Out of place
Lee and Lucy are looking for a new home in Not Going Out
‘Why Father’s Day is hard for me’
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.
From the editor’s desk
A dramatic crime wave has hit TV and streaming platforms. Whether it’s the cosy feel of clerics solving mysteries or the gritty storylines of inner-city murders investigated by detectives battling their own demons, viewers can’t seem to get enough of whodunnits. In this week’s new series of ITV1 police drama Unforgotten, where Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan have more cases to solve.
Many dads and their children will be celebrating their relationships on Father’s Day (Sunday 15 June). Others will be reflecting on and fondly remembering a dad who is no longer alive. But there will also be those who will feel that they don’t have anything worth celebrating, because their relationship with their father was not a good one.
It is a sad fact that not every father – or mother – is able to provide the loving and supportive parenting that their children need. There can be a host of reasons why that is the case.
Perhaps the popularity of these crime dramas is explained by the satisfaction that viewers gain from seeing wrongs put right and the guilty brought to justice. Often the shows’ wrong’uns are bad to the core and have deliberately chosen to follow a life of crime.
In this week’s issue, Paul Sawrey tells us that his father was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, which meant that ‘he had very intrusive and delusional thoughts’ and ‘a lot of anxiety’.
However, according to people who work with offenders, the reality is often far more complex. After becoming a prison chaplain, the Rev Tracy Sickel quickly realised that various factors played a part in women becoming inmates.
Paul explains: ‘When my dad took his medicine, he evened out and was all right. But the moment he didn’t, we saw the spike in the illness, and the power it had over his mind.’
‘I sat down with women in their induction interviews on their first day in prison,’ she tells us, ‘and it was the same things I was hearing continually: lack of self-esteem, abusive relationships, trauma, unforgiveness and addictions. Often they were victims themselves.’
Paul says that he has mixed feelings and memories about his dad, who died 12 years ago, and that Father’s Day is often difficult for him. However, he also describes how he has learnt that, in God, he has a heavenly Father who is strong and stable.
While Tracy never dismissed the implications of the women’s crimes, some years ago she grew disheartened at seeing women returning to prison after their release. So she established a Christian charity, Imago Dei, to support them once they had completed their sentence.
Editor: Andrew Stone, Major
Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow
Staff Writer: Emily Bright
Staff Writer: Claire Brine
Staff Writer: Ewan Hall
Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk
Graphic Designer: Mark Knight
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Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk
The Salvation Army
United Kingdom and Ireland Territory
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Founders: William and Catherine Booth
International leaders: General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham Territorial leaders: Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main
Editor-in-Chief: Major Julian Watchorn
Your local Salvation Army centre
As well as offering practical help, Tracy wants to show the women how a relationship with God can help them.
He tells us: ‘In Psalm 46:1, it says “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” The psalmist is reflecting on how God knows about our day-to-day and what’s going on, and that he is there in times of trouble.’
Paul’s experience of God is shared by millions of Christians round the world – those who had a good, supportive relationship with their parents as well as those who did not.
‘We work with people of all faiths and none in prisons,’ she says. ‘We build relationships, placing value on the women and helping them see themselves as the Lord sees them... We then allow the Lord to step in and do what only he can do – transform lives.’
Even if our life experiences have taught us to be wary of trusting those who we relied on to look after us, we can always celebrate the love, acceptance and care that God, our heavenly Father, offers us.
God’s offer to transform lives is for us all, no matter who we are or what we have done. If we allow him space in our heart, we’ll detect changes in our character that we couldn’t have possibly imagined.
INFO INFO
Home sweet home? Home sweet home?
Couple stumble through house viewing in comedy caper
TV feature: Not Going Out Fridays BBC1 and BBC iPlayer
By Emily Bright
Emptynesters Lee (Lee Mack) and Lucy (Sally Bretton) are thrilled at the prospect of viewing and buying their dream house. But an appointment with the vendor, Will (Mike Wozniak), doesn’t exactly go to plan. Events quickly escalate in the new series of the BBC1 sitcom Not Going Out
Initially, Lee tries to ease his nerves by delivering dad jokes, but Will isn’t amused.
With other potential buyers virtually queueing up for viewings, the couple feel mounting pressure to make a good impression.
