War Cry 29 August 2020

29 August 2020 20p/25c

Heads-up for new TV nature show David Attenborough celebrates planet Earth

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 7489

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

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EDITOR From desk From the editor’s desk TV presenter Dan was to get backon to the church as SINGING is good forWalker you. So saypleased scientists quoted lockdown restrictions eased insaid the UK. this week’s War Cry BBC Future website.were The experts that In singing can boost we how Breakfast hostconnection. tweeted that it was ‘lovely’ to be ourreport moods andthe sense of social attending a Sunday Perhaps it is withservice. these benefits in mind that people have been In theonline coming week, manylockdown. school pupils in England, Wales joining choirs during In this week’s issue, the and Ireland are expecting go back to school after an WarNorthern Cry’s Sarah Olowofoyeku joins to a virtual rehearsal of the London absence, in some cases, of to almost six months.

Scottish pupils have International Gospel Choir discover for herself the pleasures already to the classroom.

Whether the pupils people returned have found of singing alone, yet together with regard others.their return as ‘lovely’ is probably a matter of debate.

Meanwhile Austen Hardwick has found similar value in running.

Many families it challenging arrange childcare and figure This week’s Warfound Cry also includes antointerview with the marathon out homeschooling during period in which also had to after deal runner who found that his asport helped him they to regain his life with other difficulties.

For some those difficulties included he suffered three strokes while families, in his early forties. putting enough foodnot on only the table.

However, it was running that helped Austen’s recovery.

ForChristian years, The has been food for His faithSalvation played aArmy vital part in himproviding taking a free positive disadvantaged approach to alland thatvulnerable he faced. people. Over the past few months, though, theI was needinfor those food parcels increased ‘When hospital,’ Austen says,has ‘I asked God by to up taketowhat 60 per going cent. This week’s Cry reports a scheme I was through andWar to transform meon through it.’ running at the Christians Salvation Army centre Stapleford, which has believe that in God can takeNottinghamshire, any situation or anything been designed stop holiday church impact and charity that they do orto face and use it hunger. to makeThe a positive in others’ has making food parcels a week for nearby schools to livesbeen or their own.50 That has been the experience of painter Oliver help those parents who are struggling to feed their children.

Pengilley.

‘In any had crisis, The Salvation Army willcareer step up a gear meet Oliver developed a successful as an artisttowith some the needs of selling people,’ Major Ged who works the of his work forsays significant sumsNicoll, of money.

But, asathe tells centre.

‘It’s that show Christian love to people so they the War Cryimportant this week, hewe grew frustrated. understand thatthe there is someone can Now turn to.’

‘I didn’t see meaning of it,’ they he says. he travels to As the country intoto the nextpictures phase of its response churches all overmoves the world paint during worshipto the coronavirus pandemic, it is likely that these changes willpeople create in sessions and his faith-based artwork has helped other new for people in all walks of life. But one thing that will theirchallenges own faith journey. remain Salvation willingness to help It is is anThe amazing truthArmy’s that God can takeand anyreadiness skill a person has those need. they are facing and can transform it into something or anyinsituation that can change their lives and the lives of the people around them.

Contents

What is The Salvation Army?

FEATURES 3

Global celebrations TV series looks at the best of nature

5

‘I felt the weight of people’s stereotypes’ Author on gender and racial discrimination

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Out-of-school dinners Salvation Army provides meals for vulnerable families

10 Festival goes wild online

How Greenbelt has adapted this year

REGULARS 4

War Cry World

12

Team Talk

13

Faces of Faith

14 Puzzles 15

War Cry Kitchen

5

10

Front-page picture: BBC/NHU

15

TELEVISION

REFLECTIONS ON NATURE Emily Bright sees animals overcome adversity in documentary that celebrates planet Earth

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HE mist clears to reveal a rainforest, river and mountains.

Cue flashbacks to Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II, as a lemur swings into a nearby tree, a turtle glides effortlessly among a shoal of fish, and a sloth enjoys a leisurely swim.

It is the start of Planet Earth: A Celebration, an awe-inspiring tribute to nature, due to be broadcast on BBC One on Monday (31 August).

Narrated by Sir David Attenborough and featuring a new orchestral score by film composer Hans Zimmer, the hour-long documentary is a highlights reel from the two series. The clips will remind viewers of the wildlife stories that captured their imagination when the programmes were first aired back in 2016 and 2017.

