Sign of the times
Rose Ayling-Ellis is troubled by a prisoner’s release in BSL and spoken-English drama
Drawing inspiration from ancient characters
What is The Salvation Army?
The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity seeking to share the good news of Jesus and nurture committed followers of him. We also serve people without discrimination, care for creation and seek justice and reconciliation. We offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK. Go to salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church to find your nearest centre.
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
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A dramatic crime wave has hit TV and streaming platforms. Whether it’s the cosy feel of clerics solving mysteries or the gritty storylines of inner-city murders investigated by detectives battling their own demons, viewers can’t seem to get enough of whodunnits. In this week’s new series of ITV1 police drama Unforgotten Sinéad Keenan have more cases to solve.
When Radio Times revealed its 25 autobiographies to read in 2025, the list contained a diverse group of writers, including political heavyweight Nelson Mandela, TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson and singer Britney Spears. Whatever our field of interest, most of us have an appetite to find out more about the famous faces connected with it.
Perhaps that’s why there can be some frustration for people who are interested in the Bible. We often don’t know much about the men and women who feature in its stories. Although we are introduced to hundreds of different people, the Bible doesn’t usually reveal what they were like in the same way that a modern biography would.
Perhaps the popularity of these crime dramas is explained by the satisfaction that viewers gain from seeing wrongs put right and the guilty brought to justice. Often the shows’ wrong’uns are bad to the core and have deliberately chosen to follow a life of crime.
However, according to people who work with offenders, the reality is often far more complex. After becoming a prison chaplain, the Rev Tracy Sickel quickly realised that various factors played a part in women becoming inmates.
But it is possible to take some of the clues that the Bible gives us about them and, using our imagination, begin to draw a picture of what they may have been like – both metaphorically and literally.
‘I sat down with women in their induction interviews on their first day in prison,’ she tells us, ‘and it was the same things I was hearing continually: lack of self-esteem, abusive relationships, trauma, unforgiveness and addictions. Often they were victims themselves.’
As we discover in this week’s War Cry, Dave Nevard has done just that. The artist has drawn 21 biblical characters, portraying what he believes they may have looked like and exploring the emotions they would have felt while facing some of their experiences.
‘I connected with all the characters in a deep way,’ Dave tells us. ‘I think it would be difficult to create the art in the way that we have done without making a connection first with the characters.’
While Tracy never dismissed the implications of the women’s crimes, some years ago she grew disheartened at seeing women returning to prison after their release. So she established a Christian charity, Imago Dei, to support them once they had completed their sentence.
As well as offering practical help, Tracy wants to show the women how a relationship with God can help them.
One biblical character that author Joan Taylor has been focusing on is Jesus. This week she tells us how Jesus’ early life as a child may have influenced his ministry as an adult.
Joan explains how his family’s experience of being refugees and his upbringing in a poor and insignificant village can be seen in the way Jesus lived and taught.
‘We work with people of all faiths and none in prisons,’ she says. ‘We build relationships, placing value on the women and helping them see themselves as the Lord sees them... We then allow the Lord to step in and do what only he can do – transform lives.’
We may not feel that we have much connection to the famous lives we read about in autobiographies, but it’s good to know that, however poor and insignificant we reckon ourselves to be, Jesus can relate to us and values us as individuals.
God’s offer to transform lives is for us all, no matter who we are or what we have done. If we allow him space in our heart, we’ll detect changes in our character that we couldn’t have possibly imagined.
INFO INFO
FREE AND UNEASY
Former prisoner is burdened by the past in TV thriller
TV preview: Reunion Mondays and Tuesdays BBC1 and iPlayer
By Claire Brine
His days behind bars are over.
Daniel Brennan (Matthew Gurney) is a free man. But he doesn’t feel it. He’s burdened by the past. And, in the BBC drama series Reunion, he’s seeking revenge.
After spending years in prison for murder, Daniel is about to rejoin the outside world. His probation officer, Anna (Olive Gray), urges him to make the most of his second chance at life. But Daniel is unable to hear the conditions of his release – because he’s deaf. And the failure to have booked a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter results in Anna losing track of Daniel almost as soon as he steps outside the prison gates.
