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 7486
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 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
ONLINE a warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk @TheWarCryUK TheWarCryUK
B
salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry
2 • War Cry • 8 August 2020
EDITOR From desk From the editor’s desk SINGING is good for you. So say scientists quoted on the BBC Future website. The experts said that singing can boost our moods and sense of social connection. THIS year, countless have had to cancel their wedding day Perhaps it is with couples these benefits in mind that people have been because of thechoirs coronavirus someissue, weddings joining online duringpandemic. lockdown. Although In this week’s the have been Sarah allowed as restrictions change, these of have War Cry’s Olowofoyeku joins a virtualeven rehearsal the had London toInternational be scaled back, with limits onfor theherself number guests Gospel Choir to placed discover theofpleasures permitted. This has resulted in alone, many brides and grooms postponing people have found of singing yet together with others. theirMeanwhile special day until next year. has found similar value in running. Austen Hardwick While manyWar couples remember wedding with day as happiest This week’s Cry also includestheir an interview thethe marathon day of their bliss are guaranteed runner wholives, foundyears that of hiswedded sport helped himnot to regain his lifetoafter follow. Relationships can break he suffered three strokes while down. in his early forties. Harry Benson’s that point. Hisrecovery. However, it wasmarriage not onlyalmost runningreached that helped Austen’s relationship with hisplayed wife, Kate, His Christian faith a vitalwas partoninthe himverge takingofadisintegrating, positive but honest to conversations and a willingness to work through their approach all that he faced. problems to turn things round. ‘When enabled I was in them hospital,’ Austen says, ‘I asked God to take what Nowgoing they have been married for 34 years, and Harry I was through and to transform me through it.’ is helping other married believe and cohabiting who struggling with their Christians that Godcouples can take anyare situation or anything relationships which heimpact co-founded. that they dothrough or face Marriage and use itFoundation, to make a positive in others’ ‘I realised there lots of other Harrys andofKates outOliver there lives or theirthat own. Thatare has been the experience painter who needn’t get into the same mess that I had,’ he says in an Pengilley. interview this week’s War Cry. He adds: ‘Asasa an Christian, it felt as Oliver in had developed a successful career artist with some though this was what was calling to do.’ But, as he tells of his work selling forGod significant sumsme of money. Many are inspired their faith to help and support the WarChristians Cry this week, he grewby frustrated. other people, whether or not of those people ‘I didn’t see the meaning it,’ he says. hold Nowthe he same travelsreligious to beliefs as them. Tim faith haspictures led himduring to work with young churches all over theEvans’s world to paint worship people through thefaith-based charity Worth Unlimited. Naomiother Bennett sessions and his artwork has helped people in campaigns for social justice and an end to racism through Red their own faith journey. Letter UK.truth that God can take any skill a person has It isChristians an amazing read about thefacing work they are doing in this week’s issue. orYou anycan situation they are and can transform it into something You readtheir howlives that and workthe haslives been byaround recent them. world thatcan canalso change of impacted the people events and about the way in which their faith empowers them to go on striving to make a difference for good.
Contents
What is The Salvation Army?
FEATURES 3
In a Stu Lee Mack introduces new comedy character
4
‘We haven’t been brought up in a perfect world’ The campaign for justice and transformation
7
Happy ever after? Help is offered to struggling couples
10
Youth works for good Charity gives young people a voice
REGULARS 12
Team Talk
13
Now, There’s a Thought!
14 Puzzles 15
War Cry Kitchen
4
10
Front-page picture: BBC/Happy Tramp North
15