Planet Earth: A Celebration documents animals that overcome adversity through their ingenuity, reserves of strength or parental instinct. Whether it’s flamingos warily walking on thin ice, an octopus disguising herself from predators in a protective armour of shells, a marine iguana escaping from the deadly clutches of racer snakes or a snow leopard defending her cub from aggressive males, they all seek to survive.

These animals share a common

determination to prevail in often hostile environments, from the world’s hottest deserts to freezing poles and from the highest mountains to watery depths.

David Attenborough notes that such stories are welcome in the present climate. ‘We are living in extraordinary times,’ he remarks on the programme. ‘The pandemic has changed all our lives. But while we are restricted, wildlife is free. In moments of crisis, the natural world can be a source of both inspiration and escape.’

Speaking about the programme, Hans Zimmer says: ‘Music and images can create an experience that can teach us something on a profound level, make us feel a hope. Let’s look forward. Let’s make a better future.’

These stories of nature overcoming impossible odds may give us hope that we too can prevail. The majesty of the natural world can help us look beyond ourselves to something greater and more beautiful.

As well as seeking solace in nature, many people have discovered a lasting hope through a relationship with God. He does not promise that life will be easy, but says that he will be with us and help us overcome whatever difficulties we face.

One Bible writer knew that when he encountered adversity, he could seek

They all seek to survive

Racer snakes support and strength from God. He wrote: ‘I look up at the vast size of the mountains – from where will my help come in times of trouble? The Eternal Creator of Heaven and Earth and these mountains will send the help I need’ (Psalm 121:1 and 2 The Voice).

Sometimes it can feel impossible to find hope when our situations look bleak. Whether we’ve lost loved ones, are facing financial concerns or are fearful of the future, life’s challenges can seem overwhelming. But God, who created the world around us, offers to help us through those challenges and lead us to a life that we can celebrate.

29 August 2020 • War Cry • 3

BBC/NHU

REFLECTIONS ON NATURE

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WAR CRY

JEREMY VINE told Radio Times that his new novel, The Diver and the Lover, was inspired by the Salvador Dali painting Christ of St John of the Cross.

The broadcaster said: ‘It was the favourite painting of an old English teacher of mine and I’d seen a picture of it at his house and never forgotten it.’

He went on to explain that whenever he was filming the BBC Two quiz programme Eggheads in Glasgow, he would visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum to look at the painting. A full-scale copy now hangs in his study because, he said, ‘a relationship developed’.

Jeremy added: ‘The things one thinks about the painting as a layman are up to oneself … I hadn’t initially noticed that there are no nails [used in the Crucifixion] or that Christ has this very modern haircut – which is all in the book.’

Set in 1951, The Diver and the Lover tells the story of two sisters who travel from England to Spain, where they learn that Dali is embarking on an ambitious new work.

The novel is due for publication on 3 September.

PA

Dali painting inspires quiz host’s novel

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WHEN churches began to open their doors after months of closure due to coronavirus restrictions, BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker tweeted that he was happy to be attending a service.

Dan posted: ‘It was socially distanced, there were face coverings, screens and no singing but – after four months of virtual services – it was lovely to be back in church today.’

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CHRISTIAN organisation Prison Fellowship has launched a free phone service to enable anyone in prison to ask for prayer.

Prisoners who call the free Prayer Line number can leave a confidential message with their personal prayer request. At the end of each day, volunteers pick up any messages and for the next month pray for each person who calls.

Peter Holloway, CEO of Prison Fellowship, says: ‘We know and expect that this lockdown has taken its toll on those inside, and we are ready to support men and women in their journey towards healing and restoration. Prayer Line is one key way we can do this, standing alongside them with deep trust that their loving heavenly Father hears every prayer.’

RESEARCH has shown that Prayer Line is run by Prison Fellowship and HM Prison many people who are not and Probation Service. Anyone in prison who is interested Christians have been exploring in calling Prayer Line can contact their institution’s prayer, according to Hope Together, chaplaincy department for more information. an organisation that brings churches together to transform communities.

