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
EDITOR From From the editor’s desk
GROWN-UPS have only a few more days left of coping with their children’s mounting excitement. Christmas Day arrives on Friday. Many of those adults will be able to recall their own excitement when, as children, they waited for the visit of Santa and the thrill of unwrapping their presents. They may also be able to recall the following days when their parents encouraged them to sit down and write thank-you letters to the friends and relatives who had sent them a gift. For many of those young scribes, it was a chore of the post-Christmas week, but the people who received those letters appreciated the thanks they contained. Being told ‘thank you’ is encouraging – particularly when the expression of gratitude comes unexpectedly. As we report in this week’s War Cry, last week the Queen publicly thanked The Salvation Army for the work it has carried out during the pandemic and over this Christmas period. It had not been expected and none of the members, volunteers or employees of the church and charity who had helped individuals and communities did so in order to receive such high praise. But the Queen’s gratitude was a source of encouragement. The Salvation Army is motivated to help others by the Christian faith of its members. They believe that the baby whose birth is celebrated every Christmas grew up to be a man who changed the world, in part through his teaching to love others. As what has been a difficult and challenging year for so many people comes to an end, individuals and communities can be sure that The Salvation Army will continue to support anyone who needs its help in 2021 and beyond.
Issue No 7505
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
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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 • 19 December 2020
Contents
Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org
FEATURES 3
More TV vicar
Geraldine Granger returns with classic comedy
8
Not a silent night
Songs of Praise reveals the UK’s favourite carols
10
Peace on Earth
A seasonal message from the international
leader of The Salvation Army
REGULARS 6
War Cry World
12
Team Talk
13
Bible Series
14 Puzzles 15
War Cry Kitchen
Front-page picture: BBC/Tiger Aspect Productions/Des Willie