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
IMAGINE how kind a school pupil would think their teacher was if they were given a whole month off from homework. Then imagine their reaction if they were told that, instead of completing homework, they had to carry out random acts of kindness. That was the task assigned to the pupils of a Cork primary school at the end of last year. The schoolchildren spent their time doing things such as tidying their rooms, loading dishwashers and writing thank-you notes to those who cared for them. Monday (17 February) is Random Acts of Kindness Day, when we are encouraged, whatever our age, to be kind to other people. War Cry journalist Claire Brine took up the challenge a few days ago and writes about her experiences in this week’s issue. In her article, Claire describes her nervousness about how people would respond to a complete stranger complimenting them or offering them a seat on a busy train. Claire’s experience was that everybody she was kind to appreciated it. It brightened their day. In turn, being deliberately kind to others had a positive effect on Claire’s mood. Sometimes when people talk about being kind or helping others, they say they are ‘going the extra mile’, meaning that they are doing more than is expected. That phrase comes from the teachings of Jesus, as recorded in the Bible. In Matthew 5:41, Jesus tells his followers that if they have to walk a mile with someone, even when they do not want to, they should literally go an extra mile and walk two. Jesus also says that if someone demands that one of his followers give them their shirt, they should hand over their coat as well. Jesus encouraged his followers to do more than what was expected of them in their interactions with other people. As Random Acts of Kindness Day approaches, we could all do with taking such encouragement on board.
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 7461
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 War Cry office: 020 7367 4900 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
FEATURES 3
A hitch in the works Life gets complicated for matchmaker Emma
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The judges’ decisions Who’s found favour in awards season?
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Kind regards A look at Random Acts of Kindness Day
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The long and winding road… …leads many to Strawberry Field
REGULARS
Your local Salvation Army centre
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News and media
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Browsing the Bible
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Faces of Faith
14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page pictures: Shutterstock; PA
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