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
TWENTY years ago, in the film Cast Away, Tom Hanks played a man who was washed up on an uninhabited island. Chuck Noland was alone and had no idea what the future held for him. Almost 12 weeks ago, millions of people in the United Kingdom also embarked on a life of isolation. They took to their homes, no longer allowed to travel to work, see their families or go out for anything other than essential reasons. The sandy beaches of the film were replaced by lounge carpets, and houseplants took the place of the coconut trees, but perhaps there were some similarities to the experience of Chuck. So, it seems quite natural that the BBC’s Desert Island Discs has a whole day of programmes on Radio 4 Extra today (Saturday 6 June), repeating some of the episodes from the show’s 78-year history. As we report in this week’s War Cry, listeners will be able to tune in and hear guests pick out their favourite book and music that they would want with them if they were stranded on a desert island. Sadly, though, for some people in the real world, spending lockdown at home has been lacking in comforts, not because they are alone, but because they are stranded with someone who is subjecting them to abuse. In this week’s issue we speak with Bekah Legg, the director of Restored. The Christian-run domestic abuse charity has been supporting victims during the lockdown period. In the article, Bekah explains the way abusers act to undermine their victims’ confidence and sense of self-worth. But she has a message for those subjected to abuse: ‘God loves you and has bestowed you with honour, worth and value.’ However, Bekah is not only interested in the victims. She also acknowledges the need to help abusers break their patterns of behaviour, which have sometimes been learnt through traumas in their own lives. Whoever we are, God loves and values us – there’s no need to feel that we’re cast off by him.
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 7477
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 Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN
Contents
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, 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
Your local Salvation Army centre
FEATURES 3
Isle listen to that
The music choices on Desert Island Discs
4
Tackling domestic abuse
The charity that supports those in danger
in their own homes
6
‘Oceans are the world’s thermostat’
Scientist on how the seas are
saving the planet
8
Prized programmes
Awards value broadcast belief
6
REGULARS 12
Browsing the Bible
13
Out of the Mouth of Babes
14 Puzzles 15
War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: BBC Radio 4
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