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 7495
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
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salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry
2 • War Cry • 10 October 2020
EDITOR From desk From the editor’s desk
SINGING goodjob forthey you.would So say quoted on the ASK a childiswhat likescientists to have when they’re older BBC Future The experts saidprompt that singing and there are website. some responses that will a wry can smileboost from the our moods and sense of socialPrime connection. grown-up asking the question. minister, astronaut and pop it is with benefits in mind people have been star,Perhaps for example, are these normally dismissed by that adults as childish flights ofjoining fancy.online choirs during lockdown. In this week’s issue, the War Olowofoyeku joins a virtual rehearsal of of theroles. London ButCry’s someSarah children do grow up to take on these types International Gospel Choir to for herself the pleasures Nicole Stott was fascinated bydiscover space travel throughout her childhood people have she found of singing alone,woman yet together with others. and, in 2009, became the tenth to perform a spacewalk. Meanwhile Austen has found similar value in running. In this week’s War Cry,Hardwick the former astronaut talks about how she This week’s War Cryworking also includes interview with realised her dreams in a joban that was truly outthe of marathon this world. runner who found that his sport regain his after But not everybody manages tohelped realise him theirtodreams. Forlife some he suffered three strokes his and earlythe forties. people life has more downswhile thaninups struggle to deal with However, it was only running thatoverwhelming. helped Austen’s recovery. disappointments andnot difficulties can be His Christianare faith a vital him takingAlthough a positivethey Christians notplayed exempt frompart this in experience. approach allto that heand faced. are able to to turn God ask for his help during tough times, ‘When I Christians was in hospital,’ Austenwhy says, ‘I asked God tothem take to what sometimes can wonder God has allowed I was Author going through to transform me through suffer. Dr Amy and Orr-Ewing has written a bookit.’ entitled Where Christians believe that God canpeople take any situation anything is God in all the Suffering? to help wrestle withor that question. do orthis face and use to make a positive impactgointhrough others’ Inthat an they interview week, Amyitasserts that when people lives or theirthere own. isThat been the experience of painter Oliver tough times, helphas available to them. Pengilley. ‘If you’re struggling and suffering, there is a God who loves you developed successful an artist with some andOliver cares had for you and it isa worth callingcareer out toashim,’ she says. ofTV hispresenter work selling forPiper significant sums of money.and But,emotional as he tells Katie experienced physical the War after Cry this he grew frustrated. suffering sheweek, was subjected to a vicious acid attack in 2008. In didn’t meaning of it,’ he says. he travelsGod to while the ‘IWar Crysee thisthe week she explains how sheNow encountered churches over the world during worshipwas lying in herall hospital bed and to feltpaint him pictures tell her that everything sessions faith-based artwork has helped other people in going to beand all his right. their faith journey. Godown is willing to be with us in every situation – the good as well as is an amazing truth that God can take any skill athat person has if the Itbad – and we, too, can experience the difference makes, or turn any situation we to him. they are facing and can transform it into something that can change their lives and the lives of the people around them.
Contents
What is The Salvation Army?
FEATURES 3
Eighties in a spin Listening back on album day
4
A show full of kindness and love Katie Piper on Songs of Praise
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The question of suffering Author examines God’s response to human hardships
8
Space, the final frontier? Astronaut recounts her experiences
REGULARS 12
Team Talk
13
Puppy Tales
14 Puzzles 15
6
War Cry Kitchen
8
Front-page picture: DAN KENNEDY
15