Will the truth be told in Agatha Christie drama?
17 January 2026 50p/60c
‘Claudia treated us all as family’ Former faithful talks about castle camaraderie
‘There’s no shame in mental health challenges’
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 7764
Editor: Andrew Stone, 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: Natalie Adkins Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 1 Champion Park London SE5 8FJ
From the editor’s desk The new year is proving the enduring popularity of a good whodunnit. TV channels and streaming platforms alike have detected an appetite among their audiences for crime dramas and have planned their programming accordingly. In this week’s War Cry, we note the start of Netflix’s Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, which will invite viewers to solve crimes in the high society of the 1920s. Meanwhile, viewers on BBC1 are being transported back to the 1950s to join sleuthing clergyman Father Brown as he investigates another death. But there’s another type of ‘murder’ grabbing viewers’ attention as well. ‘The Traitors is a cross between Agatha Christie and MI6,’ says former contestant the Rev Lisa Coupland in an interview this week. As fans of the faithfuls and traitors look forward to next week’s final, Lisa reveals what it was like to be in last year’s series. ‘You build teamwork and camaraderie,’ she says. ‘But at the round table, you’re having to pick on people you really like, and you’re second-guessing them all the time.’ While taking part in the show, Lisa spent a lot of time with the other contestants in the castle where it’s filmed. For some of the group, being away from family and friends was difficult. ‘Some people felt quite isolated and alone,’ she says. ‘But I never felt that, because I had my faith and the companionship, hope and comfort it brings. I knew that God was always going to be there with me.’ It may seem strange to hear Lisa say that God was with her when she was taking part in a television game show. But Christians believe that he is with them in every aspect of their lives: the good, the bad, the fun and the serious. God offers everyone his companionship and the hope that it brings. Whoever we are and whatever we’ve done, God can prove to be a faithful friend who is able to change our lives for the better.
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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 Julian Watchorn 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
Clerical clues Father Brown has another mystery to solve
6
‘The missions were extraordinary’ How it feels to be on TV’s The Traitors
8
‘We create a safe space’
8
The work of a mental health charity 13 Time for crime Whodunnit in Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials?
Your local Salvation Army centre
REGULARS
FO 4
Team Talk and War Cry World
12 Browsing the Bible 14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: BBC/STUDIO LAMBERT/CODY BURRIDGE/EUAN CHERRY
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6 13 15
BBC STUDIOS/GARY MOYES
Johnny Hart prepares for a gig in Kembleford
falling star Father Brown raises questions when a rock’n’roll musician meets a tragic end TV feature: Father Brown Fridays BBC1 and iPlayer By Claire Brine
F
ather Brown just can’t help himself. Whenever a murder takes place in or around the village of Kembleford, he’s quick off the mark to reach the crime scene. But will his determination to uncover the truth at all costs land him in trouble? More will be revealed as the new series of Father Brown continues. In the first episode, Father Brown (Mark Williams) paired up with an old friend to solve the murder of a nurse. As the sleuthing priest looked for clues, Inspector Sullivan (Tom Chambers) commented that he wished Father Brown would ‘keep his nose out of it for once’. The frustration felt by the inspector is increasing by the episode. When young rock’n’roll star Johnny Hart (Ryan Quarmby) arrived in the village for an upcoming gig, no one was expecting the day to end in tragedy. But when it was discovered that the singer had been electrocuted by faulty equipment, Father Brown was quick to raise the question: ‘What if it wasn’t an accident?’ What if Johnny was targeted? Once again, Inspector Sullivan dismissed the priest’s suspicions. ‘Stop looking for a mystery,’ he pleaded. But Father Brown didn’t stop looking. He
