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20 years of the Wicked Witch of the West End

26 September 2026 50p/60c

Makes sense

Why readers and cinemagoers keep returning to Jane Austen

Single-minded network offers welcome

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 600 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 7800

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 Recently I became aware of a conversation in which an older person, not long widowed, was invited to Sunday worship. The church’s regular service was advertised as ‘Family worship’ – and her response was to say that she would like to attend, but ‘when was there a service which wasn’t just for families?’ Her challenging question led the church’s ministers to relabel the service as ‘Worship for all’. Something intended to be welcoming had instead created a perceived barrier. Language is just one of the things which the Single Friendly Church Network highlights as it encourages churches to become better at welcoming people of all ages who are single. Ahead of Single Friendly Church Week, which begins tomorrow (Sunday 27 September), the War Cry explores the work of the network. As a single woman, author Jane Austen would likely have had great sympathy for the encouragement of churches to be more welcoming towards those who, whether by choice or circumstance, are single. Certainly, according to the writer of a forthcoming book on Austen, her Christian faith was important to her personally. In this week’s War Cry, Terry Glaspey explains how Jane Austen’s books were shaped by biblical principles. ‘Jesus said the two great commandments were: love God and love your neighbour,’ he tells us. ‘Jane was somebody who understood that loving your neighbour meant sacrificial giving, and within her books she’s making the case that our care should be for those around us who are struggling.’ Loving our neighbour, as Jesus pointed out, starts with recognising who they are. The challenge then is to welcome and care for each individual, just as God cares for each of us.

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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 Your local Salvation Army centre

FEATURES

In marble halls TV drama series brings a family mystery into the light

Am I welcome on my own? Encouraging churches to connect better with single people

Faith and family How Christian belief shaped the writer of Sense and Sensibility

13 Not so wicked? Two decades of an unlikely friendship

8 13

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Team Talk

2 • WAR CRY • 26 September 2026

Murder she read A new author’s novel contains clues to a crime TV preview: Marble Hall Murders BBC1 and iPlayer By Ewan Hall

young relatives secretly mixed a mysterious concoction in the estate gardens. As they transferred it into a jar, they made a chilling pact – they determined what had to be done to their grandmother and swore that the truth would remain buried for ever. As Susan turns the pages, each sentence hints at a dark mystery – and it will take her and the fictional detective Atticus to solve it. What began as a pact between three young people has cast a shadow over the family decades later. Although most people have never been called upon to solve a past murder case, everyone can relate to the idea of carrying the knowledge of things they have said or done that they would rather keep hidden. Regrets, mistakes and painful memories have a way of shaping our lives long after the moment in question has passed. And we may find ourselves worried about being found out and rejected – even by the people who love us. The truth, however, is that our secrets are already known by God – and we are still loved by him. In the Bible, one writer highlights how God knows everything about him and still cares for him. He admits to God: ‘You have examined me and you know me. You know everything I do’; but then he also acknowledges that God is always with him in his life, constantly ‘there to help me’ (Psalm 139:1, 2 and 10 Good News Bible). When we talk to God, we will find someone who knows the ins and outs of our lives but does not reject us for what we have said or done wrong. Instead he offers forgiveness for our errors, comfort in challenging times and guidance when we feel uncertain about the future. In short, God offers us the opportunity to begin a new chapter.

