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Living in the present is one photographer’s subject

WAR CRY

16 October 2021 50p

Family traits Judi Dench discovers her heritage in Who Do You Think You Are?

Artist draws attention to global issues

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity seeking to share the good news of Jesus and nurture committed followers of him. We also serve people without discrimination, care for creation and seek justice and reconciliation. We offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK. Go to salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church to find your nearest centre.

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 7547

A PICTURE is worth a thousand words, or so the saying goes. And if that’s correct, then in this week’s War Cry we feature two people with an awful lot to say. First of all, we speak with artist Bokani Tshidzu. In her interview, Bokani explains how, through her art, she is able to ‘articulate feelings that she could not express with words’, adding that she wants people to recognise the dignity of others in the world through her work. Also in this week’s issue, we feature photographer Steve Radley. Just like Bokani, Steve wants people to fully engage with his pictures. ‘I encourage people to look at images, to see the light, colour and composition, and notice the emotions they feel,’ he tells us, adding: ‘Photography’s deeply spiritual and soulful. Spirituality is a hard word to define, but I tend to think of it as that which helps us make sense of life.’ As well as their art, one other thing that helps both Bokani and Steve in their understanding of life and spirituality is their Christian faith, despite both having to face challenging times in the past. ‘God is everywhere, in the harder experiences as well as the happier times,’ Steve says. ‘God accompanies us through the whole of life. He walks with us, listens and shares in our concerns.’ Millions of Christians share this experience. In the War Cry, people regularly tell of their encounters with hardship and pain. They explain how God has not only helped them through those times, but has also enabled them to know a better and more fulfilled life in spite of those challenges. God offers to accompany everyone through life, to share in their concerns and to guide them into a better future. All we have to do is commit to put our trust in the War read Cr him and we can know his presence with us. y ’ve u Picture that.

Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 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 and Ireland Territory 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 CKN Print, Northampton, on sustainably sourced paper

INFO Your local Salvation Army centre

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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

From the editor’s desk

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What is The Salvation Army?

CONTENTS 5

FEATURES

Branched out

Family trees explored in Who Do You Think You Are?

Creative campaigning

Artist’s work has a message for the world

A developed skill

How an RAF chaplain became a photography expert

10 ‘I’ve become proud of my heritage’

The importance of Black History Month explained

REGULARS

War Cry World

12 Team Talk 13 Puppy Tales

14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: BBC/WALL TO WALL MEDIA/STEPHEN PERRY

BBC/WALL TO WALL MEDIA/STEPHEN PERRY

??? Celebrities Pixie Lott, Joe Lycett, Alex Scott, Judi Dench, Joe Sugg and Ed Balls all feature in this year’s series of ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’

A rich inheritance? Celebrities discover family secrets TV preview by Emily Bright

CTING royalty Dame Judi Dench discovers how one of her ancestors served a European queen in a new episode of genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are?, which will air on BBC One on Tuesday (19 October). During the episode, she finds a striking parallel between her own life and that of her relatives dating back to the 17th century. The first acting role of Judi’s career was playing Ophelia in Hamlet at The Old Vic theatre. The setting of the Shakespearean play, Elsinore, is inspired by Kronborg castle in Helsingør and Judi learns that an ancestor of hers served at that castle to the Danish Queen Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow. That ancestor was there when William Shakespeare’s friend Will Kemp visited on an acting tour before Hamlet was written. The series so far has uncovered a treasure trove of history. Last week, comedian Josh Widdecombe established that his family has close ties with royalty, stemming back to his ten-times great grandfather Henry Rich. In the lead-up to the English Civil War, he was a privy counsellor and the 1st Earl of Holland – a prestigious position in the court of Charles I. Another of his ancestors, Sir Francis Knollys, was a treasurer of the household of Queen Elizabeth I and was married to her cousin. Josh also learnt that his family line goes back to Mary Boleyn, who had an affair with King Henry VIII. Her sister Anne became his second wife. And Josh’s ties to royalty dated back even further: he traced his family line all the way to English medieval king Edward I. Who Do You Think You Are? has

