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War Cry THE

salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry

Est 1879

Tale wings its way into cinemas Page 16

No 7068

FIGHTING FOR HEARTS AND SOULS

9 June 2012

20p/25c

An Italian fan watches her team on a big screen at Euro 2008

PA

PA photo

WHO ARE YA?

RESEARCH LOOKS AT EURO 2012 FANS

writes PHILIP HALCROW

WHAT’S the score with football fans? Is it that 99 per cent of Republic of Ireland supporters believe their squad has team spirit, compared with 65 per cent of England fans? Is it that 22 per cent of Swedish fans will support Denmark if their own team fails?

Sixteen international teams are aiming to win Euro 2012, which is taking place in Turn to page 3

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The War Cry 9 June 2012

Salvation Army remembers founder’s speech

PRAYERLINK

YOUR prayers are requested for Gary, who is very ill with a brain tumour; and for Inomwan, who longs for a deeper relationship with God. The War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the names of individuals and details of their circumstances.

Send your requests to PRAYERLINK, The War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN. Mark elope your envelope ‘Confidential’. ntial’.

THOUSANDS Q of members and friends of The Salvation Army attended a weekend of worship services at the Albert Hall in London, marking 100 years since, at the same venue, founder William Booth gave his last public address. During the services, members of the congregations committed themselves to living by the values that William Booth promoted – to spread the good news about Jesus and to fight for social justice.

SPEAKERS CONSIDER SOCIAL JUSTICE

Conference urges action over massage parlour ads THE Salvation Army held a day conference on social justice at its centre on London’s Oxford Street. To a packed Regent Hall, the movement’s

International Director for Social Justice, Commissioner Christine MacMillan, spoke about the biblical basis for social justice.

‘The Bible has 2,000 verses that wake us up to poverty and justice,’ Actors at the social justice conference she said. ‘God portray an imaginary encounter between himself says: “I, the Jesus and a prostitute Lord, love justice.”’

Throughout the day, workshops highlighted a range of social issues.

The older people workshop focused on how the elderly could be treated better in society, suggesing that older people are to be celebrated and not discriminated against.

The youth workshop addressed human trafficking.

Speakers pointed out that newspaper adverts for ‘massage parlours’ can be fronts for brothels which contain trafficked men and women. They urged people to address this with their local newspaper editor.

SALVATION ARMY BY THE BOOK p88

INSIDE

PAUL HARMER

News

COMMENT

p66

LIFESTYLE

p7

PUZZLES

p12

INNER LIFE

p13

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

p14

WHAT’S COOKING?

p15 PAUL HARMER

9 June 2012 The War Cry

Poland and Ukraine. TV and newspapers will present fans with wave after wave of statistics about players’ performances. But research project FanLabs is analysing the people who look on, either from the stands or from a distance.

A FanLabs truck is heading for fan zones in the host nations. Inside, two sets of eight fans will see their teams play on a TV screen. While watching the game, they will wear a headset that measures brain activity.

The people behind FanLabs say they will be measuring stress levels, attention, relaxation and other emotions: ‘We are interested in the different emotional responses of fans from across Europe.

Do the Spanish get more excited than the Dutch? Are the French more relaxed than the Irish?’

Even before the big kick-off, FanLabs – developed by electronics company Sharp – was gathering information.

Fans have been filling in surveys. The project has launched mobile apps and a Facebook page so that more fans could join in.

Early results released in February showed that Germany and Spain were the teams most feared by fans of other nations.

As data rolls in, stats may change, but some findings have caught the eye. The team that English fans most wanted to beat was Germany. The team that Irish fans most wanted to beat was England. But if England fails, 27 per cent of Three Lions fans said they would support the Republic of Ireland. It’s a funny old game.

Those who take the online test are measured for characteristics such as confidence, dedication and belief. They are also fitted into a grid of 16 types of international football fan, including part-time patriot, professional cynic and true believer.

Football is about emotion on the pitch,

Headsets will measure fans’ brain activities at Euro 2012

PA

From page 1

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Spain celebrate winning Euro 2008

PA photo

We are interested in the emotional responses

but also off it. Fans understand the meaning of dedication, passion and belief, as well as anxiety, fear and disappointment.

They are the qualities that make football a form of drama – a drama that links up with other fields of life.

Passion, dedication, hope, cynicism, elation and disappointment are part of human experience. Sometimes, everything goes well and we look forward to every day. But then we see our hopes dashed, or the time and energy we commit to someone or something seems to be ignored, and it knocks our confidence.

