War Cry 1 April

Award-winning talent gathers for the Oliviers

WAR CRY

All joking aside

Meet the fools with a serious message

Detective searches for missing girls in ITV drama

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

Issue No 7621

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 United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN

Tel: 0845 634 0101

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 Julian Watchorn

EVERY year some dates stand out from the rest. For example, there’s 25 December, 5 November, 1 January and, topically for this issue of the War Cry, 1 April.

Experience has taught many of us to be on our guard on April Fool’s Day. If last year we were caught out and made an April fool, then this year we will be more cautious about what we believe. Even though the vast majority of the jokes will be good-natured and fun, nobody really wants to be a fool.

Unless, of course, they chose acting the fool as a way of life. That’s what David Girt and Neil Wilkin have done. Separately, they entertain audiences of all ages by clowning around with puppets and props while enjoying the laughter their acts can bring.

In a world beset with issues such as armed conflict, the cost of living crisis and the climate emergency, it is great that there are people like David and Neil. For a while at least, they help us forget the cares of life and bring a smile to our face.

However, as we discover this week, these two entertainers include in their acts something more than a temporary respite from the trials of life. Both men use their routines to talk about their Christian faith and the positive impact it can bring to anyone’s life.

Some people may be surprised that the middle of a clown act is the place to share the Christian message, but Neil takes his inspiration from Jesus himself.

‘When Jesus came, he was never really accepted here on Earth,’ he tells us. ‘He was told: “You should go and work with these certain people.” Religious people wanted things done a certain way, and said there was a certain way to meet with God. But Jesus was saying, no, anyone can meet with God.’

Neil is right – and it’s no joke – we all have an invitation to meet with God. And it will change our lives for ever, if we accept it.

INFO INFO

Suspect behaviour

ITV thriller follows heartbroken father trying to find out the truth about two missing girls

PURSUING his wife through the streets of Edinburgh, detective constable Chris O’Neill (Kevin McKidd) is desperate to catch her. Michelle (Vinette Robinson) is running away to London to find answers about her missing teenage daughter in Six Four, an ITVX thriller series which began streaming on Thursday (30 March).

When the couple are asked to identify a body in the mortuary, they are relieved to discover that it’s not their daughter, Olivia. However, they disagree over what to do next: if Michelle goes to London to find answers, she faces dangers from her past. But she can’t stand by and do nothing, so she gets on the first train

As Chris’s calls to Michelle go unanswered, he grows increasingly desperate. And then, out of the blue, journalist Samantha Wishart (Selin Hizli) approaches him for answers about a cold case of another missing girl called Julie Mackie. Sixteen years ago, Julie went missing and her father claimed that she was kidnapped. Samantha believes that there’s evidence to back this up, but that it had been covered up by the police. As a father of a missing daughter himself, curiosity

gets the better of Chris and he begins to ask questions of the original investigating team.

Actor Kevin McKidd says of his character: ‘Chris is kind of the small man, really, trying to fight a big system. A big system that’s built on lies and backhanders and payoffs and hush money and political pressure and all that kind of murky stuff that’s the glue to that sort of political world.

‘He’s a family man who gets on a mission. It’s kind of a David and Goliath thing, which I think is very compelling. It’s an archetypal story for a reason because I think everybody likes the underdog and Chris O’Neill is very much the underdog in this.’ Many of us can relate to being the underdog, unsure how we are going to overcome the trials that we face. We may be grieving a painful loss, battling to save a relationship or coping with a diagnosis. But the ancient story of David and Goliath has often been cited to show that even when facing overwhelming challenges there is always hope.

It’s a David and Goliath thing

The full account of a young shepherd boy called David who kills Goliath, a giant warrior, with a slingshot is told in the Bible. The story highlights how the young boy’s strength comes not from his weapon, but from his relationship with God.

Before taking on Goliath, David declares boldly: ‘Today the Lord will help me defeat you … The Lord always wins his battles’ (1 Samuel 17:46 and 47 Contemporary English Version).