believed there was enough evidence to suggest foul play. Eventually, the inspector snapped at him that he’s ‘got to stop meddling’. Throughout the series, Father Brown will find himself trying to solve one crime after another. Even when he takes a trip to the beach, there’s no time for the priest to relax in the sun when he learns that there’s a murderer on the loose. Though few of us may be challenged with solving criminal cases as part of our day-to-day life, the curious nature of Father Brown may be something we recognise within ourselves. Perhaps we too find that certain questions niggle away at us and we can’t let matters drop. Maybe we allow a conversation to play over and over in our mind, examining it from every possible angle. In times when we can’t figure out what steps to take next, it could be that we imagine 100 possible scenarios while we try to pinpoint the best outcome. Asking questions, pondering possible answers and being open to where our exploring may lead us can be helpful habits when it comes to examining the Christian faith. If we are considering following God, we want the assurance
Father Brown has questions about Johnny’s death that he’s worth following. We want to see evidence of his love for us and his willingness to forgive our mistakes. We want to know whether there are grounds for believing that he will fill us with his strength in tough times. The overarching truth revealed in the Bible is that God’s unlimited love is available to anyone who wants it. To those who feel unconvinced, God says: ‘You will ... find me when you seek me with all your heart’ (Jeremiah 29:13 New International Version). That’s a promise. Whether we choose to put our faith in God or not, the reality is that he is already with us. He is already loving us. The joys of a relationship with him are waiting to be discovered. The question is: are we looking? 17 January 2026 • WAR CRY • 3
Team talk TEAM WA
talk ‘ TALK’ j Simply joyful
Claire Brine gives her take on a story that has caught the attention of War Cry reporters The headline in The Guardian promised ‘43 easy ways to lift your spirits’. At the start of a new year – when many resolve to shake up their lives in some way – I was keen to read some of the ‘simple tricks’ that people are using to ‘bring a bit of joy into their lives’. The first idea sounded intriguing – which was to hold a squirrel picnic. The writer explained that they had attached a tiny, squirrelsized picnic table to the garden fence and placed a handful of peanuts on top. ‘Few sights are guaranteed to lift my day more than watching a “dining in” Nutkin parking its rump on the tiny wooden seat,’ they said, informing readers that such tables were available to buy online. Other people reported that they felt uplifted when singing with a choir, taking their dog to visit people in hospital and growing vegetables. I found myself nodding along to those who found joy in going to the theatre (for its ‘pure escapism’) and tidying up (‘not the actual doing of it, but the feeling when it’s done’). One habit that didn’t make The Guardian’s list but definitely features on my own is going to church. Every Sunday, whatever emotions I’ve woken up with, I take myself off to the Salvation Army church I attend in south Devon. There, I’m met by friends of all ages who care about me and whose values align with my own. Knowing that we are not perfect, we gather together to learn more about God and deepen our faith in him. We consider the influence of his love on our lives – and how it inspires us to try to love others better. Within minutes of being in church, I find that I can focus more easily on where my life is headed and the kind of person I want to be. I’m reminded to stop sweating the small stuff, to seek forgiveness for the times I get things wrong and to rest in the knowledge that, whatever comes my way, God is with me. It’s no ‘simple trick’ – but going to church certainly brings a bit of joy to my life.
I’m met by friends of all ages
Team talk 4 • WAR CRY • 17 January 2026
Churches help millions
An estimated 12.5 million UK adults say that they, a family member or a friend have received support from a church or Christian organisation within the past five years, according to a survey carried out for Christians Against Poverty. The types of support given include the provision of free food and packs of female hygiene products, help with job searches and training in money management. The same survey, carried out by Opinium, also reported that 31.5 million people think national Christian organisations will play an important role over the coming months in supporting families and individuals who are struggling.
Gen Z ‘prize wellbeing’ Gen Z-ers prize ‘living better not just living longer’, new research has found. To discover better ways to engage with the generation on matters of faith, the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) spoke with people born between 1997 and 2012 in countries including Kenya, Singapore and the United Kingdom. It found that they were concerned about mental health and expected communities to support their quest for wellbeing. The research, published in the report Gen Z Insights for Global Student Ministry, also found that members of the generation are more willing than their parents to change spiritual beliefs.