While Daniel goes in search of his estranged daughter, Carly (Lara Peake), another family are also feeling the effects of his release. Christine (Anne-Marie Duff) finds old questions about her husband’s murder rising to the surface again. Why did Daniel kill the man she loved? What motivated him?
Even though Christine is desperate for answers, her first job is to broach the subject of Daniel’s release as sensitively as she can with her daughter, Miri (Rose Ayling-Ellis), who is home from university. Not only must Miri, who is also deaf, come to terms with the fact that her dad’s killer is no longer locked up, but she also
has to get her head round the fact that Christine has a new boyfriend. It’s a lot for the young student to take in.
Needing some space to clear her head, Miri heads to a birthday party. She’s shocked to see Daniel there, along with Carly.
But the father and daughter don’t stay long. It’s clear that Daniel isn’t welcome. So Carly drives him to a place where they can camp for the night. Having not been in each other’s company for a long time, they have a tense relationship.
Carly has a strained relationship with her dad
Using BSL, Daniel tells Carly that it’s good to see her. But Carly isn’t in the mood for small talk. Wanting to know ‘the full story’, she asks her dad: ‘What actually happened?’
Daniel’s response is: ‘I’m different now.’
The question is: should Carly believe him?
Would we? Even if we should, could we?
It can be difficult to trust the people around us. If a loved one has let us down before, we may be sceptical that they could ever change for the better. ‘A leopard never changes its spots’ is the mindset of many.
But Christians believe that character transformation is always possible when a person knows Jesus.
The Bible writer Paul, who used to persecute Christians before an encounter with Jesus changed everything, put it like this: ‘Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun’ (2 Corinthians 5:17 New Living Translation).
The all-encompassing love of God, shown through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, changed Paul’s life. That same love can change us too.
When we turn to God and say sorry for our mistakes, he will forgive us and offer us a fresh start. When we follow Jesus’ example on how to live, we can become better people, full of joy, peace and strength. And when we allow God’s neverending love to change our heart, our future can become completely different.
Daniel Brennan is no longer behind bars
Real supporters know the score
Sarah Olowofoyeku gives her take on a story that has caught the attention of War Cry reporters
‘Too many young men are isolated,’ said Sir Gareth Southgate when he delivered the BBC’s annual Richard Dimbleby Lecture. ‘When they struggle, young men inevitably try to handle whatever situation they find themselves in, alone.’
The former manager of the England men’s football team suggested that young men need to be surrounded by role models who will help instil belief and resilience in them.
There will be times when we fail
Referencing his own experience of missing a crucial penalty as a young man in Euro ’96 – which ‘revealed an inner belief and resilience that I never knew existed’ – he said that young people need to learn how to try and to fail, and how to grow from those failures. He urged society to create a world in which young men are judged not by how well they succeed, but by how much they grow. He wanted young men to know that ‘there is always someone there to provide the love and support they need, especially in difficult times’.
I was moved by Sir Gareth’s description of a slightly older teammate, Stuart Pearce, who provided him with support after the penalty miss and explained to him that the experience would make him stronger.
‘He was there for me when I needed him the most,’ Gareth said.
Whatever our gender, life is going to give us tough situations to tackle, sometimes with disappointing results. There will be times when we fail. What can make a huge difference to how we recover is the support we have.
I’ve seen the difference it makes when I have shown loving concern to other people who are facing challenging experiences, reminding them that there will be a way through. And I’m helped in my efforts by the love that I have received from God. His love never fails me or leaves me, even when I totally mess up.
God offers everyone his love, which is not a wishy-washy ideal, but is patient, kind, hopeful and takes delight in truth. Receiving this love for ourselves and then sharing it with others – including our young men – could be a real game-changer.
Team talk
WAR talk talk Team talk ‘
Bible sales have increased in Britain by 87 per cent from 2019 to 2024, because of increasing spirituality among Generation Z, according to The Times.
The paper reported that the trend goes against the overall decline in non-fiction sales.
Bible Society told The Times that a youth edition of the Good News Bible, which includes explanations and infographics, was particularly popular.
Mark Woods, of Bible Society, said: ‘There’s a very clear increase in demand. This seems to arise from a perception that the Bible has something important to say to young people.’
