2 COMMENT AND CONTENTS • WAR CRY • 23 March 2019
What is The Salvation Army? The Salvation Army is a church and charity providing services in the community, particularly to those who are vulnerable and marginalised. Motivated by our Christian faith, we offer practical support and services in over 700 centres throughout the UK to all who need them, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. To find your nearest centre visit salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church
From the editor’s desk EXPLORING the great outdoors is one of our nation’s favourite pastimes. With so many picturesque places to visit, there always seems to be somewhere new to discover. That has certainly been the experience of TV presenter JB Gill. In this week’s War Cry, he talks about his latest programme, Walks of Life, in which he explores some of the UK’s countryside and discovers the stories behind each location’s spiritually significant sites. JB also explains how, as a Christian, he is able to connect with nature on a spiritual level. ‘I’m a deep thinker,’ he says, ‘so I enjoy having that space and the time to think.’ People’s connection with the natural world is also shown through art. As we report this week, an exhibition of Van Gogh’s artwork starts at Tate Britain on Wednesday (27 March) and includes some of the artist’s paintings that were inspired by nature, such as The Red Vineyard at Arles and The Starry Night. Our report also reveals how Van Gogh himself was captivated by other artists known for their landscape paintings including John Constable and Claude Monet. It would seem that the beauty of this world prompts universal appreciation. So it is immensely sad that so much of its beauty is under threat because of the demands that we put on this planet. Ian Hutchinson, a professor of nuclear science and engineering, is part of the scientific effort to find abundant, safe and less harmful energy. However, in an article this week, Ian warns that the fundamental threat our planet faces is rooted in too many people wanting too much for themselves. ‘We have to reach the point where the demands we place on the planet are moderated, lest we destroy the environment around us,’ he says. It would be a tragedy if humankind destroyed this planet that we delight in because we fail to put its needs before our own.
What is the War Cry? The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.
WAR CRY Issue No 7415
Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Stephen Pearson Assistant Editor: Claire Brine Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight War Cry office: 020 7367 4900 Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN Tel: 0845 634 0101
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Helpline: 020 7367 4888 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@sp-s.co.uk Founder: William Booth General: Brian Peddle Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill
Published weekly by The Salvation Army ©The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. Printed by Walstead Grange Ltd, Southwick, on sustainably sourced paper
Your local Salvation Army centre
FEATURES 3
Picture perfect New Van Gogh exhibition opens
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More than rambling on TV presenter JB Gill talks about his new series
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Science can’t stop people wanting more Professor Ian Hutchinson on why the challenge of sustainable energy is as much spiritual as technical
REGULARS 4
News feature
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Browsing the Bible
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Now, there’s a thought!
14 Puzzles 15
What’s cooking? Front-page picture: 7 Wonder
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