So when Lee asks to use the toilet, which Will warns has a dodgy flush, Lucy is nervous that her husband will jeopardise their chances of securing the property. Keen to distract Will, she asks to see the expensive fish in his garden pond.
But it’s when they head outside, and Lee is left to his own devices, that the trouble really starts. And the more he lies and deceives to dig himself out of
the situation, the worse it becomes.
When Lee lets Lucy in on what’s going on, she does her best to cover for him. But the house viewing becomes increasingly awkward. They’re certainly leaving an impression on the vendor –but far from the right kind.
Viewers may well squirm at the twists and turns of the episode, as the couple try to get out of an ever-deepening hole. But the truth is that – while the situation they end up in is absurdly comical –we’ve probably all experienced serious times when we’ve messed up or landed ourselves in trouble. And by trying to talk – or even lie – our way out of things, we find ourselves in a worse position than before.
Despite our blunders, however, if we come clean with God, he offers us a fresh start.
Having made bad decisions earlier in his life, one Bible writer knew how powerful God’s redemption could be. Paul explained that, as humans, we all make various kinds of mistakes – but
that they can be forgiven thanks to God’s Son, Jesus. He paid the price for all our wrongdoing when he died on a cross, restoring our chance to have a relationship with God.
Paul wrote: ‘All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins’ (Romans 3:23 and 24 Contemporary English Version).
Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean life becomes perfect – there may well be consequences for our past actions, and we’ll still make mistakes in the future.
But God will help us in whatever situations we encounter. When we turn to him, we’ll never be judged but instead will be met with unconditional love.
God invites us into a relationship with him, in which we will find a sense of freedom from the past and be able to move into a better future.
All we need to do is accept his offer.
Talking therapy
Sarah Olowofoyeku gives her take on a story that has caught the attention of War Cry reporters
Receiving therapy no longer has the stigma it did in the past. But it can still be misunderstood. NHS psychotherapist Moya Sarner’s Guardian article explained what many people want from therapy, and what it is they might actually need.
‘We often want strategies, techniques and tools for our toolboxes,’ she wrote. ‘We want to ask questions and to be given answers.’
From her own experience of seeking therapy, she described how she had wanted to ‘manage myself out of my emotions rather than feel them’. She added that a lot of easy fixes can be discovered via an internet search, but that such advice can make someone feel worse if they need to address underlying problems.
Harnessing confidence
A Salvation Army ministry that uses horses to help young people build confidence and process trauma is celebrating 15 years of work.
Growth and Learning Equine Assisted Ministry (Gleam) began in 2010 when Major Vivienne Prescott, co-leader of The Salvation Army’s outreach centre in the Forest of Dean, saw the effect that one of her horses had on an angry teenager.
Now Gleam has a herd of ponies, along with other animals such as goats and chickens, with which vulnerable young people can interact.
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In a therapy session, wrote Moya, it is possible for buried emotions to come to the surface. ‘The feelings trapped within have been allowed expression, then the cell door can open, and as well as pain and anger and longing and other feelings, all sorts of beautifully simple things can become possible.’
She wanted to manage herself out of her emotions
My thoughts went straight to the Psalms, a book of songs and poetry in the Bible. Many of them describe this kind of therapeutic experience.
In a good number of the Psalms, a man named David expresses deeply painful emotions to God. He finds that he is listened to and comforted – and it is then possible for him to describe the beauty of his relationship with God.
‘How long must I be confused and miserable all day?’ he writes at the start of one psalm, before ending it with: ‘You have been good to me, Lord, and I will sing about you’ (Psalm 13:2 and 6 Contemporary English Version).
Therapy is a wonderful way to learn how to feel our emotions and navigate the complexities of life. It can be a powerful process for some people.
But the Psalms remind me that I can be as honest with God as I am with my therapist, any time, any place. And even if I don’t get answers straightaway, God (who knows how I’m feeling anyway) can offer me lasting peace beyond understanding.
‘In equine-assisted intervention, horses mirror internal energy,’ says Vivienne, who is a qualified practitioner. ‘Children see firsthand how their behaviour affects another being and learn to regulate themselves in a safe, peaceful space.’