To be fair, there are also times when we fail to give people the support they need.

We react badly to situations and behave as if we were the centre of everything.

But in the middle of highs and lows, many people have held on to belief – that ‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life’ (John 3:16 Good News Bible).

In his Son, Jesus, God revealed his love – a love that never stops caring for us through all our experiences, that invites us to accept forgiveness for our uglier moments and offers a whole new kind of life. Result!

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Interview

C

OULD she be Britain’s oldest active newspaper columnist? At 102 years old (she turns 103 next month), Helen Brett is a loyal and frequent contributor to The War Cry. But anyone presuming that Helen’s age would make her out of touch with her readership is much mistaken. Her article published last month about ITV1’s Britain’s Got Talent proved that she is up to date with what’s going on, a writer who notices what is gripping the nation and composes a thoughtprovoking commentary on it.

‘I love writing, because I can express what I am thinking,’ she says. ‘Ideas suddenly come to me and I think: “I can write about that.” I write about what happens to me and other people. Really I am a nosy parker.’

Helen recalls that she first wrote for The War Cry when she was in her late teens. Eventually she was given her own column, which became a regular feature. She has been writing for the paper, off and on, ever since.

But even before she started writing for Salvation Army publications, Helen and Stan at their home

Our oldest

no write

HELEN BRETT tells Claire Brine changed over the past 100 years Helen knew a thing or two about the organisation. Her parents were officers (ministers) and first took her to Sunday services as a small child. When she was older – during the Second World War – Helen volunteered to get her hands dirty, offering aid to those in need.

‘I was part of a Salvation Army team in Balham that travelled round the shelters and handed out refreshments to people,’ she remembers. ‘We had crateloads of cold pies. In the background you could hear the bombs falling.’

Despite the tragedy surrounding her, Helen remembers enjoying times of laughter with her team. She maintained a positive attitude.

‘I wasn’t really fearful. I remember the neighbours stepping outside to help with the clearing up after a bomb had been dropped. I also remember that at times it was difficult to get to work, so people hitched lifts from one another.

The Salvation Army offered help to everybody – there was no discrimination.’

Other memories from the past century stand out in Helen’s mind, such as the time she met her husband, Stan.

‘A Salvation Army band came to our church in Balham, and Stan was interested in hearing them play,’ she says.

‘He was stood with a group of friends outside the hall, so I invited them all in. Stan said people made him feel so welcome that he decided to come back.’

T CLAIRE BRINE

he couple have been married for 63 years. Helen jokes that Stan – at a mere 88 years old – is her toy boy. She says he has been a ‘good investment’.

‘Stan and I have the same sense of humour. We roar with laughter at stupid things. But our marriage hasn’t always

Stan and I have the same sense of humour. We roar with laughter at stupid things. But our marriage hasn’t always been full of sunshine

9 June 2012 The War Cry

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contributor is

-off!

how the world has been full of sunshine. At times we have been fed up. That’s when it is good to have interests apart from each other, so that you are not always wrapped up in just one person.’

A

didn’t pack it in.’

As Helen has matured, so has her Christian faith. She became a Christian as a child, but she says: ‘My faith means more to me now than ever before.

‘When I was younger I used to pray: “Lord, let me pass this exam”, and treated ate tedd Go Godd a bi bitt li like ke F Father ath Christmas. at faith that.

Today, y myy fa aitth is stronger th than an th Godd lo Go loves love ves me. H Hee iiss someone some so m on me onee I look ok up tto. o. I can ask askk him him things, thi hing ngs, s, which whi hich ch is is a great grea gr eatt re ea reli relief. lief ef. f He bbothers othhers ot hers aabout bout bo u me ut me being be g uunhappy. nhhappy. He bothers about abbou ut the thhe little litt li t le things when Stan th thin hin inggs too, such as wh henn S tann losess his ta hiis false fals lsee te teeth. eet ethh. h. G God odd helps hel e ps p uuss to know w wh where to look look soo tthat hatt we ccan ha a fi an find nd d tthem.’ hem. he hem. m’ Onee of Helen’s On Hel elen en’ss earliest ear arli rli lies et memories memo mori ries es of of en enco encouncoun unntering God te eri ring ngg G od d ttook ookk oo place plac pl a e du during ng tthe he

s Helen reminisces about days gone by, she reflects on the numerous ways in which the world has changed.