That is just as true today as it was then. God is with us in every battle we face, and he will help us if we ask him to. Life will never be easy, but God arms us with the strength, wisdom and peace to face our biggest challenges. Such a powerful claim warrants closer examination. If we explore a relationship with God, we’ll find answers on how to cope in our toughest times.

Chris is unable to stop his wife Michelle from leaving for London

TV feature by Emily Bright

Michelle is looking for answers about her daughter’s disappearance

‘ ’

j TEA M TALK

Would you believe it?

Trevor Howes gives his take on a date that has caught the attention of War Cry reporters

SOME years ago, a well-known burger chain published a full-page advertisement in USA Today announcing the introduction of the Left-Handed Whopper – claiming it was specially designed for the millions of left-handed Americans.

According to the advert, the new item on the menu included the same ingredients as the original Whopper (bun, hamburger, lettuce, tomato and so on) but all the contents were rotated 180 degrees –purely for the benefit of left-handed customers.

The advert was published in the newspaper’s 1 April issue and, the next day, there was a follow-up item revealing that although the Left-Handed Whopper was a hoax, thousands of customers had gone into restaurants to request the new burger.

People can deceive and disappoint us

It’s not just on April Fool’s Day that we get tricked. People are falling for hoaxes and deceptions every day on the internet and social media. Fake news stories appear and mislead a lot of people. They cause many of us to say, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it’ – as we wonder if we can guarantee the validity of what we read and hear. Doubts arise in our thoughts and appear in our actions.

However much we may think this is a new phenomenon, for generations people have lived with doubts about whether others can be trusted. Christians, though, have discovered that there is someone they can always rely on. The Bible puts it quite plainly: ‘It is better to trust the Lord than to trust people’ (Psalm 118:8 New Century Version).

People can deceive and disappoint us at times, but God can be trusted to deliver on all his promises, which can be found in the Bible. That’s his guarantee. But whether we will put our trust in him or not is down to us. If we do, then God will help us move on in our lives in ways we cannot imagine right now.

There is a new life with purpose and fulfilment waiting for us if we believe in God and follow him. And that’s no April Fool’s.

Team talk Team talk

talk talk

WAR

SCREENWRITER Heidi

Thomas has revealed that writing the TV drama Call the Midwife has helped her to reconnect with her Christian faith.

Speaking on Radio 2’s Good Morning Sunday, Heidi told presenter the Rev Canon Kate Bottley: ‘What was interesting was I started work on Call the Midwife in 2009, that was when I wrote the pilot scripts. And I think at that point, like most people I’d been on a spiritual journey throughout my life, but I’d fallen away from regular faith and regular churchgoing.’

But Heidi explained that working with Jennifer Worth, whose memoir Call the Midwife was the inspiration of the series, helped her to rediscover her faith.

She said: ‘The actual process of connecting with the community of nuns in particular, and the late Jennifer Worth, who died before we filmed the first series, but I got to know her very well, actually brought me back to a place of faith, and what a gift to receive in exchange for work.’

WAR CRY

Ex-footballer has faith goals

A FORMER Chelsea footballer has pursued faith in his retirement, the Daily Express has reported.

When Gavin Peacock retired from playing, aged 35, he had a promising career in the media, the paper said. But he gave up a role with the BBC to work for the Church full-time.

The south Londonborn player completed a three-year masters course in Canada and now serves as an associate pastor at Calvary Grace Church in Calgary.

Today he regularly uses his social media platform to spread God’s message, recently tweeting: ‘The grace and wisdom of the gospel is that the love of God saves sinners from the wrath of God and brings them into the family of God.’

nRLD

MANCHESTER United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that he is inspired by Major Alida Bosshardt, who he called ‘the face’ of The Salvation Army in the Netherlands.

On the team’s website, to mark International Women’s Day, players and coaches opened up about the women who have had a positive impact on them. The Dutch manager said of Major Bosshardt’s work: ‘She did it for so many years, always standing up for the poor, and to give them a better life. So, you have to respect that so much, and she did it in such a great and honourable way. She had a huge life, and everyone should respect her.’