Vivienne feeds one of her ponies
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Cup-winning footballer keeps the faith
In one of his final changing-room addresses as captain of Crystal Palace, footballer Joel Ward shared a message of faith and encouragement with his team-mates – a moment posted on Instagram by support network Ballers in God.
After the Eagles picked up the first major trophy in their history by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final, the defender said: ‘Something I hold dearly is obviously my faith. In Jeremiah 29:11, it talks of how God has a plan and a purpose for our lives. And you may not believe, you may not look at Scripture, but personally I believe that everyone here is here for a reason.’
Cycle success
A Salvation Army bicycle recycling scheme has passed 1,000 in the number of bikes it has refurbished and sold.
Launched in 2021 by The Salvation Army in Salisbury, Re-Cycles provides affordable bikes to those in need, including families who cannot afford new ones and refugees who have wanted bikes to commute to work.
While the scheme helps people obtain bikes, those who help run it –including retired people and refugees – also talk of how volunteering has boosted their confidence and sense of wellbeing.
‘Every bike sold proves what’s possible when people come together,’ says Captain Martin Davison, leader of the Salvation Army church in Salisbury. ‘We’re not just fixing bikes; we’re helping to rebuild lives.’
Event grapples with Christianity
A Salvation Army chaplain compèred a wrestling match that took place in a Sheffield church.
Paul Huggins, who works as a chaplain at supported accommodation for people who are experiencing homelessness, was the ring announcer for the event that drew a crowd of around 200 people to Victoria Hall Methodist Church.
Residents from the accommodation – Charter Row Lifehouse – helped to run the event, which was hosted by faith-based charity Kingdom Wrestling and consisted of live professional wrestling matches and teaching about the Christian faith.
After the evening, Paul told the War Cry: ‘It’s said that one of the founders of The Salvation Army, William Booth, commented that if he had to stand on his hands and play the tambourine with his feet, he would do so if it meant people heard the Christian message.
‘For me, it’s the same with wrestling. I’m delighted to be involved in events like these if it introduces other people to Jesus.’
Paul (right) with wrestlers Jenson Vesper and Gareth Angel and Church Army evangelist Stephen Ramshaw
Joel Ward celebrates Crystal Palace’s victory in the FA Cup final
‘I have mixed feelings and memories about my dad’
To mark Father’s Day (Sunday 15 June), church minister PAUL SAWREY reflects on the complex relationship he had with his father and how it affected his relationships with his own children – and with God
Interview by Emily Bright
‘My dad was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia later on in life,’ says Paul Sawrey. ‘He had very intrusive and delusional thoughts, a lot of anxiety, and was quite psychotic.
‘When my dad took his medicine, he evened out and was all right. But the moment he didn’t, we saw the spike in the illness, and the power it had over his mind. In his deepest dip, he would sleep all day and wake up at night when we were in bed. My dad was there, but not really there.
‘But I also have some sweet memories of him taking me swimming, when his illness allowed. He was so gentle – he wouldn’t even kill a fly but would let it out of the window. He would pray for people. He was very generous and kind.’
Father’s Day is a difficult time for Paul, a church minister based in Edinburgh, who was in his early 30s when his father died. He underwent counselling, which helped him to process what he describes as ‘mixed feelings and memories’. Twelve years on, as a father of four, he has found himself reflecting on what being a good dad looks like.
‘I’m trying to draw from other examples of fatherhood,’ he explains. ‘But it’s like opening a cupboard and finding that there’s nothing there to create something with or to help deal with a particular situation.
‘Growing up, there were not many moments when I thought, “Wow, that’s what an amazing father should be like.” My dad was not really present.’
As a licensed Scottish Episcopal Church minister, Paul officiates at weddings and funerals and provides sickness and holiday cover for other ministers. He also supports the Church of Scotland in developing worshipping communities, writes songs and creates content for a Christian streaming channel for children, called Yippee TV.
But, despite his busy schedule, Paul makes a point of spending quality time with his family. So he struggles when he misses milestones, fearful that his own children will feel his absence as he did his own dad’s.