WAR CRYWnRLD
Astronaut’s out-of-this-world experience with Jesus
An astronaut who was stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) has described how his faith helped him through the experience.
for Major Butch Wilmore and his colleague Sunita Williams after a return capsule developed a technical problem.
to Earth, Butch was asked about what lessons he had learnt from his mission. He replied: ‘I can tell you honestly my feeling on all this goes back to my faith. It’s bound in my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He is working out his plan and his purposes for his glory throughout all humanity … and, however that plays out, I am content, because I understand that … he is at work in all things.’
will raise funds for charity.
The Bishop of Chester, the Right Rev Mike Tanner (pictured), is leading the parade on Sunday 13 April – the date this year when churches will mark Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey – and is holding other similar rides during Holy Week and on Easter Day.
The events will raise money for the Biking Bishop’s Biking Mission Fund, which provides Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo with motorbikes for essential services such as nursing, midwifery and education.
Bishop Tanner explained that in the African country ‘transport is almost entirely undertaken on small motorbikes, and it is great to be able to support this work in a practical way’.
He added that he hoped the motorbike rides would enable people ‘who wouldn’t normally engage to experience the joy of Easter for themselves’.
Addiction hub expands work
The Recovery Hub launched by The Salvation Army’s Atherton church in Greater Manchester has celebrated its first year of supporting people with their recovery from addiction.
Starting as a once-a-week hub, it has now progressed to running twice a week because of the high demand.
The Recovery Hub offers a peer-led inclusive space for all stages of recovery. The initiative includes a breakfast café which is followed by group sessions.
Highlighting the hub’s growth and role in providing hope in the community, Captain Darron Boulton, leader of the Salvation Army church, said: ‘The Recovery Hub is available for anyone in addiction or recovery, whether that has been for a period of two days, two years or longer’.
Characters witnessed
Artist DAVE NEVARD reveals how, for his latest exhibition, he was drawn to reimagine the stories of men and women from the Bible
Interview by Emily Bright
‘As a visual person and someone who has been a Christian for a long time,’ says artist Dave Nevard, ‘I’ve seen a lot of Renaissance art and depictions of characters from Scripture. Our culture is saturated with them. Over time, we can become detached from the reality that these people were human, like us.’
So when his friend David Painting – a church leader and author – approached him with a manuscript of a book that aimed to tell the stories of Bible characters in a fresh way, the York-based artist was delighted to illustrate it.
‘I’d known David for a long time,’ he says. ‘His teaching style was based on storytelling, bringing the Bible alive in a fresh and profound way. Ever since I was in my early 20s, his teaching has had a formative impact on my understanding of who God is. So when he approached me about illustrating his book, I was thinking, “That’s really exciting”, because these stories had shaped who I saw God to be.
‘David described the project to me as being about empathetically listening to the characters – real people that have walked this Earth – to try to understand them and their stories.
‘I started with his manuscript, read each chapter and then wrote down all the
emotions that came to mind from that story, trying to get under the skin of the characters and imagine what they might look like. Each portrait has different layers of emotion.’
The author and artist collaborated for more than five years to bring the 21 Bible characters to life, publishing the book –Drawn to Imperfection – in December last year.
It’s a project, says Dave, that ‘covers the narrative arc of Scripture, starting in Genesis, working its way through the Old Testament through different character marker points, and then into the New Testament’.
Among those featured are an Egyptian slave woman called Hagar, the Israelite military leader Joshua, and the prophets Jeremiah and Jonah. From the New Testament there is the angel Gabriel, some of the disciples – including Judas, who betrayed Jesus – and two unnamed women that Jesus encountered during his ministry.
In the past, a lot of Dave’s portraits were made with charcoal, chalk and paint. But on this occasion, he created all the artwork digitally on his iPad.
‘As I was creating the portraits,’ says
Dave Nevard
Jairus, whose daughter was healed by Jesus
Dave, ‘I realised they would work well as an exhibition too. I thought it would be interesting to explore the characters in a larger format, where people could be surrounded by them.’
For the exhibition, which made its debut at Dave’s home church, St Thomas’ in York, in October, the artist and the writer came up with an idea to signpost visitors back to the Bible.