In response to the findings, Hope Together has launched a website to help people pray, GENERAL Brian Peddle, international perhaps for the first time. leader of The Salvation Army, has Dr Rachel Jordan-Wolf, assistant published an official document that calls for an director of Hope, says: ‘We looked end to the use of the death penalty. online and found that most Put together by Salvation Army officers and websites about prayer soldiers all over the world, the new international were for practising positional statement states: ‘The Salvation Christians. So we began Army affirms the responsibility of government to develop a virtual to create and sustain justice, and while it Hope Space online, recognises that this includes punishment, The where people can Salvation Army calls for the end of the use of post their prayers the death penalty.’ and explore ways The statement says that the organisation, to engage with God which has extensive experience in ministering in prayer.’ to offenders, victims and their respective Visitors to the families, ‘uncompromisingly stands for life’ site are offered because consequences for criminal acts guidance on how ‘should allow for the rehabilitation of offenders’. to pray for hope, The full document – including context, a help, justice, biblical exploration of the issue and suggested rest, direction practical steps – can be accessed alongside all and peace. positional statements at sar.my/ips

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Library picture posed by model

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It’s time for all women to rise up INTERVIEW

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JO SAXTON tells Claire Brine why she’s encouraging women to reach their potential

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HEN I was about seven years old, my auntie gave me “the talk”,’ says Jo Saxton, an author and speaker who was born in the UK but today lives in Minneapolis. ‘My family are Nigerian and in the early 1980s when we were living in south London, my auntie said to me: “It’s very hard to make it in this country, and you have two things against you: you’re black and you’re a woman. It means you’ll have to work twice as hard, for half the credit.”

‘Growing up, I heard different iterations of that talk. I didn’t feel there was anything fundamentally wrong with me, but I felt the impact of others who did. I felt the weight of people’s stereotypes and how they underestimated me.’

As Jo grew up, she discovered that countless other women – and not just women of colour – constantly felt overlooked and undervalued in their homes, workplaces and churches. The realisation lies behind her new book, called Ready to Rise, which acknowledges the problems and frustrations that women face in a patriarchal society and encourages them to strive for a better world.

‘I’m inviting women to rise up and step into their God-given design and calling,’ she tells me. ‘I’ve met so many women who are brimming with potential and brilliant ideas, but their talents have been squeezed or shelved because they think they’re not good enough or the pathway for them to move into leadership is unclear.

‘Data tells us that only a small number of women are CEOs of companies – but that’s not for lack of talent. We also know that women in relationships are doing the larger share of childcare and household chores. So what does that mean for women’s time? It means there’s networking they can’t do, meetings they can’t attend and progress that can’t be made. We need to rethink society’s training vehicles

MELISSA ZALDIVAR

I felt the weight of people’s stereotypes

Turn to page 6

➥

29 August 2020 • War Cry • 5

From page 5

Library picture posed by models

to ensure that all positions are accessible for women.’

Jo remembers what it was like to be a young black girl growing up in a majoritywhite country.

‘I felt disillusioned because I didn’t see women like me making an impact on the world,’ she says. ‘Tabloid newspaper headlines were often about immigration and “these people stealing our jobs”. My family weren’t trying to steal anything.

They were working

6 • War Cry • 29 August 2020

really hard. There just wasn’t a sense of welcome, investment or encouragement.

‘Ideas of what was normal and what was considered “other” were also being communicated to me. When I went into Superdrug, the make-up was never for my skin colour. The girls on the front covers of magazines never looked like me. Television programmes rarely featured people of colour. Growing up, I saw women like me struggling. They were very qualified, but blocked at every turn. My work became shaped by the thought that this couldn’t keep happening. Life was inequitable.’

While battling racism and sexism, Jo found unconditional love in Jesus. He

helped her to build a new identity that affirmed her colour and gender.

‘Jesus is my redeemer, and he rescued me from the broken parts of my story,’ she says. ‘I remember in my teens reading Psalm 139, which talks about God knowing us inside and out. I was struck to learn that God delights in me. There have

INTERVIEW been times when I have stood in front of the mirror and quoted to myself the Bible verse which says: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” It’s important for us to keep reminding ourselves of who God says we are and not listen to what the culture around us says. I know that I am stronger in who I am, when I remember whose I am.’

While Jo found self-worth and security in her faith, she continued to face discrimination for being black and a woman.

It grew worse when she started going out with a white man.

‘When my husband and I began dating in England, people would give us looks of disgust in the street,’ she recalls. ‘One time, someone yelled at me: “You whore, you should be having black children.” That was memorable.’

When Jo and her husband moved to the States and had two children, Jo knew there would come a time when she would need to give her girls the same ‘talk’ that she had been given as a child.

‘Conversations about race have to be on the table all the time in our family,’ she says. ‘I warn my girls that there will be people who won’t take them seriously and who will misinterpret them because they are black.

