War Cry 12 September 2026

Headteacher explores the lessons of Education Sunday

12 September 2026 50p/60c

Box to Box Former footballer fronts game show

Ukrainian refugee Margo runs to say thank you

What is The Salvation Army?

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity seeking to share the good news of Jesus and nurture committed followers of him. We also serve people without discrimination, care for creation and seek justice and reconciliation. We offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK. Go to salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church to find your nearest centre.

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 7798

Editor: Gareth Dickens, Major Managing Editor: Philip Halcrow Staff Writer: Emily Bright Staff Writer: Claire Brine Staff Writer: Ewan Hall Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Mark Knight Graphic Designer: Matt Penberthy Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 1 Champion Park London SE5 8FJ

From the editor’s desk There are some days that become indelibly etched in the memories of all those who witness or experience them – and 11 September 2001 was one such day.

It is now 25 years since the terrible events of 9/11 unfolded in New York City, Washington DC and Pennsylvania. To those of us who saw them only through the medium of television, they seemed surreal; but to those who were there, they were all too real. In a Team Talk article in this week’s issue of the War Cry, Linda McTurk recounts some of her memories of living in New York at that time.

‘I noticed that the air resembled smoke, but also something else – that there was a sickening smell,’ she writes. ‘In the distance, I saw a mushroom cloud engulfing part of Manhattan.’

But, as Linda points out, many young people today have no memory of those events or their aftermath – a situation which UK charity SINCE 9/11 seeks to change. Its education programme aims to build a legacy of hope out of the tragedy, challenging extremism and encouraging empathy, respect and kindness.

Education will be in the forefront of many people’s minds at this time of year. For pupils, parents and teachers, it’s back to school or college. Older students may be preparing for the adventure of university or continuing their education journey in a work environment. It’s fitting then that many churches will be celebrating Education Sunday on 13 September.

In an interview this week, headteacher Jonathan Sands discusses the importance of education and why we should celebrate it. He talks also about the wider responsibilities of his role and how his Christian faith helps him to fulfil them.

Jonathan makes the point that education is about preparing for life.

Jesus, too, wanted those who followed him to be prepared for life. If we want to live life to the full today and build a world where respect and kindness replace fear and hatred, then there is no better teacher than him.

When you’ve read the War Cry, why not pass it on ➔ ➔ ➔

Tel: 0845 634 0101 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org Founders: Catherine and William Booth International leaders: General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham Territorial leaders: Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main Editor-in-Chief: Major Andrew Stone Published weekly by The Salvation Army © The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

Printed by CKN Print, Northampton, on sustainably sourced paper

INFO

CONTENTS FEATURES

3

Stepping out of The Box Celebrities are challenged by Gary Lineker

6

Running with a purpose A Ukrainian refugee says thank you

9

Back to school Celebrating education – a headteacher’s thoughts

13 Making mockery

Your local Salvation Army centre

TV’s sideways look at the news REGULARS

FO 4

Team Talk and War Cry World

12 What Did He Say? 14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: ITV

2 • WAR CRY • 12 September 2026

6 9 13 15

ITV

Caption

Thinking outside the box

Famous faces take on mystery challenges in reality series TV feature: The Box ITV1 and ITVX

By Emily Bright

C

elebrities are embarking on journeys into the unknown in the reality series The Box, hosted by footballer-turnedpundit Gary Lineker. Each show begins with the contestants emerging from their yellow box in a mystery location. They have no idea what challenges they’ll face.

‘The hardest thing about this,’ says presenter and singer JB Gill, ‘is that you don’t get a set of instructions.’

At the outset of every episode, it’s every man or woman for themselves as contestants take on the same challenge as individuals. The winner is immune from elimination. Those who end up in the bottom two are then made captains for a team challenge.

The losing team’s captain must then duel with one of their own team-mates – voted for by the opposing side – to fight for their survival in the competition.

Last week, the celebrities met each other for the first time. Some are natural team players; others are out for themselves. Their first task was to find yellow hexagonal tokens – which were hidden around the site – and fit them into spaces on a table.