Susan Ryeland needs the help of fictional detective Atticus Pünd

26 September 2026 • WAR CRY • 3

BBC/ELEVENTH HOUR FILMS/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION/JONATHAN HESSION

ook editor and amateur sleuth Susan Ryeland (Lesley Manville) returns to England from Crete to begin a new chapter in her life in Marble Hall Murders – the latest in a line of TV series based on a collection of novels by Anthony Horowitz. Soon after arriving, Susan is headhunted to be a senior editor at Causton Books, where her first assignment is to mentor aspiring writer Eliot Crace (Jamie Blackley). Having worked with him before on an unsuccessful project, Susan is hesitant. But her new employers are eager for Eliot to succeed. As the grandson of the late celebrated children’s author Miriam Crace, the publishing house sees enormous commercial potential in his work, believing the family’s literary legacy alone could turn his book into a bestseller. Susan discovers that Eliot’s manuscript continues a previous author’s series of novels, centred on fictional detective Atticus Pünd (Tim McMullan) – a character with whom Susan has a strange connection. At their initial meeting, Eliot hands over the first draft of his new book, titled Pünd’s Last Case, and nervously asks for her honest opinion, admitting that he hopes his story about Atticus will finally bring some good fortune into his life. He adds that the tale is set in Corfu, inspired by childhood holidays spent there with his family. Returning home, Susan settles down to read the manuscript. What she does not realise is that Corfu is not the only piece of the Crace family history woven into the story. Twenty years earlier, at Marble Hall in Wiltshire, three

Team talk TEAM

talk ‘ TALK’ j Here’s hoping

Claire Brine gives her take on a story that has caught the attention of War Cry reporters According to writer Caitlin Moran, ‘the past 15 or so years feel like a shock to the system’. She explained why in her column in The Times, noting the ‘7 prime ministers in 10 years; conspiracy theories; fake news; people being publicly shamed and “cancelled” online’. Confronted with doom and gloom at every corner, Caitlin wondered if it was possible to find a way to ‘feel better about the world. Fall back in love with humanity again. Avoid the anxiety and overwhelm. And become, yes, hopeful again.’ In her efforts to drag herself out of despair, Caitlin went on a hope-finding quest, the results of which she shares in her new book, How to Be Hopeful, published last week. On its website, Penguin describes how Caitlin sets out to discover if a person can ‘stay in the same house, in the same neighbourhood, but feel better about the frantic modern world by trying to make better days. Leaving social media, eschewing 24/7 news for local newspapers, sitting on buses without headphones, and listening to what people are really saying.’ As a fan of Caitlin’s writing, I’m eager to read about her search for hope in everyday places and activities. I have also been intrigued to read several celebrities’ endorsements of the book. On the front cover, actress Emma Thompson describes it as ‘a life-changer and a minor bible for our times’. It’s a big statement to make – but finding hope (when we thought there wasn’t any) is definitely something I would consider life-changing. While there may be much wisdom in the pages of Caitlin’s ‘minor bible’ (as Emma puts it), I’m reminded that I have another Bible on my shelf that’s full of hope. In it, I read of a God who loves me and forgives my mistakes. I find guidance in the teachings of his Son, Jesus, who tells me not to worry about tomorrow because God knows everything I need. And I find joy in the story of the Resurrection, which promises me the hope of eternal life. If I want to feel better about the world, opening the Bible is a good place to start.

Caitlin went on a hope-finding quest

Team talk 4 • WAR CRY • 26 September 2026

Carer feels he is cared for at The Salvation Army Volunteering at The Salvation Army has proved to be life-changing for William, who has spent much of his life caring for others. Initially, William cared for his mother and now he is a full-time carer for his father. He also volunteers with The Salvation Army in Chilwell, Nottingham, helping at a weekly lunch club and donation centre. Living with dyslexia and a speech impediment has brought William challenges, but he has never allowed these to define him. Instead, he focuses on what he can do: welcoming others, listening to their stories and offering encouragement. Drawn in by the genuine care and acceptance he experienced, William hasn’t just found a place to belong – he has encountered a living faith. As he spent time with others, joined in worship and explored what it meant to follow Christ, his belief became personal. Over time, his experience led him to make a commitment of faith by becoming a Salvation Army soldier. For William, this step was the result not of a dramatic moment, but of a steady transformation shaped by community, service and a desire to live out God’s love. ‘I can’t let anyone struggle,’ William says simply. William’s story reflects the quiet, faithful work that happens week after week, where practical help and spiritual care go hand in hand – often unnoticed, yet life-changing. The Salvation Army provides bespoke local support through some 600 centres across the UK. To support your local Salvation Army services visit salvationarmy.org.uk/big-connection