‘When I was a little girl, I played out in the street and no one worried about strangers lurking around,’ she says.

‘There was much less traffic on the roads. At home we had lino instead of carpets, so our feet were often frozen.

I remember eating a lot of cold meat, mashed potato and beetroot.

‘And there have been moral changes in the world too. When I was a teenager and a boy kissed me, my first thought was: “Does that mean I’m having a baby?” Back then people never talked about sex.

‘Attitudes to work were also different.

If a person had a job but didn’t like it, they stuck with it anyway. They

Helen’s articles are always topical and relevant

First World War, at her birthday party.

‘I remember my mother looking out of our window and saying that she could see a zeppelin,’ she says. ‘So my father took all us children down to the cellar. He started singing: “God will take care of you.”

‘I know I have a simple faith. I don’t understand the half of it. But I always trust. I know that all will be well.’

When I was a teenager and a boy kissed me, my first thought was: ‘Does that mean I’m having a baby?’

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The War Cry 9 June 2012

Comment

Moral compass-ion ONE in eight Britons admits to having no sense of right or wrong. At least, that’s one of the findings of a survey carried out by the Turner Classic Movies channel, reported in the Daily Mail. The poll was carried out to see how many viewers of a typical Western sided with baddies.

When asked if they were ‘a moral person who knows the difference between right and wrong and most often chooses the right course of action’, one in eight said ‘no’. With one in five people in London saying ‘no’, compared with one in fifteen in Scotland, the findings suggest that whether we know what’s right varies according to where we live.

There may also be a moral difference between the sexes. One in ten women said they were not guided by a sense of right or wrong, compared with one in seven men.

The majority of those surveyed (66 per cent) thought that moral standards in the UK were in decline.

Commenting on the figures, sociologist Patricia Morgan told the Mail: ‘Perhaps it would be a good thing if people went back to church.’

Ms Morgan is on the right track.

One of the characteristics of today’s society – what sociologists call ‘postmodernism’ – is the idea that there is no absolute truth. One of its guiding mantras is ‘Whatever works for you is fine’.

Postmodernists pick and mix from a wide range of faiths, philosophies and superstitions to fashion their own creed. They reject that any one teaching is more authentic, authoritative or accurate than another.

Postmodernism is as old as the hills. In the biblical account of Adam and Eve the couple ignore God’s word and do their own thing. It is precisely that successive humankind has done likewise that accounts for our moral state.

And it’s why – out of compassion – God sent his Son to save a compassless world.

Media

If I were the new Archbishop…

GARY STREETER, MP, told The Church of England Newspaper that if he were the Archbishop of Canterbury, he would use the media to ‘talk about the fact that God is real and wants to redeem our broken world’.

Mr Streeter also said that he would sell Lambeth Palace, relocate the church headquarters ‘to a modern office unit … and use the remainder of the proceeds of the sale … to fund a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts’.

Another action the Christian MP would take would be to tour the UK in an old VW van, dropping in on any

Gary Streeter, MP

groups that wanted to see him and listen to them. He said: ‘I would offer to preach in the nearest church every Sunday. The message at each meeting would be the same: that God is real… That the Bible is the inspired word of God and that Jesus is who it says he is.’

The Conservative MP for Devon South THE Damaris Trust and Momentum Pictures are West also comproviding churches with outreach resources based mented that he would on the George Lucas film Red Tails, currently at restrict discussions cinemas. on sexuality in the Red Tails tells the true story of America’s first church to the same African-American squadron of fighter pilots. One of amount of time Jesus the characters – played by David Oyelowo – battles spent on the subject – with his beliefs about God. The Spooks actor said ‘ie, not at all’ – meet he enjoyed portraying a character who undergoes with other faith leada change in his attitude towards the ers to find a way to Almighty. ‘There’s nothing more work alongside each interesting for an actor than to other for the benbe different at the end than you efit of the commuwere at the beginning,’ he said. nity, and call on the The free resources include nation to pray when downloadable clips from the facing particular film and ideas on how to use crises. them to illustrate spiritual ‘I would dedicate themes. myself entirely to the For more information visit spiritual wellbeing of damaris.org/redtails the Church and the nation,’ he said.

David Oyelowo as

Churches prepare for Red Tails take-off

Joe ‘Lightning’ Little in ‘Red Tails’

Science and Belief: The Big Issues Russell Stannard Lion Hudson THE arguments surrounding science and faith – and the impact they have on each other – are under the microscope in Professor Stannard’s book, which is based on an educational video series of the same name.