‘My older daughter is learning to drive, and I quizzed her about it. She told me: “I know that if the police ever stop me, I must remove everything from my pockets, put my hands on the dashboard and never talk back.” We have a deal that her one goal is to come home alive. It sounds like a dramatic conversation – except it isn’t.

‘As a black mother, I need to train my girls to be articulate in matters of race and to have a sense of agency. They’re going to be engaging with these issues all their lives.’

While structural racism and sexism continue to oppress women of colour in particular, Jo is keen that any progress made should benefit all women.

‘I believe that everyone is made in the image of God, so of course there are people of every ethnicity who are skilled and competent,’ she says. ‘The question is: do they have access to opportunities?

Do they have an environment in which they can thrive?

‘Then there is the question: as women seeking to empower each other, who are we connecting with? If everybody we know looks just like us, votes like us and acts like us, then we are going to have a particular viewpoint. We need to read and watch and digest ideas from a range of people to help broaden our experiences.

‘I also believe there need to be contexts for women to share stories, to talk about pain, to talk about how they negotiate, how they navigate family and work.

And within that, there needs to be an acknowledgment of how these things are different for women of colour. If we don’t talk about these things, women will continue to be under-invested in, underrepresented and under-equipped.’

Jo recognises that overhauling deeply ingrained behaviours and attitudes is a challenge of a lifetime. But she believes in a God who transforms situations – and that Jesus respects and values women and wants them to rise.

‘In the Bible, Jesus was constantly subverting what was considered normal,’ she says. ‘I see that he wants women to rise because he had women travelling with him. Because in the story of Mary and Martha, he allowed Mary to sit down with the disciples while he was teaching them. Because after the Resurrection, he appeared to the women first, entrusting to them the message that would change the course of history.

‘When I look at Jesus, I see him challenging the structures that kept people captive, ostracised and alienated.

And he didn’t just use words. He overturned tables when it was necessary.

He was a threat to the status quo because he kept on acting outside of it. So when it comes to racism and sexism, I don’t think Jesus would approve of any structures which are keeping people oppressed.

Jesus is for making all things new.’

We need to digest ideas from a range of people

l Ready to Rise is published

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Ged Nicoll

Eating away at hunger

Emily Bright discovers how The Salvation Army has been helping the families of schoolchildren during the coronavirus pandemic

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OOTBALL star Marcus Rashford scored a victory in June for the families of 1.3 million children reliant on school meals. He convinced the UK government to change its decision not to provide free school meal vouchers over the summer holiday. As the pandemic led to the shutting of schools and caused economic hardship, the Food Foundation estimated that 200,000 children had to skip meals within the first month of lockdown alone.

In an open letter to MPs, the 22-yearold Manchester United and England player wrote: ‘As a family, we relied on breakfast clubs, free school meals and the kind actions of neighbours and coaches.

Food banks and soup kitchens were not alien to us … In 2020 … this is an issue that needs urgent assistance.’

The Salvation Army’s churches across the UK and Republic of Ireland have worked relentlessly to offer such assistance for years. They have provided food to those in most need, including families under financial strain, vulnerable people and those experiencing homelessness. The Salvation Army launched a ‘holiday hunger’ campaign this summer to boost funds after a survey of its churches found that demand for the 8 • War Cry • 29 August 2020

food and other necessities it distributes had soared by more than 60 per cent during lockdown.

The Salvation Army’s church in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, had already begun working alongside primary schools to provide food parcels for families that are most in need. It has been giving food and toy parcels at Christmas to families of children in schools. When the coronavirus outbreak began, the church inquired how else it could help. It learnt that

Demand for help soared by more than 60 per cent some families could barely afford to feed themselves in lockdown.

Members of the church leapt into action. From 10 April until mid-May, they packed 150 food parcels, and now continue to pack 50 a week for William Lilley Infant and Nursery School and Albany Junior School. Salvation Army volunteers also deliver the food parcels direct to the schools.

I spoke to Major Ged Nicoll, who leads the Stapleford church with his wife, Major Jayne. He explains why such food parcel initiatives are important: ‘Some families are already in difficult circumstances and

are registered for free school meals, but now there are also people that have been furloughed. There is also quite a high level of redundancy.

‘In any crisis, The Salvation Army will step up a gear to meet the needs of people.

We are sometimes known as “Christianity with its sleeves rolled up”. We want to get out and do things and make life just that little bit better for somebody.