entertained viewers for 18 series by depicting the highs and lows of a celebrity’s family history. Part of the show’s longevity stems from our interest in identity and working out where we have come from. For some celebrities, it goes some way to explaining their family characteristics or vocations. For others, it helps them make sense of their own life in the wider context of their family. Throughout the years, celebrities have discovered the good, the bad and the ugly about their ancestors. We too all have different experiences of family: some positive, some negative. No matter how great our family might be, there will always be times where their human failings and flaws come to the fore. However, Christians believe in someone who loves and accepts everyone, regardless of our past mistakes or shortcomings. Because Jesus took the blame and punishment for our mistakes, God treats each of us as a treasured and loved member of his own family. To join that family, all we need to do is have faith in Jesus. One Bible writer elaborates: ‘People accepted him and put their faith in him. So he gave them the right to be the children of God’ (John 1:12 Contemporary English Version). Our inheritance is the love, grace and mercy of God, whose affection as a Father is far greater than anything we could imagine. Because he adopts us into his family, we can look forward to a good future with him, no matter what our past Josh Widdecombe has been.

Josh learnt that his family line goes back to Mary Boleyn

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KATIE PIPER said her Christian faith was a ‘massive comfort’ duringthe Covid-19 lockdowns. In an interview with Sky News to talk about her new self-help book A Little Bit of Faith, she said: ‘I’m able to know that nothing would ever get put on me greater than I could cope with.’ ‘In lockdown, a lot of us felt desperation and fear, and many of us would pray without even believing in a God, just praying for safety, for change, for some kind of progress. And I think that’s what we do when we don’t know what else to do, and we feel insecure. For me, it is a massive comfort having a Christian faith.’ Her new book features 365 daily affirmations to help people stay positive. According to MyLondon News, ‘it was inspired by her finding God and becoming a Christian in the dark days after the acid attack that left her with life-changing injuries’.

Prayer meeting a need for young adults

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Religion can draw Ben in

A FREE phone line offering prayer and support has received more than half a million calls since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Launched by the Church of England during the first lockdown in April 2020, the total time spent calling Daily Hope has surpassed 7 million minutes. People can reach the phone line on 0800 804 8044. Callers have listened in from across the country, and the world, to hear hymns, daily

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TERN TV/BBC SCOTLAND

IN an interview about the BBC One series Scotland’s Sacred Islands with Ben Fogle, the presenter told The Times that he is ‘deeply respectful of people of faith’. Ben – who explores the spiritual legacy of the remote islands in the programme – said: ‘I’ve always seen religion as something you are drawn to when you need it.’ He went on to explain why: ‘We lost our third child stillborn. Willem. He has a little stone at the church. We had a little service for him. And for us our rural village church was actually a place I found myself drawn to at that time.’

MORE than half (51 per cent) of 18 to 34-year-olds pray at least once a month, according to a new survey conducted by research organisation Savanta ComRes. In addition, the BBC reports that 49 per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds surveyed said that they attended a place of worship at least once a month. Chris Hopkins, associate director of Savanta ComRes, added that it was necessary to ‘factor in the impact the pandemic has had on the ability to engage with one’s faith’, given the provision of virtual prayers and online services. ‘It is possible that the pandemic opened up more avenues to prayer to young people, and this is reflected in the findings,’ he said. The study, which polled 2,075 adults in the UK in August, was commissioned by the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, a project to build a sculpture out of a million bricks just outside Birmingham. The Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer founder Richard Gamble added: ‘Many are now discovering that prayer is not a response of last resort but a conversation with God.’

prayer and services. This month, The Salvation Army will launch content on the line about the history of well-known hymns. Speaking about the initiative, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, said: ‘Life for many of us continues to feel uncertain in the light of the pandemic, even though restrictions have eased. We’re thrilled that the Daily Hope is here for you still, and you can call this free number every day – multiple times each day if you’d like.’