The Emeritus Professor of Physics at the Open University explores controversial subjects, such

Momentum Pictures

as Creation, intelligent design, evolution and miracles. Writing simply and impartially, his aim is to encourage readers to make their own decisions on what they believe.

Each of the nine chapters opens with quotations from non-scientists expressing typical views connected to the topic, after which the professor – who is also a licensed lay minister of the Church of England – provides more in-depth treatment. His chapters conclude with a list of questions for the reader to consider.

9 June 2012 The War Cry

Lifestyle MOVING house can be stressful. Even if you have found your dream home, transporting all your belongings to it is a daunting prospect.

Starting to pack boxes two days before the move date will not help.

Planning ahead will help you feel more in control.

Try these packing tips: O Use moving as an excuse to have a clear-out. Several weeks before you expect to move, sort through the loft, shed, garage and cupboards, then pack off all the unwanted items to charity shops and car boot sales.

O Begin collecting strong cardboard boxes and newspapers. If you are using a

People need room to store appliances such as vacuum cleaners

7

Get packing! removals company, they often provide these.

O Pack everything you want moved into boxes and tape them shut. Carefully wrap delicate and breakable items tightly so they can’t roll around. Loose items and open boxes cannot be packed into a removal van very well and are highly susceptible to breakage.

O Clearly label all boxes on two sides with the appropriate room and contents on them. This will help the removal crew and

make unpacking easier. Also, designate an ‘Open first’ box.

Fill it with things that you will need to use first in your new home, such as bedding, towels, tea-making equipment, loo rolls and light bulbs.

O Personal documents, irreplaceable records, valuable jewellery and medication should travel with you in the car.

O Fridge-freezers should be emptied and defrosted the day before moving. Some removal companies will transport loaded freezers if you are travelling only a short distance.

Houses are going outta space IMAGINE having to store the vacuum cleaner a 20-minute drive away at Mum’s, or having to keep groceries in the boot of the car. Those are two real-life examples of how some British households are constrained by the design of their homes.

Some homeowners are in need of storage space not just for seasonal or nostalgic possessions, but also for basic household items. This means that ironing boards, recycling bins and even food are being stored in surprisingly inventive ways.

Research by Ipsos MORI for the Royal Institute of British Architects reveals that more storage is one of eight key features people look for when choosing a home. The report will be used by the Future Homes Commission to inform designers and builders.

Some of the key features that people need and want from their homes are: O Long and short-term storage for functional items and personal possessions.

O Dedicated space for domestic appliances, such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines, tumble dryers and ironing boards, as well as space for storing rubbish and recycling.

O Large windows for natural light, large rooms and high ceilings – referred to as ‘period features’. Plenty of space is vital to people’s wellbeing, and expectations of a new home are often shaped by the homes people have lived in previously.

O Layouts that take into account home technology. People want enough sockets and storage to be able to arrange furniture and rooms in various ways.

O Space for private time away from other members of the household. Private space makes an important contribution to a sense of wellbeing in homes. Noise reduction within and between households is also essential.

The research also reveals how people choose a home and how they think the house-buying experience should be improved.

Library pictures posed by models

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What’s going on

Think you know The Salvation Army?

I T is known for its brass bands, War Cry selling and mobile canteens, but The Salvation Army is much more than these.

During October 2011, Army corps (churches) and centres around the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland took photographs of their work and worship. The result is a book that demonstrates the diversity of this unique part of the Christian Church.

Portraits: A Month in the Life of The Salvation Army tells the story of families reunited, people assisted into work, church services attended, food parcels packed and bicycles refurbished. It shows Salvation Army personnel assisting travellers at airports, filming for the BBC’s EastEnders, continuing the fight against human trafficking, march-

Think ing a new Anglican bishop to his enthronement and even trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp to raise funds for underprivileged people.

While some images were commissioned, most of the 500-plus pictures in the book were taken by

With a personal message from Q Her Majesty the Queen, Portraits – a pictorial record of The Salvation Army in October 2011 – is published by The Salvation Army, priced £14.95 (plus £4.95 p&p).

To order call 01933 445 445 or visit sps-shop.com

Sharing a quiet moment at Smallcombe House, Bath. The Salvation Army provides high-quality residential care for several hundred older people who can no longer live independently in their own homes. Each home has a chaplain who offers support to staff, residents and their families.