‘Each story that accompanies the portraits is a creative retelling that David has written,’ says Dave. ‘We thought that people would be curious about the original Bible text, and that the easiest way they could access it was through a QR code on each picture.
‘You scan the QR code with your phone, which will take you to the Bible Gateway website and bring up the exact passage that the story is based on. Hopefully, as people encounter the characters in the exhibition, they can discover something new about them, see them afresh or go back into their story in the Bible.’
For Dave, the illustration project was an opportunity to delve deeper into the lives of the men and women of the Bible.
‘I connected with all the characters in a deep way,’ remembers Dave. ‘I think it would be difficult to create the art in the way that we have done without making a connection first with the characters. But naturally there are some that you maybe linger longer with – the ones that speak more pertinently to your own situation.’
Being human is a complex thing
Onecharacter Dave particularly connected with was Simeon, an old man who, having spent many years waiting to see the promised Messiah, finally met the baby Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem.
‘Throughout his whole life, he had had a sense of longing, wanting to see something realised,’ Dave reflects. ‘But he faced the reality of disappointment, pain and frustration.
‘In my own life, I’ve experienced a fair amount of disappointment. You pour yourself into something and either it takes a long time to see the fruit of it, or you never do.
‘But the portrait captures the beautiful moment when, after a whole lifetime of waiting, Simeon sees the baby Jesus – the Messiah – brought into the Temple, and joy breaks out in his face. What a profound, moving and deeply emotional moment that must have been!’
Over the years, the men and women in the Bible have sometimes been oversimplified. But Dave tried to engage with the nuances of each character, seeking to understand their motivations.
‘Trying to get under their skin enabled me to understand the layers that are going on in their life,’ he says. ‘It’s easy to use simplistic labels. But being human is a complex thing.
‘We’ve got such different personalities, backgrounds, cultures and stories that all shaped who we are. Trying to compassionately and empathetically enter into each character has helped me appreciate that these people were like us –they too had fears, doubts, insecurities and traumas.’
Dave hopes that, by honestly
Turn to page 8
Visitors admire the portraits at Dave’s exhibition at his home church in York
From page 7
representing the humanity of the Bible characters, he will make it easier for people to relate to them.
‘A writer called Brené Brown talks about how vulnerability is the gateway to connection,’ he explains. ‘When someone is vulnerable with you, then that gives you permission to be vulnerable yourself, to live wholeheartedly and have deeper relationships.
‘That was on my mind when I was thinking about these portraits. If we allow vulnerability in them, maybe there’s the opportunity then for a deeper connection both to the stories and to what these stories reveal about the character of God.’
The vulnerability of the portraits seems to be paying off.
‘The feedback has been remarkable,’ says Dave. ‘People have been having beautiful moments with these characters.’
God meets with people in their mess and imperfection
One young woman who attended the exhibition sent Dave an email which said: ‘I brought a student from York, who wasn’t a Christian, to the exhibition. She was profoundly moved by your paintings. She opened up Scripture for the first time whilst looking at the faces. I had the opportunity to share the story of Jesus with her in a way that was more tangible and real than she’d ever heard it before.
‘The art has sparked not just a curiosity but also a conviction. As we walked back to the car, she said: “You can’t get away from the fact that the Bible isn’t just a book, can you? When you see it like that, it’s clear. It’s a million living stories.”’
The email moved Dave to tears.
‘My hope,’ he says, ‘is that the exhibition and book will allow people to have a more intimate connection with the heart of God. Sometimes we feel like we need to present something perfect and that to engage with God, we have to get our act together.
‘But the Bible is full of encounters where God meets with people in their mess and imperfection. And he’s not afraid of that. In fact, he’s drawn to us in the midst of our human experience. The invitation through this whole project is to come as you are and engage with him.’
Simeon
Historian JOAN TAYLOR
offers insights into how Jesus’ early life as a refugee fleeing violence and tyranny later shaped his years of ministry
Interview by Emily Bright
Afamily is forced to flee the genocidal king of their home nation to seek safety in Egypt. One member of this refugee family – a young child at the time of their escape – would go on to transform the spiritual, historical and cultural landscape of the world.