TV presenter Ranvir Singh had to overcome her fear of water to rescue a token attached to two yellow buoys.

Thankfully, former football player and manager Graeme Souness came to her aid at just the right time.

In the team challenge, JB’s team was victorious in an egg-and-spoon race, leaving YouTuber Danny Aarons and Graeme from the losing team to duel over a modified version of rock, paper, scissors.

Outfoxed – or outboxed – by Danny, Graeme left the competition.

In the second episode, the boxes turned up at Corfe Castle in Dorset.

Cryptic clues challenged the contestants to remain seated on chairs for as long as they possibly could. Some competitors bluffed to get ahead, others thought too far outside the box, while still others basked in the apparent simplicity of what was required of them.

After the task, there was no time to rest – a team challenge awaited the nine celebrities, in which Sara Davies from BBC1’s Dragons Den had to face her worst fears of singing in public. Even though she rose to the occasion, she

was eliminated.

Speaking about the series as a whole, Sara said: ‘I’m not in control of anything.

I just don’t deal in the unknown.’

We can perhaps all relate to struggling with the unknown.

But there is help available to us in times of uncertainty.

One Bible writer who was no stranger to challenges, but who was buoyed by his relationship with God, wrote that ‘the Lord shows us how we should live, and he is pleased when he sees people living that way. If they stumble, they will not fall, because the Lord reaches out to steady them’ (Psalm 37:23 and 24 Easy-toRead Version).

Those words remain just as true today. God will give us guidance on how best to live and will provide a continual source of support.

Rather than putting faith in a box, we all have the opportunity to try following God for ourselves. If we do, we’ll be on to a winner.

Gary Lineker (centre) with the celebrities who joined ‘The Box’

12 September 2026 • WAR CRY • 3

Team talk TEAM WA

talk ‘ TALK’ j We must not forget 9/11

Linda McTurk gives her take on a story that has caught the attention of War Cry reporters It has been 25 years since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, when two hijacked commercial airliners were flown into New York’s World Trade Center and the twin towers collapsed. On the same day, more hijacked planes crashed into the Pentagon in Washington DC and to the ground in Pennsylvania. A total of 2,977 people from more than 90 countries, including 67 British citizens, lost their lives.

I remember that day vividly because I was in New York City.

As a 13-year-old student living in Queens, I was at school when the attacks happened. My mum was working in Manhattan and my dad was away on business. While walking home, I noticed that the air resembled smoke, but also something else – that there was a sickening smell. In the distance, I saw a mushroom cloud engulfing part of Manhattan. I can still recall the fear, panic and trauma of the day as if it happened recently.

Yet, a quarter of a century later, many young people have no memory of those events. In fact, every pupil currently attending school in the UK was born after 9/11.

That is why the work of UK charity SINCE 9/11 caught my attention. The organisation helps young people to understand what happened that day, its lasting impact and the importance of challenging extremism while promoting tolerance, respect and peace. To mark the anniversary, the charity organised a commemorative event beside Since 9/11, a sculpture which is made from steel recovered from Ground Zero and which stands as a permanent London memorial to those who lost their lives.

The charity’s commitment made me reflect upon my own responsibility to be a peacemaker. As a Christian, I believe Jesus calls us to be people of reconciliation, mercy and peace. His words remain as relevant today as ever: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God’ (Matthew 5:9 New International Version).

As I reflect on one of the darkest days in recent history, I find hope in knowing that God is a God of peace and that each of us can help bring that peace into our communities through our love, kind words and thoughtful actions towards others.

I noticed the air resembled smoke

Team talk 4 • WAR CRY • 12 September 2026

Drop-in steps up to help

In three years, a drop-in service for people experiencing homelessness in Worksop has become so popular that people are queuing outside before the doors are opened.

Inside the centre run by Salvation Army minister Lieutenant Jackie Littlewood, they find warmth, food and something less visible but just as vital: belonging.

What began as a simple idea has grown into a regular drop-in session offering meals, showers, laundry facilities and access to professional services.