Help in store with cost of living crisis

A DISCOUNT food shop has been set up by The Salvation Army in Sheringham, Norfolk, for those struggling to afford groceries.

Established in partnership with the Norfolk Community Foundation, it sells food at a substantially reduced price, with fresh fruit and vegetables available for free.

Shoppers only have to pay a membership fee of £5 every six months. The club is already welcoming 50 people every week after a

three-month trial run.

Alex Bishop, the leader of The Salvation Army in Sheringham, said: ‘These are difficult and unusual times for everyone, which is why we have opened up the scheme to anyone who feels they are struggling to afford food right now. Our food club will operate alongside other programmes we run, such as our food bank emergency provision and our coal and logs programme.’

King receives spiritual guidance ahead of coronation

KING Charles III is ‘having spiritual guidance sessions’ with the Archbishop of Canterbury in order to prepare for the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, reported The Times

According to the article, the King – who is supreme governor of the Church of England – has had several meetings with the Most Rev Justin Welby, who will officiate the royal ceremony in May. It is believed that the Archbishop has given the new monarch religious guidance on ‘the significance of his coronation oath, the commitments he will make to his subjects and the Christian symbolism of the regalia’. Royal sources added that the pair have been ‘liaising closely on the order of service’.

The Times also explained that, during the coronation ceremony, the King will be ‘presented with the sovereign’s orb, a representation of the monarch’s power which symbolises the Christian world with its cross mounted on a globe’. He will also be presented with two sceptres, ‘one featuring a dove representing the Holy Ghost, signifying the sovereign’s spiritual role, and the other surmounted by a jewelled cross, a symbol of the monarch’s temporal power’.

SPORTIMAGE/ALAMY

‘It’s not good to hide away autism’

This week has been World Autism Acceptance Week, which ends on Sunday (2 April) with World Autism Awareness Day. CAVAN WOOD, parent to an autistic child, has written a book to help people in families, in society and in the Church to live well alongside autism. He talks about why he wrote it and ways we can

Interview by Sarah Olowofoyeku

AFTER Cavan Wood was told by a doctor that he had an autistic son, he looked for some books to give him practical support. But he couldn’t find what he needed, so the West Sussex-based teacher, decided to write the book himself.

Entertaining Angels explores how people – families, society and churches –can live well with autism.

‘As a Christian parent, I couldn’t find anything about caring for autistic children within a faith context,’ Cavan says. ‘Writing the book was challenging as I reflected on my own experience as a parent. But I also wanted to listen to others – particularly to people with autism – to make sure that I did justice to the topic. I also wanted to pick up on issues, ways of thinking and supporting them, that wouldn’t be paternalistic and unhelpful, but were genuinely helpful and liberating.’

Cavan’s advice to other parents of autistic children is to find support.

‘Find others who are in the situation you’re in,’ he says. ‘Join a group where you can support each other and where people can share your experience. Definitely don’t keep things to yourself. I’m part of a

large church that provides special needs support. Once every two or three months, the parents of children with special needs come together for supper. It’s useful because I’ve heard from people at different ends of this journey, some right at the beginning and some who have seen their kids go on to university, into jobs and marriage, so we’re able to compare notes.

‘I’ve encouraged my son to talk to somebody who’s on the spectrum and six or seven years older than he is. They can talk to each other about their experiences in a way that I can’t. That’s one of the strengths of being in a support group.’

made for autistic people to be accepted.

‘You can be aware that there are people out there who have autism,’ he says, ‘but not necessarily make changes to the way things are happening.’

Find others in your situation

Another of Cavan’s suggestions is that parents be honest about the circumstances they are in.

‘Don’t give it another label and try to avoid it,’ he says. ‘I think it’s important that the church and society in general learn to accept all people, and if we are trying to hide away autism by being mealymouthed about it, that’s not good.’