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

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‘Every single person should feel valued’ The Single Friendly Church Network is encouraging churches to connect better with single people Feature by Claire Brine

Single Friendly Church Network founder Jackie Elton

hat’s it like to be single and a Christian? In 2012, that was the question Jackie Elton was asking people when they clicked on to the Christian Connection dating website. ‘I started Christian Connection around the year 2000 and became more and more aware of how single people were experiencing church,’ explains Jackie. ‘Over the years, people using the site had been telling me their stories. While many couples had met and married through Christian Connection, there

were a lot of single Christians who were finding things difficult. So in 2012 I decided to run a survey asking them what it was like to be a single person at their church. The response was huge and immediate – we heard from around 3,000 people in the first week.’ While many who completed the survey spoke positively about their churches, others opened up about the struggles they faced as single Christians in a congregation of couples and families. Jackie employed an analyst to study the survey results and considered her next steps. ‘I had no intention of starting a side mission to Christian Connection,’ she says. ‘But after we published our findings, things started happening. Gradually, we created the Single Friendly Church Network and four years ago it became a registered charity.’ Since the network began, more than 450 churches across the UK have used resources that are available on the charity’s website – a platform which states that every single person who walks into a church building should feel welcome, included and valued. Beth Chan, communications director

Turn to page 6 f

26 September 2026 • WAR CRY • 5

Beth delivers a talk about how single people are valuable in church

From page 5 for the Single Friendly Church Network, explains that there are five steps that churches can take to better connect with people who are single. ‘The first step is about churches knowing their community,’ she says. ‘Who in the community is single? We need to remember that singleness is not just about students and people in their 20s who haven’t got married yet. There are so many people who never marry, plus those who are separated, divorced or widowed. There might be people who are married, but perhaps their spouse is in a care home and so is unable to attend church with them. There could also be people whose partners aren’t churchgoers – so they feel single in terms of their faith. ‘The second step is about language. We ask churches if their language welcomes everyone or is focused on families. If the minister uses the word “family” because they’re referring to the congregation as a “church family”, that might need to be more clearly explained.

6 • WAR CRY • 26 September 2026

Communications director Beth Chan ‘Our third step is about how welcoming churches are. It’s asking them: are there social events happening in your community that include single people – or are they aimed just at couples? How easy is it for someone single to join in?’ The last two steps, Beth explains, relate to church teaching and leadership.

We still live in a culture of marital expectation

inisters are encouraged to ensure that Bible teaching is relevant not only to people in a family context but to everyone, regardless of their relationship status. And the final step asks churches to

consider their leadership positions and make sure that single people aren’t overlooked in favour of couples. According to the Office for National Statistics, 29.5 per cent of UK households in 2025 were made up of people living alone. In England and Wales, figures showed that 34.9 per cent of people had never married or entered into a civil partnership. ‘There are lots of reasons why there are more single people today,’ Beth says. ‘Generally people are getting married later, so there are more single people at every stage of life. Divorce is more frequent – and when people divorce, some are choosing to stay single rather than remarry. People are also living longer, so there are more older people who are single. ‘On top of that, there are more choices available today about how or when to have children. Women choosing to have babies without a partner has become more popular.’ While being single may be a choice embraced by some, there remain many individuals who long to meet somebody special. In such circumstances, being surrounded by happy couples can feel isolating and difficult.

‘We still live in a culture of marital expectation,’ explains Jackie. ‘There seems to be this idea that marriage is a natural stage of life and if you haven’t made it, you’ve failed in some way. Some single people really do feel like that. ‘I think it’s a perception that stems from things like the family conversations at Christmas, when parents say: “Is there anyone special in your life?” Or there comes a point when some people start to make judgements about a single person’s sexuality, or question what must be “wrong” with them if they’re not in a couple.’