Jackie co-ordinates volunteers, builds partnerships and creates a safe, structured environment where people are known by name. For many, it’s a place where they don’t have to pretend or hide.

‘It’s not just about the food,’ Jackie says. ‘They know they are loved and safe.’

Such support rarely makes headlines, yet it quietly changes lives. Relationships are rebuilt, health improves and people begin to take steps forward – sometimes after years of instability.

In a world where many feel invisible, The Salvation Army offers dignity, community and hope by providing bespoke local support through some 600 centres across the UK. To support your local Salvation Army services visit salvationarmy.org.uk/bigconnection

Do you have a story to share? a warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk TheWarCryUK

B salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry

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WnRLD MURDO MacLEOD

Proclaimers among headliners

Rock duo the Proclaimers (pictured), Sky News reporter Cathy Newman, singer-songwriter Charlotte Church, hip-hop group Arrested Development and TV presenter the Rev Kate Bottley were among the line-up at Greenbelt – an annual arts, faith and justice festival – which took place over the bank holiday weekend at Boughton House near Kettering.

Founded in 1974, Greenbelt is rooted in Christianity and describes itself as a place where ‘artistry meets activism, the secular meets the spiritual, politics meets positivity’.

Volunteers take swift action

St Peter’s Church in Maldon, Essex, is now home to 12 purpose-built nesting boxes for swifts, BBC News reported.

Made by volunteers, the boxes have been specially designed for the swift’s 42cm wingspan and installed in the church’s tower.

John Le Seve from the Essex Swift Recovery Project told the BBC that the swifts’ traditional nesting spots under the eaves of older buildings were disappearing across the country as a result of building renovations and the installation of insulation.

But, he added, the Maldon area has a higher population of swifts – with six nesting pairs at the nearby St Peter’s hospital – because of the presence of older buildings and good feeding grounds. John expressed a hope that the nesting boxes would boost swift populations significantly.

‘There’s a church in Bury St Edmunds and last year they had 54 nesting swifts in the church towers,’ he said, ‘so we’re hoping maybe eventually one of the churches in Essex will have a similar amount.’

Celebrities join appeal of bells BBC presenter Sophie Raworth, former chairman of the FA Greg Dyke and Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler are joining other speakers in a 12-hour ‘preachathon’ to raise money for new bells at a church in southwest London.

According to the online newspaper Richmond Nub News, the vicar of St Mary Magdalene Church in Richmond, the Rev Robert Stanier, will spend 12 hours on 22 September chatting with celebrities and other special guests about stories in the Bible and their relevance to daily life.

The priest hopes that the ‘dawn to dusk feat’ – in which a new guest will join him for conversation every hour – will help the church’s bellringers reach their fundraising target for new bells and also support the work of the Richmond Soup Kitchen.

12 September 2026 • WAR CRY • 5

‘RUNNING IS A CHANCE

Margo (third from left, back) with fellow runners Tetiana, Maryna, Peter and Daria at last year’s Great North Run

6 • WAR CRY • 12 September 2026

TO SAY THANK YOU’ YOU The 2025 Great North Run sets off from Newcastle

Ahead of this weekend’s Great North Run, MARGO MARCHENKO talks about the support that she has been given by The Salvation Army since arriving in the UK as a refugee from Ukraine – and explains how she is running to help others Interview by Philip Halcrow

A

mong the 63,000 runners getting ready to line up in Newcastle on Sunday (13 September) at the start of the Great North Run is Margo Marchenko. Margo lives in nearby Houghton-le-Spring and is a regular visitor to The Salvation Army’s Sunderland Monkwearmouth church, though her motivation for taking on the half-marathon lies, in part, hundreds of miles away.

‘I’m from Dnipro, which is in a big business region of Ukraine,’ says Margo, ‘but my city was suffering bombardment every day. Lots of areas, schools, social buildings and hospitals were being destroyed. It’s not a military city, but it was becoming a very dangerous place.

‘Before I arrived in England, I hadn’t been thinking about changing country. It was just because of the war. I wanted to find a safe space for my children.