This week has been World Autism Acceptance Week, and Cavan explains why it is so important that strides are

Acceptance, he says, is about not just talking, but doing something that makes people feel more included. He points to the quiet hour some businesses have implemented, as a good example of making society more inclusive for autistic people.

‘At my local building society, they have at least one hour during the day where there’s no background music, they dim the lights and it’s deliberately designed so that people on the spectrum can feel more relaxed,’ he says.

While there are some traits that are often attributed to autistic people, Cavan talks about some of the unhelpful stereotypes that exist about the condition,

make spaces more inclusive

Cavan Wood

emphasising the importance of talking to individuals about their own particular needs.

‘One of the most common misconceptions is that autistic people lack empathy,’ he says. ‘Some do find it difficult to understand others’ emotions, but sometimes you will find a person on the autistic spectrum who has too much empathy. I remember when we were playing pass the parcel at a birthday party and my three-year-old son cried because the person next to him hadn’t won anything.

‘Another thing is to assume that they’re incredibly bright or incredibly unintelligent. Intelligence across the autistic community goes all ways. We need to get away from the autistic superhero mentality. We need to treat people as human beings, to treat each individual with respect and

understanding and not go for stereotypes or extremes.’

Cavan is also passionate about the Church being more of an inclusive space for people on the autism spectrum.

‘Not everybody is going to find some of the things that often happen today in churches acceptable,’ he says. ‘Depending on the church tradition, there can be bright lights, lots of noise and the music group can be very loud. Lots of things can be quite offputting, so instead of saying one size fits all, we need to ask what fits for other people and what can help, then make genuine modifications to church life.’

Being a churchgoer and Christian impacts the perspective Cavan has on autistic people. He believes they – like all human beings – are made in the image of God.

‘Everybody has a dignity, everybody has a purpose, everybody has a spiritual side,’ he says. ‘No matter how difficult our life has been or the difficulties we have, God made us, loves us and accepts us. The only thing that can defend human dignity is the idea that we are created by God. Human beings are important, it doesn’t matter whether they are high status or low status in society, they are of value to God.’

We need to ask what fits for people

Acting the fool

by

THE first day of April is traditionally one for practical jokes and tricking people into becoming an April fool. This is not something that happens only in the UK. It is a custom in many countries around the world, including France where the fooled person is called poisson d’avril – an April fish –which could be a reference to a young fish that is more likely to be caught by an angler. That is why French children often pin a paper fish to the back of an unsuspecting friend.

The actual origins of April Fool’s Day are uncertain. But it has been suggested that it dates back to the 16th century, when it was decided that the start of the year would move from April to January, making those who either forgot the change or decided to cling to the old ways April fools.

Whatever the reason for the day, there will be lots of people on their guard to make sure that they are not caught out even by the most light-hearted of deceptions. There are not many people

who want to be known as a fool – however, there are some.

Holy Fools UK is an organisation for entertainers of creative arts disciplines –clowning, puppetry, dance, storytelling and more – who, more than just being clowns, are on a mission through their entertainment to give something special to the world – the Christian message.

The name Holy Fools comes from a verse in the Bible, which describes people as ‘fools for Christ’. One of the organisation’s founding members is David Girt. He has been making people laugh in one way or another since childhood.

One of his earliest memories of entertaining is as a young boy when, soon after his aunt died, he made his mother laugh by performing imitations. While he grew up to work briefly as an aircraft engineer, it wasn’t long before he returned to the two things he loved – making

people laugh and handling puppets. He had also become a Christian as a teenager and wanted to communicate his faith.

‘I thought I was being called to be either a missionary or a vicar, because I didn’t have any O-Levels,’ he says. ‘I spent hours commuting, leading Bible school studies and teaching Sunday school.’

However, David quickly realised that following his puppetry hobby might be a better way for him to share his beliefs and he felt that this was what God wanted him to do. So began a lifelong career of making others laugh, as well as spreading a positive message.