Artist paints a picture of injustice Artist BOKANI TSHIDZU talks about how her work draws attention to global issues and highlights the dignity of all people Interview by Sarah Olowofoyeku

REBECCA MURSELL

ECAUSE of her family background, Bokani Tshidzu thought that art was not a career she could pursue fulltime. But a pilgrimage and a painting competition helped to change that. ‘Having migrated from Zimbabwe, my family just wanted me to study something that would give me the highest probability of being able to get a stable job,’ she tells me, over Zoom from London where she works. ‘So even though I was doing well in both English literature and economics, I went to Bath University to read politics and economics. ‘In the third year, you take a year out in industry so I worked at an investment bank. But I hated it. I could see it wasn’t where I wanted to work. Because I was so stressed with the job, a friend recommended I do a weekend creativity course, and that’s where I discovered painting.’ Bokani returned to university to finish her degree, and held on to painting as a hobby and a healthy way of coping with stress. ‘With art, I was also able to articulate feelings that I couldn’t express with words,’ she explains. ‘So I continued painting, then a friend organised

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From page 5 a space in London for me to show my paintings for the first time. I still never thought it was something I could do as a career, but knew I wanted to go in a more creative direction.’ Bokani had been running a start-up focused on sustainability, but, she says, ‘I couldn’t necessarily bring everything of myself to it – my full identity as a woman, my creativity and interest in making art, and my faith.’ A committed Christian, Bokani decided she would seek spiritual guidance, going on a pilgrimage in Spain, to figure out what to do next. Walking the Ignatian Camino was a formative experience for her as she says the guides helped her to think through the big questions of what she was doing with her life. She found that she wanted to become an artist. On returning home, an opportunity to take her career to the next level arose. ‘God talks to me through friends,’ she says, smiling. ‘And one of them told me

about a BBC art competition. I entered it, because it felt like a good way for me to test out the idea of a vocation being something that you’re good at, that you love doing and that the world needs you to be doing.’ After reaching the final of that competition, Bokani felt she had proved to herself that her work was good enough and decided to pursue art. Since then, she has opened her own studio and exhibited her paintings across the country. As her career started, however, Bokani was mindful of being categorised by her race. She explains: ‘Being known as a black artist would mean that the innovative techniques or the technical side of the work that I’m doing might be ignored, because people focus on this one other thing – race. ‘I also recognised how that focus was a way in which certain conversations would be silenced. Questions I might

We’re much better and stronger when we collaborate

raise, such as “Are you paying the same for my painting as you would for another artist’s?” are not acknowledged. ‘So what I’ve had to say is I’m good as I am. And part of why I’m good is because of the experiences that I’ve had, and my identity is a part of that. I can see the richness of my Zimbabwean heritage and also the richness of my experience in the UK without saying that it makes me better, or that it makes me lesser. ‘But I recognise when the rest of the world doesn’t see that, and the ways in which that creates particular power structures that are used to exploit or make things cheaper or more convenient, and that’s not ok. ‘I now take part more in exhibitions with other black artists, because I do think we’re much better and stronger when we collaborate.’ As her career progressed, Bokani found that there were limitations for artists who were self-taught so she decided to go back to university. Through a master’s in computational art, she was able to bring issues connected to her

BOKANI

Bokani’s street art, with its thoughtprovoking slogans, has appeared on billboards across London

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okani’s ardour for art and passion for the political are intertwined. In 2019, she was part of a project that allowed her artwork to appear on billboards across London. Some of her slogans were: ‘a global progressive wealth tax’, ‘stop funding the climate crisis’, ‘stronger together’ and ‘free money for everyone’. She tells me that her motivation to take such action comes from her faith and the Christian community she belongs to. ‘I’m a member of an economics book club at church, so we’re reading about universal basic income and the moral limits of markets. And I felt like I wasn’t seeing that in public discussions. So I wanted to put it out into the streets, so people could stop and say, “Hmm, could we have universal basic income? Could we close down tax havens globally?” ‘There’s a real opportunity to change things, knowing what we know now, for the better,’ she says. ‘And unless we engage in those discussions, we’re not going to be included in the solutions.’ Bokani is conscious of the ways in which the political impacts people’s lives, and how certain decisions made in the West can negatively affect people in other parts of the world – mostly the poorest regions. Another one of her pieces, called ‘Our Common Home’, was inspired by a