‘When I arrived in October 2022, I thought it was temporary – but now I’ve been here for more than three years.’

Margo had travelled to England with her two sons, with ‘a little bag packed with

some very important things’ and with the belief that the war would be finished soon.

‘It was not easy,’ she says, ‘because I needed to leave everything and start a new life, but I’m so happy to have found nice friends here.

‘Then last December, my mum arrived too, because it was a very difficult winter in Ukraine, with lots of places destroyed in the bombardment. The situation was getting worse, so I asked her to come over.’

Such a big change in life can be stressful

I

n her early days in the UK, Margo and her children found accommodation through the government’s sponsorship scheme.

As well as providing Margo with somewhere to stay, her sponsor family helped her discover circles of support in her new home in the North East.

‘When I arrived, my sponsor family

understood that such a big change in life can be stressful, and they organised for me to meet with some other Ukrainians who were already in the country,’ she says.

‘So I went to my first meeting with other members of the Ukrainian community. It was held at Hope Church in Sunderland and was being led by Katarzyna, a lovely lady from Poland. She brought our community to birth – she joined us together, cared for us and gave us the energy to take our first steps into our lives here.

‘When Katarzyna could no longer continue to lead us, our community decided that we did not want to disappear from each other’s lives, so we looked for somewhere to continue meeting.’

The community found a welcome at The Salvation Army’s Sunderland

Turn to page 8 f 12 September 2026 • WAR CRY • 7

From page 7

Monkwearmouth church.

Its leaders, Majors David and Elizabeth McCaw-Aldworth, offered a place where the exiled community could meet. Over time, David and Elizabeth, along with the members and friends of the Salvation Army church, have provided much more.

‘In the beginning they helped by giving us vouchers, which we could take to the shop and exchange for food,’ says Margo. ‘They have also helped us as we try to improve our lives. Although we did not plan to be here, life still continues, so everybody tries to find work, to be useful for the community.’

When Margo travelled from Ukraine, she left behind her own business, which she still tries to support in any way she can, but which has become difficult to

sustain because of the war. She hopes that one day it will become viable again.

In the meantime, she has found work as a sales assistant in the UK. She has also moved into a place of her own, as have other refugees from Ukraine.

A lot of people have needed mental support

‘W

hen people from our Ukrainian community have needed it, The Salvation Army have helped them with moving and provided some furniture,’ she notes.

‘But above all, since we arrived, The Salvation Army have given us mental

Margo finishes her first Great North Run in 2024

8 • WAR CRY • 12 September 2026

support, which has been very important because a lot of people have needed it – especially when they are worried about relatives who are still in Ukraine.’

Margo describes how the Sunderland Monkwearmouth church accommodates the Ukrainians’ regular Sunday gettogethers.

‘Those meetings are an opportunity for our community to speak together and support each other. The Salvation Army provides hot drinks for us, cold drinks for the children, crisps and sweets – which might sound like something small, but it’s important, because it shows the way they think about us.

‘They provide us with lots of events, including times when we join together with English people and pray together, shoulder to shoulder. They are powerful times and give us lots of energy so that we can keep going and can look forward.’

Margo also talks of events that have taken place on 24 February to mark the anniversary of the beginning of the fullscale Ukraine-Russia war – and of food events giving local people the opportunity to learn more about Ukrainian cuisine and culture.

Having been helped, the members of the Ukrainian community have joined with The Salvation Army in raising money to help other people.

This year, as in previous years, Margo and other Ukrainians based in the North East will run alongside Peter Holmes, a Ukrainian family sponsor and a Salvation Army volunteer, in the Great North Run. They will be raising funds for The Salvation Army’s work in the UK and in Ukraine, where later in the year Peter will be travelling – not for the first time – with donations.

Margo is looking forward to setting off on her third Great North Run. ‘To be honest, it’s not an easy decision to take part,’ she says, ‘because it’s hard work. I joke to my friends that I can run it once a year, but no more, because otherwise I will die.

