From the editor’s desk
What is The Salvation Army? The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity providing services in the community, particularly to those who are vulnerable and marginalised. Motivated by our Christian faith, we offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK to all who need them, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. To find your nearest centre visit salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church
‘ALL the world’s a stage,’ says the melancholy Jaques in William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, ‘and all the men and women merely players.’ Whether or not we agree with that view of life, television schedules, film releases and theatre productions demonstrate that some of the most enthralling dramas are based on real-life events. Last weekend, for example, TV viewers were gripped by the final episode of The Trial of Christine Keeler, the series based on the Profumo affair, which made headlines in the 1960s. But it is not only scandals that can make captivating viewing. As we report in this week’s War Cry, the latest Tom Hanks’ film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood focuses on Fred Rogers, a US children’s TV presenter and Christian who helped his young viewers through issues such as divorce and bereavement. We also feature a theatre company in Torbay that is portraying the life of another Christian who made an impact for good in the lives of others. The Cross and the Switchblade tells the story of David Wilkerson, who reached out to young people caught up in the gang culture of 1950s New York. Many of those who met David became Christians and had their lives transformed. Some of the actors in the Torbay production can relate to the characters they are playing. ‘They’ve lived out the story,’ says Martin Harris, who is directing the play. ‘Many of them have been on the streets, spent time in prison or struggled with drug and alcohol addictions. But they’ve got clean.’ Some have also become Christians through their interaction with the Unleashed Community Drama Group, which Martin set up to help people who are struggling with life. It is amazing to realise that the Christian faith can make a positive impact on the lives of everyone, whether they’re children growing up with their future ahead of them or adults who feel life has nothing left to offer. The good news is that no one is excluded from the opportunity to become a Christian and experience God’s love. A life of faith is available to us all.
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 7459
Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Ivan Radford Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Staff Writer: Claire Brine Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight War Cry office: 020 7367 4900 Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN
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Tel: 0845 634 0101 Helpline: 020 7367 4888 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org Founder: William Booth General: Brian Peddle Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill Editor-in-Chief: Major Mal Davies
Published weekly by The Salvation Army ©The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. Printed by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell, on sustainably sourced paper
Your local Salvation Army centre
FEATURES 3
Neighbourhood watch TV presenter’s life depicted in Tom Hanks film
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All to play for Teams try again in Women’s Six Nations
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‘I wished I wasn’t here’ Talking openly about mental health
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Dramatic results The theatre company changing lives
REGULARS 4
News and media
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Browsing the Bible
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Out of the Mouth of Babes
14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: PA
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