NISHANT SHUKLA

background to the fore. ‘They taught us how to code and to make art in the form of digital installations that use algorithms, responsive artworks that can be on a phone or computer and 3D printing,’ she explains. While she enjoyed the new way of creating art, she faced an unexpected moral crisis. ‘I recognised how technology was impacting specifically African women,’ she says. ‘The minerals that go into our phones, laptops and gaming equipment come from the Congo, where there are child miners. It is one of the most violent places in the world – especially for women. ‘I looked at surveillance capitalism and the way in which data is collected from people to make us buy things we don’t want or need or can’t afford, and how all that stuff is dumped back into different parts of Africa as landfill. ‘So for my final degree show I made a robot on a wire car, like the ones kids play with in Zimbabwe. But it had a camera on it, so you could see yourself as it moved around, and it was to bring that whole moral crisis home. ‘That’s how I see my role, both as an artist and a campaigner, to bring people into the artwork and ask “How are you complicit? And what can you do to change it?” I also want to help people to recognise the dignity of others in the world.’ ‘Our Common Home’ is a 6ft by 6ft greenhouse Bokani created to invite people to think about the beautiful planet that is home to all humans paper written by Pope Francis. ‘He writes about how we need to think about the Earth as our common home,’ she says. ‘And what I love about it is the idea that we’re not any more or less entitled to it than one group or another. But also that we’re not disposable. We are precious in God’s eyes, but we should be precious in each other’s eyes too. ‘So I made this greenhouse, and when you sit in it, it’s like you’re sat in the middle of the rainbow because it’s painted all around and as the light fills in, it’s a warm light. I wanted to give people an opportunity to sit in that space and think: “We live in this beautiful place – how do I respond with generosity to our common home?”’

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IN THE Photographer STEVE RADLEY shares how he learnt to see life through a different lens after spending time with the military in Afghanistan Interview by Emily Bright

Steve Radley

T the age of eight, Steve Radley watched with fascination as his father, a chemistry teacher by trade, developed photographic prints in a darkroom. ‘It was magical as a young child to see pictures appearing and developing,’ he recalls. ‘Film photography is quite special in that way.’ Flash forward to the present, and Steve’s passion for photography is now a driving force behind his company, Soulful Vision. ‘Photography’s deeply spiritual and soulful,’ he explains. ‘Spirituality is a hard word to define, but I tend to think of it as that which helps us make sense of life.’ Setting up Soulful Vision in 2016 signalled the start of a new vocation for Steve. He had previously been an RAF chaplain, where he served alongside troops in Afghanistan. That experience had a profound impact on his faith. ‘On foot patrols in Afghanistan,’ he says, ‘I learnt about different cultures and people, talking to those who’ve lived in poverty, and children who’d only known war. That gave me a different understanding of life. ‘I also saw how humanity can be quite inhumane to each other, but I still inherently believe in the goodness of human nature.’ Amid the trauma of a war zone, Steve says that he discovered how to find God in those more challenging places. ‘You realise that God is everywhere, in the harder experiences as well as the happier times,’ he says. ‘God accompanies us through the whole of

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life. He walks with us, listens and shares in our concerns.’ On returning to the UK and leaving the military, Steve grappled with depression and anxiety. Yet he also experienced what psychologists describe as post-traumatic growth. ‘Post-traumatic growth helps you to look at life in new ways,’ he explains. ‘My visual perception was changed when I got back. Even a flower growing through the pavement had a new beauty and a new wonder about it. When I actually pause to notice these things, I discover God’s never far away, and that beauty surrounds us.’ After he left the military, Steve was offered the chance to study for a diploma in professional photography as part of an armed forces resettlement

training scheme. Seizing the opportunity to study a lifelong passion, he signed up. ‘I had assumed that the training would be very much about the technical side,’ he says. ‘And it was about how we see moments of composition, understanding light, darkness and shadow, but it was also about being mindful and focusing on the moment.’ Photography became a source of solace for Steve in his transition to postmilitary life. ‘I used photography to process my military experiences,’ he recalls. ‘I hadn’t realised quite how burnt out I was personally. Developing my interest in contemplative photography was a healing experience for me.’ As his interest in contemplative photography grew, he was invited to

