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 7483
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 • 18 July 2020
EDITOR From desk From the editor’s desk
SOMETIMES it is necessary to take action when faced with SINGING or is good for you. So say scientists on the unfairness injustice. As news outlets aroundquoted the world have BBC Future The experts said thatwhen singing boost reported overwebsite. recent weeks, there are times thecan right course moods and of social connection. ofour action is to joinsense together in protest and bring the issue to the Perhaps it is with these benefits in mind that people have been attention of everyone. joining choirs during lockdown. In this week’s issue, the to Thereonline are other times when opportunities arise for individuals War new Cry’sprojects Sarah Olowofoyeku a virtual rehearsal ofThat the London start that begin tojoins correct the unfairness. is what International Gospel Choir to discover for herself the pleasures Juliet Coley did. people found singing yet together with only others. In thishave week’s WarofCry Julietalone, describes the fact that 1 per cent Meanwhile Austen Hardwick literature has found similar in running. of main characters in children’s are blackvalue as a disgrace. This Warblack Cry also includes interviewbeen, with the Sheweek’s says that people have an historically andmarathon continue to runner who found thatand hismisrepresented sport helped him regain his life afterTo be, underrepresented in to children’s literature. he suffered strokes while in his early forties. a company that address this three systemic racism, Juliet has established However, it was not only running that helped Austen’s recovery. helps black children to become self-published authors. His Christian faith played a vital part in him taking a positive The former teacher is motivated to give black children a voice by approach to faith. all that heisfaced. her Christian She not alone among people of faith who want ‘When I was in are hospital,’ Austen says, ‘I asked take what to help those who discriminated against or whoGod are to finding life I was for going through and to transform me through it.’ tough other reasons. believe God can take anyAgainst situation or anything AChristians recent survey by that the charity Christians Poverty found that96 they or face and usequestioned it to make ahad positive in help others’ that perdo cent of churches given impact practical to lives orduring their own. That has been the experience of painter Oliver people the coronavirus lockdown. They provided many hours ofPengilley. voluntary support to thousands of individuals who were struggling. Oliver hadfind developed successful career asloves an artist some Christians that theira belief in a God who and with values all of his work selling fortosignificant sums ofregularly money. But, as he people inspires them act. The War Cry reports ontells how the Salvation War Cry this week, grew frustrated. The Army and he other Christian individuals and groups work ‘I didn’t see meaning it,’ social he says. Now he travels to to help those in the need and to of fight injustice, including racism. churches all over thehad world to paint pictures during worship Jesus said that he come to ‘set the oppressed free’ (Luke sessions and his faith-based artwork has helpedcan other people 4:18 New International Version). That oppression take manyin their own journey. forms. But faith Jesus’ 21st-century followers will continue to act to make It is an amazing that God today can take any skillpractical a personhelp has a difference for goodtruth in the world by offering or any situation they are facing and can transform it into something and comfort to all. that can change their lives and the lives of the people around them.
Contents
What is The Salvation Army?
FEATURES 3
Variation on a theme A different kind of Proms season begins
4
‘I want to help everybody find a voice’ Why Juliet Coley is publishing books by black children
6
Channelling questions TV explores big ideas
8
BBC journalist Caroline Wyatt ‘In war zones I’ve wondered why God would allow this to happen’
REGULARS 12
Team Talk
13
Faces of Faith
14 Puzzles 15
4
War Cry Kitchen
8
Front-page picture of the Royal Albert Hall: Bikeworldtravel/Shutterstock.com
15