‘But despite that, I am happy to run, because it’s a chance to raise money for The Salvation Army.

‘My big motivation is that taking part is helpful. It’s a chance to support a lot of projects that help other people, whether it’s homeless English people or members of the Ukrainian community here or a Salvation Army church in Ukraine who need support.

‘It’s also a chance to say thank you for the people who have given me and the other members of our community so many opportunities.’

‘Education is so much more than exams’

Jonathan Sands

Ahead of Education Sunday (13 September), headteacher JONATHAN SANDS describes the joys and challenges of preparing young people for life Interview by Ewan Hall

A

history question: What day has been held annually by churches across England and Wales for more than 100 years to recognise and support people working and studying in schools, colleges and universities?

The answer is Education Sunday, when congregations celebrate and pray for pupils, teachers and support staff as they settle into a new academic year.

‘Education is ever-changing,’ says Jonathan Sands, headteacher at the Ongar Academy, a secondary school in Essex. ‘Every day, we’re dealing with a huge number of controversial issues that perhaps would not have existed when churches started Education Sunday. With different political opinions on education and different views about

society, we must remain fairly neutral on most issues. But there are some issues where guidance is set for us and we have to follow it.

‘It can be tough, which is why educators need prayer, not only for the energy to keep going but also for wisdom in navigating those issues.’

If Education Sunday is a celebration, what does Jonathan think is worth celebrating? He highlights that achievement in education is not just about grades.

‘People need to be careful when celebrating education because the focus often goes straight to GCSE,

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From page 9

A-level and SAT results,’ he explains, ‘but education is so much more than that. It’s about students being exposed to different people and perspectives, discovering their passions, building relationships and learning skills needed to navigate life.

‘What we should celebrate are the ways in which education shapes young people’s lives beyond exams. And that is why on Education Sunday we should also be praying for the future of today’s children and for education to continue preparing them for whatever that

future may hold.’

Jonathan prepared for his career in education by training as a music teacher in 2010. He took up his present post as headteacher in 2024. However, he is keen to point out that being the boss of a school is about far more than just enabling teachers to provide misbehaving children with the threat of being sent to the head’s office.

‘The best way to describe my role is as the ultimate stage manager,’ he says. ‘I am responsible for making sure everything in the play runs smoothly,

that everyone is in the right place and knows what they’re doing.

‘I am constantly predicting what might go wrong and putting plans in place. But, as well as being the stage manager, the headteacher is also the director and writer of the play. There may be an outline, but how you want it to be received by the young people and the wider community is up to you.

‘What people perhaps don’t realise is how involved headteachers are with families in crisis and with social services and external agencies, particularly when students are facing serious challenges.

Every teacher has their own pressures

‘W

e also have a pastoral role in supporting the wider school community. The HR side of the job is probably the most underestimated, because every teacher has their own family, challenges and pressures, and it’s my job to listen, understand and support them.

‘But no matter how happy your students, staff or community are, headteachers are still judged against a wide range of government measures. The challenge is balancing those demands while staying true to your vision for the school.’

Jonathan still teaches music lessons while being headteacher, as he wants to continue to inspire his pupils and make sure they enjoy their education.

And, while he takes great pride in seeing them do well on results day, he often finds the most rewarding parts of his job are in helping students and families in moments of crisis and seeing his staff being ‘a source of stability at a traumatic The Ongar Academy, moment’. where Jonathan is Whether headteacher facing a crisis or aiming to meet the day-today demands

10 • WAR CRY • 12 September 2026

of running a school, Jonathan is influenced by his Christian faith.

‘Jesus is the ultimate leader, and I certainly aspire to be a leader like him,’ he says.

He explains: ‘Jesus was the ultimate coach. He never directly said: “You need to do this better” or “You’re doing it wrong.” Instead, he would ask a question that would cut right to the core of that person, who would then have to reflect and say: “OK, I see what you are saying.”

‘I certainly try to do that as much as possible when I work with staff, especially in difficult situations. It’s not about saying: “I am right and you are wrong.” It’s about saying: “Why are we here?” and “What can we do together to put it right?”’

