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 7510
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
Your local Salvation Army centre
INFO 2 • WAR CRY • 30 January 2021
EDITOR From From the editor’s desk
FOR anyone bringing up children of a certain age, Gemma Hunt is a familiar face, as she can often be seen presenting programmes on the CBeebies channel. In this week’s War Cry Gemma tells us about her experiences of working in television and also of living with adult acne. ‘There have been many times when I’ve struggled with my self-worth,’ she says before adding: ‘But Jesus has been my backbone. He is with me through everything.’ Gemma explains that her Christian faith is an important part of who she is and that it played a key part in her decision to follow a career in broadcasting. ‘I see presenting as an act of worship,’ she candidly and, perhaps surprisingly, tells us. Christians’ beliefs can lead them to work in areas that others may not immediately identify as being connected to faith. After being ordained in the Church of England, Alistair Littlewood decided to become a professional storyteller. In this week’s issue he describes storytelling as ‘a gift from God, to affirm people’s lives and spirituality’. Christians believe that God gives them their abilities as a gift to do certain work. It could be in entertainment – as with Gemma and Alistair – or it could be in the more serious areas of life – as it is with Sheri Bateren, who works as a therapist to help people with their emotional wellbeing. Sheri finds her help comes from her faith. ‘When I’m having a tough time I know I can talk to God and he can provide me with emotional support,’ she tells us this week. God offers to guide and support everyone. If we’ll turn to him, he can give us a new direction and the strength to follow it. It’s not too late to be presented with a brand new story for our lives.
FEATURES
CONTENTS
What is The Salvation Army?
3
O holly night! Why English Heritage has kept its decorations in place
5
Counting on our feathered friends Public encouraged to help RSPB survey
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It’s good to talk A day to help people’s emotional wellbeing
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‘I wanted to be a role model’ Interview with TV presenter Gemma Hunt
10
A new chapter Life as a professional storyteller
REGULARS
12
Team Talk
13
Now, There’s a Thought!
14 Puzzles 15
War Cry Kitchen
6
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Front-page picture: BBC
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