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Josh reflects on role of religion in his upbringing
Josh O’Connor (pictured), who plays a Catholic priest in the Netflix film Wake Up Dead Man, told Radio Times how the character of Father Jud Duplenticy caused him to reflect on his own religious upbringing. ‘I definitely have faith, it is very present in my life,’ said the actor, who also played Prince Charles in the third and fourth series of The Crown. ‘I went to church every Sunday. I was an altar boy but was kicked off for smiling too much, which was a bit mean. But I think the thing that makes Jud and I a bit more aligned is that my parents, who I would describe as socialist Catholics, believed in hope, in doubt, forgiveness and reconciliation.’
Beatles site a hit with VisitEngland
The exhibition at Strawberry Field
The Salvation Army’s Strawberry Field, made famous by a Beatles hit, has been awarded Quality Assured status by VisitEngland. In its first assessment under the Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme, the site was praised for the excellence of all aspects of the experience it offers visitors. Blending Beatles history – including an interactive exhibition – with a social mission, Strawberry Field supports The Salvation Army’s Steps to Work programme, which helps young adults overcome barriers to employment. VisitEngland’s assessor praised the site’s thoughtful storytelling of John Lennon’s connection to the area, its knowledgeable staff and its ‘meaningful social purpose’. As a boy, John Lennon would play in the grounds of Strawberry Field – which was then a Salvation Army children’s home – and went on to write the Beatles song ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’. Major Michelle Lovegrove-Huggins, mission director at Strawberry Field, said the VisitEngland accreditation ‘reflects the dedication of our team, who work every day to ensure that Strawberry Field is a place of welcome, reflection and meaningful engagement’.
Faiths boost Welsh economy Churches and faith groups contribute more than £250 million to the Welsh economy annually, according to the Faith in Wales report by the Evangelical Alliance. Excluding faith tourism, the positive financial impact of faith communities includes £79.2 million in salaries, £115.1 million in volunteer hours and more than £56 million in community space. At the report’s launch in Cardiff, Jane Hutt, cabinet secretary for social justice in the Welsh government, said: ‘Faith is important to so many in Wales. Our faith communities help their local areas in many ways – promoting equality, reducing social isolation and fostering community cohesion.’ 17 January 2026 • WAR CRY • 5
‘Claudia is very witty and an absolute delight’ /ST BBC
UDIO LAMBERT
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The Rev Lisa Coupland
Ahead of the final of BBC1’s The Traitors on Friday (23 January), former contestant the Rev LISA COUPLAND recalls the camaraderie in the castle and reflects on how her faith brought her comfort Interview by Emily Bright
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he Traitors is a cross between Agatha Christie and MI6,’ says former contestant the Rev Lisa Coupland, describing BBC1’s psychological reality TV competition. ‘You don’t have a body. You don’t have any clues. There are subtle nuances that you have to pick up on.’ In last year’s series, Lisa was cast as one of the faithfuls, tasked with discovering and banishing the traitors who were ‘murdering’ them to win a prize pot. She remembers the beginning of the competition and a nervous wait for the steam train that would take her to Ardross Castle in Scotland. ‘The tension and anxiety that you feel, wondering who you’re going to meet,’ she says, ‘is like starting a new job.’ On arrival at Ardross, the contestants were greeted by host Claudia Winkleman. ‘Claudia is witty and an absolute delight,’ says Lisa. ‘She has the sharpest mind and sense of humour. She maintains her character at the castle well, but you can also see a glint in her eye. She enjoys having a laugh and has a love for every person in the cast. She treated everyone like we were her Traitors family.’ Lisa also relished taking part in the team challenges. ‘The missions were extraordinary,’ she says. ‘They were such fun and really hard. The first physical mission was blowing up the big effigy of the traitor. I didn’t realise how heavy gunpowder was. ‘You build teamwork and camaraderie.