Prayer plays a crucial role in helping Jonathan manage the pressure and responsibilities of leading a school.

‘Although I’m a musician, I don’t listen to the radio or any music while

on the way to and from work,’ he says.

‘I sit in silence because it is one of the only times in the day when I get to do that. When I’m working, there is not a second that goes by when someone isn’t asking me a question and needing an answer. So my journeys to and from work become my times to sit and talk with God.

We have to have faith we make a difference

‘I

tend to pray on the way in and reflect on the way out. I always pray for God to be the centre of all the decisions that are made at school.

There are times when I am about to go into a meeting – especially in highstakes situations – and I’m certainly talking to God in those moments.’

Jonathan thinks that it makes sense for churches to set aside a day to recognise the importance of people

in schools, colleges and universities.

After all, he says, education is about supporting young people and shaping the future of society and the world.

‘Why wouldn’t you have a day to celebrate the education system? These are challenging times. The sector is tired. I’ve felt it being pulled in lots of different directions. But at the heart of our work is the desire to make sure children are prepared and able to take on their next set of challenges, even if we can’t necessarily see those challenges now.

‘The Bible reminds us in the Book of Proverbs: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

‘We have to have the faith that our interactions with young people make a difference for them. That is a heavy responsibility – and one that does need prayer.’

12 September 2026 • WAR CRY • 11

What did he say?

Prayerlink The War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the first names of individuals and details of their ­circumstances, for publication.

Send your Prayerlink requests to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk or to War Cry, 1 Champion Park, Lon­don SE5 8FJ. Mark your correspondence ‘Confidential’.

j

Becoming a Christian

There is no set formula to becoming a Christian, but many people have found saying this prayer to be a helpful first step to a relationship with God

Lord Jesus Christ, I know that I have done things in my life that are wrong and I’m sorry.

Thank you that I can ask you for forgiveness because of the sacrifice you made when you died on the cross.

Please forgive me and help me to live a better life in the future as I learn how to love you and follow your way of living.

Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Lynne Shaw takes a look at some of the significant sayings of Jesus You are the salt of the earth – Matthew 5:13 When you describe yourself, do you ever think of being like salt? Rock salt, table salt, sea salt, pink Himalayan salt? Chemically, they’re all simply sodium and chloride ions that bond and form lattice-type cubes.

Practically and historically, salt has been used for flavour, for preservation, as a fertiliser and an antiseptic, as a sign of friendship and hospitality, and even in making covenants.

People that are described as the salt of the earth are known for their goodness, humility, kindness and authenticity. They’ll be hardworking and will do anything they can to help anyone they can.

When Jesus told his listeners that they were the salt of the earth, he asked a question that doesn’t always make sense to modern ears: ‘What good is salt if it has lost its flavour?’ (New Living Translation).

While salt is a stable compound, it can effectively lose its flavour or saltiness if it’s contaminated. Similarly, our lives may be contaminated by setback after setback, or by a situation beyond our control that breaks down our capacity to cope, stealthily making us hard-hearted.

Contamination could even come in the form of compassion fatigue, where we emotionally withdraw and feel a deep tiredness after a prolonged period of helping others.

Finding the right support, rebuilding our strength, taking rest and learning to be softhearted again can help us find new ways of being the salt of the earth.

Some scholars suggest that when Jesus talked about his followers being the salt of the earth, he was explaining their role in the world. One Bible translation puts his words like this: ‘Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of this earth’ (The Message).

Elsewhere in the Bible there is a list of such ‘God-flavours’ – that is, qualities that come from God. It reads: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

It’s not always easy to show these qualities, but God has promised to help us if we’ll follow him. However we might describe ourselves now, with God’s support we can change for the better and be the salt of the earth.

"

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MOCK TALES ALA MY /A L

2

Who plays bomb disposal officer Lana Washington in the TV drama series Trigger Point?

What book by AA Milne introduced readers to characters such as Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet?

3

Who stars as meteorologist James Stagg in the historical drama film Pressure?