Christ Church Davyhulme in Manchester joins the Single Friendly Church Network

We may overlook the value of deep friendship

ackie’s opinion is that there’s nothing at all shameful about being single. She argues that single people bring a unique perspective to the church community that couples cannot. They have different experiences and ideas. She points out, too, that the Bible talks positively about singleness. ‘The Gospels tell us that Jesus lived a single life,’ she says. ‘And he hung out with a lot of people in the same situation as him. His friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus don’t appear to be married or have children – and Jesus valued them hugely. He spent a lot of time with them. ‘The early Church leader Paul was single too, as were some of the great figures of the Old Testament. None of these people regarded being single as a failure or a problem. The Bible demonstrates that single people are very much loved.’ Beth adds: ‘People often put marriage on a pedestal because it’s beautiful and

sacred, but singleness is equally valuable and important – whether or not it’s a choice. I also think that if we focus only on the sparkly romantic relationships in life, we overlook the value to be found in deep friendship.’ ‘And,’ says Jackie, ‘friendship is what sustains so many of us.’ From Sunday (27 September), a number of congregations will be marking Single Friendly Church Week. The inaugural event provides an opportunity for congregations to celebrate singleness and to take steps to ensure that single people feel included. ‘Churches are marking the week in

A single-friendly Salvation Army ‘walking church’ meets in Hadleigh, Essex

several different ways,’ says Beth. ‘It might be that they have a time of prayer for single people during the Sunday service. Or it could be that the minister delivers a talk on singleness. ‘Another idea is that church leaders could interview someone who’s single in their congregation, asking them about their relationship with God and the things they’re passionate about.’ Both Jackie and Beth hope that the week will encourage churches to continue in their efforts to be singlefriendly all year round. Beth says: ‘One of our single-friendly churches told us that when they changed the seating arrangements for their coffee time after the service, people who had come on their own felt more comfortable to stay behind for a drink. ‘Another church amended the welcome message on their website to include single people specifically, so that it didn’t just talk about being “family-friendly”. Later, someone came to that church because they’d seen the website and thought: “I belong here.”’ ‘It’s so good,’ adds Jackie, ‘when churches reflect a number of different experiences, because having just one group of people in a congregation would be really sad. God doesn’t value married people more than single people. In his eyes, we’re all his children.’

l For more information visit singlefriendlychurch.com

26 September 2026 • WAR CRY • 7

‘ Jane Austen was a person ’ of deep faith__________ J

As a new film of Sense and Sensibility hits cinemas, TERRY GLASPEY, who has written several books on Jane Austen, explains why faith was central to the 19th-century novelist Interview by Emily Bright

8 • WAR CRY • 26 September 2026

being and that even in our best relationships we have squabbles and misunderstandings’. And, over the course of each book, readers can track how characters change. ‘One of the powerful things about Austen’s novels,’ he explains, ‘is watching the arc of her main characters as they become more caring, more loving, more thoughtful people than they were before. ‘None of her characters are perfect

ALAMY/PICTORIAL PRESS

Terry Glaspey

ane Austen’s novel explorations of love and sisterhood have enchanted readers for more than two centuries. Now, the 1811 book that made her name, Sense and Sensibility, has been adapted once again for the silver screen and is being released in cinemas. The story follows the lives of sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood – one a realist, the other an idealist, played in the new film by Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed Miles – as they navigate romantic highs and lows. Through their experiences, they discover the kind of love that stands the test of time. ‘Sense and Sensibility was the novel that helped to launch Jane’s career in a big way,’ says Terry Glaspey, who has written several books on the author, his latest being The Faith of Jane Austen. ‘I think it’s just such a beautiful story about the nature of what love really is. ‘The course of “sense” in the novel doesn’t always mean that everything works out perfectly – even less so does the path of “sensibility” if you’re a hopeless romantic and trying to chase love for its own sake. If you idealise the beloved, then you don’t find what real love is. Both the sisters are taken through a lot of pain on their way to having a better understanding of the nature of love.’ Terry, who teaches literary-themed courses at the online Northwind Theological Seminary in the US, believes that the reason for the enduring popularity of Austen’s novels partly lies in their relatability. He says that readers are reminded of ‘how difficult it is to be a human