Professor Joan Taylor, a historian of early Christianity and Second Temple Judaism at King’s College London, has taken a special interest in this person’s childhood. Her book Boy Jesus explores the early years of a man known by many titles in the Bible, including the Son of God and the Messiah. Examining the Gospels and secular texts, she provides historical insight into what Jesus’ early years would have looked like – his birth in Bethlehem, his family’s flight to Egypt and his formative years in Nazareth. Jesus’ entry into the world was fraught with danger, particularly given his family’s genealogy. There were
prophecies that the line of a great former king called David – a line to which Jesus belonged – would produce more kings. This created political problems for David’s descendants. King Herod, installed by the Romans, would stop at nothing to destroy potential rivals to the throne – including killing baby boys.
‘The times of Jesus’ birth were extremely hard for everybody in Judaea, particularly for his family,’ Joan explains. ‘Herod was paranoid. He put down insurrections left, right and centre and ruled with an iron claw. He killed members of his own family, including three of his sons.’
When Herod was told that a potential new king had been born in a town called Bethlehem, he ordered that all boys aged two and under should be put to
Turn to page 10 f
Joan Taylor
A model of the Temple which Jesus visited as a boy and adult
From page 9
death. This meant that the baby Jesus had to be taken to Egypt by his parents, Mary and Joseph. Joan adds that young children in Bethlehem were not the only victims of the paranoid king.
‘At the time when Jesus was a baby,’ she says, ‘Herod massacred – in the most brutal way imaginable –people who had torn down the Roman eagle from the front of the Temple in Jerusalem. After his death, his son Archelaus massacred thousands of people in the Temple.
‘Witnessing brutality and violence and hearing the stories told by his parents would have influenced Jesus all through his life. His message of turning the other cheek has to be seen in a time of violence, not at a time of safety and everything being peaceful.’
Joan believes that Jesus’ early experiences of being a refugee would have ‘played a huge part’ in how he saw the world and in the way he conducted his ministry.
‘Jesus sent out his envoys to act in his stead, going into the villages of Galilee without a bag, without money, without food. They could have sandals and a walking stick, but they were allowed no
extra clothing to keep them warm. They were going out as if they had nothing.
‘There’s something about what it meant to be a refugee and looking for the kindness of strangers that Jesus has seen as vital to test. How would the village respond to people that don’t have a bag, money or food, yet claim that they’re bringing a message of God?’
Jesus had compassion for the poor
Joan is certain that Jesus’ later childhood years in Nazareth would also influence his teachings.
‘Jesus grew up in a lifestyle of poor tradespeople in a rural village in Galilee and learnt the craft of his father,’ she says. ‘His mother would have been working with her hands, spinning, fetching water and making food.
‘In the Bible, Jesus tells a parable about how no one puts a new patch on an existing garment without shrinking the patch because, once it’s washed, it shrinks. You have to make sure that it fits. That’s quite a fine detail, and so I
think Jesus would have seen his mother patching up clothing. It also indicates his compassion for the poor, who had to patch up their clothing, because clothing was expensive to make.’
But, while Joan believes that Jesus’ family wouldn’t have been financially well off, she suggests that his upbringing would have been spiritually rich.
‘Jesus would have had a synagogue education, where he would have learnt to read and memorise Scripture,’ she says.
His thirst for knowledge clearly comes across in the Gospel of Luke, as Joan explains: ‘One of the stories I went over forensically was when Jesus' parents take him to the Temple when he was 12 years old. He stays behind in Jerusalem, and Mary and Joseph travel back home for a long time before they realise he is not with them. I think that gives us an image of a huge caravan of people.
‘The historian Josephus tells us that there are millions of people that go to the Passover celebrations in Jerusalem every year. At some point Joseph and Mary, who think that Jesus is somewhere in this huge party, realise he’s not there.
‘They have to go all the way back to
Jerusalem, and when they find Jesus in the Temple, they’re really annoyed with him. I love their reaction – it’s so human. They say, “We’ve been looking for you. Can you imagine what it’s been like for us?”’
Jesus replies – in a statement told by the Gospel to indicate, as Joan points out, ‘his divine sonship’ – ‘Don’t you know I have to be in my Father’s house?’