‘It’s important that we show Christian love to people so they understand that there is someone they can turn to. So we will provide food parcels for the foreseeable future. If that demand continues even past the pandemic, then we will continue to try to meet that demand.’

The head teacher of William Lilley Infant and Nursery School, Sally Beardsley, said she was completely overwhelmed by the support The Salvation Army has offered.

‘Words cannot express how grateful our parents are,’ she said, describing them as ‘jumping around with tears in their eyes.

‘Having this available for those in need, especially without them needing to come and ask, has made a real difference.’

Stapleford is only one example of

FEATURE

Stapleford Salvation Army delivers 50 food parcels a week to schools

the many Salvation Army churches throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland that provide food for those who need it.

The Salvation Army’s UK community services director, Tony Daniels, says: ‘When the UK locked down, Salvation Army officers stepped up and provided food and support for those hardest hit. From mothers desperate for baby milk formula to people unable to leave the house for food, we were reaching deep into communities to help the most vulnerable people.

‘Every year we help people through holiday hunger as the summer brings new financial strains, especially for families struggling to feed and care for children who would normally be in school, as well as buying uniforms.

‘The coronavirus safety net is now being removed – the furlough scheme is in its final stages, protection from eviction is ending and the economy is stalling. We are preparing for the demand for our help to soar.’

Sally Beardsley, head teacher of William Lilley Infant and Nursery School

l For more information on how The Salvation Army is helping people during the coronavirus pandemic visit salvationarmy.org.uk 29 August 2020 • War Cry • 9

The show must go online After realising it would be impossible to hold this year’s Greenbelt Festival as normal, the organisers decided to take it into the digital space. Creative director PAUL NORTHUP tells Philip Halcrow what the festival has lined up

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HE organisers of the Greenbelt Festival are experts in their field.

Over the past 40-plus years, the festival has welcomed musicians, comedians and speakers including U2, Billy Bragg, Jamelia, Pussy Riot, Russell Brand, Mark Thomas, David Lammy and more than one archbishop of Canterbury. Held on August bank holiday weekend, it’s a Paul Northup highlight on the calendar for thousands of people.

In 2020, however, Greenbelt is having to explore pastures new.

‘Our theme this year was going to be Wild at Heart,’ says creative director Paul Northup. ‘We planned to have a strong environmental focus. One of our venues was going to be dedicated about – our content, our ethos, the sorts threatening many summer events, to provoking discussion about climate of people that we find inspiring.’ the organisers felt they had to cancel change. We were also going to continue Over the summer, Greenbelt’s online this year’s gathering – a decision Paul being as plastic-free as we could.’ offerings included a live-streamed describes as being taken with ‘a mixture Simultaneously, he says, as a festival transatlantic panel discussion about of sadness and knowledge that it was the emerging from a Christian tradition, this racial injustice; music events with folk right thing to do, because there was a lot year’s Greenbelt was aiming to ‘provoke a singer Martyn Joseph and guests; and of uncertainty, and uncertainty isn’t good sense of awe and wonder and reawaken a Palestinian cookery demonstration by for anybody’s mental well-being’. the sense of God being “wilder” in the food bloggers Phoebe Rison and her There would be no live event at sense of being beyond anything we could mother, Nadia. The festival also launched Boughton House, Northamptonshire, ever imagine’. a weekly podcast. but Greenbelt did not want to pull the Then, in April, as coronavirus began Paul says that, though the time has plug on the whole been awkward and challenging, the experience. So temporary absence of the festival has also Wild at Heart presented an opportunity. became Wild at ‘For a long time, we have wanted to do Home. more in the digital space so that we can ‘We knew remain present for people all year round. there’d be a lot Previously we hadn’t had the time to plan of sadness, and and think it through, but this has been we wanted to be a chance to do that. There’s no doubt as present for that Greenbelt needs to occupy a digital people in their space, alongside the return of the physical disappointment as we could,’ says festival.’

Martyn Joseph The usual four-day festival has Paul. ‘So after performs at been edited down. ‘We did not want cancelling the Greenbelt 2015 festival, we began a potentially Zoomed-out audience to feel duty-bound to sit on their sofas for supplying people a whole weekend which, depending on with reminders of what Greenbelt is restrictions, might have been the first

10 • War Cry • 29 August 2020

INTERVIEW

Greenbelt has held a panel discussion on racial justice and a cookery demonstration online; crowds gather at the festival last year (top)

chance they had to go away. So, rather than present masses of material, we’re going to provide a few well-chosen panel discussions on issues of the day, some music performances and opportunities for people to get a sense of the community they will be missing.’