9 June 2012 The War Cry

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Left: two new members are welcomed to The Salvation Army at Hythe.

Salvation Army members affirm their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Salvation Army soldiers also promise not to take drugs – including alcohol – or gamble.

again!

Major John Parrott is community chaplain to Dublin airport and port. The Salvation Army has a network of chaplains at airports, hospitals, universities and prisons.

those at the grass roots of the organisation – members, employees, volunteers and service users. This is no sanitised account of Army work. It is Christian ministry as seen through the eyes – the camera lenses – of those involved on a day-to-day basis.

Portraits shows that love for God is demonstrated through worship and service to humanity. Think you know The Salvation Army? Think again!

Left: Captain Ian Woodgate preaches to his Sunday congregation at Horsham.

Salvation Army churches are not members-only establishments.

They are open for public worship.

Below: a mobile canteen serves emergency services staff at a thatched farmhouse fire in Stowmarket. Salvationists and volunteers staff the purpose-built units and provide practical and spiritual support to emergency services personnel and people caught up in disaster.

Turn to page 10

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What’s going on

From page 9

Above: Recycles is a bike centre in Swindon staffed by residents of the town’s Salvation Army’s Booth House, a Lifehouse – a social service centre – that helps homeless people. Recycles mechanics service and repair bikes.

The shop also challenges public perception of homeless people.

Below: rock and brass musicians hold an outdoor service in Birmingham city centre.

Members of the Cameo (Come And Meet Each Other) club at Ipswich Citadel enjoy a game of bowls. Salvation Army centres provide community amenities for many people of all ages.

Volunteers prepare food parcels at Southwick, Sunderland, one of the UK’s most deprived areas.

9 June 2012 The War Cry

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A street seller makes ‘The War Cry’ and ‘Kids Alive!’ available to shoppers in Romford. Every week, thousands of copies of the Army’s newspapers are avidly read, thanks to volunteer distributors.

Residents at the Salvation Army Lifehouse in Devonport receive cookery lessons. The Lifehouse provides accommodation and support to 72 homeless men.

Sunday school teacher Alicia chats about a Bible story with one of her class. The Salvation Army believes that children matter to God and invests in giving them a firm foundation in Christian truth.

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The War Cry 9 June 2012

Puzzlebreak

SUDOKU

WORDSEARCH

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

Look up, down, forwards, backwards and diagonally on the grid to find these countries taking part in Euro 2012 CROATIA CZECH REPUBLIC DENMARK

by Chris Horne

ANSWERS

I I S L D A P S I N E H A I D H K

A A U W I C U G L A G U T R O P E

L I C S E E M E L L P A U L L G B

Z R S B A D R D C E O S A D C I D

T U R I D T E E T R Q N R P C N G

ENGLAND FRANCE GERMANY GREECE ITALY

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Escapade (7) 5. See 5 down 7. Life jacket (3, 4) 8. Scottish landowner (5) 10. Twenty quires of paper (4) 11. Shape (8) 13. Erratic (6) 14. Reddish colour (6) 17. Prisoner (8) 19. Tramp (4) 21. Graphic (5) 22. Laughs loudly (7) 23. Deluge (5) 24. Weirdest (7)

L N G M U E T N I D U E N O A N T

R Z D M R A G N C I G M E E N R R

E D N E S R I M N F A C U L E S C

I T A L Y Z M A P O D E E E Y S E

C I L B U P E R H C E Z C E D N E

P E G L C U L K A I E E C N R E N

NETHERLANDS POLAND PORTUGAL REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

N S N G R K A I R L D B A A A A S

O I E N P R U U N B A L I L I R O

I L T E C A U E E U O S W G R S F

E F G N T I O E S P D P I R F Y B

N U D D Y N A M R E G S L A U I R

N C D E N E T H E R L A N D S P T

RUSSIA SPAIN SWEDEN UKRAINE

HONEYCOMB Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number

DOWN 2. Omen (7) 3. Town crier’s shout (4) 4. Tie with a rope (6) 5 and 5 across.

American literary award (8, 5) 6. Cake topping (5) 7. Pouched mammal (9) 9. Hazardous (9) 12. Debased (8) 15. Sequester (7) 16. Barry Gibb, for example (3, 3) 18. Trunk (5) 20. Afield (4)

1. Irrational fear of something 2. Narrow stripe of fabric 3. Having the consistency of water 4. Truthful and straightforward 5. Period of ten years 6. Traditional Scottish drinking cup

QUICK QUIZ 1. Who provides the voice for Rapunzel in the film Tangled?