Over the years, David has used clowning, origami and street entertainment in Covent Garden to share his Christian faith. His characters are Jolly Jack, a clown; Emile, a silent clown; Pip, a mime act and Charlie Chaplin, a part he has played on the BBC’s Children In Need

David Girt as Jolly Jack

Neil Wilkins as Jester Jim

Clowns gather in a sacred place

For members of the performance group Holy Fools UK, such as Jolly Jack and Jester Jim, playing the fool is not just for April Fools Day. But their clowning around is done to deliver a serious message

Feature

Sarah Olowofoyeku

David says he has met many famous people during his time as a clown, but equally appreciates meeting ‘the most humble people’.

While some clowns spend much of their time working in front of audiences, once a year they have the opportunity to spend time with each other and appreciate one another’s skills. Every year, David and other clowns gather in a sacred place to reflect on a loving God, who many believe has given them the gift of making others laugh.

In February, the annual Grimaldi Clown Service takes place at All Saints Church in Haggerston, east London. It is organised by Clowns International, one of the world’s oldest clown organisations,

the president of which is Martin ‘Zippo’ Burton of Zippo’s Circus.

Last month was the 77th service to be held in honour of Joseph Grimaldi, known as the father of British clowning. Dressed in their full attire, clowns from across the country attend what is a celebration of clowning and how it can bring people joy, as well as a time of remembrance for the clowns who have died

Turn to page 10 f

David Girt performs as Charlie Chaplin and Pip, a mime artist

in the previous year.

The organisers of the service hope that it will encourage the clowns who attend to continue to entertain in the coming year. Some of the words spoken during the service are a prayer that clowns may carry on helping people laugh about the joys and the sorrows of life.

Through his clowning, David wants to continue communicating the Christian message to his audiences. That message, he says, is that God is love. And he believes that, regardless of what people may think about religion, this is a message they need to hear.

‘A lot of people don’t think they are loved,’ he says. ‘A lot of people don’t want to know about Christianity, but I suggest that God is loving.’

Neil

Wilkin, also known by his stage name Jester Jim, is the chairman of Holy Fools UK. Neil is a storyteller who uses puppetry in his act. He tells me that he has been honing his entertainment skills for more than 30 years.

‘It all started in the late 1980s,’ he says. ‘I used to help out at a holiday club at my home church. A friend of mine who used to front the club said he couldn’t do the role anymore, so asked if I could. But my friend told me that I would need a name. So I went home and thought about it, and decided to go with the name Jim. At one time, my parents nearly called me James. And Jim stands for “Jesus in me”.’

For Neil, that added meaning of his name is vitally important because his Christian faith is at the heart of what he does.

‘First and foremost for me, it’s telling a good moral tale or leading people into the Christian faith. I let them decide at the end what they want to believe, it’s their choice. But I’m bringing a strong message to them in a fun way.’

Neil’s openness to demonstrating his faith has led him to have many conversations with people – some who have faith and others who do not. He tells me how he responds to those who don’t have a faith and who are certain that, when they die, there is no Heaven or Hell to worry about.

‘I say: “Fine, but are you prepared to take that risk?” It could be that there is nothing there at the end, but I don’t believe that.

‘Jesus came and died for us, rose again and went into Heaven after 40 days of walking on Earth, and I think that’s wonderful. One day, I want to go up and meet him in Heaven. God is my closest friend and by grace I was saved. It’s up to me to make a commitment to God and each day I have a time of prayer in the morning, asking God to be part of my day.

‘When I go out and about and people

meet me and they need a helping hand, it’s up to me to say: “What would Jesus have done in this situation?” So I’ll make time for the person or friend who needs help or a listening ear. I look at the stories of what Jesus actually did and think: “Isn’t that what we should be doing?”’

Neil believes that the ideas of having a friend in God, hope for the future and living right are for anyone. He entertains people of all ages, through tales he has written, sometimes teaching them the principles

‘When there are children involved, it’s great. I tell the story of the bunny rabbit who meets Jesus, or the lost

Neil also includes the retelling of Bible stories in his act and he encourages his audience to interact with him and the story.