But at the round table, you’re having to pick on people you really like, and you’re second-guessing them all the time.’ Lisa didn’t initially tell her fellow cast members that she was a priest. ‘They asked me what I did, and I was working at a theological college as an operations manager so I said that,’ she explains. ‘Priests have many jobs. I didn’t feel that being a priest was my actual job – it’s part of who I am. ‘But I was wearing a cross, and at one of the round tables, I said: “As God is my witness.” People were suspicious, thinking I was laying it on too thick.’ When fellow contestant Frankie questioned Lisa about her faith, she revealed to the cast that she was a priest. The revelation prompted one of them to ask why, as a member of the clergy, would Lisa take part in The Traitors. She recalls: ‘I was like: “What selfrespecting murder mystery hasn’t got a priest in it?” Practically every Agatha Christie novel has. Then there’s Grantchester, Father Brown and the latest Knives Out film. We priests seem to be synonymous with murder and mystery.’ Lisa applied her pastoral skill set to The Traitors. ‘As priests,’ she explains, ‘we meet people from all walks of life, appreciating them for who they are and what they bring to our world. We don’t judge people – our role is to love people. ‘There’s an element of judging people
BBC/STUDIO LAMBERT/CODY BURRIDGE/MATT BURLEM
‘Traitors’ host Claudia Winkleman
in The Traitors, but only in the game’s context. I hoped to demonstrate love while I was in the programme, but also to show that priests are relatable human beings. We have feelings and emotions and like to play games.’ Lisa was also keen to provide a listening ear if people were feeling a bit low. ‘We had a fantastic production team,’ she says, ‘but it was nice to have someone who understood what it felt like to actually be in the game. ‘People knew that if they said something to me, it would be in confidence, and that I wouldn’t repeat it – unless it was in the context of the game. If someone confessed that they were a “murderer”, I’d have had to reveal that to everybody.’ Lisa’s untimely demise came before
she was able to uncloak Charlotte and Minah as traitors. But she enjoyed the irony that followed her ‘murder’.
I never felt alone in the castle
‘M
inah felt guilty about “murdering” a priest,’ she recalls. ‘The whole time we were filming at the castle, the weather was glorious. But the day after she “murdered” me, it started raining. God has a sense of humour – I think he was like: “Right, you do that to Lisa, I’ll give you some bad weather.”’ During her participation in the show, Lisa took strength from her faith. As an Anglican priest, she regularly reads a set series of prayers and Bible verses. She discovered one particularly apt prayer,
which she spoke each night throughout the competition. ‘It says: “Before the ending of the day,/ Creator of the world, we pray/ That you, with endless love, would keep/ Your watch around us while we sleep./ From evil dreams defend our sight,/ From fears and terrors of the night;/ Tread underfoot our deadly foe/ That we no evil thought may know.” That prayer took on a whole new meaning while I was in the castle.’ Connecting with God through prayer helped Lisa find peace and contentment. ‘Some people felt quite isolated and alone in the castle,’ she says. ‘But I never felt that, because I had my faith and the companionship, hope and comfort it brings. I knew that God was always going to be there with me.’
17 January 2026 • WAR CRY • 7
‘Mental health affects us all’ By combining theology, psychology and lived experience, Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries is reshaping the way in which churches approach mental health. Its UK director, SARA TAYLOR, explains how a course is helping people to have conversations about wellbeing Interview by Ewan Hall
Sara Taylor
T
he middle of January can often feel less optimistic than New Year’s Day. Resolutions that felt empowering two weeks ago may now be competing with work deadlines, household bills and winter’s chill, leading to growing anxieties and seasonal disorders. Despite society’s greater awareness about mental health challenges, they remain stubbornly persistent. As conversations about mental health continue around us, there is a growing need for support structures to help people who are struggling. In the eyes of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, churches are uniquely placed to offer such support by providing connection and a sense of belonging – both of which
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can be vital during difficult periods. Working with theologians, mental health professionals and people with lived experience, the international charity creates resources that help churches worldwide raise awareness, reduce stigma and promote wellbeing. It aims for a future where the Church plays an important role in supporting mental health in every community. ‘Sanctuary has only been running in this country for a few years,’ says its UK director, Sara Taylor. ‘My predecessor focused on bringing the charity to the UK, getting it established, introducing our work into church settings and seeing how it was accepted. He did a great job of getting our name out there and delivering face-to-face training, which received
positive feedback. ‘My role is to further grow the organisation and work with the many churches who are engaging with us.’ Sanctuary provides an eight-week programme that assists churches in supporting their congregations and wider communities. ‘It’s not like a typical course; it’s more of a conversation starter, creating a safe space for people to share,’ Sara says. ‘It’s based on honest human emotions and how God stepped into human life and embraced vulnerability. ‘The course ties together theology and psychology. Theologically, while mental health isn’t explicitly mentioned in the Bible, there are many examples of people struggling or languishing.
