of savings from debt cancellation’.

It says that across 19 ‘heavily indebted poor countries’ (HIPCs) primary school enrolment increased from 59 per cent in the early-to-mid 1990s to 83 per cent by 2010.

The report says that 32 countries qualified for IMF and World Bank debt relief between 2000 and 2010 and that ‘their foreign debt repayments have fallen from 20 per cent of government revenue in 1998 to less than 5 per cent in 2010’.

But the report also highlights how poor Caroline Spelman, MP countries are now being threatened by private debt. It says that my seems to focus on the grander sector financial systems must be scale of government and is likely ‘brought under control’ to be led and determined by to stop debt crises national and supranational reoccurring.

CAROLINE SPELMAN HOPES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

COUNTRIES attending next month’s Rio+20 Summit should agree to form sustainable development goals (SDGs), said the Environment Secretary at a discussion organised by Christian development agencies. cies.

A GOOD SAMARITAN MAKEOVER p16

INSIDE

FLAGGING UP THE DIAMOND JUBILEE p??

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MEDIA

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GARDENING

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PUZZLES

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INNER LIFE

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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WHAT’S COOKING?

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Speaking at the event in Central London, Caroline Spelman argued that to help economies grow sustainably ‘we need a small number of SDGs focused on the most critical sustainability issues which are linked to poverty eradication, wh growth and development’.

The UK is supporting the idea of SDGs, which was proposed by Colombia and Guatemala.

‘I would like to see sustainable agriculture, food security, sustainable energy and water security form the core of the SDGs,’ said Mrs Spelman.

At the event – staged by Cafod, Christian Aid, Progressio and Tearfund – the Environment Secretary also spoke personally of her Christian belief that people must be good stewards of God’s creation. When asked what small church groups could do ahead of the Rio+20 Summit, she said: ‘Pray.’

The panel discussion also included contributions from the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Right Rev Peter Price, Steve Waygood of Aviva and Nanette Antequisa, a Christian worker from the Philippines, who spoke of her worry that ordinary people get ‘lost in the process’ of economic development.

She said that ‘the green econo-

PHILIP HALCROW

Environment Secretary wants Rio goals

structures that are not accountable’ to the citizens of a country.

After the discussion, Caroline Spelman told The War Cry that churches were helping to push forward sustainable development because of their reach into communities around the world.

‘It’s important that we listen to churches’ experience of ministering to the poor and needy so that we are clear whether policy is working,’ she said. ‘To make progress, we’ve got to engage an awful lot of people, and churches have good networks of engagement.’

MISSION agency Q Hope has written a prayer for communities to use at lunches celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The ‘grace’ asks God: ‘Bless the food before us and the people beside us; may the sharing of this meal strengthen our communities.’

The prayer can be downloaded from hopetogether.org.uk

2 June 2012 The War Cry

From page 1

PA

Second, by the Grace of God Queen of this Realm and of all Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith’.

The title ‘Defender of the Faith’ was first conferred by Pope Leo X on Henry VIII, in recognition of a pamphlet he wrote against the Protestant reformer Martin Luther. When Henry later broke away from Rome, he was stripped of the title. In 1544, however, Parliament restored it to the King, and it has been used by his successors.

The world has changed beyond recognition since those days. In Britain, religion is no longer imposed upon people by conquest or force.

Over the past 60 years, the faith landscape has been recultivated. The Church does not have the influence on public life it once had.

People do not go to church as they once did. The saying of prayers in schools and

town halls is not as prevalent as it was.

Christians are told to consider their faith a private matter and not to take it into the workplace – a ridiculous attitude akin to telling a married man to act as though he’s single, so he can chat up the women at work.

Culture The state of a nation’s relationship with faith is a reflection of a nation’s culture. During the Queen’s reign, Britain has become a multicultural and multifaith society. Some people feel threatened by the religious dress, observance and standards of others. Some believers are attacked because of their faith.

Disgracefully, antiSemitic attacks are not a thing of the past.

One of the benefits of the past 60 years is that Britain has become a more prosperous nation. When the Queen came to the throne, food rationing – a leftover from the war – was still the order of the day.

Today, based on total Gross Domestic Product, the UK is one of the world’s top ten richest nations. Medical advancements mean that we are living longer and, if we can keep our hands off too much of the everincreasing range of foods that fill our supermarkets, we are healthier.

