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 7496
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
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INFO 2 • War Cry • 17 October 2020
EDITOR From desk From the editor’s desk
GENERATIONS of people who grew up watching TV classics such as SINGING is good forJuliet you. So sayand scientists on the Dixon of Dock Green, Bravo The Billquoted developed a certain BBC Future saidcould that singing boost to perception of website. the policeThe as experts people who always can be trusted ourthe moods and sense of social do right thing. Children were connection. taught that if they became lost, they Perhaps it is for with these benefits in mind that people have been should look out a constable on the beat and, in an age before joining online choirs during lockdown. In this week’s issue, the mobile phones, the advice was: if you want to know the time, ask Cry’s Sarah Olowofoyeku joins a virtual rehearsal of the London aWar policeman. International Gospel to discover for herself pleasures Sadly, this was not Choir everyone’s experience. In thethe 1980s, when a peoplesuggested have foundtoofLeroy singing alone, others. his mentor Logan thatyet hetogether becomewith a policeman, Meanwhile Austen found similar value in running. initial thought was: ‘DoHardwick I look likehas a racist?’ This week’s War Cry also includes an interview the marathon Leroy’s experiences of the Metropolitan Policewith while growing up as runner who found that his sport helped him to regain his life afterBut a young man of colour in London had been anything but positive. hebelieved sufferedthat three strokes while in early the forties. he if he was going to his change experiences of future However, it was not only running that helped recovery. generations, he would have to do that within the Austen’s Met. His Christian faith played a vital part in him taking a positive Once he became a police officer, Leroy rose through the ranks, approach becoming to all that a hesuperintendent. faced. eventually He also helped to form the ‘When I was in hospital,’ Austen says, ‘I asked God take the what Black Police Association (BPA), despite opposition fromto within I was going through and to transform me through it.’ force. Before he retired, his efforts were recognised when he was Christians believe that God canpolice take any or anything appointed MBE for services to the andsituation community relations. that they do or face and use it to make a positive impact others’ In an interview in this week’s War Cry, Leroy describes the in impact his lives or their That been the experience of painter Oliver Christian faith own. had on hishas work. Pengilley. ‘What I had to do with the BPA was God’s work,’ he tells us, adding: Oliver hadI’ve developed a successful as aninartist some ‘I don’t think been doing it alone …career I’ve been God’swith hands.’ of his work selling for significant sums of money. But, as he tells Leroy is one of many people whose stories have been told in the War theover War many Cry this week, he grew frustrated. Cry years – Christians who felt compelled by their faith to ‘I didn’t see the meaning of it,’ he Now he travels to they make a difference in the situations andsays. communities in which churches all over the world to paint pictures during worship found themselves. sessions and his faith-based hasahelped other people in That is because Christianity artwork is not only personal religion which their own faith journey. provides the believer with a relationship with God. It is also a faith that It istoanchallenge amazing wrong truth that God can and takeactions any skilland, a person hasso, wants perceptions in doing or any they are facing and can transform it into something make lifesituation better for everyone. that can change their lives and the lives of the people around them.
Contents
What is The Salvation Army?
FEATURES 3
Keep dancing! Strictly steps back into the spotlight
5
A century of thanks 100 celebrities write in praise of the NHS
6
Sow much care Rural chaplain talks about his role
8
‘The Met can be for all communities’ Former police officer speaks out
REGULARS 4
War Cry World
12
Team Talk
13
Now, There’s a Thought!
14 Puzzles 15
6
War Cry Kitchen
8
Front-page picture: BBC/DAVID OLDHAM
15