Sanctuary offers a free eight-week course
‘Psychologically, the course provides language to describe what mental wellbeing looks like – covering the brain, body, stress, trauma and more. When people have the right language, they become less judgemental. ‘The third thread running through the course is lived experience, grounding everything by allowing people to share their own stories of anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma and other mental health conditions. Such honesty is powerful, because it shows that Christians can live with ongoing challenges and still have faith.’ Free to download from the Sanctuary website, the course provides information booklets and packs, alongside videos. ‘And the course isn’t just for Christians
– it’s open to anyone,’ adds Sara. After running the course, churches provide feedback to Sanctuary. In the past, participants of all ages have reported being able to talk openly about their emotions in ways they were unable to before.
The church showed greater understanding
‘I
recently spoke with a woman who had lost her job and slipped into depression, but the course gave her the language to understand what she was feeling,’ says Sara. ‘A few years later, when her daughter went through a marriage breakdown and was struggling,
the woman was able to draw on the same tools she learnt on the course to support her daughter. ‘I also met a pastor who told me that at first he had been reluctant to deliver the course because of time and capacity concerns. But after running it, he found the courage to admit to several key elders in his church that he had his own struggles – something he had never voiced before. And, as a result of the course, the church showed greater understanding and empathy. ‘The course works for everyone, whether you’re outside the church, part
Turn to page 10 f 17 January 2026 • WAR CRY • 9
From page 9
of the church or even part of the pastoral team. Mental health affects us all, regardless of our position.’ But Sanctuary understands that an eight-week course does not mean the end of a person’s mental health challenges, so Sara is working on how the charity can continue to make a positive difference once a course is over. ‘I’ve written a new strategy to support churches long-term,’ she says. ‘One person can shift a church’s culture – and one church can impact a whole community. ‘We’re building an ecosystem of
volunteers, a peer-led network where trained individuals champion mental health in their churches and support each other.
Mental health is both spiritual and human
‘W
e are also developing bitesized resources for ongoing conversations, so that people continue to engage with mental health concerns week by week. ‘Sanctuary resources are evidence-
Sara leading training
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based and culturally reviewed through multiple checks to make sure they are appropriate and inclusive. Recently I have been working with the Black Theology Forum to ensure that the course is relevant for black-majority churches and that we don’t accidentally create cultural barriers.’ In the past, churches have sometimes struggled to find ways to help people who are facing mental health problems, because leaders and members of the church have felt uncertain about what to do or what to say. ‘Mental health is such a sensitive area,’ Sara explains. ‘And historically, some parts of the Church have viewed it as a purely spiritual issue rather than recognising the psychological element as well. That’s not because people in church don’t care – because they clearly do. ‘Sometimes leaders can feel overwhelmed as they already feel stretched. They worry that they don’t have the time or they don’t feel equipped to address the issues. ‘The way we can help churches overcome their concerns is by starting conversations and helping them realise that it’s not simple – it’s complex. There isn’t a simplistic answer to some problems, but the way ahead can be straightforward. When people engage with Sanctuary, it gives them a shared language they can understand, and it begins to remove the fear. ‘When you bring theology, psychology and lived experience together, people start to see that mental health is both spiritual and human. That realisation can break down barriers that keep them from engaging. It also opens space for honest conversations, which begin to shift church culture and remove obstacles that have been in the way. ‘Ultimately, it’s about being compassionate and looking at complex life situations in a caring way.’ As a Christian organisation, Sanctuary bases all its work on the
Participants in the Sanctuary Course take part in small group discussions
Bible and on shared foundational beliefs. ‘Sanctuary is rooted in faith,’ Sara says. ‘It’s throughout – it’s integral. ‘The course uses Bible stories to explain mental health, such as those of the prophet Elijah’s struggles or of Moses wanting to give up. The fact that faith is present at every level of the course makes it stand out from standard mental health courses. ‘It also helps people wrestle with questions including: Why would God let me suffer? ‘Personally, the course has reinforced my own faith. ‘I grew up in a family with mental health challenges and have seen God
show up throughout my life. What I value most is how God has always met people where they were and has treated them with dignity. ‘Sanctuary reflects that. It shows there’s no shame in mental health struggles – we’re all human, whether we’re flourishing or languishing. Sanctuary teaches how to live out faith in a way that’s compassionate and dignified.’ And, while Sanctuary is still in its infancy in the UK, Sara believes it will only go from strength to strength as more churches learn of the course and as stigmas surrounding mental health begin to be broken.