As a result, however, we have become more selfreliant, more consumerist, more materialistic and more secular – personally and, thereby, as a nation.

Do such changes to the British way of life constitute a

The Coronation took place on 2 June 1953

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threat to Christianity to such an extent that it needs a defender of the faith?

No. Christians do not want a theocracy, where people face draconian punishment for ‘offending’ God, as if his honour has to be defended at every turn. Christians believe in a God who, although he co-operates with humankind, is not dependent on us to make his point. Thousands of people can testify to God changing their lives, forgiving them by his mercy, infusing them with his love, motivating them by his grace without the intervention of a solitary soul.

The fact is numbers count.

If people were flocking to worship on a Sunday in their millions, the whole of society would be different.

A nation cannot justifiably yearn for Christian values if the majority of its subjects reject Christianity’s teaching and refuse to follow its founder.

PA photo

The state of a nation’s relationship with faith is a reflection of its culture

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The War Cry 2 June 2012

The Queen broadcasts her Christianity

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T her Coronation in Westminster Abbey, 59 years ago today (2 June), the Queen promised to ‘maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel’ and to ‘maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law’.

Since Henry VIII, the Sovereign has been known as the Defender of the Faith and the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Throughout her reign, the Queen has encouraged people of all faiths.

NIGEL BOVEY reflects on the Queen’s personal statements of faith

PA

PA photo The Queen invests thought and prayer in her Christmas message

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Westminster Abbey

Addressing a multifaith reception at Lambeth Palace in February this year, attended by leaders of nine different religions, she said: ‘Faith plays a key role in the identity of many millions of people, providing not only a system of belief but also a sense of belonging. It can act as a spur for social action. Indeed, religious groups have a proud track record of helping those in the greatest need, including the sick, the elderly, the lonely and the disadvantaged.

They remind us of the responsibilities we have beyond ourselves.’

The Queen’s responsibility to the faith community goes beyond her historic titles. Her relationship with the Church is beyond ceremonial; her commitment to Christianity is more than nominal.

Over the years, the Queen has spoken

of her personal Christian commitment through her personal Christmas broadcasts.

In her first broadcast in 1952, she referred to ‘peace on earth, goodwill toward men’ as ‘the eternal message of Christmas’. She also asked for prayers for her forthcoming Coronation, ‘that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve him and you, all the days of my life’.

Forty years later, at the end of what was known as her annus horribilis – in which the marriages of Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew faltered, and Windsor Castle caught fire – she gave thanks for the ‘prayers, understanding and sympathy given to us by so many of you’.

These had, she said, ‘lent us great support and encouragement’.

In 1997, Westminster Abbey was the scene of two contrasting royal services: the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales and the celebration of the Queen and Prince Philip’s golden wedding. That Christmas, the Queen reflected that in joy and in sorrow she had experienced the presence of God: ‘St Paul spoke of the first Christmas as the kindness of God dawning upon the world. The world needs that kindness now more than ever – the kindness and consideration for others that disarms malice and allows us to get on with one another with respect and affection.

‘Christmas reassures us that God is with us today. But, as I have discovered afresh for myself this year, he is always present in the kindness shown by our neighbours and the love of our friends and family.’

At the end of the Millennium year, the Queen spoke at length about the reason behind the previous twelve months’ celebration.

‘Christmas,’ she said, ‘is the traditional, if not the actual, birthday of a man who was destined to change the course of our history. And today we are celebrating the fact that Jesus Christ was born two thousand years ago; this is the true Millennium anniversary.’

She sketched the highlights of the life of Christ, before speaking of his present-day influence: ‘Many will have been inspired

by Jesus’ simple but powerful teaching: love God and love thy neighbour as thyself – in other words, treat others as you would like them to treat you. His great emphasis was to give spirituality a practical purpose.’

She then spoke of Jesus’ influence on her own life: ‘For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life.’

In 2002, the year in which the Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee and experi-

enced the passing of her mother and sister, she reflected on the ‘heavy demands on our time and attention’ of modern living.

‘I know just how much I rely on my own faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning, I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God. ‘Like others of you who draw inspiration from your own faith, I draw strength from the message of hope in the Christian gospel.’