My father had a distorted image of reality
‘I’m away for my son’s 13th birthday, but I’ve got to remember that it’s not the same as it was with my dad,’ he says. ‘I am usually present – I take my children to school and pick them up. At moments, I can feel like a bad dad because I’ve messed up. But then I remind myself that no, I’m a good father.’
Paul’s childhood experiences also shaped his early interactions with faith.
‘When I was a kid,’ he says, ‘I went to
Sunday school and learnt about the Lord’s Prayer, which begins with “Our Father in Heaven”. I thought: “Heaven is far away. That rings true because sometimes it feels like my earthly father is far away. Maybe God isn’t present with me.”
‘I also wondered if I could trust what God was saying. My earthly father had all sorts of intrusive thoughts and would see a distorted image of reality. Even as a child I remember thinking, “No, Dad, that’s not right. That’s not true.”’
By delving more deeply into Scripture, Paul realised that his mistrust of God was misplaced.
He notes: ‘In Psalm 46:1, it says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” The psalmist is reflecting on how God knows about our day-to-day and what’s going on, and that he is there in times of trouble. “Very present” is what I want to be with my kids too.’
Becoming a dad has transformed the way Paul views God as his heavenly Father.
‘How I feel about my kids is how God feels about me,’ he says. ‘I said to one of them the other day: “I would lay my life down for you, shield you and protect you. I’ve got you.” In Scripture, it says that there’s no greater love than those who would lay down their life for another. And
Turn to page 8 f
Paul is a minister and musician
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that’s what God did for us in Jesus.
‘I now see God as more of a strong, stable Father. I can beat upon his chest when I’m frustrated and he can take it. But I see the maternal side of God as well – caring, comforting, nurturing. God sings a song over us and is delighted in us.’
Paul wants to help other people reshape the way they view God too.
He is spreading the word through The Father’s Love Letter, a leaflet produced by charity Hope Together UK. Inspired by the words of a Canadian pastor’s sermon, it summarises key Bible verses in the format of a love letter from God to all humankind, his children.
As a songwriter, Paul has also used his music to process his experiences and
help others do the same.
‘Even though I’m a minister, I write more songs than sermons,’ he says. ‘I’m writing ones that help heal some of my wounds.
Father’s Day is quite hard for me
‘For instance, I’ve written the song “The Father’s Love” with a worship director who lost her dad at a young age. I’ve got the gift of being able to articulate what I’ve journeyed through and what I’ve experienced to be true – that the Father’s love is strong enough in holding me close. I hope that the song helps people understand, reframe and reiterate who
God is as a Father.’
Paul wanted to bring the memory of his dad into the project too.
‘When we recorded “The Father’s Love”, I was determined to use my father’s old microphone that he used to sing through,’ he says. ‘I remember him using it in church when he was singing to the elderly. I like the thought of my voice being recorded on my dad’s mike, so he’s in the mix of it all.’
Paul still finds the month of June hard – he faces not only Father’s Day, but also his dad’s birthday and his own birthday, a day on which he no longer receives a card or text from his father.
‘I found that when my grief was the most painful, I couldn’t look at social media, because people would put a photograph up of them hugging their dad, and saying: “I’ve got the best dad in the world. I’m so grateful.” And it’s right to do that. But it’s all the more painful when you’re already struggling, then scroll down and see similar posts, acting as a reminder that I don’t have that experience.’
For those who find this time of year particularly hard, Paul suggests ‘inviting others into your pain by saying: “Father’s Day is going to be quite hard for me. If you’re not having dinner with your dad or going anywhere, can we arrange something like a walk or coffee so that I don’t feel alone or isolated?”
‘I’d also say be aware of triggers. Be honest about how you’re feeling and reach out for help. If your relationship with your father affects your thoughts and the people around you, then it’s absolutely worth investing in yourself and asking for some prayer and seeking support in processing it.
‘The
joy of family is that everybody’s welcome’
As well as founding a charity dedicated to finding homes for children in care, KRISH KANDIAH, along with his wife, Miriam, has been a parent to multiple children by birth, adoption and fostering. He reflects on the joys and challenges of parenthood, and explains what being a dad has taught him about the fatherly love of God
Interview by Claire Brine
Krish and Miriam Kandiah had their hands full with their three young children – aged four, five and six – when they decided to become fosterparents.