FRAME STEVE RADLEY

lead a retreat on the subject. From there, he built up a business running retreats and workshops and founded Soulful Vision. He outlines the appeal of contemplative photography. ‘We’re a nation of photographers,’ he says. ‘We’ve all got cameras on our phones and we’re taking pictures and sharing our stories visually. ‘So rather than trying to teach people something completely alien, like focusing on your breathing, I show them how to see light and shadow on the cameras they use and lead them into focusing in on the present.’ Having used photography to help

with his own mental health, Steve is all too aware of the power of mindful photography. ‘Focusing on the present can relieve stress,’ he says. ‘Our brains are always worrying about the future, which is where anxiety can come from, or trying to take us to the past, which is where depression can sometimes come from. But we can only encounter God in the present.’ Steve explains how his workshops and retreats are inspired by the Christian theology of previous generations. ‘Visio divina is an ancient monastic practice, where typically you’d focus on an icon or a painting,’ he says. ‘Just by looking at it, you start to see God within

Focusing on the present can relieve stress

that painting. ‘In a similar way, I encourage people to look at images to see the light, colour and composition, and notice the emotions they feel. I believe that discovering what’s going on within us builds our relationship with God.’ Steve also creates space for reflection at the end of his workshops. He uses the examen tradition, where Christians take time to look back on the day and think about where God was present in it. In the same way, he encourages people to view their pictures to ‘remember, be thankful and look forward to the next day in hope’. ‘It’s a way of seeing that God was with us that day,’ he says. ‘He accompanies us throughout life, whether we’re aware of it or not.’

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Stories of take the As Black History Month continues throughout October, NAAR M‘FUNDISI-HOLLOWAY reflects on the importance of raising her mixed-race daughter to celebrate her African heritage Naar M‘fundisi-Holloway

‘A

MONTH dedicated to telling the history of black people is really important,’ says Naar M‘fundisiHolloway, an action researcher for The Salvation Army. ‘For centuries, many stories concerning black people have been ignored, misrepresented or disrespected. People from history who had the power of the pen often excluded black stories from their writings, or wrote about black cultures as savage and primitive, which gave the world the impression that people of colour were inferior to white people. To some extent, I grew up thinking that because I was black, I was unwanted and inferior, which is far from the truth. ‘Black History Month is an opportunity to redress the balance because it showcases well-rounded stories about black people, their achievements and the ways in which they have contributed positively to society. But I also think it’s important to remember that although people of colour have so much to offer

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Interview by Claire Brine

the world, their intrinsic worth as human beings is not attached to their achievements. They don’t have to prove their worth by their actions.’ Naar – who is half-Zambian and halfZimbabwean – was born and raised in Zambia, lived in Canada and moved to the UK in 2005, where she completed her master’s degree and PhD in theology. She went on to become a religious studies teacher in various secondary schools in innercity Birmingham, and every October, she would help the students celebrate Black History Month. ‘Back then I was always concerned about issues facing black African people,’ she says. ‘But since George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis last year, I have become more concerned about black matters globally. Sometimes, because I’m a black person, people think I know

everything there is to know about black history and black issues everywhere – but I don’t. I’m learning all the time. We’re all learning.’ The theme behind this year’s Black History Month is Proud To Be. Naar hopes that the stories shared will have a positive impact on the people who hear them. ‘It’s an important theme for me, because until a few years ago, I sometimes felt an internal self-loathing,’ she explains. ‘Although I am a black, African woman, I have spent more than half my life living in the West and that has had an impact on me. I have a slight north American accent from the time I lived in Canada. And when I was in higher education, I noticed that all of my teachers were Caucasian. ‘As the years went by, I started to see my social identity as something complex – and therefore negative. It has only been in recent years when I have exposed myself to literature on black history and

People of colour have so much to offer the world

black history spotlight black theology, and conversations about race have been in the media a lot more, that I’ve become proud of my heritage, understanding that all my experiences have enriched my life. These days I no longer shy away from saying my full name, even if people find it difficult to pronounce. And if people ask me if I’m American because of my accent, I’m quick to tell them I’m a black, African woman and proud of it.’ One of the ways in which Naar embraces her heritage is in her approach to motherhood. She and her white, Britishborn husband, Andrew, are keen to raise their daughter with a strong appreciation for both her British and African roots. ‘Our daughter is called Abigail Anashe – and Anashe is an African name, meaning God is with her,’ she says. ‘I speak to Abigail in my native language, feed her traditional Zambian food, sing her African lullabies and carry her on my back, using