4

Which football club plays its home matches at Anfield?

5 6

What is the capital of Canada?

Who had a No 1 hit this year with her song ‘Hate That I Made You Love Me’?

ANSWERS

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QUICK QUIZ

The joke is on the latest news stories in comedy panel show

ED

TV preview: Mock the Week TLC

By Ewan Hall

Y

ou have to laugh. Satirical panel show Mock the Week is back on Dara Ó Briain Sunday (13 September) to take a wry look at the past week’s events.

What began as a single series revival on TLC has proved so popular with viewers that a summer mini-series was introduced. Now a new extended autumn run is beginning with comic Rhys James and long-term host Dara Ó Briain back trying to see the funny side of world events.

‘What? Another series?’ Dara was reported as saying when the show's new run was announced. ‘I thought we’d solved all the world’s problems in this series. Oh, all right. Bring me more news!’

The duo will be joined by new and familiar faces from the comedy world as they discuss current topics. Each round provides prompts, pictures and general headline topics that allow panellists to show off their comedic skills.

The show has built its success on poking fun at the people, events and absurd stories that have featured in the news – and while many of us enjoy a good laugh, most of us don’t like it if we are mocked ourselves. We prefer to be accepted, valued and respected. Yet many of us know what it is like to be on the receiving end of the joke, leaving us feeling hurt, rejected or insignificant.

The good news is that, whereas others may ridicule us, God values us deeply.

The Bible tells us that people matter very much to him. It records God assuring people: ‘To me, you are very dear, and I love you’ (Isaiah 43:4 Contemporary English Version).

If we turn to God when we feel we’re being mocked, he will remind us that our worth is not defined by what others think of us. With him, we can find the acceptance, respect and security we seek – which is news worth sharing.

12 September 2026 • WAR CRY • 13

1. Vicky McClure. 2 Winnie-the-Pooh. 3. Andrew Scott.

4. Liverpool. 5. Ottawa. 6. Ariana Grande.

PUZZLES Quick CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Desire (4) 3. Work (3) 5. Furnace (4) 7. State (9) 9. Buffoon (4) 10. Brandish (4) 11. Intended (5) 14. Small rodent (5) 15. Truism (5) 17. Published defamation (5) 18. Cattle round-up (5) 19. Minutest (5) 20. Poor (5) 23. Tart (4) 25. Stoop (4) 27. Remarked (9) 28. Dam (4) 29. Pinch (3) 30. Neat (4) DOWN 1. Loiter (4) 2. Implement (4) 3. Arbiter (5) 4. Wand (5) 5. Comprehend (4) 6. Title (4) 7. Riddle (9)

SUDOKU

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

6 9 7 1 2 3 2 7 8 9 7 1 5 4 2 4 4 6 9 5 2 7 3 5 9 5 7 3 8 1 8. Piloted (9) 11. Large fruit (5) 12. Saunter (5) 13. Match (5) 14. Impair (3) 16. Floor covering (3)

21. Consumed (5) 22. Sag (5) 23. Display (4) 24. Behind (4) 25. Batter (4) 26. Obligation (4)

M O HONEYC B Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number 1. Twice the amount 2. Light evening meal 3. Take something temporarily 4. Get rid of 5. Give attention to a sound 6. Buff

ANSWERS 2 3 6 4 9 8 7 5 1 8 5 9 7 1 6 2 3 4 7 1 4 3 5 2 9 8 6 3 4 8 6 7 9 5 1 2 5 6 1 2 3 4 8 9 7 9 2 7 1 8 5 6 4 3 1 9 3 5 2 7 4 6 8 4 7 5 8 6 1 3 2 9 6 8 2 9 4 3 1 7 5

HONEYCOMB 1. Double. 2. Supper. 3. Borrow.

4. Remove. 5. Listen. 6. Polish.

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1. Lust. 3. Job. 5. Kiln. 7. Condition.

