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
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
THERE are not many weeks when the National Health Service –which celebrates its 75th anniversary this month – is out of the news headlines. As well as reports of the challenges it faces, there are the stories of how dedicated staff have saved lives and helped millions of people.
In the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic, standing on doorsteps on a Thursday evening to clap NHS and other frontline workers was a tangible way for many of us to express our thanks to the people who look after our communities – people such as Vicky Gate, who in this week’s War Cry talks about her work as a nurse in a paediatric A&E department in Blackpool.
‘The NHS provides a place of healing – that’s how I see it,’ she says.
In the interview, as well as talking through some of her work challenges, Vicky recalls how she felt drawn by God to nursing. She also explains how her faith now plays a role in her working life.
‘God gives me the courage and peace that I need. And I think my faith also helps me to be more understanding of patients and their families,’ she says. ‘I am grounded by my faith so that I can give the parents the reassurance they’re looking for.’
We don’t have to be working in the stressful world of the NHS to need something that gives us courage, peace and a sense of being grounded. The good news is that God offers all this and more to anyone who believes in him and is willing to follow his direction for their life.
It’s unlikely we’ll make the headlines if we accept his offer, but it will make all the difference to the life that we live.