Last Christmas, the Queen considered the impact of separation on service families, loneliness and bereavement in a world that is ‘going through difficult times’.

‘Although we are capable of great acts of kindness,’ she said, ‘history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed.

God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general (important though they are) – but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.

‘Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.’

She concluded: ‘It is my prayer that on this Christmas Day we might all find room in our lives for the message of the angels and for the love of God through Christ our Lord.’

All of which, surely, is a true profession of the gospel.

I know just how much I rely on my own faith to guide me

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The War Cry 2 June 2012

Fifty years of forgiveness IN The Daily Telegraph, John Bingham interviewed the Bishop of Coventry about the message of forgiveness encapsulated in the city’s cathedral. The modernist cathedral was consecrated 50 years ago, ten years after its medieval predecessor was destroyed in a Second World War bombing raid.

The words of Jesus – ‘Father forgive’ – are written in a wall where the altar of the old cathedral stood.

‘This is the demanding dimension of the Coventry story,’ said the Bishop, the Right Rev Christopher Cocksworth. ‘Provost Howard [who was responsible for placing the words at the site] called for people to not only utter “Father, forgive them” – which would have been very difficult for people to do in 1940, immediately after the bombing – but moreover … to say “Father forgive”.

‘It seems to be a mature human response to recognise that in some sense we must all take responsibility for the violence in our world.’

Songs of Praise wins A TRILOGY of programmes celebrating the 50th anniversary of Songs of Praise won the Radio Times Readers’ Award for religious TV broadcasts.

The three programmes shown last year culminated in an edition recorded at Alexandra Palace and featuring singers Katherine Jenkins, Beverley Knight and LeAnn Rimes.

Tommy Nagra of the Songs of Praise production team is pictured picking up the award from the Right Rev Nicholas Baines, Bishop of Bradford, at the Sandford St Martin Trust Broadcast Awards, held at Lambeth Palace.

Media

Friar up for recording

A FRANCISCAN friar has been given a major record deal with Decca, reported The Times. Alessandro Brustenghi, 34, who works in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi is to release an album of sacred music. He said that it was ‘a good opportunity to unleash the gospel to everyone’. The friar was discovered by Mike Hedges, who has worked with the Manic Street Preachers and The Cure.

A VICAR hid in his church overnight in a successful attempt to catch a thief stealing lead from the roof, reported the Daily Mail.

According to the paper, the Rev Chris Colledge rang the police at 1.30 am, after he spotted a man climbing a drainpipe and heard him moving tiles at St Stephen’s Church in Bournemouth. Police officers found the thief on the church roof, and the fire brigade lifted him to the ground. The man has been jailed for two years.

‘These people have been coming back again and again,’ said Mr Colledge, whose church has been targeted six times by metal thieves.

‘Something really drastic needed to be done and I decided that for one night I would keep a watch.

It was a bit of a gamble but it paid off.’

Tom Howard Photography

Vicar ends thief’s night on the tiles

Radio broadcasts cathedral’s service for Queen ON Tuesday (5 June 10.20 am) Radio 4 is to broadcast a Diamond Jubilee thanksgiving service attended by the Queen.

The Queen’s Diamond

Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving will be presented live from St Paul’s Cathedral by the BBC’s royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell. Other members of the Royal Family and representatives of the UK and Commonwealth will also gather at the cathedral to celebrate and give thanks.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will preach.

Music will be provided by the Diamond Choir – made up of young singers from across the

UK and specially brought together for the service – and the choirs of St Paul’s Cathedral and of the Chapels Royal.

ITV1’s The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will include coverage of the Royal Family arriving at the service.

PRESENTER Diane Q Louise Jordan marks the Diamond Jubilee with a

special Sunday Half Hour programme on Radio 2 tomorrow (Sunday 3 June 8.30 pm).

The Choir of the Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy in the Strand in London provide the music, along with Richard Decker, the BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year 2011.

2 June 2012 The War Cry

The great outdoors

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LEE SENIOR

Allotments provide fresh fruit and veg

Garden offers a lot of pleasure THIS summer we are in outdoor celebratory mode with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and major sporting events taking place. All we need now is good weather!

But for something a little different why not take part in National Allotments Week, which begins on 6 August.