2. According to the nursery rhyme, who married the owl and the pussycat?

3. Which Top Gear star also presents the TV series Toy Stories?

4. What was the middle name of the writer Jerome K. Jerome?

5. What is distinctive about a member of the Handlebar Club?

6. How many lobes are there in the brain?

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1 Exploit. 5 Prize. 7 Mae West. 8 Laird.

10 Ream. 11 Pentagon. 13 Uneven. 14 Cerise.

17 Internee. 19 Hobo. 21 Lurid. 22 Guffaws.

23 Flood. 24 Eeriest.

DOWN: 2 Presage. 3 Oyez. 4 Tether. 5 Pulitzer.

6 Icing. 7 Marsupial. 9 Dangerous. 12 Degraded.

15 Isolate. 16 Bee Gee. 18 Torso. 20 Afar.

QUICK QUIZ 1 Mandy Moore. 2 The turkey who lives on the hill. 3 James May. 4 Klapka. 5 They have a handlebar moustache. 6 Four.

HONEYCOMB 1 Phobia. 2 Ribbon. 3 Liquid. 4 Candid.

5 Decade. 6 Quaich.

Inner life

9 June 2012 The War Cry

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm

‘He’s just got in with the wrong kind of friends,’ she said. ‘Well, so-called friends.

They think it’s fun to go shoplifting.

They’ve trashed the play area at the park.

I’m pretty sure they’ve been joyriding.

And I don’t want to think about whether they’ve been taking drugs. I thought that if he spent time with you, he might see that life doesn’t have to be like that. I’m afraid that if he doesn’t change, he’ll end up in prison.’

With a plea like that echoing in his ears, Proverbs 13:20 New the leader felt he had to accept the sullen youth into the group. David wasn’t easy to cope with, and when he talked about his exploits there was a danger that he would be a bad influence on the other members.

But eventually there was a breakthrough. The group helped out at a sports day for disabled children. David was assigned to help twelve-year-old Charlie, who had been a wheelchair-user since he was five.

When Charlie won the 100 metres wheelchair race, David found himself close to crying. The boy was so pleased and proud of his achievement.

It wasn’t an immediate conversion but, over a period of about six months, David began to realise that life didn’t have to be criminal to be fulfilling. He began to think about helping others and appreciating the good things in his life.

Thanks to his mother, David had had the opportunity to meet people with positive values, and they changed how he felt and what he did.

Part of Jesus’ message was that following him meant change. People who met him found themselves becoming more loving, caring and understanding.

PHILIPPA SMALE And how they lived rubbed off on other people so that takes a look at some they, too, changed. of the Proverbs from the Bible That is why the Christian faith is still alive today – people let Jesus change them and then, realising that he could change others too, set out to help them.

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International Version

roverbially SPEAKING 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

Library picture posed by models

A MOTHER dragged her 13-year-old son, David, along to a church youth club. He obviously didn’t want to be there, but his mother explained to the group leader why she had brought him.

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The War Cry 9 June 2012

Christianity is an invaluable

Food for thought

crutch

We are just holding each other up

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

E

Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk

We can send The War Cry right to your door

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

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

MY

The War Cry

While in Brighton, we visited the Sea Life centre.

On our entry we noticed a woman giving out pamphlets. She turned to my wife and said: ‘Would you like something to help you round?’

‘Yes please,’ Pat replied.

‘A wheelchair.’

The assistant saw the funny side and handed us a leaflet. Fortunately we got round the aquarium under our own steam.

But I don’t believe there is anything wrong in asking for help or accepting it when we are tired or burnt out.

Some people say that Christianity is nothing more than a crutch for weak people, something to prop them up when life is difficult. Often those who pride themselves in doing everything in their own strength have no time for a faith that focuses on helping people whose lives have fallen flat.

But needing help is not a weakness. At times we all need it.

There is a story about a couple who had

R

Library picture posed by models

by CLIFF KENT

MY wife, Pat, and I went on a day trip to Brighton. But as we get older, our days out often end up being half-days instead. After walking for some time we get weary. We need a coffee or a sit-down.

mobility problems and went out for a walk. A friend spotted them trudging along together. ‘Don’t think we’re all lovely-dovey,’ the shuffling woman called out.

