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
THERE was a time when the War Cry would carry information about the latest film releases, big sporting tournaments and other events that would be attended by hundreds and sometimes thousands of people. In recent weeks, though, life has changed, and the content of the War Cry reflects those changes. Most people are having to spend more time at home. Many of them have found new ways to entertain themselves. For example, record numbers of people are playing video games. The BBC even staged an ePremier League competition, with professional footballers playing EA Sport’s Fifa 20 video game. Highlights of every round were shown on the corporation’s website. In this week’s War Cry, we look at the impact that video games have had on us throughout the years as we mark the 40th anniversary of Pac-Man. But while some have turned to technology, for others, lockdown has led to the kitchen. Mixing bowls and baking trays have been rummaged out of cupboards as the nation has returned to baking, leaving many supermarket shelves devoid of flour, eggs and baking powder. Assistant editor Sarah Olowofoyeku takes to her kitchen this week and conjures up a chocolate cake. In her article, Sarah talks about the comfort and control that counsellors and psychotherapists say can be found in baking. During the past few weeks, many people feel they have lost control over their lives, as well as certain comforts, because of the necessary measures that have been put in place to combat the spread of the coronavirus. As we start looking to take those first tentative steps out of lockdown, the hope must be that people will discover the comfort and the confidence that all can be well again.
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 7474
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
While it’s much better to have your weekly copy of the War Cry in your hands, we recognise that at the moment it is hard for some people to obtain a copy. So, as an alternative while the coronavirus restrictions are in place, you can access the War Cry at salvationarmy.org.uk
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
Contents
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
Eating up the years
Pac-Man turns 40
4
‘Requests for food have gone up’
The impact of coronavirus on food banks
6
Failing marriages can be saved
There’s help when relationships struggle
10
Rising to the challenge
Banana bread and chocolate cake in lockdown
10
REGULARS 12
Browsing the Bible
13
Faces of Faith
14 Puzzles 15
2 • War Cry • 16 May 2020
6
War Cry Kitchen
15