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 7479
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 • 20 June 2020
EDITOR From the editor’s desk
SINGING is good for you. So say scientists quoted on the HAIRstyles have changed dramatically over the past months BBC Future website. The experts said that singing canthree boost as have been forced to close because of the ourbarbers moods and and stylists sense of social connection. restrictions brought to control theincoronavirus. Perhaps it is with in these benefits mind that people have been For many haslockdown. been the longest time they have joining onlinepeople, choirs this during In this week’s issue, thegone without a haircut. For others, clippers and scissors have been War Cry’s Sarah Olowofoyeku joins a virtual rehearsal of the London rummaged out of drawers number home the haircuts has grown International Gospel Choiras to the discover forofherself pleasures at an even greater than the hair on people have foundrate of singing alone, yetpeople’s together heads. with others. The results Austen of theseHardwick amateur has trimsfound have similar been varied. Some Meanwhile value in running. people have War wondered why they ever paid for awith haircut the past, This week’s Cry also includes an interview the in marathon while have wondered whyhelped they thought was ahis good idea runnerothers who found that his sport him to itregain life after even to try to cut strokes their own hair.in his early forties. he suffered three while Many of the results on helped social media, with friends However, it was nothave only appeared running that Austen’s recovery. and followers faith commiserating or congratulating the abrave poster. His Christian played a vital part in him taking positive As we report in this War Cry, tomorrow (Sunday 21 June) is approach to all that week’s he faced. National – a time Austen to encourage taking ‘WhenSelfie I was Day in hospital,’ says, ‘Ithose askedwho Godenjoy to take what photos of themselves to be even moreme creative in their I was going through and to transform through it.’ snapping. During lockdown, to any become moreorcreative have Christians believe people’s that Godquests can take situation anything not their haircuts and aselfies. The scissors have thatbeen they restricted do or facetoand use it to make positive impact in others’ also outown. as self-isolation andthe social distancing have created lives been or their That has been experience of painter Oliver time for people to develop an interest in arts and crafts. Pengilley. Ellen interestainsuccessful craft, though, dates back much OliverHopkin’s had developed career as an artist withfurther some than In an interview in thissums week’s issue, she about of hisMarch. work selling for significant of money. But,talks as he tells her withthis fabrics and way she believes it brings her closer the work War Cry week, he the grew frustrated. to God. ‘I didn’t see the meaning of it,’ he says. Now he travels to Ellen explains can she works. She adds: ‘Being churches all overthat the she world topray paintaspictures during worship creative what do, and Godartwork knew that would need outletinfor sessionsisand hisI faith-based has Ihelped other an people that theircreativity.’ own faith journey. It is encouraging to read God us and thingshas we an amazing truth thatthat God canknows take any skill the a person need help us live fulfilling story underlines that, if we or anytosituation theyaare facinglife. andEllen’s can transform it into something will trust in him, God can craft our something thatput canour change their lives and the lives of life theinto people around new. them.
Contents
What is The Salvation Army?
FEATURES 3
Picture perfect? What our selfies may say about us
4
Competition is stitched up The final of BBC One’s Sewing Bee
6
‘It’s like someone hitting me with a hammer’ Sickle cell sufferer tells her story
8
Life after abuse Supporting survivors
10 Evidence of faith The society that argues for Christianity REGULARS 12
Team Talk
13
Now, There’s a Thought!
14 Puzzles 15
War Cry Kitchen
4
6
Front-page picture: BBC
15