This weekend, ticket-holders will be able to access a discussion on Black Lives Matter, hosted by poet Lemn Sissay, and a conversation about climate change, chaired by Friends of the Earth’s Alasdair Roxburgh. They can listen in to more music from Martyn Joseph and performance poetry from Harry Baker. And

they can meet up to socialise and sing hymns in the Jesus Arms ‘pub’.

Greenbelt will be different this year, Paul admits, but he wants its digital presence to reflect the physical festival, this weekend and beyond.

‘Greenbelt,’ he says, ‘tries to create a space for people who struggle with institutionalised forms of religion and yet completely recognise the life-giving importance of faith in whatever tradition. Our festival is emerging out of a Christian tradition but we increasingly try to be open to people from all faiths and none.

We attempt to make a space that recognises kindness

‘If you think that spirituality matters, if you think that there is more to this life than just the material, if you want to do something to make the world a better place and if you think that one of the best ways to do that is through being creative, expressing ourselves and being generous, then that’s the sort of space that we are trying to create.

‘We see that as being faithful to God and to our calling. We don’t proselytise, but we attempt to make a space that recognises that some of the virtues society brushes to one side are actually really important, including kindness, gentleness – the fruits of the Spirit.

‘The festival has that feel about it. You get that sense when you’re in the field, among the people. Our challenge now is to make that space online.’ l For more information visit greenbelt.org.uk 29 August 2020 • War Cry • 11

EXPLORE

Prayerlink YOUR prayers are requested for Joyce, who lives alone and is anxious about going out; and for Brian, that he will experience encouragement and an improvement in his health.

The War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the first names of individuals and details of their ­circumstances. Send your Prayerlink requests to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk or to War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, Lon­don SE1 6BN. Mark your correspondence ‘Confidential’.

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Becoming a Christian

There is no set formula to becoming a Christian, but many people have found saying this prayer to be a helpful first step to a relationship with God

Lord Jesus Christ, I am truly sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong.

Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free.

Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Holy Spirit.

Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever.

Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Amen

Team talk Team talk

talk ‘ ’ Borders force tough decisions Sarah Olowofoyeku gives her take on a story catching the attention of War Cry reporters

‘NO one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land,’ wrote Warsan Shire in her poem ‘Home’. She was commenting on the plight of refugees.

Recent headlines have again highlighted the refugee crisis, and while action is being taken to curb this migration and tighten borders, the sorts of stories emerging clearly indicate to me that we must help the people who feel the need to make such journeys. The New York Times reported that in Greece migrants were pushed by officials back out to sea on sometimes leaky life rafts. Last week, the BBC told how a Sudanese male was found washed up on a French beach after he drowned while attempting to get to the UK. A few years ago, with ease as a British citizen, I crossed the Channel to Calais to volunteer with organisations supporting refugees. I met people who had lived full lives in their home countries but had been forced to leave because of war or a threat to their lives. They weren’t on the way to the UK to scrounge off the state. They wanted to work, to have a chance of freedom and a better life.

Their dire situations were brought home to me when one Syrian man, a father of three, asked whether we would take his baby back to the UK with us. Of course we couldn’t, but that father would have been happy if just one of his children could have a future.

As the nation debates how it should respond, I’m reminded of a story Jesus told 2,000 years ago. A man was beaten up and left for dead. Two men walked past him, but another went to him. He bandaged the injured man’s wounds, he put the man on his own donkey and paid for him to stay at an inn, where he would be looked after.

I wonder what that level of compassion might look like today.

We know that there are a group of people who are in need of assistance.

Will we turn a blind eye and walk past them or will we – through campaigning, donating and volunteering – go out of our way to lend a helping hand?

I met people who wanted a better life

BROWSING THE BIBLE

by NIGEL BOVEY Chapter and verse on every book of the Bible, exploring the essential message of each one

• £8 print • £7 ebook • Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International

12 • War Cry • 29 August 2020

Order print copies now at sps-shop.com or phone 01933 445445. The ebook available on Amazon Kindle

j Q&A

EXPRESSIONS

FACES OF FAITH SHEILA BROWN from Stockton-on-Tees on watching soaps, becoming a nurse and the importance of keeping going What’s your typical day?