‘There were three things which inspired me to foster,’ explains Krish, who founded Home For Good, a charity dedicated to finding homes for children in care. ‘The first thing was that some friends of mine who were in their 60s became fosterparents to teenagers. I thought: “Wow! If they can do that in their 60s, maybe we could do that in our 30s.”
‘The second thing was that I became aware of some of the statistics around children in the care system. Sadly, a lot of them grow up without ever finding a permanent, loving family. Too many of them end up homeless, criminalised or exploited – and, as a Christian, I cared about that. I thought to myself: “Why wait until the system has chewed people up and spat them out before we choose to get involved in their lives? Why not step in earlier?”
‘And thirdly, God spoke to me through the Bible. It often talks about caring for orphans, widows and strangers, and those passages kept jumping out at
me. I began to feel a calling from God, recognising that fostering was a way of serving him by showing love to children who were in need.’
It was more than 18 years ago that Krish and Miriam welcomed their first foster-child into their family home. Since then, they have cared for more than 30 children.
‘We ended up adopting one of our foster-children,’ Krish says. ‘We also have two long-term foster-children, both of whom have been living with us for more than 10 years. Our aim has always been to provide them with a loving and stable environment.
‘Our current foster-children have lovely birth parents, who are still in their children’s lives but simply aren’t able to look after them. So we all meet up every six weeks or so for a picnic or a trip to the cinema. When we are out and about, you can see people trying to work out how we are all connected. But that’s part of the joy of family: everybody is welcome.’
Though Krish is always keen to encourage individuals to consider
Krish Kandiah
Speaking on the YouTube channel of prayer movement Thy Kingdom Come, Krish shares the story of how his family has grown
From page 9
fostering and adopting, he admits that caring for vulnerable children can present challenges. Many of them have suffered trauma.
‘Often something catastrophic has happened, which has resulted in the child being placed in care,’ says Krish. ‘They may have faced neglect, abuse or violence. It can be heartbreaking when your foster-children tell you some of the stories about their life.
They don’t know if they can trust you
‘But the joy comes when you realise that, as a foster-parent, you can make a positive difference. After all that trauma, you’re able to offer an oasis of calm and compassion.
‘At the moment, I’m often spending my evenings at the athletics stadium, watching my youngest lad running around the track. Running is the thing he loves – and whenever he crosses the finishing line, he turns around to catch my eye, as if to say: “See what I did?” It puts a big smile on my face.
‘But moments like that also connect me to God’s heart. The Bible says that God
rejoices over us with singing and takes delight in us. Tapping into the Father-heart of God in such a way is something I find an incredible privilege.’
Another joy that Krish has found as a foster-father is watching his birth children show compassion and kindness to whoever has turned up on their doorstep.
‘Many foster-children would arrive at our house, having come straight from the police station or A&E,’ he says, ‘and, even though you want them to know that they are in a safe place, they don’t know if they can trust you. You’re a stranger.
‘But I can remember one day when this young, quiet lad turned up, and my children were so welcoming to him. They used a therapeutic tool that I wasn’t too familiar with – called an Xbox – and they challenged him to a game of Fifa. I heard them say: “Good shot, mate! Well done!” Suddenly, this lad knew that our home was a safe place for him to be. I couldn’t have been prouder of my boys.’
In their 18 years as foster-parents, Krish and Miriam have cared for children from all kinds of backgrounds and from babies to teenagers. Recently the couple have also been approved as Shared Lives carers, meaning they are able to support adults who grew up in the care system but remain vulnerable and need a place to live.
By treating their foster-children and adult guests with love and providing a place of stability, they hope to show them that a brighter future is possible.
‘As a foster-parent, I’d say that the qualities that matter are compassion, kindness and a willingness to put a child’s needs before your own,’ says Krish. ‘There needs to be a desire to help them flourish. The foundations of love, security and reliability are fundamental if foster-parents want to help build up a child after the difficulties they might have been through.
‘I also think that foster-children need to know that they have someone to cheer them on and celebrate their achievements. One of my foster-children has learning difficulties, which meant that he found it hard to tie his shoelaces. But when he learnt how to do it for himself, we celebrated with him. That kind of support is such a game changer for children in care.’