‘I hope churches come to see that they’re far more capable than they realise,’ Sara reflects. ‘Churchgoers don’t need to be experts – because they’re not called to fix anyone. What matters most is creating a space where people feel safe enough to be honest about how they’re feeling, in an environment where they feel understood and valued. ‘The only way we’ll see long-term change is through small, sustainable steps, grounded in Scripture and compassion. If every person or church embraces that approach, we will begin to see a ripple effect – touching families, communities and beyond.’
17 January 2026 • WAR CRY • 11
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.
If you’ve prayed this prayer, scan the QR code or contact us using the coupon on this page
Browsing the Bible Nigel Bovey gives chapter and verse on each book of the Scriptures The letters The majority of the New Testament is made up of 21 letters or ‘epistles’, 13 of which identify their sender as ‘Paul’. The ‘Pauline’ letters are addressed to two types of recipients. First, there are open letters to the churches that were springing up, some of which Paul had visited on his missionary journeys. These letters offer congregations encouragement, address issues of conflict, correct wrong doctrine and give teaching. They explore the implications of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and set out how belief in him should be lived out against a background of Roman polytheism and Jewish antagonism. The other letters identified as being from Paul – those addressed to Timothy, Titus and Philemon – are more personal in nature and deal with particular issues of concern. Some scholars believe that Paul wrote the letters to the churches in Ephesus, Philippi and Colossae, and the personal letter to Philemon, while imprisoned in Rome. The other early Church leader Simon Peter, who appears throughout the Gospels and in the opening chapters of Acts, is identified as the author of two letters to Christian converts. Two brothers, James and Jude, generally also regarded as brothers of Jesus, each have a letter ascribed to them. Like James, who addresses his letter to the 12 Jewish ‘tribes scattered among the nations’ (1:1 New International Version), the unknown writer of Hebrews focuses on the connection between Jesus and the precepts and practices of the Old Testament. The letter depicts Jesus as the complete fulfilment of Old Testament teaching. The final letter-writer is named as John. Like Peter, he was one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, and was at the forefront of those who founded the Church. Scholars generally estimate that all the letters were written between AD49 and the last decade of the first century and that James and Galatians are the earliest, with John’s letters being the last. Originally written as typical letters of their day, they, along with the rest of the New Testament, were divided into chapters and verses in 1227 by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury.
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SIMON RIDGWAY/NETFLIX
Eileen ‘Bundle’ Brent seeks to solve a murder
Running out of time
QUICK QUIZ 1 2 3 4 5 6
What word denotes internet content whose main purpose is to encourage visitors to click on a link? Which former England football manager has written the book Dear England: Lessons in Leadership? Who played the Goblin King in the 1986 film Labyrinth? Which Latin term is used in English to mean ‘in fact, whether by right or not’? Who had a No 1 hit with her album Mayhem last year? The island of Penang is located off the coast of which southeast Asian country?