African cloth. I intend to tell her the African stories my mum told me, and make her aware of African history as well as telling her stories of the struggles black people have faced. ‘Of course, at school she will learn all about British history and her life will be filled with British influences, most particularly from her dad and grandparents. That’s important. ‘But most of all, Andrew and I want Abigail to know that as a halfBritish, half-African girl, she is beautiful – because she is made in God’s image.’ As well as teaching Abigail to value her dual heritage, Naar is also keen to share her Christian faith with her daughter. She believes in a God ‘so multi-faceted, that you can’t ascribe a colour to him’. ‘When I was growing up in church,

I’ve become proud of my heritage

Naar with husband Andrew and daughter Abigail Anashe

pictures of God were always white,’ she says. ‘White face, white hair, white beard. But these days, I don’t think of God like that. I don’t see a skin colour. God is God – and I can’t fathom him. I choose not to try to fathom him either. ‘All I know is what the Bible says, which is that God created the human race in his own image. And because the human race is so diverse, the image of God has to embody diversity.’

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Prayerlink THE War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the first names of individuals and details of their circumstances, for publication. Send your Prayerlink requests to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk or to War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN. Mark your correspondence ‘Confidential’.

Becoming a Christian

There is no set formula to becoming a Christian, but many people have found saying this prayer to be a helpful first step to a relationship with God

Lord Jesus Christ, I am truly sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free. Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Holy Spirit. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen

talk ‘ ’ Team talk TEAM TALK There’s no debate that grief is worth talking about Linda McTurk gives her take on a story catching the attention of War Cry reporters

MANY people have faced some form of loss as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. For some, the loss they have experienced means that life will never be the same again. Yesterday marked the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week (9 –15 October), which highlights the need to break the silence on the issue. To commemorate the week, every year people light candles in remembrance and share their stories on social media using the hashtag #WaveofLight. Last month, Cherilyn Mackrory, MP for Truro and Falmouth, shared her personal experience of losing a baby. Opening a debate on the subject in parliament, she offered her sincere condolences to other bereaved parents and encouraged them that, despite how they might feel right now, ‘the sun will shine again’ for them as it has for her. Cherilyn also wanted to take practical action We can all to make the world a kinder place for anyone who listen to a has experienced a loss. MPs discussed the idea of miscarriage wards, separate from general person’s story designated maternity wards in hospitals, and policy changes to ensure that – mothers and fathers – would be entitled to paid leave from work following a bereavement. As someone who has faced more than one loss, I admire Cherilyn for her bravery in sharing her story and for championing the cause of people like me. The trauma and grief my husband and I experienced after our losses were hidden away and dealt with privately. We found it difficult to seek out the help we needed and tell people we were struggling. It says in the Bible, ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep’ (Romans 12:15 English Standard Version). As we emerge from the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic, I hope that more of us will be willing to break the silence around grief and to weep with others. We can all do our part to listen to another person’s story and share in their pain. Our kind words and actions can make a big difference to the people around us.

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Contact details of a Salvation Army minister Name Address Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International

Or email your details and request to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk 12 • WAR CRY • 16 October 2021

puppy tales Life with a young dog leads Barbara Lang to look at the world from a new perspective

Jak and the frog O

QUICK QUIZ 1

Who sings the theme song for the latest James Bond film No Time to Die? How many strings are on an acoustic guitar?

Who wrote the Booker Prizewinning book Girl, Woman, Other about the experiences of black women in modern Britain?

What is the common name of the tree genus acer rubrum, which produces vivid red leaves during autumn? Who hosts the TV documentary series Secrets of the London Underground with Siddy Holloway?