‘If the walls of Jericho come tumbling down, I get the audience to act it out. If we’re doing Jesus calming the sea, I get people to act out being the waves and being some of the disciples on the boat.

‘I have a little bookworm character who talks about devouring the Bible. He pokes his head out of the Bible and says, “I’m a bookworm, I’m supposed to devour God’s Word”. But at the end of it, I say

that it’s not about eating a Bible, but about reading God’s Word and understanding it. I’m always looking for fun ways to portray the message.’

Neil uses everyday objects and stories to illustrate a deeper message. One such example is that of a pencil, which can help people to think about their interactions with others.

‘With a pencil, it’s the inside that leaves the mark, not the exterior,’ he says. ‘If I am walking down the street and speak to my neighbour and engage with them, something of me is left with that neighbour. I can choose

whether that is something good or bad.’

While Christianity can often be seen as serious, Neil says that when he goes to church, he wants to have fun. He especially does this through his involvement with Messy Church, where families join in with Bible-themed craft activities and storytelling.

For Neil, it is important that there are

different ways for people to hear the good news of the Christian message as he believes that it is a message for everyone. To anyone who finds it hard to accept that acting the fool is an effective way of telling people about Jesus, he has a simple reply.

‘When Jesus came, he was never really accepted here on Earth. He was told: “You should go and work with these certain people.” Religious people wanted things done a certain way, and said there was a certain way to meet with God. But Jesus was saying, no, anyone can meet with God.’

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, 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN. 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

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

a thou

by Callum McKenna

Now, ther NO W, THERE’S A THOUGHT! A right

royal surprise

IN a few weeks’ time the nation, and perhaps indeed the world, will gather around TV screens to witness the historic scenes marking the coronation of King Charles III. It will be an occasion rich in pageantry and ceremony.

Imagine that you’re watching the big day and the voiceover announces that the King is about to make his entrance. The King’s trumpeters play, soldiers march ahead, but then, instead of the golden carriage you’re expecting, you notice that the King has appeared riding on the back of a donkey. It would seem a bit unexpected, wouldn’t it?

This makes for quite an interesting parallel with the events that Christians celebrate this weekend. On Palm Sunday (2 April) the story of Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem will be remembered. When he arrived, the city was packed with Jewish people gathered for a festival called Passover, and all kinds of expectations had started to bubble up surrounding who Jesus might really be.

Jesus did things in unexpected ways

By then, he had gained a reputation for being a miracle-working, powerful teacher and some were beginning to wonder if he might be the long-expected saviour King of Israel. They had heard Jesus was heading to Jerusalem and so the crowds began to gather.

The people spread their cloaks on the road, in anticipation of this royal arrival, and began to shout coronation-esque chants such as, ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!’ (Luke 19:38 New International Version). Then, into that scene burst King Jesus riding… a donkey.

On the one hand, it was somewhat unexpected that the long-awaited King made his journey into Jerusalem not on a war horse, ready to win a military victory for the oppressed Israelites, but on a donkey, an animal associated with peace and humility. On the other hand, Jesus did have a reputation for doing things in unexpected ways.

In many respects, the teachings of Jesus are full of surprises. If you follow the upcoming Easter story, you will see that is full of surprises too, as the King who was welcomed into Jerusalem is killed on a cross. This Easter, why don’t you let Jesus surprise you too – you might get more than you expected.

Address

QUICK QUIZ

1 2 3 4 5 6

Who lives in Pemberley House in the Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice?

According to the Bible, what was the name of Adam and Eve’s first son?

Who currently presents the Radio 4 programme Desert Island Discs?

In which year did Disney open its Euro Disney theme park in Paris?

Hansen’s disease is more commonly known by which name?

Who plays Phil Mitchell in the BBC soap EastEnders?