Joseph
is hugely influential on Jesus' life
While his parents were understandably anxious, Joan explains that such festivals would have been an important part of Jesus’ spiritual development, and the Temple would have acted as a sanctuary for the young boy.
‘That time of Passover was critical, with stories that would have been told by teachers,’ says Joan. ‘Jesus would have found a place in the Temple to be looked after because in the teacher’s area there would have been food and shelter. But he was just so excited by
Scripture that he didn’t really want to go. He was determined about what he wanted to do, even then.’
The Bible’s account of Jesus as a child in the Temple says that ‘everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers’. It provides an insight into the wealth of spiritual knowledge he had already acquired. Joan believes that the wisdom of Joseph may have helped.
‘Joseph is hugely influential on Jesus’ life,’ says Joan. ‘The implication of the Gospel of Matthew is that Joseph was able to interpret both Scripture and the messages of angels received in dreams.’
As an example, Joan recalls that in the Gospel, an angel appears to Joseph to encourage him to marry Mary. Later it says that an angel warns Joseph in a dream to flee with his family to Egypt. Joan says that scriptural dream interpretation was a recognised skill in the first century.
‘A legal school called the Essenes seem to practise something similar, interpreting Scripture and tying it into contemporary events, so that they would understand the signs of the
times,’ she says, explaining that Jesus used the same skill in his own ministry.
‘He says to his followers, “Understand the signs of the times”, which meant working with Scripture to understand what was actually happening and what would happen in the future. It involves tuition, training and a tremendous knowledge of Scripture.
‘Joseph would have transferred his incredible ability to Jesus. And we know Jesus then encouraged his disciples to think like that, because early Christian Scripture is full of interpretations of the Hebrew Bible that aim to reveal the significance of Jesus’ life and death.’
l Boy Jesus is published by SPCK
Your prayers are requested for Ashley, who is experiencing homelessness.
The War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the first names of individuals and details of their circumstances, for publication. Send your Prayerlink requests to warcry@ salvationarmy.org.uk or to War Cry, 1 Champion Park, London SE5 8FJ. Mark your correspondence ‘Confidential’.
jBecoming 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
Browsing the Bible
1 Chronicles Nigel Bovey gives chapter and verse on each book of the Scriptures
The two books which appear with the title Chronicles recount the history of the Jewish nation from the death of King Saul to its return from exile in Babylon, a period of some 460 years. Although covering much of the history detailed in the books of Samuel and of Kings, there are a number of differences.
The mention of the return from Babylon suggests that some or all of the account was written during the exile (2 Chronicles 36:23).
Unlike Kings, Chronicles focuses on David’s reign and the subsequent Jerusalem-centred kingdom of Judah, with Temple worship and the priesthood emphasised.
Perhaps serving as a reminder of its roots to a nation that will be rebuilding after years away from home, 1 Chronicles begins with a series of genealogies from Adam to the descendants of Solomon (chapters 1 to 9).
After the death of Saul (chapter 10), David takes centre stage. He retrieves the Ark of the Covenant – the symbol of God’s earthly presence that contained the stones of the Ten Commandments – from the hills of Judah and takes it to Jerusalem (chapters 13 to 16).
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
He wins military victories over the neighbouring Moabites, Ammonites and Philistines and the expansionist nation of Assyria (chapters 18 to 20).
He orders his son, Solomon, to prepare to build an appropriate sanctuary for the Ark – the Temple in Jerusalem (chapter 22).
In his last days, David commissions the holy men of the Levites to help Solomon in his divine task and outlines their duties once the Temple is built. David then lists the duties to be carried out by the priests, musicians, gatekeepers and treasury officials who will serve in the Temple (chapters 23 to 26). He invites his people to give, as he has, to the building costs of the Temple and prays that God will reward their generosity.
Shortly before his father’s death, Solomon becomes king (chapter 29).
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QUICK QUIZ
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What is the name of the character played by Michael J Fox in the film Back to the Future?
Who wrote the children’s book The Tiger Who Came to Tea?
What, by total area, is the largest art museum in the world?
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The badge of which Scottish Premiership football club features a red lion and the motto ‘Ready’?