Which national memorial in South Dakota, USA, features four former US presidents? ANSWERS

NE day, as I was walking my young Welsh collie, Jak, along a muddy footpath to our favourite field, we came across a frog. As frogs go, it was quite small with big black eyes. It was sitting very still on the footpath. At first Jak smelled the air, wondering what the new scent was, and then his twitching nose homed in on the amphibian. But as soon as Jak put his nose on the frog for a good sniff, it jumped up high. Jak had never encountered anything like this before. He jumped back towards my legs and then, cautiously, placed his nose nearer to the little creature for another sniff. ‘Ribbit’, croaked the frog, as it leapt into the air again. Jak barked and hid behind my legs for safety. He was afraid of this strange creature. Eventually, the animal hopped off into the undergrowth and Jak and I continued our walk. Sometimes problems can take us by surprise, just like Jak was surprised by the frog. Our daily routine can get suddenly disrupted by an illness, bad news or unforeseen problems. At those times we can need someone to stand behind and feel safe. The Bible describes how God can be that safe place. When we are caught off guard and our day is disturbed, we can remember that we do not have to stand alone. God promises to always be with us. Why not take up his offer?

God’s your Guardian, right at your side to protect you. Psalm 121:5 (The Message )

PODCAST REVIEW The F Word Podcast HOSTED by journalist and founder of The Forgiveness Project, Marina Cantacuzino, The F Word Podcast is a series that explores forgiveness through the lives of others. In a recent episode, Marina interviews Father Michael Lapsley, an Anglican priest from South Africa, who lost both his hands and one eye after he received a letter bomb in the post at the height of apartheid oppression in 1990. Father Michael recounts the details of the attack and explains why the apartheid state considered him to be a threat. Incredibly, he says he is not ‘filled with hatred, bitterness, self-pity or the desire for revenge’ following the incident. Instead, he has transformed his trauma into positive action for others. Even so, he is adamant that ‘forgiveness is costly, difficult and messy’ and we often need the power of God to help us to even want to forgive others. It’s a refreshing perspective that’s worth being heard.

Linda McTurk

16 October 2021 • WAR CRY • 13

1. Billie Eilish. 2. Six. 3. Bernardine Evaristo. 4. Red maple. 5. Tim Dunn. 6. Mount Rushmore.

PUZZLES Quick CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Scatter (5) 5. Object (5) 8. Likeness (5) 9. Clear (5) 10. Lawful (5) 11. Barter (5) 12. Memo (4) 15. Allow (6) 17. Shield (5) 18. Trusted adviser (6) 20. Consommé (4) 25. Refuge (5) 26. Passage (5) 27. Hold back (5) 28. Emerge (5) 29. Sedate (5) 30. Oarsman (5) DOWN 1. Grave (6) 2. Not long past (6) 3. Breadth (5) 4. Tediously unoriginal (5) 5. Erased (7) 6. Large bottle (6) 7. Yield (6) 13. Lyric poem (3) 14. Animal hair (3) 15. Snoop (3) 16. Debt document (3)

SUDOKU Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9

8 3

1 8 2 9 7 3 7 4 1 9 1 2 6 7

1 2

4 9 6 5 4 8 1 4 5 2 4

WORDSEARCH

17. Enterprising (2-5) 18. Quagmire (6) 19. Feeling of sickness (6) 21. Bandit (6) 22. Entreaty (6) 23. Elude (5) 24. Beneath (5)

3 6 4 2 8 5 1 7 9 5 7 9 6 3 1 2 8 4 Look up, down, forwards, backwards and diagonally on the grid to find these1words 8 associated 2 7 4with 9 compassion 3 6 5 3 Z 9N K H M O 5 4 8V G1 7 O V S W B I 6 X A 2Y T H Y B Z D Q O Q J H Q O N B C R S 4 1 5 8 6 7 9 X2 3 J C Q V R N X T P Y T I R A H C G O 8 I 9E Z Q T 7 3 I 1R 2I Y O R 5 4 6 B N P Z Y P N H E E H T J 7 J Y C N B A I K P E D F 4 8 1 9 3 6 5 2 B M V N I P W F Z O D R O U A N K K 9 5 1 4 2 6 I 7T Y3 8 P E S Q N L D K G E N E R O S E L Z Y A K T H D T S D R E D E W J 2 3 6 5 7 8 4 9 1