Running at the same time as the Olympic Games, it offers an alternative for those of us who wish to escape the TV and helps to promote growing your own food.

There are many events taking place at allotment sites throughout the UK, such as barbecues, talks, question-andanswer sessions and demonstrations.

by LEE

SENIOR

Potatoes

This annual event is promoted by the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners, which does a great job protecting allotment sites across the country. Some allotment sites are under threat and we all need to do what we can to protect these wonderfully productive and interesting places.

and don’t forget…

Autumn seeds Autumn are ava seed catalog u il are full able already. es T of temp and veg ting flo hey w o ers ff ers. If y growin ou p g onions garlic or over lan on th w worth o is autumn, it intering variety rdering the sp is e y disappo ou want early cific in tm ent. Bu to avoid from ga yo best de rden centres fonline or als. r the

The firs t are read new potatoes Simply y this month. te from th ase just a few e digging plant without the rest it up, leaving growing to continue .

Seaweed If you h a like it ne ve a plant that foliar liq eds a pick-me looks spray is uid seaweed ex up, a id e a l.

It is fast- tract when sp a supplie rayed on foliag cting s vital tr e ace elem and It is bett conditio er to spray in c ents. lo from su ns to avoid sco udy nlight. rch

Salads

If you a r patch, p e running shor t as pota lant slower-gro of space on th toes, br e veg wing cr o faster-g o rowing ccoli and squa ps, such and lett salads, sh, betw u s Ensure ce. The salads uch as radish een e y weed-fr ou keep the ar will be ready fi s r ee. ea well watered st. and

ALTHOUGH they can be a pain, nettles are a Q sign of fertile soil. So if you are overwhelmed with them, don’t despair; your soil has a lot going for it.

Nettles can also be used to make a natural spray for garden pests such as thrips and aphids. Just collect a kilo of stinging nettles and add approximately two pints of water.

Cover and leave to soak until the water takes on a brownish appearance, then sieve and apply to plants very generously. Use this liquid slightly diluted and don’t forget to wear thick gloves when picking the nettles.

Reapply the spray as and when it is necessary.

Some gardeners have used the same mixture with success in mild cases of powdery mildew.

Library picture posed by model

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The War Cry 2 June 2012

Royal FEBRUARY 1953 Four months before her Coronation, the Queen visited areas of Kent that were severely flooded. At Belvedere she meets Lieutenant Jean Stone and Lieutenant Kath Stobart. For weeks, the young officers had been caring for stranded families in a church hall, providing beds, food and comfort.

MAY 1953 The War Cry bursts into rationbook colour with a Coronation issue.

Articles include an account of when Salvation Army founder William Booth was invited to Buckingham Palace by King Edward VII, a look at the Imperial State Crown and a potted history of Westminster Abbey, the setting for the Coronation. Chief of Staff Commissioner John Allan writes: ‘The Salvation Army joins in earnest prayer and heartfelt good wishes for Her Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Coronation. The Army flag encircles the world, and in all five continents are to be found Salvationist sons and daughters of the Commonwealth of Nations who, with many others, are bound by ties of loyalty and affection to the capital city wherein the Queen will be crowned. The thoughts of these thousands of Salvationists will turn to Westminster Abbey within whose ancient walls they will be represented by General and Mrs Orsborn. May the blessing of God rest upon the Queen, and may he grant her wisdom and guidance.’

JUNE 1977 On a tour of Deptford, the Queen meets Brigadier Annie McLennan, who for the previous 11 years had worked at The Salvation Army’s community centre.

supportER

2 June 2012 The War Cry

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HROUGHOUT her 60 years as monarch, Queen Elizabeth II has been very supportive of The Salvation Army. She has recognised the committed social and community work of the Army by honouring individual Salvationists. In 1965, she attended the movement’s FEBRUARY 1980 centenary celebrations.

The Queen chats to residents Throughout her reign, after opening Hopetown, a new centre for homeless many Salvationists women in the East End have been guests at of London. The previous royal garden parties building that stood on the site was opened in 1931 by the or received Maundy Queen’s grandmother, Queen money from the Queen.

Mary. Also in the picture are officer-in-charge Major Jean The War Cry records a Bruce, General Arnold Brown number of occasions and social services leader when the Army featured Commissioner Anna Hannevik. in the court circular.