A posthumous coloured engraving of Jane Austen

Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Marianne Dashwood (Esmé Creed Miles) in the new film of ‘Sense and Sensibility’

human beings. But the idea of a moral arc must have been quite important to Jane. It’s the turning point of both Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, and it also shows up in many of her other novels. It’s the arc of moral recognition and repentance, when the characters come to a point in their lives when they realise they’ve been self-deceived or they’ve misjudged others. For instance, Emma Woodhouse in Emma has just too high a view of herself and has to get taken down a peg. I think we identify with these things because we recognise ourselves in them.’ While much scholarly attention has been directed towards unpacking Jane’s characters, Terry believes that far less has been paid to a central part of her own character: her Christian faith. Jane’s world view was shaped by the fact that she grew up in a Christian

family. Her father, George Austen, was an Anglican priest, and the family lived in a rectory in the village of Steventon, Hampshire.

We have prayers that Jane composed

‘J

ane’s father introduced her and her sisters and brothers to so much great literature,’ says Terry. ‘He had a fabulous library for his day, hundreds of books which he made available to his kids, who were homeschooled. ‘Many of Jane’s family were writers. Some wrote poetry, and others were pastors and priests, so they’d write sermons. Jane wrote and had a real appreciation for poetry. She read and read and read. Her family would also put

on elaborate plays.’ The family’s daily rhythms included opportunities to practise their shared Christian faith together. ‘One of the services available within the Book of Common Prayer,’ says Terry, ‘was an evening prayer that a family could do together. As far as we can understand, they did that most days. ‘We also still have a few prayers that Jane composed herself, in which you can see the influence of the Book of Common Prayer and the King James Bible in the wording and the tone. I think that the Book of Common Prayer was immensely important to her throughout her life.’ A common belief, says Terry, is that

Turn to page 10 f 26 September 2026 • WAR CRY • 9

From page 9

‘Jane was a Christian, but only like everybody was back then – more of a cultural thing than something heartfelt’. He disagrees. ‘Based on the reading and research that I have done, I think that is completely incorrect. Jane was a serious Christian. She would read a number of famous orators and preachers, and sermons were one of her favourite genres. Who reads collections of sermons for fun, unless they’re actually pretty serious about their faith?’ Terry also believes that Jane’s

In the novel, Marianne has a romantic idealism about love

10 • WAR CRY • 26 September 2026

religious reading influenced not only her personal life but her literary creations as well. ‘Those sermons had an impact on her – both in terms of the spiritual content, but also the rhetorical style of the preachers. In subtle ways, they worked into making her the grand writer that she was.’ While Jane did enjoy reading sermons, Terry continues, ‘she was careful not to preach’ in her novels, as she was often frustrated by her contemporaries who did. ‘She lived in a time when a lot of

women novelists had a religious message to deliver, and usually it was delivered with little subtlety. But if you want your books to be read by non-Christians, you can’t be propagandistic about it. You have to be more subtle and measured.’ Terry sees such an approach in Jane’s work, explaining that – while subtle – a Christian world view lies behind everything she wrote. ‘It’s natural to see characters in her novels pray and go to church,’ he says. ‘Sometimes they even discuss God or theology, and matters of morality, like slavery, get talked about in Mansfield Park. ‘I think Jane’s goal was just to be gentle, and because of that anyone can read her books and profit from them. I think the effective Christian writer is not one who mostly confronts. It’s one who mostly woos. As people read her books today, even those who are not Christians are getting to feel her world view from the inside. I think that has an impact on people’s lives.’ Terry explains how Jane’s books were also shaped by biblical principles. ‘Jesus said the two great commandments were: love God and love your neighbour. Jane was somebody who understood that loving your neighbour meant sacrificial giving, and within her books she’s making the case that our care should be for those around us who are struggling.’ Jane was not immune to struggle in her life. Her father died unexpectedly in 1805, leaving her, her mother and her sister in a precarious financial position. She formed a deep attachment to a clergyman, but he died suddenly. She also suffered with a chronic illness, which eventually led to her death at the age of 41. ‘Her pain, losses, struggles and disappointments were similar to those that a lot of us experience,’ remarks