Fostering and the lessons he has learnt from it have also proved a game changer for Krish in terms of his faith and approach to fatherhood.
‘I’m absolutely reliant on the mercy and kindness of a God who sustains both me and Miriam through the difficult times that we face as parents,’ he says. ‘We know
that God loves us, that he has shown us how to love through Jesus, and that he gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us grow in love, kindness and gentleness. Because God dwells within us, I believe that he empowers us, supernaturally, to love beyond what we would be able to do otherwise.
God is the ultimate picture of fatherhood
‘Ihave also come to see God as the ultimate picture of fatherhood. He knows all about us and cares for us, he is slow to anger and abounding in love. He sets the standard by which every other expression of fatherhood needs to be measured.’
So where does Krish feel that he measures on the dad scale? And what would his children say?
‘I’m a dad who tells terrible jokes,’ he admits. ‘And I can’t dance. But I always try to be someone that my children can rely on, whatever they are going through. Every day I’m thankful to God for the honour I have to be part of their lives. And I’m forever grateful to know that he has adopted me into his family too.’
Your prayers are requested for Beth, who is struggling after suffering baby loss and needs support.
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’.
jBecoming 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 am truly sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong.
Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free.
Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Holy Spirit. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever.
Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen
Browsing the Bible
Nigel Bovey gives chapter and verse on each book of the Scriptures
Song of Songs
Also known as the Song of Solomon, this book is traditionally ascribed to King Solomon. Scholars disagree over whether it is a historical or allegorical account. As it does not mention ‘God’, some also question its meaning and purpose.
At its heart the book is a love story. It is presented as a series of exchanges between a young couple, with occasional comments from young women of Jerusalem, perhaps the woman’s handmaidens.
The man is King Solomon. Although not named, the vineyard-owning woman is referred to as the ‘Shulammite’ (6:13). Shulam is thought to be the village of Shunem, which was the home of Abishag, a young companion of Solomon’s father King David (1 Kings 1:3). Some commentators suggest she could be the protagonist here.
The language the couple use is intimate and sensual. They extol each other’s physical appearance. He loves the way she looks, especially admiring her hair, eyes, lips, teeth, neck and breasts (4:1–7; 7:1–5). She reciprocates. She loves his physique and admires his physical strength (5:10–16).
Their love is all-consuming. They love each other’s scent (1:13). Their love takes their breath away. It is as ‘strong as death’ and ‘burns like blazing fire’ (8:6). They cannot bear to be apart. The couple revel in the experience of knowing not only what love is but also that they are loved (2:16).
They have eyes only for each other. To her, he is ‘outstanding among ten thousand’ (5:10). To him, she is ‘my dove, my perfect one’, who is ‘unique’ (6:9), despite the fact that Solomon already has many other wives and concubines (6:8). Arguably, it is only now that Solomon has discovered true love.
Commentators offer a number of suggestions as to why this book is in the Bible. Some suggest that it is to be read as an allegory of how God loves his people. Some interpret it as a picture of how Christ the bridegroom loves his bride, the Church.
It is worth noting that the book’s inclusion strongly indicates that, contrary to some schools of thought, physical attraction and sexual attraction are not sinful. Rather they are precious gifts from God.
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Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International
QUICK QUIZ
1 2 3 4 5 6
Who hosts the TV comedy show Hypothetical alongside James Acaster?
Which London street has a grade II listed zebra crossing?
What is the title of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s book about a wise little boy?
In the periodic table, which chemical element is represented by the letters Ag?
Who became prime minister of the UK in 2016?
Which country hosted the 2022 Fifa World Cup?
GOING THE DISTANCE
Endurance racing takes centre stage at Le Mans
Feature by Ewan Hall
AFrench city is gearing up to become a centre of speed this weekend as the 24 Hours of Le Mans roars into town. Every year, this highlight of the motor racing calendar attracts 300,000 spectators to the Circuit de la Sarthe, a mix of racetrack and public roads –including the Mulsanne Straight, a two-lane country road where cars exceed 200mph.
Le Mans is a test of endurance and precision. With 62 cars on track, every overtake is a strategic challenge. Victory demands not just speed, but adaptability and resilience – day and night.