ROBIN BRYANT

DECEMBER 1996 The Queen opens Edward Alsop Court, a new centre for homeless men a quarter of a mile from Westminster Abbey. The £5 million centre replaced a 600-bed dormitory hostel which had been in use since 1910.

The picture shows the Queen surveying a photographic history of the centre with UK Salvation Army leader Commissioner Dinsdale Pender.

Turn to page 10

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The War Cry 2 June 2012

From page 9 OCTOBER 1997 The Queen speaks with members of The Salvation Army at Buckingham Palace to thank them for their help during the week after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Queen provided tea at Buckingham Palace for members of voluntary organisations who collected the many flowers laid by mourners outside royal palaces.

PA photo JOHN STILLWELL/PA

ROBIN BRYANT

FEBRUARY 2002 In her first public engagement after the death of her sister, Princess Margaret, the Queen reopened the refurbished Booth House. In the heart of London’s East End, the centre for homeless men is close to where William Booth started preaching on the streets, a ministry which eventually led to the formation of The Salvation Army. After meeting some of the residents, the Queen talks with the head of social services, Lieut-Colonel Alan Hart.

JUNE 2002 Kids Alive! – The Salvation Army’s children’s comic – celebrates the Golden Jubilee with a not-to-be-missed souvenir issue, giving its readers a right royal perspective.

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MAY 2004 The Queen, accompanied by designer Julian Dowle and UK Salvation Army leader Commissioner Alex Hughes, inspects the Salvation Army garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Entitled ‘From Darkness to Light’, the garden, sponsored by Buildbase, won a prestigious Silver Flora award.

Reuters

BCA Film

picture

FEBRUARY 2006 In recognition of The Salvation Army’s work in the aftermath of the 7 July London bombings, in the New Year’s Honours List the Queen appointed Major Muriel McClenahan OBE. The major is pictured receiving her insignia at Buckingham Palace. She was a co-author of the capital’s mass fatality plan and a member of the London Resilience Team. After the attacks, in which 52 commuters were killed, Salvation Army personnel assisted police with the evacuation of King’s Cross station, using a nearby centre as a rest point. Their emergency vehicles provided refreshments and pastoral support to emergency workers for four weeks.

The War Cry 2 June 2012

SUDOKU

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Puzzlebreak

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

JUBILEE CRISS-CROSS Put these words into the grid 3 LETTERS HRH 4 LETTERS ANNE JUNE 5 LETTERS CROWN FLAGS MUSIC PARTY QUEEN REGAL ROYAL SIXTY 6 LETTERS ANDREW DINNER EDWARD ESCORT GUARDS GUESTS HORSES PHILIP THRONE

ANSWERS

7 LETTERS CHARLES MAJESTY MONARCH THE MALL 8 LETTERS CARRIAGE 9 LETTERS ELIZABETH SOVEREIGN 10 LETTERS CORONATION 11 LETTERS CELEBRATION INVITATIONS

12 LETTERS COMMONWEALTH 14 LETTERS HOUSE OF WINDSOR NATIONAL ANTHEM 16 LETTERS BUCKINGHAM PALACE 17 LETTERS TROOPING THE COLOUR

MATCH UP . . . these royal-titled songs with the recording artists 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

CARIBBEAN QUEEN (1984) DANCING QUEEN (1976) DISCO QUEEN (1975) FROM A JACK TO A KING (1963) KARAOKE QUEEN (1999) KILLER QUEEN (1974) KING CREOLE (1958) KING OF THE ROAD (1965) KING OF THE WILD FRONTIER (1980) KINGSTON TOWN (1990) QUEEN OF MY HEART (2001) QUEEN OF THE NIGHT (1993)

Abba Adam and the Ants Billy Ocean Catatonia UB40 Elvis Presley Hot Chocolate Ned Miller Queen Westlife Whitney Houston Roger Miller

ROYAL FILM QUIZ 1. Who played Charlie Allnut in The African Queen?

2. Who was the voice behind King Mufasa in The Lion King?

3. Who wrote The Green Mile?

4. Complete the title The Madness of King…

5. Which wrestling star appeared in The Scorpion King?

6. What was the title of the 1999 version of The King and I starring Jodie Foster?

7. For which 1980 film did the group Queen provide the soundtrack?

8. Which actress played Queen Clarisse Renaldi in The Princess Diaries?

9. Who directed the 2005 version of King Kong?

10. Which role did Dame Judi Dench play in Mrs Brown?

ROYAL FILM QUIZ 1 Humphrey Bogart. 2 James Earl Jones. 3 Stephen King. 4 George.