I’m retired, so after I get up at about 8.30am, I have breakfast and then I’ll either get on with the cleaning or putting the washing on. I might read for a while, then I have lunch before going out for a daily walk, either alone or with my husband.

There are some lovely walks near us. When I get back, it’s time for a cup of tea and cake, then I cook dinner. In the evening I watch Emmerdale and Corrie.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

History was my favourite subject at school so I thought I’d be a history teacher. But I didn’t get the O levels I needed. I ended up becoming a district nurse instead.

What makes you feel like a grown-up now?

When my grown-up children ask me things, thinking I’ve got more experience than them.

What advice would you give your teenage self?

If you’re determined to do something, never give up or think you can’t do it.

Just keep going and you’ll get there.

q a quick QUIZ

How did you become a Christian?

I grew up going to The Salvation Army so have always known about the Lord.

But I came to have a faith of my own when I was about 13. A friend of my parents was diabetic and developed kidney failure. I noticed that she had the presence of the Lord about her. I thought: God is real, he’s personal.

1

Whose debut novel, published in 2000, was White Teeth?

2

In which fictional town is soap opera Coronation Street set?

God gives you a peace that passes understanding. You can feel it.

3

Which flower shares its name with the ring-shaped membrane of the eye?

What one question would you ask God?

4

What Belgian surrealist artist painted The Son of Man in 1964, showing a man in a bowler hat with an apple in front of his face?

5

The Latin word ‘ego’ relates to which pronoun in the English language?

6

What does GPS stand for?

ANSWERS

What’s good about being a Christian?

Why did you give us free will? We have made such a mess of doing our own thing.

What do you pray about?

I pray for my family and friends. I pray for people who have lost loved ones, asking God to put his arms round them and give them peace. I also pray that the coronavirus will go away.

How does faith influence your life?

I care about people and try to show them compassion. I also feel that it doesn’t matter if people are different from me, because we are all the same in God’s sight.

29 August 2020 • War Cry • 13

1. Zadie Smith. 2. Weatherfield. 3. The iris.

4. René Magritte. 5. I. 6. Global positioning system.

CROSSWORD CROSSWORD PUZZLES

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Hurl (5) 4. Vegetable dish (5) 8. Grow older (3) 9. Equerry (5) 10. Engine (5) 11. Decry (3) 12. Artist’s frame (5) 13. Normal (7) 16. Want (6) 19. Indicate (6) 23. Peeled (7) 26. Haughty (5) 28. Whole quantity of (3)

29. Quick (5) 30. Had (5) 31. Rocky hill (3) 32. Secretes (5) 33. Register as member (5)

DOWN 2. Golf clubs (5) 3. Speculator (7) 4. Runner-up (6) 5. Border (5) 6. Restrain (5)

7. Pastoral (5) 9. Avarice (5) 14. Jar (3) 15. Skill (3) 17. Moose (3) 18. Pub (3) 20. Search (7) 21. Finished (5) 22. Adjusts (6) 23. Sword (5) 24. Hibernian (5) 25. Nude (5) 27. Possessor (5)

SUDOKU

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9

HONEYCOMB HONEYCOMB

9 5

2

Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number

9 6 1 2 2 4 9 8 5 8 2 2 4 7 6 9 6 5 3 8

ordsearch ordsearch ordsearch ordsearch ordsearch

6 4

Wordsearch CAREFULNESS

CIRCUMSPECTION COMMON SENSE DISCERNMENT

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1. Fling. 4. Salad. 8. Age. 9. Groom. 10. Motor. 11. Boo. 12. Easel.

13. Natural. 16. Desire. 19. Denote.

23. Skinned. 26. Proud. 28. All. 29. Brisk.

30. Owned. 31. Tor. 32. Hides. 33. Enrol.

DOWN: 2. Irons. 3. Gambler. 4. Second.

5. Limit. 6. Deter. 7. Rural. 9. Greed. 14. Urn. 15. Art. 17. Elk. 18. Inn. 20. Explore.

21. Ended. 22. Adapts. 23. Sabre.

24. Irish. 25. Naked. 27. Owner.

ENLIGHTENMENT

HONEYCOMB 1 Impair. 2 Propel. 3 Hurley.