There are three types of car in the race. ‘Hypercars’ are the fastest, built by brands such as Ferrari, Porsche and Toyota. But the race also features prototypes, all built to the same design to keep the racing close. The final type on track are GT cars, which resemble real-world sports cars like the Ford Mustang and Mercedes-AMG GT S.
Each class has its own winner – which is the car that has travelled furthest in the 24 hours – but it’s the hypercars that battle for the ultimate prize.
Le Mans is known for delivering both joy and heartbreak. Drivers and teams have to push through exhaustion, changing weather and the threat of mechanical failure or crashes. It’s intense – one mistake can end their hopes of success.
Perhaps it mirrors life. We face challenging days – of pressure, stress and struggle – in relationships, at work or within ourselves. However, we do not have to face such times alone. If we invite Jesus to come with us on our journey, he will offer us strength.
It was clearly a different kind of competition that one Bible writer had in mind, but this early Christian encouraged his readers: ‘We must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete’ (Hebrews 12:1 and 2 Contemporary English Version).
If the road ahead is uncertain, Jesus can help us. With his assistance, even when the going is tough we can persevere – day and night.
Hypercars and prototypes setting off at Le Mans in 2022
1. Piquant (5) 4. Rescued (5) 8. Electrically charged atom (3) 9. Untrue (5)
Planet (5) 11. Rim (3) 12. Healed (5) 13. Ratify (7) 16. Stable (6) 19. Cream cake (6) 23. Quill (7)
26. Of the city (5) 28. Vehicle (3)
29. Raising of glasses (5) 30. Likeness (5) 31. Owing (3) 32. Dig (5) 33. Cowboy event (5)
2. Lazy person (5) 3. Surrendered (7)
4. Concealed marksman (6)
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HONEYCOMB
1. Identity parade (4-2)
Forgive
Be next to and linked with
Shake slightly
Farming implement
Cauliflower pizza
INGREDIENTS
1 cauliflower
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4.
1tsp rapeseed oil
75g red onion, thinly sliced
150g red pepper, thinly sliced
150g courgette, diced
2 fresh tomatoes, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1tsp dried oregano
1 egg, beaten
15g Parmesan cheese, finely grated
50g reduced-fat mozzarella, thinly sliced
Basil leaves, torn, to serve
Remove and discard the stalks, then break the cauliflower into large pieces and grate by hand or whizz in a food processor. Add to a bowl and cover with clingfilm. Pierce the film a couple of times, then cook in the microwave on high for 4-5 minutes. Allow to cool.
Meanwhile, to make the pizza toppings, heat the oil in a pan and fry the onion, red pepper and courgette for 4-5 minutes, until they start to brown. Add the tomatoes, garlic and oregano and cook for another 2 minutes. Mix well and set aside.
Once the cauliflower has cooled, place on a clean tea towel and squeeze over the sink to remove any excess water.
To make the pizza base, add the cauliflower to a bowl with the egg and Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
Line a 25cm-diameter baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Spread with the cauliflower mixture, to a thickness of 0.75cm. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and add the vegetables and mozzarella slices. Bake for a further 10 minutes.
Sprinkle with the basil leaves, to serve.
Cauliflower pilaf
INGREDIENTS
1 medium
cauliflower
2tsp rapeseed oil
4 spring onions, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 red pepper, chopped
2tsp ground cumin
Pinch white pepper
25g sultanas
75g frozen peas
1tbsp coriander, finely chopped, to serve
1tbsp flaked
almonds, toasted, to serve
METHOD
Remove and discard the stalks, then roughly break the cauliflower into pieces and grate into a bowl. Cover with clingfilm and pierce the film a couple of times. Cook in the microwave on high for 5 minutes. Allow to cool.
Once cooled, place the cauliflower on a clean tea towel and squeeze over the sink to remove any excess water.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a saucepan and fry the spring onions, garlic and red pepper for 2 minutes, stirring well. Add the cumin and white pepper, then mix well. Stir in the sultanas and frozen peas and cook for a further 2 minutes. Mix in the grated cauliflower. Garnish with the coriander and almonds, to serve.