5 The Rock. 6 Anna and the King.

7 Flash Gordon. 8 Julie Andrews.

9 Peter Jackson. 10 Queen Victoria.

MATCH UP 1 Billy Ocean. 2 Abba. 3 Hot Chocolate. 4 Ned Miller. 5 Catatonia.

6 Queen. 7 Elvis Presley. 8 Roger Miller. 9 Adam and the Ants. 10 UB40.

11 Westlife. 12 Whitney Houston.

Inner life IT is alarming to read that children spend up to four and a half hours a day in front of a TV or a computer screen. If they spend the bulk of their leisure time in front of a screen, they are missing out on socialising and exercising.

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roverbially SPEAKING

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense PHILIPPA SMALE takes a look at some of the Proverbs from the Bible

Proverbs 12:11 New International Version

Library picture posed by model

There is also a trend for children and adults to have a whole host of virtual friends on social networking sites but very few flesh-and-blood, real-life, tangible relationships.

Friendships that exist only online can be terminated at the click of a mouse. Virtual friends aren’t available for dog-walking, house-sitting or even a cup of coffee and a chat. People in online romances still have to meet in the flesh sometime if the relationship is to progress.

Another virtual realm is that of computer gaming. Some people spend so much time in their fantasy world that their own avatar and those of their fellow players seem more real than their family and friends.

They resent any time they have to spend in the real world and can’t wait to get back to their fantasy kingdom where they have power and control. All sorts of areas of life suffer – work, relationships, health.

The problem comes when people spend so much time in their fantasy worlds that they’re too tired or distracted to do anything productive in the real world.

And being productive, of course, is not necessarily about ‘working the land’.

Some people say that Christians live in a fantasy world that has no basis in reality. Their idea of a Christian seems to be based on the dithering cleric of TV dramas who would run a mile if confronted by, say, a homeless person, a drunk, someone who feels suicidal or someone high on drugs.

Faith in God is not a crutch – nor is it fantasy. Followers of Jesus find that knowing him gives them the strength to live the right way in the real world and to reach out to all people with a flesh-and-blood hand.

2 June 2012 The War Cry

LOOKING FOR HELP? Just complete this coupon and send it to The War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN Please send me Basic reading about Christianity Information about The Salvation Army Contact details of a Salvationist minister Name Address

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The War Cry 2 June 2012

Food for thought

Missing pup poster dogged me ‘MISSING’ said the poster attached to the lamppost. There was a picture of Sid the cocker spaniel and some information explaining that he had disappeared a few days before. Some weeks later, when I returned to the same spot, I saw a newer poster which said that, unfortunately, Sid was ‘still missing’.

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

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D A ND

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SALES AND DISTRIBUTION: Tel: 01933 441807

The Salvation Army UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN Tel: 0845 634 0101 F IR

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

MY

We can send The War Cry right to your door

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Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk

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

TH

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

There are many reasons why people get lost or go missing

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The War Cry

returned home.

Despite the shame the son had brought on the family, his father welcomed him home. Then he turned to his older son and said: ‘This brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found’ (Luke 15:32 New International Version).

There are many reasons why people get lost or go missing. But Jesus tells us that wherever we end up, there is always a way back.

Even if we end up on the wrong track, he can help us get back on the right one.

And when we do, God – our heavenly Father – is waiting to welcome us with open arms.

B LO

by JIM BURNS

It is sad for an owner to lose their pet. Even if we don’t have a pet ourselves, perhaps we can still understand the anguish that losing an animal can cause.

Feelings of empathy arise in other situations of loss as well. Many of us feel sad for parents when we watch the news and hear about their young child who has gone missing, even if we haven’t lived through the same experience ourselves.

In cases of some missing family members, there are many unanswered questions for the loved ones left behind. Where has the person gone?

Why? Was their departure their own choice? Could anything have been done to prevent it?

Jesus told a story about a missing person. He described a young man who, having had enough of living on his father’s farm, left home for pastures new.