ANSWERS
The clock is ticking to solve a deadly mystery TV feature: Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials Netflix By Emily Bright
I
n the Spanish mountaintop city of Ronda in 1920, a smartly dressed man marches up the cobbled streets to the bullring. As he arrives, he glances round the venue, then down at his watch. But no one appears to meet him. The man has been lured into a trap – and he soon becomes the first victim in the sequence of premeditated murders at the centre of Netflix’s three-part drama Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, an adaptation of the crime writer’s 1929 novel. Five years after the man’s demise, Lady Caterham (Helena Bonham Carter) and her daughter Eileen ‘Bundle’ Brent (Mia McKenna-Bruce) are hosting a lavish house party. Among their guests are the new-money steel magnate Sir Oswald Coote (Mark Lewis Jones) and his wife Maria (Dorothy Atkinson). Bundle’s evening is brightened by Ronny Devereux (Nabhaan Rizwan) and Bill Eversleigh (Hughie O’Donnell), who are plotting a prank on their Foreign Office colleague and Bundle’s love interest, Gerry Wade (Corey Mylchreest). He’s a very deep sleeper, so they are about to hide alarm clocks throughout his room to give him a frightening wake-up call. Bundle also enjoys a flirtatious, albeit cryptic, conversation with Gerry about their future – that is, until they’re interrupted by his boss, who demands that Gerry go and charm the up-and-coming Cootes. But the next morning, Bundle discovers that a house guest has met an untimely end. Her investigation into how and why could put herself and her loved ones in danger. Yet she is determined to discover the truth. Viewers may relate to Bundle’s desire for answers. After all, there’s a reason why TV dramas, films and book titles in popular culture have sometimes quoted the phrase ‘The truth will set you free’ – words that go back to Jesus (see John 8:32 Contemporary English Version). When Jesus spoke those words, he was telling people that if they followed him, they would discover the truth of God’s love – and that it would bring them lasting freedom. It’s a love that remains available to us all today, if we’ll take the time to investigate it for ourselves. 17 January 2026 • WAR CRY • 13
1. Clickbait. 2. Gareth Southgate. 3. David Bowie. 4. De facto. 5. Lady Gaga. 6. Malaysia.
PUZZLES Quick CROSSWORD ACROSS 3. Inn (3) 7. Waver (6) 8. Affront (6) 9. Tax (6) 10. Culpable (6) 11. Female sheep (3) 12. Putrefy (6) 14. Rue (6) 17. Wager (6) 21. Botch (6) 24. Anger (3) 25. Powerful (6) 26. Frightened (6) 27. Humble (6) 28. Rubber (6) 29. Japanese currency (3) DOWN 1. Display (6) 2. Stern (6) 3. Favour (6) 4. Larger (6) 5. Enquiring (6) 6. Joyous (6) 12. Thick mist (3) 13. Snake-like fish (3) 15. Australian bird (3) 16. Fasten (3)
SUDOKU
Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9
9
8
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4 2 1 7 9 3 2 4
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2 1 5 18. Writer (6) 19. Smashed (6) 20. Fourscore (6) 21. Defeated (6) 22. Usual (6) 23. Linger (6)
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M O HONEYC B
MA I F V E A O S K F Z QWY R H U Q A L Z U Q V E L X L Q S R U R Q P T MC J X A O J R R T O L K I E N I N I I A CMR ZMK R I C R C T OQ E L Y C Y K T I Q E G S QWN T S J S N A Q H Q B Z L MD Q D L QO D H O E N U R A Z Q T A Z A H HWP L F RWK E RWE L Z Q J H D L Q X A E L N F L O E L L A B E N J AM I N J E QW I P Q N HMX J Z OQ N R OQ A C L N GWT C A O U H Z X F T D L H S V E N H Q Z H D R Z Q F N A A H C L DWZ R L U Y I D P V Q Z E I K I E C I X Q L V S U L L UWR B L B MW B L Z S S U E S R D A R W S U Y T I B S E N H T I D E Y QOG D J O T S Z O R Q L EW I S C A R R O L L G N T N AMK C A L B E I R O L AM
Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number 1. Fortified building 2. Bodyguard 3. Ship’s chimney 4. Seabird 5. Call on as a witness 6. Edible seed
ANSWERS 9 3 4 1 6 8 7 2 5
5 6 2 7 3 4 9 1 8
8 1 7 9 2 5 6 3 4
6 7 9 2 8 1 5 4 3
2 5 8 3 4 7 1 9 6
3 4 1 6 5 9 2 8 7
1 9 5 8 7 3 4 6 2
7 2 3 4 9 6 8 5 1
4 8 6 5 1 2 3 7 9
HONEYCOMB 1. Castle. 2. Minder. 3. Funnel. 4. Puffin. 5. Invoke. 6. Sesame. QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 3. Pub. 7. Falter. 8. Insult. 9. Tariff. 10. Guilty. 11. Ewe. 12. Fester. 14. Regret. 17. Gamble. 21. Bungle. 24. Ire. 25. Strong. 26. Afraid. 27. Modest. 28. Eraser. 29. Yen. DOWN: 1. Parade. 2. Strict. 3. Prefer. 4. Bigger. 5. Asking. 6. Blithe. 12. Fog. 13. Eel. 15. Emu. 16. Tie. 18. Author. 19. Broken. 20. Eighty. 21. Beaten. 22. Normal. 23. Loiter.
14 • WAR CRY • 17 January 2026
4 2 8
AA MILNE BEATRIX POTTER CS LEWIS DR SEUSS EDITH NESBIT FLOELLA BENJAMIN JACQUELINE WILSON JRR TOLKIEN
JULIA DONALDSON LAUREN CHILD LEWIS CARROLL MALORIE BLACKMAN MICHAEL MORPURGO MICHAEL ROSEN ONJALI RAUF ROALD DAHL
MAKES 18-20
Air fryer pork empanadas INGREDIENTS
METHOD
Oil
Heat 2tsp oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a moderate heat. Cook the pork, onion and chipotle paste or smoked paprika for 5-8 minutes, stirring gently, until the mince is brown.
250g lean pork mince (5 per cent fat) ½ small onion, finely chopped 1tbsp chipotle paste or smoked paprika 75g frozen sweetcorn 3tbsp readymade tomato salsa
Add the sweetcorn and salsa and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool for 10 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, cut 18-20 thin discs, each measuring about 10cm in diameter, from the pastry sheets rerolling as needed. Spoon 1-2tbsp pork mix into the centre of each disc. Fold over to make a pasty shape. Seal the edges with a fork and brush the pastry all over with the beaten egg.
Salt and pepper
Preheat the air fryer to 200C for a few minutes.
Flour, for dusting
Spray the trivet with oil and position the empanadas evenly on it. Cook in batches for 10 minutes, turning once.
2 x 320g readyrolled shortcrust pastry
Remove the empanadas from the air fryer and allow to rest for a few minutes, before serving.
1 egg, beaten
SERVES 6
Air fryer roast pork loin INGREDIENTS
METHOD
1.3kg lean pork roast loin
Remove the pork joint from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Discard the packaging and pat the meat dry with kitchen paper to remove any excess moisture.
2tsp oil 1tsp ground black pepper 2tsp salt
Preheat the air fryer to 200C for a few minutes. Put the joint on a chopping board and score it with a sharp knife. Rub over with oil and season all over with pepper and salt, making sure that the salt spreads into the score marks. Place the joint, skin side up, in a lined air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes, until the crackling starts to form and the skin is golden. Continue to cook at the same temperature for 1 hour. Once the crackling is formed and the internal temperature reads 70C (for a medium or well-done joint), remove from the air fryer. Allow to rest for 10 minutes, then slice. Serve with mash, peas and gravy.
Recipes reprinted, with permission, from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board website lovepork.co.uk
17 January 2026 • WAR CRY • 15
JESUS SAID:
YOU CAN BE SURE THAT I WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS Matthew 28:20 (Easy English Bible)