From the editor’s desk
What is The Salvation Army? 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
EIGHT o’clock on a Thursday evening has taken on a new significance in the United Kingdom. It is when people leave the sanctuary of their home to gather by the front door, at the bottom of the garden path or on a high-rise flat’s balcony to clap for our carers. It has become so important that it is even broadcast live on television. There is a consensus that we should be showing our appreciation for frontline workers. They are, in some cases, putting their lives on the line so that the basic activities needed to sustain life in a world of lockdown and social distancing can continue. It is not only on a Thursday evening that such appreciation is shown. Over the past few weeks, refuse disposal workers have found thank-you notes on the bags of rubbish left out for them to collect and postal workers have been praised by Prince Charles for still delivering the country’s mail. And throughout this time, children have been drawing rainbows and placing them in their windows for NHS staff to see. However, long before people had heard of the coronavirus or social distancing, some were already aware of the phenomenal job frontline workers do and wanted to show their support. Take, for example, Tim Parsons. Tim is a volunteer chaplain for the South East Coast Ambulance Service. In this week’s War Cry, he speaks about working with paramedics and the impact that the virus has had on them. ‘There is a lot of anxiety,’ he says. ‘These people are working hard and they need to be valued.’ Tim is right. We do need to value those people who work for our welfare – and not just during this crisis. We must continue that gratitude in the future. It will be a good thing if, once the coronavirus battle has been won, we are a more grateful and appreciative nation.
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 7475
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
While it’s much better to have your weekly copy of the War Cry in your hands, we recognise that at the moment it is hard for some people to obtain a copy. So, as an alternative while the coronavirus restrictions are in place, you can access the War Cry at salvationarmy.org.uk
Tel: 0845 634 0101 Helpline: 020 7367 4888
Contents
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
Your local Salvation Army centre
FEATURES 3
Who’ll dare win? Celebrities reach the final stages of their SAS training
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Beyond comparison Why it’s important for women to value themselves
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Caring for the crews The role of the paramedics’ chaplain
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Thoughtful broadcasts Rhidian Brook on 20 years of presenting Radio 4’s Thought for the Day
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REGULARS 12
Browsing the Bible
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Now, There’s a Thought!
14 Puzzles 15
War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: Pete Dadds
2 • War Cry • 23 May 2020
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