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
THERE is something about turning over a new leaf that appeals to many people. Just ask high street book retailer Waterstones, which posted a 39 per cent increase in profits in its annual accounts for the last year. Even if the leaves are not new, people still want to turn them, as evidenced by the fact that there are more than 200 million visits made to public libraries every year in the UK. Next Thursday (5 March) is World Book Day. To mark the date, in this week’s War Cry we speak with author Claire Fayers. Claire talks about her love of books covering Greek and British legends and particularly Welsh folklore – which is appropriate given that tomorrow (1 March) is St David’s Day. In this issue the dean of St Davids Cathedral, Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, tells us of the life and legacy of the patron saint of Wales. Much of what is known about David was discovered in written accounts from the 11th and 12th centuries. Books can be a source of information and entertainment but, engaging with the written word can also have a profound effect. The publisher of this magazine, The Salvation Army, produces books too. These include historical books, introductions to Christianity and personal reflections on key life issues. Full details of the titles can be found at facebook.com/shieldbooksuk In this week’s War Cry, we speak with another author, Mim Skinner. In writing a book about her experiences working in a women’s prison, she wanted to show that the prisoners she met were ‘resourceful and creative’ and had ‘so much potential’. Some people may give up on those women. But Mim tells us that, because of her Christian faith, ‘there’s nobody for whom I believe there’s no hope’. The hope offered by Christianity does not apply only to prisoners but to every person. By turning to Jesus, each one of us has the chance to start a new chapter in our lives.
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 7463
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 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
Contents
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
FEATURES 3
Time to catch up An extra day can make all the difference
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‘David is one of us’ The life of the patron saint of Wales
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World Book Day Children’s writer speaks volumes
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Unlocking potential Author says attitudes to prisoners should change
REGULARS
Your local Salvation Army centre
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News and media
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Browsing the Bible
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Now, There’s a Thought!
14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page pictures: Shutterstock.com
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