9. Fool. 10. Wave. 11. Meant. 14. Mouse. 15. Axiom.

17. Libel. 18. Rodeo. 19. Least. 20. Needy. 23. Sour.

25. Bend. 27. Mentioned. 28. Weir. 29. Nip. 30. Tidy.

DOWN: 1. Loaf. 2. Tool. 3. Judge. 4. Baton. 5. Know.

6. Name. 7. Conundrum. 8. Navigated. 11. Melon.

12. Amble. 13. Tally. 14. Mar. 16. Mat. 21. Eaten.

22. Droop. 23. Show. 24. Rear. 25. Beat. 26. Duty.

14 • WAR CRY • 12 September 2026

W RDSEARCH

Look up, down, forwards, backwards and diagonally on the grid to find these words associated with autumn

F S Z C L Q T S D V R N FMH Z G S F A L L I N G L E A V E S KWG G H L T D J N R L Z Q LWZ KM J Q YM C V H Q A U E WM E Q U I N O X E A P S WM P D S B W C Q G L B O Z A M QO F J UQ Z UMN R C B PMC V Q GWP Z T S E V R A H I K Z X H L O MG K P C T N B T RWC SWB N S R MMW Q Y D N I W B E I L P Z Q K A B L X K Y L O Z OMQ N X A A S N D WP Z BON F I R E N I GH T Z CR S Z F QG R J Y CMS K F S P QGQ P F C P R Z C Q E E Q P I QWD D U Q E VWX N N H R R CMZ TMCQ T T T Z L K F N A A Y N UWQ P S Z U OQ Y J N X Y Z C R E PMU J C E T Q J J J CC J OSNDQDNOR J E I DQD T PDE E B EQD J Z V SK AMBER BONFIRE NIGHT CONKER CRISP EQUINOX FALLING LEAVES HARVEST JUMPER

MIGRATION MISTS ORCHARD POPPY PUMPKIN REMEMBRANCE SCARECROW WINDY

SERVES 2

Warm chicken and grain bowl with strawberries INGREDIENTS

METHOD

For the dressing

Add all the dressing ingredients to a glass jar with a fitted lid and shake well.

4tbsp light olive oil

Bring a small pan of water to the boil. Add the chicken breasts, cover, then turn off the heat. Leave to sit for 15 minutes.

1tbsp caster sugar 2tbsp lemon juice 1tbsp rice vinegar

Microwave the grain mix and pour into 2 large bowls. Arrange the strawberries, sweetcorn, kale, feta and pumpkin seeds over the grains.

1tsp poppy seeds Pinch salt and pepper For the grain bowl

Drain and slice the chicken breasts. Top each salad with the chicken and pour the dressing over, to serve.

2 chicken breasts

SERVES 2

200g cooked barley, quinoa and grain mix 100g strawberries, sliced 75g can sweetcorn 100g kale, finely chopped 50g feta cheese, crumbled

2tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds

MAKES 12

Strawberry chia jam and almond muffins INGREDIENTS

METHOD

300g ground almonds

Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4.

½ tsp baking soda Pinch sea salt 300ml can coconut milk 2 organic free-range eggs 2 vanilla pods 6tbsp honey 200g strawberries 3tbsp chia seeds

Mix the almonds, baking soda and salt together in a bowl.

In another bowl, mix the coconut milk, eggs, the seeds scraped from 1 vanilla pod and 2tbsp honey. Combine the contents of both bowls, then pour the mixture into muffin paper cases. Ensure that they are only two-thirds full, as the muffins will rise.

Bake for 20 minutes, until just cooked through and golden on top.

While the muffins are baking, place the strawberries, 4tbsp honey and the remaining vanilla pod in a blender and puree until smooth.

Pour into a bowl and stir in the chia seeds.

Allow the mixture to sit for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes until it thickens into a jamlike consistency. Top the muffins with the strawberry jam, to serve.

Recipes reprinted, with permission, from the Love Fresh Berries website lovefreshberries.co.uk 12 September 2026 • WAR CRY • 15

G O D S AY S : I WA N T TO G I V E YO U

FOR A GOOD LIFE IN THE FUTURE Jeremiah 29:11 (Easy English Bible)