‘We are just holding each other up.’

It is great when friends can uplift and support us, but God our heavenly Father can provide us with an inner strength like no other. The Bible says: ‘God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms’ (Deuteronomy 33:27 New International Version).

It is well worth seeking support from the arms of God. His presence can help us to cope when we feel as though we can’t. Whether we experience good days or bad, the crutch of Christianity is invaluable.

B LO

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LVATION

9 June 2012 The War Cry

What’s cooking?

Mini pork and caramelised onion picnic pies

Pork, plum and

Ingredients: 1tbsp olive oil 1 red onion, peeled and thinly sliced 1 onion, peeled and thinly sliced 1tbsp soft brown sugar 500g packet ready-made puff pastry 4 chunky pork sausages, skins removed 1 egg, to glaze Milk, to glaze

sage pasties

Ingredients: 225g lean mince pork 2 fresh plums, stones removed and chopped 1tbsp plum jam Salt and pepper 1tbsp fresh sage, chopped 500g packet ready-made shortcrust pastry 1 egg, to glaze Milk, to glaze

SUDOKU SOLUTION

Method: Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4. Place the pork, plums, jam, salt, pepper and sage in a large bowl and mix well.

Roll out the pastry, then cut out 5 rounds, each with a 17cm diameter.

Place a large spoonful of the pork mixture into the centre of each circle, then lightly brush the edges

15

of the pastry with a little water. Fold the pastry around the filling. Press the pastry edges together and seal, making a crimped pattern.

Brush the pasties with the egg and milk glaze, then place on a non-stick baking tray.

Bake for about 25–30 minutes, until the pastry turns golden brown.

Makes 5

Method: Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/ Gas Mark 4. Heat the oil in a small saucepan. Add the onions and cook gently until soft, but not browned.

Add the sugar, then heat through to allow the sugar to caramelise the onions. Allow to cool slightly.

Roll out the pastry, cut out 12 rounds and use them to line a fairy cake or patty tin.

Mix together the sausage meat and onions and place a small spoonful of the mixture into each pastry case.

Cut out 12 pastry lids, brushing the edges with a little water. Place a lid (damp edge down) over the top of each pie. Press down to seal the edges and decorate the pastry tops if you wish.

Use a knife to make a small air hole in the top of the pastry and brush with an egg and milk glaze. Cook the pies for 15–20 minutes until risen and golden.

Makes 12 Recipes reprinted, with kind permission, from the lovepork.co.uk website

Momentum Pictures

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R E Y A PR

The Red Tails squadron are ready for action

NO need to fear. The Red Tails are here. Inspired by the true story of the Second World War’s first African-American fighter squadron, Red Tails has safely landed at cinemas across the UK.

YOUR LOCAL SALVATION ARMY CENTRE

The war is well under way, soldiers are on the front line and air forces have taken to the skies to fight. But it is a different story for the men of the 332nd Fighter Group of the US Army Air Corps, also known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Because they are black, they are not considered worthy enough to fight a frontline mission.

Major Emmanuel Stance (Cuba Gooding Jr) and Colonel A. J. Bullard (Terrence Howard) fight for the flyers’ right to be treated like any other servicemen. But there’s more than racial discrimination going on.

Squadron Leader Marty ‘Easy’ Julian is a secret drinker.

It’s his way of coping with the stress of leadership. Joe ‘Lightning’ Little is a gung-ho free spirit who’s not afraid of

Film retells story of conflict writes RENÉE DAVIS tackling conflict head-on.

Eventually the squadron gets the chance to take the fight to the enemy – protecting Allied bombers on an airstrike.

When one of the team goes missing in action, the men are distraught. But Colonel Bullard tells them: ‘We should not be discouraged … we are on the side of God Almighty.’

In war, God does not take sides. However, God is always on the side of those who are downtrodden or oppressed.

God never writes us off

Sometimes people may try to convince us that we are not good enough, smart enough, rich enough or worthy enough.

This can make us feel hopeless, uncertain and afraid. It can make us draw back from our task. It can make us wonder if we are doing the right thing. We feel alone. But God never writes us off. He does not abandon us.

Wherever we are in life – whatever we’re going through – if we call on him, he will be with us.

‘Do not be afraid,’ the Bible tells us, ‘do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go’ (Joshua 1:9 New International Version).

If we put ourselves on God’s side, we can be sure that he will see us through any struggle – whatever the opposition.

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