M O HONEYC B

Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number

H C O M M I S E R A T I O N B L C Q C B N V U P W A Q A P S Z L E C A L T V W E H Z A R L K I N D N E S S H S S E N L U F T H G U O H T M N S R J B U E E O R T H Z H C X X P R C G A E J C N U V Q I Y M M H D A B G E F D A R I Y Y E Q Z G Q Z J T B Z C C R Q S T B Z R N H Z X S Q H F G E G Z M J Y C R E M E F U Q L Y Z R L G Q R N B C Q P G T B N H S E R Q B

1. Scattered rubbish 2. Footprints 3. Played at Wimbledon 4. Physically powerful 5. Large vegetable 6. Break free

ANSWERS 3 5 1 6 4 8 7 9 2

6 7 8 2 1 9 4 5 3

4 9 2 3 5 7 8 1 6

2 6 7 9 8 3 1 4 5

8 3 4 5 6 1 9 2 7

7 4 1 9 1 2 6 7

5 1 9 4 7 2 3 6 8

1 2 3 8 9 5 6 7 4

7 8 6 1 2 4 5 3 9

9 4 5 7 3 6 2 8 1

HONEYCOMB 1. Debris. 2. Tracks. 3. Tennis. 4. Strong. 5. Marrow. 6. Escape. QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1. Strew. 5. Demur. 8. Image. 9. Lucid. 10. Legal. 11. Trade. 12. Note. 15. Permit. 17. Guard. 18. Mentor. 20. Soup. 25. Haven. 26. Aisle. 27. Delay. 28. Arise. 29. Staid. 30. Rower. DOWN: 1. Solemn. 2. Recent. 3. Width. 4. Banal. 5. Deleted. 6. Magnum. 7. Relent. 13. Ode. 14. Fur. 15. Pry. 16. IOU. 17. Go-ahead. 18. Morass. 19. Nausea. 21. Outlaw. 22. Prayer. 23. Avoid. 24. Under.

14 • WAR CRY • 16 October 2021

ALTRUISM BENEVOLENCE CHARITY CLEMENCY COMMISERATION CONDOLENCE CONSIDERATION EMPATHY GENEROSITY

GRACE HEART HUMANITY KINDNESS LENITY MERCY SYMPATHY TENDERNESS THOUGHTFULNESS

4 5 2

Steak and kidney pie Ingredients 1tbsp oil

Method

1 onion, peeled and chopped

Heat the oil in a pan and brown the beef for 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a large ovenproof pie dish. Add the kidney, onion and mushrooms. In a bowl, mix together the stock, tomato purée and gravy granules. Pour the mixture over the meat and vegetables in the pie dish.

100g oyster mushrooms, chopped

Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/ Gas Mark 5.

300ml beef stock, hot

Roll out the puff pastry to cover the pie dish. Dampen the edges of the dish with a little water and place the pastry on top of the meat mixture. Trim off any excess pastry and lightly press the edge to seal. Alternatively, serve in four individual pie dishes. Brush with the egg and place into a preheated oven for 2 hours. To prevent burning, once the pastry is risen and golden brown, cover with foil.

450g lean diced beef stewing steak 225g kidney, cored and cut into pieces

2tbsp tomato purée 2tbsp gravy granules 500g prepared puff pastry 1 egg, beaten Mashed potato, to serve Peas, to serve

Serve with mashed potato and peas.

SERVES

Beef, bean and chorizo pasta Ingredients 300g pasta 100g diced chorizo 1 small onion, peeled and chopped 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed 350g thin-cut beef steaks, cut into strips 250g cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters 400g can cannellini beans, drained 100g frozen peas 2tbsp flat-leaf parsley, freshly chopped

Method Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, heat a nonstick frying pan and cook the chorizo, onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the beef and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, beans, peas and pasta and continue to cook for a further 1-2 minutes. Season, garnish with the parsley and serve immediately with a side salad and garlic bread.

Side salad, to serve Garlic bread, to serve

Recipes reprinted, with permission, from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board website simplybeefandlamb.co.uk

SERVES

16 October 2021 • WAR CRY • 15

It is good for the human spirit to be still Archbishop Stephen Cottrell

WAR CRY