4 Russet. 5 Siesta. 6 Hammer.

ERUDITION

EXPERIENCE INSIGHT

INTELLIGENCE JUDGMENT

KNOWLEDGE LEARNING

PRUDENCE REASON

SAGACITY SENSIBLE

3 2 1 8 6 4 5 7 9

SHREWDNESS

9 6 8 7 1 5 3 4 2

5 4 7 3 2 9 8 1 6

7 1 2 6 4 3 9 8 5

6 5 9 1 7 8 2 3 4

8 3 4 5 9 2 1 6 7

1 7 5 9 8 6 4 2 3

2 9 6 4 3 1 7 5 8

4 8 3 2 5 7 6 9 1

SUDOKU SOLUTION

UNDERSTANDING

6 5

3 8

14 • War Cry • 29 August 2020

1

8 7

1. Damage 2. Push forward 3. Stick used in the game of hurling 4. Reddish brown colour 5. Afternoon nap 6. Auctioneer’s mallet

Answers

8 1

3 Look 9 up, 5 down, 7 6forwards, 8 1 backwards 2 4 and diagonally on the grid to find 2 these 6 words 4 1 associated 5 3 7with 9 wisdom 8 1 8 7 2 9 4 5 6 3 G N K U Y W P R W Q M K M I D Y D F 8 7 3 6 1 5 9 4 2 D Y T N G U Z L E A R N I N G U C B 6 1 2 X 4 V 7S M T 9 8 Z 3T K Q 5 I U N O K W G C F S S E N D W E R H S P S K E G Q X S 4 5 9 3 8 2 6 1 7 C O M M O N S E N S E E C L C T I I 5 3 8 9 2 1 4 S H F 7 6F E R N V Q S N R N R L N R L R F E N H K A E I 2 D H C O 7 4 I 1V B L 8 3L 6 5 9 N Q T U Q E I E I Z Q U R G E D H Z 9 2 6 5 4 7 3 8 1 M W H E Q G K S R V D F U E Z N P M

E J G N I D N A T S R E D N U U C P N O I T C E P S M U C R I C R W R E T B L E S L T H A Y P A T E M U Q T C W N Q P W G H Q G Z C I M D W I Z A Y E U X O D Y G M A R O E H H J F K P Z J E N B R Q I D C N Q O V X D E J B M U K D N Q A S C I Q Z M Z X V T D Z I J U D G M E N T T T T Z W K Q C B G X Y L B K M P I Q Y P C W

6

4

8 2 2 4 7

9

D Bean and mushroom enchiladas Ingredients

Method

2tsp rapeseed oil

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/ Gas Mark 4.

2 onions, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 yellow pepper, chopped 250g mushrooms, sliced 2-3tsp chilli powder, to taste 1tsp oregano 1tsp cumin 400g can chopped tomatoes

SERVES

4

2tbsp tomato puree 1 carrot, grated 400g can mixed beans, drained and rinsed 400g can green lentils 4 large wholemeal tortillas 200g low-fat yoghurt 75g reduced-fat cheddar

Apple and cinnamon cake Ingredients

Method

100g plain flour

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6.

6g baking powder

Sift the flour into a bowl and add the baking powder, cinnamon and sweetener. Mix well.

1tsp ground cinnamon 1tbsp artificial granulated sweetener 3 eggs 3tbsp skimmed milk 75g low-fat spread, melted

Heat the oil in a pan, then fry the onion for 3 minutes until soft.

Stir in the garlic, yellow pepper, mushrooms, chilli powder, oregano and cumin. Add the tomatoes, tomato puree and carrot and mix well. Bring to the boil and reduce the heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the mixed beans and green lentils and mix well. Bring back to the boil and stir. Remove from the hob and set aside.

Spread 4tbsp of the bean and mushroom mixture over the base of a large ovenproof dish. Lay the tortillas on a chopping board and divide the remaining mixture between them. Fold over the ends of each tortilla and roll up to seal. Place them in a row in the prepared ovenproof dish.

Mix together the yoghurt and cheddar in a small bowl, and pour over the enchiladas. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until lightly browned. Serve with salad.

Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and add the eggs and milk. Whisk and add the melted spread. Add the apple slices to the cake batter and fold in gently.

Grease a 23cm cake tin with a knob of 1kg apples, peeled, margarine. Pour the cored, cut into large mixture into the tin slices and bake in the oven Unsaturated margarine, for 35 minutes. Once for greasing done, turn out the cake on a cooling rack and leave to cool before serving.

SERVES

8

Recipes reprinted, with permission, from the Diabetes UK website diabetes.org.uk 29 August 2020 • War Cry • 15

Love involves commitment, giving and receiving Robert Street