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Day highlights the work of the World Health Organisation
Feature by Ewan Hall
According to the saying, ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’. But, around the world, staying healthy is not that straightforward – which is why in 1948 the United Nations founded the World Health Organisation (WHO) to promote co-operation among countries and improve public health.
In its 77 years of existence, the WHO has used science and solidarity in its efforts to eradicate deadly diseases such as smallpox and has helped the world face crises – including the Covid-19 pandemic.
Such achievements will be celebrated on the anniversary of its founding, 7 April – observed every year as World Health Day.
On the day, the WHO will be launching its annual campaign, which this year is focused on raising awareness of maternal and newborn health.
The Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures campaign will urge governments and health communities to intensify efforts to prevent maternal and newborn deaths and prioritise women’s long-term health and wellbeing.
Each year, nearly 300,000 women die as a result of pregnancy or childbirth, more than two million babies die within their first month and about two million more are stillborn.
To address such problems, the WHO is advocating for comprehensive support – encompassing physical health, mental health and family planning – to be made available to women and families.
With millions of lives at risk, it is easy to understand why such attention would be given to such issues. But, sadly, we live in a world where we all will face grief.
When we’re faced with the loss of a loved one, we can feel devastated and – despite other people’s best intentions – alone and without comfort. At such times, Christians find solace in their belief that God loves and cares for them. They discover the truth of the Bible’s words that ‘the Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit’ (Psalm 34:18 English Standard Version).
If we choose to trust in God, he will provide us with his constant, unwavering support – however broken we feel.
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6. Nobleman (4)
7. Impossible wish (4, 5)
Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number
8. Chastise (9)
11. Digging tool (5)
12. Wrong (5)
13. Bird of prey (5)
14. Stitch (3)
16. For what reason (3)
1. Every 60 minutes
2. Slang for telephone
3. Travel behind
4. Dive quickly
5. Systematic plan
6. Reside in
21. Child’s carer (5)
22. In poor health (5)
23. Halt (4)
24. Post (4)
25. Eager (4)
26. Speak (4)
Dove.
Perimeter. 9. Lair.
Arrow. 17. Aping.
World. 19. Lumpy. 20. Ensue. 23. Slam. 25. Knot.
Magnified. 28. Pail. 29. Yet. 30. Nook.
Leer. 3. Neigh. 4. Break. 5. Died.
Pipe dream. 8. Reprimand. 11. Spade.
Amiss.
Eagle. 14. Sew. 16. Why. 21. Nanny.
Unfit. 23. Stop. 24. Mail. 25. Keen. 26. Talk.
Follow.
Baked sweet potato with smoky chickpeas
INGREDIENTS
METHOD
1 small sweet potato, ends trimmed
1tsp olive oil
½ small red onion, finely sliced
210g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed and dried
½ tsp smoked paprika
120g passata
1 garlic clove, finely diced
40g baby spinach
1tbsp fat-free Greek-style yogurt
INGREDIENTS
2 cod fillets
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 cherry tomatoes, finely diced
1 red chilli, deseeded and finely diced
1 garlic clove, finely diced
Handful coriander, finely chopped
160g fine green beans, trimmed and steamed
200g new potatoes, steamed
2 lime slices
Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas Mark 6.
Place the sweet potato on a baking tray and cook in the oven for 40 minutes, or until soft.
Meanwhile, warm the oil in a non-stick pan over a medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes, stirring regularly, until it starts to soften.
Add the chickpeas to the pan. Sprinkle with the smoked paprika and toss gently.
Pour in the passata, then add the garlic and stir. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the spinach to the pan, then stir and cover for 2 minutes, until wilted.
Place the sweet potato on a serving dish and cut in half, then spoon the chickpea mixture and the yogurt over the top.
Baked cod with homemade tomato salsa
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4.
Season the cod fillets with pepper and loosely wrap in foil. Place the foil parcel on a baking tray and bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the salsa by mixing the tomatoes, chilli, garlic and coriander together in a bowl.
Place the baked cod on 2 serving plates and top with the salsa. Serve with the green beans, potatoes and lime slices.
When we love, it transforms both us and the people we love
Paul Birch