2 COMMENT AND CONTENTS • WAR CRY • 20 April 2019
What is The Salvation Army? The Salvation Army is a church and 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 over 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
From the editor’s desk STICKY fingers and satisfied sweet tooths are guaranteed this weekend as millions of people devour their Easter eggs. Chocolate-makers Cadbury claim that if every Creme Egg they produce annually were laid end to end, the line would stretch from Cadbury’s home in the Midlands to Australia. Hundreds of millions of pounds are spent on chocolate eggs, gifts and other goodies every Easter in the UK. Included in those goodies are the traditional hot cross buns. In this week’s War Cry, we visit St Albans Cathedral, which is often cited as the birthplace of these buns. A legend tells how one Good Friday in the 14th century, a monk at the abbey baked spice buns marked with the sign of the cross before distributing them to the poor. The Alban bun, as it is now known, varies slightly in recipe and look from a commercially produced hot cross bun. One obvious difference is that the cross is cut into the top rather than piped in the more familiar way. However, the sign of the cross on the bun is important. Cathedral guide Stephen De Silva describes it as ‘the ultimate picture of God’s love for the world’. For many people, this weekend goes beyond hot cross buns and chocolate eggs. It is a time when they remember Jesus demonstrating God’s love by dying on a cross to take the punishment for all the wrong things people do. And the story does not end there. On Sunday (21 April) Christians celebrate the truth that Jesus was raised to life so that everyone can know God for themselves. That is why the symbol of the cross is so important, whether it is in a church or on top of a bun. It is a reminder of God’s transforming love, which can be known by each one of us, whoever we may be.
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 7419
Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Stephen Pearson Assistant Editor: Claire Brine Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright 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
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Tel: 0845 634 0101 Helpline: 020 7367 4888 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@sp-s.co.uk Founder: William Booth General: Brian Peddle Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill Secretary for Communications: Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant
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 and Wales 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
Explosive secrets The past catches up with Judi Dench in new film
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All booked up A look ahead to World Book Night
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Do not be afraid Easter message from the international leader of The Salvation Army
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Grace and flavour Did a monk bake the first hot cross bun?
REGULARS 4
News and media
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Browsing the Bible
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Now, there’s a thought!
14 Puzzles 15
What’s cooking? Front-page picture: PHILIP HALCROW
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