While the young man was away, he didn’t keep in contact with his father. His money ran out and he took on a dead-end job. Finally he came to his senses, swallowed his pride and

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LVATION

2 June 2012 The War Cry

What’s cooking?

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Orange and lemon soufflés

Salmon carbonara pasta

Ingredients: 4tbsp lemon curd 50g caster sugar 3 medium British Lion eggs 3tbsp plain flour 150ml semi-skimmed milk 4tbsp reduced-sugar marmalade Icing sugar, to decorate

Ingredients: 3 British Lion eggs 100ml single cream 225g fresh spaghetti 75g fresh asparagus tips, halved 75g smoked salmon, cut into strips Salt and freshly ground black pepper 25g freshly grated Parmesan

SUDOKU SOLUTION

Method: In a bowl, whisk together 1 egg and the cream with plenty of ground black pepper. Fill a frying pan with water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, then gently add the other 2 eggs and poach for 3 minutes or according to your taste. Remove the pan from the heat.

While the eggs are cooking, cook the asparagus in a large pan of boiling salted water for 3–4 minutes until tender. Cook the spaghetti according to

the packet instructions.

Drain the asparagus and spaghetti in a colander, then return to the pan.

Add the creamy egg mixture to the pasta along with the salmon and half the cheese. Mix well, then divide between 2 plates.

Use a slotted spoon to lift the eggs from the boiled water and place on top of the pasta. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and season with black pepper.

Serves 2

Method: Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/ Gas Mark 5. Lightly butter 4 ramekin dishes, then put a spoonful of lemon curd in each dish and place on a baking sheet.

In a saucepan, whisk the sugar with 1 egg until the mixture turns a pale cream colour. Stir in the flour, then add the milk and mix until smooth. Heat the mixture until thickened, whisking constantly with a balloon whisk.

Separate the remaining eggs.

Remove the mixture from the heat, then beat in the egg yolks and marmalade. Whisk the egg whites until stiff and gently fold in.

Spoon the mixture into the ramekin dishes and bake for 20–25 minutes until the soufflés are well risen, firm to the touch and a pale golden brown. Dust with icing sugar and serve immediately.

Serves 4

Recipes reprinted, with kind permission, from the British Egg Information Service website britegg.co.uk

WALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL DIY show has built a following

Presenter Nick Knowles

writes BRUCE TULLOCH YOU couldn’t make it up. BBC TV’s DIY SOS: The Big Build was finally nominated for a Bafta Award (though it lost out to The Great British Bake Off). Now in its 23rd series (it first hit the screens in 1999), the repairand-make-good show is hardly an overnight success.

YOUR LOCAL SALVATION ARMY CENTRE

With a prime-time Wednesday evening slot, and reruns permanently on channels such as Home and Sky Living, DIY SOS is something of a TV fixture.

So what’s the appeal?

Perhaps it’s the ‘good Samaritan’ makeover format. Some say it’s the cheeky style of presenter Nick Knowles. Others point to the onscreen banter of the regular builders. ‘We love each other and then hate each other – usually within the space of about 15 minutes,’ says Nick.

‘But we still love the show and can’t wait to see one another each time.

By the end of each shoot we can’t wait to get away from each other, but that’s like all family get-togethers.’

But all the ribbing fades into the background when the stories get told. In each episode the hands-on team help out a family in difficulties, and in nine days give them a huge step-up in life. For free. Good Samaritans.

More than that, armies of builders, craftsmen and tradesmen turn up and give their time, expertise and expensive resources. Friends and neighbours join in. More good Samaritans.

In a recent episode, the team rebuilt a house to suit a family where the husband had motor neurone disease and had only three years to live. The time he had left had to be quality time. It was precious time.

At the end of that show, Nick said directly to the camera: ‘Perhaps you know somebody that you can give your time to.’

Heart-warming stuff.

Heart-searching stuff, too.

Jesus’ original story of the good Samaritan (see Luke 10:29–37) teaches ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself’, and Jesus

BBC

ends it by saying: ‘Go and do likewise’ (10:37 New International Version).

That can be hard. But we needn’t struggle with it on our own. Jesus also said: ‘Ask, and you will receive’ (Matthew 7:7).

Help is at hand. We don’t have to do it all ourselves.

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, 2012