The Dashwood sisters and their mother fear destitution after their father’s death

Terry. ‘Yet I think she did what writers should always do and that is, take the pain and what you’ve learnt from it and let that be the underpinning to the story you want to tell.

She was a great observer of human life

‘J

ane was never about just telling a simple, inspiring story. She wanted to tell a truly human story. She also never wanted to treat personal tragedy as though it was the be-all and end-all of somebody’s life. The pain that we experience is what God uses to make us the people that he wants us to be. ‘I think Jane was somebody who stepped up and lived through the pain. She held on to her faith to the end. One

of the last things she wanted to do was to take the Eucharist – or Communion – because, in the Anglican tradition, that is the primary way that you draw close to God. That was what she wanted as her last act: having the Lord’s Supper.’ Jane died on 18 July 1817. It’s curious that in the family’s epitaph to her – which can be found in Winchester Cathedral, the city in which she spent her last days – Jane’s writing is not mentioned. ‘Instead,’ says Terry, ‘it talks about the person she was and the faith that was so important to her. I think that should be a sign of who she was as a human being. Her family was more important to her than her writing, and when they talked about who she was, it was about her as someone who was loving and caring and an ideal aunt and sister.’ Terry offers his own reflections on

what Jane Austen was like. ‘She was a person who had this powerful imagination, but it was wed with being a great observer of human life. Jane really paid attention to how people talked and how they related to one another, and all of the little details of life surrounding them. Then her imagination was able to go beyond that observation and give the reader something fresh.’

l The Faith of Jane Austen will be published in February by Harvest House

26 September 2026 • WAR CRY • 11

Prayerlink

What did he say?

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’.

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 Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’ – Matthew 5:37 A few more years ago than I like to think, Dawn French starred in the BBC sitcom The Vicar of Dibley. As the Rev Geraldine Granger, she had to minister to a colourful bunch of parishioners, including a man called Jim, who seemed to have trouble simply saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Often, he would say something along the lines of: ‘No, no, no, no – that’s right.’ In one episode, he was heard saying: ‘No, no, no, no, I haven’t made up my mind yet.’ More recently, I came across a song by a group called the Blips, which says: ‘Yes, yes, no; yes, yes, no; maybe one of these days I’ll make up my mind.’ Sometimes it’s hard to make up our minds or be clear about what we’re going to do. When Jesus taught his listeners that their word should be simply ‘yes’ or ‘no’, he was talking about the promises we make. The truth is, he said, sometimes it’s better not to make promises but rather simply to be true to our word. Jesus was really speaking about having a trustworthy character. Our authenticity and integrity should be heard in our statements about what we will or won’t do. People should be able to believe us. The reality is that none of us can predict the future. But Jesus’ teaching is about being as sure as possible and as reliable as we can be about what we will do – a point which the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible emphasises when, in translating the ancient Greek text of the Gospel, it shows Jesus urging people to say the repeated ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’, which was a bit like saying ‘Yes. Absolutely!’ or ‘No, not at all’. If we ever promise more than we can do, it may be that we do so out of pride or fear or a desire to be the one who rescues a situation. But we don’t need to make promises we can’t keep. Instead, we can use these words of Jesus as a way to check whether we’re being honest and authentic – and then offer what we can.

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QUICK QUIZ 1 2 3 4

How many Premier League titles did Alex Ferguson win as manager of Manchester United? Who wrote the 1975 novel Ragtime? Which metal is represented on the periodic table by the symbol Au? Who had No 1 hits with the albums Beautiful Trauma and Trustfall?

