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
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 7506
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
EDITOR From From the editor’s desk
LAST month, Coronation Street celebrated 60 years of bringing to life the fictional residents of the famous cobbled street. According to Guinness World Records, it is the longest-running TV soap in the world. However, it is still ten years younger than Radio 4’s The Archers. As we report in this week’s War Cry, the radio drama, centred on the inhabitants of Ambridge, celebrated its 70th anniversary yesterday (1 January). Since 1951, millions of listeners have been enthralled by what was regularly described as ‘the everyday story of country folk’. Some of those stories, though, have been anything but ordinary. As well as encountering dramatic agricultural problems such as foot-and-mouth disease, the soap’s characters have had to face personal issues such as sudden deaths, domestic abuse and discrimination. It is not only in fictional situations that people have to face some of those challenges. Amanda Mukwashi of international development charity Christian Aid has written a book, But Where Are You Really From? In it, she explores ideas about heritage and the real-life racial prejudice she faces as a black woman living in the UK. ‘Over the years, I observed things around me which made me feel sad, angry and powerless,’ Amanda tells us in an interview this week. ‘I wanted to reflect on some of those things and tell a different story. Maybe if people out there heard different stories, they would see that I am just as human as they are.’ It seems incredible that, in the 21st century, there are people who behave in a way that denies the humanity and worth of other people. Yet a look back at the past year’s news stories show that they do. As we enter 2021, let’s hope – and do what we can – to demonstrate the worth and value of all people, whoever they may be.
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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, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. Printed by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell, on sustainably sourced paper
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INFO 2 • War Cry • 2 January 2021
Contents
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FEATURES 3
An Ambridge anniversary
The Archers at 70
4
Star attraction
A message for the new year
6
‘God expects me to do what’s right’
Author on how her faith embodies racial equality
12
Big quiz of the year
How many questions can you answer?
REGULARS 10
Now, There’s a Thought!
11
Bible Series
14
Puzzles
15
War Cry Kitchen