Stars of the stage are hoping to shine at the Olivier Awards ceremony

Feature by Claire Brine

CURTAIN up! It’s time to celebrate the best of British theatre with the Olivier Awards tomorrow (Sunday 2 April). Stars gathering at the Royal Albert Hall will be on the edge of their seats as they wait for a number of big reveals. Which stage production has bagged the accolade for best new play? Is Sister Act in with a shot of winning best musical revival? Who will be crowned as the best actor and actress?

While individual performers, such as stars Jodie Comer and Tom Hollander, have been nominated for their contribution to making certain productions successful, it is clear that no show can go on without the input of countless other professionals. That’s why the Olivier Awards also recognise the achievements of individuals working in costume, lighting and set design. It takes a large team of people to put a production together – and everyone’s contribution, big or small, plays an important part.

The same principle applies in other scenarios – including real-life matters of faith. Here’s how.

When it comes to Christianity, perhaps we are interested in learning what it means to follow Jesus, but we aren’t the kind of people to put our beliefs in the spotlight. Maybe we feel intimidated by individuals whose faith shines brighter than we think ours ever could, leading us to believe that God couldn’t possibly have a purpose for us.

The truth is that when we put our faith – however small – in God, we become part of the ‘body of Christ’, a team of people which includes every single believer. Whoever we are and whatever we have done wrong in the past, it’s a community where everyone can be forgiven and is valued.

One Bible writer expressed it like this: ‘God put our bodies together in such a way that even the parts that seem the least important are valuable … Together you are the body of Christ’ (1 Corinthians 12:24 and 27 Contemporary English Version).

Whether we like living in the spotlight or feel most at home behind the scenes, we matter – and so does our faith. When we choose to join the team of believers who have given their hearts to God, we can all play a key part in making the world a better place.

1. Mr Darcy. 2. Cain.

3. Lauren Laverne. 4. 1992.

5. Leprosy. 6. Steve McFadden.

Everyone can be forgiven and is valued

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

PUZZLES

Quick CROSSWORD

Secede.

SERVES 4

Strawberry yoghurt cream

INGREDIENTS

500g strawberries

1 lemon, juice

300g plain full-fat yoghurt

150ml single cream

2tbsp caster sugar

1 egg white

For the topping

100g caster sugar

150ml water

To decorate Mint leaves

SERVES 4

METHOD

Reserve 5 strawberries for the topping. Put the remaining strawberries in a blender or food processor with the lemon juice and blend to a puree. Alternatively press the berries through a sieve into a bowl and stir in the lemon juice.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the yoghurt and cream until thick, then stir in the blended strawberries. Sweeten to taste with the sugar.

Whisk the egg white until stiff and gently fold into the mixture. Spoon into 4 serving glasses and chill until set.

For the topping, heat the sugar and water in a pan until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil and cook steadily for a few minutes until thick and syrupy. Remove from the heat. Slice the reserved strawberries and stir into the syrup mixture. Leave to cool, then chill. Spoon the syrup and strawberries on top of the desserts and decorate with mint leaves.

Sweet potatoes and beetroot

INGREDIENTS

4 large beetroots, scrubbed and peeled

3 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed

2tbsp olive oil

450g cottage cheese

Small bunch mint, leaves only, roughly chopped, plus extra to garnish

Small bunch flatleaf parsley, leaves only, chopped

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

4tbsp mixed nuts, to garnish

White sesame seeds, to garnish

Black sesame seeds, to garnish

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4. Rub the beetroots and sweet potatoes with the olive oil before individually wrapping in aluminum foil and arranging on a large baking tray.

Bake for about 1 hour, until just tender to the tip of a knife. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, stir together the cottage cheese, chopped herbs and some salt and pepper, to taste, in a small bowl.

Toast the mixed nuts in a dry frying pan on a medium heat until golden and aromatic. Allow to cool briefly before pulsing in a food processor until finely chopped.

Unwrap the beetroots and sweet potatoes and discard the foil. Cut open with a sharp knife and fill with spoonfuls of the cottage cheese mixture. Arrange in a dish and garnish with a generous sprinkling of the chopped nuts, sesame seeds and some mint leaves, before serving.

We love because God first loved us