The film 10 Things I Hate about You is based on which Shakespeare play?

Which children’s TV series features a team of hero dogs including Chase, Marshall and Skye?

ANSWERS

SARAH CRESSWELL

Adeel Akhtar and (below) Sophie Ellis-Bextor have written letters to themselves

SPEAKING OF WITCH Wicked reaches 20 years in the West End Feature by Ewan Hall

‘P

opular. You’re gonna be popular.’ The words sung by Glinda to Elphaba in Wicked have turned out to be true for the musical itself, which this weekend celebrates its 20th anniversary in the West End. Ahead of a gala on Sunday (27 September), the Apollo Theatre in Victoria – Wicked’s home for the whole of its run – is hosting two specially themed performances, one labelled ‘Pink’ in celebration of student witch Glinda, the other ‘Green’ in honour of Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch of the West. Audiences at both will receive a colour co-ordinated goody bag and will have the chance to see the relevant character’s costumes displayed throughout the theatre. Although it has been in London for two decades, the show’s origins go back further. It is based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which in turn imagines a parallel universe to the one created by L Frank Baum in his 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Gregory’s version sets out the story of Elphaba and the unlikely but profound friendship that she develops with the popular Glinda – a relationship which changes both characters for the better. The pair’s bond has charmed audiences, who seemingly relate to Elphaba and Glinda’s loyalty to each other despite their misunderstandings and moments of conflict. Their relationship is not perfect – which is true of friendships anywhere. Friends may disappear or let us down. But Christians know that they have one friend they can always rely on. They have discovered the truth of one Bible writer who told his readers: ‘God assured us: “I will never let you down, never walk off and leave you”’ (Hebrews 13:5 The Message). If we put our faith in God, we will find a constant source of support. His love for us doesn’t depend on our popularity, achievements or getting everything right. Instead, it is freely given and unwavering. If we accept God’s offer of a relationship with him, we will find him to be a friend for good. 26 September 2026 • WAR CRY • 13

1. 13. 2. EL Doctorow. 3. Gold. 4. Pink. 5. The Taming of the Shrew. 6. Paw Patrol.

PUZZLES Quick CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Doctrine (5) 4. Steam bath (5) 8. Hot beverage (3) 9. Map (5) 10. Rapture (5) 11. Tear (3) 12. Stadium (5) 13. Listless (7) 16. Good-looking (6) 19. Not susceptible (6) 23. Aperture (7) 26. Awaken (5) 28. Convent sister (3) 29. Slack (5) 30. Small picture within a bigger (5) 31. Sped (3) 32. Bisect (5) 33. Barriers (5) DOWN 2. Fireplace (5) 3. Draw (7) 4. Specimen (6) 5. Of the city (5) 6. Goodbye (5) 7. Soothed (5) 9. Grip (5)

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

1 2 7 3 6 4 8 8 5 2 6 6 1 9 2 3 6 5 9 7 8 1 2 9 7 6 8 1 2 7 21. Choose (5) 22. Disregard (6) 23. Lubricated (5) 24. Era (5) 25. Perfect (5) 27. Disrupt (5)

14. Jewel (3) 15. Tavern (3) 17. Sharp knock (3) 18. Yellowish-brown colour (3) 20. Daybreak (7)

W RDSEARCH

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

M O HONEYC B

B K Q R E A S O N I N G R P N H P P H Q MW D N O I T A T I G O C X P Z WT Z S S E N L U F D N I M J T G S Z S H Q N L J U Y C Z T J P B QWS R FW I D B N O I T A R E B I L E D B D H T N C B N L R U OQ F QM T F Z C B Z X K G J E R R S G X J MZ V E A A C Q Z I D E E D P R I O X H L MQWG Z Q I N F Y X E U U U V D T Z GQQ S SWL G A Y CM F R QG B J I C O N C E N T R A T I O N D L Z H R Y OG C I A X P Q I N T A V R B WP C V T Y R U O Z GO A Z L A E Z U E Q I D Z K H K T Q N T N I X J W Q H O U F ME D I T A T I O N R T A MN T L B K Q Y C YMV O S G Z SW V SWZWP O N D E R I N G U I MG D Z DMX UWC N R C B Q D L MG B

Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number 1. Portable steps 2. Further up 3. Relating to the nasal passage 4. Electronic pen 5. Take a different route 6. Turn

ANSWERS 5 2 8 4 7 1 6 3 9

4 3 9 8 2 6 7 5 1

1 6 7 3 9 5 8 2 4

2 7 3 6 5 4 1 9 8

9 4 1 2 8 3 5 7 6

6 8 5 7 1 9 3 4 2

3 5 2 1 4 8 9 6 7

7 1 6 9 3 2 4 8 5

8 9 4 5 6 7 2 1 3

HONEYCOMB 1. Ladder. 2. Higher. 3. Rhinal. 4. Stylus. 5. Divert. 6. Rotate. QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1. Dogma. 4. Sauna. 8. Tea. 9. Chart. 10. Bliss. 11. Rip. 12. Arena. 13. Languid. 16. Pretty. 19. Immune. 23. Opening. 26. Rouse. 28. Nun. 29. Loose. 30. Inset. 31. Ran. 32. Halve. 33. Gates. DOWN: 2. Grate. 3. Attract. 4. Sample. 5. Urban. 6. Adieu. 7. Eased. 9. Clasp. 14. Gem. 15. Inn. 17. Rap. 18. Tan. 20. Morning. 21. Elect. 22. Ignore. 23. Oiled. 24. Epoch. 25. Ideal. 27. Upset.

14 • WAR CRY • 26 September 2026

SUDOKU

DELIBERATION

MUSING PONDERING PRAYER REASONING

INTROSPECTION

REFLECTION

JOURNALING

RUMINATION

MEDITATION

STUDYING

MINDFULNESS

THINKING

COGITATION CONCENTRATION CONSIDERATION

MAKES 6

Savoury baked egg and oat breakfast cups INGREDIENTS

METHOD

Oil, for greasing

Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4. Lightly grease a 6-hole muffin tin.

6 large British Lion eggs 125ml milk 40g rolled oats 40g mature cheddar, grated Handful cooked chicken, chopped 160g frozen peas 1 spring onion, finely sliced ½ tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp garlic powder

Whisk together the eggs and milk in a large bowl. Stir in all the remaining ingredients. Leave to stand for 5 minutes to soften the oats. Divide the mixture evenly between the holes of the tin so that each is about three-quarters full. Bake for 14-16 minutes, until the breakfast cups are just set in the middle and lightly golden. Leave to cool in the tin for a few minutes, then run a palette knife round the edge of each breakfast cup and lift them out. Serve warm or leave to cool completely before covering and chilling in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

SERVES 2

Yogurt and berry pancakes INGREDIENTS

METHOD

2 large British Lion eggs

Whisk together the eggs, 100g yogurt and vanilla extract in a bowl. Add the flour, baking powder, salt and, if using, cinnamon. Mix to form the batter.

100g plain yogurt, plus extra to serve 1tsp vanilla extract 40g oat or plain flour 1tsp baking powder Fine sea salt 1tsp ground cinnamon (optional) Oil spray or butter, for cooking Fresh blueberries Plain yogurt Maple syrup (optional)

Recipes reprinted, with permission, from the British Egg Information Service website egginfo.co.uk

Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat and spray with oil or brush with a little butter. Spoon small ladles of the batter into the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, until bubbles begin to form on the surface. Carefully turn over with a spatula and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until the pancakes are golden on both sides. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter to make about 10 pancakes. Stack the pancakes on serving plates and serve warm with blueberries, yogurt and, if using, a drizzle of maple syrup.

26 September 2026 • WAR CRY • 15

LORD, TEACH ME YOUR WAYS AND GIVE ME THE COURAGE TO FOLLOW THEM Henri Nouwen